Sarbananda Sonowal takes over as Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Sarbananda Sonowal here today assumed charge of his office. 

Later, the Minister was briefed on the key initiatives and policy frame work of the Ministry by Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs and Secretary, Department of Sports and other senior officials of the Ministry. 

Auction for Sale (Re-Issue) of Government Stocks

The Government of India have announced the sale (issue/re-issue) of (i) “8.35 per cent Government Stock 2022” for a notified amount of Rs. 4,000 crore (nominal) through price based auction, (ii) “New 14 year Government Stock” for a notified amount of Rs. 7,000 crore (nominal) through yield based auction, (iii) “9.20 per cent Government Stock 2030” for a notified amount of Rs. 2,000 crore (nominal) through price based auction, and (iv) “9.23 per cent Government Stock 2043” for a notified amount of Rs. 3,000 crore (nominal) through price based auction. The auctions will be conducted using uniform price method. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on May 30, 2014 (Friday). 

Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the stocks will be allotted to eligible individuals and Institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities. 

Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) system on May 30, 2014. The non- competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. and the competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 12.00 noon. 

The result of the auctions will be announced on May 30, 2014 and payment by successful bidders will be on June 2, 2014 (Monday). 

The Stocks will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) vide circular No. RBI /2006-07/178 dated November 16, 2006 as amended from time to time. 

Facts at a Glance: Assam

Date of Poll – 12th April 2014 

S. No.	Item	Number of Parliamentary Constituencies going on poll=3*
1.	Total Electors	Male –      1526082 Female –   1400594 Others -     86  Service-     6313 NRI Voters:     0   ------------------------------  Total  -   2933075
2	Number Types of Parliamentary Constituencies	General :  1  SC :         1 ST:           1
3	Total number of Candidates	37
4	Parliamentary Constituencies  having more than 16 candidates	17 ((2-Silchar PC)
5	Parliamentary Constituencies  having more than 32 candidates	NIL
6	Total Number of Female candidates	2
7	No. and Name of the Parliamentary Constituency with maximum No. of  Candidates	2-Silchar PC (17 nos. of candidate)
8	No. & Name of the Parliamentary Constituency with  minimum number of Candidates	3-Autonomous District (ST) (6 nos. of candidate)
9	Party-wise list of candidates:	BJP	3
		BSP
		CPI (M)	1
		CPM
		INC	3
		NCP
		Registered Political Parties (other then recognised National and State)	14
		Independents	16
		Total	37
10	Largest Parliamentary constituency Electorate wise	1-Karimganj (SC) (Elector - 1163871
11	Smallest Parliamentary constituency Electorate wise	3-Autonomous District (Electors-701268
12	Number of General, Expenditure, Police & Awareness Observers  deployed	General Observers -            4 Expenditure Observers  -    3 Police  Observers            -   1 Awareness Observers- Micro Observers-                             -
13	No. of Polling Personnel deployed ( approx)	14792
14	No. of  Polling Stations	3698
15.	Number of EVMs to be used in the elections	Control Units -    1188 Ballot Units -      2376

·        PC No 1 Karimganj, PC No 2 Silchar , PC No 3 Autonomous District

Facts at A Glance : Assam

Date of Poll: - 07-04-2014 

S. No.	Item	Number of Parliamentary Constituencies going on poll- 5
1.	Total Electors	Male –            3306735 Female –        3104148 Others -                     0  Service-             10121 NRI Voters:              0      ------------------------------  Total  -         6421004
2	Number Types of Parliamentary Constituencies	General :  5  SC :        0 ST:          0
3	Total number of Candidates	54
4	Parliamentary Constituencies  having more than 16 candidates	NIL
5	Parliamentary Constituencies  having more than 32 candidates	NIL
6	Total Number of Female candidates	2
7	No. and Name of the Parliamentary Constituency with maximum No. of  Candidates	14 – LAKHIMPUR HPC &  11 – KALIABOR HPC   Maximum No. of candidates : 13 each
8	No. & Name of the Parliamentary Constituency with  minimum number of Candidates	13 - DIBRUGARH HPC Minimum No. of candidates : 6
9	Party-wise list of candidates:	BJP    -   5
		BSP  -    0
		CPI   -    1
		CPM  -   1
		INC   -    5
		NCP  -    0
		Registered Political Parties (other then ecognized National and State)	27
		Independents	15
		Total	54
10	Largest Parliamentary constituency Electorate wise	11 – KALIABOR HPC
11	Smallest Parliamentary constituency Electorate wise	13 – DIBRUGARH HPC
12	Number of General, Expenditure, Police & Awareness Observers  deployed	General Observers -             6 nos. Expenditure Observers  -    5 nos.
13	No. of Polling Personnel deployed ( approx)	34352
14	No. of  Polling Stations	8588
15.	Number of EVMs to be used in the elections	Control Units -       8588 Ballot Units -          8588

Speech by the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at the release of theme song of the Central Reserve Police Force on the occasion of its Diamond Jubilee Year

1. I am indeed happy to be a part of this ceremony of the Central Reserve Police Force to release its Theme Song on the occasion of its Diamond Jubilee Year.

2. I congratulate the Central Reserve Police Force, which is an important central security agency, on its 75th year of service to this great nation. Raised as Crown Representative’s Police on 27th July, 1939 and rechristened as Central Reserve Police Force on 28th December, 1949, the Force has since grown by leaps and bounds. 

This largest para-military force in the world has confronted and resolved numerous key challenges to internal security. With its resolute commitment and battle worthiness, it has assuaged the aggrieved regions of the country from disturbances.

3. I compliment Shri Javed Akhtar, the most distinguished lyricist of our times, for his creative effort at capturing through his lyrics and with such splendour the sentiments of this security force; and, for gifting this song to inspire and arouse each Jawan and officer of CRPF. This initiative will also instill a sense of identity and camaraderie amongst the CRPF personnel.

4. The CRPF is the sentinel of our internal security. At the edifice of our country’s unity and integrity, lie the toil, sweat and blood of the brave personnel of this Force. I congratulate all its members for rendering their services to the nation.

5. Some of the members of the Forces have been awarded gallantry medals and many other distinctions including the Kirti Chakra and Gallantry Medals on the Republic Day. The history of CRPF is thick with acts of bravery and valour. CRPF has produced many a chivalrous sons who have done their utmost in securing our country. I take this opportunity to also salute the brave hearts from this security force, who have sacrificed their lives at the call of duty.

6. The existence of peace and security is a true facilitator of development. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the architect of modern India once observed and I quote: “Without peace, all others dreams vanish and are reduced to ashes” (unquote). Our institutions entrusted with the maintenance of peace and security have an arduous task. They have to be proactive as law enforcers and effective as partners in growth and development.

7. The ‘Rule of Law’, which is a cardinal principle on which a modern state rests, has to be enforced with due firmness. The frequent challenges to the rule of law have to be confronted by implementing the law in letter and spirit. In this context, I want to mention that whatever the situation or provocation, there is no room in a liberal democracy for use of violence aimed at intimidation and delivering extra judicial justice. This belief must be firmly inculcated in the minds of all the personnel who are taking on security challenges at the ground level.

8. Para-military forces like the CRPF are called upon to perform multiple functions. They are drafted for law and order situations and to control riots. In handling various challenging tasks, the personnel of these law enforcing agencies have to be responsive to the humane side of policing. They have to be always sensitive to the vulnerable sections like women, children and the aged.

9. This year, we will witness the 16th General Election to the Lok Sabha. The Indian electorate is one-seventh of the global population. The election of a government at the Centre by the people every five years is an exercise of gigantic proportions and poses enormous challenge to all those involved in its conduct. The security forces, particularly the CRPF, have to give their best in ensuring that free and fair elections are held under a peaceful atmosphere.

10. The menace of terrorism afflicts many countries in the world today. India, in particular, is a target of various terrorist groups operating in the region. The security forces and the intelligence mechanism have to be alert every second to avert any event that can strike terror or disrupt peace. The pernicious designs of the terrorists have to be defeated at all levels. The fangs of their vicious and divisive blueprint have to be countered with a multi-pronged approach. To my mind, using information technology, harnessing better intelligence, and drawing greater cooperation from the people would be the key.

11. Left wing extremism is a major thrust area for CRPF operation. The operational engagement has to be all-encompassing. A greater understanding and a sensitive handling has to be the core of the strategy in dealing with the affected areas. 

I would like to make a special mention of the role played by the security forces in such difficult areas where they have created space; wherein developmental activity has begun; economy has picked-up and democratic process stands strengthened. I appreciate the wonderful contribution of officers and Jawans of CRPF in the peaceful conduct of Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh recently. The next few years will be critical. Having reached a threshold, CRPF has to win over the hearts and minds of the people and restore complete normalcy in the disturbed areas.

12. There is a worrying increase in communal violence in some parts of our country. To control its spread, the communication system - both external and internal – has to be strengthened. The social media, which enables reaching out quickly to large number of people, has to be incessantly monitored for any incendiary messages. Early warning systems have to be put to effective use in potentially troublesome situations.

13. CRPF has secured and woven the internal security fabric by demonstrating its operational prowess along with a humane approach. This pan-India Force has taken pioneering steps towards modernization and enhanced combativeness. But more needs to be done. Ground level tactics have to be made more innovative by the adoption of state-of-the-art planning strategies. To give confidence to the troops, they have to be equipped with modern gadgetry and weaponry. To develop their morale further, the welfare issues have to be addressed promptly.

14. CRPF is an important pillar of our country’s internal security apparatus. The diversity of its role and its unique adaptability to situational requirements, and its capacity to deliver operational dividends in difficult circumstances has distinguished itself as a very valuable organization. 

I commend the Union Home Ministry for giving every possible support to this crucial security unit. I also appreciate the Director General of CRPF for providing a firm leadership to this Force. I congratulate all the CRPF personnel who, by their dedication and commitment, have brought name and pride to the Force. As it marches through its Diamond Jubilee year, I wish CRPF great success in all its endeavours.