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PRIVATE TELECOM COMPANIES TO RAISE TARIFFS BY 12-15%.

 

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the association of the private telcos has stated that in view of the high bid spectrum auction, the tariffs will have to be increased by about 12% to 15%. This is against the  view of the Communications Minister that increase of about 1.30 paise per minute will be sufficient.

The private operators are utilisng the opportunity to maximise their profits. Though the Minister has stated that there is no justification for more increase, as usual, the private companies will have their way and the customers will suffer. How can a party which has got huge donations from the corporates, deny their demand?

 

CANCER TREATMENT UNDER CGHS- NEW GUIDELINES ISSUED BY MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE.

No. 1-1/13/Hospital Cell/R&H/CGHS (Pt.l)/CGHS (P)
Government of lndia
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Department of Health & Family Welfare

Nirman Bhavan, Maulana Azad Road
New Delhi- 110 108

Dated : the 23rd February, 2015

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Cancer Treatment under CGHS/CS(MA) Rules, 1944

With reference to the above mentioned subject the undersigned is directed to draw attention to the Office Memorandum of even number dated 2nd September, 2008 and to state that in view of empanelment of several Cancer hospitals under CGHS the matter was re-examined, and it has now been decided to modify the Office Memorandum as follows:

i) CGHS beneficiaries and beneficiaries covered under CS(MA)Rules, 1944 shall be permitted to get themselves treated from any of the under mentioned 27 (Twenty seven) hospitals recognized by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under the National Cancer Control Programmes that are funded by the Government of India, subject to the condition that the reimbursement will be as per the rates fixed in the Regional Cancer Centers under Central Government, if any or as per actual, whichever may be less.

1. Andhra Pradesh – M.N.J. institute of Oncology & Regional Cancer Centre, Hyderabad.
2. Assam – Dr. B. Borooah Cancer institute, Guwahati.
3. Bihar – Indira Gandhi institute of Medical Sciences, Patna
4. Chandigarh – Post Graduate institute Medical Education Research, Chandigarh.
5. Chhattisgarh – Pt. ,i.J.N Medical College & Dr. BR. Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, Raipur.
6. Delhi – Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, AIIMS, New Delhi.
7. Gujarat– Gujarat Cancer Research Institute, Ah medabad, Gujarat.
8. Haryana – Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak.
9. Himachal Pradesh– Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla.
10. Jammu & Kashmir– Sher-i- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar.
11. Jammu & Kashmir– Government Medical College -Jammu.
12. Karnataka – Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore.
13. Kerala – Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.
14. Madhya Pradesh – Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Gwalior.
15. Maharashtra – Rashtrasant Tukdoji Regional Cancer Hospital Research Centre, Nagpur.
16. Maharashtra -Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
17. Manipur– Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal.
18. Mizoram – Civil Hospital, Aizwal.
19. Odisha – Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre, Cuttack.
20. Puducherry – Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research.
21. Rajasthan – Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Treatment & Research Institute, Bikaner.
22. Tamil Nadu – Govt. Arignar Anna Memorial Cancer Research Institute & Hospital, Kancheepuram.
23. Tamil Nadu – Cancer Institute (WIA), Adyar, Chennai.
24. Tripura – Civil Hospital, Agartala.
25. Uttar Pradesh – Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow.
26. Uttar Pradesh – Kamla Nehru Memorial Hospital, Allahabad.
27. West Bengal – Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata.

ii) In cities where there are no facilities for cancer treatment in any of the empanelled private hospitals powers are hereby delegated to the Addl. Directors of CGHS of the concerned cities in respect of CGHS and to HOD/ Head of Office in respect of serving employees covered under CS(MA) Rules, 1944 for grant of permission for undergoing treatment at any hospital that provides treatment to cancer patients, subject to the condition that the reimbursement shall be limited to the prevalent CGHS rates or actual expenditure – whichever may be lower. Permission shall however be granted for the specific treatment procedures as advised by a Government specialist.

iii) Powers are also hereby delegated to the Additional Directors of CGHS of the concerned cities in respect of CGHS and to HOD/ Head of Office in respect of serving employees covered under CS(I\/IA) Rules, 1944 for grant of permission for post-operative follow up treatment from the same centre, where permission has been granted earlier for cancer treatment as per the terms and conditions of OM dated 10.04.2001 regarding Post-operative follow up treatment.

2. These orders shall be in force till further orders.

3. This issues with the concurrence of Integrated Finance Division vide CD No. 115650 /2015 dated 15-01-2015.

sd/-
(RAVI KANT)
UNDER SECRETARY TO THE GOVT. OF INDIA

 

STATIC CONSUMER PRICE INDEX- IS IT A TRUE REFLECTION OF EVERYDAY LIFE?

 

Today (31/03/2015), the Shimla Labour Bureau of Govt. of India has released the Consum…er Price Index (Industrial Workers) – CPI(IW) (Base 2001=100) for the month of February’15. The Index figure has come down by one point from 254 in January’15 to 253 in February’15. But the interesting feature is that the CPI(IW) remains almost static during last eight months. In July’14 the Index had shot up by 6 points in a single month to 252. Thereafter from August to December’14, it stood static at 253 points, only to rise by one point in January’15 and again came down to 253 in February’15.

When the common toiling people are suffering from sustained price rise of all essential commodities, the inevitable question comes, how the index remains static for the most part of the year? Is it a true reflection of the bitter experiences of everyday life of the common people? Or, is there any behind the scene machinations to exhibit the effectiveness of the Central Govt. in containing price rise (inflation) and simultaneously robbing the workers of their legitimate dues in form of compensation to price rise (Dearness Allowance) as a gift to the corporates as well as the governments? No doubt, if the Govt. succeeds to register albeit artificially a very low or zero inflation rate, it will have serious ramification on the common people at the advantage of the corporates and the super riches.

A brain-storming analysis/ review on the issue is urgently warranted.

– Mihir Dasgupta

PRIVATE TELECOM COMPANIES MOUNT PRESSURE TO HIKE THE TARIFFS.

 

The private telecom companies are continuously pressing for increasing  telecom tatiffs, stating that India’ s tariff is the lowest, high amount paid for recent spectrum has to be compensated and even now companies are under loss.
These are not fully correct. These private companies are not in loss. There are 82 countries in the world which are having lower tariffs. And the present bid money is to be paid in instalments of a number of years.
This pressure for increase for tariff is to maximise profit only.

 

FEW FACTS ABOUT BSNL—V.A.N.NAMBOODIRI.

 

A few important facts about BSNL for information is given below:

1. BSNL is the 10th biggest company in the country on the basis of assets.  BSNL assets are worth Rs.89,333.44 crore

2. Income in 2013-14  –  Rs. 27,996.35 crore

3. BSNL Landlines – 1.68 crore  ( First position – 63.13% market share)

4. Mobile lines – 8.01 crore ( 5th Position)(Market Share 8.01%)

5. Towers – 97,000.

6. Telephone Exchanges and Offices – More than 30,000

7. Public Call Office – 57,606

8. Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) – 6,86,444 Route Km.

9. Micro Wave Network – 50,430 Route Km.

10.No. of employees  – 2,26,000 ( 3,50,000 in 2000)

(a) Executives – 46,000

(b) Non-executives – 1,80,000

11.Average age of employees – 51 years

12. Casual contract workers – about one lakh

13. Telecom Factories – 7

14. Telecom Training Centres : 50

15. Total Profit for 9 years from 2000-01 – Rs.44,993 crore

16. Total Loss for 5 years  from 2009-10 – Rs.31,961 crore

The MNCs and Indian Corporates want BSNL to be privatised to capture all the assets. This can not be allowed. The telecom PSU, BSNL has to be strengthened for a better service to the nation.

 

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA TO REDUCE THE CAP OF BANK LOAN TO CORPORATES.

Alarmingly growing NPAs ( Non- Performance Assets) ,that is, bad loans in the banking sector, has made Reserve Bank of India to moot proposals for reducing the cap of a single loan to 25 per cent of the core capital of a single corporate group. At present the corporate groups are granted loans up to 55 per cent of the eligible capital.

The apex bank has proposed that the revised lower ceiling could come into effect from 1st January, 2019. The RBI wants to align its lending caps to companies with the 25 per cent norm set by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. The RBI has sought feedback from the stake holders on the discussion paper by April 30.

The corporates in India continue to predominantly depend on banks for their financial needs,instead of accessing the market. It is important to have alternate sources of funding for the corporate sector.

What is really happening?  The corporates manage to avail huge amount of loans from the banks even without submission of sufficient  surety with the undue  political influence and never care to repay. This is how bad loans (NPAs) are created which eat into the profits of the banks to a great extent. So any attempts to curb the same is certain to be opposed by the corporates and the government ,as usual, may succumb to their pressure. 

 

 

 

NETWORK PROBLEMS MAY CONTINUE FOR ANOTHER 6 MONTHS TO 1 YEAR-SAYS TELECOM SECRETARY.

Spectrum auctions are over, but the consumers  may have network issues like call drops for another six moths more. Telecom Secretary, Shri. Rakesh Garg has stated that the mobile users will benefit in the form of improved services from the recently concluded auction after about six months to one year. He added that new spectrum can be used in liberalized fashion which will make it more efficient. India ,being a very competitive market ,the operators will make use of it as fast as possible.

Mobile subscribers have been complaining about rising number of frequent call drops. Operators have cited lack of spectrum as one of the reasons for network related issues along with hurdles in installing mobile towers due to radiation issues.

GREECE SENDS ANOTHER LIST OF REFORMS TO ITS INTERNATIONAL CREDITORS.

The Greek government has sent its international creditors a list of the reforms it wants to enact, and has promised to produce a small budget surplus this year.

The list had been demanded as proof of good intention and will be discussed before approval by the so-called Brussels Group, and then validated by European finance ministers before Greece is given
more aid.

Athens previously submitted a list of seven reforms that failed to win approval, but the government has already said it will not contain any new “recessionary” measures like cuts.

Other policies include measures to improve investor sentiment,
boost tax revenues, and judicial reform. The government is also 
expected to address some form of pension reform.

                                                                                                                                                          ( SOURCE: BUSUNESS LINE)

BSNL TO PROVIDE E-HEALTH, E-EDUCATION AND E-GOVERNANCE

 

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has initiated a scheme to disseminate information regarding e-health, e-education and e-governance facilities in rural areas. BSNL officials said as the pilot project, the scheme had been launched in 1,284 villages of Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts.Addressing mediapersons during a press conference here today, Rajesh Kumar, General Manager, BSNL, said to make the service effective, BSNL would lay cables in 3,000 kms.“The work has been divided in two phases. Under the first phase, the BSNL would cover seven blocks out of the total 19 in two districts,” added Rajesh.He said that work in seven blocks would be completed by July and the work in Bhikhiwind and Naushera Pannuan blocks of Tarn Taran district had already been started.