Flexibility in Labour Laws.

   The World Bank in its World Development Report, 2013: Jobs has suggested that India needs to focus on jobs and labour reforms. The report emphasizes the need to stay within the efficiency “plateau” of labour laws where labour policies are not too stringent and allow the creation of more wage employment, especially in cities and in activities connected to global markets. With the working population increasing by 7 million people each year in India, accelerating urban development and increasing labour flexibility are key to creating jobs in more productive activities, thus sustaining growth and reducing poverty. So, for India, the desirable actions to promote growth would include creating towns, reforming Labour Laws to allow flexibility and improving Governance in general and specifically in areas that impede entrepreneurship.

   As regards the reaction of Government of India, it is stated that Ministry of Labour & Employment is mandated to create a work environment conducive to achieving a high rate of economic growth with due regard to protecting and safeguarding the interests of the working class in general and those constituting the vulnerable sections of the society in particular. Accordingly, the Ministry of Labour & Employment reviews/updates various Labour Laws from time to time which is a continuous process.

Caste Based Census.

   In pursuance to Government decision, a Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) is being carried out throughout the country. The field work for the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) is being conducted by the respective State/UT Governments. The financial and technical support for this exercise is being provided by the Government of India. The Nodal Ministries in the Government of India are the Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation. Technical support is being provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs (Office of Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India).

   The field data-collection in each Enumeration Block is being conducted by a team of 2 persons, an enumerator who is appointed by the State/UT Government and a Data Entry Operator who is handling the Tablet PC for data entry operation.

   The tasks related to hardware and software development and field data entry operations has been entrusted to a consortium of three Central Public Sector Undertakings, namely, the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) and the Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) Limited.

Ordnance Factory at Nalanda

   Action for setting up of ordnance factory at Nalanda in Bihar is underway.Commissioning of Nitro Cellulose Plant (NC) and erection of Sulphuric Acid Concentration / Nitric Acid Concentration Plant (SAC/NAC) are under progress. Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) is also planning for procurement of sub-plants for main Bi-Modular Charge System (BMCS) plant on its own.

   As per signed contract with M/s IMI, Israel, the target date for commissioning of the main Bi-Modular Charge System (BMCS) plant was September 2011. However, CBI investigations had started in May 2009 against M/s Israeli Military Industries (IMI) and others due to vendors` misconduct relating to illegal gratification.