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Announcement -1
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February 1, 2001 Top ^ |
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Announcement
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2) The Union Cabinet in its meeting last evening decided to levy a two per cent additional surcharge on personal income tax and corporate tax. Individuals having an income of sixty thousand rupees and above will have to pay the additional levy for the current financial year. This is expected to generate an additional revenue of 1,300 crore rupees which will be utilised for reconstruction and rehabilitation work in the earthquake affected areas of Gujarat. The Cabinet also decided to amend the Income-Tax Act to provide 100% deduction for donations made to charitable institutions providing relief to the victims in Gujarat. In another related decision, the government has also decided to exempt from import duty all material, including that required for construction, imported from outside and meant for relief work in Gujarat. The material produced indigenously will be exempted from excise duty. Top ^ |
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Announcement -3
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3) The European Commission has announced a further 9.42 million dollars in humanitarian aid to victims of the Gujarat earthquake. The United States says it is donating a further four million dollars in aid to victims, bringing its total emergency relief package to nine million dollars. The US Agency for International Development said, the aid would be channelled through several non-governmental organisations and include water, bedding, household equipment and emergency food supplies. Top ^ |
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Announcement -4
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4) Members of Parliament can assign their entire annual amount of 2 crore rupees of the Local Area Development Fund for reconstruction and rehabilitation work in the quake affected areas of Gujarat. The government has waived the ceiling of 10 lakh rupees for taking up works under the scheme outside the state or constituency of the MPs. Top ^ |
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Announcement -5
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5) The Urban Development Minister, Mr. Jagmohan said, the Council of Architects has volunteered to construct three types of shelter camps made of bamboo-cum-polythene sheets, corrugated sheets and tents. Each unit of 12 by 18 feet module will cost between five to seven thousand rupees, which will be borne by the Council. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research has mounted certain specific relief operations by providing scientific and technological inputs. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has decided to provide assistance for rebuilding or repairing buildings of institutions for the disabled, old age homes and orphanages. The Textile industry will also donate over 23 crore rupees for relief work. Top ^ |
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Announcement -6
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6) The Ministry of Civil Aviation will act as a single point for clearing smooth flow of foreign assistance. Foreign associations who want to contribute for the earthquake relief need not obtain prior approval of the Central Government. This exemption which comes into immediate effect will be in operation till the 31st of next month. Top ^ |
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Announcement
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FINANCE MINISTER HOLDS EMERGENCY MEETING The Union Finance Minister, Shri Yashwant Sinha held an emergency meeting to plan and review the action and measures taken to provide relief to the earthquake hit State of Gujarat, here today. While expressing deep anguish at the unprecedented misery caused by the earthquake, Shri Sinha expressed his fullest sympathies for the suffering people and instructed the departments/organisations under Ministry of Finance to take immediate measures to provide relief and rehabilitation assistance to the victims of earthquake on war footing. Shri Sinha directed that the branches of the banks and financial institutions located in affected areas should start functioning immediately, if necessary through temporary or tented accommodation. Bank employees from other regions of the country should be pressed into service in the State of Gujarat and it should be ensured that the necessary financial assistance and banking services are provided to the affected people in accordance with the standing instructions of Reserve Bank of India for people affected by the natural calamities, he instructed. The officials have been advised to go out to the people and ensure delivery of assistance to them. Public sector banks, including the National Housing Bank have been asked to put up a control room to provide and propagate information on the assistance available. The Finance Minister was informed by the Indian Banks' Association(IBA) that the Public Sector Banks of the country have decided to make a donation of Rs.20 crore to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund for victims of the earthquake. The National Housing Bank(NHB) has come out with two programmes comprising Rs. 500 crore for financing the repair and reconstruction of houses in Gujarat. Out of this, Rs.200 crore is to be given by way of refinance to banks and housing finance institutions and Rs.300 crore as direct finance to State Housing Boards and other agencies at State level. The refinance scheme will be operated through the scheduled commercial banks and the housing finance institutions approved by NHB for extending loans upto Rs.2 lakhs to the needy, for new construction as well as for repair/upgradation at concessional rates. Further, under a Special Fund, NHB has earmarked Rs.25 crore for loans upto Rs.50,000 to help the under-privileged category of affected persons for repair/upgradation at concessional refinance rate of 7% p.a. Under direct finance scheme, long term loans will be sanctioned to public agencies like housing boards, development authorities, municipal corporations, improvement trusts, etc. under State Government guarantee under concessional rate to rehabilitate the earthquake victims of the State of Gujarat. As instructed by the Finance Minister, an urgent meeting of the banks has been called by Banking Division of Ministry of Finance on 29th January to chalk out relief and rehabilitation strategy including implementation of standing instructions of Reserve Bank of India and further necessary relief as required. A team of senior officials of banks and financial institutions is also being sent to Gujarat. Top ^ |
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Announcement -8
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The Union Finance Minister, Shri Yashwant Sinha held an emergency meeting to consider immediate relief measures for earthquake affected people of Gujarat, here today. The meeting was attended by, among others, the Finance Secretary, the Revenue Secretary, Special Secretary (Insurance & External Finance), Special Secretary(Banking), Chairman, LIC of India, Chairman, IBA and Chairman, National Housing Bank. The Life Insurance Corporation of India has announced the following as immediate relief measures to provide relief to the earthquake affected people of the State of Gujarat. 1. Death Certificate issued by any authority will be accepted for settlement of claim which means a substantial relaxation in procedure. 2. In case of non-availability of Death Certificate certification by an LIC agent would be enough for payment of claims. 3. Special cells have been set up in the city of Ahmedabad and other places in Gujarat for expeditious settlement of claims. 4. Remission of interest for a period of three months for policyholders who are not able to pay their premiums in time. 5. Duplicate policies would be issued free of cost in case of policyholders that may have lost their policies only on the basis of Letter of Indemnity. 6. Revival of policies would be done on the basis of just Declaration of Good Health with remission upto 50% of interest. 7. Relief Camps are being set up in various places to provide relief and food packets to the individuals/families affected by earthquake. 8. Agents and employees are being mobilised to fan out in affected areas for participation in relief measures. 9. Set up tents for people who have been rendered homeless in cities like Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Bhuj etc. that are more severely affected by the earthquake. 10. LIC Housing Finance Ltd. will act as an agency of the National Housing Bank for initiatives that have been taken for individuals whose houses have been affected. The Chief Executives of National Insurance Company, United India Assurance Company, New India Assurance Company and Oriental Insurance Company are reaching Ahmedabad this evening to take stock of the situation. On 29.1.2001, in consultation with the local staff, they will devise a strategy for quick settlement of insurance claims like motor cars, homes, medical etc. Among the action proposed for quick claim settlement are - the four insurance companies will function as a single coordinated unit;
surveyors and other staff strength will be augmented by their induction
from areas within and outside Gujarat; Top ^ |
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Announcement -9
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RELIEF AND REHABILITATION OF EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS The Union Finance Minister, Shri Yashwant Sinha today reviewed the situation arising consequent to the Gujarat earthquake with the Chairmen and Members of the Central Board of Direct Taxes and Central Board of Excise and Customs. The Central Government have already provided full exemption from excise duty to goods donated or purchased out of cash donations, for relief of and rehabilitation of persons affected by the earthquake. In addition, a similar exemption has been provided from customs duty to imported goods intended for donation for the same purpose. Necessary notifications for the purpose have been issued. The Central Government have also decided to extend the benefit of 100% deduction to donations made on or before 30th June, 2001 to charitable institutions already registered with the Income-tax Department for providing relief to the victims of the earthquake. The specific guidelines to be followed by these institutions in respect of such donations are being issued separately. It may further be reiterated that donations made to Prime Minister's National Relief Fund or to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund of any State are already entitled to the benefit of 100% deduction from the income of the donor. Top ^ |
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Announcement -10
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EARTHQUAKE AID -PROVISIONS OF FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION
(REGULATION) ACT, 1976 RELAXAED Top ^ |
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Announcement -11
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Guidelines for taking adoption of Indian Children, with Questionnaire & Answers. QUESTION : 1 Whether Government would take the
custody-care of the destitute children, those who are affected and become
orphaned due to the natural-disaster earthquake ? QUESTION : 2 What are the provisions priority and rights to take care and custody of the children under the Indian Law ? ANSWER : 2There is the provisions under the Juvenile Justice Act 1986, to provide Care, security shelter, Medical treatment, education, rehabilitation and even Legal Protection to the Children in the age group of 0 to 18 Years. These Children would be kept in such organizations approved by the Government. There is -- 23 Observation Homes.08 Juvenile Homes,04 Nari Grihas,23 Vikas Grihs and fit-persons institutions. QUESTION : 3 Parents, interested in taking care
of the victimized Children, for adoption whom to they apply ? And what
information's and details to give ? Whether there is an application
form in prescribed Performa or not ? Is it available on internet ? QUIESTION : 4 If the legal procedure is delayed
in placing a child in Adoption , whether it is possible to place a child
in Foster care to taster Parents, under the Scheme ? QUESTION : 5 Under the foster care scheme, who
could work as foster parent ? and which parents- couple could take a
child in adoption ? QUESTION : 6 If the Parents did not want to be
an adoptive parent of Foster parents, or The parent did not want to
take this victimized child in adoption or in foster care, nut wants
to support full financial assistance to such child, whether it is possible
for them ? If it is, yes how much amount of fund to be deposited ? and
this amount or fund be deposited on monthly base ? Please Clarify. QUESTION : 7 How many organizations are taking
care and custody of the Orphaned and destitute children in Gujarat,
and how many such Children are setting Shelter in institutions.
QUESTION : 8 What types of assistance being provided
to this orphan-destitute children by the State Government ? ANSWER
: 8 The State Government Provides following financial as well as
other welfare services to the children. · 100 % Expenditure in government
run organization for the children. I.e. Total Expenditure incurred in
Govt. organizations is boned by the State Govt.. · To voluntary organizations
at following rate under Grant-in-aid 1992. o 100% Salary Expenditure
of the Employee. o 90% Expenditure in other Contingencies. o Rs.350/-
Diet Expenditure ( Bhojan-Exp.) Per child per Month. · The Government
Provides care, Protection, shelter education, training, Medical treatment
and rehabilitation services and placing Children in adoption through
the organizations. QUIESTION : 10 The address of the social defence
department and social justice or empowerment dept's full address with
phone number is as under. Top ^ |
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Name and Address of the Voluntary Organization recognized for inter
country Adoption. Top ^ |