Gen Bikram Singh to be new Chief of COSC
New Delhi: Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh has been appointed as the new Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) to succeed IAF Chief NAK Browne, who is superannuating on December 31. The official communication for the appointment of Gen Singh as the new Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee has been issued, Ministry officials said here. The Chairman, COSC is the senior-most officer of the three Services and is in-charge for looking after the joint issues related to them. The senior-most of the three Services chiefs takes over the post.
16,756 NGOs fail to file returns under FCRA rule
New Delhi: A total of 16,756 NGOs which got foreign funds failed to file their annual returns for 2011-12 under FCRA rules, the Government on Wednesday told Parliament. According to data placed in Rajya Sabha by MoS for Home RPN Singh, Andhra Pradesh has the most number of such organisations at 2,373. Defaulting NGOs based in the state of Delhi received the maximum foreign funds, amounting to a cumulative Rs 2,285.75 crore. The total number of NGOs registered under FCRA, on date, was 41,844. During 2011-12, Rs 11,548.28 crore was received by the registered NGOs.
MoEF’s proposal on climate change
New Delhi: In a bid to tackle global warming, a proposal has been mooted to launch a new scheme on climate change by implementing a slew of measures including setting up of an institute in the name of Rajiv Gandhi. The ‘Climate Change Action Programme’ will entail an estimated expenditure of Rs 290 crore during the 12th Five Year Plan, according to a proposal moved by the Environment Ministry. The Union Cabinet is likely to take a call on the proposal on Thursday.
No infiltration through Keran in Sep-Oct: Antony
New Delhi: No militant could infiltrate into Kashmir Valley through Keran sector in September and October during the fierce gunfight that had broken out between them and Army when they had tried to sneak into the State from Pakistani side, Parliament was informed on Wednesday. 11 militants were killed in Keran sector this year and 28 in total were eliminated in various sectors of the state as Army foiled their infiltration attempts, Defence Minister A K Antony said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.
8,000 mentaly-retarded registered every year
New Delhi: On an average, 8,000 persons with mental retardation from across the country are registered every year at the National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped Headquarters and its three regional centres, MoS for Social Justice and Empowerment P Balram Naik informed the Rajya Sabha.