Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh chairs Western Zonal council Meeting in Panaji Today



Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh chairs Western Zonal council Meeting in Panaji Today

Formulate state-wise strategy to combat terrorism, says Home Minister 
Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh today called upon the states to formulate their state-wise strategy to combat terrorism. Chairing the 21st meeting of the Western Zonal Council held at Panaji Shri Singh said, terrorism is a major challenge to the country, and to counter it is our prime responsibility. As such, every state should take up this issue seriously and formulate their strategy, to combat this menace, he added. 


The Union Home Minister calling for an enhanced Centre –State co-operation said unless all the states in the country develop, India will not be able to compete with the advanced countries. Shri Singh said, India today is one of the developed countries amongst top 10 nations in the world. India would lead the world in the 21st century, with a good Centre State co-operation. The meeting deliberated upon developmental issues which have mostly social and economic bearing, and also issues related to internal security and made important recommendations.

To boost urban poor housing and rural housing sector, a ‘Housing for all’ scheme has been launched by the Government of India. Issues of checking slums, providing civic and social infrastructure as well as affordable housing were also discussed. Towards this objective the Council directed all specialized agencies of the Central Government to consider providing their Surplus Lands for the construction of ‘Affordable Housing’.

One of the issues that came up for discussion in the Council was relating to relaxation of certain provisions of the CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) Notification, 2011 of Ministry of Environment & Forests brought in by the Government of Maharashtra that has severely impeded the state government to take up development projects in coastal areas on account of lengthy procedure involved for taking environment clearances for housing and construction activities. The Council deliberated on this problem at length and decided that the Ministry of Environment & Forests would examine the matter urgently for bringing in suitable amendment to it so as not to affect development.

The pollution in Damanganga and Kolak river is an old and nagging issue between the Government of Gujarat and the Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra Nagar Haveli which the Council was able to resolve amicably. Due to the intervention of the Council both Governments along with the Ministry of Environment and Forest have taken effective measures including closing of several highly polluting industries of two regions resulting in a sharp decline of pollutants in the river.

Capacity building and governance issues related to export promotion were presented by Ministry of Commerce and Industry and all the member states responded positively that they are taking steps and would further work on that. Ministry of Power brought forward the issues of survival of Ratnagiri Gas and Power Private Ltd., right of use for laying of Make Up Water Pipe Line Power Project, Malshej Ghat Pumped Storage Scheme and Forest clearance for certain projects.

Ministry of Culture raised the issues of signing of MoU with States for provision of visitors amenities in the Archaeological Sites, allotment of land for National Gallery of Modern Art in Mumbai, incorporation of ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendments and Validation) Act, 2010 in the State Master Plans and issuance of notification of delineation of buffer zone areas of Ajanta and Ellora, also pending with Government of Maharashtra.

As a part of coastal and internal security, Biometric Identity Card to coastal fishermen and Card Readers relates to identify fishermen have been issued so far in 3 states and UT of Daman and Diu. Likewise, as a measure to strengthen Coastal Security, Government of India had approved schemes of creation of National Population Register in 331 coastal villages in the 13 maritime States/UTs and issuance of Resident Identity Cards (RICs) to all usual residents of 18 years and above. The project has been successfully implemented with issuance of 65 lakh cards.

The Western Zonal Council also undertook other items suggested by the states in relation to socio-economic development of the region and made agreeable recommendations. The meeting of the Council ended with the decision to host the next meeting at Mumbai, Maharashtra.

The meeting was informed that at the federal level, several measures were initiated post-Mumbai terror attacks in November, 2008, to ensure an effective counter terrorism response, including streamlining of the Multi Agency Centre besides setting up of subsidiary Multi-Agency Centres (SMACs) in all state headquarters. The meeting was also informed that several State Police forces have set up specialized Counter Terrorist (CT) units called ATS to develop Counter Terrorist related intelligence leads and to neutralize the threats in time.

Goa Chief Minister Shri Laxmikant Parsekar, Gujarat Chief Minister Smt. Anandiben Patel and Maharashtra Minister Shri Girish Mahajan, Administrator, Daman & Diu and Dadra Shri Ashish Kundra were amongst others who attended the meeting. 
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India and Japan share an important heritage of Budhism: Kiren Rijiju

Japanese Parliamentary delegation calls on MoS Home 
The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju has said that India and Japan share an important heritage of Budhism and value of rule of law unite both countries. He was addressing a Japanese Parliamentary delegation under the leadership of Mr. Makoto Oniki, Member of Diet (Japanese House of Representatives) called on the Minister of State for Home Affairs, here today.

Shri Kiren Rijiju recalled the visit of Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Shinzo Abe to India and his address to the Indian Parliament. He also recalled the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to Japan and the way it was received overwhelmingly by Japan. He mentioned the Japan Investment Promotion Partnership and Japan’s intention to invest 3.5 trillion dollars in five years time in India has given a significant step to further the relationship between the two countries and win over the people of India’s love and respect to the people of Japan.

The MoS Home said that since India and Japan are traditional and strategic friends and thanked Japanese Overseas Development Agency which has contributed immensely in economical and technological sector in India. He hoped that there will be lot of further cooperation from Japan in two important flagship programmes in India, i.e. ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’. He welcomed the decision of Japan’s Science and Technology Department to set up a liaison office in Delhi and India look forward to move ahead, he added.

Shri Kiren Rijiju said that without India and Japan as permanent members, the United Nations Security Council is not complete. As Japan being one of the oldest civilizations of the world and India being the largest democracy in the world, both deserve to be the permanent members of the Security Council along with Germany and Brazil. Now Japan and India are on a common platform to secure the rightful place in the United Nations, he added. The MoS Home recalled that India has organized an important gathering on shared values of Budhism and Hinduism in Delhi and at Bodh Gaya where Japan Foundation and Vivekananda International Foundation were partner, and the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has attended the both programmes. Now he is looking forward to visit Japan in January, 2016 to participate in a next programme to be organized in Japan.

On the matters regarding Cyber Security, the MoS Home said that India is facing a major challenge and India is prone to ill-design of threat due to its complex structure and the geographical location, and it has to be very strong and alert in that front. The Ministry of Home Affairs is working to revamp Cyber Security in the country.

Shri Kiren Rijiju said that as India and Japan share a rich spiritual relation, and said that the younger generation should understand the strong foundation of both countries, and wished they visit Japan to know their rich cultural heritage.

While addressing, the Member of Diet, Japan, Mr. Makoto Oniki said that the delegates are four young parliamentarians and members of Forward Policy Study Unit. He recalled India Japan Global Partnership came in to shape in 2000, and expecting much bigger pact and renamed as Indo-Japan Special Strategic Global Partnership. He further said that India and Japan are members of G4 and expect to take some important reforms. Japan is looking forward to have much stronger and spiritual relationship with India, he added.

Senior officials of MHA and the Embassy of Japan in India were also present on the occasion. 


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