Bill providing reservation to SC/ST in promotions in govt jobs introduced in RS

A Constitutional amendment bill providing for reservation to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in promotions in the government jobs was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday amidst pandemonium. As soon as the House re-assembled after an hour-long adjournment, members belonging to Samajwadi Party trooped into the well shouting slogans against the reservation even as Deputy Chairman P J Kurien asked the Minister of State for Personnel, V Narayanasamy to move the Constitution (117th Amendment) Bill, 2012.On the other side, the BJP members continued to shout slogans demanding the Prime Minister's resignation on the alleged irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks.Amidst the din, the Deputy Chairman adjourned the House till 2 PM.

International Crude Oil Price of Indian Basket Rises on 04.9.2012 to US$ 113.97/BBL

The international crude oil price for Indian Basket as computed/published today by the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas increased to US$ 113.97/barrel (bbl) on 04.9.2012. The price was higher than US$ 113.09/bbl on 3.09.2012, the last trading day.In rupee terms also, the crude oil price rose to Rs 6329.89 per bbl on 04.09.2012 as compared to Rs 6270.84 per bbl on 03.09.2012. This was due to rise in price in dollar terms and rupee depreciation with rupee-dollar exchange rate on 04.09.2012 at Rs 55.54/US$ against Rs 55.45/US$ on 03.09.2012.

Agripreneurs and Producer Organizations

The concept of an “Agripreneur” is slowly gaining ground in the agriculture sector in the country. The term entrepreneur is quite familiar; so is the term agriculturist. The agripreneur is one who plays the role of an entrepreneur in the field of agriculture.The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural development (NABARD) is in the fore front of pioneering this concept. Its Assistant General Manager at Madurai, Sankar Narayan says that NABARD is actively working with farmers federations in Usilampatti and Chellampatti to transform agriculturists into agripreneurs.