Lạm phát lương thực Ấn Độ giảm nhẹ ở mức 9,5%

Food inflation eases to 9.5%

Special Correspondent
The Hindu
New Delhi, March 31, 2011

Food inflation eased to single digit at 9.5 per cent for the week ended March 19 from 10.05 per cent in the previous week, ostensibly on account of a decline in the prices of pulses even as fruits, vegetables and protein-based edibles remained costlier.

The lower inflation level, as per the wholesale price index (WPI), is unlikely to afford any cheer for the common man, as the drop is more owing to a high base effect since food inflation during the like week in 2010 stood pegged way higher at 20.18 per cent.

The WPI data revealed that while prices of pulses fell 4.40 per cent on a year-on-year basis, vegetables continued to rule higher by 5.52 per cent during the week with potatoes and onions turning dearer by 8.39 per cent and 6.23 per cent, respectively. Alongside, while prices of fruits surged 24.67 per cent, eggs, meat and fish were 15.34 per cent costlier on a yearly basis.

Base effect helps

Evidently, apart from the statistical anomaly of base effect which tends to provide relief from high prices only on paper and not to pockets, the government will have to undertake some more administrative measures to contain rising food prices as mere tinkering with key policy rates by the Reserve Bank of India is unlikely to yield the desired results.

Since March 2010, the RBI has raised its policy rates eight times to contain headline inflation, but it is common knowledge that food inflation is on account of mismatches in supply and demand.

According to the WPI food inflation data, milk turned dearer by 5.79 per cent on a yearly basis and barring wheat, which remained unchanged, other items also ruled higher with cereals costlier by 3.96 per cent and rice by 2.94 per cent.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/article1587280.ece

Nợ nước ngoài của Ấn Độ tăng 14%

External debt up 14 %

Special Correspondent
The Hindu
NEW DELHI, March 31, 2011

India's external debt, including commercial borrowings and non-resident Indian (NRI) deposits, went up by 13.9 per cent to $297.5 billion by the end of December 2010 from $261.2 billion as of March-end that year.

According to a Finance Ministry statement here, the country's long-term debt increased by $26.0 billion to $234.9 billion, showing an increase of 12.5 per cent. “The short-term debt showed an increase of $10.3 billion to $62.6 billion,” it said.

Of the country's total external debt, 21 per cent constituted short-term debt (original maturity) stock while the balance 79 per cent was long-term debt. The statement noted that of the total increase of $36.3 billion in external debt as of end-December last year, the valuation effect owing to depreciation of the U.S. dollar against major international currencies accounted for $5.3 billion (14.6 per cent).

“Excluding the valuation effect, the increase in external debt would have been $31 billion,” the quarterly statistics on debt position released by the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) said.

Debt components

As for specific debt components, the share of commercial borrowings was the highest at 28.5 per cent, followed by NRI deposits (17 per cent) and multilateral debt (16 per cent). The government's (sovereign) external debt added up to $74.5 billion by the end of December as compared to $67.1 billion by the end of March 2010. In effect, the share of sovereign debt in the country's total external debt stock declined from 25.7 per cent to 25 per cent during the period.

The highest share in external debt was that of U.S. dollar denominated borrowings at 53.7 per cent at the end of December 2010, followed by the Indian rupee (19 per cent), the Japanese yen (12 per cent), SDR (9.7 per cent) and the euro (3.5 per cent).

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/article1588373.ece

Ấn Độ cho phép 100% vốn đầu tư trực tiếp nước ngoài vào một số lĩnh vực của ngành nông nghiệp

100 % FDI allowed in some areas of farm sector

Special Correspondent

The Hindu
NEW DELHI, March 31, 2011

Tuning the policy norms further to attract declining foreign investment, in a significant development, India on Thursday announced allowing 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the agriculture sector including seeds, plantation, horticulture and cultivation of vegetables.

According to the circular by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion released on "Consolidated FDI Policy -- Circular 1 of 2011", 100 per cent FDI has been now allowed in development and production of seeds and planting material, floriculture, horticulture, and cultivation of vegetables and mushrooms under controlled conditions. The policy will come into effect from Friday (April 1).

Besides, animal husbandry (including of breeding of dogs), pisciculture, aquaculture under controlled conditions and services related to agro and allied sectors have also been brought under the 100 per cent FDI norm. Similarly, the tea sector has also been brought under the 100 per cent norm.

The DIPP has imposed certain conditions for companies dealing with development of transgenic seeds and vegetables wanting to take the 100 per cent FDI route.

According to the circular, when dealing with genetically modified seeds or planting material the company is supposed to comply with safety requirements in accordance with laws enacted under the Environment (Protection) Act on the genetically modified organisms; any import of genetically modified materials, if required, shall be subject to the conditions laid down vide Notifications issued under Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992; the company shall comply with any other law, regulation or policy governing genetically modified material in force from time to time; undertaking of business activities involving the use of genetically engineered cells and material shall be subject to the receipt of approvals from Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) and Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM); the Import of materials shall be in accordance with National Seeds Policy.

Further it states the term “under controlled conditions’’ covers the following: Cultivation under controlled conditions’ for the categories of floriculture, horticulture, cultivation of vegetables and mushrooms is the practice of cultivation wherein rainfall, temperature, solar radiation, air humidity and culture medium are controlled artificially. Control in these parameters may be effected through protected cultivation under green houses, net houses, poly houses or any other improved infrastructure facilities where microclimatic conditions are regulated anthropogenically.

In case of animal husbandry, the term under controlled conditions includes: rearing of animals under intensive farming systems with stall-feeding. Intensive farming system will require climate systems (ventilation, temperature/humidity management), health care and nutrition, herd registering/pedigree recording, use of machinery, waste management systems. Poultry breeding farms and hatcheries where microclimate is controlled through advanced technologies like incubators, ventilation systems etc.

In the case of pisciculture and aquaculture, it includes: aquariums hatcheries where eggs are artificially fertilised and fry are hatched and incubated in an enclosed environment with artificial climate control.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/business/article1588004.ece

Tổng điều tra dân số 2011: Dân số Ấn Độ vượt 1,2 tỉ người

Census 2011: population pegged at 1,210.2 million

Vinay Kumar
The Hindu
New Delhi, March 31, 2011

India’s population has jumped to 1.21 billion, showing an increase by more than 181 million during the 2001-2011 decade, according to the provisional data of Census 2011 which was released on Thursday.

Though the country’s population is almost equal to the combined population of the U.S., Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Japan put together [1214.3 million], the silver lining is that 2001-2011 is the first decade with the exception of 1911-1921 which has actually added lesser population compared to the previous decade.

Of the total provisional population of 1210.2 million, the number of males was pegged at 623.7 million and the population of females stood at 586.5 million. The percentage growth in 2001-2011 was 17.64 – males 17.19 and females 18.12. India’s population accounts for world’s 17.5 per cent population.

The provisional data of Census 2011 was released by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India C. Chandramouli in the presence of Union Home Secretary G. K. Pillai.

``Provisional population is arrived at by adding the population as reported by each enumerator and the final population data is likely to be released next year,’’ Dr. Chandramouli told reporters here.

Uttar Pradesh most populous state

Among the States and Union Territories, Uttar Pradesh is the most populous State with 199 million people followed by Maharashtra at 112 million people and Lakshadweep is the least populated at 64,429 persons. The combined population of U.P. and Maharashtra is greater than that of the U.S.

The percentage decadal growth rates of the six most populous States have declined during 2001-2011 as compared to 1991-2001. The graph of population growth in U.P. shows a decline from 25.85 per cent to 20.09 per cent, in Maharashtra from 22.73 per cent to 15.99 per cent, Bihar from 28.62 per cent to 25.07 per cent, West Bengal from 17.77 per cent to 13.93 per cent, Andhra Pradesh from 14.59 per cent to 11.10 per cent and Madhya Pradesh from 24.26 per cent to 20.30 per cent. ``This shows that we have added population but the growth has been less,’’ Dr. Chandramouli said.

Sex-ratio at national level increases

Overall sex ratio at the national level has increased by seven points to reach 940 as provisional data for Census 2011 showed as against 933 in Census 2001. Increase in sex ratio was observed in 29 States/Union Territories.

Kerala with 1084 has the highest sex ratio followed by Puducherry with 1038. Daman and Diu has the lowest sex ratio of 618. ``This is the highest sex ratio at the national level since Census 1971 and a shade lower than 1961. Three major States – Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar and Gujarat – have shown a decline in sex ratio as compared to Census 2001,’’ Dr. Chandramouli said. India’s skewed sex ratio due to female foeticide and the practice of selective sex determination has been a cause for concern. Sex ratio is the number of females per 1000 males.

Child sex ratio a concern

However, the areas of grave concern, Dr. Chanramouli said, remains the lowest ever child sex ratio of 914. The provisional data showed that the child sex ratio [0 to 6 years] came down to 914 females per 1000 males as against 927 in the Census 2001. It showed a continuing preference for male children over females in the last decade. Increasing trend in the child sex ratio was seen in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Mizoram and Andaman and Nicobar Island but in all the remaining 27 States / Union Territories, the child sex ratio showed decline over Census 2001. Whereas overall sex ratio has shown improvement since 1991, decline in child sex ratio has been unabated since 1961 Census. The total number of children in 0 to 6 year age group is now 158.8 million, less by five million since 2001.

Literacy rate has gone up from 64.83 per cent in 2001 to 74.04 per cent, showing an increase of 9.21 percentage points.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article1587153.ece?homepage=true

Ấn Độ đang nổi lên nhưng Mỹ vẫn thích châu Âu hơn

'India rising, but US prefers Europe'

Press Trust Of India
Washington, March 05, 2011

India, China and Brazil are rising world powers but US relies on European nations for resolving key global issues like Iran and Libya, a top Obama Administration official said. "Obviously, the United States is a major power, China is an increasing power, (so is)India..., but when we in Washington look around the world and ask ourselves, who is our potential partner on issue X or Y, first on the list tends to be Europe," Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip H Gordon said during a media roundtable in Sofia, Bulgaria.

India, China and Brazil are rising powers, but "they are not the ones that we are turning to help us deal with this (Libya) major global challenge, so that needs to be put in perspective," he was quoted as saying in a transcript released by the State Department on Friday.

"Take the cases I mentioned -- Iran -- the Europeans are our partners in trying to deal with the diplomacy of the Iranian nuclear issue; certainly in North Africa, Middle East in the last few weeks.

"Now, of course we are in touch with India and China on the Libya issue, but we are really working this together with the Europeans," he said.

Gordon accepted that India and China are emerging powers and Europe is now divided, but still when US needs to deal with global challenges "it's the democratic, prosperous, militarily capable members of the European Union we are working with first and foremost,and those are the countries with whom we share values and interests."

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-rising-but-US-prefers-Europe/H1-Article1-669642.aspx

Quan chức quốc phòng cấp cao của Ấn Độ: Trung Quốc dùng Islamabad để làm cho Ấn Độ sa lầy ở Nam Á

China hikes defence spend 13% to $91.5 billion

Saibal Dasgupta & Rajat Pandit
TNN
Mar 4, 2011

BEIJING/NEW DELHI: China announced a stunning 12.7% hike in its declared defence budget on Friday, sending shivers down the collective spines of its neighbours, including India, as well as around the globe.

Beijing declared its military allocation for 2011 will be $91.5 billion, which comes just a few days after India pegged its annual defence expenditure at $36 billion.

However, experts hold that China actually spends double the amount it officially declares on its 2.25-million strong People's Liberation Army.

The US, of course, is in a different league altogether. It's annual military budget, which also funds operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, is well beyond $600 billion.

The primary driver behind China's rapid modernisation of its armed forces, which has seen its warships now even being deployed as far as Gulf of Aden and beyond for the first time, is to deter US from interfering in its neighbourhood, especially vis-a-vis Taiwan.

But just like China keeps a hawk-eye on the US, India has to closely monitor China. The Indian defence establishment cannot ignore the fact that China continues to harden its position in the boundary talks, show assertive behaviour all along the 4,057 km Line of Actual Control, expand strategic moves in Indian Ocean Region and help "all-weather friend" Pakistan build its nuclear, missile and conventional military arsenals.

"Pakistan, we can handle...China remains the real long-term threat for us. Beijing, in fact, actively uses Islamabad to bog us down in South Asia," said a top Indian Army officer.

China's 12.7% jump in its defence budget is a return, after a short gap, to its straight yearly double-digit hikes in military spending since the 1990s.

Li Zhaoxing, spokesman of the Chinese parliament, justified the increase by pointing to the levels of military spending by India and US. "It's true that China's defence budget is raised a bit, but the ratio of the defence spending in the country's GDP remains very low, much lower than those of many other countries," he said.

Defence expenditure is 1.4% of GDP in China, added Li, while "that ratio in India is much higher than 2%". This, however, is factually wrong since as per finance minister Pranab Mukherjee's budget last week, India's defence expenditure is 1.83% of the projected GDP for 2011-2012.

Li, on his part, tried to reassure India that the rise in China's military spending has no connection with its approach towards New Delhi. "China attaches great importance to friendly relations with neighbours...Seeking peace, cooperation and development is a shared view of all Asian people, including the people of China and India," he said.

But India has reasons to worry. In fact, during the combined commanders conference in New Delhi a few months ago, the military top brass had urged the political leadership to factor China's ever-expanding transborder, cyber and space-warfare military capabilities into India's national security matrix.

Even a normally cautious defence minister AK Antony holds that China is showing "increasing assertiveness" and India cannot afford to relax its guard.

 

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/China-hikes-defence-spend-13-to-915-billion/articleshow/7627730.cms