In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a process by which an egg is

fertilised by sperm outside the body: in vitro. IVF is a major treatment for infertility when other methods of assisted reproductive technology have failed. The process involves monitoring a woman's ovulatory process, removing ovum or ova (egg or eggs) from the woman's ovaries and letting sperm fertilise them in a fluid medium in a laboratory. When a woman's natural cycle is monitored to collect a naturally selected ovum (egg) for fertilisation, it is known as natural cycle IVF. The fertilised egg (zygote) is then transferred to the patient's uterus with the intention of establishing a successful pregnancy. The first successful birth of a "test tube baby", Louise Brown, occurred in 1978. Louise Brown was born as a result of natural cycle IVF. Robert G. Edwards, the physiologist who developed the treatment, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2010.

Question No.1 : What is the procedure for obtaining BPL/AAY/APL ration card?

Ans: Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and the State/Union Territory (UT) Governments. Central Government is responsible for procurement, allocation and transportation of foodgrains upto the designated depots of the Food Corporation of India. The operational responsibility for allocation and distribution of foodgrains within the States/UTs, identification of eligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, issuance of ration cards to them and supervision over and monitoring of functioning of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) rests with the concerned State/UT Government. In view of the above, as this department does not issue BPL/AAY/APL ration card, for this purpose, an individual may approach the Food and Civil Supplies office of the concerned State/UT.

Question No.2 : How much quantity of Wheat and Rice are admissible for a BPL/AAY Cardholder and at what price? Ans: Allocation of foodgrains (rice and wheat) is made by Central Government under Targeted Public Distribution System(TPDS) @ 35 kg. per family per month for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families including Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families in the country. Allocations of foodgrains for Above Poverty Line (APL) families are made depending upon availability of foodgrain stocks in the Central Pool and past offtake by the State/UT. The allocations for APL families in States/UTs range between 15 to 35 kg per family per month. The Central Issue Price (CIP) of AAY has been kept constant at Rs. 3.00 per kg for rice and Rs.2.00 per kg for wheat since the introduction of this scheme in December, 2000. For APL and BPL families, Central Issue Price of Rice and Wheat are as under:(Rs.per quintal) Rice Common Grade 'A' Wheat APL 795 830 610 BPL 565 415 With effect from 1.7.2002 till date 1.7.2002 till date

Question No.3 : What is the grievance redressal mechanism available for the beneficiaries of TPDS? Ans: Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is operated under the joint responsibility of the Central and State/UT Governments wherein the Central Government is responsible for procurement, allocation and transportation upto the designated depots of the Food Corporation of India. The operational responsibility for allocation and distribution of foodgrains within the States/UTs, identification of eligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, issuance of ration cards to them and supervision over and monitoring of functioning of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) rests with the concerned State/UT Government. Therefore, as and when complaints are received in the Department from individuals and organizations as well as through press reports, they are sent to State/UT Governments concerned for inquiry and appropriate action. In case of any grievance relating to the above- referred

aspects, the Food & Civil Supplies authorities of the State/UT concerned may be approached.. Question No.4 : What steps are being taken towards Computerisation of TPDS? Ans: Central Government has taken the initiative for end-to-end computerization of PDS across the country in a time bound manner. For this purpose, a Scheme is being formulated to cover all States / UTs and end-to-end computerisation of TPDS will be undertaken upto the last mile. In addition, States/ UTs have also taken several measures on their own towards digitization of ration cards (Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, etc.), computerised allocation to fair price shops (Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu etc.), issue of smart cards in place of ration cards (Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, etc.), grievance redressal (Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, etc.) Other technology based initiatives are also being taken in the field of TPDS like use of GPS technology (Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu) for tracking of vehicles carrying TPDS commodities, SMS based monitoring of movement of vehicles and reporting of dispatch/ arrival of TPDS commodities (Chhattisgarh, UP, TN) and use of web-based citizens portal (Chhattisgarh). Question No.5: What measures have been taken to improve the PDS in the Country? Ans: Strengthening and streamlining of TPDS is a continuous process. Central Government has regularly reviewed and issue instructions from time to time to States/Union Territories to strengthen functioning of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) by improving monitoring mechanism and vigilance, increased transparency in functioning of TPDS, adoption of revised Model Citizens Charter, door-step delivery of foodgrains to the FPSs, use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools and to improve the efficiency of Fair Price Shop operations. Besides, advisories are also issued on regular basis requesting State/UT Governments for continuous review of lists of BPL and AAY families and for ensuring timely availability of foodgrains at Fair Price Shops (FPSs) etc. Question No.6 : What is the Targeted Public Distribution System? What are the various entitlements being given under the scheme?

Answer : In June 1997, the Government of India launched the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) with focus on the poor. Under the TPDS, States are required to formulate and implement foolproof arrangements for identification of the poor for delivery of food grains and for its distribution in a transparent and accountable manner at the Fair Price Shop (FPS) level. 2. TPDS is operated under the joint responsibility of Central Government and State/Union Territory (UT) Governments. The Central Government is responsible for procurement, allocation and transportation of foodgrains upto the designated depots of the Food Corporation of India. The operational responsibilities for lifting and distributing the allocated foodgrains within the States/UTs, identification of eligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, issuance of ration cards to them and supervision over distribution of allocated foodgrains to eligible card holders through the fair price shops are that of the State/UT Governments. 3. Government of India makes allocations of foodgrains to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) on the basis of 1993-94 poverty estimates of Planning Commission and March 2000 population estimates of Registrar General of India or the number of such families actually identified and ration cards issued to them by the State/UT Governments, whichever is less. Government of India has been making allocation of subsidized foodgrains for all the accepted number of 6.52 crore BPL families including about 2.43 crore Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families @ 35 kg per family per month. Allocation of subsidized foodgrains are also made to Above Poverty Line (APL) families based on the availability of foodgrains in the Central pool and past offtake. Presently, the allocation of foodgrains to APL families to the States/UTs range between 15 kg. and 35 kg. per family per month. 4. In order to make the TPDS more focused and targeted at the poorest of the poor, Antyodaya Anna Yojana was launched in December, 2000 for one crore poorest of the poor families to be identified from the BPL families. Coverage under this scheme has been expanded thrice since then i.e. during 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06, covering additional 50 lakh households each time to be identified from BPL families. Thus the total coverage under AAY was raised to 2.50 crore AAY families. The identification of AAY families within the target of AAY families given to each State/UT is the responsibility of concerned State/UT Government. Out of the target of 2.50 crore AAY families given to

the State/UT Governments, the State/UT Governments have identified and issued ration cards to about 2.43 crore AAY families. 5. Further, Government makes allocation of foodgrains for other welfare schemes such as Midday Meal Scheme and Wheat Based Nutrition Programme under ICDS, Nutritional Programme for Adolescent Girls, Annapurna Scheme and Emergency Feeding Programme, etc. Govt. also makes additional allocation of foodgrains from time to time depending upon the availability of foodgrains in stocks and requirements/requests received from the State/UT Governments. Question No.7 : What is the AAY scheme? What are the estimated number of AAY families and the number of AAY families identified & ration cards issued in the States and UTs ? Answer : In order to make Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) more focused and targeted towards this category of population, the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) was launched in December, 2000 for one crore poorest of the poor families. Since then the scheme has been expanded thrice. The first expansion took place on 5th June, 2003, second expansion on 3rd August, 2004 and third expansion on 12th May 2005, increasing the number of families by 50 lakh at each expansion, thus raising the total coverage of AAY families to 2.50 crore. 2. AAY contemplated identification of one crore poorest of the poor families from amongst the number of BPL families covered under TPDS within the States and providing them food grains at a highly subsidized rate of Rs.2/ per kg. for wheat and Rs. 3/ per kg for rice. The States/UTs are required to bear the distribution cost, including margin to dealers and retailers as well as the transportation cost. Thus the entire food subsidy is being passed on to the consumers under the scheme. The scale of issue that was initially 25 kg per family per month has been increased to 35 kg per family per month with effect from 1st April, 2002. Identification of Antyodaya families and allocation of food grains : 3. The identification of the Antyodaya families and issuing of distinctive Ration Cards to these families is the responsibility of the concerned State Governments. Guidelines were issued to the States/UTs for identification of

the Antyodaya families under the AAY and additional Antyodaya families under the expanded AAY. It has been stressed upon to identify poorest of the poor amongst the BPL families to be included in the AAY list. Allocation of food grains under the scheme is being made to the States/UTs on the basis of issue of distinctive AAY Ration Cards to the identified families. The focus on the following priority groups has been enshrined in the scheme. a) Landless agriculture labourers, marginal farmers, rural artisans/craftsmen such as potters, tanners, weavers, blacksmiths, carpenters, slum dwellers, and persons earning their livelihood on daily basis in the informal sector like porters, coolies, rickshaw pullers, hand cart pullers, fruit and flower sellers, snake charmers, rag pickers, cobblers, destitutes and other similar categories in both rural and urban areas. b) Households headed by widows or terminally ill persons/disabled persons/ persons aged 60 years or more with no assured means of subsistence or societal support. c) Widows or terminally ill persons or disabled persons or persons aged 60 years or more or single women or single men with no family or societal support or assured means of subsistence. d) All primitive tribal households. 4. The above guidelines have further been amended vide letter dated 3rd June, 2009 to include all eligible BPL families of HIV positive persons in the AAY list on priority against the criteria mentioned in para 2 (b) and 2 (c) of the guidelines for identification of AAY families under Antyodaya Anna Yojana, circulated vide letter dated 12.5.2005, within respective ceilings on numbers of AAY families communicated by this Department. 5. At present, 2.50 crore families are to be covered under the scheme. However, as on 31.08.2012, so far 243.25 lakh families have been issued AAY cards by the States/UTs (details given in Annexure). Question No. 8 : Whether Government of India is taking any programme for strengthening and upgrading the skills of personnel engaged in the functioning and implementation of TPDS.

Answer : Department of Food & Public Distribution, Government of India is implementing scheme called TPDS- Training. This scheme aims at strengthening and upgrading the skills of personnel engaged in the functioning and implementation of TPDS by conducting training programmes and organizing lectures, seminars and workshops on policy issues with regard to TPDS and related fields for functionaries of various levels in the State Food and Civil Supplies Department and State Agencies like State Civil Supplies Corporations, etc. To make TPDS more effective & efficient, training is also provided to FPS owners, members of PRIs and Urban Local Bodies and members of Vigilance Committees at various levels, engaged in TPDS. 2. Central Government provides financial assistance to the State/UT Governments for conducting training programmes @ Rs.500/- per person per day. The maximum duration of the training programme may be five working days and the maximum assistance per training programme would be Rs.50,000/-. In the case of Seminars/Workshops the duration is two days. The financial assistance for conducting Seminars/Workshops is also Rs.500/- per person per day and the maximum assistance per Seminar/Workshop would be Rs.50,000/-.

Question No.9 : What is the provision for giving commission/margin to the FPS dealers/owners for distribution of foodgrains by them under TPDS?

Answer :Government of India allocates foodgrains at subsidized rates uniformly to all States/UTs. The Central Issue Price (CIP) of wheat and rice under TPDS are as follow : APL Wheat BPL Wheat AAY Wheat

Rice (Gr. A) 8.30

6.10

4.15

Rice (Com/Gr. A) 5.65

2.00

Rice (Com/Gr. A) 3.00

2. Public Distribution System (Control) Order 2001 mandates the States/UT Governments to issue licenses to Fair Price Shops owners, monitor their

operations and take all required action to ensure smooth functioning of TPDS. The State/UT Governments have been given flexibility in the matter of fixing the margin for the fair price shops. This is, however, not to apply to distribution of foodgrains under Antyodaya Anna Yojana where end retail price is to be retained at Rs.2 a kg for wheat and Rs.3 a kg for rice. The issue prices of foodgrains at Fair Price Shops are fixed by the State/UT Governments keeping into consideration the margin to be paid to the fair price shops owners, etc.

Question No. 10 : What is the State wise number of VGBs sanctioned so far and the number of VGBs actually established?

Answer: 21,751 Village Grain Banks have been sanctioned by this Department in the country till date. The State-wise number of VGBs sanctioned and reported to have been set up by the States as on 26.11.2012 is as under:

S. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

VGB Sanctioned by the Department Maharashtra 1377 Andhra Pradesh 6853 Bihar 415 West Bengal 1590 Kerala 387 Rajasthan 550 Gujarat 354 Madhya Pradesh 4240 Odisha 646 Tripura 103 Chhattisgarh 1904 Jharkhand 583 Meghalaya 44

Name of State

VGB setup by the States(reported as of 26.11.2012) 1290 6585 1590 387 226 2644 378 39 1904 583 40

14. 15. 16. 17 18. 19 20

Uttar Pradesh Assam Sikkim Himachal Pradesh Nagaland Uttarakhand Manipur Total

1281 100 80 55 786 110 293 21751

500 67 786 55 192 17266

695 VGBs sanctioned for Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim have not been set up as the concerned State Governments have not found any demand for the same. Information on establishment of remaining VGBs is still awaited from the States.

Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC)

UPPSC decision on quota discriminates against general-category aspirants

1
Allahabad high court on Monday asked the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) and the state government to file counter affidavit within a week. The court was hearing a petition challenging the new reservation policy adopted by UPPSC in PCS-2011. The order was passed by a division bench comprising justice LK Mohapatra and justice Rakesh Srivastava while hearing a petition filed by Sudhir Kumar Singh and others. As per the petitioners, UPPSC has implemented new reservation policy during the examination of PCS 2011, which is contrary to the provisions of reservation in practice since the year 1994. The petition stated that since 1994 reservation was being given at the last stage of selection but examinations conducted in and after 2011 started implementing reservation at every stage of the exams, including prelims, mains and interviews. The petition said that on the pretext of giving reservation to other backward caste (OBC) candidates, the UPPSC was trying to provide benefit to a particular caste. The decision of UPPSC had put on stake career of thousands of aspirants belonging to other caste falling under OBC and general categories.

Additional government general CB Yadav, while putting forward the view of state government, said Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission was taking examination as per the reservation regulation of 1994. As per the regulation, if a candidate belonging to OBC category falls under general category, then he or she will be selected under unreserved category, said CB Yadav, additional government general. The court has fixed July 22 for next hearing. It may be mentioned here that students went on rampage on Monday, taking to street after five days of continuous agitation.

2
A decision related to reservation taken by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) on May 27 is at the centre of the violent protest by the aspirants of various competitive examinations here on Monday. The protesters alleged that the policy discriminated against general category applicants appearing in various examinations being conducted by the UPPSC. On May 27, the commission decided that those candidates who were from the reserved category but had scores equal to or higher than the lowest cut-off for the general category candidates could be called for interviews "as general category" candidates. The decision was taken on a proposal moved by UPPSC member Gurdarshan Singh on May 27 itself.

UPPSC chairman could not be reached for comment. Both the proposal and the decision have been challenged by Sudhir Kumar Singh and six others in the Allahabad High Court. A division bench of Justices Laxmi Kanta Mohapatra and Justice Rakesh Srivastava heard the matter and postponed it for July 22, asking UPPSC counsel Shashi Nandan to seek instructions in the matter. Nandan was not available for comment. The argument in the UPPSC proposal was that general category seats are kept vacant in the interim stages of examination, which indirectly meant that these seats had been reserved for general category candidates. The proposal argued that this was against the true spirit of Act No. 4 of 1994 (which governs reservation-related matters in the state). It also said that, actually, the non-reserved vacancies are not reserved for any category. Therefore, candidates from all categories (including reserved), who make the cut-off list, should be called for interviews on the non-reserved vacancies also. In the wake of the decision, the results for the UPPCS (Provincial Civil Services), also known as Upper State Subordinate Services (Mains examination-2011), were declared on July 4. More than 1,000 candidates were declared successful against a total vacancy of 389 and called for interviews, which will begin on July 26.