Memorandum of Understanding between India and Bangladesh on bilateral cooperation

for prevention of human trafficking in women and children: rescue, recovery, repatriation
and re-integration of victims of human trafficking
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for signing
of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on prevention of human trafficking especially trafficking in
women and children: rescue, recovery, repatriation and reintegration of victims of human trafficking.

The salient features of the MoU are as follows:

i. To strengthen cooperation to prevent all forms of the human trafficking, especially that of women and
children and ensure the speedy investigation and prosecution of traffickers and organized crime
syndicates in either country;

ii. enumeration of preventive measures that would be taken to eliminate human trafficking in women
and children and in protecting the rights of victims of trafficking; and

iii. repatriation of victims would be done as expeditiously as possible and the home country will
undertake the safe and effective reintegration of the victims.

Background:

A Task Force of India and Bangladesh was constituted to take coordinated action against
individuals/touts/agents involved in human trafficking and meetings of the Task Force are being held
regularly. Accordingly, four meetings of the Task Force have been held so far.

During the fourth meeting of the Task Force which was held in Mumbai from 6-7th April, 2014, both
sides reviewed the progress on decisions taken in the earlier meetings and held comprehensive
discussions and finalized the text of the draft MOU on prevention of human trafficking.

The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation

and Resettlement (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to amend
the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement
(Amendment) Ordinance, 2015.

Changes in the provisions of the Act will facilitate farmers to get better compensation and rehabilitation
and resettlement benefits in lieu of land compulsorily acquired by the appropriate Government.

The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation & Resettlement
Act, 2013 came into effect from 01.01.2014. However, it has been reported that many difficulties are
being faced in the implementation of the Act. In addition, procedural difficulties in the acquisition of
lands required for important national projects required to be mitigated. In order to remove them,
certain amendments were made in the Act while further strengthening the provisions to protect the
interests of the 'affected families'. In view of the urgency, these were brought about by an Ordinance on
3112.2014. Subsequently, on 10.03.2015 the Lok Sabha passed the Amendment Bill to replace the
Ordinance. The Amendment Bill passed by the Lok Sabha includes some further changes to the
Ordinance. The important changes brought about by the amendment are as follows:

i. Compensation in accordance with the First Schedule and rehabilitation and resettlement specified in
the Second and Third Schedules of the Act are extended to the thirteen Acts mentioned in the Fourth
Schedule of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation &
Resettlement Act, 2013, namely, - (1) The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains
Act, 1958, (2) The Atomic Energy Act, 1962, (3) The Damodar Valley Corporation Act, 1948, (3) The
Indian Tramways Act, 1886, (4) The Land Acquisition (Mines)Act, 1885, (6) The Metro Railways
(Construction of Works)Act, 1978, (7) The National Highways Act, 1956; ( 8) The Petroleum and Minerals
Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962; (9). The Requisitioning and Acquisition of
Immovable Property Act, 1952; (10) The Resettlement of Displaced Persons (Land Acquisition) Act, 1948;
(11) The Coal Bearing Areas Acquisition and Development Act, 1957 (12) The Electricity Act, 2003; (13)
The Railways Act, 1989.

ii. In order to expedite the process of land acquisition for strategic and development activities such as
national security or defence of India including preparation for defence and defence production; rural
infrastructure including electrification; affordable housing and housing for poor; industrial corridors set
up by the appropriate government and its undertakings (in which case the land shall be acquired upto 1
km on both sides of the designated railway line or roads for such industrial corridors); infrastructure
projects including projects under public private partnership where the ownership of the land continues
to vest with the Government, appropriate governments are empowered to take steps for exemption
from "Social Impact Assessment" and "Special Provisions for Safeguarding Food Security". In addition
acquisition for such projects are exempted from the "Consent" provisions of the Act as well. However,
the appropriate governments are required to ensure that the extent of land for the proposed
acquisition, is the bare minimum land required for the project. The appropriate government is also
required to undertake a survey of wastelands including arid land and maintain a record detailing the
same.

(iii) Prior to the amendment, the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land
Acquisition, Rehabilitation & Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act 2013, extended to a 'private company'.
Ho e er, as per the Co pa ies A t, , a 'Pri ate o pa ea s a o pa ha i g a i i u
paid-up share capital of one lakh rupees or such higher paid-up share capital, thereby restricting the
provisions of the Act to such companies only and excluding other form of companies like
proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, nonprofit organizations, etc. Therefore, in place of the term
'private company', the term 'private entity' has been substituted thereby including all
non¬governmental entities.

(iv) Further, as The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation &
Resettlement Act, 2013 was drafted prior to the passage of the Companies Act, 2013, the Act referred to
the Companies Act, 1956 for the definition of 'Company'; which is substituted by the Companies Act,
2013.

(v) In cases where land acquisition process under Land Acquisition Act, 1894 had been initiated and the
Award was passed, but either possession of land was not taken or compensation was not paid, there is
provision of lapsing of such proceedings after five years of passing of Award. The period during which
the proceedings for acquisition of land was held up on account of any stay or injunction issued by any
court is excluded for the purpose of calculation of five years period. Similarly the period where
possession has been taken but compensation is lying deposited in a court or in any designated account is
also to be excluded in the calculation of the five years.

(vi) Section 46 of the Act was amended to clarify that provisions relating to rehabilitation and
resettlement in case of land purchased through private negotiations is applicable in cases when land is
purchased by persons other than the Government, Government Company and Trust or Society aided or
controlled by the Government.

(vii) To facilitate the process of hearing of objections by land losers, the authority, constituted for this
purpose, shall hear such objections within the district where the land has been acquired.

(viii) When an offence under this Act is committed by any person who is employed in the Central or
State Government at the time of commission of such an alleged offence, the court will take cognizance
of offences under this Act provided the procedure laid down in section 197 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure, 1973 is followed.

(ix) The period provided in Section 101 for return of unutilized land has been modified to five years or
the period specified for the completion of the project.

(x) The provision of "Removal of Diffi ulties" as ade appli a le to the e tire A t rather tha 'Part as
the word 'part' was used in the Act inadvertently. Further, the time period to remove the difficulties was
extended from two years at present to five years.

Background:

The Department of Land Resources (DoLR) is administering the Right to Fair Compensation and
Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (hereinafter referred to as Act),
2013. This Act came into force on 01.01.2014 by repealing the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. It was
observed that some provisions of the Act were making the implementation of the Act difficult and this
made it necessary to bring changes in the Act, while safeguarding the interest of farmers and affected
families in cases of land acquisition.

Accordingly, a Conference of State Revenue Ministers was organized in Delhi in June, 2014. Suggestions
received from the State Governments, Union Territories, Ministries/Departments and other stake
holders were considered. Further, consultation with Secretaries and officers of concerned ministries
administering the Acts mentioned in the Fourth Schedule of the Act were held in October, 2014. Based
on these discussions and deliberations, some amendments were proposed in the Act. Accordingly, the
Cabinet in its meeting held on 29.12.2014 approved the proposal of the Department of Land Resources
to amend the RFCTLARR Act, 2013 and to promulgate the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency
in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Ordinance, 2014. The Cabinet also
approved the proposal of the Department to introduce a replacement bill in the Parliament to replace
the Ordinance. Accordingly, RFCTLARR (Amendment) Ordinance, 2014 was promulgated on 3112.2014.
The Budget Session of the Parliament that is 4th Session of the 16th Lok Sabha and 234th Session of
Rajya Sabha commenced on 23.02.2015.

The Bill was taken up for consideration and passed by the Lok Sabha on 10.03.2015 incorporating the
official amendments to the Bill. The Minister of Rural Development has also given notice for Motion for
Consideration and Passing of the Bill Passed in Lok Sabha to the Secretary General Rajya Sabha on
13.03.2015. However, the Bill could not be taken up for consideration in the Rajya Sabha as the Rajya
Sabha was adjourned on 20.03.2015.

Agreement on Coastal Shipping between India and Bangladesh

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the
agreement on Coastal Shipping between India and Bangladesh to carry out coastal movement of goods
between the two countries.

Exim trade between India and Bangladesh would be benefited by way of reduction in freight charges. It
will also improve the utilization of port capacities of Indian ports and open up new opportunity for
Indian coastal vessels. It will also help in decongestion of roads especially at the Land custom
stations/integrated check posts at the Indo-Bangladesh boarder.

The Indian ports serving as transshipment ports for Bangladesh cargo will derive benefits by way of
enhanced throughput as a result of Indo-Bangladesh coastal trade.

India and Bangladesh shall render the same treatment to the other country's vessels as it would have
done to its national vessels used in international sea transportation.

The commencement of coastal shipping between the India and Bangladesh will increase bilateral trade
between the two countries and lower down the cost of transportation of Exim cargo.

Background:

India's trade with Bangladesh has grown rapidly during the past few years. Bangladesh is now India's
largest trade partner in South Asia. The opening up of the coastal route between India and Bangladesh is
expected to provide an alternative route for the transportation of Exim cargo between the two
countries.

Currently there is no significant cargo movement between sea Ports of Bangladesh and India as it is not
profitable for the big ocean going vessels to operate between the sea ports of the two countries.
Therefore, to reduce the cost of shipping operation, a lower but pragmatic standard of vessel known as
River Sea Vessel (RSV) has been prescribed for coastal shipping. The RSV category has significantly lower
construction and operation cost without compromising on the safety of the vessel. For the Indo-
Bangladesh coastal shipping, the RSV category of vessel has been agreed upon by both the countries.

Memorandum of Understanding between India and Sweden on cooperation in the field of

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for signing
of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Sweden on cooperation in the field of
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

The objective of the MoU is to promote cooperation between the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
of the two countries. It provides a structured framework and enabling environment to the Micro, Small
and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector of the two countries to understand each other's strengths,
markets, technologies, policies etc. It also contains an agreement between the two countries to enable
their respective MSMEs to participate in each other's trade fairs/exhibitions and to exchange business
delegations, to understand policy and explore markets so that joint ventures, tie-ups, technology
transfer etc. could take place. It does not contain or involve any financial, legal or political commitment
on the part of either party. In no case does it attract any financial liability on the part of the Government
of India.

This kind of cooperation opens up doors of new opportunities for the Indian MSME sector by way of
new markets, joint ventures, sharing of best practices and technology collaborations etc. The Ministry of
MSME has so far entered into long term agreements for cooperation in the MSME sector with
counterpart Ministries/Organisations of 17 countries namely, Tunisia, Romania, Rwanda, Mexico,
Uzbekistan, Lesotho, Sri Lanka, Algeria, Sudan, Cote d'lvoire, Egypt, Botswana, South Korea,
Mozambique, Indonesia, Vietnam and Mauritius.

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution01-June, 2015 15:35 IST
Achievements - Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Strengthening food security in the country and protection of interests of common man as
consumer has been a high priority of the NDA Government. During last one year a number of
initiatives were taken to make foodgrain management more efficient and promote welfare of
farmers. Measures have been taken for quality assurance of consumer goods and services in the
country to give fillip make in India. Following are the main initiatives taken during last one year:

Strengthening farmer welfare and food security

 In order to give relief to the farmers affected with unseasonal rains and to save them from
distress sale of wheat, quality norms for procurement relaxed. The Central Government decided
to reimburse amount of value cut on MSP, if any imposed, to the states so that farmers get full
Minimum Support Price (MSP) even for shrivelled and broken wheat grains or having lustre
loss. Such a farmer’s centric step was taken first time by any Central Government.

 An action plan is being finalized by FCI to provide better price support services to the farmers
in the Eastern States, especially to the small and marginal in Eastern UP, Bihar, Jharkhand,
West Bengal and Assam where at present procurement system has poor outreach to the
farmers. It will save farmers from distress sale and exploitation by the middlemen. Improved
MSP coverage will also encourage farmers to adopt technology and improve yield of paddy/
rice in these States, where productivity levels at present are below national average. This will
ultimately increase income and will bring in prosperity to the farmers of the region.

 In the interest of farmers, FCI is also working on a procurement plan for pulses and oilseeds to
ensure MSP for farmers for both the crops.

 To ensure payment of minimum support price to more paddy farmers, millers levy on rice
brought down to 25% in the Kharif Marketing Season 2014-15, and decided to abolish it from
October, 2015. This will save farmers from exploitation and they will not depend on millers for
selling their paddy.

 This initiative has improved delivery of MSP to the farmers for paddy even in the
situation of market prices ruling below the MSP, especially in the states of Andhra
Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, where the farmers are
substantially dependent on millers for selling their paddy.

 During Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2013-14 only a quantity of 8.52 lakh MT of
paddy had been purchased directly from the farmers by the State Agencies in unified
Andhra Pradesh, but in KMS 2014-15, such direct purchase of paddy has gone upto
36.76 lakh MT in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana together. The reduction of levy in
KMS 2014-15 has not resulted in any substantial reduction of overall procurement of
rice in these two States till date compared to KMS 2013-14.

 Similarly in Uttar Pradesh, the procurement of paddy has gone up from 9.07 lakh MT
in previous season to 18.18 lakh MT in current season and overall procurement of
rice has gone up from 11.05 lakh MT of previous season to 16.10 lakh MT till April,
2015.

 In West Bengal also, the procurement of paddy has gone up from 5.79 lakh MT in
previous season to 13.29 lakh MT in current season and overall procurement of rice
has gone up from 8.27 lakh MT to 13.31 lakh MT till April, 2015.
 In order to ensure that beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act get entitled foodgrains
positively, rules notified in January, 2015 for payment of food security allowance in the case of
non-delivery of foodgrains to the beneficiary.

 The central Government also decided to share 50% (75% in the case of Hilly and difficult areas)
of the cost of handling & transportation of foodgrains incurred by the states and the dealers’
margin so that it is not passed on to the beneficiaries and they get coarse grain Rs1/kg, wheat at
Rs2/kg and rice at Rs 3/kg.

Improving foodgrain management

 A high level committee of experts setup in August 2014 to recommend restructuring of Food
Corporation India for improving foodgrains management, ensuring efficient MSP operations,
scientific storage and strengthening foodgrain supply chain in the country. Action has been
initiated on the report submitted by the committee.

 To bring all operations of FCI Godowns online and to check reported leakage, “Depot Online”
system initiated and integrated security system is being set up in all sensitive depots. In order to
modernise foodgrain storage in the country, 20 lakh tons storage capacity is being created in the
shape of “Silos” in first phase.

 In order to have better targeting of “other welfare schemes’ for poor, a committee of ministers set
up under the chairmanship of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. The Committee
not only decided continuation of foodgrain allocation for other welfare schemes but also
nutritional support by providing milk and eggs etc under the schemes.

 612.42 lakh tonnes of food grains allotted to States/UTs for distribution under Targeted Public
Distribution System and Other Welfare Schemes during 2014-15.

 Due to progressive procurements from farmers, the stock of foodgrains in central pool as on
1.4.2015 reached to 343.15 lakh tons against minimum buffer norms of 210.40 lakh tons.

 Adequate supplies of food grains ensured during natural calamities of Hud-hud cyclone in
Andhra Pradesh and devastating floods in J&K. Availability of sufficient foodgrains in North
Eastern States was also ensured inspite of disruption in major rail route because of gauge
conversion work. 80,000MT foodgrains moved through roads every month besides creating
additional storage of 20,000 MT in the reason. Foodgrains also induct into Tripura via riverine
route passing through Bangladesh.

 An additional storage capacity of 43,480 MT has been created in the North East with funds
amounting to Rs.76.85 crores. This storage capacity enhancement will help in meeting
foodgrain requirement of the reason.
 Meeting with the representative of farmers, Chief Ministers of major sugarcane growing states
and representatives convened to discuss measures to facilitate payment of sugarcane arrears.
Accordingly to improve the liquidity of the sugar sector and to facilitate the payment of
sugarcane arrears to the farmers following steps were taken:
 Import duty on sugar first increased from 15% to 25% and than 40%.
 The duty free import authorisation schemes for exporters withdrawn.
 Decision to withdraw the excise duty on ethanol, for blending with petroleum,
from next sugar season, so that the price benefit to the sugar mills could facilitate
payment of sugarcane arrears.
 The policy for procurement of ethanol for blending with petrol also modified.

Promoting consumer protection

 A conference of State Food Ministers organized and integrated action plan on tackling food
inflation adopted in July 2014.

 Potatoes and Onions notified “Essential Commodities” enabling State Governments to impose
stock control orders on both the commodities and to take anti-hording measures.

 Number of price reporting centres increased from 57 to 64 to strengthen price monitoring of 22

essential commodities by the Ministry.

 To enhance supply of wheat during lean period and to moderate prices, 100 lakh tonnes of wheat
approved for sale under Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) during 2014-15 and 50 lakh tonnes
of additional rice released through Targeted Public Distribution System.

 In order to ensure availability of fruits and vegetables at reasonable prices to consumers and
wider selling option to farmers, fruits and vegetables delisted from the APMC Act in Delhi.
Kissan Mandi set up for selling both the commodities. All other states were also advised to
adopt the arrangement.

 After 360 degree review of the Consumer Protection Act, comprehensive amendments finalised
in the Act to ensure quick, inexpensive and simple redressal of consumer’s grievances, enabling
e-filing of cases and not requiring personal appearance till the stage of admission, and time
bound admission of cases proposed. A “Central Consumer Protection Authority” also proposed
to investigate unfair trade practices; initiate class action, order recall or replacement of defective
products. Provision made for product liability to enable consumers to sue for damages caused
by defective products/ deficient services

 Joint campaign organised with Heath, Financial Services and other departments for greater
consumer awareness. During the last year the Department of Consumer Affairs intensified its
multimedia campaign under the banner of Jago Grahak Jago. With special emphasis on rural
 areas, tribal areas and North East, the campaign makes consumers aware of their
rights/obligations. Joint campaigns were organized with the Reserve Bank of India, the
Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance to focus on specific issues of consumer interests.

 An Inter-Ministerial Group of key sectors that matters to consumers viz Agriculture, Food,
Healthcare, Housing, Financial Services and Transport, to facilitate policy coherence and
coordinated action on consumer advocacy has been constitutes bedsides an Inter- Ministerial
Committee to address the problem of Misleading Advertisement and Unfair Trade Practices.

 A dedicated portal www.gama.gov to enable consumers to register their grievances against

misleading advertisements (GAMA) launched. Six key sectors viz. food and agriculture,
heath, education, real estate, transport and financial services have included for this purpose.
The complaints lodged are taken up with the relevant authorities or the sector regulators.
The consumer is informed after the action taken.

 To provide a host of consumer services under one roof, Grahak Suvidha Kendras launched in
six locations: Ahmadabad, Bangalore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Patna and Delhi on March 18, 2015.
Such centres will be set up in every State in phased manner. They will provide guidance to
consumers regarding consumer laws, the rights of the consumers, the procedure of
approaching Consumer Courts and various other consumer related issues including quality
assurance and safety of products.

Strengthening quality assurance regime for Make in India

 In order to strengthen the quality assurance regime for goods and services in the country, the
amendments to the BIS Act finalised. The market surveillance for standards and testing of
products was made more effective.

 Simplified standards conformity schemes launched so that industry can adopt the quality
standards with ease and manufacture standardised products in the country.

 Decision taken to set up five new BIS labs by March 2016 besides modernising the
existing labs.

 For better enforcement of standards, a new scheme enabling common consumer to get ISI
marked products tested in BIS labs or BIS recognised labs. A mobile App is also being
launched which will enable consumers to verify the genuineness of the BIS marked
products.

 Facilities provide to engineering students for hands-on Skill Development in National Test
House laboratories of BIS.
  Introduction of mandatory Red/Brown/Green Dots for cosmetics to indicate Non-Veg/Veg.
Origin on the demand of common consumer.

Ministry of Science & Technology01-June, 2015 19:03 IST

Dr Harsh Vardhan Urges Indian Scientists to Investigate the Genesis of Common Diseases
Afflicting Indians and to Translate Such Understanding Into Solutions for the Common
Man.
Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science and Technology, has said that research into Ayurgenomics
ould get full go er e t support as it holds out e iti g possi ilities i a ki d s sear h for lo -cost
solutions to the global disease burden.

After visiting Clinical Genomics, Con-focal Lab, Zebra Fish, FACS, BSL-3 and Animal House facilities, he
appreciated the efforts of the present Director, Dr. Rajesh Gokhale and that of earlier Director, Dr. Samir
Brahmachari in bringing up CSIR-IGIB as a unique institution in the country.

He urged scientists and technologists working on genomics and integrative biology to focus on common
diseases afflicting Indians and to translate their work into more effective cures. Addressing the staff of
the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), a Laboratory of the Council for
“ ie tifi a d I dustrial ‘esear h C“I‘ , here toda , Dr Harsh Vardha said, More tha e er efore e
need local, affordable and effective health solutions for alleviating the misery of the common man."

Speaking to scientists and staff of the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), a
constituent Laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), on Saturday, Dr Harsh
Vardha stressed that A urveda holds out solutions for preventive & personalized medicines because it
is ased o holisti u dersta di g of a i di idual. This fa t is re og ized the orld o er.

Dr Harsh Vardha said, The Nare dra Modi Go er e t ill do ore tha a pre ious regime for the
advancement of Ayurgenomics. Already, a separate Ministry has been created for Ayurveda and
traditional forms of medicine. Yoga is already integrated into the mind space of the global citizen thanks
to the Pri e Mi ister s reakthrough ith ha i g Ju e de lared as I ter atio al Yoga Da .

The Mi ister poi ted out that I dia is e perie i g the orld s highest loss of pote tiall produ ti e
years of life. The burden of non-communicable diseases has also outstripped that of communicable
diseases. At this juncture, the country needs affordable, home-grown solutions and therefore looks up
to the fast-growing new field of genomics and integrative biology.

Dr Harsh Vardha said ge o i s a d i tegrati e iolog are poised to e erge as the spa e s ie e of
the 21st century.

For u h of the th e tur , the spa e ra e do i ated the pu li i agi atio o s ie tifi progress.
In the 21st century, a country will be judged by its achievements in human genome sequencing. We
have already arrived there because our Ayurveda conceptualized individualized health care solutions
first, the Mi ister poi ted out.

Diagnostic technologies, high science therapeutics and specialized services developed by CSIR-IGIB could
contribute towards provision of quality affordable healthcare to our people while generating valuable
intellectual property that could be monetized globally.

In December 2009, CSIR-IGIB created ripples by announcing success with genome sequencing of an
Indian citizen (whose identity is confidential) and that put India in the elite band of nations with this
capability. The breakthrough was interpreted as a signpost in the search for low-cost health solutions.

Elaborating on the potential of genomics he mentioned that scientists have discovered the unique
Indian genetic risks for asthma, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and other conditions. They are
stressing the need for creating a network of collaboration between clinicians and scientists. The new
initiative in skin biology, while attracting industrial collaborations with Persistent and Unilever-India, is
simultaneously delivering societal values by understanding neglected diseases such as vitiligo.

Also under implementation with HP-India is the first integrated, rapidly deployable, cloud-connected
eHealth Centre for Affordable and Transparent healthcare.

Dr Harsh Vardhan also appreciated the efforts to address India-specific information on diseases through
the progra es like Guardia hi h uses the po er of ge o i s for s ste atic characterization of
rare genetic disorders in India. The inter-disciplinary efforts towards translational and innovative
research through Ayurgenomics in the CSIR Unit - TRISUTRA, can also catalyze future leadership in
Molecular Medicine.

CSIR succeeds in Whole Genome Sequencing of Holy basil (Tulsi) – A First Step to unravel
the Secrets of its Therapeutic Potential
CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow, has published whole
genome sequence of Ocimum sanctum, the wonder pla t Hol asil or Tulsi , hi h is re ered as
Vish upri a a d orshipped for o er ore tha ears through the sa red traditio s of Hi du
culture. This is the first report of complete genome sequence of a traditional and most respected
medicinal plant of India, using a composite next generation sequencing technologies.

Considering the metabolic and therapeutic potential of this revered plant, the availability of whole
genome sequence is the first step to understand and unravel the secrets of this other of all her s a d
to provide scientific validity to the traditional claims of its utility in diverse medicinal usage.

Bei g the ost popular household pla t i I dia, Holi asil or Tulsi is traditio all used for the ure of
several ail e ts. This her is des ri ed as The Quee of Her s, The I o para le O e a d The
Mother Medi i e of Nature i the A ur edi te t of Charaka “a hita. All parts of this lege dar , di i e
and most cherished ancient herb (dried leaf, dried seed, and dried whole plant) are used in several
systems of traditional medicine, including Ayurveda, Greek, Roman, Siddha, and Unani. It is used in the
preparations to cure various diseases like bronchitis, bronchial asthma, malaria, diarrhea, dysentery,
skin diseases, arthritis, painful eye diseases, chronic fever, insect bite etc. It has also been described to
possess anti-fertility, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective,
cardioprotective, anti-emetic, anti-spasmodic, analgesic, adaptogenic and diaphoretic actions. Many of
the basil oil constituents have found applications as medicinal ingredients, flavors, fragrance, etc.

Holi asil or Tulsi is ri h i phe lpropa oids, terpe oids a d their deri ati es, a d a of these are
implicated for different therapeutic activities. The availability of the genome sequence now opens the
possibility to identify genes involved in producing therapeutic molecules and to produce them in vitro.
This will also facilitate identification of not yet identified genes involved in the synthesis of important
secondary metabolites in this plant. Specific pathway related genes identified or mined in this genome
could be used for the production of secondary metabolites following synthetic biology approaches. The
development of molecular tools and genomic resources will accelerate molecular breeding and
ultimately the utility of Holy basil in medical community.

The nuclear genome of Holy basil is the smallest (386 Mb) in the family Lamiaceae while the chloroplast
genome (142,245 bp) is the smallest in the order Lamiales. According to the chloroplast genome
similarity, O. sanctum shows maximum evolutionary closeness to Salvia miltiorrhiza, a plant of Chinese
system of traditional medicine. Although, both these plants predominantly produce phenylpropanoids,
and both have the identical diploid number of chromosomes (2n = 16), the genome size of O. sanctum
(386 Mb) is a little more than half of the genome size of S. miltiorrhiza indicating that O. sanctum
genome is more compact than that of S. miltiorrhiza.