Ger of the Country 18.8%: All India Survey on Higher Education Provisional Report

Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Kapil Sibal, released the first Provisional Report of the ambitious All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) here today. The report contains countrywide estimates of Gross Enrolment Ratio on the basis of data collected till July 31, 2012, from the Higher Education (HE) Institutions of the country including Universities, Colleges, and Stand-Alone Institutions.

The key idea behind this Survey and the resulting document is to prepare a sound database on the large and diverse system of Higher Education in the country. The Survey compiles and manages statistics directly online from respondent institutions. The Ministry has constituted a Task Force to carry out the Survey. This Task Force has representations from stake-holders including the Ministry, the UGC, the AICTE, various Regulatory Bodies, as well as Departments of Higher Education of the States. Shri Sunil Kumar, Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh, the then Additional Secretary in the Department of Higher Education is its Chairman.

The Provisional Report contains statistical information on various aspects of all the Institutions of Higher Education in India. It is heartening to know that the overall Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of the country stands at 18.8% (based on estimated figures collected till July 31, 2012). The estimated statistics are expected to be revised, considering that data is still being uploaded on the AISHE portal (http://aishe.gov.in or http://aishe.nic.in). Few more detailed reports will be released as the first year of the survey comes to a close. The Ministry has also taken a decision to continue the Survey on annual basis which will replace the existing manual system of data collection in higher education.

The entire survey has been voluntary, based on motivation of respondents; and without any statutory mandate in place for collecting information of this nature. It needs a Survey like this to bring out the correct and complete picture of the system so that relevant statistics are available to the Central Government as well as State Governments, in order to devise future policies. Besides, the Report will also create immediate awareness of the present status of the Higher Education and its growth since Independence till date.

Paying homage to father of white revolution in India Dr Verghese Kurien, who catapulted India from being a milk-deficient country to the world’s largest milk producer, ‘Amul’s’ mascot for the first time ever was seen weeping (since 1964) in an advertisement.

“Thank You For Giving us Hausla, Pragati & Anand……Dr V Kurien 1912-2012,” the ad released by Amul’s advertising agency DaCunah Communications read.

The ad shows the young iconic Muppet, usually attired in polka dot frock and shown smiling, draped in a saree and weeping, with two ladies standing alongside.

Photographs, courtesy: Amul

Image: Tribute to Verghese Kurien.

Increase in Number of Foreign Companies

As per the 55th Annual Report on the working and administration of the Companies Act 1956 for the year ended March 2011, the number of foreign companies has increased from 2609 as on 31.3.2008 to 3127 as on 31.3.2011. There has been consistent increase in the number of foreign companies which have a place of business in the country.

The Government has initiated several steps in the recent past to ensure business friendly environment and to encourage foreign investment in India such as:

i. Allowing foreign investment in Infrastructure Debt Funds (IDFs)
ii. Allowing AD banks to allow pledge of shares acquired under the FDI scheme.
iii. Allowing general permission for transfer of shares in the financial sector and where the pricing guidelines are not met but where the SEBI pricing guidelines are met.
iv. The FII limit for investment in government securities and corporate bonds has been increased to US$ 20 billion and 45 billion respectively.
v. Lock-in period and residual maturity for the schemes relating to FII investment in infrastructure debt and non-resident investment in infrastructure Development Funds (IDFs) were rationalized.
vi. Qualified Foreign Investors (QFIs) were permitted to invest in non-infrastructure corporate bonds up to a limit of US$ 1 billion.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

Good Corporate Governance is Essentially about Effective & Responsible Leadership -Dr. M.Veerappa Moily

Union Corporate affairs Minister Dr. M. Veerappa Moily has underlined the need to bring in such a good corporate Governance that is essentially about effective and responsive leadership which calls for integrity, transparency and accountability. Dr. Moily was addressing the 2nd ICSI CORPORATE GOVERNANCE WEEK here in at New Delhi today. The minister said in the dynamic global environment good governance has assumed considerable importance and it is an essential requirement for socio economic development and a tool for inclusive growth. Also the reputation of corporates contributes 75% to success of Good Governance. He complimented the Institute of Company Secretaries of India for this initiative and said that ICSI has always demonstrated its commitment to corporate governance and is playing a leaders role in promoting good corporate governance practices amongst corporate India .

Dr. Moily said his ministry has always been in the forefront to facilitate corporate growth and at the same time putting in place an enlightened regulatory environment that ensures sustainable, equitable and inclusive development. It also ensures best corporate governance and practices for the purpose of accountable, responsible and transparent system of corporate governance.

He said the National Policy on Corporate Governance which is being drafted by committee headed by Mr. Adi Godrej to provide a world class corporate administration framework to facilitate growth of corporate sector in the country. Also, the Competition Amendment Bill has been drafted and is under the consideration of Group of Ministers head by the Finance Minister. The Minister said for the ease of doing business in India a committee is being formed consisting of members from all the relevant sectors concerned directly or indirectly with doing business in our country. The aim is to have a measurable target in terms of improvement in the rankings within a period of next 3 to 5 years.

Dr. Moily ensured that the New Companies Bill 2011 will be passed soon and will be instrumental in enlightening the regulator environment for better sustainability . He once again stressed on the need for economic stability & progress intertwined with Corporate Social Responsibility .

The other prominent speakers included Shri Nesar Ahmad , President ,The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), Mr. Sunil Kant Munjal, Joint Managing Director ,Hero Motorcorp Ltd, Mr. U Venkataraman ,CEO –Currency Derivatives Segment and Whole Time Director ,MCX Stock Exchange, Shri P K Mittal, Council Member, ICSI, Shri Rajiv Bajaj , Chairman Northern India Regional Council and Shri N K Jain, Secretary & CEO of ICSI.

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has observed the 2nd ICSI CORPORATE GOVERNANCE WEEK on the theme ‘Good Governance For Sustainability’, from August 27th to August 31st 2012 across the Country. The idea behind the ICSI Corporate Governance Week is to create awareness, propagate the best practices of corporate governance and mainstream corporate responsibility in the social fabric.