At a critical stage of Naga peace talks and optimistic of a final pact soon, Naga National Political Group (NNPG) leader, N. Kitovi Zhimomi told a group of youth that the new accord should offer “win-win situation for all” and that “the ” must be upheld.
Asked how the Peace pact also caters to the welfare and wishes of thousands of Nagas outside ‘Nagaland state’, he said, “Of course, emotional Naga Integrity is part of our life. I can tell you there is sufficient room for them as well. Our status paper already mentions some of these issues. One will know better what the NNPG is trying to give to our brothers and sisters outside Nagaland state.” However, he said as a negotiating player one had to understand the problems and hurdles the Indian government or Indian Parliament would face.
02.03.22
Adopt villages to develop them under social responsibility initiative: President advises Tezpur UniversityPresident Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday advised the Tezpur University to adopt some villages and develop them under a new model of University Social Responsibility. Addressing the 19th convocation of the varsity, he expressed happiness over its initiative to offer various innovative solutions to rural people. The Tezpur University can adopt a model of University Social Responsibility in line with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Kovind said after handing over degree certificates to students of the institute.
Kovind, the visitor of the varsity, also appealed to the students at the Kalaguru Bishnuprasad Rabha (KBR) Auditorium to actively participate in promotion and Marketing of organic products from the North-East region. He also lauded efforts of the Assam government for conserving and said he would visit the Kaziranga National Park later in the day to take stock of various such initiatives.
Odisha should take a leaf from Keralas book
It seems the inclusion of Scheduled Castes (SCs) in development of Odisha is not a priority of the Odisha Government as it is evident that, leave alone central schemes, there is not a single dedicated scheme solely out of State funds under the provision of Scheduled Caste Sub Plan focusing development of SCs.
Majority of SCs in Odisha are historically victims of the practices of untouchability. Besides, they are poor and landless. Many of them are distressed migrant workers. It has been widely understood that without the States intervention to change their socio-eco condition, it is difficult for them to stand on their own.
Though they constitute almost nearly one-fifth of the Population of the State but they have been deprived of funds in State Budget proportionate to their population for development. Leave aside job reservation in Government which covers only a very microscopic number of families among them, a vast majority of them, about 99 per cent of the families, are struggling to make a living against all odds.
In this context, lets discuss about schemes for SCs in Kerala which has achieved highest rank in social development indicators among the States. The SCs constitute about 9.1 per cent of the total population of the State and STs constitute almost 1.45 per cent. The total area of Kerala is 38,852 sqkm with about 590 km coast line and a majority of its population are in urban area. By contrast, the total area of Odisha is 1, 55,707 sqkm and the State has 480 km coast line.
Kerala has had a long HISTORY of progressive socio-political tradition that is rooted in ideology of social and social Justice promoted by social reformers such as Ayyankali (1863-1941), Narayana Guru(1856-1928), and powerful social movements such as Vaikom Satyagraha against untouchability (1924-25) with involvement of MK Gandhi and EV Ramaswami. Later the Left Front Government led by EMS Namboodiripad, the first Chief Minister of Kerala launched land reform, Literacy, universal primary Education, Panchayati Raj system and progressive literary and science education movements, which contributed immensely to building an inclusive social development.
The three major institutions evolved in Kerala laying focus on SCs development are the Scheduled Castes Development Department, Kerala State Development Corporation for SCs and STs and Kerala State Commission for SCs and STs.
The many unique initiatives of the State Government include a host of schemes covering from nursery education to EMPLOYMENT in abroad and business sector and radical social reform agenda such as employing Dalits as priests in temples and promoting inter caste marriage.
The State has developed a scheme to finance SC and ST families to purchase land both in rural and urban areas for housing and suitable agricultural activities with 6 per cent rate of interest and repayment within 8 years. In order to ensure basic amenities schemes for self-sufficient village, SC habitations having more than 50 families are being provided about Rs 1 crore grant under local MLA supervision. The scheme ensures all basic facilities, connecting roads, toilet, drinking water, electricity, drainage line, and Waste Management, renovation of house, bio gas Plants and IGP for the villagers.
National Medical Commission forbids conversion therapy
Any doctor found engaged in conversion therapy a controversial gender and sexual reorientation practice often slammed as pseudoscience is liable to be prosecuted for professional misconduct, theNational Medical Commission(NMC) told the Madras .
The council made its stand clear while making a submission on a recommendation by a committee constituted to modify the MBBS syllabus so that medical students could be sensitised to the sexual orientations of people belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Thestate medical council, wherever it is vested with the power of taking disciplinary action for professional misconduct, can take note of the recommendations of the expert committee and proceed with action against the medical professional concerned, it said.
Kerala Water Authority begins water audit to identify disparity in supply
As drinking water shortage hits the district amid soaring mercury, theKerala Water Authority(KWA) has started a water audit to identify points where people receive more water and where supply is less. The Auditing is expected to complete in a week. The move is to examine the water distribution system in the district which experiences water scarcity every summer.
The water authority is also looking into the quantity of water being distributed from the main water treatment Plants like the one at Maradu to each area through the main pipelines.
Water scarcity has been reported more in the outskirts of the city. As the main pump houses of KWA and commercial establishments are situated in the heart of the city, the latter get more water and residential areas in the peripheral areas do not get adequate water.
Nearly 170 to 180 MLD water is being distributed through KWA pipelines, public taps and tanker trucks to the corporation limit.
Karnataka: DPR for Shiradi tunnel road ready, to cost Rs 14,000 crore, says Nitin Gadkari
Union minister of road transport and highwaysNitin Gadkariannounced that the much-awaited Shiradi Ghat tunnel road project, on the Mangaluru-Bengaluru National Highway, will be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 14,000 crore.
Shiradi Ghat is a lifeline ofKarnatakaand I have given it my highest priority. The existing 26kms ghat stretch will be made four-lane as per plans and we have already prepared a detailed project report (DPR) to develop the proposed six-lane tunnel road. I assure that clearances from the forest department will be obtained with the support of chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, he said, adding that roads in India will be on par with America by the end of 2024.
Accordingly, instead of 50% to develop ring roads, the will have to spend just 25% of the cost. However, we have to give exemption in the state GST on the cost and waive the royalty of the project. Ring roads will be developed in many cities in Karnataka including one in Mangaluru.
River linking: Centre agrees to Telangana hydrology study demand
The plan to link Godavari-Cauvery rivers will be confined to unutilised water in Chhattisgarh for now.
The Union ministry of Jal Shakti has decided to draw water fromand Andhra Pradesh only after conducting hydrology studies at Icchampally as demanded by the Telangana government.
During the recent meeting on inter-linking ofGodavarivia Krishna and Pennar basins, the Telangana government questioned the claims of the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) that 175 tmc ft of water is available in Godavari at Ichhampally in the state and can be diverted for the purpose.
The Jal Shakti ministry is in a fix over its claims on the availability of 175 tmc ft of water in Godavari at Icchampally as the Central Water Commission (Cwc) has given different figures for different projects and kept Telangana schemes on hold.
As per the original plan, NWDC proposed to draw 247 tmc ft from Godavari and divert it to Krishna and Pennar basins as part of linking of Godavari and Cauvery river basins. It was proposed to draw 2.2 tmc ft of water daily from Godavari which would be first diverted to Krishna at Nagarjuna Sagar and from there to Pennar river during the south-west monsoon.
Report on new districts to be given to CM soon
State planning department secretaryGSRKR Vijay Kumarsaid they will soon submit report on objections and suggestions made by public on the formation of new districts to the chief minister soon. Formation of new districts is a state subject. The Central government has also informed that changes can be completed by June.
The planning department secretary said they discussed suggestions, advice, and criticism from the public over the formation of new districts in NorthAndhraand East Godavari districts. Except for Nellore, review is over in all other 13 districts. The last date for submitting objections and suggestions is March 3.
Goa govt notifies charging infrastructure policy for electric vehicles
The has notified the Goa EV ConcessionalChargingInfrastructurePolicy2021, paving the way for EV charging stations across the state. It will also boost sales of electricvehicles.
As per the policy, the charging stations operators shall be allowed other sources to generate revenue, but with prior approval.
Revenue generated will be shared with the Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) on a 50:50 basis. Of the GEDA charges, 20% will be shared with the land-owning agency while the remaining 80% will go into the Goa Decarbonisation Fund.
The policy stated that Goa is among the fastest growing states in the country. The Goan economy is largely dependent on tourism as the annual arrival of tourists are almost five times that of the local Population.
Goa has a total population of 15 lakh and receives about 75 lakh tourists every year. The movement of these seasonal tourists is largely dependent on unorganised transportation, including unmetered taxis, motorcycles, ferry boats and rickshaws.
Govt health hubs in Maharashtra to offer high-end care
Super-speciality medical Services are being readied across state-run medical colleges and hospitals in Maharashtra, Health officials told TOI on Tuesday. The move aims to help the poor in urban and rural areas access high-end care like surgeries of the brain, urinary tract systems, heart or stomach.
The move will help get permanent super-speciality faculties at 24 government-run medical colleges and hospitals in the state.