15.07.21

CAG eye on Assam government over pension for families of deceased employees

by

The (CAG) has asked the Assam government to review the Compassionate Family Pension (CFP) scheme as it not only defies legal principles but also has put an estimated additional financial burden of Rs 156.91 crore per annum on the state exchequer.

The State Government has not asked for separate budget allocation for the CFP scheme and by booking the entire expenditure under ‘pension’ has violated budget and accounting rules applicable to a new scheme, the CAG said in its report for the year 2019 that was tabled in the ongoing budget session of the assembly.

The financial outgo under the scheme, introduced in April 2017, has been Rs 171.55 crore so far and audit has estimated an additional financial burden of Rs 156.91 crore per annum on the state exchequer.

Besides, the state government has extended the benefits of the CFP scheme to cover officers of the All India Services (AIS), whose pension and family pension is borne by the Centre, without consulting the latter, the CAG said.

Moreover, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the high rate of positive cases as well as mortality rate, the financial burden on the state exchequer may increase to an unbearable proportion in the years to come, the report pointed out.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma urges Muslims to find ways to control population

by

Calling the state’s indigenousMuslimsas ‘Assamese Muslims’, chief minister Himanta BiswaSarma asked members of the minority community to devise ways to rein inpopulationgrowth and prepare a roadmap to expedite welfare measures, including financial well-being and overall development of the community.

In order to achieve that goal, Sarma said it has been insisted upon that eight sub-groups be constituted to work on a range of issues – Health, Education, Population control, cultural identity, , Women Empowerment and Skill development.

Odisha issues notification to auction 11 mineral blocks

by

More than a year after it last auctioned a mineral block, the on Wednesday issued notice inviting tender (NIT) for online auction of as many as 11 mineral blocks in the state.

The mineral blocks up for grabs include seven iron Ore blocksNadidih (BICO), Purheibahal,Chandiposhi, Jumka Pathiriposhi Pahar, Dholtapahar, Netrabandha Pahar (West) and Gandhalpada, two composite blocks of iron ore and manganese–Nadidih (FEEGRADE) and Teherai, one composite block of iron ore and dolomiteKasia and one bauxite blockKarlapat.

While Kasia, Nadidih (BICO), Nadidih (FEEGRADE) and Teherai are the expired blocks, whose lease periods were expired on March 31, 2020, the remaining seven mines are virgin blocks. It is for the first time since beginning of the mining auction process, a bauxite block is going to be auctioned.

While last auction of any mineral block was done in January and February 2020, no blocks were auction since then in view of Covid-19 pandemic and awaiting Centres new auction rules.

Mining sector contributes significantly to states exchequer with the state government has earned over Rs 9,100 crore in the first quarter (April-June) of the current 2021-22 financial year.

Tamil Nadu government to constitute labour welfare committees

by

In order to ensure welfare of labourers, committees comprising representatives from industries, and Labour Welfare boards would be formed in district and state level, said minister for labour welfare and skill developmentC V Ganesan, who was in the city to chair a meeting with the representatives of trade unions and labour welfare boards at the collectors office.

The minister directed officials to take decision on petitions seeking assistance, a statement from the collectors office said.

Under the chief minister in your constituency scheme, the minister distributed job offers from private company to three people and books to four people preparing for government examinations. Under the social security scheme, relief funds were distributed to four people and welfare board identity cards were distributed to seven labourers.

Kerala: Higher education department to promote digital LMS in colleges

by

The higher Education department is on a mission to pivot on the devastating Covid-19 pandemic to recast the way academic transaction and evaluation of students and teachers takes place in higher education institutions in the state.

As a first step towards ushering in change in the sector, the government has taken an in-principle decision to encourage the use of customised and computer-based Learning Management System (LMS) in all higher education institutions. At least 300 colleges, irrespective of the government/aided distinction, would soon be given access to the computer-based learning system that would hopefully stave off the adverse impact of rote learning system entrenched in the academic discourse.

Sources said the higher education council has agreed to take forward the initiative to make customised LMS available to at least 300 select colleges on a pilot basis. It would also ramp up the teacher training process to help college/ university faculties to learn how to use the digital medium for mentoring students.

Conserve 14th century mandapam: Experts

by

Experts asked the government to conserve Bhogini Mandapam, the 14th century royal dance hall, on Rachakonda hills.

Kings who ruled from Rachakonda patronised Bhoginis, royal courtesans, who were talented in singing and dancing.

Bhoga Mandapam, which survived till date atop a hill in Rachakonda, was constructed by Sarvagna Singa Bhupala, the Padmanayaka king of Rachakonda who ruled almost whole of Telangana during the last decades of 14th century.

Centre asks Telangana to stop power generation on Krishna

by

The Union Government on Thursday asked to stop drawing of water from Krishna river for power generation.

The Union Jal Shakti ministry, in a letter to TS Genco, asked it to stop power generation with immediate effect at Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar and Pulichintala projects on Krishna river. The letter, written by Jal Shakti ministry member (power) LB Muanthang, was addressed to director (hydel), TS Genco.

The ministry letter insisted that Telangana should follow the agreements and orders on sharing of water. It also referred to the complaints given by the AP government against the release of water from Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar and Pulichintala for power generation by Telangana.

Andhra Pradesh: Targets set for village clinics, digital libraries

by

Chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy set targets for the panchayat raj and rural development department to complete construction of buildings for village clinics, digital libraries and village and ward secretariats.

He wanted the officials to complete the works and hand over the finished buildings to the respective department by the end of 2021.

The chief minister addressed officials during a review meeting at his Tadepalli camp office on Tuesday. The officials briefed him on the progress of the construction work of all three categories. He also reviewed the provision of basic in Jagananna colonies.

The chief minister directed them to complete works on roads, drains, drinking water, electricity and other infrastructure in the Jagananna colonies. He also told them to procure other infrastructure to maintain greenery and handle garbage in villages in the state.

Govt to sign MoU to identify new mines

by

The will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Mineral Exploration Corporation Ltd (MECL) to identify new iron Ore mines in the state.

Chief minister Pramod Sawant said the MoU will be signed in his presence besides the Union minister for mines Pralhad Joshi.

Keeping in mind the delay in resumption of mining activities, Sawant had decided to form a mining corporation and identify new mineral blocks to restart the Industry.

With the signing of the MoU, mining corporation will identify new mineral blocks in the state for e-auctioning. The state government is likely to give cabinet approval for forming of the new Goa mining corporation and the bill will be tabled in the upcoming monsoon session.

For over five years, Maharashtra government sitting over Bor and Nagzira unified control plan

by

Even as tigers are crying for space and better wildlife management in the areas surrounding the reserves, the is sitting over proposals to hand over administrative (unified) control of Bor and Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) to the wildlife wing.

Notifying the buffer zone around Tiger Reserves is mandatory under the Tiger Conservation Plan (TCP) after amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, on September 4, 2006.

The 661 sqkm buffer zone of Bor and 1,241 sqkm of NNTR was notified in December 2015 and September 2016 respectively but even after 5-6 years, it has not been brought under the unified control of tiger reserves. Buffer zones of Melghat, Pench and Tadoba have been under the administrative control of the tiger reserve.