Latest news with #AjayKumarBhalla
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Manipur Guv asks officials to improve quality of education, Education News, ET Education
Advt Advt Imphal, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Thursday asked the officials to improve the quality of education in the state, officials said.A Raj Bhavan official said that the Governor chaired an important meeting and reviewed the prevailing education system focusing on strengthening the system in the the discussion, Bhalla emphasised the importance of providing high-quality, inclusive, and equitable education for every child in the state, highlighting key initiatives such as the National Education Policy 2020 and the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP).He also noted that improved infrastructure, digital learning tools, and well-trained teachers are central to shaping a strong future for the state's youth, the official of the Department of Education (Schools), N. Praveen Singh, made a presentation highlighting progress in school also offered a district-wise overview of school distribution, showcasing areas of growth and opportunities for further enhancing the rate of enrollment in each district. Director of Education (School), Ng. Bhogendra Meitei and Joint Secretary Education (School) Anjali Chongtham and other officers attended the the Governor earlier assessed the progress of the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP), a flagship initiative under the National Education Policy (NEP) to a Raj Bhavan official, the ITEP is a four-year dual-major, holistic under-graduate program designed to prepare highly qualified teachers for all four stages of the new school of Education (School) H. Gyan Prakash in the meeting provided an update on the ongoing implementation and key milestones of the programme in also chaired the 'Governor-in-Council' meeting at Raj Bhavan. The discussions in the meeting focused on strengthening inter-departmental coordination and ensuring efficient delivery of public services across the meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh, Commissioners, and Administrative Secretaries from various departments.
United News of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Manipur Governor instructs strengthening of education system
Imphal, June 19 UNI Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, on Thursday, chaired a meeting at Raj Bhavan, Imphal, and reviewed the prevailing education system, focusing on strengthening the system in the state. Secretary of the Department of Education (Schools), N. Praveen Singh, made a presentation highlighting progress in school enrolment. He also presented a district-wise overview of school distribution, showcasing areas of growth and opportunities for further enhancing the rate of enrolment in each district. During the discussion, the governor emphasised the importance of providing high-quality, inclusive, and equitable education for every child in the state, highlighting key initiatives such as the National Education Policy 2020 and the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP). He also noted that improved infrastructure, digital learning tools, and well-trained teachers are central to shaping a strong future for the state's youth. Director of Education (S), Ng. Bhogendra Meitei, and Joint Secretary Education (S), Anjali Chongtham, and other officers attended the meeting. UNI NS ARN
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
3 months after President's Rule, Manipur seeks Rs 1,000 crore from Centre as special assistance
Three months after President's Rule was imposed in Manipur, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has sought Rs 1,000 crore from the Central government as a special assistance grant for the state in the backdrop of the ethnic violence which broke out over two years ago, adversely affecting the state's economic activity and revenue collection, people familiar with the matter told The Indian Express. It has been separately learned that Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has also requested an early release of Rs 500 crore of the Rs 1,000 crore to meet the state's immediate requirements, such as clearing the pension backlog and security-related expenses. The Indian Express has learnt that the Finance Ministry has decided to grant additional funds of Rs 500 crore to Manipur as of now towards various projects under the existing Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2025-26. In a communication to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in May, Bhalla is learnt to have spoken about reduced revenue collection because of the unrest in Manipur that followed the ethnic violence which broke out in May 2023. This, he had mentioned, affected the state government's ability to pay pensions, salaries, and other committed liabilities, adding that pension backlogs amounted to Rs 600 crore. It is learnt that the Manipur Governor pointed to tax revenue losses for the state for the 2024-25 fiscal at Rs 1,554 crore compared to Rs 1,528 crore in the previous fiscal. He mentioned that the revenue collection for the state in 2022-23 was Rs 1,983 crore, which shows that there hasn't been any significant recovery in revenue collection, and this may affect the state's ability to meet its developmental and security-related objectives. He is also understood to have pointed out that poor revenue collection has also been due to state expenses on relief and law and order, adding that dues worth Rs 300 crore are yet to be paid to the state by the Ministry of Home Affairs as reimbursement under these heads. He told the finance ministry that the special assistance grant of Rs 1,000 crore to Manipur will help the state clear pension backlogs and meet expenses for security and relief measures for people who had been displaced due to the violence. It will also help the state give its share in various Centrally sponsored schemes and aid with taking various developmental measures in rural areas of the state, particularly in the hill areas. The Manipur Governor has also conveyed that the state has been unable to claim funds under the 15th Finance Commission grants for local bodies from 2021-22, which amounts to Rs 629 crore, due to its inability to hold elections for urban local bodies and Autonomous District Councils from 2020 and for Panchayati Raj institutions from 2022. Earlier, the Ministry of Finance had provided Rs 500 crore to the state as special assistance for revenue loss and economic recovery, which was provided in two instalments. The funds are understood to have been fully utilised by the state. Last year, The Indian Express reported that the Manipur government, ahead of the Union Budget presentation, had approached the Centre with a wishlist that includes demand for additional funds over and above the 10 per cent usually earmarked from gross budgetary support for northeastern states, financial support for 5,000 units of housing for violence-affected victims as a special project under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PM-AWAS), and enhanced allocation for security-related expenditure. Last year, former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh sought a financial grant of Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre as a special case, citing the loss of tax revenue in the state due to security and economic challenges. In October 2023, Singh had also requested a three-month advance of Manipur's share in Central taxes to tackle the financial crisis due to the ethnic clashes in the state.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
India's active Covid-19 cases dip below 7,000; 1 death reported in 24 hrs
India's active Covid-19 caseload saw a significant decline, falling to 6,836 on Tuesday, down from 7,264 the previous day. One death was reported in the past 24 hours, according to latest data by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The single fatality was a 44-year old female from Maharashtra who had a chronic liver problem. India is currently witnessing a rise in Covid-19 cases, attributed to emerging subvariants including LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and the recently identified NB.1.8.1. State-wise update: Karnataka sees spike in cases Karnataka recorded the most number of fresh Covid-19 cases with 105 new infections, taking its toll to 696. However, Kerala continues to report the highest number of active Covid-19 cases at 1,659, followed by Gujarat with 1,248. Maharashtra and Delhi reported 512 and 555 active cases, respectively. Kerala also saw the largest single-day drop, with 261 fewer cases in the past 24 hours, while Gujarat reported a decline of 185 cases. State Active Cases New Cases (Last 24 Hours) Deaths (Last 24 Hours) Kerala 1,659 -261 0 Maharashtra 512 -28 1 Gujarat 1,248 -185 0 Delhi 555 -94 0 Rajasthan 251 +29 0 Karnataka 696 +105 0 Tamil Nadu 222 +2 0 Northeast steps up Covid-19 vigil as first case recorded Nagaland reported its first Covid-19 case of the year, with a Dimapur resident testing positive. The mildly symptomatic patient is under home isolation and being monitored, according to Health Director Mereninla Senlem. Health authorities noted that current Covid-19 variants are mild, with symptoms like fever, cough, and sore throat usually resolving without hospitalisation. The public has been urged not to panic and to maintain Covid-appropriate behaviour. In Manipur, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired a review meeting on state preparedness following recent Union Health Ministry directives. The meeting focused on protective gear, oxygen supply, ICU and isolation facilities, essential drugs, and readiness challenges. Meanwhile, the Sikkim Education Department has asked all schools and hostels to adopt precautionary measures. Heads of institutions have been directed to monitor the health of students and staff, isolate symptomatic students during exams, and suspend affected classes for sanitisation if cases rise. Experts advise targeted boosters Health experts have advised against a mass Covid-19 booster drive, recommending instead a focused approach for high-risk groups such as the elderly, immunocompromised, and those with chronic illnesses. Authorities continue to stress Covid-appropriate behaviour—masking, hand hygiene, and avoiding crowds. The Centre has urged states and UTs to stay alert, while doctors emphasise distinguishing Covid-19 from other seasonal viruses with similar symptoms.
United News of India
4 days ago
- Health
- United News of India
20 Covid cases in Manipur; Governor reviews preparedness
States » East Imphal, June 16 (UNI) Manipur has 20 Covid cases with addition of seven new cases on Monday. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired a Covid-19 review meeting at the Conference Hall, Raj Bhavan. The review was held in view of recent directives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, on enhanced preparedness amid rising concerns of a possible Covid-19 resurgence. Officials briefed the Governor on the state's preparedness, including diagnostics, protective equipment, oxygen supply, ICU and isolation wards, essential drugs, and the IDSP–IHIP portal. Challenges related to testing capacity, medical supplies and hospital readiness were also discussed. Governor advised the importance of proactive measures, adequate medical infrastructure, and community awareness to ensure the state remains equipped to handle any potential surge in Covid cases. UNI NS RN
