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New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Centre's fund delay hits Samagra Shiksha uniform scheme: V Sivankutty
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The free uniform scheme for government school students covering boys from Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, and all girls from Classes 1 to 8 has been disrupted due to the non-disbursal of Central funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme since the 2023–24 financial year, the state government has said. General Education Minister V Sivankutty said that the state is actively working to resolve the issue. Under the Samagra Shiksha project, funds for two sets of uniforms per student are released to schools through the Block Resource Centres. However, the Union government has not released any funds to the Kerala unit of Samagra Shiksha since 2023–24, said the minister.


India Gazette
10-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"11 years of good governance under PM Modi dedicated to welfare of poor, women empowerment": BJP's Smriti Irani
Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], June 10 (ANI): BJP leader Smriti Irani on Tuesday said that 11 years of good governance under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government focused on the development of the poor sections of society, while women empowerment was keenly emphasised with a number of initiatives and schemes. Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Smriti Irani said, '11 years of good governance were dedicated to the welfare of the poor, welfare of agriculture, and women's empowerment. BJP workers, with a happy heart, heartily express their gratitude towards PM Narendra Modi... In the democratic history of our country, PM Narendra Modi has worked for the welfare of the country via various schemes... We pray for his strong leadership to continue.' Smriti Irani also attended a professional meet alongside Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi in Ranchi earlier today. Irani said the important measures taken by the Modi government brought 25 crore Indians out of the Below Poverty Line. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday inaugurated an exhibition at the state BJP office in Bhopal on Tuesday. The exhibition, centred on 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure, is dedicated to service, good governance, and the welfare of the poor. Addressing the media on the occasion, CM Yadav highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure for 11 years and stressed that he made various bold decisions necessary for the public's welfare. 'PM Modi took bold decisions necessary for the public's welfare. He took various decisions, be it the implementation of GST, the abrogation of Article 370, the abolition of Triple Talaq or the Ram Mandir temple made decisions for the welfare of every section of the society,' the CM said. Narendra Modi first took office as the Prime Minister of India on May 26, 2014, and is currently serving his third consecutive term. Last year, he took office on June 9 after winning the third-term elections. Marking the occasion, the Union government also released a comprehensive e-book detailing achievements across various sectors over the past 11 years. The year 2025 marks 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. (ANI)


New Indian Express
05-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Ensure 15 lakh BPL families are adopted under P4 by Aug 15: Andhra CM
VIJAYAWADA: As part of the Zero Poverty P4 (Public Private People Partnership) initiative, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to ensure that 15 lakh families in the State are adopted by Margadarsis (mentors) by August 15 this year. He emphasised the need to accelerate the registration of Margadarsis, and the adoption process of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. Describing P4 as a continuation of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model introduced after the economic reforms, the Chief Minister conducted a review of the zero poverty initiative at his Undavalli camp office on Wednesday. He directed that the Smart Andhra Pradesh Foundation be restructured as Swarna Andhra P4 Foundation.


Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
5k poverty-free villages, 16 smart cities: State's devpt agenda this yr
Jaipur: Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma Tuesday directed officials to lift Below Poverty Line (BPL) families out of poverty from 5,000 villages in the first phase of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Gareeb Mukti Gram Yojana. The direction came during a review meeting on implementation of the 2025-26 state budget. "This is not just about infrastructure; it is about transforming lives. The poor, farmers, women, and youth are at the heart of our budget. Every department must work in synergy to bring real change," he said. The CM also laid out an urban roadmap under which 16 cities will be developed as Clean and Green Cities—modelled after the Smart City Mission. These cities will see upgraded infrastructure, improved sanitation, greenery, pedestrian-friendly roads, and overall beautification. "These cities must become examples of what a modern, liveable Rajasthan can look like," Sharma said, adding that newly formed 65 urban local bodies will also be equipped with waste processing units. With Rajasthan home to world-renowned tourist and pilgrimage sites, Sharma stressed the need for stronger air connectivity. Plans include developing helipads and introducing helicopter services to ease access and encourage tourism. Sharma reiterated that all budgetary announcements must be completed within a defined timeframe. He instructed departments to prepare detailed work plans and execute them in phases. Any delay, he warned, would be met with strict action. "If a foundation stone is laid under our govt, the inauguration should also happen during our tenure. Every promise must be fulfilled on time," he said. Emphasising transparency and quality, Sharma directed departments to ensure physical verification of road construction and other major works. He called for close coordination between electricity, water, and PWD departments.


Indian Express
01-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Chandigarh civic body revises community centre policy: free use for poor girls' weddings, RWAs meet; rituals payable
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) has decided to continue offering free use of community centres for weddings of girls from the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, as well as for meetings of Residents' Welfare Associations (RWAs) and Senior Citizen Associations, but ceremonies such as 'pagdi' and post-funeral meals (kriya bhog) will now attract a 25 per cent booking charge. These events were previously exempt, but the policy was revised after opposition to an initially proposed 50 per cent fee. The new draft policy, which includes revised usage rules and updated pricing, will be presented for approval in the MC House meeting scheduled on June 3. Earlier drafts that suggested charges for RWA meetings and poor girls' weddings were rolled back, following strong objections from civic groups. Revised booking charges across categories Booking fees for community centres are set to increase across the board. Category-A centres, currently priced at Rs 44,000 (including tax), will now be available for Rs 60,000 (excluding tax). Centres previously available for Rs 22,000 will now cost Rs 40,000 and applicable tax. For Category C centres, charges will increase from the previous range of Rs 5,000–Rs 22,000 to Rs 15,000–Rs 30,000. Membership-based access introduced The Corporation is also introducing an annual membership model for community centres, similar to club memberships. The annual fee has been fixed at Rs 1,000 for Category A and B centres and Rs 500 for senior citizens. For Category C centres, it will be Rs 500 and Rs 250 for senior citizens. Members will enjoy privileges such as discounted bookings and access to facilities like gyms and indoor games. The operation of each centre will be overseen by a management committee, with the area mayor acting as patron and the local councilor as chairperson. Nominated councillors and departmental SDEs will also be included in these panels. PPP model for operations and expansion Under a new Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative, five community centres — located in Sectors 37, 38-West, 40, 49 and 50 — will be operated and maintained by private companies. The company offering the highest revenue share will win the contract. These operators will be allowed to rebrand the centres, but booking charges cannot exceed 1.5 times the base rate. Additionally, Request for Proposals (RFPs) will be floated to construct new centres on vacant land in Sectors 24, 51, 63 and Bapu Dham (Sector 26), and to redevelop existing centres in Sector 29 and Thakurdwara (Manimajra), along with managing the Rose Club in Sector 16. These contracts will be for 15 years initially, extendable by five years.