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Time of India
4 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
New policy to safeguard intangible assets unveiled
Panaji: Biodiversity sites like sacred groves and khazan lands will be safeguarded as govt has unveiled a comprehensive 182-page Goa Heritage Policy on Friday aimed at preserving both tangible and intangible heritage assets. The heritage policy's categories under intangible assets are natural, cultural and eco-cultural. 'This policy was put together because we have a lot of concern for all of Goa's heritage sites,' said archives and archaeology minister Subhash Phal Dessai. 'Sacred groves, khazan lands, wetlands, rivers, tidal agro-ecosystems and biodiversity zones will be protected under the policy. It will also include the gaanvkari communidade system and village governance. This will be done without encroaching into other departments such as agriculture and forests,' he said. He said that documentation of shigmo, romtamel, intruz, cantaram, mussol khell, tiatr and various other folk forms will be done. 'There is a need to preserve our intangible heritage, which is slowly disappearing. We will make video documentation of the folk forms and preserve it in our library to be accessible to future generations. We will also promote research work on heritage,' he said. 'There will be detailed guidelines, acts and schemes that will be implemented under this policy.'
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt raises enrolment limits for KPS, PM Shri schools in state
Mangaluru: With soaring demand for Karnataka Public Schools, PM Shri School, and Kannada-English bilingual schools run by the state govt, the department of school education and literacy decided to raise the maximum enrolment limits from this academic year. A circular dated June 19, 2025, stated that a maximum of 40 children per class in pre-primary sections (LKG and UKG), 50 in primary schools (grades 1 to 7), and 50 in high schools (grades 8 to 10) will be allowed. Previously, the maximum enrolment limit for pre-primary and primary classes was restricted to 30 students. Dakshina Kannada alone has nine KPS, 123 bilingual, and 17 PM-Shri schools. This decision was made in response to the growing demand for student enrolment. After thoroughly reviewing the proposal from the education department, the govt made this decision. Currently, there is an increase in student enrolment for bilingual classes in KPS, and there has been a continuous demand from the School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC), parents, and public representatives to increase the enrolment limit. The reason for the demand is the quality of education. Since the 2017-18 academic year, 308 KPS were gradually established in the state. These schools started bilingual medium classes from grade one, along with pre-primary classes and classes in Kannada/other mediums. Citing the success of Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Schools in enrolling more students, the state govt stated in the order that it is their constitutional responsibility to provide quality education to more children by maximising available resources. The increased enrolment limit will be implemented in all schools from this academic year. The commissioner of the school education department must issue a circular regarding this and take steps to implement it according to the rules. The state govt also stressed that each pre-primary class or LKG/UKG must have a helper along with the teacher. The govt's order specifies that all available buildings and other resources on the school premises should be utilised to provide all possible opportunities for student enrolment and education. Officials from Dakshina Kannada welcomed the move, stating that there is significant demand for KPS, PM Shri Schools, and Kannada-English bilingual schools in the district. For instance, nine KPS alone recorded a total admission of 6,997 students. The schools have 208 classrooms available, staffed by 191 teachers. "It is an indicator of their popularity," said Govinda Madivala, DDPI, Dakshina Kannada.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Desi auto cos yet to get Beijing nod for magnets
No Indian auto component or vehicle company managed to get approval from the Chinese govt for procuring rare earth magnets so far, sources said. They added that there is also "no clarity as yet" on any timeline for a confirmed meeting with representatives of the Chinese govt, despite the intervention of Indian officials. The applications for sourcing magnets were filed mainly by auto component manufacturers, who provide fully-built sophisticated component assemblies such as speedometers, electric motors, e-axles, electric water pumps, automatic transmission kits, speakers, sensors and ignition coils (used in engines). The companies that applied include Uno Minda, Bosch, Mareli, TVS Group, Motherson Sumi and Sona Comstar. "There were no approvals so far, according to the latest assessment we carried through interactions with industry representatives," one of the sources told TOI. "The situation is grave, and there is now massive uncertainty regarding manufacturing schedules and factory output." The request for a meeting with Chinese representatives is being pursued not only by industry bodies - Auto Component Manufacturers Association (Acma) and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) - but also by ministries, such as heavy industries, external affairs, and Commerce. Officials from major automobile companies like Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto, and TVS are also pursuing the matter. The industry also had a meeting with top officials at the ministry of heavy industries earlier this week as govt looks at ways to navigate out of the current crisis. "However, not much headway was made so far," an official source said. Industry executives said the ministry onboarded Ernst & Young as a partner to work on the issue. The meeting also reviewed the preparation of some Indian companies working in the field of magnets. The auto industry requested local producers to give a firm timeline on supplies, if at all possible, emphasising that their production line is dependent on quick procurement. Both Acma and Siam prepared a list of delegates that they intend to rope in if a visit to China can be facilitated by the govt. Through a notification issued on April 4 this year, the Chinese govt imposed certain restrictions in the export permit system for medium and heavy rare earth metals, its alloys, magnets, and related products. To stop the diversion of magnets to defence and weapon requirements, China mandated that exporters must obtain a licence based on the provision of an End User Certificate (EUC), which would need approval from DGFT and the ministry of external affairs and also be endorsed by the Chinese Embassy in India. After this, the EUC needs to be sent to China for approvals - first from the provincial govt from where the exporter in China will produce and export and then from China's ministry of commerce.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Godavari-Banakacherla row: Revanth Reddy hints at moving SC; Centre may call Apex Council meet soon with him & Chandrababu Naidu
HYDERABAD: With tensions escalating between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over the proposed Godavari-Banakacherla link project, the Centre is likely to convene an Apex Council meeting soon, bringing both chief ministers to the table to resolve the contentious water sharing dispute. The Apex Council-last convened in Oct 2020-is headed by Union jal shakti minister CR Patil. CM A Revanth Reddy and irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, who met Patil in Delhi on Thursday, said the Union minister had assured them that the meeting would be held soon. During the hour-long meeting, Revanth made it clear that Telangana would not compromise on its water interests under any circumstances. He conveyed to the minister that while the state was open to resolving disputes through dialogue, it would approach the Supreme Court if the Centre's actions were not in Telangana's favour. Revanth proposed an alternative plan, stating that if AP truly believed surplus water was available in the Godavari, the Centre could consider linking the Icchampally-Nagarjuna Sagar route to lift water to the Penna basin, instead of Polavaram-Banakacherla. This, he said, could be centrally funded. The CM also urged the Centre to expedite the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II verdict. The CM urged Patil to intervene and halt all works initiated by the AP govt on the Banakacherla project, and to reject the pre-feasibility report submitted by AP on the link project. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scam Exposed: What They Won't Tell You about zero trust! Expertinspector Click Here Undo Revanth and Uttam argued that the Banakacherla project violates the interests of Telangana, as well as the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (1980) and the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014. They expressed concern over how the Union finance ministry and environment ministry appeared to be fast-tracking approvals for AP's projects while neglecting Telangana's. Revanth said AP's claim of basing the Banakacherla project on Godavari floodwaters had no legal or technical standing. "There is no mention of floodwaters or surplus waters in the GWDT-1980," he said, arguing that the entire project lacks regulatory grounding. Revanth reminded the Union minister that as per the Reorganisation Act, new inter-state projects must first be cleared by the Godavari River Management Board, Central Water Commission, and the Apex Council. "The AP govt violated mandatory procedures and is going ahead with project. Their claim that project is based on floodwaters is not only misleading but has no statutory support," he said. Uttam said Patil responded positively and confirmed that his ministry had not received any detailed project report related to Banakacherla from AP so far.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Monsoon session likely in mid-July, crowd management bill to steal focus
Bengaluru: Although BJP, the principal opposition party, has been demanding a special session of the legislature to debate the recent stadium stampede tragedy, the govt is leaning towards holding a regular monsoon session in mid-July. Authorities have tentatively fixed July 14 as the start date for the session though the cabinet, will discuss the session's schedule at the next meeting. "A two-week session with 10 working days in mid-July fits well before the festival season," said a senior official from the parliamentary affairs department. "The cabinet may either set the dates or authorise the chief minister to decide and advise the governor accordingly." By convention, the gap between two sessions should not exceed six months. Since the budget session — the previous one — ended on March 21, the govt has until the third week of Sept to convene the next session. But CM Siddaramaiah is said to be in favour of an early session amid BJP's pressure over the stampede tragedy that claimed 11 lives during RCB's IPL victory celebrations. Siddaramaiah reportedly wants to end the public discourse by facilitating a debate on the incident in the assembly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Зачем на ночь сжигают лавровый лист? Undo Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, addressing the controversy, urged the opposition to use parliamentary procedures rather than protests. "It is an unfortunate incident," he said. "We took stern action, including suspending police officials and ordering a judicial probe. Let the opposition debate the issue in the assembly instead of creating a public spectacle for political gain." The session is expected to begin with the assembly ratifying revocation of suspension of 18 BJP legislators. These MLAs were suspended on the last day of the previous session on charges of indiscipline and unruly behaviour, even as the opposition demanded a judicial investigation over the alleged honey trap targeting cooperation minister KN Rajanna and other members. Speaker UT Khader decided to revoke the suspensions after Siddaramaiah intervened, but rules demand the decision must be ratified through a resolution. The session is likely to be stormy as BJP and JD(S) are preparing to corner the govt over the stampede tragedy. In response, the govt plans to introduce a bill on crowd management. "We want to bring in a policy for crowd management and it is the need of the hour. We will prepare a framework, and a bill may be introduced," said Shivakumar. Parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil said the govt has already prepared a draft bill, while home minister G Parameshwara, whose department is expected to pilot the bill, said standard operating procedures on managing crowds during big events are being considered for inclusion in the proposed legislation. Other legislations likely to come up include the Gig Workers Welfare Bill, currently in the form of an ordinance, and the Rohith Vemula Bill aimed at protecting Dalit students in higher educational institutions. The contentious proposed bill to increase work hours in the private sector is also expected to generate debate, along with the proposed caste census.
