Tag: Govt

Six out of 22 sanctioned AIIMS fully functional: Govt

[ad_1]
New Delhi: Out of the sanctioned 22 All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), six of these at Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, Bhubaneswar in Odisha, Jodhpur in Rajasthan, Patna in Bihar, Raipur in Chhattisgarh, and Rishikesh in Uttarakhand are fully functional, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Friday.
The remaining 16 AIIMS are at various stages of operationalisation, he informed the Lok Sabha.
Setting up of 22 new AIIMS across the country was sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). These institutes will add 2,475 MBBS seats and 18,250 bed capacity to the country’s healthcare system.
Out of 22 AIIMS, MBBS course is currently running in 19 AIIMS, except at Awantipora (Kashmir), Rewari (Haryana) and Darbhanga (Bihar) which are in different stages of implementation, Mandaviya told the House.
The health ministry closely monitors the progress of new AIIMS projects. Completion of work depends upon various factors, including transfer of encumbrance free land by the state government, regulatory clearances and site specific issues, he added.
[ad_2]
#sanctioned #AIIMS #fully #functional #Govt
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 3, 2023
Covaxin booster safe, necessary for lasting immunity-ICMR study, says govt

[ad_1]
New Delhi: An ICMR study has indicated that a booster dose of Covaxin is safe and necessary to ensure persistent immunity to minimise breakthrough infections of COVID-19, due to newly emerging variants, Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar informed Parliament on Friday.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has conducted studies on the effectiveness and side-effects of COVID-19 vaccines, Pawar said in Lok Sabha in reply to a written question.
A multi-centric, hospital-based, case-control study was conducted between May and July 2021, in which vaccine effectiveness of complete vaccination was found to be 85 per cent in Covishield and 71 per cent in Covaxin.
The vaccine effectiveness estimates were found to be similar against the Delta strain and sub-lineages, Pawar said.
A second study assessed the persistence of immunogenicity up to six months after a two or three-dose with Covaxin. The results of the study indicated that a booster dose of Covaxin is safe and necessary to ensure persistent immunity to minimize breakthrough infections of COVID-19, due to newly emerging variants.
A six-month analysis of the study titled ‘Immune response to precautionary third dose of Covishield/Covaxin among healthy adult population: an ICMR Cohort study, India” shows robust immune response with both vaccines, she said in her reply.
The Ministry of Health provides requisite support to states and Union territories to enhance preparedness and response capacities. Funding support has been provided to them for health system strengthening to meet any exigency due to resurgence of cases in the country through National Health Mission, Emergency COVID-19 Response and Preparedness packages.
With the long-term goal to better prepare our country against public health emergencies, the PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) with an outlay of Rs 64,180 crores (for the period of 2021-26) has been launched with the intent to enhance the capacity of primary, secondary and tertiary health care facilities or systems and institutes for identifying and managing any new and emerging diseases, Pawar said.

These include support for strengthening rural health and wellness centres in high focus states, establishment of urban health and wellness centres in all the states, establishment of block public health units in high focus states, setting up of integrated public health labs in all districts, establishing critical care hospital blocks in all districts with population more than five lakhs, developing central institutions as training and mentoring sites with 150 bedded critical care hospital blocks, strengthening of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), New Regional NCDCs and metropolitan health surveillance units among others.
Further, DBT through its public sector undertaking, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), has supported enhancement of capacities for conducting clinical trials, immunogenicity assays and animal challenge studies, which are important for vaccine development.
For early identification and diagnosis of emerging or re-emerging viral infections of public health importance, both serology and molecular diagnostic infrastructure has been strengthened across the country by establishing a network of virus research and diagnostic laboratories, the reply said.
[ad_2]
#Covaxin #booster #safe #lasting #immunityICMR #study #govt
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 3, 2023
Congress steps up attack against govt over Adani row

[ad_1]
New Delhi: The Congress-led opposition stepped up its attack on Friday against the government over the Adani row and demanded that there should be a thorough investigation into what they alleged was a “mega scam” as it involved public money.
Opposition parties have been demanding a joint parliamentary probe or a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the allegations of fraud and manipulation by the US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research against billionaire Gautam Adani’s companies that have triggered an unprecedented stock crash.
“Due to the investment made by LIC-SBI in Adani Group, the money of common citizens of the country is sinking. The Opposition is demanding an inquiry into the entire matter,” the Congress said.
The party also said that it has been two days, and the Opposition is demanding a discussion on the Adani issue in Parliament.
“The money of the people of the country invested in LIC-SBI is sinking. The opposition wants to raise the voice of the public in the House and discuss their concerns. But, PM Modi is running away from the discussion, saving his friend. Fear of what,” the opposition party asked.
Adani Group has lost more than USD 100 billion in market value since Hindenburg Research accused it of stock manipulation and accounting fraud in the January 24 report. The group has denied any wrongdoing and has threatened to sue Hindenburg.
“Dow Jones dropped Adani from Sustainability Indices. Action is being taken against Adani all over the world, but PM Modi is quiet. Where are SEBI, ED, ROC, and SFIO? When will our government take action,” the Congress asked on Twitter.
The opposition parties met in the morning in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and coordinated their strategy for the day.

While 16 parties including the Congress, RJD, AAP, DMK, SP, CPI, CPI-M, BRS, Shiv Sena (Thackeray), JDU, NCP and NC participated in the meeting on Friday, Trinamool Congress did not attend the same. TMC was present in the Thursday meeting of opposition parties.
The Opposition later stalled the proceedings of both Houses of Parliament, which failed to transact any business and were adjourned within minutes.
“Parliament adjourned for another day because the Opposition demands a JPC on the PM-linked Adani issue that is playing havoc on the savings of crores of Indians,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said.
“Modi sarkar says MPs are wasting public money. What about the crores people have lost over the last few days of the ‘Maha mega scam,” he asked.
He also accused the government of being fearful of the Opposition demands for a JPC on the Adani issue and alleged that the business group has patronage at the highest levels.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said,”the difference between the global financial community and India’s approach to allegations against Adani is stark.”
“Distant third parties like S&P Dow Jones remove Adani Enterprises on the severity of allegations. Our own regulators and government remain inactive and silent despite 10 days of mayhem,” she said on Twitter.
Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also wrote to the SEBI chief demanding action on the Adani issue not just for the sake of shareholders who are losing their money but also in the national interest.
“Reminding SEBI about its authority to regulate the markets and ensure transparency, compliances are met with so as to not shake the investor confidence & wipe off wealth of investors,” she said on Twitter.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra also tweeted:”S&P Dow Jones removes Adani Enterprises from Dow Jones indices due to stock manipulation and accounting fraud charges.
“Why is NSE not reevaluating index membership of Adani stocks when international ones are.”
[ad_2]
#Congress #steps #attack #govt #Adani #row
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 3, 2023
Cong steps up attack against govt over Adani row; accuses PM of ‘saving his friend’

[ad_1]
New Delhi: The Congress-led opposition stepped up its attack on Friday against the government over the Adani row and demanded that there should be a thorough investigation into what they alleged was a “mega scam” as it involved public money.
Opposition parties have been demanding a joint parliamentary probe or a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the allegations of fraud and manipulation by the US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research against billionaire Gautam Adani’s companies that have triggered an unprecedented stock crash.
“Due to the investment made by LIC-SBI in Adani Group, the money of common citizens of the country is sinking. The Opposition is demanding an inquiry into the entire matter,” the Congress said.
The party also said that it has been two days, and the Opposition is demanding a discussion on the Adani issue in Parliament.
“The money of the people of the country invested in LIC-SBI is sinking. The opposition wants to raise the voice of the public in the House and discuss their concerns. But, PM Modi is running away from the discussion, saving his friend. Fear of what,” the opposition party asked.
Adani Group has lost more than USD 100 billion in market value since Hindenburg Research accused it of stock manipulation and accounting fraud in the January 24 report. The group has denied any wrongdoing and has threatened to sue Hindenburg.
“Dow Jones dropped Adani from Sustainability Indices. Action is being taken against Adani all over the world, but PM Modi is quiet. Where are SEBI, ED, ROC, and SFIO? When will our government take action,” the Congress asked on Twitter.
The opposition parties met in the morning in the chamber of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and coordinated their strategy for the day.

While 16 parties including the Congress, RJD, AAP, DMK, SP, CPI, CPI-M, BRS, Shiv Sena (Thackeray), JDU, NCP and NC participated in the meeting on Friday, Trinamool Congress did not attend the same. TMC was present in the Thursday meeting of opposition parties.
The Opposition later stalled the proceedings of both Houses of Parliament, which failed to transact any business and were adjourned within minutes.
“Parliament adjourned for another day because the Opposition demands a JPC on the PM-linked Adani issue that is playing havoc on the savings of crores of Indians,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said.
“Modi sarkar says MPs are wasting public money. What about the crores people have lost over the last few days of the ‘Maha mega scam,” he asked.
He also accused the government of being fearful of the Opposition demands for a JPC on the Adani issue and alleged that the business group has patronage at the highest levels.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said,”the difference between the global financial community and India’s approach to allegations against Adani is stark.”
“Distant third parties like S&P Dow Jones remove Adani Enterprises on the severity of allegations. Our own regulators and government remain inactive and silent despite 10 days of mayhem,” she said on Twitter.
Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also wrote to the SEBI chief demanding action on the Adani issue not just for the sake of shareholders who are losing their money but also in the national interest.
“Reminding SEBI about its authority to regulate the markets and ensure transparency, compliances are met with so as to not shake the investor confidence & wipe off wealth of investors,” she said on Twitter.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra also tweeted:”S&P Dow Jones removes Adani Enterprises from Dow Jones indices due to stock manipulation and accounting fraud charges.
“Why is NSE not reevaluating index membership of Adani stocks when international ones are.”
[ad_2]
#Cong #steps #attack #govt #Adani #row #accuses #saving #friend
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 3, 2023
126029 Kanals Of Govt Land Retrieved In Kathua District

[ad_1]
KATHUA: As the part of its efforts to retrieve state Land from the illegal occupants, the District Administration Kathua has launched a massive anti-encroachment drive across all Tehsils of the district and retrieved over 126029 Kanal and 08 Marlas of land so far.
As per the eviction plan and on the directions of the Deputy Commissioner Kathua, regular Anti-Encroachment drives are being conducted in the district to retrieve the state land.
The State land retrieved today includes 127 Kanal 05 Marlas in Hiranagar, 194 kanal, 15 marlas in Marheen, 57 kanals, 11 marlas in Dinga Amb, 27 kanals, 07 marlas in Basohli, 29 Kanal, 13 Marlas in Lohai Malhar, 56 Kanals, 15 Marlas in Mahanpur, 01 Kanals, and 13 Marlas in Nagri Parole.
The district administration is continuing its efforts to take stern action against all the illegal occupants.

[ad_2]
#Kanals #Govt #Land #Retrieved #Kathua #District
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

February 3, 2023
Govt Sanctions Rs 62 Cr Project For Commercial Cultivation, Conservation Of JK’s Herbal Riches

[ad_1]
JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir government, achieving yet another milestone, has announced a pioneering project envisaging total transformation in the landscape of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) cultivation in the Union Territory.
With a budget of Rs 62 crore, this five year project aims at to cultivate MAPs on 5000 kanal of land spread across 28 clusters, creating over 3000 jobs and 28 enterprises. The MAP sector is estimated to contribute about Rs 75 crore every year after 5 years which is expected to rise to over Rs 783 crore by the year 2037.
This ambitious project marks a significant transition from traditional, wild extraction based practices to a more sustainable, modern approach to MAP cultivation, conservation and entrepreneurship. The mission of this project is to achieve commercial production of MAPs outside the forests, promote organic farming, develop local and international markets besides boosting advance scientific knowledge through insightful research.
The initiative also aims to promote cultivation and conservation of MAPs, promote organic farming and standardization, provide special facilities for primary processing, preserve intellectual property rights, educate cultivators on the best practices and undertake research to develop new herbal formulations and drugs.
“There are a number of MAPs that are unique to our agro-climate and offer immense potential for employment and exports. The demand for herbal drugs and cosmetics is growing both domestically and internationally while MAPs extracted from forests put pressure on biodiversity besides pushing many plant species on the verge of extinction” said Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary APD. “J&K has 129 hectare of cultivatable wasteland, of which, only 2 per cent shall be used for MAP cultivation. Additionally, farmers who adopt MAP cultivation can expect to see a 30-40 per cent increase in their agricultural income”, he added.
“Promotion of commercial cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants” is one among the 29 projects, which were approved by the Jammu and Kashmir administration after being recommended by the UT Level Apex Committee for holistic development of Agriculture and allied sectors in J&K. The prestigious committee is being headed by Dr Mangala Rai, Former DG ICAR and has other luminaries in the field of Agriculture, Planning, Statistics & Administration like Ashok Dalwai, CEO NRAA, Dr. P. K Joshi, Secretary, NAAS, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner MOA & FW, Dr. H. S Gupta, Former Director, IARI, Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, APD besides the Vice Chancellors of twin Agriculture Universities of the UT.
Upon identification of potential areas for MAP cultivation, the project shall undertake establishment of MAP germ plasm banks. Harvesting and post-harvest management will be facilitated through the formation of farmer cluster groups and the creation of common facilitation centers (CFCs) for primary processing. The branding and marketing aspect of the project will involve product diversification, certification of produce besides branding, labeling and packaging. Besides, Capacity building and training will be provided in good agricultural and harvesting practices, primary processing and marketing as well.
Under the research and development component of the project, there shall be establishment of a “Centre of Excellence on Herbal Technology” for focused research and development on bio-prospecting, crop improvement, organic farming and more.

The MAP sector involves a wide range of stakeholders including industry, entrepreneurs, farmers, collectors and traditional healers. To implement the interventions, the project will prioritize species-specific zones, form farmer cluster groups, establish model nurseries and demonstration units, provide capacity building programs and link farmer groups with industries for product development and digital marketing.
Lastly, this project represents a major step forward towards promotion of medicinal and aromatic plant sector in Jammu and Kashmir besides offering tremendous potential for employment, income generation and sustainable development. With a focus on cultivation, conservation and entrepreneurship, this project promises to bring the MAP sector into the 21st century and secure its place as a key player in the national and international markets for herbal drugs and cosmetics.

[ad_2]
#Govt #Sanctions #Project #Commercial #Cultivation #Conservation #JKs #Herbal #Riches
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

February 3, 2023
J&K Govt sanctions Rs 62 cr project for Commercial Cultivation, Conservation of UTs’ Herbal Riches

[ad_1]
Jammu, Feb 3: The Jammu and Kashmir government, achieving yet another milestone, has announced a pioneering project envisaging total transformation in the landscape of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) cultivation in the Union Territory.
With a budget of Rs 62 crore, this five year project aims at to cultivate MAPs on 5000 kanal of land spread across 28 clusters, creating over 3000 jobs and 28 enterprises. The MAP sector is estimated to contribute about Rs 75 crore every year after 5 years which is expected to rise to over Rs 783 crore by the year 2037.
This ambitious project marks a significant transition from traditional, wild extraction based practices to a more sustainable, modern approach to MAP cultivation, conservation and entrepreneurship. The mission of this project is to achieve commercial production of MAPs outside the forests, promote organic farming, develop local and international markets besides boosting advance scientific knowledge through insightful research.
The initiative also aims to promote cultivation and conservation of MAPs, promote organic farming and standardization, provide special facilities for primary processing, preserve intellectual property rights, educate cultivators on the best practices and undertake research to develop new herbal formulations and drugs.
“There are a number of MAPs that are unique to our agro-climate and offer immense potential for employment and exports. The demand for herbal drugs and cosmetics is growing both domestically and internationally while MAPs extracted from forests put pressure on biodiversity besides pushing many plant species on the verge of extinction” said Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary APD. “J&K has 129 hectare of cultivatable wasteland, of which, only 2 per cent shall be used for MAP cultivation. Additionally, farmers who adopt MAP cultivation can expect to see a 30-40 per cent increase in their agricultural income”, he added.
“Promotion of commercial cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants” is one among the 29 projects, which were approved by the Jammu and Kashmir administration after being recommended by the UT Level Apex Committee for holistic development of Agriculture and allied sectors in J&K. The prestigious committee is being headed by Dr Mangala Rai, Former DG ICAR and has other luminaries in the field of Agriculture, Planning, Statistics & Administration like Ashok Dalwai, CEO NRAA, Dr. P. K Joshi, Secretary, NAAS, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner MOA & FW, Dr. H. S Gupta, Former Director, IARI, Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, APD besides the Vice Chancellors of twin Agriculture Universities of the UT.
Upon identification of potential areas for MAP cultivation, the project shall undertake establishment of MAP germ plasm banks. Harvesting and post-harvest management will be facilitated through the formation of farmer cluster groups and the creation of common facilitation centers (CFCs) for primary processing. The branding and marketing aspect of the project will involve product diversification, certification of produce besides branding, labeling and packaging. Besides, Capacity building and training will be provided in good agricultural and harvesting practices, primary processing and marketing as well.
Under the research and development component of the project, there shall be establishment of a “Centre of Excellence on Herbal Technology” for focused research and development on bio-prospecting, crop improvement, organic farming and more.

The MAP sector involves a wide range of stakeholders including industry, entrepreneurs, farmers, collectors and traditional healers. To implement the interventions, the project will prioritize species-specific zones, form farmer cluster groups, establish model nurseries and demonstration units, provide capacity building programs and link farmer groups with industries for product development and digital marketing.
Lastly, this project represents a major step forward towards promotion of medicinal and aromatic plant sector in Jammu and Kashmir besides offering tremendous potential for employment, income generation and sustainable development. With a focus on cultivation, conservation and entrepreneurship, this project promises to bring the MAP sector into the 21st century and secure its place as a key player in the national and international markets for herbal drugs and cosmetics.(GNS)
[ad_2]
#Govt #sanctions #project #Commercial #Cultivation #Conservation #UTs #Herbal #Riches
( With inputs from : roshankashmir.net )

February 3, 2023
IIH to provide higher education, foster research on India’s heritage, conservation: Govt

[ad_1]
New Delhi: The government has decided to set up the Indian Institute of Heritage in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida which will provide higher education and research on country’s heritage and conservation, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.
Union Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy was asked whether the government is establishing new central universities of culture in the country, to which he replied, “no” in a written response.
“However, the government has decided to set up ‘Indian Institute of Heritage’
(IIH) as a deemed to be university as per UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities)
Regulations, 2019 at Noida, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh.
“It will be one of its kind in the country providing higher education and research in the fields of Indian heritage and conservation,” he said in his response.
In July 2021, Reddy had said in a written response in Lok Sabha that the IIH will be a “world-class university” that would focus on the conservation and research in India’s rich tangible heritage, while offering research, development and dissemination of knowledge, excellence in the education of its students and activities associated with heritage that contribute to the cultural, scientific and economic life of India.
The minister was also asked whether it is possible for the government to convert the Manipur Cultural University as a full-fledged central varsity.
Replying to the query, he said, “Ministry of Education has confirmed that there is no such proposal under consideration to convert Manipur Cultural University as a full-fledged central University”.

[ad_2]
#IIH #provide #higher #education #foster #research #Indias #heritage #conservation #Govt
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 2, 2023
Kerala HC directs govt to release properties of those who have no connection with PFI

[ad_1]
Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday directed the state government to release the erroneously attached properties of certain persons as part of recovery proceedings initiated against Popular Front of India (PFI) workers in connection with the damage to public property, in violence, during a hartal called by the banned outfit last September.
“The 2nd respondent, Additional Secretary shall forthwith ensure that the properties of those persons who have no connection with the additional 13th respondent Organisation, which have been erroneously attached by the Revenue Recovery authorities of the State Government, are released by lifting the attachment on the said properties,” the court said.
A division bench comprising justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and Mohammed Nias C P said the lifting of the attachment shall be evidenced by appropriate orders issued in that regard which are communicated to the persons concerned.
On January 23, the state government had informed the high court that it has attached the properties of 248 banned Popular Front of India (PFI) workers as part of recovery proceedings and there were disputes with regard to the attachment in Malappuram district and action will be taken to correct the same.
“The Revenue authorities have informed that there were some disputes in respect of properties attached, especially in Malappuram district. They have contended that they are not office bearers or do not have any relation with the Popular Front of India. Genuineness of these objections are being examined and necessary action will be taken in accordance with law,” the government had said.
The PFI leaders are accused in the case related to the hartal called by the organisation against the nation-wide raids on PFI offices and arrest of its leaders following its ban.
The state police have registered a total of 361 cases and arrested 2,674 people.
Earlier, the High Court had asked the banned PFI and its ex-state general secretary Abdul Sathar to deposit Rs 5.2 crore with the Home Department towards damages estimated by the KSRTC and the state government in connection with the hartal-related violence, saying they must be held accountable for it.

Sathar, when he was the state general secretary of the outfit, had called for the hartal against the nation-wide raids and arrest of its leaders, and then allegedly absconded.
Hours after the PFI was banned, he had issued a statement saying the outfit had been disbanded in the wake of the Home Ministry’s decision and subsequently, he was arrested.
[ad_2]
#Kerala #directs #govt #release #properties #connection #PFI
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 2, 2023
Atrocities against Dalits on rise in TN, state govt not acting: NCSC vice chairman

[ad_1]
New Delhi: National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Vice Chairman Arun Halder on Thursday said cases of atrocities against Dalits are on the rise in Tamil Nadu and accused the state government of not taking any action in these matters.
The NCSC has written a letter to the Tamil Nadu government taking suo motu cognizance of the incident of a DMK leader allegedly verbally abusing a Dalit youth for entering a temple, and has sought an action taken report.
“Incidents of atrocities against Dalits are on the rise in Tamil Nadu. It is the duty of an elected government to protect the interests of all classes of society. The Tamil Nadu government has failed in doing that,” he said.
In its letter to the state government, the NCSC said the commission has decided to investigate the matter and asked for an action taken report within seven days.
The DMK functionary, Salem south union secretary T Manikam, who was caught on camera verbally abusing a Dalit youth for entering a temple was suspended by the party on Monday.
Subscribe us on
[ad_2]
#Atrocities #Dalits #rise #state #govt #acting #NCSC #vice #chairman

( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

February 2, 2023