ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Registration of Waqf Properties
The Ministry of Minority Affairs has developed a dedicated online portal called WAMSI  for computerization & digitization of records of Waqf properties, Geographic Information System  Mapping of Waqf properties to prevent encroachment. So far records of 8,01,954  immovable Waqf properties have been entered in WAMSI Registration Module and GIS Mapping of 2,53,628  Waqf properties have been done. For the first time 3,32,344  records of Waqf estates have been digitized. In addition, the guidelines of Qaumi Waqf Board Taraqqiati Scheme  has been recently revised and a provision has been made for providing financial assistance to SWBs for deployment of Retired Tehsildars/Retired Patwaris as a Mutation Assistants to complete the process of mutation of un-mutated Waqf properties. Further, under the scheme financial assistance has also provided to SWBs for deployment of some other manpower viz. Assistant Programmer, GIS-Digitization supervisor, Mutawalli Change Support Assistant, Mutawalli Return Support Assistant, Leasing Support Assistant, Litigation Tracking Support Assistant, Zonal Waqf Officers, Survey Assistant and Data Entry Operator, setting up of Video Conferencing Facility, maintenance of Centralized Computing Facility  & E-office Solution for better administration of SWBs.
As per Section 32 of the Waqf Act 1995 as amended, central Government has a limited role and general superintendence of all Waqf properties in a State is vested with the State Waqf Board  and the Waqf Board is empowered to manage the Waqf property.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Shri Mansukh Mandaviya calls for developing lighthouse tourism opportunities in India
Union Minister of Statefor Shipping Shri Mansukh Mandaviya today held a high level meeting, for developing around 194 existing lighthouses across India as Major tourist attractions. Shri Mandaviya said it will boost the tourism activities in lighthouses surrounding areas and give an opportunity to know about the enriched history of lighthouses.
The officials presented a detailed action plan to develop lighthouses as tourism spots. Shri Mandaviya advised officials to identify the lighthouses which are more than 100 years old. He put impetus on creating museums to showcase the history and working of lighthouses, equipment used in lighthouse operation etc.
As per the master development plan of lighthouses, some key attractions are museums, aquarium, children playarea and gardens, along with water bodies.
The Minister also took stock of the progress for developing tourist activities at Gopnath, Dwarka and Veraval lighthouses of Gujarat.
The Minister instructed the official to prepare a detailed presentation on the project at the earliest. The meeting was attended by the Secretary, Shipping Ministry and DG, Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships along with the other stakeholders.
Vice President's Secretariat
Reforms in the style & substance of governance must be the constant endeavour: Vice President
The Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu has said that reforms in the style and substance of governance should be the constant endeavour. He was delivering the Keynote address at the 110th Annual Convention of the Indian Officers Association  on ‘Leadership at the Frontier of Tomorrow’ in Chennai today. Tamil Nadu Governor Shri Banwarilal Purohit, Fisheries Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri Jayakumar and other dignitaries were present at the occasion.
The Vice President said that fruits of democracy will reach the citizens if we can combine a resolute political will with robust administrative skill. Effective service delivery deepens the roots of democracy because it ensures that all citizens, especially those whose voices are not adequately heard, participate actively in nation building, he said.
The Vice President said that any policy is only as good as its implementation. The positive impact of policies has to be felt by the citizens. This will happen only if the administration is responsive, the decisions are judicious, the execution is swift and there is a culture of continuous monitoring and evaluation, he said.
The Vice President said that with an efficient civil administration, India can leverage every challenge that comes its way in transforming itself into a world leader in various spheres in the years to come. As we expand globally and open our doors to the entry of multinational corporations to participate in nation’s progress, there needs to be more emphasis on efficiency, transparency and ethical compliance, he said.
The Vice President said that public administration is no longer concerned with just implementation and monitoring of government policies. In a rapidly changing world, the administrative apparatus must be more agile than earlier. It must be innovative, humble, emphatic and objective, he said.
Ministry of Railways
Cabinet approves setting up of a Railway Zone at Vishakhapatnam
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved setting up of a Railway Zone at Vishakhapatnam and a new division with headquarter at Rayagada by reorganizing the existing South Central Railway and East Coast Railway.
Benefits:
Setting up of the new Railway Zone will bring optimality with regard to size and scale of railway operations and also to meet the persistent demand and aspirations of the people of the area.
Ministry of Defence
Measures taken to prevent loss of Fishermen Lives from Cyclones
Indian Coast Guard initiated the following pre-emptive and proactive measures to prevent loss of fishermen lives and to reduce impact from Cyclone Nivar and Burevi:-
- ICG formations were put on high alert and high state of preparedness. Fisheries authorities, State authorities and local administration were warned for precautionary measures.
· Constant liaison had been made with the State administration, various departments and Indian Meteorological Department to ensure wide spread precautionary measures in the affected areas.
· Indian Coast Guard Remote Operating Centres  and Remote Operating Stations  passed security/safety messages in local languages on VHF  to all fishing boats to return to harbor or take shelter in nearest port.
· ISN  was activated in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea by Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres  at Chennai and Mumbai respectively requesting transiting Merchant vessels to advise and warn fishermen to return to harbor/take shelter at nearest fishing harbor and render assistance, if required.
· Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft were deployed in advance for issuance of advisories and warnings in vernacular languages to fishermen at sea for safe return to ports.
- A total of 23 and 33 Coast Guard Disaster Response Teams  were kept standby during cyclones Nivar and Burevi respectively.
Due to the preventive and proactive efforts by multiple stakeholders during cyclone Nivar and Burevi, neither any incident/accident nor loss of any life at sea was reported.
As per the Disaster Management Act, the National Disaster Management Authority  and State Disaster Management Authority  are mandated to deal with all types of disasters; natural or man-made.
The Armed Forces are called upon to assist the civil administration when required. ICG form an important part of the Government’s response capacity and are immediate responders in all serious Coastal disaster situations.
ICG has prepared Standard Operating Procedures for Disaster Management and the Standard Operating Procedures  have been percolated to all formations and has initiated efforts for capacity building and training of ICG personnel. ICG units maintain close liaison and coordination with all State and District Authorities.
This information was tabled in a written reply by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik to a question asked by Shri Sanjay Seth and Shri Rajeev Satav in Rajya Sabha today.
Nampi/DK/Savvy/ADA
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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Electronic Toll Collection Through FASTag Grew 46% in 2022
Electronic Toll Collection  through FASTag has witnessed constant growth over last few years. Total toll collection via FASTag on fee plazas, including State Highway fee plazas during calendar year 2022 was Rs. 50,855 crore, which is an increase of approx. 46% as compared to Rs. 34,778 crore in 2021.
The average daily toll collection through FASTag on NH fee plazas in December 2022 was Rs 134.44 Crore, and the single day highest collection touched Rs. 144.19 Crore on 24 December 2022.
Similarly, the number of FASTag transactions also witnessed a growth of approx. 48% in 2022 as compared to that in 2021. The number of FASTag transactions in 2021 and 2022 was 219 crores and 324 crores respectively.
With 6.4 crores FASTags issued as on date, the total number of FASTag enabled fee plazas across the country also grew to 1,181  in 2022 from 922 in the previous year 2021. Notably, MoUs have been signed with 29 different State entities/authorities for on-boarding State fee plazas under FASTag program which include states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, etc.
FASTag implementation has reduced the waiting time at NH Fee Plazas significantly, resulting in enhanced user experience. The constant growth and adoption of FASTag by the highway users has helped in bringing more efficiency in toll operations. Deployment of Electronic Toll Collection system at various fee plazas along National Highways has brought transparency in the system and enabled correct valuation of road assets which has encouraged more investors to invest in the highway infrastructure of the country, particularly, in asset recycling.
Ministry of Finance
DGGI Gurugram arrests one for illegally manufacturing and supplying cigarettes and tax evasion
The Directorate General of GST Intelligence  Gurugram Zonal Unit , Haryana has arrested one Sh. Satyender Sharma resident of Haryana on charges of manufacturing and supplying illegally manufactured cigarettes without the requisite tax paying documents and without payment of applicable GST and cess.
It became apparent from the investigation conducted till date, that Sh Sharma was engaged in the manufacture and supply of various cigarettes of different lengths. These include his registered brands ‘Nidhi Black’ ‘Gold queen’ and ‘E-10.’ Apart from these the investigation also revealed that Sh. Sharma was illegally manufacturing cigarettes under the brand names of ‘Paris’, Pine’ ‘Black Djarum’’ Esse Lights’ which are international trademarks owned by other companies. All these cigarettes were being cleared clandestinely without payment of applicable GST/ cess.
Sh. Sharma transported these illegally manufactured cigarettes to New Delhi for further supply across India
The investigation spanned multiple locations in Delhi and Haryana. Based on documentary evidence and statements recorded of all persons during investigation, it was ascertained that Sh. Satyender Sharma is the key person in running this racket of manufacturing cigarettes without payment of applicable GST as well as illegally manufacturing cigarettes under international brand names. Accordingly, ShSatyender Sharma was arrested on 27.11.20 and produced before Duty Magistrate, Delhi who ordered judicial custody. Total tax evasion of more than Rs. 129 croreis pegged to have been committed by the accused.
Further investigations in the matter are under progress.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Productivity Linked Bonus and non-Productivity Linked Bonus for 2019-2020
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to pay Productivity Linked Bonus for the year 2019-2020 to 16.97 lakh non-gazetted employees of commercial establishments like Railways, Posts, Defence, EPFO,ESIC,etc.will be benefitted and the financial implication would be Rs.2,791 crore.
Non-PLB or ad-hoc Bonus is given to Non-Gazetted Central Government employees. 13.70 lakh employees would be benefited and Rs.946 crore will be the financial implication for the same.
A total of 30.67 lakh employees would be benefited by the Bonus announcement and total financial implication will be Rs 3,737 crore.
Payment of Bonus to non-gazetted employees for their performance in the preceding year is usually made before Durga Puja/Dussehra season. The Government is announcing the Productivity Linked Bonus  and ad hoc bonus for its non-gazetted employees to be disbursed immediately.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Cabinet condoles the sad demise of Shri Suresh C. Angadi, Union Minister of State for Railways
Two Minutes silence observed in the memory of Shri Suresh C. Angadi
The Union Cabinet condoled the sad demise of Shri Suresh C. Angadi, Union Minister of State for Railways on 23rd September, 2020 at New Delhi.
Cabinet also observed silence for two minutes in the memory of Shri Suresh C. Angadi.
The Cabinet today passed the following resolution:
“The Cabinet expresses profound sorrow at the sad demise of Shri Suresh C. Angadi, Union Minister of State for Railways on 23rd September, 2020 at New Delhi. In his passing away, the nation has lost an eminent leader, an educationist, a distinguished parliamentarian and an able administrator.
Born on 1st June, 1955 at KK Koppa village in Belagavi District of Karnataka, Shri Angadi completed his graduation from S.S.S. Samithi College, Belagavi and thereafter obtained a degree in Law from Raja Lakhamgouda law College, Belagavi.
A member of Bhartiya Janata Party, he became Vice- President of a Party’s Belagavi District unit in 1996. He was nominated as President of the Belagavi District Unit in 2001 and continued to hold that post until he was nominated as Party’s candidate for the Belagavi Lok Sabha Constituency in 2004. He won by a large margin and became a member of the 14th Lok Sabha. He was re-elected to the Lok Sabha from Belagavi in 2009, 2014 and 2019.
He served as member, Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution; Human Resources Development and Defence as well as Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Finance. He also served as Member of the Joint Committee on Pension, Salaries and Allowances for Members of Parliament, the Advisory Committee on Central Direct Taxes, the House Committee and the Committee on Petitions. In May, 2019, Shri Angadi became Minister of State for Railways.
He was involved in many social and cultural activities with special interest in Industry, Agriculture and Education of the poor. He was also Chairman, Suresh Angadi Education Foundation, Belgaum since 2009. He was fond of reading and travelling.
The Cabinet extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family on behalf of the Government and the entire nation.”
PIB Headquarters
1.16 Kg gold worth Rs. 49 lakhs concealed in meat chopper handle seized by Customs At Chennai Airport. One arrested.
On Saturday morning based on information one Mohammed Khan Pathan,41, of Rayachoty who arrived from Riyadh via Sharjah by Air Arabia flight G9 471 was intercepted at exit on suspicion of carrying gold. On examination of his checked in baggage, one Meat Chopper Cleaver was found concealed in his personal effects. On lifting the chopper appeared to be unusually heavy. On closer examination, the handle portion of the chopper was found to be wrapped with black adhesive tape. On removing the tape the handle appeared to be specially made. On dismantling the handle one rectangular gold cut bar was found ingeniously concealed inside. The gold assayer certified the cut gold bar to be of 24 K purity weighing 1.164 Kg and valued at Rs. 49.03 lakhs. The recovered gold was seized under Customs Act 1962. The passenger was arrested.
Further investigation is under progress according to a press release issued by the Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport.
Ministry of Education
Steps taken by Govt to ensure quality of education in schools across the country
Quality of education is a comprehensive term that includes learners, teachers, teaching learning process, learning environment, curriculum, pedagogy, learning outcomes, assessment, etc. To take cognizance of this, Government of India launched Samagra Shiksha-an Integrated Scheme for school education, w.e.f. 2018-19, as an overarching programme for the school education sector extending from pre-school to class XII and aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels of school education. It subsumes the three erstwhile Schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan , Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan  and Teacher Education .
Samagra Shiksha focuses on improvement in quality of education by providing support for different interventions like in-service training of teachers and school heads, conduct of achievement surveys at state and national level, composite school grant to every school for providing a conducive learning environment, grants for library, sports and physical activities, support for Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan, ICT and digital initiatives, School Leadership development programme, remedial teaching for academically weaker students, support for Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat, etc.
National Council of Educational Research and Training  has been advised to take appropriate steps to review the National Curriculum Framework-2005. The Draft National Education Policy 2019 is presently under consideration. The revision of Curriculum, Syllabi and Textbooks for school education would depend on the finalization and approval of the New Education Policy.
The information was given by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
58.89 Cr. vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
25,467 new cases in the last 24 hours
Active cases account for less than 1% of total cases, currently at 0.98%; lowest since March 2020
India's Active caseload stands at 3,19,551; lowest in 156 days
Recovery Rate increases to 97.68%; Highest since March 2020
39,486 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 3,17,20,112
Weekly Positivity Rate  less than 3% for last 60 days
Daily positivity rate  less than 3% for last 29 days
50.93 cr Total Tests conducted so far
Ministry of Heavy Industries
Under Rozgar Mela, Prime Minister to distribute about 51,000 appointment letters to newly inducted recruits in Government departments and organisations on 26th September
Rozgar Mela is a step towards fulfilment of the commitment of the Prime Minister to accord highest priority to employment generation
Newly inducted appointees to also train themselves through online module Karmayogi Prarambh
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will distribute about 51,000 appointment letters to newly inducted recruits tomorrow at 10:30 A.M. via video conferencing. Prime Minister will also address the appointees on the occasion.
The Rozgar Mela will be held at 46 locations including Bengaluru, Mysuru and Dharwad across the country. At the function being organised in Bengaluru, Union Minister of Heavy Industries Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, will be the chief guest.
The recruitments are taking place across Central Government Departments as well as State Governments/Union Territories supporting this initiative. The new recruits, selected from across the country will be joining the Government in various Ministries/Departments including Department of Posts, Indian Audit & Accounts Department, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Revenue, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, among others.
The Rozgar Mela is a step towards fulfilment of the commitment of the Prime Minister to accord highest priority to employment generation. The Rozgar Mela is expected to act as a catalyst in further employment generation and provide meaningful opportunities to the youth for their empowerment and participation in national development.
The newly inducted appointees are also getting an opportunity to train themselves through Karmayogi Prarambh, an online module on iGOT Karmayogi portal, where more than 680 e-learning courses have been made available for ‘anywhere any device’ learning format.
Ministry of Electronics & IT
MoS Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar to visit Kerala tomorrow
Will engage with students at Thrissur under the initiative NewIndia for YoungIndia - Techade of Opportunities
Will focus on wide range of skilling opportunities available for them in New India’s Techade; He will also visit his old school at Thrissur
The Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar will be leaving for Thrissur, Kerala tomorrow on a day-long visit.
The Minister will be reaching Kochi in the morning and proceed to Thrissur where he will be visiting St. Paul’s School and its Senior Secondary wing and interact with students there. The Minister had studied in this school when he was five years old. The school authorities and the students look forward to the visit of their special alumnus who went on to become a chip designer in an MNC - Intel in the USA, after being hand-picked by Shri Vinod Dham . Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar after few years returned to India to build its earliest and largest cellular network and later exited the sector to join public service.
After his school visit, the Minister will leave for Panjal Road, where he will be addressing students at the Jyothi Engineering College, Jyothi Hills. He will be speaking about New India and the Techade of opportunities it offers for employment and entrepreneurship. He will be also making a presentation on India emerging as one of the top economies of the world and its technological capabilities.
The Minister has been engaging with young Indians under the initiative - New India for Young India: Techade of Opportunities. His interactions have been very well received by the students, startups and entrepreneurs. A case in point is Gujarat, where venture funds of Rs 1500 Crore have been set up by industry & business leaders and HNIs to support startups in their state.
Later the Minister will be visiting Mullurkara, about 25 kms from Thrissur and hold an interaction with the local leaders. He will also be offering his prayers at Thiruvanikavu  Temple in Mullurkara.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Government of India to facilitate return of Indian Nationals stranded abroad
Process to begin from May 7 in a phased manner
Government of India will be facilitating the return of Indian nationals stranded abroad on compelling grounds in a phased manner. The travel would be arranged by aircraft and naval ships. The Standard Operating Protocol  has been prepared in this regard.
Indian Embassies and High Commissions are preparing a list of distressed Indian citizens. This facility would be made available on payment-basis. Non-scheduled commercial flights would be arranged for air travel. The travel would begin in a phased manner from May 7.
Medical screening of passengers would be done before taking the flight. Only asymptomatic passengers would be allowed to travel. During the journey, all these passengers would have to follow the protocols, such as the Health Protocols, issued by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
On reaching the destination, everyone would have to register on the Aarogya Setu app. Everyone would be medically screened. After scrutiny, they would be quarantined for 14 days, either in a hospital or in an institutional quarantine on payment-basis, by the concerned State government. COVID test would be done after 14 days and further action would be taken according to health protocols.
The Ministries of External Affairs and Civil Aviation would soon share detailed information about it through their websites.
State Governments are being advised to make arrangements, including for testing, quarantine and onward movement of the returning Indians in their respective States.