ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Chandigarh's Swachhata Ka Uphaar for SafaiMitras
Sanitation Booth and Rupee Store launched especially for Sanitation works
'Swachhata Pakhwada - Swachhata Hi Sewa 2023,' is presently in full swing across the country. States are actively participating in extensive cleanliness campaigns at hill stations, tourist destinations, and beaches. Remarkably, over 13 crore citizens have joined the Pakhwada fortnight so far. Additionally, under the Swachhata Pakhwada initiative, 'SafaiMitra Suraksha Shivirs' are being organized by various cities nationwide. The primary objective is to provide welfare schemes for sanitation workers and their dependents, with a focus on improving their overall well-being and quality of life.
On 105th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Hon’ble Prime Minister, appealed for 1 hour of shramdaan for swachhata at 10 am on 1st Oct by all citizens collectively will be a ‘swachhanjali’ to Bapu on the eve of his Jayanti. Speaking on Swachhata Hi Seva abhiyan, he said, “A big event on cleanliness is going to be organized on the 1st of October i.e. Sunday at 10 am. You too should take out time and help in this campaign related to cleanliness. You can also join this cleanliness campaign in your street, or neighbourhood…or at a park, river, lake or any other public place.”
Recently, Chandigarh conducted a four-day camp, the 'Safaimitra Suraksha Shivir,’. During the camp, nearly 1,300 SafaiMitras have been enrolled in various government schemes including Ayushman Bharat, Atal Pension Yojana, Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Suraksha Bima Yojana, offering comprehensive insurance against accidents and disabilities. Furthermore, numerous family members of SafaiMitras opened new bank accounts and benefited from the integrated insurance offerings.
In a proactive move to enhance the well-being and working conditions of its SafaiMitras, the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh inaugurated a state-of-the-art ‘Sanitation Booth’ in the village Sarangpur. This modern facility provides a safe and healthy environment for SafaiMitras to carry out their routine work. The booth offers shelter from extreme weather conditions, shielding them from harsh sunlight and biting cold during winters. It is equipped with essential amenities such as drinking water, first aid kits, and proper lighting, ensuring that SafaiMitras can work comfortably throughout the day. The new Sanitation Booth underscores MCC's dedication to improving working conditions for its SafaiMitras, recognizing their hard work and commitment to maintaining the city's cleanliness.
To further enhance the SafaiMitra Suraksha Shivir, a special Rupee Store has been established at Mahila Bhawan, stocked with a diverse range of items sourced from the RRR center. With the goal of supporting SafaiMitra and their families, each Aadhaar card holder can choose two items from the store. Under the Swachhata Pakhwada campaign, the innovative initiatives by Chandigarh including the sanitation booth and special Rupee store, have not only uplifted the spirits of SafaiMitras.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Promotion of Crop Diversification
Government of India is supplementing the efforts of state governments to encourage diversified production of crops such as pulses, coarse cereals, nutri cereals, cotton & oilseeds under National Food Security Mission  and horticultural crops under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture . Government of India also provide flexibility to the states for state specific needs/priorities under RKVY. The state can promote crop diversification under RKVY with the approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee  headed by Chief Secretary of the State.
Further, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare  is implementing the Crop Diversification Programme , a sub-scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana  in the Original Green Revolution States viz; Haryana, Punjab & Western Uttar Pradesh since 2013-14 to divert the area of water intensive paddy crop to alternative crops like pulses, oilseeds, coarse cereals, nutri cereals, cotton etc. CDP was extended to diversifying tobacco crop in 10 tobacco growing states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal from 2015-16. Under CDP assistance is given for alternative crops demonstration, farm mechanization and value addition, site specific activities and contingency for awareness & capacity building etc. CDP aims at demonstrating alternative crops at farmers field and the area brought under demonstrations is 6.32 lakh hectare during 2013-14 to 2020-21.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Education
IIT develops portable tech-traditional eco-friendly mobile cremation system
Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar has developed a prototype of a moveable electric cremation system which claims to be using first of its kind technology that involves smokeless cremation despite using wood. It uses half of the wood otherwise required for the cremation and still is eco-friendly because of the technology that uses combustion air system.
It is based on wick-stove technology in which the wick when lighted glows yellow. This is converted into smokeless blue flame with the help of combustion air system installed over the wicks.
IIT Professor Dr Harpreet Singh, Dean, Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research and Industry Interaction  who has developed the system said that the cremation system or incinerator heats up at 1044 degree Celsius which ensures complete sterilization.
The cart-shaped incinerator has wheels and can be transported anywhere without much efforts. The cart is equipped with combustion air for primary and secondary hot air system. “The disposal of the body is completed within 12 hrs including cooling time as against 48 hours required in the normal wood-based cremation”, Prof. Harpreet added. Use of less wood can also reduce the carbon footprint by half. He said it requires less cooling time in the absence of refractory heat storage. It has stainless steel insulation on both sides of the cart for no heat loss and less wood consumption. It also has a tray beneath for easy removal of ashes.
Dummy-testing of the Prototype of electric cremation system.
He said that he has adopted tech-traditional model for cremation as it also uses wood. That has been done keeping in view our beliefs and traditions of cremating on wood pyre.
Keeping in view the present pandemic situation “if this system can be adopted, may provide respectable cremation to the near and dear ones of those who cannot afford the financial burden of arranging wood”, said Harjinder Singh Cheema, MD, Cheema Boilers Ltd. who has made the prototype. He said that since this is portable, it can be taken to any place with the permission of the concerned authorities. This will also help people to avoid space crunch in crematoriums as is the case in present context.
Prime Minister's Office
India is on way to becoming a hub for commerce and logistics: PM
Ministry of Port Shipping and Waterways has tweeted about the boost in Indian Ports' efficiency & productivity, with better "Turn Around Time" than many countries, as per World Bank's LPI 2023 report.
The Prime Minister commented
"Powered by port-led development, India is on way to becoming a hub for commerce and logistics."
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Community-based sero-surveillance initiated in Telangana by the National Institute of Nutrition in association with the state government - to monitor the trend of SARS-CoV-2  infection transmission in the community
Corona Virus Disease  has emerged as a pandemic and the infection due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2  has now spread to more than 200 countries. It has been observed that SARS-CoV-2 causes asymptomatic infection for which sero-surveillance is strongly recommended for active case finding, testing, and contact tracing. Also, surveillance of antibody based sero-positivity indicates the extent of spread of infection in the given population and forms the basis for strengthening public health mitigation measures. Household based studies can generate evidence on role of asymptomatic and mild infections in transmission.
To establish the community-based district level sero-surveillance and to monitor the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population a Nation-wide survey has been initiated throughout India by the ICMR. In the state of Telengana, 3 districts - Jangaon, Kamareddy and Nalgonda have been selected. In each district, 10 villages will be selected randomly, and from each village 40 adults  men and women will be randomly covered for the study. The study will be carried out in 4 rounds in the same villages . The initial survey would serve as a baseline to determine the sero-prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the community, while the subsequent rounds would help to monitor the trends of infection in the community. Population based sero-epidemiological studies will help us to determine the burden of COVID 19 infection at the community level and to monitor the trends in transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study findings will be useful to guide in designing and implementing appropriate containment measures. The objectives of this sero-surveillance are to estimate and monitor the trend of seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population and high burden cities, determine the socio-demographic risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection, and delineate the geographical spread of the infection in the general population and hotspot cities.
For this purpose, the National Institute of Nutrition  in association with the state government has initiated the house to house survey in 30 villages across three districts. State health department/district authorities will be actively engaged to ensure smooth operationalisation of the ICMR-NIN surveillance.
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Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence announces aeroshow
The Government has decided to hold the Aero India 2019 in Bengaluru from 20-24 February 2019. This five-day event will combine a major trade exhibition for the aerospace and defence industries with public air shows. Besides global leaders and big investors in aerospace industry, the show will also see participation by think-tanks from across the world. It will provide a unique opportunity for exchange of information, ideas and new developments in the aviation industry. Besides giving fillip to the domestic aviation industry it would further the cause of Make in India. The Department of Defence Production is committed to make this a successful and result oriented show.
SRR/Rajib
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Ministry of Defence
Indian Navy to Get Upgraded Fuel HFHSD – IN 512
One of the Key Result Area for Indian Navy has been fuel quality standards revision to keep pace with induction of new technology equipment and meet contemporary emission standards. With the advent of technology and refining techniques in the petroleum industry better quality of fuel abiding to more stringent specifications has become a necessity. Hence, continuous improvement in technical specification for diesels is the primary focus area.
Leveraging technology and improved refining techniques available with the country’s petroleum industry, the Indian Navy in collaboration with M/s IOCL carried out an extensive and thorough study and a comparative evaluation of existing international regulations . As an outcome, a revised technical specification was arrived at consisting of 22 test parameters including critical parameters cetane number, flash point, sulphur content, sediment content, oxidation stability and Cold Filter Plugging Point . The new specification will not only ensure a better quality fuel but also result in a reduced carbon footprint.
M/s IOCL, post upgradation of the refinery units, initiated limited supply of the product to Indian Navy platforms following which rigorous machinery performance checks and acceptance trials were carried out. Distinct improvements in fuel quality were observed. Given the positive results, the new fuel was therefore decided for pan Navy implementation. On 13 January 2020, the launch of the new fuel  HFHSD – IN 512, with revised technical specifications was undertaken.
With this, the country will be able to ensure interoperability amongst foreign navies during fleet exercises and provide fuel of quality better than that mandated to all foreign navies under bilateral/ multi-national logistics support pacts including LEMOA .
Successful introduction of the new fuel is a landmark occasion highlighting the enormous potential which exists within the country to produce world class products. This effort would also benefit other M/s IOCL consumers in the country like Indian Coast Guard and other merchant marine in the coming years. The achievement would also mark a new high with quality fuel available to all foreign Navy ships at Indian ports during exercises with the Indian Navy.
This revolutionary initiative would go a long way in enhancing equipment reliability, performance, reduced carbon footprint, emissions and more importantly would be key enabler in the Navy’s ‘Mission Based Deployment’ on a global scale.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID -19
In supersession of DoPT’s OM of even no. dated 19.03.2020 and 20.03.2020, the following further instructions are issued:
 Heads of Department  may draw up a Roster of Staff , who are required to render essential services within each Department. They alone may be asked to attend office from 23rd March until 31st March 2020. In other words, the Office should function with skeletal staff. Officials who are working from home should be available on telephone and electronic means of communication at all times. They should attend Office if called for, in case of any exigencies of work.
 Similar instructions should be issued to Attached/Subordinate Offices, Autonomous/Statutory Bodies.
 The Department of Financial Services  and Department of Public Enterprises  may issue similar instructions regarding Financial Institutions and Public Sector Undertakings.
 These instructions shall not apply to the Officers and employees engaged in essential/emergency services and those directly engaged in taking measures to control spread of COVID 19.
These instructions shall be applicable with immediate effect.
Department of Atomic Energy
Agreement with Kazakhstan for supply of Uranium
A Contract was signed with M/sJSC NAC Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan on 08.07.2015 for procurement of 5000 MT of Uranium Ore Concentrate  spread over a period of 5 years during 2015 to 2019 at an indicative total cost of Rs.3156 crore, with an option to procure additional quantity of 500 MT of UOC per year for four years from 2016 to 2019, on mutually acceptable terms.
As per the contract with M/s JSC NAC Kazatomprom, the balance quantity of 1500 MTU is scheduled to reach India in December 2019.
The status of uranium supplies from other countries such as Canada, Argentina, Namibia, etc., is furnished as below:
Status of Uranium supplies from various countries
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Sl. No
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Date of Contract
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Firm’s name
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Total Quantity to be procured as per contract
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Status of Contract
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1.
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17.12.2008
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M/s. AREVA, France
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300 MT ‘U’ in the form of UOC
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Contract stands executed
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2.
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11.02.2009
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M/S.JSC TVEL, Russia
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2000 MT ‘U’ in the form of Natural UO2pellets
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|
Contract stands executed
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3.
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|
11.02.2009
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M/S.JSC TVEL, Russia
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58 MT ‘U’ in the form of Enriched UO2 pellets
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Contract stands executed
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4.
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03.03.2015
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M/S.JSC TVEL, Russia
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42 MT ‘U’ in the form of Enriched UO2 pellets
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Contract stands executed
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5.
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31.12.2018
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M/s. JSC TVEL, Russia
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56.67 MT ‘U’ Enriched UO2 pellets
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Contract stands executed
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6.
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15.04.2015
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M/s. Cameco Inc., Canada
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3000 MT ‘U’ in the form of UOC and additional quantity of 2500 MT ‘U’ with mutual agreement
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Balance quantity 1000MT ‘U’ scheduled to be received in December-2019 and 1000 MT ‘U’ to be received in 2020
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7.
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18.01.2019
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M/s. NMMC, Uzbekistan
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1100 MT ‘U’ in the form of UOC
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Supplies will start from 2022
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State  Development of North-Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
Holistic Growth with Rise in Higher Education Institutions Significant Increase in Number of Universities/IITs/IIMs in last 9 years
The government has taken significant measures to increase gateways to education for the youth by giving a boost to building Universities, IITs, IIMs, and similar institutions across the country. The number of universities in the nation has witnessed a significant rise in the last 9 years, up from 723 in 2014 to 1,113 in 2023. Furthermore, 5,298 colleges have been built in the last 9 years , which has led to increased access to education for students across the country. It is noteworthy that 43% universities and 61.4% colleges are located in Rural Areas. Moreover, the government has also expanded the number of IITs and IIMs across the country. With 7 IITs and 7 IIMs built in the last 9 years, the government has ensured enhanced opportunities for students to pursue higher education.
Overall, the progressive institutional structure has played a vital role in the development of India's education system. Their focus on high-quality education, research and innovation has helped to position India as a global player in various fields.
Source:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 435
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 183.16 Crore
More than 26 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
More than 1.20 Crore Vaccine Doses administered to 12-14 age group so far
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage hascrossed 183.16 Crore  today. More than 26 lakh  Vaccine Doseshave been administered till 7 pm today. More than1.20 Crore  vaccine doses have been administered to 12-14 years age group so far. More than2.25 Crore Precaution Doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries  for COVID vaccination have been administered so far. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
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Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
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HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10403456
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9996160
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
4421039
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18412770
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|
2nd Dose
|
|
17500832
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|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6791012
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
12027260
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
56803386
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
37135246
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
554263312
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
463353035
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
202687708
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
184722658
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
126695317
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
115061515
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
11334449
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
981293209
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
827769446
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
22546500
|
|
Total
|
|
1831609155
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
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|
Date: 26thMarch, 2022 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
63
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
932
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
11505
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
109
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
2013
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
21073
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1237407
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
87568
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
216127
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
87011
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
610439
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
16190
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
159210
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10812
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
100517
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
104265
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
1439160
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
1089238
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
136843
|
|
Total
|
|
2665241
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
NHAI Inks Agreement to Develop Multi Modal Logistics Park at Bengaluru
MMLP Poised to Become First and Largest MMLP Implemented in the Country Under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan
National Highways Logistics Management Ltd , a 100% owned company of NHAI signed an agreement for the development of Multi Modal Logistics Park  at Bengaluru proposed to be developed under the Public Private Partnership  model at an estimated cost of Rs 1,770 crore, the agreement has been signed between Government SPV, Bengaluru MMLP Pvt. Ltd. & Concessionaire SPV M/s. PATH Bengaluru Logistics Park Pvt. Ltd.
The MMLP is being developed in an area of 400 acre at Muddelinganahalli in Bengaluru rural district in Karnataka. The project is poised to become the first and largest MMLP ever implemented in the country under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
To facilitate seamless logistics movement, the site is strategically located adjacent to the upcoming KIADB industrial area on East side, abutting the NH 648, Dabbaspet to Hosur as well as Satellite Town Ring Road on North side and Bengaluru – Hubli – Mumbai rail line on South side. Bengaluru MMLP is located at a distance of 58 km from Bengaluru Airport and 48 km from Bengaluru city railway station.
The MMLP will be developed in three phases. The first phase is expected to be completed in two years. MMLP will cater to about 30 million metric tonnes  cargo by the end of concession period of 45 years and will give huge boost to the industrial zones in the catchment region such as Bengaluru and Tumkur.
A Government SPV is incorporated between National Highways Logistics Management Ltd. , Rail Vikas Nigam Limited  amd Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board .
Development of MMLP is a key initiative of the Government of India to improve the country's freight logistics sector by enabling efficient inter-modal freight movement to lower overall freight costs and time, provide efficient warehousing, improve tracking and traceability of consignments thereby enhancing the efficiency of the Indian logistics sector.