Ministry of Education organizes workshop on ‘Volunteering for Ullas’

By: Amit kumaR Agarwal

Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSE&L), Ministry of Education presided over a virtual workshop with students of Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) under the NCTE on ‘Volunteering for Ullas’ today. The workshop aimed at fostering Youth Volunteerism from TEIs to achieve full literacy across India as enshrined in the NEP 2020. Archana Sharma Awasthi, Joint Secretary, DoSE&L; Prof. Pankaj Arora, Chairperson, NCTE; Kesang Y. Sherpa, Member Secretary, NCTE; Preeti Meena, Director, DoSE&L, and other officials were present at the meeting.

While addressing the students and teachers from TEIs, Kumar emphasized coming together to pay special attention to promoting literacy across the country in all sections of society. He exhorted that illiterate people in our society should be given the gift of literacy. Teacher Educators and administrators should support and guide the students at their institutes in registering on the ULLAS App, he added.

Archana Sharma Awasthi presented on the agenda of the workshop of ‘ULLAS: Nav Bharat Literacy Programme’ and encouraged the students and teachers to join the program for community service and engagement. Prof. Pankaj Arora highlighted that the National Council for Teacher Education is fully committed to realizing the dream of Viksit Bharat by achieving the goal of 'Jan Jan Saakshar’.

Kesang Y. Sherpa presented on the Role of Teacher Education Institutions in ULLAS. While presenting the role of NCTE in the context of the implementation of ULLAS, she highlighted that for the academic session 2023-24, NCTE had directed all Teacher Education Institutions to connect 8-10 students with the ULLAS initiative and motivate them to become volunteer teachers and contribute to nation building cause. The students can earn 2 Credits for Community Engagement & Service for active participation in activities related to ULLAS-New India Literacy Programme (NILP), NSS & Other community activities, she added. Preeti Meena gave a detailed presentation on Ullas which also covered the implementation steps of Ullas in TEIs.

More than 18,000 TEIs, faculty and student-teachers were inducted during the session.

PM to participate in Kautilya Economic Conclave on 4th October

By: Amit kumaR Agarwal

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi will participate in the Kautilya Economic Conclave on 4th October at around 6:30 PM at the Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

The third edition of the Kautilya Economic Conclave will be held from 4th to 6th October. This year’s conclave will focus on themes such as financing the green transition, geo-economic fragmentation and the implications for growth, principles for policy action to preserve resilience among others.

Both Indian and international scholars and policy makers will discuss some of the most important issues confronting the Indian economy and economies of the Global South. Speakers from across the world will take part in the conclave.

The Kautilya Economic Conclave is being organised by the Institute of Economic Growth in partnership with the Ministry of Finance.

Ministry of Culture is undertaking the Special Swachhata Campaign 4.0

By: Amit kumaR Agarwal

Ministry of Culture is undertaking the Special Swachhata Campaign 4.0 within the Ministry and its Attached, Subordinate and Autonomous Organizations across the country. The Campaign started with a Preparatory Phase from 16th to 30th September, 2024 during which the targets for disposing and cleaning during the Campaign period have been earmarked. The implementation Phase of the campaign has started from 2nd October, 2024 and will continue up to 31st October, 2024. During the Campaign, special focus is being given on reducing pendency, improving Swachhata and space management in Govt. Offices.

During the Preparatory Phase of the Special Campaign, Ministry along with its organizations have identified 529 sites across the country for cleanliness. Besides, Ministry has identified pending 101 MP references, 45 Parliamentary Assurances, 22 PMO references, 13 States Govt. references and 220 Public Grievances, 436 PG Appeals for disposal and redressal. Besides, 12,668 physical files and 3,261 e-files have also been identified for review. Scrap Disposal has been scheduled on 14.10.2024 across the Ministry and its Organizations.

Every year the fortnight of 'Swachhata Hi Seva' (SHS) activities is observed to strengthen voluntarism and collective action from officials and public to bring a positive impact in offices and society through Swachhata. This year also, the Ministry of Culture & its various organizations organized activities like Walkathon, Waste to Art Workshops, Lectures, massive cleanliness drives, health camps, Nukkad Nataks, competitions, distribution of sanitation kits etc.

At the conclusion of SHS 2024 & on the occasion of Swachh Bharat Diwas celebration on 2nd October 2024, the Ministry of Culture & Archaeological Survey of India organized a Shramdan & Ek Ped Maa ke Naam Campaign at Purana Quila, Delhi.

During this campaign, hundreds of Officials participated for Shramdan and thoroughly cleaned the backside area of Purana Quila. After that, a plantation drive was also carried out under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" Campaign. Further, the Arts items made from waste by Ministry Officials & Students during the workshop have been put on display for public awareness at the site. The cleanliness workers were distributed sanitation kits comprising of Sanitizers, Soap, First Aid Kit, Gloves & Mask etc. for maintaining hygiene.

Anthropological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Sub-Regional Centre, Jagdalpur has conducted Special Campaign 4.0 on Swachh Bharat in Udukda village of Udkuda gram panchayat of Kanker district, Chhattisgarh on 2nd  October, 2024. This year the Special Campaign 4.0 was organized at the rock art site of the Udkuda village in Chhattisgarh state where the focus of the Campaign was preserving the ancient rock art heritage sites of Chhattisgarh through imparting the awareness among the village youth, elders, leaders, college students and tourists.

Daily progress will be monitored and uploaded on the SCDPM portal hosted by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances. All Attached, Subordinate and Autonomous Organizations are enthusiastically participating in the campaign in full swing to achieve the targets set by the Ministry for the period.

Press Release - Coal Production and Dispatch from Captive/Commercial Coal Mines Grow Significantly in H1 FY 2025

The Ministry of Coal has seen a significant rise in coal production and dispatch from both captive and commercial coal blocks during the first half of FY 2024-25, from April 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024, compared to the same period last year.

Coal production has risen by 32% year-over-year, increasing from 60.52 MT in H1 of FY24 to 79.72 MT in H1 of FY25. Likewise, dispatch has grown by 34% year-over-year, from 65.37 MT in H1 of FY24 to 87.86 MT in H1 of FY25.

Further, the coal production in the month of September grew by 32%, increasing from 10.40 MT in FY 2024 to 13.74 MT in FY 2025. Likewise, dispatch in the month of September has grown by 47% year-over-year, from 9.68 MT in FY24 to 14.27 MT in FY25.

The Ministry of Coal applauds the unwavering efforts of all stakeholders, including coal companies and industry partners, for their invaluable support. The Ministry is dedicated to helping all coal block allottees navigate challenges and optimize their operations. Its primary objective is to significantly increase coal production, ensuring a steady and reliable supply to meet the country’s growing energy demands. Through collaborative initiatives and focused assistance, the Ministry aims to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and output across the coal sector.

Press Release - Cabinet approves modified Productivity Linked Reward (PLR) Scheme

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved modification of the existing Productivity Linked Reward (PLR) Scheme for the major ports and dock labour Board employees/workers from 2020-21 to 2025-26.

The modified PLR scheme applicable from 2020-21 to 2025-26 will benefit about 20,704 employees of Major Port Authorities and Dock Labour Board Employees/workers. The total financial implication for the entire period will be about Rs.200 crore.

Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has accordingly modified the Productivity Linked Reward (PLR) Scheme for all Major Port Authorities and Dock Labour Board employees/workers for the years 2020-21 to 2025-26 increasing weightage for calculation of PLR to port specific performance instead of weightage to all India performance. Productivity |Linked Reward (PLR) has been calculated on the wage ceiling for calculation of Bonus at Rs.7000/- per month. PLR shall be paid annually by enhancing the port specific performance weightage from 50% to 55% and further increasing to 60%. The All India Port performance weightage will also come down to 40% over a period till 2025-26, This is replacing the existing equal weightage of 50% for the All India port performance and the specific Port performance. It is expected that the proposed modification will bring about the efficiency factor along with competition among the Major Ports.

This PLR Scheme will foster better industrial relationship and congenial work atmosphere in the Port Sector, apart from stimulating better productivity.

Productivity Linked Reward (PLR) is an existing scheme for the employees/workers of Major Port Trusts and Dock Labour Board, wherein financial reward is being granted to employees/workers on yearly basis based on the settlement arrived at between Management and the Labour Federations of the Major Port Authorities.

Press Release: News In Picture

Press Release written by: Amit kumaR Agarwal

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu graced the 32nd convocation of Mohanlal Sukhadia University at Udaipur, in Rajasthan on October 03, 2024.

News Headlines l मुख्य समाचार l October 3, 2024

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News Snippet - Indian Prime Minister Pays Homage to Mahatma Gandhi, Shastri

By: Amit kumaR Agarwal

The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri in New Delhi on October 2, 2024.

Modi has always held them in high reverence and have spoken earlier on their invaluable contribution in shaping up today's India.

PM paying floral tributes at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti at Rajghat

PM paying floral tributes at the Samadhi of the former Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat

Press Release: News In Picture

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu pays homage at the Samadhi of the former Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat, in Delhi on October 02, 2024.