India

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana is providing new opportunities for rural employment, women empowerment and self-reliance by converting closed stone quarries in Chhattisgarh into centres of fish farming using cage culture technology, a statement said on Tuesday.

The closed mines in Rajnandgaon district have now become the centre of employment and fish production.

Under the Yojana, fish are being reared in these mines with cage culture technology, it said.

Under this scheme, closed stone quarries are being used for the production of fish like Pangasius and Tilapia, it said.

This initiative has not only brought new employment opportunities for rural women and youth, but is also ensuring the supply of fresh fish across the country, it said.

The Yojana is playing an important role in strengthening India's blue economy along with bringing revolutionary changes in the fisheries sector, the statement said.

A total of 324 cages have been installed in two mines of Joratarai at a cost of Rs 9.72 crore. Fast -growing fish are being reared in these cages, which are ready for the market in five months.

About 2.5 to 3 tonnes of fish are being produced in one cage. This effort has provided employment to more than 150 people, and women are earning an income of Rs 8,000 every month.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, fish farmers have been given a subsidy of up to 60 per cent.

A total of 162 unit cages have been installed in a mine in Joratarai at a cost of Rs 4.86 crore, in which the government is giving 40 to 60 per cent subsidy to the beneficiaries.

Local youth and women are being empowered through this unique scheme. Women self-help groups have played an active role in this project.

--IANS

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Agartala, Dec 31 (IANS) After more than three years, Tripura on Tuesday got a chief of the State Information Commission.

Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu on Tuesday administered oath to Binoy Shankar Mishra as the state Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) at a simple ceremony at the Raj Bhavan.

Senior officials including Governor’s Secretary Uttam Kumar Chakma, and Information Commission’s Secretary Manik Lal Das attended the brief ceremony which was conducted by General Administration Department’s Special Secretary Anindya Kumar Bhattacharya.

Earlier, a 3-member committee headed by Chief Minister Manik Saha recommended Mishra’s name as the CIC. Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chowdhury and a senior cabinet minister are the members of the committee.

Mishra, a retired Indian Forest Service officer, would hold the post for three years or till he attains 65 years of age.

Former Director General of Tripura Police and senior IPS officer Akhil Kumar Shukla resigned from the post of CIC in mid-2021 and since then, the post has been lying vacant.

In the absence of a CIC and state information commissioners, the Right to Information Commission in the state has remained virtually dysfunctional for a long time even as applications for official information denied at lower levels of the administration continue to pile up in its office.

An official of the Information Commission said that more than 2,000 appellate applications have been lying for the actions of the Information Commission.

The Right to Information Act, 2005 came into force on October 12, 2005, across the country and in Tripura, the Commission was set up in January next year (2006).

Officials said that the Tripura Right to Information Rules were formulated in 2006. Subsequently, it was revised and the revised rules came into force with effect from February 4, 2008.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Dec 31 (IANS) The Karnataka High Court Vacation Bench on Tuesday temporarily stayed the arrest warrant against former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa in connection with an Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) default case.

The Bench, headed by Justice Suraj Govindaraj passed the order in the matter.

Uthappa approached the court seeking quashing of the arrest warrant issued against him.

Senior counsel Prabhuling Navadgi, appearing for Uthappa, submitted that his client had resigned from the company in May 2020 and while in active role, he was not involved in the day-to-day operations of the company.

Since he was not involved in the day-to-day operations therefore, he can’t be considered as an employer under the EPF Act, he submitted.

Uthappa, who faced an arrest warrant for alleged EPF fraud, had earlier said that he had no role in the day-to-day operations of the business and despite confirming the lack of his involvement, the PF officials were continuing with proceedings.

Earlier, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), which functions under the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, had written a letter to the Bengaluru Police seeking assistance in issuing an arrest warrant against the former cricketer.

Uthappa clarified, “In light of recent news of the PF case against me, I would like to provide some clarification with regards to my involvement with Strawberry Lenceria Pvt Ltd, Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt Ltd, and Berryz Fashion House.

“In 2018-19, I was appointed as a director in these companies due to my financial contributions to them in the form of loans. However, I did not have an active executive role, nor was I involved in the day-to-day operations of the business.

“Given my demanding schedule as a professional cricketer, TV presenter, and commentator, neither did I have the time nor expertise to participate in their operations. In fact, I do not play an executive role in any other companies I have funded, till date.”

“Regrettably, these companies failed to repay the funds I lent them, leading me to initiate legal proceedings, which are currently sub judice. I also resigned from my directorship several years ago.

“When the Provident Fund authorities issued notices demanding payment of dues, my legal team responded, highlighting that I had no role in these companies and provided documentation from the companies themselves confirming my lack of involvement. Despite this, the Provident Fund authorities have continued with proceedings”, Uthappa stated.

Earlier, Regional PF Commissioner-II and Recovery Officer, RO K.R. Puram Shadakshara Gopala Reddy had made a written request to the Inspector of Pulikeshi Nagar police station in Bengaluru seeking his help in executing the arrest warrant against Uthappa in connection with the case.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) In 10 years of the Modi government, India has witnessed a remarkable cultural revival, rekindling pride in its rich heritage. From restoring ancient temples in Jammu and Kashmir to revamping spiritual corridors like the grand Kashi Vishwanath Dham and rebuilding temples across the country, these efforts have reconnected us with our roots.

Forgotten saints like Meera Bai and tribal heroes like Bhagwan Birsa Munda have been honoured, while traditions such as the Mahakumbh have been promoted globally, showcasing India’s spiritual grandeur. Record-breaking celebrations like Diwali in Ayodhya and the placement of the sacred Sengol in Parliament reflect a deep respect for our civilisational values. This year continues the decade-long journey of efforts to ensure that India’s legacy inspires future generations to cherish and uphold its timeless spirit.

This year began with the historic consecration of Shri Ram Lala in Ayodhya, fulfilling a centuries-old dream cherished by millions and the inauguration of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, which symbolises India's spiritual legacy crossing borders.

Shri Ram returns to his birthplace

PM Modi's leadership in 2024 spearheaded a remarkable rejuvenation of India’s civilisational heritage and cultural pride. The consecration of Ram Lala at Ayodhya Ram Mandir marked a significant spiritual and cultural moment, fulfilling a centuries-old aspiration of Hindus all over the world.

This event underscored Ayodhya’s enduring significance in India’s civilisational narrative. The inauguration of BAPS Mandir by PM Modi, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, was a landmark moment in India’s cultural diplomacy. This is the first Hindu temple in the Middle East, designed as per ancient Hindu architectural principles known as ‘Shilpa Shastras’.

It not only celebrated the Indian diaspora’s contributions but also symbolised global interfaith harmony. Domestically, the foundation stone for the Maa Kamakhya Divya Pariyojana, an ambitious corridor project, was laid to enhance accessibility to the revered Maa Kamakhya Temple in Assam, while preserving its sacred heritage. These initiatives are a testament to PM Modi’s unwavering commitment to reviving India’s heritage and instilling pride in its glorious past.

Reinvigoration of Cultural Heritage

In 2024, under the visionary leadership of PM Modi, India made remarkable strides in preserving and celebrating its civilisational heritage. Modi government’s efforts led to the recognition of Moidams in Assam as India’s 43rd UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing the global significance of India’s cultural legacy. The inauguration of “Anubhav Kendra” in Kurukshetra brought ancient scriptures like the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita to life, reflecting the government's commitment to making India's heritage accessible and experiential.

Further, the redevelopment of the historic Kochrab Ashram in Gujarat reaffirmed the government's dedication to preserving Gandhian values, while the foundation stone for Shri Kalki Dham in Sambhal demonstrated its focus on fostering spiritual and cultural hubs. These efforts reflect the Modi government’s focus on preserving India’s ancient wisdom while charting a progressive course for the future.

In FY24, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) crossed Rs 1.5 lakh crore in turnover and created 10 lakh jobs, embodying Atmanirbhar Bharat. This growth highlights Khadi’s global rise as an eco-fashion statement, powered by Vocal for Local, blending tradition with sustainability and modern innovation.

Celebrating Linguistic and Spiritual Heritage

2024 also saw India celebrating its linguistic diversity with the granting of Classical Language status to Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali, and Prakrit. This recognition not only honours the nation's rich linguistic heritage but also strengthens cultural preservation across generations. Additionally, the reopening of all four gates of the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri on June 13, 2024, marked the fulfilment of a long-standing demand from devotees and restored access to this revered spiritual site.

The renaming of Port Blair to 'Sri Vijaya Puram' on September 13, 2024, further emphasised India's dedication to honouring its history, particularly the region’s significance in the freedom struggle.

India is also gearing up for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, set to take place in Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, 2025. This event is anticipated to be one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world, drawing an estimated 45 crore (450 million) devotees and visitors.

Cultural diplomacy and Global recognition

The year 2024 saw India make significant strides in cultural diplomacy, cementing its position on the global stage. India and the USA signed their first-ever 'Cultural Property Agreement,' aimed at protecting India’s invaluable cultural treasures from illicit trafficking.

On November 15, 2024, the US returned more than 1,400 looted artefacts valued at approximately $10 million to India. In September 2024, during a ceremonial event involving Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, 297 antiquities were returned to India. In another historic move, 100 women artists led the Republic Day Parade for the first time, underscoring the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment and gender equality.

These efforts exemplify India’s growing cultural influence, with PM Modi’s vision driving the nation towards greater global recognition while honouring its rich traditions.

Infrastructure and Economic Growth Linked to Cultural Projects

In 2024, under PM Modi’s leadership, India embarked on transformative initiatives that seamlessly connected cultural projects with infrastructure and economic growth. The announcement of the corridor development for the Vishnupad Temple in Bihar and the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya is set to elevate spiritual tourism and provide a much-needed economic boost to these regions. By improving accessibility to two of India’s most sacred sites, these projects will bridge the gap between India’s spiritual heritage and modern infrastructure.

The foundation stone for the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, Gujarat, was also laid -- a significant move to preserve India’s ancient maritime history. Lothal will be developed as the world’s oldest dockyards and a historic site of the Indus Valley Civilization showcasing our rich maritime history that spans over 4,500 years. The implementation of this project is expected to create around 22,000 jobs, 15,000 direct and 7,000 indirect, boosting local economies and fostering sustainable development for communities.

Cultural Celebrations and Initiatives

PM Modi inaugurated the 1st Bodoland Mohotsav in Delhi, a celebration of the unique culture, traditions, and history of the Bodoland region. He also inaugurated Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav which showcased North East’s rich cultural heritage. These cultural celebrations reinforce PM Modi's vision to preserve and promote India’s diverse cultural identity while uniting people from all walks of life.

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram/New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) The mother of Nimisha Priya, a Kerala nurse sentenced to death in Yemen for the murder of a Yemeni national, has made an impassioned appeal for assistance to save her daughter’s life.

Nimisha’s mother, Prema Kumari, 57, has been tirelessly campaigning to secure a waiver of the death penalty.

Earlier this year, she traveled to Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, to negotiate the payment of diya (blood money) to the victim's family. Her efforts have been supported by the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council, a group of NRI social workers based in Yemen.

On Tuesday, Prema Kumari, appearing on Malayalam television from Yemen, tearfully urged for urgent intervention.

“I am deeply grateful to the Indian and Kerala governments, as well as the committee formed to save her, for all the support provided so far. But this is my final plea -- please help us save her life. Time is running out,” she said, folding her hands as tears streamed down her face.

Earlier in the day, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal issued a statement acknowledging the case. “We are aware of the sentencing of Nimisha Priya in Yemen. The family is exploring relevant options, and the government is extending all possible help in the matter,” he said.

The urgency of the situation escalated after Yemen’s President Rashad al-Alimi approved Nimisha Priya’s death sentence earlier this month. Reports suggest the execution could occur within a month, leaving her family and supporters scrambling for a resolution.

Nimisha Priya, originally from Kollengode in Kerala’s Palakkad district, moved to Yemen in 2008 to support her daily wage-earning parents. After working in various hospitals, she opened her own clinic. However, in 2017, a dispute with her Yemeni business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi, reportedly took a tragic turn.

Family accounts claim Nimisha injected Mahdi with sedatives to retrieve her confiscated passport. Unfortunately, an overdose led to his death. Nimisha was arrested while attempting to leave the country and was convicted of murder in 2018.

In 2020, a trial court in Sanaa sentenced her to death. The verdict was upheld by Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council in November 2023, but it left open the possibility of avoiding execution through the payment of blood money.

The case has drawn widespread attention and raised concerns over the fate of Indian nationals abroad as the family and supporters continue their efforts to save Nimisha Priya from the death penalty.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, Dec 31 (IANS) The Telangana High Court on Tuesday reserved its order on the quash petition of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president and former minister K.T. Rama Rao in the Formula-E race case and directed the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) not to arrest him till the orders were pronounced.

The High Court also extended the operation of its interim order barring the ACB from arresting K.T. Rama Rao till the pronouncement of final orders.

Justice Lakshman reserved the order after hearing the arguments from K.T. Rama Rao’s counsel Siddhartha Dave and Advocate General A. Sudarshan Reddy.

The ACB on December 29 booked a case against K.T. Rama Rao, senior IAS officer Arvind Kumar and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) former chief engineer B.L.N. Reddy for alleged irregularities in organising the Formula E-car race last year.

K.T. Rama Rao filed the petition, seeking orders to quash the First Information Report (FIR) registered by the ACB.

Arguing on behalf of the ACB, the Advocate General told the court that Rs. 46 crore in British Pounds were paid to Formula-E Operations Limited (FEO) in violation of rules even before signing of an agreement for season 10 of the Formula-E car race.

When the court enquired about the status of the investigation, the AG informed that it is in the preliminary stage.

The court was also told that the ACB has recorded the statement of M. Dana Kishore, Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development, who is the complainant in the case.

The High Court was also informed that the FIR was registered after the Governor granted permission for the same.

The government counsel submitted to the court that HMDA required permission from the Finance Department for payment of more than Rs 10 crore, but in this case, it made a total payment of Rs 54 crore without any approval.

The court was told that Secretariat Business Rules were not followed in the matter and that as the then minister K.T. Rama Rao signed the note file.

His counsel Siddhartha Dave argued that the sections invoked by the ACB in the FIR were not valid. He submitted to the Bench that it was not proper to name K.T. Rama Rao as an accused in the case.

He also mentioned that the Secretary, Municipal Administration signed the agreement for the Formula-E race.

The BRS leader’s counsel contended that the ACB has not provided any evidence of corruption.

He told the court that KTR was not the beneficiary.

The ACB registered the FIR registered under Sections 13(1)(A) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with Sections 409 and 120(B) of the Indian Penal Code.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Dec 31 (IANS) The state-run power distribution company Mahavitaran or 'Maharashtra State Election Distribution Company Limited' (MSEDCL) has offered a one-time immediate discount of Rs 120 on electricity bills to consumers opting for the Go Green Facility as a New Year gift.

According to Mahavitaran, the Go-Green Facility is being implemented as per the concept of 'Save Paper, Save Environment'.

Under this scheme, consumers are given a discount of Rs 10 on the monthly electricity bill. But now, they will get an immediate one-time discount of Rs 120 on the first bill.

Every month, consumers opting for the Go Green Facility will be sent electricity bills by email instead of printed paper bills.

MahaVitaran has made this important decision for Go Green consumers. Now they will be given a lump sum discount of Rs 120 on the electricity bill in the first month instead of every month.

Out of 3 crore LT (low tension) consumers, only 4.62 lakh, 1.15 per cent consumers have opted for Go Green Facility so far.

MahaVitaran will send SMS to its registered consumers urging them to opt for the Go Green Facility.

Thereafter, the electricity bill will be sent to the registered email until the cancellation of the said service.

If consumer demand continues for the next year, a monthly discount of Rs 10 will be given on the following electricity bills.

MahaVitaran has appealed to the consumers to take advantage of this scheme.

For further information, the Mahavitaran has urged the consumers to log in www.mahadiscom.in

--IANS

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Chandigarh, Dec 31 (IANS) Haryana Chief Secretary Vivek Joshi on Tuesday conducted a review of 11 infrastructure projects of Rs 100 crore each of five departments with a combined estimated cost of Rs 5,758 crore that are aimed at enhancing the state's infrastructure and improving the delivery of services to its citizens.

The projects reviewed include three of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department of Rs 2,939.50 crore, two projects of the Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department of Rs 215.36 crore, one of the Civil Aviation Department of Rs 1,205 crore, one of the Health and Family Welfare Department of Rs 500 crore and four of Energy Department of Rs 898.64 crore.

Issuing directions, the Chief Secretary said unnecessary delay in the completion of projects within the prescribed timelines will not be tolerated. “If any contractor or agency fails to adhere to the timelines, the departments should take immediate action against them and take other necessary steps to complete the projects.”

He said in a statement that the departments must update the status of projects on the portal at regular intervals.

The Chief Secretary directed officials to regularly monitor and speed up the work of developing the apple, fruit and vegetable market in Pinjore, which is being constructed at a cost of Rs 139.50 crore.

It was informed the work of construction of Phase II of Swaran Jayanti Integrated Aviation Hub in Hisar has been almost completed and the remaining work will be completed at the earliest.

The Integrated Aviation Hub is being constructed at a cost of Rs 1,205 crore and will give boost to air connectivity in the state.

For the construction of animal farms and sheds and construction of poultry farms shed buildings in Hisar, the tender has been allotted and further construction work is underway, the Chief Secretary was informed.

On the construction of the Maharana Pratap Horticultural University campus in Karnal, the Chief Secretary directed the work of construction of main building and hostel must be expedited so that students can avail this facility at the earliest.

--IANS

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Bhubaneswar, Dec 31 (IANS) Thousands of devotees from across the country on Tuesday thronged to the coastal city of Puri in Odisha to have darshan of the revered Lord Jagannath at the 12th-century shrine on the eve of the New Year.

The devotees believe that beginning the year with the blessings of the holy triad brings prosperity and happiness.

Expecting massive footfall at the holy shrine on New Year’s Day, the district administration and the temple authorities have made elaborate arrangements to manage the crowd and ensure a smooth darshan experience for the devotees.

The Puri district Superintendent of Police, Vinit Agrawal, on Tuesday, closely reviewed the arrangements for devotees at the Puri Jagannath Temple.

Speaking about the measures in place, Agrawal stated that the Puri Police have made extensive arrangements given the New Year. "The temple is under strict security arrangements. Devotees are allowed to proceed for darshan in an organized manner through the seven gates, and a block-wise system has been implemented to ensure that no inconvenience is caused. So far, the darshan arrangements have been running smoothly,” said the Puri SP.

“Additionally, barricades have been set up from Market Square to the temple to streamline the flow of devotees. Ambulance services are also available to handle any health emergencies promptly. The entire city is under surveillance with CCTV cameras installed at key locations. We extend an open invitation to all devotees for the New Year celebrations," added Agrawal.

The devotees also expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made at the temple to ensure a smooth and hassle-free darshan of the holy triad.

Notably, the Odisha Police have also made elaborate security arrangements for the Zero Night and New Year's celebrations in various cities across the state, especially in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

The Commissionerate police have deployed three additional DCPs, five ACPs, 24 inspectors, 88 SI/ASIs, and 36 sections of force to avoid any untoward incident during the zero-night celebrations.

An adequate number of forces and police officials will also be deployed at important places in the cities for New Year's Day celebrations.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) At least 138.34 crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated so far, while 67 million Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) numbers have also been created, the Ministry of Electronics and IT said in its year-end review on Tuesday.

India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) drives accessible and secure public services, transforming the digital economy.

Key achievements include 138.34 crore Aadhaar numbers being generated.

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) achieved 15,547 crore transactions worth Rs 223 lakh crore from January to November this year, ‘showcasing its transformative impact on financial transactions’ in India.

In line with the government’s vision of paperless governance, Digi Locker has become a revolutionary platform for the issuance and verification of documents.

“With over 37 crore registered users, Digi Locker has transformed the way citizens access and authenticate their documents,” said the ministry.

Unified Mobile Application for New-Age Governance (UMANG) is another key initiative aimed at simplifying access to government services.

With over 7.12 crore users, UMANG has streamlined the way citizens engage with government services.

UMANG is available in 23 multilingual languages (for top 100 services), including English and Hindi. As of now, UMANG offers about 2,077 services from 207 departments of the Central and state governments, the ministry informed.

India's digital infrastructure has undergone a transformative evolution in recent years, positioning the country as a global leader in digital adoption.

With a rapidly expanding digital economy, driven by innovations in Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and digital governance, India's infrastructure is continuously evolving to meet the growing demands of the public and private sectors.

According to the ministry, the National Informatics Centre (NIC) has established state-of-the-art National Data Centres (NDC) in cities like Delhi, Pune, Bhubaneswar, and Hyderabad, providing robust cloud services to government ministries, state governments, and public sector undertakings (PSUs).

At NDC, storage capacity has been expanded to approximately 100PB, including All Flash Enterprise Class Storage, Object Storage, and Unified Storage.

Additionally, around 5,000-odd servers are deployed to support various cloud workloads.

Another state-of-the-art NDC (Tier-III) of 200 Racks expandable to 400 Racks is being established at Guwahati, Assam.

Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA), is the world’s largest education platform. As on July 22, 2024, 556.37 crore learning sessions have been imparted using DIKSHA. It has achieved 17.95 crore course enrolments and 14.37 crore course completions.

The CSCs initiative, managed by the MeitY, has played a vital role in bringing e-services to rural India.

As of October 2024, over 5.84 lakh CSCs are operational across the country, including 4.63 lakh at the Gram Panchayat level, the initiative has facilitated the delivery of more than 800 services ranging from government schemes to education, telemedicine, and financial services.

--IANS

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