Pib

Pib

1. Minority Affairs Ministry organises workshop of Inspecting Authorities

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said that more than 280 Inspecting Authorities of Minority Affairs Ministry are working as a “watchdog” for various development and welfare schemes being run by the Ministry and they have ensured 100 per cent honest and transparent implementation of these schemes at ground level. Addressing a workshop of Inspecting Authorities of Minority Affairs Ministry from across the country here today, Shri Naqvi said that proper implementation of various schemes of the Ministry from skill development to educational empowerment, to scholarships like “Gharib Nawaz Skill Development Scheme”, “Seekho aur Kamao”, “Nai Manzil”, “Begum Hazrat Mahal Girls scholarship”, “Nai Udaan”, “Padho Pardesh”, “Free Coaching”, “Ustaad”, “PM’s new 15 point programme” etc has been ensured with the cooperation of these Inspecting Authorities.

The Minister pointed out that the initiative of Inspecting Authorities, which had been started about an year ago has proved to be successful. This system has ensured 100 per cent honest and transparent implementation of welfare schemes at the ground level. Shri Naqvi said that these Inspecting Authorities include retired IAS, IPS and other senior officials, engineers, highly experienced people from defence services, education and other sectors. “They are immensely benefitting in proper implementation of the schemes run by Minority Affairs Minister, National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation and Maulana Azad Education Foundation”, the Minister said. He added that Ministry of Minority Affairs has completely gone online/digital. “This digital system has not left any space for middlemen. It has ensured that fruits of development are reaching directly to every needy of the society. Various scholarships are being given directly into banks accounts of students. Be it welfare and developmental schemes or Haj affairs, our Ministry has ensured complete transparency”, Shri Naqvi averred.

2. National Rail Transport Seminar on the theme “Railways for Sustainable Development” held in New Delhi

The Centre for Transportation Research and Management (CTRAM), is an autonomous body of Transport Professionals in the country organized a National Rail Transport Seminar with the theme “Railways for Sustainable Development” in New Delhi today i.e. on 13th January, 2018. Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways & Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Communications, Shri Manoj Sinha, who could not attend due to some unavoidable reason in a message to the seminar said that “Sustainable development represents an extraordinary challenge and opportunity for Indian Railways, which is a key driver in the economic growth in India. While Indian railways contribute significantly towards sustainable development, it has to evolve and sharpen its strategy to become a flag bearer for such sustainable development. It is hoped that the seminar will throw new ideas and strategy for the benefit of Railway Sector”.

Indian Railways (IR) is presently one of the world’s largest rail networks, spread over 66,000 route Kms. As India’s “ engine of growth” which is how the hon’ble Prime Minister has fondly referred to it, Indian Railways today operates a staggering 20,000 plus trains everyday to move, more than 3 million tonnes of freight traffic and more than 23 million passengers on a daily basis .

Over the years, declining modal share of Railways has no doubt, been a cause of concern for the policy makers and this thinking gets lucidly articulated in the Budget speech in 2016:

“The modal share of IR has been consistently declining over a long period of time. This trend has had a negative impact not only on the Railways but on the entire economy. We are determined to reverse this slide. There are three solution sets for this issue –expanding the freight basket of IR, rationalizing the tariff structure and building .. (capacity).

3. Mega Camp organized for Beedi Workers and Unorganized Workers by Ministry of Labour and Employment at Bareilly Today

Minister of State (I/C) for Labour and Employment, Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar inaugurated a Mega Camp organized for Beedi Workers and Unorganized Workers by Ministry of Labour and Employment at Bareilly Today.

More than 6000 workers participated in the camp. Housing sanction certificates to 70 beneficiaries were given at the spot. Around 3000 insurance certificates of Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Beema Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Beema Yojana (PMSBY) were given to the beneficiaries. Around 250 workers were provided spectacles who had already undergone the eye checkup.

4. 7th edition of ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav-2018’ to be held in Karnataka from 14th to 20th January, 2018

To celebrate the idea of unity in diversity, the Ministry of Culture is organising the 7th edition of the Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat matrix in Karnataka beginning January 14, 2018. The Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananth Kumar and The Union Minister of State for Culture (I/C) and Environment, Dr. Mahesh Sharma will inaugurate the Mahotsav on 14th January 2018 at 7.30pm at the Jnana Jyothi Auditorium, Palace Road, Gandhi Nagar, and Bengaluru.

The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme was launched by the Prime Minister on 31st October, 2016 to promote engagement amongst the people of different states/UTs so as to enhance mutual understanding and bonding between people of diverse cultures, thereby securing stronger unity and integrity of India. The State paired with Karnataka is Uttarakhand. The Mahotsav will cover a profusion of art forms from classical and folk, music and dance, theatre to literature and the visual arts and would offer the chance to experience the best in established and emerging virtuosity. A handloom and handicrafts-utsav is part of the proposed event. The gastronomic culture of several partnering states will be showcased through a food festival.