Press Information Bureau

11.07.2019

Education

Steps taken by Government to provide education to poor students

MANU/PIBU/1038/2019

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 provides for access to elementary schools for children of the age group of 6-14 years, within the defined area or limits of neighbourhood. Section 6 of the Act provides that 'the appropriate government and local authorities' shall establish, within the area or limits of a neighbourhood, a school, where it is not already established, within a period of three years from the commencement of the Act. In pursuance of Section 6 of the Act, the Central RTE Rules has notified the area or limits of neighbourhood as one kilometre, within which a primary school and 3 kilometre within which an upper primary school, has to be established. The States have notified area or limits of their neighbourhood norms in their state RTE Rules, factoring in their State specific condition, for opening of schools. As reported by States/UTs in their Annual Work Plan, 2018-19, 97.15% of habitations in the country are covered by primary schools and 96.49% of habitations are covered by upper primary schools. The habitations that remain uncovered are mostly small or sparsely populated in difficult areas where opening of school is not feasible for which there is a provision of giving transport and escort facility and opening of residential schools and hostels. Further, 88.24% of habitations were covered by Secondary schools within a distance of 5km.

In addition, Section 12 (1)(c) of the Right of Children to Free & Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 provides for admission of children belonging to disadvantaged groups (DG) and economically weaker sections (EWS) in private unaided schools to the extent of at least 25 percent of the strength of class I or below.

The Department of School Education and Literacy has launched an Integrated Scheme for School Education - Samagra Shiksha with effect from 2018-19 which subsumes the three erstwhile Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE). The scheme envisages school education as a continuum from pre-school to senior secondary level and aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all. Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to States and UTs for undertaking various activities to reduce number of out of school children including opening/strengthening of new schools upto senior secondary level, construction of school buildings & additional classrooms, setting up, up-gradation and running of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV), setting up of residential schools/hostels, free uniforms, free text books and undertaking enrolment & retention drives. Further, special training for age appropriate admission of out of school and residential as well as non-residential training for older children, seasonal hostels / residential camps, special training centres at worksites, transport/ escort facility are also supported to bring out of school children to the formal schooling system. Also, mid-day meal is provided to students at the elementary level of education. Further, under the student oriented component for the children with special needs, financial assistance is provided for identification and assessment of children with special needs, aids and appliances, braille kits and books, appropriate teaching learning material and stipend to girl students with disability etc.

Tags : Education Poor students Steps

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Press Information Bureau

10.07.2019

Civil

Witness Protection Scheme

MANU/PIBU/1012/2019

Witness Protection Scheme, 2018 provides for protection of witnesses based on the threat assessment and protection measures inter alia include protection/change of identity of witnesses, their relocation, installation of security devices at the residence of witnesses, usage of specially designed Court rooms, etc.

The Scheme provides for three categories of witness as per threat perception:

Category 'A': Where the threat extends to life of witness or his family members, during investigation/trial or thereafter.

Category 'B': Where the threat extends to safety, reputation or property of the witness or his family members, during the investigation/trial or thereafter.

Category 'C': Where the threat is moderate and extends to harassment or intimidation of the witness or his family member's, reputation or property, during the investigation/trial or thereafter.

The Scheme provides for a State Witness Protection Fund for meeting the expenses of the scheme. This fund shall be operated by the Department/Ministry of Home under State/UT Government and shall comprise of the following:

i. Budgetary allocation made in the Annual Budget by the State Government;

ii. Receipt of amount of costs imposed/ordered to be deposited by the courts/tribunals in the Witness Protection Fund;

iii. Donations/contributions from Philanthropist/Charitable Institutions/Organizations and individuals permitted by the Government.

iv. Funds contributed under Corporate Social Responsibility.

The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in its Judgment dated 05.12.2018 in Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 156 of 2016 has endorsed the Scheme. As per Article 141/142 of the Constitution, the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018 endorsed in the said Judgment of the Supreme Court is binding on all Courts within the territory of India and enforceable in all States and Union Territories.

Tags : Threat perception Scheme Witness Protection

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Press Information Bureau

10.07.2019

Labour and Industrial

Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour

MANU/PIBU/1015/2019

The Government of India has implemented a Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer, 2016 for providing rehabilitation assistance to the released bonded labour. As per the scheme , financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 1,00,000, Rs. 2,00,000/-, Rs. 3,00,000/- are provided to released bonded labourers based on their category and level of exploitation. In addition to the financial assistance, the beneficiaries are also entitled for the following:

1. Allotment of House/site & agricultural land

2. Land development

3. Provision of low cost dwelling Units.

4. Animal husbandry, dairy, poultry, piggery etc.

5. Wage employment, enforcement of minimum wages etc.

6. Collection and processing of minor forest products.

7. Supply of essential commodities under targeted public distribution system.

8. Education for children.

9. Any other Welfare Scheme of State/Central Govt.

Government of India has enacted the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 which came into force w.e.f. 1.9.2016. The Amendment Act Inter alia provides for complete prohibition of work or employment of children below 14 years in any occupation and process and prohibition of adolescents in the age group of 14 to 18 years in hazardous occupations and processes. The Amendment Act also provides stricter punishment for employers for violation of the Act and has made the offence as cognizable. Under the NCLP Scheme, children in the age group of 9-14 years are rescued/withdrawn from work and enrolled in the NCLP Special Training Centers, where they are provided with bridge education, vocational training, mid-day meal, stipend, health care, etc. before being mainstreamed into formal education system. Children in the age group of 5-8 years are directly linked to the formal education system through a close coordination with the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).

Tags : Rehabilitation Bonded Labour Scheme

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Press Information Bureau

10.07.2019

Civil

Launch of Phase-II of DBT in Fertilizer Subsidy

MANU/PIBU/1021/2019

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda launched the Phase-II of the Direct Benefit Transfer of Fertilizer Subsidy (DBT 2.0), here today. Minister of State for Shipping (IC) and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya also graced the occasion. The Department of Fertilizers (DoF) has implemented the Phase-I of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system in fertilizer subsidy pan-India in Fertilizers w.e.f. March 2018.

Talking about Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi's vision of 'Less Government, More Governance, Shri Gowda said that only by bringing transparency in administration can the Government bring a positive change in lives of the people. DBT in fertilizer subsidy is such a step in the direction of bringing ease of living in the lives of farmers through use of modern technology and plugging leakages, pilferages and black marketing, the Minister added.

The new initiatives of DBT 2.0 are as under:

DBT Dashboards: In order to facilitate accurate information gathering and decision-making w.r.t. the position of requirement/supply/availability of various fertilizers at National, State and District levels, the DoF has developed various dashboards. These dashboards provide various reports regarding the Fertilizer Stock position at ports, plants, in States, at District levels; Proportionate requirement for the season and availability of stocks at various levels; Top 20 buyers; Frequent buyers; Retailers not selling fertilizers etc. The reports would facilitate real-time monitoring of the availability and sale of fertilizers within each State/UT. Public can access the dashboards by clicking the e-urvarak website of DoF (www.urvarak.nic.in).

PoS 3.0 Software: The Multi-lingual facility would provide Aadhar virtual ID option for registration, login and sale activity in DBT software. It would also have a provision for area-specific, crop-specific recommendations based on Soil Health Card (SHC) data. Further, it would capture sale to farmers, mixture manufacturers, planter association separately.

Desktop PoS Version: Keeping in view the various operational challenges viz. limited PoS vendors, rush of sales due to peak season etc. the department has developed a multilingual desktop version of PoS software as an alternative or added facility to PoS devices. Retailers with laptops and computer systems can use high-speed broadband service for fertilizer sales. The Desktop software is more robust and secure as the application is developed and handled directly from the central HQ team at DoF.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya laid stress on e-governance as a platform to achieve good governance in the country. Talking about the new initiatives under DBT 2.0, the Minister said that these by implementation of second phase of DBT, the system would become more transparent and the penetration of fertilizer subsidy would further be increased in the country.

Phase-I DBT system in Fertilizers (DBT 1.0) envisaged the release of 100% subsidy on various fertilizer grades to the fertilizer companies on the basis of actual sales made by the retailer to the beneficiaries. The Phase-II of DBT will explore the feasibility of direct cash transfer to farmer's accounts. An expert committee under NITI Aayog has been constituted on 28.09.2017 as per the request of the DoF, to suggest a model for the implementation of phase-2.

A Project Monitoring Cell was set up at DoF to oversee implementation of DBT exclusively. 24 State Coordinators have been appointed across all States to monitor the on-going DBT activities.

Implementation of the DBT Scheme requires deployment of PoS devices at every retailer shop, training of retailers for operating PoS device. Across the country, Lead Fertilizer Supplier (LFS) have conducted 8943 training sessions till date. 2.24 Lakh PoS devices have been deployed across all States. 670.99 Lakh Metric tonnes Fertilizers have been sold through PoS devices till June 2019.

To address network connectivity issues, DoF has come up with various options as under:

PoS devices were provided with multiple connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, LAN, PSTN, SIM, etc.

A network survey/assessment can be conducted at retail shops, to identify the telecom service providers having good connectivity in that area.

Simple measures such as attaching an antenna to the PoS device can give better signal reception.

To address peak season sales, a single retailer can install more than one PoS device at the retail point. There is a provision to use maximum up to 5 PoS devices at a single retail point under DBT system.

Further, a dedicated 15-member Multi-lingual Help Desk has been set up to provide quick response to the queries of wide range of stakeholders across the country as a preparatory to DBT implementation. The helpdesk will operate from 9.30 am to 6.00 pm on all working days including Saturdays. The toll free number of the helpdesk is 1800115501. Further, WhatsApp is being used extensively for quick response to grievances of various stakeholders.

To address the issues of malfunctioning PoS devices, separate toll free lines have been provided by PoS vendors viz., Visiontek, Analogics and Oasys. Dedicated manpower/vendor support system has been provided by the PoS vendors across all States. Further, DBT State Coordinators have been appointed by DoF in every State/UT to monitor the implementation of DBT and for quick resolution of hardware/software problems.

Dignitaries on the dais included Secretary, Fertilizers, Shri Chhabilendra Roul, Additional Secretary, Fertilizers, Shri Dharam Pal. The gathering comprised of the who's who of fertilizer sector including CMDs of Fertilizer Cos., along with senior officers of DoF.

Tags : Launch DBT Fertilizer Subsidy

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Reserve Bank of India

10.07.2019

Banking

RBI releases Draft Report of the Internal Working Group on Comprehensive Review of Market Timings

MANU/RPRL/0135/2019

The Reserve Bank of India today released the draft report of the Internal Working Group on "Comprehensive Review of Market Timings". Comments on the draft report are invited from market participants and other interested parties by July 31, 2019.

Background

It was announced by the Reserve Bank of India as a part of the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies, on August 01, 2018, to set up an internal group to comprehensively review the timings of various markets it regulates and the associated payment and settlement infrastructure. Accordingly, an internal working group was set up to study the current timings of various financial markets regulated by the Reserve Bank, including instruments traded on exchanges; examine the implications, including benefits and costs, of revision in current timings for trading as well as for supporting payment and settlement arrangements; and, make recommendations in respect of timings for trading, clearing and settlement arrangements as well as for any related aspect of market functioning.

Tags : Draft Report Working Group Review Market Timings

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Ministry Of Home Affairs

10.07.2019

Civil

Central Government hereby declares the Sikhs For Justice as an unlawful association

MANU/HOME/0087/2019

Whereas the Sikhs For Justice (hereinafter referred to as the SFJ), has been indulging in activities, which are prejudicial to internal security of India and public order, and have the potential of disrupting peace, the unity and integrity of the country;

And Whereas, the Central Government is of the opinion that the SFJ is indulging in the activities which are prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country;

And Whereas, the Central Government is of the opinion that following unlawful activities indulged by the SFJ falls within the meaning of clauses (o) and (p) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, namely:-

(i) SFJ is involved in anti-national and subversive activities in Punjab and elsewhere, intended to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India;

(ii) SFJ is in close touch with the militant outfits and activists, and is supporting violent form of extremism and militancy in Punjab and elsewhere to carve out a sovereign Khalistan out of territory of Union of India;

(iii) SFJ is encouraging and aiding the activities for secession of a part of the Indian territory from the Union of India and supporting separatist groups fighting for this purpose in India and elsewhere by indulging in activities and articulations intended to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India;

And Whereas, the Central Government is further of the opinion that if the unlawful activities of the SFJ are not curbed and controlled immediately, it is likely to-

(a) escalate its subversive activities including attempts to carve out Khalistan Nation out of the territory of Union of India by destabilising the Government established by law;

(b) continue advocating the secession of the Khalistan from the Union of India while disputing the accession of State with the Union;

(c) propagate anti-national and separatist sentiments prejudicial to the territorial integrity and security of the country;

(d) escalate secessionist movements, supports militancy and incite violence in the country;

And Whereas, the Central Government is also of the opinion that having regard to the activities of the SFJ, it is necessary to declare the SFJ to be an unlawful association with the immediate effect;

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government hereby declares the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) as an unlawful association and directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under section 4 of the said Act, have effect for a period of five years from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Tags : SFJ Unlawful association Declaration

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Ministry of Labour and Employment

09.07.2019

Labour and Industrial

Central Government hereby declares the services of industry engaged in Food Stuffs to be a Public Utility Service for the purposes of Industrial Disputes Act, 1947

MANU/LABR/0053/2019

Whereas the Central Government is satisfied that the public interest requires that the services of the industry engaged in Food Stuffs, which is covered under item 6 of the First Schedule to the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947), to be a Public Utility Service for the purposes of the said Act;

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (vi) of clause (n) section 2 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947), the Central Government hereby declares the services of the said industry engaged in Food Stuffs to be a Public Utility Service for the purposes of the said Act for a period of six months with effect from the date of publication of the notification.

Tags : Industry Food Stuffs Public Utility Service

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