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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Sanctioning of Projects Under Swadesh Darshan Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:48PM by PIB Delhi

    Ministry of Tourism revamped the Swadesh Darshan scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop tourism destinations in the country. The details of the projects sanctioned under SD 2.0 in the State of Karnataka is as under:

     

    S. No.

    Destination

    Interventions Name

    Cost (in ₹ crore)

    1

    Hampi

    Setting up of ‘Traveller nooks’

    25.64

    2

    Mysuru

    “Tonga ride Heritage experience zone”

    2.72

    3

    Mysuru

    “Ecological Experience Zone”

    18.47

    The projects under the Swadesh Darshan scheme are sanctioned in consultation with the concerned State Government / Union Territory Administrations, in synergy with the scheme guidelines and subject to availability of budget etc. As of now, there is no proposal to consider the project “Dharmasthala-Kukke-Udupi-Murudeshwar-Gokarna-Kollur-Sringeri-Horanadu” under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 during the year 2025-26. However, the Ministry of Tourism under its ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ has identified Bidar (Culture & Heritage) and Udupi (Ecotourism and Amrit Dharohar Sites) in Karnataka for development.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

     

    ***

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    E-mail: – tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2100359) Visitor Counter : 9

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dekho Apna Desh initiative

    Source: Government of India

    Ministry of Tourism

    Dekho Apna Desh initiative

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:47PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Tourism had launched the Dekho Apna Desh initiative in January 2020 for promotion of domestic tourism in the country. Under this initiative, the Ministry promotes tourism destinations and products of India through various activities such as Webinars, Quiz, Pledge, Seminars, Tourism Promotional Events, Fam tours, Website, Social media etc.

    Ministry of Tourism launched Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice poll with aim to engage with citizens to identify most preferred tourist attractions. The Ministry is promoting the People’s choice poll through various platforms, including Digital, social media, events, print, Outdoor, SMS and WhatsApp campaign etc.

    Details of State-wise Domestic Tourist Visits (DTV) is at ANNEXURE.

    This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

     

    ***

     

    ANNEXURE

     

     

    List of States/UTs wise Domestic Tourists Visit (DTV)

     

    S.No.

    States/UTs

    DTV 2020

    DTV 2021

    DTV 2022

    DTV 2023

    1

    Andaman & Nicobar Islands

    1,91,207

    1,26,238

    2,35,061

    3,23,189

    2

    Andhra Pradesh 

    7,08,28,590

    9,32,77,569

    19,27,16,721

    25,47,06,328

    3

    Arunachal Pradesh

    42,871

    1,02,915

    2,22,437

    10,40,601

    4

    Assam

    12,66,898

    14,09,161

    83,82,003

    76,12,720

    5

    Bihar 

    56,38,024

    25,01,193

    2,53,30,364

    8,15,85,701

    6

    Chandigarh

    4,17,953

    2,28,809

    30,27,165

    3,65,591

    7

    Chhattisgarh

    28,10,227

    47,47,417

    2,36,36,291

    2,60,22,069

    8

    UT of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

    4,02,395

    6,61,222

    7,99,602

    10,04,327

    9

    Delhi*

    95,83,671

    1,06,42,477

    2,71,86,209

    3,94,14,622

    10

    Goa

    32,58,715

    33,08,089

    70,11,992

    81,75,460

    11

    Gujarat

    1,94,64,517

    2,45,25,210

    13,58,11,325

    17,80,66,579

    12

    Haryana

    21,14,731

    20,25,450

    21,08,496

    20,12,162

    13

    Himachal Pradesh 

    31,70,714

    56,32,270

    1,50,70,944

    1,59,42,118

    14

    Jammu & Kashmir

    25,19,524

    1,13,14,920

    1,84,99,332

    2,06,79,336

    15

    Jharkhand

    25,74,704

    33,83,642

    3,82,84,379

    3,57,76,102

    16

    Karnataka

    7,74,53,339

    8,13,33,659

    18,24,13,203

    28,41,20,502

    17

    Kerala

    49,88,972

    75,37,617

    1,88,67,414

    2,18,71,641

    18

    Lakshadweep

    3,462

    13,500

    22,844

    45,796

    19

    Ladakh

    6,743

    3,03,023

    5,10,137

    7,59,369

    20

    Madhya Pradesh

    2,35,19,632

    2,55,54,067

    3,58,48,781

    11,19,46,409

    21

    Maharashtra*

    3,92,34,591

    4,35,69,238

    11,12,97,624

    16,13,59,527

    22

    Manipur 

    49,669

    49,371

    1,39,518

    57,701

    23

    Meghalaya

    24,734

    1,54,409

    9,37,091

    13,71,674

    24

    Mizoram

    30,890

    87,232

    2,18,420

    2,09,087

    25

    Nagaland

    10,979

    23,968

    97,431

    99,720

    26

    Odisha

    46,22,273

    37,42,221

    78,67,909

    97,25,184

    27

    Puducherry

    11,14,942

    12,53,213

    17,60,480

    20,92,076

    28

    Punjab

    1,66,92,197

    2,66,40,429

    2,60,89,425

    3,57,07,600

    29

    Rajasthan 

    1,51,17,239

    2,19,88,734

    10,83,28,156

    17,90,51,925

    30

    Sikkim

    3,16,408

    5,11,669

    16,25,573

    13,21,169

    31

    Tamil Nadu

    14,06,51,241

    11,53,36,719

    21,85,84,846

    28,60,11,515

    32

    Telangana

    3,99,97,001

    3,20,00,620

    6,07,48,425

    5,84,47,573

    33

    Tripura

    1,27,815

    1,77,816

    2,35,600

    3,66,104

    34

    Uttar Pradesh

    8,61,22,293

    10,97,08,435

    31,79,13,587

    47,85,25,688

    35

    Uttarakhand

    70,05,264

    1,94,34,475

    5,46,42,559

    5,81,40,578

    36

    West Bengal

    2,88,41,732

    2,43,25,984

    8,45,42,195

    14,56,69,292

    Grand Total

    61,02,16,157

    67,76,32,981

    1,73,10,13,539

    2,50,96,27,035

    *Estimated Data

    Source: States/UTs Tourism Department

    ****

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    E-mail: – tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2100357)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Turkana Food Inc. Recalls Aleppo Tahini Sesame Paste 1lb (16oz) Because of Possible Health Risk

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    FDA Publish Date:
    Product Type:
    Food & Beverages
    Foodborne Illness
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description

    Potential Foodborne Illness – Salmonella

    Company Name:
    Turkana Food Inc.
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)

    Aleppo

    Product Description:

    Product Description

    Tahini Sesame Paste

    Company Announcement

    Turkana Food Inc. Kenilworth, NJ is recalling 858 cases OF Aleppo Tahini Sesame Paste because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

    The Recalled Aleppo Tahini Sesame Paste was distributed in the states of FL, KY, VA, NY, NJ, TN, MA, TX, Il, IN, MI, RI, PA, NC, MD, VA, OH, AL, MO, CA.

    The Recalled 1lb (16oz plastic jar Brand name Aleppo Sesame Paste Tahini. The product packaging is a 16oz plastic jar with a gold lid and gold label marked Aleppo Sesame Paste Tahini.

    LOT# 120824-01 can be found on the top portion of the jar.

    UPC Label 854643003054 marked by a sticker on the side of the jar.

    Expiration Date August 2026, which can be found on the top portion of the jar.

    No reported illnesses have been confirmed as of 02/05/2025.

    The recall was the result of a routine sampling performed by the Ohio Department of Agriculture which revealed that the finished products contained Salmonella. The company has ceased production and distribution of the products as FDA and the company continue their investigation to what caused the problem. Consumers who purchased Aleppo Sesame Paste Tahini With lot code 120824-01 should not consume the product and they are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

    Consumers with questions may contact Turkana Foods Inc. 908-810-8800 Or email info@turkanafood.com Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm EST.

    Company Contact Information

    Product Photos

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TELECOM CONNECTIVITY IN PVTG HABITATIONS, RURAL, REMOTE AND HILLY AREAS OF THE COUNTRY

    Source: Government of India

    TELECOM CONNECTIVITY IN PVTG HABITATIONS, RURAL, REMOTE AND HILLY AREAS OF THE COUNTRY

    Out of the 2,595 identified PVTG Habitations, 901 Habitations have already received mobile coverage: Jyotiraditya Scindia

    For which 519 of the 1,716 mobile towers have been set up within a record time of just six months, marking a 35% completion rate in the project.

    Union Government iscommitted to the holistic development of tribal and left-wing affected areas, with initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri JANMAN Yojana designed to improve connectivity and overall development in rural tribal-dominated areas: Jyotiraditya Scindia

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:44PM by PIB Delhi

    The Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, today informed the Rajya Sabha that under a survey conducted by the Department of Telecommunications, a total of 2,595 PVTG villages across India have been identified for enhanced telecom connectivity, with 1,716 new towers set to be installed in these areas. These efforts, he said, are aimed at improving access to mobile services in rural, remote, and hilly regions, with particular focus on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), tribal habitations, and even smaller settlements like tolas and majiras.

    The survey, conducted following a request by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in July 2024, identified these villages as areas in dire need of mobile tower installations. This will cover 15 states and include various schemes to ensure widespread coverage.

    Addressing a starred question in the Rajya Sabha on telecom connectivity in PVTG habitations, Shri Scindia highlighted the swift progress made so far, revealing that out of the 2,595 identified villages, 901 villages have already been covered with mobile for which than 519 of the 1,716 towers have been set up within a record time of just six months, marking a 35% completion rate in the project.

    The Union Cabinet in Nov 2023 has approved Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) with outlay of Rs.24,104 Crore to saturate PVTG families and habitations with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities. Under PM JANMAN, provision of mobile coverage to PVTG villages/ habitations by DoT through DBN funded schemes has been included. MoTA shared a list of villages/ habitations, uncovered with mobile services, with DoT.

    Elaborating the special projects for strengthening mobile connectivity in PVTG habitations and rural areas in Jharkhand, the Union Minister informed that a total of 1,987 towers have been identified for 2471 Habitations. He reaffirmed the Union Government’s commitment to the holistic development of tribal and left-wing affected areas, emphasizing that initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Janman Yojana are designed to improve connectivity and overall development in rural tribal-dominated areas.

    Shri Scindia reiterated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the government remains committed to ensuring the holistic development of tribal and remote areas, with telecommunication infrastructure being a key part of this larger developmental vision.

    Additionally, the Union Minister also tabled a written reply regarding Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) funds. Following specific schemes provide mobile connectivity to the uncovered villages of rural, remote, hilly &Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas of the country.

     

    S.N.

     Specific Scheme(s)

    1

    4G Saturation Scheme

    2

    7287 uncovered villages of Aspirational Districts

    3

    Left Wing Extremism Phase-II

    4

    Left Wing Extremism Phase-I Upgradation

    5

    Uncovered Villages of Arunachal Pradesh and 2 Districts of Assam

    6

    Uncovered Villages of Meghalaya and National Highway (NH)

    7

    502 uncovered villages of Aspirational Districts

    8

    354 Uncovered Village Scheme

    9

    Lakshadweep Islands

    10

    Uncovered villages and NH of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

     

    As per list received from Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) to provide Mobile services to PVTG habitations under PRADHAN MANTRI JANJATI ADIVASI NYAYA MAHA ABHIYAN (PM JANMAN) under DBN funded 4G mobile projects, as on 31.12.24 the details are as Annexed.

     

    Annexure

    (Annexure refers to parts of the Starred question in Rajya Sabha whether the Government is running any special scheme for installation of mobile towers to promote telecom connectivity in rural, remote and hilly areas of the country including Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) habitations; and whether any special project has been identified for strengthening mobile connectivity in PVTG habitations and rural areas in Jharkhand and in other States.)

    S. No

    State

    Towers planned

    Habitations planned for Coverage

    Towers installed

    Habitations covered

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    742

    1300

    341

    620

    2

    Chhattisgarh

    103

    150

    19

    28

    3

    Gujarat

    26

    41

    11

    18

    4

    Jharkhand

    8

    12

    0

    0

    5

    Karnataka

    17

    18

    5

    6

    6

    Kerala

    27

    41

    10

    19

    7

    Madhya Pradesh

    138

    158

    16

    20

    8

    Maharashtra

    213

    271

    67

    100

    9

    Odisha

    331

    426

    31

    61

    10

    Rajasthan

    3

    3

    2

    2

    11

    Tamil Nadu

    28

    53

    3

    4

    12

    Telangana

    64

    77

    11

    12

    13

    Tripura

    12

    39

    3

    11

    14

    Uttar Pradesh

    2

    3

    0

    0

    15

    West Bengal

    2

    3

    0

    0

    Total

    1,716

    2,595

    519

    901

     

    (RSQ-34-Starred-06022025)

    *****

    Samrat/ Dheeraj@: pibcomm[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2100354) Visitor Counter : 35

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Illegal alien pleads guilty to reentry after deportation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    ORLANDO, Fla. — An illegal alien from Mexico has pleaded guilty to illegal reentry by a previously deported alien after being arrested for aggravated battery and obstruction of justice following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando.

    Oscar Manuel Inda-Duenas, 36, of Mexico, faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

    According to court documents, Inda-Duenas was previously removed from the United States in September 2016. Following that, he did not receive the consent of the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States. On Dec. 4, 2024, Inda-Duenas was arrested in the Middle District of Florida on state charges of aggravated battery and obstruction of justice by hindering witness communication with law enforcement. At the time of his arrest, Inda-Duenas was found to be voluntarily back in the United States.

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman.

    HSI Tampa’s area of responsibility, which includes 10 geographically strategic offices, covers more than 51,600 square miles of the total 65,757 square miles in the state of Florida. This region has more than 14.2 million people and includes 58 of the 67 counties. HSI Tampa also includes five of the 10 largest cities in Florida, 15 primary commercial service airports, and 11 seaports.

    Learn more about HSI Tampa’s mission to increase public safety in Florida communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSITampa.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Exhibition on implementation of important schemes run by Rural Development Department, Government of India and Rural Development Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh in Maha Kumbh Mela area

    Source: Government of India

    Exhibition on implementation of important schemes run by Rural Development Department, Government of India and Rural Development Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh in Maha Kumbh Mela area

    An effort has been made to bring to reality the resolution of every family having their own permanent house in the changing face of housing in rural areas through the model houses

    Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana demonstrated improvement in rural connectivity by connecting rural habitations

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:38PM by PIB Delhi

     

    In the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela an effort has been made to showcase the implementation of the schemes run by the Rural Development Departments of the Government of India and the Government of Uttar Pradesh. To depict the changing environment of the rural areas, an exhibition has been set up at sector 7 of the Mahakumbh mela on various schemes that are being implemented effectively to change the face of rural India.

    Important schemes among them are:

    1. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
    2. National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)
    3. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural)
    4. Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)
    5. Integrated Watershed Management System
    6. Swachh Bharat Mission-Rural

     

    The changing face of the rural areas has been demonstrated through the works done under the MNREGA scheme such as construction of Amrit-Sarovar, soak pit, rooftop rain water harvesting, construction of internal streets and drains, tree plantation and construction of memorial gardens, cattle shed, vermicompost and NADEP, construction of Panchayat Bhawan, construction of nutrition production unit, Prerna canteen, Annapurna ration shop and construction of playground and other works. An attempt has been made to realise the concept of Gram Swaraj by adopting a transparent system of schemes operated through social audit.

    The National Rural Livelihood Mission aims to reduce rural poverty, provide sustainable livelihood opportunities, women empowerment and accelerate financial inclusion. Through Saras Haat, a better platform has been provided for branding, promotion and marketing of the products of groups from different districts and the sisters of the self-help groups so that their livelihood can be enhanced through promotion and sale of their products. Through activities related to BC Sakhi, Drone Sakhi etc., an attempt has been made to demonstrate the economic upliftment in the lives of women and the change in social status, thereby realizing the concept of empowered village and empowered India.

    Through the model houses of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) and Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana (Rural), an attempt has been made to show case the changing face of housing in rural areas and the resolve of the Central Government and the State Government to provide every family with their own permanent house.

    The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana has shown remarkable impact in rural areas by providing all-weather road connectivity to settlements with a population of over 250.

    The Rural Development Departments of the Government of India and Uttar Pradesh have demonstrated their key role in implementing schemes through the Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) model. This was further highlighted at Mahakumbh-2025, where models and exhibitions showcased the socio-economic impact of their schemes on rural areas.

    Mahakumbh-2025 organized at the holy place Prayagraj is a wonderful confluence of unity in diversity with its religious, spiritual, cultural, rural and urban aura. Most of the population of the country lives in rural areas, that is why India is called a country of villages. The schemes of Rural Development Departments of the Government of India and the Government of Uttar Pradesh playing an important role in the socio-economic and structural development of the village.

    *******

    MG/KSR

    (Release ID: 2100350) Visitor Counter : 73

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Honduran national sentenced to 46 months for illegally reentering the US

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    ORLANDO, Fla. — An illegal alien from Honduras was sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States after being previously deported twice following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando.

    Elmer Edin Chavarria-Morales, 32, of Honduras, to 3 years and 10 months in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States after deportation. Chavarria-Morales entered a guilty plea on Aug. 28, 2024.

    According to court records, Chavarria-Morales, a citizen of Honduras, was convicted of rape in Indiana state court on June 26, 2018, and was deported from the United States on Sept. 21, 2018. Chavarria-Morales reentered the United States and was convicted of illegal reentry after deportation in the Southern District of Texas on Feb. 22, 2021, and was deported from the United States a second time on Nov. 11, 2022.

    Following his two deportations, Chavarria-Morales was arrested on April 2, 2024, by the Daytona Beach Police Department and was subsequently convicted of assault (domestic violence) on April 16, 2024. After his arrest, law enforcement learned that Chavarria-Morales was illegally present in the United States.

    This case was investigated by HSI Orlando. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu.

    HSI Tampa’s area of responsibility, which includes 10 geographically strategic offices, covers more than 51,600 square miles of the total 65,757 square miles in the state of Florida. This region has more than 14.2 million people and includes 58 of the 67 counties. HSI Tampa also includes five of the 10 largest cities in Florida, 15 primary commercial service airports, and 11 seaports.

    Learn more about HSI Tampa’s mission to increase public safety in Florida communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSITampa.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “Shatavari – For Better Health” a nationwide Species-Specific Campaign launched today

    Source: Government of India

    “Shatavari – For Better Health” a nationwide Species-Specific Campaign launched today

    Shatavari will play a key role in advancing women’s health and achieving and achieving the Panch Pran Goal of Developed India: Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (IC), Ministry of Ayush

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:28PM by PIB Delhi

    In a bid to raise awareness about the health benefits of medicinal plants, a species-specific campaign titled “Shatavari –For Better Health” was launched today by Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Dr. Mahesh Kumar Dadhich, CEO, National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), and senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush were present on the occasion.

    In his address, Shri Prataprao Jadhav highlighted the significant progress made by the Ministry of Ayush over the last decade and lauded the efforts of NMPB for launching this new initiative to promote awareness about Shatavari. The Minister also mentioned previous successful campaigns led by NMPB, including those for Amla, Moringa, Giloe, and Ashwagandha. These initiatives have contributed to spreading knowledge of the health benefits of medicinal plants across the country.

    Shri Prataprao Jadhav also emphasised the relevance of Shatavari in achieving the Panch Pran Goal outlined by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech on August 15, 2022. The Prime Minister envisioned making India a developed nation by its 100th Independence Day in 2047. As part of this mission, the Shatavari plant has been identified as a key resource for enhancing women’s health in India. This aligns with the broader goal of holistic well-being of citizens.

    Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, elaborated on the activities and achievements of NMPB in promoting medicinal plants. He also shared insights into the Central Sector Scheme for the Conservation, Development, and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants, an initiative to ensure the long-term preservation and cultivation of important medicinal species, including Shatavari.

    Dr. Mahesh Kumar Dadhich, CEO, NMPB, highlighted the medicinal importance of Shatavari, especially for its benefits to women’s health, and discussed the agro-economic potential of this plant. He informed the attendees that financial assistance amounting to ₹18.9 Lakhs will be provided to eligible organizations to support the campaign, fostering greater awareness and wider adoption of Shatavari in the public health landscape.

    Shatavari, known for its numerous health benefits, particularly in supporting women’s health and enhancing immunity, will now receive focused attention through this campaign, ensuring it reaches wider audiences across the nation. The campaign marks another significant step in the Ministry of Ayush’s continued efforts to promote traditional medicine and medicinal plants for better health and well-being in India.

    ****

    MV/AKS

    (Release ID: 2100345) Visitor Counter : 63

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Arrests of foreign nationals made in electronic benefit transfer card fraud scheme

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    LOS ANGELES — On Feb. 1 and 2, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles’ El Camino Real (ECR) Financial Crimes Task Force, alongside the United States Secret Service, California Department of Social Services, United States Marshals Service, United States Attorney’s Office Central District of California, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Los Angeles Sheriff Department, Hermosa Beach Police Department, Baldwin Bark Park Police Department, Culver City Police Department, El Monte Police Department, Inglewood Police Department, Orange County District Attorney Office, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General conducted a large-scale enforcement action at several locations throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

    The goal of this operation was to arrest individuals perpetrating access device fraud through unauthorized cash withdrawals from victim Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. This type of fraud victimizes recipients of government sponsored relief programs which are some of our most vulnerable members of the public. During previous operations targeting the same fraud type, the majority of individuals arrested were foreign nationals with no lawful presence in the United States.

    In the past year, the California Department of Social Services has reported more than $100 million in stolen funds from California victims’ EBT cards. The majority of illicit cashouts in the past year occurred in Los Angeles County.

    For violations of 18 United States Code § 1029 (Access Device Fraud), the ECR Task Force and partners arrested 11 foreign nationals, recovered over 300 cloned EBT cards, and recovered over $30,000 in cash during the two-day operation. One of the suspects in custody had been previously arrested by Romanian law enforcement for murder and aggravated murder in Romania. The suspects arrested were transported to the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Los Angeles for processing, to include identification and immigration status determination for suspects unable to be identified or presenting suspected fictitious identification documents.

    Historically, this type of criminal activity has been widely perpetrated by elements of Romanian organized crime who have no legal status in the U.S. or are prior deportees.

    Anyone with information regarding fraud related to government sponsored relief programs is encouraged to call the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP.

    Learn more about HSI’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSILosAngeles.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 5th Joint Working Group meeting between MoD of India & Spain held in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:26PM by PIB Delhi

    The 5th Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting between the Ministry of Defence of India and Spain took place in New Delhi on February 06, 2025. The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary, International Cooperation Shri Amitabh Prasad and Special Advisor on Defence Diplomacy to the Secretary General of Defence Policy Brigadier General Paulino Garcia Diego.

    Both sides reviewed the ongoing bilateral defence cooperation activities and discussed the plan for multiple joint activities, including in the maritime domain. They agreed to focus on a closer collaboration in defence, particularly in technology and armament production areas.

    The  C295 Project with Airbus Spain and Tata Advanced Systems Limited, the first Make-in-India project in the defence aircraft sector, has encouraged more Indian and Spanish companies to collaborate with each other and explore options to work together in the aerospace domain.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: $39.5M in counterfeit sports merchandise seized ahead of Super Bowl LIX

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    NEW ORLEANS — In a joint press conference with the National Football League (NFL), the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), led by Director Ivan J. Arvelo, announced the seizure of $39.5 million in counterfeit sports merchandise through Operation Team Player. This year-long, collaborative initiative between Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and major sports leagues aims to prevent counterfeit sports-related merchandise and apparel from reaching fans ahead of high-profile sporting events.

    In total, more than 214,507 counterfeit items were seized, including jerseys, t-shirts, hats, jewelry, and various other memorabilia. Since its launch in 2013, Operation Team Player has seized more than $455 million in counterfeit sports merchandise and apparel, making it the largest anti-counterfeiting initiative within the federal government.

    “With the rise of e-commerce, it has become incredibly easy for criminals to create fake websites, online marketplaces, and social media ads offering deceptive deals with the sole intention of scamming sports fans,” said Arvelo. “That’s why our partnership with sports leagues, such as the NFL, is critical in our efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of counterfeit merchandise and help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.”

    “As we prepare for Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, it is important to remember that the success of the game depends on so many crucial partners and vital stakeholders. The NFL is extremely grateful for its long partnership with the IPR Center, HSI, CBP and New Orleans law enforcement, and all that they do to protect NFL fans,” said Dolores DiBella, NFL Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs. “The continued success of Operation Team Player would not be possible without their tireless efforts and ongoing commitment to protecting NFL fans from counterfeit crimes both on the ground and online.”

    “At CBP, we’re not just fans of the game — we’re also here to protect the fans, businesses, and communities that make this event so special. One of the ways we do this is by tackling an issue many consumers don’t realize has an enormous impact: counterfeit goods. Fake jerseys and hats might seem like a good deal, but they can come with serious risks,” said AnneMarie Highsmith, Executive Associate Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade.

    “Leading up to and during the game, members of the New Orleans Police Department will be teamed up with agents from the city’s Department of Revenue, the Department of Homeland Security and NFL members, to identify and address illegal vendors and the sale of counterfeit merchandise,” said Lt. Kenny Temple, New Orleans Police Department.

    “Excitement is growing ahead of the big game in New Orleans on Sunday. But if you’re looking to be in that number — and buy tickets to the Super Bowl LIX, you’ve got to do your homework first. Sadly, many con artists will be working overtime this week to prey on innocent people looking to attend the game,” said Attorney General Liz Murrill.

    While many mistakenly believe that counterfeiting only affects large corporations, the reality is that purchasing fake merchandise has real consequences such as identify theft or financial loss. In response, the IPR Center launched the ‘True Fans Keep It Real’ campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of counterfeit goods and provide sports fans with helpful tips to shop smart and spot counterfeit merchandise both online and in person.

    “Our goal is to arm consumers with the knowledge to avoid purchasing counterfeit items in the first place,” Arvelo added.

    To help fans stay safe from counterfeit products, the IPR Center and the NFL recommend the following tips when making purchases:

    • Stick to trusted retail locations.
    • Be cautious when shopping online. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Criminals often use legitimate product photos while selling fraudulent items.
    • Use caution before purchasing expensive items from unfamiliar online sellers. Shop from authorized dealers with a reputation for quality merchandise to ensure a safe transaction and responsible customer service.
    • Look for signs of poor quality, such as sloppy stitching, missing security labels, or irregular markings on apparel.
    • Check your online bank statements regularly. Keep a record of purchases and confirmation pages and compare them to your bank statements. If discrepancies arise, report them immediately.
    • Purchase event tickets only from trusted sources, such as the NFL Ticket Exchange by Ticketmaster, On Location, or other reputable ticket retailers. This year, Super Bowl LIX will be entirely digital, and no paper tickets will be accepted. Screenshots or PDFs of tickets will not be valid for entry.

    For more information about Operation Team Player or to learn more about the “True Fans Keep It Real” campaign, visit Operation Team Player — IPRCenter.

    About the IPR Center

    For more than two decades, the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) has led the effort in the government’s response to combat global intellectual property theft and enforce trade laws. Comprised of federal agencies, international law enforcement, academia, private sector partners, and industry experts, the IPR Center develops initiatives, coordinates enforcement actions, shares information related to intellectual property theft and trade fraud related to the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods. The center was established addresses the theft of innovation that threatens economic stability and places the public’s health and safety at risk.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Gender Equality And Empowerment Of Women For Urban Planning

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:19PM by PIB Delhi

    Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) is implementing Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), which was launched on 25 June 2015. Smart elements, components and technologies are part of AMRUT projects and this aims to promote sustainable urban development. AMRUT guidelines provides for smart elements such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) as part of the water supply and sewerage projects. As reported by States/UTs 230 Water supply projects and 146 Sewerage projects have been implemented with SCADA.

    Technology Sub-Mission is an important component of AMRUT 2.0 to encourage start-up ideas and private entrepreneurship, and commissioning them into the pilot projects. As reported by Stat/UTs under AMRUT 2.0, 1482 water supply projects, 241 Sewerage projects are approved with SCADA.

    MoHUA is supporting States/ Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in capacity building activities through various Schemes of the Ministry such as Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), for improving the capacities of ULB functionaries, elected representatives, etc., which includes all sections of the society including women. Under AMRUT, against the target of 45000 functionaries, 57134 functionaries have already been trained so far.

    Under AMRUT 2.0, capacity building programs are conducted for all stakeholders including contractors, plumbers, plant operators, students, women and citizens.

    MoHUA has designated 4 Institutes in different regions as Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Urban Planning and Design, which inter alia impart certified trainings/ certified courses to Civil Servants, State Town Planners, Municipal Officials, practitioners/professionals, young students etc. These centres have been provided endowment funds of ₹ 250 crore each.

    Besides, MoHUA has also designated 6 institutes as AMRUT Funded Centre of Urban Planning for Capacity Building. The role envisaged for these institutes inter alia include subject specific trainings to Municipal officials/ Town and Country Planning officials, augmenting capacity building of State / Local authorities and hand hold them in urban planning.

    Under AMRUT 2.0, Ministry has also launched AMRUT Mitra initiative which involve women Self Help Groups (SHGs) in water demand management, water quality testing, water infrastructure operations, and other water sectoral projects. So far, 1762 projects worth ₹140 crore have been approved under this initiative.

    The National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY), a central sector scheme of Government of India was launched on 21st January, 2015 and was implemented in twelve cities. No city in Chhattisgarh was covered under this scheme. The mission has ended on 31st March, 2019 and no new projects/cities were taken up after 31st March, 2019.

    Under Smart Cities Mission (SCM), 3 cities namely, Atal Nagar, Bilaspur, and Raipur have been selected from the State of Chhattisgarh. A total of ₹1351.63 crore have been released to the smart cities in the State of Chhattisgarh under SCM, which includes release of ₹488 crore to Atal Nagar, ₹428.75 crore to Bilaspur and ₹434.88 crore to Raipur.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri. Tokhan Sahu, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Hell’s Kitchen Aesthetician Arrested For Unlawfully Injecting Counterfeit Botox

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Joey Grant Luther Allegedly Purchased and Imported Counterfeit Botox From China and Administered Drugs to Clients at His Hell’s Kitchen Medical Spa Without a License

    Danielle R. Sassoon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the unsealing of a Complaint charging JOEY GRANT LUTHER with wire fraud, smuggling, and other crimes related to misbranded and counterfeit drugs.  As alleged in the Complaint, from in or about April 2023 through at least in or about July 2024, LUTHER shipped counterfeit drugs, including counterfeit Botox, from countries in Asia, including China, and injected them, without the required license, into his clients at his medical spa, JGL Aesthetics.  None of the counterfeit Botox that LUTHER injected was approved for sale or dispensing in the U.S. by the FDA.  LUTHER was arrested this morning and will be presented later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave.

    U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon said: “As alleged, Joey Grant Luther, who does not possess the licensing required by New York State to perform injections of Botox, knowingly purchased counterfeit Botox from China, injected it into his clients, and represented that the counterfeit Botox that he was peddling was genuine.  Luther continued to purchase and inject the counterfeit Botox even after he learned that clients had fallen ill or experienced strange symptoms after Luther injected them.  Luther’s disregard for the health of his clients put all of his victims in harm’s way and, in some cases, caused life-threating injuries.  Luther will now face criminal charges for this conduct.”

    As alleged in the Complaint:[1]

    From at least in or about January 2021 through at least in or about July 2024, LUTHER ran a medical spa called JGL Aesthetics in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan.  In or about September 2021, an individual (“Victim-1”) went to JGL Aesthetics to receive Botox treatments to treat excessive sweating as well as fine lines on her face.  Victim-1 learned that LUTHER performed Botox injections from a friend.  Between in or about September 2021 and in or about February 2024, LUTHER injected counterfeit drugs labeled as Botox® 150 Units manufactured by Allergan into Victim-1’s armpit, forehead, and face on approximately eight occasions.  Victim-1 never provided LUTHER with a prescription to receive Botox injections.

    On or about February 27, 2024, LUTHER injected Counterfeit Botox into Victim-1’s armpits and eyebrow area at JGL Aesthetics.  Approximately three days after Victim-1’s February 27, 2024, visit to JGL Aesthetics, Victim-1 began experiencing double vision, light headedness, difficulty swallowing and chewing, heart palpitations, and slurring of speech.  Victim-1 also could not lift her arms and experienced weakness from the waist up. Victim-1 went to three hospitals to seek medical assistance for these symptoms.  On or about March 20, 2024, Victim-1 was diagnosed with Botulism toxin.

    From between in or about April 2023 and in or about January 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (“CBP”) seized parcels intended for JGL Aesthetics, including one which lists a return address in Hong Kong.  These parcels contained significant quantities of counterfeit drugs, including Counterfeit Botox.  Below is a photo of the contents of the parcel—including the exterior of cartons of Counterfeit Botox.

     

    From at least in or about March 2024 through at least in or about April 2024, during which time LUTHER negotiated an additional purchase of Counterfeit Botox from one of his suppliers, multiple individuals who received injections of Counterfeit Botox from LUTHER messaged LUTHER about the negative side effects from the injections, including lazy eyes, double vision, and drooping eyelids.  In response to these complaints, LUTHER typically assured his clients that the side effects were temporary, represented that he was unaware that counterfeit Botox had been found circulating in the U.S., and assured clients that the Counterfeit Botox was from Allergan, the veritable maker.  As alleged, LUTHER was well aware that the Counterfeit Botox was, in fact, counterfeit.

    Neither CBP’s seizure of packages intended for LUTHER, the defendant, nor his clients informing LUTHER of injuries related to his injecting Counterfeit Botox stopped LUTHER from continuing to procure the Counterfeit Botox and injecting it into his clients. Between March 13, 2024—the date that Victim-1 contacted LUTHER about the injections of Counterfeit Botox—and October 2, 2024—after law enforcement officers and special agents executed a search warrant of JGL Aesthetics, JGL Aesthetics had at least approximately 700 appointments logged in its client and service management application that were coded with having provided Botox-related services.  Data contained in the client and services management application also revealed that JGL Aesthetics provided Botox-related services as early as January 2021.

    *                *                *

    LUTHER, 54, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of dispensing of a misbranded drug while held for sale, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison; one count of holding counterfeit drugs for sale and for dispensing, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; one count of receiving misbranded drugs in interstate commerce and delivery or proffered delivery thereof, which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison; and one count of smuggling, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

    The minimum and maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

    Ms. Sassoon praised the outstanding investigative work of the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the CBP – New York Field Office, and the Special Agents and Task Force Officers assigned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

    This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon C. Thompson is in charge of the prosecution.

    The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “SARAT (Search and Rescue Aid Tool) Version 2 Enhances Search-and-Rescue Efficiency of Indian search and rescue agencies,” says Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:19PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh  states that the latest version 2 of Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT)offers Indian search and rescue agencies improved efficiency, faster response times, and higher success rates in search-and rescue operationswhile replying to an unstarred question in Rajya Sabha.

    According to the written reply, several significant improvements have been implemented in the latest version 2 of Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT). The key improvements are:

    1. More Accurate Search Areas: The computation of probable search region is now directly anchored to the Last Known Position (LKP) of the object as opposed to the point with the minimum longitude in the search area in the earlier version. This enhancement ensures that the starting point for defining the search area is aligned precisely and more accurate.

     

    1. Exportable Search Data and Enhanced Visualization: The tool now provides the search areas in digital format, enabling seamless integration with rescue planning maps. Additionally, SARAT version 2 features visualization of individual and mean particle trajectories, finer and distinct color-coded search regions, and a marker identifying the LKP, all improving the clarity of visual outputs and their interpretation.

     

    With these enhancements, the tool now offers Indian search and rescue agencies improved efficiency, faster response times, and higher success rates in search-andrescue operations within the Indian Ocean region.

    To ensure the effective utilization of the updated SARAT tool, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has undertaken targeted training and capacity-building initiatives for personnel from the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and other Search-and-Rescue (SAR) agencies. INCOIS has organized online national workshop to train officers from the ICG and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on both the theoretical concepts and practical applications of the updated SARAT tool. This workshop successfully trained over 60 officers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to leverage the tool effectively in SAR operations.

    Additionally, INCOIS scientists regularly deliver lectures and demonstrations on the utility and operational aspects of SARAT at SAR workshops conducted by theICG and AAI. These sessions also serve as a platform to gather valuable feedback from stakeholders, which is used to refine and enhance the tool further. Through these efforts, INCOIS ensures that SAR agencies are well-prepared to utilize SARAT to its full potential, contributing to improved search-and-rescue outcomes in the Indian Ocean region.

    The Minister for earth Sciences Dr. Singh shared that Ministry plans to increase the accuracy of the tool by enhancing the accuracies of the surface currents and winds prediction. Further, the enhancement of forecast accuracy will be achieved by assimilating a greater volume of ocean observations with wider spatial coverage into ocean circulation models. To this end, INCOIS is actively advancing ocean modelling and data assimilation techniques.

    Additionally, with a particular focus on the Indian coastline, the Ministry plans to utilize High-Frequency (HF) radar measurements of coastal surface currents as they become sufficiently contiguous in space and continuous in time. These measurements will enable the application of statistical correction methods to minimize errors in modelforecasted currents. This integration of radar data will further refine SARAT outputs, ensuring greater precision in delineating probable search areas.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh states that the improvements to the SARAT tool is an ongoing process and these continuous efforts will contribute to more effective SAR operations and enhanced marine safety in the Indian Ocean region.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Michigan Man Charged with Drug Distribution and Loan Fraud

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    BOSTON – A Michigan man has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty in connection with a conspiracy to import and sell illegal pharmaceuticals, including opioids, and to fund the operation of the scheme by fraudulently obtaining a Covid pandemic relief loan.

    Donald Nchamukong, 37, was charged by Information with conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States, to commit loan fraud and to distribute controlled substances.  Nchamukong will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston on a date to be scheduled by the Court.

    According to the charging documents, starting in 2019 and continuing to 2022, Nchamukong and a co-conspirator, Doyal Kalita, conspired to distribute drugs to persons in the United States over the internet and using call centers in India. Nchamukong allegedly used shell companies, including a purported dietary supplements company and an auto parts supplier, and associated bank and merchant accounts to process sales of illegal foreign drugs, including the Schedule IV opioid, tramadol. Nchamukong and Kalita also received shipments of tramadol from India and reshipped the drug to customers across the United States, including in Massachusetts. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Nchamukong and Kalita allegedly fraudulently obtained a $200,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan to fund their illegal drug scheme.  

    Kalita was convicted in 2024 and sentenced to 10 years in prison for orchestrating the online drug distribution scheme and a technical support fraud scheme and related money laundering.

    The charge of conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the monetary gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Fernando P. McMillan, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations in New York, Small Business Administration and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil, Deputy Chief of the Securities, Financial, and Cyber Fraud Unit, is prosecuting the case.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, pleasehttps://www.justice.gov/coronavirus and https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/combatingfraud.

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cities Covered Under PMAY-U

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:18PM by PIB Delhi

    Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) is implementing Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) since June 25, 2015 to provide pucca house with basic amenities to all eligible urban beneficiaries. PMAY-U has been implemented in all the statutory towns as per Census 2011 and towns notified subsequently along with Metropolitan cities and smaller towns including   Notified   Planning/Development   Areas, areas  and villages falling within Notified Planning/Development area under the jurisdiction of an Industrial Development Authority/Special Area Development Authority/Urban Development Authority or any such Authority under State legislation which is entrusted with the functions of urban planning and regulations. The towns and Development Authority areas are included under the scheme by the Ministry based on request sent by the respective States/Union Territories (UTs). The scheme has been implemented in 4,618 Cities/Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) including all Metropolitan Cities across the country.

    Based on the project proposals submitted by States/UTs, a total of 118.64 lakh houses have been sanctioned by the Ministry under PMAY-U, out of which 112.50 lakh have been grounded and 90.25 lakh are completed/delivered to the beneficiaries across the country as on 27.01.2025.

    PMAY-U is a demand driven scheme and no target has been fixed for distribution of affordable housing projects for cities/towns. Selection of beneficiaries, formulation of projects and execution is done by States/UTs. As per the scheme guidelines, the ULBs prepare projects for eligible beneficiaries and ensure that the scheme is implemented in an integrated manner. States/UTs prepare project proposals and after approval of State Level Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (SLSMC), these are submitted to the Ministry for sanctioning of admissible Central Assistance by Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC).

    As per the scheme guidelines, Central Assistance under different verticals is released to the States/UTs/Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) based on compliances submitted by them. Further, the disbursement of subsidy (including Central & State components) to the beneficiaries under Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC)/ Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP)/In-Situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR) verticals by States/UTs/Implementing agencies is done depending upon the physical & financial progress of projects/houses. Moreover, it has been observed that major  challenges  faced  by  the  implementing  agencies include non-availability of encumbrance free land, unwillingness of beneficiaries, delay in getting statutory clearances/No Objection Certificates (NOCs) etc. The Ministry conducts regular review meetings with States/UTs to complete the remaining houses within the stipulated timeframe. The scheme period, which was earlier up to 31.03.2022, has further been extended up to 31.12.2025, except for Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) vertical of the scheme, to complete all the sanctioned houses without changing the funding pattern and implementation methodology.

    Further, based on the learning from the experiences of 9 years implementation of PMAY-U, MoHUA has revamped the scheme and launched PMAY-U 2.0 ‘Housing for All’ Mission with effect from 01.09.2024 for implementation in urban areas across the country to construct, purchase and rent a house by 1 crore additional eligible beneficiaries at affordable cost through four verticals i.e., Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC), Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP), Affordable Rental Housing (ARH) and Interest Subsidy Scheme (ISS).

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri. Tokhan Sahu, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Parliament Question: Awareness About Earthquake Safety Measures

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:17PM by PIB Delhi

    To enhance public awareness and education on earthquake safety, following measures are taken by the government:

    1. To address the community-based preparedness and raise awareness in earthquake prone regions, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) runs TV and radio campaigns focused on earthquake preparedness, highlighting critical do’s and don’ts during seismic events. Special programs like Aapda ka Samna, aired on Doordarshan, feature expert discussions on prevention and mitigation strategies, equipping the public with actionable knowledge to safeguard lives and property.
    2. (ii) NDMA, has also developed guidelines and formulates programs targeting earthquake risk mitigation to mitigate losses in a systematic and coordinated manner.

     These initiatives are: (I) Home Owner’s Guide for Earthquake & Cyclone Safety (2019): The guide will make homeowners aware of various considerations and minimum requirements which need to be taken care of while constructing and buying a house. It would also help them avoid the most common mistakes and ask the relevant questions to the engaged professionals or the seller in urban areas to ensure that the house is disaster-resilient. It outlines best practices for ensuring that masonry or reinforced concrete (RC) structures meet safety standards, empowering homeowners with knowledge to make informed decisions.

     (II) Simplified Guidelines for Earthquake Safety (2021): It provides details based on the National Building Code of India 2016 (released by the Bureau of Indian Standards, Government of India) to those who are constructing a house and who are buying a flat in multi-storey buildings, which are made of either masonry or reinforced concrete (RC). This Guide focuses to address this aspiration of potential home owners, and provides the basic information that they should have when constructing individual houses or buying flats in multi-storey buildings. (b) Research efforts are started in India for developing an Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) System for Himalayan region but these are still at a nascent stage, so the question of coordination with neighbouring countries doesn’t arise. However, National Centre for Seismology (NCS) under Ministry of Earth Sciences is capable of recording any earthquake of M:2.5 and above in and around Delhi, M:3.0 and above for NE region, M:3.5 and above in Peninsular and extra-peninsular region, M:4.0 and above in Andaman region, and M:4.5 and above in border regions lying between 0 – 40 degree; N: 60 – 100-degree East.

    The details of the earthquakes reported by NCS are available in public domain through social media and on the website of NCS (seismo.gov.in). (c) NDMA has undertaken the Earthquake Disaster Risk Indexing (EDRI) project to systematically address the challenges of rapid urbanization and ensuring earthquake resilience in growing cities; assess earthquake risk across Indian cities.

     The project aims to provide actionable insights into urban earthquake risk to aid in mitigation, preparedness, and response planning for future seismic events. In Phase I, completed in 2019, the EDRI covered 50 cities, while Phase II targets 16 additional cities. The primary objective of this initiative is to evaluate earthquake risk by combining three critical parameters: hazard, vulnerability, and exposure for each city.

    The risk index derived from these studies identifies regions within cities as low, medium, or high vulnerability and risk zones. These findings enable decision-makers to prioritize areas requiring immediate attention and implement targeted mitigation measures.

    NDMA has initiated a project to develop a comprehensive Methodology for Risk Assessment aimed at guiding States in conducting various levels of earthquake risk assessment. The methodology will provide step by-step guidance for conducting risk assessments at different scales, from city-level evaluations to state wise analyses. It will also incorporate best practices and lessons learned from past studies and international frameworks, ensuring a robust and reliable approach. By equipping States with a clear and actionable methodology, NDMA aims to foster uniformity in risk assessments across the country.

    The results of the EDRI and risk assessment have far-reaching implications, particularly in cities experiencing rapid urbanization. By integrating the risk index into urban planning frameworks, cities can adopt risk-informed decision-making, ensuring safer infrastructure development and community resilience. This initiative underscores NDMA’s commitment to developing for proactive disaster risk reduction in urban India.

    This information was provided byUnion Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Urban Poverty Alleviation

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:16PM by PIB Delhi

    The pilot of the proposed New Mission on Urban Poverty Alleviation was launched with effect from 1st October, 2024, for 3 months with the preparatory period of 1 month in 25 cities with the financial outlay of Rs.180 Cr.  The proposed Mission comprises of 5 components, namely, (i) Community-led Institution Development, (ii) Financial Inclusion and Enterprise Development, (iii) Social Infrastructure, (iv) Convergence, and (v) Innovative and Special Projects, aiming to address poverty alleviation of urban poor households with focused interventions to 6 vulnerable groups such as construction workers, transportation workers, gig workers, care workers, waste workers and domestic workers The list of cities is as below:

    S.No.

    State

    City

    1

    Assam

    Guwahati

    2

    Andhra Pradesh

    Vijayawada

    3

    Vizag

    4

    Odisha

    Bhubaneswar

    5

    Puri

    6

    Rourkela

    7

    Gujarat

    Surat

    8

    Ahmedabad

    9

    Dahod

    10

    Uttar Pradesh

    Lucknow

    11

    Agra

    12

    Varanasi

    13

    Kerala

    Thiruvananthapuram

    14

    Kochi

    15

    Madhya Pradesh

    Bhopal

    16

    Ujjain

    17

    Indore

    18

    Tamil Nadu

    Chennai

    19

    Tirupur

    20

    Tripura

    Agartala

    21

    West Bengal

    Kolkata

    22

    Durgapur

    23

    Himachal Pradesh

    Chamba

    24

    Mizoram

    Aizawl

    25

    Bihar

    Patna

     

    Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, MoHUA had constituted working groups committee, members of which were from civil society, State / local bodies, research organizations, Central Government etc. for identifying vulnerable groups as mentioned above.

    The key recommendations focused on targeted interventions on key vulnerable occupational groups such as formation and strengthening their institutions, financial inclusion enabling social infrastructure and collaboration with various other ministries and line departments for accessing social security benefits.

    The pilot uses base data of National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA), besides the data identified by States, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and in-line Departments such as data from Civil Supplies Department, Labour Department etc. for identification of urban poor.

    The motivation for pilot project is enhancing opportunities for livelihoods of urban poor as per learnings from Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM). Under DAY-NULM 1 crore urban poor households were brought into the frame of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) through institutional mobilization of which 90% are women members. Further, the Mission created 39.2 lakhs livelihoods through financial inclusion and skill training.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri. Tokhan Sahu, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

    *****

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Management Of Waste, Garbage And Sewage

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:15PM by PIB Delhi

    To deal with various issues concerning garbage, waste and sewage, Government has launched the Swachh Bharat Mission -Urban (SBM-U) on October 2, 2014 and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) in 500 cities on June 25, 2015.

    To carry forward the work done on ground in Phase-I, Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) 2.0 has been launched on October 1st, 2021 for a period of five years, up to October 1, 2026, with a vision of achieving safe sanitation and scientific processing of municipal solid waste in all cities.

    AMRUT 2.0 has been launched on 1st October 2021 to make cities ‘self-reliant’ and ‘water secure’. AMRUT 2.0 will extend the ease of living by up-scaling universal coverage in water supply from 500 cities to all statutory towns in the country.

    Central Share (CS) assistance under SBM-U 2.0 has been given to States/UTs for establishing of various types of MSW management plants like, Waste-to-Compost (WtC), Waste-to-Energy (WtE), Bio-methanation, Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) and legacy waste dumpsites remediation, etc. The details of budget provision for SBM-U and SBM-U 2.0 is given as under:

    (₹in crores)

    SBM Phase

    Budget Outlay

    Central Share

    SBM-U (2014-2021)

    62,009

    14,623

    SBM-U 2.0 (2021-2026)

    1,41,600

    36,465

     

    Under SBM-U and SBM-U 2.0 Central Share of funds are released to the States/UTs and not to the cities. Hence, city-wise details of funds are not maintained at MoHUA. Further, funds under SBM-U are allocated for the entire mission period and not on yearly basis.                        

    Under sewerage and septage management sector of AMRUT, 889 projects worth ₹34,501 crore have been grounded of which work worth ₹32,175 crore have been physically executed. Under AMRUT 2.0, Sewerage and septage management sector, so far 592 projects worth ₹67,649 crore which covers creation/augmentation of 6,739 MLD sewage treatment plant capacity & 2,089 MLD for recycle/reuse.                       

    For technical assistance to States/ULBs, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has brought out the Manuals on Sewerage and Sewage Treatment Systems and Solid Waste Management and also issued various Advisories and Guidelines for choosing appropriate technologies to manage sewage and solid waste. In addition, capacity building of field officials is being taken up regularly.

    Monitoring of these schemes is done through review at various levels of the information submitted by States/Union Territories on progress and through field visits. Additionally, the ‘Swachh Survekshan’ survey conducted annually under SBM-U through third party assessment to evaluate the cleanliness status and progress in implementation of SBM-U in cities.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri. Tokhan Sahu, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

    *****

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Aatmanirbhar Bharat: MoD inks contracts totalling Rs 10,147 crore with EEL, MIL & BEL for rockets of PINAKA Multiple Launch Rocket System to enhance Indian Army’s firepower

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:12PM by PIB Delhi

    Ministry of Defence has inked contracts with Economic Explosive Limited (EEL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL) for the procurement of Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1 (DPICM) and High Explosive Pre Fragmented (HEPF) Mk-1 (Enhanced) rockets respectively for PINAKA Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) at a total cost of Rs 10,147 crore. In addition, a contract for upgrades in SHAKTI Software has also been signed with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The contracts were signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi on February 06, 2025.

    ADM Type-1 of PINAKA MLRS has a specialised warhead to deliver a quantum of sub-munitions over a larger area targeting mechanised forces, vehicles and personnel, thereby denying specific areas to the enemy. HEPF Mk-1 (E) rockets are advance version of inservice HEPF rockets which have enhanced range to strike deep into enemy territory with precision and lethality.

    The procurement of ADM Type-1 (DPICM) and HEPF Mk-1 (E) rockets will mark a significant milestone in the modernisation of the Artillery Rocket Regiments. These advanced ADM (DPICM) and HEPF ammunition will play a crucial role in bolstering the Indian Army’s firepower by enabling precise and long-range strikes.

    Beyond enhancing national defence capabilities, these projects have immense potential of direct and indirect employment generation by encouraging the Indian MSME sector through components’ manufacturing. The procurement marks a pivotal step towards modernising India’s defence infrastructure and empowering indigenous industries, which will be a proud flag-bearer of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision of the Government.

    ****

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: e-COURTS MISSION MODE PROJECT PHASE- III

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:06PM by PIB Delhi

    With a significant outlay of Rs.7210 crore, the eCourts Phase III Project underlines the importance which the Government attaches to the infrastructural needs of the courts in the country. Several initiatives have been planned and are under progress,to strengthen and expand the capacity of the existing infrastructure at the district and sub-district levels. Some of the major initiatives under the eCourts Phase III project include, making fully functional advanced e-Sewa Kendras in all court complexes, interlinking of all courts across the country, including High Courts and District and subordinate courts,Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enablement of the Indian judicial system and making the justice delivery system accessible, cost-effective, transparent, and accountable.Besides, infrastructure is being developed for paperless courts in a phase-wise manner, expansion of the virtual courts for hearing of court cases by creating a robust digital infrastructure, live streaming of court proceedings, digitisation of the entire court records, E-filing of cases and provision for video conferencing facilities.Some of the futuristic technological advancements such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and others are also planned.For ensuring seamless availability of ICT infrastructure, solar power facilities are being installed and obsolete hardware is being replaced.Migrating the District Court websites to the Secure, Scalable & Sugamya Website as a Service (S3WAAS)platform is an ongoingprocess and efforts are on to provide adequate cloud storage facilities in the courts.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Law and Justice and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

    *****

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NATIONAL LOK ADALAT SCHEME

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:05PM by PIB Delhi

     Lok Adalats are organized by Legal Services Institutions at such intervals as it deems fit, in order to reduce the pendency of cases in courts and also to settle the disputes at pre-litigation stage. Lok Adalats are one of the effective modes of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism in reducing the burden on the courts, which have received positive response from the public. There are three types of Lok Adalats namely State Lok Adalats, National Lok Adalats and Permanent Lok Adalats.

    1. State Lok Adalats are organized by the Legal Services Authorities/Committees as per the local conditions and needs, for settlement of both pre-litigation and post-litigation cases.

    2. National Lok Adalats are conducted quarterly for settlement of cases (both pre-litigation and post-litigation) in all the courts from the Supreme Court of India to the Taluk Courts on a single day.  Every year, National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) issues calendar for organising National Lok Adalats. During the year 2025, National Lok Adalats are scheduled to be held on 8th March, 10th May, 13th September and 13th December.

    3. Permanent Lok Adalats are permanent establishments set up in most of the Districts to provide compulsory pre-litigative mechanism for settlement of disputes related to Public Utility Services.

    The details of the number of cases disposed of by the Lok Adalats during the last two years and current year are as follows:

    (i)         National Lok Adalat

     

    Year

    Total cases settled

    (both pre-litigative and pending cases)

    2022

    4,19,26,010

    2023

    8,53,42,217

    2024

    10,45,26,119

     

    (ii)        State Lok Adalat

     

    Year

    Total cases settled

    (both pre-litigative and pending cases)

    2022-23

    8,51,309

    2023-24

    12,07,103

    2024-25

    (upto Nov., 24)

    10,88,021

     

     

    (iii)       Permanent Lok Adalat (Public Utility Services)

     

    Year

    Total cases settled

    2022-23

    1,71,138

    2023-24

    2,32,763

    2024-25

    (upto Nov., 24)

    1,10,643

                                                                                                                                  

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Law and Justice and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

    *****

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: USE OF AI IN JUDICIAL PROCESSES

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:03PM by PIB Delhi

    As per information provided by the Supreme Court of India and available with the Ministry, under e-Courts Project Phase III, an attempt is being made to integrate modern technologies for smoother user experience and to build a “smart” system in which the Registries will have minimal data entry and scrutiny of files. To create a smart system, the latest technologies like Artificial Intelligence (Al) and its subsets Machine Learning (ML), Optical Character Recognition (OCR), Natural Language Processing (NLP), etc., are being used in the e-Courts software applications. Al is being used in areas such as intelligent scheduling, prediction and forecast, improving administrative efficiency, Natural Language Processing (NLP), automated filing, enhancing the case information system, communicating with the litigants through chatbots and translation.

    A Sub-Committee consisting of six judges of the various High Courts, assisted by technical working group members consisting of domain experts, has been constituted by the Chairperson of the eCommittee, Supreme Court of India to suggest/recommend secure connectivity and authentication mechanisms for data protection, to preserve the right to privacy. The Sub-Committee is mandated to critically assess and examine the digital infrastructure, network and service delivery solutions created under the eCourts project for giving solutions for strengthening data security and for protecting the privacy of citizens. The Government has allocated an amount of Rs. 7210 Crore for the implementation eCourts Phase III, which has 24 project components. Of these 24, one component is Future Technological Advancement (Al, Block chain, etc.). As per the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of eCourts Phase III, Rs. 53.57 Crore has been allocated for this component, for the High Courts across India up to 2027.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Law and Justice and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

    *****

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Initiatives and reforms in arbitration, mediation and dispute resolution

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Initiatives and reforms in arbitration, mediation and dispute resolution

    India International Arbitration Centre continues to conduct workshops and seminars to encourage parties to consider adopting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms

    Posted On: 06 FEB 2025 5:03PM by PIB Delhi

    The India International Arbitration Centre (Centre) has been established as an institution of national importance under the provisions of the India International Arbitration Centre Act, 2019, for the purpose of creating an independent, autonomous and world class body for facilitating institutional arbitration. In order to position India as a hub of arbitration, the Centre has framed and notified the India International Arbitration Centre (Conduct of Arbitration) Regulations 2023, which lay down a detailed procedure for the conduct of arbitration, at par with leading global arbitral institutions. Further, in terms of section 28 of the Act, the Centre has established a Chamber of Arbitration which consists of experienced arbitration practitioners of repute, at national and international level and persons having wide experience in the area of alternative dispute resolution and conciliation. The Chamber of Arbitrators empanels reputed arbitrators, both for domestic and international arbitration, in terms of the India International Arbitration Centre (Criteria for Admission to the Panel of Arbitrators) Regulations, 2023.

    The Centre since its establishment, has conducted workshops, conferences and seminars relating to domestic and international arbitrations, for training and awareness. A mediation training programme was also organized jointly by the Centre and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in May, 2024 at the Centre’s premises in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.

    The Centre has also entered into Memorandums of Understanding with various institutions including Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak and Rashtriya Raksha University, to promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms as preferred modes of dispute resolution.

    The Centre is envisaged to become a model arbitral institution in the country, thereby paving the way for enhancing the quality of institutional framework for arbitration.

    Presently, the arbitral institutions and mediation service providers can adopt their own criteria for empanelling arbitrators and mediators respectively.

    The arbitrators in India International Arbitration Centre, are empanelled by the Chamber of Arbitration under Section 28 of the India International Arbitration Centre Act, 2019, in terms of the criteria provided in the IIAC (Criteria for Admission to the Panel of Arbitrators) Regulations, 2023. The various provisions of the Mediation Act, 2023, provides for maintenance of panel of mediators including section 41, which enables the Mediation Service Providers, to maintain a panel of mediators.

    Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 provides for mandatory pre-institution mediation and settlement (PIMS) in commercial disputes of specified value, before instituting a suit except in cases in which urgent relief is contemplated by the party. The parties have to therefore first exhaust the mandatory remedy of PIMS before approaching the Court. This is aimed at providing an opportunity to the parties to resolve the commercial disputes through mediation and prevent disputes which are thus amicably settled being taken to courts for adjudication.

    In order to further enhance the efficiency of the PIMS, the Government, through the Mediation Act, 2023 has further amended Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015. The amendment inter-alia empowers the Mediation Service Providers, as notified by the Central Government to conduct PIMS, in addition to Authorities constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

    The Government continues to take steps to create awareness about Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms including mediation. In this regard, a book titled as “A guide to Alternative Dispute Resolution” was released by the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law & Justice, on 26.11.2023, during the celebrations of the Constitution Day.

    The India International Arbitration Centre continues to conduct workshops and seminars for various stakeholders in the alternative dispute resolution ecosystem and encourage parties to consider adopting the alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, to enable time bound, efficacious and cost effective dispute resolution.

    The Mediation Act, 2023, is further expected to be a pivotal legislative intervention towards providing standalone law on mediation and enabling the growth of a culture of amicable settlement of disputes out of court and the outcome being party driven. The Government is continuously engaging with various stakeholders including High Courts and National Legal Services Authority for raising awareness and effective implementation of the provisions of the Mediation Act, 2023.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Law and Justice and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: February is Earthquake and Tsunami Awareness Month in Oregon

    Source: US State of Oregon

    ALEM, OR – Governor Tina Kotek has proclaimed February Tsunami and Earthquake Awareness Month in Oregon.

    In the past, Oregon has suffered considerable damage from moderate earthquake events—such as the 1993 Scotts Mills and Klamath Falls earthquakes—and from a deadly tsunami that originated in Alaska in 1964.

    Scientific evidence indicates that the State of Oregon is at risk for a much larger event associated with the Cascadia Subduction Zone that is expected to generate strong ground shaking and a destructive tsunami, similar to the event that occurred in Northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011.

    Loss of life and property is minimized by natural hazard mitigation planning and grant funding at the state, Tribal, and local levels, which reduce the impact of disasters through risk assessment and mitigation actions—such as seismic strengthening of existing buildings and public education on local tsunami evacuation routes.

    As a result, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), within its role as chair of the Interagency Hazard Mitigation Team (IHMT), will be working with IHMT member agencies, federal partners, local jurisdictions, and neighboring states to highlight jurisdictional earthquake and tsunami mitigation strategies and provide education and information about individual preparedness for Oregon residents and visitors throughout the month of February and beyond.

    Watch our social media channels and website for preparedness tips and upcoming dates for the Tsunami Preparedness Roadshow that will be traveling to numerous coastal communities February 27 through 28.

    Also, share the following resources with your community!

    RESOURCES

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Decommissioning of diesel vehicles – E-002268/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. As the case referred in the parliamentary question is still pending before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)[1], the Commission cannot comment on it. The Commission has not made any announcement in this context and does not intend to introduce changes with a retroactive effect that would introduce a burden on car manufacturers or disadvantage citizens that purchased their cars in good faith. Irrespective of the outcome of the CJEU Judgment, the Commission will ensure a proper follow-up with Member States.

    2. The pending case that has given rise to preliminary ruling proceedings before the CJEU concerns a specific vehicle purchased by a citizen and compensation to that individual citizen. There is no indication from the CJEU that the case would have implications for the validity of the original emission type-approval for the vehicle type concerned and would require a recall of vehicles. Liability and damage compensation rules are applied on a case-by-case basis for individual vehicles concerned by a legal dispute.

    • [1] Joined cases C-251/23 and C-308/23, Mercedes-Benz Group e.a.
    Last updated: 6 February 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Stopping Erasmus+ funding for universities with links to Islamists – E-002428/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Since it was created in 2018, the Gaziantep University in Türkiye has been awarded a total amount of EUR 157 746 via three Erasmus+ grant agreements, for sending students to avail of learning abroad opportunities.

    The Commission is politically committed and legally bound to ensure that no one receives EU funding if they are involved in criminal or unethical practices, terrorism-related offences, or in other activities incompatible with EU values.

    The Financial Regulation recast[1] introduced an explicit ground under the early detection and exclusion system for excluding entities from receiving EU financial support, if they have engaged in activities contrary to the values on which the EU is founded[2], such as incitement to discrimination, hatred, or violence[3].

    The Commission will immediately act on any evidence of such violations by specific entities, by taking adequate measures in line with the applicable legal framework, such as suspension of contract or payments, contract termination, recovery of funds, or even exclusion from EU financing.

    Mechanisms framed by the EU Financial Regulation have been put in place to protect EU values, including by adding new provisions in the Erasmus+ documents and grant agreements.

    The Commission will continue rigorous monitoring procedures through checks and follow-ups on compliance with EU values. This includes close collaboration with national agencies responsible for the implementation of actions under the Erasmus+ programme.

    • [1] https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/990fe2a6-8f52-11ef-a130-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
    • [2] These values are enshrined in Article 2 Treaty on European Union and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
    • [3] Article 138(1), point (c)(vi) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast), OJ L 2024/2509, 26.9.2024.
    Last updated: 6 February 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Spain’s medium-term fiscal-structural plan – E-002161/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The submission of the Member States’ draft budgetary plans and their assessment by the Commission (as established by Regulation (EU) 473/2013) is an important element in the fiscal surveillance.

    Member States submit their draft budgetary plan for the forthcoming year by 15 October[1] and the Commission provides an opinion by end-November[2].

    Member States are invited to take into account, in the process of adopting their budget law, the Commission opinion on their draft budgetary plan[3].

    It may however happen that a government is unable to table a draft budget in national parliament by the usual deadlines. In these cases, the submission should as a rule take place at least one month before the draft budget law is planned to be adopted by the national parliament, except where to do so would prove not feasible due to the country-specific parliamentary approval calendar.

    In the latter case, the submission should still take place in time to allow the Commission to adopt an informed opinion on the plan and the Eurogroup to hold a proper discussion well before the budget law is planned to be adopted by the national parliament[4].

    The Commission continuously monitors fiscal developments in Member States. It takes into account all fiscal developments and fiscal measures when it prepares and publishes its macroeconomic forecasts, including fiscal accounts.

    The Commission confirms that, while it has already received the Spanish medium-term fiscal structural plan[5], it has not yet received a draft budgetary plan for 2025.

    The Commission raises the attention of the Honourable Member that the said Recital 39 of Regulation 2024/1263 indicates that the Commission should, when providing its opinion on the draft budgetary plan, assess whether the draft budgetary plan is consistent with the expenditure path set by the Council Recommendation that endorses the medium-term fiscal structural plan.

    • [1] Art 6(1) of Regulation (EU) 473/2013.
    • [2] Art 7(1) of Regulation (EU) 473/2013.
    • [3] Recital 21 of Regulation (EU) 473/2013.
    • [4] Moreover, Regulation 473/2013 (Cf Art 4(3)) establishes that, while the budget for central government should be adopted by end-year, the Member States should have in place reversionary budget procedures to be applied if the budged is not adopted or fixed upon by 31 December.
    • [5] https://economy-finance.ec.europa.eu/document/download/45e0463e-1216-459a-820a-c7eb9381f27d_es?filename=national_medium-term_fiscal-structural_plan_spain_es.pdf&prefLang=en

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – EU measures on customs controls and duties for online purchases of low-cost and low-quality products from China – E-002053/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The large volume of parcels sent to EU consumers via e-commerce platforms from third countries presents challenges in ensuring compliance with EU consumer protection and product safety rules.

    The Commission is committed to enhancing cooperation with Member States to enable customs and other authorities to better identify and remove unsafe or non-compliant products entering the Union.

    On 17 May 2023, the Commission proposed a comprehensive Customs Reform package[1] to strengthen EU customs’ capacity to monitor goods, particularly e-commerce items.

    This includes the creation of a new EU Customs Authority and an EU Customs Data Hub, which will centralise data to improve targeting of unsafe products.

    The reform also eliminates customs duty exemptions for goods valued up to EUR 150 and designates platforms and sellers registered for the Import One Stop Shop as ‘deemed importers’, making them responsible for compliance.

    Under the Digital Services Act (DSA)[2], t he Commission works with national authorities to enforce rules, focusing on very large online platforms and search engines (VLOPs and VLOSEs).

    It has designated nine online marketplaces as VLOPs, including Zalando, Amazon, AliExpress, Shein and Temu and initiated formal proceedings against Temu (31 October 2024) for potential DSA breaches related to illegal products, addictive design, recommendation systems, and researcher data access, and against AliExpress (March 2024) for issues concerning illegal products and consumer protection, recommendation systems, and researcher data access.

    In June and October 2024 Temu and Shein were also asked to provide further information to address concerns on content moderation, dark patterns, trader identification, and user wellbeing.

    The Commission prioritises ensuring a level playing field through effective customs, tax, safety controls, and sustainability standards.

    In line with its 2024-2029 political guidelines and Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy’s mission letter, tackling challenges associated with e-commerce platforms remains a key focus, particularly through the enforcement of the new General Product Safety Regulation2.

    • [1] Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013.
    • [2] Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act) that entered into application on 17 February 2024.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Pagers – E-002889/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The threat of explosions of electronic devices combined with explosives is known to the Commission, the Member States and EU airport authorities.

    The Commission has no information that the existing security measures in the Union airports would not allow detecting such devices. Nevertheless, it is important to remain alert.

    The Commission is working with Member States and airports on actions to further raise the security at all EU airports, against all threats, including electronic devices with explosives. It is also engaged in dialogue with its international partners on these matters.

    Last updated: 6 February 2025

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