Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that flags will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, Nov. 2 in honor of Senior Investigator John L. Carey — a retired New York State Police member who passed away from illness linked to his assignment at the World Trade Center following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
“Senior Investigator Carey was a dedicated member of the New York State Police, and his passing is a reflection of the relentless bravery and unimaginable sacrifice that defines both a public servant and a hero,” Governor Hochul said. “The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 have claimed the life of another New Yorker, a New Yorker who will always be remembered for protecting his community and for his fearlessness in service.”
Senior Investigator Carey joined the State Police in 1982 and served for 32 years until his retirement on July 30, 2014. In September 2001, he was sent on a two-week assignment to Ground Zero to identify victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center, where he was then exposed to the toxic chemicals and fumes at the scene.
Senior Investigator Carey is survived by his wife, Christine; their four children, Andrew, Ashley, Adam and Jennifer; and his granddaughter, Grace Elizabeth.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)
Wray discussed the region’s biggest challenges and emphasized that a continued focus on partnerships was critical to staying ahead of the threat
FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks with law enforcement partners during a meeting at the FBI Boston Division’s Bedford Resident Agency in New Hampshire during an October 2024 visit to New England.
This week, FBI Director Christopher Wray visited the Burlington, Vermont; Bedford, New Hampshire; and Providence, Rhode Island, resident agencies. He met with employees, U.S. attorneys, and a number of key law enforcement, private sector, and community partners from across the region.
During these partner meetings, Director Wray talked about the Bureau’s work in the region and reaffirmed our commitment to supporting our state and local partners on issues such as violent crime, election security, threats to critical infrastructure, national security at the northern border, and emerging challenges, such as the impact of artificial intelligence on elder fraud and scams.
“As a country and as a profession, we’re dealing with all sorts of challenges,” Director Wray said. “But our partnerships—with law enforcement, the private sector, and the communities we serve—give me confidence that we can stay ahead of the threats out there.”
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Junction City, Ohio, man was sentenced in federal court in Columbus today to 276 months in prison for sexually exploiting minors and possessing child pornography.
Since 2018, Clay Thomas Wolfe, 28, solicited child pornography from more than 300 victims via the mobile application Snapchat. Approximately 100 exploitation victims who provided sexual content to Wolfe have been identified by law enforcement as minors thus far from across multiple states including Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky.
Wolfe pretended on Snapchat to be a 15-year-old female named “Ally” who lived in Ohio and used this persona to solicit child pornography from primarily middle school and high school aged boys. Wolfe’s Snapchat account also contained sexually explicit photographs and videos of minor males as young as 10 and 11 years old.
The investigation was initiated in April 2022, when law enforcement officials in Pennsylvania learned that a sixth-grade student was sharing a nude photograph of a classmate that he had received from Wolfe while Wolfe was pretending to be “Ally.”
As part of his online persona, Wolfe sent the male victims photos and videos of pubescent female’s naked breasts and genitalia that he found on adult pornography sites or public social media accounts. He would use that content to entice the minors he chatted with to send content of their own including image and video files of primarily minor males, some as young as twelve-years-old, engaged in sexually explicit conduct such as bestiality, masturbation, and sexual acts including oral and anal penetration. Wolfe would also extort the victims by threatening to send the nude images of his victims to their friends and family unless they sent him additional images.
In total, Wolfe received approximately 850 images and 570 videos depicting child pornography.
Wolfe was arrested and charged federally in June 2023 and pleaded guilty in April 2024.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson. U.S. Attorney Parker and Special Agent in Charge Iatarola commended the cooperation of the Perry County Sheriff’s Office and Perry County Prosecutor. Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Czerniejewski and Jennifer M. Rausch and are representing the United States in this case.
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
(Berlin, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, visited a multi-unit public housing development undergoing weatherization installations to improve energy efficiency and lower monthly costs. During a tour of the complex, Shaheen discussed the benefits of weatherization with residents, as well as participants in the Tri-County Community Action Program’s Registered Apprenticeship for weatherization installers, which is the first of its kind in New Hampshire. As a lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Shaheen helped secure $3.5 billion for weatherization assistance nationwide, including more than $18 million for New Hampshire. You can find photos from the event here.
“Weatherizing homes is one of the best things we can do to reduce monthly energy costs, all while making progress toward our climate goals and keeping Granite Staters safe from extreme temperatures,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m proud to have secured funding for New Hampshire’s weatherization efforts through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that is supporting this new apprenticeship program to expand the weatherization workforce. I’ll keep working in Congress to find ways to upgrade our infrastructure while saving money for Granite State households.”
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) funding helps homes become more energy efficient through measures like installing insulation, updating heating and cooling systems and updating electrical appliances. For every dollar invested by WAP, $4.50 is generated in combined energy savings and non-energy benefits such as improved health and job creation, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition to saving families money, energy efficient homes also help cut down on our carbon footprint, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. If you think you may be eligible for WAP funding, apply through your local Community Action Agency at CAPNH.org and check out Senator Shaheen’s recently updated Federal Energy Guide for more ways Granite Staters can save money on their utility bills.
As a lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Shaheen helped secure $3.5 billion in additional funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program, including $18 million for New Hampshire. Shaheen has long-championed the Weatherization Assistance Program to lower energy costs for low-income families in New Hampshire, as well as the State Energy Program, which assists states with the development of energy efficiency renewable projects. Last year, Shaheen helped introduce the Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act, a bipartisan bill that would strengthen the Weatherization Assistance Program and increase the number of homes the program is able to serve. Shaheen also introduced the bipartisan Investing in State Energy Act, legislation to ensure that annual funding for weatherization and the State Energy Program is released to states as quickly as possible.
In response to a shortage of weatherization installers in New Hampshire, Tri-County Community Action Program (TCCAP) launched an apprenticeship program to train new workers in the field. TCCAP’s program is supported by Training and Technical Assistance funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is the first program of its kind in New Hampshire.
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
**Shaheen is building on her Cooper Davis Act and leading the push to crack down on drug trafficking through social media**
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, is leading a bipartisan letter with U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) calling on Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to take action to remove and prevent advertisements for illicit drugs on all Meta platforms. The letter builds on Shaheen and Marshall’s bipartisan Cooper Davis Act to hold social media companies accountable for reporting to law enforcement illicit drug and opioid activities occurring on their platforms.
In part, the Senators wrote: “The United States is in the midst of a drug epidemic, with more than 100,000 Americans dying from overdoses last year, and an alarming amount of these drugs are sold online. It is crucial that everyone work to ensure these illegal drugs are found and taken off the streets. Therefore, we call on Meta to improve its human automated advertising review and content moderation to address these failures that are placing lives at risk.”
According to a Wall Street Journal report from earlier this year, the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) found that Meta has run hundreds of advertisements on Facebook and Instagram that steer users to online marketplaces for illegal drugs. The Shaheen-led letter urges Zuckerberg to support the Cooper Davis Act and work as quickly as possible to prevent further harm.
The Senators continued: “When presented with these disturbing findings, Meta took down some advertisements off its platforms. However, Meta’s refusal to prevent illicit drug advertisements, while accepting advertisement payments that are harming families and in clear violation of Meta’s policies, is particularly alarming. Surely, this is not what Meta means when it states its ‘mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together.’”
Text of the letter can be found here.
Shaheen has spearheaded crucial legislation, led efforts and secured funding to stem the opioid epidemic. Earlier this week, the Senator held a roundtable with the Youth CAN coalition leadership team and community partners to discuss the organization’s work to prevent youth substance misuse in New Hampshire. Last month, Shaheen introduced the bipartisan Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act to strengthen efforts to address the substance misuse disorder crisis that is impacting communities across the nation by establishing a new grant program.
The Cooper Davis Act would require social media companies and other communication service providers to turn over information relating to illicit online fentanyl activity to federal agencies to combat the illegal sale and distribution of counterfeit and controlled substances occurring on their platforms.
Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Rand Paul
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 1, 2024
Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343
Dr. Rand Paul Joins Call for POTUS to Engage on Stalled U.S.-China Adoptions
103 members of Congress amplify adoptive families’ plea to Biden: ‘Your leadership could be life altering for these families’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) joined Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD) to urge President Biden to stand up for families navigating the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) decision to end intercountry adoptions for those without Chinese familial ties. Representatives Erin Houchin (R-IN-9) and Val Hoyle (D-OR-4) are co-leading the bipartisan effort, which garnered a total of 103 bicameral signatories, in the House of Representatives.
“We request that you act in the best interest of these children and families by urging the PRC to fulfill and uphold the commitment the country has made,” the lawmakers wrote, noting approximately 300 children in the PRC – some with various health conditions – are already paired with families in the United States.
“The American families that have been matched with their adoptive children are prepared to meet their long-term medical and emotional needs, and to give them the love and nurturing they need,” they continued. “Many of these children know that they have a home, which in many cases have been prepared for their arrival since the families were notified that they were matched and moving forward with the adoption process.”
Dr. Paul and his colleagues also acknowledged the PRC may complete adoptions for families in some countries, per a State Department notice last week. They called on President Biden to ensure such an action would pertain to the United States, too.
Read the full letter HERE. Cosigners include Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and chairs of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption.
Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Rand Paul
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 1, 2024
Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), alongside Representatives Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Nikema Williams (D-GA-5), Thomas Massie (R-KY-4), and Dan Bishop (R-NC-8) filed a bipartisan, bicameral amicus brief, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear Martin v. United States and address the alarming gap in federal accountability created by the Eleventh Circuit’s ruling in this case.
This case centers around a mistaken, forceful raid by federal agents who entered the wrong home in the early hours of the morning. The family inside was jolted awake by a flashbang grenade exploding within their walls. This raid left the family not only traumatized but physically harmed. Despite the evident toll on these innocent individuals and the assault that they suffered, the Eleventh Circuit’s ruling currently bars them from any avenue for recourse under the FTCA, even though Congress designed this law in the wake of several wrong house raids to ensure accountability for federal overreach.This brief asserts that the Eleventh Circuit’s interpretation of the FTCA contradicts the FTCA’s legislative intent and threatens Americans’ protections against federal overreach.
“Congress specifically designed the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to ensure that individuals harmed by government overreach—such as the wrongful raiding of an innocent person’s home—have a means of recourse. By blocking Trina Martin’s right to seek redress, the Eleventh Circuit’s decision not only undermines Congress’ intent and the FTCA’s fundamental purpose but also establishes troubling precedent that places government actions beyond accountability, compromising Americans’ rights. We must ensure that when the government makes a mistake, citizens can hold it accountable and seek justice. This case is a critical step in preserving that protection,” said Dr. Rand Paul.
“Through the Federal Tort Claims Act, Congress provided a remedy for federal wrong-house raids, but the Eleventh Circuit has taken it away,” explained Patrick Jaicomo, a Senior Attorney at the Institute for Justice, which represents the innocent family. “The brief filed by members of Congress today confirms the availability of that federal remedy, and that the constitutional role of the courts is to enforce—not revoke—the remedy Congress has provided.”
In Martin v. United States, the Eleventh Circuit ruled that victims of the wrong-house raid could not recover damages due to the Supremacy Clause, despite the FTCA’s purpose to hold federal law enforcement accountable for wrongful actions. Congress introduced the FTCA’s law enforcement provision specifically to protect citizens harmed in cases like these, yet the Eleventh Circuit’s stance nullifies that protection, leaving innocent citizens vulnerable.
The Supremacy Clause was intended to assert the primacy of federal statutes—not to obstruct claims explicitly permitted by Congress. The bipartisan, bicameral brief makes it clear that if the Eleventh Circuit’s interpretation is upheld, it will fundamentally undermine the FTCA’s role in federal accountability, allowing agents to act with impunity and without fear of recourse from innocent citizens.
By granting review and overturning the Eleventh Circuit’s decision, the Supreme Court would reinforce the FTCA as Congress intended—empowering Americans to hold federal agents accountable for intentional harms, particularly in cases like these that carry such personal and constitutional significance.
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare is conducting Nationwide Digital Life Certificate Campaign 3.0 from 1st to 30th November, 2024 Camps to be held at 800 Districts/Cities across the country, Largest ever DLC Campaign
To promote Digital Empowerment of Pensioners using Face Authentication technology
Saturation model adopted to achieve 2 crore DLCs with 1 crore Face Authenticated DLCs
19 Banks, 785 District Post offices, 57 Welfare Associations, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology & UIDAI teams, CGDA to collaborate in the month-long campaign
Posted On: 01 NOV 2024 9:02PM by PIB Delhi
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has launched the 3rd Nation-wide Digital Life Certificate campaign which is being held in 800 cities/ Districts across India from November 1-30, 2024. The department has notified the guidelines through O.M. dated 9th August, 2024. This is the biggest-ever DLC Campaign undertaken.
The Campaign is being held in collaboration with Pension Disbursing Banks, India Post Payments Bank, Pensioners’ Welfare Associations, CGDA, DoT, Railways, UIDAI & Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology with the aim of reaching all the pensioners in the remotest corners of the country.
The focus is majorly on promoting Face Authentication Technology. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and UIDAI will provide technical support during this Campaign. Face Authentication has been made more seamless and convenient for the elderly Pensioners and can be used on Android as well as iOS.
DD, AIR and PIB teams are actively geared up to provide full support to this campaign for Audio, Visual and Print publicity. Outreach efforts will be further complemented by SMSs, tweets (#DLCCampaign3), Jingles and Short films to spread awareness about the campaign.
The total DLCs generated on 1st November, 2024, by evening, were 1.81 lakhs.
NMDC, India’s largest iron ore producer, concluded Vigilance Awareness Week 2024 with a valedictory function that underscored the importance of integrity and ethical practices. A three-month-long awareness campaign, which started on August 16 2024 and runs until November 15, by conducting various events at project sites and headquarters. The Vigilance Awareness Week commenced on 28th October 2024, concluded at headquarters with a keynote session by Shri Mahesh M. Bhagwat, IPS, Addl. DGP (L&O) Hyderabad, on ‘Culture of Integrity for Nation’s prosperity’ followed by unveiling of the in-house vigilance magazine “Subodh” and prize distribution for the children, employees & stakeholders who have taken part in various activities.
The valedictory event was attended by senior leadership of NMDC, including Amitava Mukherjee, CMD (Addl. Charge), Shri Vinay Kumar, Director (Technical) and (Personnel, Addl. Charge), NMDC, and Shri B. Vishwanath, Chief Vigilance Officer, along with NMDC employees.
Chief guest Shri Mahesh M. Bhagwat, IPS, Addl. DGP (L&O) Hyderabad, spoke on the significance of integrity, transparency, commitment, and dedication. He shared insights on how integrity is bedrock to operations, citing theory of Sigmund Freud on the developmental stages that shape adult behavior. He encouraged employees to develop the habit of being vigilant apart from their duty; to share responsibility of creating a fair and trustworthy workplace.
Addressing the gathering, Amitava Mukherjee, CMD (Addl. Charge) commended the vigilance team for their efforts throughout the year. “The vigilance organization is more than a fault-finding body. NMDC has made remarkable strides in capacity building as we aim for our 100 MnT goal. This is a quantum leap forward, requiring us to make systematic, informed decisions. Correct digital interventions enhance transparency and efficiency. Preventive Vigilance leads to refinement and codification of processes which limits reliance on individual discretion in decision making” he remarked. He urged participants to actively engage in preventive vigilance activities, strengthen systems for transparency, and adhere to standardized procurement practices in line with government guidelines.
Shri B. Vishwanath, Chief Vigilance Officer, emphasized the role of the CVC’s guidelines in achieving fair, ethical, and sustainable processes within the organization. He highlighted the success of capacity-building initiatives, stating, “Vigilance awareness programs were conducted in more than 28 schools and colleges across Hyderabad, Bailadila, Jagdalpur, Nagarnar, Panna, and Donimalai, reaching over 1,800 students. In Hyderabad, we included 1,000 students in various skits and activities.”
The fourth edition of the in-house vigilance magazine, “Subodh,” was launched during the event, serving as a valuable resource for employees and stakeholders.
Throughout Vigilance Awareness Week, various events were organized at different projects, including quiz competitions, slogan writing, elocution, essay writing, and best housekeeping initiatives. Winners of these competitions were recognized during the valedictory session, celebrating their contributions to promoting ethical practices within the organization.
One day prior to the above program, NMDC had organised a ‘Run for Unity’ on October 31, 2024, in honor of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary during this week. The event was flagged off by Chief Vigilance Officer Shri B. Vishwanath and CGM Smt. Priyadarshini. NMDC employees, along with students from various schools, participated enthusiastically, paying tribute to the Iron Man of India and reinforcing the spirit of unity and integrity that the week embodies.
The Union Minister & MP from the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, visited multiple Kali Puja mandaps as he worshipped Goddess Maa Kali located near Daily Bazaar and New Market for the overall well-being of the community.
On the occasion, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “In Sanatana culture, the greatness and spiritual essence of Goddess Maa Kali have inspired the faithful for generations. May Maa’s blessings dispel all negativity and darkness from our society, bringing light into the lives of everyone. On this auspicious occasion of Kali Puja, I pray for this and seek to follow in the footsteps of Maa Kali.”
Shri Sarbananda Sonowal was joined by the Assam Government Minister Shri Sanjay Kishan, the MP of Rajya Sabha, Shri Rameshwar Teli, the Chairman of the Assam Tourism Development Corporation Shri Rituparna Barua, the Chairman of the Assam State Housing Board, Shri Pulak Gohain, the Chairman of Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited, Shri Bikul Deka, and the Chairman of the Tinsukia Development Authority Shri Kajal Gohain, also among the dignitaries was Tinsukia district BJP president Shri Kushkant Bora.
Significant Achievements made under Special Campaign 4.0 in Department of Health and Family Welfare 52,665 physical files reviewed, 31,659 physical files weeded out, 5,160 Public Grievances and 595 Appeals have been disposed of, Revenue of Rs.18,63,356 generated by selling of scrap materials and 1,433 Cleanliness Campaigns conducted
Posted On: 01 NOV 2024 8:04PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Health and Family Welfare (DoHFW) launched Special Campaign 4.0 from October 2 to October 31, 2024, aimed at institutionalizing cleanliness (Swachhata) and reducing pending tasks across its headquarters, central government hospitals, attached offices, subordinate offices, autonomous bodies, and CPSUs nationwide.
Under the leadership of Union Health Secretary Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava, the campaign’s implementation was regularly reviewed to ensure efficiency and meet established targets.
Key achievements during the campaign include the disposition of 25 references from Members of Parliament, 3 Parliamentary assurances, 5,160 public grievances, and 595 associated appeals, as well as the simplification of 45 rules and processes. Additionally, 52,665 physical files were reviewed, resulting in the weeding out of 31,659 files, and 12,428 e-files were reviewed, with 10,174 closed. The campaign also saw the conduct of 1,433 cleanliness campaigns across various offices, freeing up 40,742 sq. ft. of office space, and generating revenue amounting to ₹18,63,356 from the sale of scrap materials and e-waste. These activities reflect DoHFW’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and promoting a culture of cleanliness within its institutions.
The progress of implementation phase of the campaign was uploaded daily on SCDPM portal (https://scdpm.nic.in) of the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG). Social media updates, PIB Statements and Best Practices were also uploaded on the portal by showcasing the progress in the campaign.
Few highlights are as follows:
On 16th October, 2024, Shri V. Srinivas, Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) along with Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary reviewed the activities undertaken by DoHFW in ‘Special Campaign 4.0
Training of Safai Mitras on ‘Swachhata Hi Sewa’ module on iGOT Platform was conducted on 23rd October, 2024 (chaired by Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary) as a part of the Karmayogi Saptah (National Learning Week) and Special Campaign 4.0
During Special Campaign 4.0, ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ module was completed by more than 11,500 employees including officers on iGOT platform and more than 7,500 Safai Mitras in physical mode
AIIMS, Jodhpur transforming plastic containers into planters which aims to minimize environmental impact of plastic while encouraging a culture of creativity and responsibility among staff
Before After
Conversion of discarded chairs into functiona/ attractive benches and signage stands at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal to encourage upcycling
DoHFW remain committed to the goals of Special Campaign 4.0 and will continue to contribute actively in the activities of the campaign even after the campaign ended on 31st October, 2024. It has been emphasised that with the combined efforts of all, lasting improvements in cleanliness and governance can be achieved.
The USGS is pleased to announce the release of new US Topo maps for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These updated topographic maps offer valuable, current geographic information for residents, visitors, and professionals, providing essential resources for communities in these areas.
Air Marshal Ajay Kumar Arora assumed the appointment of Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance, Indian Air Force, at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan), today. The Air Marshal, after taking over, laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in honour of the armed forces personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.
Air Marshal Arora was commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering stream of IAF in Aug 1986. He is a graduate of Air Force Technical College, Air Command and Staff College, USA and College of Defence Management, Secunderabad. An electronics and communication engineer by qualification, he is also an alumnus of lIT Kharagpur and a Doctrate degree holder in Management from University of Pune.
He has held key command and staff appointments in his illustrious career of 38 years. He was the Director General (Aircraft) before assuming the appointment of Air Officer-in-charge Maintenance.
The officer has been awarded with Vishisht Seva Medal in year 2018 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 for his distinguished service. He is married to Mrs Sangeeta and the couple is blessed with a son, Pulkit.
CBIC and formations under it actively engage in Special Campaign 4.0 433 public grievances, 80 public grievance appeals, and five MP references
27,656 physical files eliminated out of 49,667 reviewed files
819 cleanliness events organised across CBIC office premises in States and public areas
Rs. 3.80 lakh (approx) generated from the disposal of 17,121 kg scrap, freeing 16,706 square feet of additional office space
73 kg drugs, 49 lakhs foreign cigarettes, and other contraband worth Rs. 460 crore destroyed by Delhi Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate and Customs (Airport and General) Commissionerate jointly
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, actively engaged in the Special Campaign 4.0 from 2nd-31st October, 2024, with special focus on Swachhata.
The initiatives during this period focused on instilling the principles of cleanliness while also addressing important backlogs in key work areas. The campaign prioritised addressing public complaints to enhance service delivery and responsiveness. Efforts were made to declutter and optimise office environments by removing outdated and unnecessary items including the clearance of seized contraband, such as narcotic substances and foreign-origin cigarettes, ensuring that these items were disposed of in compliance with legal regulations.
This year, CBIC also marked the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission through the spirited celebration of ‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2024, under the theme ‘Swabhav Swachhata Sanskaar Swachhata (4S) campaign’. This initiative emphasised large-scale awareness and public participation in maintaining cleanliness, specifically targeting Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) across the country. With active involvement from CBIC officers, staff and field offices, the campaign fostered a collaborative environment that significantly enhanced its impact.
The concerted efforts of CBIC formations resulted in the achievement of several key milestones as follows:
Resolution of 433 public grievances, 80 public grievance appeals, and five MP references.
Elimination of 27,656 physical files out of 49,667 files reviewed.
Review and closure of 1,501 e-files out of 36,237 assessed
819 cleanliness events organised across office premises and public areas.
Generation of approximately Rs. 3.80 lakh from the disposal of 17,121 kg scrap, freeing 16,706 square feet of additional office space.
Destruction of 73 kg of drugs, 49 lakhs foreign cigarettes, and other contraband worth Rs. 460 crore by Delhi Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate and Customs (Airport and General) Commissionerate jointly, besides Customs Commissionerate (Prev.), Vijayawada disposed of 82.72 lakh sticks of smuggled cigarettes valued at Rs. 5.5 crore as part of the ongoing battle against illicit imports.
Several best practices were implemented across various Customs and GST offices to promote sustainability and employee welfare. A Bio-Gas Plant was set up in the Customs Colony in Vapi, turning waste into wealth.
The CGST Faridabad Commissionerate transformed two abandoned rooms filled with old records and furniture into a cafeteria and a crèche within its premises. The CGST Jaipur Zone planted 11,000 saplings of over 100 native species using an innovative afforestation method that utilized organic waste and only 30% of the usual water requirement. The CGST Gurugram Audit Commissionerate reclaimed office space to develop a crèche for employee welfare. Additionally, efforts to ensure cleanliness extended to Valappu Beach in Cochin, where more than 400 officers, including 100 students, volunteered. The campaign also led to the cleaning of office premises and the repair and painting of old furniture, which were subsequently donated to Jila Parishad Hindi Ucha Primary School and Primary School, Umrer, Nagpur, with these initiatives being effectively showcased on social media platforms.
Around 200 posts were shared on ‘X’ and other social media platforms through CBIC’s official handle and field offices, significantly amplifying the Swachhata message. Efforts will persist in building on these practices and ensuring their sustainability throughout the year.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah interacts with the librarians of trust-run libraries and government libraries in Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency of Gujarat The role of libraries is very important in building the future of a country
Shri Amit Shah donates books worth Rs 2 lakh to each library under his Lok Sabha constituency
Suggests ways to increase readership by at least 30 percent in coming days
Emphasizes making heritage books available online
Union Home Minister advises using software to understand individuals’ reading preferences
It will help librarians procure more books of readers’ choice
Shri Amit Shah also inaugurated 15 MW waste-to-energy plant set up by Jindal Urban Waste Management near Piplaj village in Ahmedabad
Built at a cost of Rs 375 crore, waste-to-energy plant has the capacity to convert 1,000 metric tonnes of waste into electricity per day
Waste-to-energy plant will strengthen the waste management of the entire Ahmedabad city, it will meet the energy requirements as well
Posted On: 01 NOV 2024 6:48PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah today interacted with the Librarians of trust-run libraries and government libraries in Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency of Gujarat and said that the role of libraries is very important in building the future of a country.
In a post on X platform, Shri Amit Shah said, “Libraries play an important role in building the future of any country. Today I interacted with the librarians of the trust-run libraries and government libraries of Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency. I am happy that these librarians are promoting the interest of library enthusiasts in books by making an emotional connect with them. Due to their efforts, the number of readers in these libraries is going to increase by at least 30% in the coming days.”
On this occasion, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah donated books worth Rs. two lakh to each library under his Lok Sabha constituency. Apart from this, he suggested ways to increase readership by at least 30 percent in the coming time and emphasized on making heritage books available online. Shri Shah advised using software which can help understand individuals’ reading preferences and help librarians procure more books of their choice.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah also inaugurated a 15 MW waste-to-energy plant set up by Jindal Urban Waste Management near Piplaj village in Ahmedabad today.
In another post on X, Shri Amit Shah informed, “Today inaugurated a 15 MW waste-to-energy plant set up by Jindal Urban Waste Management near Piplaj village in Ahmedabad. Built at a cost of ₹ 375 crore, this plant has the capacity to convert 1,000 metric tonnes of waste into electricity per day. It will strengthen the waste management of the entire Ahmedabad city and will meet the energy requirements as well.”
किसी भी देश के भविष्य के निर्माण में पुस्तकालयों की अहम भूमिका होती है। आज गाँधीनगर लोकसभा क्षेत्र के ट्रस्ट द्वारा संचालित पुस्तकालयों और सरकारी पुस्तकालयों के पुस्तकालयाध्यक्षों के साथ संवाद किया।
मुझे खुशी है कि ये पुस्तकालयाध्यक्ष, लाइब्रेरी प्रेमियों के साथ भावनात्मक संबंध… pic.twitter.com/AXLz5FFEXk
आज अहमदाबाद के पीपलज गाँव के पास जिंदाल अर्बन वेस्ट मैनेजमेंट द्वारा स्थापित 15 मेगावाट वेस्ट-टू-एनर्जी प्लांट का उद्घाटन किया। ₹375 करोड़ की लागत से बना यह प्लांट प्रतिदिन 1,000 मीट्रिक टन वेस्ट को बिजली में बदलने की क्षमता रखता है। यह पूरे अहमदाबाद शहर के वेस्ट प्रबंधन को… pic.twitter.com/47H8LXjmDT
The last date for submission of applications by the selected meritorious students on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) for the year 2024-25 has been extended up to 15.11.2024. The NSP portal is open for submission of applications by students with effect from 30th June 2024. In this project year 2024-25, the selected students are first to do a One-Time Registration (OTR) on the NSP, after which they have to apply for the scholarship scheme that they have selected. The FAQ details for registration on NSP can be accessed at https://scholarships.gov.in/studentFAQs.
Through the ‘National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme’ implemented by the Department of School Education & Literacy, scholarships are awarded to meritorious students from economically weaker sections to arrest their drop-out after elementary level, i.e., Class VIII and encourage them to complete their school education up to higher secondary level, i.e., Class XII.
The scheme provides one lakh fresh scholarships every year for Class IX students who clear the qualifying exam for the scholarship conducted by the State/UT governments. The scholarship is continued through renewal mode from Classes X to XII based on the student’s academic performance. The scheme is applicable only to students studying in State Government, Government-aided, and local body schools and the scholarship amount is Rs. 12000 per annum per student.
The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) is implemented through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) – the one-stop platform for scholarship schemes disbursed to students by the Government of India. As of 01.11.2024, 86323 fresh and 162175 renewal applications have been finally submitted by applicants. NMMSS scholarships are disbursed directly into the bank accounts of selected students by electronic transfer through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) following DBT mode. The eligibility parameters for availing the scholarship include parental income not more than Rs. 3.50 lakh per annum and a minimum of 55% marks or equivalent grade in the Class VII examination for appearing in the selection test for award of scholarship (relaxable by 5% for SC/ST students).
On the NSP portal, there are two levels of verification of the scholarship application of selected students: Level-1 (L1) verification is at the Institute Nodal Officer (INO) and Level-2 (L2) is with the District Nodal Officer (DNO). The last date for INO level (L1) verification is 30.11.2024 and for DNO level (L2) verification is 15.12.2024.
The occasion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti and Ekta Divas a pledge taking ceremony and “Run for Unity” has been organized at Vijay Chwok led by Dr. Rajiv Mani, Secretary Legislative Department along with other senior officers namely, Shri Udaya Kumara, Additional Secretary, Dr. Manoj Kumar, Additional Secretary, Shri Diwakar Singh, Additional Secretary, Shri R.K. Pattanayak, JS&LC, Shri Brijesh Singh, JS&LC, Dr. K.V. Kumar, JS&LC, Smt. Akali V Konghey, JS&LC and other officers and staff including outsourced employees of this Department and attached offices.
Special Campaign 4.0 was launched by DARPG for minimizing pendency in Government offices. Special Campaign 4.0 is being implemented in full swing. During the last week of Special Campaign 4.0, a number of teams were constituted under Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare to visit the offices located in Delhi & NCR viz. Mahalanobis National Crop Forecasting Centre, Pusa, National Seeds Corporation, Pusa, National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming, Ghaziabad, Directorate of Extension, Pusa, Directorate of Wheat Development, Gurugram, Soil and Land Use Survey of India Noida, Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium Houz Khas and Central Fertilizer Quality Control & Training Institute, Faridabad to review the progress and the performance of the subordinate / attached office and PSU under the administrative control of this department.
The team inspected these office premises to review the progress made by these organization during the Special Campaign 4.0.
By the end of last week of Special Campaign 4.0, five PIB Notes have been released and activities have been undertaken on various social media platforms, i.e. more than 234 tweets, 100 Facebook posts, 62 Instagram posts, 26 YouTube posts and 11 posts on Linked in have been made collectively by this department and its attached/subordinate offices and their field offices, etc.
Progress/achievement of the Department during the last week of Special Campaign 4.0 ending on 31st October 2024 are as under:-
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways successfully concludes Special Campaign 4.0 for disposal of Pending Matters and Cleanliness drive Ministry achieves 100% targets in disposal of Public Grievances (986), Public Grievance Appeals (211), IMC references (Cabinet Proposal) and Record Management (review of old physical/e-files (25635)
Posted On: 01 NOV 2024 5:16PM by PIB Delhi
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and its agencies have successfully concluded the Special Campaign for Disposal of Pending Matters 4.0 from 2nd to 31st October, 2024.
Ministry has achieved 100% targets in disposal of Public Grievances (986), Public Grievance Appeals (211), IMC references (Cabinet Proposal) and Record Management (review of old physical/e-files (25635). Further, Ministry has disposed 95% pending MP references. 555 such references out of 583 have been disposed of during the Campaign. During the period 28 out of 53 Parliamentary Assurances have also been disposed of. During the Campaign, Ministry has earned revenue of Rs. 3,03,200/- from disposal of scraps. During Swachhata Hi Seva and Special Campaign for Disposal of Pending Matters (SCDPM) 4.0, MoRTH and its agencies carried out cleanliness activities at more than 19,000 sites, which included offices, construction camps/sites, NH stretches, Toll Plazas, wayside amenities, Road-side Dhabas, Bus Stops, flyovers etc.
In order to achieve the identified targets under various parameters of the Campaign, Nodal Officer, MoRTH reviewed the progress of the Campaign on daily basis and followed up with all the agencies. The officers of MoRTH, NHAI & NHIDCL actively participated in the SCDPM 4.0.
Various Social Media Platforms such as X (Twitter), Instagram & Facebook were used for giving wide publicity of the campaign.
Department Of Agricultural Research And Education – Indian Council of Agricultural Research has taken up initiatives for Swachhata Special Campaign 4.0 with great enthusiasm. Targets for the campaign regarding disposal of pending VIP references, public grievances, reviewing and weeding out of physical as well as electronic files, conducting outdoor campaigns for creating swachhata awareness were set by 1st October, 2024. The Department has progressed a lot and has achieved its targets till date. Reviewing and weeding of physical and electronic files were conducted at rapid pace and the targets have been accomplished. The Department has minimal pendency regarding VIP references and Public Grievances. Best Practices have been regularly adopted and monitored by all institutes of the Department. Ample spaces have been freed through swachhata programmes and in turn large amount of revenue has being generated. The photographs of sites identified for cleanliness show large improvement after cleaning. Great efforts have been exerted by the DARE/ICAR institutes to maintain cleanliness inside as well as outside the campus and at the outskirts and adjoining areas. DARE/ICAR raised awareness all over the country for maintaining cleanliness through cultural programmes, Swacchata Samvad and Nukkad Nataks, inspiring school children to join the campaign, organizing welfare schemes for Safaimitras through health checkups and felicitation. All data have been uploaded regularly in the Swachhata Portal along with several PIB releases and social media releases.
Sh. Ashok Kumar Kaluram Meena, IAS (Odisha: 1993), assumed the charge as Secretary in the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, on 31.10.2024 at CGO Complex, New Delhi. Sh. Meena holds a B. Tech in Computer Science fromIndian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur andM.A. in Economics from Annamalai University. He has done Master of International Development Policy (M.I.D.P) in Public Finance from Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy.
Having more than 2 months transition period as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at DDWS, Sh. Meena embarks on his new stint as the Secretary of DDWS, Ministry of Jal Shakti.Prior to this, he served as Chairman & MD of Food Corporation of India from 29th August 2022 to 16th August 2024.
Sh. Meena was in central deputation from 20th April 2011 to 2nd August 2014, where he served in capacity of Joint Secretary, in the Ministry of Defence and Director (Vigilance), in the department of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.
During his earlier central deputation tenure, from 3rd May 2001 to 31st July 2005, he served as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Commerce and Industry and other positions at Centre.
Sh. Meena has served in various capacities in the State of Odisha including Principal Secretary, Finance, Panchayati Raj and Rural development etc.
Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, successfully concludes Special Campaign 4.0 Special Campaign 4.0 demonstrated commitment to cleanliness and efficiency for DFS and its affiliated organisations across the country
100% disposal of Public Grievances and Appeals achieved
More than 38,500 sites cleaned; Cleanliness drive frees up 11 lakh square feet space; PSBs and other financial institutions under DFS monetise Rs. 4.50 crore through scrap disposal
Under the citizen centric initiatives, financial literacy camps organised in more than 510 locations
Posted On: 01 NOV 2024 4:47PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, and its affiliated organisations successfully completed the one month-long Special Campaign 4.0 with special focus on minimising pendency, and institutionalising Swachhata from 2nd-31st October 2024.
The DFS launched the Special Campaign 4.0 with special impetus on better space management, customer centric initiatives, making the environment clean and green, record management and disposal of scrap.
All the organisations of DFS, Public Sector Banks (PSBs), Public Sector Insurance Companies and other Public Sector Financial Institutions like NABARD, SIDBI, EXIM Bank, NHB, IIFCL etc. actively participated in the Special Campaign 4.0.
The DFS achieved 100% disposal of all identified Public Grievances, Public Appeals, PMO references and MP References. 11.79 lakh square feet of space has freed and revenue of Rs. 4.50 crore has been earned through scrap disposal. The campaign was conducted in more than 38,500 sites across the country.
Twelve Public Sector Banks and 43 Regional Rural Banks organised Pension Grievances Weeks. In the camps, apart from the grievances registered & redressed, pensioners were also educated regarding submission of online life certificate and door step banking facilities. In more than 52,208 branches across the country approx. 1.45 lakhs pensioners were contacted.
Various videos and static contents were posted on Social media platforms by PSBs and RRBs to spread awareness towards Cyber Security. Safety tips and practices were shared through these educational posts to combat against cyber related frauds.
Highlights & achievements of the Department and its organisations:
Revenue Earned from Scrap Disposal: Rs. 4,54,53,508.00
Disposal of Public Grievances: 9,725
Disposal of Public Grievances Appeals: 2,378
The DFS sensitised its all organisations to use the opportunity of Special Campaign 4.0 to enhance customer interface and to undertake citizen centric initiatives. The organisations of DFS, being in the financial services sector, were conveyed to undertake the activities like Financial Literacy campaigns, Registration/Updation of Nomination in bank accounts, Activating Dormant Accounts, Renewal of Locker Agreements, Disposal of Pending Claims etc. The achievements during the Campaign on these parameters are as follows:
Financial Literacy Camps organised: More than 510 locations across the country.
Number of Dormant Accounts Activated- 79.97 lakh.
Number of Accounts in which Nomination Updated: 29.02 lakh.
Number of Locker Agreements Renewed- 1.10 lakh.
LIC of India settled 12.77 lakh unclaimed policies and settled claims of more than 10,742 cr.
All the activities undertaken by organisations were regularly posted on various social media platforms. More than 1,000 posts were made during the campaign. As part of the initiative, customers of various organisations, staff members, senior management & head of organisations also gave feedback about the initiatives during the campaign on various social media platforms.
Link of social media posts on Cyber Security & Fraud:
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)
Defendant Facilitated Russia’s Acquisition of Millions of Dollars of U.S.-Made Dual-Use Electronics Used in Radar, Surveillance, and Military Research and Development
Vadim Yermolenko, 43, a dual U.S.-Russian national and resident of New Jersey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States for his role in a transnational procurement and money laundering network that sought to acquire sensitive dual-use electronics for Russian military and intelligence services.
“This defendant joins the nearly two dozen other criminals that our Task Force KleptoCapture has brought to justice in American courtrooms over the past two and a half years for enabling Russia’s military aggression,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant admitted to playing a central role in a now-disrupted scheme with Russian intelligence services to smuggle sniper rifle ammunition and U.S. military grade equipment into Russia. The Justice Department will never stop working to aggressively disrupt and prosecute both the criminal networks and the individuals responsible for bolstering the Russian war machine.”
“The illegal export of sensitive, dual-use technologies in support of Russia’s war effort poses a significant threat to the United States and its allies and must not be tolerated,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The defendant in this case played a key role in exporting U.S. technology that in the hands of our adversaries could pose great danger to our national security. The FBI and its partners will continue to focus on protecting strategic innovation at home and hold accountable anyone who facilitates illegal transfers to hostile nations like Russia.”
“To facilitate the Russian war machine, the defendant played a critical role in exporting sensitive, dual-use technologies to Russia, facilitating shipping and the movement of millions of dollars through U.S. financial institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “This plea highlights my Office and our law enforcement partners continued commitment to use all tools available to prosecute those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology to send to Russia.”
According to court documents, the defendant was affiliated with Serniya Engineering and Sertal LLC, Moscow-based companies that operate under the direction of Russian intelligence services to procure advanced electronics and sophisticated testing equipment for Russia’s military industrial complex and research and development sector. Serniya and Sertal operated a vast network of shell companies and bank accounts throughout the world, including the United States, that were used in furtherance of the scheme to conceal the involvement of the Russian government and the true Russian end users of U.S.-origin equipment.
The defendant and his co-conspirators unlawfully purchased and exported highly sensitive, export controlled electronic components, some of which can be used in the development of nuclear and hypersonic weapons, quantum computing and other military applications. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) levied sanctions and imposed additional export restrictions on Serniya, Sertal, and several individuals and companies used in the scheme, calling them “instrumental to the Russian Federation’s war machine.”
Sertal was licensed to conduct highly sensitive and classified procurement activities by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia’s principal security agency and the main successor agency to the Soviet Union’s KGB. The Serniya network’s Russian clients included State Corporation Rostec, the state-owned defense conglomerate; State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom (Rosatom); the Ministry of Defense; the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR); and various components of the FSB, including the Department of Military Counterintelligence and the Directorate for Scientific and Technological Intelligence, commonly known as “Directorate T.”
To carry out the scheme, the defendant helped set up numerous shell companies and dozens of bank accounts in the U.S. to illicitly move money and export-controlled goods. During the period charged in the indictment, more than $12 million passed through accounts owned or controlled by the defendant. These funds were used in part to purchase sensitive equipment used in radar, surveillance and military research and development. In one instance, money from one of the defendant’s accounts was used to purchase export-controlled sniper bullets, which were intercepted in Estonia before they could be smuggled into Russia.
Co-defendant Alexey Brayman previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and is awaiting sentence. The case against co-defendant Vadim Konoshchenok, a suspected FSB operative, was dismissed after Konoshchenok was removed from the United States as part of a prisoner exchange negotiated between the United States and Russia. Defendant Nikolaos Bogonikolos’ case remains pending. Defendants Boris Livshits, Alexey Ippolitov, Svetlana Skvortsova, and Yevgeniy Grinin remain at large.
The FBI, BIS, and IRS are investigating the case.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and Estonian authorities provided valuable assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Artie McConnell, Andrew D. Reich, and Matthew Skurnik for the Eastern District of New York are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
Today’s actions were coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture and the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.
The Unified Command concluded its diesel fuel recovery efforts Thursday after a yacht, The Admiral, caught fire in Marina del Rey Sept. 18, 2024. Coast Guard Incident Management Division responders boarded the vessel on Thursday and confirmed there was no remaining pollution threat from the vessel. Crews worked to recover the diesel, raise the sunken vessel, and remove any pollution threat from the vessel over the last several weeks.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jeannette Wicks-Lim, Research Professor, Political Economy Research Institute, UMass Amherst
A Massachusetts ballot initiative would get rid of the state’s tipped minimum wage.AP Photo/Marta Lavandier
The federal minimum wage for tipped workers has stood at US$2.13 an hour since 1991. Back then, it amounted to half the $4.25 regular minimum wage. But Congress has failed to increase the tipped minimum while periodically raising the regular wage floor. Today, the tipped rate is less than one-third of the $7.25 federal full minimum wage.
As of October 2024, 30 states and Washington, D.C., had instituted their own, higher, regular minimum wages. The number of states taking this step keeps rising in part because Congress hasn’t raised the federal minimum wage since 2009. Over the years, many states have also adopted higher wages for tipped workers. Seven states have no tipped minimum wage at all, which means that employers must pay at least the state-mandated minimum wage to all workers, including those who earn tips.
If Massachusetts voters approve a ballot initiative on Nov. 5, 2024, their state will gradually raise the state’s tipped minimum wage until it matches the state minimum wage. That is, it will rise from $6.75 to $15 per hour by 2029.
Massachusetts would be joining eight states that require – or are on their way to requiring – the full minimum wage for tipped workers: Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Michigan. Two major cities, Chicago and Washington, D.C., have similar measures on their books, too.
To inform the debate about tipped wages, we – a labor economist and a sociologist – analyzed the potential impacts of implementing a full minimum wage for workers, businesses and consumers in Massachusetts. We found more evidence of potential upsides than downsides.
Tipped minimum earners’ demographics
For our study, we analyzed labor market data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We found that tipped workers are largely waiters, bartenders, hosts and bussers employed in bars and restaurants. They tend to earn low wages. Most are women, and they are disproportionately people of color.
In Massachusetts, tipped workers typically earn low pay: On average, they take home $20.30 per hour, including what they get in gratuities. That’s about two-thirds of the state average hourly pay of $31.50.
About 66% of tipped workers are women, compared with 49% in the state’s workforce as a whole. Some 43% are people of color, compared with 29% of all people employed in Massachusetts.
Teens also make up a disproportionate share of Massachusetts’ tipped workers: 15%, versus 4% for the broader workforce. But the vast majority of tipped workers are at least 20 years old.
Opponents argue that scrapping the lower minimum wage could backfire for tipped workers if their customers give smaller tips once they know employers have to pay tipped workers more – or some jobs are eliminated. They also worry that business costs would spike, raising prices. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, opposes the measure.
In Arizona, voters will cast their ballots on another ballot initiative that calls for a different type of tipped minimum wage reform. It calls for pegging the state’s tipped minimum wage to 25% below the full minimum wage. If approved, Arizona would effectively lower its tipped minimum wage, which currently stands at $11.35 an hour, to $10.76. Today, Arizona’s tipped minimum wage is $3.00 below the state’s full minimum wage of $14.35.
Prone to wage theft
When tipped workers’ base wages plus their tips do not add up to at least the state’s minimum wage, employers are supposed to make up the shortfall. This makes these workers particularly vulnerable to being underpaid, a form of wage theft.
The consequences of this vulnerability are plain to see in restaurants and hotels. The hospitality industry, which employs the highest share of tipped workers, accounts for less than 6% of employed workers in Massachusetts.
However, it accounts for nearly 14% of all complaints workers lodged with the Massachusetts attorney general’s office in 2023, including disproportionately high levels of complaints about minimum wage violations, the nonpayment of wages and tip violations.
The hospitality industry also accounts for over 36% of all enforcement actions – investigations that produced evidence of labor violations – found by the Massachusetts attorney general’s office.
The Massachusetts ballot initiative has stirred controversy in the state.
Effects on earnings
Two peer-reviewed economicstudies that examined three decades of data found that tipped workers earn measurably more money as subminimum wage rates increase.
Consider, for example, the $18.79 average hourly wage of tipped workers in states that treat tipped employees like other workers. This is 21.2% higher than the average $15.50 among tipped workers in states where the federal $2.13 subminimum wage remains in effect.
Only part of this difference can be explained by the 15.7% difference in average wages for all workers in those different clusters of states.
What could happen with business costs
To be sure, more than doubling the $6.75 tipped rate in Massachusetts to $15.00 may sound like it could cause business costs to soar. A couple of factors, however, would soften the blow.
First, we have calculated that the average tipped worker in Massachusetts restaurants earns about $11.75 an hour, before tips. Raising this rate to $15.00 is equal to a 28% increase – a much smaller lift than increasing the wage from $6.75 to $15.00. In addition, raising a worker’s wage from $11.75 to $15.00 by 2029 is equivalent to raising it to $13.00 in today’s dollars, or a 10% boost, after adjusting for projected inflation.
Second, as we explained in our study, since tipped workers make up about 30% of Massachusetts restaurant workers, and the payrolls of these businesses typically amount to about 30% of their revenue, these numbers imply that eliminating the tipped minimum wage by 2029 would increase the average Massachusetts restaurant’s costs by 1%.
If the average Massachusetts restaurant were to pass its entire labor cost increase onto the consumer through higher prices, this would mean that restaurant prices would rise about 2%.
This is equal to a $50 restaurant meal instead costing $51 – arguably a small price increase.
The two studies mentioned above, which reviewed decades of data to see whether tipped workers earned more, also looked at whether businesses in states that increased their tipped minimum wage cut more jobs compared with businesses in states that didn’t.
Although both research teams looked at basically the same data, one study found evidence of more job losses and the other did not, due to the different statistical choices they made. These studies, that is, produced inconclusive results about what raising the tipped minimum wage does to employment.
There’s far more research on whether increasing the regular minimum wage has caused significant job losses. Studies have found that when it has gone up, employers have faced cost increases that are similar to what we’ve estimated for Massachusetts employers, if the state were to eliminate its tipped minimum wage. And that evidence points to no significant job losses.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres declares there is no alternative to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which has been contributing to their welfare and development since 1950, while UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini points out that Israeli bills to halt its operation are nothing less than collective punishment.
In a new report launched on Tuesday, the UN independent expert on human rights in Russia exposes alarming patterns of torture used as a State-sanctioned tool of repression to stifle dissent and intimidate communities abroad. UN News spoke to Mariana Katzarova, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, and former political prisoner Vladimir Kara-Murza.
Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council. They serve in their individual capacity, independent of the UN system and national governments. They are not UN staff and draw no salary.
Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)
Join Professor Branko Milanović, senior scholar at the Stone Center on Socio-Economic Inequality of the City University of New York, and Abebe Aemro Selassie, Director of the IMF African Department, for a discussion on practical strategies that African policymakers can employ to effectively address and reduce inequality—and how the Fund can support them in these efforts. https://imf.org/africaperspectives
On 28 October, the World Health Organization reached Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza for the fourth time in two weeks. The mission transferred 23 patients and 21 caregivers and from Kamal Adwan to Shifa Hospital, while also providing critical supplies.