Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister’s departure statement ahead of his visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 6:47AM by PIB Delhi

    At the invitation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, I am departing today for Thailand on an Official visit and to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit.

    Over the past decade, BIMSTEC has emerged as a significant forum for promoting regional development, connectivity and economic progress in the Bay of Bengal region. With its geographical location, India’s North Eastern region lies at the heart of BIMSTEC. I look forward to meeting the leaders of the BIMSTEC countries and engaging productively to further strengthen our collaboration with interest of our people in mind.

    During my official visit, I will have the opportunity to engage with Prime Minister Shinawatra and the Thai leadership, with a common desire to elevate our age-old historical ties, which are based on the strong foundations of shared culture, philosophy, and spiritual thought.

    From Thailand, I will pay a two day visit to Sri Lanka from 04-06 April. This follows the highly successful visit of President Disanayaka to India last December. We will have the opportunity to review progress made on the joint vision of “Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future” and provide further guidance to realise our shared objectives.

    I am confident that these visits will build on the foundations of the past and contribute to strengthening our close relationships for the benefit of our people and the wider region.

    ***

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2118089) Visitor Counter : 26

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 3RD REGIONAL AVIATION MINISTERS MEETING

    Source:

    MINISTERIAL ADDRESS by the Minister of Works Transport & infrastructure Hon. Olo Afoa Fiti Vaai [22nd March 2025]

    Mr. Chairman, Honorable Viliame Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism of Fiji;

    Honorable Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga;

    Fellow Ministers and Heads of delegations from our neighboring Pacific Communities and your respective delegations;

    Distinguished Partners and friends,

    Ladies and Gentlemen.

    It is a real privilege to meet you all in person in our 3rd Regional Aviation Ministers meeting as Samoa’s Minister for Civil Aviation.

    Samoa remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening our aviation sector. We are dedicated to enhancing the safety, resilience, and efficiency of both our domestic and regional aviation systems. At the same time, we are focused on creating meaningful opportunities to foster the growth and development of our aviation workforce.

    We believe in Investing in our people and ensuring that our regulatory frameworks are robust, modern, and fit for purpose, fundamental to achieving Samoa’s long-term aviation aspirations.

    Samoa believes that strong national systems work best when supported by strong regional cooperation. We reconfirm our commitment to working collaboratively, in line with the vision of the Blue Pacific 2050 Strategy and the Pacific Regional Aviation Strategy.

    Together, we can meet the challenges and opportunities facing Pacific aviation and I am proud Samoa is on that journey with our Pacific brothers and sisters.

    Samoa is a strong supporter of PASO. We want to see PASO succeed because we recognise the critical role it plays in facilitating safe, secure, and sustainable aviation across the region. Regional mechanisms like PASO are essential, and Samoa will continue to support and engage constructively.

    Samoa is encouraged by recent efforts to explore opportunities to create pathways for our people—alongside other States—to be developed and nurtured as the regional regulators of tomorrow. Investing in the Pacific’s own capability will ensure our future is safe and secure.

    In terms of the PICASST Amendments, Samoa supports, in principle, the proposed amendments to the Pacific Islands Civil Aviation Safety and Security Treaty, in line with our prior endorsement at RAMM2 in 2022, Samoa, is currently engaged in our domestic review process and look forward to formally confirming our position in due course.

    We remain committed to playing an active role in regional aviation collaboration, while also advancing our national priorities. We look forward to working alongside all of you as partners and friends.

    Honourable Chairman, fellow ministers, distinguished delegates, partners, and friends of the Pacific region.

    Let me conclude by placing on record Samoa’s deep appreciation to the Forum member states, our respective Partners, and, most importantly, our neighbouring Island States, who assisted Samoa in hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October 2024.

    Your unwavering support through the secondment of personnel for logistics and overall aviation security at the airport, venues, accommodations and general operations allowed Samoa to successfully host the meeting as a true Pacific CHOGM.

    That, Mr. Chairman, is what the Pacific Way and True Regionalism are all about.

    Fa’afetai tele lava and soifua.

    See insights and ads

    Boost post

    All reactions:

    88Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure Samoa and 87 others

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SEVOTTAM AND EFFECTIVE REDRESSAL OF PUBLIC GRIEVANCES

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:31PM by PIB Delhi

    The National Workshop on Sevottam and Grievance Redressal plays a key role in improving public service delivery across the country. Sevottam is a comprehensive framework focused on Citizen’s Charter, Grievance Redressal Mechanism, and Capability Building for Service Delivery. Under this initiative, Government provides financial support to State ATIs/CTIs for setting up Sevottam Training Cells. Over the past three financial years (2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25), as part of Sevottam, 756 training courses have been conducted, training 24,942 officers from various State Governments. In the current financial year 2 National Workshops on “Effective Redressal of Public Grievances” on November 18, 2024, in New Delhi and February 20, 2025, in Bhopal, with participation from Central Ministries, State Governments, and State Administrative Training Institutes (ATIs) were conducted. Government has been actively leveraging technology to modernize CPGRAMS for a better citizen interface.

    In December 2021, DARPG signed an MoU with IIT Kanpur to develop the Intelligent Grievance Management System (IGMS), an AI/ML-driven platform that introduces semantic search, exploratory data analysis, and predictive analytics for enhanced grievance management. Government publishes the Grievance Redressal Index (GRAI) as part of CPGRAMS’ 10-Step Reforms, ranking Ministries and Departments based on efficiency, feedback, domain expertise, and organizational commitment. The objective of the GRAI Index is to provide Ministries and Departments with a comparative performance assessment, enabling them to identify areas for improvement and implement policy reforms to minimize grievances. The Right to Service (RTS) Act has been enacted by 22 States and Union Territories as of date, with RTS Commissions established in 8 of them (Assam, Chandigarh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Meghalaya, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal). DARPG conducts regular meetings/ webinars with State and UT governments, collaborates with RTS Commissions to exchange best practices and improve service delivery by promoting e-services, bringing citizens and the government closer through technology, and engages with commissioners, and appellate officials to boost egovernance and enhance e-service delivery in the nation.

    This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.   

    ***

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2118276) Visitor Counter : 23

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: PERFORMANCE OF CPENGRAMS

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:30PM by PIB Delhi

    Centralized Pension Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS) has reduced the backlog and 1,94,611 grievances have been resolved during the last two years (from 01.03.2023 to 28.02.2025). For the redressal of grievances of family pensioners and super-senior pensioners, specific categorization of such grievances, including the delay in starting of family pension and additional pension, has been done for better monitoring. Further, regular reminders are issued and monthly Inter-Ministerial Review Meetings (IMRMs) are conducted for such cases. Also, under 100 days Action plan, a month long Special Campaign, for redressal of family pension grievances, was launched in July, 2024, which achieved 94% redressal. The Department has issued instructions including detailed instructions dated 16.10.2024 from time to time with emphasis on ultimate and conclusive redressal of the grievances within 21 days from earlier 30 days. Quality of redressal is monitored through feedback centre and Appeals are filed in the cases graded as ‘Poor’.

    These initiatives have helped in improving the redressal time and quality of redressal.

    This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.   

    ***

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2118274) Visitor Counter : 21

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:29PM by PIB Delhi

    In terms of Section 2(h)(d) of the RTI Act, 2005, any authority or body or institution of selfgovernment established or constituted by notification issued or order made by the appropriate Government including any (i) body owned, controlled or substantially financed; (ii) non – Government organisation substantially financed, directly or indirectly by funds provided by the appropriate Government is considered as public authority.

    It is the obligation and responsibility of each and every Public Authority established under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005 to implement the provisions of the RTI Act. They are also under obligation to undertake the suo motu/proactive disclosure as mandated under Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act and comply with the guidelines issued by the Government from time to

    time.

    In this regard, the Government issued exhaustive guidelines on implementation of suo motu disclosure under section 4 of RTI Act, 2005 vide OM No.1/6/2011-IR dated 15.04.2013 which were reiterated on 07.11.2019.

    Para 4.5 of the aforesaid guidelines provide that the Central Information Commission should examine the third-party audit reports for each Ministry/Public Authority and offer advice/recommendations to the concerned Ministries/ Public Authorities.

    Further, as per Section 25(5) of the RTI Act, if it appears to the Central Information Commission (CIC) that the practice of a public authority in relation to the exercise of its functions under this Act does not conform with the provisions or spirit of this Act, it may give to the authority a recommendation specifying the steps which ought in its opinion to be taken for promoting such conformity. The CIC being the apex adjudicatory body set up under Section 12(1) of the RTI Act, functions autonomously without being subjected to directions by any other Authority under the RTI Act.

    Furthermore, the CIC in terms of Sections 18-20 of the RTI Act, have sufficient powers to enquire into complaints and to adjudicate appeals, including complaints regarding any public authority claiming itself to not be a public authority.

    This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

    ***

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2118271) Visitor Counter : 22

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: GRANT OF NOTIONAL INCREMENT TO THE EMPLOYEES

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:29PM by PIB Delhi

    Instructions in this regard were issued vide D/o Personnel & Training’s O.M. No. 19/116/2024-Pers.Pol. (Pay)(pt) dated 14.10.2024 in pursuance of the Interim Order dated06.09.2024 passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in M.A. Dy. No. 2400/2024, and after dueconsultation with D/o Legal Affairs and D/o Expenditure.

     It has been provided in para 6 of D/o Personnel & Training’s O.M. No.19/116/2024-Pers. Pol. (Pay)(pt) dated 14.10.2024 that the judgment dated 11.04.2023 will be given effect to incase of third parties from the date of the judgment, that is, the pension by taking into account one increment will be payable on and after 01.05.2023. Enhanced pension for the period prior to 30.04.2023 will not be paid. In case any retired employee has filed any application or writ petition and a beneficial order has been passed, the enhanced pension by including one increment will be payable from the month in which the application for intervention/ impleadment was filed.

    This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.  

    ***

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2118273) Visitor Counter : 20

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, moves the statutory resolution in the Lok Sabha seeking approval of imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur

    Source: Government of India

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, moves the statutory resolution in the Lok Sabha seeking approval of imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur

    The House expresses its respect, sympathy, and deep sorrow for those who lost their lives in the violence in Manipur

    Ethnic violence in Manipur started due to a reservation-related dispute between two communities, triggered by a decision of the Manipur High Court

    No violence since past four months in Manipur

    The government is providing all necessary facilities, including food, medicines, and medical services, in the relief camps

    Online arrangements for technical education and medical education have been made

    Classes have been set up inside the camps for primary education, where arrangements for their learning have been made

    Home Minister says there should not be any violence and ethnic violence should not be linked to any political party

    Manipur has long experienced unrest, but the opposition is portraying it as if this is the first instance of violence in Manipur

    During the previous government’s tenure, three major ethnic violences in Manipur after 1993 lasted for 10 years, 3 years and six months, but no one, including the Home Minister, from the government visited the region

    Between 2012 and 2017, despite no ethnic violence, Manipur was shut down for an average of 212 days per year

    Before the High Court order, there was not a single day of shutdown and blockade in Manipur during our rule and there was no violence

    On the very day the High Court’s order was issued, security forces’ companies  were dispatched to the region via Air Force planes

    Home Minister appeals to all members, urging them not to politicize the issue, as the government is making every possible effort to restore peace in Manipur

    After the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur, discussions were held with both communities, and separate meetings with all organizations from both communities took place

    Ministry of Home Affairs will soon convene a joint meeting

    Government is working to restore peace in Manipur as soon as possible, rehabilitate those affected, and heal the wounds

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:21PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Minister, Shri Amit Shah, moved a statutory resolution in the Lok Sabha for the approval of the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur. The resolution was thereafter adopted by the lower house. The House also expressed its respect, sympathy, and deep sorrow for those who lost their lives in the violence in Manipur.

    Introducing the resolution, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, said that ethnic violence between two communities in Manipur had started due to a decision by the Manipur High Court regarding a reservation-related dispute. He mentioned that these are neither riots nor terrorism, but ethnic violence between two communities as a result of the interpretation of the High Court’s decision. Shri Shah further said that there has been no violence in Manipur for nearly four months, from December to March, and provisions for food, medicines, and medical facilities have been ensured in the camps. He said that online arrangements for technical and medical education have been made and for primary education, classes have been set up inside the camps, where arrangements for their studies have been made.

    Shri Amit Shah said that there should not be any violence and ethnic violence should not be linked to any political party. He mentioned that the opposition tried to portray a picture that ethnic violence occurred during our governance. He informed the House that between 1993 and 1998, there was a Naga-Kuki conflict in Manipur for five years, which resulted in 750 deaths, and sporadic incidents continued for a decade. Shri Shah emphasized that while we believe such incidents should never happen under our rule, an unfortunate decision led to the violence, which was immediately brought under control. He said that of the 260 deaths in the violence, 80 per cent occurred in the first month, while the remaining deaths occurred in the following months. He also mentioned that in the 1997-98 Kuki-Paite conflict, more than 50 villages were destroyed, 40,000 people were displaced, 352 people were killed, hundreds were injured, and 5,000 homes were burned. He further added that during the six-month-long Meitei-Pangal conflict took place in 1993 in which over 100 deaths occurred.

    Union Home Minister said that the opposition is trying to portray a picture as if this is the first violence in Manipur and our governance has failed. He mentioned that three major instances of violence—spanning 10 years, 3 years, and 6 months—had occurred during the rule of the previous government. He added that after these incidents of violence, no one from the then government, including the Home Minister, visited the region.

    Shri Amit Shah noted that BJP came to power in 2017, and in the previous five years, Manipur was shut down for an average of 212 days per year, despite the fact that no ethnic violence occurred during that time. He mentioned that there were over 1,000 encounters, which had to be taken cognizance of by the Supreme Court. Shri Shah said that before the High Court order, there was not a single day of shutdown and blockade in Manipur and there was no violence, in the six years of BJP rule since 2017. He said that in a specific situation, when both communities interpreted a High Court decision as being against them, violence erupted within just two days.

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation stated that the opposition has also accused the government of ignoring the violence in Manipur. He informed the House that on the very day the High Court’s order was issued, security forces’ companies were dispatched to the region via Air Force planes. He emphasized that everyone shares the same concern on this matter. The Home Minister appealed to all members, urging them not to politicize the issue, as the government is making every possible effort to restore peace in Manipur. He added that for every life lost in this violence, the House should hold respect, empathy, and sorrow in its heart.

    Shri Amit Shah stated that after the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur, discussions were held with both communities, and separate meetings with all organizations from both communities have taken place. He mentioned that the Ministry of Home Affairs will soon convene a joint meeting. He emphasized that while the government is working to find a path to end the violence, the top priority is to establish peace. Shri Shah also noted that there have been no deaths in Manipur for the past four months, with only two people injured, and the situation is largely under control. However, he said that the situation would not be considered satisfactory until the displaced people are no longer living in camps. He further mentioned that discussions are ongoing regarding a rehabilitation package for the displaced people.

    Union Home Minister stated that our Chief Minister resigned, and then the Governor held discussions with 37 BJP members, 6 from NPP, 5 from NPF, 1 from JD(U), and 5 from Congress. He mentioned that when most of the members stated that they were not in a position to form the government, the Cabinet recommended the imposition of President’s Rule, which was accepted by the President. Shri Shah further stated that the government wants peace to be restored in Manipur as soon as possible, along with rehabilitation efforts and healing the wounds of the affected people.

    *****

    RK/VV/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2118264) Visitor Counter : 94

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKMA 2025 Pay Review

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    HKMA 2025 Pay Review 
    The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (April 3) the results of the 2025 annual pay review. The review was undertaken by the Governance Sub-Committee (GSC) of the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee (EFAC). The GSC’s recommendations have been approved by the Financial Secretary through EFAC.

    The Fixed Pay of the HKMA staff will be frozen for the coming year from April 2025. Variable Pay equivalent to 19.93 per cent of Total Pay will be paid to staff on the basis of their performance in 2024. Variable Pay is a one-off payment to staff who have attained or exceeded the required level of performance.Issued at HKT 19:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs reminds public before long weekend of Ching Ming Festival holiday not to bring “space oil drug” into or out of Hong Kong

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    With the long weekend of Ching Ming Festival holiday approaching, Hong Kong Customs today (April 3) reminded members of the public and travellers not to bring “space oil drug” into or out of Hong Kong in order to avoid breaching the law and incurring criminal liabilities.

    To step up the control of the “space oil drug”, the Government has listed etomidate, the main ingredient of the “space oil drug” and its three analogues (metomidate, propoxate and isopropoxate) as dangerous drugs.

    A spokesman for Hong Kong Customs said, “With the long weekend of the Ching Ming Festival holiday approaching, we will take more stringent enforcement actions against cross-boundary trafficking of the ‘space oil drug’ and other narcotics activities. Hong Kong Customs will not tolerate drug trafficking criminals and will bring them to justice.”

    Drug trafficking is a serious offence. Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, the maximum penalty upon conviction is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million. The maximum penalty upon conviction for possession of dangerous drugs is imprisonment for seven years and a fine of $1 million.

    With a view to enhancing enforcement efficiency, Customs has incorporated etomidate and its analogues into the databases of raman spectrometers and ion scanners to increase frontline personnel’s capability in detecting the “space oil drug”. Customs will continue to work closely with Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies to stringently combat cross-boundary drug trafficking activities.

    Members of the public are urged to report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) and online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PM highlights the new energy and resolve in the lives of devotees with worship of Maa Durga in Navratri

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 6:57AM by PIB Delhi

    The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today highlighted the new energy and resolve in the lives of devotees with worship of Maa Durga in Navratri. He also shared a bhajan by Smt. Anuradha Paudwal.

    ***

    MJPS/SR

    (Release ID: 2118090) Visitor Counter : 55

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fast Flux: A National Security Threat

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    Executive summary

    Many networks have a gap in their defenses for detecting and blocking a malicious technique known as “fast flux.” This technique poses a significant threat to national security, enabling malicious cyber actors to consistently evade detection. Malicious cyber actors, including cybercriminals and nation-state actors, use fast flux to obfuscate the locations of malicious servers by rapidly changing Domain Name System (DNS) records. Additionally, they can create resilient, highly available command and control (C2) infrastructure, concealing their subsequent malicious operations. This resilient and fast changing infrastructure makes tracking and blocking malicious activities that use fast flux more difficult. 

    The National Security Agency (NSA), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD’s ACSC), Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS), and New Zealand National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-NZ) are releasing this joint cybersecurity advisory (CSA) to warn organizations, Internet service providers (ISPs), and cybersecurity service providers of the ongoing threat of fast flux enabled malicious activities as a defensive gap in many networks. This advisory is meant to encourage service providers, especially Protective DNS (PDNS) providers, to help mitigate this threat by taking proactive steps to develop accurate, reliable, and timely fast flux detection analytics and blocking capabilities for their customers. This CSA also provides guidance on detecting and mitigating elements of malicious fast flux by adopting a multi-layered approach that combines DNS analysis, network monitoring, and threat intelligence. 

    The authoring agencies recommend all stakeholders—government and providers—collaborate to develop and implement scalable solutions to close this ongoing gap in network defenses against malicious fast flux activity.

    Download the PDF version of this report: Fast Flux: A National Security Threat (841 KB).

    Technical details

    When malicious cyber actors compromise devices and networks, the malware they use needs to “call home” to send status updates and receive further instructions. To decrease the risk of detection by network defenders, malicious cyber actors use dynamic resolution techniques, such as fast flux, so their communications are less likely to be detected as malicious and blocked. 

    Fast flux refers to a domain-based technique that is characterized by rapidly changing the DNS records (e.g., IP addresses) associated with a single domain [T1568.001]. 

    Single and double flux

    Malicious cyber actors use two common variants of fast flux to perform operations:

    1. Single flux: A single domain name is linked to numerous IP addresses, which are frequently rotated in DNS responses. This setup ensures that if one IP address is blocked or taken down, the domain remains accessible through the other IP addresses. See Figure 1 as an example to illustrate this technique.

    Figure 1: Single flux technique.

    Note: This behavior can also be used for legitimate purposes for performance reasons in dynamic hosting environments, such as in content delivery networks and load balancers.

    2. Double flux: In addition to rapidly changing the IP addresses as in single flux, the DNS name servers responsible for resolving the domain also change frequently. This provides an additional layer of redundancy and anonymity for malicious domains. Double flux techniques have been observed using both Name Server (NS) and Canonical Name (CNAME) DNS records. See Figure 2 as an example to illustrate this technique.

    Figure 2: Double flux technique. 

    Both techniques leverage a large number of compromised hosts, usually as a botnet from across the Internet that acts as proxies or relay points, making it difficult for network defenders to identify the malicious traffic and block or perform legal enforcement takedowns of the malicious infrastructure. Numerous malicious cyber actors have been reported using the fast flux technique to hide C2 channels and remain operational. Examples include:

    • Bulletproof hosting (BPH) services offer Internet hosting that disregards or evades law enforcement requests and abuse notices. These providers host malicious content and activities while providing anonymity for malicious cyber actors. Some BPH companies also provide fast flux services, which help malicious cyber actors maintain connectivity and improve the reliability of their malicious infrastructure. [1]
    • Fast flux has been used in Hive and Nefilim ransomware attacks. [3], [4]
    • Gamaredon uses fast flux to limit the effectiveness of IP blocking. [5], [6], [7]

    The key advantages of fast flux networks for malicious cyber actors include:

    • Increased resilience. As a fast flux network rapidly rotates through botnet devices, it is difficult for law enforcement or abuse notifications to process the changes quickly and disrupt their services.
    • Render IP blocking ineffective. The rapid turnover of IP addresses renders IP blocking irrelevant since each IP address is no longer in use by the time it is blocked. This allows criminals to maintain resilient operations.
    • Anonymity. Investigators face challenges in tracing malicious content back to the source through fast flux networks. This is because malicious cyber actors’ C2 botnets are constantly changing the associated IP addresses throughout the investigation.

    Additional malicious uses

    Fast flux is not only used for maintaining C2 communications, it also can play a significant role in phishing campaigns to make social engineering websites harder to block or take down. Phishing is often the first step in a larger and more complex cyber compromise. Phishing is typically used to trick victims into revealing sensitive information (such as login passwords, credit card numbers, and personal data), but can also be used to distribute malware or exploit system vulnerabilities. Similarly, fast flux is used for maintaining high availability for cybercriminal forums and marketplaces, making them resilient against law enforcement takedown efforts. 

    Some BPH providers promote fast flux as a service differentiator that increases the effectiveness of their clients’ malicious activities. For example, one BPH provider posted on a dark web forum that it protects clients from being added to Spamhaus blocklists by easily enabling the fast flux capability through the service management panel (See Figure 3). A customer just needs to add a “dummy server interface,” which redirects incoming queries to the host server automatically. By doing so, only the dummy server interfaces are reported for abuse and added to the Spamhaus blocklist, while the servers of the BPH customers remain “clean” and unblocked. 

    Figure 3: Example dark web fast flux advertisement.

    The BPH provider further explained that numerous malicious activities beyond C2, including botnet managers, fake shops, credential stealers, viruses, spam mailers, and others, could use fast flux to avoid identification and blocking. 

    As another example, a BPH provider that offers fast flux as a service advertised that it automatically updates name servers to prevent the blocking of customer domains. Additionally, this provider further promoted its use of separate pools of IP addresses for each customer, offering globally dispersed domain registrations for increased reliability.

    Detection techniques

    The authoring agencies recommend that ISPs and cybersecurity service providers, especially PDNS providers, implement a multi-layered approach, in coordination with customers, using the following techniques to aid in detecting fast flux activity [CISA CPG 3.A]. However, quickly detecting malicious fast flux activity and differentiating it from legitimate activity remains an ongoing challenge to developing accurate, reliable, and timely fast flux detection analytics. 

    1. Leverage threat intelligence feeds and reputation services to identify known fast flux domains and associated IP addresses, such as in boundary firewalls, DNS resolvers, and/or SIEM solutions.

    2. Implement anomaly detection systems for DNS query logs to identify domains exhibiting high entropy or IP diversity in DNS responses and frequent IP address rotations. Fast flux domains will frequently cycle though tens or hundreds of IP addresses per day.

    3. Analyze the time-to-live (TTL) values in DNS records. Fast flux domains often have unusually low TTL values. A typical fast flux domain may change its IP address every 3 to 5 minutes.

    4. Review DNS resolution for inconsistent geolocation. Malicious domains associated with fast flux typically generate high volumes of traffic with inconsistent IP-geolocation information.

    5. Use flow data to identify large-scale communications with numerous different IP addresses over short periods.

    6. Develop fast flux detection algorithms to identify anomalous traffic patterns that deviate from usual network DNS behavior.

    7. Monitor for signs of phishing activities, such as suspicious emails, websites, or links, and correlate these with fast flux activity. Fast flux may be used to rapidly spread phishing campaigns and to keep phishing websites online despite blocking attempts.

    8. Implement customer transparency and share information about detected fast flux activity, ensuring to alert customers promptly after confirmed presence of malicious activity.

    Mitigations

    All organizations

    To defend against fast flux, government and critical infrastructure organizations should coordinate with their Internet service providers, cybersecurity service providers, and/or their Protective DNS services to implement the following mitigations utilizing accurate, reliable, and timely fast flux detection analytics. 

    Note: Some legitimate activity, such as common content delivery network (CDN) behaviors, may look like malicious fast flux activity. Protective DNS services, service providers, and network defenders should make reasonable efforts, such as allowlisting expected CDN services, to avoid blocking or impeding legitimate content.

    1. DNS and IP blocking and sinkholing of malicious fast flux domains and IP addresses

    • Block access to domains identified as using fast flux through non-routable DNS responses or firewall rules.
    • Consider sinkholing the malicious domains, redirecting traffic from those domains to a controlled server to capture and analyze the traffic, helping to identify compromised hosts within the network.
    • Block IP addresses known to be associated with malicious fast flux networks.

    2. Reputational filtering of fast flux enabled malicious activity

    • Block traffic to and from domains or IP addresses with poor reputations, especially ones identified as participating in malicious fast flux activity.

    3. Enhanced monitoring and logging

    • Increase logging and monitoring of DNS traffic and network communications to identify new or ongoing fast flux activities.
    • Implement automated alerting mechanisms to respond swiftly to detected fast flux patterns.
    • Refer to ASD’s ACSC joint publication, Best practices for event logging and threat detection, for further logging recommendations.

    4. Collaborative defense and information sharing

    • Share detected fast flux indicators (e.g., domains, IP addresses) with trusted partners and threat intelligence communities to enhance collective defense efforts. Examples of indicator sharing initiatives include CISA’s Automated Indicator Sharing or sector-based Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs) and ASD’s Cyber Threat Intelligence Sharing Platform (CTIS) in Australia.
    • Participate in public and private information-sharing programs to stay informed about emerging fast flux tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). Regular collaboration is particularly important because most malicious activity by these domains occurs within just a few days of their initial use; therefore, early discovery and information sharing by the cybersecurity community is crucial to minimizing such malicious activity. [8]

    5. Phishing awareness and training

    • Implement employee awareness and training programs to help personnel identify and respond appropriately to phishing attempts.
    • Develop policies and procedures to manage and contain phishing incidents, particularly those facilitated by fast flux networks.
    • For more information on mitigating phishing, see joint Phishing Guidance: Stopping the Attack Cycle at Phase One.

    Network defenders

    The authoring agencies encourage organizations to use cybersecurity and PDNS services that detect and block fast flux. By leveraging providers that detect fast flux and implement capabilities for DNS and IP blocking, sinkholing, reputational filtering, enhanced monitoring, logging, and collaborative defense of malicious fast flux domains and IP addresses, organizations can mitigate many risks associated with fast flux and maintain a more secure environment. 

    However, some PDNS providers may not detect and block malicious fast flux activities. Organizations should not assume that their PDNS providers block malicious fast flux activity automatically and should contact their PDNS providers to validate coverage of this specific cyber threat. 

    For more information on PDNS services, see the 2021 joint cybersecurity information sheet from NSA and CISA about Selecting a Protective DNS Service. [9] In addition, NSA offers no-cost cybersecurity services to Defense Industrial Base (DIB) companies, including a PDNS service. For more information, see NSA’s DIB Cybersecurity Services and factsheet. CISA also offers a Protective DNS service for federal civilian executive branch (FCEB) agencies. See CISA’s Protective Domain Name System Resolver page and factsheet for more information. 

    Conclusion

    Fast flux represents a persistent threat to network security, leveraging rapidly changing infrastructure to obfuscate malicious activity. By implementing robust detection and mitigation strategies, organizations can significantly reduce their risk of compromise by fast flux-enabled threats. 

    The authoring agencies strongly recommend organizations engage their cybersecurity providers on developing a multi-layered approach to detect and mitigate malicious fast flux operations. Utilizing services that detect and block fast flux enabled malicious cyber activity can significantly bolster an organization’s cyber defenses. 

    Works cited

    [1] Intel471. Bulletproof Hosting: A Critical Cybercriminal Service. 2024. https://intel471.com/blog/bulletproof-hosting-a-critical-cybercriminal-service 

    [2] Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre. “Bulletproof” hosting providers: Cracks in the armour of cybercriminal infrastructure. 2025. https://www.cyber.gov.au/about-us/view-all-content/publications/bulletproof-hosting-providers 

    [3] Logpoint. A Comprehensive guide to Detect Ransomware. 2023. https://www.logpoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/logpoint-a-comprehensive-guide-to-detect-ransomware.pdf

    [4] Trendmicro. Modern Ransomware’s Double Extortion Tactic’s and How to Protect Enterprises Against Them. 2021. https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/security/news/cybercrime-and-digital-threats/modern-ransomwares-double-extortion-tactics-and-how-to-protect-enterprises-against-them

    [5] Unit 42. Russia’s Trident Ursa (aka Gamaredon APT) Cyber Conflict Operations Unwavering Since Invasion of Ukraine. 2022. https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/trident-ursa/

    [6] Recorded Future. BlueAlpha Abuses Cloudflare Tunneling Service for GammaDrop Staging Infrastructure. 2024. https://www.recordedfuture.com/research/bluealpha-abuses-cloudflare-tunneling-service 

    [7] Silent Push. ‘From Russia with a 71’: Uncovering Gamaredon’s fast flux infrastructure. New apex domains and ASN/IP diversity patterns discovered. 2023. https://www.silentpush.com/blog/from-russia-with-a-71/

    [8] DNS Filter. Security Categories You Should be Blocking (But Probably Aren’t). 2023. https://www.dnsfilter.com/blog/security-categories-you-should-be-blocking-but-probably-arent

    [9] National Security Agency. Selecting a Protective DNS Service. 2021. https://media.defense.gov/2025/Mar/24/2003675043/-1/-1/0/CSI-SELECTING-A-PROTECTIVE-DNS-SERVICE-V1.3.PDF

    Disclaimer of endorsement

    The information and opinions contained in this document are provided “as is” and without any warranties or guarantees. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government, and this guidance shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.

    Purpose

    This document was developed in furtherance of the authoring cybersecurity agencies’ missions, including their responsibilities to identify and disseminate threats, and develop and issue cybersecurity specifications and mitigations. This information may be shared broadly to reach all appropriate stakeholders.

    Contact

    National Security Agency (NSA):

    Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA):

    • All organizations should report incidents and anomalous activity to CISA via the agency’s Incident Reporting System, its 24/7 Operations Center at report@cisa.gov, or by calling 1-844-Say-CISA (1-844-729-2472). When available, please include the following information regarding the incident: date, time, and location of the incident; type of activity; number of people affected; type of equipment user for the activity; the name of the submitting company or organization; and a designated point of contact.

    Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI):

    • To report suspicious or criminal activity related to information found in this advisory, contact your local FBI field office or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). When available, please include the following information regarding the incident: date, time, and location of the incident; type of activity; number of people affected; type of equipment used for the activity; the name of the submitting company or organization; and a designated point of contact.

    Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD’s ACSC):

    • For inquiries, visit ASD’s website at www.cyber.gov.au or call the Australian Cyber Security Hotline at 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371).

    Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS):

    New Zealand National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-NZ):

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: YieldMax™ Launches Semiconductor Portfolio Option Income ETF (CHPY)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO and MILWAUKEE and NEW YORK, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — YieldMax™ announced the launch today of the following ETF:

    YieldMax™ Semiconductor Portfolio Option Income ETF (NYSE Arca: CHPY)

    CHPY Overview

    CHPY is an actively managed ETF that seeks current income and capital appreciation via direct investments in a select portfolio of 15-30 Semiconductor Companies. CHPY aims to generate current income through an options portfolio on Semiconductor Companies and/or Semiconductor ETFs.

    CHPY Equity Portfolio

    CHPY seeks capital appreciation via direct investments in its portfolio of 15-30 Semiconductor Companies. To enable CHPY to effectively implement its options strategies (see below), CHPY’s Adviser evaluates the liquidity of a potential company’s common stock and the liquidity of its options contracts. Any dividend paid by its Semiconductor Companies will contribute to CHPY’s income generation.

    CHPY Options Portfolio

    CHPY seeks to generate current income primarily by writing (selling) options contracts on some or all of its Semiconductor Companies. Depending on the Adviser’s outlook, it will select one or more options strategies that it believes will best provide CHPY with current income while generally also attempting to participate in a portion of the share price increases experienced by its Semiconductor Companies. Further, depending on the Adviser’s assessment of one or more of the Semiconductor Companies options contracts (e.g., they are insufficiently liquid or too costly), CHPY may employ options strategies on a Semiconductor ETF. By strategically entering and exiting options positions, the Adviser seeks to enhance CHPY’s income potential.

    CHPY Distribution Schedule

    CHPY is the newest member of the YieldMax™ ETF family and like all YieldMax™ ETFs, CHPY aims to deliver current income to investors. With respect to distributions, CHPY aims to make distributions on a weekly basis and its first weekly distribution is expected to be announced on April 16, 2025.

    Why Invest in CHPY?

    • CHPY seeks to generate income, which is not dependent on the value of its portfolio of Semiconductor companies.
    • CHPY seeks to participate in some of the potential share price gains experienced by its Semiconductor Companies.

    Please see the table below for distribution information for all outstanding YieldMax™ ETFs.

    ETF
    Ticker
    1
    ETF Name Distribution
    Frequency
    Distribution
    per Share
    Distribution
    Rate
    2,4
    30-Day
    SEC Yield3
    ROC5
    GPTY YieldMax™ AI & Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF Weekly $0.2668 34.48% 0.00% 100.00%
    LFGY YieldMax™ Crypto Industry & Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF Weekly $0.4189 59.51% 0.00% 100.00%
    QDTY YieldMax™ Nasdaq 100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF Weekly $0.2638 30.79% 0.00% 37.26%
    RDTY YieldMax™ R2000 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF Weekly $0.3351 35.84% 0.00% 78.96%
    SDTY YieldMax™ S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF Weekly $0.2723 30.85% 0.00% 65.95%
    ULTY YieldMax™ Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF Weekly $0.0916 76.60% 2.10% 97.00%
    YMAG YieldMax™ Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs Weekly $0.0971 32.97% 69.89% 28.54%
    YMAX YieldMax™ Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs Weekly $0.1781 67.58% 96.57% 0.00%
    BIGY YieldMax™ Target 12™ Big 50 Option Income ETF Monthly $0.4582 12.00% 0.71% 0.00%
    SOXY YieldMax™ Target 12™ Semiconductor Option Income ETF Monthly $0.4266 11.97% 0.26% 0.00%
    ABNY YieldMax™ ABNB Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3665 37.42% 3.62% 0.00%
    AIYY YieldMax™ AI Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3221 84.22% 4.89% 2.09%
    AMDY YieldMax™ AMD Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.2765 45.01% 2.97% 93.13%
    AMZY YieldMax™ AMZN Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.4177 33.06% 4.40% 0.00%
    APLY YieldMax™ AAPL Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3440 29.51% 3.44% 87.26%
    BABO YieldMax™ BABA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.7578 50.30% 1.92% 0.00%
    CONY YieldMax™ COIN Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.4381 70.66% 4.42% 94.62%
    CRSH YieldMax™ Short TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.6458 128.93% 1.79% 98.10%
    CVNY YieldMax™ CVNA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $2.9684 96.98% 2.44% 99.08%
    DIPS YieldMax™ Short NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.5851 61.20% 2.36% 96.87%
    DISO YieldMax™ DIS Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.2879 26.29% 4.03% 51.26%
    FBY YieldMax™ META Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.5506 43.57% 4.38% 0.00%
    FEAT YieldMax™ Dorsey Wright Featured 5 Income ETF Every 4 weeks $0.6925 24.82% 108.54% 0.00%
    FIAT YieldMax™ Short COIN Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.9240 131.85% 1.73% 98.90%
    FIVY YieldMax™ Dorsey Wright Hybrid 5 Income ETF Every 4 weeks $0.7092 24.88% 69.37% 0.00%
    GDXY YieldMax™ Gold Miners Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.6394 51.98% 2.77% 0.00%
    GOOY YieldMax™ GOOGL Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3284 35.52% 4.67% 0.00%
    JPMO YieldMax™ JPM Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3717 29.57% 4.01% 42.17%
    MARO YieldMax™ MARA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $1.4783 89.99% 4.90% 95.22%
    MRNY YieldMax™ MRNA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.1827 87.97% 4.65% 94.71%
    MSFO YieldMax™ MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3337 27.08% 3.75% 0.00%
    MSTY YieldMax™ MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $1.3775 81.94% 0.50% 97.54%
    NFLY YieldMax™ NFLX Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.6020 46.46% 3.58% 59.10%
    NVDY YieldMax™ NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.7874 65.47% 4.01% 100.00%
    OARK YieldMax™ Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3210 53.55% 3.51% 71.26%
    PLTY YieldMax™ PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $5.3257 117.62% 2.78% 97.91%
    PYPY YieldMax™ PYPL Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.3521 33.82% 4.19% 0.00%
    SMCY YieldMax™ SMCI Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $1.9742 120.52% 3.01% 0.00%
    SNOY YieldMax™ SNOW Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.8119 66.34% 3.01% 0.00%
    XYZY YieldMax™ XYZ Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.5014 58.85% 6.32% 91.68%
    TSLY YieldMax™ TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.4638 68.19% 3.87% 94.16%
    TSMY YieldMax™ TSM Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.5772 49.86% 3.61% 93.02%
    WNTR* YieldMax™ Short MSTR Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks
    XOMO YieldMax™ XOM Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.2950 25.83% 3.18% 77.73%
    YBIT YieldMax™ Bitcoin Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.4357 55.47% 1.52% 97.70%
    YQQQ YieldMax™ Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4 weeks $0.4483 33.43% 3.08% 92.77%


    Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted above. Performance current to the most recent month-end can be obtained by calling 
    (833) 378-0717.

    Note: DIPS, FIAT, CRSH, YQQQ and WNTR are hereinafter referred to as the “Short ETFs.”

    Distributions are not guaranteed.   The Distribution Rate and 30-Day SEC Yield are not indicative of future distributions, if any, on the ETFs. In particular, future distributions on any ETF may differ significantly from its Distribution Rate or 30-Day SEC Yield. You are not guaranteed a distribution under the ETFs. Distributions for the ETFs (if any) are variable and may vary significantly from period to period and may be zero. Accordingly, the Distribution Rate and 30-Day SEC Yield will change over time, and such change may be significant.

    Investors in the Funds will not have rights to receive dividends or other distributions with respect to the underlying reference asset(s).

    *The inception date for WNTR is March 26, 2025.

    1  All YieldMax™ ETFs shown in the table above (except YMAX, YMAG, FEAT, FIVY and ULTY) have a gross expense ratio of 0.99%. YMAX, YMAG and FEAT have a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.99% for a gross expense ratio of 1.28%. FIVY has a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.59% for a gross expense ratio of 0.88%. “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are indirect fees and expenses that the Fund incurs from investing in the shares of other investment companies, namely other YieldMax™ ETFs. ULTY has a gross expense ratio after the fee waiver of 1.30%. The Advisor has agreed to a fee waiver of 0.10% through at least February 28, 2026

    2The Distribution Rate shown is as of close on April 2, 2025. The Distribution Rate is the annual distribution rate an investor would receive if the most recent distribution, which includes option income, remained the same going forward. The Distribution Rate is calculated by annualizing an ETF’s Distribution per Share and dividing such annualized amount by the ETF’s most recent NAV. The Distribution Rate represents a single distribution from the ETF and does not represent its total return. Distributions may also include a combination of ordinary dividends, capital gain, and return of investor capital, which may decrease an ETF’s NAV and trading price over time. As a result, an investor may suffer significant losses to their investment. These Distribution Rates may be caused by unusually favorable market conditions and may not be sustainable. Such conditions may not continue to exist and there should be no expectation that this performance may be repeated in the future.

    3  The 30-Day SEC Yield represents net investment income, which excludes option income, earned by such ETF over the 30-Day period ended March 31, 2025, expressed as an annual percentage rate based on such ETF’s share price at the end of the 30-Day period.

    4  Each ETF’s strategy (except those of the Short ETFs) will cap potential gains if its reference asset’s shares increase in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset’s shares decrease in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF. Each Short ETF’s strategy will cap potential gains if its reference asset decreases in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset increases in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF.

    5  ROC refers to Return of Capital. The ROC percentage is the portion of the distribution that represents an investor’s original investment.

    Each Fund has a limited operating history and while each Fund’s objective is to provide current income, there is no guarantee the Fund will make a distribution. Distributions are likely to vary greatly in amount.

    Standardized Performance

    For YMAX, click here. For YMAG, click here. For TSLY, click here. For OARK, click here. For APLY, click here. For NVDY, click here. For AMZY, click here. For FBY, click here. For GOOY, click here. For NFLY, click here. For CONY, click here. For MSFO, click here. For DISO, click here. For XOMO, click here. For JPMO, click here. For AMDY, click here. For PYPY, click here. For XYZY, click here. For MRNY, click here. For AIYY, click here. For MSTY, click here. For ULTY, click here. For YBIT, click here. For CRSH, click here. For GDXY, click here. For SNOY, click here. For ABNY, click here. For FIAT, click here. For DIPS, click here. For BABO, click here. For YQQQ, click here. For TSMY, click here. For SMCY, click here. For PLTY, click here. For BIGY, click here. For SOXY, click here. For MARO, click here. For FEAT, click here. For FIVY, click here. For LFGY, click here. For GPTY, click here. For CVNY, click here. For SDTY, click here. For QDTY, click here. For RDTY, click here. For WNTR, click here.

    Important Information

    This material must be preceded or accompanied by the prospectus. For all prospectuses, click here.

    Tidal Financial Group is the adviser for all YieldMax™ ETFs.

    THE FUND, TRUST, AND ADVISER ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY UNDERLYING REFERENCE ASSET.

    Risk Disclosures

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

    Referenced Index Risk. The Fund invests in options contracts that are based on the value of the Index (or the Index ETFs). This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of companies that comprised the Index or an ETF that tracks the Index, even though it does not.

    Indirect Investment Risk. The Index is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way. Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the companies that comprise the Index but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Index.

    Russell 2000 Index Risks. The Index, which consists of small-cap U.S. companies, is particularly susceptible to economic changes, as these firms often have less financial resilience than larger companies. Market volatility can disproportionately affect these smaller businesses, leading to significant price swings. Additionally, these companies are often more exposed to specific industry risks and have less diverse revenue streams. They can also be more vulnerable to changes in domestic regulatory or policy environments.

    Call Writing Strategy Risk. The path dependency (i.e., the continued use) of the Fund’s call writing strategy will impact the extent that the Fund participates in the positive price returns of the underlying reference asset and, in turn, the Fund’s returns, both during the term of the sold call options and over longer periods.

    Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in options contracts. Transactions in some types of derivatives, including options, are required to be centrally cleared (“cleared derivatives”). In a transaction involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house rather than a bank or broker. Since the Fund is not a member of clearing houses and only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate directly in the clearing house, the Fund will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members.

    Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, imperfect correlation with underlying investments or the Fund’s other Index (or ETFs that track the Index’s performance)holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions.

    Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary Index (or ETFs that track the Index’s performance) securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events.

    Distribution Risk. As part of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund seeks to provide current income. There is no assurance that the Fund will make a distribution in any given period. If the Fund does make distributions, the amounts of such distributions will likely vary greatly from one distribution to the next. Additionally, monthly distributions, if any, may consist of returns of capital, which would decrease the Fund’s NAV and trading price over time.

    High Index (or Index ETF) Turnover Risk. The Fund may actively and frequently trade all or a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings. A high Index (or Index ETF) turnover rate increases transaction costs, which may increase the Fund’s expenses.

    Liquidity Risk. Some securities held by the Fund, including options contracts, may be difficult to sell or be illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil.

    Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Fund is “non-diversified,” it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund.

    New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions.

    Price Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of call option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will participate in increases in value experienced by the underlying reference asset over the Call Period.

    Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s assets and distributions, if any, may decline.

    Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security (ARKK, TSLA, AAPL, NVDA, AMZN, META, GOOGL, NFLX, COIN, MSFT, DIS, XOM, JPM, AMD, PYPL, SQ, MRNA, AI, MSTR, Bitcoin ETP, GDX®, SNOW, ABNB, BABA, TSM, SMCI, PLTR, MARA, CVNA), may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GPTY)

    Artificial Intelligence Risk. Issuers engaged in artificial intelligence typically have high research and capital expenditures and, as a result, their profitability can vary widely, if they are profitable at all. The space in which they are engaged is highly competitive and issuers’ products and services may become obsolete very quickly. These companies are heavily dependent on intellectual property rights and may be adversely affected by loss or impairment of those rights. The issuers are also subject to legal, regulatory and political changes that may have a large impact on their profitability. A failure in an issuer’s product or even questions about the safety of the product could be devastating to the issuer, especially if it is the marquee product of the issuer. It can be difficult to accurately capture what qualifies as an artificial intelligence company.

    Technology Sector Risk. The Fund will invest substantially in companies in the information technology sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. Market or economic factors impacting technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technological advances could have a significant effect on the value of the Fund’s investments. The value of stocks of information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology is particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in technology product cycles, rapid product obsolescence, government regulation and competition, both domestically and internationally, including competition from foreign competitors with lower production costs. Stocks of information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall market. Information technology companies are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights, the loss or impairment of which may adversely affect profitability.

    Risk Disclosure (applicable only to MARO)

    Digital Assets Risk: The Fund does not invest directly in Bitcoin or any other digital assets. The Fund does not invest directly in derivatives that track the performance of Bitcoin or any other digital assets. The Fund does not invest in or seek direct exposure to the current “spot” or cash price of Bitcoin. Investors seeking direct exposure to the price of Bitcoin should consider an investment other than the Fund. Digital assets like Bitcoin, designed as mediums of exchange, are still an emerging asset class. They operate independently of any central authority or government backing and are subject to regulatory changes and extreme price volatility.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to BABO and TSMY)

    Currency Risk: Indirect exposure to foreign currencies subjects the Fund to the risk that currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates and the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the U.S. or abroad.

    Depositary Receipts Risk: The securities underlying BABO and TSMY are American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). Investment in ADRs may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market.

    Foreign Market and Trading Risk: The trading markets for many foreign securities are not as active as U.S. markets and may have less governmental regulation and oversight.

    Foreign Securities Risk: Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in securities of U.S. issuers, such as risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability, as well as varying regulatory requirements applicable to investments in non-U.S. issuers. There may be less information publicly available about a non-U.S. issuer than a U.S. issuer. Non-U.S. issuers may also be subject to different regulatory, accounting, auditing, financial reporting and investor protection standards than U.S. issuers.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GDXY)

    Risk of Investing in Foreign Securities. The Fund is exposed indirectly to the securities of foreign issuers selected by GDX®’s investment adviser, which subjects the Fund to the risks associated with such companies. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities.

    Risk of Investing in Gold and Silver Mining Companies. The Fund is exposed indirectly to gold and silver mining companies selected by GDX®’s investment adviser, which subjects the Fund to the risks associated with such companies.

    The Fund invests in options contracts based on the value of the VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX®), which subjects the Fund to some of the same risks as if it owned GDX®, as well as the risks associated with Canadian, Australian and Emerging Market Issuers, and Small-and Medium-Capitalization companies.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YBIT)

    YBIT does not invest directly in Bitcoin or any other digital assets. YBIT does not invest directly in derivatives that track the performance of Bitcoin or any other digital assets. YBIT does not invest in or seek direct exposure to the current “spot” or cash price of Bitcoin. Investors seeking direct exposure to the price of Bitcoin should consider an investment other than YBIT.

    Bitcoin Investment Risk: The Fund’s indirect investment in Bitcoin, through holdings in one or more Underlying ETPs, exposes it to the unique risks of this emerging innovation. Bitcoin’s price is highly volatile, and its market is influenced by the changing Bitcoin network, fluctuating acceptance levels, and unpredictable usage trends.

    Digital Assets Risk: Digital assets like Bitcoin, designed as mediums of exchange, are still an emerging asset class. They operate independently of any central authority or government backing and are subject to regulatory changes and extreme price volatility. Potentially No 1940 Act Protections. As of the date of this Prospectus, there is only a single eligible Underlying ETP, and it is an investment company subject to the 1940 Act.

    Bitcoin ETP Risk: The Fund invests in options contracts that are based on the value of the Bitcoin ETP. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of the Bitcoin ETP, even though it does not. Bitcoin ETPs are subject, but not limited, to significant risk and heightened volatility. An investor in a Bitcoin ETP may lose their entire investment. Bitcoin ETPs are not suitable for all investors. In addition, not all Bitcoin ETPs are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Those Bitcoin ETPs that are not registered under such statute are therefore not subject to the same regulations as exchange traded products that are so registered.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to the Short ETFs)

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

    Price Appreciation Risk. As part of the Fund’s synthetic covered put strategy, the Fund purchases and sells call and put option contracts that are based on the value of the underlying reference asset. This strategy subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it shorted the underlying reference asset, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s indirect inverse exposure to changes in the value of the underlying reference asset, the Fund is subject to the risk that the value of the underlying reference asset increases. If the value of the underlying reference asset increases, the Fund will likely lose value and, as a result, the Fund may suffer significant losses.

    Put Writing Strategy Risk. The path dependency (i.e., the continued use) of the Fund’s put writing (selling) strategy will impact the extent that the Fund participates in decreases in the value of the underlying reference asset and, in turn, the Fund’s returns, both during the term of the sold put options and over longer periods.

    Purchased OTM Call Options Risk. The Fund’s strategy is subject to potential losses if the underlying reference asset increases in value, which may not be offset by the purchase of out-of-the-money (OTM) call options. The Fund purchases OTM calls to seek to manage (cap) the Fund’s potential losses from the Fund’s short exposure to the underlying reference asset if it appreciates significantly in value. However, the OTM call options will cap the Fund’s losses only to the extent that the value of the underlying reference asset increases to a level that is at or above the strike level of the purchased OTM call options. Any increase in the value of the underlying reference asset to a level that is below the strike level of the purchased OTM call options will result in a corresponding loss for the Fund. For example, if the OTM call options have a strike level that is approximately 100% above the then-current value of the underlying reference asset at the time of the call option purchase, and the value of the underlying reference asset increases by at least 100% during the term of the purchased OTM call options, the Fund will lose all its value. Since the Fund bears the costs of purchasing the OTM calls, such costs will decrease the Fund’s value and/or any income otherwise generated by the Fund’s investment strategy.

    Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in options contracts. Transactions in some types of derivatives, including options, are required to be centrally cleared (“cleared derivatives”). In a transaction involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house rather than a bank or broker. Since the Fund is not a member of clearing houses and only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate directly in the clearing house, the Fund will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members.

    Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, imperfect correlation with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions.

    Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying reference asset, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events.

    Distribution Risk. As part of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund seeks to provide current income. There is no assurance that the Fund will make a distribution in any given period. If the Fund does make distributions, the amounts of such distributions will likely vary greatly from one distribution to the next.

    High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may actively and frequently trade all or a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings.

    Liquidity Risk. Some securities held by the Fund, including options contracts, may be difficult to sell or be illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil.

    Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Fund is “non-diversified,” it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund.

    New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions.

    Price Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of put option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will participate in decreases in value experienced by the underlying reference asset over the Put Period.

    Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, for any Fund that focuses on an individual security (e.g., TSLA, COIN, NVDA, MSTR), may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole.

    Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s assets and distributions, if any, may decline.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to CHPY)

    Semiconductor Industry Risk. Semiconductor companies may face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, and such competition may have an adverse effect on their profit margins. Semiconductor companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. Semiconductor companies’ supply chain and operations are dependent on the availability of materials that meet exacting standards and the use of third parties to provide components and services.

    The products of semiconductor companies may face obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction, unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Capital equipment expenditures could be substantial, and equipment generally suffers from rapid obsolescence. Companies in the semiconductor industry are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights would adversely affect the profitability of these companies.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YQQQ)

    Index Overview. The Nasdaq 100 Index is a benchmark index that includes 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, based on market capitalization.

    Index Level Appreciation Risk. As part of the Fund’s synthetic covered put strategy, the Fund purchases and sells call and put option contracts that are based on the Index level. This strategy subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it shorted the Index, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s indirect inverse exposure to changes in the Index level, the Fund is subject to the risk that the Index level increases. If the Index level increases, the Fund will likely lose value and, as a result, the Fund may suffer significant losses. The Fund may also be subject to the following risks: innovation and technological advancement; strong market presence of Index constituent companies; adaptability to global market trends; and resilience and recovery potential.

    Index Level Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of put option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will benefit from decreases in the Index level experienced over the Put Period. This means that if the Index level experiences a decrease in value below the strike level of the sold put options during a Put Period, the Fund will likely not experience that increase to the same extent and any Fund gains may significantly differ from the level of the Index losses over the Put Period. Additionally, because the Fund is limited in the degree to which it will participate in decreases in value experienced by the Index level over each Put Period, but has significant negative exposure to any increases in value experienced by the Index level over the Put Period, the NAV of the Fund may decrease over any given period. The Fund’s NAV is dependent on the value of each options portfolio, which is based principally upon the inverse of the performance of the Index level. The Fund’s ability to benefit from the Index level decreases will depend on prevailing market conditions, especially market volatility, at the time the Fund enters into the sold put option contracts and will vary from Put Period to Put Period. The value of the options contracts is affected by changes in the value and dividend rates of component companies that comprise the Index, changes in interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived volatility of the Index and the remaining time to the options’ expiration, as well as trading conditions in the options market. As the Index level changes and time moves towards the expiration of each Put Period, the value of the options contracts, and therefore the Fund’s NAV, will change. However, it is not expected for the Fund’s NAV to directly inversely correlate on a day-to-day basis with the returns of the Index level. The amount of time remaining until the options contract’s expiration date affects the impact that the value of the options contracts has on the Fund’s NAV, which may not be in full effect until the expiration date of the Fund’s options contracts. Therefore, while changes in the Index level will result in changes to the Fund’s NAV, the Fund generally anticipates that the rate of change in the Fund’s NAV will be different than the inverse of the changes experienced by the Index level.

    YieldMax™ ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. Foreside is not affiliated with Tidal Financial Group, or YieldMax™ ETFs.

    © 2025 YieldMax™ ETFs

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: AML/CFT Country lists update – April 2025

    Source: Isle of Man

    The Authority wishes to draw your attention to amendments to the country lists following the February 2025 FATF plenary. The country lists have been amended by the Cabinet Office and can be viewed on the Department of Home Affairs website.

    In particular, the Authority would like to highlight that:

    • Lao PDR (Laos) and Nepal have been added to the List B (i) and are now subject to increased monitoring.
    • Philippines has completed its Action Plans to resolve the identified strategic deficiencies within agreed timeframes and will no longer be subject to the FATF’s increased monitoring process. As a result, it has been removed from List B (i).
    • China have been added to List B (ii).
    • Algeria, Angola and Madagascar have been removed from List B (ii).
    • Anguilla, Argentina, Belize, Brunei-Darussalam, Ecuador, Guyana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Montserrat, Nauru, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Rwanda and Samoa have been added to List C.
    • China have been removed from List C.
    • Anguilla, Argentina, Armenia, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Guyana, Hungary, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Montserrat, Nauru, Oman, Paraguay, Philippines, Senegal, Timor Leste and Tunisia have been added to List D.
    • Côte d’Ivoire, Moldova, Monaco and Nepal have been removed from List D.

    Most regulated or supervised entities should already have carried out their own evaluation for any impact on their own risk assessments and customer procedures arising from this. Further details regarding List B and steps to be taken can be found in this previous news item issued by the Authority in December 2022.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Dr. Poonam Gupta appointed as Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Government of India in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (a) of sub-section (1) read with sub-section (4) of section 8 of The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, has appointed Dr. Poonam Gupta, Director General, National Council of Applied Economic Research, New Delhi as Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India for a period of three years from the date of joining the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

    (Puneet Pancholy)  
    Chief General Manager

    Press Release: 2025-2026/26

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: MSF hands over decade long programme in Kamrangirchar

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    The air in Kamrangirchar hangs thick with dust and rings with the clang of machinery. Located in Bangladesh, southeast Asia, just across the river from Dhaka’s towering skyline, this four-square-kilometre enclave is a world unto itself. Here, in the labyrinth of makeshift factories, hundreds of thousands of people labour in the shadows.

    “It’s like people are born, live, and die here without ever seeing Dhaka,” says Masud Kaiser, an Médecins Sans Fropntières (MSF) health educator who grew up in Kamrangirchar. “This [place] is a gateway to a new life for many, a chance to escape rural poverty. But the cost is often unbearably high.” 
     

    Occupational healthcare

    Behind the blue gates and down narrow, alleys, a hidden world of sweatshops thrives. Over 10,000 unregulated factories — crammed into basements, perched on rooftops, squeezed into single rooms — churn out goods for the domestic market. Men, women, and even children endure gruelling hours in hazardous conditions, their families their only safety net when illness or injury strikes.

    Hanif has spent a decade in a metal cabinet factory, his hands calloused and scarred. “If I get sick, I don’t get paid, but I keep my job,” he says. Like many, he’s paid by piece rate, his income fluctuating with his output. A bad injury can devastate his family, plunging them into deeper poverty.

    “Every time I have gone to MSF’s clinic and received care there, it has been very good because you get help quickly, and it doesn’t cost anything,” says Hanif.

    Our clinic opened in 2009, initially addressing the rampant malnutrition among children and evolving to tackle the most pressing needs: occupational health, sexual and reproductive health, and support for survivors of gender-based violence.  

    “The difference between the formal and informal sectors in Bangladesh is like heaven and hell,” explains Gayathrie Sadacharamani, MSF’s medical activity manager. “Here, there’s no oversight. Workers are worn out and discarded, their labour fuelling a system that often disregards their basic human dignity.” 

    The impact is far-reaching, rippling through families and communities. Housna Ara sews tunics for ten hours a day, her body aching, her eyes burning. “I have to work, or we won’t eat,” she says. Her fading eyesight, a direct consequence of her work, threatens her livelihood.

    MSF staff member prepares a vaccination for a factory worker in Kamrangirchar. Bangladesh, January 2025.
    MSF

    Children, too, are trapped in this relentless cycle. Robin, 15, and his 13-year-old brother are the sole breadwinners for their family, their childhoods stolen by necessity. Suma, also 15, works twelve-hour days in a textile factory, her dreams of school and a better life overshadowed by the immediate need to survive.

    Our clinic was nestled in the heart of Kamrangirchar. From first aid training to vaccinations and mental health support, it addressed the multifaceted needs of the community, understanding that health is inextricably linked to economic stability and social well-being.

    “In the last ten years, we provided occupational health services to about 77,000 workers in Kamrangirchar, of which 53 per cent were men and 47 per cent were women, and we provided occupational health services to more than 10,000 children,” says Dewan Muhammad Miskatul Mishnad, an MSF occupational health doctor.
     

    Care for sexual and gender-based violence

    The clinic provided care to women in Kamrangirchar facing the hardship of sexual and gender-based violence. Initially, reaching these women meant overcoming stigmas and actively seeking them out in their homes and workplaces.  

    “We’ve witnessed a profound shift in the community’s awareness and willingness to seek help,” Gazi Farzana Srabony, mental health activity manager in Kamrangirchar. “At the end, women came to us on their own, often secretly, driven by desperation and the hope they see in their neighbours who have received our care. They would say, ‘I came here because I can’t tell my family’.”

    “We’ve seen firsthand the impact of accessible services; and we are hopeful that other organisations will continue to build on what we’ve started,” says Srabony.  

    MSF’s outreach team in Kamrangirchar visiting door-to-door to share health messages to the community. Bangladesh, September 2024.
    Farah Tanjee/MSF

    More support is needed

    The challenges in Kamrangirchar are immense. The sheer number of factories, the continuous influx of new labourers, and systemic issues mean that the impact of MSF’s interventions, while valuable, was limited in scale. We provided essential support, like first aid and safety training, which offered crucial relief in a community where survival is a daily struggle. As we hand over this programme, local organisations and authorities plan to do their best to ensure that workers continue to receive necessary medical care.  

    Due to a global review and financial reprioritisation, after more than a decade working in partnership with the community in Kamrangirchar, by the end of March 2025, MSF handed over our Kamrangirchar projects.  

    In Kamrangirchar, MSF provided medical services through clinics in Ali Nagar and Madbor Bazar, supported the 31-bed government hospital with staff and resources, and conducted outreach to improve healthcare access and occupational health awareness in local factories.  

    Elsewhere in Bangladesh, MSF remains present in the Cox’s Bazar district which hosts Rohingya refugees who have fled targeted violence in neighbouring Myanmar’s Rakhine state since 1978. More than 1 million Rohingya are estimated to live in the confined camps of Cox’s Bazar district, where they arrived after fleeing violence in Myanmar. This includes the more than 60,000 people estimated to have arrived since January 2024, after renewed clashes between armed groups in Myanmar.

    Our current intervention in Cox’s Bazar started in 2009, when Kutupalong field hospital was established to serve both refugees and the local community. In August 2017, we scaled up activities and now run nine health facilities across Cox’s Bazar district, including three hospitals, three health centres and two specialised clinics.  

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI Video: Myanmar: UN Chief’s Media Stakeout | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Comments to the media by António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, on the situation in Myanmar.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAX_tbeG6jU

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: Gaza, Myanmar, Central African Republic & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    Briefings Today and Tomorrow
    Secretary-General/Gaza
    Deputy Secretary-General
    UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
    Myanmar
    Security Council
    Central African Republic
    Sudan
    South Sudan
    South Sudan/Humanitarian
    Somalia
    Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Haiti
    Missing Persons
    World Autism Day
    Screening

    BRIEFINGS TODAY AND TOMORROW
    Tomorrow, at 12:45 p.m., the Secretary-General of the United Nations will do a stakeout on the situation in Myanmar. There will be no noon briefing, but there will be a briefing from the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), ahead of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, which is on Friday, April 4th. Richard Boulter, UNMAS’ Chief of Design, Operational Support and Oversight will be here to brief. He will be joined virtually by Edwin Faigmane, Chief of the Mine Action Programme in Nigeria, and Fatma Zourrig, Chief of the Mine Action Programme in Libya. That will be around 11:30 a.m. tomorrow.

    SECRETARY-GENERAL/GAZA
    The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by the human toll of the intensified hostilities taking place in Gaza. He condemns the reported killing of over a thousand people, including women and children, since the collapse of the ceasefire.
    Large-scale Israeli bombardments and ground operations have resulted in the widespread destruction and the displacement of over 100,000 Palestinians from Rafah in the last two days alone, most of them having already been displaced multiple times and having been displaced with very few belongings.
    The Secretary-General is shocked by the attacks by the Israeli army on a medical and emergency convoy on 23 March resulting in the killing of 15 medical personnel and humanitarian workers in Gaza. Medical personnel and humanitarian and emergency workers must be protected by all parties to the conflict at all times, as required by international humanitarian law. Since October 2023, at least 408 aid workers have been killed in Gaza, and at least 280 of them have been United Nations humanitarian workers.

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=02%20April%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88MB1cyfcCs

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Video: #wintersportsclinic 88-year-old Veteran learns to ski again

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Vietnam era Army Veteran Robert Daehler actively skied until the age of 85. After facing an injury that left him paralyzed, Daehler dedicated years to regain his mobility and with the help from VA Palo Alto Occupational Therapists, is now walking. Now, at 88, he has returned to the Winter Sports Clinic for a second year, rekindling his beloved passion alongside fellow Veterans and family members.

    #sports4vets #DAV

    To learn how you can volunteer, or to learn more, visit www.wintersportsclinic.org

    This video was created by the NDVWSC Media Team.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHhVuAyRgBE

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Rating of Hotels Under the Ministry of Tourism

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:12PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Tourism under its voluntary scheme of Classification classifies hotels under the star rating system as per the extant Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tourism. Under this system, hotels are given a rating, from One Star to Three Star, Four and Five Star with or without alcohol and Five Star Deluxe through NIDHI+ portal (https://nidhi.tourism.gov.in). The Classification exercise is undertaken by a committee, namely the HRACC (Hotel & Restaurant Approval & Classification Committee), having members from the Ministry, industry associations, hotel management institutes and State Government/UT Administration.

    The number of Five Star hotels state-wise classified by the Ministry of Tourism 2019 onwards is placed at ANNEXURE-I

    The number of Three Star hotels state-wise classified by the Ministry of Tourism 2019 onwards and the number of Four-Star hotels state-wise classified by the Ministry of Tourism 2019 onwards are placed at ANNEXURE-II and ANNEXURE-III respectively.

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

    ***

    ANNEXURE-I

    State-Wise Details of 5 Star Hotels Classified 2019 Onwards

     

    S. No.

    STATE/UT

    COUNT

    1.

    Andaman and Nicobar Islands

    2

    2.

    Andhra Pradesh

    22

    3.

    Arunachal Pradesh

    0

    4.

    Assam

    5

    5.

    Bihar

    5

    6.

    Chandigarh

    2

    7.

    Chhattisgarh

    6

    8.

    Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

    2

    9.

    Delhi

    54

    10.

    Goa

    70

    11.

    Gujarat

    76

    12.

    Haryana

    28

    13.

    Himachal Pradesh

    6

    14.

    Jammu and Kashmir

    1

    15.

    Jharkhand

    2

    16.

    Karnataka

    66

    17.

    Kerala

    94

    18.

    Ladakh

    3

    19.

    Lakshadweep

    0

    20.

    Madhya Pradesh

    24

    21.

    Maharashtra

    86

    22.

    Manipur

    0

    23.

    Meghalaya

    1

    24.

    Mizoram

    0

    25.

    Nagaland

    0

    26.

    Odisha

    8

    27.

    Puducherry (Pondicherry)

    2

    28.

    Punjab

    15

    29.

    Rajasthan

    37

    30.

    Sikkim

    2

    31.

    Tamil Nadu

    43

    32.

    Telangana

    23

    33.

    Tripura

    2

    34.

    Uttar Pradesh

    32

    35.

    Uttarakhand

    10

    36.

    West Bengal

    32

    Note: Data is provisional as some hotels are under the process of reclassification.

     

    ANNEXURE-II

    State-Wise Details of 3 Star Hotels Classified 2019 Onwards

     

    S. No.

    STATE/UT

    COUNT

    1.

    Andaman and Nicobar Islands

    0

    2.

    Andhra Pradesh

    36

    3.

    Arunachal Pradesh

    2

    4.

    Assam

    18

    5.

    Bihar

    4

    6.

    Chandigarh

    0

    7.

    Chhattisgarh

    31

    8.

    Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

    0

    9.

    Delhi

    5

    10.

    Goa

    4

    11.

    Gujarat

    120

    12.

    Haryana

    11

    13.

    Himachal Pradesh

    1

    14.

    Jammu and Kashmir

    0

    15.

    Jharkhand

    0

    16.

    Karnataka

    11

    17.

    Kerala

    607

    18.

    Ladakh

    0

    19.

    Lakshadweep

    0

    20.

    Madhya Pradesh

    6

    21.

    Maharashtra

    69

    22.

    Manipur

    0

    23.

    Meghalaya

    0

    24.

    Mizoram

    1

    25.

    Nagaland

    0

    26.

    Odisha

    11

    27.

    Puducherry (Pondicherry)

    0

    28.

    Punjab

    4

    29.

    Rajasthan

    9

    30.

    Sikkim

    0

    31.

    Tamil Nadu

    7

    32.

    Telangana

    9

    33.

    Tripura

    0

    34.

    Uttar Pradesh

    2

    35.

    Uttarakhand

    2

    36.

    West Bengal

    36

    Note: Data is provisional as some hotels are under the process of reclassification.

     

    ANNEXURE-III

    State-Wise Details of 4 Star Hotels Classified 2019 Onwards

     

    S. No.

    STATE/UT

    COUNT

    1.

    Andaman and Nicobar Islands

    0

    2.

    Andhra Pradesh

    14

    3.

    Arunachal Pradesh

    0

    4.

    Assam

    2

    5.

    Bihar

    1

    6.

    Chandigarh

    0

    7.

    Chhattisgarh

    22

    8.

    Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

    1

    9.

    Delhi

    23

    10.

    Goa

    10

    11.

    Gujarat

    61

    12.

    Haryana

    9

    13.

    Himachal Pradesh

    0

    14.

    Jammu and Kashmir

    0

    15.

    Jharkhand

    2

    16.

    Karnataka

    23

    17.

    Kerala

    420

    18.

    Ladakh

    0

    19.

    Lakshadweep

    0

    20.

    Madhya Pradesh

    2

    21.

    Maharashtra

    36

    22.

    Manipur

    1

    23.

    Meghalaya

    2

    24.

    Mizoram

    0

    25.

    Nagaland

    0

    26.

    Odisha

    5

    27.

    Puducherry (Pondicherry)

    0

    28.

    Punjab

    5

    29.

    Rajasthan

    2

    30.

    Sikkim

    0

    31.

    Tamil Nadu

    19

    32.

    Telangana

    11

    33.

    Tripura

    0

    34.

    Uttar Pradesh

    7

    35.

    Uttarakhand

    2

    36.

    West Bengal

    25

    Note: Data is provisional as some hotels are under the process of reclassification.

    ***

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

     

    (Release ID: 2118260) Visitor Counter : 19

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tribal Entrepreneurs in Tourism Sector

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:11PM by PIB Delhi

    The Government of India has approved the initiative to develop tribal homestays under Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism as part of ‘Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan”. The said intervention includes development of 1000 homestays with support of upto Rs.5.00 Lakh per unit for new construction, up to Rs.3.00 Lakh for renovation and Rs.5.00 Lakh for village community requirements.

    Ministry of Tourism has no specific scheme for Tribal Entrepreneurs. However, Ministry extends financial support to State Governments and Union Territories for development of tourism under its schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan’ and ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ for Tourism Infrastructure Development. Tribal-circuit was identified as one of the themes for development under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme and the details of the projects sanctioned under Tribal Circuit of Swadesh Darshan is at Annexure-I.

    Ministry has revamped Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible destinations following a destination centric approach and has sanctioned 34 projects for Rs.791.25 Crore, including tribal experience. The details of projects sanctioned under SD2.0 scheme is at Annexure-II.

    The responsibility of obtaining land for undertaking projects in Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes is that of the concerned State Governments/UT Administrations.

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

    ***

    ANNEXURE-I

    List of Projects Sanctioned Under the Tribal Circuit Theme of Swadesh Darshan Scheme

    S.

    No.

    State/ UT

    Circuit / Sanction Year

    Name of the Project

    Amount Sanctioned

    (in ₹ Crore)

    1.

    Chhattisgarh

    Tribal Circuit

    2015-16

    Development  of Jashpur-       Kunkuri- Mainpat-         Kamleshpur                 -Maheshpur                  -Kurdar                       – Sarodhadadar- Gangrel- Kondagaon– Nathiyanawagaon- Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot- Tirthgarh

    96.10

    2.

    Nagaland

    Tribal Circuit

    2015-16

    Development of Tribal Circuit Peren- Kohima- Wokha

    97.36

    3.

    Nagaland

    Tribal Circuit 2016-17

    Development  of Mokokchung-Tuensang- Mon

    98.14

    4.

    Telangana

    Tribal Circuit

     

    2016-17

    Development of Mulugu- Laknavaram- Medavaram-   Tadvai- Damaravi- Mallur- Bogatha Waterfalls

    79.87

     

    ANNEXURE-II

     

    List of Projects Sanctioned Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme

     

    S. No.

    State

    Destination

    Name of the Experience

    Sanctioned Cost (₹ Crore)

    Year of Sanction

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    Araku-Lambasingi

    Borra Cave Experience at Araku

    29.87

    2023-24

    2

    Arunachal Pradesh

    Nacho

    Unlock Nacho Expedition

    14.02

    2023-24

    3

    Arunachal Pradesh

    Mechuka

    Mechuka Cultural Haat

    18.48

    2023-24

    4

    Arunachal Pradesh

    Mechuka

    Mechuka Adventure Park

    12.75

    2023-24

    5

    Assam

    Kokrajhar

    Kokrajhar Wetland Experience

    26.67

    2023-24

    6

    Assam

    Jorhat

    Reimagining Cinnamara Tea Estate

    23.91

    2023-24

    7

    Goa

    Porvorim

    Porvorim Creek Experience

    23.56

    2024-25

    8

    Goa

    Colva

    Colva Beach Experience

    15.65

    2024-25

    9

    Karnataka

    Hampi

    Setting up of ‘Traveller nooks’

    25.64

    2023-24

    10

    Karnataka

    Mysuru

    Tonga ride Heritage experience zone

    2.72

    2023-24

    11

    Karnataka

    Mysuru

    Ecological Experience Zone

    18.47

    2023-24

    12

    Kerala

    Kumarakom

    Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Experience

    13.92

    2023-24

    13

    Ladakh

    Leh

    JulleyLeh Biodiversity Park

    24.89

    2023-24

    14

    Ladakh

    Kargil

    Exploring LOC and Hundarman village Experience

    12.01

    2023-24

    15

    Madhya Pradesh

    Gwalior

    Phoolbagh Experience Zone

    16.73

    2023-24

    16

    Madhya Pradesh

    Chitrakoot

    Spiritual experience at Chitrakoot

    27.21

    2023-24

    17

    Maharashtra

    Pune

    Shivsrushti Historical Theme Park- Phase 3

    76.22

    2024-25

    18

    Meghalaya

    Sohra

    Waterfall Trails Experience

    27.84

    2023-24

    19

    Meghalaya

    Sohra

    Meghalayan Age Cave Experience

    32.45

    2023-24

    20

    Nagaland

    Chumoukedima

    Eco-Tourism Exp at Chumoukedima viewpoint

    7.87

    2024-25

    21

    Nagaland

    Chumuoukedima

    Tribal Cultural Experience at Midway Retreat

    21.56

    2023-24

    22

    Puducherry

    Karaikal

    Karaikal beach and waterfront experience

    20.29

    2023-24

    23

    Punjab

    Kapurthala

    Eco Tourism experience at Kanjli wetland

    20.06

    2023-24

    24

    Punjab

    Amritsar

    Border Tourism Experience at Attari

    25.90

    2024-25

    25

    Rajasthan

    Bundi

    Spiritual Experience, Keshavraipatan

    17.37

    2023-24

    26

    Sikkim

    Gyalshing

    Eco-Wellness Experience at Yuksom Cluster

    15.40

    2023-24

    27

    Sikkim

    Gangtok

    Gangtok Cultural Village

    22.59

    2023-24

    28

    Tamil Nadu

    Mamallapuram

    Immersive experience at Shore Temple

    30.02

    2023-24

    29

    Telangana

    Bhongir

    Bhongir Fort Experiential Zone

    56.81

    2023-24

    30

    Telangana

    Ananathagiri

    Eco tourism zone at Ananathgiri forest

    38.00

    2023-24

    31

    Uttar Pradesh

    Prayagraj

    Azad Park and DekhoPrayagraj Trail Exp

    13.02

    2023-24

    32

    Uttar Pradesh

    Naimisaranya

    Vedic- wellness Experience

    15.94

    2023-24

    33

    Uttarakhand

    Pithoragarh

    Rural Tourism Cluster Experience at Gunji

    32.20

    2023-24

    34

    Uttarakhand

    Champawat

    Tea Garden Experience

    11.21

    2023-24

    TOTAL AMOUNT

         791.25

     

     

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2118259) Visitor Counter : 21

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Use of e-governance and e-courts in Income Tax Appellate Tribunal

    Source: Government of India

    Use of e-governance and e-courts in Income Tax Appellate Tribunal

    Over 26,000 appeals and applications were filed electronically through e-filing portal up to 28.02.2025

    Court rooms at new office premises of ITAT, Delhi and Lucknow benches have also been equipped with the state-of-the-art video conferencing infrastructure

    State-of-the-art video conferencing infrastructure facilitating uninterrupted virtual/hybrid hearings

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:06PM by PIB Delhi

    The e-filing portal has been launched in the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) for facilitating electronic filing of appeals, applications, petitions and documents, by the stakeholders. The e-filing portal continues to gain the acceptance of the stakeholders. Over 26,000 appeals and applications were filed electronically through e-filing portal before various benches of ITAT during the year, up to 28.02.2025. The provision of free and high-speed internet at various benches has been provided through Optical Fiber Cable (OFC), for access by all stakeholders. The Court rooms at new office premises of ITAT, Delhi and Lucknow benches have also been equipped with the state-of-the-art video conferencing infrastructure to provide better hybrid/virtual hearing experience to the stakeholders. The upgradation of infrastructure including installation of latest equipment is also being enabled continuously for facilitating uninterrupted virtual/hybrid hearings.

    In compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, ITAT has implemented hybrid / virtual hearings at all Benches, in letter and spirit, which facilitates litigants to attend hearing of their cases virtually. The benches of ITAT are not declining the requests of the parties for virtual hearings. For the period from July 2023 to December 2024, a total 1,22,302 hearings of appeals have been conducted through video conferencing before various Benches of ITAT.

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

    *****

    Samrat/Allen

    (Release ID: 2118248) Visitor Counter : 54

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government Steps to ensure affordable LPG

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 3:12PM by PIB Delhi

    Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was launched in May, 2016 with an objective to provide deposit free LPG connection to adult women from poor households across the country. The target to release 8 crore connections under PMUY was achieved in September 2019. To cover the remaining poor households, Ujjwala 2.0 was launched in August 2021 with a target to release 1 crore additional PMUY connections, which was achieved in January 2022. Subsequently, the Government decided to release 60 lakh more LPG connections under Ujjwala 2.0 and the target of 1.60 crore Ujjwala 2.0 connections was also achieved during December 2022. Further, Government approved release of additional 75 lakh connections under PMUY Scheme for the period FY 2023-24 to 2025-26 which has already been achieved during July 2024.

    As on 01.03.2025, the total number of active domestic LPG consumers in India stands at 32.94 crore, including 10.33 crore beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).

     Details of increase in domestic LPG consumers during the last three financial years are as below:

    Particulars (As on 1st of April)

    UNIT

    2022

    2023

    2024

       01.01.25

    LPG Active Domestic Customers

    (Lakh)

    3053

    3140

    3242

    3289

    Growth

    5.5%

    2.9%

    3.2%

    2.8%

    PMUY Beneficiaries 

    (Lakh)

    899.0

    958.6

    1032.7

    1033.4

    Growth

    12.3%

    6.6%

    7.7%

    3.2%

     Note: Growth rates as on 1st April of any year are w.r.t. figures as on 1st April of previous year.

     Source: PPAC

    In order to improve access to LPG across the country, various steps have been taken inter alia, including organizing campaigns for improving awareness about PMUY, organizing melas/camps to enroll and distribute connections, promotion through Out of Home (OOH) hoardings, radio jingles, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Vans etc., spreading awareness about advantages of using LPG over other conventional fuels and safe usage of LPG through LPG Panchayats, enrolment/awareness camps under Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, facilitation of consumers and their families for Aadhar enrolment and opening of bank accounts for getting PMUY connections, simplification of process of getting LPG connection, online application for PMUY connection at www.pmuy.gov.in, nearest LPG distributors, Common Service Centres (CSC) etc., option of 5 Kg Double Bottle Connection (DBC), swap option from 14.2 Kg to 5 Kg, provision for Migrant Families to avail new connection on Self-Declaration instead of Proof of Address and Ration Card.

    Further, OMCs are continuously commissioning new LPG Distributorships, especially in rural areas. Since the launch of PMUY scheme, OMCs have commissioned 7959 Distributorships (commissioned during 01.04.2016 to 31.12.2024) across the country, out of which 93% i.e. 7373 [Rurban- 1024, Gramin- 4974, Durgam Kshetriya Vitraks and Rajiv Gandhi Gramin LPG Vitrak (DKV+RGGLV) – 1375] are catering to rural areas. As a result of these efforts, LPG coverage in the country has improved from 62% in April 2016 to near saturation now.

    India imports about 60% of the domestic LPG consumed. Price of LPG in the country is linked to its price in the international market. While the average Saudi CP (international benchmark for LPG pricing) rose by 63% (from US$ 385/MT in July 2023 to US$ 629/MT in February 2025), the effective price for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) consumers for domestic LPG was reduced by 44% (from Rs. 903 in August 2023 to Rs. 503 in February 2025).

    The retail selling price of a 14.2 Kg domestic LPG cylinder is currently Rs. 803 in Delhi. After a targeted subsidy of Rs. 300/cylinder to PMUY consumers, Government of India is providing 14.2 Kg LPG cylinders at an effective price of Rs.503 per cylinder (in Delhi). This is available to more than 10.33 crore Ujjwala beneficiaries, across the country including Rajasthan.   Details of effective cost of domestic LPG cylinder to non-PMUY consumers and PMUY beneficiaries in Delhi, as on 01st March for last three years is as below :

     (Rs./14.2 kg. domestic LPG refill.)

     

    01.03.2023

    01.03.2024

    01.03.2025

    Non-PMUY consumers

    1103

    903

    803

    PMUY beneficiaries

    903

    603

    503

                    Source: Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC)

     

    Globally, PMUY is the biggest program of its kind that provides Domestic LPG to more than 10.33 crore poor households at an effective price of just about Rs. 35/Kg. Further, the effective price of domestic LPG cylinder in neighbouring countries as on 01.01.2025 is as below:

    Country

    Domestic LPG (Rs./14.2 kg.cyl.)#

    India

    503.00*

    Pakistan

    1094.83

    Sri Lanka

    1231.53

    Nepal

    1206.65

          Source: Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC)

          *Effective cost to PMUY beneficiaries in Delhi, effective price is Rs. 803 for non-PMUY consumers

    As a result of various steps taken by Government to improve access and affordability of domestic LPG for PMUY consumers, per capita consumption of PMUY beneficiaries (in terms of no. of 14.2 kg LPG cylinders taken per year) has increased from 3.01 (FY 2019-20) to 3.68 (FY 2021-22), 3.95 in FY 2023-24, and 4.43 in FY 2024-25.

    Various independent studies and reports have shown that PMUY scheme has had a significant positive impact on the lives of rural households, especially women and families in rural and remote areas. Some key benefits are briefly explained below:

    (i) PMUY had resulted in a shift from traditional cooking methods that involve burning solid fuels like wood, dung and crop residues. The use of cleaner fuel lowers indoor air pollution, leading to improved respiratory health, particularly among women and children who are traditionally more exposed to household smoke.

    (ii) Households in rural areas, especially those in remote locations, often spend a significant portion of their time and energy in collecting traditional cooking fuels. LPG has reduced drudgery and the time spent on cooking by women of poor households. The free time, thus, available with them can be utilized in multiple spheres for enhanced economic productivity.

    (iii) Transition from biomass and traditional fuels to LPG reduces the dependency on wood and other biomass for cooking purposes, leading to a decrease in deforestation and environmental degradation. This benefits not only the households but also contributes to broader environmental conservation efforts.

    (iv) With improved cooking facilities, there is a potential positive impact on nutrition. Families may find it easier to cook a variety of nutritious meals, contributing to better overall health.

    This information was given by THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS SHRI SURESH GOPI, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

    ****

    MONIKA

    (Release ID: 2118208) Visitor Counter : 59

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: FLUORIDE AND ARSENIC FREE DRINKING WATER UNDER JJM

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:06PM by PIB Delhi

    The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal, is being implemented since August, 2019, in partnership with States/ UTs including Rajasthan, to make provision of potable tap water supply in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality and on regular & long-term basis to rural households. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, as per existing guidelines, Bureau of Indian Standards’ BIS:10500 standards are adopted as benchmark for quality of water being supplied through the piped water supply schemes.

    Drinking Water being a State subject, the responsibility of Planning, Approval, Implementation, Operation & Maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the Jal Jeevan Mission, is vested with State/UT Governments. The Government of India support the State/ UTs by providing technical and financial assistance including the State of Rajasthan.

    • As reported by States on JJM-IMIS, since the inception of JJM, about 7,746 fluoride affected, and 13,706 Arsenic affected habitations which have been reported to be covered with piped water supply schemes as on date.
    • Out of these 7,746 fluoride affected habitations in the country, 4,177 fluoride affected habitations were from the State of Rajasthan.
       
    • Out of these 4,177 fluoride affected habitations in Rajasthan, 480 and 92 habitations were from Jalore and Sirohi district respectively which are now reported by the State Government to have been covered through JJM piped water supply schemes.

    Further, as on date, there are 250 Fluoride and 314 Arsenic affected rural habitations remaining in the country where the piped water supply schemes compliant to JJM standards are yet to be commissioned. However, all these habitations (250 for Fluoride and 314 for Arsenic) have been provided with safe drinking water through community based water purification plants purely as an interim measure to provide potable water to every household at the rate of 8–10 litre per capita per day (lpcd) for drinking and cooking requirements.

    • The State of Rajasthan has reported that its 80 remaining Fluoride affected habitations (out of 250 remaining fluoride affected habitations in the country) have been provided with safe drinking water through CWPPs/ IHPs as well.
    • As reported by Rajasthan in JJM-IMIS, as on date, there are no Arsenic affected habitation in the State of Rajasthan. Thus, all habitations in rural area of the country are provided safe drinking water free from Fluoride and Arsenic contamination.

    Under JJM, while planning water supply schemes to provide tap water supply to households, priority is given to habitations affected by chemical contaminants including Fluoride and Arsenic.  States/ UTs have been advised to plan and implement piped water supply schemes based on alternative safe water sources for the villages with water quality issues. The Department has developed a web based integrated management information system (JJM-IMIS) to capture and monitor the data of water quality affected habitations, where States/UTs provide status of habitation that have contamination in their drinking water sources.

    As per the Operational Guidelines, States/ UTs can utilize up to 2% of their annual allocation of funds under JJM for Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance (WQM&S) activities, inter-alia, which includes setting up and strengthening of water quality testing laboratories, procurement of equipment, instruments, chemicals, glassware, consumables, hiring of skilled manpower, surveillance by community using field test kits (FTKs), awareness generation, educational programmes on water quality, accreditation/recognition of laboratories, etc.

    To enable States/ UTs to test water samples for water quality, and for sample collection, reporting, monitoring and surveillance of drinking water sources, an online JJM – Water Quality Management Information System (WQMIS) portal has been developed. The State–wise details of water quality test reported through WQMIS are available in public domain on JJM Dashboard and can also be accessed at: https://ejalshakti.gov.in/WQMIS/Main/report

    A ‘Citizen Corner’ was also developed on the JJM Dashboard. The corner included display of water quality test results in the public domain to further create awareness and build confidence among people about the quality of water supplies through the PWS in rural areas.

    This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

    DHANYA SANAL K

    (Lok Sabha US Q5306)

    (Release ID: 2118250) Visitor Counter : 40

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MD reminds high-speed craft passengers to fasten seat belts (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    MD reminds high-speed craft passengers to fasten seat belts  
         The MD has set up a large backdrop of a beautiful Hong Kong scene and installed genuine cabin seats at the waiting lounge of the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan for passengers to try out fastened seat belts as if they are on board a high-speed craft and take photos. MD officers will also distribute promotional leaflets and souvenirs to passengers in the waiting lounge, and remind them to fasten their seat belts duly to ensure a safe sea journey.
     
         A spokesperson for the MD said that the slogan of the campaign, “Have a Safe and Happy Journey with Your Seat Belt Fastened”, aims to remind passengers on high-speed craft plying between Hong Kong and Macau to pay attention to the master’s announcement during the voyage. When the master gives such an instruction, passengers should fasten their seat belts to ensure a safe journey.
     
         The MD will continue to distribute promotional leaflets at waiting lounges and display publicity materials such as posters at eye-catching spots in the two cross-boundary ferry terminals. Moreover, the MD will also disseminate relevant messages through different channels to enhance passenger awareness of fastening seat belts on high-speed craft plying between the two places.
    Issued at HKT 17:35

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 12,49,496 and 1,26,966 legal awareness camps and programs organized by Legal Service Authorities during the year 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 (upto December 2024)

    Source: Government of India

    12,49,496 and 1,26,966 legal awareness camps and programs organized by Legal Service Authorities during the year 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 (upto December 2024)

    Legal awareness camps and programs organized by Legal Service Authorities attended by around 13.93 crore and 3.06 crore persons respectively

    Legal Aid System

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:05PM by PIB Delhi

    National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities (LSA) Act, 1987 to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society including beneficiaries covered under Section 12 of the LSA Act, 1987. This Act ensures that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities, and to organize Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes. In addition, NALSA has also formulated various schemes for the implementation of preventive and strategic legal service programmes, which are implemented by the Legal Services Authorities at various levels i.e. State, District and Taluka level. During last three years from 2022-23 to 2024-25 (upto December 2024), 39.44 lakhs persons have been provided with free legal services.

    Government is also implementing a Central Sector Scheme named “Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice in India” (DISHA) for a period of five years (2021-2026), at an outlay of Rs. 250 crores. The DISHA scheme aims to provide easy, accessible, affordable and citizen-centric delivery of legal services through the Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) and Legal Literacy and Legal awareness programme. Under the DISHA scheme, Tele- Law connects citizens with the lawyers through mobile app “Tele- Law” and Toll-Free number for rendering pre-litigation advice; Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono services) facilitates registered beneficiaries to avail pro bono legal representation in courts and under the Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme, citizens are empowered to know, understand and avail their legal rights, duties and entitlements. Till 28th February 2025, DISHA scheme through its various programmes has covered approximately 2.10 crore beneficiaries in the country.

    The Government of India is implementing another Central Sector Scheme namely; Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS) Scheme through NALSA. LADCS Scheme aims to provide legal aid with regard to criminal cases only to the beneficiaries eligible for legal aid under Section 12 of the LSA Act, 1987. The approved financial outlay of LADCS scheme is Rs. 998.43 crore for 3 years (F.Y. 2023-24 to F.Y. 2025-26). As on 30th December 2024, LADC offices are functional in 654 districts across the country and has engaged 5251 staff including 3448 Defense Counsels. During the year 2024-25 (upto December, 2024), LADCS offices dealt more than 3.95 lakh criminal cases.

    Legal awareness programmes are held across the country by Legal Service Authorities on various laws and schemes relating to children, labourers, victims of disaster, SC and ST, persons suffering from disability, etc. Legal Services Authorities also prepare booklets and pamphlets in simple language on various laws and are distributed amongst the people. 12,49,496 and 1,26,966 legal awareness camps and programs organized by Legal Service Authorities during the year 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 (upto December 2024) which were attended by around 13.93 crore and 3.06 crore persons respectively.

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

    *****

    Samrat/Allen

    (Release ID: 2118245) Visitor Counter : 51

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: IMPLEMENTATION OF JAL JEEVAN MISSION

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:05PM by PIB Delhi

    Government of India had launched Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a centrally sponsored scheme in August 2019, aiming at providing Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural household by 2024.

    At the start the Mission, only 3.23 Crore (16.7%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections. So far, as reported by States/ UTs as on 31.03.2025, under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal around 12.34 Crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 31.03.2025, out of 19.36 Crore rural households in the country, more than 15.57 Crore (80.38%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes. State/ UT-wise details are below.

    To achieve 100 per cent coverage through continued implementation of mission with focus on quality of infrastructure and Operation & Maintenance of rural piped water supply schemes for long term sustainability and citizen centric water service delivery, Hon’ble Finance Minister during her budget speech 2025-26 has announced extension of Jal Jeevan Mission until 2028 with enhanced total outlay.

    Drinking Water is a State subject, as such planning, approval, implementation, operation and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, lies with State governments. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical and financial assistance. Moreover, in respect of State/ UT-wise details of action initiated, specific complaints are sent to the concerned States/UTs and appropriate action are taken by them. Further, through operational guidelines of the Mission, States have been advised to incorporate requisite penalty clauses in the contract documents so as to disincentivize the agencies to avoid delay in implementation.

    JJM: State/ UT-wise status of tap water connections in rural households as on 31.03.2025

     (Number in lakhs)

    S. No.

    State/ UT

    Total rural HHs

    Rural HHs with tap water supply as on 15.8.2019

    Rural HHs given tap water connections since 15.8.2019

    Rural HHs with tap water connection as on date

    No.

    %

    No.

    %

    No.

    %

    1.

    A & N Islands

    0.62

    0.29

    46.02

     0.33

     53.98

     0.62

    100.00 100.00

    2.

    Arunachal Pr.

    2.29

    0.23

    9.97

     2.06

     90.03

     2.29

    100.00

    3.

    DNH & DD

    0.85

    0.00

    0.00

     0.85

     100.00

     0.85

    100.00

    4.

    Goa

    2.64

    1.99

    75.44

     0.65

     24.56

     2.64

    100.00

    5.

    Gujarat

    91.18

    65.16

    71.46

     26.02

     28.54

     91.18

    100.00

    6.

    Haryana

    30.41

    17.66

    58.08

     12.75

     41.92

     30.41

    100.00

    7.

    Himachal Pr.

    17.09

    7.63

    44.64

     9.46

     55.36

     17.09

    100.00

    8.

    Mizoram

    1.33

    0.09

    6.91

     1.24

     93.09

     1.33

    100.00

    9.

    Puducherry

    1.15

    0.94

    81.33

     0.21

     18.67

     1.15

    100.00

    10.

    Punjab

    34.27

    16.79

    48.98

     17.48

     51.02

     34.27

    100.00

    11.

    Telangana

    53.98

    15.68

    29.05

     38.30

     70.95

     53.98

    100.00

    12.

    Uttarakhand

    14.50

    1.30

    8.99

     12.83

     88.46

     14.13

     97.45

    13.

    Ladakh

    0.41

    0.01

    3.48

     0.38

     93.30

     0.39

     96.77

    14.

    Bihar

    167.55

    3.16

    1.89

     157.19

     93.82

     160.36

     95.71

    15.

    Nagaland

    3.64

    0.14

    3.82

     3.24

     88.95

     3.37

     92.76

    16.

    Lakshadweep

    0.13

     

    0.00

     0.12

     91.41

     0.12

     91.41

    17.

    Sikkim

    1.33

    0.70

    52.96

     0.51

     38.32

     1.21

     91.28

    18.

    Maharashtra

    146.79

    48.44

    33.00

     82.76

     56.38

     131.20

     89.38

    19.

    Uttar Pr.

    267.22

    5.16

    1.93

     232.72

     87.09

     237.89

     89.03

    20.

    Tamil Nadu

    125.27

    21.76

    17.37

     89.29

     71.27

     111.05

     88.64

    21.

    Tripura

    7.51

    0.25

    3.26

     6.18

     82.30

     6.42

     85.56

    22.

    Karnataka

    101.31

    24.51

    24.20

     60.73

     59.95

     85.25

     84.15

    23.

    Meghalaya

    6.51

    0.05

    0.70

     5.30

     81.41

     5.34

     82.11

    24.

    Assam

    72.25

    1.11

    1.54

     57.77

     79.95

     58.88

     81.49

    25.

    J & K

    19.21

    5.75

    29.95

     9.85

     51.27

     15.60

     81.22

    26.

    Chhattisgarh

    50.01

    3.20

    6.39

     37.20

     74.39

     40.40

     80.78

    27.

    Manipur

    4.52

    0.26

    5.74

     3.34

     73.85

     3.59

     79.59

    28.

    Odisha

    88.69

    3.11

    3.50

     64.85

     73.11

     67.96

     76.62

    29.

    Andhra Pr.

    95.53

    30.74

    32.18

     39.78

     41.64

     70.52

     73.82

    30.

    Madhya Pr.

    111.79

    13.53

    12.10

     63.38

     56.69

     76.91

     68.80

    31.

    Rajasthan

    107.74

    11.74

    10.90

     48.72

     45.22

     60.46

     56.12

    32.

    West Bengal

    175.56

    2.15

    1.22

     94.76

     53.97

     96.91

     55.20

    33.

    Jharkhand

    62.55

    3.45

    5.52

     30.86

     49.33

     34.31

     54.85

    34.

    Kerala

    70.77

    16.64

    23.51

     21.91

     30.96

     38.56

     54.48

    Total

    19,36.61

     3,23.63

    16.71

     12,33.02

     63.67

     15,56.65

     80.38

    Source: JJM – IMIS                              HH: Households

    This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

    DHANYA SANAL K

    (Lok Sabha US Q5327)

    (Release ID: 2118247) Visitor Counter : 38

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: The Supreme Court is collaborating with the High Courts in translation of e-SCR Judgements in 18 vernacular languages

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:03PM by PIB Delhi

    The Supreme Court is collaborating with the High Courts in translation of e-SCR Judgements in 18 vernacular languages. The Chief Justice of India has constituted the Artificial Intelligence Assisted Legal Translation Advisory Committee, headed by a Judge of the Supreme Court of India to monitor the translation of Supreme Court Reportable Judgements (e-SCR) into vernacular languages by using Artificial Intelligence Tools. A similar Committee has been constituted in all the High Courts, headed by a Judge of the respective High Courts.

    The Artificial Intelligence Committee of the Supreme Court has been convening frequent meetings with the Artificial Intelligence Committee of the High Courts and giving directions/ suggestions for translation of Supreme Court and High Court Judgements in vernacular language by using Artificial Intelligence Tools. The Artificial Intelligence Committee of the High Courts, Law Secretary, Advocate General, the Secretary in-charge of translation department in the State have been requested to take steps for appointment of translators in every High Court for translation of Supreme Court Reportable Judgements (e-SCR) as well as the High Court judgements into vernacular/ local language of that state.

    As on 28.03.2025, 36344 Supreme Court Judgments have been translated

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SAFE AND PURE WATER IN RURAL AREAS

    Source: Government of India

    Ministry of Jal Shakti

    PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SAFE AND PURE WATER IN RURAL AREAS

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:03PM by PIB Delhi

    Drinking water is a State subject. The power to plan, design, approve and implement drinking water supply schemes/projects lies with State Government. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States by providing technical and financial assistance.

    Towards this end, Government of India in partnership with States/UTs including Maharashtra, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) since August, 2019, to make provision of tap water supply in adequate quantity (minimum 55 lpcd), of prescribed quality (BIS:10500) and on regular and long-term basis, to every rural household in the country.

    Significant progress has been made in the country since the launch of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), towards enhancing access to tap water to rural households. At the start of Jal Jeevan Mission in August 2019, only 3.23 Crore (~17%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections. So far, as reported by States/ UTs as on 31.03.2025, around 12.33 Crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections under JJM. Thus, as on 31.03.2025, out of 19.36 Crore rural households in the country, more than 15.56 Crore (80.38%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes.

    Hon’ble Finance Minister during her budget speech 2025-26 has announced extension of Jal Jeevan Mission till 2028 with an enhanced total outlay focusing on the quality of infrastructure and O&M of rural piped water supply schemes through “Jan Bhagidhari”. Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) will be signed with States/UTs, to ensure sustainability and citizen-centric water service delivery.

    JJM is focused on ‘service delivery’ rather than mere water supply ‘infrastructure development’ which makes it distinct from earlier programmes. This Mission is a demand-driven, decentralized, community-managed programme. To expedite the planning and implementation, as well as monitoring and handhold States/ UTs, including Maharashtra, Government of India has taken number of steps which inter alia includes discussion and finalization of annual action plan (AAP) in consultation with States/ UTs, regular review of planning and implementation, workshops/ conferences/ webinars for capacity building and knowledge sharing, field visits by multi-disciplinary team to provide technical support, etc. To bring transparency and effective monitoring, an online ‘JJM dashboard’ has been created, which provides State/ UT, district and village-wise progress as well as status of provision of tap water supply to rural homes.

    At the start of Jal Jeevan Mission in August 2019, 48.44 lakh (33%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections in Maharashtra. So far, as reported by the State as on 31.03.2025, around 82.76 lakh additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections under JJM during more than last five years. Thus, as on 31.03.2025, out of 146.79 lakh rural households in the Maharashtra, approximately 131.20 lakh (~89.38%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes.

    The district-wise number of households including those in Akola and Washim district, getting tap water supply in their homes under JJM since its inception in Maharashtra is at below.

    S.No.

    District

    Total Rural household

    Rural HHs with tap water supply as on 15.8.2019

    Rural HHs with tap water connection as on 31.03.2025

     

     

     

    No.

    %

    No.

    %

    1

    Ahmednagar

    7,99,754

    97,417

    12.18

    7,18,167

    89.80

    2

    Akola

    2,48,458

    62,828

    25.29

    2,18,710

    88.03

    3

    Amravati

    4,32,311

    2,14,499

    49.48

    4,27,516

    98.89

    4

    Beed

    4,72,732

    82,249

    17.4

    3,64,679

    77.14

    5

    Bhandara

    2,56,684

    82,426

    32.11

    2,23,421

    87.04

    7

    Buldhana

    4,48,293

    1,93,121

    43.08

    4,25,184

    94.85

    8

    Chandrapur

    3,95,251

    94,069

    23.8

    3,57,691

    90.50

    9

    Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

    4,88,084

    2,06,238

    42.25

    4,21,516

    86.36

    10

    Dharashiv

    2,88,559

    1,17,555

    40.74

    2,52,534

    87.52

    11

    Dhule

    3,04,035

    1,93,790

    63.74

    3,02,827

    99.60

    12

    Gadchiroli

    2,42,119

    21,384

    8.83

    2,22,716

    91.99

    13

    Gondia

    3,07,730

    62,859

    20.43

    2,50,994

    81.56

    14

    Hingoli

    2,14,938

    37,291

    17.35

    1,77,927

    82.78

    15

    Jalgaon

    6,90,913

    3,97,945

    57.6

    6,90,783

    99.98

    16

    Jalna

    3,00,063

    1,68,567

    56.18

    2,99,846

    99.93

    17

    Kolhapur

    6,84,162

    3,07,469

    44.94

    6,81,440

    99.60

    19

    Latur

    3,74,582

    1,65,992

    44.31

    3,66,081

    97.73

    20

    Nagpur

    3,76,864

    1,36,511

    36.22

    3,67,229

    97.44

    21

    Nanded

    5,36,765

    92,718

    17.27

    4,83,062

    90.00

    22

    Nandurbar

    3,62,721

    52,665

    14.52

    2,29,690

    63.32

    23

    Nashik

    7,18,369

    1,71,350

    23.85

    6,69,085

    93.14

    24

    Palghar

    4,52,043

    41,349

    9.15

    3,15,797

    69.86

    25

    Parbhani

    2,99,744

    80,635

    26.9

    2,56,145

    85.45

    26

    Pune

    8,95,107

    3,42,698

    38.29

    7,64,668

    85.43

    27

    Raigad

    5,48,620

    2,70,053

    49.22

    4,91,903

    89.66

    28

    Ratnagiri

    4,48,354

    1,46,474

    32.67

    3,86,286

    86.16

    29

    Sangli

    4,59,048

    1,41,401

    30.8

    4,03,749

    87.95

    30

    Satara

    6,18,518

    2,87,355

    46.46

    5,70,642

    92.26

    31

    Sindhudurg

    1,93,373

    69,991

    36.19

    1,60,700

    83.10

    32

    Solapur

    5,77,245

    2,15,657

    37.36

    5,76,668

    99.90

    33

    Thane

    2,61,275

    66,075

    25.29

    1,93,897

    74.21

    34

    Wardha

    2,38,877

    1,08,263

    45.32

    2,34,906

    98.34

    35

    Washim

    2,20,115

    50,012

    22.72

    1,97,723

    89.83

    36

    Yavatmal

    5,22,884

    64,926

    12.42

    4,15,792

    79.52

     

    Total

    1,46,78,590

    48,43,832

    33

    1,31,19,974

    89.38

    Source: JJM – IMIS

    This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

    ***

    DHANYA SANAL K

    (Lok Sabha US Q5390)

    (Release ID: 2118242)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Role of Cultural Heritage in Making a Viksit Bharat by 2047

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:10PM by PIB Delhi

    The Ministry of Culture aims to make India’s cultural sector a key pillar of the Viksit Bharat vision-an India that is economically advanced, socially cohesive, and globally respected for its cultural leadership, by leveraging its rich heritage, promoting inclusive participation, and driving innovation.

    The vision is built on a 5-pillar strategy to ensure that arts are integrated into India’s larger developmental agenda. This comprehensive approach will contribute significantly to the creation of a prosperous, inclusive, and culturally empowered society, thus making India a proud and globally influential nation by 2047. The strategic five pillars are as under:

    1. Preservation of Bharat’s 10,000+ Years of Cultural Heritage: This pillar is dedicated to safeguarding and conserving India’s vast and diverse cultural legacy. By preserving historical sites, indigenous arts, and traditional practices, the Ministry aims to ensure that future generations can engage with and learn from the country’s past. This focus on preservation will serve as the foundation for the development of India’s cultural industries.
    2. Democratize Access and Participation: One of the primary goals is to overcome barriers to access and participation in the cultural sector. The Ministry is committed to making arts and cultural activities more inclusive, ensuring that all citizens, irrespective of their social and economic backgrounds, can engage with and contribute to cultural development. This will encourage “Jan Bhagidhari” or people’s participation, which is crucial for the vibrant cultural landscape envisioned in the Viksit Bharat 2047 framework.
    3. Leverage Technology in Arts and Culture: Innovation and technology will play a significant role in both the preservation and promotion of India’s cultural heritage. Through digital platforms, virtual exhibitions, and interactive technologies, the Ministry aims to enhance access to Bharat’s cultural content globally, driving innovation in the ways heritage is experienced and shared. The integration of technology will also streamline the preservation process and offer new tools for creative expression in the arts.
    4. Promote Culture & Creative Economy: The vision emphasizes the need to establish India as a global leader in the cultural and creative economy. By leveraging India’s diverse & rich cultural wealth, Ministry of Culture seeks to expand the creative economy around built heritage and the cultural and creative industries—such as performing arts, visual arts, architecture and design, fairs and festivals, crafts, fashion and culinary heritage, into major drivers of economic growth. This will not only create jobs and boost local economies but also establish arts and culture as significant contributors to India’s soft power on the global stage.
    5. Position Bharat as a Global Cultural Power (Vishwabandhu): India’s arts and culture will be pivotal in strengthening its position as a “Vishwabandhu,” or global friend. The Ministry aims to use culture as a diplomatic tool for building global partnerships and enhancing India’s soft power. Focused efforts will be made to project India’s cultural narrative worldwide, fostering greater international recognition and influence. By doing so, India will maximize its impact on global cultural discourse and emerge as a leading cultural force.

    The vision is supported by an activity roadmap, a responsibility matrix and an action plan. These frameworks provide detailed timelines, specific targets, and clear divisions of responsibility for each action point. By aligning the efforts of the Ministry of Culture’s various organizations with this unified vision, India’s cultural sector will be better positioned to contribute to the economic and social development goals set for 2047.

    As part of the Viksit Bharat Vision 2047, the strategy adopted by Ministry of Culture to integrate technology and digital platforms to enhance global outreach of India’s cultural and heritage sites, includes, leveraging technology in preservation and restoration of cultural assets, developing a digital repository for Bharat’s tangible and intangible heritage, transforming visitor engagement at cultural institutions, integrating technology to enhance operational efficiency across Ministry of Culture organizations and addressing regulatory challenges to make Bharat a pioneer in tech-laws.

    The Ministry of Culture is consistently taking innovative steps and aligning the existing schemes towards the achievement of Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision. The latest such initiative is the establishment of 20 Kalagrams across the country to replicate the success of Kalagram established by the Ministry of Culture at Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh Mela- 2025. These Kalagrams will serve as vibrant cultural spaces, creating opportunities for artists, craftsmen, performing artists, fostering cultural exchange and promoting age old traditions of Kala, Sanskriti and Parampara while acting as hubs of Creative Economy.

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

    ***

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2118258) Visitor Counter : 24

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: During last three years from 2022-23 to 2024-25 (upto December 2024), 39.44 lakhs persons have been provided with free legal services

    Source: Government of India

    During last three years from 2022-23 to 2024-25 (upto December 2024), 39.44 lakhs persons have been provided with free legal services

    Government implementing a Central Sector Scheme named “Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice in India” (DISHA) for a period of five years (2021-2026) for Rs. 250 crores

    Government of India is implementing Central Sector Scheme Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS) Scheme through National Legal Services Authority

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 4:02PM by PIB Delhi

    The Legislative Department is mandated with drafting of laws on the basis of the policy decision taken by the concerned administrative Ministries/Department of the Government of India and as per the procedure prescribed by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs in the Manual of Parliamentary Procedure in the Government of India. The Legislative Department has been taking necessary steps to ensure that legislative drafting is simple, plain, precise and unambiguous. The Institute of Legislative Drafting and Research offers training in legislative drafting with the focus on drafting the legislations in simple/plain language to make it accessible for the general public.

    As part of the resolve of the Government of India to reduce such compliance burden, bring reforms in the legal system and make it more accessible to the common man, so far, a total number of 1562 obsolete and redundant laws have been repealed through various Repealing and Amending Acts.                        

    The Law Commission of India has also been mandated to review and suggest reforms in the laws of the country. As per notification dated 02.09.2024 the   Twenty-third Law Commission of India was constituted with the mandate, inter-alia to identify laws which are no longer needed or relevant and can be immediately repealed, examine the existing laws for promoting gender equality and suggesting amendments thereto and revise the Central Acts of general importance so as to simplify them and to remove anomalies, ambiguities and inequities.

    The National Legal Services Authority was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society including beneficiaries covered under section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. This Act ensures that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities, and to organize Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes. In addition, National Legal Services Authority has also formulated various schemes for the implementation of preventive and strategic legal service programmes, which are implemented by the Legal Services Authorities at various levels i.e. State, District and Taluka level.  During last three years from 2022-23 to 2024-25 (upto December 2024), 39.44 lakhs persons have been provided with free legal services.

    Government is also implementing a Central Sector Scheme named “Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice in India” (DISHA) for a period of five years (2021-2026), at an outlay of Rs. 250 crores.

    The DISHA scheme aims to provide easy, accessible, affordable and citizen-centric delivery of legal services through the Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) and Legal Literacy and Legal awareness programme. Under the DISHA scheme, Tele-Law connects citizens with the lawyers through mobile app “Tele-Law” and Toll-Free number for rendering pre-litigation advice; Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono services) facilitates registered beneficiaries to avail pro bono legal representation in courts and under the Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness Programme, citizens are empowered to know, understand and avail their legal rights, duties and entitlements. Till 28th February 2025, DISHA scheme through its various programmes has covered approximately 2.10 crore beneficiaries in the country.

    The Government of India is implementing another Central Sector Scheme that is the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS) Scheme through National Legal Services Authority. LADCS Scheme aims to provide legal aid with regard to criminal cases only to the beneficiaries eligible for legal aid under section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. The approved financial outlay of LADCS scheme is Rs. 998.43 crore for 3 years (F.Y. 2023-24 to F.Y. 2025-26). As on 30th December 2024, LADC offices are functional in 654 districts across the country and has engaged 5251 staff including 3448 Defense Counsels. During the year 2024-25 (upto December, 2024), LADCS offices dealt more than 3.95 lakh criminal cases.

    Lok Adalats are organised 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 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 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.

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

    *********

    Samrat/Allen

    (Release ID: 2118238) Visitor Counter : 55

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News