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Category: India

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Industry Quality Assurance Conclave held in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Industry Quality Assurance Conclave held in New Delhi

    Innovation, collaboration, quality assurance & mindset will play a pivotal role in making India a global leader in defence exports: Secretary (DP)

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 4:30PM by PIB Delhi

    The Industry Quality Assurance (QA) Conclave, on the theme ‘Collaborative Quality Assurance: Bridging the Gap Between Industry and Defence’, was held in New Delhi on February 07, 2025. Delivering the keynote address, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar highlighted India’s strides in defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. He underscored the pivotal role of innovation, collaboration, and quality assurance and mindset in making India a global leader in defence exports. The conclave aimed to foster deeper collaborations and innovative strategies between the defence sector & shipbuilding industries to promote indigenisation and excellence in defence manufacturing.

    Chief of Materiel, Indian Navy Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh described technical innovation, collaboration, and rigorous testing as key pillars for a robust and quality-driven defence ecosystem. Director General of Quality Assurance Shri N Manoharan highlighted the importance of a strong QA-industry partnership and the need for standardised, innovative, and risk-managed processes to enhance the quality of defence manufacturing. Additional Director General (QA) Warship Production Rear Admiral Iqbal Singh Grewal highlighted the critical role of emerging technologies and streamlined QA processes in achieving excellence in defence manufacturing.

    Discussions at the conclave explored innovative quality assurance practices, including proactive quality control strategies and enhanced collaboration frameworks between defence organizations and the shipbuilding industry. Efficient type testing and certification methods aligned with global best practices to reduce project delays and failures were also presented.

    Participants delved into strategies for balancing QA with project timelines and integrating delay mitigation strategies to ensure timely project completion without compromising quality. The conclave further emphasised the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and their impact on QA processes.

    Organised by the Directorate General of Quality Assurance, the event witnessed participation from senior government officials, industry leaders, naval representatives, and quality assurance professionals. The conclave provided a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing, collaborative brainstorming, and forging meaningful connections among stakeholders, including shipyard executives, QA professionals, policymakers and researchers.

    ****

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ACHIEVEMENT OF TARGETS UNDER PMAY-G

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 4:28PM by PIB Delhi

    In order to achieve the objective of “Housing for All” in rural areas, the Ministry of Rural Development is implementing Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) with effect from 1st April 2016 to provide assistance to 2.95 crore eligible rural households with basic amenities by March 2024. As on 31.03.2024, all houses have been sanctioned to the eligible beneficiaries by the states/UTs.

    The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for “Implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29” for construction of additional 2 crore houses. Ministry has allocated targets of 84,37,139 houses during 2024-25 to the 18 States viz. Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

    As on 02.02.2025, a cumulative target of 3.79 crore houses have been allotted to States/UTs out of which 3.34 crore houses have been sanctioned and 2.69 crore houses have been completed.

    The main challenges in implementation of PMAY-G include the delay in release of Central & State Share from State Treasury to State Nodal Account of PMAY-G, cases of unwillingness of beneficiaries, permanent migration, disputed succession of deceased beneficiaries, delay in allotment of land to landless beneficiaries by the States/UTs and at times General/Assembly/Panchayat elections, unavailability of building materials.

    The Ministry is taking the following initiatives to ensure monitoring and timely completion of the houses under PMAY-G:

    1. Timely allocation of targets to the States/UTs.follow-up with States / UTs on providing land to landless beneficiaries of PMAY-G
    2. Issue based monitoring of house sanction and completion through workflow enabled transaction-based MIS-AwaasSoft, analytic Dashboard and using other IT tools & latest AI/ML technologies.
    3. Regular review by Minister/ Secretary/ Deputy Director General.
    4. Separate review of States with high targets.
    5. Timely release of funds to the States/UTs and follow up with the States/UTs for onward release to beneficiaries.
    6. Training to Rural Masons under Rural Mason Training (RMT) programme to make available pool of trained rural masons for faster construction of quality houses.
    7. Using newly launched IT tools including Awaas+ 2024 mobile app which ensures transparent beneficiary identification with Aadhaar-based face authentication.
    8. Creation of a dedicated performance index dashboard to create healthy competition and motivation among the States/UTs for achieving the set targets.

    This information was given by Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

    ******

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CLEARANCE OF DUES OWED TO STATES UNDER MGNREGS

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 4:27PM by PIB Delhi

    Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) is a demand-driven wage employment scheme. Funds are released to the States/Union Territories (UTs) based on agreed to labour budget. Fund release to the States/UTs is a continuous process and Central Government is committed to making funds available to States/UTs for the implementation of the scheme as per the demand for the work on the ground. While Wage payments are directly credited by Central Government to the account of beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer protocol, the Material and Admin fund is released to States/ UTs based on the provision of the Act and guidelines.

    In the beginning of every financial year, due and admissible pending liabilities if any of the previous financial year are reimbursed by the Government of India to the concerned States/UTs.

    State/UT-wise details of pending liabilities for Wage, Material and Admin component under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS as on 30.01.2025 are given at Annexure.

    Annexure

    State/UT-wise details of pending liabilities for wage and material and admin component under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS as on 30.01.2025. (Rs. in crore)

    SI. No.

    State

    Wage

    Material

    Admin

    Total

    1

    Andhra Pradesh

    99.16

    702.30

    0.00

    801.46

    2

    Arunachal Pradesh

    31.48

    62.01

    0.00

    93.49

    3

    Assam

    159.76

    0.00

    10.70

    170.46

    4

    Bihar

    729.79

    811.73

    28.81

    1570.33

    5

    Chhattisgarh

    212.05

    0.00

    17.95

    230.00

    6

    Goa

    0.37

    0.00

    0.00

    0.37

    7

    Gujarat

    74.48

    12.79

    0.00

    87.27

    8

    Haryana

    30.01

    38.65

    0.58

    69.24

    9

    Himachal Pradesh

    95.41

    25.22

    2.60

    123.24

    10

    Jammu And Kashmir

    83.22

    120.60

    0.00

    203.82

    11

    Jharkhand

    149.10

    207.35

    0.00

    356.45

    12

    Karnataka

    171.01

    0.00

    13.21

    184.22

    13

    Kerala

    523.77

    0.00

    55.13

    578.90

    14

    Ladakh

    2.63

    0.00

    0.00

    316.65

    15

    Madhya Pradesh

    316.65

    299.98

    0.00

    635.03

    16

    Maharashtra

    335.05

    1338.26

    0.00

    1392.26

    17

    Manipur

    54.00

    133.60

    0.00

    210.67

    18

    Meghalaya

    77.07

    74.80

    1.09

    100.04

    19

    Mizoram

    24.14

    0.00

    0.00

    5.65

    20

    Nagaland

    5.65

    0.00

    0.00

    150.51

    21

    Odisha

    150.51

    14.49

    0.00

    91.94

    22

    Punjab

    77.46

    0.00

    0.00

    520.50

    23

    Rajasthan

    520.50

    507.14

    0.00

    510.51

    24

    Sikkim

    3.38

    10.21

    0.00

    1708.19

    25

    Tamil Nadu

    1697.98

    501.99

    8.77

    528.80

    26

    Telangana

    18.04

    287.00

    47.71

    453.83

    27

    Tripura

    119.13

    0.00

    56.39

    1338.44

    28

    Uttar Pradesh

    1282.05

    1023.44

    123.41

    1174.26

    29

    Uttarakhand

    27.41

    101.59

    9.21

    110.80

    30

    Andaman And Nicobar

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    31

    Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    32

    Lakshadweep

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    0.00

    33

    Puducherry

    1.09

    0.00

    0.21

    1.31

     

    Total

    7072.34

    6273.14

    375.79

    13718.65

     

    In case of West Bengal, release of funds to the State has been stopped since 09-03-2022 as per provision of Section 27 of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 due to non-compliance of directives of Central Government.

    This information was given by Minister of State Rural Development, Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

    ******

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: RURAL DISTRESS SHOWCASED BY RISE IN HOUSEHOLDS UNDER MGNREGS

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 4:26PM by PIB Delhi

    Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) is a demand driven wage employment Scheme which provides for the enhancement of livelihood security of the households in rural areas of the country by providing at least one hundred days of guaranteed wage employment in every financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.

    In order to upgrade the skill base of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS’s workers, Government of India launched “Project UNNATI” in December 2019. By upgrading skill base of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS workers, the project intends to improve their livelihoods, so that they can move from the current partial employment to full employment through either self-employment or wage employment. The Project aims to enhance the skill base of 2 lakh Mahatma Gandhi NREGS workers. So far total of 82,799 Mahatma Gandhi NREGS workers have been trained (as on 31.12.2024).

    In addition, this Ministry also implements the following two welfare schemes in the field of skill development for rural poor youth for their gainful employment with a view to eradicate poverty in the country under the umbrella scheme of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM):

    1. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY): DDU-GKY is a placement linked skill development program for rural poor youth in the age group of 15-35 years. DDU-GKY guidelines provide for earmarking 50% of the funds for SCs and STs and 15% for minorities. Further, one third beneficiaries of the respective categories including general category, covered under the scheme, should be women.
    2. Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs): RSETI is a Bank lead- MoRD funded training institutions established by the Sponsor Banks in their Districts, to provide training for Skill and Entrepreneurship Development. MoRD extends financial support for the construction of RSETI buildings and also bears the cost of training the Rural Poor candidates. Any unemployed youth in the age group of 18-45 years having an aptitude to take up self-employment or wage employment and having some basic knowledge in the related field can undergo training at RSETI. Some of the trained candidates may also seek regular salaried jobs / wage employment.

    This information was given by Minister of State Rural Development, Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

    ******

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PRADHAN MANTRI AWAS YOJANA-GRAMIN (PMAY-G)

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 4:25PM by PIB Delhi

    In order to achieve the objective of “Housing for All” in rural areas, the Ministry of Rural Development is implementing Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) with effect from 1st April 2016 to provide assistance to 4.95 crore eligible rural households with basic amenities by March 2029. As on 02.02.2025, a cumulative target of 3.79 crore houses have been allotted to States/UTs out of which 3.34 crore houses have been sanctioned and 2.69 crore houses have been completed.

    The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for “Implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29” for construction of additional 2 crore houses. Ministry has allocated targets of 84,37,139 houses during 2024-25 to the 18 States viz. Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Out of 84,37,139 houses, target of 46,56,765 houses has been allocated in the months of December,2024 and January 2025 to the 9 States viz Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Out of targets 84,37,139 houses,39,82,764 houses has been sanctioned as on 02.02.2025.

    The PMAY-G scheme has had a significant positive impact on rural India by improving access to affordable housing and had played a key role in transforming the rural housing landscape, reducing poverty, improving living standards, and fostering social and economic development in rural India. The scheme of PMAY-G has also been evaluated through various Independent institutes such as National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, NITI Aayog, National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, etc..

    PMAY-G is monitored very closely at all levels. There is a special emphasis on quality and timely completion of construction. The details of the monitoring mechanism adopted under the scheme are as follows:-

    1. All data regarding beneficiaries, the progress of construction, and the release of funds, including photographs and inspection reports are placed on AwaasSoft and this forms the basis for follow-up of both the financial and physical progress of the scheme.
    2. The physical progress of construction of a PMAY-G house is monitored through the geo-tagged, time and date-stamped photographs to be uploaded at every stage of construction and upon completion.
    3. National-level Monitors and Officers of the Ministry also visit PMAY-G houses during the field visits to assess the progress, the procedure followed for the selection of beneficiaries, etc.
    4. The Project Management Unit (PMU) at the State level is to undertake the tasks of implementation, monitoring, and quality supervision. Officers at the Block level are to inspect, as far as possible, 10% of the houses at each stage of construction; district-level officers are to inspect 2% of the houses at each stage of construction. Every house sanctioned under PMAY-G is to be tagged a village-level functionary whose task is to follow-up with the beneficiary and facilitate construction.
    5. Social Audit is to be conducted in every Gram Panchayat at least once a year.
    6. Payment of assistance to the beneficiaries, who have been sanctioned houses, is to be made directly into their bank/ post office accounts through the AwaasSoft- PFMS platform electronically. This ensure increased transparency by enabling real-time monitoring of funds disbursed to beneficiaries.
    7. To prevent misuse of funds under PMAY-G, the assistance is provided to the beneficiaries directly into their bank account/ post office account through Aadhaar Payment bridge System/Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in construction stage linked installments. At every fixed stage of construction of the house, the geo-referenced and time-stamped photograph of the house along with beneficiary is also captured.
    8. The progress of different parameters for implementing the scheme is monitored through the Performance Index Dashboard which is helping in planning appropriate intervention in required areas.
    9. There is also a procedure of lodging of complaints on the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) portal (pgportal.gov.in) by the public. The complaints received in the Ministry of Rural Development through CPGRAMS or otherwise are forwarded to the respective State Governments/ Union Territory (Union Territory) Administrations for redressal of the grievance. Apart from this, there are mechanisms like IGRS and CM helpline at the State Level for grievance redressal. The State-wise details of complaints related to misuse of funds are given at Annexure.

    Annexure

    State-wise details of complaints related to irregularities and misappropriation of fund under PMAY-G from 01.04.2016 to 30.01.2025

    State Name

    Brought Forward

    Received During

    Pending During

    Disposed During

    Andaman And Nicobar Islands

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Andhra Pradesh

    0

    2

    0

    2

    Arunachal Pradesh

    0

    2

    0

    2

    Assam

    0

    274

    0

    274

    Bihar

    0

    451

    2

    449

    Chandigarh

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Chhattisgarh

    0

    28

    1

    27

    Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Daman and Diu

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Delhi

    0

    8

    0

    8

    Goa

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Gujarat

    0

    8

    0

    8

    Haryana

    0

    7

    1

    6

    Himachal Pradesh

    0

    5

    2

    3

    Jammu And Kashmir

    0

    10

    0

    10

    Jharkhand

    0

    68

    2

    66

    Karnataka

    0

    2

    0

    2

    Kerala

    0

    2

    0

    2

    Ladakh

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Lakshadweep

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Madhya Pradesh

    0

    327

    2

    325

    Maharashtra

    0

    74

    1

    73

    Manipur

    0

    1

    0

    1

    Meghalaya

    0

    1

    0

    1

    Mizoram

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Nagaland

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Odisha

    0

    79

    0

    79

    Puducherry

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Punjab

    0

    10

    0

    10

    Rajasthan

    0

    55

    0

    55

    Sikkim

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Tamil nadu

    0

    84

    0

    84

    Telangana

    0

    3

    0

    3

    Tripura

    0

    1

    0

    1

    Uttar Pradesh

    0

    824

    3

    821

    Uttarakhand

    0

    16

    0

    16

    West Bengal

    0

    59

    0

    59

    Total

    0

    2401

    14

    2387

    This information was given by Minister of State Rural Development, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

    ******

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NUMBER OF MGNREGA WORKERS

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 4:24PM by PIB Delhi

    State/Union Territory(UT)-wise number of active workers whose Jobcards were deleted under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS) during the financial years 2019-20 to 2024-25 (as on 04.02.2025) is given at Annexure.

    Mahatma Gandhi NREGS is a demand-driven wage employment scheme and the responsibility of implementation of the scheme is vested with the Government of concerned States/UTs. Updation/deletion of Job Cards is a regular exercise conducted by the States/UTs. Job cards have been deleted mainly for the reasons such as fake/duplicate/incorrect job cards, family shifted from Gram Panchayat permanently, Gram Panchayat classified as Urban etc.

    To ensure more transparency in the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS in the States/UTs, the Ministry has decided that States/UTs shall ensure capturing of attendance at the worksite through National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) App with geo-tagged two-time stamped photographs of the worker in a day for all the works (except Individual Beneficiary Scheme/Project) through NMMS w.e.f 1st January, 2023.

    In case worksite is not located in network covered area or attendance could not be uploaded due to any other network issue then attendance can be captured in offline mode and can be uploaded once the device comes into network covered area. In case of exceptional circumstances owing to which attendance could not be uploaded, the provision for exemption also exists.

    Ministry of Rural Development has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) vide letter dated 25.01.2025 to all States/UTs, with clear guidelines regarding deletion and restoration of job cards. The SOP ensures compliance with the Mahatma Gandhi NREGS guidelines, promotes transparency and protects the rights of workers by defining conditions for deletion.

    The SOP emphasizes the importance of due process, including the publication of draft lists of job cards marked for deletion, verification at Gram Sabhas, and the right of appeal for affected workers. It also mandates the linking of job cards with Aadhaar to eliminate duplicate and fraudulent entries. These measures are aimed at preventing misuse of job cards while ensuring that genuine beneficiaries are not excluded. The Ministry is committed to maintaining the integrity of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS and ensuring that the benefits of the scheme reaches eligible rural households.

    Annexure

    Sl. No.

    States/UTs-wise number of active workers whose Job cards were deleted under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS during the financial years 2019-20 to 2024-25 (as on 04.02.2025).

    State/UTs

    2019-20

    2020-21

    2021-22

    2022-23

    2023-24

    2024-25

    1

    Andaman and Nicobar

    0

    0

    4

    6

    10

    26

    2

    Andhra Pradesh

    0

    0

    10654

    256678

    154658

    79837

    3

    Arunachal Pradesh

    0

    0

    703

    4006

    8955

    8414

    4

    Assam

    0

    0

    25741

    82953

    154262

    379789

    5

    Bihar

    0

    0

    197417

    1183405

    203384

    251529

    6

    Chhattisgarh

    0

    0

    20271

    116583

    249202

    66524

    7

    Dn Haveli And Dd

     

     

     

     

    0

    0

    8

    Goa

    0

    0

    0

    4

    3

    10

    9

    Gujarat

    0

    0

    17274

    69476

    88558

    15408

    10

    Haryana

    0

    0

    4009

    7883

    4202

    2759

    11

    Himachal Pradesh

    0

    0

    1427

    7458

    9569

    2953

    12

    Jammu And Kashmir

    0

    0

    5101

    20782

    50591

    22542

    13

    Jharkhand

    0

    0

    78708

    259989

    163406

    151852

    14

    Karnataka

    0

    0

    28752

    158752

    58166

    14400

    15

    Kerala

    0

    0

    1295

    5730

    21418

    2602

    16

    Ladakh

    339

    1033

    206

    734

    470

    236

    17

    Lakshadweep

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    0

    18

    Madhya Pradesh

    0

    2

    935912

    495850

    896927

    55013

    19

    Maharashtra

    0

    0

    6843

    71428

    21646

    13281

    20

    Manipur

    0

    0

    305

    998

    3904

    3636

    21

    Meghalaya

    0

    0

    657

    3433

    16976

    10907

    22

    Mizoram

    0

    0

    4405

    3228

    4173

    8871

    23

    Nagaland

    0

    0

    1778

    1864

    3191

    8130

    24

    Odisha

    0

    7

    339454

    520051

    262216

    222441

    25

    Puducherry

    0

    0

    9

    110

    134

    146

    26

    Punjab

    0

    0

    14720

    90601

    24089

    7947

    27

    Rajasthan

    0

    0

    23681

    153981

    214454

    24614

    28

    Sikkim

    0

    0

    263

    449

    753

    550

    29

    Tamil Nadu

    0

    2

    21996

    128553

    146106

    77193

    30

    Telangana

    3

    39

    2212

    159995

    40720

    30152

    31

    Tripura

    0

    0

    1971

    2767

    13201

    5795

    32

    Uttar Pradesh

    0

    0

    154326

    1127994

    608107

    26209

    33

    Uttarakhand

    0

    0

    3014

    12791

    20577

    16789

    34

    West Bengal

    0

    0

    5921

    506981

    40663

    2309

     

    Total

    342

    1083

    1909029

    5455513

    3484691

    1512864

     

    This information was given by Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

    ******

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mahakumbh 2025: Over 40 crore Devotees have taken the Holy Dip at the Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj till date

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 4:20PM by PIB Delhi

    As of 10AM today, the number of devotees who took the Holy dip at Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, has crossed 42 crore. With 19 days still remaining, it is expected that the number of bathers could exceed 50 crore.

    Diverse Cultures Reflected at Maha Kumbh

    Even after the three Amrit Snans (Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, and Basant Panchami), there is no decrease in the enthusiasm of devotees. People from across India and the World, are coming in large numbers to bathe in the holy Triveni. This includes 10 million kalpavasis as well as devotees and sadhus from World over.

    Massive Crowds of Devotees

    The highest numbers of devotees, over 8 crore, took the holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, while 3.5 crore bathed on Makar Sankranti. Both January 30 and February 1 witnessed over 2 crore people, whole on Paush Purnima over 1.7 crore devotees took the holy dip. Further, on Basant Panchami, now than 2.5 crore devotees bathed at the Triveni.

    Notable Personalities Who Have Bathed So Far

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (along with UP Cabinet Ministers), and other prominent leaders have already bathed at the Sangam. Hon. President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu is also scheduled to bathe at the Sangam on February 10.

    Other notable figures include the Governor of Uttar Pradesh Smt. Anandiben Patel, Rajasthan CM Shri Bhajan Lal Sjarma, Haryana CM Shri Nayab Singh Saini, Manipur CM Shri N. Biren Singh, Gujarat CM Shri Bhupendra Patel. The list of Union Ministers include Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Shri Shripad Naik, alongwith Members of Parliament like Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi, Smt. Sudha Murthy, Shri Ravi Kishan etc.

    Other prominent personalities included Senior BJP leader Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Samajwadi Party National President Shri Akhilesh Yadav, Olympic medalist Saina Nehwal, renowned poet Kumar Vishwas, Cricketer Suresh Raina, International Wrestler Khali, Choreographer Remo D’Souza, among others.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Anganwadi workers technologically empowered with the provision of smartphones for efficient monitoring and service delivery under Mission Poshan 2.0

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Anganwadi workers technologically empowered with the provision of smartphones for efficient monitoring and service delivery under Mission Poshan 2.0

    Provision of performance linked incentives for Anganwadi workers and helpers  for growth measurement, home visits and opening of Anganwadi centres

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 4:12PM by PIB Delhi

    Poshan Abhiyaan, an overarching scheme for holistic nourishment was launched on 8th March 2018 to improve nutritional outcomes for children, adolescents, pregnant women and lactating mothers. Under Poshan Abhiyaan, Incremental Learning Approach (ILA) was incorporated in order to build and strengthen the capacity of Anganwadi workers. Under the 15th Finance Commission, to address the challenge of malnutrition, various components like Anganwadi services, Poshan Abhiyaan and Scheme for Adolescent girls (of 14-18 years in Aspirational Districts and North-Eastern region) have been subsumed under the umbrella Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (Mission Poshan 2.0).

    Under Mission Poshan 2.0, Anganwadi workers (AWWs) have been technologically empowered with the provision of smartphones for efficient monitoring and service delivery. IT systems have been leveraged to strengthen and bring about transparency in nutrition delivery support systems at the Anganwadi centres and for dynamic identification of stunting, wasting, under-weight prevalence among children (0-6 years). It has facilitated near real time data collection for Anganwadi Services such as, daily attendance, Early childhood care and Education (ECCE), Provision of Hot Cooked Meal (HCM)/Take Home Ration (THR-not raw ration), Growth Measurement etc. This application is working as a job aid for Anganwadi Worker replacing the need for maintaining physical registers; thereby reducing her workload.

    The learning modules on nutrition and early care and education for capacity building of all Anganwadi workers are readily available online on Poshan Tracker.

    Further, Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (PBPB) initiative was launched on 10th May, 2023 for upskilling of all Anganwadi workers to build their capacity to provide early childhood care and nutrition service to children below six years of age. As on date, 31,114 SLMTs (CDPOs, Supervisors and Additional Resource Persons) and 145,481 AWWs have been trained across the country under Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi programme.

    One of the key program elements of the Mission Poshan 2.0 is incentivizing Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) monthly for optimal delivery of nutrition and health services and supporting behaviour change. There is a provision of performance linked incentives of Rs 500/- per month and Rs 250/- per month for Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi helpers respectively for growth measurement, home visits and opening of Anganwadi centres.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Women and Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur in Lok Sabha in reply to a question today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Anganwadi centres are the world’s largest childcare institutions dedicated to providing essential care and support to children ensuring delivery of care facilities till the last mile

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Anganwadi centres are the world’s largest childcare institutions dedicated to providing essential care and support to children ensuring delivery of care facilities till the last mile

    In a first of its kind approach, Ministry has extended the services of childcare through Anganwadi cum Crèche

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 4:11PM by PIB Delhi

    Government’s sustained initiatives on education, skilling and employment of women have resulted in increased opportunities for their employment, and more and more women are now in gainful employment, working within or outside their homes. Growing industrialization and urbanisation have also led to increased migration into the cities. Past few decades have shown a rapid increase in nuclear families. Thus, the children of such working women, who were earlier getting support from joint families while they were at work, are now in need of day care services which have to provide quality care and protection for the children. Lack of proper day-care services is, often, a deterrent for women to go out and work. Hence, there is an urgent need for improved quality and reach of day care services/crèches for working women amongst all socioeconomic groups both in the organized and unorganized sectors.

    To address these difficulties faced by the working mothers in giving due child care and protection to their children, day-care crèche facilities are being provided through Palna Scheme. Crèche services formalise the child care responsibilities hitherto considered as part of domestic work. Formalization of care work supports the “decent work campaign” to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth. This will also enable more mothers, who will be free from unpaid child-care responsibilities, to take up gainful employment.

    Anganwadi centres are the world’s largest childcare institutions dedicated to providing essential care and support to children ensuring delivery of care facilities till the last mile. In a first of its kind approach, Ministry has extended the services of childcare through Anganwadi cum Crèche (AWCC). This will ensure whole day childcare support ensuring their well-being in a safe and secure environment. Anganwadi cum Crèche initiative aims to increase ‘women work force participation’ in the economy. The objective of Palna Scheme is to provide quality crèche facility in safe and secure environment for children (from ages 6 months – 6 years), nutritional support, health and cognitive development of children, growth monitoring & immunization. Crèche facilities under Palna are provided to all mothers, irrespective of their employment status.

    Palna is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme ensuring the participation of State/ UT government to ensure better day-to-day monitoring and proper implementation of scheme, and is implemented with a funding ratio of 60:40 between Centre and State Governments and UTs with legislature except North East & Special Category States where ratio is 90:10. For UTs without legislature, 100% funding is provided by the central government.

    Proposals for establishment and operation of AWCCs are received from the respective State Governments/UT Administrations. As on date, a total of 11,395 AWCCs have been approved as per proposals received from various States/UTs.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Women and Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur in Lok Sabha in reply to a question today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Facilitator guidebook developed by NIPCCD for training of Anganwadi Workers under Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Facilitator guidebook developed by NIPCCD for training of Anganwadi Workers under Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi

    31,114 State Level Master Trainers and 145,481 Anganwadi Workers trained  under PBPBT till 2nd February, 2024

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 4:04PM by PIB Delhi

    Under Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (PBPB) initiative, a total of Rs. 476.05 Crore has been sanctioned for Training of State Level Master Trainers (CDPOs, Supervisors and Additional Resource Persons) and Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) under Anganwadi Services Scheme during FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-2026.

    Under PBPB, the Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) are imparted training on addressing malnutrition: Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM), Moderately Acute Malnourished (MAM) and micronutrient deficiencies among children. A facilitator guidebook has been developed by National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) for training of Anganwadi Workers under Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi. Special emphasis on balanced diet and inculcating healthy practices among children with increased intake of fruits & vegetables is given during the training. The training also includes sanitation and hygiene practices imparted to the children at Anganwadi Centres (AWCs). Importance of including parents and community in development of children for inculcation of good nutritional practices is also a part of the programme.

    Under Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Training to Anganwadi Workers is imparted through a Three-Day Programme Schedule (18 hours Duration). Special Training sessions include – “Navchetana- National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation for Children from Birth to Three Years, 2024” and “Aadharshila- National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education for Children from Three to Six Years 2024”. Main emphasis is given on Play Based Activities for ECCE in each AWC and Weekly Play Based Calendar for ECCE. Poshan Component includes Protocol for Management of Malnutrition in Children: SAM, MAM and Micronutrient Deficiencies among Children; Nutrition, Personal Hygiene and Sanitation for Children (0-6 years) & Dietary Guidelines; Growth Monitoring and Poshan Tracker and Parental Engagement and Community Mobilization for ECCE and Poshan. Special efforts have been directed to include Divyang Children – Screening, Inclusion and Referrals.

    As on 2nd February, 2025 a total of 31,114 State Level Master Trainers (SLMTs) and 145,481 Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) have been trained across the country under Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi. In Rajasthan 1644 SLMTs and 18,690 AWWs have been trained under PBPB.

    To monitor the process of overall development of children under the said scheme, i.e. PBPB, Poshan Tracker, an important governance tool to ensure transparency in nutrition and Early Childhood Care and Education service delivery at Anganwadi Centres is used. It is available in 24 languages. For the first time in the Anganwadi eco system, baseline data on nutritional indicators is available on Poshan Tracker with monitoring of nutritional delivery (Take Home Ration/Hot Cooked Meal) and growth measurement on real time basis.

    To make training programme more sustainable in long term for anganwadi workers, provisions from Aadharshila including weekly activity schedules, home visit guidance, assessment tools for tracking child development etc. are included on the Poshan Tracker. These include daily on-the-job nudges, in the form of videos on how to conduct simple play-based learning activities with the children. 432 video slots in total with 230 unique videos have been uploaded on the Poshan Tracker Portal. 1008 activity details, 1008 daily PDFs and daily voice note slots have also been uploaded. Content is focused on 6 domains of development including foundational literacy, numeracy, and interactive activities.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Women and Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur in Lok Sabha in reply to a question today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao has undertaken cohesive convergent efforts for protection and empowerment of the girl child

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Beti Bachao Beti Padhao has undertaken cohesive convergent efforts for protection and empowerment of the girl child

    The scheme is 100% funded by Central Government and has been expanded to cover all districts of the country

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 4:01PM by PIB Delhi

    BBBP scheme launched on 22nd  January, 2015 aims to prevent Gender based sex selection and to ensure survival and protection of girl child and also to ensure education of the girl child. The scheme is 100% funded by the Central Government and has been expanded to cover all the districts of the country. The government of West Bengal is not implementing the Scheme.

    The objectives of the Scheme are as follows:

    • Improvement in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) by 2 points every year.
    • Improvement in the percentage of institutional deliveries to the rate of 95% or above.
    • 1% increase in 1st Trimester Anti-Natal Care (ANC) Registration per year.
    • 1% increase in enrolment at secondary education level and skilling of girls/women per year.
    • To check dropout rate among girls at secondary and higher secondary levels.
    • Raising awareness about safe Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM).

    The latest reports from Health Management Information System (HMIS) of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) reveal that Sex ratio at Birth (SRB) is showing improving trends and has increased from 918 to 930 at national level during 2014-15 to 2023-24 with a net positive change of 12 points.

    Further, Gross Enrolment ratio of girls in the schools at secondary level has increased from 75.51 percentage in 2014-15 to 78 percentage in 2023-24 [as per Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE)-data, Ministry of Education].

    As per reports taken from Health Management Information System (HMIS) of Ministry of Health & Family welfare (MoHFW), percentage of institutional deliveries has increased from 61% in 2014-15 to 97.3% in 2023-24.

    Similarly, as per the HMIS data, Percentage of 1st trimester Ante-natal care registration have increased from 61% in 2014-15 to 80.5% in 2023-24.

    Ministry has developed an operational manual which inter-alia includes a thematic calendar for suggested convergence activities at district level with month wise specific themes for holistic development of the Girl Child and to ensure year-round engagement of girls, their families and communities.

    Under the Mission Shakti guidelines the allocation of funds to the districts is based on their differential SRB status. Keeping in mind the differential SRB status of districts as on 2020-21 (as per HMIS data of MoH&FW), three brackets for release of funds under BBBP component have been prescribed. The districts with SRB less than or equal to 918 is being provided assistance of Rs.40 Lakh per year, districts having SRB from 919 to 952 is being provided assistance of Rs. 30 lakh per year and districts having SRB more than 952 is being provided assistance of Rs. 20 lakh per year. Further, any new district formed in the coming years will also be kept under Rs. 30 lakh bracket.

    Over the past years, BBBP has successfully captured the national consciousness, mobilizing communities, government agencies, civil society, and media to work together in fostering a supportive and equitable environment for girls. Through focused interventions like awareness drives on PCPNDT act, opening of Sukanya Samriddhi Accounts for the girl child and provision of maternity benefit under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) seek to promote positive behavioral change towards girl child. They have achieved significant progress in improving the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB), raising awareness about the importance of girl education, and ensuring better healthcare for girls and women.

    Beti Bachao Beti Padhao has undertaken cohesive convergent efforts for protection and empowerment of the girl child and has become a cornerstone for all schemes/programmes and policies at all levels for the safety, security and empowerment of the girl child through life cycle continuum.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Women and Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur in Lok Sabha in reply to a question today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Indian Athletes, Fitness Influencers Rally Behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Call to Fight Obesity

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 3:25PM by PIB Delhi

    Indian sports athletes and fitness influencers are stepping up to support Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s clarion call to combat obesity, made at the opening ceremony of the 38th National Games 2025 in Dehradun.

    Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh stressed the need for dietary awareness. “Eating well is the first step towards a healthier, happier life. Let’s make Fit Food India a lifestyle, inspired by PM Narendra Modi ji’s commitment to fitness,” he wrote on social media platform X.

    Table tennis star Manika Batra echoed the sentiment, promoting the importance of mindful eating. “The food we eat shapes our health. Let’s commit to nutritious choices and make Fit Food India a way of life, contributing to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s mission for a fitter India,” she posted on X.

    Fit India icon and MMA champion Sangram Singh meanwhile emphasized the urgency of prioritizing health, urging people to adopt a fit lifestyle. “The most essential thing for the human body is to eat well and stay fit. Our Hon’ble Prime Minister has urged this to everybody, and we must fight against obesity. At the end of life, wealth and luxuries won’t matter—only our body will carry us forward. Let’s make ourselves healthy and take the country ahead,” said Singh in a video.

    With sports icons backing the movement, the fight against obesity is gaining momentum. Last Sunday, the Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative at the Major Dhyanchand Stadium in the national capital saw Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya leading a 250+ group of doctors and nutritionists taking forward Hon’ble Prime Minister’s call to fight obesity in India.

    Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi made the clarion call for the same at the opening ceremony of the 38th National Games in Dehradun. He called for a fight against obesity that is affecting all age groups, both young and old.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) drives Swachhata Pakhwada: A two-week cleanliness campaign being implemented during February 1-15, 2025

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 3:08PM by PIB Delhi

    Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) celebrates a fortnight long Swachhata Pakhwada this year, inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision to make swachhata “everyone’s business” and to involve all Central Government Ministries and Departments including all the attached institutions/organizations/autonomous bodies/CPSEs also in swachhata related activities.

     

    Swachhata pledge being administered by Shri S Krishnan, Secretary MeitY

    10 years of swachhata pakhwada

    The year 2025 is the 10th consecutive year of Swachhata Pakhwada implementation. The proposed calendar, along with guidelines for Swachhata Pakhwada, has been shared with all the associated organizations of MeitY. They are engaging in Shramdan activities in the communities where they are located and to which they are connected by virtue of their work. Departmental canteens run by MeitY have been taken up for priority Swachhata makeover.

    A Step towards clean India, healthy India

    The Swachhata Pledge was administered by Secretary MeitY on 03.02.2025 with the participation of AS, JSs, GCs, CISF officers & staff, CEOs and officers and officials of MeitY. The officers/officials of autonomous/ attached/subordinate offices/statutory bodies/Autonomous societies and PSUs viz. NIC, STQC, CCA, ICERT, UIDAI, NIELIT, STPI, ERNET India, C-DAC, C-MET, SAMEET, SCL, BISAG(N) NIXI, NICSI, DIC (incl. My-Gov, NeGD), CSC participated in their respective Swachhata pledges.

    The banners and posters on Swachhata Pakhwada were prominently displayed. All organizations participated enthusiastically on daily basis to achieve the goal of “Clean India and Healthy India: With your cooperation, a step towards cleanliness”. Activities like removal of unwanted clutter, dusting and sanitization, waste segregation, toilet cleaning etc. were carried out to achieve cleaner workplace and pleasant surrounding area.

    Photographs and videos of the event were taken and uploaded on Swachhata Portal. The MeitY has also issued messages on X social media.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India Achieves Historic Milestone of 100 GW Solar Power Capacity

    Source: Government of India (2)

    India Achieves Historic Milestone of 100 GW Solar Power Capacity

    With 100 GW solar power achieved, India is moving towards energy independence and a greener future.: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 2:17PM by PIB Delhi

    India has achieved a historic milestone by surpassing 100 GW of installed solar power capacity, reinforcing its position as a global leader in renewable energy. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the nation’s commitment to a cleaner, greener future and marks a significant step toward realizing its ambitious target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030 set by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

    Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India’s energy journey over the past ten years has been historic and inspiring. Initiatives like solar panels, solar parks and rooftop solar projects have brought about revolutionary changes. As a result, today India has successfully achieved the target of 100 GW of solar energy production. In the field of green energy, India is not only becoming self-reliant but is also showing the world a new path”.

    Union Minister Joshi said that this achievement is powered by the relentless commitment to clear and greener future. The Minister added that PM SuryaGhar Muft Bijli Yojana is making rooftop solar a household reality and is a game-changer in sustainable energy, empowering every home with clean power.

    Unprecedented Growth in Solar Sector

    India’s solar power sector has witnessed an extraordinary 3450 % increase in capacity over the past decade, rising from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 100 GW in 2025. As of January 31, 2025, India’s total solar capacity installed stands at 100.33 GW, with 84.10 GW under implementation and an additional 47.49 GW under tendering. The country’s hybrid and round-the-clock (RTC) renewable energy projects are also advancing rapidly, with 64.67 GW under implementation and tendered, bringing the grand total of solar and hybrid projects to 296.59 GW.

    Solar energy remains the dominant contributor to India’s renewable energy growth, accounting for 47% of the total installed renewable energy capacity. In 2024, record-breaking 24.5 GW of solar capacity was added reflecting a more than two-fold increase in solar installations compared to 2023. Last year also saw the installation of 18.5 GW of utility-scale solar capacity, a nearly 2.8 times increase compared to 2023. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are among the top-performing states, contributing significantly to India’s total utility-scale solar installations.

    The rooftop solar sector in India witnessed remarkable growth in 2024, with 4.59 GW of new capacity installed, reflecting a 53% increase compared to 2023. A key driver of this growth has been the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in 2024, which is now nearing 9 lakh rooftop solar installations, enabling households across the country to embrace clean energy solutions.

    India has also made significant strides in solar manufacturing. In 2014, the country had a limited solar module production capacity of just 2 GW. Over the past decade, this has surged to 60 GW in 2024, establishing India as a global leader in solar manufacturing. With continued policy support, India is on track to achieve a solar module production capacity of 100 GW by 2030.

    Under the guidance of Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has been implementing key initiatives to scale up renewable energy capacity in India. This 100 GW milestone in solar energy underscores India’s role as a renewable energy powerhouse, ensuring clean, sustainable, and affordable energy access for millions while shaping a self-reliant energy future.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Update on Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Update on Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts

    More than 73.90 Crore ABHA IDs have been created

    A comprehensive media and outreach strategy has been adopted to spread awareness and to empower the beneficiaries about their entitlements and rights under the scheme

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 2:00PM by PIB Delhi

    Government of India has launched Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) with a vision to create national digital health ecosystem, wherein to ensure participation of citizen, Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHAs) numbers that is a 14-digit Unique Health Identifier (erstwhile known as Health IDs) are created. As on 03.02.2025, 73,90,93,095 number of ABHA IDs have been created.

    Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has undertaken various steps to raise awareness about the scheme among eligible beneficiaries across country. A comprehensive media and outreach strategy to spread awareness and to empower the beneficiaries about their entitlements and rights under the scheme has been followed. IEC (Information, Education & communication) activities to disseminate information about the scheme include outdoor media, digital display at ticket counters across various railway stations, announcements at major bus stations, passenger train, branding, national and regional press coverage, op-eds and advertorials in print media, radio campaign, telecast of beneficiary testimonials via Doordarshan, mass messaging through SMS, traditional media etc.

    The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Measures taken to Strengthen Public Healthcare Facilities

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Measures taken to Strengthen Public Healthcare Facilities

    Union Health Ministry provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen the public healthcare system in the form of Programme Implementation Plans under National Health Mission

    Indian Public Health Standards benchmarks ensure the delivery of minimum essential services through public healthcare facilities

    Web-based dashboard of IPHS launched in 2024 offers real-time updates, enabling oversight and data-driven decision-making to identify gaps and facilitate timely interventions

    93% of healthcare facilities have been assessed for IPHS, among which 55% facilities have scored more than 50%

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 2:00PM by PIB Delhi

    Under the National Health Mission, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen the public healthcare system including recruitment of health care professionals in rural areas and to bridge the infrastructure gaps in rural healthcare facilities based on the proposals received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under National Health Mission. Government of India provides financial approval for the proposal in the form of Record of Proceedings (RoPs) as per norms & available resources.             

    The Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) are essential benchmarks that ensure the delivery of minimum essential services through public healthcare facilities, including District Hospitals, Sub-District Hospitals, Community Health Centers, Primary Health Centers, and Sub Health Centre. Developed in 2007 and revised in 2012 and 2022, these standards align with recent public health initiatives and are fundamental to our healthcare system. The IPHS guidelines help states plan and meet crucial standards, leading to better health outcomes and increased public trust in the healthcare system.

    The Union Health Ministry has developed an open-source toolkit and a web-based dashboard (www.iphs.mohfw.gov.in) launched under IPHS on 28th June 2024 to facilitate self- assessment by all levels of facilities including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. The IPHS Dashboard is designed to monitor public health facilities’ compliance with the IPHS 2022 standards and offers real-time updates, enabling oversight and data-driven decision-making to identify gaps and facilitate timely interventions.

    As on 22nd January, 2025 – 93% of healthcare facilities have been assessed for IPHS. Among total assessed facilities, 55% facilities have scored more than 50%.

    The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Update on Status of Healthcare Infrastructure under NHM

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Update on Status of Healthcare Infrastructure under NHM

    Extension of National Health Mission has been given by the Union Cabinet for the period of FY 2021-26

    Various incentives and honorarium are provided to medical professionals for encouraging better service delivery in rural and remote areas

    NHM strengthens the urban health system through initiatives like Ayushman Arogya Mandir, National Ambulance Services, Mobile Medical Units, ASHAs, 24/7 services, First Referral Facilities, Prime Minister’s National Dialysis Programme etc

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 1:59PM by PIB Delhi

    Health Dynamics of India (HDI) (Infrastructure & Human Resources), 2022-23 is an annual publication, based on healthcare administrative data reported by States/UTs. Details of Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), and sub-centers constructed or upgraded in rural & urban areas in the country, State/UT-wise, may be seen at the following link of HDI 2022-23:

    https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Health%20Dynamics%20of%20India%20%28Infrastructure%20%26%20Human%20Resources%29%202022-23_RE%20%281%29.pdf

     

    Extension of National Health Mission (NHM) has been given by the Union Cabinet for the period of FY 2021-26. The details of target set and achieved under NHM are listed below:

    Targets

    (as per NHM extension for 2021-26)

    Status

    Reduce MMR to 87 per 1 lakh

    97 per 1 lakh live births

    (SRS 2018-20)

    Reduce IMR to 22 per thousand

    28 per thousand (SRS 2020)

    Sustain TFR to 2.0 at national level

    2.0 (NFHS 5)

    Achieve the operationalization of 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (erstwhile AB-HWC)

    1,76,325 (as on 31.1.2025)

    Achieve and sustain more than 90% Full Immunization coverage of all children by one year of age

    93.6%

    (as on 31.10.2024)

    Malaria: No. of districts with Annual Parasite Incidence (API)<1/1000 population-710

    699 (2023)

    Dengue: Sustain Case fatality rate at <1%

    0.09%

    (as on 31.10.2024)

    Lymphatic Filariasis: No. of districts observing mass drug administration (MDA) in eligible population- 40

    159 (2024)

    Kala Azar: Achieve ‘zero’ no. of endemic blocks reporting >1 KA case/10000 population at block level by 2023-24 and sustain elimination status till 2025-26

    Achieved ‘zero’ blocks till 2023-24. Status sustained till Oct, 2024.

    Status of Human Resource is available in HDI 2022-23 which may be seen at the following link:

     

    https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Health%20Dynamics%20of%20India%20%28Infrastructure%20%26%20Human%20Resources%29%202022-23_RE%20%281%29.pdf

    The Government of India has taken number of initiatives in the form of incentives and honorarium to the medical professionals for encouraging better service delivery in rural and remote areas in the country, which include:

     

    1. Hard area allowance to specialist doctors for serving in rural and remote areas so that they find it attractive to serve in public health facilities in such areas.
    2. Honorarium to Gynecologists/ Emergency Obstetric Care (EmoC) trained, Pediatricians & Anesthetist/ Life Saving Anaesthesia Skills (LSAS) trained doctors to increase availability of specialists for conducting Cesarean Sections in rural & remote area.
    3. Special incentives for doctors, incentive for ANM for ensuring timely ANC checkup and recording, incentives for conducting Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health activities.
    4. States are also allowed to offer negotiable salary to attract specialist including flexibility in strategies such as “You Quote We Pay”.
    5. Non-monetary incentives such as preferential admission in postgraduate courses for staff serving in difficult areas and improving accommodation arrangement in rural areas have also been introduced under NHM.
    6. Multi-skilling of doctors is supported under NHM to overcome the shortage of specialists. Skill upgradation of existing HR is another major strategy under NRHM for achieving improvement in health outcomes.

     

    To strengthen urban health system, National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) was launched in 2013 as a sub-mission of NHM. Various initiatives carried out under NHM by the Government of India in the country including in urban areas are operationalisation of Ayushman Arogya Mandir, National Ambulance Services, Mobile Medical Units, ASHAs, 24 x 7 Services and First Referral Facilities, Prime Minister’s National Dialysis Programme, Free Diagnostics Service Initiative and Free Drugs Service Initiative, various activities under Reproductive & Child Health, Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy, Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA) and Universal Immunization programme.

    The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

    ****

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    HFW/ Update on Healthcare Infra under NHM/07 February 2025/5

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Steps taken to control the spread of HMPV

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Steps taken to control the spread of HMPV

    Public Health Emergency Operations Centre Activated to Track HMPV Situation

    Robust surveillance system for Influenza Like Illness and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness for Influenza in place in India through ICMR and IDSP networks

    States Urged to Enhance Awareness and Surveillance for Respiratory Illnesses Amid HMPV Concerns

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 1:57PM by PIB Delhi

    The Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been present globally since 2001. The data from Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) does not indicate any unusual rise in Influenza Like Illness (ILI)/Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases anywhere in the country which has also been corroborated by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) sentinel surveillance data. Since January 6th, 2025 till 29th January 2025 a total of 59 cases have been reported by 11 States/UTs in India.

    The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has taken several specific measures to monitor and control the spread of HMPV cases and to create public awareness through campaigns regarding HMPV symptoms and prevention strategies. The steps taken by Government of India are as under:

     

    • Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (PHEOC) has been activated at National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) since 6th January, 2025 for regular monitoring of HMPV situation. Daily Situational Report (SitRep) is shared to the concerned stakeholders.

     

    • States/UTs have been advised to be vigilant and send respiratory samples of hospitalized SARI cases to designated Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) for testing and sequencing of positive samples.

     

    • A robust surveillance system for Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) for Influenza is already in place in India through both ICMR and IDSP networks.

     

    • The states have been advised to enhance Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and awareness among the population regarding prevention of transmission of the virus through simple measures such as washing hands often with soap and water; avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands; avoid close contact with people who are exhibiting symptoms of the disease; cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing etc.

     

    • Government conducted a preparedness drill across the country and it is ascertained that the health system is adequately prepared to deal with the seasonal increase in respiratory illness.
    • Several meetings were held at the level of Secretary (Health & Family Welfare), Director General of Health Services, Joint Monitoring Group with various stakeholders and reviewed the situation of respiratory illnesses in India and the status regarding the HMPV cases. The stakeholders include Department of Health Research, DGHS, Health Secretaries and officials of States, experts from Integrated Disease Surveillance Platform (IDSP), NCDC, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Institute of Virology (NIV) and State Surveillance Units of IDSP.
    • States have been advised to strengthen and review the ILI/SARI surveillance.

     

    The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

    ****

    MV

    HFW/ Steps taken to control the spread of HMPV/07 February 2025/2

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Measures taken to Improve Mental Healthcare

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Measures taken to Improve Mental Healthcare

    Government has launched a “National Tele Mental Health Programme” in October, 2022, that would function as the digital arm of the District Mental Health Programme

    36 States/ UTs have set up 53 Tele MANAS Cells whose services are available in 20 languages

    Government has launched Tele MANAS Mobile Application in October, 2024 to provide support for mental health issues ranging from well-being to mental disorders

    Tele-MANAS Cell established at the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune to extend tele-mental health assistance and support to all Armed Forces service personnel and their dependents

    Mental health services have been added in the package of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at more than 1.73 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs

    25 Centres of Excellence have been sanctioned to increase the intake of students in Post Graduate departments in mental health specialities as well as to provide tertiary level treatment facilities

    42,488 mental healthcare professionals trained under Digital Academies, established since 2018 at three Central Mental Health Institutes

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 1:55PM by PIB Delhi

    The Government has launched a “National Tele Mental Health Programme” (NTMHP) on 10th October, 2022, that would function as the digital arm of the District Mental Health Programme to provide universal access to equitable, accessible, affordable and quality mental health care through 24 x 7 tele-mental health counselling services. For this, a toll-free number (14416) has been set up across the country.

    Specific objectives of the Programme are:

    • To exponentially scale up the reach of mental health services to anybody who reaches out, across India, any time, by setting up a 24×7 tele-mental health facility in each of the States and UTs of the country.
    • To implement a full-fledged mental health service network that, in addition to counselling, provides integrated medical and psychosocial interventions.
    • To extend services to vulnerable groups of the population and difficult to reach populations.

     

    As on 03.02.2025, 36 States/ UTs have set up 53 Tele MANAS Cells. Tele-MANAS services are available in 20 languages based on language opted by States. More than 18,13,000 calls have been handled on the helpline number.

    Rs. 120.98 crore, Rs. 133.73 crore and Rs. 90.00 crore has been allocated for National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP) for the year 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 respectively.

    The Government has launched Tele MANAS Mobile Application on World Mental Health Day, i.e. 10th October, 2024. Tele-MANAS Mobile Application is a comprehensive mobile platform that has been developed to provide support for mental health issues ranging from well-being to mental disorders.

    The Government has established a dedicated Tele-MANAS Cell at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune to extend tele-mental health assistance and support to all Armed Forces service personnel and their dependents, further enhancing the mental health care services available to them.

    In addition to the above, the Government is also taking steps to integrate mental healthcare services at primary healthcare level. The Government has upgraded more than 1.73 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Mental health services have been added in the package of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at these Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

    The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) is implemented under the National Mental Health Programme in 767 districts of the country to detect, manage and treat mental illness at District Hospitals. Facilities are also made available under DMHP at the Community Health Centre (CHC) and Primary Health Centre (PHC) levels and include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/ psycho-social interventions, continuing care and support to persons with severe mental disorders, drugs, outreach services, ambulance services etc.

    Under the Tertiary care component of NMHP, 25 Centres of Excellence have been sanctioned to increase the intake of students in Post Graduate (PG) departments in mental health specialities as well as to provide tertiary level treatment facilities. The Government has also provided support to establish / strengthen 47 PG Departments in mental health specialties in 19 Government Medical Colleges/ institutions.

    For increasing the number of psychiatrists in the Country, Post Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued the Minimum Standard of Requirements for Post-Graduate Courses – 2023 (PGMSR-2023) on 15.1.2024. For starting/ increase of seats in MD (Psychiatry), the number of OPD has been brought down to 30 per day for annual intake of maximum 2 PG students with 20% increase for each additional seat. Similarly, the minimum beds required per unit for starting MD (Psychiatry) course with 2 seats, 3 seats and 5 seats in a medical college is 8 beds, 12 beds and 20 beds respectively.

    The Government is also augmenting the availability of manpower to deliver mental healthcare services in the underserved areas of the country by providing online training courses to various categories of general healthcare medical and para medical professionals through the Digital Academies, established since 2018, at the three Central Mental Health Institutes namely National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam, and Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi. The total number of professionals trained under Digital Academies are 42,488.

    The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

    ****

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    HFW/ Measures taken to improve mental healthcare/07 February 2025/3

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Odisha implements “Nirbhaya Kadhi” (Fearless Bud), “Mo Gelha Jiya” (My Dear Daughter), “Kalpana Avijan”, “Swarna Kalika” and “Veerangana Yojana” under BBBP Scheme

    Source: Government of India

    Odisha implements “Nirbhaya Kadhi” (Fearless Bud), “Mo Gelha Jiya” (My Dear Daughter), “Kalpana Avijan”, “Swarna Kalika” and “Veerangana Yojana” under BBBP Scheme

    Schemes launched for adolescent girls to prevent child marriages, to combat sex selection and female foeticide, and to boost Self-Esteem and Confidence

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 1:26PM by PIB Delhi

    “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” (BBBP) scheme was launched on 22nd January, 2015 to address the alarming gender imbalance and declining child sex ratio in India. Various initiatives have been implemented by Odisha Government to achieve the aims and goals of BBBP scheme. Major scheme of Odisha Governments under BBBP are “Nirbhaya Kadhi” (Fearless Bud), “Mo Gelha Jiya” (My Dear Daughter) in Ganjam , “Kalpana Avijan” in Dhenkanal, “Swarna Kalika” in Keonjhar and “Veerangana Yojana” in Deogarh district. These schemes are launched for adolescent girls to make them say “no to child marriage”, to combat sex selection and female foeticide, to continue their study with higher education and to boost Self-Esteem and Confidence through martial arts and self-defence techniques.

    1. “Nirbhay Kadhi” (The Fearless Bud) and “Mo Gelha Jhia” (My Lovely Daughter) of Ganjam district.

    “Nirbhay Kadhi (The Fearless Bud)”, l.e., the fearless adolescents is the special initiative of the Ganjam District Administration under BBBP to attain a just order fit for girl child. 183,933 adolescent girls of nearly 3,309 villages in Ganjam district in the age group of 11-18 years are covered under Nirbhaya Kadhi Scheme through awareness meetings.

    Another satellite programme of BBBP launched in the district is Mo Gelha Jhia (My Lovely Daughter) to combat sex selection and female foeticide in Ganjam district.

    As an outcome on 3rd January 2022, the administration declared Ganjam district as child marriage free. From 2019 to October 2024, almost 20 out of 953 child marriages were successfully prevented with the help of Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs), District Child Protection Units (DCPU), Child line and Police. Mostly 450,000 students from 3,614 government schools made a public declaration to say ‘No’ to child marriage. An award of 5,000 is given to those who provided first information about child marriage.

    On its 9th Foundation Day, the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) felicitated Collector, Ganjam district for taking proactive measures in prevention of child marriage and ensuring their rights.

     

    2. “Kalpana Avijan” scheme of Dhenkanal district

     

    This scheme was launched in Dhenkanal district of Odisha to track and monitor adolescent girls (10-19 years) and prevent child marriage through committees at various levels. This scheme prevented 343 child marriages between year 2019-2024.  About 1,13,515 adolescent girls identified and enrolled under the scheme. Around 4,45,000 students from 3,425 schools declared saying ‘NO’ to child marriage in the form of oath taking in a public place. Awareness programme were organized in 1,211 villages and strategic forums formed for engagement with youth and traditional leaders.

    On the Observation of International Girl Child Week 2024, felicitated by ADM, Dhenkanal for taking proactive measures in the prevention of child marriage and ensuring their rights of childcare and protection. Women Ambassador, WCD and Mission Shakti, Odisha felicitated District social welfare officer, Dhenkanal for taking proactive measures in the prevention of child marriage.  Ms Barsha Priyadarshini Sahoo of Odapada Block in Dhenkanal District awarded by the District Administration for raising voice against her early marriage and take the initiative to stop Child Marriage in their Block. The administration felicitated the Mountaineer who said no to her child marriage and was rescued by the District Administration with help from other functionaries was declared as the brand ambassador of Kalpana Abhiijan programme.

     

    3. “Swarna Kalika” scheme of Keonjhar district

     

    Through “Swarna Kalika” scheme awareness raised in villages on the harmful effects of child marriage. Over 2,000 stakeholders involved in the campaign Promoted ADVIKA app for awareness and intervention in Keonjhar district of Odisha.

    Successful district-level campaign involving adolescents and community leaders and strengthened community systems to protect children resulted in  reduction in child marriages by 50% by 2024 through awareness campaigns and community mobilization.

     

     

    4. “Veerangana” scheme of Deogarh district

    With the growing crimes against women and girls, it is important to know more than just the use of pepper spray, Different forms of Martial Arts can help a lot to defend girls in the time of need. Under BBBP scheme, the “VEERANGANA” is one such innovative and scaled-up approach of District Administration, Deogarh, with an objective to Boost Self-Esteem and Confidence in the adolescent girls through martial arts and self-defence techniques to keep protected girls from cheap comments, eve-teasing, harassment, being followed, groping, molestation, etc., facing in day-to-day affair through defending skills.

    A 30-Day Training Camp on Self-Defence and Martial Art under title VEERANGANA was organized in the Indoor Stadium; Deogarh with the technical support from State KUDO Association of Odisha, Cuttack, Apart from this, in the Training Camp Awareness and Counselling sessions by the experts was also conducted for Adolescent and their parents on legal rights and entitlements of Girls.

    More than 500 adolescents from various schools and colleges, in the age group of 14-19 years participated in the 30-day long training camp on Martial Art. About 300 guardians and teachers were also involved and imparted orientation on the legal rights and entitlements of the girts, As a way forward, 50 female master trainers as developed from this initiative, imparted short training session on the basics of martial arts in 300 schools of rural pockets extending the training to around 6,000 girl students.

    This Special Drive-VEERANGANA, won the appreciation of mass media and were institutionalized in many schools and colleges. The District Administration in the District Festival awarded VEERANGANA.

    VEERANGANA also begged the Prestigious SKOCH Award as the Semi Finalist, 50 female master trainers developed from this initiative, imparted short training session on the basics of martial arts in 300 schools of rural pockets extending the training to around 6,000 girl students.

    ***** 

    SS/MS

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 32nd Session of the Indian Art History Congress to be organized from 8th to 10th February 2025 at Indian Institute of Heritage Noida

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 12:58PM by PIB Delhi

    The Indian Art History Congress is an all-India body of the study of the Indian Art Heritage, its headquarters being situated in Guwahati. This year, the 32nd Session of the Indian Art History Congress is being hosted by the Indian Institute of Heritage, Noida, deemed to be university, under the Ministry of Culture from 8th to 10th February 2025. The conference is being held on the theme “Rendering of Indian Epics in Art and Culture,” which aims to highlight the diverse forms of artistic expressions based on the epics. A variety of oral, textual and visual mediums became a conduit through which these narratives were transmitted. In this context, the conference aims to be a platform that brings together conversations on the various forms of artistic and performative representations of the epics. It highlights the multiplicity and plurality of the epics in terms of its diverse artistic manifestations tracing their influence as well as their representation from ancient to contemporary times.

    The conference will be inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism and Chancellor, Indian Institute of Heritage. Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Member of Parliament, Former Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Culture and Former Chancellor, National Museum Institute will grace the Inaugural Programme as the Guest of Honour.

    The Rāmāyana and the Mahābhārata, two of India’s most ancient epics, continue to shape the cultural ethos of the nation. Over time, different renditions of the epics were produced in different languages that reflected the unique manifestations of different cultures and regions, reforming the epics with local variations. Prof. (Dr.) B. R. Mani, the Vice Chancellor of the Indian Institute of Heritage mentioned that, “the ideals of the epics and its universal themes of Dharma, comprising deliberations on duty, righteousness and justice, became a guiding way of life for a diverse section of people not only in India but finding resonance across cultures even beyond our country.” The contribution and significance of the Indian Art History Congress is elaborated by Prof. (Dr.) Maruti Nandan Prasad Tiwari, Chairman, IAHC and Prof. D. S. Somashekhar, General Secretary, IAHC. They said, “Art is both an inward and outward journey for sensitive beings to attain the Supreme bliss. The experience of Art transcends age. The Indian Art History Congress-Guwahati devoted to promoting interest for Art, its preservation and protection, has involved both veteran and young scholars alike to reach the goal. The great scholars like Prof. K. D. Bajpai, Dr. R. D. Choudhury and others made our organisation a medium through which they tried to orient generations of young scholars for protecting our rich cultural heritage- both tangible and intangible. We are into their shoes carrying their dreams further for posterity.”

    The conference has already seen a phenomenal response wherein more than 200 abstract submissions were received for evaluation. This attests to the fact that the Indian epics not only shaped the moral, spiritual, and artistic ethos of our ancient civilization but continue to resonate in the present times with similar fervour. Abstract submissions reflect the diversity of thematic discourses that look into the aspects of mythology, history, aesthetics, statehood, identity, cultural exchanges, diplomacy, international legacies, modernist reinterpretations, and regional influences, among others. Furthermore, the diverse backgrounds of the scholars – from disciplines such as art history, archaeology, ancient Indian history, epigraphy, numismatics, and others – and their varied research interests will bring about unique intersections of thought and interdisciplinary dialogues, fostering new and enriched outlook on the epics. Thus, the conference aims to be a space where these various intersections and interpretations by senior and emerging scholars will come together to create a profoundly engaging scholarly endeavour.

    The Indian Institute of Heritage is pleased to collaborate with the Indian Art History Congress to host this conference on such a timely and profound theme.

    ***

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2100570) Visitor Counter : 155

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: INVESTMENT IN PLI SCHEME FOR SPECIALLY STEEL

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 1:11PM by PIB Delhi

    Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for specialty steel was launched with the objective of attracting investment to boost the production of value-added steel in the country. Steel is deregulated sector and decisions such as investment, production are based on techno-commercial considerations of the industry. Participating companies committed to an investment of Rs. 27,106 crore out of which Rs.18,848 crore has been achieved till December, 2024. The production of specialty steel up to December, 2024 is 1,258,000 tonnes.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

    *****

    TPJ/NJ

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: BENEFITS UNDER SECOND ROUND OF PLI SCHEME VIS-A-VIS PLI SCHEME 1.1

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 1:11PM by PIB Delhi

    Second round of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for specialty steel was launched on January 6, 2025, within the overall budget allocated for the scheme. To ensure wider participation in the second round, irrespective of the company size, following steps have been taken:-

    1. Launch of dedicated web portal for PLI scheme 1.1 and wide publicity through media.

    2. Frequent webinars with companies that expressed interest to participate in the scheme.

    3. Easing of rules of participation in the scheme such as allowing 50% of investment in cases where companies invest in augmentation of existing facilities to participate in the notified sub-categories.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

    *****

    TPJ/NJ

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ENHANCEMENT OF PRODUCTION OF STEEL UNDER PLI SCHEME

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 1:10PM by PIB Delhi

    Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for specialty steel was launched with the objective of attracting investment to boost the production of value-added steel in the country. PLI Scheme for specialty steel covers five broad product categories, namely Coated/Plated Steel Products, High Strength/Wear resistant Steel, Specialty Rails, Alloy Steel Products & Steel wires and Electrical Steel.

    Steel is a de-regulated sector and the government acts as a facilitator by creating a conducive policy environment for the development of steel sector. Government has taken the following measures to create a conducive policy environment for boosting the steel sector in the country:-

    1. Promotion of ‘Made in India’ steel and expanding investments:-

      1. Implementation of Domestically Manufactured Iron & Steel Products (DMI&SP) Policy for promoting ‘Made in India’ steel for Government procurement.

      2. Launch of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Specialty Steel to promote the manufacturing of ‘Specialty Steel’ within the country and reduce imports by attracting capital investments.

    1. Improve raw material availability and reduce raw material cost:-  

      1. Reduction in the Basic Customs Duty on Ferro Nickel, a raw material from 2.5 percent to zero, making it duty free.

      2. Extension of duty exemption on ferrous scrap upto 31st March 2026, in the Budget 2024.

    3. Import monitoring and quality control:-

      1. Revamping of Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) for effective monitoring of imports to provide granular details on imports to the domestic steel industry.

      2. Introduction of steel Quality Control Orders thereby banning sub-standard/ defective steel products in domestic market as well as imports to ensure the availability of quality steel to the industry, users and public at large.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

    ****

    TPJ/NJ

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 32nd Session of the Indian Art History Congress to be organized from 8th to 10th February 2024 at Indian Institute of Heritage Noida

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 12:58PM by PIB Delhi

    The Indian Art History Congress is an all-India body of the study of the Indian Art Heritage, its headquarters being situated in Guwahati. This year, the 32nd Session of the Indian Art History Congress is being hosted by the Indian Institute of Heritage, Noida, deemed to be university, under the Ministry of Culture from 8th to 10th February 2024. The conference is being held on the theme “Rendering of Indian Epics in Art and Culture,” which aims to highlight the diverse forms of artistic expressions based on the epics. A variety of oral, textual and visual mediums became a conduit through which these narratives were transmitted. In this context, the conference aims to be a platform that brings together conversations on the various forms of artistic and performative representations of the epics. It highlights the multiplicity and plurality of the epics in terms of its diverse artistic manifestations tracing their influence as well as their representation from ancient to contemporary times.

    The conference will be inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism and Chancellor, Indian Institute of Heritage. Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Member of Parliament, Former Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Culture and Former Chancellor, National Museum Institute will grace the Inaugural Programme as the Guest of Honour.

    The Rāmāyana and the Mahābhārata, two of India’s most ancient epics, continue to shape the cultural ethos of the nation. Over time, different renditions of the epics were produced in different languages that reflected the unique manifestations of different cultures and regions, reforming the epics with local variations. Prof. (Dr.) B. R. Mani, the Vice Chancellor of the Indian Institute of Heritage mentioned that, “the ideals of the epics and its universal themes of Dharma, comprising deliberations on duty, righteousness and justice, became a guiding way of life for a diverse section of people not only in India but finding resonance across cultures even beyond our country.” The contribution and significance of the Indian Art History Congress is elaborated by Prof. (Dr.) Maruti Nandan Prasad Tiwari, Chairman, IAHC and Prof. D. S. Somashekhar, General Secretary, IAHC. They said, “Art is both an inward and outward journey for sensitive beings to attain the Supreme bliss. The experience of Art transcends age. The Indian Art History Congress-Guwahati devoted to promoting interest for Art, its preservation and protection, has involved both veteran and young scholars alike to reach the goal. The great scholars like Prof. K. D. Bajpai, Dr. R. D. Choudhury and others made our organisation a medium through which they tried to orient generations of young scholars for protecting our rich cultural heritage- both tangible and intangible. We are into their shoes carrying their dreams further for posterity.”

    The conference has already seen a phenomenal response wherein more than 200 abstract submissions were received for evaluation. This attests to the fact that the Indian epics not only shaped the moral, spiritual, and artistic ethos of our ancient civilization but continue to resonate in the present times with similar fervour. Abstract submissions reflect the diversity of thematic discourses that look into the aspects of mythology, history, aesthetics, statehood, identity, cultural exchanges, diplomacy, international legacies, modernist reinterpretations, and regional influences, among others. Furthermore, the diverse backgrounds of the scholars – from disciplines such as art history, archaeology, ancient Indian history, epigraphy, numismatics, and others – and their varied research interests will bring about unique intersections of thought and interdisciplinary dialogues, fostering new and enriched outlook on the epics. Thus, the conference aims to be a space where these various intersections and interpretations by senior and emerging scholars will come together to create a profoundly engaging scholarly endeavour.

    The Indian Institute of Heritage is pleased to collaborate with the Indian Art History Congress to host this conference on such a timely and profound theme.

    ***

    Sunil Kumar Tiwari

    pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2100570) Visitor Counter : 67

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DRDO releases redefined and augmented Research Verticals & Thrust Areas across DIA-CoEs to streamline and enhance research

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 12:53PM by PIB Delhi

    Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management (DFTM) at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) HQs in New Delhi on February 07, 2025 released the redefined and augmented Research Verticals & Thrust Areas across DRDO Industry Academia – Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoEs) to streamline and enhance the focus of Directed Research. The realignment and augmentation of research areas include future technology requirements of DRDO laboratories and deep technology research areas. The existing 65 Research Verticals distributed across 15 DIA-CoEs have been redesigned into 82 Research Verticals. This important development is part of a strategic effort to refine the DIA-CoEs’ research focus and introduce cutting-edge deep technology research areas to strengthen the overall research outcomes.

    Some of the new areas added to the bouquet of research verticals are ‘Compound Semiconductor Technologies’ at IITB, ‘Laser Beam Combining based Communication, Power Transmission & Manufacturing and Extraction & Recycling of Materials’ at IITH, ‘Software Defined Radios’ at IITK, ‘Emerging RF Technologies’ at IITR and ‘Cryptography and Information Security’ at IITKgp and many more.

    The new realignment is expected to encourage stronger interdisciplinary, multi-institutional research collaboration engaging Industry & academia, minimise duplicative efforts, and maximise resource utilisation across the institutions. Additionally, it will also ensure that DIA-CoEs contribute meaningfully to address DRDO’s future technology challenges and shaping the future of defence technology.

    For more information about newly identified Research Verticals and Thrust Areas of DIA-CoEs please visit: https://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/adv-tech-center

    *****

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NITI Aayog Hosts a Conclave on ‘Towards Viksit Bharat@2047: Strengthening Economy, National Security, Global Partnerships, and Law’

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 12:12PM by PIB Delhi

    NITI Aayog organized a conclave titled “Towards Viksit Bharat @ 2047: Strengthening Economy, National Security, Global Partnerships, and Law” on 6th February 2025 at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. The conclave saw participation of the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Members of NITI Aayog, the CEO of NITI Aayog, and keynote addresses from the Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India and the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence. The event featured a lineup of panel discussions, keynotes, and deliberations, addressing critical themes essential to India’s development journey over the next two decades.

    A key highlight was the panel discussion on Economic Growth and Global Competitiveness by 2047, where distinguished experts from policy, academia, and industry examined India’s trajectory toward becoming a global economic powerhouse. Discussions emphasized the importance of regulatory reforms, innovation, infrastructure expansion, and India’s strategic role in global trade. Panelists stressed the need for increased private sector investment in research and development, fiscal consolidation, and integration into global supply chains. Sovereign credit ratings, energy security, and access to critical raw materials were identified as essential for long-term economic resilience. Education, skill development, and infrastructure investments were recognized as crucial for leveraging India’s demographic advantage. The consensus was that bold reforms, sustainable energy strategies, and a leadership role in global trade would be key to achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047.

    Another significant session, Strategic Partnerships for Development, focused on India’s diplomatic strategies in securing alliances with both the Global South and North. The discussion highlighted India’s economic resilience and its ability to navigate geopolitical trade disruptions. Experts underscored India’s leadership in renewable energy and stressed the importance of international cooperation in critical mineral resources. Trade liberalization, tariff reductions, and technological collaborations were explored as potential avenues to enhance India’s global trade standing. The session also emphasized the role of digital public infrastructure in fostering multilateral and bilateral partnerships, while legal reforms were acknowledged as pivotal in attracting investment and improving ease of doing business.

    In the session on Supply Chain Resilience and National Defence, panelists addressed practical solutions for mitigating supply chain disruptions and the role of public-private partnerships in national defence. Discussions highlighted the need for a robust logistical supply chain and its impact on both military and civilian operations. A key takeaway was the distinction between the Just in Time model in civil supply chains and the Just in Case model employed in military logistics. Experts deliberated on the role of legal frameworks in ensuring efficient procurement, stocking, and supply chain management. Proposals were made for enhancing procurement procedures, fostering public-private collaborations, and refining organizational structures to streamline defence supply chains. Cybersecurity emerged as a critical factor in safeguarding supply chain integrity and ensuring operational efficiency.

    The conclave provided valuable insights into India’s economic trajectory, strategic partnerships, and national security preparedness. The discussions reinforced the nation’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth, paving the way for the vision of the Prime Minister of a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.

     

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: National Commission for Minorities Chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura Engages with Minority Leaders and District Officials in Sambhal

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 07 FEB 2025 11:59AM by PIB Delhi

    The Hon’ble Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Shri Iqbal Singh Lalpura visited Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh today. In Sambhal he visited Shahi Masjid that attracted attention after the November 24, 2024 incident of communal strife and inquired about the situation from locals.

    He met the people from minority communities and also held a significant meeting with prominent social, educational, and religious leaders of the notified minority communities that included Sikh, Jain, Christian, and Muslim. The discussions with the community leaders focused on key issues concerning religious harmony, minority welfare, education, socio-economic development, and community empowerment. The community leaders highlighted concerns and suggestions aimed at fostering religious harmony, inclusive growth and ensuring equitable opportunities for all sections of society and ensuring religious harmony for national unity and integrity.

    In addition, the Hon’ble Chairman held discussions with the District Magistrate (DM), Superintendent of Police (SP), Additional District Magistrate (ADM), and other concerned officials of Sambhal District. The meeting addressed various governance issues, implementation of welfare schemes, and measures to strengthen minority rights and security in the region. The Chairman emphasized the need for coordinated efforts between the administration and community representatives to ensure inclusive development and social harmony.

    The Hon’ble Chairman reiterated the Commission’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by minority communities and assured proactive steps in collaboration with the State government authorities. The meeting underscored the importance of dialogue in strengthening social harmony and advancing the welfare of notified minorities. 

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Situation of the European ceramics industry – E-002348/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Trade is essential for the EU’s long-term competitiveness. European ceramics, with a positive balance of EUR 5.8 billion, are important to the EU’s trade balance.

    The energy crisis and third countries’ fast growth and, at times, unfair competition, have resulted in market share losses. Supporting the ceramic sector is of great importance for the EU to fight against deindustrialisation and for its resilience and sovereignty.

    The Commission put in place anti-dumping measures on imports of ceramic tableware from China and ceramic tiles from China[1], India and Türkiye[2].

    Improving the functioning of the Single Market also provides an important lever to ensure fair competition for EU companies and support internal trade.

    The Commission has already put in place a number of tools, such as the Single Market Enforcement Taskforce[3], to improve its functioning.

    The Commission will adopt in the coming weeks the 2025 Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report and will further adopt a horizontal Single Market Strategy. Together, these different documents will help identify and address remaining barriers.

    The recent Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation[4] and Construction Products Regulation[5] are examples of the Commission’s work to help ensure sufficient offtake to create lead markets for resilient and sustainable products.

    Besides, as announced in the Political Guidelines[6], the Commission will propose an Industrial Decarbonisation Accelerator Act to support industries and companies through the transition.

    • [1] Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/493, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202400493&qid=1733935331907
    • [2] Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/265, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32023R0265
    • [3] https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/single-market-enforcement-taskforce_en
    • [4]  Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ:L_202401781
    • [5]  Regulation (EU) No 305/2011, https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/construction/construction-products-regulation-cpr_en
    • [6] https://commission.europa.eu/document/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683-f63ffb2cf648_en
    Last updated: 7 February 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the 56-day Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction held on February 07, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 56-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 50,000
    Total amount of bids received (in ₹ crore) 1,08,702
    Amount allotted (in ₹ crore) 50,010
    Cut off Rate (%) 6.31
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 6.35
    Partial Allotment Percentage of bids received at cut off rate (%) 89.08

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2024-2025/2102

    MIL OSI Economics –