HPPCL functioning: ACS report points to ‘irregularities', suggests probe by expert agency
National Commission for Scheduled Castes flags serious concerns in Punjab, highlighting low literacy, scholarship irregularities, welfare scheme gaps, and inadequate atrocity prevention mechanisms for SC communities, demanding urgent corrective steps.
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Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Protecting Shivalik ecosystem: SC-constituted committee to probe forest law violations in Mohali
1 2 Mohali: The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted by the Supreme Court , is set to investigate alleged violations of forest and wildlife laws that have recently come to light in the forest areas of Mohali, with a focus on protecting the fragile Shivalik ecosystem. Sources said the CEC will visit Karoran, Nada, Masol, and adjoining villages in Mohali district on Monday. The visit follows a formal complaint highlighting widespread irregularities in forest management and potential breaches of environmental regulations in the region. The sources said the committee will assess the extent of ecological damage, particularly to forest land and wildlife habitats, and evaluate the actions taken by government departments in response to the alleged violations. Based on its findings, the CEC is expected to recommend corrective measures to ensure enforcement of conservation laws. The villages under scrutiny fall within areas protected under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900, and the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Despite restrictions, reports of illegal hill-cutting and encroachments have allegedly persisted for years, leading to the degradation of ecologically sensitive zones in the Shivalik hills. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Soluções de energia de confiança para Data Centers de IA Siemens Energy Learn More Undo Environmental activists and residents allege that the forest department, district administration, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (Gmada), and panchayati raj institutions failed to curb these violations. Many have pointed to the alleged involvement of an influential land mafia operating with impunity in the region. The Shivalik forests, part of the outer Himalayas, are known for their rich biodiversity and are home to several endangered species listed in the IUCN Red List. The ecological value of this landscape has been extensively documented, including in the publication Biodiversity in Shivaliks by Neelima Jairath of the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology. Adding context to the gravity of the issue, sources recall that a few years ago, when government officials attempted to reclaim encroached land using state machinery, they reportedly became targets of vigilance inquiries, allegedly influenced by those with vested interests in the land deals. The CEC, originally formed in 2002 (and reconstituted in 2008), functions under the SC's directives to monitor violations of forest and wildlife laws and report to the ministry of environment, forest and climate change. The committee traces its origins to a landmark SC judgment delivered on Dec 12, 1996, which broadened the definition of 'forest' to include any land exhibiting forest-like characteristics, irrespective of ownership.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
Telangana govt to launch Rajiv Yuva Vikasam on state's formation day
Hyderabad: The Telangana Congress govt is set to launch its flagship programme, Rajiv Yuva Vikasam, on Monday, which coincides with the state's formation day. The scheme aims to provide self-employment opportunities to young people from SC, ST, BC and minority communities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The scheme targets around 4.9 lakh beneficiaries in phases, with a deadline by the end of October. In the first phase, the state govt has identified 57,634 beneficiaries, who will receive sanction letters on Monday. The govt has set a target of including 85,000 beneficiaries in the scheme this month. Notably, Rajanna Sirisilla district, which submitted only 7,681 applications, has an eligibility rate of nearly 95%. This district ranks second in terms of the number of beneficiaries (7,069), after Sanga Reddy (7,657). Khammam comes third with 4,588 beneficiaries. Interestingly, despite 6,189 applications being submitted from Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, none were accepted. Apart from Gadwal, Asifabad, Jangoan, Mulugu, Narayanpet and Wanaparthy, all of which received fewer than 10,000 applications, all other districts received over 10,000. The govt has also decided to allocate Rs 6,250 crore in subsidies for the accepted applications. This amount will be distributed in instalments from June to October. In June, benefits ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000 will be provided, subsidised by Rs 1,000 crore. An additional Rs 1,000 crore will be allocated in July for benefits of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2 lakh. From August to Sept, Rs 1,500 crore will be allocated each month for benefits ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh. In October, a further Rs 1,600 crore will be spent to provide benefits to the remaining applicants.
Hans India
a day ago
- Hans India
Thalliki Vandanam, Annadata Sukhibhava, free travel in RTC for women soon: Minister
Kondapi: Social Welfare Minister Dr Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy declared that the coalition government is implementing all promises made to the people during elections. He announced that the Talliki Vandanam, Annadata Sukhibhva, and the free travel in RTC buses for women schemes would be started very soon, while distributing pensions to beneficiaries in a door-to-door campaign. The Minister visited Chilamkuru village in Kondapi constituency's Marripudi mandal on Saturday as part of the 'Pedala Sevalo' government programme, personally distributing pensions to elderly citizens, disabled persons, and widows at their homes. Speaking during the event, Minister Swamy said that the NDA coalition is moving forward with capable leadership while fulfilling election commitments. He highlighted several welfare initiatives being implemented as part of election promises, including increased pensions and four free LPG cylinders. He explained that the free bus travel for women and the Annadaata Sukhibhava program, offering Rs 20000 combined with central government contributions, are to be implemented very soon. Under the Talliki Vandanam scheme, Swamy explained that benefits will be extended to all children in a family based on the number of children. He said that the government plans to sanction houses for all eligible beneficiaries, with SC and BC beneficiaries receiving Rs 3.00 lakh, ST beneficiaries Rs 3.25lakh, and OC beneficiaries Rs 2.50 lakh for house construction. The Minister said that the state government is spending Rs 2,718 crores on pensions statewide. In Prakasam district, Rs 124 crores are being spent, while Kondapi constituency accounts for Rs 18.19 crores, as Marripudi mandal receives Rs 2.38 crores, and Chilankuru village alone receives Rs 10.06 lakh in pension payments. The Minister reaffirmed the state government's commitment to public welfare and development, stating that welfare programs are being implemented at full scale across the state. RDO Keshavardhan Reddy, District Social Welfare Officer Lakshmanaayak, SC Corporation ED ArjunNaik, MPDO Jagadeeshwar Rao, Tahsildar Jwala Narasimha Rao, other officials, and local public representatives attended the programme.
