logo
Chadayamangalam panchayat to get modern headquarters

Chadayamangalam panchayat to get modern headquarters

The Hindu07-05-2025

A modern headquarters building with advanced facilities is being constructed to make the functioning of the Chadayamangalam grama panchayat more efficient.
Inaugurating the construction at the old bus stand grounds on Wednesday, Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal said modernisation of government facilities was as important as the overall development of the State. Ensuring hassle-free services to everyone was a priority.
'The offices are being renovated for the benefit of tens of thousands at the grassroots level,' he said.
The plan for the new building had been prepared as part of the grama panchayat's 2024-25 Annual Plan. The estimated cost was ₹1.10 crore and the new building would be constructed at the site where the old cultural centre was located.
The three-storey building would house offices for the panchayat president, secretary, standing committee chairpersons and members, as well as a library-reading room, a meeting hall, and waiting area for the public.
Minister for Dairy Development and Animal Husbandry J. Chinchurani, who presided over the function, said the construction of the building would be completed in a timely manner.
'Funds for the construction work will be provided from the MLA fund. Numerous development activities in the constituency are continuing without interruption. The construction of the mini-civil station, registration office, and rest house will begin soon,' she said.
Chadayamangalam block panchayat president Lathika Vidyadharan and other officials were present.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mumbai's Dharavi redevelopment project: Adani Group to develop 43% of land for free sale in the open market
Mumbai's Dharavi redevelopment project: Adani Group to develop 43% of land for free sale in the open market

Hindustan Times

time2 days ago

  • Hindustan Times

Mumbai's Dharavi redevelopment project: Adani Group to develop 43% of land for free sale in the open market

Construction on 43% of the total 108.99 hectares allocated for the Dharavi redevelopment project will be available for free sale in the open market, according to the Master Plan approved by the Maharashtra government. Under this free sale component, Navbharat Mega Developers Private Limited (NMDPL), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed as a joint venture between the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group, will be allowed to develop property units on approximately 47.95 hectares. According to sources, the joint venture is likely to launch the first phase of the free-sale component, including residential properties, by the end of the year, timed around the festive season. Over 50% of the residential units in this phase are expected to fall within the affordable and mid-income segments. According to the Master Plan presentation for the Dharavi Notified Area, which spans 251 hectares, the net developable area stands at 108.99 hectares, just over 269 acres. Of this, 47.20 hectares have been allocated for the rehabilitation of Dharavi residents, while 47.95 hectares are designated for the saleable component, which will include residential, commercial, and retail units available in the open market. Additionally, the plan earmarks approximately 40 hectares (about 99 acres) for open spaces. A real estate consultant, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, 'Given the pace of construction and the ongoing survey for the rehabilitation component, there is strong buzz in industry circles that the official launch of the sale component is likely around Diwali or by the end of the year.' The consultant also estimated that approximately 140 million sq ft of built-up area could be released for open market sale. Also Read: Leena Tewari's ₹703 crore duplex sets record as Mumbai's costliest luxury apartment sale at over ₹2 lakh per sq ft According to data released by CRE Matrix last month, ₹1 crore can currently buy around 682 sq ft of residential property in the Dharavi area, approximately ₹15,000 per sq ft. However, real estate consultants believe that the Dharavi redevelopment project could command nearly double this rate, given the comprehensive ecosystem and infrastructure planned as part of the project. Also Read: Mumbai real estate market: Planning to sell a flat in an old building? Here's why it can be tough According to the Master Plan presentation for the Dharavi redevelopment project, an estimated 72,000 tenants are eligible for rehabilitation. Of these, over 13,000 are non-residential tenants, while the rest are residential. Under the Maharashtra Slum Rehabilitation Act, each eligible resident will receive one rehabilitation unit, regardless of the number of tenements they currently occupy. These units will be 350 sq ft in size, an upgrade from the standard 300 sq ft units offered in other slum redevelopment projects. Also Read: Dharavi's ₹95,790 crore makeover: 5 things to know about the Master Plan approved by the Maharashtra government According to the presentation of the Master Plan for the Dharavi redevelopment project, the project is estimated to cost over ₹95,000 crore for the Dharavi notified area. The first commencement certificate for the rehab portion's construction was received on January 14, 2025, and the end date is seven years later, on January 13, 2032. The timeline for the entire project, including the sale component, is 17 years. An email query sent to NMDPL did not get any response. The story will be updated if a response is received.

How Japan's new AI Act fosters an innovation-first ecosystem
How Japan's new AI Act fosters an innovation-first ecosystem

The Hindu

time3 days ago

  • The Hindu

How Japan's new AI Act fosters an innovation-first ecosystem

In May 2025, Japan enacted a landmark piece of legislation — the Act on the Promotion of Research, Development and Utilisation of Artificial Intelligence-Related Technologies — with a clear ambition: to make AI the foundation of Japan's economic revival and digital leadership. This law does more than set policy direction; it marks a philosophical departure from the dominant regulatory approaches shaping the global AI landscape. At a time when major regions like the European Union are moving toward risk-based regimes, Japan's AI law signals a pivot toward coordination, and voluntary responsibility. The Japanese approach The contrast could not be starker. The European Union's AI Act, passed in 2024, is defined by its restrictive architecture. It classifies AI systems into risk tiers — ranging from 'Unacceptable' to 'Minimal' — and imposes strict, legally binding obligations on developers, especially those building high-risk applications in areas such as health, education, employment, or law enforcement. The EU framework is comprehensive, enforceable, and aligned with its values of human dignity and digital sovereignty. Non-compliance invites steep penalties and regulatory scrutiny. Japan's approach is fundamentally different. Rather than focusing on risk classification and penalties, it emphasises enabling innovation, encouraging collaboration, and fostering international competitiveness. The law creates an Artificial Intelligence Strategy Headquarters under the Cabinet and tasks it with formulating and implementing a national Basic Plan for AI. This plan will cover everything from foundational research to industrial deployment, international cooperation and public education. Crucially, the Japanese law avoids the trap of overregulation. It does not create binding enforcement mechanisms or define risk categories. Instead, it frames AI-related technologies as foundational for societal development, economic growth, administrative efficiency, and national security. The state assumes responsibility for facilitating research, creating shared infrastructure, supporting workforce development, and ensuring transparency and ethical conduct in AI utilisation. Local governments, universities, research bodies, businesses, and even the public are assigned cooperative roles under the law's basic principles. This model rests on two key assumptions. First, that innovation ecosystems thrive better in the absence of rigid regulatory burdens. Second, that voluntary cooperation — when guided by national coordination and ethical principles — can effectively mitigate risks associated with the misuse of AI. Article 13 of the Act affirms the government's responsibility to develop guidelines that reflect international norms and prevent harm, such as misuse, privacy breaches, or intellectual property violations. However, it stops short of codifying hard rules or penalties. The strengths of this approach are obvious. Japan avoids the chilling effect that often accompanies over-regulation. It builds an innovation-first ecosystem, where AI development can progress across sectors — public and private — without being prematurely constrained by legal ambiguity or bureaucratic friction. It also signals to industry and academia that the government is a facilitator, not a regulator. Myriad challenges But there are risks too. In the absence of clear standards and enforcement, critical questions remain: what happens when AI harms go unreported? How do we define accountability in the event of bias, disinformation, or algorithmic failures? How will Japan ensure that voluntary principles translate into enforceable safeguards in sectors such as healthcare or defence? By avoiding a risk-tiered model like that of the EU, Japan may gain agility — but at the potential cost of clarity and public trust. As generative AI and autonomous systems become more embedded in daily life, even jurisdictions that adopt light-touch approaches will eventually face mounting pressure to articulate what 'responsible AI' means not just in theory, but in law. The geopolitical context also matters. The EU's model is shaped by its strong tradition of rights-based governance and a cautionary approach to data and digital technologies. Its AI Act is a natural extension of its General Data Protection Regulation-era regulatory posture. Japan, on the other hand, is facing unique economic challenges — a shrinking workforce, global competition in advanced technologies, and the need to stimulate domestic innovation. The new AI law reflects a strategic choice to double down on science and technology as national growth drivers. That does not mean Japan is ignoring international alignment. On the contrary, Article 17 of the law mandates that the state actively engage in international cooperation and norm-setting. This is a timely move. Just as the Financial Stability Board (FSB) is conducting a global peer review on crypto frameworks, similar coordination efforts are emerging in the AI space — under the G7 Hiroshima Process, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development frameworks, and the UN's AI advisory body. Japan's ambition to lead in these forums will require it to balance its promotion-first model with a willingness to define guardrails in line with emerging global standards. Global methods Other countries are also taking diverse approaches. In the U.S., the momentum is shifting toward legislative clarity through the AI Disclosure Act. This aims to delineate agency jurisdiction, ensure transparency in training data and outputs, and safeguard national security interests. The U.S. approach, while still evolving, seeks a balance between innovation and oversight — empowering sectoral agencies to issue context-specific rules for AI deployment. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is positioning itself as a leader in state-led AI strategy. With its Office of Artificial Intelligence, national AI university, and industry-driven AI sandbox programmes, the UAE blends strategic investment with targeted regulation. Sectoral pilots in education, transport, and healthcare have helped create trusted ecosystems while still fostering AI-led transformation. Unlike Japan's voluntary model, the UAE's approach is executive-driven but agile and business-friendly. In many ways, Japan's AI law is a gamble on institutional trust. It bets that government ministries, research institutions, local authorities, and businesses can work together to ensure ethical AI innovation — without needing to be policed into compliance. This reflects a broader cultural confidence in technocratic leadership and consensus-driven governance. But this trust must be earned continuously. The law's promise will only be fulfilled if the Artificial Intelligence Strategy Headquarters can effectively coordinate across sectors, issue timely guidance, and revise its policies based on real-world feedback and global developments. The law itself includes provisions for future review and amendment — a tacit acknowledgement that today's principles may need tomorrow's precision. The world is watching to see whether Japan's model of responsibility without rigidity can truly offer a sustainable and scalable path forward. If it succeeds, it could offer a compelling alternative to both laissez-faire deregulation and enforcement-heavy regimes. But if it falters, it will serve as a cautionary tale about the risks of moving too lightly in the face of transformative technologies. Japan has chosen to lead with coordination, not control. The real test begins now. Sanhita Chauriha is a Technology Lawyer.

Dharavi's ₹95,790 crore makeover: 5 things to know about the Master Plan approved by the Maharashtra government
Dharavi's ₹95,790 crore makeover: 5 things to know about the Master Plan approved by the Maharashtra government

Hindustan Times

time4 days ago

  • Hindustan Times

Dharavi's ₹95,790 crore makeover: 5 things to know about the Master Plan approved by the Maharashtra government

The Dharavi Redevelopment Master Plan received the state government's approval on May 28, according to a statement from the office of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The Master Plan details the redevelopment and rehabilitation of Dharavi, India's largest slum cluster. Here are five things that you need to know about the Master Plan of the Dharavi redevelopment project. The Master Plan will serve as a comprehensive blueprint for integrating residential, commercial, and industrial spaces while rehabilitating residents in Dharavi. It aims to modernise infrastructure while preserving Dharavi's socio-economic fabric. Spanning over 600 acres, Dharavi is all set to undergo a facelift, with nearly 300 acres marked specifically for redevelopment and rehabilitation. In January 2024, Navbharat Mega Developers Private Limited (NMDPL), a joint venture between the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group, appointed renowned architect Hafeez Contractor to lead the redevelopment initiative. Also Read: Mumbai News: Dharavi redevelopment master plan gets Maharashtra government's nod According to the master plan of the Dharavi redevelopment project, a total of 72,000 tenants are presumed to be eligible for rehabilitation. Out of the 72,000 tenants, over 13,000 units are non-residential tenants, and the balance are residential tenants. As per Maharashtra's Slum Rehabilitation Act, each eligible resident of Dharavi will receive one rehabilitation unit, regardless of the number of tenements they own. These units will be 350 sq. ft. in size, an upgrade from the 300 sq. ft. units provided in other slum redevelopment projects. Residents deemed ineligible for rehabilitation within Dharavi will be relocated to rental housing complexes outside the area under a hire-purchase arrangement. According to the Master Plan of the Dharavi notified area, which covers a total of 251 hectares, the net developable area is 108.99 hectares, which is slightly above 269 acres. Out of the total 108.99 hectares, 47.20 hectares are reserved for the rehabilitation of Dharavi residents. Another 47.95 hectares are reserved for a saleable component, where residential, commercial, and retail units will be sold in the open market. The Master Plan also reserves around 40 hectares, or around 99 acres, for open spaces. Also Read: 100 acres of greenery, open space proposed in Dharavi According to the Master Plan, a survey has been completed for around 56,971 structures and partially completed for the remaining structures as of May 19. The door-to-door survey is being undertaken to identify the tenants' eligibility. The authorities are expecting to complete the entire door-to-door survey in the next two months. According to the Master Plan of the Dharavi redevelopment project, the rehab portion of the project is estimated to cost over ₹95,000 crore. The first commencement certificate for the rehab portion's construction was received on January 14, 2025, and the end date is seven years later, on January 13, 2032. The timeline for the entire project, including the sale component, is 17 years. Also Read: ₹3 lakh crore investment expected for the Dharavi redevelopment project: CEO The total project cost, including the sale component and other components, is expected to be ₹3 lakh crore. Speaking to reporters on February 27, SVR Srinivas, CEO of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, estimated the total investment for the redevelopment and rehabilitation project to be approximately ₹3 lakh crore.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store