Lessons from the Rajasthan school tragedy
A state where government school enrolment among 6-14-year-olds stands at close to 60% (according to Pratham's Annual Status of Education Report 2024) can ill-afford to overlook infrastructural needs. If students and their parents can't feel confident about the safety of a school building — a basic ask — and are unable to undertake out-of-pocket expenses for private schooling, it is a short path to rising dropout rates. The quality of school spaces, research indicates, is positively correlated with students' educational attainment.
The state government has ordered a high-level inquiry and announced compensation for the families of the children killed. It now needs to act on school repairs. The Centre has advised states and UTs to assess building safety, but also for evacuation/emergency readiness, and psychosocial care protocols of schools. While this is a welcome measure, states have to take a proactive role and not just scramble to do this after a Jhalawar-like incident.
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The Print
22 minutes ago
- The Print
Govt's earlier FDI limit of 74% in insurance sector has remained underutilised, Parliament told
The reply further stated, 'Section 2(7A) (b) of Insurance Act, 1938, prescribes the upper limit of FDI in an insurance company. The decision to increase FDI component in a particular insurance company is made by its promoters, depending upon various factors such as capital requirement of the company, solvency requirement, future business plans etc.' Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman shared the data on the equity share capital held by foreign entities in life and general insurance sector by private insurance companies as of December 2024 in the Parliament, in a written response Monday to a question by R. Sachithanantham, a Communist Party of India (Marxist) Lok Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu. New Delhi: In the 2025-26 Budget, the Centre increased the cap on foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Indian insurance sector to 100 percent, but only a few companies could fully utlise the earlier cap of 74 percent set in the 2021-22 budget, finance ministry data till December 2024 has shown. Only four of 19 companies in the life insurance sector had achieved the 74 threshold of foreign direct investment as of December 2024, according to the data. This finding suggests a lukewarm response by foreign companies to an earlier FDI hike, which had increased the threshold in the insurance sector from 49 percent in 2021-22 to 74 percent. Ageas Federal Life Insurance Company Limited, Aviva Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Credit Access Life Insurance Ltd., and Future Generali Life Insurance Co. Ltd. are the only four life insurance companies that managed to achieve the 74 percent limit of FDI. Foreign companies hold a 74 percent stake in these four life insurance companies. Further, there are only eight companies out of 19 that have foreign investment stake between 30 percent to 49 percent in life insurance domain. The rest seven companies have FDI stake of less than 30 percent. The finance ministry data further revealed that among the general and health private insurance companies, no companies had achieved the 74 percent threshold of FDI as of December 2024. Zurich Insurance Company Limited's 70 percent stake in Kotak Mahindra General Insurance Co. Ltd. makes Kotak Mahindra the only company to reach close to the earlier limit of FDI in the general and health private insurance categories. The next closest is Future Generali India Insurance Co. Ltd at 50.5 percent. Out of 20 companies within general and health insurance category mentioned in the finance ministry reply, only nine have received foreign direct investment between 30 percent to 49 percent. According to projections, the insurance sector would grow at an average rate of 7.1 percent, the Centre has stated, adding that it hiked the FDI limit to 100 percent to unlock the sector's full potential. In her written response, Sitharaman said, 'Removing the FDI cap will attract stable and sustained foreign investment, increase competition, facilitate technology transfer, and improve insurance penetration in the country.' After the FDI cap was raised to 74 percent, the lukewarm response of foreign companies four years down the line, however, paints a different picture, that India's insurance sector has some issues that need fixing. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Net FDI sinks to 12-yr low in April-October 2024, dragged down by money flowing out in record amounts
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Himachal cabinet nod to special relief package for disaster-affected families
The state cabinet on Monday approved special relief package for the disaster affected families across the state. The decision was taken during a Day 1 of four days cabinet meetings held under the chairmanship of chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday. Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu with cabinet ministers during a meeting in Shimla on Monday. (HT Photo) Speaking on the occasion, CM Sukhu said, 'It is a living example of system change. The foundation of self-reliant Himachal will be further strengthened through these meetings. Detailed discussion of various agendas will be done in these meetings.' After the meeting, revenue minister Jagat Singh Negi informed the media that there was a detailed discussion about the recent disaster and the state and has approved a special relief package for the areas declared disaster-affected by the state government. It was decided in the meeting that financial assistance of ₹7 lakh will be given for completely destroyed houses, while ₹1 lakh will be given for damaged shops and partially damaged houses. Tenants will be given assistance of ₹50 thousand for the destroyed goods. The government will give ₹10 thousand per bigha on completely destroyed agricultural land. The relief amount has also been increased for the loss of crops. Earlier this amount was ₹2000, which has now been increased to ₹3000. Financial assistance of ₹55 thousand will be given on the death of big animals like cow and buffalo, while for sheep and goats it will be ₹9,000. In a first in the state, the state cabinet has also granted approval to pre-mature release of 15 prisoners as per the recommendations of state sentence review board with the condition to ensure their post release conduct. It cabinet condemned the misbehaviour towards the revenue minister and the disrespect shown to the national flag by some anti-social elements during his recent visit to Seraj assembly constituency in Mandi district. Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said, 'BJP did not take any concrete steps to get help from the Centre. Their thinking is narrow. The state government is committed to help every needy without any discrimination.' Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojna approved The Cabinet approved the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojna, aimed at strengthening forest conservation and development through a community-driven approach. Under this initiative, community-based organisations such as mahila mandals, yuvak mandals, self-help groups and other registered community groups will be actively involved in forest conservation and development activities. Each participating organisation will be eligible to receive up to ₹1.20 lakh per hectare for plantation efforts. Centre should give permission to build houses on forest land: Sukhu CM Sukhu said that BJP leaders should also join the state government in requesting the Centre to allow disaster affected families to build houses on forest land. 'BJP leaders should also raise the issue of permission to build houses on forest land with the Centre, because many people's land has been washed away in the disaster and there is no place left to build houses. The state government is repeatedly asking the Centre for permission to build houses on forest land.' Better late than never: Sukhu Taking a jibe at BJP leaders and MPs meeting the Union ministers, for relief funds, under the leadership for BJP National President JP Nadda, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, said, 'Better late than never. Our government itself is ready to seek special assistance for Himachal from the Center under the leadership of JP Nadda'. CM raises objection to guv's 'Himachal will become Udta Punjab' statement CM Sukhu on Monday took strong exception to the recent remarks of governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on drug menace in the state and said that it does not behove a person holding a constitutional office to make such statements. During recent interaction with media on July 24 governor Shukla had expressed dissatisfaction over lack of government rehabilitation centres while questioning political will to fight the menace. 'There is only one Red Cross-run drug rehabilitation centre in Kullu. We have been hearing about identification of land for setting up a centre in Sirmaur but nothing is moving on ground. This shows the seriousness of the government.' He had warned that if prompt action is not taken, Himachal would become 'Udta Punjab' in the next five years. The CM said that the state government is continuously taking action against drug addiction and many strict steps have been taken. He added de-addiction centres are being opened in the state.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
SASCI fund usage plan raises eyebrows
Kozhikode: Even as hundreds of families hit by the devastating Chooralmala–Mundakkai landslide in Wayanad a year ago struggle with unmet rehabilitation needs, state govt is set to channel a substantial portion of the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme (SASCI) funds granted by the Centre as long-term loan for building helipads, roads and constructing a new Rs 30cr D-block for the civil station which will house the district disaster management authority (DDMA) office. Of the 16 SASCI projects granted administrative nod include construction of more than half a dozen helipads in the district at a cost of Rs 9cr. Also, administrative sanction has been accorded for constructing a roads even to locations rendered highly vulnerable by the landslide. The selection of the projects has raised serious concerns over priorities in post-disaster recovery and long-term sustainability. For instance, of the Rs 529.5cr sanctioned by the Centre in Feb under SASCI, Rs 9cr is being allotted for setting up nine helipads in the district, including in Meppadi and other panchayats, along with approach roads. Govt authorities maintained that the helipads are being set up as part of disaster preparedness but the question being raised is whether this aligns with the district's actual priorities. Also, Rs 9cr has been allotted for construction of a road from disaster-hit Chooralmala to Attamala across the Bailey bridge. Meppadi panchayat authorities said that the remaining 27 families in Attamala are seeking relocation citing safety concerns to the township being built for landslide survivors. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Passive Income Ideas Sitting at Home Mone Undo That apart, five tribal families in the Erattukundu settlement are being rehabilitated in 15 acres at Puthiya village near Chooralmala. Also, a new bridge connecting Punchirimattom to Vanarani and approach road has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 7cr. "The road projects to the disaster zone would only benefit the Harissons Malayalam Ltd and also players in the tourism sector. Construction of a bridge across Punnapuzha is fine. What is the need to build new roads at such high costs to the disaster-affected areas when even the remaining people who are not included in the beneficiary lists are seeking moving out from the area?," Wayanad district panchayat president Shamsad Marakkar asked. He added that already there are helicopter landing spots in all the three assembly constituencies in the district and there are many other suitable areas which can be used for the purpose. "The state govt had not asked our suggestions on the projects to be implemented using the SASCI funds. We and the DDMA were asked to find locations for the projects," Marakkar said. Also, SACSI projects include Rs 60cr improvement works to Muttil-Meppadi road and construction of a new bridge at Chooralmala at a cost of Rs 38cr. The govt has also allotted SACSI funds for setting up 15 MLD capacity WTP at Karapuzha at a cost of Rs 22.5cr. However, disaster-related rehabilitation and preparedness projects being set up using SASCI funds include construction of public buildings in rehabilitation township at Elstone Estate and roads to the township. The other projects include Rs 65cr for first phase of removal of debris at Punnapuzha and river training, three fire and rescue stations, reconstruction of GVHSS Vellarmala nd GLPS, Mundakkai, eight multipurpose shelters. Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi president K Badusha said that building new roads to disaster-hit areas was to help the tourism lobby. "The disaster-hit region is very fragile and poses risk of further landslides and any new development activity there would be a recipe for disaster. The SASCI fund should have been put to use in a creative and sustainable manner. Why should it be used for setting up new block in the civil station under the cover of housing DDMA complex?," he asked.
