
Formulation of central rules under Waqf Act in advanced stage: Minority Affairs Ministry
Marking 11 years of the Modi government, the Ministry of Minority Affairs on Monday highlighted the notification of the landmark Waqf (Amendment) Act among its achievements and said the formulation of
central rules
under the legislation is at an advanced stage.
All schemes are now executed or administered through dedicated portals, ensuring complete transparency and accessibility for beneficiaries, a ministry statement said, adding it was committed to maintaining accountability, inclusivity and effective service delivery.
"Following extensive deliberations by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), the landmark
Waqf Amendment Act
was notified, strengthening Waqf governance and community welfare," it said.
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On June 6, 2025, the Ministry launched the UMEED Central Portal, a pivotal digital platform aimed at streamlining welfare schemes and empowering minority communities.
The formulation of Central Rules under the Act is at an advanced stage, expected to further bolster the implementation of the legislation, the statement said.
Live Events
Secretary Chandra Shekhar Kumar chaired an event by the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) celebrating the transformative journey of the Modi government over the 11 years, with senior officials from the ministry and its affiliated bodies among those present.
The celebration highlighted key milestones achieved during this period, underscoring the Ministry's commitment to transparency, inclusivity and effective service delivery, an official statement said.
The ministry said rigorous third-party reviews and audits are conducted for all schemes to maintain accountability and improve effectiveness.
Pointing to
inclusive policy-making
, the ministry said states and stakeholders have been actively involved, with their valuable inputs incorporated into policy frameworks to ensure ground realities are addressed.
Secretary Chandra Shekhar Kumar highlighted these achievements as foundational steps in the Ministry's mission to uplift minority communities.
He reiterated the Ministry's resolve to work diligently towards the vision of ViksitBharat@2047, pledging continued dedication to inclusive development.
The event concluded with officials and employees collectively taking an oath to contribute wholeheartedly to realizing a prosperous and equitable India by 2047.
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Business Standard
33 minutes ago
- Business Standard
India saw rapid changes across sectors in 11 years: PM Narendra Modi
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government marked the completion of 11 years in office on Monday by unveiling a 176-page 'comprehensive compendium' on India's transformation under the PM's 'visionary leadership' across 14 facets of policymaking — ranging from national security and foreign policy to infrastructure growth, healthcare, women's empowerment, and social justice. 'PM Modi has brought the politics of development — Vikasvaad — into the mainstream, making it a focal point around which political discourse and policy action now revolve,' detailed the booklet, released on Monday morning by the government's Press Information Bureau (PIB). The Modi-led 72-member Union Council of Ministers had taken the oath of office on June 9, 2024. In the afternoon, addressing a press conference at the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) national headquarters here, the party's National President J P Nadda, who is also a Union minister, said that proactive governance has been the hallmark of Modi's tenure as the country's PM. He said Modi has confronted challenges head-on and taken 'bold decisions' once thought impossible, such as the 'abrogation of Article 370', the 2016 surgical strike, the Balakot air strike, and Operation Sindoor of 2025. Nadda listed the banning of triple talaq, the Citizenship Amendment Act, demonetisation, one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha (LS) and legislative Assemblies, ending the distinction between plan and non-plan expenditure, advancing the Union Budget presentation from the 'colonial-era' February 28 to February 1, and merging the railway Budget with the Union Budget as other key decisions over the past 11 years. Nadda said demonetisation — where people queued up to withdraw money without complaining despite the Opposition's intense efforts to provoke them — was evidence of the credibility of the PM's leadership. Referring to the BJP falling short of the majority mark by 32 seats in the 2024 LS polls and, for the first time since 2014, having to rely on allies to secure a majority — with Opposition leaders raising questions about the government's longevity — Nadda expressed confidence that the NDA government will complete its tenure and asserted it will last the next full term as well. 'Our government is strong. It will last for five years in this term and the next too,' he said. The booklet said, 'The success of Operation Sindoor demonstrated a new India: resolute, swift, and sovereign in action.' It added that a dynamic foreign and national security policy is essential to respond to today's global opportunities and challenges. 'The Modi government has consistently delivered on this front, ensuring a stable, strong, and safe nation,' it said. The booklet highlighted vibrant India-US relations as a foreign policy success, terming it 'Modi's adaptive strategy with the US'. It said India has emerged as an economic powerhouse, with the government creating a base for 'growthade' through infrastructure expansion, such as the development of national highways. The government also said it has championed cooperative federalism by incentivising states to undertake reforms voluntarily. It mentioned the all-time high goods and services tax collections in April 2025. It also detailed measures for the welfare of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and women through schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana, adding that 810 million people continue to receive food security. 'There is highest ever representation for the SCs, STs, and OBCs in the Union Council of Ministers,' it said. The government claimed that welfare measures, such as Mission Poshan, have helped improve the sex ratio at birth, which, for the first time, stands at 1,020 women per 1,000 men. At his press conference, Nadda said the Indian economy continues to grow despite global challenges and that international bodies like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have called it a bright spot. He said over 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty — a figure acknowledged globally. Nadda dismissed Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh's jibe at Modi for not addressing a press conference on the government's anniversary. The Union minister questioned what was wrong with the president of the main ruling party speaking to the media. He also criticised Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's remarks about the Election Commission of India and the fairness of the Maharashtra Assembly polls, likening him to a sore loser in a cricket match who blames the umpire for a loss while claiming credit in case of a win. The Congress on Monday released two booklets that flagged stagnating growth, rising hunger, and 'unfulfilled promises' over the 11 years of the Modi government. At a press conference in the national capital, Congress Research Department Head M V Rajeev Gowda released Ek Aur Baar Jumla Sarkar and 11 Saal Jhoothe Vikaas Ke Vaade. He said the first booklet examines promises made by the BJP in its 2024 manifesto, while the second is a 'detailed exposé' of the BJP's 'hollow promises'. 'In the 11-Saal document, one of the first themes they (BJP) highlight is taking care of the poor and the marginalised. They are very happy that 810 million people are getting free foodgrain under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. But the basic problem of hunger is a much larger crisis in India, and it puts us at 105 out of 127 countries in the World Hunger Index. Its implications: malnutrition is affecting our children in a horrible way, crippling their growth. Stunting is at 35.5 per cent; wasting is at 19.3 per cent; underweight is at 32.1 per cent,' Gowda said. He also alleged that the Centre's claim in the PIB booklet that India added over 5,000 defence items to the indigenisation list was untrue. 'Sadly, 40 per cent of the items listed for indigenisation have not been indigenised as of now. India remains one of the top importers of defence rather than a producer and exporter. If you look at 'mission mode DRDO projects,' 23 out of 55 have been delayed, and the share of research and development in our defence budget is only 5.45 per cent,' he said. He further challenged the claim that India is the fastest-growing large economy. 'So, what is happening in this 11th year of your Sarkar, PM Modi? What is happening is reflected in the response of the private sector. Is the Indian private sector investing in India? If you look at the investment figures, after you have given the bonanza tax cut, nothing has changed. They still don't have confidence in the management of your economy to invest,' Gowda said. He added that fixed capital formation has declined to 32.4 per cent — an 11-year low. 'There is another legacy: the glaring inequality. The share of wealth held by India's top 1 per cent is 40 per cent. The bottom 50 per cent have to make do with just over 3 per cent,' the former Congress Member of Parliament said, adding that this is not the economy the country wants.


NDTV
43 minutes ago
- NDTV
Kerala Seeks To Amend Wildlife Act To Allow Killing Of Animals. Reasons Explained
Kerala, a state known for its lush forests and biodiversity, has been grappling with a surge in human-wildlife conflicts. These conflicts have led to the loss of human lives, injuries, crop destruction, and economic hardship for farmers. To address this crisis, the Kerala government has been pushing for amendments to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA), seeking legal provisions to allow the controlled killing or culling of certain wild animals that pose threats to human life and livelihoods. The Forest and Wildlife Department has been tasked with initiating the process to seek central government approval for culling wild animals, such as wild boars, that pose a threat to public safety and livelihoods. The Forest Secretary has been directed to draft a legislative proposal in consultation with the Law Secretary to facilitate the necessary legal provisions, as per a report by Matrubhumi. Here's why Kerala is advocating for these changes: Kerala's unique geography, with nearly 30% of its land covered by forests, places human settlements near wildlife habitats. Rapid urbanisation, habitat degradation, changes in agricultural practices, and regional fluctuations in wildlife populations have also intensified human-wildlife conflicts. From 2016-17 to January 2025, wildlife attacks in Kerala resulted in 919 deaths and 8,967 injuries, according to government data. The state has identified 273 out of 941 village local bodies as human-wildlife conflict hotspots. Human-wildlife conflict: Frequent encounters between humans and wild animals, such as elephants, tigers, wild boars, macaques, peafowl and bison, have resulted in loss of human life and property damage. Crop damage: Wild animals, like elephants and wild boars, cause significant damage to crops, affecting farmers' livelihoods. Public safety concerns: The presence of certain wild animals like monkeys and porcupines in human-dominated areas poses a risk to public safety. What Does the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Currently Allow? The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, is India's cornerstone legislation for protecting wildlife, prohibiting hunting and ensuring conservation of species and their habitats. It also includes provisions for dealing with animals that pose threats. Despite these provisions, the process is slow and bureaucratic. Only the CWLW, a senior state-level official, can authorise killing, leading to delays in addressing urgent threats. Non-lethal measures (capture, tranquilization, relocation) are prioritised, but these are often impractical due to logistical challenges or lack of suitable relocation sites. Court orders and guidelines from bodies like the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Project Elephant Scheme further restrict lethal action. Why Kerala Finds the Current Law Inadequate? Kerala argues that the Wildlife (Protection) Act's stringent regulations and centralised decision-making hinder timely responses to human-wildlife conflicts. The exclusive authority of the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) also creates bottlenecks. For instance, in remote areas like Wayanad, waiting for CWLW approval can delay action, endangering lives. In 2022, Kerala empowered local bodies to use licensed shooters to kill wild boars raiding crops. However, this measure failed due to a shortage of licensed shooters in rural areas and impractical guidelines, such as checking if a boar is pregnant before shooting. "Before shooting a wild boar, one has to examine whether it is pregnant or not. Such impractical guidelines have failed to serve the purpose. The growing population of wildlife has to be controlled to prevent threats to human lives," State Forest Minister A K Saseendran said. 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Notably, CCFs are senior officials stationed at regional levels, enabling faster, localised decision-making. This would streamline responses to wildlife threats, especially in conflict hotspots. 2. Declaring Wild Boars as Vermin: The government has proposed to declare wild boars as vermin under Section 62 for specific periods and regions, allowing controlled culling without legal repercussions. Wild boars are prolific breeders and cause widespread agricultural damage. Declaring them vermin would enable farmers and local bodies to manage their populations effectively. 3. Removing Bonnet Macaques from Schedule I: To allow capture and relocation without stringent approvals. 4. Legal Safeguards for Farmers and Officials: Protect farmers and field officers from prosecution when acting against wildlife threats, encouraging proactive measures. 5. Region-Specific Culling: Allow controlled culling of "man-eating" animals (e.g., tigers, leopards) in high-conflict zones, with clear guidelines to prevent misuse. Ethical Concerns Kerala's proposal to amend the Wildlife Protection Act to allow the culling of wild animals has sparked debates. Conservationists raise ethical concerns, citing potential harm to endangered species and ecosystems. Ecological experts warn of unintended population imbalances and emphasise addressing habitat degradation.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Telangana high court to take up bail plea of mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy today
Hyderabad: The Telangana high court will on Tuesday decide the bail plea of mining baron and Karnataka MLA Gali Janardhan Reddy who was sentenced to seven years along with three others in the illegal Obulapuram mining case recently. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On Monday, Justice K Lakshman heard arguments in the bail petitions of Gali, Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) MD BV Srinivas Reddy and two others, and reserved his orders for Tuesday. Senior counsel S Nagamuthu argued the case of Gali and urged the court to suspend the sentence and release him on bail. While Srinivas Reddy's counsel Pappu Nageswara Rao, citing judgments of the Supreme Court, said that convicts who have served half of their term could be released on bail. In the current case, both Gali and Srinivas Reddy have served more than three and a half years of jail term as remand prisoners prior to their conviction. The lawyers said the case entrusted to CBI was about alleged illegal mining beyond leasehold areas and transgression of state borders, which finds no mention in its charge sheet, while the case against them was about violation of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act – which was not dealt with by the probe agency. They also pointed out that when those named as principal offenders – former mines minister Sabita Indra Reddy and former industries secretary Kripanandam – were acquitted, how can those charged with conspiracy be convicted? Opposing the bail pleas, CBI counsel Srinivas Kapatia said the convicts could not show any compelling circumstance that warrants interference by the court. The judge said he would only look at the bail pleas for now and made it clear that their main appeals will be heard from Aug 11. HC to take up Srilakshmi acquittal issue The judge, during the hearing, directed the registry to list before him the case of former industries secretary Y Srilakshmi (who succeeded Kripanandam). The high court had earlier discharged her from the case, but CBI had appealed in SC which directed the HC to hear the CBI version also before arriving at a conclusion. CBI made out a case that the HC had not heard their version before allowing Srilakshmi's plea. The judge said he would decide the issue before the expiry of a three-month deadline fixed by the apex court and directed the CBI to file its counter.