Latest news with #AAY
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"Hope PM Modi Restores J&K Statehood On August 15": J&K Deputy Chief Minister
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Sunday expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would announce restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory from the ramparts of Red Fort in his address to the nation on Independence Day. Addressing a public meeting organised by the National Conference at Tali Morh Bari near here, Mr Choudhary recalled the events of August 5, 2019 and alleged the downgrading of a full-fledged state into two Union territories — J&K and Ladakh — was done arbitrarily. 'The people of Jammu and Kashmir have never accepted the 2019 decision. The promise made by the prime minister and home minister (Amit Shah) that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time must now be fulfilled.' "It is the most appropriate time to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir by pushing a bill regarding the same in current (Monsoon) session of parliament," the deputy chief minister said. "Hopefully, the PM shall announce restoration of statehood to J&K on August 15 during his speech to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort," he said. Mr Choudhary also highlighted the achievements of the Omar Abdullah-led government like free travel for women in government-run buses, enhancement of marriage assistance from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000 for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families, 200 units of free electricity for AAY households, and increase in pension for senior citizens, widows and physically challenged. National Conference provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta emphasized that the 2024 assembly elections have sent a clear message that the massive mandate given by the people in favour of the party is a rejection of the 2019 move to downgrade the erstwhile state into UT. He said the democratic mandate must be respected. Reaffirming the ruling party's commitment to equitable development, he said the National Conference has intensified its mass contact programme across Jammu region. 'We are reaching out to the people to listen to their grievances, ensure timely redressal, and make them aware of the achievements of the Omar Abdullah-led government over the past 10 months,' Mr Gupta said. He said the party firmly stands with the aspirations of people and will continue to advocate restoration of full statehood and the rights of the citizens of J&K.
The Print
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
J-K deputy CM hopeful of PM announcing restoration of statehood on Independence Day
'The people of Jammu and Kashmir have never accepted the 2019 decision. The promise made by the prime minister and home minister (Amit Shah) that statehood will be restored at an appropriate time must now be fulfilled.' 'It is the most appropriate time to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir by pushing a bill regarding the same in current (Monsoon) session of parliament,' the deputy chief minister said. Addressing a public meeting organized by the National Conference at Tali Morh Bari near here, Choudhary recalled the events of August 5, 2019 and alleged the downgrading of a full-fledged state into two Union territories — J&K and Ladakh — was done arbitrarily. Jammu, Aug 10 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Sunday expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would announce restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory from the ramparts of Red Fort in his address to the nation on Independence Day. 'Hopefully, the PM shall announce restoration of statehood to J&K on August 15 during his speech to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort,' he said. Choudhary also highlighted the achievements of the Omar Abdullah-led government like free travel for women in government-run buses, enhancement of marriage assistance from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000 for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families, 200 units of free electricity for AAY households, and increase in pension for senior citizens, widows and physically challenged. National Conference provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta emphasized that the 2024 assembly elections have sent a clear message that the massive mandate given by the people in favour of the party is a rejection of the 2019 move to downgrade the erstwhile state into UT. He said the democratic mandate must be respected. Reaffirming the ruling party's commitment to equitable development, he said the National Conference has intensified its mass contact programme across Jammu region. 'We are reaching out to the people to listen to their grievances, ensure timely redressal, and make them aware of the achievements of the Omar Abdullah-led government over the past 10 months,' Gupta said. He said the party firmly stands with the aspirations of people and will continue to advocate restoration of full statehood and the rights of the citizens of J&K. PTI TAS TAS KVK KVK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
EWS quota in Andhra Pradesh: Notification for class 1 admissions out
VIJAYAWADA: The State government has issued an additional notification for Class 1 admissions in private unaided schools under the 25% quota for children from economically weaker sections (EWS) and disadvantaged groups for 2025-26. According to Samagra Shiksha, the notification is aimed at filling the remaining seats after earlier admission rounds. Online applications will be accepted from August 12 to 20, with eligibility verification on August 21. The lottery will be held on August 25, and final admissions will be completed by August 31. Parents can apply through the official website, where detailed guidelines will be available from August 12. Only schools within a 5 km radius of the applicant's residence will be shown, provided they have quota seats available. Sibling preference will be given if an elder child is already enrolled in the same school. Aadhaar details of the child, parents or guardian are mandatory. Income proof under EWS requires an AAY card or rice card. Children admitted in previous rounds or those declared ineligible under the BPL category cannot apply in this phase. Samagra Shiksha State Project Director B Srinivasa Rao urged parents to apply within the given dates.
Mint
6 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Centre rules out doorstep delivery of food grains for elderly and disabled under PDS
The union government has said it has no plans to introduce doorstep delivery of food grains under the public distribution system (PDS), even for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled beneficiaries. The clarification comes amid growing calls from civil society groups and rights advocates for the government to ensure easier access to food entitlements for people with disabilities and senior citizens. In a written response to Lok Sabha on Wednesday, union minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution Pralhad Joshi said the existing framework of the PDS, governed by the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, does not provide for delivering food grains directly to beneficiaries' homes. The minister said operational responsibilities—such as lifting, transporting and distributing food grains to the doorsteps of fair-price shops—fell under the purview of state governments. While food grains were delivered to fair-price shops, it was the responsibility of beneficiaries to collect their entitlements from these outlets, he added. Beneficiaries fall into one of two categories under the NFSA framework—Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and priority households (PHH), as determined by union and state guidelines, respectively. However, the act has no special provisions for disabled or elderly persons, and there is currently no proposal under consideration to extend doorstep delivery to them, the ministry said. There are at present about 81.35 crore beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), which provides free food grains to both AAY and PHH households. The scheme was extended for five years from 1 January 2024. Each AAY household receives 35 kg of food grains a month, while each person in the PHH category receives 5 kg a month. The annual food subsidy from the government for the distribution of food grains to AAY households, PHH beneficiaries, other welfare schemes, and tide-over allocations work out to around ₹ 2.13 trillion, according to the ministry's website. Assuming a rise in economic costs, the union government expects to spend about ₹ 11.80 trillion over the next five years on food subsidies under PMGKAY to ease the financial burden of India's poorest, according to the ministry's website.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Ayushman Bharat scheme hits roadblocks in capital
NEW DELHI: Nearly four months after its rollout in the Capital, the BJP government's flagship Ayushman Bharat scheme is yet to gain significant traction in Delhi. Despite early momentum, the health insurance programme has reached only a limited section of the intended population, mainly beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and citizens above 70 years. Launched on April 10, shortly after the BJP formed government in Delhi, the scheme's first phase included the issuance of Ayushman cards to AAY beneficiaries. A parallel initiative, Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana, was introduced for senior citizens. As per official data, only 4.4 lakh Ayushman cards have been issued under both schemes so far, and just 4,029 individuals have received treatment. This is despite the scheme offering free healthcare benefits up to Rs 10 lakh per family per year. Officials attribute the slow pace to poor participation from large private hospitals. Many corporate hospitals have reportedly declined to join the scheme due to dissatisfaction with treatment package rates. 'Top-tier healthcare facilities are crucial for the scheme's success, but several have expressed discontent with reimbursement rates,' a government official with the State Health Agency said. He added that while lobbying is underway to revise package rates, any such decisions will require central government approval, based on inputs from the Delhi administration. Another key hurdle has been the absence of a clear plan to expand eligibility beyond the existing categories, leaving a large segment of the vulnerable population excluded. 'Until both hospital participation and beneficiary scope are broadened, Ayushman Bharat will not reach its full potential in Delhi,' the official noted.
