Latest news with #Acts
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
NEP 2020 has taken steps to stop commercialisation of education: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
NEW DELHI: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday informed the Lok Sabha that multiple mechanisms with checks and balances have been provided in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to stop the commercialisation of education. He was responding to a starred question by MP Arminder Singh Raja as to whether any survey had been done regarding the surging tuition fee in public and private universities and if any guidelines had been put in place to regulate cost of online and hybrid degree programmes under NEP 2020. Raja also wanted details about Central scholarships granted to students from economically weaker sections. Pradhan said NEP 2020 emphasises online and offline public disclosure and transparency for both public and private schools. "NEP proposes similar standards of audit and disclosure as a 'not-for- profit' entity to all the education institutions. Surplus, if any, will be reinvested in the educational sector. Similarly, in higher education, all HEIs- public and private- shall be treated at par observing common guidelines." The Universities are autonomous bodies which are governed by their respective Acts or statues. Based on the type of universities, the criteria for fee structure is administered, he said. In respect of IITs/ IIITs / NITs/IIEST/ IIMs etc, the fee structure is regulated as per the provision of the respective Acts/ Statutes, Pradhan pointed out.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Law change to make litterbugs clean drains, roads and toilets
KUALA LUMPUR: Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has called on all members of parliament to support amendments to three Acts that would make community service mandatory for those caught littering. They are the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007, and the Local Government Act 1976. Nga said the three amendment bills, which will be tabled tomorrow for the second reading, are part of efforts to ensure the success of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and to strengthen the long-standing Look East Policy. He said if the proposed amendments are passed, offenders will be required to perform up to 12 hours of community service while wearing green uniforms provided by the authorities. "As such, we seek the cooperation of all MPs to unanimously support the amendments, as it has proven successful in developed countries such as Sweden, Japan and Singapore. "This is the time, and we must ensure that this law can be enforced this year," he told reporters after a city walkabout held in conjunction with the launch of Kuala Lumpur Architecture Week 2025 today. Nga said those convicted of such offences will carry out community service such as cleaning drains, sweeping roads and public toilets, working alongside cleaning staff. Anyone who fails to comply with a community service order will be committing an offence and, upon conviction, will face a fine of between RM2,000 and RM10,000. He said cleanliness is not only a civic duty but also a moral and religious obligation. "Cleanliness is half of faith. "We must ensure that when tourists visit Malaysia, they see a country that is clean and attractive, not dirty or unkempt," he said. Yesterday, Nga in a statement said that on Sept 28 last year, the ministry recorded the collection of 51.9kg of food waste, 64.3kg of paper waste, 127.6kg of plastic waste, and 541 cigarette butts within just 12 hours in the Pasar Seni area during the Malaysia Clean-Up Day programme. He said the figures showed that fines were no longer effective in deterring repeat offenders.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt sets four-week deadline toremove misused national symbols
Bengaluru: The state govt has issued a strict four-week deadline for the removal of all improperly used national and official symbols, following a directive from the Karnataka high court. A govt circular issued Thursday directed all departments to take stringent action against the misuse of the national symbols including the flag and the emblem and other protected insignia. The move follows communications from the union ministries of home affairs and consumer affairs, which instructed states to comply with the court order. "The court also directed the govt to take action against individuals and organisations who use the emblem on the number plates of their vehicles," the circular stated. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru The govt has invoked several legal provisions, including the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005, and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to curb the practice. The departments concerned have been asked to ensure that violations are met with appropriate legal consequences. "Officials should take strict action if they notice the misuse of national symbols. They should register cases under the provisions of the relevant Acts and Rules against those misusing them," the circular said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy the Dip: Top 5 Dividend Stocks with Growth Potential Seeking Alpha Read More Undo In a move to create public awareness, the circular also called for the involvement of students. "Schoolchildren and law students shall also be involved in spreading awareness against the misuse and unauthorised display of national symbols by any person, body, or organisation," it noted. To enforce the order on the ground, the state has asked departments to frame new regulations that include monetary penalties and cancellation of driving licences for violators. "The department concerned should frame regulations for the imposition of fines and for the cancellation of driving licences," the circular added. The state also plans to equip traffic police personnel to act effectively against the misuse. "Traffic police should be educated through training to keep proper vigil and take penal action whenever they come across violations," it said. The circular marks the beginning of a statewide crackdown on the unauthorised use of national insignia, particularly on private vehicles, as the govt looks to ensure stricter compliance with emblem protection laws.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Community service for litterbugs, under proposed law amendments
KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry will table amendments to three Acts during the Dewan Rakyat sitting, which begins this Monday, as part of efforts to strengthen measures against public littering and improve cleanliness nationwide. The three Acts are the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007, and the Local Government Act 1976. Its minister, Nga Kor Ming, said the amendments would, among other things, pave the way for the introduction of community service orders, as fines under the existing laws are no longer effective in curbing offenders' bad habits. "The amendments are aimed at addressing the littering of small waste items such as cigarette butts, tissues, plastics, drink cans, food wrappers, and similar items in public spaces and on public roads. "This is crucial in nurturing greater civic responsibility, raising public awareness, and fostering a culture of cleanliness. "Ultimately, it will contribute towards a cleaner and more sustainable Malaysia, ensuring the well-being and comfort of its people," he said in a statement today. Nga said that on Sept 28 last year, the ministry recorded the collection of 51.9kg of food waste, 64.3kg of paper waste, 127.6kg of plastic waste, and 541 cigarette butts within just 12 hours in the Pasar Seni area during the Malaysia Clean-Up Day Programme. He said the figures showed fines were no longer effective in deterring repeat offenders. "As such, community service orders should be introduced to educate offenders on the importance of maintaining a clean environment and to help reduce environmental pollution," he said. The amendments will empower courts to order those convicted of such offences to perform community service for up to 12 hours. Anyone who fails to comply with a community service order will be committing an offence and, upon conviction, may be fined no less than RM2,000 and no more than RM10,000. "In preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, every Malaysian plays an important role in keeping public spaces clean so that we can leave a positive first impression on foreign tourists," he said.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Housing, Local Govt Ministry to table amendments to curb public littering
KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry will table amendments to three Acts during the Dewan Rakyat sitting, which begins this Monday, as part of efforts to strengthen measures against public littering and improve cleanliness nationwide. The three Acts are the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007, and the Local Government Act 1976. Its minister Nga Kor Ming said the amendments would, among other things, pave the way for the introduction of community service orders, as fines under the existing laws are no longer effective in curbing offenders' bad habits. "The amendments are aimed at addressing the littering of small waste items such as cigarette butts, tissues, plastics, drink cans, food wrappers, and similar items in public spaces and on public roads. "This step is crucial to nurturing greater civic responsibility, raising public awareness, and fostering a culture of cleanliness. "Ultimately, it will contribute towards a cleaner and more sustainable Malaysia, ensuring the well-being and comfort of its people," he said in a statement today. Nga said that on Sept 28 last year, the ministry recorded the collection of 51.9kg of food waste, 64.3kg of paper waste, 127.6kg of plastic waste, and 541 cigarette butts within just 12 hours in the Pasar Seni area during the Malaysia Clean-Up Day Programme. He added that these figures demonstrate that fines imposed by local authorities are no longer effective in deterring offenders from repeating such misconduct. "As such, community service orders should be introduced to educate offenders on the importance of maintaining a clean environment and to help reduce environmental pollution," he said. The amendments will empower courts to order those convicted of such offences to perform community service for up to 12 hours. Anyone who fails to comply with a community service order will be committing an offence and, upon conviction, may be fined no less than RM2,000 and no more than RM10,000. "In preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, every Malaysian plays an important role in keeping public spaces clean so that we can leave a positive first impression on foreign tourists," he said.
