Latest news with #BelowPovertyLine
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
5k poverty-free villages, 16 smart cities: State's devpt agenda this yr
Jaipur: Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma Tuesday directed officials to lift Below Poverty Line (BPL) families out of poverty from 5,000 villages in the first phase of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Gareeb Mukti Gram Yojana. The direction came during a review meeting on implementation of the 2025-26 state budget. "This is not just about infrastructure; it is about transforming lives. The poor, farmers, women, and youth are at the heart of our budget. Every department must work in synergy to bring real change," he said. The CM also laid out an urban roadmap under which 16 cities will be developed as Clean and Green Cities—modelled after the Smart City Mission. These cities will see upgraded infrastructure, improved sanitation, greenery, pedestrian-friendly roads, and overall beautification. "These cities must become examples of what a modern, liveable Rajasthan can look like," Sharma said, adding that newly formed 65 urban local bodies will also be equipped with waste processing units. With Rajasthan home to world-renowned tourist and pilgrimage sites, Sharma stressed the need for stronger air connectivity. Plans include developing helipads and introducing helicopter services to ease access and encourage tourism. Sharma reiterated that all budgetary announcements must be completed within a defined timeframe. He instructed departments to prepare detailed work plans and execute them in phases. Any delay, he warned, would be met with strict action. "If a foundation stone is laid under our govt, the inauguration should also happen during our tenure. Every promise must be fulfilled on time," he said. Emphasising transparency and quality, Sharma directed departments to ensure physical verification of road construction and other major works. He called for close coordination between electricity, water, and PWD departments.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Chandigarh civic body revises community centre policy: free use for poor girls' weddings, RWAs meet; rituals payable
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) has decided to continue offering free use of community centres for weddings of girls from the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, as well as for meetings of Residents' Welfare Associations (RWAs) and Senior Citizen Associations, but ceremonies such as 'pagdi' and post-funeral meals (kriya bhog) will now attract a 25 per cent booking charge. These events were previously exempt, but the policy was revised after opposition to an initially proposed 50 per cent fee. The new draft policy, which includes revised usage rules and updated pricing, will be presented for approval in the MC House meeting scheduled on June 3. Earlier drafts that suggested charges for RWA meetings and poor girls' weddings were rolled back, following strong objections from civic groups. Revised booking charges across categories Booking fees for community centres are set to increase across the board. Category-A centres, currently priced at Rs 44,000 (including tax), will now be available for Rs 60,000 (excluding tax). Centres previously available for Rs 22,000 will now cost Rs 40,000 and applicable tax. For Category C centres, charges will increase from the previous range of Rs 5,000–Rs 22,000 to Rs 15,000–Rs 30,000. Membership-based access introduced The Corporation is also introducing an annual membership model for community centres, similar to club memberships. The annual fee has been fixed at Rs 1,000 for Category A and B centres and Rs 500 for senior citizens. For Category C centres, it will be Rs 500 and Rs 250 for senior citizens. Members will enjoy privileges such as discounted bookings and access to facilities like gyms and indoor games. The operation of each centre will be overseen by a management committee, with the area mayor acting as patron and the local councilor as chairperson. Nominated councillors and departmental SDEs will also be included in these panels. PPP model for operations and expansion Under a new Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative, five community centres — located in Sectors 37, 38-West, 40, 49 and 50 — will be operated and maintained by private companies. The company offering the highest revenue share will win the contract. These operators will be allowed to rebrand the centres, but booking charges cannot exceed 1.5 times the base rate. Additionally, Request for Proposals (RFPs) will be floated to construct new centres on vacant land in Sectors 24, 51, 63 and Bapu Dham (Sector 26), and to redevelop existing centres in Sector 29 and Thakurdwara (Manimajra), along with managing the Rose Club in Sector 16. These contracts will be for 15 years initially, extendable by five years.
NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"Wrong People Getting Benefits": Karnataka Minister At Internal Meet
Bengaluru: Basavaraj Rayareddy, economic advisor to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sparked concerns over undeserving people getting benefits under the Congress guarantee schemes in the state. The remarks have brought the spotlight back on the Congress guarantees, over which the party has faced multiple attacks from the BJP since it came to power. The plan now is a review of the list of beneficiaries. Mr Reddy had flagged his concerns at an internal meeting to review guarantees in his constituency - Yelaburga in Koppal. Instructions were laid out to stop guarantees to those who do not deserve it, like government employees, those paying income tax and the like. The plan is to ensure this is carried out across the state. "I was reviewing the guarantees in my constituency. There were some undeserving people who received BPL (Below Poverty Line) cards," the minister told NDTV in an exclusive interview. He said he has asked that the benefits be stopped for everyone who does not deserve it and this weeding will be carried out across Karnataka. "I agree with what Basavaraj Rayareddy said. There are many who are availing schemes without being eligible. He said it in the right spirit, but this needs to be discussed and after a thorough inquiry we can look at implementing this," said labour minister Labour Minister Santosh Lad. Not everyone in the government agrees, though. Minister of Minor Irrigation, Science & Technology NS Boseraju said it is the "personal opinion" of Mr Rayareddy. "As far as the government is concerned, we are committed to continuing with the guarantees," he added.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
In Himachal Pradesh, college dropout arrested for keeping ‘sensitive and objectionable material' on phone
Acting on a tip-off from Central agencies, the Himachal Pradesh Police arrested a 21-year-old man from his home in a village in the state's Kangra district late Wednesday for allegedly keeping 'sensitive and objectionable material' on his phone, and being in contact with individuals in Pakistan through online platforms. According to the police, an initial examination of his phone revealed that the college dropout also appeared to be in contact with individuals in Pakistan through Facebook, WhatsApp groups, and other online platforms. 'On May 28, the police conducted a raid at the suspect's residence, took him into custody, and brought him to the Dehra Police Station for questioning. Upon examining his mobile phone, we found sensitive and objectionable content that falls under the purview of Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,' said a police officer. Mayank Chaudhary, Superintendent of Police (SP) Dehra, told The Indian Express, 'Indeed, sensitive and objectionable material was found on the suspect's mobile phone, which could endanger the sovereignty of the country. However, we have not yet found any conclusive evidence that he was directly involved in acts of spying'. 'The suspect has been arrested under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. We received a tip-off from Central agencies regarding his suspicious activities, and placed him under surveillance for at least a week. He was apprehended after his actions raised serious red flags,' said Chaudhary. Section 152 of the BNS, 2023 pertains to criminal acts that endanger the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India. 'If we find evidence of spying, relevant charges will be added in the FIR. The seized cell phone was sent for forensic examination,' Chaudhary added. While senior officers declined to divulge the exact nature of the sensitive content found on Abhishek's phone, a source said his phone contains pictures and video clips of 'sophisticated weapons, armouries, and other material that would be highly unusual for any ordinary person to possess'. 'The ongoing investigation will determine whether Abhishek personally recorded this material or if it was shared with him through social media by people across the border.' Sources also said Abhishek comes from a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family. His father, Rajender Singh, works as a private driver, and his mother is a homemaker. They added that Abhishek is unemployed, and takes up catering work at private parties occasionally. A case has been registered under the relevant sections at the Dehra Police Station, and further legal proceedings are underway as per the law, said the officer.
United News of India
20-05-2025
- Health
- United News of India
SC upholds Kerala HC's order quashing govt move on Medical Education Corpus Fund
New Delhi, May 19 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a Kerala High Court's judgment that quashed a government order validating the decision to remit to the State the corpus fund created to subsidise medical education for Below Poverty Line (BPL) students in self-financing medical colleges in Kerala. The corpus fund had been formed by remitting a portion of the fees collected from Non-Resident Indian (NRI) students to the State Government. The Supreme Court ruled that such funds should instead be retained by the self-financing institutions themselves, which are entitled to utilize them for subsidising BPL students' education. A Bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh, affirmed that the Kerala High Court was right in setting aside government order passed on June six, 2018. 'The self-financing medical colleges are entitled to retain the fees transferred to the State for the creation of the 'corpus fund' substantially for the purpose of subsidizing the fees charged to BPL students admitted to those colleges,' the Court stated. The issue stemmed from a directive issued by the Kerala Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee, mandating that a corpus fund be created from a portion of the NRI student fees to subsidize BPL students' education. KMCT Medical College had challenged this before the High Court after the Committee, in February 2018, increased NRI fees from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, directing that Rs five lakh be set aside for the corpus fund and remitted to the State. During the pending litigation, the State issued a government order on June six, 2018, validating this directive. However, the High Court ruled that while the Committee could fix fees under Section 8 of the Kerala Medical Education Act, 2017, it had no authority to redirect a portion of such fees for any other purpose. The Court directed that corpus funds already collected be transferred back to the respective colleges, to be held in separate accounts and used solely for aiding economically weaker students. This led to cross-appeals before the Supreme Court by the State, self-financing colleges and NRI students. Citing P A Inamdar versus State of Maharashtra (2005) and Islamic Academy of Education vs State of Karnataka (2003), the Court clarified that while the State may design subsidy mechanisms, the Admission and Fee Regulatory Committee lacks statutory authority to create such corpus funds. 'There is nothing discernible in Section 8A of the 2017 Act that permits the Committee to divert or dictate the utilisation of a part of the fees,' the Bench noted. The Court emphasized that any initiative to support economically weaker students must come through appropriate legislation by the State. The Supreme Court ordered that the corpus fund amounts be returned to the respective colleges within three months. These institutions must maintain a separate account for the corpus fund and utilize it strictly for subsidizing fees of BPL students. Any BPL student who paid more than the subsidized amount is entitled to a refund or fee adjustment in future years. However, the Court clarified that NRI students are not entitled to refunds from the corpus fund, and any pending fees as approved by the Committee must be paid in full within three months. Senior Advocate Jayanth Muth Raj appeared for the Appellants (colleges), while Senior Advocate V Chitambaresh represented the Respondents. The appeals by the State of Kerala and NRI students were dismissed. Appeal by the self-financing medical colleges was allowed in part. The State and Admission Committee may seek account statements from colleges to verify compliance with the judgment. The Supreme Court has reinforced the autonomy of private medical institutions within the legal framework and reiterated the principle that statutory bodies must function within the bounds of their legislative mandates. UNI SNG SS
