Latest news with #MNREGA
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Gujarat Congress demands CBI investigation into MNREGA scam
Gandhinagar: The state unit of the Congress party has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the MNREGA scam in Gujarat. They alleged that minister Bachubhai Khabad, whose two sons were arrested for their involvement in the scam, is obstructing the investigation. Speaking to reporters in Gandhinagar, Amit Chavda, leader of the Congress Legislature Party, said that bills worth over Rs 3 crore were paid without any work being done under MNREGA on 12 land survey numbers belonging to Khabad's family. "We demand a CBI investigation into the scam. The minister has been obstructing the investigation in the case. Why has he not been removed from the cabinet?" Chavda questioned. Chavda said that despite the Congress submitting complaints with evidence of widespread MNREGA-related corruption, the govt has so far investigated cases only in Devgadh Baria and Dhanpur talukas. "A CBI probe will bring to the fore similar corruption cases in different districts," Chavda said.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Fair price shops to function through 37 Annapurna Bhawans in Varanasi
In order to maintain transparency regarding distribution of ration through fair price shops, the government has built 37 Annapurna Bhawan in the district which are equipped with e-POS machines and e-weighing scales. These multipurpose buildings have been built in the district for operating fair price shops and to check the problem of under-weighing. Built by the state government under MNREGA scheme, these bhavans have a storage room and a distribution room. These structures have been constructed with an objective to make the public distribution system more effective and ensure stability of the ration shops even after the ration dealer is changed. The fair price shops will be operated at these bhavans. Kotedar (ration dealers) will operate the fair price shops from these buildings. The shop owners will not have to pay any rent to run the shops. Chief development officer, Varanasi Himanshu Nagpal said that Annapurna Bhawan is such a multipurpose building from where the ration dealers will be able to operate Jan Suvidha Kendra along with fair price ration shops. All Annapurna Bhawans will have e-POS machines with e-weighing scale, so that the underweighing of ration can be stopped and the card holders can get the full ration given by the government. District supply officer KB Singh said that Annapurna Bhawan is being constructed at special places for fair price ration shops and is being given to the ration dealers/ fair price shop owners. With the construction of Annapurna Bhawan, the ration dealers are getting convenience along with saving money. The district supply officer said that there are 1,315 fair price shops in Varanasi. This year the target was to build 37 Annapurna buildings, out of which 21 have been completed, while 16 Annapurna buildings built last year are being operated. A total of 37 Annapurna buildings have been constructed in the district so far. According to this year's target, the construction of the remaining 16 Annapurna buildings will be completed soon.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
U.P. cabinet decision: Homestay, bed & breakfast policy cleared
The state cabinet on Tuesday approved the Uttar Pradesh Bed and Breakfast (B and B) and Homestay Policy 2025 to improve services and provide better options for stay to the pilgrims and tourists in the state. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath presided over the meeting of the state cabinet that also provides for financial incentives and grants to the homestay and B and B units. Briefing media persons about the state cabinet's decisions, finance minister Suresh Khanna said the state cabinet gave nod to 10 proposals. He said UP Homestay and B and B Policy provides for housing facilities in up to six rooms (12 beds). Khanna said a committee headed by district magistrate and comprising district police chief (or representative) and others would grant permission to run the homestay services. He said the units would provide housing facilities for a period of up to seven days along with a provision of extension with permission. Khanna said the application fee for four categories of homestays would be ₹500 to ₹750 in rural areas and ₹2,000 to ₹3,500 in urban areas. Khanna said Uttar Pradesh, with a rich cultural heritage and historical sites, is a major attraction for pilgrims and tourists. In the absence of any homestay, B and B policy, those running such facilities had to register them with the Nidhi Plus portal of the Union tourism ministry and a certificate was being issued to them following registration. ₹200 cr for building Annapurna Bhawans The state cabinet approved a proposal to provide a sum of ₹200 crore for construction of Annapurna Bhawans for running model fair price shops. Minister for finance Suresh Khanna said the Annapurna Bhawan is constructed with a cost of ₹8.5 lakh in 484 square feet area and those running the fair price shops are allowed to keep other items as well. He said 3,534 Annapurna Bhawans have been constructed and 2,000 are under construction in the state. He said the Annapurna Bhawans were till now being constructed with the funds from MNREGA, MPLAD, Vidhayak Nidhi, Poorvanchal and Bundelkhand Vikas Nidhi. He said the savings from the food and civil supplies department would also be used for construction and around 75 to 100 Annapurna Bhawans would be constructed in every district.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
Aravalli Green Wall Project: India's theme for this World Environment Day
Aiming to fight climate change, India will promote the Aravalli Green Wall project this World Environment Day to encourage tree plantation, combat land degradation and desertification, and create green corridors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially inaugurate the project on June 5. Last year's theme, 'Ek Ped Maa ke Naam', continues this year. The Aravalli Green Wall Project seeks to revive the Aravalli range through various initiatives such as banning single-use plastics, promoting water conservation, and protecting natural resources. It also aims to combat land degradation and desertification by creating green corridors across 29 districts in four states: Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi. The Aravalli hills landscape spans over 6 million hectares. At the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held in Riyadh, India introduced the Aravalli Green Wall Project, which was launched in 2019. In March, the Environment Ministry released the project's action plan. The project involves planting native species of trees and shrubs on scrublands, wastelands, and degraded forest lands. It also focuses on rejuvenating and restoring surface water bodies such as ponds, lakes, and streams. Additionally, it emphasizes agroforestry and pasture development to enhance the livelihoods of local communities. Through this initiative, India aims to achieve its national goal of creating an additional 2.5 billion tonnes of carbon sink by 2030, as committed in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Under the project, 1,000 nurseries will be established across the 29 districts, with funding from CAMPA, MNREGA, and other state green initiatives to ensure the survival of planted saplings. The green wall will contribute to carbon sequestration and help mitigate climate change, while enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Aravalli range. Planting native tree species will provide wildlife habitat and improve water quality and quantity, contributing to reduced air pollution in India. There will also be socio-economic benefits, according to an official from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The project will be executed by various stakeholders, including central and state governments, forest departments, research institutes, civil society organizations, private sector entities, and local communities. Success will require adequate funding, technical expertise, policy coordination, and public awareness.
NDTV
2 days ago
- General
- NDTV
PM Modi To Launch 'Aravalli Green Wall' To Revive India's Oldest Mountain Range
New Delhi: On World Environment Day this year, the Union government is set to relaunch the Aravalli Green Wall Project. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the renewed initiative on June 5 from South Delhi, one of the 29 districts in four states where the scheme will be executed, as per sources in the Ministry. This corridor will cover the 29 districts in the Aravalli range, including those in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. On June 5, Chief Ministers from the Aravalli range states will also join in the launch of green corridor project, with Delhi Chief minister Rekha Gupta accompanying the Prime Minister in Delhi, Haryana Chief minister Nayab Singh Saini from Dadri, Gujarat Chief minister Bhupendra Patel from Kheda and Rajasthan Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma from Ramgarh. Stretching across 700 kilometres, the Aravalli range has faced severe environmental degradation in recent decades. The new push aims to create a continuous green belt from Delhi to Gujarat, "acting as a natural barrier against desertification and aiding in groundwater recharge across the Indo-Gangetic plains," said an official. The action plan laid out by the government focuses on restoring degraded forest lands, improving water retention through soil and moisture conservation, and encouraging the planting of indigenous species. One thousand permanent nurseries will be set up to revive India's oldest mountain range. Advanced tools like satellite mapping and remote sensing will be used to monitor progress and ensure transparency. The budget and funding for the project will be through the already existing and functioning schemes of MNREGA, CAMPA and Green India Mission. The original phase of the Aravalli Green Wall was launched in March 2023, covering a 5-kilometre buffer zone around the range. The upcoming phase broadens the scope significantly, incorporating new initiatives and partnerships with local communities. Divisional forest officers to ensure that local bodies, NGOs, and panchayats are roped in to take up eco-restoration of Aravalli,and implementation of the Green Credit Programme for eco-restoration work in the Aravalli landscape. The range is home to 22 wildlife sanctuaries and four tiger reserves- Ranthambore, Sariska, Ramgarh-Vishdhari, and Mukunda Hills. It also houses the bird sanctuary, Keoladeo National Park and nearly 50 historic forts that date back centuries. Of the 1.25 lakh hectares within the Aravalli landscape, approximately 42,000 hectares are designated reserve forests. The terrain varies from rolling ridges to steep hillocks, with the highest elevation being Guru Shikhar in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, which stands at 1,732 metres above sea level. Several rivers, including the Chambal and Luni, originate in these hills, which are also rich in minerals and diverse flora and fauna. Further, developing Aravalli landscapes and biodiversity for safari, nature parks and trekking, removal of invasive species and re-plantation with native species and bamboo, roping in Eco-clubs and Eco-Task Force in raising plantations and awareness, linking Amrit Sarovars and waterbodies in Aravali restoration programme, creating a research and monitoring vertical under the NIRANTAR institutions, such as BSI and ZSI in taxonomy and organising annual workshops, could also prove to be effective measures in this direction. After the success of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, achieving the target of planting 80 crore saplings last year, the Prime Minister will also relaunch the campaign on June 5. It encourages people to plant a tree as a symbol of love, respect, and honour for their mothers, while also pledging to protect trees and the Earth. The initiative aims to combat land degradation and restore degraded land areas.
