Latest news with #PlanningandDevelopmentDepartment
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BPSC recruitment 2025: District Statistical Officer/Assistant Director exam date released, check official notice here
The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) has officially announced the exam date for the recruitment of District Statistical Officers (DSO) and Assistant Directors (AD) under Advertisement No. 38/2025. The preliminary examination will be held on August 3, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The recruitment drive aims to fill 47 posts, including 16 seats reserved for women, in the Planning and Development Department of the Bihar government. Candidates who applied between June 3 and June 24 are advised to check the official notification on BPSC DSO/AD exam date 2025 The official notice released by BPSC authorities mentions the examination date and shift timings. Check notice below: BPSC DSO/AD eligibility criteria 2025 To apply for BPSC DSO/AD 2025, candidates must meet the following criteria: Educational Qualification: Master's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, or Economics from a recognized university. Age Limit (as on Aug 1, 2025): General (Male): 21 to 37 years Female/Backward Classes/Economically Backward Classes: Up to 40 years Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe: Up to 42 years Selection Process The selection process comprises three key stages: Preliminary Exam (Objective type): General knowledge and basic statistics. Qualifying in nature. Main Exam (Descriptive): Subject-specific papers on statistics, economics, and administrative topics. Interview: Assessment of analytical and decision-making skills. The final selection of candidates will be based on the combined marks obtained in the Main examination and the Interview round. Only those who qualify in the preliminary exam will be allowed to appear for the mains. Candidates who perform well in both the mains and the interview will be shortlisted for appointment, subject to final document verification. The verification process will ensure that all eligibility criteria, educational qualifications, and reservation claims are met as per the BPSC norms before the final merit list is released. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Express Tribune
11-07-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Poverty plagues rural Sindh
Despite the Sindh government spending billions of rupees on social protection programs, poverty remains deeply entrenched in the province's rural areas. According to official statistics obtained by the Express Tribune, the Sindh government has spent nearly Rs20 billion in five years on a single poverty alleviation project, yet at least 70 per cent of the population across ten districts is still living below the poverty line. The Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index compiled by the Planning and Development Department's Research and Training Wing has shown that across five districts, more than 80 per cent of people are stuck in poverty. Surprisingly, poverty levels in these five districts exceed those in Tharparkar. The worst-affected districts are Thatta, Sajawal, Kashmore, Badin, and Jacobabad. The survey also revealed alarming rates of malnutrition among women in these districts. While 50 per cent of women in Tharparkar suffered from nutritional deficiencies, the rate was even higher in the five poorest districts. In fact, 66 per cent of women in Thatta and Jacobabad, 59 per cent in Kashmore, 56 per cent in Badin, and 51 per cent in Sajawal were living with malnutrition. Similarly, child mortality rates under the age of five were also highest in these five districts. According to the survey, 15.6 per cent of children under five died in Thatta, while the rates in Badin, Kashmore, and Sajawal were 11 per cent, 12.2 per cent, and 5.2 per cent respectively. When contacted by the Express Tribune, Dr Sono Khanghrani, a board member of the Social Protection Authority, explained that a key reason behind persistently high poverty levels was the government's monopoly over service delivery in areas such as education, health, water, electricity, and employment. "Improvement is unlikely as long as these sectors remain under direct government control hence there is a need to involve non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in service provision. Furthermore, poor law and order conditions in certain districts, namely Jacobabad, Kandhkot, and Kashmore are also contributing factors to the failure of poverty reduction programs," assessed Dr Khanghrani. On a similar note, Dr Kaiser Bengali, a renowned economist, attributed the failure of poverty alleviation projects largely to the absence of effective monitoring systems. "For instance, Sajawal, one of the districts with persistently high poverty levels, had a government-backed poverty eradication initiative funded by international donors with an investment of Rs4 billion. This ultimately yielded no results," noted Dr Bengali, while talking about the district from where influential minister, Haji Ali Hassan Zardari was elected and holds the important portfolio of Works and Services. Data from the Sindh Finance Department has indicated that with the support of the World Bank and United Nations, the government had launched an Accelerated Action Plan in 23 districts of Sindh to address malnutrition. Between the fiscal years 2012-13 and 2016-17, over Rs20 billion were spent, with a further Rs10 billion allocated to various social protection programs afterwards. Despite this, neither malnutrition nor poverty levels have improved. The Planning and Development Department's poverty index report noted that during the 2018-19 fiscal year, the budget for nutrition was increased by 112 per cent, from Rs2.4 billion to Rs5.1 billion. However, nutritional outcomes only deteriorated further, with the proportion of stunted children rising from 48 per cent in 2014-15 to 50.2 per cent in 2018-19. Later in 2022, the Sindh government also established the Department of Social Protection and the Social Protection Authority to oversee social welfare, which was previously managed by the Social Protection Unit within the Chief Minister's Secretariat. This department was allocated a budget of Rs15.43 billion in its first year, 2022-23, which was increased to Rs16.9 billion by 2023-24.
Express Tribune
11-07-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Poverty continues to plague rural Sindh
Rs20 billion have been spent on poverty alleviation yet 70 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line. PHOTO:REUTERS Despite the Sindh government spending billions of rupees on social protection programs, poverty remains deeply entrenched in the province's rural areas. According to official statistics obtained by the Express Tribune, the Sindh government has spent nearly Rs20 billion in five years on a single poverty alleviation project, yet at least 70 per cent of the population across ten districts is still living below the poverty line. The Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index compiled by the Planning and Development Department's Research and Training Wing has shown that across five districts, more than 80 per cent of people are stuck in poverty. Surprisingly, poverty levels in these five districts exceed those in Tharparkar. The worst-affected districts are Thatta, Sajawal, Kashmore, Badin, and Jacobabad. The survey also revealed alarming rates of malnutrition among women in these districts. While 50 per cent of women in Tharparkar suffered from nutritional deficiencies, the rate was even higher in the five poorest districts. In fact, 66 per cent of women in Thatta and Jacobabad, 59 per cent in Kashmore, 56 per cent in Badin, and 51 per cent in Sajawal were living with malnutrition. Similarly, child mortality rates under the age of five were also highest in these five districts. According to the survey, 15.6 per cent of children under five died in Thatta, while the rates in Badin, Kashmore, and Sajawal were 11 per cent, 12.2 per cent, and 5.2 per cent respectively. When contacted by the Express Tribune, Dr Sono Khanghrani, a board member of the Social Protection Authority, explained that a key reason behind persistently high poverty levels was the government's monopoly over service delivery in areas such as education, health, water, electricity, and employment. "Improvement is unlikely as long as these sectors remain under direct government control hence there is a need to involve non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in service provision. Furthermore, poor law and order conditions in certain districts, namely Jacobabad, Kandhkot, and Kashmore are also contributing factors to the failure of poverty reduction programs," assessed Dr Khanghrani. On a similar note, Dr Kaiser Bengali, a renowned economist, attributed the failure of poverty alleviation projects largely to the absence of effective monitoring systems. "For instance, Sajawal, one of the districts with persistently high poverty levels, had a government-backed poverty eradication initiative funded by international donors with an investment of Rs4 billion. This ultimately yielded no results," noted Dr Bengali, while talking about the district from where influential minister, Haji Ali Hassan Zardari was elected and holds the important portfolio of Works and Services. Data from the Sindh Finance Department has indicated that with the support of the World Bank and United Nations, the government had launched an Accelerated Action Plan in 23 districts of Sindh to address malnutrition. Between the fiscal years 2012-13 and 2016-17, over Rs20 billion were spent, with a further Rs10 billion allocated to various social protection programs afterwards. Despite this, neither malnutrition nor poverty levels have improved. The Planning and Development Department's poverty index report noted that during the 2018-19 fiscal year, the budget for nutrition was increased by 112 per cent, from Rs2.4 billion to Rs5.1 billion. However, nutritional outcomes only deteriorated further, with the proportion of stunted children rising from 48 per cent in 2014-15 to 50.2 per cent in 2018-19. Later in 2022, the Sindh government also established the Department of Social Protection and the Social Protection Authority to oversee social welfare, which was previously managed by the Social Protection Unit within the Chief Minister's Secretariat. This department was allocated a budget of Rs15.43 billion in its first year, 2022-23, which was increased to Rs16.9 billion by 2023-24.
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- The Citizen
Ba-Phalaborwa warns against illegal land occupation
PHALABORWA – The Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality has issued a stern warning to individuals illegally occupying a parcel of municipal land known as Re/5/781 Farm Ferrell in Gravelotte. In a public notice shared on its official Facebook page, the municipality stated: 'The municipality would like to warn all those involved in land invasions or illegal land use activities to cease and rectify such actions immediately.' This comes after individuals were found occupying a portion of the land and erecting fences, suggesting plans to build houses without permission. The municipality emphasised that it has designated plans for the land, which include subdividing it into 200 residential stands that will be made available for purchase. No one is permitted to use or settle on the land without formal approval from the municipality. According to Section 156(2) of the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality Spatial Planning and Land Use Management by-law, 2016, any landowner who allows their property to be used in a way not aligned with the approved land use scheme, without taking steps to stop the activity, is guilty of an offence. If convicted, offenders may face a fine, imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both. The municipality warned that legal action will be taken against anyone who fails to comply with the notice. To reinforce this, municipal officials visited the affected site and placed notices in public spaces, including the local library and police station. In a related effort, the municipality conducted an Illegal Land Use Operation in May, led by the Planning and Development Department in collaboration with the Technical Services Department. The team inspected various sites and buildings where people were living or conducting business unlawfully. During the operation, they disconnected illegal electricity connections and addressed unauthorised water usage to prevent losses and ensure fair service distribution. Residents are encouraged to report any illegal land invasions or land use violations by calling the municipality at 015 780 6472. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
United News of India
01-07-2025
- Health
- United News of India
Jharkhand to institutionalise UNICEF coordination for SDG tracking
Ranchi, July 1 (UNI) The Jharkhand government is moving to institutionalise its collaboration with UNICEF through a structured review and data-sharing mechanism aimed at accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari, the state directed UNICEF to establish a system for continuous assessment and alignment with departmental initiatives. Emphasising the need for strategic coordination, the chief secretary instructed UNICEF to hold fortnightly meetings with all relevant departments. The aim is to ensure regular feedback loops, enhance programme synergy, and avoid duplication of efforts across sectors such as health, education, nutrition, and social security. Highlighting the overlapping objectives of the state and UNICEF in areas of sustainable development, the chief secretary said both must share and synchronise data for evidence-based planning. A shared portal, to be developed in collaboration with the Planning and Development Department, was proposed to address issues of data mismatch and improve real-time monitoring. UNICEF was also tasked with preparing a blueprint to adapt successful social sector models from other Indian states. The blueprint is expected to provide implementable strategies for Jharkhand based on comparative best practices in child health, nutrition, education, and community engagement. The chief secretary directed that UNICEF bring field-level insights, experiences, and recommendations into the regular review meetings to help refine ongoing state programmes. 'UNICEF should examine how to improve coordination with government schemes for children and enhance delivery on the ground,' she said, urging a sharper focus on monitoring systems and measurable outcomes. A special emphasis was laid on reaching out to the marginalised communities and tackling malnutrition and sanitation-related challenges. The state reiterated its focus on sustainable and inclusive growth, especially for vulnerable groups. Acknowledging UNICEF's contribution to hand hygiene awareness, the chief secretary encouraged the agency to extend similar collaborative efforts across other sectors such as maternal health, child protection, and social welfare. 'UNICEF must continue building awareness in coordination with government departments to empower communities in multiple dimensions,' she said. Earlier, UNICEF shared a detailed presentation outlining its initiatives and outcomes in the state, particularly in child-centric domains. The review covered ongoing programmes, grassroots engagement models, and thematic focus areas aligned with the SDGs. The meeting was attended by secretaries Mast Ram Meena, Manoj Kumar, Mukesh Kumar, Umashankar Singh, Neha Arora, and UNICEF Jharkhand chief Kaninika Mitra along with other officials from the organisation. UNI XC SSP
