Latest news with #SIC
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
NEEEV entrepreneurship scheme: Delhi govt introduces startup training in schools
Students in Delhi government schools will now be introduced to structured entrepreneurial training as part of a new initiative - New Era of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Vision (NEEEV). The scheme aims to develop innovation, problem-solving and self-reliance among schoolchildren. It will be implemented in classes eight to 12 during the current academic session. The Directorate of Education has shared an introductory overview of the scheme with all government schools and asked principals to nominate a NEEEV School Programme Coordinator from their teaching staff to oversee school-level activities. Weekly classes will be conducted by designated teachers, focusing on experiential learning and real-world application of entrepreneurial concepts, according to a circular. As per the overview, under the scheme, students will participate in a series of practical initiatives, including NEEEV Dialogue, a speaker series featuring entrepreneurs and industry experts, and Startup Stormers - a multi-stage competition where students will develop, pitch, and build their startup ideas. Shortlisted student groups will be eligible for financial assistance of ₹20,000 per project to develop their prototypes or launch ventures. In schools with Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs), students will also have access to tools like 3D printers, IoT kits, AI and robotics resources, and STEM learning modules, it read. To ensure an effective rollout, each school will set up a School Innovation Council (SIC), headed by the principal or the school head. Additionally, district and zonal innovation councils will be formed for coordination and monitoring, with designated nodal schools identified in each zone and district, the circular mentioned. It stated that entrepreneurship education has been recognised as a key component of modern schooling under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023. Both policies stress the importance of skill-based, hands-on learning to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century. The scheme was announced during the Budget in March, and the Delhi government has allocated ₹20 crore for it. NEEEV replaces the previous government flagship scheme Business Blasters programme, increasing students' financial assistance from ₹2,000 per head to ₹20,000 per group and expanding the focus to include digital and financial literacy alongside entrepreneurial skills.
Euronews
5 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Smell like Putin: Russia releases scented candle to promote patriotism
Scented candles are a popular trend among those looking to create a cosy atmosphere in their homes. Smells vary according to taste: some are sweet but sharp, others fruity and floral. There's something for everyone, and while variety is important, sometimes it goes too far. Marketed for those who love Vladimir Putin so much that they want a constant reminder of his musk in their homes, a series of candles now allows that fantasy to come true. They are "Made in Russia", and the aroma of authoritarianism costs a total of 546 rubles per candle (around €6), with a manufacturer's guarantee. "The handmade indoor scented candle is made from natural wax. The room is filled with aroma in just 30 to 40 minutes," says the product description, quoted by the Russian newspaper The Moscow Times - which says that 25,000 candles have been sold. The manufacturer also claims that the candle's wooden wick imitates the sound of a crackling fireplace. The candle comes in two versions: "Aroma Putin Black Vanilla" and "Aroma Putin Dark Amber" and is available on Russian marketplaces such as Wildberries. There aren't many reviews, but some have five-star endorsements. In addition to the Putin scent, the same manufacturer offers candles with the names "Russia: Symbols of the Russian Empire", "Let's Support Our Own!" and "Aroma of Patriotism" with the image of Russian soldiers in the background. These candles have become a talking point in the press, with Portuguese journalist, writer and commentator specialising in Russian affairs, José Milhazes, calling the phenomenon further proof of Russia's cult of personality in his "Daqui Moscovo" segment on SIC television (Sociedade Independente de Comunicação). Presidential precedents It's not exactly a pioneering move either. While we establish no correlation between the two, US President Donald Trump recently announced a new addition to his personal line of merchandise: branded perfume and cologne that will set you back $249 (€211). The fragrances, called "Victory 45-47" - a reference to his two presidential terms - are "all about Winning, Strength, and Success," Trump wrote on his social network Truth Social. The launch of this latest scent has been heavily criticised, especially because of its timing – which coincided with Senate Republicans hauling Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts bill to passage by the narrowest of margins. One person commented online about the fragrance launch: '16 million Americans are about to lose their healthcare, but go buy my gross perfume…'
Scotsman
10-07-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Sandie Peggie: NHS Fife legal fees cost revealed in trans doctor Beth Upton tribunal case
The cost of legal fees for NHS Fife in the Sandie Peggie tribunal case has been revealed. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... More than £220,000 has been spent by NHS Fife on its defence in the Sandie Peggie tribunal hearing. The health board quietly published the cost of legal fees to comply with a requirement from Scotland's information commissioner. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sandie Peggie | John Devlin/National World David Hamilton, the Scottish Information Commissioner (SIC), had previously described the actions of the health board as 'extremely frustrating'. He had warned bosses at NHS Fife they could be in contempt of court if the health board did not comply with FOI laws. Three individuals had submitted Freedom of Information requests seeking the cost of the tribunal, which is centred on a transgender doctor using a female changing room. There has also been pressure from media outlets to disclose the sum, with NHS Fife now confirming it has £220,500 on legal fees to date. However, the costs will be reclaimed by NHS Fife through a national risk scheme. The health board is only liable for a maximum of £25,000, to make sure frontline services are not impacted. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms Peggie, a nurse, was suspended from her work at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in January last year after she objected to Dr Beth Upton, a trans woman, using the female changing room in the A&E department. Dr Beth Upton laves the hearing. Picture: John Devlin | John Devlin She has lodged a claim against the Fife health board and Dr Upton, citing the Equality Act, including sexual harassment, harassment related to a protected belief, indirect discrimination and victimisation. NHS Fife has been urged to concede the case following a Supreme Court ruling that a woman is defined by biological sex under equality laws. The SIC said the health board's initial response to the FOI requests stated the information was exempt under rules protecting personal information. However, it does not appear to have undertaken any searches for the information in response to the requests. Instead, it was subsequently obtained 'after the review requests were received' from a separate service, the NHS Central Legal Office, which provides legal advice to NHS bodies. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Sleekit decision' Conservative MSP Tess White said of the manner of publication: 'This sleekit decision from NHS Fife only adds insult to injury. They have spent months rejecting legitimate requests to reveal how much taxpayers' money they are squandering on this case. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay and Tess White in the chamber at Holyrood. Picture date: Tuesday April 22, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire | Jane Barlow/PA Wire 'Senior figures within the health board must come clean about why this figure was not revealed sooner and how much more money from the public purse they expect to waste when the case resumes.' The NHS Fife statement A statement posted by the health board on its site said: 'NHS Fife can confirm that, as of 31 May 2025, a total of £220,465.93 has been incurred in legal costs relating to an ongoing employment tribunal case brought against the board. 'This figure includes counsel fees and services provided by NHS Scotland's Central Legal Office. These costs will be reclaimed through the national Clinical Negligence and Other Risks Indemnity Scheme (CNORIS). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BDPO faces pay cut, disciplinary action over repeated non-compliance of info panel's orders
1 2 Chandigarh: Punjab State Information Commission (PSIC) has recommended strict disciplinary action and salary deduction against a block development and panchayat officer (BDPO)-cum-public information officer (PIO) for repeatedly ignoring commission directives under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 and bailable warrants. State Information Commissioner (SIC) Dr Bhupinder Batth issued the directions during a hearing on an appeal filed by a resident of Patiala. The appellant was awaiting information since Dec 14, 2022, despite multiple hearings and official notices spanning over two years. During the initial hearing on Dec 14, 2022, the respondent sought time to furnish the requested information. The matter was adjourned to March 28, 2023, when another delay was sought. On April 24, 2023, a show-cause notice was issued to the PIO, and the case was further deferred to May 29, 2023. When the PIO, Krishan Singh, failed to appear on May 29, the commission imposed a penalty of Rs 25,000 and issued bailable warrants against him. Despite this, he remained absent on July 18, Aug 16, and Sept 20, 2023. After the retirement of former SIC Maninder Singh Patti, the case was reallocated to SIC Dr Bhupinder Batth, with the next hearing scheduled for Jan 29, 2025. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo On that day, the appellant was unable to attend due to his wife's illness, but panchayat secretary Jarnail Singh appeared on behalf of the respondent. He informed the commission that Krishan Singh is now posted as BDPO, Chogawan, Amritsar. The commission directed both Krishan Singh and the present PIO of BDPO, Patran, to appear with point-wise replies. However, neither officer appeared, nor did they inform the commission of their absence. The appellant reiterated that no information was provided to him to date. The commission, upon reviewing the case file, noted that despite repeated notices and hearing orders, Krishan Singh consistently failed to comply. Moreover, the Rs 25,000 penalty imposed over a year ago remains unpaid, underscoring, as the commission observed, a "complete lack of regard for the RTI regime." Taking serious note of what it called a "deliberate and disrespectful" dereliction of duty, the commission recommended disciplinary action under Section 20(2) of the RTI Act, 2005 against Krishan Singh, now BDPO, Chogawan. The order was forwarded to financial commissioner, rural development and panchayats, with directions to ensure recovery of the Rs 25,000 penalty by deducting it from Krishan Singh's salary. They were instructed to initiate strict disciplinary proceedings under applicable service rules and submit an action taken report within 30 days of receiving the order. In addition, the commission granted a final opportunity to the current PIO (BDPO, Patran, Patiala) to appear before the commission on the next date of hearing with the complete information. Failing this, action under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act will be initiated. The case has been listed for further hearing on Oct 14. MSID:: 122319348 413 |
Express Tribune
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Punjab speaker moves to disqualify 26 MPAs
Listen to article The Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan on Thursday filed a disqualification reference with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) against 26 opposition members of the provincial assembly (MPAs) for "disparaging the sanctity of the house". The MPAs against whom the reference was sent to the electoral supervisor belong to the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC). Talking to media, the speaker confirmed the development, saying that those, who violated the sanctity of the house, would not be spared. "The matter is with the ECP, which may disqualify such members," he added. Malik Ahmed Khan said that it was not a democratic norm to resort to misconduct, use abusive language and resort to violence in parliament. "It is anti-democracy attitude". He said the Article 63 of the Constitution clearly defines the criteria for disqualification, and emphasised that every member of parliament takes oath to safeguard the Constitution. He vowed to fight the case for the protection of the Constitution. "It is my duty to maintain order in the house," said the Punjab Assembly speaker. "I am showing patience for more than one and a half years. I have to justify my role as the speaker," Malik Ahmed Khan stated. Earlier, the speaker directed a legal team to prepare a draft reference for consultation, before potentially submitting it to the ECP for the de-seating of 26 suspended SIC MPAs over their alleged disruptive, abusive and disorderly conduct in the house. The directive came during a meeting between the speaker and the legal experts after an initial determination that a reference could be filed based on the applications submitted by PML-N lawmakers, who urged the Speaker's Office to take action against the suspended members. On June 27, the situation in the Punjab Assembly aggravated as the opposition's noisy protest disrupted proceedings during Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's addresses. Their conduct appeared even more aggressive, reportedly in response to the Supreme Court's ruling on reserved seats. The protest quickly escalated into scuffles between treasury and opposition lawmakers. Despite Speaker Khan's repeated efforts to control the situation, order could not be restored. Consequently, on the same day, the speaker suspended 26 opposition lawmakers, invoking Rule 210(3) of the Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab (1997). On June 28, the speaker, directed that Rs2,035,000 in damages be recovered from 10 PTI MPAs – approximately Rs203,550 each – for climbing onto desks and breaking eight microphones during their protest on June 16, when the provincial budget was being presented. It is worth noting that protest has historically been a recognised feature of parliamentary proceedings. Opposition lawmakers are often seen engaging in fiery exchanges, desk-thumping, slogan-chanting, tearing up agenda papers or budget documents and holding placards aloft.
