Amit Shah to release J&K good governance index on Saturday

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Amit Shah to release J&K good governance index on Saturday

The good governance index for 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir will be released on Saturday by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, making J&K the first Union Territory to have an index of this kind in the country.

Official sources said Union Minister of State for PMO, Jitendra Singh, will also address the event on Saturday. The event is being organised jointly by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) and J&K Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development (IMPA) in association with the Centre for Good Governance, Hyderabad.

The district good governance index for J&K has been prepared by DARPG.

Official sources said the index is part of the ‘Behtar Hukumat — Kashmir Aelamia’ resolution adopted in Srinagar on July 2, 2021 in the regional conference on replication of good governance practices.

The index represents a major administrative reform in benchmarking good governance at the district level, providing an evidence-based assessment of the performance of each district.

At its inaugural function, 12 selected district development commissioners will showcase the achievements in various sectors in their respective districts.

J&K to be first UT to have Good Governance Index

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J&K to be first UT to have Good Governance Index

The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be the first UT to have the ‘Good Governance Index’, the Department of Personnel said here on Friday.

The exercise on formulation of District Good Governance Index was set in motion in July, 2021, which has now been completed and Jammu and Kashmir will become the first Union Territory in the country to have Good Governance Index.

According to the official statement, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will release the District Good Governance Index for 20 Districts of UT of Jammu and Kashmir on January 22, organised jointly by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG), and Jammu & Kashmir Institute of Management, Public Administration & Rural Development in association with the Centre for Good Governance, Hyderabad.

Union Minister for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh and the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Manoj Sinha, will also address the event.

The District Good Governance Index of Jammu and Kashmir was prepared by DARPG in collaboration with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in pursuance of the announcements made in the ‘Behtar e-Hukumat – Kashmir elamia’ resolution adopted on July 2, 2021 in the Regional Conference on Replication of Good Governance Practices held at Srinagar.

The District Good Governance Index of Government of Jammu and Kashmir represents a major administrative reform in benchmarking good governance at District level and a significant step for timely collation and publication of statistics at State and District level.

The District Good Governance Index is a milestone and it is expected that it will provide a robust framework for evidence based assessment of the performance of all the districts in Jammu & Kashmir.

The Chief Secretary of J&K Arun Kumar Mehta and DARPG Secretary V. Srinivas will also be addressing the event while the event will be attended by senior officials of government of Jammu and Kashmir, district collectors and chief planning officers of Districts.

Secretaries of Planning and Secretaries of Administrative Reforms of all State/ UT governments and District Collectors of non-election bound states have also been invited to participate in the event by video conferencing.

During the occasion, a presentation on formulation of District Good Governance Index will be made by Centre for Good Governance, Hyderabad. This will be followed by district presentations by selected 12 District Development Commissioners, who will be showcasing achievements of various sectors.

Battle for UP: Yogi’s Hindu Vahini is back in action

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Battle for UP: Yogi’s Hindu Vahini is back in action

The Hindu Yuva Vahini (HYV), founded by Yogi Adityanath in 2002, is back in action.

The Vahini that had become dormant after Yogi Adityanath became chief minister, is springing back to activity.

Its members have already launched an intensive campaign to ensure Yogi Adityanath’s victory in Gorakhpur.

P.K. Mall general secretary, HYV, said that the Vahini members have decided to organise door-to-door meetings, digital meetings, and strengthen its organisation at the booth level across the assembly segment.

The office-bearers will hold a meeting with the chief minister over the election strategy and campaign when he arrives in Gorakhpur, Mall added.

A senior office-bearer of the Vahini said, “Political activities of the HYV were dormant for around five years, but the organisation has been reactivated with the announcement of Yogi Adityanath’s candidature from the city seat. The outfit will hold meetings in all the wards and also campaign for the BJP candidates in other Assembly segments on the direction of the chief minister.”

The Hindu Yuva Vahini had played an important role in Yogi Adityanath’s election campaigns in 2004, 2009 and 2014 and also propagated the message of Hindutva in the rural areas of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

In the 2017 Assembly elections, Vahini leader Raghvendra Pratap Singh successfully contested from Dumariaganj seat in Siddhartha Nagar.

After Yogi Adityanath became the chief minister in March 2017, units of the Vahini in various districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh were disbanded at the request of the BJP leadership over fears that it would function as a parallel political outfit.

Its office-bearers and members who protested this move were expelled from it. This included then state president Sunil Singh.

Yogi Adityanath had raised the Hindu Yuva Vahini in 2002 after his relationship with the BJP soured due to differences over ticket distribution in the Assembly election.

He challenged the BJP leadership by fielding Dr Radha Mohan Das Agarwal on a Hindu Mahasabha ticket against BJP candidate Shiv Pratap Shukla. Agarwal defeated Shukla, establishing Adityanath as the unchallenged leader of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Soon, Vahini volunteers were also entrusted with the task of propagating the Hindutva agenda promoted by the Gorakhnath mutt headed by Yogi Adityanath.

From 300 members in 2002, the strength of the outfit increased to 1.5 million in 2017.

In the past five years, the Vahini withdrew from political activities to focus on social issues, including ration distribution, building awareness about Covid and Japanese Encephalitis, assisting migrant workers, and assisting local authorities in the implementation of development and welfare schemes.

Modi, Jugnauth inaugurate India-assisted Social Housing Units project in Mauritius

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Modi, Jugnauth inaugurate India-assisted Social Housing Units project in Mauritius

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth jointly inaugurated the India-assisted Social Housing Units project in Mauritius virtually on Thursday. The two dignitaries also launched the Civil Service College and 8 MW Solar PV Farm projects in Mauritius that are being undertaken under India’s development support.

An Agreement on extending a $190 mn Line of Credit (LoC) from India to Mauritius for the Metro Express Project and other infrastructure projects; and MoU on the implementation of Small Development Projects was also signed.

“I wish to recall the stellar contribution of late Anerood Jugnauth (former Mauritius President) to strengthen the India-Mauritius ties. We look forward to supporting the further extension of the metro, under the $190 million Line of Credit (LoC) extension today,” said the prime minister after the launch of these projects.

In the coming days, we will work on several important projects, such as the regional transplant unit, the forensic science laboratory, the national library & archives, the Mauritius police academy, & many others. India will always continue to stand by Mauritius, he added further.

“It was in Mauritius, during my 2015 visit, that I had outlined India’s maritime cooperation vision of SAGAR — ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’. I am glad that our bilateral cooperation, including in maritime security, has translated this vision into action,” said Prime Minister Modi, referring to more than a half century diplomatic India-Mauritius bilateral relationships.

“To pay gratitude for India’s support to the metro express project, my government has decided to name one of the major metro stations as ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ station,” said Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.

Andhra CM roots for ‘One district, One airport’ concept

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Andhra CM roots for ‘One district, One airport’ concept

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has said that the ‘one district-one airport’ concept is good, and instructed officials to expedite the works on Bhogapuram and Dagadarthi airports in Vizianagaram and Nellore districts.

At the review meeting on ports and airports held on Thursday, the chief minister instructed the officials to plan such that that all airports in the state are identical.

“Efforts should be made for developing the basic infrastructure for the airports, and the runways should be developed to allow even Boeing airplanes to land,” he said while telling the officials to put special focus on the development and expansion works on the existing six airports in the state along with the two new airports.

The chief minister said that special focus should be laid on the expansion works of Gannavaram airport catering to Vijayawada and Amaravati, keeping in view the growing traffic.

The officials appraised the chief minister of the work in progress at Tirupati, Kadapa, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Kurnool airports.

The chief minister also told the officials to take up on a priority basis the construction works of nine fishing harbours and three ports. Work on Bhavanapadu and Ramayapatnam ports will begin soon, the chief minister was informed by officials.

Works taken up on four fishing harbours in the first phase will be completed by October, the officials said. Of the nine fishing harbours, Uppada (East Godavari), Nizampatnam (Guntur), Machilipatnam (Krishna), and Juvvalpalem (Nellore) will be completed in the first phase, officials said.

Remaining five harbours will be taken in the second phase and will be completed in the specified timeline and tenders are to be finalized soon, officials said.

In the second phase, harbours will be coming up at Budagatlapalem (Srikakulam district), Pudimadaka (Visakhapatnam), Biyyaputhippa (West Godavari), Odarevu (Prakasam) and Kothapatnam (Prakasam).

Industries minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy, chief secretary Sameer Sharma, and other officials were present at the review meeting.

Make farmers aware of use of chemical-free fertilisers: PM to BJP workers from Varanasi

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Make farmers aware of use of chemical-free fertilisers: PM to BJP workers from Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday interacted with BJP workers from his parliamentary constituency Varanasi and urged them to make farmers aware of the use of chemical-free fertilisers.

In an audio interaction with BJP booth level workers, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the BJP’s commitment towards development. While interacting with party workers, he discussed several topics including, restoration of Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor, women empowerment, infrastructure, healthcare development and other issues.

Interacting with one of the BJP workers, Prime Minister Modi asked him to expand the reach of the government’s welfare schemes to farmers. The Prime Minister said, “They (workers) should make farmers aware of the use of chemical-free fertilisers.”

The Prime Minister, also, talked about the several central schemes which are benefiting the people of Kashi at large.Prime Minister Modi urged people to contribute to a section, Kamal Pushp, in his NaMo app that features some inspiring party members.

“The NaMo App has a very interesting section known as ‘Kamal Pushp’ that gives you the opportunity to share and know about inspiring party workers,” he said.

The Prime Minister further talked about the BJP’s special micro-donation campaign, seeking to raise funds through small contributions from its members and others.

It is learnt that about 10,000 BJP workers participated in the interaction. It will be the first interaction of the Prime Minister with the party workers after the announcement of Assembly poll dates in five states.

It will also be the first virtual address with the party workers after the Election Commission of India (ECI) banned physical rallies and road shows till January 15 while announcing the poll dates. On January 15, the ECI extended the ban on the physical rallies and road shows till January 22.

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls will be held in seven phases in February-March starting from February 10. Counting of votes will be held on March 10.

Work out revenue potential from tourism, handicrafts: Stalin to State Planning Commission

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Work out revenue potential from tourism, handicrafts: Stalin to State Planning Commission

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin on Tuesday urged the State Planning Commission to work out plans for the exchequer to earn revenue from tourism, handicrafts, small industries and others.

He also asked the Commission to come out with a detailed plan of action instead of merely making suggestions to the state government.

Addressing the meeting of the State Planning Commission here, Stalin said the state earns revenue mainly from document registration and excise duty.

Going beyond that, schemes have to be drafted to earn revenue from tourism, handicrafts, small industries and others, Stalin said.

He said industrial development should result in revenue and employment generation.

Stalin said the Commission members can travel, meet experts, industrialists and submit a detailed plan of action to the state government rather than merely making some suggestions.

The Chief Minister also said plans should be there so that the development happens equally across all regions in the state.

Chandrababu Naidu tests positive for Covid

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Chandrababu Naidu tests positive for Covid

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has tested positive for Covid-19.

The leader of opposition in Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Tuesday tweeted that he has tested positive.

He has isolated himself at his residence at Undavalli here.

“I’ve tested positive for COVID with mild symptoms. I have quarantined myself at home and taking all the necessary precautions,” he wrote.

Naidu requested those who came in contact with him to get themselves tested at the earliest.

The TDP chief tested positive a day after his son and party general secretary was found infected with Covid.

Lokesh revealed that he is asymptomatic and feeling fine but will be self-isolating until recovery.

“I request those who have come in contact with me to get tested at the earliest and take necessary precautions,” Lokesh said.

Meanwhile, another TDP leader and former minister Devineni Uma has also tested positive.

He tweeted that he has tested positive with mild symptoms and has quarantined himself at home.

BJP meet on Wednesday to finalise candidates for Assembly polls (10:00)

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BJP meet on Wednesday to finalise candidates for Assembly polls (10:00)

The BJP’s Central Election Committee (CEC) will meet on Wednesday to finalise candidates for Goa, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

Shortlisted names of the candidates recommended to the CEC have been already discussed by the top leadership with the state units.

Sources said that the meeting will be held on January 19 and names for Goa, and Uttarakhand are to be approved. “Names for a few more phases of Uttar Pradesh will be approved by the CEC,” sources said.

On Monday, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh BJP leaders discussed the shortlisted names with the Central leadership before the CEC. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior leaders from Uttar Pradesh discussed the shortlisted names for the state with Nadda, Shah and others.

The BJP central leadership also discussed the names of probable candidates for Punjab on Monday. Union minister and party election in-charge for Punjab Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, election co-in-charge Meenakshi Lekhi, national general secretary and state in-charge Dushyant Gautam, Punjab BJP president Ashwani Sharma were present in the meeting.

On Sunday, Goa and Uttarakhand BJP leaders met the central leadership and discussed the names recommended by the state units. BJP chief Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah discussed the shortlisted names for Uttarakhand and Goa with respective states units. Both the chief ministers — Pushkar Singh Dhami and Pramod Sawant — attended the meeting with their respective state leaders.

In its first meeting last week, the BJP CEC finalised candidates for 172 Assembly seats of Uttar Pradesh where polling will be held in the first three phases. The BJP, however, released the first list of 107 candidates for Uttar Pradesh.

Last Thursday, the BJP CEC meeting w

as held in a hybrid mode as few of the CEC members, including party chief Nadda, have tested positive for Covid-19. Nadda, however, recovered from infection and attended meetings on Monday at party headquarters.

In Uttar Pradesh, the Assembly polls will be held in seven phases in February-March starting from February 10, while Goa and Uttarakhand elections will be held on February 14, and in Manipur, it will also be in two phases — on February 27 and March 3. Punjab assembly polls will be held on February 20. Counting of votes will take place on March 10.

‘State of the World’ address: Modi to speak on India-centric issues

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‘State of the World’ address: Modi to speak on India-centric issues

It seems that the World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos virtual summit has already set an agenda for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is scheduled to deliver his special address on Monday evening at 8.30 p.m.

From Covid-19 putting pressure on the Indian healthcare system to India’s struggle with climate change, specially mentioning the Mumbai floods, Covid’s impact of Indian school children from the rural areas to new emerging mental health problems among the public, the WEF has already mentioned all in its India-centric reports.

“India recently announced the establishment of a National Hydrogen Mission. India’s ambitious five-part Panchamrit pledge to reach net zero by 2070 was one of the most important announcements at Glasgow,” read one recent WEF report on India, just three days before PM Modi’s ‘State of the World’ special address in Davos.

Nearly 40 per cent of the students in underprivileged households in India have not been studying during school closures, according to a new report.

Only 1-in-4 children in India have access to a digital device, and nearly half of the children in rural India have no means to study online.

As a result, India is experiencing a significant drop in literacy levels.

It’s feared that this could cause more children to drop out, says ‘This is how Covid-19 lockdowns affected India’s school children’ WEF referring to a report. which explained the impact of lockdown on the underprivileged school children.

On gender inequality, the WEF has already raised serious questions about the Indian government’s claims, saying the government and industry are bringing think-tanks, civil society, and community networks to support women merchants in India.

For example, affordable mobile data, public digital infrastructure, and entrepreneurial innovations are all measures which have increased the amount of digital payments, but there are still several barriers which are specific to women and one of the most important challenges to overcome is trust.

Citing an example of grocery stores in India, WEF says the 12 million kirana stores employ 45 million people and account for 95 per cent of the country’s Rs 35 trillion market for food and groceries. However, only 2 per cent of the kirana stores have been digitized so far. The rate is much lower for women and rural merchants.

The Davos Agenda 2022 is bringing together world leaders to address the ‘state of the world’.

Starting Monday, the week-long virtual event will feature heads of state and government, CEOs and other leaders discussing the critical challenges facing the world today and presenting their ideas on how to address them.

In addition to PM Modi, the world leaders delivering “State of the World” special addresses will include Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, US Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen, and Nigeria’s Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

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