16th Meeting of Building and Other Construction Workers (BoCW) Monitoring Committee Reviews Implementation of Social Security Schemes for BoCW

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The 16th Building & Other Construction Workers (BoCW) ‘Monitoring Committee Meeting,’ was chaired by Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Smt. Sumita Dawra, on 13th January 2025, in hybrid mode.

The meeting was attended by DG Labour Welfare, other senior officers of the Ministry, Additional Chief Secretary/ Principal Secretaries/ Labour Commissioners, of States/UTs, Secretaries of BoCW Welfare Boards, Central Welfare Commissioners, besides representatives from National Health Authority, and Department of Financial Services. More than 100 participants attended the meeting.Important issues related to (i) amendment to ‘Model Welfare Scheme’ for coverage of registered BoCW Workers under the central social security schemes such as PMJJBY/PMSBY/PM-JAY/PMSYM, (ii) construction of educational institutions/ schools from BoCW Cess Fund, (iii) BoCW data integration/on-boarding with eShram Portal, (iv) CAG Audit and Social Audit, (v) data submission on BoCW MIS Portal, (vii) automatic transfer of benefits to BoCW, etc. were discussed during the meeting.Secretary, Labour & Employment emphasised that the States/UTs take required steps for utilization of cess fund for extending coverage of social security to BoC workers.

It was noted that presently there are around 5.73 Cr workers registered with the BoCW Welfare Boards of various States & UTs across the country, and with the cumulative amount of balance funds available with the Boards as on 30th September 2024, there was ample availability of resources which may be judiciously utilised for the welfare of the BoC workers, duly focussing the uncovered population.

The Secretary, Labour & Employment highlighted, inter-alia, the urgent need for BoCW Welfare Boards to diligently work for providing social security by strengthening registration machinery, API integration of data of BoCW Boards with eShram by all States/ UTs, extending social security benefits to ensure 100% coverage like health, insurance, accidental benefits for all workers, besides leveraging technology to enhance the functioning of the Welfare Boards.Setting up of an effective grievance redressal mechanism, ensuring training of workers in safety measures and modern building techniques, timely payment of minimum wages, besides updation of data on the central MIS portal regarding coverage of BoCW under welfare schemes were emphasized.

During the meeting, Uttarakhand and Assam BOCW Welfare Boards highlighted the good practices of their respective Boards, as part of knowledge sharing.Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Smt Punya Salila Srivastava also participated in the meeting and made an intervention on eradication of Tuberculosis among the construction workers requesting the BoCW Welfare Boards to take part on intensifying the campaign of ‘Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ organized by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

In this context, Secretary, M/o L&E requested all State/UT Governments to organise health screenings for BoC workers including migrant workers on campaign mode.

 

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Registration for 8th edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha Concludes with a Record-Breaking over 3.5 Crore Applications

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Registration for 8th edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha Concludes with a Record-Breaking over 3.5 Crore Applications

Registration for the flagship initiative of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC), concluded with a record-breaking over 3.5 crore participation from students, teachers and parents. This is a nationwide movement to transform exam-related stress into a festival of learning and celebration. The 8th edition of PPC 2025 has set an unprecedented milestone in terms of registrations from students, teachers, and parents across India and abroad. This remarkable response underscores the growing resonance of the program as a true Jan Andolan.The online registration for PPC 2025 was hosted on the MyGov.in portal, from 14 December 2024 to 14 January 2025.

The program’s immense popularity highlights its success in addressing the mental well-being of students and fostering a positive outlook towards examinations.The interactive event, organized annually by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education, has become a much-anticipated celebration of education. The 7th edition of PPC in 2024 was held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, in a town hall format and received widespread acclaim.In line with the spirit of PPC, a series of engaging school-level activities commenced on 12 January 2025 (National Youth Day) and will continue till 23 January 2025 (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti).

The activities aim to foster holistic development and inspire students to celebrate examinations as an Utsav.Through these activities, PPC 2025 reinforces its message of resilience, positivity, and joy in learning, ensuring that education is celebrated as a journey rather than a pressure-driven task.

 

Tata Motors flags off electric buses for workforce transportation in Pantnagar; reiterates its commitment towards carbon neutrality

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Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, today flagged-off a fleet of electric buses dedicated for workforce transportation at its Pantnagar plant in Uttarakhand. These indigenously built, zero-emission buses are equipped with latest features, and powered by advanced battery systems. TML Smart City Mobility Solutions Limited (TSCMSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors, will facilitate this workforce commute with a modern fleet of Tata Ultra 9m electric buses.

Designed to provide a safe, comfortable and convenient commute, this e-bus service will reduce carbon footprint by providing clean and green transport to over 5,000 people and save ~1,100 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Electricity generated from a 16MW solar energy plant will charge the e-bus fleet, making the entire operation green from end-to-end.

Announcing the launch, Mr. Vishal Badshah, Vice President and Head – Operations, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said, “The introduction of electric buses for workforce commuting marks a significant step forward towards fulfilling Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles’ aspiration of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2045. We are committed to making all our manufacturing facilities green by integrating sustainability across their entire value chain – from sourcing to development and engineering to operations. 

I am delighted to launch this initiative in Pantnagar first as it adds to and acknowledges the successes of the facility’s myriad of sustainability initiatives. This plant is already a certified Zero Waste to Landfill facility and has also received water-positive certification by CII-GBC. The launch of a zero emission, e-fleet service creates another major milestone in the sustainability journey of the plant.”

Powered by a full-electric drivetrain, Tata Ultra EV 9m electric bus is equipped with smart features including regenerative braking system and Intelligent Transport Systems. This deployment builds upon Tata Motors’ remarkable success in India’s electric mass mobility segment, where the company has already deployed over 3,100 electric buses across 10 cities. These buses have cumulatively covered more than 24 crore kilometres with an uptime of over 95%, demonstrating reliability and efficiency of Tata Motors’ electric mass mobility solutions.

 

Union Minister Shri G Kishan Reddy Inaugurates Rooftop Solar Power Plant in GSITI Hyderabad

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Further Strengthening Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a cleaner and greener India, Union Minister for Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, inaugurated the Rooftop Solar Power Plant at the Geological Survey of India Training Institute (GSITI) in Hyderabad today. This event, held at the M. S. Krishnan Auditorium, represents a significant step forward in the institute’s commitment to promoting sustainable energy.

The new solar power plant is a significant step towards reducing GSITI’s carbon footprint while promoting renewable energy use within government institutions. It is expected to generate a substantial portion of the institute’s energy needs, contributing to India’s larger goal of increasing renewable energy’s share in the overall energy mix.

Inaugurating the Rooftop Solar Power Plant at GSITI, Hyderabad, Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy lauded the institute for its commitment to sustainable energy, stating, ‘This is a significant step towards environmental responsibility, energy efficiency, and sustainable development. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, India has emerged as a global leader in climate action, with initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana empowering households to harness solar energy. The 150-kilowatt rooftop solar plant at GSITI will meet 75% of the institute’s energy needs, saving Rs 30 lakh annually, and set a new standard for renewable energy use in public institutions.’

Shri S. D. Patbhaje, Additional Director General of the Geological Survey of India (Southern Region), addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of this project for sustainable development. Shri Eatala Rajender, Member of Parliament for Malkajgiri, also highlighted the critical role of renewable energy in national progress.

The event also featured a sapling plantation and the unveiling of an inaugural plaque for the solar plant, symbolizing GSITI’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Following the ceremony, the dignitaries toured the solar facility to learn about its technical features and benefits.

This solar power plant stands as a model for future government initiatives in renewable energy, showcasing GSITI’s role in supporting India’s sustainable energy future and advancing Prime Minister Modi’s vision of making India a global leader in clean energy.

Hon’ble Finance Minister has approved the upgradation of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

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Hon’ble Finance Minister has approved the upgradation of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to 14th #Maharatna CPSE. The proposal has earlier been recommended by Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) headed by Finance Secretary and Apex Committee headed by Cabinet Secretary.  HAL is a Department of Defence Production (DoDP) CPSE with an annual turn over of Rs. 28162 crore and net profit of Rs. 7595 crore for FY 2023-24.


Himachal Pradesh Police is organising the 11th HP Police Half Marathon

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The global drug problem presents a multifaceted challenge that touches the lives of millions worldwide. From individuals struggling with substance use disorders to communities grappling with the consequences of drug trafficking and organized crime, the impact of drugs is far-reaching and complex.

Taking this drive forward, Himachal Pradesh Police is organising the 11th HP Police Half Marathon on 29th Sept, 2024.

Together, let us amplify our efforts to combat the global drug problem, guided by the principles of science, compassion, and solidarity. Through collective action and a commitment to evidence based solutions, we can create a world where individuals are empowered to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

Shri Piyush Goyal inaugurates Invest India’s Singapore Office

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Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal today inaugurated Invest India’s new office in Singapore. Today’s office inauguration comes after India’s Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced setting up of an Invest India office in Singapore during his visit to the country on September 4th and 5th, 2024. The Singapore Office is Invest India’s first overseas office. This significant move reinforces India’s commitment to deepening investment partnerships and making it easier for global investors to engage with India. The Singapore office will serve as a dedicated point of contact for companies from the region looking to invest in India, fostering collaboration across sectors.

Speaking at the event, Minister Goyal emphasised, “Singapore is a key strategic partner for India, and this office marks a new chapter in our efforts to strengthen economic cooperation with Singapore and the broader ASEAN region. We plan to open more overseas Invest India offices in the coming months with an aim to provide global investors seamless access to India’s dynamic and growing economy.”

FSSAI sign MoU with Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in the area of food safety

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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) signed an MoU with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) of Brazil on the sidelines of Global Food Regulators Summit, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, yesterday. 

The MoU starts a new phase of cooperation aimed at improving food safety through joint projects and technical collaboration. It was signed by Mr. Carlos Henrique Baqueta Fávaro, Agriculture and Livestock Minister, Brazil and counter signed by Shri G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO of FSSAI.

Shri G. Kamala Vardhana Rao said, “Signing this MoU demonstrates our dedication to food safety and signifies a major advancement in our ongoing efforts to enhance international collaboration in food safety.  We are eager to work with MAPA to achieve our common goals and enhance food safety in both countries.”

The representative from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil added “The signing of the MoU marks a milestone in the bilateral relations between the two countries in the field of food safety, allowing for technical cooperation and exchange of experience and knowledge with the aim of strengthening the institutional collaboration and pursuing joint initiatives.”

Both FSSAI and MAPA are committed to fostering a mutually beneficial and productive partnership.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah will attend the 54th Foundation Day celebrations of BPR&D

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Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah will attend the 54th Foundation Day celebrations of BPR&D as Chief Guest on Wednesday, 28th August, 2024 in New Delhi

On the occasion, the Home Minister will deliver the Dr. Anand Swaroop Gupta Memorial Lecture on “New Criminal Law – Citizen Centric Reforms.” Shri Amit Shah will also honour the recipients of the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and President’s Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) for the years 2023 and 2024. During the function, the Home Minister will also release a special edition of the Bureau’s publication “Indian Police Journal” on new criminal laws.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, BPR&D is committed to transform the Indian Police Forces into SMART forces to successfully meet the challenges of policing as well as internal security by equipping them with the necessary intellectual, physical and organizational resources.

Since its inception in the year 1970, BPR&D has been serving as the think tank of the Indian Police to foster excellence in policing in Research and Development. The focus of the institute is to develop policies and procedures for police and correctional services, explore ushering technologies for enhanced service delivery to the citizens, capacity building of law enforcement agencies, promote cooperation and coordination between states and central police organizations.

The inauguration ceremony will be attended by Union Home Secretary Shri Govind Mohan, Director General of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Heads of central police organizations as well as senior officials of Home Ministry and other departments.