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BJP-Led Central Government Denies Special Category Status for Bihar

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News on Governance 8 ArdorComm Media Group BJP-Led Central Government Denies Special Category Status for Bihar

The BJP-led central government has rejected the demand for special category status for Bihar, a request made by its ally JD(U). This decision will also affect a similar demand from another ally, the TDP, for Andhra Pradesh. Junior Finance Minister Pankaj Chaudhary communicated the government’s stance in a written reply to JD(U) MP Rampreet Mandal. Chaudhary explained that the term “special category” was a concept used by the now-defunct Planning Commission, and states have since benefited from special packages instead. The rejection of special category status, though significant due to the importance of JD(U) and TDP’s Lok Sabha numbers for the Modi government, was anticipated and is based on the 14th Finance Commission’s recommendation. The Commission had suggested ending the special category status scheme, which provided incentives like tax concessions to industries in backward states, in favor of increasing the devolution of central funds to states from 32% to 42%. Both TDP and JD(U) seem to have considered this outcome in their political strategies. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu has shifted his focus towards securing central assistance for specific projects such as the development of Amaravati as a new capital and the Polavaram dam project. At a recent all-party meeting, TDP representative Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu did not raise the issue of special category status, which reportedly annoyed the Congress. Meanwhile, JD(U) working president and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Jha reiterated Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s demand for special category status during the same meeting but also showed understanding for the central government’s stance, indicating the party might settle for central assistance in managing floods. The decision sparked political reactions, with Lalu Prasad’s RJD taunting JD(U). “Nitish Kumar assured special status for Bihar. Since the Centre has refused, he should resign immediately,” said Lalu. In response, Union Minister Giriraj Singh pointed out that Lalu remained silent when the UPA denied special category status to Bihar, suggesting that the current criticism was hypocritical. Pankaj Chaudhary, in his written reply, explained that special category status was previously granted by the National Development Council (NDC) to states with certain characteristics, such as hilly terrain, low population density, significant tribal populations, strategic border locations, economic and infrastructural backwardness, and non-viable state finances. The decision to grant special status was based on a thorough consideration of these factors and the unique situation of each state. LJP (RV) MP Shambhavi Choudhary added that while the term “special status” ceased to exist after the formation of Niti Aayog, states have continued to receive special packages to accelerate development.

UP Govt Allocates ₹25 Crore for Repair Work of GIMS Hospital

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News on Governancea ArdorComm Media Group UP Govt Allocates ₹25 Crore for Repair Work of GIMS Hospital

The Uttar Pradesh government has allotted ₹25 crore to rebuild the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Greater Noida, state health authorities said on Thursday. GIMS, one of the largest government medical facilities in western Uttar Pradesh, is plagued by structural flaws in its foundation, which cause it to flood, authorities said. The institute, which covers 15 acres in Greater Noida’s Kasna district, began to develop fractures as a result of the pouring water. As a result, the administration has left a large portion of the basement unfinished. The Uttar Pradesh cabinet met earlier in June and authorised the allotment of cash for GIMS repairs. Apart from that, the cabinet accepted a plan to transfer ownership of the 500-bed government hospital from the Greater Noida administration to GIMS. The government hospital, built in 2011 by the Greater Noida council, was affiliated to GIMS, which was founded in 2016. Despite its affiliation with GIMS, the hospital was formerly overseen by the Greater Noida administration. Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma, senior secretary of the health and family welfare department, gave orders to GIMS and other agencies on July 14 to carry out the necessary repairs, authorities said on Thursday. “The governor approved the work to strengthen the basement of the GIMS hospital building in Greater Noida.” The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) will finish the Finance Expenditure Committee’s project at a cost of Rs. 25.48 crore, according to the letter signed by Sharma and copied to GIMS and Greater Noida. According to GIMS director Dr. (Brig) Rakesh Gupta, structural issues in the basement pose a significant risk to the five-story hospital structure, which sees thousands of patients every day for treatment. “Since 2019, we have been pleading with the state government to raise awareness of the problem, provide funding for repairs, and pick a company to do the work.

Maharashtra Government Launches ‘Laadla Bhai Yojna’: Offers Rs 6,000 Monthly to 12th Pass Youths

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News on Governance 7 ArdorComm Media Group Maharashtra Government Launches ‘Laadla Bhai Yojna’: Offers Rs 6,000 Monthly to 12th Pass Youths

The Maharashtra government has introduced a new scheme called ‘Laadla Bhai Yojna’. Under this initiative, male students who have completed their 12th grade will receive Rs 6,000 monthly. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde unveiled the initiative in Pandharpur on Tuesday, ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Diploma holders will receive Rs 8,000 monthly, while graduates will receive Rs 10,000. The scheme, officially named Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana, aims to address industry manpower needs while providing employment opportunities. Previously, the Maharashtra government launched the ‘Ladli Behna’ scheme, offering Rs 1,500 monthly to economically disadvantaged women aged 21 to 60. Finance Minister Ajit Pawar announced the provision of Rs 46,000 crore for this initiative. Ajit Pawar also announced relief measures for farmers, including the waiver of electricity bills for irrigation pumps. Soybean and cotton farmers facing lower-than-expected prices will receive compensation of Rs 5,000 per hectare, up to two hectares. During the elections, farmers expressed discontent over various issues, such as delays in lifting the onion export ban, which severely affected their earnings. In the budget, the government also pledged free education for female students, aiming to enhance female literacy and empowerment.

Gujarat Government Announces Rollback of Decision to Increase MBBS Fee in Medical Colleges, Details Here

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News on Governance 6 ArdorComm Media Group Gujarat Government Announces Rollback of Decision to Increase MBBS Fee in Medical Colleges, Details Here

The Gujarat government has announced a rollback of its recent decision to significantly increase fees for MBBS courses in medical colleges run by the Gujarat Medical Education and Research Society (GMERS). This move comes in response to widespread protests across the state against the steep fee hike. State government spokesperson and health minister Rushikesh Patel made the announcement, assuring that a new circular with revised fees for the 13 GMERS medical colleges will be issued soon. Speaking to media persons in Gandhinagar, Patel emphasized that the government is committed to making decisions in the best interests of students and urged families to remain calm as they work on providing fee benefits through various schemes. The rollback decision follows intense pressure from multiple quarters, including students, parents’ associations, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), and political opposition. The Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) had taken a strong stance against the fee hike, with state Congress president Shaktisinh Gohil threatening protests at all levels if the increase was not reversed. The original fee hike, announced on June 28, had raised annual fees for state and all-India quota seats by 66% from ₹3.3 lakh to ₹5.5 lakh. Management quota fees saw an even steeper increase of 87%, from ₹9.07 lakh to ₹17 lakh, while NRI quota fees were bumped up by 13% from $22,000 to $25,000 per annum. Critics argued that such substantial increases contradicted GMERS’s original mission of providing affordable medical education and strengthening Gujarat’s healthcare sector. The IMA’s Gujarat chapter had written to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, expressing concern that the fee hike would make medical education nearly impossible for poor and middle-class students. GMERS, established 14 years ago, operates 13 medical colleges across the state with a total of 2,100 seats. Of these, 75% are reserved for the state quota, 10% for the management quota, and 15% for the NRI quota, with 75 seats allocated to the all-India quota. This is not the first time GMERS has faced backlash over fee increases. In 2023, a similar hike was retracted following protests.

Assam Declares Special Leaves for Govt Employees to Spend Time with Parents, In-Laws

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News on Governance 5 ArdorComm Media Group Assam Declares Special Leaves for Govt Employees to Spend Time with Parents, In-Laws

The Assam government has announced two days of special casual leaves for state government employees to spend time with their parents or parents-in-law. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) declared these leaves on November 6 and 8 through a post on the social media platform ‘X’. However, the special leaves are not available for employees without living parents, and they cannot be used for personal leisure, as reported by PTI. The post emphasized, “This leave must be used solely for spending time with ageing parents or parents-in-law to honour, respect, and care for them, and not for personal enjoyment.” Government employees in essential services can avail the leave in a phased manner. The Assam Chief Minister’s post underscored the importance of parental blessings and the responsibility of ensuring the well-being of one’s parents. The CMO clarified that these leaves could be combined with other holidays such as Chhat Puja on November 7, the second Saturday holiday on November 9, and Sunday on November 10, providing an extended break for employees. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma initially announced these special casual leaves for spending time with parents and parents-in-law during his first Independence Day speech after taking office in 2021. In addition, on Wednesday, the Assam government introduced a 180-day Child Adoption Leave policy for all women working in state government departments. This decision aligns with Rule 43-B of the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, as reported by HT.

Karnataka Government Considering Six Locations for Second Airport for Bengaluru: Industries Minister M.B. Patil

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News on Governance 4 ArdorComm Media Group Karnataka Government Considering Six Locations for Second Airport for Bengaluru: Industries Minister M.B. Patil

The Karnataka government is exploring six potential locations for a new international airport to be built within 60 kilometers of the existing Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Devanahalli. This new airport is aimed to be as large as KIA and capable of handling 100 million passengers per annum. The identified locations include Kanakpura Road, Mysore Road, Magadi, Doddaballapura, Dabaspete, and Tumakuru. Land Acquisition and Capacity Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development Minister M.B. Patil stated that the government will need to acquire 3,000 to 5,000 acres of land for the new airport. The project aligns with the exclusivity clause availed by Bangalore International Airport Limited, which stipulates that no international airport should be allowed within a 150 km radius of KIA until 2035. The new airport is expected to be operational by 2035, by which time KIA’s passenger handling capacity is anticipated to be saturated. The cargo handling capacity at KIA is expected to reach its limit by 2040. Selection Criteria A special committee comprising aviation industry experts will soon meet to evaluate the proposed sites. The selection criteria include good road, rail, and metro connectivity, minimal population settlements, few water bodies, low green cover, and non-agricultural land without significant elevation or mountains. Minister’s Statement Minister M.B. Patil, responding to media queries at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on July 10, mentioned that a plan for the new airport will be ready within the next three months. “Things will move in a few months. A plan will be ready in the next three months,” he said. Response to Tamil Nadu’s Plans Regarding Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s announcement to set up an airport in Hosur, which is adjacent to Bengaluru, Minister Patil noted that Tamil Nadu’s decision came after Karnataka’s announcement of a second international airport. He assured that Tamil Nadu’s plans would not affect Karnataka’s project. Future Discussions Minister Patil also mentioned plans to meet with Union Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to discuss the state’s industrial development plans, further emphasizing the importance of the new airport for Karnataka’s infrastructure and economic growth.

Maharashtra Govt Announces Free Higher Education for EWS, SEBC, OBC Girls in State

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News on Governance 3 ArdorComm Media Group Maharashtra Govt Announces Free Higher Education for EWS, SEBC, OBC Girls in State

In a significant move ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, the Maharashtra government announced on Monday that higher education for girls from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) will be made free. According to officials, this initiative is part of a broader women-focused policy. The decision, which also includes waiving tuition and examination fees for orphaned students regardless of gender, was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The policy change was formalized through a government resolution (GR). Rs 906 Crore Aid for Female Students The decision will be implemented from the academic year 2024-25 and is expected to cost Rs 906 crore. A GR stated that female students seeking admission to recognized vocational courses through the Centralised Admission Process in government colleges, aided private colleges, semi-aided private colleges, non-aided colleges, polytechnic, and autonomous government universities, and open universities can avail the facility. Wide Range of Courses Covered, Specific Eligibility Criteria Outlined These include courses run by departments such as higher and technical education, medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, animal husbandry, pisciculture, and dairy development. However, students from private autonomous universities/self-funded universities, and those enrolling through management and institutional quotas will not be eligible for the scheme. The GR said female students whose annual family income is Rs 8 lakh or less and who are from EWS, SEBC, and OBC are eligible for the fee waiver. New admissions as well as students currently pursuing their degrees will also be eligible for the scheme. Opposition Questions Funding for New Schemes In the state budget, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced several initiatives including Mukhyamantri Annapoorna Yojana (aimed at giving three free cylinders to women), Mukhyamantri Yuva Karyaprashikshan Yojana, Mukhyamantri Krishi Pump Yojana, Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (eligible women in the age group 21 to 60 years will get a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500), and a scheme to provide free education to women. The opposition has questioned the source of funding for these schemes and claimed they are aimed to woo women voters ahead of the state assembly polls. However, Chief Minister Shinde has stressed that monetary provisions have been made for the schemes and the initiatives will be permanent.

Government Issues High Severity Warning for Google ChromeOS

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News on Governance 2 ArdorComm Media Group Government Issues High Severity Warning for Google ChromeOS

CERT-In warns of high severity Google ChromeOS vulnerabilities, urging users to update to version 120.0.6099.315 in the LTS channel to prevent arbitrary code execution through malicious web pages. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued a high severity warning for Google ChromeOS. As per the government body, multiple vulnerabilities exist in the ChromeOS which can be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system. For those unaware, CERT-In is the nodal agency for responding to major computer security incidents in the country. It works under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. What the advisory says? The advisory issued on July 1 states that multiple vulnerabilities have been reported in the LTS channel for ChromeOS which could be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system. LTS channel for Google ChromeOS versions prior to 120.0.6099.315 (Platform Version: 15662.112) are affected. These vulnerabilities, the cyber watchdog says, exist in Google Chrome OS due to Heap buffer overflow in WebRTC and Use after free in Media Session. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by persuading a victim to visit a specially crafted web page, it states. What should Google Chrome users do? CERT-In has advised users to apply appropriate updates released by Google. In a blog post, the company said that the LTS-120 is being updated in the LTS (Long Term Support) channel, version 120.0.6099.315 (Platform Version: 15662.112), for most ChromeOS devices. The update brings fixes for both issues- Heap buffer overflow in WebRTC and Use after free in Media Session, as mentioned above.  

 Govt of India Rights Over Cantonment Lands to be Retained

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News on Governance 1 ArdorComm Media Group  Govt of India Rights Over Cantonment Lands to be Retained

The Government of India will retain ownership rights over lands within cantonment areas, according to a new order from the Director General of Defence Estates (DGDE). This order, communicated by Southern Command Deputy Director Hemant Yadav on June 28, directs the chief executive officers of cantonment boards to ensure that these rights are maintained. The order outlines the broad guidelines for excising civilian areas from cantonments and merging them with adjoining municipalities. It specifies that proprietary rights over assets meant for civic amenities and municipal services in the excised areas will be transferred to the state government free of cost. Furthermore, the municipal cover over leased and old grant properties in the excised areas will also be transferred to state municipalities. Security concerns of the armed forces will remain a priority during the segregation process. “The CEOs are directed to liaise with state government officials and appraise the status mentioned in the minutes of the meeting and clarify doubts in consultation with the president of cantonment boards and Local Military Authorities,” Yadav said. The Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) has already proposed the excision of 246.8 acres of civilian area to be merged with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). PCB CEO Subrat Pal submitted a 45-page draft proposal report to the Maharashtra state chief secretary, Dr. Nitin Kareer, on March 6, detailing the precise excision of notified civilian areas from the original cantonment board jurisdiction.

Tamil Nadu Government to Fill 75,000 Vacancies in 18 Months

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News on Governance 6 ArdorComm Media Group Tamil Nadu Government to Fill 75,000 Vacancies in 18 Months

The Tamil Nadu government has announced plans to fill over 75,000 vacancies in various government departments within the next 18 months. In a statement made in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said that the government will fulfill these vacancies through several recruitment boards. Specifically, 17,595 vacancies will be filled through the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC), 19,260 vacancies through the Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB), 3,041 vacancies through the Medical Services Recruitment Board, and 6,688 vacancies through the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board. Additionally, the government will fill 30,219 vacancies in the Social Welfare Department, Municipal Administration Department, Water Supply Board, and other important departments. The Chief Minister also highlighted that over the past three years, the DMK government has secured 5,08,055 jobs for young people in the state. This move is seen as a significant effort by the Tamil Nadu government to create employment opportunities and address the issue of vacancies in various government departments. The 18-month timeline set by the government suggests a sense of urgency in filling these positions, likely with an eye on the upcoming state assembly elections.