Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh today inaugurated various facilities worth Rs 120 Crore at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute ( THSTI), Faridabad, Haryana.

Delivering the Presidential address after the inauguration of facilities including a Medical Research Centre which will be a 50 bedded hospital and will have facilities for conducting clinical research such as observational cohort studies and phase 1 & phase 2 clinical trials, Dr Jitendra Singh said, kind of research happening here has drawn international acclaim.

Dr Jitendra Singh was happy to note that COVID vaccine trials happened in the THTSI labs under partnership with WHO and pointed that it was the 1^st Lab in India to culture Omicron virus.

Dr Jitendra Singh added that India did extremely well during the covid-19 pandemic as it developed own vaccines and provided over 2 billion doses to our people. He said, India also provided excellent medical care and the mortality in India due to covid-19 was among the lowest in the world and for this congratulated THSTI scientists for their excellent science and support for vaccine research and development both to academia and industry.

Dr Jitendra Singh informed that THSTI is one of the top institutes under DBT and this institute has done extremely well in many areas of research such as mother and child health, vaccine development, therapeutic molecules against tuberculosis and dengue and newer diagnostic tools. It has world class facilities such as BSL-3 lab, experimental animal facility, a large biorepository and state of the art modern equipment for molecular research, the Minister added.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, Biotechnology is at the core of vaccine, diagnostics and therapeutic development in a cost-effective manner. He also pointed out that the Biotech Industry has grown from 6 billion dollars to 80 billion dollars currently through the efforts of our research institutions, entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Secretary, DBT, Dr Rajesh Gokhale in his address said that THSTI is a young institute but it has done major contribution in the area of health care in India and particularly during the pandemic. He said that Resources, People and Ethos, what make an Institute a Distinct One and the THSTI has all the elements in it. Calling for making Research a Passion, Dr Gokhale said, in the last decade the Institute has made an international mark.

Dr Pramod Kumar Garg, Executive Director of THSTI said in his address that the scientists are committed to develop world class vaccines and prodiucts and in future if there will be a need Human Challenge Model will be adopted. He urged the Union Minister to look into the issue of filling fore vacancies as there is shortage of faculty.

The department of Biotechnology has 14 autonomous institutions across the country which are engaged in various aspects of human health research and agriculture.

The research done at THSTI with regard to durability of immunity to vaccination and natural infection informed national policy.

The Ministry of Science and Technology is committed to further enhance our research prowess and place India among the top Science and Technology countries in the world. The collective effort and brilliance of our scientists will definitely contribute significantly towards our honorable Prime Minister’s vision of make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Lee Hsien Loong participated in the virtual launch of real time payment linkage between the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India and PayNow of Singapore. Shri Shaktikanta Das, Governor of Reserve Bank of India and Mr. Ravi Menon, Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore made live cross-border transactions to each other using their respective mobile phones.

Singapore is the first country with which cross border Person to Person (P2P) payment facility has been launched. This will help the Indian diaspora in Singapore, especially migrant workers/students and bring the benefits of digitalisation and FINTECH to the common man through instantaneous and low-cost transfer of money from Singapore to India and vice-versa. Acceptance of UPI payments through QR codes is already available in selected merchant outlets in Singapore.

The virtual launch was preceded by a phone call between the two Prime Ministers, wherein discussions were held on areas of mutual interest. Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Lee for his partnership in taking the India-Singapore relationship forward and looked forward to working with him under India’s G20 Presidency.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a telephonic conversation with UK Secretary of State for Defence Mr Ben Wallace on February 21, 2023. The conversation was cordial, positive and focused on future growth of the bilateral defence relationship. Both Ministers discussed a wide range of defence and security issues, including regional developments and the Indo-Pacific.

The Ministers briefly reviewed their ongoing defence cooperation and expressed satisfaction at their bilateral military-to-military engagements. They also discussed ways to enhance defence industrial cooperation and identified a few potential areas of cooperation. The Raksha Mantri suggested that UK companies should become part of India’s growth story and participate in co-development and co-production in India.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said, the Troika of Space, Drone and Geospatial Policy will propel India as a pre-eminent Technological Power in a few Years from now.

Addressing a National Conference on “Geospatial Policy for National Development” in Delhi, Dr Jitendra Singh said, unlocking of the Space sector for private participation in June 2020, issue of Liberalized Guidelines for Geospatial Data in February 2021 and final approval of Geospatial Policy in December 2022 and Liberalized Drone Rules, followed by Drone Amendment Rules-2022 notified by Ministry of Civil Aviation, all these transformative, game changer decisions came during the 2^nd stint of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after May, 2019.

Dwelling on Geospatial Policy, Dr Jitendra Singh said, this technology is going to be an instrument of change in 21^st Century India as apart from huge revenue generation potential, it will also open huge employment opportunities. He said, as per one industry estimate, Indian Geospatial economy in 2021 employed approximately 5 Lakh people across the country spread across the domestic market (including user industries, government services and export services) which is expected to rise over 10 lakhs by 2025.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is on the cusp of Geospatial Revolution and a healthy synergy among Government, Industry and Scientific Community will tremendously boost up economic output and would help India becoming a 10 trillion Dollar Economy by 2030. He added that Geospatial information has an important role to play in the sectors like agriculture, environment protection, power, water, transportation, communication and health etc.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, the role of private sector would be very crucial in strengthening the Geospatial infrastructure of the nation and added that actual collection and collation of data and development of data themes have to be increasingly done with private sector participation consistent with Geospatial Guidelines. He emphasized that the needs and requirements of the citizens related to various Geospatial/location-based solutions have to be predominantly serviced by the private sector with SoI and nodal ministries & agencies of various Geospatial Data Themes in a facilitative role. The Private Sector has to play a key role in creation and maintenance of Geospatial and mapping Infrastructures, innovations and process improvements and monetization of Geospatial data, the Minister added.

Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr Chandrasekhar said in his address that the Survey of India will provide the baseline for collection and collation of Data by the private sector for strengthening the Geospatial Infrastructure. He hoped that in coming years more and more Start-Ups will mushroom in this sector, thus opening floodgates of job opportunities. He also underlined that in the next 10 years this sector will be a boomer.

Secretary, DoS, Dr S.Somanath said that with New Generation taking over, Geospatial will be an important arm for converting India into Digital India in various sectors. Referring to the Brainstorming Session convened by Prime Minister in 2015 with ISRO and Line Ministries in Vigyan Bhawan, he said, that meeting was a turning point and today every Ministry/Department of the Central Government has at least one Space Project.

Dr Somanath said, after Space and Drone policies, Geospatial will help in Grand Realization of Transforming India into a Digital Economy.

Shri R.S.Sharma,former Secretary to the Government of India and newly appointed Chairman of Geospatial Data Promotion and Development Committee (GDPDC) said, Geospatial Policy enables both the Government and Private sector to work in harmony to help India emerge as a true World Power. He said, any technology including Geospatial must be Inclusive, Open( based on API). Cost effective and bring Ease of Living for common man.

Sunil Kumar, Joint Secretary in Ministry of Science and Technology in his welcome address said that Geospatial technology has applications in almost every domain of the economy ranging from agriculture to industries, development of urban or rural infrastructure, administration of land, economic activities of banking and finance, resources, mining, water, disaster management, social planning, delivery services, etc. He said, Geospatial data is now widely accepted as a critical national infrastructure and information resource with proven societal, economic, and environmental value that enables government systems and services, and sustainable national development initiatives, to be integrated using location as a common reference frame.

Some of the important applications of Geospatial Policy-

Digital India Land Resources Modernization Program (DILRMP) of the Ministry of Rural Development has led to creation of huge spatial data with sizeable number of cadastral maps digitized and geo-referenced. India’s leading programme ‘Namami Gange’ uses geospatial technologies for river basin management and regulating the proposed protected and regulatory zones along the banks of the river.

Under the SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the large scale mapping of rural inhabited areas has created durable records of village property holdings which will support comprehensive village level planning.

The urban geospatial database prepared under AMRUT has enabled the State Urban Local Bodies to prepare their city Master Plans and facilitated the development of sectoral plans, infrastructure planning, utility planning, eco-sensitive areas protection & management, encroachment monitoring, geospatial governance, and municipal applications.

PM GatiShakti National Master Plan has been launched by the Government to prosper economic growth and sustainable development of India by providing multimodal connectivity infrastructure to various economic zones. The plan has been developed as a Digital Master Planning tool and prepared in dynamic Geographic Information System (GIS) platform wherein data on specific action plan of all the Ministries/Departments have been incorporated within a comprehensive database. Dynamic mapping of all infrastructure projects with real- time updation will be provided by way of a map developed by BISAG-N. The map will be built on open-source technologies and hosted securely on MEGHRAJ. It will use satellite imagery available from ISRO and base maps from Survey of India. The comprehensive database of the ongoing & future projects of various Ministries has been integrated with 200+ GIS layers thereby facilitating planning, designing and execution of the infrastructure projects with a common vision.

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal said that there is a need to issue Quality Control Orders (QCOs) across sectors in the electrical industry.

He was addressing the gathering at the 15th edition of ELECRAMA, themed ‘Reimagining Energy for Sustainable Future’, organized by the Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers’ Association (IEEMA) in Greater Noida today. ELECRAMA is the flagship showcase of the Indian Electrical Industry ecosystem and the largest standalone show in the electrical and allied equipment arena.

He sought the industry’s support in implementing QCOs.  ‘Quality control orders will help us save the industry from unfair competition from non-transparent economies which are pumping low quality goods and sub optimal goods into the country’, he stressed. He urged larger companies to support and handhold smaller companies to develop quality consciousness by making them realize that quality would help them grow, get better markets and better prices. He also asked IEEMA to run campaigns to help people understand the importance of quality products and their role in boosting sustainability, energy efficiency and conservation.

The Minister applauded the electrical industry for having achieved USD 10 billion worth of exports and their target of achieving exports worth USD 25 billion dollars in next five years. ‘But we have to achieve more’, he said. He asked IEEMA to strive to make ELECRAMA an unbeatable exhibition.

Shri Goyal said that the electrical industry has certainly made India proud globally. He asked that we conduct exhibitions not only in developing countries but also in the developed part of the world. He said that FTAs with UAE and Australia must be leveraged to take such exhibitions to these nations and suggested that exhibitions also be held in Europe and US. ‘We should go straight into the big markets and showcase our presence and world class quality standards globally and make it known that India can be a reliable and trusted partner in all their energy needs and in their energy efficiency and transition programs’ he noted. The Minister also asked IEEMA to take smaller editions of ELECRAMA to the state and regional levels.

Shri Goyal underscored that after the pandemic the world had realized the importance of working with trusted partners and reliable supply chains. He said that India offered transparency, integrity, honesty and rule of law that the world was looking for. ‘We must use this golden opportunity and make it count’, he said.

The Minister noted that the whole world was now looking upto India and Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership. He said that India’s leadership in the G20 had given us an opportunity to engage with businesses all across the world through forums such as B20, Startup 20 and Trade and Investment Working Groups. He highlighted that India had ambitious goals as a nation in the Amrit Kaal, as articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi; to become a developed nation, to take development and prosperity to every single citizen of the country.  The electrical Industry has a very important role to play in achieving this goal, he added.

Pointing out that, the government’s efforts to make sure that every Indian has a good home had resulted in the construction of over 35 million homes, the Minister said that the fulfillment of these basic needs of life by the government had effectively raised the aspirations of people. He noted that a TV or smartphone is not a luxury but a necessity. ‘Digital technology exposed our youth to the better things of life, thus opening up huge opportunities for both the nation and the electrical industry’, he said.

Shri Goyal highlighted the government’s success in taking electricity connections to the remotest corners of the country. ‘Electricity transforms lives, making it easier and more efficient and this is one industry where we have a domestic quality strength’, he said.

The Minister spoke of India’s huge success in nurturing a domestic LED lighting industry and achieving a rapid shift from incandescent to LED bulbs and said that India had significantly brought down Carbon emissions, contributing significantly to India’s net zero emissions goal by 2070 and our effort to have 500 GW of clean and renewable energy in the days to come by 2030. ‘These efforts open up huge opportunities for the electrical industry and the electricity sector is such that the entire value chain has so many different elements that each company has huge potential going forward:’ he added.

Shri Goyal noted that the Amrit Kaal Budget has given big boost to green goals and circular economy. He said that the goal to transition to green and sustainable products and practices was one of the ‘saptarshis’ or the seven goals of the Amrit Kaal budget.  He added that there is a need to make energy efficiency and sustainability a movement and motivate our children to conserve energy. The Minister said that we needed to work as a team to address the needs of not only India but those of the world at large.

The Minister stated that solar energy is the biggest source of clean and sustainable energy available to India. He asked the electrical industry to strive to harness it to the best possible extent and create a huge storage capacity which would in turn would help popularize Electric vehicles in India. A robust ecosystem for electric vehicles would in turn boost solar energy initiatives, he said. He asked the electrical industry to Invest in electrical vehicles, helping make electric mobility a pathway to sustainability, reducing dependence on fossil fuels which are bad for the economy as well as the environment. He also asked them to work to create better electrical products and energy efficient transmission and distribution infrastructure to maximize conservation.

Paddy procurement for KMS 2022-23 (Kharif crop) is progressing smoothlywith purchase of over702LMT of paddy upto 20.02.2023.Over 96 Lakh farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement operations with MSP outflow of Rs. 1,45,845crores with transfer of payment directly into farmers’ account.

All arrangements are in place for hassle-free procurement operations.Rice delivery against the procured paddyis around 218 LMT in the Central Pool upto 20.02.2023. Adequate rice stock is currently available in the Central Pool for meeting the requirements of the country.

For Kharif crop of current KMS 2022-23, a quantity of 765.43 LMT Paddy (514 LMT in terms of Rice) has been estimated to be procured as against 749 LMT Paddy (503 LMT in terms of Rice) actually procured during last KMS 2021-22 (Kharif Crop).

The estimated procurement of Paddy for Rabi crop of KMS 2022-23 is going to be finalized in the forthcoming Food Secretaries’ meeting to be held on 01.03.2023. With the inclusion of Rabi crop, it is expected that around 900 LMT paddy may be procured during the entire KMS 2022-23.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Uttarakhand Rozgar Mela via video message today.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister highlighted that today marks a new beginning for those who got their appointment letters and said that it is not just a life-changing opportunity but a medium for holistic change. Highlighting the new experiments taking place in the country in the educational sector, the Prime Minister noted that most appointees would be serving in the field of education. “The new National Education Policy prepares the youth of India for the new century”, the Prime Minister remarked as he laid down the responsibility enshrined upon the youth of Uttarakhand to take this resolution forward.

The Prime Minister highlighted the constant endeavor of the central and Uttarakhand government that every youth gets new opportunities based on their interest while getting access to the right medium to move forward. He said that the recruitment campaign in government services is also a step taken in this direction. The Prime Minister noted that lakhs of youth in the country have received their appointment letters from the Central Government in the last few months and expressed delight that Uttarakhand has become part of it. He informed that such recruitment campaigns are taking place all over the country in BJP-ruled states and union territories on a large scale. “I am happy that today Uttarakhand is becoming a part of it”, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister stressed breaking free from the old adage that the water and youth of the mountains are of no use to the mountains themselves. “It is the constant endeavor of the central government that the youth of Uttarakhand return to their villages”, the Prime Minister highlighted the new employment and self-employment opportunities being created in the mountainous regions. Throwing light on the investments in infrastructural development in Uttarakhand, the Prime Minister said that the laying of new roads and rail lines is not only boosting connectivity but also creating many employment opportunities. The Prime Minister said that job opportunities are getting a boost everywhere and gave examples of construction workers, engineers, raw material industries and shops. He also noted the new opportunities being created due to an increase in demand in the transport sector. The Prime Minister pointed out that earlier the youth from rural areas of Uttarakhand had to travel to big cities for employment but today, thousands of youths are working in common service centers providing internet and digital services in villages.

The Prime Minister underlined that the tourism sector in Uttarakhand is expanding as a result of far-flung areas being connected by road, rail and internet and said that new tourist places are coming up on the tourism map. Due to this, the Prime Minister said, the youth of Uttarakhand are now getting the same employment opportunities near their homes instead of traveling to big cities. The Prime Minister highlighted that the Mudra Yojana is playing a crucial role in boosting employment and self-employment opportunities in the tourism sector. Giving examples of shops, dhabas, guest houses, and homestays, the Prime Minister highlighted the loans up to Rs 10 lakh being provided to such businesses without any guarantee. “38 crore Mudra loans have been given across the country so far. About 8 crore youth have become entrepreneurs for the first time”, the Prime Minister said. He also informed that the share of women and youth belonging to the SC/ST/OBC category is maximum.

Concluding the address, the Prime Minister said that this is the Amrit Kaal’ of wonderful possibilities for the youth of India and urged the youth to speed up the development of India through their services.

SALIENT POINTS OF THE SPEECH OF THE BJP NATIONAL PRESIDENT SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA JI GIVEN TODAY WHILE ADDRESSING THE DISTRICT BOOTH COMMITTEE CONGREGATION AT UDUPI IN KARNATAKA

• The double engine government of the Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership and guidance of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has implemented the policy of “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabha Prayas” on the ground.
• All the major political parties in the country today including the Congress, SP, BSP, RJD, TMC, BRS, DMK are dynastic parties. It is only the Bharatiya Janata Party where the party is the family. The Bharatiya Janata Party is a pro-active, pro -responsive and pro- responsible political party.
• It is the duty of all the Bharatiya Janata Party workers to reach out to the masses and tell them about the achievements of the double engine government of the Bharatiya Janata Party being run under the leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji. We have make the Lotus blossom at every booth in Karnataka.
• In the recently concluded Asia’s largest air show in Karnataka India gave orders for 470 aircrafts to France and the US. Today India is helping in the growth of the economy of Europe and the US. It is all happening under the charismatic leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji.
• Our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has dedicated to the nation the helicopter manufacturing unit of the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd in Tumkur. This Greenfield helicopter manufacturing plant spread in 615 acres in not only India’s but entire Asia’s largest helicopter manufacturing unit. This will revolutionize the economy of Karnataka and the country and give new wings to the growth and development of our country.
• In June 2022 our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji had announced several development schemes worth over Rs 33,000 for Karnataka. This will help in speeding the growth and development of the state. Through the Global Investors Summit Karnataka has got investments worth over Rs 9 lakh crores which is a magnificent achievement.
• In Karnataka our government has increased the SC reservation from 15 per cent to 17 per cent and the ST reservation has been hiked by 3 per cent to make it 7 per cent. Similarly the Bharatiya Janata Party government has included the Malingayat community under 2D category and the Vokkaliga community in 2C category this fulfilling their long pending demand.
• Today Karnataka tops the country in FDI, while the state stands at number 2 position in the world for fulfilling the special purpose vehicle schemes. Karnataka’s share in India’s space sector programmes is 25 per cent and 75 per cent in defence aircraft manufacturing.
• In the past 8 years under the leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji our top leaders in Karnataka Shri BS Yeddyurappa ji and Shri Basavraj Bommai ji has worked tirelessly for all the sections of the society particularly for farmers, villagers, poor, oppressed, Dalits and Tribals, youth and women — all these have been empowered and made economically stronger.
• The Bharatiya Janata Party is the only party in the country today which has a political ideology, it has a cadre, and it has mass following. Since the inception of the Bharatiya Janata Party we have remained strongly committed and relentlessly followed our principles and ideology.
• Whatever the Bharatiya Janata Party says, it delivers and fulfills all its promises. We do whatever is necessary for the growth, development, progress and prosperity of the nation and the states. I appeal to all the Bharatiya Janata Party workers to work unitedly and with full dedication for the next 25 years to achieve India of our dreams. We have to fulfill the mission of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji.

Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav chaired the 190^th Meeting of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) today at Chandigarh. Minister of State for Labour& Employment, Petroleum &Natural Gas, Shri RameswarTeli also attended the meeting. At the 190th Meeting of ESI Corporation, Shri Yadav announced several decisions on ensuring strengthening social security for  Shram Jeevis, furthering Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision.

Considering the increase in the number of workers, ESI Corporation, during the meeting, approved the proposals for setting up of 100 bedded Hospitals at Belagavi (Karnataka), Shamshabad (Telangana), Baramati (Maharashtra), Kishangarh, Ajmer (Rajasthan) and Balasore (Odisha), 30 bedded ESI Hospital at Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh) and 350 bedded ESI Hospital at Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh).

In addition to these, it was also decided to upgrade the newly approved 30 bedded ESIC Hospital at Rangpo, Sikkim to 100 bedded and to take over the ESIS Hospital, Gunadala, Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) and Maithan, Ranchi (Jharkhand) from the State Governments. The newly taken over hospitals will be directly run by ESIC to provide better medical care and facilities to workers and their family members.

Keeping in view the sparsely populated north-eastern region, acute shortage of private hospitals/dispensaries/nursing homes etc. and financial position of ESI Scheme in North Eastern States, ESIC decided to continue providing financial support to North Eastern States & Sikkim in running the ESI Scheme. The entire expenditure up to the ceiling will be borne by ESI Corporation for North Eastern States (Except Assam) w.e.f. financial year 2023-24.

Further, Additional Financial Assistance under which Rs. 40 Lakh per dispensary (Rs. 10 Lakh quarterly) is provided to State Government, will also be started. It would be an additional benefit apart from regular fund allocation under Standard Medical Care. This shall also remain available for the new dispensaries, if they are opened as per the extant instructions.

In order to provide relief to Insured Workers who became unemployed during the Covid-19 pandemic, ESI Corporation in the meeting agreed to the proposal of extending the benefits available under Atal BeemitVyaktikalyan Yojana for two more years. Atal BeemitVyakti Kalyan

Yojana (ABVKY) is a welfare measure in the form of cash compensation up to 90 days once in lifetime of the worker in the contingency unemployment.

Foreseeing the considerable increase in the number of Insured Workers and their dependents coming under the ambit of ESI Scheme after the implementation of Social Security Code – 2020, Shri Bhupender Yadav directed ESIC to lay emphasis on strengthening and expanding the medical services infrastructure by adopting multipronged strategies for providing primary medical care to the IPs and their beneficiaries.

ESIC also approved the proposal for extension of medical care facilities to general public free of cost in ESIC Hospital and Medical College, Alwar (Rajasthan) and Bihta (Bihar) till 31.03.2024. Facilities of drugs/dressings and consumables under ESIC will also be provided free of cost to them.  It will benefit lakhs of general public in the adjoining areas for availing hassle-free quality medical care free of cost.

Besides these, Revised Estimates for the year 2022-23, Budget Estimates for the year 2023-24 and Performance Budget for the year 2023-24 of ESI Corporation were deliberated upon and approved along with other agenda items.

In a separate meeting with the Zonal Medical Commissioners, Medical Commissioners, Insurance Commissioners and Regional Directors of ESIC under the chairpersonship of the Union Labour Minister, issues such as reforms in the referral system, optimal utilisation of resources in health care facilities, reaching the unreached (unorganised sector workers) and occupational diseases were deliberated and action points identified.

The meeting was attended by Ms. Dola Sen, MP, Shri KhagenMurmu, MP, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ms. Arti Ahuja, and Director General, ESIC, Dr. Rajendra Kumar. Principal Secretaries/Secretaries of the State Governments, Representatives of Employers, Employees and Experts of the medical field were also present during the meeting.

Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar chaired the National Conference on Agriculture for Zaid (Summer) Campaign-2023 in New Delhi today. On this occasion, Shri Tomar said that India is in a very good position in terms of food grains production and this has been achieved due to the farmer-friendly policies of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, tireless hard work of farmers and novel research by agricultural scientists. But the stage where India is today, we cannot be sit on our laurels, production should be scaled and on the basis of minute planning, such meaningful results should come out so that in the Agriculture sector, besides meeting the continuous supply of our domestic needs, we can successfully fulfill the world supply demands.

Union Minister Shri Tomar said that the Advance Estimates of a record breaking agricultural production (323 million tonnes) are encouraging. While agriculture is important, it is also an area of greater caution and responsibility. There was a time when little progress was taken for granted and the country depended on others for food grains but due to continuous progress under the efficient leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi today most of the countries are dependent on India unlike before. We have to fulfill our needs in terms of agricultural products, as well as meet the demands of the world if needed. In this regard, we have to increase production and productivity as well as improve quality so that we can meet the global standards. Shri Tomar said that many concrete steps have been taken for the development of Agriculture sector under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Modi, in which the States are also cooperating. As resolved by the Prime Minister, 22 crore Soil Health Cards have been distributed in two phases, the main objective of which is to preserve the fertility of our earth. Along with distribution of cards, the number of soil testing labs has been augmented at every level. The responsibility of positive result in this regard rests with the State Governments. All farmers should also participate in this.

Shri Tomar said that everyone should consider adopting other available alternatives to chemical fertilizers, – nano urea, biofertilizer. About 2.5 lakh crore rupees is being incurred annually on fertilizer subsidy. Apart from saving this amount, healthy production can be done and individual health can be ensured. Due to awareness campaigns, the cultivation area under organic and natural farming is increasing. States should focus on the progress of small farmers through measures like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi launched by Prime Minister Shri Modi. Krishi Vigyan Kendra and ATMA should work together at the district level to bring about rejuvenation, besides the State Governments should draw their annual plans for the Agriculture sector and consider how they can make good use of the Central Government schemes for the interest of the farmers. Agriculture and allied Departments/Ministries and States together make up the Team India, which should further strengthen the Agriculture sector. He said that Summer Crops are important, which also helps in increasing the income of small farmers. Shri Tomar said that the benefits of the schemes should reach the small farmers by making proper use of the Government funds. The government is also working on the Digital Agriculture Mission, in which cooperation of the States is necessary.

Agriculture Secretary Shri Manoj Ahuja, Secretary-DARE and Director General-ICAR, Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary-Fertilizer Shri Arun Baroka also addressed the conference and presentations were made by Additional Secretaries and Joint Secretaries. Senior officers of Agriculture and other Central Ministries, Agriculture Production Commissioner/Principal Secretary and other senior officers of State Agriculture Departments, representatives of Central and State organizations participated in the conference. It was informed during the conference that there is no shortage of fertilizers anywhere in the country. The number of Kisan Samridhi Kendras has now increased to 12,000. The PM-PRANAM scheme is running smoothly, which aims to reduce the usage of chemical urea. It was also informed that Seed Traceability system is being introduced by the Centre, which will ensure availability of quality seeds. Pesticide Management System will also be implemented.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has reiterated the commitment to make life easier for the people of Ladakh. He was responding to a tweet by Member of Parliament in Loksabha from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal wherein the MP conveyed people of Ladakh’s happiness over the approval of Rs.1681.51 Cr for construction of 4.1km length Shinkun La  to provide all weather connectivity to Ladakh.

The Prime Minister tweeted;

Union Home minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the first phase of ‘Shiv Srishti’, a theme park based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Pune, Maharashtra today. Many dignitaries including Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis were also present on this occasion.

Shri Amit Shah saluted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for his contribution in Swadharma, Swaraj and Swabhasha to the country. In his address he said that after the inauguration of the first phase of ‘Shiv Srishti today, on the day of Shiv Jayanti, it will be open to the public from tomorrow. This is a historic day for people all over the world who take inspiration from the life of Shivaji. Shri Shah said that by travelling around the country, ‘Shiv Shahir’ Babasaheb Purandare ji dedicated his whole life to compile Shiv Charitra, so that the bravery stories of Shivaji Maharaj  can reach to the masses. It is due to his efforts that today the number of people who know about Shivaji Maharaj in the country is so high.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, while being the Chief Minister of Gujarat, requested Babasaheb to organize ‘Janta Raja’ program in every district of Gujarat. The youth used to become devotees of Shivaji Maharaj after viewing this programme. Shri Shah congratulated the trustees for their effort in realizing the dream of Babasaheb, for taking forward this holy work of Babasaheb. He said that Shivaji’s life is a message that continues to inspire people from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Dwarka to Calcutta’s Ganga Sagar even today. Babasaheb collected the authorized documents of Shivaji Maharaj’s life and his works from all over the world and prepared the history of Shiva’s character for the new generation, that’s why Babasaheb Purandare’s name was changed to Shiv Shahir Babasaheb Purandare. Shri Shah said that Babasaheb made an everlasting contribution by joining the liberation struggle of Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

Shri Amit Shah said that today the first phase out of the four phases of ‘Shiva Srishti’  has completed here. Shri Shah expressed confidence that this Rs 438 crore project would definitely completed within the stipulated time. He said that in the first phase an effort has been made to preserve many incidents of Shivaji Maharaj’s life at a cost of Rs 60 crore. Many important events like the history of Shivaji’s forts, the coronation of Shivaji and his escape from the clutches of the Mughals from Agra have been preserved in 3D. By visiting this place the young generation of the country will get to know about the life of Shivaji Maharaj very well and will learn about his life dedicated for ‘Swadharm’ and ‘Swabhasha’, and his willingness to make sacrifices for Swaraj. Shri Shah said that in April 1967, under the guidance of Satara’s Rajmata Sumitra Raje Bhonsle and Shrimant Chhatrapati Pratap Singh Maharaj this ‘Pratishthan’ was established in Satara by Babasaheb. Since then Babasaheb gave more than 12 thousand lectures on Shivaji across the country and more than 1200 ‘Janata Raja’ plays have been staged which spread the message of Shivaji across the country.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the Shivsrishti which is under construction at Ambe village is going to be the grand historical theme park in the entire Asia region as this concept of historical theme park is hardly available anywhere in Asia. He said that Historical facts have been carefully verified and preserved here, which is a commendable work. A wonderful combination of both technology and history is seen in the construction of Shivsrishti. Here an attempt has been made to bring history alive with a wonderful amalgamation of holography project mapping, miniatures motion, simulation, 3D and 4D technology and light & sound technology. This will definitely take the message of Shivaji Maharaj’s life to the younger generation of not only Maharashtra but the whole country. This place would become a very important place for historians around the world.

Shri Amit Shah said that Shivaji Maharaj’s life was not inspired by the craving for power, but was motivated by the fight against atrocities committed for more than 100 years. Shivaji Maharaj fought for Swadharma, Swabhasha and establishment of Swaraj. He gave a message to the whole world that no one can oppress India, no one can humiliate its people. This message of Shivaji Maharaj also prevalent in the freedom struggle of 1857. Starting from a small battle for Swaraj, Shivaji Maharaj became the Chhatrapati of a huge empire at the age of 50. This journey of Shivaji’s struggle did not stop even after 1680. Even after him, many Chhatrapatis and Peshwas came and they carried forward this tradition till1818.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that Shivaji Maharaj’s journey of Swaraj reached from Attock to Cuttack and from Gujarat to Bengal, which worked to awaken the consciousness for freedom in whole of India. He said that the struggle for Swaraj started by Shivaji Maharaj is continuing even today. His insistence for Swaraj, Swadharma and Swabhasha reflected in everything he did. He got the Panchang purified, and along with the official dictionary in mother tongue and reconstruction of the Saptakoteshwar temple, he led the construction of big gates in many temples. Thus the journey of reconstruction of many temples begun. Shri Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is also renovating cultural and spiritual places of the country following the tradition of Shivaji Maharaj.

Shri Amit Shah said that the objective of Swaraj of Shivaji Maharaj was very clear. For the first time in the Indian governance system, Shivaji Maharaj conceived the Ashtapradhan Mandal and scripted the rules of governance. Shivaji Maharaj showed remarkable courage in many wars. Hardly any Swaraj warrior would have gone on the front foot and fought for Swaraj. Shri Shah said that Shivaji Maharaj had gone to the Mughal court in Agra with a request for peace, but after Aurangzeb insulted Hind Swaraj, Shivaji strongly protested. He was captured and put in the jail but Shivaji Maharaj successfully managed to escape.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the last sentence of Shiva Mudra is – ‘This Mudra is a currency used for public welfare’ which indicates that the purpose of the state is public welfare, not consumption. Shivaji Maharaj presented an example to all the rulers of the world by his actions that how a selfless king and lord who never uses the wealth of the state for himself should be. Shri Shah said that Shivaji Maharaj also laid the foundation of village-based economy in the country by implementing several schemes for the welfare of the people. He said that the British had already arrived during the time of Shivaji Maharaj. To protect the western coasts from the British, Shivaji established a navy. Shivaji Maharaj created a large army of people who fought for Swaraj, which gave competition to the Mughal Raj and in 1771, under the leadership of Maharaj ji Scindia, captured Delhi and extended his empire from Attock to Cuttack.

Shri Amit Shah said that today on Shiv Jayanti, the first phase of the construction of a grand Shiv Srishti has completed. He said that after the completion of the four stages of Shiva Shrishti, Shivaji’s saga would proudly presented before the whole world. Many people who believe in the thoughts of Shivaji will join this Shiv Srishti and under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi they will bring India to its ultimate glory. He said that at the time of celebration of centenary of independence we would definitely achieve the goal set by the Prime Minister Modi to make India first in every field in the world.