In a well-reasoned, well-researched, well-analysed and well-articulated judgment titled Muhammad Abbas Vs The State in Jail Petition No. 499 of 2015 (On appeal against the judgment dated 8.9.2015 passed by the Lahore High Court, Lahore in Criminal Appeal No. 300-J/2013 and Murder Reference No. 138/2011), the Supreme Court of Pakistan just recently on August 24, 2020 has observed that extremism and violence has permeated through Pakistani society and it has been brutalized. Not enough is done to ensure that crimes against women do not take place. The Court was also of the view that, “Respect and language play an important role to bring about a positive change in society and using terminology such as ‘Ghairat’ or honour is not helpful.” Very rightly so!  

                      To start with, in this latest, landmark and laudable judgment authored by Justice Qazi Faez Isa for himself and Justice Sardar Tariq Masood of the Pakistan Supreme Court, the ball is set rolling in para 1 wherein it is observed:

“Criminal Miscellaneous Application No. 1636 of 2015: This jail petition has been filed with a delay of 57 days. For the reasons mentioned in the application, the delay is condoned and the petition is entertained for hearing.

Jail Petition No. 499 of 2015: On 20 February 2020 Mr. Tariq Mehmood Bhatt, learned Advocate of the Supreme Court, was appointed to represent the petitioner at State expense, as the petitioner was imprisoned and unrepresented.” 

                           While narrating the brief facts of this notable case, it is then stated in para 2 that, “Muhammad Asghar, the complainant, reported to the police that his sister was killed by her husband, the petitioner. The crime was witnessed by Muhammad Asghai (PW-9) and a neighbor Shahadat (PW-10). The crime was stated to have been committed at 1 am on 17 May 2009 and FIR No. 210 was registered at 5.50 am at Police Station Baraghar, District Nankana Sahib. The petitioner was tried by the learned Sessions Judge, Nankana Sahib and was convicted for the qatl-i-amd (murder) of his wife Mst. Saima Bibi (‘the deceased’ under Section 302(b) of the Pakistan Penal Code (‘PPC’) and sentenced to death. He was also directed to pay compensation of fifty thousand rupees to the legal heirs of the deceased and in default of payment to undergo six months simple imprisonment. Murder Reference, to confirm the death sentence, was submitted to the Lahore High Court, Lahore and the petitioner appealed his conviction and sentence. The learned judges of the High Court upheld the conviction of the petitioner but reduced his sentence of death to one of imprisonment for life because the petitioner had fired only once upon the deceased.”

                     To state the ostensible, the killing of any person cannot be justified and this is underscored in para 13 wherein the key point is that, “For Muslims the Holy Qur’an is the word of God. Killing a person is abhorrent and a grave sin [Holy Qur’an, surah An-Nisa (4) verse 93 and surah Al-Maidah (5) verse 32]. The Holy Qur’an also does not mandate the punishment of death for the offence of adultery [Holy Qur’an surah An-Nisa (4) verse 15 and surah An-Nur (24) verse 2]. If the petitioner suspected his wife of infidelity he should have followed the path prescribed by the Holy Qur’an and the law of Pakistan to resolve the matter.”  

                   Briefly stated, the key point that is contained in para 14 is that, “Making a false allegation of adultery is an offence under section 496C IPC and also constitutes an offence of qazf under the Offence of Qazf (Enforcement of Hadd) Ordinance, 1979 (Published in the Gazette of Pakistan, Extraordinary, Part I, on 9 February 1979). The offence of murder and the offences of false allegation of adultery are separate and distinct offences. The woman or the girl who is killed in the name or pretext of honour has no chance to redeem her honour. She is deprived of both her life and reputation.”

                  Furthermore, it is then observed in para 15 that, “The petitioner who professes to be a Muslim did not follow the methodology commanded by Almighty Allah and the law of Pakistan to resolve his suspicions about this wife. The petitioner then couched his criminal and un-Islamic conduct by stating he became enraged to see his wife in the company of a man and on account of his ghairat he killed her. Almighty Allah loves those who amongst others restrain their anger [Holy Qur’am surah Al-Imran (3) verse 134]. To become enraged is not an admirable trait nor is ghairat. The word ghairat nor the Arabic ghairatan is used in the Holy Qur’an. The Holy Qur’an also does not permit killing on the ground of adultery, let alone on the ground of ghairat (ghairatun in Arabic), nor prescribes a lesser punishment for such killings. The law of Pakistan also does not permit this. It is inappropriate to interpret Chapter XVI of the PPC, which includes section 302 PPC, by disregarding the requirements of Section 338-F PPC, which necessitates seeking guidance from the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah. Reference may also be made to Article 227 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (‘the Constitution’) which mandates that, ‘All existing laws shall be brought in conformity with the Injunctions of Islam as laid down in the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah’.”

                            Be it noted, the Bench of Supreme Court of Pakistan then concedes in para 16 that, “Pakistan has one of the highest, if not the highest per capita honour killings in the world and predominantly the victims are women. By stating that murder was committed on the pretext of ghairat (honour) the murderer hopes to provide some justification for the crime. It may also elevate the murderer’s social status with those not from familiar with Almighty Allah Commands in the Holy Qur’an. This is unfortunately, more so because there is no honour in such killings. Parliament was rightly concerned with the prevalence of such killings and enacted legislation to dissuade, if not stop such crimes. It did so by ensuring that offenders do not avail of the benefit of section 302(c) PPC, for which the maximum punishment is twenty-five years imprisonment but which does not prescribe a minimum punishment. Parliament specifically stipulated that such crimes attract clause (a) or clause (b) of section 302 PPC, for which the punishment is either death or imprisonment for life. However, the Muhammad Qasim case relied on certain obiter observations in the Muhammad Ameer case and after creating another exception to the erstwhile section 300 PPC this exception was applied to bring the offender’s case within the ambit of section 302(c) PPC, even though the Muhammad Ameer case had held that an honour crime did not come within the ambit of section 302(c) PPC. The language of the proviso read with the definition of fasad-fil-arz is clear. If for the sake of argument it is assumed that there was some ambiguity in the proviso, the statement and objectives introducing it had it removed. The provisos (the one inserted in the year 2005 or the one in year 2016) did not intend to nor created another exception for one who kills in the name or pretext of honour in the erstwhile section 300 PPC, nor did it state that such crimes came within the ambit of section 302(c) PPC; on the contrary it said the opposite.”

                                           In this context, the Bench then also makes it a point to mention in para 17 that, “It may be clarified that we have relied on the law with regard to statement of the accused recorded under section 342 as expounded by this Court in the Faiz case, which was a judgment by a five-member Bench and not on the Mohammad Qasim case, a judgment which was by a three-member Bench. We have also not relied on the obiter observations of another three-member Bench in Muhammad Ameer case. In the Muhammad Qasim case the mandatory requirement to seek guidance from the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah, stipulated in 338-F PPC, was not done, therefore Muhammad Qasim cannot be categorized as having decided a question of law or is based upon or enunciates a principle of law (Article 189 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan).” 

                            No doubt, the Bench then more significantly points out in para 18 which merits mention particularly the relevant part that, “It needs restating that killing is never honourable. And, a murder should not be categorized as such. It will help deter such killings if the term ghairat is not used to describe them. It is also inaccurate to translate ghairat into English as honour. The word ghairat does not have an exact English equivalent. A more accurate translation of the trait, of ghairat would be ‘arrogance’ and the one with such trait is an ‘arrogant’ person.”

                                  Most significantly, the Bench then further very rightly holds in para 19 that, “Extremism and violence has permeated through Pakistani society and it has been brutalized. Not enough is done to ensure that crimes against women do not take place. Respect and language play an important role to bring about a positive change in society and using terminology such as ghairat or honour is not helpful. The Constitution mandates that ‘tolerance and social justice, as enunciated by Islam, shall be fully observed’ (Preamble and Objectives Resolution of the Constitution of Republic of Pakistan which is required to be given ‘effect’ to (per Article 2A), Almighty Allah commends humility [Holy Qur’an, surah Al-A’raf(7) verse 94], loves kindness [Holy Quran, surah Al-Ma’idah (5) verse 13] and calls upon his slaves to overlook human faults and cultivate gracious forgiveness [Holy Qur’an, surah Al-Hijr (15) verse 85]. One of the Principles of Policy set out in the Constitution requires that, ‘Steps shall be taken to ensure full participation of women in all spheres of national life (Article 34 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan). Therefore, adverse assumptions, as made in the present case, cannot be permitted. Another Principle is that ‘The State shall protect the marriage, the family, the mother and the child’ (Article 35 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan). When women and girls are not protected but rather killed in the name or on the pretext of honour the family is destroyed.”   

                           It goes without saying that the Pakistani establishment and the Pakistani ruling party must take serious note of what has been said so clearly, categorically and convincingly by none other than the Supreme Court of Pakistan itself! The whole world should also now take very serious note of it and reputed international organizations instead of taking potshots on Prashant Bhushan’s case should concentrate their energies on what the Pakistan Supreme Court has said so bluntly on honour killings, extremism and hatred that has permeated through Pakistani society! This is the crying need of the hour also!

              Needless to say, honour killings and extremism cannot be justified under any circumstances whatsoever! Pakistan is on the verge of being blacklisted because of extremism and violence. It must wake up at least now and start taking reformative steps!

Sanjeev Sirohi, Advocate,

s/o Col BPS Sirohi,

A 82, Defence Enclave,

Sardhana Road, Kankerkhera,

Meerut – 250001, Uttar Pradesh

In a well-reasoned, well-analysed, well-drafted and well-articulated judgment titled Neelam Manmohan Attavar vs Manmohan Attavar (D) Thr LRs Transferred Case (Criminal) No. 1 of 2020 delivered on September 3, 2020, the Supreme Court has held that a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution would not be maintainable in order to challenge an order which has been passed by the High Court in the exercise of its judicial powers. It held that, “Merely assailing the order as an order which is void would not enable a litigant to avoid the consequences which emanate from the order, by instituting a writ petition under Article 226.” Very rightly so!

            To start with, a two Judge Bench of Apex Court comprising of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice KM Joseph sets the ball rolling by first and foremost observing in para 1 wherein it is pointed out that, “The petitioner instituted a writ petition (Writ Petition 44237 of 2018) under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking to challenge a judgment dated 31 July 2018 delivered by a Single Judge of the High Court of Karnataka in the exercise of the criminal revisional jurisdiction. The relief which was sought in the writ petition was that the judgment of a Single Judge of the High Court dated 31 July 2018 in Criminal Revision Petition 282 of 2018 “may be declared void/disabled/recalled”. For convenience of reference, the prayers in the writ petition are extracted below:

“1. The Writ may be permitted.

 2. Judgment dt 31.7.2018 passed in Crl RP 282/2018 may be declared void/disabled/recalled to protect rights and secure probity in public life.

3. De novo/Fresh – Free hearing may be recommended before a higher/full Bench”.”

                 To put things in perspective, it is then revealed in para 2 that, “The writ petition before the High Court has been transferred to this Court on 13 December 2019 under Article 139A of the Constitution in Transfer Petition (Criminal) No. 342 of 2019. The order of transfer reads thus:

“Having heard the petitioner-in-person and the learned counsel appearing for the respondents and gone through this transfer petition filed under Article 139A of the Constitution of India and considering the facts and circumstances of the case, we deem it fit and proper to transfer W.P. No. 44237/2018 titled as “Neelam Manmohan Attavar Vs. Manmohan Attavar (D) through LRs” from the High Court of Karnataka to this Court.

We order accordingly.

The Registry is directed to immediately transmit a copy of this order to the High Court forthwith.””  

                    While elaborating in detail the sequence of events, it is then stated in para 3 that, “The proceedings which have culminated in the institution of a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution before the High Court need to be summarized briefly at this stage. The petitioner instituted proceedings (Criminal Misc – Petition No. 179 of 2013 renumbered as Criminal Misc Petition No. 139 of 2015) under Section 12 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 (Act). On 30 July 2015, the petition was dismissed by the Metropolitan Magistrate, Traffic Court-II, Bengaluru. On 5 November 2015, in an appeal (Criminal Appeal No. 1070 of 2015) arising out of the dismissal of the proceedings, the interim relief seeking residence and expenses was initially refused by the Additional Sessions Judge, Bengaluru. Subsequently, on 19 September 2016 in a petition (Writ Petition No. 49153 of 2016) under Article 226 filed by the petitioner, the Single Judge recognised a right of residence to the petitioner in a house situated at Bengaluru and, on 24 October 2016, directed the withdrawal of the appeal to the High Court. These orders of the High Court became the subject matter of proceedings before this Court in Civil Appeal Nos. 2500 and 2502 of 2017. On 14 July 2017, this Court set aside the orders passed by the High Court in regard to residence and for the withdrawal of the appeal to itself. On 17 August 2017, this Court also dismissed a petition seeking a review of its judgment dated 14 July 2017. As a consequence of the judgment rendered by this Court, the appeal filed by the petitioner before the Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge was heard on merits and was eventually dismissed by an order dated 17 February 2018. The petitioner carried the matter in revision (Criminal Revision Petition No. 282 of 2018) which was dismissed by the High Court on 31 July 2018. Challenging the order of the High Court, the petitioner filed a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution. The writ petition has been transferred to this Court under Article 139A by an order of this Court dated 13 December 2019.”

                               While narrating the petitioner’s version, it is then pointed out in para 4 that, “The petitioner who has appeared in person has submitted that the writ petition under Article 226 is maintainable on the ground that the order dated 31 July 2018 of the High Court is void ab initio. Elaborating her submissions, the petitioner has urged that the order has not been written by the Judge of the High Court. Moreover, the petitioner submits that the High Court, while disposing of the criminal revision, has not exercised its jurisdiction in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 397 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973. On merits, the petitioner has assailed the correctness of the findings of the High Court, which affirmed the judgment of the appellate court and held that the original respondent with whom the petitioner claims to have entered into a relationship ‘in the nature of marriage’ had a subsisting marriage, and hence such an alleged relationship could not have been legitimately recognized in law. The petitioner has challenged this finding of the High Court, together with the other findings to the effect that (i) there was no shared household; and (ii) there was no proof of marriage. The petitioner challenges these findings on the ground that they are erroneous.”  

           Furthermore, while continuing in the same vein, it is then further pointed out in para 5 that, “The petitioner has further submitted that in order to put forth a claim based on a relationship in the nature of marriage, it is not necessary under the law that neither of the parties should have a subsisting marriage and that notwithstanding the fact that the respondent was in a subsisting marriage, a valid claim under the Act would be maintainable in a situation such as the one which has been set up by the petitioner as the foundation for the grant of relief. She urged that in a situation such as the present, if the respondent who had a subsisting marriage entered into a relationship with her, there is no reason why a woman in the relationship should be left without a remedy.”  

                            Be it noted, it is then pointed out in para 8 that, “The original respondent has died on 12 December 2017. His Legal Representatives have been impleaded as parties to the writ petition.”

                        Most significantly, it is then held clearly and convincingly in para 9 that, “Having heard the petitioner who appears in person and Mr. Balaji Srinivasan, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Legal Representatives of the original respondent, we are of the view that a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution would not be maintainable in order to challenge an order which has been passed by the High Court in the exercise of its judicial powers. In the present case, the High Court has exercised its revisional jurisdiction. Merely assailing the order as an order which is void would not enable a litigant to avoid the consequences which emanate from the order, by instituting a writ petition under Article 226. A litigant is not without her remedies. An order which has been passed by the High Court can either be assailed in a Letters Patent Appeal (in those cases where the remedy of a Letters Patent Appeal is available in law) or by way of a review (where the remedy of a review is available in a certain class of matters). A remedy is available to a litigant against a judicial order of the High Court passed in revisional proceedings, under Article 136 of the Constitution before this court.”   

                        What’s more, it is then held in para 10 that, “In the present case, the order dated 31 July 2018 is amenable to the jurisdiction of this court under Article 136 of the Constitution. Though the petitioner has attempted to urge the merits of her grievances against the order of the High Court in these proceedings, we are not inclined to express any opinion on them, so as not to preclude the rights and remedies which are open to the petitioner in the form of a petition under Article 136 of the Constitution. Though the order of the High Court was passed on 31 July 2018, the petitioner who has appeared in person had initially instituted a writ petition under Article 226 which, as we have noted earlier, was transferred to this Court on 13 December 2019. Should the petitioner choose to espouse the remedy which is available under Article 136 of the Constitution, it would be open to her to explain the delay which has been occasioned on the ground that she was pursuing a remedy which has, by this order, been found to be not maintainable. We, thus, leave open specifically all the rights and contentions of the petitioner in a substantive challenge to the judgment of the High Court dated 31 July 2018 in proceedings under Article 136 of the Constitution.”

                              As it turned out, it is then made palpably clear in para 11 that, “Before concluding, it would be necessary for the Court to record that having regard to the fact that the petitioner appears in person, the Court had indicated to her that an amicus curiae may be appointed to assist her in preparing the case without obviously, any involvement of financial expenditure on her part. The petitioner has declined legal assistance stating that she is competent to pursue her own rights and remedies.”

                           Finally, it is then held in the last significant para 12 that, “For the above reasons, while we have come to the conclusion that the writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution was not maintainable for assailing the judgment of the Single Judge of the High Court dated 31 July 2018, we expressly leave open the rights and remedies available to the petitioner, including by way of a Special Leave Petition under Article 136 of the Constitution to assail the judgment of the Single Judge of the High Court of Karnataka in proceedings before this Court. We, therefore, decline to entertain the substantive petition under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking a declaration of the invalidity of the order dated 31 July 2018 while expressly keeping open the rights and remedies available to the petitioner under Article 136 of the Constitution.”   

                       The larger point that is made in this noteworthy judgment delivered just recently on September 3, 2020 is as stated in the beginning: A writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution would not be maintainable in order to challenge an order which has been passed by the High Court in the exercise of its judicial powers. All the litigants must always keep this in mind. There can be no denying or disputing it!

Sanjeev Sirohi, Advocate,

s/o Col BPS Sirohi,

A 82, Defence Enclave,

Sardhana Road, Kankerkhera,

Meerut – 250001, Uttar Pradesh

Weather predictions becoming more certainand help in preventing air traffic disasters may now be easier and, especially in the Himalaya region. Thanks to certain atmospheric turbulence parameters specific to the Himalaya region that scientists have calculated.

Scientists at the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India, have estimated turbulence parameters in the lower troposphere over the central Himalayan region for the first time.

The researchers have calculated the magnitude of refractive index structure (Cn2), a constant that represents the strength of the atmospheric turbulence using observation from their Stratosphere Troposphere Radar (S T Radar). In the study published in Radio Science journal led by Aditya Jaiswal, a Ph.D. student at ARIES Nainital and ARIES faculties D.V. Phani Kumar, S. Bhattacharjee, and Manish Naja have found that the refractive index structure constant (C_n²) is as large as 10^-14 m^-2/3. Such large values at the lower altitudes are due to the mountain wave activities and presence of low-level clouds.

Proper and timely information of the higher values of the atmospheric turbulence parameters and understanding of time and space distribution of turbulence structure in the troposphere could help improve performance of numerical weather prediction and climate models.

While the turbulence parameters for southern India were known earlier, the same were not known over the Himalayan region. Thus some approximate values were used by modelers for calculation. They have now been found to be much higher over the Himalayan region. Now modelers will be able to update these values in their existing models. This will help in improving weather predictions. Also, precise knowledge on turbulence over this region will help in safe air traffic movements.

It is also important to model clear-air turbulence as that would aid in limiting the air traffic disasters, particularly over the complex mountainous regions. Low levels of cloud are generated in a mountainous region with complex topography. Because of this, stable air in this region is set into oscillations known as mountain waves and lee waves. Characterization of turbulence in the mountainous region is vital to understand the dynamics of mountain induced wave disturbances and other related phenomena, which has crucial role in modulating the general circulation wind patterns.

Talking about the SERB, DST funded indigenously developed ST Radar used in the study, DST Secretary Professor Ashutosh Sharma said, “Development of such radar at 206.5 MHz, within the country, will further strengthen our efforts to better understand the regional changes in weather and climate, particularly in the Himalayan region, which is having complex topography.”

As the world runs out of fossil fuels and looks out for alternate sources of clean energy, there is good news from the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin. The methane hydrate deposit in this basin is a rich source that will ensure adequate supplies of methane, a natural gas.

Methane is a clean and economical fuel. It is estimated that one cubic meter of methane hydrate contains 160-180 cubic meters of methane. Even the lowest estimate of methane present in the methane hydrates in KG Basin is twice that of all fossil fuel reserves available worldwide.

In a recent study conducted by researchers at the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India have found that the methane hydrate deposits are located in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin are of biogenic origin. The study was conducted as a part of the DST-SERB young scientist project titled ‘Elucidating the community structure of methanogenic archaea in methane hydrate’. Methane hydrate is formed when hydrogen-bonded water and methane gas come into contact at high pressures and low temperatures in oceans.

According to the present study accepted for publishing in the journal ‘Marine genomics’, theARI team has further identified the methanogens that produced the biogenic methane trapped as methane hydrate, which can be a significant source of energy.

“The massive methane hydrate deposits of biogenic origin in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin and near the coast of Andaman and Mahanadi make it necessary to study the associated methanogenic community,” said Dr. Vikram B Lanjekar, the Principal Investigator of the study.

According to the ARI team, until recently, there have been only a few investigations of the methanogenic communities associated with methane hydrate-bearing sediments. This study has shown that methanogens under these elevated pressure and temperature conditions are well adapted to these conditions and are different in methane-producing activities. Understanding of these methane-producing methanogenic communities under such an extreme and pristine environment was very important. This study using molecular and culturing techniques revealed maximum methanogenic diversity in the KG basin, which is one of the prominent reasons to confirm it to be the extreme source of biogenic methane in comparison to the Andaman and Mahanadi basins.

The kinetics study based on their model also predicted the rate of biogenic methane generation in KG Basin hydrates to be 0.031 millimoles methane/gTOC/Day, resulting in total deposits of methane around 0.56 to 7.68trillion cubic feet (TCF). The sediment samples associated with methane hydrate deposits from Krishna Godawari, Andaman, and Mahanadi basin were provided by National Gas Hydrate Core Repository, GHRTC, ONGC, Panvel, Maharashtra for this study.

The ARI team has documented a predominance of genus Methanosarcina in KG basin, followed by a few other genera Methanoculleus,Methanobacterium. Genus Methanosarcina was found to be more diverse among the obtained genera with four different species M. siciliae, M. barkeri, M. flavescens, and M. mazeias per their findings.

“Cultivation, isolation, and characterization of putative novel Methanoculleus sp. nov. and Methanosarcinaspnov. from methane hydrate sediments of Krishna Godavari basin, India are reported for first time,” said Dr. Vikram B Lanjekar, Principle Investigator of the study.

At a time when COVID pandemic has created havoc globally, Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology- IPFT an autonomous Institution under the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers has successfully developed two new technologies namely “Disinfectant spray for surface application” and “Disinfectant spray for Vegetables & fruits.”

According to a statement provided by IPFT   the variety of surfaces like door handles, chair armrest, computer keyboard & mouse taps etc. may transmit microbes to the individuals through direct or indirect contact. Keeping this in view IPFT has developed; alcohol based “Disinfectant Spray” for the surface applications containing botanical anti-microbial which may be effective in prevention from various diseases caused by microbes, bacteria and virus. The formulation is volatile and evaporates quickly after disinfecting the surface and does not leave any stains, odor and residue etc. 

IPFT has also developed Disinfectant Spray to remove pesticide residues left over on the surface of fruits and vegetables.  Fruits & vegetables are basic food commodities and necessary component of daily nutrition. Sometime non judicious uses of pesticide contaminate raw vegetables and fruits as pesticide residues  persist on their surface and can causes health risk upon consumption. 

To make fruits and vegetables 100 percent safe for human consumption  IPFT has developed a water-based formulation .The decontamination procedure using the formulation is simple; vegetables or fruits are soaked in the diluted solution of this formulation for15-20 minutes thereafter rinsed with fresh water.  This simple procedure makes fruits and vegetables totally pesticide free.

Gurugram, Haryana, based IPFT was Established in May 1991 under the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers as an Autonomous Institution. Intitute has been working towards the development of safer, efficient and environment friendly pesticide formulations. IPFT has four administrative divisions namely, Formulation Technology Division, Bioscience Division, Analytical Science Division and a Process Development Division.

अभी मुझे कुछ लाभार्थियों से मेरी चर्चा हुई, जिनको आज अपना पक्का घर मिला है, अपने सपनों का घर मिला है, अपने बच्चों के भविष्य का विश्वास मिला है। अब मध्य प्रदेश के पौने 2 लाख ऐसे परिवार, जो आज अपने घर में प्रवेश कर रहे हैं, जिनका गृह-प्रवेश हो रहा है, उनको भी मैं बहुत-बहुत बधाई देता हूं, शुभकामनाएं देता हूं। ये सभी साथी टेक्नॉलॉजी के किसी ना किसी माध्यम से, पूरे मध्य प्रदेश में इस कार्यक्रम से जुड़े हैं। आज आप देश के उन सवा दो करोड़ परिवारों में शामिल हो गए हैं, जिन्हें बीते 6 वर्षों में अपना घर मिला है, जो अब किराए के नहीं, झुग्गियों में नहीं, कच्चे मकान में नहीं, अपने घर में रह रहे हैं, पक्के घर में रह रहे हैं।

साथियों, इस बार आप सभी की दीवाली, आप सभी के त्योहारों की खुशियां कुछ और ही होंगी। कोरोना काल नहीं होता तो आज आपके जीवन की इतनी बड़ी खुशी में शामिल होने के लिए, आपके घर का ये सदस्य, आपका प्रधानसेवक, पक्का आपके बीच होता। और आपके इस आनन्‍द उत्‍सव में भागीदार होता लेकिन कोरोना की जो स्थिति है, उसके कारण मुझे दूर से ही आज आप सबका दर्शन का अवसर मिल रहा है। लेकिन अभी के लिए ऐसा ही सही !!!

आज के इस समारोह में मध्य प्रदेश की गवर्नर श्रीमती आनंदी बेन पटेल जी, राज्य के लोकप्रिय मुख्यमंत्री शिवराज सिंह चौहान जी, केंद्रीय मंत्रिमंडल के मेरे सहयोगी नरेंद्र सिंह तोमर जी, मेरे साथी ज्‍योतिरादित्‍य जी, मध्य प्रदेश के मंत्रिगण, सदस्‍य, सांसद और विधायगकगण, ग्रामपंचायतों के प्रतिनिधिगण और मध्य प्रदेश के गांव-गांव से जुड़े सभी मेरे प्यारे भाइयों और बहनों!

आज मध्य प्रदेश में सामूहिक गृहप्रवेश का ये समारोह पौने 2 लाख गरीब परिवारों के लिए तो अपने जीवन का यादगार पल है ही, देश के हर बेघर को अपना पक्का घर देने के लिए भी एक बड़ा कदम है। आज का ये कार्यक्रम मध्यप्रदेश सहित देश के सभी बेघर साथियों को एक विश्वास देने वाला भी पल है। जिनका अब तक घर नहीं, एक दिन उनका भी घर बनेगा, उनका भी सपना पूरा होगा।

साथियों, आज का ये दिन करोडों देशवासियों के उस विश्वास को भी मज़बूत करता है कि सही नीयत से बनाई गई सरकारी योजनाएं साकार भी होती हैं और उनके लाभार्थियों तक पहुंचती भी हैं। जिन साथियों को आज अपना घर मिला है, जिनसे मेरी बातचीत हुई है और जिनको मैं स्क्रीन पर देख पा रहा हूं, उनके भीतर के संतोष, उनके आत्मविश्वास को मैं अनुभव कर सकता हूं। मैं आप सभी साथियों से यही कहूंगा कि ये घर आपके और बेहतर भविष्य का नया आधार हैं। यहां से आप अपने नए जीवन की नई शुरुआत कीजिए। अपने बच्चों को, अपने परिवार को, अब आप नई ऊंचाइयों पर लेकर जाइए। आप आगे बढ़ेंगे तो देश भी आगे बढ़ेगा।

साथियों, कोरोना काल में तमाम रुकावटों के बीच भी देशभर में प्रधानमंत्री आवास योजना के तहत 18 लाख घरों का काम पूरा किया गया है। उसमें 1 लाख 75 हजार घर अकेले मध्य प्रदेश में ही पूरे किए गए हैं। इस दौरान जिस गति से काम हुआ है, वो भी अपने आप में एक रिकॉर्ड है। सामान्य तौर पर प्रधानमंत्री आवास योजना के तहत एक घर बनाने में औसतन सवा सौ दिन का समय लगता है। लेकिन अब जो मैं बताने जा रहा हूं, वो देश के लिए, हमारे मीडिया के साथियों के लिए भी ये बहुत सकारात्मक खबर है। कोरोना के इस काल में पीएम आवास योजना के तहत घरों को बनाने में 125 दिन नहीं सिर्फ सिर्फ 45 से 60 दिन में ही बनाकर तैयार कर दिया गया है। आपदा को अवसर में बदलने का ये बहुत ही उत्तम उदाहरण है। आप सोचेंगे कि ये कैसे संभव हुआ? पहले 125 दिन अब 40 से 60 दिन के बीच में कैसे हुआ?

साथियों, इस तेज़ी में बहुत बड़ा योगदान रहा शहरों से लौटे हमारे श्रमिक साथियों का। उनके पास हुनर भी था, इच्‍छाशक्ति भी थी और वो इसमें जुड़ गए और उसके कारण ये परिणाम मिला है। हमारे इन साथियों ने प्रधानमंत्री गरीब कल्याण रोज़गार अभियान का पूरा लाभ उठाते हुए अपने परिवार को संभाला और साथ-साथ अपने गरीब भाई-बहनों के लिए घर भी तैयार करके दे दिया। मुझे संतोष है कि पीएम गरीब कल्याण अभियान से मध्य प्रदेश सहित देश के अनेक राज्यों में करीब-करीब 23 हज़ार करोड़ रुपए  के काम पूरे किए जा चुके हैं। इस अभियान के तहत गांव-गांव में गरीबों के लिए घर तो बन ही रहे हैं, हर घर जल पहुंचाने का काम हो, आंगनबाड़ी और पंचायत के भवनों का निर्माण हो, पशुओं के लिए शेड बनाना हो, तालाब और कुएं बनाना हो, ग्रामीण सड़कों का काम हो, गांव के विकास से जुड़े ऐसे अनेक काम तेज़ी से किए गए हैं। इससे दो फायदे हुए हैं। एक तो शहरों से गांव लौटे लाखों श्रमिक साथियों को रोज़गार उपलब्ध हुआ है। और दूसरा- ईंट, सीमेंट, रेत और निर्माण से जुड़े दूसरे सामान का व्यापार-कारोबार करते हैं, उनकी भी बिक्री हुई है। एक प्रकार से प्रधानमंत्री गरीब कल्याण रोज़गार अभियान इस मुश्किल समय में गांव की अर्थव्यवस्था का भी बहुत बड़ा सहारा बनकर उभरा। इसे बहुत बड़ी ताकत प्रधानमंत्री आवास योजना के तहत हो रहे कार्यों से मिल रही है।

साथियों, मुझसे कई बार लोग पूछते हैं कि आखिर घर तो देश में पहले भी बनते थे, सरकार की योजनाओं के तहत बनते थे, फिर आप ने बदलाव क्या किया? ये सही है कि गरीबों के लिए घर बनाने के लिए देश में दशकों पहले से योजनाएं चली आ रही हैं। बल्कि आज़ादी के बाद के पहले दशक में ही सामुदायिक विकास कार्यक्रम के तहत ये काम शुरु हो गया था। फिर हर 10-15 साल में इस प्रकार की योजनाओं में कुछ जुड़ता गया, नाम बदलते गए। लेकिन करोड़ों गरीबों को जो घर देने का लक्ष्य था, जो एक गरिमापूर्ण जीवन देने का लक्ष्य था, वो कभी पूरा ही नहीं हो पाया। कारण ये था कि पहले जो योजनाएं बनी थीं, उनमें सरकार हावी थी, सरकार का दखल बहुत ज्यादा था। उन योजनाओं में मकान से जुड़ी हर चीज का फैसला सरकार, वो भी दिल्‍ली से होता था, करती थी। जिसको उस घर में रहना था, उसकी पूछ ही नहीं थी। अब जैसे शहरों की ही तर्ज पर आदिवासी क्षेत्रों में ही कॉलोनी सिस्टम थोपने की कोशिश होती थी, शहरों जैसे मकान बनाने की ही कोशिश होती थी। जबकि हमारे आदिवासी भाई-बहनों का रहन-सहन शहर के रहन-सहन से बिल्कुल अलग होता है। उनकी जरूरतें अलग होती हैं। इसलिए सरकार के बनाए घरों में उनको वो अपना-पन आता ही नहीं था। इतना ही नहीं, पहले की योजनाओं में पारदर्शिता की भारी कमी थी, कई तरह की गड़बड़ियां भी होती थीं। मैं उनके विस्तार में नहीं जाना चाहता। इसलिए उन घरों की क्वालिटी भी बहुत खराब होती थी। ऊपर से बिजली, पानी जैसी मूल ज़रूरतों के लिए लाभार्थी को सरकारी दफ्तरों के चक्कर अलग से काटने पड़ते थे। इन सबका नतीजा ये होता था कि उन योजनाओं के तहत जो घर बनते भी थे, उनमें जल्दी लोग शिफ्ट ही नहीं होते थे, उनमें गृह प्रवेश ही नहीं हो पाता था।

साथियों, 2014 में हमने जबसे कार्य संभाला इन पुराने अनुभवों का अध्ययन करके, पहले पुरानी योजना में सुधार किया गया और फिर प्रधानमंत्री आवास योजना के रूप में बिल्कुल नई सोच के साथ योजना लागू की गई। इसमें लाभार्थी के चयन से लेकर गृह प्रवेश तक पारदर्शिता को प्राथमिकता दी गई। पहले गरीब सरकार के पीछे दौड़ता था, सिफारिश के लिए ढूंढ़ता था लोगों को, आज हमारी योजना ऐसी है कि अब सरकार लोगों के पास जा रही है। खोजना होता है और सुविधा देना होता है। अब किसी की इच्छा के अनुसार लिस्ट में नाम जोड़ा या घटाया नहीं जा सकता। चयन से लेकर निर्माण तक वैज्ञानिक और पारदर्शी तरीका अपनाया जा रहा है। इतना ही नहीं, मटीरियल से लेकर निर्माण तक, स्थानीय स्तर पर उपलब्ध और उपयोग होने वाले सामानों को भी प्राथमिकता दी जा रही है। घर के डिजायन भी स्थानीय ज़रूरतों और निर्माण शैली के मुताबिक ही तैयार और स्वीकार किए जा रहे हैं। अब पूरी पारदर्शिता के साथ, घर बनाने के हर चरण की पूरी मॉनीटरिंग के साथ लाभार्थी खुद अपना घर बनाता है। जैसे-जैसे घर बनता जाता है, वैसे-वैसे घर की किश्त भी उसके खाते में जमा होती जाती है। अब अगर कोई बेईमानी करने की कोशिश भी करता है तो इसमें पकड़े जाने के लिए अनेक रास्ते भी बनाए गए हैं।

साथियों, प्रधानमंत्री आवास योजना की एक बहुत बड़ी विशेषता है, उसका इंद्रधनुषी स्वरूप। जैसे इंद्रधनुष में अलग-अलग रंग होते हैं वैसे ही प्रधानमंत्री आवास योजना के तहत बनने वाले घरों के भी अपने ही रंग हैं। अब गरीब को सिर्फ घर ही नहीं मिल रहा है, बल्कि घर के साथ-साथ शौचालय भी मिल रहा है, उज्जवला का गैस कनेक्शन भी मिल रहा है, सौभाग्य योजना का बिजली कनेक्शन, उजाला का LED बल्ब, पानी का कनेक्शन, सब कुछ घर के साथ ही मिल रहा है। यानि पीएम आवास योजना के आधार पर ही अनेक योजनाओं का लाभ लाभार्थी को सीधे मिल पा रहा है। मैं शिवराज जी की सरकार को फिर बधाई दूंगा कि उन्होंने इसको विस्तार देते हुए पीएम आवास योजना के साथ 27 योजनाओं को जोड़ा है।

साथियों, प्रधानमंत्री आवास योजना हो या स्वच्छ भारत अभियान के तहत बनने वाले शौचालय हों, इनसे गरीब को सुविधा तो मिल ही रही है, बल्कि ये रोज़गार और सशक्तिकरण का भी ये बड़ा माध्यम हैं। विशेषतौर पर हमारी ग्रामीण बहनों के जीवन को बदलने में भी ये योजनाएं अहम भूमिका निभा रही हैं। पीएम आवास योजना के तहत बन रहे घर की रजिस्ट्री ज्यादातर या तो सिर्फ महिला के नाम पर हो रही है या फिर साझी हो रही है। वहीं आज गांवों में बड़ी मात्रा में रानीमिस्त्री या महिला राजमिस्त्री के लिए काम के नए अवसर बन रहे हैं। अकेले मध्य प्रदेश में ही, 50 हज़ार से ज्यादा राजमिस्त्रियों को प्रशिक्षित किया गया है और इसमें से 9 हज़ार रानीमिस्त्री हैं। इससे हमारी बहनों की आय और आत्मविश्वास, दोनों में बढ़ोतरी हो रही है।

साथियों, जब गरीब की, गांव की आय और आत्मविश्वास बढ़ता है तो आत्मनिर्भर भारत बनाने का हमारा संकल्प भी मज़बूत होता है। इस आत्मविश्वास को मज़बूत करने के लिए गांव में हर प्रकार का आधुनिक इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर विकसित किया जा रहा है। 2019 के पहले 5 वर्ष शौचालय, गैस, बिजली, सड़क जैसी बेसिक सुविधाओं को गांव तक पहुंचाने का काम किया गया, अब इन मूल सुविधाओं के साथ-साथ आधुनिक सुविधाओं से भी गांवों को मजबूत किया जा रहा है। इसी 15 अगस्त को लाल किले से मैंने कहा था कि आने वाले 1 हज़ार दिनों में देश के करीब 6 लाख गांवों में ऑप्टिकल फाइबर बिछाने का काम पूरा किया जाएगा। पहले देश की ढाई लाख पंचायतों तक फाइबर पहुंचाने का लक्ष्य रखा गया था, अब इसको पंचायत से आगे बढ़ाकर गांव-गांव तक पहुंचाने का संकल्प लिया गया है।

इस कोरोना काल में भी प्रधानमंत्री गरीब कल्याण रोज़गार अभियान के तहत ये काम तेज़ी से चला है। सिर्फ कुछ हफ्तों में ही देश के 116 जिलों में 5 हजार किलोमीटर से ज्यादा का Optical Fibre बिछाया जा चुका है। जिससे साढ़े 12 सौ से ज्यादा ग्राम पंचायतों में करीब 15 हजार Wi-Fi Hot Spot और लगभग 19 हजार ऑप्टिकल फाइबर कनेक्शन दिए गए हैं। यहां मध्य प्रदेश के भी चुने हुए जिलों में 13 सौ किलोमीटर से ज्यादा Optical Fibre बिछाया गया है। और मैं फिर याद दिलाउंगा, ये सारा काम कोरोना काल में ही हुआ है, इस संकट के बीच हुआ है। इतने बड़े संकट के बीच हुआ है। जैसे ही गांव-गांव में ऑप्टिकल फाइबर पहुंचेगा तो इससे नेटवर्क की समस्या भी कम हो जाएगी। जब गांव में भी जगह-जगह बेहतर और तेज़ इंटरनेट आएगा, जगह-जगह वाई-फाई  Hotspot बनेंगे, तो गांव के बच्चों को पढ़ाई और युवाओं को कमाई के बेहतर अवसर मिलेंगे। यानि गांव अब वाई-फाई के ही Hotspot से नहीं जुड़ेंगे, बल्कि आधुनिक गतिविधियों के, व्यापार-कारोबार के भी Hotspot बनेंगे।

साथियों, आज सरकार की हर सेवा, हर सुविधा ऑनलाइन की गई है ताकि लाभ भी तेज़ी से मिले, करप्शन भी ना हो और गांव के लोगों को छोटे-छोटे काम के लिए भी शहर की तरफ ना भागना पड़े। मुझे विश्वास है कि गांव-गांव ऑप्टिकल फाइबर पहुंचने से इन सेवाओं और सुविधाओं में भी और तेज़ी आएगी। अब जब आप अपने नए घरों में रहेंगे तो डिजिटल भारत अभियान, आपका जीवन और आसान बनाएगा। गांव और गरीब को सशक्त करने का ये अभियान अब और तेज़ होगा, इसी विश्वास के साथ आप सभी साथियों को अपने खुद के पक्‍के घर के लिए फिर से अऩंत शुभकामनाएं। लेकिन याद रखिए, और ये बात मैं बार-बार कहता हूं, जरूर याद रखिए, मुझे विश्‍वास है आप याद रखेंगे। इतना ही नहीं मेरी बात मानेंगे भी, देखिए जब तक दवाई नहीं, तब तक ढिलाई नहींयाद रहेगा। दो गज़ की दूरी, मास्क है ज़रूरी, इस मंत्र को भूलना नहीं है। आपका स्वास्थ्य उत्तम रहे!

इसी कामना के साथ आपका बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद! और सबको बहुत-बहुत शुभकामनाएं!

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the ‘Grih Pravesham’ event in Madhya Pradesh through video conferencing, where 1.75 Lakh Families were delivered pucca houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana- Grameen (PMAY-G)

Shri Narendra Modi also interacted with the beneficiaries under PMAY-G in Madhya Pradesh.

The Prime Minister said that the 1.75 Lakh beneficiary families who are moving into their new houses today have got their dream home and also a confidence about the future of their children. He said that the beneficiaries who got homes today have joined the ranks of the 2.25 crore families who have got their own house in the last 6 years and will now be living in their own house rather than living in a rented house or a slum or a kutcha house. He wished the beneficiaries Diwali and said that he would have been amongst them personally to share their joy if not for the Corona.

The Prime Minister said that today is not only a memorable moment in the lives of 1.75 lakh poor families, but it is also a major step to give pucca house to every homeless person in the country. He said while this strengthens the hope of the homeless in the country this also proves how Government scheme launched with right strategy and intention reach the targeted beneficiaries.

The Prime Minister said that notwithstanding the challenges during the Corona period, work of 18 lakh houses has been completed throughout the country under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana-Gramin and among that 1.75 lakh houses completed in Madhya Pradesh itself. He said that on an average, building a house under PMAY-G takes about 125 days but during this period of Corona, it was completed in just about 45 to 60 days which is a record in itself. He said this was made possible owing to the migrants returning from cities to their villages. The Prime Minister said this is a great example of turning a challenge into an opportunity.  He said that these migrant labour took care of their families by taking full advantage of the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyan and at the same time worked to build homes for their poor brethren.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that in many states of the country including Madhya Pradesh projects worth about Rs 23 thousand crores have been completed under PM Garib Kalyan Abhiyan. He said under this scheme, homes are being built for the poor in every village, works are being undertaken to provide water supply to every house, buildings are built for anganwadis and panchayats, along with cow sheds, ponds, wells etc.

He said that this has led to two benefits. One is millions of migrant labourers who returned back to their villages from the cities have got meaningful employment. And second – goods related to construction like Brick, Cement, Sand, etc. have been sold. He said that in a way Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan emerged as a big support for the village economy in this difficult time.

The Prime Minister said that various schemes were launched in the country for decades to build homes for the poor. But the goal of giving a dignified life, giving home to the crores of poor, could never be achieved. This is because there was too much interference of the government, lack of transparency and no consultation whatsoever with the actual beneficiary. He added that lack of transparency in earlier plans led to the poor quality of those houses.

Shri Narendra Modi said that in 2014, the scheme was modified after analysing tthe past experiences and it was launched as Prime Minister Awas Yojana with a new strategy. The entire procedure, right from selection of beneficiary till handing over the houses, was made transparent. He said earlier the poor had to run after the government, now the government is reaching the people. He said that scientific and transparent methods are being adopted from selection to manufacture. Not only this, priority is also given to locally available and used goods, from materials to construction. He said the designs of the house are also being prepared according to the local needs and style.

The Prime Minister said there is complete monitoring of each phase of the house construction. Various installments of money are released after completion of each stage.  

He added that the poor are not only getting a house, they are also  getting toilets, Ujjwala Gas connection, Sowbaghya Yojana, Power connection, LED bulb and Water connection also along with it. He said that schemes like PM Awas Yojana, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan are playing an important role in changing the lives of rural sisters. Prime Minister said about 27 welfare schemes of the Central Government are linked to the PM Awas Yojana.

The Prime Minister said that the houses built under the PM Awas Yojana are mostly registered in the name of the woman or registered jointly alongwith the woman of the household. New work opportunities are being created for and at the same time, a large number of lady masons are used for the construction. He said that in Madhya Pradesh alone more than 50 thousand masons have been trained out of there are 9,000 lady masons. When the income of the poor increases, their confidence grows. So the resolve to build a self-reliant India is also strengthened. To strengthen this confidence, the Prime Minister said that modern infrastructure is being developed in every village since 2014.

The Prime Minister recalled his promise made on the 15th August 2020, from the Ramparts of the Red Fort, on laying optical fiber cable in around 6 thousand villages in the next  1000 days. He said that even in this corona period, under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan, this work has progressed rapidly. He said that in just a few weeks more than 5000 kilometers of optical fiber has been laid in 116 districts. He said more than 1250 Gram panchayats are connected with about 19 thousand Optical fiber connections and about 15 thousand Wi-Fi HotSpot are provided. He said that when better and faster internet comes to villages, the children of the village will get better opportunities for education and the youth will get better business opportunities. He said that today every service of the government has been made online so that the benefits are also fast, there is no corruption and the villagers do not have to rush to the city for even small work. He said that to empower the village and the poor this campaign will be faster now, with the same confidence.

The Government has embarked upon a transformational programme of implementing international standards of emission and safety measures in the transport vehicles. As such government is moving on the path of a long-term regulatory road map for the automobile industry to grow and increase its contribution to GDP.  There are plans to bring Indian automotive industry at par with developed nations in such regulations.

The Indian automotive industry has kept pace with these changes and in recent years has undergone a number of changes in the domain of passenger safety, emission control and connected technology. One such highlight is leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI emission norms and hence achieving parity with Euro emission norms. These changes have also brought this industry at par with Europe, Japan and the US. Further, the much-needed amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) have been well received as a positive step by the government.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has already notified a number of regulations for upgrading emission and safety features in Indian automobiles. These include the draft notifications for anti-lock braking systems, airbags, speed alert systems, reverse parking assist, crash standards, etc.

The Ministry is in the process of finalization of implementation of standards for electronic stability control systems (ESC) and brake assist systems for relevant categories by next two years. The notification of ESC for buses has been issued last year. Draft notification has also been issued for electronic stability control systems for buses, which is likely to be brought into force by April 2023.We are contemplating higher level of safety for all categories of vehicles.

The Ministry has identified certain priority areas for international standardisation in this field. These include the tyre pressure monitoring system, if fitted for certain categories of vehicles, which is likely to come into force by October this year. The standards for vehicle dimensions and safety of construction equipment vehicles have been notified. Similarly, notifications have already been issued for side stands, foot rests and external projections of 2-wheelers. These will come into force soon.

The bookings for daily flights will start by end of September from Darbhanga to Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, said Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, MoS, I/C, Civil Aviation. After reviewing the groundwork of Darbhanga airport in Bihar, he informed that the flight operations will begin in the first week of November, before the auspicious festival of Chhath Puja. He further said that this a boon for 22 districts of North Bihar.

                  Civil Aviation Minister reviewed the progress and construction status of the Darbanga airport along with Shri Gopal Jee Thakur, MP, Darbhanga, Shri Ashok Yadav, MP, Madhubani, Shri Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary, MoCA Shri Arvind Singh, Chairman AAI and other officials.

               Expressing satisfaction over the progress of work of Darbhanga airport, Shri Puri said that most of the work at the airport is almost complete. He added that arrival and departure halls, check-in facility, conveyor belt etc have already been installed and remaining work will be completed before end October. Spicejet has already been awarded this route under RCS-UDAN.

The Union Health Ministry in collaboration with FICCI and AIIMS, New Delhi, organized a virtual conclave for private hospitals providing COVID-19 treatment in the country. This provided a platform for discussion of clinical protocols and best practices in COVID-19 management towards reducing avoidable deaths.

While COVID-19 has posed unprecedented challenges to the country’s healthcare systems, there have been proactive responses from the government as well as the private industry. The Conclave was organised to share the best practices and effective treatment modules being implemented by the public and private sector hospitals in the country. The Ministry also encouraged the hospital representatives to share their key concerns and challenges being faced while managing COVID-19 in their facilities.

Union Health Secretary inaugurated the virtual conference. He reiterated the resolve of the Government to ensure that patient of COVID-19 must not be denied beds and must be provided prompt treatment. The collective goal must be to have a health system that available, affordable and accessible to all. He highlighted that the aim of the Centre along with the State/ UT governments is to achieve a mortality rate of less than 1%.

The best practices included discussion of the tele-consultation sessions conducted by AIIMS, New Delhi through the e-ICU, Centers of Excellence (CoE) and Clinical Grand Rounds to enhance the clinical management capacities of the ICU doctors in various States/UTs. This, supplemented by various other focussed strategies of containment, prevention, early identification, has resulted in higher recoveries and steadily declining mortality.

During the meeting, the importance of timely treatment of comorbid patients to reduce fatality was stressed upon. Hospitals were encouraged to protect healthcare workers by adopting all practices on infection prevention and control and keep the staff motivated. Hospitals were also asked to ensure seamless admission of patients. The importance of evidence-based treatment protocols and reducing heterogeneity in treatment to COVID-19 patients was also underscored.

Senior doctors from private sector hospitals also shared their experiences and challenges about their battle against COVID-19. Several best practices were shared by the private hospitals, including regular monitoring of key metrics at the facility level and leveraging technology to support hospital staff in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Concerns around delayed referral of patients from smaller facilities and financial stress owing to lack of health insurance were also discussed.  The Conclave was attended by more than 150 hospital representatives, senior doctors and clinicians from across the country.

Prof BalramBhargava, Director General, ICMR, Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS, Shri Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, MoHFW, Dr Sangita Reddy, President, FICCI and JMD, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises,Dr Alok Roy, Chair, FICCI Health Services Committee and Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals were also present.

The 2-days Orientation and Training programme on iRAD App was conducted by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways on 7th & 8th September 2020 for the selected districts of Karnataka, and on 10th & 11th September 2020 for some districts of Uttar Pradesh. Based on the feedback and other suggestions received, the App will be customised for the State.

The basic iRAD app has been developed and will be customized/integrated as per the requirements of concerned States/UTs. Mobile app of iRAD is available for Android platform, and for other platforms like iOS will be available shortly.

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is in the process of implementing ‘Integrated Road Accident Database Project (iRAD)’ which will be applicable across the country. In the first instance, it has been decided to implement the proposal in six States, viz. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The development and implementation of iRAD has been entrusted to lIT Madras and National Informatics Centre Services Inc. The App when developed and functional, will enable the stakeholders such as the Police, Transport, Health, etc to use their mobile phones to collect accident data on the spot.

This project is proposed on IT based system for capturing the spot accident data using mobile app configured for this purpose. This data can then be utilized for various purposes like finding the causes of the accidents and remedial measures to improve the road infrastructure, to record the accidents data for the use of police, health services and other concerned departments.

Shri R. K. Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, New and Renewable Energy and Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, today inaugurated a host of community focused facilities developed by NTPC in Bihar in the vicinity of NTPC Barh (1320 MW), Nabinagar Power Generation Company Pvt. Ltd. (NPGCL), Nabinagar (660 MW) and Kanti Bijlee Utpadan Nigam Limited (KBUNL), Kanti (610 MW).

Shri Singh inaugurated two Community Centres- Sahari and Sahnaura at Barh, Patna. He also inaugurated 3 km long Meh-Indrapuri Barrage Road at Nabinagar, Aurangabad and the Main Gate Complex of Kanti Bijlee Utpadan Nigam Limited (KBUNL) in Bihar. The construction of these facilities and infrastructure will make the life convenient for the locals, improve access and help save travel time.

While inaugurating the facilities from Patna, Shri R. K. Singh,  Minister informed that in the past 3-4 years, the Power Ministry has invested Rs 11,000 Crore worth of initiatives for electrification in Bihar, which includes substations, transmission and rural electrification projects that we see today. He added that NTPC has given good dividends for every investment made in terms of nation building. “In the past 5 years, cost of coal and railway freight increased by 40%, but due to efficiency displayed by NTPC, they were able to limit power price hike by only 12%,” Shri Singh said.

Shri R K Singh further added, “The organisation has given Rs 257.5 Crore, the highest amongst Power PSUs to PM CARES fund. It has given over Rs 12 Crore to AIIMS, Patna. NTPC is diversifying its portfolio into other ways of generating power and we have a vision to transform it into a true multinational company. NTPC was also given the responsibility for electrification for the rural areas in Odisha, which they completed well before the deadline.”

The construction of these facilities and infrastructure inaugurated today will make the life convenient for the locals, improve access and help save travel time.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Shri Sushil Kumar Singh, MP-Aurangabad, Shri Gyanendra Kumar Singh, MLA-Barh, Shri Ashok Kumar Choudhary, MLA-Kanti, Shri Virendra Kumar Singh, MLA-Nabinagar along with Shri Gurdeep Singh, CMD, NTPC, senior officials of Ministry of Power, NTPC and Administration of Bihar.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sushil Kumar Singh MP, Aurangabad said “I would like to extend my gratitude to NTPC for its CSR and power generation efforts. Today, electricity is not a luxury but a necessity. Even healthcare treatment is highly dependent of electricity. We are proud to learn that Bihar will soon be generating 10,000 MW of electricity.”

Shri Gyanendra Kumar Singh, MLA, Barh said, “It is a proud moment for us that two beautiful community buildings are being constructed by NTPC which will contribute to the development of the area. Under the guidance of Power Minister, today our region has 24 by 7 electricity.”

Shri Virendra Kumar Singh, MLA, Nabinagar said, “These CSR initiatives of NTPC is a reflection of Government’s vision for Bihar. This road is important step towards national development as this road will make commuting to Patna highly convenient.”

Shri Ashok Kumar Choudhary, MLA, Kanti said, “The construction of the multifunctional Main Gate Complex at NTPC Kanti has been a cause for immense delight in the people here. This has boosted the prestige of Kanti area in East Bihar.”

Shri Gurdeep Singh, CMD NTPC said on the occasion, “Under the inspirational guidance of Shri R K Singh ji, the growth of NTPC has played an instrumental role in the development of Bihar. Out of its total installed capacity of 62910 MW, NTPC presently has 6150 MW in Bihar. In addition, 3800 MW capacity is in pipeline. We are also committed to undertake various CSR initiatives for the development of Bihar, it is for such crucial initiatives for which we have gathered here.”

Under CSR Initiative, NTPC Barh has constructed two community buildings for Rs 62 lakhs to support 13,500 villagers in adjoining villages.

During the inauguration ceremony, films on Community Centre at Sahnaura and Sahari (Barh), Renovation work on Meh-Indrapuri Barrage Road (Nabinagar), Kanti Bijlee Utpadan Nigam Limited (KBUNL) Main Gate Complex (Kanti) was shown to stakeholders present on the occasion.

With a total installed capacity of 62.9 GW, NTPC Group has 70 Power stations comprising of 24 Coal, 7 combined cycle Gas/Liquid Fuel, 1 Hydro, 13 Renewables along with 25 Subsidiary & JV Power Stations. The group has over 20 GW of capacity under construction, of which 5GW comprises of renewable energy.