38 cr labourers of unorganized sector will get social security benefit

Union Minister for Labour and Employment Bhupender Yadav has said benefits of social security would be extended to 38 crore labourers of unorganized sector including craftsmen and artisans of the country. Inaugurating 35th Hunar Haat at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi Mr. Yadav said that his ministry has identified 400 types of occupations including traditional art and crafts. The Minister said under social security schemes insurance of 2 lakh rupees including health insurance, social security and old age-related benefits will be provided to niche level artisan. He said so far 14 crore labourers have been registered on the e-Shram portal. The Minister further added that two large scale surveys of migrant labourers and domestic workers are also underway which will provide necessary know-how for formulations of welfare policies and schemes. Yadav said Hunar Haat helps artisans and craftsmen to exchange their innovation, crafts and technology.

-On December 23,Kisan Diwas or National Farmers' Day was celebrated throughout the country to commemorate the birth anniversary of the fifth Prime Minister of India, Chaudhary Charan Singh. In addition, the day is celebrated in honour of the contribution of Indian farmers and to glorify their importance in the country.The decision was taken in 2001 by the government to recognize Chaudhary Charan Singh’s contribution to the upliftment of farmers, and the development of the agriculture sector. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has paid tributes to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on his birth anniversary. He said that Chaudhary Charan Singh was a champion of farmer rights. Naidu has also expressed gratitude to the industrious farmers on Kisan Diwas. He said that they are the cornerstone of India’s food security. The Vice President said that our farmers have always stood tall in the face of adversities, be it floods, drought, or even a pandemic.Naidu called upon all stakeholders to make every effort to make farming profitable and ensure that our farmers are duly recognized and rewarded for their hard work. Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar also remembered Chaudhary Charan Singh on his birth anniversary and wished the countrymen a very Happy Farmer's Day.

-Centre has advised States and Union Territories to not let their guard down and maintain their preparedness for fighting COVID in view of the new Omicron variant. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan reviewed public health preparedness of the states for fighting COVID along with progress of vaccination with State Health Secretaries and National Health Mission MDs through video conference on Thursday. He re-emphasised the five-fold strategy of containment, testing and surveillance, clinical management, COVID Safe behaviour and vaccination. States were asked to keep a close and strict watch on number of Delta and Omicron cases in all districts, case positivity, doubling rate, and new emerging clusters and initiate containment in these areas. They were advised to impose night curfews and ensure strict regulation of large gatherings, especially ahead of the forthcoming festivities. They were also asked to promptly notify “Containment Zones”, and  “Buffer Zones” in case in new clusters of Covid positive cases. States going in for elections in the near future were asked to exponentially ramp up the vaccination, especially in the low coverage districts to protect the vulnerable population. States were urged to ensure hundred percent coverage of left out first and second dose eligible beneficiaries in an accelerated manner.

-Government and European Investment Bank have signed a Finance Contract for first tranche loan of 250 million euros for Agra Metro Rail Project. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated construction work of Agra Metro project in Agra last year through video conference. European Investment Bank had approved a total loan of 450 million euros to fund the Agra Metro Rail Project. The project aims to provide safe, reliable, affordable and environment friendly public Mass Rapid Transit System for Agra city. It will improve mobility and support endeavour for planned urban development in Agra. The financing from EIB will help to fund construction of 29.4 km metro corridor. The project will also enhance economic productivity of the city and catalyse job creation.

-In West Bengal, state transport minister and former mayor Firhad Hakim has been declared as the next Mayor of Kolkata. After a meeting with party councillors and leaders in Kolkata on Thursday, Trinamool Congress supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the names of the members of the new civic board. Atin Ghosh will be the deputy mayor as six times councilor, MP Mala Roy has been named as the Chairperson. 13 members will be made Mayor in Council. Out of 16 Borough Chairpersons, 10 are women.It may be recalled that TMC bagged 134 wards out of 144 in the recently held Kolkata Municipal Corporation Election. BJP got 3, left and congress 2 wards each and independent candidates won three wards.