Defence Ministry approves 21 new Sainik Schools

Defence Ministry has approved setting up of 21 new Sainik Schools in partnership with NGOs, private schools and State Governments. These schools will be set up in the initial round of the Government’s initiative of setting up of 100 new Sainik schools across the country in partnership mode. They will be distinct from the existing Sainik Schools. These new Sainik Schools, besides their affiliation to respective education boards, will function under the aegis of Sainik Schools Society and will follow the Rules and Regulations for new Sainik schools in partnership mode prescribed by the Society. The objectives behind setting up of 100 new Sainik Schools is to provide quality education to the students in tune with National Education Policy and give them better career opportunities, including joining the Armed Forces. It also gives an opportunity to the private sector to work hand-in-hand with the Government towards nation building by refining today’s youth to become responsible citizens of tomorrow. The Ministry said, entry to new Sainik School pattern in these schools will be at class six level only.

-In Assam, coal mining operations at North Eastern Coalfields (NEC), a unit of Coal India Limited (CIL), resumed.  Union Minister of Coal Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the resumption of mining operations along with Chief Minister  Himanta Biswa Sarma at Tikak Colliery in Tinsukia District on Saturday. Mining operations at NEC were halted in 2020 due to certain environmental issues. NEC presently operates in Tikak Colliery in Margherita with two opencast projects namely Tikak OCP and Tikak Extension OCP with a combined coal production capacity of 4 lakh tonne per annum.  NEC will also start producing coal from its Tirap OCP from coming fiscal year with a target to produce 10 lakh tonne of coal per annum. On this occasion, Joshi said that increased production in the mines would generate more revenues for the state government, more employment for the people and also support small business activities as well as catering to the energy demand.

-Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Saturday called for equal stake participation by industry to sustain StartUps. He was speaking at the ceremony to sign an agreement between Technology Development Board of the Ministry of Science and Technology and Sapigen Biologix Private Limited, Hyderabad for development and commercialization of two novel vaccines  - Intranasal Covid-19 Vaccine and RTS, S Malaria Vaccine.  Singh said that this initiative will ensure equal stake with equal partnership and responsibility for the Industry for sustainable StartUps. He said, the vaccine strategy of India symbolises Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s idea of an Atma Nirbhar Bharat. He said that India’s vaccine strategy brings together pharma, industry and academia together in a partnership with an eye on meeting the current as well as possible future challenges.

-Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced the new BJP led State Government’s Action Plan “100 Action Points for First 100 Days” in an aim to serve the people of Manipur effectively throughout the five years. Addressing the media, Biren stated that the new Government aimed to strengthen Citizen-centric governance and frame policies for promotion of revenue generation and inclusive development of the State. He said that under the 100 Action Points, a Subdivision Development Monitoring Mission would be launched for which designated Prabhari Officers would be appointed for regularly monitoring and competitive ranking of progress. Health Camps would be organised in each Block during the first 100 days. He also stated that e-office would be introduced in all Government offices.  Biren Singh also announced the names of some infrastructure projects taken up in the State to be  completed and inaugurated on a fixed date under the Action Points.The Chief Minister said that the State Government had reconstituted the 'Anti-Corruption Cell'  to make Manipur 'Corruption-free' and the Cell would receive and act on complaints of corruption against public servants. He sought public support and cooperation for successful implementation of 100 Action Points as the development of a society needs the Government and the public to march together towards growth.

-Tamil Nadu has attracted Rs 1600-crore worth investment commitments from the UAE-based industrial firms. The MoU for the same were signed in Dubai between six corporate houses and the state government, in presence of chief minister MK Stalin. In the event, Mr Stalin asked the UAE based entrepreneurs to invest more in the state, saying it has the presence of several global conglomerates.