E-governance initiatives should be citizen centric-Dr Jitendra Singh

Union Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Friday emphasised that the e-governance initiatives should be citizen centric and increase transparency and accountability. Addressing the 24th National Conference on e- Governance in Hyderabad this morning, the minister stressed the need for right and optimum use of e-governance initiatives especially in the post Covid era. The minister said the purpose of e- governance is to bring ease of life for common citizens. He said the e-governance initiatives taken during the past few years, has provided flexy timings and helped people especially employees during COVID pandemic. He also felt that e-learning has been strengthened during the COVID time. Stating that the over 27 lakh e-files are there in the central Government whereas 10 lakh physical files are existing, the government has gone nearly paperless during the pandemic. Over grievances and redressal, the Minister said the linking of Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System with that of the states is almost done realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for one nation-one portal.

-In UP, Seven people were on Friday arrested for allegedly printing counterfeit Indian currency and fake notes of Rs 6.60 lakh face value were seized from Ghaziabad, police said. The kingpin of the gang, Azad learnt to forge notes by watching videos on YouTube, they said. Assistant Superintendent of Police Akash Patel said said the gang operated in Kaila Bhatta and Islamnagar areas of the city and the accused were nabbed after a tip-off.  He said police seized fake notes of Rs 6.60 lakh face value, one printer, a paper-cutting machine and blank paper from the premises.

-The J&K Government has issued Jammu and Kashmir Appointment of Outstanding Sportspersons Rules, 2022 through a notification by the General Administration Department. The Advisor to LG and Vice Chairperson, J&K Sports Council, Farooq Khan on Friday formally announced the new rules, which have been framed under the aegis of Lieutenant Governor and Chairperson JKSC, Manoj Sinha.Under the rules, outstanding sportspersons, holding domicile of J&K, would be eligible to be appointed against gazetted (Level 8) and other non gazetted posts. Detailed grading system has been mentioned in the notification which would help rank sportspersons applying under the quota. However, the selection under the rules would be done by a high level committee headed by Chief Secretary, and consisting of Home Secretary, Secretary Youth Services & Sports, Secretary GAD and Secretary Sports Council.

-Uttar Pradesh has been awarded first prize in the state category of 3rd National Water Awards 2020. This follows Rajasthan occupying the 2nd place, while Tamil Nadu secured 3rd place.Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Friday declared the winners of the National Water Awards. The 57 awards were announced in 11 categories including Best States, District, Panchayat and Best Industries. India has more than 18 percent of the world’s population, but has only four percent of the world’s renewable water resources. National Water Awards were instituted to recognize and encourage exemplary work and efforts made by States, Districts, individuals and organizations across the country in attaining the government’s vision of a Jal Samridh Bharat.

-The Assam government has imposed new restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19. Talking to newspersons in Guwahati, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that curfew will be imposed from 10 pm now to 6 am from Saturday He also said that business and commercial establishments would not function after 9 pm. He said that all inter-district passenger transport and movement shall be allowed with fully vaccinated passengers. The Chief Minister said that non- vaccinated people would not be allowed in public places from 15th of January. He said that classes will be closed up to 8th standard in Kamrup Metro district while in the rest of the state no physical classes will be held up to 5th standard.