Month-long Clean India Programme begins at Prayagraj

Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting,Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur launched a month-long Clean India Programme from Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh on Friday as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. The aim of the cleanliness drive is to create awareness, mobilize people and ensure their involvement in cleaning waste mainly Single Use Plastic waste throughout the country. On this occasion,Takur said that youths have the power of transformation of country. He said, youths had played very important role in freedom movement of the country and they will also do the same in Clean India Mission. This campaign will continue till October31. The Minister said that this cleanliness drive against plastic waste is being launched from the land of freedom fighters and it will win the battle. Thakur appealed to youth to connect with the cleanliness drive. He said that union government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done a lot in the field of clean India movement, providing houses, electricity and drinking water to poor people. The Union minister also administered oath of cleanliness to the youths on this occasion.

-Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said, India is building global competencies to fulfill the 21st century aspirations.  Pradhan said this while addressing the 5th East Asia Summit Education Ministers’ meeting through video conferencing. He shared the objectives of India’s National Education Policy, including universalisation of education, ensuring equity, affordability and flexibility, technology-based learning and several others which uphold the principles of the Manila Action Plan on Education. He also spoke about the multi-modal digital interventions, like PM-eVidya, Swayam and Diksha which ensured continuity of learning during the Covid pandemic. Pradhan said, India remains committed to forge meaningful partnerships in making education and skills more inclusive, affordable, equitable, vibrant and aspirational.

- Union Government has decided that the procurement of paddy under Minimum Support Price operation will commence from 11th of this month in Punjab and Haryana. Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ministry has advised all agencies to gear up to help farmers. The Ministry said, widespread rainfall has been experienced across Punjab and Haryana during second fortnight of September this year.Untimely showers have affected the standing paddy crop in both the agrarian states.The maximum temperature at most of the places has also been recorded below normal due to downpour.The Ministry said, because of the untimely rains, maturity of paddy grains is delayed.

-A Metropolitan Magistrate’s court in Mumbai on Friday issued process against former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh for not appearing before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) despite issuing multiple summons to him in connection with a money laundering case.The court issued process against Deshkmukh under section 174 of the Indian Penal Code. The former minister has been summoned by the ED in connection with alleged laundering of bribe money collected from bars, restaurants and other establishments in Mumbai.Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate RM Nerlikar observed that from the submissions made on behalf of ED, prima facie case was made out against Deshmukh and hence process was issued returnable on November 16, 2021, seeking his presence before the court.

-In West Bengal, the flood like situation turns grim in several districts following incessant rainfall and sudden release of water from the barrages by DVC. Paschim Bardhaman, Bankura, Paschim Medinipur, Hooghly and Howrah are badly affected districts.The Chief Secretary told reporters that over 22 lakh people have been affected and nearly 4 lakh people have been evacuated so far. More than two lakh people have taken shelter in over 1500 relief camps. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took stock of the situation through video conferencing with the district administration Friday. The state administration is keeping an eye on the situation and the disaster relief department has taken all necessary arrangements to rescue people. Already 7 columns of the army have been sent to carry out relief and rescue work in the affected districts. 25 teams of NDRF and 24 teams of SDRF have been pressed into action.