Rajasthan CM meets Chhattisgarh CM over coal crisis

The Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has informed in his written reply in Lok Sabha that during the year 2020-21, the total cargo movement on national waterways was 83.61 million metric tonne. An overall target of 200 million Metric Tonne is set by 2030 in Maritime India Vision and for the year 2024-25 a target of 120 million metric tonne is fixed.  The National Waterway one between Haldia and Varanasi on river Ganga, National Waterways two between Sadiya and Dhubri on Brahmaputra river and National Waterways 16 on Barak river are being developed for the cargo movement. The minister informed that a comprehensive development of National Waterways two has been undertaken by Inland Waterways Authority of India under a separate project approved by the Government at the cost of 481 crore rupees. This project involves construction of a Multi Modal Terminal at Jogighopa, ship repair facility at Pandu and maintenance of e-portal among others.

-Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta on Friday pitched for 100 per cent Aadhaar penetration in the Union Territory, saying it will facilitate effective and efficient provision of public services to the people.He said there is a need to specifically target the population in the age group of 0-5 years by holding special camps in anganwari centres across Jammu and Kashmir. The chief secretary also laid emphasis on making Aadhaar saturation a part of the awareness campaign to be run by the IT department and directed that all pending notifications of all the schemes in which expenditure is made from consolidated funds of India and consolidated funds of J&K should be issued within 15 days.He directed for immediate upscaling of Aadhar enrolment in hospitals and schools.According to Bhawna Garg, Deputy Director General, Unique Identification Authority of India, 72.76 per cent Aadhaar penetration has been done in the age group of 0-5 years till February 28. In the 5-18 years and above 18 years categories, 83.68 per cent and 87.29 per cent Aadhaar enrolment has been done. It was further informed that Ganderbal, Kulgam, Samba, Shopian districts have to redouble their efforts in improving Aadhaar enrolments.

-Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav has informed that October 5th has been designated as National Dolphin Day to be celebrated every year to create awareness for conservation of Dolphins. In a tweet, Yadav stated that generating awareness and community participation is integral for conservation of the indicator species. He chaired the 67th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life in New Delhi on Friday. Considering that generating awareness amongst the people on the benefits of conservation of Dolphins is important, the Standing Committee recommended that every year on October 5 should be celebrated as National Dolphin Day. The Standing Committee discussed several important policy issues and the proposals for wildlife clearances forwarded by the State Governments and the Union Territory administrations. Healthy aquatic ecosystems help in maintaining the overall health of the planet. Dolphins act as ideal ecological indicators of a healthy aquatic ecosystem and conservation of the Dolphins will benefit the survival of the species and people dependent on the aquatic system for their livelihood. Environment Ministry has been taking up several activities for the protection and conservation of dolphins and its habitats. The Standing Committee also considered 46 proposals for wildlife clearance and recommended several projects such as providing electricity in remote villages in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, and drinking water supply to villagers in Karnataka. Projects of strategic importance such as road and border outpost in Ladakh were also recommended during the meeting.

-Facing power crisis in his state, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot met Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel  on Friday and discussed issues related to clearance of coal mining projects to ensure coal supply. Tthe Government of India had allotted Chhattisgarh’s coal mines to Rajasthan way back in 2015. But, mining and supply of coal are yet to be started due to pending clearances. As Rajasthan is staring at a power crisis, chief minister Gehlot and senior officials reached Raipur and had a discussion with chief minister Bhupesh Baghel today. Later, talking to media, chief minister Baghel said his government would take a decision on the request for early clearances as per rules keeping in mind the environment and the interests of local people. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot maintained that if coal supply from Chhattisgarh is not started soon, Rajasthan’s power plants of 4500 Megawatt would have to be shut down and that could lead to a major power crisis. 

-Union Minority Affair Minister and Deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has said that 'Hunar Haat' has proved a strong programme to give recognition to skills of the craftsmen and it has provided platform to provide market and opportunities to centuries-old traditional and ancestral arts and crafts of India. Naqvi was addressing a press conference at Hunar Haat  being organised from Friday to  3rd April  in Chandigarh. He said that the Hunar Haat has provided employment and employment opportunities to more than 8.5 lakh craftsmen, sculpturists and artisans. He said that among 8.5 lakh craftsmen and artisans, 50 percent are women. The Minister said that the programme has changed the life of craftsmen and artisans living in the far flung areas. He said that Hunar Haat is an effective programme for strengthening the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's  'swadeshi',  the 'vocal for local' and Atma Nirbhar Bharat campaign. Mr Naqvi said that more than 700 craftsmen and artisans from more than 31 states and Union Territories.are participating in the Hunar Haat at Chandigarh.