Latest news with #PradhanMantriJanVikasKaryakram
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
PMJVK scheme to foster development in underprivileged regions: George Kurian
Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian inaugurated a skill development centre granted by the Minority Affairs Ministry under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) at Amal College of Advanced Studies, Nilambur, on Friday (July 18). Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kurian said that India would become a developed nation by 2047. He said the PMJVK scheme was designed to foster development in underprivileged regions by providing top-notch infrastructure, enhancing educational opportunities and promoting skill development. Notably, 25% of the scheme's funds are earmarked for minority communities for their holistic development, he said. Mr. Kurian said that the future generation would have access to state-of-the-art technology, training and infrastructure. The scheme will provide a stipend of ₹27,000 to school and college students, he said. P.K. Basheer, MLA, presided over the function. P.V. Abdul Wahab, MP, was the chief guest. District Collector V.R. Vinod, Minority Welfare Department director Sabin Sameed, Nilambur block panchayat president P. Pushpavalli, vice president Pathumma Ismail, block development officer A.J. Santhosh, district panchayat member Sherona Roy and college principal K.P. Mohammed Basheer spoke. The government sanctioned ₹7.92 crore for the skill development centre under the PMJVK scheme. The facilities at the centre include a seminar hall, an electronics lab, a survey and GPS lab, an IT lab, counselling rooms, store rooms, rest room for women, disabled-friendly toilets, a logistics lab, an electrical lab, a plumbing lab, a language lab, training centres, a yoga centre and faculty and administrative offices. Mr. Kurian also inaugurated a girls' hostel complex constructed at a cost of ₹9.97 crore. The hostel can house 216 girl students. It has 156 beds for undergraduate students and 48 beds for postgraduate students. The hostel has a dormitory with 12 beds. Apart from a room for the matron, the hostel has a dining hall, a kitchen, a gymnasium, a multipurpose hall, and utility areas.
Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Kiren Rijiju: ‘Minorities receive more govt support … Whatever Hindus get, minorities also do. But what minorities get, Hindus don't'
With the Narendra Modi government having completed 11 years in power, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju discusses the performance of his ministry, the schemes and budgetary allocations, the Waqf (Amendment) Act, and the delay in disbursement of funds under the Maulana Azad National Fellowship. Excerpts: In the last 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has championed the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas'. Following this principle, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has adopted the mantra of 'bhagidari se bhagyodaya (participation to good fortune)' to a result-oriented and empowerment-driven framework focused on education, skilling, entrepreneurship, and inclusion. The approach has ensured that minority communities are active and equal participants in India's growth story. The main point we have to understand is that minority communities are receiving more funds and support from the government than the majority community, the Hindus. Whatever the Hindus get, the minorities also do. But what the minorities get, the Hindus don't. Some of our key schemes include the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), under which a total of 5.63 lakh infrastructure units were approved across sectors such as health, education, sanitation, and renewable energy in the last 11 years. We have also used geo-tagging and digital integration for the scheme, and 2.35 lakh units (51%) have been geo-tagged. Rs 10,749.65 crore has been spent on the scheme in the last 11 years. From 2023, the PMJVK is on a fully digital platform. The overall disbursement of scholarships has increased by 172% in the last 10 years, and the number of women beneficiaries has increased by 182%. The ministry's flagship scheme, Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS), has performed remarkably well. Over 9.25 lakh individuals were trained and empowered in the last 11 years. We have also undertaken the promotion of artisans and cultural heritage and have organised the 'Lok Samvardhan Parv' to showcase and support minority artisans. From zero-structured placements in 2014, we have moved to over 10 lakh skilled and placed individuals, particularly focusing on youth and educated women. The Hajj programme has also seen a transformation over the last decade. This year, for the first time, minimal health-related cases and deaths were reported from Saudi Arabia. It is a big achievement for the ministry. India's Haj quota has also increased from 1.36 lakh in 2014 to 1.75 lakh in 2025. The Ladies Without Mehram (LWM) category was introduced in Haj 2018 and expanded: 4,558 women performed Haj under the LWM category in 2024. The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, and the operationalisation of the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Act, 1995, mark a historic reform bringing in transparency, better management and governance of Waqf properties in India. These steps are not just legal or administrative measures. Rather, they represent the Modi government's deep and sincere commitment to ensuring transparency, justice, and empowerment for the Muslim community, particularly the poor, women, and the marginalised. The ministry launched the UMEED Central Portal on June 6 as a statutory platform mandated for use by all Waqf Boards across the country. It will streamline the registration process of auqaf and automate the full lifecycle of a waqf, starting from registration. Contrary to what some may claim, the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, underwent one of the most inclusive and rigorous consultative processes in recent legislative history. A Joint Committee of Parliament held 38 meetings, spread over 113 hours, to discuss the legislation. The committee engaged with 184 stakeholders, including 49 key Muslim organisations and five minority commissions. It received over 97 lakh representations via email and thoroughly considered relevant suggestions and concerns. This proves that the government values dialogue, participation and consensus, especially when it comes to sensitive matters of community interest. The objective of this reform is not to centralise or control Waqf assets, but to digitally empower Waqf Boards with better tools for management and protection, stop illegal encroachments and misuse of waqf land through transparent mapping and ensure that the revenue generated from waqf properties is used efficiently as envisioned by waqf donors. The real beneficiaries of this reform will be ordinary Muslims. That is not cut down. The whole concept of funding has changed. Now, the Central government provides 60% and 40% has to be contributed by the state government. In the case of hill states and the Northeast, it is 90:10. Whatever support the Union government is giving, there is a rationalisation; earlier, whatever support was given was based on need, as a gap needed to be filled. Subsequently, whatever the demand is, that much will go. It is not that the budget is cut. The requirement is to be met by budgetary allocation. So, theoretically, you may see a budget cut, but it is not. It is as per the requirement. This is an overhaul of the entire scheme. I have also received the complaints. We are reviewing it. You have to understand the whole thing. There is a scholarship for minorities, and then there is a scholarship for SCs and STs. Three or four years ago, there was a huge bundling of funds. In the minority institutions, thousands of fake names were submitted and money was taken in the name of scholarships. Then, cases were registered in different states. The case is in its final stages. Because of that, there are certain rational approaches which are being done. Second, we have to ensure there is no duplication. Suppose one is a tribal, they can't take the scholarship for minorities. Then, there are STs who are Christians and SCs who are professing Islam … That means you have to rationalise it. There were lakhs of cases where some agencies misused provisions in the name of students. Things are in better shape and they will be alright.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
19 new degree colleges to come up in UP under PMJVK scheme
Prayagraj: In a significant push to expand access to higher education in Uttar Pradesh, 19 new degree colleges are set to be established under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at educational development in minority-concentrated areas. These colleges will be an addition to the 71 govt degree colleges already being developed across the state. Initially planned to be operated by the Minority Welfare and Waqf department, the responsibility for these colleges is now being transferred to the state higher education department. Officials from both departments met in Lucknow on June 3 to discuss the transition process. However, it is yet to be decided whether the new institutions will function as fully govt-run colleges or under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Of the 71 govt degree colleges that are already being developed across the state, 69 are ready to commence operations from July 1, 2025, aligning with the 2025–26 academic session. The remaining two colleges, still under construction, are expected to open in the 2026–27 session. According to director of higher education, Amit Bhardwaj, the swift establishment of these 19 colleges is top priority for the state govt. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Преносим лазерен заваръчен пистолет, 50% отстъпка днес HL Купете сега Undo "The project is being closely monitored at the highest level. These colleges will provide affordable access to quality higher education for a large number of students," Bhardwaj said. Talking about the district-wise distribution of the new colleges, in the neighbouring district of Pratapgarh, there will be two colleges (Gabi Mahuavan and Sandwa Chandika Purba), three in Meerut, and two each in Gautam Buddha Nagar, Shamli, and Ghaziabad. Besides, one college each will be there in Bulandshahr, Muzaffarpur, Sitapur, Unnao, Balrampur, Rampur, Sant Kabir Nagar, and Azamgarh.
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Decrepit government medical college building in need of a major surgery
The dilapidated state of the auditorium and other buildings at the K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College in Tiruchi has raised safety concerns and brought to fore the need for carrying out regular repairs and maintenance on the 28-year-old campus. The college was established in 1997 with an initial student strength of 100 that was increased to 150 from 2013. On most days, the shaded entrance to the college auditorium serves more as a car parking spot. With damaged signage and exposed sections of rebar on the roofing and lintels, the outer facade presents a picture of neglect. The seats and other furnishings inside appeared to be falling apart. The stage curtains were torn in several places and were secured with old furniture. Missing false ceiling tiles and peeling wall paint added to the shabby appearance. Other buildings on the campus seem to be in need of upkeep. When contacted by The Hindu, college dean S. Kumaravel said: 'We are awaiting funds from various government agencies to carry out civic works. Except for minor repairs, no significant maintenance work has been commissioned in the past 10 to 15 years on the campus. We have submitted a proposal for funding lifts in the medical college, PET scan installation and sealing the gaps in the compound wall under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram.' The college receives a daily water supply of five lakh litres and steps are on to increase it to eight lakh litres. 'The college needs additional hostels for students. Even if on a sharing basis, the rooms must be spacious enough,' he said. Some residents said alumni of the college, many of whom went on to serve in senior government positions, could have taken steps to improve the maintenance of their alma mater.
Hindustan Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Jamia VC, registrar meet Rijiju; major tech labs, infra projects approved
New Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia Vice Chancellor Mazhar Asif and Registrar Md Mahtab Alam Rizvi met Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and secured approvals for several projects aimed at transforming the university into a centre of technological excellence and inclusive education. Jamia VC, registrar meet Rijiju; major tech labs, infra projects approved According to a statement issued by the university, the meeting with Rijiju, who is the Union minister for minority affairs, took place on Tuesday. The ambitious research and infrastructure projects will be implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram , it said. A highlight of the meeting was the green signal for setting up several advanced laboratories that would propel JMI into the forefront of research in emerging technologies, the university said. These include a state-of-the-art laboratory for 5G and beyond, an artificial intelligence and Internet of Things lab with machine learning-integrated cloud computing capabilities, and a research lab focused on electric vehicles. In addition, the university will set up an advanced digital gaming lab, a creative media and mobile app development lab, and an advanced XR immersive media lab. The university's digital security capabilities will also be strengthened with the approval of a cybersecurity training academy at JMI's Centre for Information Technology. These labs are expected to provide students and researchers with cutting-edge tools and resources, elevating JMI's profile as a national and international hub for innovation and knowledge creation. Critical infrastructure proposals were also approved during the meeting. These include the construction of a 100-bed girls' hostel and an air-conditioned library with a seating capacity for 250 students, to be developed for JMI's Residential Coaching Academy. Furthermore, funding for smart classrooms for Jamia schools under the PMJVK scheme was granted to modernise academic delivery at the school level. Rijiju appreciated the university's forward-looking vision and lauded the efforts of the varsity leadership in steering JMI towards academic and technological excellence. He assured full support from the Ministry of Minority Affairs for the timely implementation of the proposed projects and emphasised the importance of such institutions in nation-building. Speaking after the meeting, VC Asif said, "Our mission is to nurture Jamia into an innovation-driven and research-intensive university that contributes meaningfully to sustainable development, clean energy, and inclusive education. These projects will help us empower the marginalised sections of society through access to skills and knowledge." Rizvi echoed the sentiment, saying, "The approved projects will transform our classrooms and laboratories, enabling our renowned faculty and talented students to work at the cutting edge of science and technology. This support will help us realise the full intellectual potential of the university." The duo expressed gratitude to Rijiju for his encouragement and support, and reaffirmed their commitment to executing the projects in a time-bound and transparent manner, the statement said. They said these initiatives would help JMI play a key role in the national education landscape by advancing research, promoting innovation, and ensuring greater access and equity for students from minority and underprivileged backgrounds, it added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
