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The Hindu
7 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
BMRCL likely to scale down tree felling target from 11,000 to 6,000 for metro phase 3
In a major revision aimed at reducing environmental damage, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is likely to scale down its earlier proposal to cut over 11,000 trees for the upcoming Namma Metro Phase 3 project. The revised plan now estimates the felling of approximately 6,000 trees. According to the Detailed Project Report, around 11,137 trees were initially expected to be impacted across the 44.65-km-long stretch that comprises two corridors. However, BMRCL clarified that this figure included both trees slated for removal and those that might be transplanted, subject to technical feasibility and environmental assessments that are still underway. The revised decision comes after the BMRCL has been receiving feedback from multiple stakeholders during public consultation meetings happening on the metro phase 3 project. 'As a public infrastructure developer, we have a responsibility to balance urban growth with environmental sustainability. After carefully reviewing suggestions so far we got from citizens, we have been reworking our design and engineering plans to reduce the number of trees that need to be felled. We are also looking at large-scale transplantation wherever possible. Our aim is to implement the project with minimal ecological disruption,' said a senior BMRCL official involved in the planning process. About the project Phase 3 of the metro, referred to as the Orange Line, is entirely elevated and aims to decongest traffic-heavy areas in the western part of the city. The two new corridors are set to integrate with the existing metro network, significantly enhancing intra-city connectivity. Corridor 1 will stretch 32.15 km from J.P. Nagar Phase 4 to Kempapura, while Corridor 2 will run 12.5 km from Hosahalli to Kadabagere. Though the project received all statutory clearances, including approval from the Union Cabinet in August last year, construction has been delayed due to changes in the original alignment. One of the major revisions involves the construction of double-decker viaducts along certain stretches accommodating both metro and road traffic, which required fresh planning and feasibility analysis. The BMRCL has projected that upon completion in 2029, the Phase 3 extension will serve an estimated 7.85 lakh daily commuters, taking the total length of the Bengaluru metro network to 222.2 km. In anticipation of the environmental impact, the agency has proposed a compensatory afforestation initiative valued at ₹43.53 crore as part of its environmental monitoring strategy, according to officials. Key interchange stations are planned along the new corridors to enhance integration with existing lines. These include Peenya and J.P. Nagar on the Green Line, Mysuru Road on the Purple Line, and Sumanahalli on Corridor 2. J.P. Nagar Phase 4 will also provide a link to the Pink Line at Bannerghatta Road, while Hebbal is expected to function as a major interchange between the Blue Line (airport route) and Red Line (Hebbal–Sarjapur route). As of now, BMRCL has acquired about 26,811 square meters of land mostly for Corridor 1 connecting J.P. Nagar Phase 4 to Mysuru Road Metro Station. For this corridor alone, an additional 1,29,743 square meters has been earmarked, involving 777 private properties. An official said, 'Any further land required will be acquired in coordination with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), with a strong emphasis on minimising disruptions to existing road infrastructure, flyovers, and underpasses.' The ₹15,611 crore project is being funded through a mix of sources ₹7,577 crore in loans and ₹450 crore from non-fare revenues, including advertising rights and station naming deals. The rest is expected to be covered through central and state government contributions.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Most 'crucial' pathway to 'Viksit Bharat': Dharmendra Pradhan on five years of National Education Policy
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday termed the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 a philosophical document aimed at universalising world-class education, and noted that it has emerged as the most "crucial" pathway to " Viksit Bharat ". His post came as the NEP, initiated by the Union government in 2020, marked its fifth anniversary on Tuesday. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Science Leadership Data Science Cybersecurity Healthcare others CXO Degree Product Management Project Management Technology Management MCA Others PGDM healthcare Artificial Intelligence Design Thinking Finance Digital Marketing Public Policy Operations Management Data Analytics MBA Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Interpretation Programming Proficiency Problem-Solving Skills Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT MSc in Data Science Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details — dpradhanbjp (@dpradhanbjp) "29th July is a significant day for all of us," he posted on X, adding that NEP 2020 was launched under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi five years ago. "A philosophical document to universalise world-class education, bring out the capabilities of every learner and prepare our population for the 21st century and beyond, NEP 2020 is fostering creativity, critical thinking and innovation, realising aspirations and transforming our education across all fronts. Today, as we complete the 5th year of NEP implementation, NEP 2020 has emerged as the most-crucial pathway to Viksit Bharat" Live Events "I congratulate everyone on #5YearsOfNEP2020. Let us remain committed to implementing the NEP in letter and spirit for transforming India into a vibrant knowledge economy," the post added. On July 29, 2020, the Union Cabinet approved the National Education Policy (NER) 2020, introducing major reforms in higher education , including a target of 50 per cent Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) by 2035 and provisions for multiple entry and exit points . NEP 2020 includes imparting vocational education from class 6 onwards, a progress card in place of the report card, 5 + 3 + 3 + 4 structure, multidisciplinary education with easy entry/exit options and an academic bank of credit The policy aims to enable an individual to study one or more specialised areas of interest at a deep level, and also develop character, scientific temper, creativity, the spirit of service, and 21st-century capabilities across a range of disciplines, including sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities, among others.
The Print
20 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
From ‘Jai Kisan' to CVC, Shastri walked the talk. But corruption proved harder to root out
In fact, during an intense discussion on the issue in Parliament on 6 June 1962, Shastri said: However, when it came to tackling the menace of corruption, even though Shastri put his heart and soul into mainstreaming the discourse on corruption in public life, the outcome was not as successful. While his own life was an example of probity and rectitude, as the helmsman of the Home Ministry he was deeply anguished by the allegations of corruption against prominent Chief Ministers — Bakshi Ghulam Mohammed in J&K, Pratap Singh Kairon in Punjab, CB Gupta in Uttar Pradesh, Biju Patnaik in Odisha — and some of his colleagues like KD Malviya in the Union Cabinet. With respect to Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Lal Bahadur Shastri was able to walk the talk and carry the country along. The jawans of India did the nation proud by giving Independent India her first decisive victory in 1965, a far cry from the 1962 debacle with the Chinese. Likewise, the kisans set the country on the path to food self-sufficiency by adopting the Green Revolution practices with enthusiasm and vigour. 'I feel that this matter should not be entirely left for consideration in the hands of officials. It is desirable that there should be exchange of views between them and public men of experience. Perhaps, Hon'ble members might have read in the papers that I have suggested that a formal Committee should consider the important aspects of the evils of corruption… (in fact), we know most of the problems, the real point is to take remedial action. I, therefore, propose to request some members of Parliament and, if possible, other public men to sit with our own officers in order to review the problem of corruption and make suggestions.' Also read: The real White Revolution—Shastri's NDDB built a farmers-first economy that still works The Santhanam Committee In pursuance of this announcement, a committee consisting of K Santhanam, MP (as Chair), and parliamentarians Santosh Kumar Basu, Tika Ram Paliwal, RK Khadilkar, T Nath Pai, and Shambhu Nath Chaturvedi, along with two officials — LP Singh of the ICS and DP Kohli of the IP (who later became Home Secretary and Director, CBI, respectively) — was established within the Ministry of Home Affairs. Its terms of reference included, inter alia: 1) Examination of legal and administrative procedures of the existing vigilance set-up in ministries, departments, and PSUs. 2) Evaluation of the functioning of the Special Police Establishment (the predecessor of the Central Bureau of Investigation). 3) Review of penal provisions regarding the prevention of corruption. 4) Recommendations on conduct rules and disciplinary procedures for the All India Services. 5) And, not least, the creation of a 'conducive environment against hoarding, black marketing, and corruption in the country.' The committee noted that the scourge of corruption had peaked due to shortages and controls during World War II but had continued post-Independence, as the scale of government expanded without adequate checks and balances, particularly in revenue, PWD, food and civil supplies, industrial licensing, and police departments. The key concern was that corruption, once limited to the lower rungs of the bureaucracy, had now infected the All India Services and political leadership. Notably, while trade unions and state-level trade associations extended support to the committee, the captains of industry were reluctant to engage or share views on addressing the issue. Also read: MSP under Shastri began as a crisis response. Now India must ask what role it should play today 87 sittings The committee held 87 sittings and submitted a 306-page report on 31 March 1964. However, in the interim, it proposed — and the government accepted — several recommendations that today form the foundation of how service conditions for AIS officers are regulated. In its very first communication to Shastri on 20 October 1962, the committee suggested tweaking Article 311 to enable disciplinary action against habitually recalcitrant officers who used these provisions as a shield. Sardar Patel had originally included these provisions to protect officers' freedom of expression — not to condone misconduct. Following the Chinese aggression, Santhanam wrote to Shastri on 17 November 1962 recommending changes to the Defence of India Rules and the jurisdiction of the SPE. By February 1963, the committee had submitted recommendations related to the IPC; in May, it submitted the first draft of the conduct rules. On 17 August, the proposed draft for establishing the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) was submitted. Although Shastri demitted office under the Kamaraj Plan, his successor Gulzari Lal Nanda — equally committed to eradicating corruption — tabled the resolution for the Vigilance Commission in both Houses of Parliament on 16 December 1962. It was adopted with rare unanimity on 20 December, paving the way for the appointment of India's first Vigilance Commissioner, Justice Nittoor Srinivasa Rao, a Gandhian and translator of Gandhi's works into Kannada, on 14 February 1964. By then, Shastri was serving as minister without portfolio, attached to the Prime Minister's Office. Several corruption-inducing factors identified in the report — such as inflation-neutralising DA enhancements, adequate housing and HRA, medical facilities for dependents, and education allowance for children — have helped reduce employee grievances. These measures are, of course, not foolproof. But consider the counterfactual: what if these provisions had never existed? Also read: India can't fix food security with more grain alone. FCI at 60 needs a nutrition agenda Teeth or dentures? Over the years, under both UPA and NDA governments, legal provisions have been made more stringent. The Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 gave the CVC broad powers, including: Reviewing pending sanction applications; supervising vigilance operations across central ministries and departments; and protecting whistle-blowers under the Public Interest Disclosure Resolution, 2004. The RTI Act, 2005, too, enhanced transparency. And the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, finally realised the Santhanam Committee's vision of an ombudsman to hold all public office holders, including legislators and ministers, accountable. Over six decades, the position of CVC has largely been held by individuals of integrity and public stature. Except for the controversy over PJ Thomas, whose appointment was struck down by the Supreme Court, most Vigilance Commissioners have added value to the probity discourse. Some — like G Somiah, N Vittal, Pratyush Sinha, and Sanjay Kothari — remained engaged with civil society even post-retirement. In his memoir The Honest Always Stand Alone, Somiah urged officers to uphold integrity in both personal and professional life. Vittal introduced a practice of 'naming and shaming' officers with disproportionate assets and championed IT-driven transparency. Although Pratyush Sinha once said the CVC had no teeth, 'only dentures', he was instrumental in overhauling procedures to make it more effective. Even years after retirement, he was appointed to head SEBI's pro bono committee on conflict of interest. Light at the end of the tunnel This columnist worked closely with Sanjay Kothari to bring greater transparency and objectivity to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Nafed's procurement operations. The underlying idea: if quality could be judged empirically, ground-level corruption could be minimised. As noted in the previous column, the FCI's success in reducing transit losses — and the competitive push among states to improve their Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living scores — shows that there is, indeed, light at the end of the tunnel. This is the fourth article in a series on Lal Bahadur Shastri and the institutions he helped establish. Sanjeev Chopra is a former IAS officer and Festival Director of Valley of Words. Until recently, he was director, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. He tweets @ChopraSanjeev. Views are personal. Disclosure: The columnist is a trustee of the Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial (LBS Museum). (Edited by Prashant)
Indian Express
21 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Five years of National Education Policy: Taking stock of the transition
It is five years since the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 — the country's third such policy since Independence — was cleared by the Union Cabinet. The NEP promised a sweeping reset of both school and higher education. Some of that vision has made its way into classrooms. But a lot remains on paper, slowed by state-Centre frictions, or held up by institutional delays. What has worked School curriculum is changing, slowly: The 10+2 system has been replaced with a new structure — foundational (pre-primary to class 2), preparatory (classes 3-5), middle (6-8), and secondary (9-12). In 2023, the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) laid out the learning outcomes and competencies for each stage. NCERT has produced new textbooks for classes 1-8 based on this framework. Social science, for example, is now taught as a single book covering history, geography, political science, and economics, replacing separate textbooks for each subject. New books for classes 9-12 are expected next. First steps of early childhood learning: The NEP aims to make pre-primary learning universal by 2030. NCERT's Jaadui Pitara learning kits are already in use, and the Women and Child Development Ministry has issued a national ECCE curriculum. Delhi, Karnataka, and Kerala will soon enforce the minimum age of six for class 1 entry. 2023-24 data show a fall in class 1 enrolments to 1.87 crore from the 2.16 crore of previous year, likely due to this age cutoff. About 73% of those enrolled had attended some form of preschool. The big hurdles are better training for Anganwadi workers, and improving infrastructure and teaching quality in early education centres. National focus for foundational skills: NIPUN Bharat, launched in 2021, seeks to ensure every child can read and do basic math by the end of class 3. A recent government survey found average scores were 64% for language and 60% for math — a start, but well short of universal proficiency. Credit-based flexibility starts to take shape: The NEP suggested the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC). This, and a National Credit Framework (NCrF) have been developed. UGC rules published in 2021 allowed students to earn and store credits digitally, even across institutions, making it possible to move between courses or exit and re-enter. The system allows students to earn a certificate after one year, a diploma after two, or complete a four-year multidisciplinary degree. The NCrF brings similar flexibility to school students, where learning hours (including skill-based ones) translate into credits. CBSE invited schools to be part of an NCrF pilot last year. Common test for college entry: The Common University Entrance Test (CUET), introduced in 2022, is now a key route to undergraduate admissions. NEP 2020 had suggested that multiple college entrance exams should be replaced with a single national test. Indian campuses abroad and vice versa: IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, and IIM Ahmedabad have set up international campuses in Zanzibar, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai respectively. University of Southampton recently opened in India, after two other foreign universities at GIFT City, Gujarat. Another 12 foreign universities are in the process of being approved under UGC regulations, plus two more at GIFT City, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said earlier this month. What's in progress Changes in board exams: The NEP envisages less high-stakes board exams. Starting 2026, CBSE plans to allow class 10 students to sit for board exams twice a year. Karnataka has experimented with this; other boards are waiting to see how it plays out. The NEP idea of offering all subjects at two levels (standard and higher) is limited to class 10 math, which CBSE introduced in 2019-20. Holistic report cards, so far on paper: PARAKH, a unit under NCERT, has developed progress cards that go beyond marks, and include peer and self-assessment. But some school boards are yet to make the shift. Slow progress for four-year UG degrees: Central universities are rolling out NEP's idea of four-year undergraduate degrees with multiple exit options, and Kerala has followed. But in many places, colleges don't yet have the faculty or infrastructure. Mother tongue in classrooms: NEP encourages the use of mother tongue as the medium of instruction till at least class 5. CBSE has asked schools to begin this from pre-primary to class 2, with classes 3-5 retaining the option of staying or switching. NCERT is working on textbooks in more Indian languages. What's stuck and why Three-language formula remains a sticking point: NEP proposes three languages in school, at least two of them Indian. But Tamil Nadu, which follows a Tamil-English model, sees this as an attempt to impose Hindi. Teacher education overhaul hasn't happened: The National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education, due in 2021, is yet to be released. The four-year integrated course has been announced under the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP), but colleges offering existing programmes like Bachelor of Elementary Education ( are pushing back. UGC's proposed successor delayed: A 2018 draft bill proposed scrapping the UGC Act and replacing it with an umbrella Higher Education Commission of India (HECI). NEP formalised the idea — HECI would handle regulation, funding, accreditation, and academic standards across higher education, excluding medical and legal. But the Education Ministry is still in the process of drafting the Bill. No breakfast in schools yet: NEP recommends breakfast along with midday meals. But in 2021, the Finance Ministry rejected the Education Ministry's proposal to add breakfast for pre-primary and elementary classes. Policy divide between Centre and states: Some states have pushed back against key NEP provisions. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal have refused to sign MoUs with the Centre to set up PM-SHRI schools, citing clauses that require full adoption of NEP. Tamil Nadu opposes both the three-language formula and four-year UG structure. Kerala and Tamil Nadu argue that since education is on the Concurrent List, the Centre cannot mandate these changes unilaterally. The Centre has withheld Samagra Shiksha funds from these states, saying the money is tied to NEP-linked reforms. Tamil Nadu has challenged the freeze in the Supreme Court. Karnataka, which introduced and scrapped the four-year UG model, is working on its own state education policy, an election promise made by the Congress in 2023.
India Today
2 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Centre to launch job incentive scheme on August 1, targets 3.5 crore jobs
The Government of India is set to roll out a new employment-linked incentive scheme, named the PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY), from August 1, 2025. The Labour Ministry confirmed the launch of the scheme in an official statement on Friday. This move aims to boost employment opportunities in the country by directly supporting new job creation across multiple scheme was earlier approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With an ambitious goal of creating over 3.5 crore jobs in two years, the PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana has a financial outlay of Rs 99,446 crore. Out of the total, around 1.92 crore beneficiaries will be entering the workforce for the first time. The benefits of this scheme will apply to jobs generated between August 1, 2025, and July 31, scheme reflects the government's commitment to inclusive and sustainable employment generation under the broader Viksit Bharat initiative. By encouraging employers to hire more staff and offering benefits to first-time workers, the scheme plays a crucial role in India's strategy to drive economic growth through employment-led scheme has two components. Part A is designed for first-time employees, while Part B is for employers. Under Part A, employees who are new to the workforce and registered with the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will receive one month's EPF wage, up to Rs 15,000, in two separate instalments. To qualify, their monthly salary must not exceed Rs 1 lakh. The first instalment will be paid after six months of continuous service, and the second after completing one year of service along with a financial literacy programme. A portion of this incentive will be saved in a deposit account to encourage savings, which the employee can withdraw A will apply to jobs created across all sectors, with special emphasis on Part B of the scheme, employers will be incentivised for each additional employee they hire with a monthly salary of up to Rs 1 lakh. The government will provide up to Rs 3,000 per month per employee for two years. For the manufacturing sector, this support will extend to the third and fourth years as be eligible, EPFO-registered establishments must hire at least two additional employees (if they currently have fewer than 50 employees) or five additional employees (if they have 50 or more) and retain them for a minimum of six under Part A will be made directly to the employees via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode using the Aadhar Bridge Payment System (ABPS). Meanwhile, employers will receive incentives in their PAN-linked new employment-linked scheme is a significant step towards generating long-term employment and supporting economic growth in the country.- Ends advertisement
