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NEW DELHI : Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Minister PD Sona showcased the state’s tourism potential at the FAITH Tourism Conclave 2026 in New Delhi, describing Arunachal Pradesh as the “unique eco-tourism jewel of India’s North East.” In a social media post on Thursday, Sona said he was honoured to participate in one of the country’s premier tourism forums, which brought together policymakers, industry leaders and tourism stakeholders to deliberate on the future of India’s tourism sector. The Minister said he delivered a keynote address titled “Arunachal Pradesh: The Unique Eco-Tourism Jewel of India’s North East,” highlighting the state’s pristine natural landscapes, rich indigenous heritage and immense potential for sustainable and experience-based tourism. He also outlined the state government’s vision of promoting responsible tourism that empowers local communities while preserving Arunachal Pradesh’s cultural and ecological heritage. According to Sona, the conclave provided an important platform to exchange ideas, build partnerships and explore new opportunities to position Arunachal Pradesh among India’s most sought-after tourism destinations. “Together, we remain committed to unlocking the immense potential of tourism as a driver of economic growth, employment and sustainable development,” Sona said in the post.      

NEW DELHI : The Supreme Court on Thursday voiced concern over the introduction of a third language in Class 9 under the CBSE curriculum, observing it would increase the stress level of students and suggesting it be introduced in Class 5 or Class 6 so that students can cope with it. A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan orally asked the Centre to not introduce a third language in Class 9 level. “Union of India please don’t have a third language from Class 9 level. It would unnecessarily increase the stress level of students. If you want to introduce a new language, then please do it at Class 5 or Class 6 level but not at Class 9 level. Class nine is full of stress, it starts from Class 8 onwards,” Justice Nagarathna told the counsel, appearing for the Centre, and asked her to convey the feeling of the court to the government. The remarks were made during the hearing of the Tamil Nadu government’s plea against a Madras High Court directive to facilitate the establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in every district of the State. The Tamil Nadu government has consistently opposed the setting up of JNVs, over concerns with regard to the three-language policy curriculum followed by the schools. The bench was not directly dealing with the issue of new policy of CBSE but the court made observations on the timing of introduction of third language in schools. Another apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant is already examining issues with regard to challenge to the new policy of the CBSE and recently refused to stay the notification. (Source: PTI)    

NEW DELHI ; Expressing concern over students’ “frustration” in CBSE’s digital marking system, the Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the assistance of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta in hearing a PIL which sought directions to the Centre and the CBSE to frame regulations to conduct exams through on-screen marking (OSM) system. The CBSE’s OSM evaluation system is a digital grading method where teachers assess scanned copies of physical answer sheets on a computer instead of checking physical paper scripts. “Look at the amount of frustration of young children,” a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said and sought the assistance of the solicitor general in dealing with the case. The bench, also comprising justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, said there appear to be systemic “creeping problems” in the digital evaluation process. “We are seeking your assistance, not in an adversarial way. There are some problems,” Justice Bagchi told the solicitor general and sought a status report in the case. The top law officer informed the bench that while individual marksheet discrepancies mentioned in the plea have largely been resolved, the government is taking the systemic issues seriously. He said that a one-member commission, led by S Radha Chauhan, has been constituted to review the evaluation system and recommend necessary systemic changes. “We are not taking this adversely,” the SG said. He said the committee is already looking into the grievances. The bench has now asked the solicitor general to apprise it of the steps being taken by the CBSE and listed the matter for further hearing next week. The PIL has been filed by Rakesh Binjola through advocate Laxmikant Matadan Shukla. The petition seeks directions to the Centre and the CBSE to frame regulations for conducting CBSE Board examinations through the OSM evaluation system and to constitute a high-powered committee to supervise and implement such reforms. The petitioner has also sought directions to grant relaxation in minimum qualifying marks for students who have already secured provisional admissions or cleared entrance examinations, as well as exemption from the 75 per cent or other minimum Class 12 marks criteria prescribed for admission to various courses. (Source: PTI)    

NEW DELHI : The Ministry of Jal Shakti will hold a conference of senior water resources secretaries from states and Union Territories on Monday to review key water sector initiatives and strengthen Centre-state coordination on reforms and implementation. The conference, to be convened by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan here, aims to review the progress of the ministry’s major national programmes and discuss priority initiatives in the water resources sector. Key issues on the agenda include the modernisation of the Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) scheme, the nationwide ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign, revised project appraisal guidelines, dam safety and state water reforms. Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil will chair the conference. Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary and Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, V L Kantha Rao, will co-chair it, according to an official statement. The conference will be attended by senior officials from the water resources departments of all states and Union Territories, as well as the Ministry of Jal Shakti, including its organisations, attached and subordinate offices such as the Central Water Commission, National Dam Safety Authority and National Water Mission. Discussions will focus on eight priority agenda items, including the status of the modernisation of the Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) scheme and the special one-month nationwide ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign aimed at strengthening people’s participation in water conservation. Other issues on the agenda include revised draft project appraisal guidelines for irrigation, multipurpose and flood management projects, rule curves of dam reservoirs and their effective implementation for improved reservoir operations and dam safety, the status of the state water reforms framework, completion of comprehensive dam safety evaluation under the Dam Safety Act, 2021 by December 2026, progress of irrigation censuses in states and Union Territories, and a framework for model state water awards. According to the ministry, the conference will also provide an opportunity for states and Union Territories to share experiences, discuss implementation challenges and evolve coordinated strategies to accelerate reforms in the water sector. The deliberations are expected to facilitate the timely implementation of the ministry’s ongoing programmes. The conference forms part of the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s continued efforts to enhance sustainable water resources management through improved policy coordination, institutional strengthening, efficient project implementation, enhanced dam safety and greater community participation in water conservation, it said. (Source: PTI)    

NEW DELHI : Stepping up its attack on the government over the Ram temple donation embezzlement case, the Congress on Sunday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “silence” and said the country will never forgive the BJP-RSS for their “betrayal of faith”. Pointing out that Congress leaders have held 48 press conferences across the country on the issue, party general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh demanded that the prime minister “break his silence” on the “theft scandal”. Prior to this, answers were sought from the prime minister through eight press conferences held at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi between June 26 and July 9, Ramesh said in an X post in Hindi. “No matter how hard Prime Minister Modi, the RSS and the BJP try, the Congress will not rest until it compels Prime Minister Modi to be held accountable for this betrayal: the theft of donations at the Lord Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya, which has struck a blow to the faith of crores of people across the country,” Ramesh said, sharing screenshots from 13 press conferences held by the party on Sunday, including in Manipur, Goa, Madurai and Bhubaneswar. Ramesh accused the BJP-RSS of collecting donations in the name of Lord Ram while running a “racket of theft” behind the scenes. The heinous act of donation theft at the Ram temple in Ayodhya is a massive deception perpetrated against his devotees, Ramesh asserted. “All indications so far suggest that the prime minister and the top leadership of the BJP-RSS utilised the SIT to provide a ‘safe exit’ to their close associates responsible for this theft; furthermore, the actions taken by the Uttar Pradesh Police have proven to be nothing more than an attempt to shield the true masterminds behind this murky affair,” he said. Ramesh reiterated the party’s demands for an independent investigation supervised by the Supreme Court, a forensic audit, a fixation of accountability and strict action against the guilty. In an earlier X post, Ramesh had said, “Donation Theft: A Betrayal of Faith. A month has passed since the theft of donations at the Lord Shri Ram Temple came to light, yet Prime Minister Modi, who is quick to claim credit for everything, remains silent when it comes to accountability.” New facts emerging daily are exposing those who have politicised the Ram temple issue, he said. Even the Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted ostensibly to resolve the matter, has been forced to acknowledge the daily disappearance of lakhs of rupees in offerings, Ramesh said. “The theft of donations at the Lord Shri Ram Temple cannot be limited to just a few employees; yet, this government — hostile to the cause of Ram — is intent on shielding the real culprits,” he alleged. The Congress has consistently maintained that the SIT, the FIR, and the resignations are merely attempts to hoodwink the nation, Ramesh said. Government efforts to suppress the matter make it evident that Champat Rai and other temple trustees harbour deep secrets; this is why the Modi government is taking no action against them, and their influence remains intact, Ramesh said. “The Congress demands the following: An independent and impartial investigation supervised by the Supreme Court, a forensic audit, fixation of accountability, strict action against the guilty,” he said. “Prime Minister, the nation wants to know: Why this silence? The country will never forgive the BJP and RSS for this planned betrayal of faith, perpetrated under Modi’s patronage,” Ramesh alleged. The Congress on Saturday sought to corner Prime Minister Modi over the alleged embezzlement of donations, questioning his “silence” on the issue and saying it will demand answers from him in the upcoming Parliament session. Under attack from the Congress and others, the BJP has maintained that those found guilty of wrongdoing in the case will not be spared and alleged that the opposition parties, which never supported Ram temple construction, were using the issue to divide Hindus. The alleged embezzlement of Ram temple donations came to light on June 7. An FIR was registered on June 25, following a preliminary report from the SIT constituted by the Uttar Pradesh government. Eight people associated with the temple’s donation and counting process have been arrested so far, while the investigation is continuing. (Source: PTI)    

NEW DELHI :  The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), in collaboration with the Government of Meghalaya, will organise a two-day National Conference on the theme “NextGen Administrative & e-Gov Reforms” in Shillong on July 13 and 14, bringing together policymakers, administrators, technology experts and governance practitioners from across the country, it was announced on Sunday. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, along with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, will address the inaugural session of the conference. The inaugural session will also be addressed by Secretary, DARPG, Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), Nivedita Shukla Verma, and Meghalaya Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed. More than 300 delegates, including senior officials from the Central and State governments, District Collectors, policymakers, domain experts, representatives from academic institutions and public administration practitioners, are expected to participate in the event. The conference aims to serve as a national platform for deliberating on the future of public administration and digital governance while encouraging the exchange of innovative ideas and best practices among states and Union Territories. During the two-day event, delegates will witness presentations on Prime Minister’s Award-winning initiatives for 2023 and 2024, National Awards for e-Governance-winning projects, best governance practices from the Government of Meghalaya, and DARPG-assisted State Collaborative Initiatives (SCI) from the North Eastern region. The presentations will cover a wide range of themes, including holistic district development, digital governance, cybersecurity, public service delivery, healthcare, education, banking, consumer protection, urban governance, rural development and technology-enabled administration. The conference will begin with a dedicated session showcasing Meghalaya’s governance innovations and citizen-centric reforms aimed at strengthening service delivery and improving administrative efficiency. Another session will highlight Prime Minister’s Award-winning initiatives, featuring successful district-level governance models in areas such as holistic development, education, rural livelihoods and the Aspirational District Programme. Participants will also be introduced to the National Awards for e-Governance 2026-winning projects, demonstrating the use of emerging technologies in urban governance, healthcare, digital banking, pilgrimage management, Panchayati Raj, consumer protection and cybersecurity. These projects are expected to offer scalable governance models for adoption across the country. (Source: IANS)