188 fradulent marriages by NRIs in 3 years
New Delhi: As many as 188 cases of fraudulent marriages by NRIs, including 46 in the current year, with a maximum of those from the United States have been reported in Indian missions during the past three years, the lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. In a written reply, Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs VK Singh said a total of 139 such complaints have been received against NRIs from the United States in the past three years, including 25 in the current year.
Centre’s Fellowships increased up to 66%
New Delhi: Fellowships of research scholars and research associates engaged in R&D programmes of the Central Government have been increased up to 66 per cent. Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan told the lok Sabha during Question Hour that junior research fellows got an increase of 56.2 per cent to Rs 25,000 per month from earlier Rs 16,000 with effect from October 1, 2014 and senior research fellow got a hike of 55.5 per cent to Rs 28,000 from earlier Rs 18,000.
IAF to launch phase II of 3d games ‘GOTS’
New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is all set to release Phase II of its 3D Mobile Air Combat game, ‘Guardians of the Skies' (GOTS) on the android, iOS and windows mobile app stores on December 11, 2014 at the Air Force Auditorium, Subroto Park. GOTS takes the player to a simulated world, wherein the player becomes the part of Air Force engaging in air combat operations against a fictitious country called Zaruzia. The player undergoes flying training and subsequently gets engaged in combat missions in various aircraft types of the IAF fighters, transport and helicopter fleet. The first phase of the game with the two 'teaser' missions was released in July, this year.
Govt working on endangered languages
New Delhi: The Government is working for protection of those languages which are on the verge of extinction and those which are used only for conversations, the lok Sabha was informed by HRD Minister Smriti Irani during Question Hour.
Naxals extorting levy of Rs 140 cr annually
New Delhi: Naxals are reportedly extorting a ‘levy’ of about Rs 140 crore annually from a variety of sources, Government on Wednesday said. The extremists have killed 5,024 civilians in the last 10 years, a majority of them tribals.
India generates 4 tonnes nuke waste/GW anually
New Delhi: India generates around four tonnes of nuclear waste per gigawatt (GW) annually. In a written response to a question in lok Sabha, Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh said, “The amount of such waste generated in India is around four tonnes per GW (1000 MW) for one year electricity generation, which is similar to the amount of waste generated internationally by other countries.”
Govt mulling changes in Atomic policy
New Delhi: The Government is planning to make changes in the Atomic Energy Policy and proposal for amendments to the act will be presented for obtaining approval of the Cabinet. In a written response to a question in the lok Sabha, Minister of State for Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh said, the Government is mulling over making changes in the Atomic Energy Policy.
senior officials to visit schools regularly
New Delhi: In a unique initiative, all senior Government officials will now regularly visit schools in their neighbourhood to discuss with students on subjects like ethics, nation building, environment protection, development and good governance among others. The move comes following an address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this year's Teachers' Day in this regard.
783 gaps along India-Bangladesh border: govt
New Delhi: There are 783 porous stretches along the Indo-Bangladesh border and 149 gaps along the Indo-Pakistan border through which militants try to enter the country, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday. MoS for Home Kiren Rijiju said Indian Insurgent Groups based and operating from Bangladesh try to sneak into India taking advantage of porous border between India and Bangladesh.
Bill on 3 centres of excellence cleared in rs
New Delhi: The Parliament on Wednesday passed the Bill for converting three Schools of Planning and Architecture (SPAs) into centres of excellence. The Bill aims to empower these institutes to grant degrees to students. Currently, the SPAs are located in Delhi, Bhopal and Vijayawada and more are proposed in Smart cities. The School of Planning and Architecture Bill 2014 was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. lok Sabha had passed the Bill earlier.
Javadekar explains climate change measures
New Delhi: Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar in his address at the UNFCCC COP-20 at lima on Wednesday elaborated on various measures taken by the country to address climate change. These include increase in coal cess by the Government, increasing target for solar power, $6 billion in afforestation, cleaning up the Ganges river amongst others
MHA cautions staff against use of social media
New Delhi: All employees in the Home Ministry have been cautioned against the use of social media and directed that no confidential information should be divulged on such platforms.The Home Ministry told its employees that though they are free to post response in their personal capacity, it is mandatory that while doing so they must clearly identify themselves and they must not divulge confidential information.
be concerned about universe, asks mahajan
New Delhi: lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday said that citizens should be concerned about the entire universe and not just limit talking about the rights of human beings only. Speaking on the occasion of Human Rights Day organised by the NHRC, Mahajan said that although the UN decided to observe this day in the year as Human Rights Day, India had a long tradition of giving importance to not just human beings but to all living beings in the universe. She lauded the efforts made in this field by NHRC but observed that the responsibility to protect human rights was not just that of the NHRC but of all people in the society.
Cabinet nod to introduction of Trusts bill
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the introduction of the Indian Trusts (Amendment) Bill, 2014 in the current Session of Parliament to amend section 20 and 20A of the Indian Trusts Act, 1882. The amendments are intended to provide the trustees greater autonomy and flexibility to take decisions on investment of trust money. This would enable the Centre to notify securities or class of securities, for investment by trusts and to remove the outdated provisions occurring in section 20 of the Indian Trusts Act, 1882.