A Parliamentary Panel has suggested that the Rural Development Ministry should not make the Aadhaar Based Payment Bridge System (ABPS) mandatory for payments under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). This recommendation was made in a report presented in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The committee believes that there should always be alternative payment methods available so that workers can still receive their wages, even if technology like ABPS faces issues.
The panel criticized the government for low wages under MGNREGS and recommended using a better system that considers inflation when paying wages. They pointed out that since ABPS became mandatory on January 1, 2024, many workers were left out because of problems with linking their Aadhaar numbers, meaning they couldn’t receive their payments. Because of this, the committee strongly urged that ABPS should not be the only option for payments.
Moreover, the committee noted that wages under MGNREGS have not kept up with rising costs. Since many poor rural families rely on MGNREGS for their livelihood, the low wages can discourage them from working, forcing them to move to other areas for better-paying jobs. The committee also mentioned that the method used to set wages is outdated, based on a model from 2009-2010, and needs to be revised.
Despite the smartphone and internet-based attendance tracking using the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) app, many workers struggle with attendance due to a lack of smartphones and poor internet connectivity, which delays their payments. The panel acknowledged that while the app is meant to fix irregularities, it still needs improvement.
The committee also noted that workers want an increase in guaranteed workdays from 100 to 150. MGNREGS has been a lifeline for many during the COVID pandemic, and while state governments can provide more working days, a mandatory increase should come from the Department of Rural Development to ensure it applies nationwide.
Tag: thellv
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Panel Urges Changes to MGNREGS Payment System and Wage Rates
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Atishi Promises ₹2,100 for Women in Upcoming Delhi Elections!
New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi announced on Tuesday that if they win in the upcoming Delhi elections, they will provide women in the city with ₹2,100 every month. Atishi was speaking during a foot march in the Tilak Nagar area, trying to connect with voters. She emphasized that the AAP government has kept its promises, such as providing 24-hour electricity even during the hottest summers.
She mentioned that soon after Arvind Kejriwal wins the election and becomes the Chief Minister again, the support for women will increase from ₹1,000 to ₹2,100. This new plan is called the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojna. Atishi reminded the crowd that the people of Tilak Nagar have supported AAP in the past elections, like in 2013, 2015, and 2020, and expressed confidence they will do so again in February.
Jarnail Singh, the AAP’s candidate, won by over 28,000 votes in 2020, and the party is looking to achieve a third term. The Congress party has put forward PS Bawa as their candidate, while the BJP has not yet announced who they will run. The elections will test AAP’s ability to lead and deliver for its people.
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India’s Challenge: Adapting to New Ball Conditions in Brisbane
In modern cricket, players are told to be brave and play freely. But can India hold their ground and save the Brisbane Test match? The truth is, cricketers need to adapt to the pitch conditions. While Australia’s pitches are usually good for batting, things have changed since December 2021, especially with the new Kookaburra ball.
This new ball, designed to make the game more exciting, has actually made it harder for batsmen to succeed. It has a different inner lining and extra lacquer, which keeps it harder for longer. This change makes it easier for bowlers to get movement, making batting tricky.
Steve Smith, a top Australian player, noticed this too. He said, “Since they changed the ball in 2021, batting has become more difficult, and the pitches are greener now.” This means that Indian batsmen need to rethink their strategies. While KL Rahul seems to have adjusted, others, like the top-order players, have struggled to do the same.
For example, India was struggling in their innings at various points: they went 73/6 in Perth, 109/6 in Adelaide, and now 74/5 in Brisbane. Luck is important, but it has to be earned.
Smith emphasized that the first 35 overs are crucial and hard for batsmen due to the ball’s movement. He mentioned that it’s one of the toughest times he has faced in his career. stats show that batting averages have dropped since 2021, indicating that players need to be more careful.
Rahul, who has been India’s best performer, believes that tightening defense is key. He said, “We need to respect that the first 30 overs are for the bowlers, and after that, we can take more risks with an older ball.”
If India’s players don’t improve their approach soon, they might face serious trouble in this series.
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Harris Encourages Laid-Off DNC Staff at Holiday Party
Kamala Harris, the Vice President, spoke to DNC staff on Sunday in Washington, D.C., during a holiday party. This event was especially tough for many at the DNC because a number of them were recently let go without severance pay after the election.
Harris said that even during tough times, their spirit and hard work should not be defeated. She encouraged everyone to focus on their blessings and be proud of the time and effort they put into their jobs. President Biden, standing by her side, assured the staff that they are not leaving and will continue to fight for what’s right.
After the elections, many DNC workers were upset about being laid off. Usually, layoffs happen after elections in Washington, D.C., but this time, staff were angry about not receiving severance packages or any support when they lost their jobs. A union member expressed that it was unfair for DNC management to say layoffs were just part of the job.
With DNC Chair Jaime Harrison not planning to run again, there will be a competition for a new leader. The 450 members of the national party committee will choose the next chair in February in Maryland. Possible candidates are Martin O’Malley, Ben Wikler, and Ken Martin.
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NASA Astronauts Celebrate Christmas in Space with Family Traditions!
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her crew on the International Space Station (ISS) are getting ready to celebrate Christmas far from home. They received special supplies from SpaceX, including holiday gifts, to make their celebration joyful.
NASA shared a fun picture of Williams and astronaut Don Pettit wearing Santa hats in the ISS’s Columbus Laboratory. The caption jokingly said, “Another day, another sleigh.” The crew will enjoy special meals made with fresh ingredients sent from Earth and video call their families to share their holiday moments.
Making Holiday Traditions in Space
The astronauts are working hard to keep some of their family traditions alive in space. They are excited to prepare delicious meals and stay in touch with their loved ones through video calls, helping them feel connected and happy during the holiday season.
Teaching Kids About Life in Space
Besides celebrating Christmas, Williams and her team are also teaching kids on Earth about life in space. They are doing live video sessions to explain the fun and challenges of living in zero gravity. This is a great way to inspire young minds to explore science and engineering!
SpaceX Completes Important Supply Mission
Earlier this month, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft completed its 31st supply mission for the ISS. It launched on November 4 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, delivering about 2,720 kilograms of supplies, which were very important for the astronauts. This successful mission shows how private companies like SpaceX are helping NASA explore space.
Unexpected Delay for Sunita Williams
Sunita Williams was supposed to have a short eight-day mission last June, but a spacecraft problem caused her mission to be extended to six months. She and astronaut Butch Wilmore are now set to return to Earth in February after their extended adventure.
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Telangana Unveils Ambitious Tourism Policy for 2025-2030 Investment Goals
The Telangana government wants to make the state a top spot for tourists and attract investments worth Rs 15,000 crore by setting up a new Tourism Policy for 2025-2030. This is the first time Telangana has created a special policy just for tourism since it became a state. The plan aims to create jobs for 300,000 people in the next five years and make tourism a bigger part of its economy, aiming for 10% or more of its total income (GSDP).
The government knows that private businesses mostly lead tourism, so they want to build trust among investors with clear and helpful rules. The new tourism policy will ensure safe adventures for travelers. They plan to start tourist police units at popular spots, take steps to protect women tourists, and use a Tourism Friendly Index (TFI) to check safety at different places. Adding CCTV cameras in tourist areas will help keep everyone safe and cozy.
Additionally, the policy will create amazing shopping experiences along the upcoming Regional Ring Road, with special malls for wedding items, gold markets, home goods, and furniture. They also plan to have shopping festivals throughout the year. Investors will receive refunds on Net State GST depending on their investment size and project location.
In 2022, Telangana welcomed 60.75 million domestic tourists and 68,400 foreign tourists. However, the state’s share of domestic tourists has dropped to 3.51% of the national total, putting it in 9th place among other states.
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Sebi Introduces Specialized Investment Fund for Risk-Taking Investors
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), our market regulator, has just introduced a new investment option called the Specialized Investment Fund (SIF). This fund sits between portfolio management services (PMS) and mutual funds, making it easier for investors to choose their investment style.
You can invest in SIF if you have at least Rs 10 lakh, but if you’re an accredited investor, there’s no minimum amount needed. The fund managers in charge of SIF will need to have specific certifications to ensure they know what they are doing.
SIFs can use different ways to invest, like open-ended, close-ended, or interval strategies, and they should clearly explain how you can join or leave the fund in their offer documents. The fees for these investments will follow existing mutual fund rules.
However, there are some rules about where SIFs can invest. They can’t put more than 20% of their total value into risky debt from a single company unless they get special permission. Investments in government securities or treasury bills are safe and don’t count towards these limits.
Also, SIFs can own no more than 15% of any company’s voting shares. For example, if another mutual fund has 10% ownership in a company, a SIF can own a maximum of 5%. Furthermore, they cannot invest more than 10% of their total value in any one company’s stocks.
SIFs are also allowed to buy Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) but with some limits. They can own no more than 20% of units issued by a single REIT or InvIT. This includes limits set for mutual fund schemes.
Sebi created this new investment option for people who are willing to take higher risks with their money.
(Disclaimer: The views and suggestions from experts are their own and do not reflect those of thellv.news)
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Cyclone Chido Devastates Mayotte: India Offers Help as France Responds
On Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his sadness over the damage caused by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte, an island near Madagascar. He said India is ready to help. In a post on X, he expressed his thoughts and prayers for the victims and their families, and he is confident that France, under President Emmanuel Macron, will recover from this tragedy.
Cyclone Chido has resulted in 22 deaths and injured over 1,400 people in Mayotte. The storm brought winds up to 200 km/h, causing destruction across the island. Many areas are still blocked, making it hard to know how many more people are missing.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said Mayotte has been “completely devastated,” affecting 70% of the local people. He announced that an extra 400 paramilitary personnel will join 1,600 already there to help with rescue and recovery efforts.
Starting Friday, France will enforce a nighttime curfew from 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM to prevent looting and stop diseases from spreading. Many people in Mayotte live in poverty and do not have safe homes.
President Macron called the situation a “tragedy” and promised to visit Mayotte soon. French officials say they expect to restore half of the island’s water supply within 48 hours, and more food and water will arrive shortly.
In nearby Mozambique, at least 34 people have died due to the cyclone, with over 300 injured from heavy rain. Cyclone Chido is the strongest to hit the region in over 90 years. Experts warn that warmer oceans are making cyclones stronger, which could lead to more disasters if global warming continues.
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Meloni Pushes Migrant Plan to Albania Amid Legal Challenges
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is asking the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to support her government’s plan to send some migrants to Albania. This plan is important to her, but Italian courts have blocked it because they believe it goes against European laws.
Speaking to the parliament before an important meeting of EU leaders, Meloni said we need clear rules about this issue because recent court decisions seem to have a political bias. If the ECJ agrees with these decisions, she warned, it could harm how all EU countries handle migrant returns until new asylum rules are in place by 2026.
Her plan focuses on adult men from certain countries that Italy considers “safe.” These men could be sent to detention in Albania and quickly deported if their requests for asylum (a safe place to stay) are denied. Other European countries are also interested in this approach to reduce illegal migration.
However, Italian judges have raised concerns. They cited a recent ECJ decision stating that no country can be labeled “safe” if even a small part of it is dangerous. A further ECJ ruling is expected to clarify the situation, but it won’t come soon. Meanwhile, Italy has stopped sending migrants to Albania, leaving detention centers empty.
Despite this, Meloni remains hopeful that her plan will succeed, even though some critics argue it has been a waste of money.
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Sebi Uses AI to Speed Up Fund Approvals
India’s capital market regulator, Sebi, is working on training a smart computer program called a large language model (LLM) to make its job easier and faster. This program will help Sebi speed up the time it takes to approve new money funds and investment schemes. Ananth Narayan G, a member of Sebi, shared this exciting news at an event hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry.
Large language models are advanced tools that can understand and generate human language. They learn from lots of text data, allowing them to do cool things like write, summarize, and translate. It’s pretty unique for a financial regulator in India to share these specific plans to develop a smart program like this.
Currently, Sebi has improved its processes and can now approve applications for mutual fund schemes and initial public offerings in less than three months. They’re hoping to make this even faster, aiming for approval times of under one month! With the help of the new language model, Sebi believes it can achieve this goal more effectively. The training for this model is already in progress, and we can expect to see positive changes soon.