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Nestled in the northeastern part of <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="Orion">India</keyword>, <keyword id="6355772" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Meghalaya" source="Orion">Meghalaya</keyword>, often referred to as the "Abode of Clouds, "it is a haven for <keyword id="20615091" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nature-lovers" source="keywords">nature lovers</keyword> and adventure enthusiasts. With its rolling hills, lush green landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and unique culture, Meghalaya offers an unparalleled travel experience. Here’s a detailed guide to the top places and things to do in this enchanting state. <div type="image" title="Shillong: The Scotland of the East" height="900" width="1200" msid="111125552" hostid="261"></div><h2>1. <keyword id="57704" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shillong" source="Orion">Shillong</keyword>: The Scotland of the East</h2>Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya, is a picturesque hill station known for its stunning landscapes, pleasant climate, and colonial charm. Often referred to as the "Scotland of the East," Shillong offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and urban sophistication. Here’s an in-depth look at the top attractions and activities in this enchanting city. Ward's Lake: A picturesque lake surrounded by gardens, ideal for a relaxing stroll or a boat ride. Elephant Falls: A three-tiered waterfall located in the outskirts of the city, providing a stunning view. Shillong Peak: The highest point in Shillong, offering panoramic views of the city and the surrounding hills. Don Bosco Museum: A museum showcasing the rich cultural heritage of <keyword id="20170410" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Northeast-India" source="keywords">Northeast India</keyword> through various exhibits. <div type="image" title="A rootbridge in the forest of Cherrapunji" height="900" width="1200" msid="111125578" hostid="261"></div><h2>2. <keyword id="20268081" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cherrapunji" source="keywords">Cherrapunji</keyword> and Mawsynram: The Wettest Places on Earth</h2>Cherrapunji and Mawsynram in Meghalaya are the wettest places on Earth, known for their record-breaking rainfall. These locations offer breathtaking landscapes, including lush green hills, stunning waterfalls, and unique living root bridges, making them must-visit destinations. Nohkalikai Falls: Plunging from a height of 1,115 feet, it is the tallest plunge waterfall in India. Mawsmai Cave: A natural limestone cave with impressive stalactites and stalagmites formations. Living Root Bridges: Ingenious bridges made from the roots of rubber trees, particularly the Double Decker Living Root Bridge in Nongriat village. <div type="image" title="Mawlynnong, Asia&amp;#39;s cleanest village" height="900" width="1200" msid="111125619" hostid="261"></div><h2>3. Mawlynnong: Asia’s Cleanest Village</h2>Mawlynnong, Asia's cleanest village, is renowned for its pristine environment, eco-friendly practices, and vibrant community. Sky Walk: A bamboo structure offering breathtaking views of the Bangladesh plains. Balancing Rock: A natural phenomenon where a large rock balances on a smaller one. <div type="image" title="Beautiful river Dawki in Meghalaya, India" height="900" width="1200" msid="111125656" hostid="261"></div><h2>4. Dawki: The Crystal-Clear Waters</h2>Dawki, near the India-Bangladesh border, is famed for the crystal-clear Umngot River, where boats seem to float on air. Boating on Umngot River: An unforgettable experience of boating on the transparent waters. Dawki-Tamabil Border: A significant trading point between India and Bangladesh. <h4 style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:2pt;"> </h4> <div type="image" title="Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya" height="900" width="1200" msid="111125686" hostid="261"></div><h2>5. Jaintia Hills: A Cultural Haven</h2>The Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya are a cultural haven, rich with historical significance and natural beauty. Key attractions include the Nartiang Monoliths, ancient stone structures, and vibrant local markets in Lad Rymbai. Nartiang Monoliths: The largest collection of monoliths in a single area, believed to be a burial site of the Jaintia kings. Lad Rymbai: Famous for its coal mines and local markets. <h4 style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:2pt;"> </h4> <div type="image" title="Beautiful Garo Hills" height="900" width="1200" msid="111125709" hostid="261"></div><h2>6. Garo Hills: Wildlife and Adventure</h2>The Garo Hills in Meghalaya offer wildlife and adventure, featuring Balpakram National Park, home to diverse flora and fauna, and Nokrek National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Ideal for trekking, bird watching, and wildlife enthusiasts, the region promises thrilling outdoor experiences. Balpakram National Park: Known for its biodiversity, including elephants, tigers, and rare medicinal plants. Nokrek National Park: A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to the red panda and other endangered species. <h2>7. Adventure Activities</h2>Meghalaya is a paradise for adventure enthusiasts with activities such as: Trekking: Trails like the David Scott Trail and the Living Root Bridge trek provide thrilling experiences. Caving: Exploring the caves of Siju, Mawsmai, and Liat Prah offers a unique subterranean adventure. Rock Climbing and Rappelling: The rocky terrains of Meghalaya provide excellent opportunities for rock climbing and rappelling. <h2>8. Cultural Experiences</h2>Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Meghalaya through: Festivals: Witness traditional festivals like Shad Suk Mynsiem, Wangala, and Nongkrem Dance. Local Cuisine: Savor local delicacies such as Jadoh, Dohneiiong, and Pukhlein. Handicrafts and Souvenirs: Explore local markets for handmade crafts, textiles, and bamboo products. <h2>Travel Tips</h2>Best Time to Visit: October to April is ideal for pleasant weather and outdoor activities. How to Reach: Shillong is well-connected by road from Guwahati, which has the nearest airport and railway station. Accommodation: A range of options from luxury hotels to homestays and guesthouses Meghalaya, with its ethereal beauty and diverse attractions, promises an unforgettable experience. Whether you're seeking adventure, tranquility, or cultural insights, this "Abode of Clouds" has something to offer every traveler. So pack your bags and get ready to explore the wonders of Meghalaya!

Meghalaya: A Guide to Its Top Attractions and Adventures

The recent announcement by the government about the discovery of the largest reserves of lithium in the country triggered a lot of hope and curiosity. While nearly 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves have been discovered in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir; however, during the last five years, the <keyword id="6395354" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="geological-survey-of-india" source="Orion">Geological Survey of India</keyword> (GSI), an attached office of the <keyword id="119457" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ministry-of-mines" source="Orion">Ministry of Mines</keyword>, has carried out 20 projects on lithium and associated elements in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Rajasthan. During the field season programme 2022-23, the GSI has taken up 18 projects on lithium and associated elements in Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Rajasthan. However, the resource of lithium has not yet been augmented by the GSI. As per information from the <keyword id="48413" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ministry" source="Orion">Ministry</keyword>, Mineral Exploration &amp; Consultancy Limited, a CPSE under the Ministry of Mines, has undertaken an exploration project for lithium in Ladakh. Further, the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, a constituent unit of the Department of Atomic Energy, is carrying out exploration for lithium in parts of Mandya and Yadgir districts in Karnataka. The Ministry has also informed that Khanij Bidesh <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> Ltd. (<keyword id="3648460" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="kabil" source="Orion">KABIL</keyword>), a joint venture of three CPSEs under the Ministry of Mines, is exploring opportunities for investment in lithium mines in Argentina and Australia. KABIL is mandated to identify and acquire overseas mineral assets of critical and strategic nature such as lithium, cobalt and others to ensure supply side assurance. On the basis of the commissioned study and selection criteria, KABIL has initiated engagements with several state owned organisations of the shortlisted source countries through the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassies in countries like Argentina and Australia to acquire mineral assets overseas - primarily the critical and strategic minerals including lithium, cobalt and others and not Rare Earth Elements. Officials said that every year, as per the approved annual Field Season Programme (FSP), the Geological Survey of India takes up different stages of mineral exploration including reconnaissance surveys, preliminary exploration and general exploration following the guidelines of the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) and the Mineral Evidence and Mineral Content Rules (MEMC-2015) for augmenting mineral resources for various mineral commodities including lithium. Lithium, a key ingredient in rechargeable batteries, is critical for furthering India's electric vehicle ambitions. India's plan to increase EV penetration by 30% by 2030 depends mostly on lithium -- as of now, only a little more than 1% of all vehicle sales in the country are electric vehicles. Currently, the country is import-dependent for many minerals like lithium, nickel and cobalt. Lithium reserves are concentrated in the lithium triangle in South America -- Argentina, Bolivia and Chile, with 50% of the deposits concentrated in these regions. China, meanwhile, has the lead over other countries and controls 75% of lithium refining. Apart from EVs, lithium is also widely used in the medical sector and electronics industry with power phones, solar panels, and other renewable technologies needed for the transition to clean energy. While there is still limited information on the timeline for production and commercially viable reserves, the discovery is important for India. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/leaked-messages-show-googlers-are-taking-out-their-frustrations-over-layoffs-on-its-new-bard-ai-chatbot/articleshow/98221257.cms">Leaked messages show Googlers are taking out their frustrations over layoffs on its new Bard AI chatbot</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/hbo-dropped-the-1st-teaser-trailer-for-succession-season-4-heres-what-to-expect-when-the-show-returns-this-march-/articleshow/97361611.cms">'Succession' will end with its 4th season. Here's what to expect when the show returns for its final episodes this March.</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-ranks-42-in-55-countries-on-international-ip-index/articleshow/98224833.cms">India ranks 42 in 55 countries on International IP Index</a>

Geological Survey of India has been digging for lithium for last 5 years

<ul><li>India's top court has instructed the state government of <keyword id="6355772" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="meghalaya">Meghalaya</keyword> to rescue the miners as soon as possible as 'every minute counts'.</li><li>The Indian Supreme Court has also directed the state government that the miners have to be rescued, regardless of whether they're dead of alive.</li><li>15 labourers have been stuck in a ‘rat hole’ mine in India for nearly a month despite multi-agency efforts to rescue them. </li></ul>15 miners have been stuck in a ‘rat hole’ mine in the eastern state of Meghalaya for nearly a month while all rescue efforts have proven unsuccessful. After hearing a petition regarding the matter, the Indian Supreme Court has instructed the state government to get the miners out — dead or alive. The judges stated, “Every minute counts”. They added, “No matter whether they are all dead, not dead or all alive — they should be taken out.” Expressing their dissatisfaction, they questioned the state government as to why the army hadn’t been asked to join to rescue operations. The government justified that they already had firefighters from Odisha, the <keyword id="6355100" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Navy">Indian Navy</keyword> and the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) on board. The court appropriately retorted, “Then, why were they not successful?” Getting the Supreme Court's attention After nearly a month of being trapped in a 320 feet deep mine in the eastern Indian state of Meghalaya, the country’s Supreme Court <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/top-court-to-hear-plea-seeking-urgent-steps-for-rescue-of-trapped-meghalaya-miners-1971352">agreed to hear a plea</a> that was seeking to increase the rescue efforts underway on Wednesday. The PIL filed by Aditya N Prasad, an Indian lawyer, was seeking adequate manpower as well as equipment to rescue the miners. The plea also included preparing a ‘Standard Operation Procedure’ (SOP) by the central government for how rescue operations should be implemented when it comes to mining rescue operations. Last week, search operations were been suspended altogether for the 15 miners that have trapped at the end of a ‘rat-hole’ after nearly a fortnight of searching. Right before the New Year, the Indian Navy and the Odisha Fire Service were also pulled in to help with the rescue efforts alongside the <keyword id="119446" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Disaster-Response-Force">National Disaster Response Force</keyword> (NDRF). The probability of finding survivors is thin considering the amount time that has lapsed, but rescuers assert that there is hope in case the miners were able to find an air pocket underground. Here’s a look at the rescue efforts underway:

Indian Supreme Court expresses dissatisfaction — Instructs government to get the miners out ‘dead or alive’

<ul><li>While the rescue of the 15 miners stuck in a ‘rat hole’ mine in the eastern state of Meghalaya in India since December 13, 2018, is still underway, two more incidents of <keyword id="6367140" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="illegal-mining">illegal mining</keyword> have come to light. </li><li>Two miners have lost their lives in one of the incidents, while three more are stuck in another ‘rat hole’ mine. </li><li>Government officials in Meghalaya have repeatedly denied any knowledge of illegal mining in the state after the ban implemented in 2014. </li><li>But the chief minister of the state quickly turned on his words after the first incident took place. </li><li>Data shows that administrative oversight is one of the primary reasons this problem was allowed to continue for so long.</li></ul>While the Indian government is still struggling to rescue the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-supreme-court-expresses-dissatisfaction-instructs-government-to-get-the-miners-out-dead-or-alive/articleshow/67257937.cms">15 rat hole miners</a> stuck in the eastern Indian state of Meghalaya, two more incidents of illegal mining in state paint a disturbing picture. The issue is not only about the prevalence of illegal mining but the resultant loss of life due to the risk involved and lax security regulations. The first incident is where two miners <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/2-dead-as-another-meghalaya-mine-collapses-rescue-stumbles-at-older-site-1973517">died</a> as a result of a ‘side cutting’ mine collapsing on top of them. The second is where three miners have been trapped in another ‘rat hole’ mine in the area for nearly nine days <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/boulders-fall-in-meghalaya-mine-kill-two/article25927321.ece">according</a> to the locals in the area. Questions for politicians Meghalaya has always maintained that the ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014 was effectively implemented. But after the mining incident of December 13, 2018, where 15 miners are still stuck in a ‘rat hole’ mine — their story seems to be changing. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has <a href="https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/dec-report-admits-to-illegal-mining-in-meghalaya/cid/1681055">admitted</a> to knowing about the illegal mining in Meghalaya only after the incident took place. Earlier that year, when there were allegations of illegal mining activity in Meghalaya, he denied all charges. 
 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="&quot;We are aware that illegal mining activities were on. Appropriate action will be taken against those who are involved in it. This is not acceptable to us.&quot;" auname="Conrad K Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya"></div>




 Reports also show that over the past four years — despite the coal mining ban being in place — over 2,700 trucks have seized containing coal even though only about 1,100 cases were actually registered. Experts <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/meghalaya-rat-hole-mining-tragedy-politicians-have-a-lot-to-answer-for/story-eiALqenJkbeggHDatUsEfM.html">cite</a> the prevalence of mining in Meghalaya to three reasons. One, that these ‘risky’ mining practices are also cheaper than conventional methods lacking the usual safety requirements. Two, there is political support in place. And, three, the local community needs the job opportunity since they are mostly migrants from neighboring states. The fact that the mines are privately owned makes it even harder to keep track of where they are, who owns them or even of their exact number. So rather than illegal mining in Meghalaya being a surprise, it was more of administrative oversight that allowed the phenomenon to continue. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-supreme-court-expresses-dissatisfaction-instructs-government-to-get-the-miners-out-dead-or-alive/articleshow/67257937.cms">Photos that show the efforts to rescue 15 miners trapped in illegal 'rat hole’ mine in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/for-74-indian-activists-the-punishment-for-seeking-the-truth-has-been-death/articleshow/63425570.cms">For 74 Indian activists, the punishment for seeking the truth has been death</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-authorities-used-google-maps-to-expose-illegal-sand-mining-activities/articleshow/64945513.cms">Indian authorities used Google Maps to expose illegal sand mining activities</a>

More illegal mining in India — the state of Meghalaya has more questions than answers

Photos that show the efforts to rescue 15 miners trapped in rat hole mine in India

Labour day isn’t only about recognition of hard work. It is also pushing for equality, work rights and the larger benefit of working men and women across the globe. As the world celebrates Labour Day, here is a look at its history and what it means for workers. It dates back to 1886 when workers in the US took to the streets protesting long work hours. They demanded that their work time be reduced from 16-10 hours to 8 hours a day. In India, the situation of labourers has been far from pleasant. Over the years, it has been marred with gender inequality, hazardous working conditions, job crises and unemployment. Indian labour laws leave much to be desired on<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-is-revamping-its-minimum-wage-laws-for-the-first-time-in-60-years/articleshow/64001419.cms"> minimum wage </a>and mandated work hours. Here’s a low-down of several fronts where Indian workers are fighting for basic rights, conducive work environment and a decent pay scale: <div type="Slideshow" msid="69129456" hostid="261" title="May Day 2019: India’s labour day comes at the cost of 570,000 job losses and 297 deaths" firstImageMsid="69129621" slideCount="6"></div>

May Day 2019: India’s labour day comes at the cost of 570,000 job losses and 297 deaths

<ul><li>After a month of searching, the search for the 15 miners in <keyword id="6355772" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="meghalaya">Meghalaya</keyword> finally seems to have yielded results. </li><li>The underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) spotted a body 160 feet into a ‘rat hole’ mine that was flooded by the Lytein River. </li><li>The body is being brought out under the supervision of doctors and the search continues for the 14 remaining miners.</li></ul>The <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-supreme-court-expresses-dissatisfaction-instructs-government-to-get-the-miners-out-dead-or-alive/articleshow/67257937.cms">Meghalaya mining crisis</a> in <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> finally seems to have made progress after over a month of searching for the 15 miners trapped in an illegal rat-hole mine. The <keyword id="6355100" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Navy">Indian Navy</keyword> spotted a body 160 feet into mine using its underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV). 
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="indiannavy" handlename="SpokespersonNavy" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/871053127205625856/pGhIGmLN_normal.jpg" favoritecount="49" retweetcount="28" status="#MeghalayaMineTragedy The depth is 160 feet (and not 60 feet) and the body has been pulled upto the mouth of Rat-ho… https://t.co/F5tH54k3Xa" createdat="1547696283000" id="1085743023957323777"></div>







 The body is being brought up to the mouth of the mine under the supervision of doctors — and the hunt is still on for the remaining 14 miners. The efforts to rescue the miners were halted altogether two weeks into the operation when the pumps available to the state government gave out under stress. It was only then that firefighters from Odisha and the Indian Navy were called in to help. Even <keyword id="45383" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Coal-India">Coal India</keyword> Limited and Kirloskar Brother Limited stepped in to offer high-capacity submersible pumps to help with the process. The flooding from the Lytein river created a situation that even Indian Navy divers couldn’t go deep enough to access the rat holes until the water in the mine was taken out. Dangers of mining practices in this part of the country is exactly why the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned mining in Meghalaya in 2014. Despite the ban, mining practices have continued. In early January, two miners died in an illegal <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/more-illegal-mining-in-india-the-state-of-meghalaya-has-more-questions-than-answers/articleshow/67419109.cms">‘side cutting’ mine</a> in another part of the state. Here’s a quick look at the Meghalaya mining crisis:

India’s Meghalaya mining crisis finally makes progress in its search for 15 missing miners

New Delhi, Dec 16 () Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday said the mining industry should constantly endeavour to achieve the goal of 'zero harm' in operations in the country, especially when private players are being roped in the sector.
 "Our aim should be to constantly endeavour towards the goal of 'zero harm'," Naidu said here while addressing a gathering after presenting the National Safety Awards in Mines for 2015 and 2016. 
 The legislative approach towards safety regulations may not be the only way to deal with the issue, he said.
 "Experience shows us that creating a 'culture of prevention' across all employees of an organization is critical for progress of the mineral industry towards 'zero harm'," he said.
 Naidu said, "Many times these contractors adopt a risk taking attitude as they focus solely on maximizing the output. Consequently, investments in safety are often ignored purely for short-term gains. This is not acceptable. Every worker has a right to safe and decent work environment."
 He noted that mining sector has witnessed major policy interventions in the recent past to promote exploration and enhance private sector participation and it has aided the sector's growth.
 India is blessed with abundant mineral deposits. India produces as many as 95 minerals, which includes 4 fuel, 10 metallic, 23 non-metallic, 3 atomic and 55 minor minerals (including building stones and other materials), he said.
 The mining sector is an important segment of the economy, contributing around 2.6 per cent of national GDP. In 2018-19, the gross value addition by mining and quarrying sector was Rs 4.1 lakh crore. It also provides direct and indirect employment to over 10 million people.
 "Effective safety programmes will only be a reality when management at all levels fully integrate safety responsibility into the industry's mainstream. The concepts of 'self-supervision' and 'duty of care' should become the keyword for mining industry in place of the present system of 'external supervision'," the vice president said.
 Miners' job is considered to be one of the most hazardous occupations and is not easy, Naidu said, adding that no country can develop without the contribution of mining industry.
 India should further aspire to expand the value chains of its key minerals to leverage these resources for faster economic development, he added.
 He also reminded the gathering about the unfortunate incident where 15 miners died in an illegal rat-hole mine in Meghalaya, saying it is still fresh in memory.
 On the occasion, Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar spoke about labour reforms and said that the government wants to codify 44 central laws into four codes.
 One of the four codes, Code on Wages, has already been approved by the Parliament, while other three on occupational safety, industrial relations and social security have been introduced in Lok Sabha for consideration and passage, he added. KKS RVK

Achieve 'zero harm' in mining operations in the country, says Venkaiah Naidu

New Delhi, Dec 4 () The government has collected Rs 2.03 lakh crore in revenue from state-owned Coal India in the last six financial years, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.
Of the total revenue received, the maximum of Rs 44,826.43 crore was mopped up in 2018-19. 
"The government has collected Rs 2,03,221.12 crore in revenue from Coal India in the last six years beginning from financial year 2013-14 up to the last fiscal 2018-19," Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
In 2017-18, the revenue stood at Rs 44,046.57 crore while in the preceding fiscal, it was Rs 44,068.28 crore, the minister said.
In 2015-16, the government collected Rs 29,084.11 crore in revenue from the PSU whereas in the preceding fiscal, the figure stood at Rs 21,482.21 crore.
In 2013-14, the revenue was at Rs 19,713.52 crore, he said.
The minister also informed the House that the consolidated state-wise coal production from the functional coal mines from 2013-14 to 2018-19 remained at 3,876.16 million tonne.
In 2018-19, it was highest at 728.718 MT.
Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are the coal producing states, he said. SID SID ANU
ANU

Govt garners Rs 2.03 lakh cr revenue from CIL in last 6 fiscals

New Delhi, Jan 17 () Aadhaar will be required for getting benefits under a central government scheme for providing financial assistance to family members of victims of violence perpetrated by terrorists or naxals, and communal riots.
 In a notification, the Union Home Ministry said an eligible beneficiary desirous of receiving the benefit under the 'Central Scheme for Assistance to Civilian Victims/Family of Victims of Terrorist/Communal/LWE Violence and Cross Border Firing and Mine/IED Blasts on Indian Territory' is required to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication.
 Any eligible beneficiary desirous of receiving benefit under the scheme, who does not possess the Aadhaar number or, has not yet enrolled for Aadhaar, shall have to apply for Aadhaar enrolment.
 The home ministry said the notification comes into effect in all states and union territories except Assam and Meghalaya, where Aadhaar has not covered all residents.
 "The assistance is given by the state governments and the home ministry reimburses the state governments when it gets their demand. The annual budget for the scheme is broadly in the range of Rs 6 to 7 crore," a senior home ministry official said.
 The notification said the ministry through the implementing agency is required to offer Aadhaar enrolment facilities for the eligible beneficiary, who is not yet enrolled for Aadhaar and in case there is no Aadhaar enrolment centre located in the respective Block or Taluka or Tehsil.
 Till the time Aadhaar is assigned to the beneficiary, benefit under the scheme shall be given to such beneficiary subject to the production of the Aadhaar enrolment identification slip if he or she has enrolled and any one of the following: bank or post office passbook with photo; or voter identification card; or PAN card; or ration card; or passport; or kisan photo passbook; or driving licence or certificate of identity having photo of such person issued by a gazetted officer or a tehsildar on an official letter head; or Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme Job Card; or any other document as specified by the ministry.
 In order to provide convenient and hassle free benefit to the beneficiary under the scheme, the ministry through the implementing agency or other means shall make all the required arrangements to ensure that wide publicity through media is given to the beneficiary to make them aware of the requirement of Aadhaar under the scheme.
 In all cases, where Aadhaar authentication fails due to poor biometrics of the beneficiary or due to any other reason, the following remedial mechanisms shall be adopted.
 In case of poor fingerprint quality, IRIS scan or face authentication facility shall be adopted for authentication, thereby the ministry through the implementing agency shall make provisions for IRIS scanners or face authentication along with fingerprint authentication for delivery of benefits in seamless manner.
 In case of biometric authentication through fingerprints or IRIS or face authentication is not successful, wherever feasible and admissible authentication by Aadhaar One Time Password (OTP) or Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP) with limited time validity, as the case may be, shall be offered.
 In all other cases where biometric or OTP or TOTP authentication is not possible, benefit may be given on the basis of physical Aadhaar letter whose authenticity can be verified through the QR code printed on the Aadhaar letter and the necessary arrangement of QR code reader shall be provided at the convenient locations by the ministry through the implementing agency. ACB SMN

Aadhaar required to get benefits under scheme for civilian victims of terror, communal violence

Coronavirus cases in India rise to 17,265— with 1553 new cases in the last 24 hours

<ul><li>68 Right to Information (<keyword id="6356198" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="RTI">RTI</keyword>) <keyword id="41907" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="activists">activists</keyword> have been killed since 2005, while 6 have committed suicide, according to the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. </li><li>There is no law to protect activists or to prevent their personal details from falling into the wrong hands. </li><li>The amended Whistle Blower Protection Bill has been stalled in Parliament since 2015.</li></ul> On March 20th, 38-year old Poipynhun Majaw was killed after receiving multiple blows from a wrench to his head in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, a prominent mining area rich in coal and limestone. The motive behind his <keyword id="6355784" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="death">death</keyword> is yet to be confirmed by the district police, but it is likely tied to his investigation into the arrangements between the leaders of the Jaintia Hills district council and cement manufacturing firms. Majaw’s death, while tragic, is not surprising. The Right to Information (RTI) activist revealed last year that the district council had allowed cement companies to mine in the area without adequate licenses. As the head of the Jaintia Youth Federation, a social activist group, for six years, he rallied the district’s youth around a number of issues such as electoral fraud and environmental damage from business activities. Like many activists and journalists in the country who have used the RTI law to expose corruption, Majaw was a sitting duck. There was no adequate law to protect him or to prevent the personal details on his RTI application from falling into the wrong hands. The Right to Information Act The Right to Information Act , ranked <a href="http://www.rti-rating.org/">5th best</a> in the world in terms of strength according to the Centre for Law and Democracy, allows Indian citizens to request information from public institutions and the <keyword id="26362" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Government">government</keyword>. Since October 2005, when the RTI Act was implemented, the deaths of 74 activists have been documented in India, according to<a href="http://attacksonrtiusers.org/"> attacksonrtiusers.org</a>, a tracker set up by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). An additional 164 activists have reported assaults while 180 have been threatened. A significant portion of these activists had exercised this right and asked for information, only to be harassed and in some cases, silenced permanently. Around 68 of the deaths are outright murders, while the rest have been ruled suicides. John Mascrinaus, a data analyst at the CHRI, says that 16 of these murders have taken place in Maharashtra, 12 and eight have occurred in Gujarat and Karnataka, respectively, while six each have taken place in Bihar and UP. And what of the stories of the slain activists? They have been consigned to the archives of the internet, mere statistics in a country where the truth is better left uncovered and cold-blooded killings are regular fixtures of the daytime news. Their stories bear revisiting. A list of their names is published on the CHRI tracker and here are a few cases:- Rajesh Savaliya, 31. Killed on July 19th, 2017. Savaliya was still alive when he was found near a temple on National Highway 8 in the Navsari district of Gujarat. Despite being rushed the hospital, he succumbed to his head injuries later in the night. Savaliya had been receiving threatening calls for the preceding month after filing multiple complaints with the District Education Officer about all the schools in the area that had been operating without necessary licenses. In the process, he raised the ire of a consortium of owners running the schools. The<a href="http://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat-rti-activist-who-took-on-education-mafia-found-dead-in-navsari/"> Indian Express</a> was the only national daily to report on Savilaya’s death. Bhupendra Vira, 72. Killed on October 15th, 2016. A father of three and member of a local citizens activist group, Vira was shot while watching television at his home in Santa Cruz East, Mumbai. He was killed over a land encroachment dispute. Vira had won a number of demolition orders for four illegal residences constructed by his landlord Razzaq Khan, a former member of the municipal corporation. The documents obtained through Vira’s RTI application had shown that his land was being unlawfully encroached upon. Khan and his son were subsequently arrested for the murder. Yallalinga Kuruba, 17. Killed on January 11th, 2014. The body of the first-year college student was found on the railway tracks on the periphery of Koppal, a district in northern Karnataka. On January 6th, Kuruba had told a local news channel about the corruption that was hindering the implementation of government schemes in his village. He specifically cited the lack of roads and drainage systems. On January 10th, he reportedly filed an RTI to ask for details about the development work being subcontracted under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme from the local Panchayat Development Officer. He was subsequently chased and killed by members of a gang that was loyal to Balan Gowda, a gram panchayat member. Ravinder Balwani, 61. Killed on April 26th, 2012. Balwani, a member of Parivartan, an NGO led by Arvind Kejriwal, was hit by a car in the Vasant Kunj neighbourhood in Delhi on April 23rd and died three days later after succumbing to his head injuries. Balwani had been receiving threats after filing a corruption complaint against a former official at Delhi Transco Ltd, the state transmission utility for the NCR region. He had also filed a complaint against the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission over the revision of tariffs.The cases reportedly involved a number of senior officials in the power sector. The perpetrators of the crime were never identified. Shashidhar Mishra, 35. Killed on February 14th, 2010. The street hawker and father of four was shot by some men on motorcycles in the Begusarai district of Bihar. Mishra, who was affectionately called Khabri Lal (news man) by his peers, had filed a number of complaints against panchayat and district officials. By the time he died, Mishra had filed close to a 1,000 RTI applications. His applications covered a range of issues, including the mistreatment of animals at a local dairy, unlicensed shops outside the railway station as well as land purchases and contracts given by local council officials- the latter being the last request he filed. What needs to be done? The deaths of the aforementioned people should not be in vain. The ability to exercise one’s right to information is an essential component of democracy and should be preserved. The personal details of RTI applicants need to be kept secure. The anonymous filing of RTI applications should be enabled. Additionally, applicants could also be required to furnish their email details as opposed to their address and mobile numbers. There needs to be a law to protect whistleblowers. The amended Whistle Blowers Protection (WBP) bill has been stalled in the upper house of India’s Parliament since 2015, when the NDA government moved to water down the original act with the removal of a clause that prevents whistleblowers from being prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act (OSA). This outdated anti-espionage act prohibits the disclosure of state secrets. In its attempt to preserve information that relates to national security, which the RTI act disallows applicants from obtaining in the first place, the government is compromising the personal security of its citizens. The proposed amendments to the Whistle Blower Protection act need to be withdrawn. Finally, the government authorities need to do a better job of disclosing information at the national, state and district level. A section of the RTI act calls for the “voluntary disclosure of information” by authorities. This includes all information related to government schemes and business licenses. This is precisely the information that Yallalinga Kuruba, mentioned above, was asking for. Out of the total number of RTIs filed to date, estimated at 24.9 million by CHRI, a vast majority are denied for reasons such as a “lack of information”, calling into question the purpose of the act itself. However, the act is genuinely capable of affecting change, as demonstrated by success stories such as<a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-chandigarh-to-become-india-s-first-smoke-free-city-1102240"> Chandigarh’s decision to become a smoke free city</a> as a result of RTI petitions and the discovery that some funds used for the Commonwealth Games<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Rs-744cr-dalit-fund-diverted-for-Games/articleshow/6173912.cms"> were actually earmarked for Scheduled Castes</a>. The government therefore has the responsibility of ensuring the safety of RTI applicants so the act can continue to be used to promote transparency, check corruption and ultimately, improve this country.

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