National
Bicycles for an Additional One Lakh Students in Recognized Schools Across Jharkhand
Previously, the scheme covered about 390,000 students enrolled in government and welfare department institutions.
During a recent meeting, Welfare Minister Chamra Linda questioned the exclusion of students from recognized schools, noting that they already receive scholarships from the department. He asserted that students in grant-in-aid schools should have access to the same resources as those in government schools. Following this discussion, the department has begun drafting a proposal to include these students in the scheme.
Once the proposal is approved by the department and sanctioned by the Finance Department, it will be presented to the state cabinet. After receiving approval, the process to procure the bicycles will begin.
Welfare Department officials indicated that they will collaborate with the Education Department to ascertain the exact number of eighth-grade students in recognized private schools. The proposal will include detailed statistics, specifying the number of schools, their names, and the count of eligible students per school.
Currently, each bicycle under the scheme costs ₹4,130. If the program is extended to an additional 100,000 children, it will require an extra ₹41.30 crore, bringing the total annual expenditure for approximately 500,000 students to ₹206.50 crore.
The Welfare Department intends to implement the expanded scheme in the 2025-26 academic session. For students in government and welfare schools, the department aims to complete the distribution process by May. After finalizing the tender, bicycles will be distributed to all eligible students simultaneously.
This initiative represents a significant step towards achieving educational equity, providing thousands of students with convenient means of transportation to school and encouraging ongoing education in Jharkhand’s rural and semi-urban areas.
National
MoD Issues Warning About Fake WhatsApp Messages Requesting Donations for Indian Army Modernization
The fraudulent message claims that during a cabinet meeting, the Modi government decided to open a bank account for contributions towards the modernization of the Indian Army and for soldiers injured or martyred in conflict zones. It states, “Another great decision by the Modi government on superstar Akshay Kumar’s suggestion—just Rs 1 per day to support the Indian Army. Yesterday, the Modi government opened a bank account during a cabinet meeting for the Army and soldiers in war zones. Every Indian can donate any amount starting from Rs 1 to an unlimited sum. These funds will also be used to purchase weapons for the Army and paramilitary forces.”
Additionally, the message suggests that if 70% of India’s 1.3 billion population donates even one rupee daily, it would accumulate significant funds—transforming into 100 crores in a day, 3,000 crores in a month, and 36,000 crores in a year. It emphasizes that Pakistan’s annual defense budget doesn’t even reach Rs 36,000 crore and encourages citizens to contribute for the country’s ambition to become a superpower.
In response, the Ministry of Defence has clarified that the account details provided in the message are incorrect, resulting in failed online donations. “Individuals should be vigilant and avoid falling victim to such scams. The government has launched numerous welfare schemes for soldiers who are killed or disabled in active duty,” the statement asserted.
The Ministry highlighted the establishment of the ‘Armed Forces Battle Casualty Welfare Fund (AFBCWF)’ in 2020, which provides immediate financial assistance to the families of soldiers who lose their lives or suffer severe injuries during military operations. The Indian Army, under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, manages the fund’s accounts. Contributions can be made directly to the Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund, with correct bank account details provided in the official announcement.
The individual, a 40-year-old man from Jaipur, Rajasthan, was flagged by customs officers based on profiling measures. Following his arrival from Dubai on Friday, the necessary legal actions are being taken in accordance with Customs regulations.
The authorities intercepted him at the green channel exit.
Upon conducting an X-ray examination of his luggage, customs officials noticed suspicious images. Although the Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD) did not signal any alerts for the passenger, a thorough inspection of his baggage led to the discovery of the gold bars.
In a recent reshuffle, several IAS officers were transferred, including Smitha Sabharwal, who served as the Secretary for Youth Advancement, Tourism, and Culture. She has been assigned to the Finance Commission just as the Miss World beauty pageant approaches, marking its first occurrence in the state.
Sabharwal reportedly faced backlash from the Chief Minister due to a Ghibli-style AI-generated image of bulldozers connected to the Kancha Gachibowli issue she shared on her ‘X’ account, leading to police summons. Jayesh Ranjan, formerly the industry secretary, has now taken over her position in the tourism department.
Jayesh Ranjan also steps into the Chief Minister’s office as CEO of the Industry and Investment Cell. Additionally, R V Karnan has been appointed as the GHMC Commissioner, previously known for conducting rigorous inspections and imposing fines on food establishments for hygiene violations.
M Dana Kishore, who was overseeing the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, has been transferred to the Labour Department.
MoD Issues Warning About Fake WhatsApp Messages Requesting Donations for Indian Army Modernization
Customs Officials Detain Passenger with 2 kg of Gold Bars at Delhi Airport
Telangana Appoints K. Ramakrishna Rao as New Chief Secretary
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