Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Chief Executive in Council has approved the draft Nam Sang Wai Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
“The approved OZP provides a statutory land use planning framework to guide the development and redevelopment within the Nam Sang Wai area”, a spokesman for the Town Planning Board said today (March 28).
The planning scheme area, covering about 600 hectares, is bounded by San Tin Highway and Castle Peak Road – Tam Mi in the east, Mai Po and Fairview Park area in the north, Shan Pui River and Yuen Long New Town in the west and Shan Pui Chung Hau Tsuen and Castle Peak Road – Yuen Long in the south.
The approved OZP has incorporated amendments shown on the draft Nam Sang Wai OZP No. S/YL-NSW/9, which mainly involve (i) rezoning an area to the north of Ho Chau Road from “Residential (Group D)” (“R(D)”) to “Residential (Group A)1”, “Residential (Group A)2” and “Other Specified Uses” (“OU”) annotated “Pumping Station” to facilitate public housing and private residential developments under a Land Sharing Pilot Scheme application; (ii) rezoning a strip of land to the north of Ho Chau Road from “R(D)” to “Village Type Development” (“V”) as an extension of the adjacent “V” zone, with the remaining knoll from “R(D)” to “Green Belt” to reflect the existing condition; and (iii) rezoning a site at Wing Kei Tsuen from “OU” annotated “Comprehensive Development to include Wetland Restoration Area” to “OU” annotated “Comprehensive Development to include Wetland Restoration Area 1” for a private comprehensive residential development.
The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP have been amended to reflect the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zonings and the planning circumstances, where appropriate.
The approved Nam Sang Wai OZP No. S/YL-NSW/10 is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Fanling, Sheung Shui and Yuen Long East District Planning Office, (iv) the Yuen Long District Office, (v) the San Tin Rural Committee, and (vi) the Shap Pat Heung Rural Committee.
Copies of the approved OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centre in North Point. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed on the Town Planning Board’s website (www.tpb.gov.hk).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Town Planning Board today (March 28) announced amendments to the approved Tai Po Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).
The amendments mainly involve (i) rezoning a site at the junction of Lo Fai Road and Ting Kok Road from “Green Belt” (“GB”) and an area shown as ‘Road’ to “Residential (Group A)11” to facilitate a public housing development under a Land Sharing Pilot Scheme (LSPS) application (LSPS Site A); (ii) rezoning a site at Ting Kok Road to the north of Fortune Garden from “GB” and an area shown as ‘Road’ to “Residential (Group A)12” to facilitate a private housing development under a LSPS application (LSPS Site B); (iii) rezoning a site to the north of Shek Kwu Lung from “Open Space” to “Government, Institution or Community (3)”; (iv) rezoning two parcels of land adjoining the LSPS Site A and Site B along Ting Kok Road from areas shown as ‘Road’ to “GB”; (v) rezoning a strip of land to the east of the LSPS Site B along Ting Kok Road from “GB” to an area shown as ‘Road’; (vi) rezoning two parcels of land to the north of Fortune Garden along Ting Kok Road from “Residential (Group C)1” (“R(C)1”) to areas shown as ‘Road’; and (vii) rezoning a parcel of land to the north of Fortune Garden along Ting Kok Road from an area shown as ‘Road’ to “R(C)1”.
The Notes and Explanatory Statement of the OZP are amended to take into account the above amendments. Opportunity is also taken to update the general information of various land use zones and the planning scheme area, where appropriate.
The draft Tai Po OZP No. S/TP/31, incorporating the amendments, is available for public inspection during office hours at (i) the Secretariat of the Town Planning Board, (ii) the Planning Enquiry Counters, (iii) the Sha Tin, Tai Po and North District Planning Office, (iv) the Tai Po District Office, and (v) the Tai Po Rural Committee.
Any person may make written representations in respect of the amendments to the Secretary of the Town Planning Board on or before May 28. Any person who intends to make a representation is advised to read the Town Planning Board Guidelines No. 29C on “Submission and Processing of Representations and Further Representations” (TPB PG-No. 29C).
Submission of a representation should comply with the requirements set out in TPB PG-No. 29C. In particular, the representer should take note of the following:
* If the representer fails to provide his or her full name and the first four alphanumeric characters of his or her Hong Kong identity card or passport number as required under TPB PG-No. 29C, the representation submitted shall be treated as not having been made; and
* The Secretariat of the Town Planning Board reserves the right to require the representer to provide identity proof for verification.
The Guidelines and the submission form are available at the above locations (i) and (ii) as well as the Town Planning Board’s website (www.tpb.gov.hk).
Copies of the draft Tai Po OZP are available for sale at the Map Publications Centre in North Point. The electronic version of the OZP can be viewed on the Town Planning Board’s website (www.tpb.gov.hk).
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
In partnership with The Guimet – National Museum of Asian Arts (France), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department commenced the Museum Summit 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (March 28). Themed “Going Beyond”, the two-day Summit has brought together over 30 leading figures and professionals from world-renowned museums and institutions in 17 countries to exchange and share their professional experiences, research findings and innovative concepts. Five countries including Egypt, Hungary, Norway, Qatar and Türkiye, are new participants this year.
The Museum Summit this year is its fourth edition since the inaugural one in 2017. Officiating at the opening ceremony, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, highlighted that the Summit had established itself not only as a highly acclaimed international event in the museum world, but also an iconic mega event in the city’s vibrant cultural calendar.
Mr Cheuk said that the Summit had recorded a total registration of over 7 000 participants, with about one-third from the Mainland and overseas, and two delegations comprising over 40 museum experts from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Museum Alliance and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). This stellar mix is a strong testament to the increasing importance of the Summit and Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
The President of The Guimet – National Museum of Asian Arts (France), Dr Yannick Lintz, also delivered an opening address at the Summit.
The Summit features four thematic sessions, namely “Museums + Tourism”, “Museums + Technology”, “Museums + Sustainability”, and “Museums + Wellness”. The discussions will encompass how museums could leverage the advantages brought by the tourism industry and technological advances to promote sustainable development as well as mental and physical well-being.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) in partnership with The Guimet – National Museum of Asian Arts in France, the Museum Summit 2025, an international mega event in the museum sector, successfully concluded today (March 29). The Summit was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre for two consecutive days, receiving a record-high total registration of over 7 000. One-third of them were non-Hong Kong registrants, from 39 countries.
The registrants of the Summit were from a wide range of sectors. Apart from local, the Mainland and overseas museum counterparts, representatives from cultural and art institutions and galleries, there were also practitioners from various industries including museum-related service or product suppliers, educational institutions, production houses, public institutions, as well as finance, technology, tourism, cultural communication, vocational training, etc. The Summit proved to be an expanding platform for dialogues, networking and business opportunities.
With the theme of “Going Beyond”, this year’s Summit brought together over 30 cultural leaders and professionals from renowned museums and institutions across 17 countries to exchange and share their professional experiences, research findings and innovative concepts, as well as delegations comprising over 40 museum practitioners from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Museum Alliance and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
Addressing the closing ceremony, the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan said, Hong Kong has been achieving progressive developments. For museums, there are M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District. The LCSD manages 15 museums and two art spaces, with the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong Science Museum and Hong Kong Heritage Museum as our flagships. There are also many interesting private museums like our partners this year, the Tsz Shan Monastery Buddhist Art Museum, the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, amongst others. They are all telling the Hong Kong stories with a multiplying breadth and depth.
Ms Chan said, like museums, and the society at large, the Museum Summit endeavoured to reinvent itself and go beyond usual parameters in its fourth edition. This Summit included topics like cultural tourism and social wellness in our dialogues, alongside the need to leverage technological advancements and achieve sustainability as its themes. These expanded roles were reflecting the transformative power of museums to connect people with heritage. She said, museum was no longer something about the past; rather it had become an integral element of the city’s cultural life. It was also an indispensable part of the city’s pride of its people and warm welcome to guests from across the globe.
Other than the discussion sessions, this year’s Summit also arranged various extended programmes for speakers, moderators, delegation and attendees, which received an attendance of around 1 000. Highlights included local cultural visits, such as visiting Tai Fu Tai Mansion in San Tin, Yuen Long, and experiencing and intangible cultural heritage items including Cantonese Opera and Nanyin performances. They also visited local museums, and participated in Museum Night at the Hong Kong Museum of Art, enjoyed live music performances and guided tours of the galleries. They will travel to Shenzhen to visit the Shenzhen Museum, the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning, the Shenzhen Art Museum (New Venue), and the Sea World Culture and Arts Center.
Approx. 31 lakh defence pensioners, of the total 32 lakh, onboarded on SPARSH portal Raksha Pension Samadhan Ayojans organised at various places for those living in remote areas
Over 200 DAD offices, 16 Bank branches and nearly five lakh CSCs operational to help pensioners
Posted On: 29 MAR 2025 7:48PM by PIB Delhi
Of the total 32 lakh defence pensioners, approx. 31 lakh have been onboarded on System for Pension Administration – Raksha (SPARSH) and their pensions are being directly credited into their bank accounts. Launched in October 2020, SPARSH is a ‘Digital India’ initiative that aims to provide a comprehensive, transparent, and efficient solution for managing defence pensions, including sanctioning and disbursing pensions to the Armed Forces personnel and Defence civilians living across the country.
In order to help veterans and their families, old women and people living in remote areas where there are no computers & internet facilities, Raksha Pension Samadhan Ayojans (RPSA) are organised at various places to resolve their problems. During January 2024 to December 2024, seven RPSAs were organised in different parts of the country.
In addition, more than 90 SPARSH outreach programmes have been organised by the Defence Accounts Department (DAD) during the same period to assist veterans and their families. Department representatives also participated in ESM Rallies, Navy Veteran Meets, Air Force Veteran Conclaves organized by the Indian Defence Forces across the nation.
Ex-servicemen and their families can also get help and required information regarding their pension by calling PCDA (P) toll free number 1800-180-5325, where fully trained staff are deployed to help. So far, more than 50 lakh calls have been answered providing them help and information since its inception in December, 2014.
SPARSH is administered by the DAD through the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions) in Prayagraj and caters to all three Services (Army, Navy, Air Force) and allied organisations.
In the erstwhile Legacy System, Pensions to the Armed Forces were sanctioned by three different Pension Sanctioning Agencies (PSAs) namely, O/o PCDA (Pension), Prayagraj; O/o PCDA (Navy), Mumbai and O/o Jt. CDA (Air Force), New Delhi to personnel of Army, Navy and Air Force respectively. The disbursement of pension was made by over 45,000 branches of Public and Private sector Banks, State Treasury offices, Post Offices and Indian Embassy Nepal.
Multiple agencies, lack of technical expertise, siloed work approach and lack of coordination led to incorrect payouts to pensioners due to delayed or incorrect or non-revision of pension with widows bearing the brunt of this problem, getting fixed at minimum pension rates. Not only were there delays in payment of monthly pensions, there was no visibility or transparency to the pensioners, regarding their data and entitlements. Grievances were not attended to by the PDAs on account of lack of knowledge or laxity.
To mitigate such problems, SPARSH was conceptualized and implemented successfully where sanctioning of the pension and its disbursement directly to the account of the pension was brought onto a single platform.
SPARSH has enabled and systematised correct revision based on data available in data-base, and reduced the time between sanction of pension and payment, revised incorrect pensions, enabled pensioners to have access to their data and entitlements and provided them with the wherewithal to reach out to the authorities with requests for data updation or grievances.
SPARSH is a transparent system, which speaks the truth. It faithfully shows to Veterans and their families, the mis-match/deficiency in data of pensioner [ie Name, Aadhar Number, PAN Number, Date of Birth, Family Details, Mobile Number etc] and also enables them to view their pension eligibility and details in real-time on the portal, which was not possible in the Legacy System.
Such access to information has enabled the pensioners to apply for correction of their data or flag other issues relevant to them by means of online grievance system available on SPARSH. While this has led to an increase in the number of grievances, on the positive side it has provided the pensioners an opportunity to correct their data, which was not possible earlier.
Apart from correcting the data received through complaints, DAD is also taking suo-motu cognizance of data discrepancies and updating the data at its own level so that pensioners do not face any kind of problem related to pension and their pension or family pension continues smoothly.
In order to ensure last mile connectivity for each SPARSH pensioner, SPARSH Service Centers have been set up to help pensioners, especially those who are not tech-savvy, navigate the SPARSH landscape by making available services to them through these centres. These include addressing technical queries/issues, identification, registering Grievances, reporting Causalities (Death/Missing/Conviction etc.), giving IT Saving & Declarations
At present, 201 offices of the DAD, Branches of 16 Banks including IPPB and 4.63 lakh CSCs are operational across the length and breadth of the country to help pensioners.
Due to poor quality of data available with the erstwhile PDAs, the migration of some pensioners has resulted in such data being onboarded on SPARSH. Data updation exercise is being carried out on a war footing for completion at the earliest.
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone for a new Bhawan of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Dibrugarh today. The initiative, which has remained a concern for the people, will be constructed at an investment of ₹38 Crores.
Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Kendriya Vidyalaya, Dibrugarh, has been a cornerstone of education, shaping generations with excellence. With the foundation of this new Bhawan, inspired by PM Shri Narendra Modi ji’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat,’ we reaffirm our commitment to nurturing young minds and empowering the future of Assam and the nation. This new infrastructure will bolster the school’s capability, providing world-class facilities for holistic learning enviornment for all students, teachers as well as the parents. As India strides towards an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat,’ institutions like Kendriya Vidyalaya continues to inspire, innovate, and equip our youth with the knowledge and skills to lead the nation into a brighter, more prosperous future.”
Shri Sarbananda Sonowal thanked the Union Minister of Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan for ensuring that the requisite funds is made available for the construction of the new bhawan.
Adding further, the Union Minister said, “The new building will further strengthen Kendriya Vidyalaya’s role, aligning with the National Education Policy’s vision of holistic and inclusive learning. We need to design the area in such a way that ample green space is saved, offering students an environment to learn from nature, fostering curiosity and creativity. Under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji, education is being transformed to empower the youth with knowledge, values, and sustainability. This initiative reflects our commitment to providing world-class education while nurturing a deep connection with the environment.”
Highlighting the role of education in fuelling growth, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Education is the foundation of progress and Dibrugarh is blessed with a sound and bright environment of education. This environment must be honed to equip the youth with skills to drive innovation and economic growth. To match Guwahati’s development, we must invest in quality education, modern infrastructure, and skill development. Strengthening institutions like Kendriya Vidyalaya will empower future generations to lead and transform our city’s future.”
The Union Minister was accompanied by Minister of Power Department, Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department, Medical Education and Research Department and MLA (Dibrugarh), Prasanta Phukan; the Mayor of Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation, Dr Saikat Patra; the Vice Chairman of Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC), Rituparna Baruah; the Chairman, Assam Petro Chemicals Limited, Bikul Deka; the District Commissioner of Dibrugarh, and the principal of KV Dibrugarh among others.
Six Day International Workshop on Land Governance Concludes in Gurugram, Haryana “India Aims to Ensure Global Access to Land Governance Technologies; SVAMITVA Can Aid Global Policymaking “: Shri Vivek Bharadwaj
Posted On: 29 MAR 2025 7:28PM by PIB Delhi
The six-day International Workshop on Land Governance, organized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, concluded today at the Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) in Gurugram. The workshop saw enthusiastic participation of senior officials from 22 countries across Africa, Latin America and South-East Asia. During the workshop, participants engaged in detailed discussions and hands-on sessions focused on land governance, with delegates suggesting similar workshops in their own nations under the aegis of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. This International Workshop explored innovative solutions for modernizing land administration and served as a global platform for knowledge exchange, with India showcasing its technological advancements in drone-based land surveys, digital property records, and transparent governance mechanisms under the SVAMITVA Scheme.
Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, delivered the concluding remarks today at HIPA, emphasizing upon India’s commitment to international cooperation and knowledge-sharing in land administration. He highlighted how best practices in land governance, such as the SVAMITVA Scheme, could aid in better policymaking across the globe. He further reaffirmed India’s belief in South-South cooperation and expressed the nation’s readiness to share its technological advancements for the benefit of partner nations. Taking feedback and suggestions from participating countries, Shri Bharadwaj stated that the goal of the workshop was to foster global cooperation and facilitate cross-learning while showcasing the transformative impact of the SVAMITVA Scheme. He said that India aims to ensure that the benefits of technological advancements in land governance reach the widest possible global community. Shri Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, MoPR, and Shri Ramesh Chander Bidhan, Director General, HIPA, were also present at the valedictory session.
Six Day International Workshop on Land Governance: An Overview
The International Workshop on Land Governance focused on modernizing land governance systems, highlighting the critical role of technology in improving property rights and reducing land disputes. Experts shared insights into land laws, administrative frameworks, and best practices, with particular emphasis on India’s pioneering efforts, such as the use of drone-based surveys for mapping rural land parcels. A significant highlight was the on-ground demonstration of drone survey technology in Alipur Gram Panchayat, Sohna Block, Gurugram District, allowing international delegates to witness the precision and community-centric methodology of India’s land surveying approach [Under the SVAMITVA Scheme, recognized as a global model for efficient land administration, till date 2.43 crore Property Cards have been issued and drone surveys completed in 3.2 lakh villages across 67,000 square kilometers, representing an estimated asset base of $1162 billion (as per January 2025 dollar rate), demonstrating the scheme’s scalability and impact].
The workshop also explored technology-driven land administration, including the deployment of Continuous Operating Reference Stations (CORS) Network and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for updating land records. These advancements promise real-time monitoring of land data, offering significant potential for developing countries. Participants shared experiences on geospatial mapping and property rights frameworks, expressing interest in adopting India’s models to enhance their own land governance systems. Hands-on training, including live drone surveys and demonstrations of GIS applications and the SVAMITVA platform, provided practical exposure to the digital land administration process. The workshop concluded with discussions on the future of international cooperation in land governance, emphasizing India’s leadership in digital land administration and its commitment to assisting other nations through policy collaboration, technology transfer, and capacity building. In addition, the foreign delegates also got an opportunity to explore India’s rich cultural heritage during a visit to Taj Mahal in Agra and several institutional landmarks in New Delhi, including the Survey of India Lab, Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya and India Gate.
About SVAMITVA Scheme: The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, provides ‘Record of Rights’ to rural property owners by issuing Property Cards, which clarify land ownership and reduce property disputes. The scheme has already surveyed 3.2 lakh villages across 31 States and Union Territories, resulting in 2.43 crore Property Cards issued across 1.61 lakh villages. With the support of 567 Continuous Operating Reference Stations (CORS) and high-resolution GIS mapping, it ensures precise land demarcation with accuracy up to 5 cm. The generation of high-resolution 1:500 scale maps has further enhanced the effectiveness of land surveys and property demarcation.
SVAMITVA is playing a significant role in unlocking rural economic potential by validating property ownership, enabling landowners to access bank loans and integrate into the formal financial system also benefitting gram panchayats from increased property tax revenue for local infrastructure development. The scheme strengthens Panchayati Raj Institutions by supporting improved Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) and facilitating land ownership verification through DigiLocker integration. SVAMITVA also stimulates India’s drone technology ecosystem, creating employment opportunities in related sectors. Additionally, it supports flood risk assessment, infrastructure and emergency planning, and solar potential evaluation for rural households. On the international front, SVAMITVA sets a benchmark in land governance, offering a scalable model for other countries facing similar challenges.
In a swift response to the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28th March 2025, the Indian Army, under ‘Operation Brahma’, is deploying a specialised medical task force to provide urgent humanitarian assistance.
A 118-member team from the eliteShatrujeet Brigade Medical Responders, led by Lieutenant Colonel Jagneet Gill, is set takeoff to Myanmar shortly along with essential medical equipment and supplies. TheAirborne AngelsTask Forceis trained and equipped to deliver advanced medical and surgical care in disaster-affected zones.
As part of the operation, the Indian Army will establish a60-bed Medical Treatment Centreto provide immediate care to those injured in the calamity. The facility will be capable of handling trauma cases, emergency surgeries, and essential medical services to support the local healthcare system, which has been severely strained by the disaster.
This humanitarian assistance underlines India’s commitment to its‘Neighbourhood First’policy and the timeless Indian ethos of‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’– the world is one family. The Indian Army continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with friendly nations in times of crisis, reflecting India’s resolve to be a first responder in the region.
The deployment has been coordinated closely with theMinistry of External Affairsand in partnership with authorities in Myanmar.