The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was conferred with the ‘Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana’ by President Dissanayake today. Expressing gratitude, Shri Modi said, it symbolised the deep-rooted friendship and historic ties between the people of India and Sri Lanka.
In different posts on X, he wrote:
“It is a matter of immense pride for me to be conferred the ‘Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana’ by President Dissanayake today. This honour is not mine alone – it is a tribute to the 1.4 billion people of India. It symbolises the deep-rooted friendship and historic ties between the people of India and Sri Lanka. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the President, the Government and the people of Sri Lanka for this honour.
@anuradisanayake”
“ஜனாதிபதி திசாநாயக்க அவர்களால் இன்றைய தினம் ‘இலங்கை மித்ர விபூஷண்’ என்ற விருது எனக்கு வழங்கப்பட்டமை மகத்தான பெருமைக்குரிய விடயமாகும். இந்த உயரிய கௌரவம் எனக்கே மட்டும் உரித்தான ஒன்றல்ல, இந்தியாவின் 1.4 பில்லியன் மக்களுக்கும் கிடைக்கப்பெற்ற உயர் மரியாதையாகும். அத்துடன் இந்திய – இலங்கை மக்களிடையிலான வரலாற்று ரீதியான உறவுகள் மற்றும் ஆழ வேரூன்றிக் காணப்படும் நட்புறவை இது குறித்து நிற்கின்றது. இந்த கௌரவத்துக்காக இலங்கை ஜனாதிபதி, அரசாங்கம் மற்றும் மக்கள் அனைவருக்கும் எனது இதயபூர்வமான நன்றியை தெரிவித்துக்கொள்கின்றேன்.
@anuradisanayake”
It is a matter of immense pride for me to be conferred the ‘Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana’ by President Dissanayake today. This honour is not mine alone – it is a tribute to the 1.4 billion people of India. It symbolises the deep-rooted friendship and historic ties between the… pic.twitter.com/UBQyTMoJ27
ஜனாதிபதி திசாநாயக்க அவர்களால் இன்றைய தினம் ‘இலங்கை மித்ர விபூஷண்’ என்ற விருது எனக்கு வழங்கப்பட்டமை மகத்தான பெருமைக்குரிய விடயமாகும். இந்த உயரிய கௌரவம் எனக்கே மட்டும் உரித்தான ஒன்றல்ல, இந்தியாவின் 1.4 பில்லியன் மக்களுக்கும் கிடைக்கப்பெற்ற உயர் மரியாதையாகும். அத்துடன் இந்திய -… pic.twitter.com/neMmmJoMuG
MoU between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka for Implementation of HVDC Interconnection for Import/Export of Power
Prof. K.T.M. Udayanga Hemapala Secretary, Ministry of Energy
Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary
2.
MoU between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Digital Economy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on Cooperation in the Field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation.
Mr. Waruna Sri Dhanapala, Acting Secretary, Ministry of Digital Economy
Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary
3.
MoU between the Government of the Republic of India, the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and the Government of United Arab Emirates for Cooperation in Development of Trincomalee as an Energy Hub
Prof. K.T.M. Udayanga Hemapala Secretary, Ministry of Energy
Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary
4.
MoU between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on Defence Cooperation
Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.) Secretary, Ministry of Defence
Shri Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary
5.
MoU on Multi-sectoral Grant Assistance for Eastern Province
Mr. K.M.M. Siriwardana Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development
Shri Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka
6.
MoU between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Health & Mass Media of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on Cooperation in the Field of Health & Medicine.
Dr. Anil Jasinghe Secretary, Ministry of Health and Mass Media
Shri Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka
7.
MoU on Pharmacopoeial Cooperation between the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the Republic of India and The National Medicines Regulatory Authority, Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Dr. Anil Jasinghe Secretary, Ministry of Health and Mass Media
Shri Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka
S. No.
Projects
1.
Inauguration of upgraded railway track of Maho-Omanthai railway line.
2.
Launch of Construction of Signalling System for Maho-Anuradhapura railway line.
3.
Ground Breaking ceremony of Sampur Solar power project (virtual).
4.
Inauguration of Temperature Controlled Agricultural Warehouse in Dambulla (virtual).
5.
Supply of Solar Rooftop Systems for 5000 Religious Institutions across Sri Lanka (virtual).
Announcements:
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi announced comprehensive capacity-building programme in India covering 700 Sri Lankans annually; India’s grant assistance for the development of Thirukoneswaram temple in Trincomalee, Sita Eliya temple in Nuwara Eliya, and Sacred City Complex project in Anuradhapura; the Exposition of Lord Buddha relics in Sri Lanka on International Vesak Day 2025; as well as the conclusion of Bilateral Amendatory Agreements on Debt Restructuring.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Government of India is standing shoulder to shoulder with the states of Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and UT of Puducherry, who faced natural disasters last year High-Level Committee under the Chairmanship of Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah approves Rs.1280.35 crore of additional Central assistance to Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
Rs 588.73 crore approved for Bihar, Rs 136.22 crore for Himachal Pradesh, Rs. 522.34 crore for Tamil Nadu and Rs. 33.06 crore for Puducherry, affected by flood, flash flood, cloudburst, landslides, cyclonic storm, during year 2024
During the financial year 2024-25, the Central Government has released Rs. 20,264.40 crore to 28 States under SDRF and Rs. 5,160.76 crore under NDRF to 19 States
Posted On: 05 APR 2025 12:57PM by PIB Delhi
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Government of India is standing shoulder to shoulder with the states of Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and UT of Puducherry, who faced natural disasters last year. Under this, the High-Level Committee (HLC), under the Chairmanship of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, has approved Rs.1280.35 crore of additional Central assistance to Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and UT of Puducherry, affected by flood, flash flood, cloudburst, landslides, cyclonic storm, during year 2024.
The HLC approved central assistance of Rs.1247.29 crore to three States from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), subject to an adjustment of 50% of the opening balance for the year available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and Rs. 33.06 crore to one UT. Out of the total amount of Rs.1280.35 crore, Rs 588.73 crore has been approved for Bihar, Rs 136.22 crore for Himachal Pradesh, Rs. 522.34 crore for Tamil Nadu and Rs. 33.06 crore for Union Territory of Puducherry.
This additional assistance is over and above the funds released by the Centre to the States in the SDRF and Union Territorial Disaster Response Fund (UTDRF), already placed at the disposal of the States/UT. During the financial year 2024-25, the Central Government has released Rs. 20,264.40 crore to 28 States under SDRF and Rs. 5,160.76 crore under NDRF to 19 States. Additionally, Rs. 4984.25 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 19 States and Rs. 719.72 crore from National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) to 08 States has also been released.
The Central Government had deputed Inter-Ministerial Central Teams (IMCTs) to these States, immediately after the calamities, without waiting for the receipt of a formal Memorandum.
The Indian Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) INS Sunayna will set sail from Karwar as Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR (Security & Growth for All in the Region). The ship is carrying 44 naval personnel from nine Friendly Foreign Nations (FFNs) and will be flagged off by the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh from Karwar, today, 05th Apr 25. This mission will mark a significant step in reinforcing India’s commitment to regional maritime security and international cooperation.
Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh will flag off #INSSunayna as the Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR with 44 personnel from 9 navies embarked onboard, from #Karwar today.
IOS SAGAR will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Indian Ocean Region, reaffirming India’s commitment to… pic.twitter.com/8V6tj0md4b
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) April 5, 2025
IOS SAGAR is a pioneering effort aimed at bringing together the navies and maritime agencies of the Southwest Indian Ocean Region (IOR) on an Indian Naval platform. The mission will serve as an opportunity to provide comprehensive training to sea-riders from the FFNs and marks an unprecedented collaboration in maritime security.
INS Sunayna during its deployment will visit Dar-es-Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis and Port Victoria. The international crew aboard will undertake training exercises and apply knowledge gained from various professional training schools at Kochi. The exercises/ training planned include firefighting, damage control, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), bridge operations, seamanship, engine room management, switchboard operations and boat handling – all of which will improve interoperability between the Indian Navy and its international partners.
IOS SAGAR will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the IOR. With this mission, India once again reaffirms its commitment to building stronger ties with its maritime neighbors and working towards a safer, more inclusive and secure maritime environment in the IOR.
The Flag off Ceremony will be streamed live on the Indian Navy YouTube Channel.
In a significant move to strengthen rural connectivity and accelerate economic growth, the Ministry of Rural Development has sanctioned projects to Manipur, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand States under PMGSY-III, as details below:-
Manipur: 41 roads measuring 280.97 km, with an estimated investment of Rs. 225.15 crore, have been sanctioned to the State. Continuing this initiative, 56 roads of 502.24 km length with an estimated investment of Rs. 404.72 crore had already been sanctioned in the State under PMGSY-III.
Mizoram: 07 Long Span Bridges (LSBs) measuring 373.46 meter, with an estimated investment of Rs. 67.69 crore, have been sanctioned to the State. Continuing this initiative, 17 roads of 487.50 km length with an estimated investment of Rs. 562.70 crore had already been sanctioned in the State under PMGSY-III.
Himachal Pradesh: 21 Long Span Bridges (LSBs) measuring 970.772 meter length, with an estimated investment of Rs. 140.90 crore, have been sanctioned to the State. Continuing this initiative, 299 roads of 3,123.117 km and 43 LSBs with an estimated investment of Rs. 3,345.82 crore had already been sanctioned in the State under PMGSY-III.
Uttarakhand: 09 Long Span Bridges (LSBs) measuring 246 meter length, with an estimated investment of Rs. 40.77 crore, have been sanctioned to the State. Continuing this initiative, 212 roads of 2,287.95 km and 09 LSBs with an estimated investment of Rs. 1,865.34 crore had already been sanctioned in the State under PMGSY-III.
This initiative will:
– Improve access to essential services like healthcare, education, and markets.
– Enhance connectivity in rural areas, bridging the gap between remote villages and urban centres.
– Foster economic development, trade, and commerce in the region.
– Create employment opportunities and stimulate local economies.
– Align with the government’s vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat).
The projects under PMGSY-III will have a transformative impact, contributing to the growth and prosperity of the States and cementing the Government’s commitment to inclusive development.
Ministry of Rural Development Announces Major Infrastructure Boost for Tripura and Odisha States under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan 25 roads measuring 84.352 km with an estimated investment of Rs. 76.47 crore have been sanctioned to the Tripura State
26 roads measuring 63.271 km and 2 Long Span Bridges with an estimated investment of Rs. 69.65 crore have been sanctioned to the Odisha State
Posted On: 05 APR 2025 11:25AM by PIB Delhi
In a significant move to strengthen rural connectivity and accelerate economic growth, the Ministry of Rural Development has sanctioned projects to Tripura and Odisha States under Connectivity component of Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), as details below:-
Tripura: 25 roads measuring 84.352 km under, with an estimated investment of Rs. 76.47 crore, have been sanctioned to the State. Continuing this initiative, 42 roads of 118.756 km length with an estimated investment of Rs. 114.32 crore had already been sanctioned in the State under PM-JANMAN.
Odisha: 26 roads measuring 63.271 km and 02 Long Span Bridges (LSBs), with an estimated investment of Rs. 69.65 crore, have been sanctioned to the State. Continuing this initiative, 66 roads of 211.14 km and 04 LSBs with an estimated investment of Rs. 219.40 crore had already been sanctioned in the State under PM-JANMAN.
This landmark initiative will:
– Provide all weather road connectivity to PVTG habitations in the States.
– Improve socio-economic condition of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) living in these States.
– Enhance connectivity in rural areas, bridging the gap between remote villages and urban centres.
– Foster economic development, trade, and commerce in the region.
– Improve access to essential services like healthcare, education, and markets.
– Create employment opportunities and stimulate local economies.
– Align with the government’s vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat).
The projects under PM-JANMAN will have a transformative impact on the region, contributing to the growth and prosperity of the Tribal Groups in the States and cementing the government’s commitment to inclusive development.
First International Research Conference on Pension (IRCP) 2025 concludes with the participation of global leaders, including World Bank and experts Pension for All must become a national priority: Shri Pankaj Chaudhary
Through the launch of the Unified Pension System, we are creating a robust foundation for secure retirement: Secretary, DFS
National Pension System (NPS) has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s pension sector, fostering financial security for millions: Dr. Deepak Mohanty
Posted On: 05 APR 2025 11:17AM by PIB Delhi
The First International Research Conference on Pension (IRCP) 2025 held in New Delhi concluded yesterday. It was inaugurated on 3rd April at Bharat Mandapam by Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State for Finance, Government of India. The two-day event was organized by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), to mark a historic milestone in India’s journey toward robust old-age income security.
This platform brought together policymakers, scholars, industry leaders, and international experts to deliberate on the evolving dynamics of pension reforms, financial preparedness for retirement, and innovative strategies to secure the future of aging populations.
Highlighting a big change in India’s demographic landscape, necessitating urgent and inclusive pension reforms to secure a dignified future for its aging population, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State for Finance in his key note stated that India’s demographic landscape is on the profound shift in the coming decades. By 2050, one in five Indians will be over 60, and by 2047, the elderly will outnumber children. With 19 percent of the population projected to be elderly by mid-century—predominantly women—securing financial independence through inclusive pension schemes is not merely a goal, but a vital need for the country. ‘Pension for All’ must become a national priority, requiring policy action to ensure a dignified and secure future for our aging population.
In his address,Shri Nagaraju Maddirala, Secretary, Department of Financial Serviceshighlighted that India’s pension framework stands at a pivotal moment of transformation and through the launch of the Unified Pension System and efforts to broaden coverage, we are creating a robust foundation for secure retirement. UPS provides an assured pension of 50 per cent of the average basic pay drawn over the last 12 months prior to superannuation. India’s pension assets, constituting roughly 17 percent of GDP, fall far short of the OECD average, where they typically exceed 80 percent, revealing a stark disparity in retirement readiness.
Welcoming distinguished guests, global thought leaders, and industry stakeholder, Dr. Deepak Mohanty, Chairperson of PFRDA in his address stated that the National Pension System (NPS) has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s pension sector, fostering financial security for millions, with an accumulated corpus of Rs 14.4 Lakh Cr and 8.4 crore subscribers under NPS and APY. As we embrace technology-driven initiatives and innovative policy solutions, our focus remains on expanding coverage, ensuring financial sustainability, and building a pension-inclusive society for future generations.
The opening day of the First International Research Conference on Pension (IRCP) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam was a resounding success, featuring three dynamic panel discussions that captivated attendees with their depth and diversity.
The first session, titled “Pension for Future: Building Resilient Old Age Income Security,” saw experts explore strategies adopted by various countries for enhanced pension coverage, building a sustainable pension system and challenges faced in inclusion of informal sector and gig economy workers. The panel was moderated by Somya Kanti Gosh, Member-16thFinance Commission and was addressed by Dr Deepak Mohanty, Chairperson, PFRDA, Ms. Astrid Ludin, Deputy Commissioner, FSCA, South Africa, Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, Director General, PENCOM, Nigeria and Mr. William Price, CEO, D3P Global.
This was followed by “Global Lessons on New and Innovative Investment Practices in the Pension Industry,” which showcased innovative investment methods, approaches for the product design and sharing of international success stories to inspire India’s pension sector. The session was moderated by Prof. Abhiman Das, Director , IIM Ahmedabad and co-moderated by Mr. Tushar Arora, Senior Financial Sector Specialist, World Bank and was addressed by Mr. Brian M. Miller, Vanguard, Dr. Paul Yu, Director, MPFSA, Hong Kong, China, Mr. William Price, CEO, D3P Global, Prof. Prachi Mishra, Director and Head, Ashoka Isaac Center for Public Policy and Mr. R. Mark Davis, Senior Financial Sector Specialist, World Bank.
The first day concluded with the “Pension Forum for Regulatory Coordination and Development of Pension Products,” where a panel of regulators and government debated harmonizing policies for pension products across regulators and innovative strategies to drive the growth and accessibility of pension products in India. The session was moderated by Dr M S Sahoo, ex-Chairperson, IBBI and was addressed by Mr. Pankaj Sharma, Joint Secretary, DFS, Mr. Ramesh Krishnamurthi, CEO, EPFO, Mr. Amarjeet Singh, Whole Time Member, SEBI, Mr. Rajay Kumar Sinha, Whole Time Member, IRDAI, Dr. Manoj Anand, Whole Time Member (Finance), PFRDA, and other esteemed organizations enriched the discussions with their expertise, making Day 1 a true melting pot of global insights on pension sector.
The second day, scheduled for April 4, 2025, witnessed elevated discourse with a series of Research Paper Presentations showcasing innovative studies on pension systems. The concluding day featured two additional panel discussions.
The first panel discussion was focussed on “Promoting Financial Literacy for Sustainable Retirement Planning” by the esteemed scholars from leading educational institutions. The key topics explored included strategies to enhance coverage while ensuring persistency, changing demographic trends, social pressures and gender biases, integrating financial literacy courses into school curricula under the National Education Policy (NEP), adopting a targeted approach for various population segments, and leveraging influencer marketing strategies. The session was moderated by Ms Mamta Shankar, WTM, PFRDA and addressed by Prof. Simrit Kaur, Principal, SRCC, Dr. Arvind Sahay, Director, MDI, Dr. Pawan Kumar Singh, Director, IIM Tiruchirappalli, Dr. Ashok Banerjee, Director, IIM Udaipur, Dr. Bhimaraya Metri, Director, IIM Nagpur, Sh. S Karthikeyan, Director, DFS, Ministry of Finance.
The second session was aimed to discuss ‘Pension Fund Investments with a Focus on Risk and Return’ focused on identifying strategies by the Pension Funds to address long-term pension obligations while maintaining the portfolio’s risk-return balance. Key considerations included optimizing asset allocation, diversifying investments, stress-testing, potential impact of AI/ML in investment decision making and incorporating liability-driven investing approaches to align cash flows with future pay-outs without compromising growth potential. The session was moderated by Prof. V Ravi Anshuman, IIM Bangalore and addressed by Prof. S.V.D. Nageswara Rao, Head, SOM, IIT Bombay, Prof. Rupamanjari Sinha Ray, Management Development Institute, Gurgaon and Mr. Vivek Iyer, Grant Thornton Bharat LLP
The panel discussion was followed by the award ceremony and Mr Rajan Raju, Invespar Pted Limited and Mr Ravi Saraogi, Samasthiti Advisors India and Ms. Pankhuri Sinha and Lokanandha Reddy Irala, University of Hyderabad were honored as top honorees for best research papers. The event concluded on a commemorative note, highlighting the insightful discussions and learnings from the Conference by Ms. Sumeet Kaur Kapoor, Executive Director, PFRDA. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Mr. P Arumugarangarajan, Chief General Manager, PFRDA, who expressed gratitude to the esteemed speakers, panelists, researchers and participants for their valuable insights and contributions, marking a successful conclusion to the event.
The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) organized an engaging webinar on Friday, bringing together inspiring Lakhpati Didis and representatives from State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs). This session was part of the post-budget consultation series aimed at implementing the Budget 2025-26 announcements with a focus on collaboration and strategic action.
Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, MoRD, emphasized the importance of State partnerships in advancing the Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme. Shri T. K. Anil Kumar, Additional Secretary, MoRD, provided a detailed outline for the interaction, setting the tone for constructive discussions. Participants shared valuable insights and strategies to empower more Self Help Group (SHG) women to achieve financial independence and success. The consultation revolved around four critical pillars of rural prosperity: Infrastructure, Finance, Marketing, and Skill Development.
As part of its commitment to empowering rural women, MoRD also launched the Entrepreneurship Planning Digital Tool (EPDT), designed to support aspiring Lakhpati Didis in crafting effective business plans. Developed by LoKOS, the tool simplifies data entry for SHG members, tracks entrepreneurial progress, and offers necessary guidance, making it a key resource for fostering entrepreneurship.
Additionally, a toll-free number—0120-5202521—was introduced to assist women with queries related to becoming Lakhpati Didis. Available Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 6 pm (excluding National Holidays), the helpline aims to provide timely and effective support.
Ms. Smriti Sharan, Joint Secretary, MoRD, Ms. Swati Sharma, Joint Secretary, MoRD along with other senior officers and thematic team members were present on this occasion.
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) organized a Conference of State Government Ministers on Strengthening of Statistical Systems on 5th April, 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Rao Inderjit Singh, the Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), MoSPI, Ministry of Planning, and Minister of State (MoS) for the Ministry of Culture, chaired the Conference. In his inaugural address, he appreciated the participation and committed involvement of States / Union Territories (UTs) in the conference and underscored the indispensable role of reliable data in shaping effective policies and called for unified efforts to embrace innovation, foster coordination, and uphold transparency in statistical processes, in a continued journey towards attaining the vision of “Vikshit Bharat 2047” and invited cooperation from all the States/UTs to strengthen the national statistical system.
Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI, emphasized the importance of robust statistical system for evidence-based policymaking. He highlighted key initiatives of MoSPI, including the Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS) Scheme and appealed for participation in the National Sample Surveys (NSS). He stressed upon the need for having sub-state level estimates for more granularity. Concluding with a call for strengthened collaboration, he emphasized greater use of administrative and alternate data sources, use of modern technology in data collection, refining statistical frameworks to promote transparency, credibility, accountability, sustainable development and capacity building of States/UTs officials through NSSTA training programmes.
Ms. Nandita Gorlosa, Hon’ble Minister of Sports & Youth Welfare, Welfare of Minorities & Development and Public Works (Buildings & National Highways) Departments, Govt. of Assam ; Shri Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Hon’ble Minister of Planning and Development, Govt. of Bihar; Shri Gaurav Gautam, Hon’ble Minister of Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship and Sports, Govt. of Haryana; Shri Radha Krishna Kishore, Hon’ble Minister, Department of Planning & Development, Govt. of Jharkhand; Dr. Vanlalthlana, Hon’ble Minister, Department of School Education/Higher and Technical Education/Information and Public relations/Information and Communication Technology, Govt. of Mizoram; Shri K K Vishnoi, Hon’ble Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs, Skill & Employment & Entrepreneurship Department, Government of Rajasthan; Shri Bikash Debbarma, Hon’ble Minister, Planning (Statistics) Department, Government of Tripura; Shri Suresh Kumar Khanna, Hon’ble Minister, Finance and Parliamentary Affairs, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh; Shri Saurabh Bahuguna, Hon’ble Minister of Minister of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Skill development & Employment, Protocol and Sugarcane Development, Govt. of Uttarakhand and Ms Chandrima Bhattacharya, Hon’ble Minister of State, Department of Planning, Statistics and Programme Monitoring, Govt. of West Bengal participated in the conference.
The State Government Ministers/UT Administrators appreciated the Conference of State Government Ministers and suggested that this should be made a regular feature for better coordination and holistic development of the National Statistical System. They also highlighted the importance of producing relevant, accurate, and timely statistics at both the national and sub-national levels and emphasised on the key areas where deeper collaboration and partnership between the Centre and the States is crucial for strengthening both national and state statistical systems.
Additional Chief Secretary, Secretary (Planning), Special Secretary, Director (DES) and other senior level officers from States/ UTs also participated in the conference and made their valuable suggestions.
The workshop featured presentations on key aspects of statistical development and reforms, focusing on strengthening the national statistical system. Discussions covered the Support for Statistical Strengthening (SSS) Scheme, State participation in the National Sample Surveys (NSS) for district-level and advancements in sub-state level estimates for GDP, IIP, and CPI. Key topics also included statistical standards like NMDS 2.0 and unique identifiers, capacity building, innovation, and sub-national SDG monitoring frameworks. The focus of the conference was also on environment accounts, data dissemination through e-Sankhyiki, review of MPLADS and monitoring of major infrastructure projects, alongside major statistical reforms and achievements.
The Hon’ble Minister, MoSPI also released its annual publication namely “Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data” and also launched the website of National Statistical Systems Training Academy (NSSTA) and the Micro-data Portal of MoSPI. In addition, Semantic Search on National Industrial Classification Code, developed during the recently concluded Hackathon in IIT Gandhinagar during March, 2025 was also showcased in the Conference.
Through this conference, MoSPI gained a understanding of the specific needs and requirements of the States/UTs to improve their statistical systems, as well as to ascertain their expectations. The States appreciated the much needed financial support made by MoSPI through the Support for Statistical Strengthening Scheme, popularly known as the SSS Scheme, in augmenting the Statistical system of the States/UTs. Most of the states requested for support from MoSPI, in terms of technical assistance, training to state officials, setting up of training institutes / Centre of Excellence at State/UT level etc. Also, some States/UTs highlighted good initiatives made in their States for improvement of statistical systems, which are worth replicating in other States/UTs.
The conference concluded on a positive note, fostering continued collaboration with the State/UT Governments.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah addresses the Bastar Pandum Program in Bastar, Chhattisgarh The Modi government is working to give international recognition to Bastar Pandum by bringing its traditions, culture, and art to the world
Bastar Pandum Program will be celebrated in 12 categories next year and tribals from all over the country will participate in it
Naxalites cannot stop the development of entire Bastar; Bastar has now become a symbol of the future, not fear
Where the sound of bullets used to echo, now school bells are ringing, where building roads was a dream, highways are being constructed
Everyone should strive with dedication and fearlessness to make the dreams of development a reality, because under Modi Ji’s governance, no one needs to be afraid
Bastar is developing because now instead of Naxalism, Bastar is moving ahead with the flame of development, trust and victory
The Chhattisgarh government will declare any village that successfully gets all Naxalites to surrender as Naxal-free and will provide a development fund of one crore rupees to that village
When someone from Sukma becomes a sub-inspector, a barrister from Bastar, a doctor from Dantewada and a collector from Kanker, then development will happen and we have to develop and build Bastar in this way
Modi government is committed to make the entire country free from Naxalism by March 2026
Posted On: 05 APR 2025 6:31PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addressed the Bastar Pandum program in Dantewada Chhattisgarh today. Many dignitaries including Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma were present on the occasion.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that Maharaja Praveer Chandra Bhajdev gave his life for the water, forest, land, and culture of the tribal people. He noted that Maharaja Praveer Chandra’s popularity as a people’s king was unbearable for the then government, leading to his murder through a conspiracy. Shri Shah further emphasized that today, as Bastar stands on the brink of freedom from red terror and has embarked on the path of development, the soul of Praveer Chandra Ji, wherever it may be, is undoubtedly blessing the people of Bastar.
Shri Amit Shah stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, starting next year, artists from every tribal district of the country will be included in the Bastar Pandum. He mentioned that to give international recognition to Bastar Pandum, the Modi government is working to showcase the traditions, culture, and art of Bastar by taking ambassadors from all countries on a tour of Bastar, and spreading it worldwide. Shri Shah also mentioned that 47,000 artists from 188 Gram Panchayats, 12 Nagar Panchayats, 8 Nagar Parishads, one Municipality, and 32 Janpads have participated in this festival. The district administration and the culture department have allocated 5 crore rupees for Bastar Pandum. He emphasized that this Pandum will work to preserve and promote local and traditional art, culture, craftsmanship, festivals, food, languages, customs, attire, jewelry, traditional songs, music, and cuisines in their original form.
Union Home Minister said that we want the youth of Bastar to receive the most modern education, compete on every platform with the youth of the world, and attain global prosperity, but they should never forget their culture, language, and traditions. He further noted that the culture, dialects, musical instruments and food of Bastar are the jewels of the culture of not just Chhattisgarh but the entire India and we have to preserve it. Shri Shah mentioned that the Bastar Pandum festival, which is being celebrated in seven categories this year, will be celebrated in twelve categories next year, and tribal people from across the country will participate. Union Home Minister also said that India’s strength lies in its unity in diversity, the fusion of various cultures, arts, traditions, languages, dialects, and cuisines. He emphasized that we will stand strong in every competition with the world, but we will also preserve our culture and other heritage, and Bastar Pandum is the beginning of this effort.
Union Home Minister said that the time has passed when bullets were fired and bomb blasts occurred here. He appealed to all Naxalites, urging them to lay down their weapons and join the mainstream because Bastar wants development. He stated that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi wants to give everything to Bastar, but this is only possible when there is peace in Bastar. He emphasized that children should go to school, mothers’ health should be taken care of, tribals and youth should not suffer from malnutrition, arrangements should be made for children’s education, every village should have a dispensary, and there should be a hospital in every tehsil—only then can development happen. He further mentioned that this can only be achieved if the people of Bastar decide to make every village Naxal-free. Shri Shah also mentioned that the Chhattisgarh government has announced that any village that gets all Naxalites to surrender will be declared Naxal-free and will be given a development fund of one crore rupees. He added that no one wants to harm anyone, and therefore Naxalites should abandon violence and come into the mainstream, as both the Government of India and the Government of Chhattisgarh will provide protection. Union Home Minister said that Naxalites, with their weapons, cannot stop the development of entire Bastar.
Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given the slogan “Vocal for Local” and has facilitated the marketing of a unique product from each district by associating it with the GI tag, promoting it in markets across the country. He mentioned that Prime Minister Modi has emphasized that history is not limited to books; our tribal freedom fighters should receive respect and recognition across the country. Prime Minister Modi has taken steps to honor tribal heroes like Veer Gundadhur of Bastar, who fought for independence. He also highlighted that Prime Minister Modi has dedicated the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda as “Janjatiya GauravDiwas” and has declared the 150thanniversary year as “Janjatiya Gaurav Varsha”.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation stated that previous governments gave the slogan of “Garibi Hatao”, but for 75 years did nothing for the development of the poor. Prime Minister Modi, over the past 10 years, has built over 4 crore houses for the country’s millions of poor, provided 11 crore gas connections, constructed 12 crore toilets, delivered tap water to 15 crore homes, distributed free rations to 80 crore people, and provided free medical treatment up to 5 lakh rupees for 70 crore people.
Shri Amit Shah said that those who have understood that for development, one needs a computer, not a gun in hand, and a pen, not IEDs and grenades, have all surrendered. He mentioned that in the direction of ending Naxalism, 521 Naxalites have surrendered so far this year, while 881 Naxalites surrendered in 2024. Shri Shah expressed confidence that those Naxalites who lay down their arms will be able to join the mainstream and progress, but those who choose the path of violence by picking up weapons will be dealt with strictly by the security forces. He added that the Modi government is committed to making the entire country free from Naxalism by March 2026.
Union Home Minister said that Bastar has now become a symbol of the future, not fear. Earlier, due to the terror of Naxalites, politicians were stopped from holding rallies and gatherings, but times have changed. Today, they are celebrating Ram Navami, Ashtami, and the Bastar Pandum Festival in front of 50,000 tribal brothers and sisters. He mentioned that where once the sound of bullets echoed, now the sound of machines is heard; where villages were once desolate, now school bells ring; where roads were once a dream, highways are being built; and where children once feared going to school, today they are connecting with the world through computers. He added that Bastar’s development is happening because no one is associating with Naxalism anymore.
Shri Amit Shah said that Bastar is now moving forward with the light of development, trust, and victory. He emphasized that village assemblies should be convened to encourage Naxalites to surrender and help open the path to development. Shri Shah further stated that when someone from Sukma becomes a Sub-Inspector, from Bastar becomes a Barrister, from Dantewada becomes a Doctor, and from Kanker becomes a Collector, then development will take place. This is the kind of development and progress we need to create in Bastar. He urged everyone to work with dedication and fearlessness to make the dreams of development a reality, as under PM Modi’s leadership, no one needs to be afraid.