Karnataka is the largest silk producing state in the country, with production of 12,463 MT raw silk during 2023-24, which accounts to around 32% of country’s total raw silk production and around 42% of country’s mulberry raw silk production.
The Government through Central Silk Board has been implementing Silk Samagra-2 scheme with an outlay of Rs. 4,679.85 crore for the overall development of sericulture industry in the country from the year 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to States towards implementation of various beneficiary oriented field level critical interventions.
So far, the central assistance of Rs. 1,075.58 crore has been provided to States to cover around 78,000 beneficiaries under Silk Samagra-2 scheme towards implementation of beneficiary-oriented components covering both pre & post cocoon activities/machineries for the growth and sustainability of sericulture sector.
Based on the proposals received from the Karnataka State Sericulture Department, central assistance of Rs. 241.62 crore has been provided to cover around 16,000 beneficiaries during last three years and the current year under Silk Samagra-2 scheme. Around 7,000 persons have been trained by the CSB R&D institutes in Karnataka during the last three years & the current year. Based on the State’s proposal for the benefit of silk producers & artisans, support has been provided for establishment of 32 Multi-end Reeling Machines, 42 Automatic Reeling Machines, 40 motorised charka, 2 pupae processing units and for upgradation of 143 cottage basins
The Silk Samagra-2 scheme focuses on integrated production approach by providing required backward & forward linkages in the silk production chain, through provision of R&D & technical support, ensuring availability of planting material & silkworm seed, strengthening of market infrastructure & up-scaling of reeling & processing sector.
The Government, through Central Silk Board has enhanced the global competitiveness of Indian silk & silk products including Karnataka through establishment of 42 Automatic Reeling Machines (ARM) under Silk Samagra-2, generic and brand promotion of silk products in Karnataka and organization of ‘Silk Mark Expos’.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Government of India through the Office of Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles is implementing Mega Cluster Development Programme, a component of National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), all across the country (including Andhra Pradesh State). Under Mega Cluster Development Programme, need based financial assistance upto Rs.30.00 Crore (GOI share) per Mega Handloom Cluster is provided on receipt of complete proposals for various interventions like upgraded looms & accessories, solar lighting units, worksheds, design and product development, marketing support, setting up of common infrastructure such as Value Addition Centre (Garmenting/Apparel unit), Reeling, Processing, Printing units etc.
There is no separate budget allocation for Mega Cluster Development programme however, during financial year 2022-23 to 2024-25, financial assistance of Rs.3,029.327 lakh has been provided for setting up of Mega Handloom Clusters.
No financial assistance has been provided to Mega Handloom Cluster identified in Prakasam and Guntur districts of Andhra Pradesh State during financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA
MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
The Government through implementation of Silk Samagra-2 scheme has extended support for the development of sericulture industry in the country and to increase the productivity & livelihoods of silk farmers and weavers. So far, an assistance of Rs. 1,074.94 crore has been extended to State Governments covering around 78,000 beneficiaries, for implementation of beneficiary oriented critical field level components under the scheme.
Further, under the National Handloom Development Programme and Raw Material Supply Scheme implemented by the Handloom sector, support to handloom workers including silk handloom workers is provided.
The thrust of the ongoing Silk Samagra-2 scheme is to become Aatmanirbhar in silk sector. The initiatives under Silk Samagra-2 scheme are to enhance international grade bivoltine silk production and boosting of silk exports.
The Government aims to establish India as a global leader in silk production and exports through a multi-pronged strategy focusing on production enhancement, quality improvement, infrastructure development, R&D, and market expansion.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid tributes to His Holiness Dr. Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu on the special occasion of his Jayanti today. Hailing his extraordinary efforts, Shri Modi lauded him as a beacon of compassion and tireless service, who showed how selfless action can transform society.
In separate posts on X, he wrote:
“Heartfelt tributes to His Holiness Dr. Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu on the special occasion of his Jayanti. He is remembered as a beacon of compassion and tireless service. He showed how selfless action can transform society. His extraordinary efforts across various fields continue to inspire generations.”
“ಪರಮಪೂಜ್ಯ ಡಾ. ಶ್ರೀ ಶ್ರೀ ಶ್ರೀ ಶಿವಕುಮಾರ ಸ್ವಾಮೀಜಿ ಅವರ ಜಯಂತಿಯ ಈ ವಿಶೇಷ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಹೃತ್ಪೂರ್ವಕ ನಮನಗಳು. ಕಾರುಣ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ದಣಿವರಿಯದ ಸೇವೆಯ ದಾರಿದೀಪವೆಂದು ಅವರನ್ನು ಸ್ಮರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ನಿಸ್ವಾರ್ಥ ಸೇವೆಯು ಸಮಾಜವನ್ನು ಹೇಗೆ ಪರಿವರ್ತಿಸುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಅವರು ತೋರಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ನಾನಾ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅವರ ಅಸಾಧಾರಣ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಗಳು ಪೀಳಿಗೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಸ್ಫೂರ್ತಿ ನೀಡುತ್ತಲೇ ಇವೆ.”
Heartfelt tributes to His Holiness Dr. Sree Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu on the special occasion of his Jayanti. He is remembered as a beacon of compassion and tireless service. He showed how selfless action can transform society. His extraordinary efforts across various fields… pic.twitter.com/833wy47HL2
ಪರಮಪೂಜ್ಯ ಡಾ. ಶ್ರೀ ಶ್ರೀ ಶ್ರೀ ಶಿವಕುಮಾರ ಸ್ವಾಮೀಜಿ ಅವರ ಜಯಂತಿಯ ಈ ವಿಶೇಷ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಹೃತ್ಪೂರ್ವಕ ನಮನಗಳು. ಕಾರುಣ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ದಣಿವರಿಯದ ಸೇವೆಯ ದಾರಿದೀಪವೆಂದು ಅವರನ್ನು ಸ್ಮರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ನಿಸ್ವಾರ್ಥ ಸೇವೆಯು ಸಮಾಜವನ್ನು ಹೇಗೆ ಪರಿವರ್ತಿಸುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಅವರು ತೋರಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ನಾನಾ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅವರ ಅಸಾಧಾರಣ… pic.twitter.com/fEvlBqxvtG
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi extended warm wishes to the people of Odisha on the occasion of Utkala Dibasa today. He remarked that India takes pride in Odisha’s history, literature and music, adding that Centre and Odisha Governments are working extensively to further the state’s progress.
In separate posts on X, he wrote:
“Warm wishes on Utkala Dibasa!
This day is a fitting tribute to Odisha’s glorious culture. India takes pride in Odisha’s history, literature and music. Odisha’s people are hardworking and have excelled in diverse fields. Over the last year, the Centre and Odisha Governments are working extensively to further the state’s progress.”
This day is a fitting tribute to Odisha’s glorious culture. India takes pride in Odisha’s history, literature and music. Odisha’s people are hardworking and have excelled in diverse fields. Over the last year, the Centre and Odisha Governments are…
Based on the recommendation of National Commission for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, the Government has constituted a Development and Welfare Board for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Communities (DWBDNCs) in February, 2019. Further, Scheme for Economic Empowerment of De-notified and Nomadic Tribes (SEED) has been initiated and is being implemented by DWBDNCs.
A committee under chairmanship of Vice chairman, NITI Aayog is constituted for classification of 268 communities which have not been classified so far.
Rs. 15.00 Cr. was released in Financial Year 2023-24 and Rs. 32.43 Cr. in Financial Year 2024-25 under the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED) covering 32,936 beneficiaries under the livelihood component, 551 beneficiaries under free coaching component and 2608 beneficiaries under health insurance component.
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICEAND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI B.L. VERMA, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati AbhyudayYojana (PM-AJAY) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme being implemented since 2021-22. The Scheme has three components namely (i) ‘Adarsh Gram’, (ii) ‘Grants-in-aid for District/State-level Projects for Socio-Economic betterment of Scheduled Caste(SC) Communities’ and (iii) ‘Hostel’. The objectives of the Scheme are:
To improve socio-economic developmental indicators by ensuring adequate infrastructure and requisite services in the SC dominated villages.
To reduce poverty of the SC communities by generation of additional employment opportunities through skill development, income generating schemes and other initiatives.
To increase literacy and encourage enrolment of SCs in schools and higher educational institutions by providing adequate residential facilities in quality institutions, as well as residential schools where required, especially in the aspirational districts/ SC dominated blocks and elsewhere in India.
Skill development is one of the interventions covered under Grants-in-aid Component of the Scheme. 25 States have submitted Perspective Plans for 2023-24, 2024-25 & 2025-26 and Rs. 457.82 Crore has been released for 8146 projects including 987 projects for skill development during 2023-24 & 2024-25 under Grants-in aid Component.
In 2021-22, the erstwhile scheme of Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana has been subsumed under the umbrella Scheme Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY). The villages having more than 40% SC population and a total population of 500 or more are eligible for selection under the Scheme. The selected villages are saturated with identified 50 Socio-Economic developmental indicators, under 10 domains namely Drinking Water and Sanitation, Education, Health and Nutrition, Social Security, Rural Roads and Housing, Electricity and Clean Fuel, Agricultural Practices, Financial Inclusion, Digitization, Livelihood and Skill Development, which are the minimum requirements for any person residing in a village. Since 2018-19, 29,847 villages have been selected out of which 11,076 villages have been declared as Adarsh Gram. During 2024-25, 4,991 villages have been declared as Adarsh Gram.
The Hostel Component aims to increase literacy and encourage enrolment of SCs in schools and higher educational institutions by providing adequate residential facilities in quality institutions, as well as residential schools where required. Till now, 891 hostels have been sanctioned under PM-AJAY of which 27 hostels have been sanctioned during 2024-25.
Under PM-AJAY, upto 5% of the total funds is allocated for Administration, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Scheme. During 2024-25, Rs. 6.64 Crore has been utilized as Administrative expense under PM-AJAY.
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICEAND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
WAVES ‘Create in India Challenge’ Crosses 85,000 Registrations with 1100 International Participants 750 Finalists from 32 Challenges to participate in WAVES ‘CreatoSphere’ at Mumbai from 1st to 4th May, 2025
Posted On: 01 APR 2025 3:54PM by PIB Delhi
The Create in India Challenge (CIC) Season-1, launched as part of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) set to take place at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai from 1st to 4th May, 2025, has achieved a new milestone of crossing 85,000 registrations including 1,100 International participants. Over 750 finalists, selected after a meticulous selection process, from across 32 diverse challenges, will get a unique opportunity to showcase the outcome and output of their individual challenge, their talent and skills, apart from networking opportunities with business leaders from their respective sector including pitching sessions, and learn from global stalwarts through masterclasses, panel discussions, conferences etc. The winners of the Create in India challenges will be felicitated with ‘WAVES Creator Awards’ in a grand ceremony at Mumbai.
These challenges have made a powerful entry into the creative landscape, igniting a wave of innovation and engagement across India and beyond, emerging as a premier platform for creative talent on a global scale. Featuring 32 diverse and dynamic challenges including the high-energy Reel Making Competition, the solution-oriented Truth Tell Hackathon, the visionary Young Filmmaker’s Challenge, and the imaginative Comics Creator Championship, CIC offers a unique opportunity for creators to showcase their skills. Other flagship events such as the A.I. Avatar Creator Challenge, WAM! Anime Challenge, Esports Tournament, Trailer Making Competition, Theme Music Competition, and the cutting-edge XR Creator Hackathon further establish CIC as a definitive launchpad for the next generation of storytellers, designers, and digital innovators.
By uniting creators across disciplines, borders, and generations, CIC not only celebrates India’s creative energy — it has sparked a global dialogue around the future of storytelling and digital expression. With this remarkable foundation, CIC is poised to scale new heights in the seasons ahead, continuing its mission to empower creators and shape the cultural landscape of tomorrow.
The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.
Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, the Summit offers the ultimate global platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the M&E landscape.
WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR).
The Government has taken measures to ensure the full implementation of the three new criminal laws in Jammu and Kashmir such as:
A Steering Committee under the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir and an Empowered Committee under Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir has been formed.
The training programs are conducted at the Police Academy, Police Training Institutes, District Police Lines and Battalion Training Centres. Translation of new criminal laws in Urdu, Dogri and Kashmiri languages have been completed.
Jammu and Kashmir Police along with other departments of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir is organizing joint awareness programmes at all 282 blocks in the second and fourth week of every month.
All the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) patches including e-Sakshya (audio-video recording application) for the IOs of Jammu and Kashmir Police, sending of e-summons/SMS/emails have been made functional.
All the required Rules, Notifications and Administrative Orders in respect of three criminal laws have been issued.
Regular training on three new criminal laws is provided. So far 975 Gazetted Officers, 60,890 police personnel under Jammu and Kashmir Police and 254 Judicial Officers have been trained. Additionally, 191 Master Trainers under the Training of Trainers (ToT) program and 118 personnel have been trained at NFSU, Gandhinagar. J&K Police also use the iGoT Karmayogi platform, with 50,984 personnel onboard, completing 1,21,000 courses, including 1,10,773 on new criminal laws.
To monitor the implementation of new criminal laws, review meetings are held fortnightly by the Chief Secretary and weekly by the Principal Secretary (Home), DGP and top police officials. The reports thereof are for internal circulation of the Government.
This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
Strengthening of Early Warning Systems is prerequisite for preparedness measures and is the most important element of entire cycle of disaster management.
The Prime Minister has enunciated ten-point agenda on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) during the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) held in New Delhi in November 2016. The all-inclusive agenda includes the following: –
“Leverage technology to enhance the efficiency of disaster risk management efforts.” and “Build on local capacity and initiative to enhance disaster risk reduction”.
The Government effectively deploys technologies for improved early warning and forecasting of disaster in the vulnerable areas. Central Government has designated nodal agencies for early warning of different natural disasters.
To promote the use of modern technologies and to strengthen the early warning system for natural disasters, Ministry of Earth Sciences has
launched a Multi-faceted transformative approach namely “Mission Mausam” for the period 2024-2026 with the goal of making India a “weather-ready and climate smart” nation.
Under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) Early Warning Systems have been installed in the Coastal States, which have proved to be of great help in alert dissemination to the coastal community during recent cyclones.
‘Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) based Integrated Alert System’ has been initiated with an outlay of Rs. 354.83 Crore, for dissemination of geo targeted early warnings/alerts related to disasters to the citizens of India for all 36 States/UTs using various disseminating medium like SMS, TV, Radio, Indian Railways, Costal Sirens, Cell broadcast, Internet (RSS feed & Browser Notification), Satellite Receiver of GAGAN & NavIC etc., through integration of all alerting agencies, [India Meteorological Department (IMD), Central Water Commission (CWC), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Defence Geo-informatics Research Establishment (DGRE), Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Forest Survey of India (FSI)].
In CAP system, the alerts related to various disasters are generated by Alert Generating Agencies like IMD, CWC, INCOIS, DGRE & FSI and moderated by SDMAs of concern States/UTs. The alerts are sent to geo targeted areas in regional languages. There is a web-based dashboard to disaster managers for approving/editing alerts and choosing media for dissemination. The system has been used successfully in recent disasters. More than 4500 crore SMS alerts have been disseminated so far using CAP.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also initiated a project for Pan India, end-to-end secure and foolproof Disaster Grade Cell Broadcasting System (CBS) to improve faster dissemination of alert / early warning messages to the citizen.
Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE), Chandigarh under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is also the nodal agency for studying and developing avalanche mitigation technologies. DGRE has installed 72 Snow Meteorological Observatories and 45 Automated Weather Stations (AWS).
India Metrological Department (IMD) issues regular and precise weather forecasts & warning bulletins including for cyclones to all the affected/ likely affected States/ UTs.
IMD uses a suite of quality observations from Satellites, Radars and Conventional & Automatic Weather Stations for monitoring of cyclones developing over the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. It includes INSAT 3D, 3DR and SCATSAT satellites, Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) along the coast and coastal Automated Weather Stations (AWS), High wind speed recorders, Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs), Meteorological buoys and ships.
NDMA also conducts capacity building programmes, organizes awareness workshops and fosters community-based risk reduction strategies and also trainings for monitoring and alert mechanism to ensure last mile connectivity.
Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) monitors the glaciers and provides comprehensive analysis of factors that trigger hazards and its associated downstream risks to significantly enhance early warning capabilities and disaster preparedness. WIHG has prepared glacial lake
inventories for Uttarakhand (2015) and Himachal Pradesh (2018), identifying 1,266 lakes (7.6 km²) in Uttarakhand and 958 lakes (9.6 km²) in Himachal Pradesh.
Central Water Commission (CWC) monitors 902 Glacial lakes and water bodies, to enable the detection of relative change in water spread areas of Glacial lakes and water bodies as well as identifying those ones which have expanded substantially during its monitoring months.
Central Government has approved National Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Risk Mitigation Project (NGRMP) for its implementation in four states namely, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Uttarakhand at a financial outlay of Rs. 150.00 crore.
NGRMP is aimed at reducing the risks associated with glacial lake outburst floods, particularly in regions that are highly susceptible to such natural disasters. The objectives of NGRMP project are:
(i) Prevent loss of life and reduce economic loss and damage to critical infrastructure due to GLOF and similar events.
(ii) Strengthen the early warning and monitoring capacities based on last mile connectivity.
(iii) Strengthen scientific and technical capabilities in GLOF risk reduction and mitigation at local levels through strengthening of local level institutions and communities.
(iv) Use of indigenous knowledge and scientific cutting-edge mitigation measures to reduce and mitigate GLOF risk.
NGRMP, approved by the Government, has one of its components as GLOF monitoring and Early Warning Systems (EWS) including remote sensing data, community involvement for monitoring, alerting / dissemination.
Two Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) have been installed in Sikkim with further deployments of EWS planned in collaboration with C-DAC, ISRO and Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad to provide early warning to local communities in case of any GLOF event.
CWC has finalized the criteria for Risk Indexing of Glacial Lakes offering a structured approach for identifying and ranking such lakes based on their likelihood of failure and potential damage they could cause in the event of GLOF.
A Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction (CoDRR) under NDMA involving representatives from six Himalayan States / Union Territories and other Stakeholders, has identified a set of high risk glacial lakes for sending expeditions to directly assess these lakes and prepare comprehensive mitigation strategies in terms of setting up EWS / other structural and non-structural measures.
Subsequent to Teesta-III Hydroelectric dam collapse in October, 2023, CWC has decided to review the design flood of all the existing and under construction dams vulnerable to GLOFs to ensure their adequate spillway capacity for a combination of Probable Maximum Flood / Standard Probable Flood and GLOF. Further, GLOF Studies has been made mandatory for all new dams planned having Glacial Lakes in their catchments.
This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.