New Delhi, Aug 6: More than 7 lakh persons have been rehabilitated from drug de-addiction centres in the year 2024-25, said Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, in the Parliament on Wednesday.

Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, Kumar shared that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) has formulated and enacted National Action Plan for Drug Demand for Reduction (2018-2025), which supports rehabilitation and drug-deaddiction centres.

“Over 3 lakh persons were reported and rehabilitated from drug de-addiction centres in 2022-23. The number spiked to more than 5 lakh in 2023-24 and over 7 lakh in 2024-25,” Kumar said. He also noted an MoU signed between the MoSJE and AIIMS, New Delhi, in March, for conducting the second National Survey on the Extent and Pattern of Substance Use.

“The objective of the survey is national, state-level and district-level estimates of proportion and absolute number of people who use various substances and people who are suffering from substance use disorders; and information on substance use and its consequences in the specific population groups,” the Union Minister said.

The first such survey, published in 2019, focussed on adolescents and adult users of substances like alcohol, cannabis, opioids, sedatives, inhalants, cocaine, ATS, and hallucinogens.

“It showed that a total of 1.48 crore among the age group of 10-17 years are indulging in these substances, while over 22 crore adults aged between 18 and 75 years are using them,” Kumar said. Further, the Minister also detailed on the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), launched in 2020 to fight the growing menace of drug addiction in the country.

More than 16.5 cr Indians, including women and youth, have been sensitised against drug abuse under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, Kumar informed the Parliament. The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) is the nodal department for drug demand reduction in the country.

From 272 districts identified as most vulnerable, the NMBA is now extended to all districts of the country, the Union Minister said. “Till now, through the various activities undertaken on-ground, 16.5+ crore people have been sensitised on substance use, including 5.5+ crore youth and 3.43+ crore women,” the Minister said.

IANS

Dehradun, Aug 6: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday reached the cloudburst-hit Uttarkashi region and met the families of those affected by the devastating mudslide, triggered by flash floods.

He assured the affected families of all possible assistance in this difficult hour and also sought to comfort them by embracing and hugging them. Taking to X handle, Uttarakhand CM wrote, “In Dharaali (Uttarkashi), I met with the families of those affected by the disaster and assured them of all possible assistance in this hour of crisis. This disaster has caused immense grief to many families, and we understand their pain.”

“Our government stands fully with the affected families. Disaster management and relief operations are being conducted swiftly. Our priority is to search for every missing person and provide complete support to the affected families,” he added.

The Chief Minister also instructed the district administration and all departments to speed up relief and rescue operations, adding that rescuing every individual was his administration’s top priority.

“Our first and foremost priority at this hour is to ensure relief and rescue operations. State rescue teams along with NDRF, SDRF and Army are working in tandem to salvage the situation,” CM Dhami told the scribes.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister undertook an aerial survey of the flash floods-triggered mudslide zone and instructed officials to remain on 24-hour alert mode. “In Dharali, Uttarkashi, all government agencies, departments, and the army are engaged in relief and rescue operations with mutual coordination.

Last night, more than 130 people were rescued. Closed routes are being reopened, and all possible assistance is being provided to the affected,” he informed. Dharali village in Uttarkashi was hit by a raging mudslide triggered by flash floods on Tuesday afternoon.

The picturesque village, home to various hotels, homestays and restaurants, was washed away by the raging river water flowing down the hill, causing widespread devastation and destruction.

The village is the main stopover on the way to Gangotri, the place where the river Ganga originates. The Indian Army is also engaged in relief and rescue efforts, with its MI-17 and Chinook helicopters lifting the stranded villagers to safety.

IANS

New Delhi, Aug 6:  Indian Railways has significantly enhanced the travel facilities for the benefit of economically weaker passengers with the number of seats available for non-AC passengers increasing to 54 lakh, which constitutes 78 per cent of the total, while AC seats comprise the remaining 22 per cent, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

Due to the higher availability of general coaches, the number of passengers travelling in general unreserved coaches has shown an increasing trend, going up from 553 crore in 2022-23 to 609 crore in 2023024 and 651 crore in 2024-25, Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

During 2024-25 alone, 1,250 general coaches have been utilised in various long-distance trains. To cater to the travel demand of the low and middle-income families, the Railways has taken up the production of another 17,000 non-AC coaches (general/sleeper) over the next 5 years.

The percentage of non-AC coaches on Indian Railways is as high as 70 per cent. The minister further stated that Indian Railways has also developed a fully non-AC modern train named Amrit Bharat Express. Already, 14 services are in operation.

The present composition of Amrit Bharat consists of 11 general class coaches, 8 sleeper class coaches, 1 pantry car and 2 luggage cum Divyangjan coaches. High-speed and enhanced safety standards are the hallmarks of these trains with enhanced features and amenities.

These include the provision of a CCTV system in all coaches and luggage rooms, improved designs of toilets, improved design of the ladder for ease of climbing onto the berth and better LED light fittings and charging sockets.

Further, to cater to the needs of passengers desirous of availing unreserved accommodation, Indian Railways operates unreserved non-AC passenger trains/ MEMU/EMU, etc, for affordable travel, which are in addition to the unreserved accommodation (coaches) available in Mail and Express services.

To provide greater accommodation for the passengers using general and non-AC sleeper coaches, the extant policy regarding composition of Mail and Express trains provides for 12 general class and sleeper class non-AC coaches and eight AC coaches, in a train of 22 coaches, the minister said.

He also said that the Indian Railways makes every endeavour to keep trains and stations in a properly maintained and clean condition to ensure passengers’ comfort and a pleasant travel experience.

Various measures have been taken to improve sanitation at Railway stations and coaches. Key measures include the installation of bio-toilets in all passenger coaches so that no human waste is discharged from coaches onto the track, resulting in improved cleanliness levels of the platforms and stations like never before.

Besides, mechanised cleaning is being carried out at major stations and in trains. On-board housekeeping services are provided to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in identified trains during the run of the train, the minister added.

IANS

New Delhi, Aug 6: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls being conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) cannot be discussed in Parliament as the matter is sub-judice and goes against the rules of procedural conduct of business in the House.

Since the commencement of the Monsoon Session in Parliament, the Opposition MPs have been disrupting both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, demanding a discussion on the SIR, which is being conducted in Bihar by the ECI ahead of the Assembly elections in the state. The Opposition is alleging that the SIR exercise is a ploy to “disenfranchise genuine voters” in Bihar.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha amid the Opposition’s continuous sloganeering, Minister Rijiju said that even though for the past several days the Opposition has been “disrupting the House”, the “government remains open to take up discussion on any matter.”

However, he said that any discussion in Parliament “has to be in accordance with constitutional provisions and also with the rules as prescribed in the rules of procedure and conduct of business in the Lok Sabha.”

“On the issue of SIR, the electoral rolls for which they are disturbing the House from the first day, we all know that the matter is under consideration of the honourable Supreme Court and as such it is sub-judice,” he said.

Rijiju mentioned that under Rule 186 of Part 8, “any matter can be discussed in the House only if it does not relate to a matter which is under adjudication by a court of law in a country.”

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister also stated that as per Rule 352(1), a member of the House “is not to make or refer to any matter of fact on which a judicial decision is pending.”

“The matter which the Opposition party is trying to raise is clearly sub-judice, so a discussion on this matter cannot be held in this House,” Rijiju said, adding, “The issue relates to the functions and the responsibilities entrusted to the Election Commission, which is an autonomous body.”

“In the past, it has been clearly established in this House itself that matters holding under the domain of the ECI, cannot be discussed in this House,” he said, recalling that in December 1988, when an MP tried to raise the issue pertaining to the functioning of the ECI, the then Lok Sabha Speaker Balram Jakhar denied the permission.

Rijiju also mentioned that Rule 352 sub-clause 5 states that “it is not permitted to reflect upon the conduct of persons in higher authority in general discussions.” “The rules are very clear. The House cannot have a discussion on the working of an autonomous body like the ECI.

I want to ask the Opposition: Do you want to break the rules established by the House? Do you want to throw away the provisions of the Constitution of India? Do you follow the rules of this country?” he questioned.

“I would like to urge the honourable members of the Opposition parties. Please allow the functioning of the House; let us discuss and debate, don’t disturb the business of this House. We are sent to this House for the discussions and debates on the important issues of our country,” he added. However, voices from the Opposition remained firm in their allegations of manipulation and voter suppression and continued with the ruckus.

IANS

New Delhi, Aug 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded Union Minister of State for Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, for highlighting the remarkable growth of India’s handloom sector. The Prime Minister’s Office, in a post on social media platform X, shared Margherita’s article on how India is weaving together heritage, innovation, and collective effort to inspire the world.

“Union Minister of State for Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, writes about the growth of the textile sector in Bharat. He explains how, by weaving together heritage, innovation and collective effort, India’s handloom sector stands poised to inspire the world,” PMO India said.

With just one day left for National Handloom Day, Margherita wrote about the transformation of the textile sector in the country, crediting a series of targeted interventions by the Union government. He said this vision, guided by Prime Minister Modi, aims to make handlooms a key part of daily life.

“With one day to go for National Handloom Day, I write on the growth of the textiles sector in Bharat owing to a series of targeted interventions from the Union government and as envisioned by our Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi to make handlooms a key part of our daily lives,” the MoS wrote on X.

In his post, Margherita expressed pride in the rich legacy and promising future of Indian weavers, acknowledging the efforts of Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh. He said that from the looms of North East India to cutting-edge AI-driven designs, the story of India’s handlooms showcases resilience, empowerment, and limitless creativity.

“From the looms of North East India to innovations in AI-driven design, the story of India’s handlooms reflects resilience, empowerment, and boundless creativity,” he added. The Swadeshi Movement, launched on August 7, 1905, played a key role in promoting indigenous industries, especially handloom weaving.

In 2015, the Union Government declared August 7 as National Handloom Day to honour this legacy. The first National Handloom Day was celebrated on August 7, 2015, with Prime Minister Modi inaugurating the event in Chennai.

IANS