Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla addresses the National Conference on Tourist Police Scheme held in New Delhi today

Oct 20, 2022 | Business


Speaker of Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla addressed the National Conference on Tourist Police Scheme today in New Delhi. Union Minister for Tourism Shri G. Kishan Reddy, MoS Tourism Shri Shripad Yesso Naik also graced the event. Ministry of Tourism in co-ordination with Ministry of Home Affairs and Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) organised this conference. Shri Arvind Singh, Secretary (Tourism), Shri Balaji Srivastava, Director General (BPR&D, MHA), Joint Secretary (Foreigners division, MHA), State Tourism Secretaries of Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa & Meghalaya, DGPs/ IGPs of States/UTs and other senior officials of MHA, MoT, BPR&D were also present during the conference. The report on ‘Tourist Police Scheme’ prepared by BPR&D was deliberated upon and BPR&D also shared the finding and recommendations of the report.



Referring to increasing digitization in the tourism sector, Shri Birla said that in information era, tourists ordinarily get every information related to their travel through mobile. In this regard, Shri Birla emphasized on developing a mobile application which provides all relevant information related to the tourists to their destinations in multiple languages. He said that to ensure safe and comfortable travel, this app should provide updated and complete information about hotels, taxis, guides, etc., among other facilities, and facilitate police assistance whenever needed. Shri Birla stressed on the need for quick police action in cases of crimes against tourists, saying that such steps increase the confidence of tourists and create a good environment. Shri Birla welcomed the establishment of tourism police by several State Governments from the point of view of tourism security and advised all the States and the Central Government to share best practices among themselves.



Regarding giving better security to the tourists, Shri Birla said that it is necessary to give adequate training to the tourist police for effective security and these police personnel should have knowledge of many languages and use of new technology. Referring to the hosting of the upcoming G20 summit by India, Shri Birla said that the Heads of States, leaders, and officials of the G20 countries will visit major tourist destinations of the country. This event will give us an opportunity to improve security and policing in popular tourist areas. Shri Birla opined that the country where the law and order is better, tourist inflow improves. Therefore, it is necessary to train the police in this regard. Emphasizing on need for learning languages by tourist police, Shri Birla said that language is a medium to connect us with culture and country and therefore all tourist places should have multilingual tourist helpline facility, which can provide information to tourists in their language. Simultaneously, tourist guides, especially female guides, should be multilingual.



During his address Shri G Kishan Reddy said that India always has something for every kind of traveller, ranging from lofty mountains to fast flowing rivers, rolling valleys and sand-dunes. India offers a myriad of fascinating places of interest, natural beauty, and vibrant culture, which are globally unparalleled.  As we celebrate the Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, in the past 75 years India has become synonymous with tourism, spirituality, transformation, culture, and diversity. It is a matter of great pride to celebrate record beating expansion, leading India to become the 5th largest economy in the world.


Union Minister added that government has opted a 360-degree approach to encourage the Tourism sector. Union Minister said that our focus is on safe, responsible and sustainable tourism which are the thrust areas of the upcoming National Tourism Policy2022. The Union Minister further said that unscrupulous elements are active mostly at hotels, at entry exit points of airports, railway stations and bus terminals. He strongly condemned the incidents of theft fraud incidents at some of the tourist places and asked the police administration to deal with them forcefully. We should have a policy of zero tolerance for incidents threating safety and security of tourists, he said. Shri Reddy added that such incidents tarnish the image of our country. So, to ward off all these issues, there is an urgent need to put in place proper systems. He added that police should be trained to secure active participation of Civil Societies, NGOs in tourists places.


Shri Reddy said that now as the presidency of G20 shall also be with India from December, 2022 for a period of One-year, it may be taken as a great opportunity for promotion of India Tourism products. We can showcase India to them and give them best experiences so that they may work as Ambassadors for the Indian Tourism products in their respective countries.



Shri Shripad Yesso Naik highlighted that Tourism sector contributes around 5.02% of India’s GDP and has supported around 14.87% of total direct & in-direct employment during the Financial Year 2018-19 and contributed Foreign Exchange Earnings of Rs. 2.12 lakh crore (USD 30 billion) in Indian Economy during the year 2019. Tourism in India has contributed significantly in making India the 5th largest economy in the world, though we are yet to optimize its full potential. Shri Naik added that safety and security is the first and foremost concern for any tourist, whether International or Domestic. Security related issues around the globe impact and affect tourism industry on local as well as global level. For any global tourist, India is not just to place to see or visit, but a destination to experience and get connected with people, culture, cuisine and many more. For enriching the experience of the tourists visiting India, we need to be more focused about the safety & Security related aspects in & around the tourist destinations in particular and across India, in general.



Secretary Tourism Shri Arvind Singh in his concluding remarks said that India’s global tourism indices will go up by improving the safety and security aspects of tourism and would go a long way in smaking India one of the favourable destinations. He added that this conference is another step to take measures to improve the confidence of travellers and implementation of this kind of uniform Tourist Police Scheme in the states and UTs, will result in safer tourism.


The objective of the National Conference on Tourist Police Scheme was to bring Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Home Affairs, Bureau of Police Research & Development and State Govts/ UT Administration on the same platform, so that they may work together in close coordination with the State/UT Police department and sensitize them about the specific requirements of the foreign & domestic tourists for effective implementation of Uniform Tourist Police Scheme at pan-India level. This will change the safety & security related perception of India at global level and will help in making India a must visit destination around the globe.


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Lok Sabha passes Central Universities (Amendment), Bill 2022

Aug 3, 2022 | Business


Lok Sabha today passed Central Universities (Amendment), Bill 2022 for conversion of the National Rail and Transportation Institute (NRTI), a Deemed to be University into Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), a Central University.


While replying in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said  that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi always works with a vision for the future and under his leadership, a future-ready workforce ready to embrace the fourth industrial revolution and challenges of the 21st century is being prepared. He also spoke about the technological developments happening under the leadership of PM  Shri Narendra Modi and said that by 2022 India will be Aatmanirbhar in the area of frontier technologies.


Shri Pradhan spoke about the transformations taking place in the infrastructure and transport sectors including roads, railways, shipping, aviation etc. He said that the growth of transport sectors, building of airports across nation in smaller cities and increasing air traffic is reflective of aspirations of the people of India. He said that the transformations taking place in the transport sector calls for building an institution to build a knowledge repository, conduct research, curate best practices, facilitate skill development, work on capacity building and facilitate the growth of transport sectors. He also said that the students of future would need to learn about environment, commerce, and social sciences, in addition to STEM to succeed in the infrastructure sector. Thus a world-class, multi-disciplinary, multi-dimensional futuristic institution called Gati Shakti University has been envisioned.


The Minister also spoke about the need to bring more and more youth in the mainstream education and skilling ecosystem in line with the vision of National Education Policy. Our endeavour is to create a generation of job creators and not only job seekers, he further added.  Shri Pradhan also said that a new work culture is being developed in India in which what will be promised, will be delivered. Gati Shakti is another example of that work culture, he further added.




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Rajya Sabha Passes The Landmark ‘Dam Safety Bill (2019)’

Dec 3, 2021 | Business


The Rajya Sabha today passed the landmark Dam Safety Bill (2019), paving the way for enactment of the Dam Safety Act in the country. The Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat had introduced the bill in Rajya Sabha on 1st December, 2021. The Dam Safety Bill (2019) was passed by the Lok Sabha on 2ndAugust 2019.


— Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) December 2, 2021


After China and USA, India is the 3rd largest dam-owning nation in the world. There are around 5,700 large dams in the country, of which about 80% are already over 25 years old. Nearly 227 dams that are over 100 years old are still functional. Although India’s track record of dam safety is at par with that of the developed nations, there have been instances of unwarranted dam failures and of poor maintenance issues.


The Dam Safety Bill provides for adequate surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of all the large dams in the country so as to prevent dam failure related disasters. The Bill provides for an institutional mechanism at both Central and State levels to address structural and non-structural measures required for ensuring the safe functioning of dams.


The safety and security of our dams is a matter of great concern as it is not just about infrastructure but also the question of thousands of lives around and affected by them.#DamSafetyBill2019

— Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) December 2, 2021




As per the provision of the Bill, a National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) will be constituted to help evolve uniform dam safety policies, protocols, and procedures. The Bill also provides for the establishment of a National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) as a regulatory body for ensuring the nationwide implementation of dam safety policies and standards. At the State level, the Bill prescribes for the constitution of State Committees on Dam Safety (SCDS) and the establishment of the State Dam Safety Organizations (SDSO).


The Dam Safety Bill also addresses in a comprehensive manner, critical concerns related to dam safety on account of emerging climate change related challenges. This Bill provides for regular inspection and hazard classification of dams. It also provides for drawing up of emergency action plans and comprehensive dam safety reviews by an independent panel of experts. There is provision for an emergency flood warning system to address the safety concerns of downstream inhabitants.


  Through this Bill the Dam owners are required to provide resources for timely repair and maintenance of the dam structure, along with related machinery.


This Bill looks at Dam Safety holistically and provides for not only structural aspects, but also operational and maintenance efficacy through prescription of strict O & M protocols.


This Bill has penal provisions, involving offences and penalties, for ensuring compliance of the provisions.


Definite timelines have been provided in the Bill for the establishment of a robust institutional framework, with the support of both the Centre and the States. The Bill also focuses on implementation of mandatory dam safety actions by the dam owners within a defined timeline. The passage of this Bill heralds a new era of dam safety and water resources management in India.




बांध सुरक्षा राज्य और केंद्र से अधिक जीवन और प्रकृति की रक्षा का विषय है जिसके बारे में सभी को समग्रता से विचार करना होगा।

बांध सुरक्षा विधेयक बांधों की सुरक्षा में अखिल भारतीय एकरूपता लाने की समन्वयपूर्ण-समावेशी नीति है। #DamSafetyBill2019

— Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (@gssjodhpur) December 2, 2021



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Lok Sabha speaker Shri Om Birla addresses the curtain raiser program of 75-week long AzadiKa Amrit Mahotsav in New Delhi

Mar 13, 2021 | Business

Lok Sabha speaker Shri Om Birla addressed the curtain raiser program of 75-week long AzadiKa Amrit Mahotsav celebrations to mark the 75th year of Independence today in Qila Rai Pithora, New Delhi. On this occasion Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Sh. Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Education Sh. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, MoS Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Sh. KirenRijiju, MoS Ministry of Finance Sh. Anurag Singh Thakur, MoS Ministry of Tribal Affairs Smt. Renuka Singh Saruta and Member of Parliament Smt. MeenakshiLekhi also addressed the event.

Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture along with Ministry of Youth Affairs also organised a Dastangoi (story telling) and Kathak performance at Qila Rai Pithora. The program is part of one of the curtain raiser activities that have begun beginning from today, 75 weeks prior to 15 August 2022. Earlier in the morning, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the ‘AzadiKaAmritMahotsav’ event by flagging off a 241-mile march from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad to Dandi in Gujarat’s Navsari district.

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Invoking Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan, Lok Sabha Speaker said that Rai Pithora Fort was one of the epicenters of India’s struggle against enemies. It is, therefore, the best place for organizing the “AzadiKaAmritMahotsava” on the 75th year of India’s Independence. Speaking on India’s democratic heritage, Shri Birla observed that although we are celebrating 75th year of our Independence from foreign rulers, India has a rich democratic and cultural heritage of thousands of years. In this regard, Shri Birla remembered the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for India’s Independence. He observed that despite incredible diversities, India has always witnessed smooth transfer of power which symbolizes our deep faith in democracy. 

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Talking about India’s progress during the last 75 years, Shri Om Birla said that India has made tremendous progress and it has opened new chapters of democratic empowerment. India has proved them wrong who doubted our democratic principles at the time of Independence. Through our commitment, dedication, hard work and collective efforts, we have overcome the challenges and made our democracy successful, Shri Birla emphasized.

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Shri Birla said that during the last 75 years, India has conducted seventeen general elections and more than four hundred Assembly elections. During this period,  many parties have formed governments and lost power but our grassroots democracy has strengthened.  Youth participation and participation of women in large number in election processes have strengthened our democracy. In this regard, he appreciated the leaders who played a pivotal role in giving India a good Constitution.

Remembering SardarVallabhbhai Patel, the Speaker said that Unity in Diversity is India’s strength.   Despite the linguistic, religious and regional diversities, we have succeeded in maintaining  our ‘Indianness’.  Lok Sabha Speaker further said that our target is “Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat”. It should be the endeavour of all, particularly the youth, to ensure that our every thought and action contributes to our national goal, the Speaker said.   

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Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Sh. Narendra Singh Tomar said that we are going to celebrate Amrit Mahotsav for next 75 weeks and during this celebration, youth of the country will get to know how much sacrifices freedom fighters had madefor the freedom of the country. Shri Tomar added that youth of the country will get the opportunity to learn so many things during this Mahotsav, which will help in creating Shreshtha Bharat.

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Recalling Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat address, wherein he had appealed to all countrymen, especially the young friends to write about freedom fighters, their struggles and their valour, Education Minister Shri Pokhriyal again called upon everyone to respect and write about them. Terming today as the historic day, Shri Pokhriyal said, on 12 March 1930 Mahatma Gandhi ji gave a new direction to the freedom struggle of the country. Saying that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today flagged off the Padyatra from Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad to mark the AmritMahotsav celebrations of 75 years of independence, the Minister asserted that this yatra belongs to each and every individual, each and every countrymen. He urged everyone to take a firm resolve of ‘HarekKaam deshkeNaam’ for next 100 years and work in a mission mode to achieve this.

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MoS Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Sh. KirenRijiju said that we will celebrate Amrit Mahotsav in next 75 weeks and on this occasion I request everyone to know about unsung heroes of country who gave their lives for the freedom of country. Shri Rijiju added that through this Amrit Mahotsav we want to honour real heroes of the country. Shri Rijiju further said that it is important to understand the difference between today’s India and what India was before 10-15 years back. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has united India through Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative, he added. Shri Rijiju further said that youth of the country will create a New India.

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MoS Ministry of Finance Sh. Anurag Singh Thakur said that India has a glorious past and through this Amrit Mahotsav youth of the country will get chance to feel proud. Shri Thakur added that this Amrit Mahotsav will also showcase our achievements of these 75 years to the world and also give a framework for moving ahead for the next 25 years. Minister further informed that 5 pillars have been decided for the celebration of the 75 years. These are Freedom Struggle, Ideas at 75, Achievements at 75, Actions at 75 and Resolve at 75.

MoS Ministry of Tribal Affairs Smt. Renuka Singh Saruta said that different programmes will be organised in next 75 weeks under this Amrit Mahotsav, which will inspire the youth.

Along with this the Archaeological Survey of India has identified 15 other sites – Gwalior Fort in Gwalior, Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi, FatehpurSikri in Agra, Golconda Fort in Hyderabad, Bhubaneswari Temple in Aizawl, Aga Khan Palace Building in Mumbai, Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, Kangra Fort in Himachal Pradesh, Residency Building in Lucknow, Jhansi Fort in Jhansi, the ancestral Home of DrRajendra Prasad in Patna, Chitradurg Fort in Karnataka, Man Mahal Ghat in Varanasi, Sankaram, Amravati and Deeg Palace in Jaipur where celebrations will begin marking the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence. The Archaeological Survey of India and Zonal Cultural Centres under the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Youth Affairs and TRIFED have planned various activities to mark the occasion at these sites.

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is a series of events to be organised by the Government of India to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence. The Mahotsav will be celebrated as a Jan-Utsav in the spirit of Jan-Bhagidari.