NEW DELHI, Oct 28: The Government has formed a committee on cadre restructuring of Central Secretariat Service (CSS) mandated to suggest measures to enhance the effectiveness of the service and capacity building of its members.
The CSS officers form the backbone of the central secretariat working.
The committee will assess the present and future career progression of the CSS officers and suggest remedial measures, both short term and long term, so as to reduce promotion blocks and at the same time prevent gaps from building up, an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said. It will also “suggest measures to enhance the effectiveness of the service and capacity building of its members”, it said.
The four-member committee will be headed by Establishment Officer and Additional Secretary (DoPT) and will have a joint secretary each from the DoPT and from the Department of Expenditure respectively.
A Deputy Secretary of CS-I division of the DoPT will be the member secretary, said the order dated October 27.
The panel on fourth cadre restructuring of the CSS will also review the present training needs of the service members besides examining any issue “as referred to it by the cadre controlling authority (CCA) of CSS and Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS)”, it said.
The Committee will also review the existing cadre structure of CSS along with the feeder cadre and project the manpower requirement for next 10 years taking into account the encadrements already made after the third Cadre Restructuring (CRC) of CSS and also the functional needs of the cadre units among others, read the panel’s terms of reference. (Agencies)

Ladakh, October 28: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is on a visit to Ladakh, on Friday said the Centre’s aim is to ensure the progress of far-flung areas to fulfil the security needs of the country.
Singh inaugurated 75 infrastructure projects spread across six States and two Union Territories, during his visit to Ladakh. These projects have been built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
Singh also inaugurated the Shyok Setu at Leh. Director General, BRO Lt Gen Rajeev Choudhary was also present at the occasion. After inaugurating the projects, Singh interacted with the locals.
“The people living in border areas are our strategic assets. Infrastructure is being rapidly developed in border areas. We cannot say enough in praise for BRO for the work they have done here,” Defence Minister said.
These 75 projects: 45 bridges, 27 roads, two Helipads and a Carbon Neutral Habitat- are spread across six States and two UTs. Twenty of these projects are in Jammu and Kashmir; 18 each in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh; 5 in Uttarakhand and 14 in other border states of Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan.
Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensure the progress of far-flung areas to fulfil the security needs of the country, stressing that infrastructure development, along with the valour of the Armed Forces, was the main reason that helped India to effectively deal with the recent situation in the northern sector.
He termed the new 75 projects as a testament to that resolve and said that these bridges, roads and helipads will facilitate military and civil transport in far-flung areas of the western, northern and northeastern parts of the country, forming a part of the development chain.
He described connectivity with border areas as one of the focus areas of the government for the holistic development of the nation.
Singh said, “Lack of infrastructure development in J-K for decades post-independence was one of the reasons behind the rise of terrorism in the UT. These internal disturbances resulted in a significant decline in tourist footfall that impacted Ladakh also, as well as the entire nation. Now, due to the government’s efforts, the region is witnessing a new dawn of peace and progress.”
Our aim is to continue with the development of all states/UTs of the country. Soon, all the remote areas will be connected with the rest of the country and together we will take the nation to newer heights of progress. BRO has a crucial role in achieving this objective,” added the Minister.
On the occasion, Singh also laid the foundation stones of Himank Air Despatch Complex being constructed in Chandigarh and a BRO Museum at Leh.
According to the Defence Ministry statement, these strategically important projects have been constructed at a total cost of Rs 2,180 crore by the BRO in record time, many of which have been completed in a single working season using state-of-the-art technology.
Appreciating the grit and determination of BRO for achieving the feat despite challenging weather conditions, Rajnath Singh pointed out that the projects will bolster the country’s defence preparedness and ensure the economic development of border areas.
The highlight of the event was the onsite inauguration of 120-metre long Class 70 Shyok Setu on D-S-DBO Road at an altitude 14,000 feet. The bridge will be of strategic importance as it will facilitate the logistics movement of the Armed Forces.
Other projects inaugurated virtually by Singh include two helipads, one each in Hanle and Thakung, in Eastern Ladakh. These helipads will enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force in the region.
The BRO’s first Carbon Neutral Habitat at a height of 19,000 feet for its personnel was also inaugurated at Hanle. It is BRO’s effort towards contributing to Ladakh’s resolve of becoming the country’s first Carbon Neutral Union Territory. The key features of this complex include the accommodation of 57 personnel and thermal comfort during extreme weather. It will enable BRO to operate efficiently during large part of winters, said the Defence Ministry statement.
With the onset of winter, once the passes close due to heavy snowfall, BRO extensively utilises air effort for the movement of men, machinery and material to far-flung areas. The existing Air Despatch subunit located at Chandigarh is being upgraded for providing comfort to transiting troops and to ensure efficient and uninterrupted delivery of essential stores and equipment for the execution of works on the ground.
The BRO will be undertaking the construction of the new Complex at Chandigarh by incorporating the latest 3D printing technology and once completed, the building will boast of being the world’s largest 3D Printed Complex.
To honour the sacrifices of its personnel and institutionalise and put on record the achievements of BRO, a Museum at Leh is being set up, which will be a source of information and inspiration. This museum building will also be constructed using 3D Printing Technology and on completion, will become the world’s highest 3D Printed Building. (Agencies)

NEW DELHI, Oct 28: Online Ph.D programmes offered by EdTech companies in collaboration with foreign educational institutions are not recognised, the University Grants Commission and the All India Council of Technical Education announced on Friday.
The warning for students by the higher education and the technical education regulators is the second such this year.
Earlier this year, the UGC and the AICTE had warned their recognised varsities and institutions against offering courses in distance learning and online mode in association with Ed-tech companies, saying no “franchise” agreement is permissible according to norms.
“In order to maintain the standards for awarding Ph.D degrees, the UGC has notified the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of MPhil, Ph.D degrees) Regulation 2016. It is mandatory for all higher educational institutions (HEIs) to follow UGC Regulations and its amendments for awarding Ph.D degrees,” according to a joint order issued by the UGC and the AICTE.

Students and public at large are hereby advised not to be misled by the advertisements for online Ph.D programmes offered by EdTech companies in collaboration with foreign educational institutions, it said. “Such online Ph.D programmes are not recognised by the UGC. Aspiring students and the public at large, are requested to verify the authenticity of Ph.D programmes as per UGC Regulation 2016 before taking admission,” the order said. (Agencies)

MUMBAI, Oct 28: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said key conspirators and planners of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks continue to remain protected and unpunished.
Speaking at a special meeting here on ‘Countering the Use of New and Emerging Technologies for Terrorist Purposes’, he said, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has “regrettably” been unable to act in some cases when it comes to proscribing some terrorists because of “political considerations”.
“The key conspirators and the planners of 26/11 terror attacks continue to remain protected and unpunished,” he said.
This, Jaishankar said, undermines the collective credibility and collective interest.
Jaishankar, along with Michael Moussa, Gabonese Foreign minister and president of the UNSC, paid tributes to the victims who lost their lives in the 26/11 terror attack at Taj Mahal Palace hotel here.
Jaishakar said the “shocking” terror attack was an attack not just on Mumbai, but on the international community. (Agencies)

New Delhi, October 28: Every state should learn, get inspired from each other and work together for internal security: PM Modi at home ministers’ meet.
Working together of states for internal security is constitutional mandate as well as responsibility towards nation: PM Modi.
All agencies should cooperate with each other to ensure efficiency, better outcome and protection to common man: PM.
Even though law and order is state subject as per Constitution, they are equally linked with unity and integrity of country: PM Modi.
We need to think about common platform for technology that can be shared by all: PM Modi at home ministers’ meet.

PM Modi moots idea of “One Nation, One Uniform” for police, says it is not an imposition, give it a thought.
PM Modi asks states to review laws framed pre-independence and amend them to current context.