‘Procedural lapses’ alleged in relocation project in Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary
Context:
- Location: Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS), Belagavi district, Karnataka.
- Ecological Importance:
- BWS abuts Kali Tiger Reserve.
- Surrounded by Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mahadai Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa.
- Recognized as an important tiger corridor.
Relocation Details:
- Target Group: 57 families from Talewadi village.
- Nature of Relocation: Officially claimed to be voluntary.
- Compensation: ₹10 lakh initially + ₹5 lakh after vacating, post-verification by Forest Dept.
Allegations of Procedural Lapses:
- Raised by Raghavendra, RTI activist from Dharwad.
Violations Alleged:
- No consent from Gram Sabha prior to project approval.
- Violation of legal frameworks:
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
- Forest Rights Act, 2006
NTCA Guidelines
Azim Premji Scholarship (APF) for Girls – 2025–26
Objective:
To support higher education of girl students from government schools by providing unconditional financial assistance, reducing dropout rates post-10th and 12th standard.
Target Group:
- Up to 2.5 lakh girl students
- Passed 10th or 12th from government schools
- Admitted to a bona fide Higher Education Institution (HEI):
Scholarship Benefits:
- ₹30,000 per annum
Pilot Project (2024–25):
- Conducted in:
- Madhya Pradesh,Uttar Pradesh,Rajasthan,Jharkhand
- Benefited 25,000 girls
States Covered (2025–26):
- 18 States, including:
- Karnataka, Telangana, Assam, Bihar, Odisha
- Tripura, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, etc
Aim to expand nationally in coming years
