Page 7 - NIS English 1-15 April, 2026
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Nation Set to Become Self-Reliant
in Sulfuric Acid Production
Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amit
Shah, inaugurated the IFFCO Sulfuric Acid Plant-III in
Paradip, Odisha, on March 6. With the commissioning of
this facility, IFFCO and KRIBHCO will work together in
the coming days to make the entire nation self-reliant in
the production of sulfuric acid. On behalf of the Ministry
of Home Affairs, the Bhoomi Pujan for the National
Forensic Sciences University and the inauguration of its
temporary campus were also held in Odisha. These initiatives
by the Central Government will open up a multitude of
opportunities for forensic science students in Odisha,
offering them access to job-oriented courses that ensure
secure employment immediately upon graduation. In a single
Nominate for the day, the Home Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation
Padma Awards-2027 stones for 3 schemes under the Ministry of Home Affairs, 4
under the Ministry of Cooperation, and 173 schemes of the
Nominations for the Padma Awards-2027 Government of Odisha.
have commenced. The deadline for
nominations is July 31, 2026. These
nominations or recommendations will
be accepted exclusively online via the
National Awards Portal: https://awards.
gov.in. Ranked among the highest civilian
honors, the Padma Awards comprise the
Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and
Padma Shri awards. These awards are
conferred in recognition of distinguished
and exceptional achievements in various
fields, such as Art, Literature and
Education, Sports, Medicine, Social
Work, Science and Engineering, Public Launch of ‘Sujalam Village ID’
Affairs, Civil Service, Trade and Industry, Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil, launched the ‘Sujalam
among others. With the exception of Village ID’ initiative. Through this unique ID, the water supply
doctors and scientists, government provided via rural pipelines will undergo digital mapping. For
employees—including those working in the first time in the country, every rural drinking water scheme
Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)— is being assigned a digital identity; to date, 1.64 lakh ‘Sujalam
are not eligible for the Padma Awards. Village IDs’ have been generated across the States and Union
Committed to transforming the Padma Territories. These have been linked
Awards into a ‘People’s Padma’ (Janata to 67,000 ‘Sujalam Bharat IDs’.
ka Padma), the Central Government has This constitutes a comprehensive
urged all citizens to submit nominations/ digital initiative aimed at rural
recommendations, including self- water service delivery. It will
help strengthen mechanisms for
nominations. Information regarding these transparency and monitoring.
awards is also available on the Ministry The Union Cabinet has approved
of Home Affairs website (https://mha. the extension of the second
gov.in) and the Padma Awards portal phase of the Jal Jeevan Mission
(https://padmaawards.gov.in). until December 2028, and its
budgetary allocation has been
increased to ₹8.69 lakh crore.
NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 5
