A total of 1,16,496 road accidents occurred on national highways (NHs), including expressways, in 2020, causing 47,984 deaths, Parliament was informed on Wednesday. In 2019, a total of 1,37,191 accidents had taken place on NHs, including expressways, which resulted in 53,872 deaths, according to a written reply to the Rajya Sabha by Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. Replying to a separate question, he said a total of 1,640 permissions had been granted by the ministry for access to private properties from NHs in last three years.

Terrorism, infiltration in J&K on decline

The security situation in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has improved significantly since August 2019 and there has been a significant decline in the incidents of terrorism while infiltration of terrorists from across the border has also come down, Minister of State (MoS) for Home Nityanand Rai informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. He said the number of terrorist incidents in J&K had come down from 417 in 2018 to 203 (up to November 30) in 2021 and estimated net infiltration has come down from 143 in 2018 to 28 (till October 31) in 2021.

1.32 cr people trained till Nov under PMKVY

As many as 1.32 crore candidates were trained and oriented across the country as on November 21 this year under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Chandrasekhar said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. Under Skill India Mission, the skill development ministry is implementing PMKVY with an objective to impart short duration skill development training and certification to youth, including rural poor and unemployed, and to make them employable for better livelihood across the country.

AAP MP takes on Centre over poll reforms

AAP MP in Rajya Sabha Sushil Gupta on Wednesday took a jibe at the Narendra Modi government, saying it should curb use of money power as an electoral instrument rather than passing laws to purge election process. He said the alleged use of money power to influence elections demoralised the democratic process. “The Centre can not turn a blind eye to the issue. The present regime is drunk on power,” Gupta said.