Bikaner, May 26: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday praised the BSF for its role during Operation Sindoor, saying the force did not only guard the border firmly but also boosted the morale of the people living in frontier districts.

Addressing BSF personnel at the Sanchu border outpost in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district, Shah paid tribute to more than 2,000 BSF personnel who have laid down their lives since the force was raised.

He said BSF jawans have served in extreme conditions ranging from deserts and dense forests to snow-covered regions with extreme climate conditions, displaying courage, discipline and the spirit of supreme sacrifice.

“The sacrifice of these personnel is a debt on 140 crore Indians and the nation is proud of them,” Shah said.

The home minister also inaugurated women’s barracks at the outpost and said women personnel had proved their capabilities by performing beyond expectations in border security duties.

He said infrastructure for women personnel was being expanded and facilities at all border posts would be strengthened by 2030.

Referring to the 1965 India-Pakistan war, Shah said the Sanchu outpost holds historical significance as security personnel had successfully defended it despite heavy attacks by Pakistani forces.

He also highlighted steps being taken to improve border infrastructure in Rajasthan, including road construction, new fencing designs and water pipeline connectivity to 180 border posts.

Shah said the Centre had expanded the BSF’s jurisdiction to 50 kilometres from the International Border, keeping in mind the emerging security challenges such as infiltration, smuggling and drone-based narcotics trafficking.

Shah said border security could no longer rely solely on traditional methods and called for close coordination among state police forces and state administrations to strengthen the security grid.

He also stressed the need to remain vigilant against demographic changes caused by cross-border infiltration and said agencies should closely monitor activities in villages located near the border.

New Delhi, May 26: The Union Government has notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Board) Rules, 2026 and the National Sports Governance (National Sports Tribunal) Rules, 2026 under the provisions of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

The National Sports Governance (National Sports Board) Rules, 2026 provide for the composition of the Board, term of office of the Chairperson and Members, salary, allowances and other conditions of service, as well as the powers and functions of the Board.

Under the Rules, the National Sports Board shall consist of a Chairperson and two Members to be appointed by the Central Government from a panel of names recommended by the Search-cum-Selection Committee constituted under the National Sports Board (Search-cum-Selection Committee) Rules, 2026.

The National Sports Board will function as the central authority for granting recognition to National Sports Bodies and ensuring compliance with governance, financial and ethical standards.

The National Sports Governance (National Sports Tribunal) Rules, 2026 provide for the term of office of the Chairperson and Members of the Tribunal, their appointment and re-appointment process, salary and allowances, service conditions and powers of the Tribunal.

The Rules also incorporate techno-legal measures for digital implementation, including notification of a dedicated portal by the Central Government for submission of disputes, notices, responses, documents and clarifications, as well as communication from the Tribunal, publication of orders, virtual hearings and maintenance of records related to proceedings and orders.

The National Sports Tribunal will serve as a dedicated adjudicatory body for sports-related disputes in the country. It is aimed at reducing reliance on civil courts and ensuring independent, speedy, effective and cost-efficient disposal of disputes relating to sports governance and administration.

The Tribunal is also expected to reduce multiplicity of litigation and provide a single-window mechanism for faster, simpler and more accessible resolution of sports disputes

New Delhi, May 26: The Centre has rolled out an ambitious new industrial infrastructure programme aimed at accelerating manufacturing growth and boosting investment across the country through the development of large integrated industrial parks.

The scheme, titled BHAVYA, proposes financial assistance of up to ₹1 crore per acre for eligible industrial park projects and will be implemented through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) involving state governments, central agencies and private developers.

According to the scheme guidelines, financial assistance will be provided by the Central Government through the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT) in the form of equity contribution and, in some cases, debt support. The equity participation of NICDIT, however, will not exceed 50 per cent of the paid-up equity capital of the SPV.

The scheme seeks to promote world-class industrial infrastructure with integrated planning, plug-and-play facilities, worker housing, renewable energy systems, digital infrastructure, logistics connectivity and common utility services.

Under the funding structure, projects involving private developers will be eligible for support up to ₹50 lakh per acre or 50 per cent of infrastructure cost, whichever is lower. The Centre clarified that funding would only cover approved infrastructure components and not land acquisition, working capital, vehicles, interest costs or commercial real estate development.

The guidelines specify that funds will be released in three tranches linked to project milestones, including land transfer, environmental clearance, infrastructure progress and commencement of manufacturing activity.

The scheme also places strong emphasis on external connectivity and utilities. Up to 25 per cent of total approved funding can be allocated for external infrastructure such as road links, power transmission, water pipelines and logistics connectivity. State governments will be responsible for bearing the remaining 75 per cent cost of such external infrastructure.

To ensure transparency and accountability, the projects will be monitored by a National Level Steering Committee headed by the Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), while the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation will function as the Project Management Agency.

The evaluation framework gives preference to projects with strong transport connectivity, uninterrupted power and water supply, integrated planning, renewable energy facilitation and digital single-window clearance systems.

The scheme also encourages development of worker housing, testing labs, skill centres, warehousing and sustainable infrastructure through public-private partnerships.

For hilly states and Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir, the scheme relaxes certain investment thresholds. Anchor investors in such regions will need to commit a minimum investment of ₹10 crore compared to ₹50 crore in non-hilly states.

The Centre said the first phase selection process under the scheme will be completed within one year of notification, while approved projects are expected to complete development work within 24 months.