From August 15 to 17, various union government departments and agencies have published several environment, climate change, public health and related social sectors news releases those stand important for the present and future of the country. The Plurals has collated the key one’s for you.
Ministry of Jal Shakti highlighted the factual position on Ken–Betwa Link Project
There are certain media reports which have claimed that symbolic protests such as “Chita Andolan”, “Fansi Pradarshan” and “Jal Satyagraha” are being organized in certain areas of Madhya Pradesh against the Ken–Betwa Link Project, alleging displacement of tribal families without compensation.
The allegations that affected families have not been compensated or rehabilitated are incorrect and misleading. Most eligible families have received full compensation and rehabilitation benefits, and only procedural formalities remain in a few cases. The Government of India, Government of Madhya Pradesh, and the Ken–Betwa Link Project Authority remain fully committed to ensuring transparent, just, and time-bound compensation and dignified rehabilitation for all genuinely affected families.
Detailed report link
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2299528®=48&lang=1
Ministry of Women and Child Development reiterated growing role of women in nation building as emphasized by Prime Minister in his nation address on 80th Independence Day
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in his Address to the Nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day, highlighted the growing role and contribution of women in the nation’s development journey and emphasised the need to further strengthen their participation in the country’s progress.
The Prime Minister highlighted the achievements of the daughters of India and said that women are today making their presence felt in diverse fields. Referring to the changing role of women, he noted that daughters are now entering and excelling in areas that were earlier considered difficult or inaccessible for them.
Detailed report link
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2300092®=48&lang=1
Ministry of Jal Shakti Jal Jeevan Mission claimed that rural drinking water coverage from 16.7% to Over 82% in last seven years
As the nation prepares to celebrate the 80th Independence Day, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the flagship rural drinking water programme of the Government of India, is set to complete seven years of transformative progress in improving the lives of rural households across the country. Launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 15 August 2019, Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide every rural household with safe and adequate drinking water through a Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) on a regular and long-term basis.
At the time of the launch of the Mission, only 3.23 crore rural households, representing about 16.72% of rural households in the country, had tap water connections. Today more than 15.91 crore rural households have tap water supply in their homes, accounting for 82.24% of all rural households. Since the launch of the Mission, over 12.68 crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections, significantly improving access to safe drinking water across rural India.
Detailed report link
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2299487®=48&lang=1
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced that India to host BRICS Environment Working Group Meeting at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on 17 &18 August 2026
India is set to host the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting in New Delhi on 18.08.2026, preceded by the BRICS Senior Officers’ Meeting of the Environment Working Group and Contact Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development on 17.08.2026. The event would be held under the overarching theme of India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 – ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’
Detailed report link
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2300088®=48&lang=1
Ministry of Science & Technology Union Minister Jitendra Singh emphasised early diagnosis, timely medical intervention and avoidance of unnecessary investigations as the basis of responsible patient care
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, who is himself a Professor of Medicine, today called for greater emphasis on clinically guided medical practice, with early diagnosis, timely medical intervention and avoidance of unnecessary investigations as the the basis of responsible patient care.
Detailed report link
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2300189®=48&lang=1
Principal scientific adviser to the Government of India launched new NABARD platform to strengthen rural innovation and technology transfer
Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, launched the RSVC AMRIT platform on 15th August 2026, the 80th Independence Day, marking a significant step towards strengthening technology-led rural development. Developed by NABARD in collaboration with the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) to the Government of India, AMRIT serves as the digital backbone of the RuTAGe Smart Village Centre (RSVC) ecosystem, supporting rural innovation and technology transfer and enabling wider adoption of appropriate technologies in rural areas. The launch event was attended by Dr. Shaji Krishnan V., Chairman, NABARD, along with representatives from various organisations and stakeholder groups.
Detailed report link
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2299885®=48&lang=1