UGC MAY EASE RULES FOR INSTITUTES

The University Grants Commission is likely to relax norms to allow more institutes to offer open and distance learning courses to make up for the learning loss due to the lockdown imposed in late March to check the Covid-19 spread, officials aware of the matter said.

nNEWDELHI: President Ram Nath Kovind will not ride the ~10 crore limousine that was to be bought for his use at the next Republic Day parade. The next time Rashtrapati Bhavan hosts a state banquet, the usual lavish spread will be replaced by a more modest one. Rashtrapati Bhavan is also going easy on floral decorations. And no new construction will be sanctioned in the world’s second-largest presidential estate in the next year.

These are some of the costsaving measures being adopted to save funds by the republic’s highest office at a time when millions of Indians, especially migrant workers, poor households and daily wage workers, are striving to make ends meet amid the lockdown imposed to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

A new limousine was to be procured this year for use by the President, who has been using an older version of the Mercedes-benz S Class (S600) Pullman Guard. The car came into use during the tenure of President Pranab Mukherjee. An official familiar with the matter said, “Every VVIP car has a shelf life determined as per the military protocol. As the shelf life gets over, maintenance becomes costlier. The current car has completed its shelf life.”

The new set of wheels— with state-of-the-art security features -- was scheduled to come before the next Republic Day. The plan has now been shelved, the official said, adding: “The President, if needed, will use VVIP cars available with the government for the time being.”

Rashtrapati Bhavan also plans to pare the opulence of state banquets. “Menus and guest lists will be trimmed for