The local Maori tribe had been fighting to assert their rights over the river since the 1870s.
Recently the river has been recognised by Parliament as a “legal person” i.e formally declared a living entity.
It will have its own legal identity with all the corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a legal person.
In practical terms, it means the river can be represented at legal proceedings with two lawyers protecting its interests.
Institute of National Importance (INI)
INI is a status conferred to a premier public higher education institution in India by an act of parliament.
It is conferred on an institution which "serves as a pivotal player in developing highly skilled personnel within the specified region of the country/state".
INIs receive special recognition and funding.
All IITs, NITs, AIIMS’, School of Planning and Architecture and Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research are considered Institutes of National Importance.
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
The Ministry has two wings i.e Statistics wing and the Programme Implementation wing.
The Statistics Wing called the National Statistical Office (NSO) consists of the Central Statistical Office (CSO), the Computer Centre and the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).
The Programme Implementation Wing has three Divisions, namely i.e Twenty Point Programme, Infrastructure Monitoring and Project Monitoring and Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme.
