Page 18 - Central Government

People not getting jobs, their pockets being robbed: Rahul attacks Centre

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday hit out at the BJP-led Centre while claiming that people in the country were not getting employment and were facing the wrath of inflation. Addressing a gathering in Chhattisgarh's Korba district during his 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', Gandhi asked the people to wake up, claiming their pockets were being robbed and they were being misled. The backward classes, Dalits and Adivasis (tribals) comprise 74 per cent of the country's population, but not a single person from these communities is the owner or in the management of India's top 200 companies which are being given "all the money of the country", he claimed. The BJP calls it a "Hindu Rashtra", but 74 per cent of the population and the poor from the general country have been getting nothing. They are only for beating "thali" (steel plate), ringing "ghanta" (bell), showing mobile phones and dying in hunger, he further claimed targeting the Centre. Tell me, have you seen any poor, labourer, ...

GPS-based toll collection system in India: Things to know about this tech

Nitin Gadkari said that it has been decided to initially implement the GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) System at selected sections of National Highways

SC issues notice to central govt on GST anti-profiteering provisions

Petitioner appeals against Delhi HC order upholding provisions; more companies may approach apex court

PM to distribute 100,000 appointment letters to recruits in govt depts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute more than 1 lakh appointment letters to newly inducted recruits in central government departments on Monday via video conferencing. On this occasion, the prime minister will also lay the foundation stone of Phase-I of the Integrated Complex "Karmayogi Bhavan" here. This complex will promote collaboration and synergy among various pillars of Mission Karmayogi. Prime Minister Modi will distribute more than 1 lakh appointment letters to newly inducted recruits on February 12 at 10:30 am via video conferencing, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said. The Rozgar Mela will be held at 47 locations across the country and the recruitments are taking place across central government departments, and state and Union Territory governments are supporting this initiative. The new recruits will be joining the government in various ministries and departments vis-a-vis Department of Revenue, Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of ..

Central govt is nervous, says Congress' Manish Tewari on 'White Paper'

Congress MP Manish Tewari referred to the 'White Paper ' presented on the Indian economy in Parliament by Centre as "nervousness", which he claimed was evident in the Union Finance Minister's response

Centre not solely responsible for Kerala's financial woes: Cong-led UDF

As the ruling Left Democratic Front in Kerala is holding a protest in the national capital against the alleged neglect by the Centre, the Congress-led UDF opposition on Thursday reiterated that the union government was not solely responsible for the southern state's financial woes. Leader of Opposition in the assembly V D Satheesan said that the UDF did not join the LDF protest in Delhi as "they created a narrative blaming the Central government for all the financial problems of the state to hide their mismanagement, extravagance and corruption". The opposition has been saying this for some time. He also termed as "lies" and "an inflated figure" the Left government's claims that around Rs 57,000 crore was to be received from the Centre. Satheesan also claimed that what the Left government said in the Supreme Court was different from what it said in Delhi and what was said in the state assembly regarding the financial woes of Kerala. He also claimed that the Left government moved t

Debts of states affect credit rating of country: Centre tells Supreme Court

Uncontrolled borrowing by states would affect the credit rating of the whole country and the fiscal edifice of Kerala has been diagnosed with "several cracks", the Centre has told Supreme Court on the issue of limits imposed on the state's borrowing capacity. In a note submitted before the top court, Attorney General R Venkataramani submitted that public finance management is a national issue. Venkataramani said if the State indulges in reckless borrowing to finance unproductive expenditure or poorly targeted subsidies, it will crowd out private borrowing from the market. "Debt of States affects the credit rating of the country. Moreover, default by any State in debt servicing would create reputational issues and will have domino effect endangering the financial stability of the whole of India," the note said. The AG said uncontrolled borrowing will lead to increase in the borrowing costs of private industries and adversely impact the production and supply of goods and services in

Rajya Sabha passes bill to amend water Act to decriminalise minor offences

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed a Bill which seeks to decriminalise minor offences related to water pollution, enable the Centre to prescribe service conditions of chairpersons of State Pollution Control Boards, and exempt certain categories of industrial plants from statutory restrictions. Piloting the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill 2024 in the Upper House of Parliament, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said that development and environment protection must go together. There should be harmony in ease of living and ease of doing business, he added. Replying to a debate on the Bill, the minister said its provisions will lead to greater transparency in dealing with various issues related to water pollution. The Bill, which seeks to amend the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, was approved by the Rajya Sabha by voice vote. According to the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill, the amendment proposes to rationalise ..

Centre impartial in distribution of funds to state govts: Nityanand Rai

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai on Tuesday dismissed allegations that the central government was discriminating against non-BJP-ruled while disbursing funds for disaster relief. Replying to a question on flood relief to Tamil Nadu, Rai dismissed the allegations that the non-BJP-ruled states were being discriminated against while disbursing disaster relief funds. "In fact, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is very sensitive to the need of the state governments during any natural disaster and the central government provides all kinds of help during any crisis," he said, dismissing the allegation that Tamil Nadu was being discriminated against. He also informed that Rs 2013 crore was still lying with the Tamil Nadu government under SDRF which it is free to spend for flood relief. He said under the present government, inter-ministerial central team is being dispatched even before a request from the state government comes. Rai said a total provision of Rs 33581 crore was made

Dharavi redevelopment: Maha govt to lease salt pan lands from Centre

The Maharashtra cabinet on Monday cleared a proposal related to the Dharavi slum redevelopment project, under which 283.40 acres of salt pan lands in Mumbai will be taken from the Union government on a 99-year lease for rehabilitation purpose. The proposal, moved by the state housing department, was approved at a state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde here, an official statement said. A separate proposal for handing over the salt pan lands, to be used for rehabilitation of some Dharavi residents under the slum redevelopment project, will be submitted to the Union government soon, it said. The market value of the lands, 283.40 acres in total, would be recovered from the special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed for redevelopment of the Dharavi slum colony and then handed over to the Centre, said the statement. The Maharashtra government in July last year formally awarded the 259-hectare Dharavi redevelopment project to an Adani group firm. The multi-crore project,

Injustice to Karnataka in tax devolution, loss of Rs 45K cr in 4 years: CM

Alleging injustice to Karnataka by the Central government with reduction in tax devolution, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said this has resulted in a loss of over Rs 45,000 crore to the state in the last 4 years. He also claimed that the taxes paid by Kannadigas is not useful for the state's difficult times, and the money was going to northern states. "Karnataka has faced significant challenges with a reduced tax devolution share post the 15th Finance Commission, resulting in a loss of over Rs 45,000 crore in the last 4 years. This injustice cannot stand," Siddaramaiah said. "We stand united in demanding fair treatment and justice for Kannadigas to secure our state's welfare," he said in a post on 'X' with the hashtag "#SouthTaxMovement" The Chief Minister's comments have come ahead of all Congress lawmakers (also MPs) from the state, including Siddaramaiah, staging a protest in New Delhi on February 7, against the 'injustice' to Karnataka by the Union government when it .

Central govt spends 4% on schools while we spend 40%: Arvind Kejriwal

CM Kejriwal and Delhi Education Minister Atishi laid the foundation stone for new school buildings in the National Capital's Rohini today

Govt working on scheme to help middle-class buy homes: Manoj Joshi

The government is "working on a scheme" to help middle-class people purchase or construct their own houses, Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Manoj Joshi on Friday said, as he stressed that real estate has a critical role in the country becoming USD 30 trillion economy by 2047. Inaugurating the real estate association NAREDCO's National Convention, he said real estate is the most critical factor in India becoming a developed nation and reaching a USD 30 trillion economy. Joshi stressed that building urban infrastructure and urban housing would be key to economic growth. The government has been focusing a lot on urban planning in the last few years, he said, adding that states are being given incentives to make reforms in urban planning. A lot of states have undertaken reforms, the secretary said, and highlighted good work done in Gujarat in this area. Referring to the budget announcement that the government will launch a scheme to help the middle class in acquiring homes, Joshi

India aims to raise up to $2.4 bn selling stakes in state-run firms

Modi's ambition of privatising state-run firms has taken a back seat due to impending elections, but his government has delivered more stake sales than any previous administration

Govt to sell Bharat Rice at Rs 29 per kg in retail market from next week

The Centre on Friday said it will sell 'Bharat Rice' in the retail market at Rs 29 per kg from next week to give relief to the common man and has also directed traders to disclose rice/paddy stock, as part of its efforts to control prices that have risen by around 15 per cent in the last one year. In a press conference, Union Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra exuded confidence that these two measures along with the various restrictions of exports will help in cooling down the prices. Seeking to dispel market rumours, he categorically said the government has no plans to lift restrictions on rice exports any time soon. The restrictions will continue until prices fall to a reasonable level. "The first priority for the government as of now is to ensure that rice prices are brought down," Chopra said, while asserting that prices of all essential food items are under control except rice. Prices of rice have risen by 14.5 per cent in retail and 15.5 per cent in the wholesale markets in the la

Budget: Rs 1,249 cr for salaries of union ministers, guest entertainment

The interim budget 2024-25 on Thursday allocated Rs 1,248.91 for the expenses incurred by the council of ministers, cabinet secretariat, prime minister's office, and on hospitality and entertainment of State guests. The allocated amount is substantially lower than Rs 1803.01 crore earmarked in 2023-24. A total of Rs 832.81 crore has been given for the expenses of council of ministers (Rs 1289.28 crore in 2023-24). The provision is for expenditure on salaries, sumptuary and other allowances and travel by cabinet ministers, ministers of state and ex-prime ministers. This also includes provision for special extra session flight operations for VVIPs. The National Security Council Secretariat has been allocated Rs 200 crore (Rs 299.30 crore in 2023-24). The provision is for meeting the administrative expenses and space programme of the National Security Council Secretariat. As much as Rs 76.20 crore has been given to the office of principal scientific advisor (Rs 75 crore in 2023-24).

Budget 2024: What has been the trend for interim budgets in last 2 decades

Budget 2024: Nirmala Sitharaman, at an event in early December, had said that there wouldn't be any "spectacular" announcements in the February 1 interim Budget as the country is in election mode

Budget 2024: What to expect from Sitharaman's interim budget presentation

This year's Budget is an interim budget as it will only focus on the government expenditure until a new government takes charge

WATCH: 2024 Budget wishlist of agriculture, education and other key sectors

Budget 2024: Various sectors such as the agriculture, education, gaming industry among others have expressed their wishlist, hoping for incentives and policy considerations to boost their performances

Centre releases national minimum standards and protocols for creches

If located on other floors, the creches must strictly adhere to the necessary safety measures