Page 19 - Central Government

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

18-year-old girl dies by suicide in Kota, second case in less than a week

The victim was to give the JEE test in a day or two. She lived at her family home in Shiv Vihar Colony in the city's Borekheda area

MP signs MoU of Rs 75,000 cr with Centre, Rajasthan for canal project

A tripartite MoU for the revised Parvati-Kali Sindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) link project, worth Rs 75,000 crore, was signed between Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and the Centre on Sunday. The MoU was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and his Rajasthan counterpart Bhajan Lal Sharma, the MP government said in a release. After the signing of the MoU, Yadav said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this project, which has been pending for almost two decades, will now take shape. He said the project will benefit 13 districts of Chambal and Malwa region of MP. Water availability will increase in the dry belt districts of the state like Morena, Gwalior, Shivpuri, Guna, Bhind and Sheopur and the industrialisation of industrial belt districts like Indore, Ujjain, Dhar, Agar-Malwa, Shajapur, Dewas and Rajgarh will get a further boost, he said. Yadav said that the .

TMC demands immediate release of central MGNREGA funds due to Bengal

The Trinamool Congress on Sunday took out a rally in the metropolis, demanding the immediate release of MGNREGA funds due to the state by the Centre. Thousands of TMC activists and senior party leaders took part in the rally that started from Golpark area and culminated at Hazra Crossing, in south Kolkata. Senior minister Firhad Hakim and Rasbehari MLA Debashis Kumar were among those who led the march. "The youth and students have taken to the streets today in protest against the anti-people policies of the Narendra Modi government, which wants to weaken organisations like the Election Commission," Hakim said. Depriving a state of its rightful dues is akin to disrespect of the Constitution, he said. The saffron party only knows how to politically torment its opponents through the ED and CBI, Hakim alleged.

Budget 2024 LIVE news: Auto firms seek continued push for green mobility

Budget LIVE: Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be presenting the interim budget on February 1, catch all the Budget related updates here

Centre, experts to discuss trade regime of sensitive goods, tech on Jan 30

Top central government officials, industry leaders and international experts will gather here on January 30 to deliberate on India's export control systems for sensitive goods and technologies and global best practices in the sector, an official said. The official said that the 'National Conference on Strategic Trade Controls' seeks to showcase India's prowess in export control systems, facilitate a dialogue between government authorities and industry leaders on the sector, and address emerging risks associated with the export of sensitive goods and technologies. There are specific laws and regulations with regard to strategic trade or export controls. These help manage the flow of dual-use goods, services and technologies across national borders. These regulations primarily focus on controlling the export of SCOMET items in order to balance the country's commercial and security considerations. Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies (SCOMET) items are .

Will start massive protest if dues not cleared by Centre in 7 days: Mamata

West Bengal CM and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee on Friday gave the Centre a seven-day ultimatum to clear all dues to the state failing which the party would launch a massive protest. Banerjee made these remarks during a programme at Raj Bhavan to celebrate the 75th Republic Day. Banerjee said, "If the central government does not clear the funds, then we (TMC) will initiate a massive protest." According to West Bengal government's figures, the Centre owes the state Rs 9,330 crore under the PMAY, Rs 6,900 crore under MGNREGA, Rs 830 crore under National Health Mission, Rs 770 crore under PM Gram Sadak Yojna, Rs 350 crore under the Swachh Bharat Mission, Rs 175 crore for mid Day Meals, as well as money under other schemes. Banerjee had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 20, and discussed the issue of pending central funds. After the meeting, she said Modi proposed that officials from state and Centre can sit together and clear the issues. Earlier this week, a team of st

Delhi AQI severe for second time in 3 days, Centre delays stricter curbs

The Centre on Friday decided to delay implementation of stricter measures to curb pollution in Delhi-NCR despite the 24-hour average AQI in Delhi breaching the 400-mark for the second time in three days. Delhi's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 409 at 4 pm, a level requiring authorities to invoke stricter curbs under Stage III of the Centre's Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to control air pollution. The CAQM sub-committee for operationalisation of GRAP convened an emergency meeting and took stock of the air quality situation, projected AQI and meteorological forecasts, a statement said. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), a dip in temperature and foggy weather allowed accumulation of pollutants in Delhi on Friday. Forecasts by the IMD and the IITM suggest an improvement in Delhi's air quality from Friday itself. It is expected to be in the 'very poor' category in the coming days, the ...

My govt took country out of darkness staring at youngsters: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Thursday that his government took the country out of the darkness staring at youngsters 10-12 years back, as he told young voters that their votes will decide India's future direction and approach. In a virtual address to young voters organised by the youth wing of the ruling BJP, he said they have the responsibility of making the country developed in the next 25 years in the same way the young generation during the 25 years before Independence had for its freedom. Taking a swipe at opposition parties, Modi said the youth is against corruption and "parivarwaad" (nepotism), adding that family-run parties never allow other youngsters to move ahead. "The mindset of leaders of these parties is anti-youth. You have to defeat these family parties with the strength of your votes," he said. The circumstances prevailing in the country 10-12 years back had made the future of youngsters dark, he said, asserting that things have changed now. The countr

Bengal CM Mamata calls on Guv Bose, discusses state budget, other issues

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Governor CV Ananda Bose on Wednesday evening. The two leaders held discussions over several issues, including the budget session of the state assembly next month, Raj Bhavan officials said. "I am feeling pain, despite that I have come for the meeting. As per the verdict of the Supreme Court, we had a very good meeting. I will come again on January 26," Banerjee said, referring to the injury she received on her forehead after her car made a sudden halt to avoid a collision with another vehicle. She said the meeting was fruitful. Bose and the TMC government have been at loggerheads over various issues, including the appointment of vice-chancellors in state-run universities. The state government has been claiming that the governor's appointment of VCs was illegal as he did not consult the Education Department. The state government had moved the Supreme Court, which ordered the preparation of a final draft of the list of names proposed fo

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders bags Rs 1,070 crore worth contract from MoD

The patrol vessels will be equipped with multipurpose drones, artificial intelligence capability, and wirelessly controlled remote water rescue craft to boost Indian Coast Guard's capability

Namibian cheetah births 3 cubs: What is India's total cheetah count now

As part of the Centre's ambitious 'Project Cheetah', a total of 20 cheetahs were relocated to India from Africa. Of these, seven imported cheetahs have died since March 2023

Budget 2024-25: Govt may increase capex to propel economic growth

With private investment still muted, the government is likely to maintain its momentum on increasing capital expenditure, especially for the infrastructure sector in the upcoming Budget to propel economic growth. Post COVID-19, the Budget has been laying special emphasis on capex. It has kick-started a dormant cycle for the economy. As a result India has witnessed over 7 per cent growth in the last three years, the highest among the large economies of the world. During the current financial year, the government has made a record high provision of Rs 10 lakh crore towards capex. During 2020-21, the government earmarked Rs 4.39 lakh crore which increased by 35 per cent to Rs 5.54 lakh crore in the subsequent year. Another 35 per cent hike in capex was done in 2022-23 to Rs 7.5 lakh crore which subsequently reached a high of Rs 10 lakh crore, an increase of 37.4 per cent. In the upcoming Budget too, the government is expected to earmark a large amount towards capex as such investment