Page 22 - Central Government

ULFA, Centre, Assam govt to sign settlement accord in New Delhi on Friday

Assam Chief Minister's Office has announced that a tripartite memorandum of settlement between the ULFA (pro-talks faction) and the central and state governments will be signed in New Delhi on Friday. 'A Memorandum of Settlement will be signed between the Government of India, Government of Assam and representatives of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) in presence of the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Sh. Amit Shah tomorrow at 5 pm in New Delhi', the CMO posted on 'X' on Thursday. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is scheduled to be present during the signing, also retweeted the post. A16-member delegation of the ULFA pro-talks faction, led by chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, reached New Delhi on Wednesday to hold discussions with Shah before the signing of the accord. The outfit's general secretary, Anup Chetia, has been camping in New Delhi since Monday and held talks with the peace interlocutor AK Mishra on Tuesday. The Centre had sent a draft of the

Centre extends import duty exemption on tur, urad dal to March 2025

Prices of pulses have seen an inflation of 20 per cent in November. Recently, the Centre had also extended the import duty exemption for masur dal by one year to March 2025

Govt plans to sell FCI rice under Bharat brand, price not yet decided

In order to check rice inflation, the government is considering a proposal to sell FCI rice under the 'Bharat' brand but the discounted rate has not yet been decided, a food ministry official said on Wednesday. The ministry's efforts to check retail rice prices by boosting domestic availability through sale of FCI rice via e-auction under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) has received a lukewarm response. "There is a proposal to retail 'Bharat rice' but the price has not yet been decided," the official told PTI. Under the OMSS, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is offering quality rice at a reserve price of Rs 29 per kg. "Whether to sell Bharat rice at the same rate or reduced rate, the decision has to be taken by the Group of Ministers," the official added. The government is already selling wheat flour (atta) and pulses under the Bharat brand through outlets managed by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), National Cooperative Consumers' .

Amrit Bharat Express trains fare 15-17% higher, no concessional tickets

The minimum ticket price to travel on Amrit Bharat Express trains for a destination within one km to 50 km is Rs 35, exclusive of the reservation fee and other charges, the Railway Board has informed all zones. It has issued a circular on the fare structure of Amrit Bharat trains and attached a "Fare Table" with the distance slabs and ticket prices for second-class and sleeper-class passengers. As the first Amrit Bharat train, which will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh on December 30, has only second-class and sleeper-class compartments, the railway ministry is yet to work out the fare table for the air-conditioned classes, sources said. "If we compare the fares for these two classes -- second and sleeper -- with other currently-running mail or express trains, Amrit Bharat's fare is 15 to 17 per cent higher," a railway official said. "The minimum ticket price for a second-class journey to a destination falling between one and 50 km in ot

Ration card portability gains traction in 2023, records 280 mn transactions

Ration card portability gained traction across India this year, as 28 crore transactions were recorded in the first 11 months of 2023, according to the food ministry. Started in August 2019, in just four states, inter and intra-state portability under the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) service has been enabled in all 28 states and 8 Union Territories. The objective of the ONORC was to empower poor beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), espcially migrants, to avail subsidised ration seamlessly from any e-PoS (electronic point of sale device) enabled ration shops in the country with biometric or aadhar authentification at the time of lifting of the foodgrain through portability. Further, their family members back home can also lift balance requirement of foodgrains on the same ration card. "About 28 crore portability transactions were performed in 11 months of 2023 delivering more than 80 lakh tonne foodgrains including inter-state and intra-state portability

Jal Jeevan Mission achieves 72% rural tap water coverage, eyes 100% in 2024

Making substantial progress towards the government's ambitious Jal Jeevan Mission, approximately 72 per cent of rural households now have access to tap water connections, according to official data. In 2024, the Jal Shakti ministry faces the crucial target of achieving the 100 per cent coverage of tap water connection to every rural household -- a commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019. A senior official expressed confidence that the government will reach the 100 per cent coverage goal by the end of the coming year. However, challenges persist in states like Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and West Bengal, where tap water connection coverage in rural households remains below 50 per cent, the data says. While nine states and Union Territories have already achieved 100 per cent coverage, the focus remains on extending this essential service to every corner of the nation. Simultaneously, the ministry's commitment to making villages Open Defecation Free Plus (ODF Plus) by next

J-K govt approves increased subsidy under Centre's urban housing scheme

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has approved an increase in the subsidy for the beneficiary-led construction (BLC) under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) in the Union territory, officials said. Jammu and Kashmir's Administrative Council (AC), during a meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday night, approved an enhancement of subsidy to Rs 70,326 from the current Rs 16,666 for people eligible for the BLC of PMAY(U). The meeting also included Advisor to the LG Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo. The scheme covers identified BLC beneficiaries of PMAY(U) who have not completed their dwelling units and is expected to benefit 26,419 households in the preliminary stage, an official spokesperson said. The proposal aims to provide additional financial assistance to the identified beneficiaries, enabling them to complete the construction of their houses within the deadline for the Housing for All' Mission by December 31, 2024, he said. The .

Govt extends non-preferential certificate of origin online filing period

The government on Tuesday extended the transition period for mandatory online filing of applications for non-preferential certificate of origin till December 31, 2024. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in a trade notice said during this period, the existing systems of processing non-preferential certificate of origin applications in manual mode is permitted. An exporter has to submit a Certificate of Origin (CoO) at the landing port of the importing country. The document is important to claim duty concessions under Free-Trade Agreements (FTAs). This certificate is essential to prove where their goods come from. "The transition period for mandatory filing of applications for non-preferential certificate of origin through the e-CoO platform has ben further extended till December 31, 2024," it said.

Tripartite peace accord between ULFA, Centre, Assam govt likely on Dec 29

A tripartite accord is likely to be signed on December 29 between the pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), and the central and Assam governments, aiming to bring a lasting peace in the northeastern state, sources said on Tuesday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and over a dozen top leaders of the pro-talks faction of the ULFA, headed by Arabinda Rajkhowa, will be present at the signing of the peace agreement here. The accord will take care of a host of long-standing political, economic and social issues concerning Assam, besides providing cultural safeguards and land rights to the indigenous people, the sources privy to the development said. The hardline faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), led by Paresh Baruah, will not be part of the agreement as he has been consistently rejecting the olive branch offered by the government. Two top leaders of the Rajkhowa group -- Anup Chetia and Sashdhar Choudh

Govt's advisory to social media portals on IT rules over deepfake concerns

The government has issued an advisory to all platforms to comply with IT rules amid growing concerns around deepfakes and misinformation powered by AI, according to an official release. The advisory mandates that intermediaries (digital and social media platforms) communicate prohibited content specified under IT Rules clearly and precisely to users. "The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) has issued an advisory to all intermediaries, ensuring compliance with the existing IT rules," it said. The directive specifically targets growing concerns around misinformation powered by AI-Deepfakes. This advisory is the culmination of discussions held by Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar with intermediaries. "The content not permitted under the IT Rules, in particular those listed under Rule 3(1)(b) must be clearly communicated to the users in clear and precise language including through its terms of service and user agreements and the same must be express

How BJP govt is celebrating various days to mark emergence of 'new India'

While August 15 and January 26 retain their salience, August 5 and January 22 are the anniversaries of the 'new India'

Nearly 7,600 FPOs registered, 75% govt target, boosting farm productivity

Centre launched a Rs 6,865-crore scheme in 2020 to form and promote 10,000 FPOs by 2024

State rules against basic ethos, spirit of labour codes, finds Study

An objective analysis of these rules indicates that with respect to many of the aspects, there is too much divergence not only between the central and state/UT rules but also among the state rules

PM Modi releases book on collected works of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his government follows the principle of good governance that has got public service, not power, at its centre. Releasing the first series of 11 volumes of collected works of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya at a function here, Modi said his government is setting up several institutions committed towards nation-building, just like 'nation first' was supreme for Mahamana, a title often used for the Banaras Hindu University founder. The prime minister said several institutions of national and international importance being set up today give a new direction not only to India of the 21st century, but the entire world. He said the country is indebted to the great personalities who made invalueable contributions to the nation and he was privileged to release a book of Malaviya's works. "Malaviya Ji dedicated to India, a big number of institutions of nation-building. We are glad to note that today, Bharat is again creating the nation-building ...

AHPI welcomes proposed regulator exclusively for health insurance

The Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI) has lauded the Ministry of Finance for contemplating setting up an independent regulator for health insurance. The ministries of finance and health are in discussions over the need for a sector watchdog to help achieve the IRDAI Vision 2047. The AHPI, representing a vast majority of private sector hospitals in the country, is also represented on the IRDAI advisory for the healthcare sector. In an official letter, the AHPI said, "This is a welcome move as making healthcare available, accessible and affordable has been resolved by the present government." The AHPI is very much engaged in this initiative. Penetration of private insurance is increasing at a fast pace and along with government-run insurance, India should soon be covering 70 per cent of the population, which will be a milestone to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), it said. The AHPI has suggested that the proposed regulator, besides regulating the private insura

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to visit Russia from Dec 25-29

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will pay a five-day visit to Russia beginning Monday with an aim to discuss various bilateral and global issues. Jaishankar will travel to Moscow as well as St. Petersburg, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday, announcing the trip. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit Russia from December 25 to 29 as a part of the ongoing high-level exchanges between the two sides, it said. "The time-tested India-Russia partnership has remained stable and resilient and continues to be characterized by the spirit of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership," it said. The MEA said the external affairs minister will meet Russia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov to discuss matters related to economic engagement. Jaishankar will also hold talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov for discussion on bilateral, multilateral and international issues, it added. " Focusing on the stron

Govt took many pro-active steps to control prices of food items: Goyal

Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday noted that the Centre has taken many pro-active steps in last few years to control retail prices of food items and said the government will keep inflation under control while ensuring country's economic growth. He was addressing an event, organised by the ministry here, to celebrate National Consumers Day. "Today, India has become the fastest growing large economy. Going forward, we will keep inflation under check and also ensure economic growth," Goyal said. Retail inflation inched up to a three-month high of 5.55 per cent in November driven by higher food prices, according to latest official data. The retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was at 4.87 per cent in October. Inflation had been declining since August when it touched 6.83 per cent. On steps taken by the central government, Goyal highlighted that 140 new price monitoring centres have been set up to keep a close watch on wholesale and retail

Why was Brij Bhushan's aide allowed to contest: Opposition on WFI row

Opposition leaders on Sunday said the government's decision to suspend the newly-elected WFI was not enough to give justice to protesting wrestlers and questioned why a loyalist of former WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was allowed to contest the election to the sports body in the first place. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) elections were held on December 21 with Sanjay Singh and his panel winning the polls by big margins. The sports ministry on Sunday suspended the WFI till further notice after the wrestling body made a "hasty announcement" of organising the U-15 and U-20 nationals "without following due procedure and not giving sufficient notice to wrestlers" for preparations. "By suspending the committee if BJP-led ministry thinks they are absolving themselves from not helping the women wrestlers, they are mistaken," Sharad Pawar-led NCP's national spokesperson Clyde Crasto said on X. He said the ministry's actions were a "farce". "Medal surrendered by Shakshi

PMO takes stock of relief, rehabilitation efforts in flood-hit Tamil Nadu

The Prime Minister's Office on Sunday held a high-level meeting to take stock of the post-flood situation in Tamil Nadu and deliberated on various measures to support the state. PMO officials have interacted with Tamil Nadu government functionaries to discuss relief and rehabilitation measures in the state, official sources said. The deployment of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as well and help from armed forces, including helicopters, in case of need was also discussed, they added. A visit of an inter-ministerial central team to assess the damage was also discussed in the meeting. Intense rains and heavy inundation, unseen in the recent times, have hit parts of the southern state. Chief Minister M K Stalin had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss relief initiatives.

Citizens, tourism industry need not panic: Union minister on Covid spike

Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik on Sunday said citizens and the tourism industry need not worry about the latest wave of COVID-19, as the country has fought the disease in the past. The minister was speaking at the 'Sagar Manthan 2.0' event organised by the weekly magazine 'Panchjanya' in South Goa. Asked if the country will witness another lockdown in case of an outbreak, Naik said, "There is no need to panic. We can fight it even if it occurs again. We have fought it in the past. According to the Union Health Ministry's updated data on Sunday, the country saw a single-day rise of 656 COVID-19 infections while the active cases have increased to 3,742. India reported 22 cases of the JN.1 Covid variant till December 21, of which 21 were traced in Goa and one in Kerala. Naik said the Indian economy bounced back after the COVID-19 pandemic because of the progressive policies of the Central government. The Centre's policies have helped the tourism sector to go beyond