Page 27 - Central Government

Govt expects onion prices to fall below Rs 40 per kg by January: Official

The government expects onion prices to fall below Rs 40 per kilogram by January from the current average price of Rs 57.02 per kilogram, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said on Monday. Last week, the government banned onion exports till March next year after the retail sales price of the kitchen staple crossed Rs 80 per kg in the national capital and the prices in mandis remained around Rs 60 per kg. To a query on when the onion prices are expected to fall below Rs 40 per kg, Singh said, "very soon January". "Somebody said it will touch Rs 100 per kg, we said it will never cross Rs 60 per kg. So, all India average is now Rs 57.02 per kg this morning and it will not cross Rs 60 per kg," Singh said on the sidelines of the 'Deloitte Growth with Impact Government Summit'. The export ban will not affect the farmers and it is a small group of traders who are exploiting the differential between prices in Indian and Bangladesh markets. "They (the traders who were exploiting .

All that you need to know about Article 370 before SC's verdict today

A constitution bench has reviewed the challenge to the abrogation of Article 370, exploring the constitutionality of the process and its impact on Jammu and Kashmir's special privileges

Health and welfare of Tribal Communities: Leaving no one behind

National Health Policy 2017 also highlighted the special health needs of tribal and socially vulnerable population groups and recommended specific measures in provisioning and delivery of services

Shah Rukh, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn issued notice in gutka ad case: HC told

The central government, responding to a contempt petition, informed the Lucknow bench of Allahabad Court that it has issued notices to actors Akshay Kumar, Shahrukh Khan, and Ajay Devgn in connection with advertisements they do for gutka companies. The Centre's counsel informed the High Court on Friday that the same issue was also being heard by the Supreme Court and as such the instant petition should be dismissed. After hearing the submission, the bench fixed the hearing for May 9, 2024. A bench of justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan had earlier directed the central government to decide the representation of the petitioner, who had originally contended that action should be taken against the actors and dignitaries who were given high profile awards but were advertising for gutka companies. The representation was made to the government on October 22 but no action was taken in the matter, the petitioner argued. Thereafter, hearing the contempt petition, the high court had issued notice t

Aadhaar enrolment possible with iris scan if fingerprint unavailable: Govt

The government on Saturday said a person who is eligible for Aadhaar can enrol using Iris scan in case fingerprints are unavailable. The statement comes after Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar intervened to ensure the enrolment of a woman, Josymol P Jose, in Kerala who could not get enrolled for Aadhaar as she did not have fingers. A team from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) visited Jose at her home in Kumarakam, Kottayam district, in Kerala, the same day and got her Aadhaar number generated, the statement said. Chandrasekhar said an advisory has been sent to all Aadhaar Service Kendras giving instructions that Aadhaar should be issued to people like Jose or to others having blurred finger prints or similar disability, by taking alternate biometrics. "A person who is eligible for Aadhaar but unable to provide fingerprints may enrol using only iris scan. Similarly, an eligible person whose irises cannot be captured due to any reason m

India to be $5 trillion economy by end of 2025, Amit Shah exudes confidence

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said India will become a USD 5 trillion economy by the end of 2025. Addressing the valedictory session of the Uttarakhand Global Investors Summit here, Shah said India has grown exponentially on every front over the past one decade due to the farsighted and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The world is looking to India with hope today. Between 2014 to 2023 India has risen from its position as the 11th to the fifth (largest) economy in the world. "Never before did the country make so big a leap during 75 years of Independence," he said and attributed all this to Modi's visionary leadership and his capacity to translate his vision into a reality. Modi is leading the movement against climate change, he is trying to impart pace to the slowing GDP of the world through his Make in India program besides leading the international campaign for a terror-free world, he said. On G-20, he said the Delhi Declaration was India's big

India showed capability of getting consensus at very divisive moment: EAM

India has not only shown an ability to progress at home but also displayed during its G20 presidency that it has the capability of getting the world to agree on something of common interest at a very difficult and very divisive moment, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday. Jaishankar's remarks came during his interaction with Indian students and young professionals in Dubai and shared perspectives on transformations in India and the impact it is having on the everyday lives of Indians at home and abroad. Jaishankar said students and young professionals will be at the forefront of building a Viksit Bharat in the Amritkaal. Talking about India's progress Jaishankar said India has just completed its presidency of the G20. "And in this presidency, what had happened was that, because of the geopolitics, the whole controversy around Ukraine, there was a lot of concern, whether we will be able to get everybody together," the minister said. At the same time, he said the

Equity, justice must be basis of climate action, says India at COP28

India firmly believes that equity and climate justice must be the basis of climate action and this can be ensured only when the developed countries take the lead in combating climate change, Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said here at the COP28 on Saturday. Delivering the country's national statement here at the high-level segment at the annual climate conference, Yadav also highlighted India's contribution, noting that New Delhi reduced its GDP emission intensity by 33 per cent between 2005 and 2019, achieving the target 11 years in advance. Yadav also said that India looks forward to the Global Stocktake (GST) outcome for providing meaningful and relevant inputs for deciding enhanced climate action. GST is a two-year review of collective global efforts to achieve the Paris agreement goals, especially the target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Calling the ongoing climate negotiations as a COP28 of action', the Minister said it was evident on the first day

Requested time to meet PM: Bengal CM Mamata on stoppage of MGNREGA funds

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that money has not been transferred from the central government for the work that has already been done under the MGNREGA programme

$40 billion apparel exports target by 2030 is achievable, Goyal confident

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday exuded confidence that the country's apparel exports would reach the target of USD 40 billion by 2030. He said that the government is taking steps to promote exports such as entering into free trade agreements and promoting brand India. The minister also asked the apparel exporters to procure raw materials from Indian players and not depend on "opaque" foreign suppliers and suggested not to fall for "predatory products". "USD 40 billion target by 2030 is clearly achievable," Goyal said here while awarding apparel exporters. Speaking at the event, Apparel Export Promotion Council of India (AEPC) Chairman Naren Goenka said that the sector exports grew at a rate of 30.35 per cent in 2021-22 over 2020-21, and 1.10 per cent in 2022-23 over 2021-22. "We are vigilant of the fact that India's apparel exports have been constant to the tune of 3-4 per cent of global export share during past 3-4 years and hence AEPC has been very proactiv

Govt to issue sovereign gold bonds tranche in December and February

The government will issue a tranche of sovereign gold bonds (SGBs) this month, and one more in February. The date for subscription for 2023-24 Series III is December 18-22, 2023, while for Series IV is scheduled for February 12-16, a finance ministry statement said Friday. The Series I was open for subscription during June 19-23 and Series II during September 11-15. The SGBs will be sold through scheduled commercial banks (except small finance banks, payment banks and regional rural banks), Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL), designated post offices, National Stock Exchange of India Limited and Bombay Stock Exchange Limited. Price of SGB will be fixed in Indian rupees on the basis of simple average of closing price of gold of 999 purity, published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Limited (IBJA) for the last three working days of the week preceding the subscription period. The issue price of the SGBs will b

Linking of Aadhaar details with voter ID not yet begun, says govt

The linking of Aadhaar details with voter identity cards has not yet begun, Lok Sabha was informed on Friday. In a written reply, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said linking of Aadhaar is process-driven. He also said no targets have been given for linking Aadhaar details with the electoral photo identity card. "... The Election Commission has informed that linking of Aadhar with EPIC has not yet started," he said. He also noted that the time period to submit Form 6B (to link Aadhaar card) has been extended for a period of one year -- March 31, 2024. The Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 allows electoral registration officers to require the existing or prospective elector to provide the Aadhaar number for the purpose of establishing identity on a "voluntary basis", he said.

Concerned over worsening security situation: Govt on Hamas-Israel conflict

India on Friday said it remains concerned over the deteriorating security situation arising out of the Hamas-Israel conflict and called for "restraint and de-escalation" while emphasising on a peaceful resolution of the conflict through "dialogue and diplomacy". External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed the Lok Sabha that India strongly condemned the October 7 terror attack on Israel and also the loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict. "We remain concerned at the deteriorating security situation and have called for restraint, de-escalation and emphasised peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy," he said in a written reply to a question. "We welcome the humanitarian pauses and the release of hostages," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar have spoken to several leaders in the region and across the world, including the president and prime minister of Israel and the Palestinian president. "India has also strongly taken up the

Jan Aushadhi scheme has saved citizens Rs 7,416 crore this fiscal: Govt

The over 10,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country have led to savings of around Rs 7,416 crore for the citizens this financial year, Rajya Sabha was informed on Friday. In a written reply in the Upper House, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Bhagwanth Khuba said an unprecedented 150 times growth in annual sales has been witnessed by the scheme in the last 9 years. "During the financial year 2022-23, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) has sold Jan Aushadhi medicines worth Rs 1,236 crore, with approx 40 per cent growth from the previous year and this has led to savings of approximately Rs 7,416 crore to the citizens," he noted. The projected sales target for 2023-24 is Rs 1,400 crore and the scheme is growing at a very fast pace garnering public trust and confidence, Khuba said. In all, during the past nine years, total savings have been estimated at more than Rs 23,000 crore for the citizens under this scheme, he stated. On an average 10-12

Govt sanctions Rs 717 crore for development of five projects in Tripura

The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has sanctioned Rs 717 crore for five projects in Tripura, Chief Minister Manik Saha said. Of the total outlay, Rs 202 crore has been sanctioned for construction of a dental college in the northeastern state, while another Rs 192 crore was approved for a mother and childcare unit at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC). Besides, Rs 121 crore has been sanctioned for setting up of a drug de-addiction centre in Sepahijala district. Under the double-engine government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the socio-economic condition of people living in Tripura has been enhanced... Rs 717 crore has been sanctioned to undertake five projects in the state. I thank the prime minister for his unwavering help to people of the state, Saha said in a Facebook post. An outlay of Rs 80 crore has been made for setting up of micro-grids for expansion of solar power in the tribal-dominated areas. A total of Rs 122 crore was also approv

Centre imposes ban on onion exports until March 2024 to curb price surge

India had previously imposed a minimum export price of $800 per metric ton, until Dec. 31, 2023, to discourage exports, in an effort to curb surging local prices

India's Russian oil imports seen rising on lower prices: Govt official

The Group of Seven large economies known as G7 and some other nations have imposed a ceiling of $60 per barrel for oil at Russian ports to cut Moscow's revenue seen as funding its war in Ukraine

Link between Covid-19 vaccines and heart attacks? Here's what govt said

A study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has observed that COVID-19 vaccination did not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death among young adults in India, the government informed Parliament on Friday. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said post hospitalisation due to COVID-19, the family history of sudden death and certain lifestyle behaviours increased the likelihood of unexplained sudden deaths. The minister was responding to a question on whether there has been any reported instance of a linkage between Covid vaccination and incidents of heart attacks in the country. Sudden deaths have been reported in some people after they contracted Covid, but sufficient evidence is not available to confirm the cause of such deaths, Mandaviya said. To ascertain the facts regarding the apprehension of a rising number of cardiac arrest cases after Covid, the ICMR's National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) ...

Winter Session: Indian Navy has shortage of 10,896 personnel, says govt

The Indian Navy is reeling under a shortage of 10,896 personnel including 1,777 officers, according to details provided by the defence ministry in Parliament on Friday. Responding to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt also said 9,119 posts of sailors are lying vacant in the Navy as on October 31. He said the shortage in the officer-rank is 1,777. The sanctioned strength of officers and sailors in the Navy is 11,979 and 76,649. Bhatt said a total of 323 officers were recruited in 2021 while the number in 2022 was 386. In 2021, 5,547 sailors were inducted into the Navy. The number in 2022 was 5,171, he added. To a separate question, he said a technology development fund to provide financial assistance to Indian industries, startups as well as academic and scientific institutions for the development of defence and dual use technologies. The fund is also aimed at engaging the private industries especially MSMEs and startups to bring in the culture of de

IPEF supply chain pact to increase resilience in Indo Pacific region

The supply chain agreement, signed by the 14-member grouping IPEF, aims to increase the resilience, efficiency, diversification, and security of supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region, Parliament was informed on Friday. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that the agreement seeks to establish institutional mechanisms to enable the 14 countries to work together on supply chains in critical sectors and key goods. IPEF partners, including India, signed the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Agreement Relating to Supply Chain Resilience on November 14, 2023. The IPEF was launched jointly by the US and other partner countries of the Indo-Pacific region on May 23 in Tokyo. The 14 IPEF partners represent 40 per cent of global GDP and 28 per cent of global goods and services trade. The framework is structured around four pillars relating to trade, supply chains, clean economy, and fair economy (issues like tax and ...