Page 35 - Central Government

Big Tech companies meet: Govt to clear air on digital data privacy

MeitY officials have already conducted meetings with consumer protection groups who have pushed for immediate enactment of the Privacy Act

Govt announces higher gratuity, other benefits for LIC agents, employees

The finance ministry increased the gratuity limit from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for LIC agents

After laptops, tablets, govt moots import licence for broadband gear

Senior telecom industry executives said that such a move would make home broadband services more expensive and lead to supply chain bottlenecks

Process on amendment in Arbitration, Conciliation Act underway: Govt to SC

The Centre told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that the consultative process on the proposed amendment in the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 is going on, prompting the apex court to defer the hearing on the issue involving the appointment of arbitrators. Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, told the top court that the term of the expert committee set up by the Centre to go into the functioning of the arbitration law in the country has been extended and that their report is now expected by early November. Taking note of the submission, a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud adjourned the hearing on the legal question whether a person who is ineligible to be an arbitrator can nominate another person as an arbitrator till mid-November. "The Attorney General states that a consultative process on the proposed amendment in the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 is being carried out. Hence, it is submitted that reference t

Please inform us about real 'Mann ki Baat': Kapil Sibal's dig at govt

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal took a swipe at the government on Wednesday over a G20 booklet praising Mughal emperor Akbar, alleging that it has one face for the world and another for "India that is Bharat". Sibal cited a G20 booklet titled "Bharat: The Mother of Democracy", the 38th page of which talks about Akbar. "Good administration should embrace everyone's welfare, regardless of religion. That was the kind of democracy the third Mughal Padishah Akbar practised," the booklet said. In a swipe at the government, Sibal said on X, "G20 Magazine: Government hails Mughal emperor Akbar as proponent of peace and democracy! One face: For the world another: For India that is Bharat! Please inform us about the real mann ki baat!" The booklet said Akbar introduced the doctrine of "Sulh-i-Kuli ie universal peace, as a tool against religious discrimination". "To create a harmonious society, he propounded a new syncretic religion known as 'Din-i-llahi' or Divine Faith. He also established the

Oppn slams decision to cut import duty on apples from US, Centre defends

However, the Centre reiterated that the move to slash import duty on apples from the US would have no "negative" impact on the growers

Centre sanctions outlay of Rs 1,164 cr for IDS for Himachal, Uttarakhand

These incentives include the Central Capital Investment Incentive for Access to Credit (CCIIAC) at 30 per cent of the investment in Plant and Machinery with an upper limit of Rs 5.00 crore

Karnataka CM questions Centre over denial of rice, calls BJP inhumane

The statement was made by the Karnataka CM at an event that was held at Madhugiri in Tumakuru district to celebrate the completion of 10 years of the 'Ksheera Bhagya' scheme

Govt approves Rs 3,760 cr viability gap funding to boost energy storage

This move would help get Rs 9,500 crore or more of investments into battery storage system

Govt to organise campaign during Oct 2-31 for improving cleanliness

During the implementation phase, ministries and departments will make efforts to achieve the targets identified in the preparatory phase

HC upholds Centre's decision to include all medical devices as drugs

The Delhi High Court has upheld the Centre's decision to include all medical devices within the ambit of "drug" under the law regulating drugs and cosmetics. A bench headed by Justice Rajiv Shakdher rejected petitions by the Surgical Manufacturers and Traders Association challenging the central government's 2018 and 2020 notifications first declaring four medical devices as drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and then spreading the net to cover all medical devices. The court said the decision to include all medical devices as drugs was a policy matter and no case for interference was made out as there was no arbitrariness or unreasonableness. MHFW (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare), in its wisdom, thought it fit to bring all medical devices within the ambit of the expression 'drug '. This is clearly a policy matter, the bench, also comprising Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju, said in a recent order dated September 1. To our minds, there is no manifest arbitrariness or ...

Centre seeks apology from Akbar Lone for raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogan

The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that it wants National Conference leader Mohd Akbar Lone to apologise for raising Pakistan Zindabad' slogan in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in 2018. Lone is the lead petitioner challenging the abrogation of Article 370 that accorded special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud was told by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, that Lone is the lead petitioner challenging the abrogation of the provision, but he has to state that he owes allegiance to the Constitution and apologise for raising the slogan on the floor of the House. The bench also comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai and Surya Kant said it will seek a statement from Lone, when his turn for rejoinder arguments comes. The bench said it has gone through the report published in the newspaper and taken note of the submissions made in the court. Mehta said, "The

Centre holds review meet on PM GatiShakti adoption in States, UTs

In a bid to promote wider adoption of PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry held a review meetings with States and Union Territories on August 31 to monitor and extend support for efficient and effective utilization of their State Master plan (SMP) portals for infrastructure planning and implementation.The review meeting that was chaired by the Special Secretary in the DPIIT Sumita Dawra was held for the Western and Central Zones States/UTs of India. Representatives from several states and union territories including, Maharashtra, Goa, Rajasthan, Daman & Diu and Dadar & Nagar Haveli, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh attended the meeting.Special Secretary (Logistics) during the meeting stressed the importance of utilising the GatiShakti NMP/SMP portal and adopting a 'whole of government' approach for infrastructure and social sector planning. During the conference,

Govt asks states to formulate logistics policy to promote ease of doing biz

The Centre has asked states to formulate logistics policy as it would help promote ease of doing business, the commerce and industry ministry said on Saturday. It was also suggested to the states for integrating quality data on the portal for the state master plan for wider adoption of PM GatiShakti initiative. The initiative helps in proper planning and implementation of infrastructure projects. These issues were discussed in a meeting called by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on August 31 to promote wider adoption of PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP). It was chaired by Special Secretary in the DPIIT Sumita Dawra. "The states/UTs are being encouraged to formulate State Logistics Policy (SLPs) aligned with National logistics Policy (NLP) to bring holistic focus on logistics in public policy at state level," the ministry said. So far, 22 states have notified their logistics policies. It said that the states/Union Territories were sensiti

One Nation One Election: Govt appoints panel, Oppn questions BJP's motive

BJP welcomed the move and said that it is the necessity of the day adding that the money spent on elections and that money can be used for welfare schemes

Prez Murmu in Chhattisgarh for 2 days, accorded Guard of Honour at airport

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday arrived in Raipur on a two-day visit to Chhattisgarh during which she will visit two temples and also attend the convocation ceremony at Guru Ghasidas Central University in Bilaspur. Murmu arrived shortly after 11 am by a special aircraft at the Swami Vivekananda Airport in state capital Raipur where Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and other senior officials welcomed her, government officials said. She was accompanied by her daughter Itishree Murmu, they said. The President received a Guard of Honour at the airport, the officials said. This is her first visit to Chhattisgarh after assuming charge as President in July last year. From the airport, the President left for Lord Jagannath temple in Raipur to join aarti puja. Later, she will inaugurate 'Sakaratmak Parivartan ka Varsh' (Year of Positive Change) programme at a Brahma Kumaris Centre in Raipur. In the afternoon, she will visit Guru Ghasidas museum, as per

LPG price cut to cost government additional Rs 4,000 crore in FY24

The reduction in the LPG cylinder price will come into effect from August 29. This will be the first change in the price of the LPG cylinder in six months

UPI has empowered India leading to a revolution: Justice Yashwant Varma

Technology has changed the way we work, communicate, educate and learn, Justice Yashwant Varma of the Delhi High Court said on Saturday, adding that unified payments interface (UPI) has empowered India leading to a revolution. Speaking at the Indian Science Competition hosted by Anand and Anand law firm, Justice Varma called the initiative a great step. "Today, we stand at the cusp of the fourth industrial revolution and find that everything has changed -- the way we work, communicate, educate and learn. We see rapid penetration of AI (artificial intelligence), internet of things, driverless cars..." a statement issued by the law firm quoted Justice Varma as saying. He also spoke about the government's initiative such as the National Innovation Foundation, which encourages the spirit of India to promote science and discovery. Justice Varma said out of almost 140 patents filed through these foundations, one was of Rajendra Yadav from a small village in Maharashtra who invented a ...

Centre considers raising retirement age for public sector bank heads, MDs

State Bank of India Chairman Dinesh Khara is likely to get an extension as the government is considering relaxing the retirement age of chiefs of all public sector banks and LIC. The proposal before the government also includes hiking the retirement age limit of managing directors of public sector banks (PSBs) to 62 years, from the current 60 years, a senior government official said on Saturday. Veteran banker Khara took over as the chairman of SBI in October 2020 for three years. Under existing norms, the SBI chairman can hold the post until the age of 63 years. Khara attains 63 years in August next year. "There is a discussion to increase the age limit for retirement of chiefs of PSBs and Life Insurance Corp (LIC). Simultaneously, discussions are on for raising superannuation age for managing directors of PSBs to 62 years from 60 years," the official said. A final decision is yet to be taken on the retirement age for heads of PSBs and LIC, the official added. Currently, the ...

Centre to procure additional 200K-tonne onions amid farmer protest

The Centre already has a buffer stock of 300,000 tonnes of onions, which it has now decided to expand to 500,000 tonnes