Page 4 - Central Government

Supreme Court seeks Centre's response on plea to curb yellow pea imports

The Supreme Court on Thursday sought response from the Centre on a PIL seeking import curbs on yellow peas, which is considered a substitute to pulses, on the grounds that its supply is affecting the livelihood of farmers growing pulses. A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and N Kotiswar Singh issued notice on a PIL filed by 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' and asked advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the farmers' body, to examine whether there is sufficient production of pulses in the country. "We are inclined to issue notice but the net result should not be that the end consumers suffer," the bench said. Bhushan said the import of yellow peas at a cheaper price of Rs 35 per kg is affecting the farmers growing pulses like 'tur dal' (pigeon peas), 'moong dal' and 'urad dal' who get a MSP of Rs 85 per kg. "There have been numerous reports of expert bodies, including those of the government, which have asked the government to not import yellow peas as it would impact large-scale

Centre claiming undue credit for GST cuts, initiated by state: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday claimed that the Centre was taking undue credit for lowering GST rates, though the move was initiated by the state. Her statement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an address to the nation, said a GST savings festival will begin from the first day of Navratri' on Monday, which, coupled with the income tax exemption, will be a "double bonanza" for most people. Without naming the Prime Minister, Bannerjee said, We are losing Rs 20,000 crore as revenue, but we are happy about the lowering of GST. But why are you (Modi) claiming credit for it? We had sought a lowered GST. It was our suggestion at the GST Council meeting with the Union Finance Minister (Nirmala Sitharaman.

Centre not imposing any language on any State: Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday said the Centre was not imposing any language on anybody. He termed those who claim that Centre imposes the three language policy on States as "politically motivated". "We are not imposing any language on anybody. For Class 1 and 2, there will be two language formula. One will be mother tongue. Here, it will be Tamil language. Government of India's condition is that you have to teach in Tamil in primary school. You can teach another language that is your choice," he said. Pradhan was speaking to reporters in the presence of professor V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, after taking part in the 'Think India Dakshinapatha Summit 2025'. Elaborating about the three language policy, he said from Class six to ten there is three language formula. "One language will be mother tongue. The rest two will be your choice. No language will be imposed by the Government of India on any State," he said. To a query on how the three language policy

Telangana govt blames Centre for inaction on US H-1B visa fee hike

Attacking the Centre over US President Donald Trump's decision to raise the H-1B visa fee to USD 100,000 annually, the Congress government in Telangana on Saturday alleged that the NDA regime has failed to address the issue. State IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu, who condemned Trump's move, said it would have an adverse impact on Indian tech companies and job aspirants. India tops the list of countries availing H-1B visas, followed by China. Either to bring pressure on the American government or to hold consultations over Trump's actions, the BJP government at the Centre has completely failed in addressing the issue, he told reporters. He further alleged that the central government was troubling states over their rights. Does the Centre not have the time to address the impact on southern states because of several American decisions in recent times? he asked. Sridhar Babu said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar must launch diplomatic ..

Domain expertise, aptitude now key to top govt post: PM's principal secy

The government has quietly ushered in reforms in governance and domain expertise, aptitude and reputation now guide appointments across central government and state-run companies, P K Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, said on Saturday. Addressing the convocation ceremony at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Mumbai, Mishra said the strategic shift in the selection process of senior bureaucrats in a credible, fair and objective manner is bringing about a transformative change. "Domain expertise, aptitude and reputation now guide appointments across the central government and PSUs. He emphasised that these changes have been sustained for nearly a decade, quietly reshaping governance to meet the aspirations of a fast-evolving India," he said. India is progressing with courage and confidence under Prime Minister Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047', driven by the mantra of 'Reform, Perform and Transform', he said. Mishra congratulated MBA, Executive MBA and Ph

Centre seeks transfer of pleas against online gaming law from HCs to SC

The Centre has sought the transfer of pleas challenging the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 from three high courts to the Supreme Court to avoid conflicting verdicts. A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran has agreed to list for hearing next week the plea of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for transfer of three pending cases from the high courts of Karnataka, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh to the apex court. "(The) Union has filed a transfer plea... The Online Gaming Regulation Act has been challenged before three high courts. If it can be listed on Monday since it's listed for interim orders before the Karnataka High Court," the Centre's counsel said. Besides seeking the transfer of pleas, the Centre sought a stay of all proceedings in the writ petitions" in different high courts till the transfer petition was disposed of. Due to multiple litigations pending before various High Courts involving same or ...

Rajit Punhani takes over as FSSAI chief with focus on new food norms

Rajit Punhani, a 1991-batch IAS officer, has taken charge as CEO of FSSAI as the regulator prepares to finalise new food labelling rules mandating display of key nutritional information

Odisha fertiliser crisis: Naveen Patnaik warns of supply gaps, farmer woes

Naveen Patnaik has written to Union Minister JP Nadda warning of urea shortages in Odisha, citing black marketing, inflated prices and farmer protests during the kharif season

Centre to launch first bidding round under Deepwater Mission soon

National Deepwater Mission aims to boost hydrocarbon output, cut imports

India's E20 ethanol fuel rollout sparks driver backlash; carmakers worry

India, the world's third largest car market, set a 2025 target years ago for 20% ethanol blending in fuel, called E20, as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on clean energy

AP commerce body urges Centre to protect shrimp sector from US tariffs

Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation on Thursday appealed to the Centre to protect shrimp farmers and exporters with policy and financial interventions in the face of 50 percent tariffs and other taxes slapped by the US on Indian imports. The president of the chambers, P Bhaskar Rao, said the sudden spike in US tariffs has put the livelihood of 2.8 crore people who engage in aquaculture and allied sectors at risk. "Unless urgent policy and financial interventions are made, India risks losing global competitiveness in seafood exports. We strongly urge the Union government to act swiftly in coordination with the state governments to safeguard this vital sector," said Rao in a press release. According to the chambers, India is the second largest seafood exporter globally, accounting for exports worth Rs 60,524 crore or USD 7.3 billion in FY24, while the US alone imported 25 percent of this quantum. Shrimp contributes over 40 percent of the total export quantity

Satish Kumar gets one-year extension as Railway Board Chairman, CEO

Satish Kumar's tenure as Railway Board Chairman has been extended by a year, with safety improvements noted under his leadership though congestion and crowd management remain challenges

Cabinet clears restructuring, extension of PM SVANidhi scheme till 2030

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the restructuring and extension of the Prime Minister Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme till March 31, 2030, with a total outlay of Rs 7,332 crore. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an official statement said. It said the first tranche loan limit has been raised from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 and the second from Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000, while the third tranche remains at Rs 50,000. Street vendors repaying their second loan on time will be eligible for a UPI-linked RuPay credit card to meet emergent business and personal needs, it said, adding that incentives of up to Rs 1,600 will also be offered to vendors opting for digital payments on retail and wholesale transactions. The restructured scheme, which was earlier valid till December 31, 2024, aims to benefit 1.15 crore beneficiaries, including 50 lakh new street vendors. According to the statement, the implementation of the scheme

Nitish Katara case: HC seeks Centre, Delhi govt's reply on Vikas Yadav plea

The Delhi High Court on Friday sought responses from the Centre and Delhi government on a plea for release filed by convict Vikas Yadav in the 2002 Nitish Katara murder case. Yadav, 54, who has been in jail for over 23 years, also sought interim bail on the ground that his marriage was fixed for September 5 and he had to arrange the fine amount of Rs 54 lakh which was imposed on him at the time of sentencing. Justice Ravinder Dudeja issued notice to central ministries of home affairs, law and justice and the Delhi government and Nitish Katara's mother Nilam Katara on his plea. The court posted the matter for September 2, after Yadav's counsel sought an early date owing to his marriage. The plea raises the issue of denying him the benefits of statutory remission under the provisions of the CrPC while sentencing him for a fixed term of 25 years on February 6, 2015. He sought his release from jail and permission to apply for remission from the authorities concerned. His counsel said

GoM backs GST rejig; states flag risk to revenue ahead of Council meet

The GoM of state finance ministers endorsed the Centre's proposal for a two-tier GST structure with 5 and 18 per cent slabs and a 40 per cent levy on sin and luxury goods

States will be at whims of governor if nod to Bills withheld: Supreme Court

The court was hearing the maintainability of the reference made by President Droupadi Murmu under Article 143

Centre for exempting insurance premium from GST: Samrat Choudhary

The Centre has proposed exempting life and health insurance premium from GST, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and convenor of insurance GoM Samrat Choudhary said on Wednesday. Currently, health and life insurance premium attracts 18 per cent GST. The Group of Ministers (GoM) on life and health insurance will submit its report to the GST Council. The report will also include views and concerns expressed by some state finance ministers, he said. "The Centre's proposal is clear that the insurance sector's individual and family (policies) should be exempt from GST. This has been discussed and the GoM report will be presented to the Council," Choudhary told reporters here after the meeting of the GoM. "All members have given their approval for lowering rates. Some states have given their own views," he said, adding a final call on rates will be taken by the Council. Choudhary is the convenor of the 13-member state GoM on health and life insurance. The Centre's proposal on insurance is par

Centre released ₹36,000 cr to states so far under special assistance scheme

The Centre has disbursed ₹36,027 crore to states and UTs under SASCI till August 11, with Uttar Pradesh receiving the highest share, followed by Bihar, Rajasthan and MP

PM Modi urges states to cooperate in implementing proposed GST reforms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the Centre has circulated the draft of the next-generation GST reforms among states and sought their cooperation to implement the proposal before Diwali. He said the reform in GST would benefit poor and middle-class people, as well as small and big businesses. Addressing an event here after the inauguration of two expressways, the Prime Minister said the Centre intends to make the GST law simpler and revise tax rates. Modi had announced the proposal to reform the GST law in his Independence Day speech on August 15 from the ramparts of Red Fort. "For us, reform means the expansion of good governance," he said. Therefore, Modi said the government is continuously focusing on bringing reforms. In the coming months, the Prime Minister said, "We are going to do many big reforms so that the lives of people and businesses become easier". The Centre is bringing the "next generation reform" in the GST. "This Diwali, people will get a double bon

Fixed timelines for Guvs, Prez risk 'constitutional disorder': Centre to SC

Imposing fixed timelines on governors and the president to act on bills passed by a state Assembly would amount to one organ of the government assuming powers not vested in it by the Constitution and lead to a "constitutional disorder", the Centre has told the Supreme Court. The Centre has said this in the written submissions filed in the Presidential Reference raising constitutional issues on whether timelines could be imposed for dealing with bills passed by a state Assembly. "The alleged failure, inaction or error of one organ does not and cannot authorise another organ to assume powers that the Constitution has not vested in it. If any organ is permitted to arrogate to itself the functions of another on a plea of public interest or institutional dissatisfaction or even on the justification derived from the Constitution ideals, the consequence would be a constitutional disorder not envisaged by its framers," it has said. The note filed by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has argued