Page 13 - Centre

IESA launches new report on semiconductor and ESDM policies in India

IESA's latest report compares and contrasts the various policies and incentives offered by different states, and provides insights and recommendations for the stakeholders

Govt forms panel to examine steps to safeguard interests of SCs: Report

A high-level panel has been formed to examine the administrative steps that can be taken to safeguard the interests of scheduled caste communities like the Madigas, sources said on Friday. The panel will seek to ensure fair allocation of benefits to the most disadvantaged communities within the Scheduled Castes, which have been overshadowed by comparatively affluent and influential groups. "On the directions of the prime minister, a committee of secretaries has been constituted under the chairmanship of cabinet secretary," a source privy to the matter said. "It will examine the administrative steps that can be taken to safeguard the interests of the scheduled caste communities, like the Madigas and other such groups, who have represented that they are not evenly getting their due share of benefits," he said. The committee will comprise secretaries of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Personnel and Training, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Department of Legal Affai

Unfounded fears of adverse impact of GM seeds affecting farmers: Centre

The apex court reserved its order on a plea seeking moratorium on release of genetically modified organisms into the environment

Govt okays Rs 235 cr for administrative reforms, public grievance redressal

The Centre has approved an outlay of Rs 235 crore for a revamped scheme for administrative reforms to be implemented in the next two financial years in the the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, an official statement issued on Thursday said. The scheme will take up ambitious next-generation administrative reforms matching with the new aspirations of 'Viksit Bharat', it said. This revamped scheme has two verticals -- administrative reforms and a comprehensive system for redressal of public grievances, said the statement issued by the Personnel Ministry. "The government has approved an outlay of Rs 235 cr for revamped scheme for administrative reforms of DARPG to be implemented in next two years (2024-25 and 2025-26 ) of the 15th Finance Commission cycle," it added. The scheme for administrative reforms with an allocation of Rs 107 crore seeks to utilise the resources for Prime Minister's awards for excellence in public administration for 2024-25 and 2025-26,

As AQI improves, ban on BS-III petrol, BS-IV diesel cars lifted in Delhi

The Central government on Thursday lifted a ban on non-essential construction work and plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi-NCR amid a progressive improvement in air quality in the region. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) noted a significant improvement with an AQI of 316 at 2 pm, well below the threshold for invoking Stage-III actions under the air pollution control plan called the Graded Response Action Plan. Preventive measures are in place and the forecast suggests further improvement, said the statutory body responsible for forming air pollution reduction strategies for the region and their implementation. However, Stage I to Stage II actions remain in effect to prevent a shift to the 'severe' category. The Stage III restrictions were activated on Sunday after air quality plummeted to 'severe plus' levels. The curbs include a ban on non-essential construction work and the plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in the .

Cong accuses Centre of surrendering Rs 1 trn agri-budget in 5 years

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday that there is no proposal to lift export restrictions on wheat, rice, and sugar

Presenting alternative vision with Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Rahul Gandhi

The Congress leader said said that the idea of his Yatra is to make sure that even if people are from a small state, they should feel equal to all people in the country

PowerMin issues electricity rules, eases open access and transmission

The rules now allows consumers which have specified energy load and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) to establish, operate and maintain their dedicated transmission lines themselves without licence

Centre extends PM-eBus Sewa scheme tender deadline to January 31

This is the second deadline extension for the scheme. The deadline was first extended from December 15 to January 16

Budget 2024: Govt may raise exemption in lower bracket under old I-T regime

The measures, along with announcements to improve the direct tax system, are those which the government feels will not hurt the fiscal deficit numbers now

Centre, state, exporters to discuss ways to boost exports on Jan 16

The Centre, state governments and industry representatives will meet on January 16 to discuss ways to boost the country's exports, an official said. Issues which are expected to figure in the meeting include rupee payment challenges, need of global shipping, and challenges being faced by traders on account of the Red Sea crisis, and uncertain global economic situation due to the Russia-Ukraine war and Israel-Hamas conflict. The meeting will be chaired by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. They all are members of the Board of Trade (BoT). "There are over 135 members of BoT. It is meeting on January 16 at Bharat Mandapam," the official said. Headed by the minister, the board includes participants from various states, Union Territories, and senior officials from the public and private sectors. In the meeting, representatives of export promotion councils present their views on the export sector. The board provides an opportunity to have regular discussions and consultations

Centre lodges strong protest with Britain over visit of envoy to PoK

India has registered a strong protest with the UK over the visit to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) by its High Commissioner to Islamabad along with another British official. The ministry of external affairs said such "infringement" of India's sovereignty and territorial integrity is "unacceptable". "India has taken a serious note of the highly objectionable visit of the British High Commissioner in Islamabad, along with a UK Foreign Office official, to Pakistan occupied Kashmir on January 10," it said. "Foreign Secretary has lodged a strong protest with the British High Commissioner in India on this infringement," the MEA said. "The Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are, have been and shall always remain an integral part of India," it said in a statement.

Govt acts against Indian firm for undisclosed links with Chinese group

Cracking the whip for hiding the beneficial ownership links to a Chinese group, the Registrar of Companies (RoC) has slapped penalties totalling more than Rs 21 lakh on an Indian company and its related individuals as well as entities. Besides, the Indian company Metec Electronics Pvt Ltd has been directed not to enter into fresh agreements with entities of Metec Group of Companies in China and Hong Kong. An official in the know on Friday said Metec Electronics Pvt Ltd had portrayed itself as a standalone entity, with shareholdings held by two foreign nationals -- Chen Feiyan and Yang Wen -- and an Indian national. The company had denied any relationship with China's Metec Group of companies and claimed that the relationship was limited to buying goods only, the official said. However, the official said the company was "actually operating as a group company of the Metec Group of companies of China". For the violations, RoC, NCT of Delhi and Haryana have imposed penalties on the ..

Centre reviews progress of PLI schemes in all 14 sectors: Govt official

The government on Friday reviewed the progress of the production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes for all the 14 sectors, an official said. The meeting assumes significance as the government has disbursed Rs 2,900 crore till March 2023 under the scheme. The empowered committee in PLI has also approved Rs 1,000 crore disbursal to beneficiary firms of the electronics sector. The scheme was announced in 2021 for 14 sectors like telecommunication, white goods, textiles, manufacturing of medical devices, automobiles, speciality steel, food products, high-efficiency solar PV modules, advanced chemistry cell battery, drones, and pharma with an outlay of Rs 1.97 lakh crore. Senior officers from different ministries, including the commerce and industry ministry and heavy industries ministry, participated in the review, the official said. The purpose of the schemes is to attract investments in key sectors and cutting-edge technology; ensure efficiency and bring economies of size and scale in

Centre to hold roadshow in Ranchi to woo investors for coal mine auction

The coal ministry will organise a roadshow in Ranchi to increase participation of investors in the commercial coal mine auction. Coal Secretary Shri Amrit Lal Meena will be the chief guest for the event while additional secretary M Nagaraju will be the guest of honour, the coal ministry said in a statement. "To enhance participation in commercial auction of coal mines, the Ministry of Coal is organising a roadshow at Ranchi on January 16," it said. The government launched the process for sale of 39 coal mines under eight rounds of commercial auctions and 31 under the ninth. These 70 coal mines are from the coal-bearing states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, and West Bengal. Of the said mines, 27 are fully explored ones and 43 are partially explored, the statement said, adding that seven are coking coal mines, while the rest are not. The mines have been finalised after detailed deliberations and those falling under protected areas

'Govt will not interfere with direct selling industry until it is right'

Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohi Kumar Singh on Friday told the direct selling industry that the authorities will not interfere with its business model as long as it is "right" and cautioned that the government cannot be taken for a ride. His remarks come against the backdrop of concerns and certain instances of direct selling businesses getting linked with money circulation and ponzi scheme activities. "As long as you are right, we are with you. But if money circulation is involved, subscription is not explained, then the government will interfere. You cannot take the government for a ride," Singh said while addressing a conference organised by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). The government has taken action against certain entities in the direct selling industry for alleged misdoings. "The problem with your industry (direct selling) is perception... I am sure you are doing right but you need to work on your perception," he said and urged the industry to bring more ..

SC refuses to stay Bill on appointment of CEC, ECs; issues notice to Centre

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the new law that provides for appointment of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners by a panel excluding the Chief Justice of India. A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, however, agreed to examine a batch of petitions challenging the new law and issued notice to the Centre. The bench asked senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for Congress leader Jaya Thakur, who sought a stay on the new law, to serve a copy of the petition to the Centre's counsel. "Please stay this law. This is against the separation of powers," Singh said. The bench told Singh, "No, without hearing the other side, we can't. We will issue a notice." Several petitions, including Thakur's, have been filed in the apex court amid a political row over dropping the chief justice of India (CJI) from a panel empowered to choose the chief election commissioner (CEC) and election commissioners (ECs). Advocate Gopal Singh has also moved the t

Centre introduces interactive employability skills course for PwDs

These guidelines, meticulously tailored for both physical and digital skill training infrastructure, stand as a beacon of inclusivity for individuals with diverse disabilities

GM Mustard: Why reports of panel not considered by GEAC, SC asks Centre

The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the Centre about why reports of the court-appointed Technical Experts Committee (TEC) on biosafety of genetically modified (GM) Crops were not looked into by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Sanjay Karol asked Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, whether the GEAC or a sub-committee of experts ever considered the reports filed by TEC before the October 25, 2022 decision to approve the environmental release of transgenic mustard hybrid DMH-11. The attorney general said being a statutory body, the GEAC is not supposed to go into these reports but has considered every relevant scientific finding before giving the go-ahead for the environmental release. Responding to the top government law officer's contention, Justice Nagarathna said, "The reason why we are asking this is because GEAC was not working in a vacuum. It is not unguided. These are the reports including a

Govt finalises draft guidelines to prevent cos from false pro-green claims

The government has finalised draft guidelines to prevent 'greenwashing' or false pro-environment claims being made by companies across sectors, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said on Thursday. The draft guidelines were finalised after discussions with the committee members in a meeting held on January 10. The committee constituted by the consumer affairs ministry also has member representatives from the industry such as FICCI, CII, Manufacturers Association Information Technology (MAIT), Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) and Indian Beauty and Hygiene Association (IBHA). "We have finalised the draft guidelines and will issue the final guidelines after incorporating few suggestions of the industry members," Singh told PTI. The draft guidelines clearly define "Greenwashing" and "Environment claims". It also proposes disclosures that would be required to be made by the company while making green claims, said a statement issued by the ministry. The guidelines