Page 18 - Centre

Centre, Delhi's stand sought on PIL against nursing courses only for women

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought the stand of the Centre and city government on a petition challenging provisions allowing only female candidates to apply for admission to B.Sc (Hons) Nursing courses offered by AIIMS, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and Delhi University. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Mamohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna issued notice on the public interest litigation by the Indian Professional Nurses Association and asked the governments as well as the institutes and Indian Nursing Council to file their replies within four weeks. Advocate Robin Raju, appearing for the petitioner, said the petition challenged the gender-based eligibility and that in view of the shortage of nurses in the country, persons of all genders should be permitted to apply to the course. The plea said the petitioner was a non-governmental registered body working for the welfare of nurses across India and was moving the instant petition to highlight the concern that even today .

China pneumonia outbreak: Centre asks states to review healthcare readiness

The Union Health Ministry has advised states to immediately review public health preparedness in view of recent reports indicating a surge in respiratory illness in children in northern China. In a statement on Sunday, the ministry said it has decided to proactively review preparatory measures against respiratory illnesses as a matter of abundant caution. "This is noted to be important in view of the ongoing influenza and winter season that results in an increase in respiratory illness cases. The Government of India is closely monitoring the situation and indicated that there is no need for any alarm," it said. In a letter to all states and Union territories, the Union health secretary has advised them to immediately review public health and hospital preparedness such as availability of beds, drugs and vaccines for influenza, medical oxygen, antibiotics, personal protective equipment, testing kits and reagents, functionality of oxygen plants and ventilators, and infection control ..

Ayushman Bharat HWCs renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandir, gets new tagline

The government has decided to rename the Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres as 'Ayushman Arogya Mandir' and the Union Health Ministry has sent a letter to the states and Union territories to implement the rebranding exercise, official sources said. States have also been asked to upload photographs of rebranded primary health facilities on the Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWC) portal, they said. The rebranded AB-HWCs will also have a new tagline -- 'Arogyam Parmam Dhanam'.

SC asks Centre to suggest names of 5 officers for Delhi chief secretary

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre to suggest names of five senior bureaucrats to be considered for the post of new Delhi chief secretary by 10.30 am on November 28 and said the Delhi government will have to respond the same day to facilitate adjudication on the vexed issue. The appointment of the chief secretary is the latest bone of contention between Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government and Lieutenant Governor (LG) V K Saxena who have been involved in a series of run-ins over various issues. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra which was hearing the AAP government's plea asked why the LG and the chief minister cannot meet to amicably decide on names. Earlier on July 17, the top court had taken note of the differences over the appointment of the new DERC chairperson and asked Kejriwal and the LG to discuss names of former judges who could head the national capital's power regulator, saying the two ...

Centre trying to create economic crisis in Kerala; Cong a spectator: CM

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday accused the BJP-ruled Centre of trying to destroy the federal structure and creating an economic crisis in the southern state through its various policies and blamed the Congress-led UDF of being a silent spectator to the same. Alleging neglect and discrimination on the part of the Central government towards Kerala, Vijayan said it was getting this treatment despite achieving unprecedented gains in tax collection, domestic production and infrastructure development. Speaking during the Nava Kerala Sadas at the Uduma constituency here in the evening, the CM said that the Union government through its various policies was "financially strangulating the Left government" since it came into power back in 2016. "At the same time, the Congress and the UDF opposition led by it were being a mute spectator to this discrimination. Why this hesitancy in speaking out against the actions of the Centre which are against the state and its people?" he .

Stage-IV measures under Grap revoked as pollution reduces in Delhi

The Centre on Saturday ordered the revocation of a ban on construction work related to linear public projects in Delhi-NCR and the entry of polluting trucks and commercial four-wheelers into the national capital following an improvement air quality in the region due to favourable wind speed and direction. These measures constitute the final stage, Stage IV, of the Centre's air pollution control plan, which is activated at least three days before the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpasses the 450-mark in the capital. The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), a statutory body responsible for formulating strategies to combat pollution in the region, asked Delhi and NCR states to revoke all emergency measures, which allow only CNG, electric and BS VI-compliant vehicles from other states to enter Delhi, with exemptions granted to those involved in essential services. All medium and heavy goods vehicles not engaged in essential services we

Centre tells Visva Bharati to replace controversial plaques at Santiniketan

The Centre has asked Visva Bharati University to replace the controversial plaques commemorating UNESCO's award of World Heritage Site to Santiniketan, a varsity source said on Thursday. The Union education ministry has told the university to remove the plaques and replace them with ones having Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's name, the source added. Visva Bharati spokesperson Mahua Bandyopadhyay told PTI, "We cannot confirm anything about the plaques unless we have a written communique from the Union education ministry." Days after Santiniketan got the UNESCO tag on September 17, three plaques commemorating the honour came up in different parts of the campus having the names of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former VB vice-chancellor Bidyut Chakrabarty but did not mention Tagore's name, the founder of Santiniketan and Visva Bharati. This triggered an uproar from students, faculty and political parties. On October 26, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked Visva ..

NITES approaches Centre against 'unethical' transfer practices of TCS

IT workers' union NITES (Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate) has approached the Ministry of Labour and Employment against the alleged "unethical transfer practices" of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). An email to TCS seeking comments on the issue did not elicit a response. NITES has issued a statement saying it received more than 180 complaints that TCS has allegedly been "systematically forcing" more than 2,000 employees to transfer to different cities without proper notice or consultation, causing immense hardship to them and their families. Pune-based NITES claimed that the company has cautioned the employees that failure to comply with the transfer directions will result in disciplinary actions. "We are deeply concerned about the unethical transfer practices of Tata Consultancy Services... We have urged the Ministry of Labour and Employment to investigate TCS' actions and take appropriate measures to protect IT workers from such unethical practices," NITES Preside

Centre gave Rs 571 cr for infra in tribal villages in Gujarat: CM Patel

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday said the state has so far received Rs 571 crore from the Union government for providing basic infrastructure in tribal-dominated villages under the Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana. He was speaking at a gathering in Ambaji town of tribal- dominated Danta taluka in Banaskantha district on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas and launch of the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra'. "The Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has allotted Rs 571 crore for developing basic infrastructure in 2,803 tribal-dominated villages of Gujarat under the Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana," Patel said. To strengthen healthcare facilities in tribal areas, the state government recently approved the setting up of medical colleges in Dahod, Valsad, Banaskantha and Navsari districts, the chief minister noted. "Prime minister Modi has shown the path for the welfare and development of tribals living in the areas ranging from Ambaji to Umargam, from

Centre to seek bids for $960 million EV battery production program

The government will seek bids from potential investors next month, they said

1st division mandatory in Bachelor's & Master's for IIM directors' post

The Centre has notified new norms for the appointment of directors of Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), making it mandatory for applicants to have first class degrees in both Bachelor's and Master's, along with a PhD or equivalent from a reputed institute. Also, the President will now be a "Visitor" to the prestigious B-schools with powers to appoint chairperson of the board of governors, appointment and removal of directors and dissolving the board for not performing duties or complying with visitor's directions. Under the new rules, the eligibility for appointment as an IIM director now will be having a "distinguished" academic record with "first class degree in both Bachelor's and Master's level, and with PhD or equivalent from a reputed institute". Earlier, the criteria used to be a "distinguished academic with PhD or equivalent" and there was no mention of the required division for the degrees. Recently, there was a controversy over the appointment Dheeraj Sharma as ...

Govt bans Meitei extremist groups as 'unlawful associations' for 5 years

As per the notification, the order will be effective from Monday (November 13, 2023) for a period of five years

Air fares fixed by airlines, no governmental control: Centre tells HC

The Centre on Friday told the Kerala High Court that airlines are free to charge air fares as per their operational viability and that it does not interfere in commercial aspects of the airline nor fixing of the airfare. In an affidavit, the union government said the dynamic pricing adopted by the airlines was a global practice and the change in prices are based on algorithms that take into account competitor pricing, supply and demand and other external factors. "Airlines are free to charge airfares as per their operational viability. The government does not interfere either in commercial aspects of airline nor fixing of airfare by them," the affidavit read. In response to a plea filed by one Zainuabideen, challenging the hike by the airlines operating in the Gulf sector in their fares during festival seasons, the central government said dynamic pricing plays a crucial role in determining how airlines improve their revenue per flight. It said the airlines are required to establish

Govt relaxes norms for various small savings schemes including PPF

The government has relaxed the norms for various small savings schemes, including the Public Provident Fund (PPF) and Senior Citizen's Savings Scheme. For the Senior Citizen's Savings Scheme, the new norms provide three months to open an account against one month's time at present. As per the gazette notification dated November 9, an individual can open an account under the Senior Citizen's Savings Scheme within three months from the date of receipt of the retirement benefits and proof of the date of disbursal of such retirement benefits. The deposit in such an account will earn interest at the rate applicable to the scheme on the date of maturity or the date of extended maturity, the notification said. In the case of the Public Provident Fund, the notification has made some changes with regard to the premature closure of accounts. This scheme may be called the Public Provident Fund (Amendment) Scheme, 2023, the notification said. According to the notification, some changes have

Ruling LDF to hold agitation against 'negligence' of Centre towards Kerala

Kerala's ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Friday announced its decision to take the fight against the alleged negligence of the BJP-ruled Centre towards the state's development needs to New Delhi. The agitation, scheduled for January next year, aims to highlight the challenges faced by the state on the financial front due to what the CPI(M)-led alliance alleges as the Centre's negligence. LDF Convenor E P Jayarajan said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with his Cabinet colleagues, Left MLAs, MPs, and other leaders, will participate in the protest. This move is seen as the LDF's political narrative against the BJP-led NDA in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. Speaking after a meeting of LDF leaders at the CPI(M) headquarters here, Jayarajan criticised the Central government for neglecting Kerala across various sectors. He alleged that the state was facing financial difficulties due to the Centre's policies. "The state is not receiving the benefits it deserves, with Rs 5

Centre asks Delhi to ramp up healthcare preps for pollution-triggered rush

The Union Health Ministry has asked Delhi and its neighbouring states to make necessary healthcare preparations to deal with any rush of patients triggered by poor air quality that may worsen in the upcoming festive season. In a letter to the health departments of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan this week, Director General of Health Services Atul Goel said air pollution not only accounts for acute illnesses but also precipitates exacerbation of chronic illnesses of respiratory, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. "The consequences are graver for vulnerable population such as children, pregnant women, older people, those with pre-existing illnesses, and those exposed due to their occupations such as those involved in traffic policing and municipality work, etc.," Dr Goel said and urged the state authorities for necessary healthcare preparedness. This would require increased allocation of beds, stock updates on medicines and equipment related to case ...

Govt extends date for submitting claims under Vivad se Vishwas to Dec 31

The finance ministry on Thursday extended the deadline by two months till December 31 for submitting claims to settle pending disputes relating to government contracts. The Vivad se Vishwas II scheme was launched on July 15 to settle disputes in government contracts and the last date for submitting claims by contractors was October 31. In an office memorandum, the Department of Expenditure said lt has been decided that the claims under the Vivad se Vishwas II scheme can now be submitted till December 31, 2023. The scheme is applicable to all domestic contractual disputes where one of the parties is either the government of India or government undertakings. Under the scheme, for court awards passed on or before April 30, 2023 the settlement amount offered to the contractor will be up to 85 per cent of the net amount awarded/upheld by the court. For arbitral awards passed on or before January 31, 2023, the settlement amount offered is up to 65 per cent of the net amount ...

Govt to send flying squads to monitor farm fires in Haryana, Punjab: Report

The Centre will dispatch flying squads to Punjab and Haryana to monitor stubble burning incidents and submit daily reports, government sources said on Thursday. This decision was made at a meeting chaired by the cabinet secretary on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by chief secretaries and other senior officials from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi, as well as the Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM) and secretaries from the ministries of environment, agriculture, housing and urban affairs, and power. During the meeting, the Cabinet Secretary directed the Punjab administration to take effective actions to prevent further stubble burning in the remaining days of this harvest season, the sources said. District magistrates, senior superintendents of police, and station house officers have been instructed to ensure there is no further stubble burning. The CAQM has been tasked with deploying flying squads to Punjab and Haryana and submitting daily reports

Centre taking steps to promote AYUSH system of medicine: MoS Mahendrabhai

Union Minister of State for Ayush Munjpara Mahendrabhai on Wednesday said the Centre is taking steps for the promotion and propagation of the Ayush system of medicine in the country. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has made significant progress in reinventing the proven benefits of the traditional system of medicine to enrich the quality of lives of the people, he said. Our traditional medicine systems are efficacious, Mahendrabhai, who was accompanied by Rajesh Kotecha, Special Secretary in the Ayush Ministry, said at a press conference here. Talking about the ministry's flagship National Ayush Mission (NAM) programme, he said it is being implemented with the vision to provide Ayush healthcare services throughout the country. The Ministry of Ayush is working on the operationalisation of 12,500 Ayush Health and Wellness Centres (AHWCs) under NAM by 2023-24, the minister said. Replying to a question, he said that modern and traditional medicine

Centre releases tax devolution to states early citing festive season

The lowest devolution for the month of November is to Goa and Sikkim at Rs 281 crore and Rs 283.10 crore