Page 23 - Centre

Centre mulls minor tweaking in PLI scheme, aims to boost manufacturing

Discussions underway regarding the potential need for slight alterations to the production-linked incentive scheme to improve its execution

Centre gives nod to change of names of four villages, 1 railway station

The central government has given its nod to change the name of a railway station in Odisha and four villages, three of whom belong to Rajasthan, officials said. The no objection certificate (NOC) has been given to change the name of revenue village "Khimawaton ka Khera" as "Khimsinghji ka Khera" in Kanod tehsil of Udaipur district, "Bengti Kala" village as "Bengti Harbuji' in Phalodi tehsil in Jodhpur district and "Bhundvaa" village as "Bhandavpura" in Sayla tehsil in Jalore district. All these villages belong to Rajasthan. The NOC has also been given to the change of name of 'Amanullapur' village as Jamuna Nagar in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur district. The home ministry gave its nod to change of name of "Ratnagiri Road railway station" as "Udayagiri-Ratnagiri Road railway station" in Haridaspur-Paradip, in Khordha division in Odisha. The home ministry gives its consent to the change of name of any place or station after taking no-objections from the Ministry of Railways, Department o

DPIIT to help states simplify provisions to facilitate ease of business

The Centre will help states in simplification, rationalisation or decriminalisation of provisions with a view to promoting ease of doing business and living in the country, a top government official said on Thursday. Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Rajesh Kumar Singh said that Parliament passed a bill which seeks to promote ease of business by decriminalising minor offences through amendments in 183 provisions of 42 Acts. "We will do this in the future as well...We intend to follow with an inter-ministerial working group which will look at other provisions where further simplification, rationalisation or decriminalisation is possible and we are intending to do the same exercise at the state level by providing guidance to the states as well," he told reporters here. He said that there will be many more rounds of this exercise with the overall objective of promoting ease of doing business and ease of living. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment

Centre asks e-commerce platforms to stick to their business model

Draft e-commerce policy to be out in few weeks; stakeholder consultation process-led by Goyal held

MTNL, BSNL subscribers dropped due to lack of full-scale 4G: Centre

Government-owned telecom service providers MTNL and BSNL have seen a decline in the number of subscribers in the past three years because of "stiff competition" in the sector as well as lack of 4G services on a full scale, Parliament was informed on Wednesday. Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan in a written reply to the Lok Sabha said following a financial relief package from the Centre, BSNL and MTNL have been operationally profitable since 2020-21. "The reasons for decline in subscribers are lack of 4G services on a full scale and stiff competition in the telecom sector. In line with Atmanirbhar initiative of the government, BSNL has issued purchase orders for one lakh sites to roll out 4G services all over India in the next 18-24 months," Chauhan said. MTNL had 32.96 lakh subscribers for its wireless services in 2021, which declined 29 per cent to 23.5 lakh subscribers as of March 2023, according to the reply. BSNL also saw its subscriber count declining 12.6

SC directs Centre, states to ensure peaceful rallies against Nuh violence

The Supreme Court directed the authorities to video record the rallies held by VHP and Bajrang Dal in sensitive areas and preserve the footages

Govt forms panel to suggest ways to rationalising, right-sizing ICAR

The government has constituted a high level committee to suggest ways for rationalising and right-sizing of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). In a written reply to Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar replied in the affirmative when asked whether the government has constituted a high powered committee to restructure the ICAR to make the organisation stronger. The 11-member panel is chaired by Additional Secretary (Department of Agricultural Research & Education) and Secretary, Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The Terms of Reference (TOR) of the committee is to make recommendations for rationalisation and right-sizing of ICAR to transform it into a more dynamic, lean and efficient organisation, the minister informed.

Centre extends PM crop insurance scheme registration deadline: Official

The Centre has extended the deadline for registration under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), with the last date for farmers in Uttar Pradesh to enrol themselves being pushed to August 10, state officials said on Tuesday. The central government had earlier set July 31 as the last date for registration under the PMFBY but some states had urged it to extend the deadline so that more farmers could join the scheme, they said. In Uttar Pradesh, the deadline for registration under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY) has been extended till August 10, a senior official of the UP Agriculture Department told PTI. According to an official of the Union Agriculture Ministry, the last date of registration under PMFBY has been extended to August 3 in Maharashtra, August 5 in Odisha and Assam, August 10 in UP and Rajasthan, August 15 in Goa, August 16 in Manipur, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The deadline has also been extended to August 7 in Meghalaya for ginger producers, the

Current law enough against GST evasion by offshore gaming platforms: FinMin

The finance ministry on Tuesday said there are sufficient enforcement provisions in GST laws to take action against offshore gaming platforms, which default in paying taxes. The GST Council on July 11 decided that online gaming is an actionable claim, like the lottery, on which a 28 per cent tax is to be levied. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary informed the Lok Sabha that some representations have been received from stakeholders that the council's decision will prompt online gaming platforms to shift to offshore locations. "Sufficient enforcement provisions exist to take action against offshore platforms, which do not pay prescribed GST," Chaudhary said in a written reply. The GST Council's decision to levy a 28 per cent tax on the full face value of bets on online gaming companies is based on the recommendation of a Group of Ministers (GoM) on the issue. The council is scheduled to meet virtually on Wednesday to decide on the manner in which the supply value will be

Govt mobilises Rs 5.77 trn by issuing dated securities till Jul 31: FM

The government has mobilised a gross amount of Rs 5.77 lakh crore by issuing dated securities in the current financial year up to July 31, 2023, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday. It has raised a net amount of Rs 4.18 lakh crore through the instrument in the same period. Government borrowing is done through various sources, including dated securities, treasury bills, external loans and state provident funds. The central government has planned to raise net debt resources of Rs 17.99 lakh crore from various sources in 2023-24, mainly to finance its fiscal deficit, the finance minister said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. "This amount is about 40 per cent of the total net size of the Union Budget 2023-24 of Rs 45.03 lakh crore," she said. The government plans a gross market borrowing of Rs 15.4 lakh crore from dated securities in FY24. This is higher than the total borrowing of Rs 14.21 lakh crore in FY23. She said that borrowing by entities like the Nationa

Centre rolls out mandatory quality norms for smart meters, welding rods

The government on Tuesday said it has issued mandatory quality norms for smart meters and welding rods to curb the import of sub-standard goods and boost domestic manufacturing of these products. A notification in this regard was issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on July 14. These items cannot be produced, sold/traded, imported and stocked unless they bear the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark, the notification stated. Now, manufacturing, storing and sale of non-BIS certified products are prohibited as per the BIS Act, 2016. Violation of the provision of the BIS Act can attract imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of at least Rs 2 lakh for the first offence. In case of second and subsequent offences, the fine will increase to a minimum of Rs 5 lakh and extend up to 10 times the value of goods or articles. "These recently notified two new QCOs for smart meters and welding rods and electrodes will come into force from six months

427,000 undertrial prisoners lodged in jails as on Dec 31, 2021: Centre

As many as 4.27 lakh undertrial prisoners were lodged in jails in different parts of the country as on December 31, 2021, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Kumar Mishra said the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles prison statistics reported to it by the states and Union Territories and publishes the same in its annual publication 'Prison Statistics India'. The latest published report is of 2021, the minister said. A total of 4,27,165 undertrial prisoners were lodged in the jails of the country as on December 31, 2021, he said in a written reply to a question. The minister said strengthening the criminal justice system, including making any new law on a subject and revision of relevant provisions in the Code of Criminal Procedure, etc., including on matters related to grant of bail, is a continuous process undertaken by the government from time to time. The Government of India has already initiated the process of a comprehensive .

10 people declared fugitive economic offenders since 2018: Centre

Ten people, including liquor baron Vijay Mallya and diamond merchant Nirav Modi, have been declared as fugitive economic offenders by courts since 2018, Rajya Sabha was informed on Tuesday. The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA) was enacted by the Narendra Modi government in 2018 to crackdown on those who are charged with high-value economic frauds and abscond from the country to evade the law. Minister of State (MoS) for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, in a written reply, said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed FEOA applications against 19 people till now. Of them, he said, 10 people -- Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara, Chetan Jayantilal Sandesara, Dipti Chetan Jayantilal Sandesara, Hitesh Kumar Narendrabhai Patel, Junaid Iqbal Memon, Hajra Iqbal Memon, Asif Iqbal Memon and Ramachandran Vishwanathan -- have been declared as fugitive economic offenders by courts. The amount of "fraud involved in these cases is more than Rs 40,000 crore," Chaudhary said. A

Centre's debt stands at Rs 155.6 trn in March 2023, 57.1% of GDP

The central government's debt stood at Rs 155.6 lakh crore or 57.1 per cent of the GDP at the end of March 2023, Parliament was informed on Tuesday. "The Central Government's debt was Rs 155.6 lakh crore as on March 31, 2023. It has reduced from 61.5 per cent of GDP in 2020-21 to 57.1 per cent of GDP in FY 2022-23," Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. The debt of state governments at the end of 2022-23 is estimated to be about 28 per cent of GDP. Replying to another question, Chaudhary said the Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) in the Indian economy has increased from Rs. 45.41 lakh crore (constant 2011-12 prices) in 2018-19 to Rs 54.35 lakh crore in 2022-23 (Provisional Estimates). "The government is implementing the 'Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure' (2020-21 & 2021-22) and 'Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment' (2022-23 & 2023-24)," he said. The government ..

Centre in process of finalising SOP for safety of journalists: MoS Home

The central government is in the process of finalising a standard operating procedure for the safety and security of journalists, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the central government attaches the highest importance to the safety and security of all residents, including journalists and mediapersons. "(The) central government is in the process of finalising a standard operating procedure in this regard, in consultation with various agencies/stakeholders," he said in reply to a written question. Rai said the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued advisories to states and Union Territories from time to time to maintain law and order and ensure that any person who takes law into their own hands is punished promptly. He said an advisory specifically on the safety of journalists was issued to the states and the Union Territories on October 20, 2017, requesting them to strictly enforce the law to ensure safety and security of ...

Few different provisions in Delhi services bill from Centre's ordinance

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which was tabled in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, to replace an ordinance issued for transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government, will have few different provisions from that of the ordinance. However, the bill will have all major provisions of the ordinance, promulgated by the central government on May 19, a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi excluding police, public order and land to the elected government headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. In the bill, there is no mention about a provision incorporated in the ordinance that restricted the state assembly from enacting any law on 'services'. The bill will give the central government primacy over the Delhi government on appointment of officers belonging to the all India services and DANICS. But it dropped the provision, mentioned in the ordinance, under which the state assembly had no role in ...

Centre tables National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill in LS

The Union government on Tuesday tabled the contentious Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in the Lok Sabha, seeking to replace an ordinance related to the control of services in the national capital. The proposed legislation, which has brought the Delhi government and the Centre at loggerheads, empowers the Delhi Lieutenant Governor to have a final say in recommendations regarding the transfer and posting of Delhi government officials, received the nod of the Union Cabinet on July 25. Tabled by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, the legislation will reverse the effect of the Supreme Court verdict in May that gave the Delhi government power over administrative services. The Opposition has been protesting against the Ordinance since the beginning of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The Arvind Kejriwal-AAP government has challenged the ordinance in the Supreme Court. In the past couple of months, Kejriwal toured across the countr

Centre releases draft National Deep Tech Startup Policy on Monday

The government on Monday released the draft National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP) that spells out a nine-point programme to create a conducive ecosystem for the sector, which is crucial for enhancing India's capability and global competitiveness. A deep tech startup involves early-stage technologies based on scientific or engineering advancements, which are yet to be developed for any commercial applications. The draft NDTSP, released by the office of the principal scientific advisor to the government, has sought comments from the public by September 15. The draft NDTSP suggests necessary changes in nine policy areas such as nurturing research, development and innovation; strengthening the intellectual property regime; facilitating access to funding; enabling shared infrastructure and resource sharing; creating conducive regulations, standards, and certifications; attracting human resources and initiating capacity building; promoting procurement and adoption; ensuring policy and

No plan to give autonomy to the National Statistical Commission: Centre

In line with the Rangarajan Commission's recommendations on June 1, 2005, the Centre set up a NSC to serve as a nodal and empowered body for all core statistical activities of the country

Mizoram awaits govt's help to provide shelter to displaced Manipur citizens

The Mizoram government is still waiting for financial assistance from the Centre for providing shelter to over 12,600 people from ethnic strife-torn Manipur, a senior official said. Mizoram Home Commissioner and Secretary H Lalengmawia said that Chief Minister Zoramthanga had, in May, sought Rs 10 crore as an immediate relief package for those displaced people. "We have not received any assistance from the Centre so far. The state government has raised funds on its own to provide relief to internally displaced people from Manipur," Lalengmawia told PTI on Sunday. He hoped that the Centre would soon sanction funds for these people, who have taken shelter in Mizoram after the ethnic violence broke out in the neighbouring state on May 3. Lalengmawia also said the Mizoram administration has solicited donations from legislators, government employees, bankers and others. "We have completed the collection and I am yet to receive a report of the total collected amount," he said. Accordin