Page 24 - Centre

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

Govt-appointed panel likely to talk need for 'stricter' start-up rules

A government-appointed panel is likely to discuss whether there is a need for a stricter regulatory regime for startups against the backdrop of instances of corporate governance concerns at some of the entities, according to an official. Startups are generally small and there needs to be a balancing when it comes to regulations for them, the official said and added that ease of doing business as well as a compliance-oriented regulatory regime should be ensured. The Company Law Committee (CLC), which was set up by the corporate affairs ministry back in September 2019, is likely to look into various aspects of the regulatory regime for startups, the official told PTI recently. The standing panel, which is headed by the corporate affairs secretary, has government officials, representatives from the industry and experts, among others as members. It broadly looks at the effective implementation of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) Act, 2008 as well as ..

Centre sanctions upgradation of 91 roads, 30 bridges in Arunachal: Rijiju

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said the Centre has sanctioned the upgradation of 91 roads covering a length of 720.75 kilometres and 30 long-span bridges in Arunachal Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. In a statement, Rijiju, the minister of earth sciences, said the total estimated cost of these projects is Rs 757.58 crore. Emphasising on the early completion of these projects sanctioned by the Union Rural Development Ministry, he said this development work would improve rural connectivity in 500 habitations in various districts such as Changlang, Dibang Valley, East Kameng, East Siang, Kamle, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, Lepa Rada, Lohit, Longding and Lower Dibang Valley. Residents of Lower Siang, Lower Subansiri, Namsai, Pakke Kessang, Papum Pare, Siang, Tawang, Tirap, Upper Siang, Upper Subansiri, West Kameng and West Siang districts will get benefit from these projects, he said. "More development projects will come up over the next five years, Rijiju ...

Centre should consider lowering TCS on overseas tour package: Report

The government should consider lowering TCS on overseas tour packages and allow foreign cruise vessels to operate on Indian waters besides other steps to increase outbound tourism, a report said on Sunday. The report titled "Unlock the Potential: A Look into Outbound Tourism", drafted by Nangia Andersen LLP in collaboration with FICCI said that India's outbound tourism market is projected to rise by 11.4 per cent CAGR between 2023 and 2032. The growth in the Indian travel and tourism industry is driven by a combination of rising income levels and changing lifestyles, development of diverse tourism offerings and policy and regulatory support by the government authorities, it added. The report suggested a few measures that the government may implement to support this expanding sector, including rolling back TCS (Tax Collected at Source), enhancing opportunities for partnership with foreign countries, collaboration with airlines, and allowing foreign cruise vessels to operate on Indian

AIIMS-Delhi got Rs 23 cr from Centre in 5 yrs for rare diseases: RTI reply

The AIIMS-Delhi received more than Rs 23 crore in funding from the Centre for treatment of rare diseases in the last five years, according to information received through RTI Act. Overall the Centre has released around Rs 90 crore in funds to several Centres of Excellence (CoE) for treatment of rare diseases since 2019, the information received under the Right to Information (RTI) Act showed. The Delhi All India Institute of Medical Sciences, or AIIMS, one of the eight CoE for treatment of rare diseases in the country, said it received Rs 1 crore in 2019, nil in 2020, Rs 4.10 crore in 2021, Rs 7.12 crore in 2022, and Rs 10.93 crore in 2023. The Department of Health and Family Welfare said as per records maintained in the Rare Disease Cell, the government released Rs 1.30 crore in 2019-20, Rs 10 crore in 2020-21, Rs 3.15 crore in 2021-21, Rs 34.99 crore in 2022-23, and Rs 40 crore in 2023-24 (till date). The RTI query was filed by Noida-based social activist Amit Gupta. According t

IIM amendment bill proposing power to Prez triggers autonomy debate

A new amendment bill of the Centre that proposes the President will be Visitor to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) with powers to audit their functioning, order probes and appoint as well as remove directors, has triggered an "autonomy" debate for the prestigious B-schools. The bill to amend the IIM Act of 2017 was introduced in Lok Sabha last Friday amid disruptions by opposition members over the Manipur violence. While the Congress has alleged that PMO wants to maintain the tightest possible control and ensure "ideological purity", the IIMs are concerned about the amendment taking away their autonomy rather than just fixing accountability. "IIMs were given greater autonomy in 2017 and the legislation had wide support in Parliament. But six years later the Modi government is undoing what it itself had introduced. Clearly, autonomy is unwelcome for this government," Congress General Secretary and MP Jairam Ramesh said. "The PMO now wants to maintain the tightest possible

Govt committed to providing affordable health facilities: Mandaviya

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is committed to providing affordable and accessible health facilities to the people of the country, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said here on Saturday. Mandaviya addressed the seventh meeting of the Central Institute Body (CIB) of AIIMS and Chintan Shivir at the National Institute for Health and Family Welfare during the day, a health ministry statement said. The CIB is the highest decision-making body of all AIIMS for finance, infrastructure, vacancy, recruitment, enforcement of policies, challenges and procurement. The agenda of Saturday's meeting was to review the compliance of decisions taken in earlier CIB meetings, the statement said. Addressing the gathering, the Union health minister said, "Chintan Shivir has provided a platform to hold discussions with higher officials and experts, which will help in evolving better practices of premier health institutions like AIIMS." "Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is commi

Was Centre sleeping till now: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury during Manipur visit

A team of the opposition bloc INDIA on Saturday visited the riot-hit town of Churachandpur in Manipur where they met Kuki leaders and members of the civil society besides ethnic strife victims in the relief camps where they were lodged. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told reporters after visiting a relief camp, "They are talking of investigation by CBI (into the crimes committed)... I would like to ask were they (central government) sleeping till now?" TMC leader Sushmita Dev said the team will speak with representatives of both the communities. "Everyone's voice must be heard. We will be talking to both Kukis and Meiteis," she said. A delegation of 21 MPs from the opposition bloc INDIA reached Imphal earlier in the day and then teams from the delegation flew to Churachandpur in two helicopter flights. The team led by Chowdhury visited a relief camp set up at the Boys Hostel of Churachandpur College. Another team, comprising Congress' deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gog

Work on proposed PM MITRA Park gains pace in Madhya Pradesh: Officials

While the state government will have a 51 per cent stake in the SPV, the Centre will hold 49 per cent. The state signed the memorandum of understanding with the Centre on May 21

20 national waterways being developed for cargo, passenger movement: Centre

The government is developing 20 of the 26 national waterways found viable for cargo and passenger movement, the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said that 26 of the existing 111 waterways in the country have been found viable for cargo and passenger movement. For the development of inland water transport in the country, 111 waterways -- including five existing and 106 new ones -- spread over 24 states have been declared national waterways under the National Waterways Act, 2016, Sonowal said. "On the basis of outcome of techno-economic feasibility study and detailed project report of these national waterways, an action plan has been formulated for 26 of them, which were found viable for cargo and passenger movement. At present, development initiatives have been taken up for 20 of these," Sonowal said in a written reply.

Women account for nearly 49% of beneficiaries of AB-PMJAY: Centre

The Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has made a conscious effort to put women at the centre of the national conversation on health which has ensured their equal participation in it, the government informed Lok Sabha on Friday. In a written reply to a question, Union Minister of State for Health S P Singh Baghel said women account for approximately 49 per cent of Ayushman card recipients. Further, 141 health benefit packages under the health insurance scheme are exclusively earmarked for women, he said. Correspondingly, utilisation of scheme services by women stands at approximately 48 per cent of the total authorised hospital admissions, he said. A total of 4.78 crore and 9.22 crore Ayushman cards were created during 2019-20 and 2022-23, respectively, Baghel said in reply to a separate question. He added the number of Ayushman cards has significantly increased over the last years. Under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the government

ADB, Centre sign $200 mn loan for expanding urban services in Rajasthan

The central government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday signed a USD 200 million loan as additional financing for the ongoing Rajasthan Secondary Towns Development Sector Project. The additional financing will support the Rajasthan government in reducing basic infrastructure gaps in its secondary towns by expanding water supply and sanitation services and improving livability in selected urban local bodies, the finance ministry said in a statement. The project will incorporate various innovative and climate-resilient solutions for expanding basic urban services and incorporate nature-based solutions to rehabilitate heritage structures besides piloting public-private partnerships in the state's water and sanitation sector to deepen private sector engagement, the statement said. A total of 1,451 km of water supply pipes, 1,110 km of sewer pipes have been laid as part of the ongoing project, which was approved in September 2020, while 68,098 households have been connected

Sex ratio at birth improves by 15 points to 933 in 2022-23: Centre

The sex ratio at birth has improved by 15 points from 918 in 2014-15 to 933 in 2022-23 in the country, Union minister Smriti Irani told the Lok Sabha on Friday. Responding to a question in the Lower House of Parliament, the women and child development minister said the 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' scheme has stirred up collective consciousness towards changing the mindset of the public to acknowledge the rights of the girl child. "The scheme has raised concerns around the issue of declining CSR (child sex ratio) in India. This is reflected in the improvement of the sex ratio at birth (SRB) by 15 points at the national level, that is, from 918 in 2014-15 to 933 in 2022-23," she said in a written response. The sex ratio at birth for a given population, over a time period, is the ratio of the number of male live births to the number of female live births in the population, scaled to a denominator of 100.

Over 1,550 street children rescued so far this year: Govt in Lok Sabha

Over 1,550 street children were rescued from across the country so far this year, the government said on Friday. Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) rescued 1,551 street children during spot field drives. After rescuing the street children, the NCPCR produced them before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of their respective areas and ensured they were rehabilitated, Irani said. The NCPCR is in the process of identifying the rescued children, the WCD minister said, adding that so far 24 states have shared information on the hotspots where homeless children were found in higher numbers.