Page 26 - Centre

Govt nods Semiconductor Lab modernisation as brownfield chip making unit

The government has approved the modernisation of the Semiconductor Laboratory as a brownfield chip manufacuring unit, Parliament was informed on Friday. Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a writtten reply to the Rajya Sabha said that till date only one proposal of Micron Technology Inc for setting up a semiconductor ATMP unit in India with a capital investment of Rs 22,516 crore (USD 2.75 Billion) has been approved. "Government has also approved modernisation of Semiconductor Laboratory, Mohali as a brownfield Fab," the minister said. In response to a separate question if steps taken by the government will lead to a decline in import of semiconductor, Chandrasekhar said that Micron Technology Inc's ATMP has been approved in the month of June 2023 and the company has projected construction period of 18 months. "Hence decline in imports may not be expected in near term," Chandrasekhar said.

Chinese mobile cos evade Rs 9,000 cr in tax in India, Rs 1,629 cr recovered

Chinese smartphone makers, including Oppo Mobile, Vivo India and Xiaomi Technology, have been found evading taxes worth Rs 9,000 crore in India, Parliament was informed on Friday. Data shared by the Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Rajya Sabha showed tax evasion of around Rs 9,000 crore, comprising customs duty and GST, has been detected between 2018-19 and 2022-23. The government has recovered Rs 1,629.87 crore from the companies during the period. According to the data, Oppo Mobile India Pvt Ltd has been found evading Rs 5,086 crore in taxes which includes Rs 4,403 crore in customs duty and Rs 683 crore in the form of GST. Vivo has evaded taxes worth Rs 2,923.25 crore comprising Rs 2,875 crore in customs duty and Rs 48.25 crore in GST, according to the written reply by Chandrasekhar. Tax evasion of Rs 851.14 crore has been detected in the case of Xiaomi Technology India Pvt Ltd comprising Rs 682.51 crore in customs duty and Rs 168.63 crore in ...

Action taken against pharma cos following reports of deaths abroad: Centre

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation in coordination with state authorities initiated action against pharma companies following reports of deaths and injuries due to their substandard drugs in the Gambia and Uzbekistan, the government informed Lok Sabha on Friday. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade has issued a notification on May 22 this year for amendment in the export policy of cough syrups, making it compulsory for manufacturers to get certificate of analysis from a government-approved laboratory before exporting their products with effect from June 1, Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar said in a written reply. Responding to a question, Pawar said that subsequent to reports from Sri Lanka, Gambia and Uzbekistan, the CDSCO in coordination with state drug controllers carried out joint investigations at the manufacturing units of the cough syrups and drugs in question. After deaths of children were reported in the Gambia, the CDSCO in coordination wi

Centre-run hospitals asked to prescribe generic medicines only: Mandaviya

The government aims to open 10,000 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) by March to improve the common man's access to generic medicines, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told the Lok Sabha on Friday. Till June 30, 9,512 PMBJKs have been opened across the country. The Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 prescribes that every physician should prescribe drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters, he said in a written response to a question in the House. The Directorate General of Health Services has directed all Centre-run hospitals to prescribe generic medicines only. Similar instructions also have been issued to all CGHS doctors and wellness centres. Under the free drug initiative of the National Health Mission (NHM), support is provided for provision of essential generic drugs free of cost in public health facilities. In order to promote the PMBJP scheme, the Department of Pharmaceuti

Centre asks Twitter to take down Manipur video under Section 69A

Social media platforms have been asked to take down the video as it could further disrupt the law and order situation in the state

Over 463,000 recruited in govt jobs in 5 years: Centre tells Parliament

More than 4.63 lakh candidates have been recruited in government jobs in the five years till March this year, Parliament was informed on Thursday. "Total candidates recommended by UPSC, SSC and RRBs from 01.04.2018 to 31.03.2023 including SCs, STs and OBCs are 4,63,205. Apart from this, SSC and RRBs have recommended 1,03,196 candidates for appointment in the 1st quarter of 2023-24," Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha. The government has issued the instructions to all ministries and departments for timely filling up of vacant posts, he said. "Rozgaar melas being organised by government of India are expected to act as catalyst in filling up of all vacant posts," Singh said. In another reply, the minister said that filling up of vacant posts in various ministries and departments is a continuous process. "Rozgar mela is expected to act as a catalyst in further employment and self-employment generation and provide gainful service

Centre says 37 passengers placed on 'No Fly List' this year till July 15

The civil aviation ministry on Thursday said 37 passengers have been placed in the 'No Fly List' this year till July 15, and the action was taken mainly for not wearing masks or for not obeying the instructions of crew members. In recent times, there has been an increase in the number of incidents involving unruly air passengers. Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh told the Lok Sabha that a total of 63 passengers were placed in the 'No Fly List' during the year 2022 for varying periods as recommended by an airline's internal committee. "In 2023, 37 passengers have been placed in "No Fly List" upto 15.07.2023. The majority of the passengers placed in 'No Fly List' were for violation related to not wearing masks or not obeying the instructions of the crew members," he said in a written reply. To a query on whether the government plans to widen the ambit of the powers of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to tackle such incidents, the minister replied in the ..

Row over services: HC refuses to entertain plea against Centre's ordinance

The Delhi High Court Thursday refused to entertain a plea challenging the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, promulgated by the Central Government. A bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula noted that the issue of challenging the constitutional validity of the ordinance is already pending before the Supreme Court and granted liberty to the petitioner to approach the apex court. "Will the Supreme Court and the high court hear the same matter? You approach the Supreme Court," the bench said. The high court allowed the petitioner to withdraw the petition. "It is noticed that the challenge to the constitutional validity in respect of such ordinance is pending before the Supreme Court and the matter is listed today. "The petitioner seeks withdrawal of the petition with a liberty to moved an appropriate application in the pending matter. The writ petition is disposed of as withdrawn with the liberty," the bench

31 bills to be introduced in Lok Sabha in the monsoon session of Parliament

The government is likely to discuss a total of 31 bills in the monsoon session of Parliament, including bills that have already been introduced in the lower house

Delhi govt's challenge to Centre's ordinance referred to constitution bench

The Supreme Court Thursday referred to a constitution bench for adjudication the Delhi government's petition against the Centre's recent ordinance taking away the control of services from the city dispensation. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices P S Narasimha and Manoj Misra said the detailed order referring the case to a larger bench will be uploaded on the apex court website later in the day. We will refer it to the constitution bench, the bench said after hearing brief submissions advanced by senior advocates Harish Salve, Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and the Delhi government respectively. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared on behalf of the Centre. The top court had recently issued notices to the Centre and the lieutenant governor on the plea while refusing to grant an interim stay on the ordinance on control over services in Delhi. The Centre had on May 19 promulgated the Government of National Capital Territory

BJP 'Brijbhushan Janata Party', Centre be held accountable for Manipur: AAP

Terming the BJP as "Brijbhushan Janata Party'', the AAP on Thursday said the Centre should be held accountable for the alleged parading naked of two women in violence-hit Manipur. Addressing a press conference here, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar demanded strict action against the perpetrators and questioned the delay in identifying them. "Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the incident and said he was full of anger. Manipur has witnessed violence for nearly 77 days. Why did it take so long so to express this anger?" she asked. Tension mounted in the hills of Manipur after a May 4 video surfaced on Wednesday showing two women from one of the warring communities in the state being paraded naked by a mob from the other side. Kakkar said the BJP-led Centre should be held accountable for the incident "After the video surfaced, police issued a statement that an FIR has been registered and they are trying to identify the accused. In the video that

Centre to act against Twitter on video of Manipur women being paraded naked

In the horrific video, two women are seen being paraded naked and molested by a group of men, who then drags them to a field. The women were allegedly gang-raped later

Union Cabinet gives nod to Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill that seeks to do away with the provision for prosecution and imprisonment of publishers and simplify the registration process for periodicals. The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill will replace the Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867 that governs the registration of print and publishing industry in the country. The new Bill seeks to provide a simple online system for registration of periodicals with the Registrar of Newspapers for India. "The aim of the Bill is to bring transparency and ease of doing business. It will provide for a process which is simple through an online system without human interface. The step will help small and medium publishers," a senior official said. The Bill also seeks to do away with two provisions that required the publishers and printers to file a declaration before the district magistrate. It also seeks to do away with the penal provisions of th

Union Cabinet approves recommendations of Parl panel on Mediation Bill

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved amendments to the Mediation Bill including reducing the maximum timeline for completing mediation proceedings from 360 to 180 days. The official amendments to the law ministry bill are likely to be tabled in the Monsoon session of Parliament beginning Thursday. The Mediation Bill, 2021 was introduced in Rajya Sabha in December 2021. Later it was referred to the parliamentary committee on law and personnel which gave its report. The official amendments cleared by the cabinet are based largely on the recommendations made by the parliamentary panel, sources said. Under the other key recommendation of the panel accepted by the government, pre-litigation mediation has been made voluntary instead of mandatory. According to the bill pending in the upper house, compulsory pre-litigation mediation in matters of civil or commercial disputes has been provided for before parties approach a court or tribunals. In case of exceptional circumstances, a pa

Govt reduces price of subsidised tomato to Rs 70 from Rs 80 per kg

The Union government has reduced prices of subsidised tomatoes to Rs 70 per kilogramme from Thursday from Rs 80 per kg now to provide relief to common man from high retail prices. The Centre is selling tomatoes to people at a subsidised rate of Rs 80 a kg in Delhi-NCR and some other key cities through the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED). The all-India average retail prices of tomatoes is ruling at nearly 120 per kg, although the key kitchen item is selling as high as Rs 245 per kg at some places. In the national capital, the rate has come down to Rs 120 per kg. "The Department of Consumer Affairs has directed NCCF and NAFED to sell tomatoes at retail price of Rs 70 per kg rate from July 20, 2023 in view of the declining trend in tomato prices," an official statement said. The tomatoes procured by NCCF and NAFED had been retailed, initially, at Rs 90 per kg and then reduced to

Govt to hold stakeholder talks for ACC battery PLI scheme on July 24

"The new bids proposal is in the final stages. Industry consultations will happen on July 24," said top government officials, adding, "The fresh tender is likely in the first half of next month"

Centre rolls out mandatory quality norms for insulated flask, bottles

The government on Wednesday said it has issued mandatory quality norms for insulated flask, bottles and containers with a view to containing import of the 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 - resin-treated compressed wood laminates and insulated flask, bottles and containers for domestic use - under the quality control orders (QCO), cannot be produced, sold/traded, imported and stocked unless they bear the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) mark. Now, manufacturing, storing and sale of non-BIS certified products are prohibited as per the BIS Act, 2016. The violation of the provision of the BIS Act can attract a penalty of 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 Rs 5 lakh minimum and extend up to ten

Odisha being neglected, not given enough funds by Centre: Naveen Patnaik

Odisha is facing constant neglect in transfer of state share and central funds, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik

Health min moots Centre, state be empowered to regulate drugs, cosmetics

The Union Health Ministry has mooted that either the Centre or state authorities be empowered to regulate the manufacture of drugs and cosmetics, changing its earlier proposal of allowing only the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to do so. As of now, all manufacturing activities relating to drugs and cosmetics are regulated by only the state governments through their drug control organisations, official sources told PTI. The draft bill also mentions that the Central government may regulate, restrict or prohibit selling, stocking, exhibiting or offering sale or distribution of any drug online by notification. The latest draft of the New Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2023, which seeks to replace the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940, is yet to be approved by the Cabinet. It, however, features among the 21 key bills that are on the agenda for the Monsoon session of Parliament. The latest version of the draft bill states, "No person shall himself or by an

Centre starts process to refund Rs 5,000 cr to investors of 4 Sahara Group

The Centre on Tuesday started the process to refund Rs 5,000 crore of depositors whose funds are struck in four cooperative societies of Sahara Group, a move that is likely to help crores of small investors awaiting return of their hard-earned savings. On March 29, the government had said money will be returned to 10 crore investors of the four cooperative societies within 9 months. The announcement followed a Supreme Court order directing transfer of Rs 5,000 crore from Sahara-Sebi refund account to the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS). Launching a 'CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal' to facilitate the refund, Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said: "The process of returning the amount of Rs 5,000 crore to the investors is starting today in a transparent manner on a trial basis. This is beginning of refund of monies to the depositors (of Sahara Group)". He further said after the completion of Rs 5,000 crore payment, another appeal will be made in the Supreme Court to return th