Page 3 - Centre

Govt is planning to sell 2-3% LIC stake in FY26, may seek extension

The LIC stake sale may be split into two rounds for better value, with the government likely to seek an extension if market conditions turn unfavourable

Centre expects record 115.43 mn tonnes wheat output in 2024-25 rabi season

At present, wheat prices in the Delhi mandis are ruling at around ₹3,000 per quintal, almost 24 per cent higher than the minimum support price (MSP) of ₹2,425 per quintal

Centre considers faculty sharing to tackle medical teachers' shortage

It is looking to convene a stakeholder consultation to finalise a roadmap for meeting faculty requirements and development in May this year

Centre to expand internet access to Arogya Mandirs, enhance CMO training

The MSG is the highest policy-making and steering institution under the NHM, providing broad policy direction and governance for the health sector

SC questions Centre over social media gag order without user notice

The Supreme Court has asked Centre to justify social media takedowns without user notice, stressing the need for due process before removing posts linked to identifiable individuals

Reducing fiscal deficit to around 3% of GDP difficult: Govt to IMF

The report further noted that both the IMF and the government saw a need for medium-term fiscal consolidation but considered targeting a more gradual pace of adjustment to be appropriate

Centre orders probe into Arvind Kejriwal's 'Sheesh Mahal' renovation costs

The Centre has launched a probe into alleged irregularities in the renovation of Arvind Kejriwal's 'Sheesh Mahal,' questioning whether government norms were bypassed

'Why only Amritsar?' Mann asks Centre over US deportation flight decision

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann questioned the Centre's decision to select Amritsar as the landing site, suggesting it was politically motivated

Soy, groundnut purchase deadline extended as prices remain below MSP

Extends deadline for soybean, groundnut procurement as prices stay below MSP

New setting, old demands: Centre, farmers to revive stalled discussions

With MSP talks set to resume this week, the Centre prepares to pitch assured pulses procurement - aligning with Budget policies - to protesting farmers

Govt depts engage contractual services as per their requirement: Centre

The Central government ministries or departments engage contractual services as per their requirement after completing all necessary procedural formalities, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday. The government's response came on a question "whether any rule has been framed or guidelines issued by DoPT (Department of Personnel and Training) for appointments in central government's ministries/departments, institutions and PSUs etc. on contractual basis". "The government posts are filled up in accordance with the recruitment rules. However, keeping in view the administrative exigency of work, efficiency and economy of operations and unavoidable circumstances, contractual appointments and outsourcing for services is also sometimes resorted to," Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in a written reply. The ministries/departments as per their requirement engage contractual services after completing all necessary procedural formalities, he said. In a separate reply

Nirmala Sitharaman set to script history today with 8th straight Budget

Nirmala Sitharaman became India's first full-time woman Finance Minister in 2019 after PM Modi's re-election. Since then, she has presented seven Union Budgets, including the 2024 interim one

Economic Survey: PPPs in infra projects need 'wholehearted acceptance'

EcoSurvey says PPP contract management and execution capacities need substantial improvement

Centre launches occupational shortage index to boost job opportunities

Additionally, the ministry launched the multilingual e-Shram microsite facility to ensure that unorganised workers have seamless access to both state and central government welfare programmes

Cabinet approves hike in ethanol procurement prices for state-run OMCs

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a rise in ethanol procurement price for Public Sector OMCs, setting it at Rs. 57.97 per liter for the 2024-25 EBP Program

Union Budget 2025-26: Ships likely to be granted infrastructure status

Inclusion in the harmonised master list of infrastructure sectors will allow developers in the sector access to infrastructure lending at easier terms

Chhattisgarh to open doors to 300,000 houses under PMAY-Gramin scheme

More than 847,000 houses have already been sanctioned under the scheme, said state government officials

Centre looking to expand network of stroke units, says health secy

The medtech industry is also looking for an opening in stroke care, with experts suggesting collaborations such as public-private partnerships (PPP)

Centre is not releasing sufficient funds to Tamil Nadu: State FM Thennarasu

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu on Sunday criticised the Centre for not releasing sufficient funds to the state despite the government's prudent management of its finances. He also claimed that the state's borrowings are within the limits prescribed by the Finance Commission. Minister for Finance and Environment & Climate Change said the comments made by AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami that the state finances are in the doldrums were wrong, and added that the opposition party leader should not make such comments in a public forum. "The 15th Finance Commission in 2021-22 prescribed the borrowing limit to 28 per cent but our borrowings were at 27.01 per cent and again in 2022-23, the Finance Commission prescribed 29.3 per cent but our borrowings were at 26.87 per cent, below the limit prescribed by the Commission," Thennarasu told reporters here. "Similarly for the year 2024-25, that is last year, the Finance Commission fixed the borrowings limit to ...

Centre amends norms to boost capex loans to states amid spending decline

The government aims to bridge the FY25 capex gap, with Rs 11.1 trillion budgeted but only Rs 5.13 trillion spent by November, marking a 12.3 per cent year-on-year decline