Page 33 - Centre

Delhi ordinance row: Arvind Kejriwal to meet Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday

As part of his efforts to drum up opposition support for fight against Centre over an ordinance on the control of administrative services, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will meet Uddhav Thackeray today

Kerala's midday meal 'improbable', joint team to examine reality: Centre

The Centre has decided to form a joint team of officials from the Ministry of Education and the Kerala government to examine the "improbable" claims made by the state about almost 100 per cent of enrolled students in primary availing mid-day meal on a daily basis in 2022-23. The issue was flagged during a meeting of the Programme Approval Board (PAB) of the PM POSHAN scheme, formerly known as the mid-day meal scheme. Earlier this year also, the Centre had constituted a 'joint review mission' (JRM) on the implementation of the centrally sponsored scheme PM POSHAN in West Bengal following similar complaints of alleged irregularities. All 14 districts in Kerala had claimed that 100 per cent students in the Bal Vatika (below class 1) primary section have been receiving mid-day meals. "PAB observed that in the districts as mentioned in the above tables, almost 100 pc of the enrolled children in the primary have been shown as availed school meal on all working days. "This seems highly

CAG team holds meeting with central ministries to identify systemic issues

A team of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on Tuesday held a brainstorming session with senior officers of central ministries with a view to facilitating the identification of systemic issues and potential areas for improvement. The CAG team was headed by Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General (Report Central) Rakesh Mohan. The interactive session was held with a view to enhancing synergy to foster a constructive relationship, facilitating the identification of systemic issues, financial irregularities, and potential areas for improvement, CAG said in a statement. Addressing the participants, Mohan stated that while the traditional role of audit has been to scrutinise executive actions, there is a growing acknowledgement that there is also space for a level of synergy between the C&AG and the executive. By working hand in hand, the C&AG and the executive can address deficiencies and enhance governance mechanisms, leading to the effective and judicious utilization of ...

Kejriwal meets Mamata to garner support for fight against Central ordinance

As part of a nationwide tour to garner support for his fight against the Centre's ordinance on control of services in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal along with his party's CM for Punjab Bhagwant Mann met their West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Tuesday. They were accompanied by AAP leaders Raghav Chadha and Atishi Singh. The off-camera meeting is expected to last several hours. The meeting between the leaders is expected to discuss the central ordinance setting up a National Capital Civil Service Authority which essentially overturns a Supreme Court order last week giving control of services, excluding those related to police, public order and land, to the elected government in Delhi. Sources in the chief minister's secretariat here also said the two sides are expected to discuss the 2024 national elections and the possibility of forging opposition unity. Before starting on the journey for Kolkata, Kejriwal had tweeted, "Today, I am starting my journey aro

Upcoming Digital India Act to curb high-risk AI, misinformation: Centre

The Centre said that upcoming Digital India Act (DIA) will strictly deal with misinformation and 'high-risk AI' to prevent user harm, and first draft of the Bill is expected by the first week of June

Cong likely to oppose bill to replace Centre's ordinance on Delhi Services

The Congress is likely to oppose in Parliament a bill, when it is brought, that will seek to replace a Union government Ordinance on Delhi's Services matters, sources said Monday, as the party asked the Centre to honour the Supreme Court order that transfer of bureaucrats is in the domain of the city's elected government. Senior Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said his party welcomed the Supreme Court decision when it came last week. "Today too, we have the same view that the SC decision was right. The Constitution bench has given a detailed judgement on the Delhi issue and the government should honour that," he told reporters when asked about the Ordinance. Sources in the party, meanwhile, said the Congress may oppose the bill when the government brings it in Parliament to replace the Ordinance that essentially upturn the Supreme Court verdict. Sharma said the government has brought an ordinance as well as sought a review of the May 11 judgement. "It is very clear that the ...

Vaping ban: Centre issues public notice for stricter implementation of Act

With e-cigarettes easily available online and at tobacco shops despite a ban, the Union Health Ministry has issued a public notice for stricter implementation of the Act which prohibits manufacture, sale and advertisements of electronic cigarettes. The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act came into force in 2019. The ministry has directed all producers, manufacturers, importers, exporters, distributors, advertisers, transporters including couriers, social media websites, online shopping websites, shopkeepers/retailers etc. not to directly or indirectly produce or manufacture or import or export or transport or sell or distribute or store e-cigarettes, whether as a complete product or any part thereof. In the notice issued recently it has also asked them not to advertise electronic cigarettes or take part in an advertisement that directly or indirectly promotes the use of electroni

Centre plans to make Chhattisgarh's Gevra Asia's largest coal mine

The Gevra Mega project is currently the largest coal-producing mine in India and is in second position in the Asia-pacific region

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EV buyers to get smaller batteries, less features as Centre cuts subsidy

The Centre recently announced a reduction in FAME II subsidy on electric two-wheelers to Rs 10,000 per kWh from Rs 15,000 per kWh and the maximum subsidy cap of 40 per cent to 15 per cent

Centre considering testing drugs at govt laboratories before exporting

Amid quality issues being raised globally for the cough syrups exported by Indian firms, the Centre is actively considering a proposal of testing drugs at government laboratories before they are dispatched to other countries. The apex drug regulatory authority, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has proposed testing the drugs (finished products) at government labs before exporting, official sources said. According to the proposal, exporters will have to produce the certificate of analysis of the batches issued by authorised laboratories after which only the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) will clear the release of the consignment for export. The analysis of the sample from the export consignment is proposed to be tested at Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) labs viz.,L (Chandigarh), CDL (Kolkata), CDTI (Chennai), CDTI (Hyderabad), CDTL (Mumbai),I. (Guwahati)) and NABL-accredited drug testing labs of .

Agency-raj makes our task challenging: Mamata as CBI questions nephew

On a day when her nephew has been called in for questioning by the CBI, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted that the centre's "agency-raj" has made her task of running the state challenging. She ostensibly took to the social media site, on the occasion of the anniversary of her party being sworn in to power in the state for the first time in 2011, replacing a Left Front government. "The agency-raj of an authoritarian government at the centre makes our task challenging, but millions (all) over the country are with us in our march," Banerjee said on Twitter. She said on this day in 2011, "we were sworn in to replace a 34-year-old monster regime and usher in 'Ma, Mati, Manush' (Mother, Earth and People) government in West Bengal". An hour before she tweeted, TMC leader and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee appeared before CBI at its Kolkata office at Nizam Palace, as part of the agency's probe into the school jobs scam. He has since remained ensconced there. Earlier in the

Ordinance to say govt will have final say even if SC comes in way: Sibal

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Saturday took a dig at the Centre over its ordinance on transfer of bureaucrats in Delhi, saying that the government has promulgated the ordinance to state that it will have the final say even if the Supreme Court comes in the way. The Centre on Friday promulgated an ordinance to create a National Capital Civil Service Authority for transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against IAS and DANICS cadre officers. The ordinance came a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services, excluding those related to police, public order and land, to the elected government in Delhi. In a tweet, Sibal said, "Supreme Court to Government: Ruled to say: Hand over reins of 'services' to Delhi Government. Government to Supreme Court: Promulgated Ordinance to say: If you come in the way, we will still have the final say." The National Capital Civil Service Authority will comprise the chief minister of the government of the National Capital Territory of

Centre's ordinance 'unconstitutional', to snatch power from Delhi govt: AAP

The AAP on Saturday said the Centre's ordinance on the transfer of bureaucrats in Delhi is "unconstitutional" and a move to snatch the power given to the Delhi government by the Supreme Court in services matters. Addressing a press conference, Delhi minister Atishi said the Centre deliberately chose to bring the ordinance at a time when the Supreme Court has closed for summer vacation. The Centre promulgated an ordinance on Friday to create a National Capital Civil Service Authority for transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers from the DANICS cadre. This came a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services, excluding those related to police, public order and land, in Delhi to the elected government. Atishi said the Centre's ordinance shows that "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scared of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal" and the power of honest politics. "They are scared that if he (Kejriwal) gets power, he will do extraordinary work for De

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State's performance good, despite Centre's unfavourable approach: Kerala FM

Kerala has demonstrated remarkable success in managing its finances during the last fiscal year, despite the adverse global situation and the central government's unfavourable approach towards the state, Finance Minister K N Balagopal has said. He said despite numerous obstacles, the financial performance of the Kerala government during the 202223 fiscal year was "impressive." "The state managed to fund critical development and welfare projects, demonstrating the efficiency of its revenue collection systems. Amidst global economic challenges, Kerala's resilience serves as a beacon of hope for overcoming future hurdles," the minister added. Balagopal said this in an article titled "Rising to the Challenges" published in the latest issue of "Kerala Calling", an official magazine of the state government. He noted that in March 2023, the Kerala government spent Rs 22,000 crore from the Treasury to fund various governmental activities, allowing for unhindered developmental and welfare .

RBI dividends to Centre may double due to gains, aiding fiscal gap

The RBI board is set to meet on Friday as early signs of slowing growth emerge with elevated interest rates and falling global demand

None of the officials have any cheetah management experience: Centre to SC

The Centre Thursday told the Supreme Court that no officials including members of the court-appointed committee have any experience in cheetah management in India as the animal went extinct from the country in 1947-48. It said the Centre and state governments through exchange visits, study tours, capacity building and training programs with African countries have trained significant number of forest officials and veterinarians who have experience of working with African wildlife species including cheetahs. Some of these officials and veterinarians are actively involved in implementation of Project Cheetah in India, it added. "It is noteworthy to mention that cheetah went extinct from India in year 1947-48 and because of the absence of species from the country none of the officials including the members of the expert committee (contrary to their claim of being an expert in Cheetah) appointed by this court had management experience in Cheetah in India," the Centre said in its ...

Cheetahs' death: SC asks Centre to consider shifting them to Rajasthan

The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed serious concern over the death of three cheetahs translocated from South Africa and Namibia to Kuno National Park (KNP) of Madhya Pradesh in less than two months and asked the Centre to rise above politics and consider shifting them to Rajasthan. A bench of justices BR Gavai and Sanjay Karol told the Centre that from reports of experts and articles, it appears that KNP does not seem to be sufficient for such large number of cheetahs and the Union government may consider shifting them to other sanctuaries. "Three deaths (of cheetahs) in less than two months is a matter of serious concern. There are opinions of experts and articles in media. It appears that Kuno is not sufficient for so many cheetahs. There is too much concentration of cheetahs at one place. Why don't you look for suitable place in Rajasthan? Merely because Rajasthan is ruled by opposition party does not mean, you will not consider it," the bench said. Additional Solicitor Gener

HC seeks Centre's response on plea asking banks to pay interest on FASTag

The Delhi High Court has sought response of the NHAI and the Centre on a plea seeking to direct banks to pay interest to the authorities on the money collected by them with the issue of FASTag and minimum balance requirement on the card. A bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad issued notices to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H) on an application which pleads that with the issuing of FASTag, thousands of crores of rupees have entered the banking system without any corresponding benefit either to the commuter community or to NHAI or MoRT&H. The court granted four weeks time to the authorities to file their replies to the application and listed the matter for further hearing on August 10. The application was filed in a pending petition that challenges a rule which compels vehicles without FASTag to pay double the toll tax. The petition contended that the rule was ...