Page 7 - Centre

Census to begin from March 1, 2027; Centre issues official notification

India's first population census since 2011 will be conducted in two phases, beginning on October 1, 2026, and concluding with the main count on March 1, 2027

Growers welcome Centre's move to include tea in weather insurance scheme

Tea growers hailed the government's decision to bring the sector under the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS), which they said would help mitigate losses due to erratic rainfall and rising temperatures. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare issued a notification on June 10, stating that the insurance scheme would come into effect from the Kharif 2025. States and UTs were asked to expedite the floating of tenders, finalisation of the insurance company and other modalities by June 20 to ensure that farmers can avail the benefit of the scheme. Indian Tea Association (ITA) secretary general Arijit Raha told PTI this is the first time the sector has been brought under the purview of a weather-based insurance scheme. "The tea sector is witnessing frequent fluctuations in production due to erratic rainfall, waterlogging and a rise in temperature, exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. Climate change adaptation and mitigation have become a major challenge to keep

Louder chorus now for hike in states' share of central tax revenue

Southern states like Kerala have held conclaves of Opposition-ruled states to demand a 50 per cent share for states

1 year of Modi 3.0: Operation Sindoor, Viksit Bharat hold centre stage

The results of the elections to elect the 18th Lok Sabha were declared on June 4, while the Council of Ministers, led by the prime minister, took oath on June 9

'Youth at risk': SC issues notice to Centre on plea to ban betting apps

The Supreme Court asked the Union government to respond to a plea raising alarm over betting-related addiction, suicides and celebrity endorsements of gambling platforms

SC seeks Centre's response on 700 heatwave deaths, calls for urgent action

The Supreme Court has sought the Centre's response on a plea over 700 heatwave deaths, urging urgent action to enforce disaster guidelines amid rising climate risks

Shashi Tharoor dropped by Congress, chosen by Centre. Why the big switch?

Dropped by the Congress, but chosen by the government, Shashi Tharoor will lead India's global effort to highlight its stance on terrorism from Pakistan

India slaps 20% export duty on parboiled, milled rice for food safety

A 20% export duty on parboiled and milled rice kicks in May 1, 2025, as India aims to secure food stocks and regulate rice trade amid inflation worries

'Interim stay violates separation of powers': Centre to SC on Waqf Act

The Centre tells the Supreme Court that it will defend Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, saying an interim stay would violate the separation of powers and that the law was passed after thorough debate

Datanomics: Centre unmoved even as states call for capping cess, surcharge

Centre unmoved even as states cry for capping cess, surcharge

Supreme Court bars Waqf Council appointments as Centre seeks time to reply

The Supreme Court bars Centre from making appointments to Waqf Council and boards after government seeks a week's time to file preliminary reply in the ongoing matter; next hearing on May 5

Centre, Delhi sign MoU for Rs 2,000 crore health infrastructure mission

Distribution of PMJAY cards begins in Delhi; state govt aims to cover 2.35 lakh families in first phase

BSNL's failure to bill Jio for a decade cost govt Rs 1,757 crore: CAG

CAG report reveals BSNL's decade-long lapse in enforcing billing terms with Jio, leading to massive revenue loss and financial discrepancies in infrastructure sharing

Medical device body asks Centre to revisit import duty reduction talks

This comes just days after economic think tank GTRI had asked government officials to seek reciprocity and improve market access for the Indian medical devices sector

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