Page 13 - Government

No proposal to increase sugar export quota from 6 mn tonnes: Food Secy

The government is not considering any proposal as of now to increase the sugar export quota from the present 60 lakh tonnes for this marketing year ending September, Union Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said. The food ministry has allowed 60 lakh tonnes of sugar exports for the current 2022-23 marketing year (October-September). The country had exported around 110 lakh tonnes, an all-time high, of sugar in the 2021-22 marketing year. "The sugar production is going down by about 9 lakh tonnes, that is our estimate from the previous year. So keeping that in view, as of now there is no proposal to increase the export quota," Chopra said on the sidelines of an event on Thursday late evening. When asked that the ministry was to assess domestic production this month before deciding on further exports of sweetener, he said, "The production figures have come down. We have to see this buffer stock requirement first. And once that is met, then only we can take a call." The secretary asserted

PM to address post-budget webinar on developing tourism in mission mode

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a post-budget webinar on 'Developing Tourism in Mission Mode' on Friday, officials said. It is part of a series of 12 post-budget webinars being organised by the government to seek ideas and suggestions for effective implementation of the initiatives announced in the Union Budget. Prime Minister Modi will address the participants via a video conferencing link. The Union Budget has stated that promotion of tourism will be taken up in mission mode, with active participation of states, convergence of government programmes and public-private partnerships. At least 50 destinations will be selected through challenge mode and developed as a complete package of tourism. Sector specific skilling and entrepreneurship development will be dovetailed to achieve the objectives of the 'Dekho Apna Desh'. The post-budget webinar being organised by the Ministry of Tourism will have six breakout sessions covering the priority areas identified in the Union ..

People see govt as catalyst for new opportunities, not obstacle: PM Modi

Citizens are now able to convey their views to the government and get their solution immediately, as the government has created a modern digital infrastructure in India, the Prime Minister added

No more TikTok on government devices within 30 days, says White House

The White House is giving all federal agencies 30 days to wipe TikTok off all government devices, as the Chinese-owned social media app comes under increasing scrutiny in Washington over security concerns. The Office of Management and Budget calls the guidance, issued Monday, a critical step forward in addressing the risks presented by the app to sensitive government data. Some agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and State, already have restrictions in place; the guidance calls on the rest of the federal government to follow suit within 30 days. The White House already does not allow TikTok on its devices. The Biden-Harris Administration has invested heavily in defending our nation's digital infrastructure and curbing foreign adversaries' access to Americans' data, said Chris DeRusha, the federal chief information security officer. This guidance is part of the Administration's ongoing commitment to securing our digital infrastructure and protecting the

Explained: Canada's latest ban on TikTok from govt-issued mobile devices

Canada is banning TikTok from all government-issued mobile devices and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it might be a first step to further action. The European Union's executive branch said last week it has temporarily banned TikTok from phones used by employees as a cybersecurity measure. The EU's action follows similar moves in the U.S., where more than half of the states and Congress have banned TikTok from official government devices. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company that moved its headquarters to Singapore. It has been targeted by critics who say the Chinese government could access user data, such as browsing history and location. U.S. armed forces also have prohibited the app on military devices. TikTok is consumed by two-thirds of American teens and has become the second-most popular domain in the world. But there's long been bipartisan concern in Washington that Beijing would use legal and regulatory power to seize American user data or try to push pro-Chin

L'affaire Adani and the colonial mindset in our approach to governance

All regulatory institutions should be made constitutional authorities, suggests T C A Srinivasa Raghavan

Karnataka hijab ban: Girls move SC for permission to take exam in headscarf

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will take a call on listing a plea to allow girls to sit for exams in Karnataka government schools while wearing the hijab. Following the apex court's split verdict on the issue of the ban on wearing the headscarf, girls in hijab are not being permitted to take the exams scheduled to begin from March 9, a bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud was told. They are wearing headscarf. If they are wearing headscarf they are not allowed inside the examination hall. Only on that limited aspect, the court may consider listing it on Monday or Friday, said lawyer Shadan Farasat. He told the bench, also comprising Justice P S Narasimha, that a few girls have moved to private institutions because of the prohibition on wearing hijabs but have to take their exams in government institutions. They risk losing another year if not permitted, he said. I will take a call, the CJI said. Due to the split verdict, the high court's judgement still holds the ..

Godhra train burning case: Gujarat govt seeks death penalty for 11 in SC

The Gujarat government on Monday told the Supreme Court that it will press for the death penalty to 11 convicts in the 2002 Godhra train burning case, as it was a 'rarest of the rare and grave offence

Govt boosts PMAY budget while previous targets only partially met

Centre has increased budget for housing scheme, although older targets haven't been met

Govt working on introducing curriculum on organ donation to raise awareness

The government is working on introducing a curriculum on organ donation mostly likely in Class 9 or 11 in order to raise awareness among schoolchildren about the issue, sources said. They said India has a very low rate of deceased organ donation compared to Western countries and an estimated five lakh lives could be saved annually by timely organ transplant. India's organ donation rate, which is the number of deceased donors per million population, continues be less than 1 per million in comparison to countries like Spain, USA, Australia, Croatia. "The numbers highlight the huge gap between the number of organs required and the organs available for transplantation. The reason being lack of awareness and myths associated with organ donation. To counter all these, the Union Health Ministry is working on introducing a curriculum on organ donation mostly likely in Class 9 or 11 in order to raise awareness about the issue,: an official source said. The ministry is also working on a 'One

Govt to spend 75% defence outlay for procurement from Indian firms: Rajnath

In a significant announcement, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said the government will spend 75 per cent of the total defence capital outlay for procurement from domestic defence manufacturers from 2023-24. The decision will mean setting aside of around Rs 100,000 crore for procurement of military platforms and equipment from the Indian manufacturers, he said. Singh made the announcement at an event where several agreements and technology transfer agreements were firmed up among large number of defence companies which participated in Aero India 2023. "It is a very significant decision which will further strengthen the domestic defence manufacturing sector," Singh said. He also said that Aero India 2023 has shown that the Indian defence sector is ready to march ahead along with top global defence companies. The MoUs and technology transfer agreements signed during Aero India will facilitate a new beginning for defence manufacturing in India, he said. A new chapter in

Higher govt capex help infra companies clock 17-20% revenue growth: Report

Higher government spending on infrastructure in FY24 will propel engineering, procurement, and construction companies to hit revenue growth of 17-20 per cent, taking their profit to the pre-Covid level, a report said on Tuesday. In the Budget 2023-24, the government has increased the outlay for capital expenditure (capex) on infrastructure sector by 33 per cent from Rs 7.5 lakh crore to Rs 10 lakh crore. Forecasting higher revenue and thicker bottom-line, rating agency Crisil in a report also placed their credit outlook positive citing improving debt metrics. The optimism is supported by the expected strong order inflows due to the government thrust on infrastructure in the latest budget. Profitability of large EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) companies is seen improving and reaching pre-pandemic levels of 10-10.5 per cent next fiscal compared to 9-9.5 per cent this fiscal, with commodity prices easing. With healthy order books and recovery in profitability, debt .

We condemn 'intimidation tactics', shows govt scared of criticism: Congress

The Congress on Tuesday termed as "intimidation tactics" the Income Tax survey operation at the BBC offices and alleged that the action shows that the Modi government is scared of criticism. The Income Tax Department on Tuesday conducted a survey operation at the BBC's offices in Delhi and Mumbai as part of an investigation into alleged tax evasion, officials said. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that while the party is demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe on the Adani issue, the "government is after the BBC". He also used a Hindi idiom to attack the government, saying "Vinash Kale, Vipreet Buddhi" (When doom approaches, a person's intellect works against his interest). "Here we are demanding JPC on the Adani issue but the government is after the BBC. Vinash Kale Viprit Buddhi," Ramesh said. Reacting to the development, Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said the IT raid at BBC's offices "reeks of desperation and shows that the Modi ..

Govt begins consultations with sector experts on road safety standards

Safety index for highways on the cards; key focus is on four Es--engineering, education, enforcement and emergency care

Kerala govt to raise Rs 400 cr for Adani Ports as part of Vizhinjam pact

Kerala will have to provide Adani Ports Rs 400 crore when 30 per cent of the breakwater is completed and they have been knocking on the doors of the government for a while

MoRTH amends norms to ease vehicle purchase by differently abled people

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed allowing conversion of fully built vehicles into adapted vehicles through temporary registration to facilitate buying of motor vehicles by differently abled people. Adaptation of motor vehicles, as per the specific needs of Divyangajan (differently abled people), is often required to facilitate their mobility. Currently, such adaptation could either be carried out prior to registration of vehicle, by the manufacturer or his authorised dealer. It can also be done after the registration of vehicle in as-is form on the basis of permission received from registering authority. "To simplify this process, MoRTH has proposed amendments in rules 53A and 53B, to extend the facility of temporary registration for adaptation of motor vehicles," the ministry said in a statement on Friday. According to the draft notification, in rule 53A, the grounds for applying for temporary registration has been expanded to include cases of fully

BJP promises greater autonomy to tribals, rise in farmers aid in Tripura

Ruling BJP on Thursday promised greater autonomy to tribals, increase in farmers' financial assistance and setting up of bamboo and agar-based industries to make 'Unnato Tripura, Sreshtho Tripura'.

Domestic airlines reported 2,613 technical snags in last 5 years: Singh

Domestic airlines reported 2,613 significant technical snags in their planes in the last five years, Union minister V K Singh told the Lok Sabha on Thursday. The Minister of State for Civil Aviation said the regulations require occurrences relating to system and component failure to be reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). "These occurrences, based on their severity are investigated either by the concerned airlines under the supervision of the DGCA or by the DGCA under Rule 13(1) of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017," he said in a written reply. Giving details, Singh said there were a total of 2,613 "significant technical snags" reported by various airlines in the country during the 2018-2022 period. In this period, IndiGo reported 885 snags, SpiceJet (691), Vistara (444), Air India (399), AirAsia (India) Ltd (79), Go Air (54), TruJet (30), Alliance Air (13), Blue Dart Aviation (7), Akasa Air (6) and Fly Big (5), as per the

Govt to bring anti-copying law soon; youths shouldn't be misled: CM Dhami

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday appealed to the youth not to let themselves be misled by anyone saying efforts are on to ensure that recruitment examinations are held in the state in a transparent way. "We are soon going to bring the strictest anti-coyping law in the country. It will be ensured that use of unfair means in recruitment examinations stops completely and they are held in a transparent manner. We will see to it that no injustice is done to the youth," Dhami said. Unemployed youths had staged a dharna and demonstration here on Wednesday demanding a CBI probe into irregularities in different recruitment examinations held by the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission. "Our government is making decisions in favour of the youth. We have granted reservation to our sisters and daughters in government jobs. Everyone's interest will be protected. My request to the youth is that they should not allow themselves to be misled by anyone," he said. The state

Delays in 835 projects cost govt over Rs 4.5 trn, Railways' overrun highest

Reasons relate to land acquisition, obtaining forest/environment clearances, lack of infra support