Page 15 - Indian Government

Happy 69th Birthday to Mamata Banerjee: All about her political journey

On January 5, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee celebrated her 69th birthday. The TMC chief is broadly addressed to as 'Didi' (elder sister) and 'Bengal's tigress' by her fans and supporters

Power consumption dips marginally by 2.3% to 119.07 bn units in Dec: Govt

The country's power consumption dipped 2.3 per cent to 119.07 Billion Units (BU) in December, marking its first monthly decline in eight months due to lower demand for heating equipment, especially in the north, on account of mild winter, according to government data. Earlier in April 2023, power consumption had dipped nearly 1.5 per cent to 130.08 BU compared to 132.02 BU in the year-ago period. In December 2022, power consumption stood at 121.91 BU, higher than 109.17 BU recorded in the same month a year ago, the data showed. The peak power demand met -- the highest supply in a day -- rose to 213.62 GW in December. The peak power supply stood at 205.10 GW in December 2022 and 189.24 GW in December 2021. Experts said that power consumption as well as demand remained lower due to mild winters in the first fortnight of December. However, consumption and demand rose after mercury dipped sharply in the second half of the month, especially in North India. The data showed that peak powe

DSSSB Recruitment 2023: Apply for 109 Section Officer positions from Jan 9

Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) has announced notification for the recruitment to the position of Section Officer (Horticulture) today, December 26 at dsssb.delhi.gov.in

French judge to decide on extending stay of 303 passengers, mostly Indians

The 303 passengers, mostly Indians, of a plane detained by French authorities since Thursday over suspected "human trafficking", are set to appear before a judge on Sunday at the airport to decide on their continued detention. The plane that took off from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates carrying 303 passengers and bound for Nicaragua was grounded at the Chalons-Vatry airport in Marne on Thursday over suspected "human trafficking. Hearings before a judge of freedoms and detention will begin this Sunday to decide whether or not to keep in the waiting area of the airport the passengers of the flight, BFM TV, a French news broadcast television and radio network, reported. Francois Procureur, lawyer and president of Chalons-en-Champagne, said: I don't know if this has already been done in France. Vatry airport, in Marne, 150 km east of Paris, is preparing to become a courtroom. The airport mostly serves budget airlines. The 303 passengers must appear before the judge from 9 am this .

Govt sells 0.34 mn tn wheat, 13,164 tn rice in open market to check prices

The government has sold 3.46 lakh tonnes of wheat and 13,164 tonnes of rice through e-auctions to bulk consumers as part of its effort to boost domestic supplies and control retail prices. The government is selling wheat and rice from its buffer stocks to keep retail prices under control under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS). Food Corporation of India (FCI), the government's nodal agency for food grains procurement and distribution, is conducting the e-auctions. The Centre has allocated 101.5 lakh tonnes of wheat for the OMSS till March 2024. "The 26th e-auction was held on December 20 wherein 4 lakh tonnes wheat and 1.93 lakh tonnes rice was offered. In the e-auction, 3.46 lakh tonnes wheat and 13,164 tonnes rice was sold at a weighted average of Rs 2,178.24 per quintal for wheat and Rs 2905.40 per quintal for rice," an official statement said. To control the retail prices of rice, wheat and atta, the government is organising weekly e-auctions of both wheat and rice. The minim

Satcom firms to be allocated spectrum only for point-to-point connections

The government will allocate spectrum to satellite services companies only for point-to-point connection and not for direct transmission of services to retail consumers, sources said on Tuesday. The Telecommunications Bill, 2023 has proposed allocation of spectrum to satellite communication companies through the administrative method which means without auction. "The administrative allocation of spectrum to satellite companies will be for point-to-point connection only. If they will provide services like access service providers (mobile operators), then allocation will be through auction," a source who did not wish to be identified, said. He said the government will be open to amend the telecommunications law as per market dynamics and requirement.

Govt lashes out at IMF for saying currency intervention excessive

As a result, the IMF reclassified India's foreign-exchange regime to a "stabilized arrangement" from a "floating" system, it said in its annual Article IV country report released on Monday

Four Southern Tamil Nadu districts paralysed by historic overnight rains

Tamil Nadu has faced heavy rains in the last 24 hours. As per the official report, over 7500 people have been shifted to relief camps from residential colonies. Know more details here

Rajya Sabha to discuss country's economy on Day 2 of Winter Session

Earlier, on Monday, the first day of the Winter Session of Parliament saw two Bills being passed, with the Rajya Sabha also deciding to discontinue the suspension of AAP MP Raghav Chadha

Govt seeks enhanced Interpol channels to prevent crimes on real-time basis

India has sought "concerted action" through Interpol channels to combat and prevent on "real-time basis" transnational crimes such as terrorism, online radicalisation and cyber-enabled financial fraud, officials said on Friday. At the 91st General Assembly of the Interpol in Vienna, the Indian delegation led by CBI Director Praveen Sood also stressed on the need to abolish any safe havens for crime, criminals and proceeds of crime as well as coordinated strategies to curtail operations of transnational criminal organisations. The five-member team included NIA Director General Dinkar Gupta. The four-day assembly, which began on November 28, also celebrated the centenary year of the international police cooperation organisation which was formed in 1923. Increased leveraging of Interpol channels and relationships with law enforcement agencies globally to combat crime and criminals saw 24 criminals and fugitives wanted by India brought back this year, the highest ever in a year, the ...

Govt scouts for advisor to manage Bharat Bond ETF's AUM worth Rs 50,000 cr

The government is looking to appoint a consultant to advise it on managing the Bharat Bond ETF, whose asset under management (AUM) has crossed Rs 50,000 crore since its launch in 2019. The Bharat Bond Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) comprises bonds of CPSEs, CPSUs, Central Public Financial Institutions (CPFIs) and other government organisations. These institutions have issued bonds and raised debt of Rs 33,400 crore since 2019, using the ETF platform. The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) on Friday issued an RFP for appointing an advisor/consultant with experience and expertise in advising or who has been involved in a relevant capacity in the launch of an ETF/Debt ETF /Debt MF/ index linked fund/corporate bonds issuances. Merchant bankers/investment bankers/consulting firms/financial institutions; either individually or as a consortium; can bid to act as the advisor/consultant. The advisor will analyse, assist and advise on the possible monetisation of the de

HPSC HCS 2023 recruitment process to begin from December 1 at hpsc.gov.in

Haryana Public Service Commission opens applications for 121 positions and the deadline is set on December 21, 2023. Qualified applicants can apply on the official site at hpsc.gov.in till December 21

Union cabinet approves terms of reference for 16th Finance Commission

The government has approved the terms of reference for the 16th Finance Commission, which decides on sharing of tax revenues between the Centre and States, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said on Wednesday. The decision was taken on Tuesday evening at a Union Cabinet meeting. Thakur said the 16th Finance Commission will submit its report by October 2025 and the recommendations will be valid for a five-year period beginning April 2026. Set up under Article 280 of the Constitution, the core responsibility of Finance Commission is to evaluate the state of finances of the Union and State governments, recommend the sharing of taxes between them and lay down the principles determining the distribution of these taxes among States.

Afghanistan embassy announces closure in New Delhi, issues statement

Despite "limitations in resources and power", the Afghan embassy said it has worked "tirelessly for their betterment and in the absence of a legitimate government in Kabul"

IB recruitment 2023 notification released for 995 positions at mha.gov.in

The Intelligence Bureau issued the notice for IB ACIO Recruitment 2023 on November 21. The recruiting campaign for the posts of ACIO Grade-II Executive is now available

Centre to meet social media platforms on deepfake issue on Nov 23

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has called a meeting with representatives of social media platforms on the issue of deepfakes on Thursday, according to a source. The move comes amid concerns over misuse of technology and the government's firm resolve to push digital platforms to crack down on deepfakes. According to a source, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will meet social media platforms on the issue of deepfakes on November 23. Recently, several 'deepfake' videos targeting leading actors went viral, sparking outrage and raising apprehensions over misuse of technology and tools for creating fake content and narratives. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned that deepfakes created by artificial intelligence can lead to a big crisis and stoke discontent in society, and urged the media to raise awareness about its misuse and educate people. Vaishnaw has warned that safe harbour immunity clause will not apply if platforms do not take adequate steps to remove deepfakes. The

Health Ministry seeks comments on draft National Pharmacy Commission Bill

The Union Health Ministry has released the draft National Pharmacy Commission Bill, 2023, which seeks to repeal the Pharmacy Act of 1948 and replace the Pharmacy Council of India with a national commission. The ministry put up the draft bill on its website on November 14 seeking comments from the public. The proposed bill aims to provide for a pharmacy education system that improves access to quality and affordable pharmacy or pharmaceutical education, ensures availability of adequate and high-quality pharmacy professionals in all parts of the country, promotes equitable and universal healthcare, and makes services of pharmacy professionals accessible to all citizens. The draft bill calls for a periodic and transparent assessment of pharmacy institutions, facilitating maintenance of a pharmacy register for India, and enforcing high ethical standards in all aspects of pharmacy services. It also encourages pharmacy professionals to adopt latest pharmacy research in their work and to

India offers 7 helicopters to Philippine Coast Guard for rescue operations

"The discussion is going on very well. The Coast Guard is very interested - they've flown the helicopter...," Kumaran told President Marcos

In a letter, Toyota lobbies Centre to cut hybrid car taxes as much as 21%

India taxes EVs at just 5 per cent, while the levy on hybrids is as high as 43 per cent, just below the 48 per cent imposed on petrol cars

Is India misusing laws to crack down on NGOs, think tanks? FATF to probe

A team from the FATF is expected to visit India in November and meet representatives of non-profit organisations, including international ones, to get a first-hand understanding of the situation