Page 15 - Indian Government

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

Indian Railways Diwali Bonus: Govt approves PLB bonus for railway employees

The Indian government has announced a Diwali Bonus for Indian railways, equivalent to 78 days' worth of wages, for all the non-gazetted employees. Complete details below

Centre extends restriction on export of sugar beyond October: Govt order

Government sources told Reuters in August that the South Asian country would ban mills from exporting sugar in the season beginning October

Israel-Hamas war: Chidambaram urges India to find ways to start negotiation

The Gaza Health Ministry had claimed on Tuesday that an Israeli airstrike hit al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City killing at least 500 people, but Israel denied it was behind the attack

Govt allows cough syrup firm linked to Uzbek deaths to re-open factory: Rpt

"The appeal of the manufacturing firm is partially accepted," the official, Shashi Mohan Gupta, said in the Sept 14 order

The NewsClick Affair: Government benefits from an anti-Chinese pantomime

The news website was already under investigation by ED for allegedly receiving Chinese funds for pro-Chinese propaganda. The recent and hurried ramp-up by the police may very likely come to nothing

Government likely to increase DA for all govt employees and pensioners

The government may soon increase the DA and DR by 3 per cent for central government employees and pensioners. PM Modi can approve the proposal in a cabinet meeting

Govt begins kharif paddy procurement; purchases 1.22 mn tonne so far

The government has started procuring paddy and about 12.21 lakh tonne of the grain has been purchased from farmers at minimum support price (MSP) so far, according to the food ministry. Paddy worth Rs 2,689.77 crore has been procured from 99,675 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Haryana at MSP, the ministry said in a statement on Thursday. The harvesting of kharif paddy, which has been sown on a slightly higher area of 411.96 lakh hectare this year, started last week. Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state agencies have undertaken procurement at MSP to create a buffer stock as well as protect the interest of farmers. The ministry is targeting to procure 521.27 lakh tonne in the current season as against the actual purchase of 496 lakh tonne in the year-ago season.

Govt aims to monetise $24 billion worth of highways by 2027: CareEdge

With 4,000 kilometers to 4,500 kilometers (2,796.2 miles) of new roads likely to be commissioned annually by the National Highways Authority of India over the next three years

Indian govt launches the Kisan Rin Portal with the weather portal WIND

Government launches Kisan Rin Portal under the Kisan Credit Card scheme to revolutionise the agriculture sector of India, along with the weather information Network Data Systems (WINDS) portal

Centre, ICMR in talks with Serum Institute of India over Nipah antibody

Kerala has so far confirmed a total of six cases of Nipah infection since the latest outbreak in the Kozhikode district

Special discussion on Parliament's journey on first day of upcoming session

The government on Wednesday listed a special discussion on Parliament's journey of 75 years starting from the Samvidhan Sabha on the first day of the five-day session of Parliament beginning September 18. During the session, the government has also listed the bill on the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners to be taken up for consideration and passage. The bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha during the last Monsoon session. "Discussion on 'Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings'" will be held on September 18 besides other formal business like laying of papers. The session is likely to see the proceedings of Parliament moving from the old building to the new Parliament building. The other listed business for Lok Sabha includes The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023, already passed by Rajya Sabha on 3 August ...

Special session of Parliament: All about the agenda, history and overview

Just a month after the Monsoon Session of Parliament ended, the Centre has called for a special session of Parliament from September 18 to September 12

BTEUP result 2023: All you need to know about toppers, percentages

BTEUP Result 2023 has been declared by the Board of Technical Education for 2nd, 4th and 6th Semester at bteup.ac.in or result.bteupexam.in. The examination was held between June 28 and July 20, 2023

New secretaries appointed to parliamentary affairs, IT, telecom ministries

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has okayed the appointment of Umang Narula as secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs

No 'silver bullet' for green transition, needs govt support: Tata Steel CEO

There is "no silver bullet" for green transition in hard-to-abate sectors, including steel, Tata Steel global CEO & MD T V Narendran said on Saturday, noting it's a complex challenge and needs government support. The statement from the industry leader comes amid growing concerns across economies over emissions, and need to increase usage of green energy. Steel is the most commonly used metal in the world and one cannot do without steel. Even for the transition, steel will be needed whether to hold solar panels up, windmills, storage and pipelines, he said addressing a session at B20 Summit India 2023. "You need to find a solution and there is no silver bullet for that...India is alone going to add 100-150 million tonne steel capacity every decade...for the next few decades you will have these hard-to-abate sectors growing, cement production is twice the amount of steel production globally...you need to find solutions which are technical, which don't get solved by just finding ...