Tuesday, September 16, 2025
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US Embassy hosts workshop for cleaner air and better health in India

New Delhi (NVI): The United States Embassy here today organised a workshop to explore the concrete steps needed to address the issue of air pollution in India and its health impacts.

Many of the world’s most polluted cities are in India. As a result, India’s exposure to exposure to air pollution is among the highest in the world. This has led to a large increase in pollution-related deaths and diseases.

The workshop that brought together a wide range of representatives from the Indian and US Government as well as development professionals, scientists, members of the private sector and civil society noted that India loses billions of dollars in term of economic productivity and endures incalculable expenditures on health care.

Given the complexity of the issue the workshop provided an opportunity for strengthening collaboration between experts from India and the US.

Speaking at the event Edgard Kagan, US Deputy Chief of Mission said, “There is growing consensus in India to act. The strength of Indian democracy and an awareness on the part of policymakers will make the difference…We are partners in this because we believe that together we can work to address the challenges.”

According to the event organisers the US Government in partnership with the Government of India will collate the findings from this workshop to identify next steps as they work together to mitigate the effects of air pollution and reduce its health impacts.

Experts from the health, environment, energy and disaster risk management fields indulged in a multi-sectoral approach to discuss the challenges, propose solutions and devise ways to put the solution into action.

On their part the representatives from the US Agency for International Development, the US Department of State and the US Department of Health and Human Services shared how the United States is supporting India’s efforts to reduce pollution and its health impacts by leveraging the US and Indian innovation and expertise in clean technology.

Participants included Joint Secretary Nidhi Khare from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as well as representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Health Organization.

Govt identify 17 sites for development as iconic tourist sites: Prahlad Singh Patel

Prahlad Singh
Prahlad Singh Patel

New Delhi (NVI): The Union Government informed the Lok Sabha here today that it  has identified some world class iconic tourist destinations in India to attract foreign and domestic tourists.

In a written reply to the house, Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel said that pursuant to the Budget Announcements of 2018-19 Ministry of Tourism has identified 17 sites in 12 clusters across the country for development as iconic tourist sites.

The Ministry will be developing these sites in a holistic manner with a focus on issues concerning connectivity to the destination, better facilities and experience for the tourists at the site.

Besides, the Ministry will also ensure skill development and involvement of the local communities, undertake activities like promotion, branding and bringing private investment.

The site that will be developed under the initiative are Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri in Uttar Pradesh, Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra, Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort and Qutub Minar in Delhi, Colva in Goa, Amer Fort in Rajasthan, Somnath and Dholavira in Gujarat, Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, Hampi in Karnataka, Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, Kaziranga in Assam, Kumarakom in Kerala and Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar.

The development of iconic tourist sites scheme is awaiting the approval by the Ministry of Finance, Minister added.

India going to add 67 GW of Solar power in 3 years: Javadekar

Madrid (NVI): India is going to achieve 100 giga watts (GW) of Solar power in the next three years, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said here today, while speaking about the aggressive manner in which the country is expanding its renewable energy mix to fight climate change.

He said that five years ago, India had just 3 GW of Solar but today it has 33 GW.

“It is huge… India is going to achieve 100 GW of Solar energy by 2022, i.e. in the next three years it will add 67 GW more of solar energy,” he said at a Ministerial Plenary on “SOLAR AND THE SIDS – Making the Sun Shine Brighter”, on the sidelines of the 25th session of Conference of Parties under the UN framework convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC COP25).

The Minister said enhancement of capacity has led to a sharp fall in the prices of solar energy. “The prices (of Solar energy) used to be Rs 20 per unit. Now, it is just 10 per cent of it,” he added.

Javadekar also spoke at length about making efforts towards increasing renewable energy capacity.

“All countries need to do it because the target of UNFCCC is to do away with use of all fossil fuels, not only coal. We (India) have today 37 per cent energy capacity through renewables. We want to increase it because our energy demand is rising so we have decided to have 40 per cent of energy capacity through renewal energy – solar, wind, bio-waste,” he said.

He also spoke about the International Solar Alliance (ISA) launched four years ago in Paris by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande.

“It was a new beginning. Now I can say that the four-year-old child is running fast, but it must run faster because the need of the hour is that we must tap solar in a big way,” said Javadekar, who also holds the portfolio of Climate Change.

Expressing contentment over 83 countries joining the ISA in just four years, he called upon more countries to join the ISA to reduce dependence on fossil fuels to meet the growing energy requirement.

“When we meet in Glasgow next year, I am sure, there will be more progress in ISA,” he added.

“When ISA was launched, the idea was that all those countries, who get more solar energy as they fall between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, should come together to create consumers’ own market,” the Minister said.

 

Seventh CPC allowance approved for govt employees of J&K, Ladakh 

New Delhi (NVI): The Union Minister of State (MOS) for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy, in a written statement, informed the Lok Sabha here today that the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) allowances worth around Rs 4,800 crores is approved for the government employees of the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Replying to a question regarding the development of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, the Minister informed the Parliament that the government is fully committed to the overall development of the newly formed union territories.

“Certain 7th CPC allowances namely Children Education Allowance, Hostel Allowance, Transport Allowance, LTC, Fixed Medical Allowance were not being given to nearly 4.5 lakh state government employees in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir have been approved for all such employees who, since October 31 this year, are working in the union territories of J&K and Ladakh,” said Reddy.

Reddy also said a total of Rs 14,559.25 crores as the balance share of the 14th Finance Commission grants and share of taxes have been apportioned amongst the two new union territories.

“Out of this, Rs 2,977.31 crores is already released to J&K and Rs 1,275.99 crores is released to Ladakh till date,” Reddy further informed.

USCIRF statement on Citizenship Bill not warranted: India

New Delhi (NVI): India today slammed the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for its statement on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, saying it is “neither accurate nor warranted”.
Reacting to the USCIRF statement issued on the bill which was passed by the Lok Sabha late last night, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said it was
“regrettable that the body has chosen to be guided only by its prejudices and biases on a matter on which it clearly has little knowledge and no locus standi.”
He said the bill provides “expedited consideration for Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities already in India from certain contiguous countries” and seeks to “address their current difficulties and meet their basic human rights.”
Such an initiative, Kumar said, “should be welcomed, not criticized by those who are genuinely committed to religious freedom.”
The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha after a heated debate that spanned several hours. It is now set for introduction in the Rajya Sabha.
“The statement made by the USCIRF on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is neither accurate nor warranted,” the MEA spokesperson said.
He said the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill “does not affect the existing avenues available to all communities interested in seeking citizenship from doing so. The recent record of granting such citizenship would bear out the Government of India’s objectivity in that regard.”
Asserting that neither the CAB nor the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process seeks to strip citizenship from any Indian citizen of any faith, Kumar said, “Suggestions to that effect are motivated and unjustified. Every nation, including the United States, has the right to enumerate and validate its citizenry, and to exercise this prerogative through various policies.”
At the same time, the spokesperson said, “The position articulated by USCIRF is not surprising given its past record.”

51 nations launch action plan to speed up transition to low carbon economies

Madrid (NVI): A grouping of 51 countries has launched an action plan aimed at accelerating their nation’s transition to low carbon and climate-resilient economies.

The Santiago Action Plan was launched at the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference, COP25 in Madrid by the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action.

The Coalition is co-led by Finland and Chile and comprises 51 countries covering 30 percent of global GDP.

It was launched in April 2019 with members endorsing six principles – known as the “Helsinki Principles” – that promote national climate action, especially through carbon pricing, macro-fiscal policy, public budgeting, and financial sector initiatives.

The countries that have endorsed the Helsinki Principles and the Santiago Action Plan are: Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Finland, Fiji, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, Uganda, the United Kingdom and Uruguay.

The Santiago Action Plan details how progress will be made on each of the Helsinki Principles.

Under the Plan and keeping in mind individual national contexts, Finance Ministers have agreed to work toward actions that include sharing of knowledge related to the design of new and more effective carbon pricing initiatives, while recognizing the need for comprehensive approaches to supporting people and communities as these are implemented.

The action plan also involves building of expertise and capacities in Finance Ministries and strengthening competencies for integrating climate into economic policy making.

Examining the fiscal costs of climate adaptation and supporting global efforts on transparency and the disclosure of climate-related financial risks, including by identifying the climate risks to financial stability and ways to manage them also form part of the plan.

It also includes support to ambitious nationally-determined contributions.

Recognizing that climate-smart development must account for immediate needs – such as better jobs, improved social protection programs, and strong institutions and policies that sustain livelihoods – the Santiago Action Plan places strong emphasis on ensuring a just transition, putting people and communities at the center of national decarbonization strategies.

“At the World Bank we see increasing recognition around the world that action on climate change is good for communities, business and growth,” said Axel van Trotsenburg, Managing Director, Operations, World Bank. “Finance Ministers have the policy levers to push public and private finance towards low-carbon, climate-resilient growth, and networks like this Coalition have an important role in sharing experience and ideas that work.”

“The Fund has been working on climate change which is one of the greatest existential challenges of our time,” said Tao Zhang, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. “We look forward to working with the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action to galvanize climate efforts at this pivotal moment.”

Sensex slips over 33 points, Nifty down 11,926.50

BSE

Mumbai (NVI): Sensex slipped over 33 points in early trade today, due to losses in select private banks, IT and auto stocks amid fresh infusion of funds by foreign investors.

The 30-share index BSE Senses was trading 33.67 points or 0.08 per cent lower at 40,453.76 in morning trade.

The 50-scrip NSE Nifty was trading 11.00 points or 0.09 per cent down at 11,926.50.

Yes Bank, TCS, Tech Mahindra, PowerGrid, Infosys, Axis Bank, ITC and IndusInd Bank were the top losers in the Sensex pack, falling up to 2.22 per cent.

On the other hand, Sun Pharma, Tata Motors, HUL, ONGC, HDFC, Bajaj Finance and SBI gained up to 1.76 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Indian rupee appreciated by 6 paise to 70.98 in early session.

On Monday, the Sensex closed with gains of 42.28 points or 0.10 per cent at 40,487.43. While, The Nifty closed 16 points or 0.13 per cent higher at 11,937.50.

-sb

Citizenship bill set to be tabled in Rajya Sabha after passage by Lok Sabha

Opposition parties
File Photo

New Delhi (NVI): The controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which provides for granting citizenship to members of minority communities of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, is all set to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha after its passage by the Lok Sabha late last night.

The bill was passed after hours of fiery discussion and verbal clash between the government and the Opposition.The proposed law seeks to grant Indian Citizenship to persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have migrated to India after facing persecution on grounds of religion in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Home Minister Amit Shah, while batting for the legislation, rejected the Opposition’s contention that it was targeted against Muslims.

“Nowhere does this bill target India’s minority community, but illegal immigrants would not be allowed to stay in the country at any cost,” he asserted.

Replying to the debate, Shah said that misconceptions are being spread about the bill that it is against any particular community, but this is a humanitarian step to grant citizenship to those who suffered for the last 70 years.

Seeking to allay apprehensions of the north eastern states, he announced that Manipur would be brought under the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime and with that the problems of all the states in the region would be taken care of.

He also reassured that no provision of Article 371 would be violated by this bill and that the linguistic, cultural and social identity of the people of the North East would be preserved.

“The provisions of the amendments to the Act would not apply to the tribal area of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram or Tripura as included in the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution and the area covered under ‘The Inner Line’ notified under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873,” he said.

Delhi air quality improves, still ‘very poor’

New Delhi (NVI): The overall air quality in Delhi improved a bit today, still falls within the higher-end of “very poor” category.

According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital on Tuesday stood at 352 which falls in the “very poor” category as cold weather and calm winds allowed accumulation of pollutants.

The air quality in the national capital stood at 355 on December 9, SAFAR said in a statement.

The SAFAR forecast a fresh western disturbance which is likely to affect northwest India by December 11, scattered rainfall is also expected on December 12.

The AQI in Chandini Chowk was in the “very poor” category with PM2.5 of 381, at Mathura Road the PM2.5 was 370. while the neighbouring Noida recorded a PM2.5 of 395 which also falls in the “very poor” category.

-sb

Zozibini Tunzi wins Miss Universe 2019

Georgia (NVI): The 26-year-old South African Zozibini Tunzi wins the Miss Universe 2019 pageant. India’s Vartika Singh failed to make it to top 20.

At a grand event on Sunday night in Atlanta, USA Tunzi defeated Miss Universe Puerto Rico to win the crown. Miss Universe Mexico is the second-runner up. Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray crowned Tunzi at the event.

In all, 90 competed in swimsuit, evening gown and onstage question rounds.

Contestants from Mexico, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Thailand and South Africa made it the top five.

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