Saturday, April 11, 2026
Home Blog Page 1405

Expedite all petroleum projects at various stages: Venkaiah Naidu

venkaiah naidu
File Photo: Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu

New Delhi (NVI): The Greenfield Petrochemical Complex at Kakinada with an investment of around 32,000 crores for producing 1.7 (Million Metric Tonne Per Annum) of petrochemical products is being set up in Andhra Pradesh. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu today reviewed the progress in a meeting held in Rajya Sabha.

Vice President told the Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel, Dharmendra Pradhan that all petroleum projects at various stages of implementation should be expedited in Andhra Pradesh.

The project is being undertaken by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and GAIL India Ltd with the support of the Andhra Pradesh government.

The Minster and accompanying officials from GAIL informed Naidu that the Centre is keen on implementing this Petro Chemicals project as early as possible.

ONGC officials apprised about ONGC`s offshore & onshore project in KG Basin and Rajamundry. An estimated investment of Rs 68,000 crore in offshore projects and Rs 10,000 crores in onshore projects has been lined up by the ONGC in Andhra Pradesh.

The Petroleum Minister informed the Vice President that Central Government and private sector is making huge investments in the Hydro-carbon sector on east coast in Andhra Pradesh and Kakinada would soon emerge as a hydrocarbon hub in the country.

Dharmnedra Pradhan informed that the project implementation is in full swing. He emphasised that more than 13,000 people are working round the clock at the site and the project will be completed ahead of its schedule.

Measures to control spread of Coronavirus outbreak

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): Government of India has taken note of the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus in China and has taken measures to monitor the situation in country. As now three confirmed cases of novel Coronavirus disease have been reported from Kerala.

Large number of cases were recorded in Wuhan City of Hubei province in China, Government of India initiated steps to evacuate students and professionals working in Hubei province.

Appropriately, 645 persons were evacuated and have been kept in two Quarantine Centres, [(243 kept at Manesar (DG, AFMS) and 402 Chawla Camp (ITBP)]. The samples collected from all evacuees have tested negative.

Screening of passengers has been initiated at all 21 airports, all major and minor seaports and borders crossing and integrated check posts.

Universal screening has been made mandatory for all flights from China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. Instructions have been issued to park these flights at earmarked aero-bridges to facilitate screening.

The government has conducted training for the officers of ports, airports and border crossing points and has sensitized them on management of higher risk pathogens such as Ebola and Coronavirus. Additional doctors, nurses and paramedic staff have been deployed at the airports.

World Health Organization (WHO) has issued various guidelines pertaining to nCoV outbreak. All guidelines are available on the website of WHO.

Ministry has issued guidelines to support states on Surveillance and contact tracing, Surveillance at Points of Entry, Laboratory samples collection, packaging and transport, Clinical management protocol and Infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities.

Gram Sabhas have been conducted in villages adjoining the borders to create awareness amongst people about the disease and precautions to be taken in collaboration with Panchayati Raj Ministry.

Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) has been geared up to track and follow up passengers coming from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. National Institute of Virology, Pune is the nodal Laboratory for testing high risk pathogens. 14 other laboratories are also testing samples. Sufficient stock of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) is maintained.

Risk communication material has been prepared and is widely disseminated even in regional languages through states. Daily Press briefing is being held by Ministry of Health and information is being shared through social media. A 24×7 Control Room is operational (011-23978046).

A group of ministers consisting of Minister of External Affairs, Minister of Civil Aviation, Minister of State of Home Affairs, Minister of State of Health and Family welfare, Minister of State of Shipping under the chairmanship of Union Health Minister has been constituted and the first meeting held on 03.02.2020. Cabinet Secretary has taken multiple meetings with all related Ministries such as Health, Defense, MEA, Civil Aviation, Home, Textiles, Pharma, Commerce and other officials including with State Chief Secretaries. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is constantly reviewing the evolving scenario. Government is monitoring the situation closely.

The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.

Jitendra Singh to launch CPGRAMS Reforms at a National Workshop on e-Office in Delhi

Minister of state for PMO, Jitendra Singh (File photo)

New Delhi (NVI): The government is set to launch the CPGRAMS Reforms at a National Workshop on e-Office, to create a nation-wide momentum for creation of e-Office across the state secretariats.

Minister of State for Prime Ministers Office, Jitendra Singh will Inuagrate this Workshop tomorrow in Parvasi Bhartiya Kendra here. He will also be delivering a key note address at the workshop.

In this Workshop extension of implementation of e-office in Subordinate/Attached offices Central Ministries/Departments will be discussed. The representatives from the State Government have also been called for in the Workshop.

The many states have pursued digitalization of files and creation of Digital State Secretariats. There are several success stories emanating from States – Rajasthan with RajKaaj, Odisha with OSWAS, Andhra Pradesh with e-Office. Several Districts have adopted e-Offices too.

While there has been progress witnessed in some States, there exist several States where digital Secretariats need to be created. The objective of this National Workshop is to create a nation-wide momentum for creation of e-Office across the State Secretariats.

The efficient, effective and transparent functioning of the Government is a pre-requisite for evolving a responsive governance system. Towards this end, the Central Government in India is implementing e-Governance as part of a series of Governance reforms, aimed at improving the internal functioning of individual / Ministries / Departments, with the ultimate objective of improving the delivery of services to the public at large. This is also a part of the ‘Digital India’ programme of the Government of India. One of the key initiatives in the area of e-Governance is the ‘e-Office’.

The e-Office solution enables core operations of the Government at all levels to be performed in a virtual ‘paper–less’ environment. This is a major step in realizing the objective of an open and responsive Government. The Government intends to make all its Departments near paper-free in the near future. Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) is the nodal Department for implementation of e-Office project. National Informatics Centre (NIC) is the technical partner in this project.  DARPG is committed to implement e-Office across all Central Ministries / Departments.

It has been the endeavor of the Modi Government over the past five years and nine months to establish that governance can be transformed through digital initiatives, enabling infrastructure and responsive institutions.

The e-Office implemented as a Mission Mode Project under the Digital India Program has gained considerable momentum. 57 Ministries / Departments have already achieved 80 percent of files in digital mode. 15 lac files have been digitalized and nearly 15000 digital files are being created every week. Departments achieving the desired targets under e-Office to 67 in the coming months.

At the same time, there exist a number of subordinate offices of Government of India not only in Delhi but also across the country which can be taken up for extension of e-Office. The autonomous bodies of Government of India like the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, the Indian Institute of Public Administration also need to pursue and adopt e-Office on priority basis.

This National Workshop brings together Central Ministries/ States/ Attached/ Subordinate/ Autonomous bodies of Government of India with the objective of creating Digital Secretariats.

Several schemes launched to reduce child deaths in India: Ashwini Choubey

New Delhi (NVI): The mortality rate of children under the age of 5 in India is 37 per 1,000 live births, which translates into more than 8 lakh children deaths, according to UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children Report 2019.

The figure stood at 39 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018, it said.

Globalization, urbanization, inequities, humanitarian crises and climate shocks are driving unprecedented negative changes in the nutrition situation of children around the world, according to the report.

Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Ashwini Kumar Choubey stated, “In line with these issues, Government launched POSHAN (Prime Minister Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) Abhiyaan, to address malnutrition challenges in India by engaging all the important stakeholders in a convergent approach.”

“The goals of POSHAN Abhiyaan is to prevent and reduce stunting, underweight and low birth weight by 2% per annum and reduction of anemia by 3% per annum,” Choubey added.

The Government has also launched several schemes under the aegis of Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) to tackle malnutrition in the country including Anganwadi Services, Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) etc.

In order to address child mortality and morbidity, the government is supporting all States and UTs under the National Health Mission in implementation of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) strategy, which will strengthen essential newborn care at all delivery points, establishment of Sick Newborn Care Units (SNCU), Newborn Stabilization Units (NBSU) and Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) units for care of sick and small babies.

Newborn care by ASHAs, early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for first six months and appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices, Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) to provide vaccination to children against life threatening diseases, have been initiated under this strategies, Ashwini Choubey further mentioned.

CCI approves joint venture between Mahindra & Mahindra and Ford Motor 

New Delhi (NVI): The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved formation of a joint venture between Mahindra & Mahindra and Ford Motor and the subsequent transfer of the automotive business of Ford India to the new venture.

In October last year, Mahindra and Mahindra have announced a joint venture with the Ford Motor Company and said it would buy 51 percent stake in Ardour Automotive Pvt Ltd for around Rs 657 crore.

The remaining stake of 49 per cent in Ardour Automotive would be held by Ford Motor Co or any of its affiliates.

The new venture would acquire the automotive business of Ford India Pvt Ltd (FIPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Co.

Both Ford and Mahindra will continue to have their separate brands and dealerships in India, but vehicles will be co-developed and the companies will strategically manufacture vehicles for each other.

The Mahindra group has diversified interests across various sectors including automotive, farm equipment, agricultural products and services, smaller range power generation equipment, financial services, information technology, logistics, alternative energy, aerospace, steel processing, trading, insurance broking, real estate and infrastructure, and hospitality.

FMC is an American automobile company. It has operations in various countries such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, Turkey, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and South Africa. FIPL is indirect wholly owned subsidiary of FMC.

NIFM Faridabad named after Arun Jaitley

New Delhi (NVI): The National Institute of Financial Management (NIFM) located in Haryana’s Faridabad will be renamed as Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management (AJNIFM).

The renaming is being done to align the vision and aspiration of the Institute for the future with the vision and contribution of Jaitley, former Union Minister, according to an official statement.

NIFM, Faridabad was set up in 1993 as a registered society under Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance with the mandate to train officers of various finance and accounts services recruited by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) through the Civil Services Examination as also officers of Indian Cost Accounts Service (ICoAS).

Over a period of time, the institute has become a premier resource centre to meet the training needs of central government for senior and middle level of management in the fields of public policy, financial management, public procurement and other governance issues for promoting highest standards of professional competence and practice, the statement said.

NIFM also caters to the state governments, defence establishments, banks, other financial institutions and PSUs.

It has ventured beyond training into the field of management education and runs certain AICTE approved programmes leading to Post Graduate Diplomas in Management, in various areas of Financial Management.

Jaitley had played a stellar role during his illustrious career as the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs from 2014 to May 30, 2019, it said.

He oversaw the introduction of the path-breaking Goods and Services Tax which brought the country under one tax regime. Under his stewardship the merger of railway budget with general budget was effected, the statement said.

He also ensured the introduction of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.

Kisan Credit Card drive commences for PM-KISAN beneficiaries

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): To enable universal access to Concessional Institutional credit, Government has initiated a drive in Mission Mode for saturating all PM-KISAN beneficiaries with Kisan Credit Card (KCC).

This drive was started from February 10, 2020 and will be carried out for a period of 15 days.

This initiation will help all such farmers to get short term loan for crop & animal/fish rearing at a maximum interest of 4% on timely repayment.

State and UT governments, NABARD chairman and all the banks have been instructed in this regard.

A list of all PM-KISAN beneficiaries is to be prepared who do not have KCC and approach them through line departments of the State/UT Government including Departments of Agriculture, Animal husbandry, Panchayat & Rural Development and Panchayat Secretaries.

Bank Sakhis under the NRLM scheme would also be used for motivating PM KISAN beneficiaries to visit the concerned bank branches for the purpose.

As the KCC along with benefit of Interest Subvention has now been extended to animal husbandry and fisheries farmers also, State/UT Governments have also been requested to focus on such farmers and facilitate sanction of additional credit limit/issue fresh KCC to them.

All banks have been advised to have separate counters for handling such applications and ensure issue of fresh KCC; or, enhancement of the existing KCC limit; or, activation of inoperative KCC account within the shortest possible time not exceeding 14 days from date of submission of application.

Progress of this drive will be monitored on a daily basis by the State/UT Govt. Activities under Saturation drive in a district would be led by the District Collector with full support of the Lead District Manager and DDM, NABARD.

In addition to the KCC, with a view to provide social security to the PM KISAN beneficiaries, eligible farmers will also be enrolled for the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Beema Yojana (PMJJBY), after obtaining their consent.

These schemes provide accident insurance and life insurance, at a premium of Rs.12/- and Rs.330/- respectively for an insured value of Rs.2 lakh in each case.

‘Hunar Haat’ to be held in Delhi from Feb 13

New Delhi (NVI): The 20th “Hunar Haat” will be held here from February 13 to 23, during which more than 250 master artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts will participate.

The Hunar Haat, an initiative of the Minority Affairs Ministry, showcases handmade indigenous products of master artisans and craftsmen are made available to the people.

This ‘Hunar Haat’ will be organised at the India Gate Lawns, Rajpath with the theme of “Kaushal Ko Kaam”.

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and the Union Minister for Urban Development Hardeep Singh Puri will inaugurate the festival.

These artisans will include more than 50 per cent women. They will bring with them indigenous exquisite handmade products.

Hundreds of people associate with these artisans in production of these handmade products.

On February 9, Naqvi had said that “Hunar Haat” has proved to be a “Mega Mission” of “Empowerment of Indigenous Legacy” of artisans.

“The Ministry of Minority Affairs is strengthening Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s “dream project” to provide opportunity and market to the country’s rich heritage of arts and crafts,” he added.

“The Ministry of Minority Affairs is doing a historic task of preserving and promoting the magnificent heritage of the skilled people of every corner of the country and providing them national and international market,” he said.

He also said that “Hunar Haat” has become a “Mega Mission” of indigenous craft, cuisine and culture and economic empowerment of master artisans, craftsmen.

“The success of ‘Hunar Haat’ can be gauged from the fact that about 3 lakh master artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts have been provided employment and employment opportunities through this in the last about 3 years,” he said.

“These beneficiaries include a large number of women artisans,” he added.

Naqvi said that the Modi government is not only providing employment opportunities to master artisans and craftsmen, it is also preserving and promoting India’s indigenous traditional legacy of master artisans and craftsmen which was on the verge of extinction.

“Prime Minister, Narendra Modi-led government has sanctioned 100 “Hunar Hubs” in different parts of the country. Training is being provided to master artisans, craftsmen and traditional culinary experts according to modern needs in these “Hunar Hubs” and they are also being provided national-international markets,” he informed.

“So far, “Hunar Haat” have been organized at various places in the country such as Delhi, Mumbai, Prayagraj, Lucknow, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Puducherry and Indore,” he added.

“The next ‘Hunar Haat’ will be organized at Ranchi from February 29 to March 8 and in Chandigarh from March 13 to 22,” he informed.

He further informed that in the coming days, “Hunar Haat” will be organized in Gurugram, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Dehradun, Patna, Bhopal, Nagpur, Raipur, Puducherry, Amritsar, Jammu, Shimla, Goa, Kochi, Guwahati, Bhubneshwar, Ajmer and other places.

Trump to visit India on Feb 24

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. (File)

New Delhi (NVI): US President Donald Trump will embark on his first official visit to India from February 24, providing an opportunity to the two countries to further strengthen the strategic bilateral partnership .

Trump, to be accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, will attend official engagements in New Delhi and Ahmedabad and interact with a wide cross-section of Indian society during his two-day trip.

Trump has been invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India.

The global strategic partnership between India and the U.S. is based on trust, shared values, mutual respect and understanding, and marked by warmth and friendship between the peoples of the two countries, according to a statement issued by External Affairs Ministry.

The relationship has further evolved under the leadership of Modi and Donald Trump, with significant progress in all areas including trade, defence, counter-terrorism, energy, coordination on regional and global issues as well as people-to-people ties, it said.

World’s largest platform for air quality launched at 10th World Urban Forum

Representational image

Abu Dhabi (NVI): The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), together with UN-Habitat and IQAir, today launched the world’s largest air quality data platform at the Tenth World Urban Forum in Abu Dhabi.

The real-time air pollution data from over 4,000 contributors, including citizens, communities, governments and the private sector to work towards healthier, more sustainable cities.

Globally, 7 million people die each year because of air pollution.

This partnership is currently reaching over 15 million users and covering more than 7,000 cities globally. Aim is to sustain and grow the world’s foremost air quality databank.

The data, shared on a single, UN-coordinated platform, will empower governments to take action to make investment decisions that promote a cleaner, greener environment.

Air pollutants not only affect our health, they also affect ecosystems and food production; air pollution is also linked to climate change. Despite this, most people don’t have access to real-time air quality data.

Joyce Msuya, Deputy Executive Director of UNEP, said, “We are excited to be launching this partnership with UN-Habitat and IQAir to bring information and most importantly, encourage action by citizens, governments and the private sector.”

The UNEP platform builds upon IQAir’s technology to aggregate, validate and calibrate air quality data that until now was either restricted to individually-run websites or apps, or not shared publicly.

UN-Habitat helps cities to develop plans that can reduce air pollution, including public transport and waste management interventions.

Even within a single country or city, access to air quality information can vary among different communities. While Europe, Asia and North America have thousands of monitoring stations providing real-time air quality information.

Poor air quality is a problem that affects urban populations particularly so the ability to measure and take action to improve the health of those living in our towns and cities is critical.

The platform addresses the global air quality information gap by bringing together data collected by governments, NGOs, companies and local community groups and individuals. Anyone can apply to contribute tp real-time air quality data. To ensure data accuracy, IQAir brings global air quality map in creating and operating its experience.

IQAir CEO Frank Hammes said, “We recognize that some of the world’s most vulnerable communities are disproportionately affected by poor air quality.”

By improving access to real-time air quality data, this unique collaboration between UN entities, the private sector and local governments is expected to change how transport, waste management and other services are managed in cities so that air pollution from these activities is noticeably reduced, if not eliminated.

1...1,4041,4051,406...1,575Page 1,405 of 1,575

MUST READ