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India, EU to strengthen collaboration to counter terrorism

New Delhi (NVI): To further strengthen collaboration between both sides to counter terrorism and radicalisation and violent extremism, the 2nd regional EU-India Counter Terrorism workshop on “Investigating ISIS networks” was organised here.

The two-day workshop, which concluded today was organised by the European Union (EU) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Inaugurating the workshop, Ambassador of the European Union to India, Ugo Astuto, said, “This workshop is a clear testimony that counter terrorism cooperation between the EU and India is robust. Concrete cooperation between the EU and India law enforcement agencies will build capacities on both sides and help jointly tackle terrorism and radicalization, a necessity in today’s world.”

Commending EU-India counter terrorism cooperation, Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA), Yogesh Chander Modi, emphasised that “There are no boundaries for terrorism. We often find an international connection to terror outfits and their activities, making global cooperation a necessity to tackle terrorism and radicalization”.

“This sharing of experiences is vital for the law enforcement agencies to stay abreast of the tools and techniques employed by these terror outfits across the world, so as to be able to better tackle terrorist threats,” he added.

Emmanuel Lenain, Ambassador of France to India, said, “In the fight against terrorism, international and multilateral coordination is an absolute necessity. The EU and India cooperation on security matters is already quite substantial and will assume a new dimension going forward, in various areas such as peacekeeping, maritime security, cyber-security and combating cybercrime, and of course counter-terrorism. This workshop demonstrates the added-value of the EU and India in working together towards regional security.”

Participants also deliberated on methods adopted by terror outfits for radicalisation and recruitment, especially through online platforms, policing strategies for countering extremism and radicalization, identifying, preventing and countering online extremist materials and their sources, and investigating and countering ISIS terror networks.

The two day workshop was part of the EU and India efforts, to further strengthen collaboration between both sides to counter terrorism and radicalization, following the mandate which was agreed at the 2017 India-EU summit.

Besides, NIA, representatives from several state police forces like Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and national agencies, the NSG, participated in the workshop. European participants represented Europol (the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation) as well as law enforcement agencies from France and Spain.

Sundar Pichai takes over as Alphabet CEO

New Delhi (NVI): Google CEO, Sundar Pichai today took over as the CEO of Alphabet, the parent company of Google.

Pichai, took over as the CEO of Alphabet besides his current role as head of the core Google unit, which he has been heading since 2015.

The changes took place after the internet giant’s co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin stepped down from its active management.

Page and Brin have stepped down as CEO and president, respectively, of Alphabet on Tuesday.

The co-founders will continue to serve on Alphabet’s Board of Directors.

The shuffle comes at a time, when Google is facing mounting scrutiny over its size, data privacy practices and potential impact on society.

Indian-born Sundar Pichai is now its de facto boss, looking after Google as well as the big group.

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Northern Command chief asks jawans to be battle ready

Army Commander of Northern Command Lt Gen Ranbir Singh interacting with Jawans along LOC on December 4.

Jammu (NVI): In the backdrop of heightened ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army, General Officer-Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt General Ranbir Singh today visited the forward posts in Poonch and Rajouri sectors of Jammu.

Lt Gen Ranbir Singh while interacting with the soldiers, emphasised the need to remain vigilant and battle ready all the time.

He also appreciated the preparedness and high morale of the soldiers and and complimented them for their unwavering dedication to duty, selfless devotion and high standard of professionalism.

During the visit to the sector, Lt Gen Singh was briefed by commanders on ground about the current operational situation, prevailing security scenario and actions taken to meet the challenges of the increased ceasefire violations through aggressive domination of the Line of Control.

The Army Commander was accompanied by the White Knight Corps Commander, Lt Gen Harsha Gupta.

The Army Commander also interacted with the local people at village Seklu in Poonch Sector, where a helicopter had crash landed on 24 Oct 2019 and expressed deep gratitude for their wholehearted assistance in management and speedy evacuation of the injured.

He praised the people for their efforts, which conjointly with the Army has ensured peace and stability in the region.

He also apprised them regarding various initiatives being undertaken in the region for upliftment of the local population and mitigating their day to day problems, the statement said.

Defence Ministry to engage 50 lakh people in Swachhta campaign

New Delhi (NVI): As part of its ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ campaign, Defence Ministry aims to engaged 50 lakh people from its own ranks and the local communities to participate in plogging throughout the country on December 8 .

The aim of this campaign is to raise awareness amongst the community, collect plastic waste and make the surroundings plastic free.

The slogan coined for this event is ‘Plastic Se Raksha – Swachhata Hi Suraksha’.

Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh will lead the ‘Swachhta Day’ event, being organised at Delhi Cantt on December 7.

All the three services of Ministry of Defence, Indian Coast Guard and other organisations such as Border Road Organisation (BRO), National Cadet Corps (NCC), Canteen Services Division (CSD), Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will actively participate in this campaign.

There will also be a competition amongst the units.The winner will be based on number of participants in plogging and the amount of plastic collected.

Swachh Bharat Mission is one of the flagship programmes of the Government, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi throughout the country on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi in 2014 to realise his dream of ‘Clean India’.

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Pvt sector can strengthen Ayushman Bharat scheme: Report

ASSOCHAM, in collaboration with KPMG India released a thought leadership document focused on achieving unified healthcare for all, at the Ayushman Bharat Conclave here on December 4.

New Delhi (NVI): With Ayushman Bharat, having its key objectives aimed at elevating India’s overall healthcare system, a just released ASSOCHAM-KPMG joint report has highlighted the urgent need to focus on bigger operational aspects of the scheme.

The joint report titled, ‘Ayushman Bharat Programme – A big leap towards Universal Health Coverage in India,’ was released today by Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Ashwini Kumar Choubey at ASSOCHAM’s Ayushman Bharat Conclave.

The ASSOCHAM-KPMG report provides perspective and recommendations on leveraging the expertise of the private sector in strengthening key functional areas.

The joint report also provides ways to engage private players that will not only give ideas to derive a better output from private partnership, but could be utilised for future public private partnership models.

The report provides a comprehensive outlook on private participation and how the launch of Ayushman Bharat is aiming to achieve the vision of healthcare coverage for the underprivileged section of the society.

The purpose of this white paper is to find ways to leverage partnerships between the government and private, sector as both are important stakeholders contributing towards rapid and effective implementation of the scheme.

The report also provides insights into challenges being faced during implementation of the scheme and suggests additional interventions that can be incorporated to accelerate India’s journey towards universal health coverage.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister said, “The dream of building a successful India, an empowered India, will only come true, if we ensure a healthy India.”

In a video message, Dr Indu Bhushan, CEO, AB-PMJAY and National Health Authority said, “We are going to change the picture of the health sector in the years to come. With this scheme we are going to expand the availability and quality of services and make them more affordable by putting a cap on the cost of the services. For the success of this scheme, we need very active participation of private sector and innovations.”

Addressing the industry leaders, Deputy CEO, AB-PMJAY and National Health Authority Dr Praveen N Gedam, said, “Private sector can help us spread awareness about Ayushman Bharat scheme to every possible beneficiary across the country.”

He added, “We are happy to promote startups that can help us amplify or enhance the Ayushman Bharat scheme.”

Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council on Healthcare Dr Sudhir Kalhan said, “Access to primary healthcare, across urban and rural cities, is the need of the hour.”

Sharing his perspective on the study, Nilachal Mishra, partner, Health & Human Social Service, KPMG said, “Private sector has rapidly been involved in health infrastructure creation and quality of service. Private sector and government should work together to ensure that ‘health for all’ becomes a reality.”

Hurriyat activists, outfits behind J&K stone-pelting :Govt

Opposition parties
File Photo

New Delhi (NVI): As many as 5,161 persons, including political leaders and workers, stone pelters, OGWs, separatists were taken into preventive custody in Kashmir Valley since August 4, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy said that investigation has revealed that various separatist organisations and activists which are part of Hurriyat have been behind stone pelting incidents in Kashmir Valley and that the NIA has chargesheeted 18 persons in terror funding cases so far.

In a written reply to the question, the Minister said that to prevent commission of offences involving breach of peace, activities prejudicial to the security of the state and maintenance of public order people were taken into preventive custody.

He said that out of these, presently 609 persons are under preventive detentions which include 218 stone pelters.

He added that after 5 August, 194 cases have been registered in Jammu and Kashmir for breach of peace.

Commenting on the financing of militants and separatists, Reddy said that illegal money is being sent through hawala channels from across the border to finance terror related activities, stone pelting and attack on Security Forces in the Union Territory.

The Minister also remarked that due to the recent decisions, certain precautionary measures taken initially have already been substantially relaxed and it has been reported by the Jammu and Kashmir Government that all essential services are functioning normally in the Valley.

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C&I consumers use just 3% of renewable energy: Report
At present, the avenues available to C&I consumers to procure renewable power are limited to rooftop solar installations, open access solar and wind power, and RECs. Even these options are not freely available because of various policy and market constraints

The report was launched at a WWF-India and CII event in New Delhi on December 4.

New Delhi (NVI): Commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers in India utilise 51 per cent of the total generated power, and out of this, just three per cent is from the renewable energy, a WWF-India report said today.

The new WWF-India report, ‘Global Corporate Renewable Power Procurement Models: Lessons for India’, reviews the progress made by C&I consumers globally and in India for renewable power procurement and highlights the alternate RE procurement options.

It was launched at a WWF-India and CII event, The Rise of Renewables: Are You REDE?

Speaking about the report, Former Chairman, Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) M R Sreenivasa Murthy said, “WWF’s report highlights the need for a balance in both increasing renewable energy capacity and also harnessing corporate demand that better supports the overall energy system.”

At present, the avenues available to C&I consumers to procure renewable power are limited to rooftop solar installations, open access solar and wind power, and RECs. However, even these options are not freely available because of various policy and market constraints.

With the growing C&I renewable power market worldwide, many new alternate procurement options have opened up. Virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs), green tariffs, internationally tradable RECs (I-RECs) have already been successfully tried and tested in many countries.

There are also proposals to set up dedicated renewable power exchanges and facilitate peer-to-peer (P2P) trading.

The report examines various advantages and disadvantages for each of the options, exploring the suitability for specific consumer categories or segments. It also indicates, exploring green tariffs, VPPAs and I-RECs further in expanding the scope of RE uptake for C&I consumers through deeper consultation between stakeholders.

A collaborative effort to undertake pilot programmes and consumer awareness initiatives can build market confidence and momentum in the drive to increase renewable power consumption by C&I consumers.

Many corporates have been proactive and announced voluntary carbon mitigation targets, along with increasing their renewable power consumption, which was highlighted by  Ravi Singh, Secretary General and CEO, WWF-India.

“Consumption of renewable power cannot only make the C&I consumers cost competitive and spur macro-economic growth, but also play a significant role in reducing India’s carbon emissions,” he said.

“Concerted government action is required to grow penetration of renewable power for these consumers. There are two broad areas of action required. First, we need tariff reform to reduce financial dependence of the DISCOMs on C&I consumers. Second, new procurement models need to be enabled,” Managing Director, Bridge to India, Vinay Rustagi said.

At the event, CII, Imperial College Business School, London, and WWF-India announced plans to unify their shared vision and complementary expertise to build capacity via the online course, ‘Corporate Renewable Procurement: Opportunities in India’.

Piloted in 2018, the course has successfully completed two cohorts, and is now set to be offered to a wider audience.

Cabinet approves pact with Germany on Railways

indian railway

New Delhi (NVI): The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was apprised of the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) between India and Germany regarding cooperation on strategic projects in the field of railways.

The Joint Declaration of Intent was signed last month between the Ministry of Railways of India and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The objective of this agreement is to provide a platform to Indian Railways to interact and share the latest developments and knowledge in the field of railways, an official statement said.

It will also facilitate exchange of information expert meetings, seminars, technical visits and implementation of jointly agreed cooperation projects.

The Railways has signed Joint Declarations of Intent for technical cooperation in the rail sector with various foreign Governments and national railways in respect of identified areas of cooperation, which inter alia, include high speed rail, speed raising of existing routes, development of world class stations, heavy haul operations and modernization of rail infrastructure.

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Cabinet approves launch of Bharat Bond ETF 
The bond will create an additional source of funding for Central Public Sector Undertakings, Central Public Sector Enterprises, Central Public Financial Institutions and other Government organisations

Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Prakash Javadekar briefing the media on Cabinet decisions here on December 4.

New Delhi (NVI): The Cabinet today approved creation and launch of Bharat Bond Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), which will be the first corporate Bond ETF in the country.

This bond will create an additional source of funding for Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs), Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), Central Public Financial Institutions (CPFIs) and other Government organisations, an official statement said.

The Bharat Bond ETF will be a basket of bonds issued by CPSE, CPSU, CPFI or any other Government organisation bonds (initially, all AAA rated bonds).

Each ETF will have a fixed maturity date. It will track the underlying Index on risk replication basis, such as matching credit quality and average maturity of the index.

Moreover, it will invest in a portfolio of bonds of CPSE, CPSU, CPFI or any other Government organisations that matures on or before the maturity date of the ETF. As of now, it will have two maturity series of three and 10 years. Each series will have a separate index of the same maturity series.

The index will be constructed by an independent index provider — National Sock Exchange.

The ETF will provide safety (underlying bonds are issued by CPSEs and other Government owned entities), liquidity (tradability on exchange) and predictable tax efficient returns (target maturity structure).

It will also provide access to retail investors to invest in bonds with smaller amount (as low as Rs 1,000) thereby providing easy and low-cost access to bond markets.

This will also increase participation of retail investors who are currently not participating in bond markets due to liquidity and accessibility constraints.

Tax efficiency compared to Bonds as coupons from the Bonds are taxed at marginal rates. Bond ETFs are taxed with the benefit of indexation which significantly reduces the tax on capital gains for investor.

With regards to ETF Benefits for CPSEs, it will offer CPSEs, CPSUs, CPFIs and other Government organisations an additional source of meeting their borrowing requirements apart from bank financing.

It will expand their investor base through retail and HNI participation which can increase demand for their bonds. With increase in demand for their bonds, these issuers may be able to borrow at reduced cost thereby reducing their cost of borrowing over a period of time.

Since a broad debt calendar to assess the borrowing needs of the CPSEs would be prepared and approved each year, it would inculcate borrowing discipline in the CPSEs at least to the extent of this investment.

Target Maturity Bond ETF is expected to create a yield curve and a ladder of Bond ETFs with different maturities across calendar years.

It is expected to create new eco-system – Market Makers, index providers and awareness amongst investors – for launching new Bond ETFs in India, the statement added.

SC grants bail to Chidambaram

p chidambaram
Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram. File Photo

New Delhi (NVI): Supreme Court today granted bail to former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who has spent 105 days in prison, in the INX media money laundering case, lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

A three-judge bench headed by Justice Banumathi granted him bail on a personal bond of Rs two lakh alongwith two sureties of the same amount. The Apex Court also asked him to surrender his passport.

While granting bail, the top court said that Chidambaram cannot leave the country and travel without the prior permission of the court, he cannot make any public statements on the case, give interviews or contact witnesses and has to present himself for questioning whenever required.

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