Government Reforms

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday called for qualitative reforms in the functioning of local self-government bodies, which he said will save money and improve quality. Speaking at the convocation ceremony of the All India Institute of Local Self Government, Gadkari stressed the need for coordination between technology and education. He lamented the lack of quality in the functioning of the municipal administration and said technical qualifications in works must improve. Gadkari also called for improving the standard of Detailed Project Report (DPR) of management consultants hired for municipal works. He appealed to municipal administrations to work on solid and liquid waste management, developing a tree bank and adopting the "waste to wealth" concept. Gadkari said performance audit of municipalities was a must.

The upcoming Assembly elections seem to have derailed the govt's plan to bring reforms through Parliament. Of the 26 Bills that the govt had planned to pass, just 10 could see the light of the day

Addressing shareholder queries at company AGM Vi's chairman Himanshu Kapania said the exact amount will be worked out upon the submission of a new business plan.

PM Modi sets target for energy independent India by 2047

Outdated laws that make doing business in the country difficult should be scrapped, he says.

He said that the fiscal stimulus, by its very nature, is additional fiscal burden on the public finances

In order to promote cruise tourism, the central government today announced a slew of reforms to revolutionize the industry which has a high employment generation potential, by simplifying the rules and procedures for cruise port operations.The reforms are based on the recommendations of a global consultant engaged by the Ministry of Shipping to draw up an Action Plan for providing a customer friendly and hassle free logistics process for the cruise tourism industry and develop an enabling ecosystem necessary to promote and sustain cruise shipping in India.Some of the recommendations given by the consultant that can be immediately implemented include single window system for all pre cruise requirements for cruise operators like entry of vehicles, personnel and guides electronically doing away with checking of registration, license papers of vehicle at each time.Building separate dedicated approach roads to cruise terminals and providing uniform and consistent security procedures by ...