Page 5 - Central Government

Wheat sowing area up 3.17%; Centre says its interventions are helping

Last year during the same period the crop was sown in around 30.26 million hectares. In total rabi crops have been planted in around 62.06 million hectares till Friday

Centre taking vital steps on food security in people's interest: Union MoS

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shobha Karandlaje on Thursday shed light on the steps undertaken by the Centre government towards food security

Centre to move 3 Bills in RS to modify ST list in TN, Himachal, Karnataka

The Central government is set to move three bills in the Rajya Sabha later on Thursday to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in relation to the states of Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka

No plans to reduce age of consent for consensual relationships: Centre

Government has no plans to reduce the age of consent for consensual relationships, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday. In a written reply to a question whether the government is considering changing the age of consent for consensual relationships to 16 years from the present 18 years, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said the question "does not arise". The minister said the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, 2012 enacted to safeguard children from sexual abuse and sexual offences clearly defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years. The Act was further amended in 2019 to introduce more stringent punishment, including death penalty for committing sexual crimes on children, with a view to deter the perpetrators and prevent such crimes against children. "In case of commission of offence by child, Section 34 under POCSO Act already provides procedure in case of commission of offence by child and determination of age by Special ..

Centre to review Covid situation as cases rise in China, other nations

Health ministry asks states to ramp up genome sequencing

RSS-affiliated BKS warns govt of trouble if farmers demand not met on time

Several farmers told PTI that they are ready to intensify the protest if the government did not meet their demands within three months

Centre will introduce Repealing and Amending Bill 2022 in Lok Sabha

The Centre will on Monday introduce in Lok Sabha the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022 for repealing certain enactments

Northeast youth now have computer in hand in place of guns: Centre

The Centre on Monday informed Parliament that since 2014 it has provided ample employment opportunities to the youth of the northeastern region

Centre to introduce policy or new law on online gaming soon: Vaishnaw

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said the Centre would come out with a proper policy or a new law on online gaming given the impact it has on society. During an interaction with reporters here, Vaishnaw, who holds the Railways, Communication and Information Technology portfolio, recalled that recently he had a meeting with the Information Technology Ministers of all the States, who were concerned over the effect of online gaming. Every State has shown serious concern about the impact online gaming is having on society, particularly the addictive part of it -- people are getting addicted, people are weirdly exhibiting behaviour not within social norms, which is affecting harmony of society, Vaishnav said. That's why we have taken up a very serious consultation process with all stakeholders. We will be able to come up with a proper policy very soon which might even involve a new law or a regulation, he explained. He also said the Centre is coming up with Data Bill and Digit

Development took place even when old pension scheme was in place: Gehlot

Brushing aside the criticism of the revival of the old pension scheme (OPS) for Rajasthan government employees, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday said India witnessed development even when the OPS was in place. He asserted that the OPS will continue in Rajasthan as pension is a state subject. Gehlot called upon other states to revive the old pension scheme and also demanded a uniform policy for social security in the entire country. He said the central government should come forward to make the policy. Experts have opined that reviving old pension would put state finances under difficulty. Speaking at a press conference on the completion of four years of his government, the chief minister said the demand to return the new pension scheme fund has been turned down but his government will take up the issue. "Deciding pension is the right of the state," he said. Referring to the criticism of the OPS by the finance commission and NITI Aayog, Gehlot said the critics may be saying

Contribution of cesses to central govt's tax kitty doubles to over 18%

States have been concerned about increasing cases of Centre imposing cesses for garnering additional revenue

Maiden Pharma's cough syrups are safe, WHO jumped the gun: DCGI

'Irreparable damage' to Indian pharma's global image, drug regulator writes to WHO

Centre to sell up to 5% stake in IRCTC via OFS to garner Rs 2,720 crore

Floor price fixed at Rs 680/share, an over 7% discount to Wednesday closing price

Govt not to make RBI report on MPC's first-ever inflation failure public

MPC is said to have failed to achieve inflation target if average CPI inflation falls outside 2-6% range for three straight quarters. This was the case in the three quarters from Jan to Sept of 2022

Centre unlikely to conduct Census before Lok Sabha elections 2024

The gigantic exercise involves training 3 million enumerators who would visit houses in two phases to collect the data

There was no proposal to reintroduce a modified NJAC, says Centre

The Centre further said that out of the 34 judge strength of the Supreme Court, 27 judges are working in the, which puts the vacancy to 7

Centre cannot remain mute spectator: Sharad Pawar on Maha-K'taka border row

Amid the simmering border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka, Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar on Thursday said the central government cannot remain a mute spectator. If power is misused to destroy the idea of a language medium and movement, there is bound to be a reaction. But, the Centre has turned a blind eye to it, Pawar said addressing a meeting of the NCP here. The Maharashtra-Karnataka boundary dispute is not between the two states, but for the rights and justice of the Marathi- speaking people in the border areas of the neighbouring state, the former Union minister said. On Wednesday, the issue of the border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka was raised in the Lok Sabha with NCP leader and Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule seeking the intervention of the Union home ministry in the matter. Referring to it, Pawar said, "Yesterday, the Lok Sabha Speaker told Supriya Sule that the issue is between two states and not an issue to be raised in Parliament

Collegium law of land, comments against it not very well taken: SC to govt

Amid the ongoing friction between the Centre and the judiciary on the issue of appointment of judges, the Supreme Court on Thursday told the Centre that collegium system is the "law of the land"

Advise Centre to exercise restraint on comments: SC tells attorney general

In his maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha on December 7 and at a public event last week, vice president Jagdeep Dhankar criticised the Supreme Court's judgement overturning the NJAC

Need 'blessings' of Centre, PM Modi to improve civic amenities: Kejriwal

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday thanked the people for AAP's victory in the MCD polls and sought the cooperation of the BJP and the Congress as well as the "blessings" of the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to improve civic amenities here. The AAP national convener batted for positive politics in the country to ensure that India becomes number one country in the world. "We all have to improve the condition of Delhi and I need cooperation of all, including the BJP and Congress. We need cooperation of all, especially the help and blessings of the Centre and the prime minister to do so," Kejriwal said in his victory speech at AAP headquarters here on DDU Marg. The AAP won 132 seats in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi polls while the BJP was runner up with wins in 104 wards. The AAP's victory ended BJP's 15-year rule at the civic body. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia were also present at the victory celebration