Page 19 - Centre

Extra attempt, age relaxation for civil services aspirants unfeasible: Govt

Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the government has not found it feasible to change the existing provisions regarding the number of attempts and age-limit of the civil services examination

Bhagwant Mann slams Centre for non-representation of Punjab in MSP panel

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday slammed the Centre for not giving the state a representation in the committee formed on minimum support price

Opposition protests on GST hike, raises slogans against govt in Parliament

Opposition parties on Wednesday staged a protest in Parliament premises against inflation and the hike in the Goods and Services Tax on certain commodities of daily use. Leaders of opposition parties including the Congress, NCP, DMK and Left raised slogans against the government demanding a roll back of the hike in GST rates on commodities like curd, bread and paneer. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and others were present during the protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Parliament premises. The Congress and other parties have been seeking a discussion in Parliament on the issue of inflation and GST rates. Parliament has witnessed disruptions over the issue ever since the start of the Monsoon Session on Monday. The protesting opposition MPs also held banners and placards, saying "Gabbar Singh Tax Strikes again". The opposition has been describing the GST as Gabbar Singh Tax, referring to the Bollywood blockbuster Sholay's villain

554 sq km forest area diverted for non-forestry purposes in last 3 years

A total of 554.3 square kilometres of forest area in the country has been diverted for non-forestry purposes in the last three years, government data presented in Lok Sabha showed

Govt declared Assam floods as severe calamity; sending relief funds: CM

The Union government is providing funds to mitigate the hardships being faced by the affected people, he said, adding that the Centre will bear 90% of the expenses for relief and rehabilitation

Centre pulls up edtech firms for mis-selling courses, IEC responds

Self-regulatory organisation India Edtech Consortium (IEC) on Saturday said it is committed to protecting consumer interest and has resolved 100 per cent complaints received till June

Centre to introduce 24 new bills in upcoming Monsoon Session in Parliament

As many as 24 new bills will be introduced in the upcoming monsoon session of the Parliament, including Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2022

Gujarat CM launches drive to administer free Covid-19 vaccine booster doses

The booster doses will be given in Gujarat from July 15 to September 30, for 75 days to the eligible population, a government release said.

Centre's air quality panel revamps plan to check air pollution in Delhi-NCR

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revamped the Graded Response Action Plan -- a set of anti-air pollution measures followed in Delhi and its vicinity according to the severity of the situation. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 2017, comes into force mid-October when air pollution levels in the region start worsening. The review is part of a policy formulated by CAQM to abate the menace of air pollution in Delhi-NCR. The GRAP for the National Capital Region (NCR) has now been classified under four different stages of adverse air quality in Delhi: Stage I - 'Poor' (AQI 201-300); Stage II - 'Very Poor' (AQI 301-400); Stage III - 'Severe' (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV - 'Severe+' (AQI >450). The revised GRAP recommends a ban on coal and firewood, including in tandoors in hotels, restaurants, open eateries; and on diesel generator sets, except for emergent and essential services under Stage I. If the ...

HC asks Centre to file reply on plea to declare PM CARES Fund a 'State'

Observing that the issue concerning the PM CARES Fund is "not so simple" the high court asked the Centre to file a detailed and exhaustive response in the matter.

Centre wants to create framework for PPP in farm sector: Agriculture Secy

Manoj Sinha said work on the framework is ongoing, private players are encouraged to share their inputs

Centre open to public-private union to build up space industry: ISRO chief

The government has come out with a policy to encourage participation of private companies in space technology as part of reforms in the field, ISRO chief S Somanath said on Saturday. The government would consult with industries and startups to strengthen the space eco systems under the public- private partnership in infrastructre, remote-sensing and development of new technology, Somanath told reporters on the sidelines of 26th convocation of Karunya University here. With regard to investment, he said it would be 100 per cent for Indian companies and 70 per cent through FDI with the approval of the Centre. To a question on the launch of small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV), Somanath said it would happen by this month-end or at the beginning of August. Asked about starting a launchpad at Kulasekharapatnam in Tamil Nadu, he said the State government has allotted 2,000 acres of land and after developing the required infrastructure, it may be ready by another two years. On the much

Lower edible oil price by Rs 15 with immediate effect: Govt to associations

It has also advised that the price to distributors by the manufacturers and refiners needs to be reduced immediately so that the price drop is not diluted in any way.

Centre releases over Rs 324 crore as advance share for Assam floods

The Centre has released Rs 324.40 crore as advance share of the State Disaster Response Fund for 2022-23 to Assam, which has been hit by flood and landslides at several places this year

Centre seeks to grant bank licence to PSBs to enable privatisation

The government is exploring several options to address the issue for enabling privastisation of PSBs

Telangana Minister slams Centre, asks to release white paper on jobs

"The people of Telangana and the country thought that the two-day BJP National Working Committee meeting, would give some directions but people are left disappointed"

Centre planning export houses exclusively for cooperatives: Amit Shah

Cooperative model of development is best suited for the country, says union minister

RBI pegs state govt market borrowing for July-Sept at Rs 2.1 trillion

Actual borrowings and state-wise breakup will be intimated 2-3 days prior to auction day; RBI to try and ensure auctions are held in non-disruptive manner considering mkt conditions

GST Council meet: Easier e-comm supplier registration, tax tweaks on cards

The council will also clear levying the highest tax of 28 per cent on online games, casinos and horse racing, besides, discussing a report of a GoM on high-risk taxpayers under GST to curb evasion.

'Election mirage': Mayawati on Centre's move to recruit 10 lakh employees

"Due to wrong policies and working style of the Centre, poverty, inflation, unemployment and devaluation of the Rupee are at an all-time high", Mayawati said in a series of tweets in Hindi.