Page 58 - Centre

Top headlines: Govt announces Rs 73k cr stimulus, power returns to Mumbai

From Nirmala Sitharaman announcing schemes worth Rs 73,000 cr to boost consumer demand to FB appointing Sunil Abraham for tech policy, Business Standard brings you top headlines of the day

Govt may allow use of Covid vaccine in emergency situations: Harsh Vardhan

Warns of spike in cases during winter; China, UAE among the few countries have allowed such authorisation

Govt constructed 2,921 km of highways under the Bharatmala Pariyojna

A total of 322 projects in a length of 12,413 km have been awarded under Bharatmala Pariyojana till August, 2020

Invited again for talks on farm laws by Centre, says Punjab farmer bodies

A decision on whether to accept the invitation will be taken at a meeting in Jalandhar on October 13, they said

GST Council to discuss compensation issue for third time in a row on Monday

The projected total compensation shortfall in current fiscal stands at Rs 2.35 trillion

ONGC to take Rs 7,000 cr hit over gas price; govt may alter pricing formula

Prices touched historic low of $1.79 per mmBtu for October-period of current financial year, down 25% from $2.39 per mmBtu during April-September period

Centre sees nine times jump in paddy procurement in Punjab in 13 days

Paddy procurement commenced in Punjab and Haryana from September 26 due to early arrival of the crop, while in other states from October 1

Govt's social stock exchanges proposal may face disclosure roadblock

An SSE is a platform that allows NGOs and voluntary non-profit organisations to raise capital for social purposes

'Atmanirbhar Bharat' should not result in protectionism: Raghuram Rajan

Rajan was addressing a virtual event organised by economic think tank ICRIER

Under Secy, senior officers to attend office on all working days: Centre

All officers of the rank of Under Secretary and above will be attending offices on all working days, the Personnel Ministry said on Wednesday in its latest guidelines for central government employees. Earlier, the officers of the level of Deputy Secretary and above were asked to attend the offices on all working days. For government servants below the level of Under Secretary, at least 50 per cent attendance is to be ensured, it said. The Heads of Department may mandate attendance of more than 50 per cent, if required in public interest, while strictly ensuring that social distancing is maintained under all circumstances, the guidelines said. The government servants at the level of Under Secretary and above have to attend offices on all working days, the ministry said in its order issued to all central government departments saying that this directive shall be in force with immediate effect. All officers and staff residing in the containment zone shall be exempted from coming to .

Samsung, Lava among 16 firms approved for PLI plan for phone manufacturing

Lava, Bhagwati (Micromax), Padget Electronics, UTL Neolyncs and Optiemus Electronics are among the Indian companies approved

Mallya can't be extradited till secret proceedings in UK resolved: Centre

The Centre said that it is not aware of the secret ongoing proceedings against Mallya in the United Kingdom, as the government of India is not party to the process

Govt extends deadline for new emission norms for tractors to Oct 2021

These norms were to be applicable from October

Govt working on directed energy weapons, AI-enabled systems: IAF chief

India is working on the ambitious $5 billion project to develop the fifth-generation medium weight deep penetration fighter jet to significantly bolster its air power capability

Govt procures over 800k tonnes paddy at MSP in last 9 days, pays Rs 1511 cr

Pulses and cotton are also being procured at MSP as per the existing schemes

Govt scraps need of min 7-year constant service for enhanced family pension

An EOFP is 50 per cent of personnel's last emoluments and is payable for 10 years from the date of the death of the personnel in service

Govt buys 573,000 tons of paddy at MSP in last 8 days from Punjab, Haryana

Paddy worth Rs 1,082.46 crore has been purchased at MSP from 41,084 farmers so far, it said

Groundwork for new Parliament building begins; to be completed in 22 months

Last month, Tata Projects Limited won the bid to construct a new Parliament building near the existing one under the Central Vista redevelopment project

E-pharmacies urge govt to notify e-pharmacy rules vital to health Mission

Online pharmacies on Thursday said they have requested the government to notify the final e-pharmacy rules. A vibrant e-pharmacy remains a vital cog in the implementation of the National Digital Health Mission, association of Indian internet pharmacies Digital Health Platforms said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "It is our sincere request that the government notify the final e-pharmacy rules," the association added. Draft e-Pharmacy Rules are in addition to, and not in substitution of, the existing legal framework of the IT act and DC (Drugs and Cosmetics) Act and Rules, which the existing e-pharmacies are fully compliant with, the letter said. Therefore, the registration of e-pharmacies under the proposed Draft Rules is over and above the existing relevant Act and Rules, it added. "A vibrant e-Pharmacy sector continues to be a key element in successfully implementing the National Digital Health Mission, and governmental support and motivation to the sector is critic

Govt to execute communication network project for Army in forward areas

The project will also help provide secure network coverage in areas along the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border with Pakistan, they said