Page 18 - Indian Government

Govt bonds' inclusion into JPMorgan index pushed to next year: Report

Indian government bonds will likely only be included in the JPMorgan emerging market global index early next year as New Delhi still needs to address various operational issues

National Clean Air Programme: Govt to reduce 40% particulate matter by 2026

The Centre has set a new target of 40 percent reduction in particulate matter concentration in cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) by 2026, updating the earlier goal of 20 to 30 percent reduction by 2024, officials have said. According to the Union Environment Ministry, 95 of the 131 non-attainment cities covered under the NCAP have witnessed an overall improvement in PM10 levels in 2021 as compared to 2017 levels. Twenty cities, including Chennai, Madurai and Nashik, have met the national standards for annual average PM10 concentration (60 microgram per cubic metre). The acceptable annual standard for PM2.5 is 40 micrograms per cubic metre. PM2.5 are fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller, and pose the greatest risk to health. The 132 cities covered under the NCAP did not meet the prescribed national ambient air quality standards for five consecutive years (2011-2015). "The goal of 20 to 30 percent reducti

Small oil and gas field operators ask govt for exemption from windfall tax

The central government from July 1, 2022, levied a tax on crude and petroleum products to capture supernormal profits of energy companies amid a sharp rise in global oil prices

Reducing govt spending holds the key to fixing India's inflation worries

If the finance ministry wants private investment to revive, it must make things easy for it and resist the temptation to go on spending just because it can

What's rendering state Finance Commissions so ineffective and toothless?

While the 13th Finance Commission gave a template for preparing the reports of SFCs, it was not acted upon because these are not mandatory recommendations

Higher gas prices raise difficult questions for Reliance, Adani Group

The 153% jump in prices of natural gas this year has raised the stakes for the government of India to get its policy right in the sector

Centre pushes for home-grown navigation system, smartphone makers jolted

According to government, NavIC provides more accurate domestic navigation and its use is likely to benefit the economy as well

Govt looking to plug loophole in solar equipment import duty: Report

The central government is looking at ways to plug a loophole in regulations that are allowing solar power developers to avoid paying duties of nearly 40% on cells and modules

Centre asks States, UTs to conduct social audit for mid-day meal scheme

The social audit is important in detecting irregularities like siphoning of funds and helps the authorities to get feedback from the local community, on the mid-day meal scheme

UP govt takes cognizance as over 2 mn cattle affected by Lumpy Skin Disease

A total of 97,435 cattle have died in the nation due to the viral Lumpy Skin Disease

Top Headlines: Threshold for Benami deals, green bond investors, and more

The Centre may introduce a value threshold for "Ben­ami deals", beyond which such transactions shall be invalidated and assets involved confiscated

Rahul Gandhi slams Centre over issues of price rise, unemployment

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday attacked the Centre over the issues of price rise and unemployment, alleging that the BJP-led government is not for farmers, youth and women but for the five-six richest Indians. "PM often asks- '70 saal mein kya kiya?' We never gave India the highest-ever unemployment. We never gave India record price rise it faces today," Gandhi said in a tweet. "BJP govt is not a govt for farmers, youth & women. It's a govt for 5-6 richest Indians who are monopolising any business they want," he said. Gandhi and the Congress have been attacking the Centre over the issues of price rise and unemployment, alleging that the government's policies have worsened the economic situation of the country.

Half of judiciary's problems due to state-sponsored litigation: NV Ramana

Former Chief Justice of India, NV Ramana on Saturday termed the government as the 'biggest litigator' and said half of the judiciary's problems will be resolved if it decides to put a halt to the state-sponsored litigations. Speaking at ISB Leadership Summit 2022, he rued that the state of judicial infrastructure in this country even after 75 years of independence was 'disturbing' and a nationwide study that he had commissioned revealed certain hard truths about the poor state of judicial infrastructure in this country. During the chief ministers and chief justices conference last April, I had the occasion to highlight my understanding of these problems. As I told in the presence of the honourable Prime Minister, one of the major concerns is that the government is the biggest litigator, he recalled. The number of inter-departmental disputes, service matters and those relating to interaction of authorities clogging the system is appalling. Half of the judiciary problem would be solve

Amid Fed rate hike Centre not averse to weaker rupee vs US dollar: Report

The comments come against the backdrop of aggressive rate hikes from the US Federal Reserve, which raised rates by 75 basis points overnight, vowing to battle to beat down inflation.

Telcos want seven sections of the Telegraph Act 1885 repealed or modified

Technology has made some sections irrelevant while others need strengthening for the modern age, telcos have argued through their apex body, COAI

Govt may retain or cut bond borrowings for current fiscal on robust revenue

India may keep its market borrowing plan for the financial year intact, with a recent uptick in revenues likely to lead to a discussion on whether the target can be reduced

Naga peace talks between Centre, NSCN-IM to resume in Delhi today

Peace talks between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) will resume later on Tuesday based on the Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015

Fate of world's biggest free food programme rests in PM Modi's hands

PM Modi will soon decide whether to extend a food dole out that has cost India $44 billion since the pandemic, or ease the strain on government finances and food supply

Will NITI Aayog-like bodies come up in the states and will they deliver?

Experts believe that merely replacing the state boards with Aayog-like bodies will not make them institutions which would be looked at seriously by the governments

Govt starts works on sale of 4 Air India subsidiaries it retained

Ground-handling arm would be monetised first; investor roadshows for all companies organised