ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Shri Piyush Goyal calls upon the Exporters to be more competitive and provide quality products to the world;
Diversification, consolidation in the current areas of strength,and exploration of new markets is the Mantra for success
Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and Railways, today, through Video Conference, participated in the Digital Summit on Exports organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry . EXIM Bank of India was the Institutional Partner for the Summit.
Addressing the Summit, Shri Goyalsaid that the future of growth lay with industry and the private sector, with the government having a lesser role to play. The minister identified three important ways to increase India’s exports: reviving manufacturing, diversifying the exports basket, and finding newer and more accepting markets. He emphasised that the diversification of exports, in addition to consolidating current areas of strength, is necessary for our economy to grow. He stated that India has a huge opportunity to promote indigenous production in auto component sector, furniture, air conditioners, and others. He said that MeitY is promoting electronics production, in pharma we are encouraging API manufacturing, and in the agri export sector the opportunity is huge. He said that in the IT related service, the world recognizes the Indian expertise and prowess, and hence we have asked the NASSCOM to target for $500 billion export in the sector in next five years.
AatmaNirbhar Bharat, he said, is not just about greater self-reliance, but also engaging with the world from a position of strength. He said that India should be seen as a dependable partner and reliable friend in the world market, particularly when the global supply chains are undergoing rejig. Talking about the Prime Minister’s vision to make India self-reliant, Shri Goyal said that we should talk from the position of strength, be competitive, and provide quality products to the world. There should be killer instinct in us to succeed. No crisis can stop our march, if there is willingness to take on the challenges head-on.
Shri Goyal congratulated CII on completing 125 years and the launch of the Taskforce on Enhancing Exports through integration into the Global Value Chains . He committed to working closely with the Taskforce and take action where necessary for the benefit of industry, and the country.He assured the exporting community that the Government, whether the union or states, are there to provide full support and are willing to work in partnership. He said that the country has skilled workforce, and world class institutions like Universities and research labs, and let us work for the well-being of 130 crore people of India.
Mr. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, said that we must carry out all reforms necessary to overhaul our exports and this is the right time to roll them out. Trade logistics, compliance with quality standards, seamless functioning of GVCs, and a robust strategy to leverage FTAs would be key, he said.
Ministry of Communications
Union Minister Smt Smriti Irani opens Mahila Samman Saving Certificate Account; paves way for empowering women through post offices
Union Minister for Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs Smt Smriti Irani opened a Mahila Samman Savings Certificate  account by visiting Sansad Marg Head Post Office today afternoon. She came to the counter as a common post office customer and completed the account opening formalities. Her MSSC account was opened and computer generated passbook was handed over to her at the counter itself.
Smt Smriti Irani also interacted with the post office staff and some of the MSSC and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana account holders on the occasion. The noble gesture of the Minister will surely inspire millions to come forward and open their MSSC and Sukanya Samriddhi account in the nearest post office.
Mahila Samman Savings Certificate Scheme was announced in the 2023-24 Union Budget by Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman to commemorate ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and is a significant step towards financial inclusion and empowerment of the women including the girls.
The two-year tenure scheme offers an attractive interest rate of 7.5 per cent compounded quarterly with flexible investment and partial withdrawal options with a maximum ceiling of Rs two lakh. The scheme is valid for a two-year period upto 31st March 2025.
Scheme has been made available in all 1.59 lakh post offices from April 01, 2023. The effort was also applauded Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi through his tweet on April 03, 2023.
PIB Headquarters
IGNOU Term End Exams from December 1 to 23
The Term End Examinations for December, 2017 of Indira Gandhi National Open University  will be held from 1st December 2017 to 23rd December 2017 across the country.
A total of 5,500 students will appear for the examinations at nine examination centres in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts under the IGNOU Regional Centre Trivandrum. The hall ticket is available on IGNOU website www.ignou.ac.in. Students must possess valid identity card issued by the University during the examination.
For more details contact IGNOU Regional Centre Trivandrum Rajadhani Complex, Killippalam, Karamana P.O., Thiruvanathapuram- 695002
Ph: 0471-2344113/2344120.
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Ministry of Heavy Industries
India is determined to boost cooperation with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey
2nd meeting of Ministers of Industry of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation held in Uzbekistan
China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India & Pakistan are full- time member nations of SCO
India is determined to boost cooperation with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation , said Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Union Minister, Heavy Industries while virtually attending the 2nd meeting of Ministers of Industry of the member states of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Uzbekistan.
The 2nd meeting of Ministers of Industry of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was held in Uzbekistan today with Uzbekistan being the host nation. SCO has China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India & Pakistan as full- time member nations.
During the meeting, the Minister highlighted that India will continue to play an active, positive and constructive role in the organisation. He also reiterated India’s commitment to collaborate with industrialists of SCO member countries to explore mutually beneficial opportunities.
The Minister further stated that by walking together and with mutual cooperation, we can give new direction to socio-economic and industrial development in the region. He said that it is because of this desire for the development of the SCO region, India has prepared the 'Draft Program for Promotion of Industrial Cooperation among Business Worlds of SCO Member States and the Regulations for the Organization and Organizing of Exhibition Programs' at the Industry Ministers' Session of the SCO Member States.
Dr. Pandey emphasized upon India’s robust industrial environment and reiterated that despite disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, its performance had significantly improved in 2021-22. He said that the share of mining & quarrying, manufacturing & construction in India’s GDP is now 28%. He told that under the inspirational leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, the government has drawn up a comprehensive program for industrial rejuvenation to remove long-standing bottlenecks arising due to inadequate infrastructure & sluggish business processes. He also highlighted that various labour market reforms have also been introduced to improve the industrial environment in the country.
Ministry of Railways
Renewable Energy Investors’ Meet organized by Indian Railways
Leading financers and leading renewable energy organizations attended the meet and shared their expectations of being partners in the journey of renewable energy of Indian Railways
Indian Railways and Railway Energy Management Company Ltd.  organized a Renewable Energy Investors’ Meet on 09th January, 2020 in New Delhi. The objective of the Investors’ Meet was to disseminate information about the opportunities available under renewable energy in Indian Railways. In the meet, experience of developers with Railways and key benefits of partnering with Indian Railways was showcased.
The Investors’ Meet was attended by leading financers and institutions including Department for International Development, Government of United Kingdom , Asian Development Bank , GIZ from Germany, AFD from France, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited , State Bank of India , Punjab National Bank  as well as leading renewable energy organizations such as Softbank Energy, L&T, Renew Power, Sembcorp, Amplus Solar, SunEdison and Gensol. They shared their expectations of being partners in the journey of renewable energy of Indian Railways. The investors acknowledged the efforts of Indian Railways in leading the development of renewable energy in the country and expressed strong support to Indian Railways on the path of going green and achieving the net zero carbon emissions target by 2030.
The meet was chaired by Member Traction, Railway Board, Shri Rajesh Tiwari. In the meet, Shri Tiwari gave an overview of Railways’ power scenario and the opportunities for various stake holders in the renewable energy sector. Shri Tiwari mentioned about the steps being undertaken by Indian Railways to reduce the cost of power procurement and the benefits of signing PPAs with Indian Railways such as low off take risk and clarity on roof rights.
Chairman, REMCL, Shri Rajeev Mehrotra, CEO, REMCL, Shri Sudhir Kumar Saxena, Additional Member, Electrical, Smt. Manju Gupta and other senior officials of Railway Board were also present during the meet.
Indian Railways has recently invited bids for 47 MW rooftop solar projects and 249 MW of wind solar hybrid projects. This meet was supported under the Power Sector Reforms Programme, as a part of cooperation agreed in the MoU signed between UK’s DFID and Indian Railways on 2nd December 2019.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Update on relief operations in Kerala from Ministry of Civil Aviation
The update on relief operations from Ministry of Civil Aviation is as follows:
• Scheduled domestic airlines have mounted additional flights to/from Trivandrum, Calicut and Coimbatore airports to minimize passenger inconvenience. Airlines are also displaying status of rescheduled and additional flights on their respective websites along with waiver of cancellation/change ticket charges. Eight foreign carriers have also rescheduled their flights to/from Trivandrum.
• Based on satisfactory safety risk assessment, SOP of M/s Alliance Air for operation of ATR72 aircraft to/from INS Garuda, Cochin has been approved.
• Schedule submitted by M/s Alliance Air for Bengaluru-Cochin-Bengaluru  and Bengaluru-Coimbatore-Cochin-Coimbatore-Bengaluru  on daily basis with ATR 72 aircraft has been approved for operation from INS Garuda, Cochin airport with effect from 20 Aug 2018.
• Monitoring of airfare carried out on 19 Aug 2018 has revealed that maximum fares on various domestic non-stop direct routes to/from Kerala and nearby airports on ranging from INR 3395/- to INR 6999/- for shorter routes and from INR 6017/- to around INR 10000/- on longer routes.
• It is clarified that high airfares shown on some social media tweets are for hopping and very long duration flights.
• Control Room set up by DGCA continues to work round the clock to aid stranded/affected passengers due to flight cancellations in Cochin. More than 3980 queries have been addressed by the control room till date.
• Based upon request received from Kerala Government to facilitate them in air dropping of relief material, DGCA has permitted two helicopter operators M/s Ghodawat and M/s Devengere for carrying out aerial dropping of flood relief material.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU between India and United Kingdom on cooperation in the sphere of Law & Justice and establishing a Joint Consultative Committee
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding  between India and United Kingdom regarding cooperation between both countries in the sphere of Law & Justice and to set up a Joint Consultative Committee.
The MoU takes care of concerns and requirements in the field of exchange of experience by legal professionals, government functionaries and their training and effective legal aid mechanism for resolution of disputes before various Courts, Tribunals, etc. and proposes establishment of Joint Consultative Committees.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Government has received complaints from traders, retailers and industry associations against marketplace e-commerce entities regarding deep discounting, predatory pricing and misuse of market dominance
Complaints have been forwarded to relevant Government agencies for necessary examination and investigation
Government has received complaints from traders, retailers and industry associations against marketplace e-commerce entities regardingdeep discounting, predatory pricing and misuse of market dominance.The said complaints have been forwarded to relevant Government agencies for necessary examination and investigation.
Consumer Protection  Rules, 2020 were notified on 23rd July, 2020. In order to further strengthen the regulatory framework for prevention of unfair trade practices in e-Commerce, Government has sought suggestions on the proposed Amendments to the Rules by placing it on the website of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Comments from many stakeholders on draft e-Commerce policy have been received relating to definition of e-Commerce, role of marketplace entities and liabilities of e-Commerce companies, among other related issues.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Som Parkash, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Exports of GI certified Gholvad Sapota for Maharashtra to UK begins
In a major boost to exports of Geographical Indication  certified products, a consignment of Dahanu Gholvad Sapota from Palghar district of Maharashtra was today shipped to the United Kingdom.
GI certification of Ghovad Sapota is held by Maharashtra Rajya Chikoo Utpadak Sangh and the fruit is known for its sweet and unique taste. It is believed that the unique taste is derived from calcium rich soil of Gholvad village.
Currently in the Palgahr district, around 5000 hectares of land is under sapota or plantation. Out of 5000 farmers who grow Sapota, 147 farmers are authorized GI users.
The Dahanu Gholvad Sapota, sourced from the authorized GI users, were sorted and graded from the APEDA assisted and registered packhouse facility at M/s Kay Bee Agro International Private Limited, Tapi  and exported by M/s Kay Bee exports.
At present, the demand in the importing countries are mainly from the ethnic population and Dr M Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA said that export can increase many folds if the mainstream buyers are also targeted as Sapota can be grown throughout the year unlike other fruits.
APEDA has been thrust on promotion of exports of GI products. GI products with its uniqueness, intrinsic value and practically no competition from outsiders, offers good potential for export.
Sapota is grown in many states- Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka is known to be the highest grower of the fruit, followed by Maharashtra. It can be used in fruit salads, blended into milk or yogurt, as a smoothie or processed to make a jam out of it.
Earlier this month, a consignment of 2.5 Metric Tonne of GI certified Banganapalli & Survarnarekha mangoes sourced from farmers in Krishna & Chittor districts of Andhra Pradesh was exported to South Korea.
The mangoes were treated, cleaned & shipped from the APEDA supported packhouse & vapor heat treatment facilities at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh and exported by IFFCO Kisan SEZ 
This was the first export consignment sent by IKSEZ, which is a subsidiary of IFFCO, a multi-state cooperative with a membership of 36,000 societies. There is possibility of more exports of mangoes to South Korea this season. IFFCO Kisan SEZ has an agreement with Meejaim, South Korea for supplying 66 MTs of mango this season. Andhra Pradesh horticulture department also collaborated in this endeavour.
APEDA promotes exports of agricultural & processed food products by providing assistance to the exporters under various components of its scheme such as Infrastructure Development, Quality Development and Market Development. In addition, APEDA also conducts international Buyer Seller Meets , Virtual trade fairs with importing countries to promote agricultural & processed food products.
Apart from this the Department of Commerce  also support exports through various schemes like Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme , Market Access Initiative  etc.
Ministry of Defence
Indian Coast Guard Conducts Regional Search And Rescue  Exercise in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh
The Indian Coast Guard conducted Regional Search and Rescue exercise during 28 -29 March 2023 at Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The aim of the exercise was to simulate a real time maritime distress scenario and highlight the functioning of Search and Rescue  organisation for a mass rescue operation. The exercise involved all stakeholders with effective use of available resources towards M-SAR  contingency efficiently.
The exercise simulated an Offshore Support vessel  carrying more than hundreds of passengers that reported a distress call of major fire onboard off Kakinada. Maritime Rescue Sub Centre  Kakinada coordinated with all resource agencies to save the lives in distress. The state disaster contingency plan was invoked to support the operations at sea. External Fire Fighting of the distressed vessel, Abandon ship drill, deployment of Rescue boat, Jason Cradle, Scramble net, Life raft, life buoy, surveillance by drone, de-induction of casualty rescue by helicopter and medical management were conducted during the exercise. The ashore preparations included setting up of Incident Command Post, Triage for treatment of casualties and necessary facilities for management of critical casualties.
Sea area off Kakinada was chosen as the venue for the exercise considering the large-scale exploration and production activities in the Krishna Godavari basin which makes the area potential to emergencies necessitating large scale SAR response. The two-day long workshop and exercise enhanced knowledge and understanding, promoting cooperation and coordination amongst member agencies for a Mass Rescue Operation , wherein the efforts of a single agency may not be sufficient.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves the Memorandum of Understanding between the Indian Council of medical Research , India and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics , Switzerland
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Indian Council of Medical Research  and Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics , Switzerland to strengthen the relation within the framework of the international scientific and technological collaboration and to promote cooperation in fields of mutual interest. The MoU has been signed in February’2021 by India.
Benefits:
This MoU will further strengthen relations between India and the Switzerland within the framework of inter-national scientific and technological co-operation in fields of mutual-interest.
Financial Implications:
ICMR is committed to make available funding up to $100,000 USD while FIND will make available funds up to $ 400,000 USD to local partners and researchers identified through Request for proposal .
Background:
ICMR promotes biomedical research in the country through intramural and extramural research. FIND is an independent non-profit organisation created under Section 8 of the  Companies Act, 2013.
PIB Headquarters
ADVISORY ON FAKE WEBSITES OF PRADHAN MANTRI UJJWALA YOJANA 
Attention of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has been drawn to a number of fake websites which have come up recently in connection with the Pradhan MantriUjjwalaYojana . It is to bring to the kind notice of general public that official website of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is www.pmujjwalayojana.com. This official website also contains freely downloadable forms to be filled by the prospective beneficiaries for new LPG connection. It is also noticed that the entity with the namewww.ujwalayojana.org has issued an advertisement in media regarding appointment of LPG distributorship under RGGLV Yojana. It is clarified that this entity is not authorized by the Ministry to appoint LPG distributorship. General Public are requested not to respond to this advertisement or any other communications of such nature from unauthorized websites/persons in any manner. LPG cylinder connections are being given to BPL families. Distribution of LPG agencies are NOT being carried out via this scheme.
Ministry of Defence
Admission Process in Newly Approved Sainik Schools begins
With the declaration of the result of e-counselling on 21 May 2022 on the portal https://sainikschool.ncog.gov.in/ecounselling, Sainik Schools Society has moved one more step ahead in the direction of the Government’s aim of setting up of 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership mode throughout the country.
Sainik Schools Society  through the automated system for the conduct of e-Counselling where at least 40% of seats in these newly approved Sainik Schools, will be filled by candidates already qualified in AISSEE-22, has declared the first provisional list of 485 shortlisted candidates in 10 newly approved Sainik Schools. The portal for admission into new Sainik Schools with whom the Sainik Schools Society has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement  was activated from 08 May to 14 May 2022, wherein 12000 All India Sainik Schools Entrance Exam  qualified candidates got themselves registered for the e-counselling. Candidates can see result and further instructions related to admission on the portal https://sainikschool.ncog.gov.in/ecounselling
The candidates had the option to select up to 10 schools for allocation. Subsequently,based on the rank and priority of the students for the schools, automated allocation of students for the schools was carried out whereafter the provisionally shortlisted candidate is required to accept the allotment and proceed for the admission formalities or indicate the option to be considered for Round II of Counselling or unwillingness for further consideration. Dates for physical verification at the respective School level will be intimated to the candidates who have accepted/locked their choices by the approved new Sainik Schools to the candidates.
Seats not filled after the specified date of completion of Round-I, will be filled through Round-II of counselling for which the dates will be announced in the Portal.
Beside above, upto 60% students will be admitted fromeligible students already studying in the Newly approved Sainik School and desirous of taking admission in 6th standard of Sainik School pattern in their concerned school. For such students, a separate qualifying admission test  will be held by National Testing agency  shortly. This admission test will be on the similar pattern as that ofAll India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination.
Registration process for the admission of such eligible students already studying in these newly approved Sainik Schools and desirous of admission in Sainik school vertical in their concerned school, will be opened shortly and date of admission test will be announced through NTA portal
ABB/SR/Savvy
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