ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Competition Commission of India
FM: CCI should safeguard Indian enterprises from abuse by overseas entities
Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman said here today that Competition Commission of India  should ensure Indian enterprises are safeguarded from abuse by entities operating from other jurisdictions. Smt. Sitharaman was speaking at the 10th anniversary celebrations of the CCI.
Smt. Sitharaman said that CCI must keenly observe market developments around the globe as borders no longer determine competition in a country. She said competition policy is a big challenge at the international level with the nature of operations of companies. Big corporate companies have jurisdiction in one country and ground operations elsewhere and this causes huge challenge for regulators.
She praised the CCI for performing remarkably with restraint and without obstructing competition in an open economy like India. She also lauded CCI on credibly handling its responsibility till now and asked it to be ready for CCI 2.0 mode. She said that CCI 2.0 can help foster healthy competition by staying pro-actively alert and by taking suo motu action of developments both in domestic and international markets. This, she said, will enable CCI to handle latent market challenges within India and from all other major economies of the world. She said that there is recoil of sorts in the world economies.
In his address, Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, said that CCI is a world class institution that has handled the challenges of the last decade and it has built strong foundations through a market-driven approach for the next decade. He said competition policy is the core of the market and CCI has carried out the role of enforcer and facilitator in a fine balance.
Shri Injeti Srinivas, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, lauded CCI for efficiently discharging responsibilities in regulatory, advisory and quasi-judicial capacities. He said the 10th anniversary of CCI is a watershed moment. He emphasised that to promote and sustain competition, it is the mandate of CCI to develop a competitive eco-system and also build strategy to meet emerging challenges. Shri Srinivas said the main challenge now before CCI is to withdraw excessive control but at the same time perform better as a caretaker of competition.
In his welcoming address, the CCI Chairperson, Shri Ashok Kumar Gupta welcomed the gathering and enumerated the various transitional achievements of the CCI in the first decade of its existence. Shri Gupta also expressed gratitude for contributions by those associated with the CCI in the formative years.
The Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister also released two in house publications, Diagnostic Toolkit for Procurement and Competition Law Judicial & Administrative Training Module. Both the publications are researched, prepared and published by the CCI.
CCI Members Shri Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi and Dr. Sangeeta Verma were also part of the 10th anniversary celebrations besides many other esteemed participants and audience.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 81.85 Cr
Recovery Rate currently at 97.75%
26,115 New Cases reported in the last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload  is 0.92% of Total Cases
Weekly Positivity Rate  less than 3% for last 88 days
With the administration of 96,46,778 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 81.85 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 80,35,135 sessions.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,03,69,386
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
87,50,107
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,83,46,016
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,45,66,593
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
33,12,97,757
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
6,26,66,347
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
15,20,67,152
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
7,00,70,609
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
9,74,87,849
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
5,28,92,011
|
|
Total
|
|
81,85,13,827
The recovery of 34,469 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally of recovered patients  to 3,27,49,574.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 97.75%.
Sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs continue the trend of less than 50,000 Daily New Cases that is being reported for 86 consecutive days now.
26,115 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The Active Caseload is presently 3,09,575. Active cases presently constitute 0.92% of the country's total Positive Cases.
The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded. The last 24 hours saw a total of
14,13,951 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 55.50 Cr  cumulative tests.
While testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, Weekly Positivity Rate at 2.08% remains less than 3% for the last 88 days now. The Daily Positivity rate reported to be 1.85%. The daily Positivity rate has remained below 3% for last 22 days and below 5% for 105 consecutive days now.
Prime Minister's Office
PM’s message on Himachal Day
“People of Himachal Pradesh have converted challenges into opportunities”
“The ‘double engine government’ has taken the initiative of expanding rural roads, highway widening, railway network and results are now visible”
“Honest leadership, peace loving environment, blessings of gods & goddesses and people of Himachal who work hard, all these are incomparable. Himachal has everything needed for rapid development”
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in his message, has greeted the people of Himachal Pradesh on the 75th establishment day and noted the happy coincidence that the 75th establishment day comes in the 75th Year of the Independence. He reiterated the commitment to take the nectar of development to every inhabitant of the state during the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Striking a personal note, the Prime Minister quoted a poem by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and remembered his own long association with the beautiful state with diligent and determined people.
Recalling the challenges of the hilly state at the time of its formation in 1948, the Prime Minister complimented the people of Himachal Pradesh for converting the challenges into opportunities. He praised the state’s achievements in horticulture, power surplus, literacy rate, rural road connectivity, tap water and electricity to every household. He underlined the efforts to build on these achievements in the last 7-8 years. “Under the young leadership of Jai Ram ji, the ‘double engine government’ has taken the initiative of expanding rural roads, highway widening, railway network, its results are now visible.As connectivity is getting better, Himachal's tourism is entering new areas, new regions”, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister highlighted the new strides in tourism and new avenues of opportunities and employment for the local people. He especially noted the progress in the health sector by talking about the efficient and fast vaccination during the pandemic.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need to work hard for unlocking the full potential of Himachal Pradesh. He said that during the Amrit Kaal, there is a need to take forward the work in the fields of tourism, higher education, research, IT, biotechnology, food processing and natural farming. He said Vibrant Village scheme, announced in this year’s budget will give immense benefit to Himachal Pradesh. He also touched upon increasing connectivity, enriching forests, swachhta and people’s participation for these initiatives.
The Prime Minister commented on the expansion of central welfare schemes by the Chief Minister and his team, especially in the field of social security. “Honest leadership, peace loving environment, blessings of gods and goddesses and people of Himachal who work hard, all these are incomparable.Himachal has everything needed for rapid development”, Shri Modi concluded.
AYUSH
AYUSH Ministry supports a novel e-marathon as part of the
“Ayush for Immunity” Campaign
The Ministry of AYUSH has joined hands with Rajagiri College of Social Sciences and Rajagiri Business School, Kochi to organise a novel e-marathon, as a part of the Ministry’s three-month campaign called “Ayush for Immunity”, focussing on desirable health-promotive and disease preventive steps. Combining technology, physical run, charity and wellness programs, this e-event is expected to add positivity and good health to the lives of the participants.
This e-marathon is being conducted for the cause of supporting the education of COVID affected children and to enhance the well-being of the participants during the current pandemic crisis. The theme of the e-marathon is “Recharge Mental Health: During and beyond the Covid-19 Pandemic”.
The Rajagiri e-marathon is designed to promote physical and mental well-being of the people of all age-groups, across geographies. The participants of e-marathon can take part in the event in timings of their choice and at safer places. They also have a long duration of 10 days at their disposal to complete the running challenges. A wellness app will integrate the individual running reading of the participants to a central server  so that all participants will be connected via the centralised software application.
Participants are required to register their name through emarathon.rajagiri.eduwebsite and they will be directed through e-mails on how to go forward. Though the participants need not buy any fitness app for this event, they will need to carry a smartphone or to wear a fitness band while participating in the race.
The event will be open from 28th September 2020 to 10th October 2020 . The conclusion of the event will coincide with the “Vihara” focus of the “Ayush for Immunity” campaign, which will be spread over the month of October, 2020.
This event aims to enhance the social nearness of people while observing physical distance. The event incorporates an entire wellness campaign with yoga, meditation, webinars and entertainment.
The organisers have announced that the entire registration fees will be donated to 50 children in Mumbai, who lost their parents to Covid-19. Childline India Foundation will facilitate this charity to procure learning devices. Around 8000 participants from India and abroad are expected to join this novel event.
MV/SK
(Visitor Counter : 536
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Status of Avian Influenza in the country
Till 17th January, 2021 cases of Avian Influenza have been confirmed in poultry at Central Poultry Development Organization , Mumbai of Maharashtra, and Kheda Road,in Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh.
Further, Avian Influenza has been confirmed in crows at Panna, Sanchi, Raisen, Balaghat, and in birds at Sheopur  and Mandsaur districts of Madhya Pradesh; Bastar  and Dantewade  districts of Chhattisgarh; crow samples from Haridwar and Lansdowne forest range of Uttarakhand.
Additionally, in Delhi, Heron sample in Rohini have been tested positive for avian influenza.
In Maharashtra, RRTs has been deployed and culling of poultry birds is underway in all the affected epicentres including CPDO, Mumbai. Further, in Madhya Pradesh, RRTs have been deployed. Culling operation of poultry is continuing in the epicentres of Haryana.
Today,samples tested from Rajasthan and Gujarat have been found negative for AI.
The central team formed for monitoring the situation in the affected areas of the country are visiting the affected sites and conducting epidemiological studies.
States have been requested to rethink their decisions to impose ban on sale of poultry and poultry products and allow such selling sourced from the non-infected areas/states.Consumption of well cooked chicken and eggs is safe for humans. Further, consumers should not pay heed to baseless rumours that are unscientific and often lead to confusion. These adversely affect not only poultry and egg markets but also poultry and maize farmers, who are already affected by the COVID 19 pandemic lockdown.
Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Department have started a Toll Free Helpline Number for farmers to report any unusual mortality of birds. The state government has put requisite information on Avian Influenza in line with the revised Avian Influenza Action Plan 2021 for both, the departmental officials and the general public. As gathered, necessary notifications regarding “infected area”, etc. to check spread of the disease, have already been issued by the state.
It is also informed that in order to contain the incidences of Bird Flu without delay, the exercise of the powers conferred under Prevention And Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009, the state government has delegated all its requisite powers on District Collectors within their local jurisdiction in the state for prevention, control and eradication of Avian Influenza.
Following the advisories of the department, states are undertaking awareness generation activities through newspaper advertisements, social media platforms etc. Also, continuous efforts to generate awareness about Avian Influenza and how to deal with the situation is being shared among the general public through various media platforms including social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook handles.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Extended Producer Responsibility guidelines mandate sustainable plastic packaging to reduce plastic foot print
Identified single use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential, have already been prohibited, with effect from 1st July, 2022, vide Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021 notified on 12th August 2021, across the country. The notification also prohibits manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of plastic carry bags having thickness less than seventy-five microns with effect from 30th September 2021, and having thickness less than thickness of one hundred and twenty microns with effect from the 31st December, 2022. Regular enforcement drives have been undertaken to implement ban on identified single use plastic items and on plastic carry bags having thickness less than one hundred twenty microns. Action have been taken on the deviations, which include seizure of banned single use plastic items and levy of penalty.
For effective monitoring of ban on identified single use plastic items and plastic waste management in the country the following online platforms are in operation  National Dashboard for monitoring of implementation of comprehensive action plan CPCB Monitoring Module for Compliance on Elimination of Single Use Plastic, and  CPCB Grievance Redressal App.
Steps have been taken by concerned central ministries and state governments towards implementation of ban identified single use plastic items. Private enterprises are manufacturing eco-alternatives. Around 150 manufacturers and startups manufacturing eco-alternatives to banned single use plastic items from across the countryparticipated in the National Expo on eco-alternatives to banned single use plastics items and Conference of Startups -2022 held in Chennai on 26-27th September 2022. Further, 201 Manufacturers/Sellers of compostable plastics have been certified by CPCB and the list is available on the website of CPCB.
The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended, provide the statutory framework for environmentally sound management and disposal of plastic waste including waste generated from single use plastic. The Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility  for plastic packaging vide Plastic Waste Management  Rules, 2022, on 16th February 2022. The Guidelines stipulate mandatory targets on EPR, recycling of plastic packaging waste, reuse of rigid plastic packaging and use of recycled plastic content. The guidelines provide for moving towards sustainable plastic packaging and reducing the plastic foot print of plastic packaging. The Government of India also provides additional central assistance to the States/UTs under the Swachh Bharat Mission for solid waste management including plastic waste management, in urban and rural areas of the country, as per scheme guidelines.
This information was given by Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Oil and Gas Exploration
In line with the Government’s objective to intensify hydrocarbon exploration and domestic oil and gas production in the country, Oil India Limited  has actively participated in Open Acreage Licensing Policy  and Discovered Small Fields  bidding rounds. So far, under seven concluded OALP bid rounds, OIL has been awarded total of 29 blocks, out of which 16 numbers of blocks are in Northeast India, 5 in Rajasthan, 5 in Odisha, 2 in Andaman shallow offshore and 1 in Kerala Konkan shallow offshore. In DSF regime, OIL has been awarded 3 blocks for Exploration and Development  activities with 1 block each in KG shallow offshore, Tripura and Rajasthan.
OIL has made 8 discoveries in last five financial years i.e. from 2018-19 to 2022-23. Out of 8 discoveries, 6 discoveries  are in Assam and 2 discoveries  are in Andhra Pradesh.
During the Financial Years 2020-21 to 2022-23, these discoveries have contributed incremental crude oil production of around 0.21 Million Metric Tonnes  and gas production of 0.54 Billion Cubic Meter . During the Financial Years 2020-21 to 2022-23, the total oil and gas production by OIL  stood at 9.15 MMT and 8.867 BCM respectively.
The details of drilling activity carried out in Assam during last three years are given below:
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Fiscal Year
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Number of wells drilled
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Places drilled
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2020-21
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|
21
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|
Borhuibil, Balimara, Dhakual, Lakwagaon, Batuya, Mahakali, Samdang, Moran, Hapjan, Jorajan, Naharkatiya, Barekuri, Kusijan & South Tinali
|
|
2021-22
|
|
23
|
|
Captain Chuk, Makum, Borhapjan, Khagorijan, South Baghjan, Matimekhena, Naharkatiya, Balimara, Hapjan, Baghjan, Kusijan & Lakwagaon
|
|
2022-23
|
|
28
|
|
South Baghjan, Dholiya, North Balijan, Balimara, Dinjan, Sesabil, Khagorijan, Sadiya, South Tinali, Baghjan, Naharkatiya, Lakwagaon, Makum & Hapjan
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Rameswar Teli, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM hails those who donated blood on Raktdaan Amrit Mohotsav
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi lauded the blood doners and blood donation drive on the World Blood Doner Day.
Ministry of Health had informed that spreading the message of "Give Blood, Give Plasma, Share Life, Share Often", World Blood Donor Day was celebrated today across the nation with great enthusiasm.
As a part of 'Raktdaan Amrit Mohotsav, various blood donation camps were organized felicitating blood donors.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
"I commend all the blood donors. Their act of kindness leads to countless lives being saved. It also reaffirms India's ethos of service and compassion."
Prime Minister's Office
PM invites inputs for Mann ki Baat
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has invited inputs from citizens for Mann ki Baat program that will take place on 18th June 2023.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
"This month’s #MannKiBaat programme will take place on Sunday, 18th June. It is always a delight to receive your inputs. Share your inputs on the NaMo App, MyGov or record your message by dialling 1800-11-7800
https://www.mygov.in/group-issue/inviting-ideas-mann-ki-baat-prime-minister-narendra-modi-25th-june-2023/?target=inapp&type=group_issue&nid=340041"
Ministry of Railways
Ministry of Railways decides to treat contract and outsourced employees ‘on duty’ during the period of suspension of Passengers services in Indian Railways
To ensure that employees are not retrenched due to suspension of services/lockdown, Ministry of Railways issues necessary instructions to Zonal Railways
In a bid to reduce the hardships and protect the interests of contractual and outsourced staff engaged in providing services such as On Board House Keeping services  in trains, sanitation, pantry cars, stations, offices and other commercial activities, Ministry of Railways has decided that such staff will be treated ‘on duty’ and be paid accordingly till the expiry of suspension of services/lockdown or as advised by Central Government in this regard. This is applicable on contracts awarded on manpower basis.
For contracts awarded on lumpsum basis , maximum payment which may be made shall be limited to 70% of the contract value.
Railway Board has issued necessary instructions to Zonal Railways to ensure that the contractual staff and outsourced employees are not retrenched due to the suspension of services/lockdown.
Ministry of Railways
Rail operation in Kusunda- Sonardih of Dhanbad –Chandrapura section to be opened for Rail Traffic
Dhanbad-Chandrapura Railway line of Dhanbad Division of East Central Railway is passing over coal bearing area of Jharia Coal Field. The operation of passenger and goods traffic on the line was stopped w.e.f. 15.06.2017, on the report of Director General of Mine Safety . Subsequently, on the certificate from DGMS, different sections of the line between Dhanbad-Kusunda, Sonardih-Chandrapura & Katrasgarh-Nichitpur link line were opened for traffic between June to November 2017.
Recently, authorization for reopening of the remaining section for goods & passenger trains between Kusunda- Sonardih has been received from Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety, after joint inspection with DGMS. Some works have been identified for repair and rehabilitation of this line. After completion of these works, the section will be opened for traffic by East Central Railway.
Special Service and Features
Reserve Bank of India organises capacity builders event for Business Correspondents in Namakkal
As part of the G20 Jan Bhagidari Events, a "Capacity Building Event for Business Correspondents " was conducted at Namakkal on June 13, 2023. Around 100 Business Correspondents working for various banks in the district participated. In addition, the technology service providers and bankers attended the event.
At the outset, the importance of the G20 forum in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance was highlighted, and India’s role in the promotion of our theme - 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' was discussed.
During the event, the Business Correspondents were sensitised about their role in deepening financial inclusion in the country. BCs were encouraged to offer a bouquet of financial services including offering small ticket loans, assisting in loan recovery and enrolling for pension/ insurance schemes. Bankers were sensitised to adequately remunerate the BCs and continuously support them.
A session on the role and responsibilities of Business Correspondent was delivered. Since the Business Correspondents carry out deposit and withdrawal of currency, the security features of banknotes and note refund rules were discussed.
Interaction with the Business Correspondents to understand their operations, and the support required to scale up their operations were deliberated. Enablers and impeders to further deepening of financial inclusion through Business Correspondent model were discussed and a survey was conducted to record the Business Correspondent’s requirements.
G20 merchandise kits  and informative pamphlets were distributed to the participants.