ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Alliance Air flags off flight from Guwahati to Dimapur to Imphal under UDAN-RCS
Long-awaited demand of the North-East fullfiled
Alliance Air, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India, today flagged-off its first flight operations between the capital city of Assam, Guwahati to Dimapur, the largest city of Nagaland, to the capital city of Manipur, Imphal, making it the 236route under the Regional Connectivity Scheme - UdeDeshKaAamNagrik, RCS-UDAN, under the Government of India. The inaugural event was graced by Shri N.Biren Singh, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri LosiiDikho, Minister  Govt. of Manipur, Dr.SapamRanjan Singh, Chairman, Tourism Corporation of Manipur Ltd and other dignitaries from Air India and Air Alliance.
Flight services from Dimapur to Imphalwas a long pending demand from the region. TheCivil Aviation Minister, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri had given assurance for the commencement of flight operations in the region during his meeting with the Nagaland Governor, Shri RN Ravi on August 27, 2019, in New Delhi. This marks another step by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to establish a strong air network in North East India. Till now, for a mere distance of 200 km, people had to travelfor 7-hour by bus from Dimapur in Nagaland to reach Imphal in Manipur. With the establishment of this route, people can now travel to Imphal in 50 minutes by air from Dimapur and access the air connectivity to other parts of the country as well from Guwahati. This flight marks the inception of the first-ever alternative option of connectivity to Imphal, as until now, Imphal is yet to be connected with India's Railway Network.
Alliance Air will operate thrice-weekly flights; every Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday on this route. It currently connects 57 destinations, with the addition of Dimapur&Imphal there will be 59 stations in Alliance Air ambit. The airline will deploy its 70 seater aircraft on this sector.
Flight 9I 741 will depart from Guwahati at 0800hrs and arrive in Dimapur at 08555hrs further departing Dimapur at 0920hrs and arrive in Imphal at 1010hrs. Flight 9I 742 will depart from Imphal at 1035hrs and arrive in Dimapur at 1125hrs further departing at 1150hrs and arrive in Guwahati at 1245hrs.
Alliance Air continues to focus on new routes to connect regional destinations. The airline has been awarded12 new routes under UDAN-3.1, which are being launched progressively in the coming year bringing new destinations on India’s air map.
Through its codeshare with Air India, Alliance Air not only provides regional connectivity within the country but also offers seamless connectivity to regional passengers on Air India’s network in India and abroad.
Ministry of Power
'All meters to be smart prepaid in 3 years', says Power Minister; advises meter manufacturers to scale up production
This one step to bring about revolution in power sector, generate employment
"In next three years metering will go smart prepaid, and gone will be the days of bills reaching your house. So need of the hour is to scale up manufacturing of smart prepaid meters and to bring down their prices."said Shri R K Singh, Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy. Shri Singh was addressing a meeting of meter manufacturers called bythe Power Ministry here, today.
The Power Minister advised the manufacturers to scale up the manufacturing of smart prepaid meters as the demand would be huge in coming years. The Minister also advised the officials of the Ministry to consider making smart prepaid meters mandatory after a particular date.
This will revolutionise the power sector by way of reduced AT&C losses, better health of DISCOMs, incentivisation ofenergy conservation and ease of bill payments etc. Further, it will generate skilled employment for the youth.
The meeting discussed various aspects of smart meters e.g. BIS certification, compatibility with RF/GPRS, harmonisation with existing digital infrastructure etc. It was also agreed that all technical aspects will be further deliberated into in consultation with meter manufacturers, DISCOMs and system integrators.
ShriAK Bhalla, Secretary, Power;ShriSanjivNandanSahai, Additional Secretary;ShriArun Kumar Verma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Powerwere among the officials present from the Central Electricity Authority, PFC, REC, EESL and meter manufacturers.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
India's Active Caseload declines to 7,02,887
India reports 53,256 new cases in last 24 hours; lowest in 88 days
2,88,44,199 Total Recoveries across the country so far
78,190 patients recovered during last 24 hours
Daily recoveries continue to outnumber the Daily New Cases for the 39th consecutive day
Recovery Rate increases to 96.36%
Weekly Positivity Rate remains below 5%, currently at 3.32%
Daily positivity rate at 3.83%, less than 5% for 14 consecutive days
Testing capacity substantially ramped up – 39.24 cr tests total conducted
28.00 Cr. Vaccine Doses administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 219.55 Cr
Over 4.12 Cr 1st dose vaccines administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 23,432
1,994 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.76%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 0.99%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 219.55 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 4.12 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from 10th April, 2022 onwards.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10415381
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10120477
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
7069146
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18437129
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17720281
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
13745023
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
41234640
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
32341608
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
62005148
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
53316726
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
561406983
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
516292105
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
100480819
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
204047676
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
197070258
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
50680821
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
127680767
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
123216018
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
48317937
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
22,02,93,746
|
|
Total
|
|
2,19,55,98,943
India’s Active Caseload currently stands at 23,432. Active cases now constitute 0.05% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.76%. 2,601 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,40,90,349.
1,994 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 1,61,290 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 89.99 Cr  cumulative tests.
Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 0.99% and the Daily Positivity rate is reported to be 1.24%.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Modi government takes important step to encourage NCC Certificate holders to join Paramilitary Forces
NCC Certificate holders to get Bonus Marks in the upcoming Direct Recruitment Examinations for Sub Inspectors and Constables in CAPFs
Government of India to urge all State governments to encourage NCC Certificate holders in the Direct Entry Examination for their respective Police Forces
In order to achieve Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision to increase participation of India's youth in National Cadet Corps , the Union Minister for Home Affairs, Shri Amit Shah has taken an unprecedented decision to give NCC Certificate holders Bonus Marks in direct entry examinations for in the Central Armed Police Forces , as prevalent in Armed forces examinations. The provisions are as below:
- NCC 'C' certificate holders will be given 5% of the maximum marks of the examination as bonus marks.
- NCC 'B' certificate holders will be given 3% of the maximum marks of the examination as bonus marks.
- NCC 'A' certificate holders will be given 2% of the maximum marks of the examination as bonus marks.
This scheme of awarding bonus marks to NCC 'A' certificate holders in CAPF recruitment will be applicable in the upcoming direct recruitment examination for the posts of Sub Inspector and Constable . Government of India would also urge all State governments to make similar provisions in the direct recruitment examination for their respective Police Forces so as to encourage NCC Certificate holders to join them. This decision will not only inspire youth to join NCC, but also ensure the availability of trained and disciplined youth to the CAPFs.
NCC is a tri-service organization comprising of the Army, Naval and Air wings. The motto of the organization is 'Unity and Discipline', following which it prepares youth as disciplined and patriotic citizens. According to Prime Minister Modi, NCC is a very strong platform to strengthen the spirit of Discipline, Determination and Devotion towards the Nation, which in turn, is directly linked to the growth and development of India.
NCC was formed under the National Cadet Corps Act, 1948. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India has taken several steps to encourage the youth to join NCC and work in a devoted manner for the betterment of the country. Cadets are given basic military and weapons training in NCC, by serving officers of the Armed forces. Their proficiency and dexterity is periodically tested, only after which, they are awarded the certificates.
The 'A' certificate is awarded on passing the first level and 'B' certificate is awarded on passing the second level. Only those cadets who have 'B' certificate are eligible to get the 'C' certificate, the highest certificate give to NCC cadets, after passing the tough training and examination.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
UTILISATION OF FLOOD WATER
The flood water is being partially utilized in the country by way of creating storages, diversion and inter-basin transfer but the large amount of water remains unutilised due to geographical constraints, shortage of storage reservoirs and lack of inter-basin transfer mechanisms. For conserving and using the waters of rivers, gross storage capacity of 325.455 Billion Cubic Meter  in form of Dams/reservoirs has been created in the country over the years.
Total water requirement of the country for different uses for high demand scenario for the year 2050 as assessed by National Commission on Integrated Water Resources Development  constituted by Ministry of Water Resources, is 1180 BCM. As per erstwhile Planning Commission “Report of the Working Group on Water Resources for the XI Five Year Plan ”, the surface water use, in view of large temporal variability would approximately require live storage of around 450 BCM.National Water Policy of Ministry of Jal Shakti has emphasized storage projects with dedicated flood storage as the long term solution to the devastating floods occurring every year.
Central/State Governments have accorded high priority to the Optimum utilisation of water is continues effort of Central/State Governments. Water being State subject, water resources projects are planned funded, executed and maintained by the State Government themselves as per their own need, priority and available resources. In order to supplement their efforts, Government of India provide technical and financial assistance to State Governments to encourage sustainable development and efficient management of water resources through various scheme and programmes such as Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme , Har Khet ko Pani , etc. under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana . Many of the projects under PMKSY store flood water during monsoon season in their reservoirs and multi-purpose storages of these projects have helped greatly in moderating the intensity of flood in the downstream flood plain area. Interlinking of Rivers  programme has been taken up on high Priority. National Perspective Plan  formulated by the Government of India for diversion of surplus water to deficit areas aims to provide benefits of 25 million hectare  of irrigation from surface waters, 10 mha. by increased use of ground waters, raising the ultimate irrigation potential from 140 mha to 175 mha. and generation of 34 million Kilowatt  of power, apart from the incidental benefits of flood control, navigation, water supply, fisheries, salinity and pollution control etc. National Water Development Agency  under the Ministry of Jal Shakti has identified 16 links under Peninsular Rivers Component and 14 links under Himalayan Component for inter basin transfer.
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
A National e-Assessment Centre will be set up to implement Faceless Assessment: Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Mumbai
“Faceless Assessment is a Tax Assessment System designed for the 21st century”
Mumbai, 26 August 2020
A National e-Assessment Centre  and a network of Regional e-Assessment Centres will be set up to implement the Faceless Assessment Scheme of the Income Tax Department, launched nation-wide by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 13th August, 2020. The regional assessment network would comprise assessment units, verification units, technical units and review units. The system allows for dynamic jurisdiction, team-based working, and functional specialization and does away with human interface altogether. This was informed by the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Mumbai, Shri Patanjali Jha, during a webinar on “Faceless Assessment Scheme and Virtual Court Hearings”, conducted by KPMG India.
Making a comparison between the faceless assessment system and the current system it replaces, the Principal Chief Commissioner explained how the new system is one designed for the 21st century. There is no discretion in selection of assessment cases, while earlier, case selection used to happen manually. In place of single territorial jurisdiction, we now have automated random allocation of cases. While notices used to be issued both manually and on the system, issue of notices will now be done through a central mechanism  in electronic mode. There shall be no physical meetings between taxpayers and officers. Wide discretion and subjective assessment are being replaced by team-based assessment and a system wherein draft order is issued in one city, review is done in another city and finalization is done in yet another city. This thereby leads to an objective, fair and just assessment order, said the Principal Chief Commissioner.
Along with Pr. CCIT, Mumbai, Chief Commissioner of Income-Tax  Mumbai, Smt. Lekha Kumar and Principal Commissioner of Income-Tax , Mumbai, Smt. Ratna Dasgupta also addressed the participants and responded to their queries.
The Webinar was organized to promote the awareness amongst the stakeholders about the new faceless assessment scheme and had an overwhelming participation of more than 1,000 participants. The department intends to hold more such outreach programmes in coming days to educate the tax payers about the new faceless assessment scheme.
Faceless Assessment Scheme was rolled out in the Income Tax Department as a pilot project in September, 2019. Initially, a limited number of cases were picked up for faceless assessment which was being done at eight centres in the country. The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi announced the extension of the scheme to the entire department on 13th August 2020. The scheme is also being extended to the first appellate authority i.e. Commissioner of Income Tax  from 25th September, 2020.DJM /DR
(Visitor Counter : 1256
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Krishi Vigyan Kendras
There are 38 KVKs under the control of State Governments, 66 under ICAR Institutes, 103 under NGOs, 506 under Agricultural Universities, 3 under Central Universities, 3 under Public Sector Undertakings, 7 under Deemed to be Universities and 5 under Other Educational Institutions.
The technologies developed out of research conducted by ICAR are taken to farmers’ fields for its assessment by KVKs to ascertain their location specificity under various farming systems. KVKs also conduct large number of technology demonstrations at farmers’ fields for their adoption by the farmers. The KVKs conducted 1.12 lakh assessment trials of technologies in farmers’ fields and 7.35 lakh demonstrations on different technologies related to crops, livestock, fisheries, farm machineries and other enterprises during the last three years.
State/UT wise number of KVKs
|
|
Name of State/ UT
|
|
Total
|
|
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
|
|
3
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
24
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
17
|
|
Assam
|
|
26
|
|
Bihar
|
|
44
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
|
28
|
|
Delhi
|
|
1
|
|
Goa
|
|
2
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
30
|
|
Haryana
|
|
18
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
13
|
|
Jammu & Kashmir
|
|
20
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
24
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
33
|
|
Kerala
|
|
14
|
|
Ladakh
|
|
4
|
|
Lakshadweep
|
|
1
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
54
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
50
|
|
Manipur
|
|
9
|
|
Meghalaya
|
|
7
|
|
Mizoram
|
|
8
|
|
Nagaland
|
|
11
|
|
Odisha
|
|
33
|
|
Puducherry
|
|
3
|
|
Punjab
|
|
22
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
47
|
|
Sikkim
|
|
4
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
32
|
|
Telangana
|
|
16
|
|
Tripura
|
|
8
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
89
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
|
13
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
23
|
|
Total
|
|
731
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Public Distribution System  and E-GOVERNANCE in Panchayati Raj Institutions
Under Public Distribution System  reforms, Department of Food and Public Distribution implemented a scheme on ‘End-to-End computerization of Targeted PDS to improve the efficiency & transparency of the distribution of food grains system and to address other challenges, such as leakages and diversion of food grains, elimination of fake and bogus ration cards etc. Under this scheme, ration cards/beneficiaries database have been completely digitized in all States/UTs, transparency portal and online grievance redressal facilities/toll-free numbers have been implemented in all States/UTs, online allocation has been implemented in all States/UTs and supply chain has been computerized in 31 States/UTs. Further, the Automation of Fair Price Shops  is also being done in all States/UTs by installing electronic Point of Sale  devices at the FPSs for the distribution of food grains in a transparent manner and for unique identification of genuine beneficiaries through biometric/Aadhaar authentication on the ePoS device. At present, out of 5.33 lakh FPSs, about 5.07 lakh  of Fair Price Shops  across the country have installed ePoS devices.
Under Digital India Programme, Ministry of Panchayati Raj is implementing e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project, in the country to revamp the functioning of Panchayats and to make them more transparent, accountable and effective. Ministry launched eGramSwaraj a simplified work-based Accounting application to address various aspects of Panchayat functioning viz. planning, accounting, budgeting. Further, Ministry has also integrated e-Gram SWARAJ with Public Financial Management System for Gram Panchayats to make real time payments to vendors/service providers. Currently, 2,58,695 Panchayati Raj Institutions  have prepared Panchayat Development Plans for Financial Year 2021-22. Further, 2,31,162 Panchayati Raj Institutions have onboardedeGramSwaraj-Public Financial Management System Interface for 15th Finance Commission and 1,76,825Panchayati Raj Institutions have carried out online transactions.
According to the seventh schedule, local government is a State subject. Article 243 of Part IX of the Constitution, which contains provisions dealing with Panchayat, does not differentiate amongst persons on the basis of their sex. Under Article 243D of the constitution provisions have been made for reservation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Women. Legislatures of States have also been empowered to make provision for reservation of seats in any Panchayat or offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at any level in favour of backward class of citizens in terms of clause  of Article 243D of the constitution. Transgenders belonging to these categories are accordingly eligible to participate in the decision-making process of Panchayats.
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
MINI MARATHON FOR CELEBRATION OF ‘AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV’ AT AIR FORCE STATION PALAM
31st October 2021, Sunday morning at Air Force Station Palam was all about soaring spirits soaked in pride and patriotic fervour marking the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations.
The Station spearheaded the conduct of a ‘Mini Marathon’ at the Station Sports Ground and Rock View Officers’ Enclave area. More than 750 personnel and family members from Air Force Station Palam and other surrounding Air Force Units completed 7.5 km of run. Seventy five tri-colour balloons were released after the marathon was flagged off by Air Commodore Sanjeev Vashishth, Vayu Sena Medal, Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station Palam.
After the run, the Air Officer Commanding appreciated all the personnel and their family members for their spirited participation, making the moment a memorable one.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Steel Import Monitoring System
Steel Import Monitoring System , an online platform for advance registration of intended imports of steel, was launched by the Government vide Notification dated 05.09.2019. The intended steel importers have to submit advance information in online system to obtain Registration Number through an online web-portal 15-60 days before the actual date of import.
The validity of Registration Number is for a period of 75 days which is obtained through online SIMS Registration web-portal. No other document apart from SIMS Registration Number and its expiry date is required to be declared mandatorily in the Bill of Entry, to enable clearance of consignments from customs.
SIMS, besides bringing in transparency, has helped the Ministry of Steel and the industry in identifying the exact steel grades being imported into the country in a timely manner.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
ABOUT 16 % INCREASE IN NATIONAL CALAMITY CONTINGENT DUTY ON SPECIFIED CIGARETTES: PROPOSES BUDGET 2023-24
While presenting the Union Budget 2023-24 in Parliament today, Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt Nirmala Sitharaman proposed to revise National Calamity Contingent Duty  on specified cigarettes upwards by about 16 percent.
The NCCD on specified cigarettes was last revised three years ago.
NCCD Duty rate on Cigarettes |:
|
|
Description of goods
|
|
Rate of Excise Duty
|
|
From 
|
|
To 
|
|
Other than filter cigarettes of length not exceeding 65 mm
|
|
200
|
|
230
|
|
Other than filter cigarettes of length exceeding 65 mm but not exceeding 70 mm
|
|
250
|
|
290
|
|
Filter cigarettes of length not exceeding 65 mm
|
|
440
|
|
510
|
|
Filter cigarettes of length exceeding 65 mm but not exceeding 70 mm
|
|
440
|
|
510
|
|
Filter cigarettes of length exceeding 70 mm but not exceeding 75 mm
|
|
545
|
|
630
|
|
Other cigarettes
|
|
735
|
|
850
|
|
Cigarettes of tobacco substitutes
|
|
600
|
|
690