ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
DONATE BLOOD - SAVE LIVES’ – SOLDIERS AND CITIZENS DONATE BLOOD TO COMMEMORATE ARMY DAY-2023
In line with the ongoing series of events in the Southern part of the country, in the run up to the Army Day 2023, Indian Army formations/units located in various parts of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh undertook a massive blood donation drive on 24 December 2022. This humanitarian drive by the Indian Army was undertaken in coordination with prominent civil hospitals and social organisations to ensure that the donated blood units reach the needy patients in time.
Organized under the theme ‘Donate Blood - Save Lives’, to commemorate the forthcoming 75th Army Day on 15 January 2023, 7,500 units of blood were collected through voluntary donation and a data bank of 75,000 volunteers was compiled. The blood donation campaign saw an overwhelming response from Army personnel & their dependents, Civil Defence Employees, NCC Cadets, College Students, Army Public School teachers and volunteers from all walks of life. These camps were organised in all major cities as well as remote areas across 10 states in Southern Command area of responsibility.
The list of places across Southern Command where the blood donation drive was organised is appended below:-
|
|
State / UT
|
|
Cities / Towns
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
Mumbai, Pune, Kirkee, Khadakwasla, Dehu Road, Kamptee, Pulgaon, Ahmednagar, Devlali & Aurangabad.
|
|
Goa
|
|
Panji.
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
Jodhpur, Nasirabad, Jaisalmer, Laungewala, Udaipur, Niwaru, Alwar, Mount Abu, Ajmer & Jalipa.
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
Gandhidham, Ahmedabad, Jamnagar, Dharangdhara & Bhuj
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
Babina, Saugor, Dhana, Gwalior & Bhopal.
|
|
Telangana
|
|
Secunderabad & Hyderabad.
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
Coimbatore, Chennai & Wellington.
|
|
Kerala
|
|
Thiruvananthapuram & Kannur.
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
Bengaluru & Belgavi.
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
Jhansi.
The blood donation event organised has contributed immensely to renew the Soldier-Citizen connect & reaffirmed the commitment of Indian Army to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Citizens.
SC/RSR/VKT
(Visitor Counter : 1280
Prime Minister's Office
PM to inaugurate and lay foundation stone of multiple projects in Somnath on 20th August
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple projects in Somnath, Gujarat on 20th August at 11 AM via video conferencing. The projects to be inaugurated include the Somnath Promenade, Somnath Exhibition Centre and reconstructed temple precinct of Old  Somnath. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of Shree Parvati Temple during the event.
The Somnath Promenade has been developed under PRASHAD  Scheme at a total cost of over ₹ 47 crore. The Somnath Exhibition Centre, developed in the premises of ‘Tourist Facilitation Centre’, displays the exhibits from dismantled parts of old Somnath temple and its sculptures having Nagar style temple architecture of old Somnath.
The reconstructed temple precinct of Old  Somnath has been completed by Shree Somnath Trust with a total outlay of ₹ 3.5 crore. This temple is also referred to as Ahilyabai Temple since it was built by Queen Ahilyabai of Indore, when she found that the old temple was in ruins. The entire old temple complex has been holistically redeveloped for the safety of pilgrims and with augmented capacity.
Shree Parvati Temple is proposed to be constructed with a total outlay of ₹ 30 Cr. This will include temple construction in Sompura Salats Style, development of Garbha Griha and Nritya Mandap.
Union Home Minister, Union Tourism Minister along with CM and Deputy CM of Gujarat will be present on the occasion.
Ministry of Railways
Setting up of Solar Panels Plants
Indian Railways  provides solar plants at Railway stations based on the technical feasibility and viability. Action has been taken to provide major stations of Madhya Pradesh State with solar panels/plants. Till date, 79 number of feasible stations have already been provided with solar panels/plants in the State of Madhya Pradesh. Presently, there is no proposal to set up hybrid wind/solar plants which will be capable of generating electricity through wind, besides solar energy. Further, IR has plans to progressively provide solar panels/plants at other feasible Railway stations of Madhya Pradesh.
Most of the works are being done under developer mode by private partners, in which Railways do not have to incur capital expenditure.
The timeline for setting up of solar plants would depend upon the individual plant capacity, location and clearance from the State authorities.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
ARMY COMMANDERS CONFERENCE TO BE ORGANISED IN HYBRID FORMAT FROM 17 APRIL 2023
Army Commanders’ Conference  is an apex-level biannual event which is an institutional platform for conceptual level deliberations, culminating in making important policy decisions for the Indian Army. The first ACC for the year 2023 is scheduled from 17 to 21 April 2023. For the first time, the ACC is being conducted in Hybrid format exploiting available technology for secure communication, wherein Army Commanders and other senior functionaries will meet virtually on the first day and then travel to Delhi for balance physical meetings on matters which require detailed deliberations.
On the first-day of the conference, agenda points sponsored by various Command Headquarters will be discussed, followed by an update from Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command and sessions by Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters. The forum will also review the progress on the activities charted out as part of ‘Year of Transformation-2023’ along with progress on Agnipath Scheme, digitisation & automation initiatives, Combat Engineers tasks, work aspects and budget management.
The apex leadership will also brainstorm current / emerging security scenario and review operational preparedness of Indian Army.
The Hon’ble RM is scheduled to address the conference on 19 April 2023, where he will also review an equipment display focussing on niche techcology, innovation, solutions for surveillance, Artificial Intelligence, Training, Robotics, Virtual Reality, Operational Logistics etc. The senior officers will also be addressed by the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of the Naval Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff.
A talk on future contours of Indo China relations by Mr Vijay Gokhale, former Ambassador to China is also planned during the conference
PIB Headquarters
NABARD launches Water Conservation Campaign
NABARD has decided to launch a major Water Campaign during the current year, covering around 1,00,000 villages in vulnerable/ water stressed areas and more specifically where the ground water is over exploited. The decision comes on the heels of a similar campaign undertaken last year which covered some 40,000 villages and received encouraging response at the field level.
A formal launch of the campaign is scheduled on 22 March 2017, in all the major States through NABARD's Regional Offices in presence of representatives of the State Govt., State Level Bankers' Committee , Partner NGOs, Agricultural Universities, Water Experts and Farmers' Club Volunteers.
The campaign would essentially focus on creating awareness among the rural community about the methods of water conservation, preservation and its efficient utilization at various levels using the modern technologies like micro irrigation , traditional water management practices, adopting improved package of agronomic practices, etc. As a part of the campaign, area specific contents covering different water management practices applicable to local conditions for various agro climatic regions, with emphasis on community participation, is being developed.
In an innovative move, NABARD proposes to identify Village Volunteers  for a localized and more effective approach. These volunteers will increase awareness about various methods of rain water harvesting, efficient water use, recharging groundwater and integrated farming systems besides facilitating creation of water conservation structures & adoption of water efficient practices/ technologies through convergence with the ongoing schemes of the Govt./ banks. Involvement of bank branches, Govt. departments, extension agencies and other stakeholders during the campaign process is expected to give impetus to this initiative. Adequate number of Master Trainers in each State will be identified and professionally trained who will be deployed to run the campaign at district/ village level during April to July 2017.
(Visitor Counter : 49
Special Service and Features
Farmers to work hand in hand with the central and state governments to bring in a new dawn in the country’s economy: Shri. Narendra Singh Tomar
India is one of the global leaders in coconut production and the state of Tamil Nadu occupies a premium position in coconut production. Government of India is implementing several schemes for doubling the farmer’s income, said Shri. Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. He was delivering the inaugural address during the Farmers Meet held at Tamilnadu Agricultural University on 14th October 2022. He called upon the farmers to work hand in hand with the State and Central Governments to bring a new dawn in the country’s economy.
Coimbatore district ranks the top position in area under coconut cultivation in Tamil Nadu and the Minister expressed his happiness in being able to address the farmers from Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. He added that even during the COVID pandemic, when all other industries were financially affected, agriculture sector contributed more to the GDP due to the efforts of Hon’ble PM of India,, realizing bumper harvests in several crops. Through PM Kisan Samman Nidhi’, PM Phasal Bheema Yojna’ and Sooshma Sinchaee Yojna’ government is extending assistance to farmers. He concluded that 697 coconut producer companies, 73 Coconut Producer Federations and 19 Coconut Producer Companies are functioning in Tamil Nadu to cater to the increasing demand for quality seed materials, nurseries, copra drying yards, coconut oil manufacturing units to improve the livelihood of coconut farmers. The Minister further distributed sanction orders under various welfare schemes to the beneficiaries.
Shri. M. R. K. Paneerselvam, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu in his special address said that the Government of Tamil Nadu is implementing several welfare schemes for the benefit of coconut farmers and a separate budget is allocated for the development of agriculture in the state during 2022-23. He appealed to the Central Government to increase the Minimum Support Price of copra and to procure copra during all seasons.
Shri. Amman K. Arjun, Hon’ble MLA, Coimbatore North, Smt Vanathi Srinivasan, Hon’ble MLA, Coimbatore South and Shri.Pollachi Jayaraman, Hon’ble MLA, Pollachi also addressed the farmers. Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner, Government of India who spoke on the occasion said that Coconut Development Board is working for culminating the vision of our Honourable Prime Minister for doubling the income of the farmers of the country.
Dr. G. Hemaprabha, Director, ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore delivered the welcome address and Dr. V. Geethalakshmi, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore proposed vote of thanks.
The minister also visited the exhibition showcasing coconut products arranged at the venue. Around thousand farmers attended the programme.
Ministry of Home Affairs
NGO’S With FCRA Clearance
Presently 22678 NGOs have either been granted a certificate of registration or given prior permission under the Foreign Contribution  Act, 2010. Details are given below:-
|
|
Sl.No.
|
|
FCRA Services
|
|
Associations with FCRA Clearance
|
|
1
|
|
Registration Certificates 
|
|
22489
|
|
2
|
|
Prior Permission 
|
|
189
|
|
Total
|
|
22678
Total number of NGOs that have had their FCRA clearance revoked during last three years is as per the following details: -
|
|
Calendar Year
|
|
Renewal Denied
|
|
Registration Cancelled
|
|
RegistrationSuspended
|
|
Total
|
|
2018
|
|
211
|
|
01
|
|
233
|
|
445
|
|
2019
|
|
357
|
|
1809
|
|
05
|
|
2171
|
|
2020
|
|
101
|
|
00
|
|
25
|
|
126
|
|
Grand Total
|
|
2742
Total number of applications of NGOs for FCRA clearance currently pending is as follows: -
|
|
Pending Registration Applications
|
|
1869
|
|
Pending Prior Permission Applications
|
|
147
|
|
Pending Renewal Applications
|
|
1331
|
|
Total
|
|
3347
Requisite details  regarding number of NGOs which have received foreign contribution during the last three years and total amount of contribution received are as under:-
|
|
Financial Year
|
|
No. of NGOs which Received Foreign Contribution
|
|
Total Foreign Contribution

|
|
2017-18
|
|
23911
|
|
16956.83
|
|
2018-19
|
|
22181
|
|
16991.32
|
|
2019-20
|
|
4424|
|
1921.56NGOs have been granted time till June 30, 2021 to file Annual Returns to disclose this data.
The details are as given below:-
|
|
Financial Year
|
|
Number of NGOs which Received funding from other NGOs 
|
|
Total Foreign Contribution transferred to other NGOs 
|
|
2017-18
|
|
7
|
|
2.33
|
|
2018-19
|
|
5261
|
|
1246.44
|
|
2019-20
|
|
517|
|
72.26NGOs have been granted time till June 30, 2021 to file Annual Returns to disclose this data.
Some reports are received from time to time that some NGOs were involved in activities which violated various provisions of the Foreign Contribution  Act, 2010.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to question in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Buyer Seller Meet organised by APEDA, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to promote Dragon Fruit export
In a first of its kind initiative, a “Buyer Seller Meet on Dragon Fruit” was organized by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority , Bangalore Regional Office in collaboration with University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore and KAPPEC, at the GKVK Campus, Bangalore to promote export of Dragon Fruit.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. M. Angamuthu, Chairman APEDA said that more stakeholders interaction will be done in future and a Reverse Buyer Seller Meet will be organized for promotion of Dragon Fruit and value added products in order to boost exports. He pointed towards the collaboration with I.I.H.R. for standardization of fruit parameters and value added products to help the industry. The Meet was attended by Farmers/FPOs and Exporters. Officials from JDGFT, KAPPEC, UAS were present during the event. Dr. S. Rajendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor, UAS inaugurated the event.
APEDA, a Statutory Body under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, is the nodal agency for promoting Indian agro and processed food exports and is responsible for facilitating and promoting export of horticulture, floriculture, processed food, poultry products, dairy and other agro products.
APEDA has taken number of export promotion activities and initiatives, by way of development of virtual portals for organizing Virtual Trade Fairs, Farmer Connect Portal, e-office, Hortinet Traceability system, Buyer Seller Meets, Reverse Buyer Seller Meets, product specific campaigns etc. APEDA has been closely working with the state government for creating infrastructure and promotion of export from the state.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Governor of Nagaland Shri R.N.Ravi calls on Union Minister Dr.Jitendra Singh
The Governor of Nagaland Shri R.N.Ravi today called on Union Minister of State  Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh here and discussed about the progress of developmental projects in the State.
Dr.Jitendra Singh reiterated that soon after the Modi government took over in 2014, Prime Minister had stated that every effort would be made to bring the North Eastern region at par with the more developed regions of the country. In the last six years, not only developmental gaps were bridged successfully, but North- Eastern Region has also gained Psychological confidence, he added. Dr.Jitendra Singh underlined that all sections of society are ready to move under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
<><><><><>
SNC
(Visitor Counter : 429
Ministry of Defence
Enhanced version of PINAKA Rocket System successfully Flight Tested
Enhanced PINAKA rocket, developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation  has been successfully flight tested from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha today, 04 November 2020. Development of Enhanced Pinaka system was taken up to achieve longer range performance compared to earlier design with reduced length. The design and development has been carried out by Pune based DRDO laboratories, namely Armament Research and Development Establishment, ARDE and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, HEMRL.
A total of six rockets were launched in quick succession and the tests met complete mission objectives. Rockets tested have been manufactured by M/s Economic Explosives Limited, Nagpur, to whom the technology has been transferred. All the flight articles were tracked by Range instruments such as telemetry, radar and Electro Optical Tracking Systems which confirmed the flight performance.
Enhanced version of the Pinaka rocket would replace the existing Pinaka Mk-I rockets which are currently under production.
Ministry of Finance
CCI Issues Desist Order Against Chandigarh Housing Board For Indulging In Anti-Competitive Practices
The Competition Commission of India  issued an order under Section 27 of the Competition Act, 2002  on 22.08.2023 holding Chandigarh Housing Board  to be in contravention of the provisions of Section 4 read with Section 4 of the Act.
The case was initiated on the basis of an Information filed by Mr. Ramesh Kumar, an allotee of a flat offered under a Self-Financing Housing Scheme  floated by CHB in the year 2010.
It was alleged that CHB has abused its dominant position under Section 4 of the Act, inter alia, by imposing unfair terms and clauses on the allottees, failure on behalf of CHB to disclose the date of possession of the flats to the allotees in its Brochure and/or Acceptance- Cum- Demand Letter , and levy of penal interest for full month even for delay of one day.
Having delineated the relevant market as the “market for the provision of services for development and sale of residential flats in the Union Territory of Chandigarh”, the Commission found CHB to be in a dominant position so as to operate independently of the competitive forces prevailing in the relevant market. The Commission also found non- disclosure of date of delivery of possession to applicants of the flats and levying penal interest for full month on account of delay of one day in credit of instalment to be an abuse of dominant position under section 4 of the Act.
Considering the fact that corrective measures have already been taken by CHB, the CCI refrained from imposing any monetary penalty upon CHB.
A copy of the order in Case No. 39 of 2021 is available on CCI website at www.cci.gov.in
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Arjun Munda inaugurates National Tribal Festival - ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ - in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand
Aadi Mahotsav is a major platform to take the tribal culture, traditions and art of our country to the national and international markets: Shri Arjun Munda
The festival to highlight talents of 336 tribal artisans and artists, including Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups  and Van Dhan Vikas Kendra  beneficiaries
Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda inaugurated the Aadi Mahotsav - the National Tribal Festival - at Jamshedpur, Jharkhand today. The mega event is being organized by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited , Ministry of Tribal Affairs, from 7th – 16th October 2023.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Munda said that the Aadi Mahotsav is a major platform to take the tribal culture, traditions and art of our country to the national and international markets. He appreciated the live demonstrations by women tribal artisans making their artefacts. The Minister expressed gratitude towards the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for his vision of popularising tribal products by presenting them to visiting dignitaries during the G20 Summit.
Shri Munda called the Aadi Mahotsav as a celebration of the contribution of our tribal ancestors, the culture of various unique tribal communities, their lifestyle and the tribals themselves. The festival provides an opportunity to meet the artisans, learn about their way of life and get acquainted with the tribal culture and traditions. This Aadi Mahotsav completes the feeling of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, the Minister added.
Aadi Mahotsav, an annual celebration of tribal entrepreneurship, craft, culture, cuisine, and commerce, serves as a vital platform to display the rich and diverse heritage of tribes from across the nation. This year the festival will highlight the talents of 336 tribal artisans and artists, including Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups  and Van Dhan Vikas Kendra  beneficiaries.
This event will feature 30 artisans’ stalls, around 11 VDVKs’ stalls and 5 cuisine stalls from Jharkhand. The event will successfully demonstrate 68 artisans’ stalls from other states including 15 cuisine stalls. It shall be live demonstrations showcasing exquisite talent across various categories namely textiles, painting, jewellery, metal, cane & bamboo & cuisine.
Dignitaries present during the event included Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato, Member of Parliament, Shri Chanakya Chaudhury, Vice President , Tata Steel, Ms. Geetanjali Gupta, MD, TRIFED, among others.