ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
DRDO lab develops light weight Bullet Proof Jacket
Defence Research and Development Organisation  lab Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment , Kanpur has developed light weight Bullet Proof Jacket  weighing 9.0 kilogrammes, meeting the qualitative requirements of Indian Army.
The Front Hard Armour Panel  jacket was tested at Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory , Chandigarh and met relevant BIS standards. The importance of this vital development lies in the fact that each gram of BPJ weight reduction is crucial in enhancing soldier comfort while ensuring the survivability. This technology reduces the weight of the medium sized BPJ from 10.4 to 9.0 kilogrammes. Very specific materials and processing technologies have been developed in the laboratories for the purpose.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO scientists and Industry for developing the light weight BPJ to make the soldiers more comfortable. Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman Defence Research & Development Organisation  Dr G Satheesh Reddy congratulated the DMSRDE team for the development.
KA/DK/ADA
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Ministry of Railways
Private Trains
An indicative list of over 100 origin-destination pairs for operation of passenger train services by the private entities, under Public-Private Partnership  mode, has been uploaded on the websites of NITI Aayog and Indian Railways, along with the draft Request for Qualification and draft Concession Agreement, for seeking comments from stake holders.
Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation  is operating Tejas Express train on the New Delhi-Lucknow sector w.e.f. 04.10.2019. During the period 04.10.2019 to 31.10.2019, IRCTC has earned an approximate amount of ₹ 7.73 lakh, as operational earning, by operation of the said Tejas Express.
Indian Railways offers various kinds of train services to cater to the need of a diverse set of passengers. Trains like Gatimaan Express, Vande Bharat Express, etc. are provided with augmented facilities and are popular among the premium segment. Trains like Rajdhani Express, Duronto Express, Shatabdi Express etc. offer fully reserved accommodation and facilitate the long distance and inter-city passengers. Further, other Mail Express trains and Antyodaya train are operated for the benefit of general passengers including those travelling on unreserved tickets. The fare of Sleeper and Second Class is highly subsidised and as a part of its Social Service Obligation, fare concessions are offered to various categories like Senior citizens, freedom fighters, Students, Divyangjans etc. even in the reserved classes. Consequently, on an average, Indian Railways recovers only 57% of cost of travel. The scope and scale of trains operated over Indian Railways, which carries about 23 million passengers on a daily basis cannot currently be compared with the New Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express being operated by IRCTC, in which fare is generally higher as compared to similar services on Indian Railways and no concession is admissible. However, systemic improvements over Indian Railways is a continuous and an ongoing process.
This press release is based on information given by the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM invites citizens to share their views for Mann ki Baat on 26th December 2021
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has called citizens to share their views for Mann ki Baat which will take place on Sunday, 26th December 2021.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"I have been receiving several inputs for this month’s #MannKiBaat on the 26th, which will be the last one of 2021. The inputs cover so many different areas and celebrate the life journeys of several people working to bring grassroots level changes. Keep sharing your views."
Ministry of Communications
Implementation strategy to ensure 100 percent core banking system for post offices discussed at Post-Budget webinar
Use of postal network for delivery of financial and banking services under aegis of Ministry of Rural Development also discussed
Post Budget Webinar on “Leaving No Citizen Behind” was organised yesterday. Budget announcement related to bringing 100 percent post offices on core banking system and interoperable post office account and its impact on the lives of rural poor especially women was discussed.
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed inaugural session of the webinar. The session on “Anytime Anywhere Banking Services and Interoperable Services through India Post” under “Assuring all rural poor especially women access to livelihood options and access to financial services” was chaired by Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Shri Giriraj Singh. It was attended by experts from NITI Aayog and other agencies, and by a large section of people and stakeholders associated with post office schemes from different part of the country. Wide range of discussion took place on implementation strategy to ensure 100 percent core banking system along with deployment of interoperable service for post office accounts. The participants also discussed ways to explore possibilities of the use of postal network for delivery of financial and banking services under aegis of Ministry of Rural Development. Shri Ajit Pai, Distinguished Expert from NITI Aayog stressed that the post office can play a significant role in the area of credit, financial literacy and overall achievement of financial inclusion.
Department will prepare a detail roadmap to ensure timely implementation of the action items emerging out of the discussion in the webinar.
Ministry of Railways
Publication of media reports on travel protocol etc of trains passengers on resumption of train services : Advisory for Media
During the last two days, there have been some reports in media about various protocols etc of prospective travellers by trains. They have also been mentioning about number of trains starting from a given date.
It may be brought to the notice of media that final decision regarding above matters is yet to be taken and pre mature reporting on such matters is leading to unnecessary and avoidable speculation in the minds of public in such extraordinary times.
Its humbly requested and advised that media may consider to avoid publishing on the basis of unconfirmed or unverified matters which may lead to such speculation.
For the post lockdown Rail travel, Railways would take best feasible decisions in the interest of all stake holders including its prospective passengers.
As and when a decision is taken, all concerned would be intimated about it.
Ministry of Finance
Customs officials detect around 1 kg of cocaine ingested as pellets by passenger at IGI Airport, one arrested
In a display of tremendous alacrity, the Customs officers at Indira Gandhi International Airport , New Delhi, unravelled yet another case of cocaine smuggling by detecting a case of human ingestion of specially designed pellets containing cocaine.
Customs officers identified one Ugandan passenger, who arrived at Terminal-3, IGIA a few days back. The gait and body movements of the passenger were unusual. The customs officer, out of sheer facilitation and goodwill, approached her if she needed any help. However, the passenger not only refused to accept any help but also showed disinclination to engage in any conversation, while at the same time continuing to exhibit uneasy body movements.
Sensing the unusual behaviour of the passenger, the Customs officers maintained a vigil on her. After a while, the passenger crossed the green channel and was approaching exit gate of International Arrival hall, when the customs officers finally intercepted her. Upon questioning, the passenger finally divulged that she had swallowed 91 capsules of narcotic substance.
Since, it was an impending emergency, the passenger was admitted to the RML hospital. X-ray scanning revealed that the colon  Sigmoid etc of the passenger was filled with oval pellets. Under expert medical supervision, an ejection procedure was carried out and it yielded total recovery of 91 pellets in batches.
The entire ejection process lasted over several days during which Customs staff maintained round the clock vigil at the hospital. These 91 pellets in turn yielded 992 grams of white powdery substance. Diagnostic test revealed the substance to contain cocaine.
Later, the hospital authorities handed over the passenger to the Customs. Since the passenger has violated various provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985, the passenger was arrested under section 43 of NDPS Act, 1985 on 29.12.2021. Further investigation in the matter is under process.
This is the second big detection of Cocaine at IGI Airport in this month. Earlier, 2,838 grams of cocaine was recovered from a Nigerian lady on 09.12.21 who had arrived at New Delhi from Lagos via Dubai.
Customs officers at IGIA have achieved considerable success against drug smuggling menace. This is the 24th case of seizure of NDPS covered drugs at the airport this year. 32 Pax  have been arrested so far. The estimated value of drug seizures would go into more than Rs. 845 crore.
Prime Minister's Office
PM conveys Navreh greetings
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted everyone on the occasion of Navreh.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
“My greetings on the special occasion of Navreh.”
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles demise of Shri Nandkumar Singh Chauhan
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the demise of Shri Nandkumar Singh Chauhan.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "Saddened by the demise of Lok Sabha MP from Khandwa Shri Nandkumar Singh Chauhan Ji. He will be remembered for his contributions to Parliamentary proceedings, organisational skills and efforts to strengthen the BJP across Madhya Pradesh. Condolences to his family. Om Shanti".
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Special Courts Under POCSO Act
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences  Act, 2012 enacted by Govt of India provides safeguards for children against sexual abuse. The POCSO Act 2012 provides for establishment of Special Courts for the purpose of ensuring speedy trial. Further, as per the Act, the evidence of the child shall be recorded within a period of thirty days of the Special Court taking cognizance of the offence and the Special Court shall complete the trial, as far as possible, within a period of one year from the date of taking cognizance of the offence. The Act was amended in 2019 to introduce more stringent punishment including death penalty for committing sexual crimes on children, with a view to deter the perpetrators & prevent such crimes against children.
A centrally sponsored scheme for setting up of 1023 Fast Track Special Courts  including 389 Exclusive POCSO Courts is implemented by the Department of Justice, for expeditious trial and disposal of rape and POCSO cases. As informed by DoJ, 640 FTSCs including 338 exclusive POCSO Courts have become functional in 26 States/UTs by May, 2021, which disposed 50, 484 pending cases till May, 2021. Goa and J&K are yet to operationalize FTSCs. West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar island and Arunachal Pradesh have still not joined the Scheme. The list of States/UTs where these Courts are located is at Annexure-I. The information regarding the appointment of Judges in special courts formed under POCSO Act, 2012 is not maintained centrally.
The State/UT-wise cases registered and cases pending trial at the end of the year under POCSO Act, 2012 during 2017-2019 is at Annexure-II.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Active Caseload continues on the downward slope; at 2.54 lakh after 179 days
Less than 300 Daily Deaths recorded continuously since the last 7 days
India’s total Active Caseload continues to exhibit a sustained downward movement. It has significantly dropped to 2.54 lakh  today. This is the lowest after 179 days. The total active cases were 2,53,287 on 6th July, 2020.
India’s present active caseload consists of just 2.47% of India’s Total Positive Cases.
The daily new cases in India in the recent days have been around 20,000. The new cases in the last 24 hours were 20,035 whereas 23,181recoveries were registered in the last 24 hours. Recoveries outnumbering daily new cases from last 35 days have ensured a consistent decline in active cases.
The total recovered cases are nearing 99 lakh . The gap between Recovered Cases and Active Cases, that is steadily increasing, has crossed 96 lakh and presently stands at 96,29,207.
The difference in the New Recoveries outnumbering New Cases has also improved the Recovery Rate to 96.08%today.
77.61% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs.
Kerala has reported the maximum number of single day recoveries with 5,376 newly recovered cases. 3,612 people recovered in Maharashtra followed by 1,537 inWest Bengal.
80.19% of the new cases are concentrated in 10 States and UTs.
Kerala reported the highest daily new cases at5,215. It is followed by Maharashtra with 3,509 new cases.
256case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours.
Ten States/UTs account for80.47%of new deaths.
Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties . Kerala and West Bengal follow with 30 and 29 daily deaths, respectively.
Daily deaths have been less than 300 since the last 7 days. This has ensured that the mortality remains low and presently stands at 1.45%.
Five States viz Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi account for 63% of total deaths in the country.
Ministry of Cooperation
To realise Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahakar se Samridhi, four important initiatives have been taken to strengthen 1,514 Urban Co-operative Banks  in the country
To realise Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahakar se Samridhi, four important initiatives have been taken to strengthen 1,514 Urban Co-operative Banks  in the country. Pursuant to detailed discussions held by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, with Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and Governor, Reserve Bank of India, the RBI has notified these vital measures to strengthen Urban Co-operative Banks.
1. In order to expand their business, Urban Cooperative Banks  can now open new branches.
UCBs can now open new branches up to 10%  of the number of branches in the previous financial year without prior approval of RBI in their approved area of operation. In order to avail this facility, UCBs have to get the policy approved by their board and comply with the Financially Sound and Well Managed  Norms.
2. UCBs can also do One Time Settlement at par with Commercial Banks
RBI has notified a framework governing this aspect for all regulated entities including Urban Co-operative Banks. Now co-operative banks through board-approved policies may provide process for technical write-off as well as settlement with borrowers. This has brought cooperative banks at par with other commercial banks now.
3. Revised timelines for PSL targets given to UCBs
The Reserve Bank of India has decided to extend the timeline for UCBs to achieve Priority Sector Lending  targets by two years i.e. up to March 31,2026. Deadline of March 31, 2023 to achieve PSL target of 60% has now also been extended to March 31,2024.The excess deposits, if any, after clearing the shortfall of PSL during FY 2022-23 will also be refunded to UCB.
Since UCB work in urban areas unlike commercial banks who have branches in rural areas as well, they were facing hardships on this score.
4. Designating a Nodal Officer in RBI
In order to meet the long pending demand of the cooperative sector for closer coordination and focused interaction, RBI has recently notified a nodal officer as well.
The above initiatives will further strengthen the Urban Co-operative Banks. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Cooperation is committed to strengthen cooperatives and treat them at par with other forms of economic entities, both as beneficiaries and participants.
Vice President's Secretariat
Shri Ashok Singhal was an exemplary individual who selflessly served society: Vice President
Releases Book ‘Ashok Singhal: Staunch and Perseverant Exponent of Hindutva’
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that Shri Ashok Singhal was an exemplary individual who selflessly dedicated himself as a Pracharak and served society for over six decades. He was addressing the gathering after releasing the Book ‘Ashok Singhal: Staunch and Perseverant Exponent of Hindutva’ authored by Shri Mahesh Bhagchandka, here today. The Founder, Bharat Mata Mandir, Haridwar, Swami Satyamitranand Giriji and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
The Vice President said that Shri Ashok Singhal was one of the finest proponents of Hinduism and he sacrificed 75 years of his life for the benefit of the future generations. Despite being a student of science and engineering he chose to spend time on the banks of the Ganges and reflected on religion, society and culture, he added.
The Vice President said that despite being asked by many in Congress party to join the Freedom Struggle under leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, Shri Singhal chose to side with Dr. K.B. Hedgewar’s Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh and dedicated his entire life to Sangh.
The Vice President said that this book elucidates life, philosophy, vision, ideas of Shri Singhal, one of India’s tallest leaders committed to ideals of Hinduism. He further said that the Book says “Our goal is to reach every corner of this country and overseas as well, so that all the prominent people of the world can get a glimpse of our Hindu Religion and Hindu lifestyle”.
The Vice President said that he was fortunate enough to closely observe, admire and celebrate Shri Singhal’s dedication towards restoring cultural and national pride and hoped future generations will appreciate his contribution to country and get inspired to take upon duties to serve national interest.
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Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Khadi gets separate unique HS code, export to get a boost
Khadi has once again come out of its customary veil, marking its presence in the exclusive HS code bracket, issued by the central government on 4th Nov’19 to categorize its products in export. In a long awaited move to make export of Khadi, exclusively categorized from the general league of textile products, the ministry of commerce and industries has allocated separate HS code for this signature fabric of India this week.
Khadi and Village Industries Commission  Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said that this decision of government will open a new chapter in the field of Khadi export. Earlier, Khadi did not have its exclusive HS code. As a result, all the data regarding export of this signature fabric used to come as a normal fabric under the textile head. Now, we will be able to keep a constant eye not only on our export figures, but it will also help us in planning our export strategies.
HS Stands for Harmonized System and it is a six digit identification code. It was developed by the WCO  and custom officers use HS Code to clear every commodity that enters or crosses any international border.
Khadi and Village Industries products are eco-friendly and natural, and are in great demand in the International Markets. Recognizing its potential to generate exports and its eco-friendly importance, the Ministry of Commerce had accorded deemed Export Promotional Council Status  to KVIC in 2006, to boost the export of Khadi products. However in the absence of separate HS code, the export of Khadi products was difficult to categorize and calculate.
The KVIC Chairman added that getting exclusive HS code would have remained a mirage for KVIC, had Union MSME Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Commerce Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and Union Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitaraman not taken personal interest in it.
Ministry of Coal
Shri Pralhad Joshi Compliments Coal Companies For Record Production & Despatch in 2021-22
Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs ShriPralhad Joshi has expressed happiness in attaining record coal production anddespatch during the financial year 2021-22. In a tweet, the Minister thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for opening up the coal sector of the country that resulted in the present achievement.Complimenting all the coal companies of the country, Shri Pralhad Joshi called upon them to keep fulfilling India’s energy aspirations.
During the financial 2021-22, with 8.55 per cent increase India’s coal sector achieved a record production of 777.23 Million Ton compared to 716 MT the previous year. At the same time, coal despatch has gone up by 18.43 per cent to 818.04 MT during the fiscal 2021-22 against the figure of 690.71 MT in 2020-21.
A series of reforms and innovative measures initiated in recent years by the Ministry of Coal has paved the way for this record achievement. Hurdles caused by Covid pandemic, reduced import due to very high international coal price and fast increasing domestic demand for coal make the present achievement all the more remarkable.