ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President inaugurates the 36th Surajkund International Crafts Mela
VP urges everyone to consider locally produced handicraft items when looking for gifts
The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today inaugurated the 36th Surajkund International Crafts Mela at Faridabad, Haryana today. On this occasion, he urged everyone to consider locally produced handicraft items when looking for gifts to their friends and relatives. He underscored that such an approach would not only help in conservation of many unique art forms but also enhance the economic condition of our talented artisans & craftsmen.
On arrival at Surajkund Mela, Shri Dhankhar and Dr Sudesh Dhankhar were welcomed by the Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Manohar Lal and other dignitaries from the state. Then he visited the zone of the Partner Nation , the zone of the North Eastern Region, which is the Theme State for this year and the unique ‘Apna Ghar’, a traditional Haryanvi home, showcasing the ethnic and traditional vibe of the region
Addressing the gathering, the Vice President described the Surajkund Mela as an amazing display of the incredible diversity and heritage of India's craftsmanship. He lauded the state government and organisers of the Mela for their efforts to showcase and promote the creativity and talent of India’s craftsmen.
Referring to various innovative steps such as Mudra Yojana, One District, One Product and Unity Malls, Shri Dhankhar said that the Government is committed to promote Indian craft, handlooms and folk art through all possible means. Praising the PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman, an initiative for craftsmen in this year’s Budget, he said that it would help our Vishwakarmas to expand the reach and quality of their creations.
The Vice President said that North eastern states are very important stakeholders in India’s look-east & act-east policy, which is turning out to be very impactful. Describing India as a bright spot of opportunity and investment, Shri Dhankhar praised the contribution of India’s artisans and craftsmen in making an ‘Atma-nirbhar Bharat’.
Shri Dhankhar also exhorted the youth to always keep ‘Bharat first’ and asked them to read and practice Fundamental Duties as enumerated in our constitution.
The Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2023 inaugurated by the Vice President today will be open from 3rd to 19th February 2023 at Surajkund, Haryana.
The Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Manohar Lal, senior government officials, diplomats and people’s representatives from the area attended the event.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Cabinet approves signing of Memorandum of Understanding between India and Uzbekistan for cooperation in the field of Solar Energy
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was apprised of signing of Memorandum of Understanding between India and Uzbekistan for cooperation in the field of Solar Energy.
The main area of work under is to identify research/demonstration/pilot projects between the National Institute of Solar Energy , Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, India and the International Solar Energy Institute , Uzbekistan in the following mutually identified areas:
- Solar Photovoltaic
- Storage Technologies
- Transfer of Technology
Based on mutual agreement, both parties would work for implementation and deployment of pilot project in International Solar Alliance  member countries.
Ministry of Defence
2 Mega Watt Solar Power Plant Inaugurated at Naval Station Karanja, Uran
Mumbai, 21 July 2020
The first Two Mega Watt Capacity Solar Power Plant of the Western Naval Command has been e-inaugurated by Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command on Monday .
Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC FOC-in-C  e-inaugurates the 2 MW Solar Power Plant located at Naval Station Karanja, Uran.
The Plant has been installed at Naval Station Karanja and is one of the largest solar plants in the region. The Solar Plant comprises of 100% indigenously developed solar panels, tracking tables and inverters. The plant is grid interconnected utilising the state of art single axis sun tracking technology with computerised monitoring & control.
The project is a significant step by the Indian Navy towards harnessing Solar energy and use of renewable source of energy for meeting the power supply requirement of Naval Station.
The 2 MW Solar Power Plant at Naval Station Karanja along with the dignitaries involved in the project.SC/ PRO-Defence, Mumbai/DR
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reviews Armed Forces efforts to tackle Cyclone Tauktae
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a meeting to review the preparedness and assistance being provided by the Armed Forces to civil authorities to tackle the situation arising out of Cyclone Tauktae, through video conferencing on May 17, 2021. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria and Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane and Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, Defence Research and Development Organisation  were among those who attended the meeting.
Shri Rajnath Singh was informed that 11 Indian Navy Diving Teams have been kept on standby in case of any request from authorities of affected states. Twelve flood rescue teams and medical teams have been earmarked for immediate response and deployment. Repair and rescue teams have also been formed to undertake urgent infrastructural repairs post cyclone, if required.
Three ships  are on standby with aid and relief material for immediate assistance to affected areas, if required. Balance ships on the Western seaboard are also on standby for assistance to fishing boats/small boats stranded due to rough weather. Navy’s Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft on surveillance are continuously broadcasting cyclone warnings to fishermen.
Shri Rajnath Singh was also informed that the assets of the Indian Navy were pressed into service to rescue stranded crew of Indian flagged Tug ‘Coromondel Supporter XI’ off Karnataka coast. Another helicopter from Naval air station in Goa has been deployed to assist in the search of missing crew members of Indian flagged Tug Alliance.
The Raksha Mantri was briefed that Indian Air Force has deployed its aircraft to transport personnel and tonnes of load of NDRF to Ahmedabad. On May 16, 2021, IAF had deployed two C-130J and one An-32 aircraft for transportation of 167 personnel and 16.5 tonnes of load of NDRF from Kolkata to Ahmedabad. Another C-130J and two An-32 aircraft carried 121 NDRF personnel and 11.6 tonnes of load from Vijayawada to Ahmedabad for the same purpose. Two C-130J aircraft transported 110 personnel and 15 tonnes of cargo for NDRF from Pune to Ahmedabad.
Shri Rajnath Singh was also briefed that two Army columns have been mobilised from Jamnagar for Diu along with Engineer Task Force. Two more columns staged forward to Junagadh for immediate response in case need arises. He was informed that the Army is in constant touch with the civil administration.
The Raksha Mantri directed the three Services to provide all possible assistance to the civil administration to deal with the emerging situation.
ABB/Nampi/DK/Savvy/ADA
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Global Aid being Effectively Allocated and Promptly Delivered by Government of India to Tertiary Care Institutions across States and UTs for COVID management
6608 Oxygen Concentrators; 3856 Oxygen Cylinders; 14 Oxygen Generation Plants; 4330 ventilators/Bi PAP; about 3L Remdesivir vials delivered/dispatched, so far
Reflecting the solidarity and goodwill towards India, the global community has extended a helping hand in supporting efforts of India in this collective fight against COVID19. Government of India has designed a streamlined and systematic mechanism for effective allocation, and prompt distribution and delivery of the support supplies received by India. This will help to supplement the medical infrastructure of the tertiary care institutions and recipient States/UTs, and strengthen their clinical management capacities for effective clinical management of the hospitalised COVID19 patients.
Government of India has been receiving international donations and aid of COVID-19 relief medical supplies and equipment since 27 April 2021 from different countries/organisations.
Cumulatively, 6608 Oxygen Concentrators; 3856 Oxygen Cylinders; 14 Oxygen Generation Plants; 4330 ventilators/Bi PAP; about 3L Remdesivir vials have been delivered/ dispatched, from 27th April 2021 to 07th May 2021.
Major items received on 7th May 2021 from USISPF, Switzerland, Poland, Netherland & Israel include:
• Oxygen Concentrators ,
• Remdesivir ,
• Ventilators ,
• Oxygen Generation Plant 
Effective immediate allocation, and streamlined delivery to the recipient states/UTs and institutions is an ongoing exercise. This is being comprehensively monitored by the Union Health Ministry on a regular basis.
Photo 1: 100 Oxygen Concentrators received from US-India Strategic Partnership Forum  dispatched from Delhi to Assam today
Photo 2. A German Mobile Oxygen Production and Filling System, producing 360.0 Litres of 93% Oxygen for medical use, and having a reserve Oxygen tank of 420.0 Litres was transported to DRDO early morning today, for use in their health facilities.
Photo 3. 112 Ventilators received from Netherland on way from Delhi to Telangana today.
A dedicated Coordination Cell has been created in the Union Health Ministry to coordinate the receipt and allocation of foreign COVID relief material as grants, aid and donations. This Cell started functioning from 26th April 2021. A Standard Operating Procedure has been framed and implemented by the Health Ministry since 2nd May, 2021.
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
17th National Seminar on the subjects covered under 76th and 77th round of National Sample Survey 
The two days National Seminar on the subjects covered during 76th and 77th round of National Sample Survey  has been inaugurated by Chief Guest Prof.  K. N. Madhusoodanan, Vice-Chancellor, CUSAT today in the Seminar Hall of Cochin University of Science and Technology , Kochi. The inaugural session was also attended by Guest of the Honour Prof.  P.G. Sankaran, Pro-Vice Chancellor, CUSAT, the ADGs of National Statistical Office , MoSPI, Additional Secretary, MoSPI, Independent Domain Experts, Retired Professors, Members of the Working Group, Representatives of Academia, Researchers and Media.
While delivering the inaugural address, the Chief Guest, the Vice Chancellor of Cochin University of Science and Technology observed that the selection of the venue of the seminar by the Ministry is a recognition/acknowledgement of work done by the CUSAT in the field of teaching/research including in Statistics. He was thankful to the Ministry for giving them an opportunity to host the 17th National Seminar at Cochin University of Science and Technology. In his address he impressed upon the increasing need of data supported research insights in academics and called for a strong collaboration with the various agencies producing data in the Country. He was appreciative of the detailed survey reports brought out by NSO, MoSPI and acknowledged that the National Sample Survey  reports are the backbone of the data driven knowledge base in the country.
The Additional Director General, NSO welcomed the guests and expressed her gratitude to one and all for sparing time for participating in the Seminar. She expected that the deliberation in these two days seminar will be a great source of knowledge repository for further evolution of planning the surveys in future.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor, CUSAT, in his remarks, noted that NSS is a household name in India, especially when it comes to the independent research in the academic world.
The Additional Director General, NSO, MoSPI was thankful to the organizing team and stated that the National Seminar on the outcome of these two rounds were extremely meaningful for the policy makers, academia and researcher scholars.
The Additional Director General, NSO, MoSPI observed that this interactive platform are extremely important for introspection and using them make necessary improvements in the manner of data collection in the field. He was supportive of the collaboration between the academia, researchers and the Ministry.
Special Service and Features
Dubious Automotive fuel sold as Biodiesel can damage Vehicles and pollute environment
It has recently been observed that some suppliers of an automotive fuel of dubious quality, purported to be ‘Bio Diesel’ are mushrooming in the market and are involved in clandestine marketing of this spurious product in the name of Biodiesel. Such suppliers are stealthily operating out of covered nondescript godowns without Name boards. Such Supplies contravene and jeopardize the genuine efforts of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Govt. of India in terms of ensuring cleaner BS-VI product supplies and keeping the environment clean.
In view of the above, it is brought to the attention of the customers and general public that genuine Biodiesel with specifications of BIS 15607/2016  can be marketed only with the prior approval of State Government. The premises selling Biodiesel should have valid statutory licenses meeting Class B petroleum safety standards. It is understood that Govt. of Tamil Nadu has not issued authorization for marketing of Biodiesel to anyone other than currently operating Oil Marketing Companies. Selling spurious product in the name of Biodiesel directly to the end users such as Road Transporters and other Industrial users is illegal and punishable under the Laws of Govt. of Tamil Nadu.
Genuine Biodiesel can be sold only for the purpose of blending with Hi-Speed Diesel  up to 7%, as allowed in the National Biofuel policy 2018. In markets like Salem, Namakkal, Sankari, Tuticorin, Erode and Coimbatore, the unauthorized sales of this spurious product has been heavily polluting the environment and damaging the vehicles. The product is also harmful to public health besides causing huge revenue loss to the exchequer.
This is stated in a press release issued by Chief General Manager , Indian Oil, Southern Region, Chennai-600 034.
Election Commission
Goa goes to polls in Third Phase of General elections-2019
12 Candidates in the fray for two Lok Sabha seats
1652 Polling stations set up for smooth conduct of elections
 - North Goa and South Goa.
As per the data available, Goa has 1135811 voters, which includes 555768 Male voters and 580043 Female voters. 12 candidates are contesting for these two Lok Sabha seats. 1652 Polling stations have been set up for the smooth conduct of polls.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Implementation of decisions taken by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs  regarding interventions to deal with the current crisis in the sugar sector
Pursuant to the decisions taken by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs  in its meeting held on 06.06.2018, Department of Food & Public Distribution  has issued the following orders/notifications on 07.06.2018
a) Sugar Price  Order, 2018
b) Order under the provisions of the Sugar Price  Order, 2018 directing that no producer of sugar shall sell white/refined sugar at factory gate at a rate below Rs. 29/kg till further orders;
c) Order directing that no producer of sugar shall hold the quantity of white/refined sugar stock at the end of the each month as specified by Government every month.
d) Order directing the quantity of white/refined sugar stock that every producer of sugar shall hold at the end of June, 2018.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to deliver keynote address at India Ideas Summit on 22 July
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address at the India Ideas Summit on 22 July.
The Summit is being hosted by the US-India Business Council. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the formation of the Council. The theme for this year’s India Ideas Summit is ‘Building a Better Future’.
The virtual Summit will feature high-level presence from Indian and US government policymakers, state-level officials, and thought leaders from business and society. Other key speakers at the Summit include Minister of External Affairs Dr. S Jaishankar, U.S. Secretary of State Mr. Mike Pompeo, Senator of Virginia and co-chair of Senate India Caucus Mr. Mark Warner, Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Ms. Nikki Haley, among others. The Summit will witness discussions on areas including India-US cooperation and future of the relation between the two counties in a post pandemic world.
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railway commissions Wi-Fi at 6,000th Railway station
From 1 station to 6000 in 5 years, IR shows extraordinary speed in expansion of this passenger convenience
Indian Railways continues to contribute to Digital India initiative and connect different parts of India with high speed Wi-Fi facility
With the commissioning of Wi-Fi at Hazaribagh Railway station on 15.05.2021, Indian Railways commissioned Wi-Fi at 6,000 Railway stations
Also, on the same day Jarapada Railway station in Angul district of Odisha also provided with Wi-Fi
Indian Railways has commissioned Wi-Fi at 6,000th Railway station.
Indian Railway is continuing to extend the Wi-Fi facility at far flanged stations to connect the passengers and the general public with digital systems.
With the commissioning of Wi-Fi at Hazaribagh Town falling under Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand state in Dhanbad Division of East Central Railway as on 15.05.2021, Indian Railways commissioned Wi-Fi at 6,000 Railway stations.
Indian Railways have started its Journey by providing Wi-Fi facility at 1st Railway station Mumbai in January 2016. Thereafter, provided 5000th Railway station, at Midanpore in West Bengal and reached 6000th Railway station i.e Hazaribagh on 15.05.2021. Also, on the same day Jarapada station in Angul District of state of Odisha was also provided with Wi-Fi.
The Wi-Fi facility at Railway Stations meets the objectives of the aspiring Digital India Program of Government of India. This will bridge the digital divide between the rural and urban citizens thereby increasing the digital footprint in the rural villages and also enhance the user experience. Wi-Fi facility is being provided by Indian railways at 6000 stations now.
Provision of Wi-Fi facilities at Railway stations on self sustainable basis with no cost to the Railways. This facility was provided with the help of RailTel, a PSU under Ministry of Railways. This task was carried out in partnership with Google, DOT , PGCIL and Tata Trust.
State-wise Wi-Fi faciity at Railway stations as on 15.05.21 are as under:
|
|
State-wise Wi-Fi faciity at stations as on 15.05.21
|
|
SN
|
|
State/UT
|
|
No. of Stations
|
|
1
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
509
|
|
2
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
3
|
|
3
|
|
Assam
|
|
222
|
|
4
|
|
Bihar
|
|
384
|
|
5
|
|
UT Chandigarh
|
|
5
|
|
6
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
|
115
|
|
7
|
|
Delhi
|
|
27
|
|
8
|
|
Goa
|
|
20
|
|
9
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
320
|
|
10
|
|
Haryana
|
|
134
|
|
11
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
24
|
|
12
|
|
Jammu & Kashmir
|
|
14
|
|
13
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
217
|
|
14
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
335
|
|
15
|
|
Kerala
|
|
120
|
|
16
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
393
|
|
17
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
550
|
|
18
|
|
Meghalaya
|
|
1
|
|
19
|
|
Mizoram
|
|
1
|
|
20
|
|
Nagaland
|
|
3
|
|
21
|
|
Odisha
|
|
232
|
|
22
|
|
Punjab
|
|
146
|
|
23
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
458
|
|
24
|
|
Sikkim
|
|
1
|
|
25
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
418
|
|
26
|
|
Telangana
|
|
45
|
|
27
|
|
Tripura
|
|
19
|
|
28
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
762
|
|
29
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
|
24
|
|
30
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
498
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
6000
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Special Campaign for Disposal of Pending Matters 3.0 from 02nd October, 2023 to 31st October, 2023
Under the preparatory phase of Special Campaign 3.0, the Department of Pharmaceuticals along with its attached office , autonomous bodies , PSUs  and Society  carried out an exercise to identify targets for parameters/criteria stipulated by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances . These were uploaded on the SCDPM Portal.
Dept. of Pharmaceuticals identified 9624 Sites for cleaning activity under the preparatory phase. This department is committed to not only ensuring accessibility, availability and affordability of medicines to all but also promoting cleanliness and sustainability of our environment through this initiative, which is being implemented by Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Bureau of India , a society under the aegis of the department. PMBI has geared up for cleaning a wide network of more than 9,600 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras  throughout the country. In addition, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority  through its 20 Price Monitoring and Resource Units  present in various States would undertake cleaning activities for sensitizing the public.
The Department of Pharmaceuticals expects to surpass targets identified during implementation of Special Campaign 3.0 on all counts.
Cabinet
Cabinet authorises NHAI to set up Infrastructure Investment Trust and monetize National Highway projects
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the proposal of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways,authorizingNational Highways Authority of India to set up Infrastructure Investment Trust  as per InvIT Guidelines issued by SEBI. This will enable NHAI to monetize completed National Highways that have a toll collection track record of atleast one year and NHAI reserves the right to levy toll on the identified highway.
Impact:
InvIT as an instrument provides greater flexibility to investors and is expected to create the following opportunities:
- Generation of specialized O&M Concessionaires.
- Attract patient capital  to the Indian highway market, as these investors are averse to construction risk and are interested in investment in assets which provide long-term stable returns.
- Retail domestic savings and corpus of special institutions  to be invested in infrastructure sector through InvIT.
Background:
Roads and highways are the lifeline of the economy, connecting remote and far-flung areas and ensuring efficient transportation on regional as well as pan-India basis. Development of National Highways has a multiplier effect in terms of facilitating trade and enhancing the overall economic development of a region.
In October 2017, Government of India launched BharatmalaPariyojana, which is the flagship highway development programme of Government of India for development of 24,800 km of roads for a total investment of Rs. 5,35,000 crore.
Given the magnitude of the Bharatmala program, NHAI would need adequate funds to complete the Projects within the prescribed timelines. As a part of this exercise, a workable option is to monetize the completed and operational NH assets to unlock their value and offer attractive schemes to private players to invest in construction of National Highways.
Implementation:
Using new and innovative financing vehicles has become inevitable for organisations like NHAI that have limited existing sources of funds. The then Finance Minister, in his Budget Speech of year 2018-19, had stated that NHAI may consider organizing its road assets into Special Purpose Vehicles and use innovative monetizing structures such as Toll, Operate and Transfer model and Infrastructure Investment Trusts .
Based on the learning and experience, NHAI has been actively working on setting up an InvIT to monetize its completed and operational national highways projects with the objective of mobilizing additional resources through capital markets.
NHAI's InvIT will be a Trust established by NHAI under the Indian Trust Act, 1882 and Securities and Exchange Board of India  Regulations, 2014. The InvIT Trust will be formed with an objective of investment primarily in infrastructure projects . InvIT may hold assets either directly or through an SPV or a holding.