ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President advises Finance Minister to take steps to protect the interests of the farming community.
Continue with ‘Special Assistance’, ‘Special Attention’ and ‘Special Dispensation’ to Andhra Pradesh: VP tells FM
VP appreciates government’s efforts to make Yoga a people’s movement in his interaction with MoS for AYUSH
Vice President enquires about the status of the Proposed Steel Plant in Andhra Pradesh’s Kadapa District
Three Ministers- Finance Minister, MoS for AYUSH and MoS for Steel call on the Vice President
The Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman called on the Vice President, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu at his residence here today.
During the interaction, the Vice President made some suggestions to the minister with regard to the upcoming Budget. Among others, he stressed the need to take steps to protect agriculture and introduce structural changes.
Shri Naidu also suggested to the minister to undertake a review of the Import-Export Policy and protect the interests of the farming community.
The Vice President wanted the minister to continue with “Special Assistance, Special Attention and Special Dispensation’ to Andhra Pradesh. The Former Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley had earlier announced a special financial package to the successor State.
While appreciating that many assurances were fulfilled regarding the setting up of national institutions and sanctioning of new projects to Andhra Pradesh, Shri Naidu stressed the need to provide a helping hand to the State.
The Minister of State  for AYUSH Shri Shripad Yesso Naik also called on the Vice President. Expressing his happiness at the overwhelming response for International Day of Yoga all over the country and the world, Shri Naidu advised the minister to continue with efforts to make Yoga a people’s movement.
He also reminded the minister about the assurance to set up a Central Research Institute of Yoga & Naturopathy  with 100-bedded IPD Hospital at Kondapavuluru in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh. He told the minister that the Department of AYUSH, government of Andhra Pradesh had allotted free of cost 25 acres and the land was also registered under Central Council of Research in Yoga and Naturopathy in 2018 itself.
The Vice President also reminded the Minister that he had suggested in the past for laying the foundation at the earliest after Former Health Minister of Andhra Pradesh Shri Kamineni Srinivas represented the matter. Later, the announcement was made by the Union Minister.
The Minister of State for Steel, Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste also called on the Vice President. Shri Naidu enquired with him about the status of the proposal to setup a steel plant in Kadapa District of Andhra Pradesh.
The Minister assured the Vice President that he would take up the issue with the Union Minister for Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and also discuss with senior officials.
Prime Minister's Office
PM inaugurates the Infosys Foundation Vishram Sadan at National Cancer Institute in Jhajjar campus of AIIMS New Delhi
PM expresses gratitude to the AIIMS management and Sudha Murthy's team for this service
“To counter the largest pandemic in 100 years, the country now has a strong protective shield of 100 crore vaccine doses. This achievement belongs to India and its citizens”
“India's corporate sector, private sector and social organizations have continuously contributed to strengthening the health services of the country”
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Infosys Foundation Vishram Sadan at the National Cancer Institute in the Jhajjar campus of AIIMS New Delhi today via video conference.
Addressing the event, the Prime Minister remarked that today is a historic day as India has crossed the 100 crore vaccine dose mark. To counter the largest pandemic in 100 years, the country now has a strong protective shield of 100 crore vaccine doses. This achievement belongs to India and its citizens, the Prime Minister emphasized.
The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to all the vaccine manufacturing companies of the country, workers engaged in vaccine transportation, health sector professionals engaged in vaccine development.
The Prime Minister noted that today in AIIMS Jhajjar, patients coming for cancer treatment have got a great convenience. This Vishram Sadan, built in the National Cancer Institute, will reduce the worries of patients and their relatives, he said.
The Prime Minister praised Infosys Foundation for constructing the building of Vishram Sadan and AIIMS Jhajjar for providing the land, electricity and water. He expressed his gratitude to the AIIMS management and Sudha Murthy's team for this service.
The Prime Minister noted that India's corporate sector, private sector and social organizations have continuously contributed to strengthening the health services of the country. He cited Ayushman Bharat - PMJAY as a great example of this.
The Prime Minister said when the patient gets free treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, then an act of service is accomplished. It is this service motive that has made the government take steps to reduce the prices of about 400 cancer medicines, the Prime Minister said.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan holds telephonic discussion with Russia’s Minister of Energy H.E Mr. Alexander Novak
Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan last evening had a telephonic conversation with H.E. Mr. Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy, Russian Federation.
Both the Ministers deliberated upon the way ahead to further strengthen India-Russia energy co-operation and in making hydrocarbon sector an important pillar of India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
During the telecall, Minister Pradhan conveyed his concern on the growing crude oil price volatility during the last few weeks, and also urged Russia to continue to play a balancing role in its engagement with OPEC countries by taking into account the interests of consuming countries.
The Ministers reviewed the investments in hydrocarbon sector recognizing that India and Russia are one of the largest investors in each others’ hydrocarbon sector. Minister Pradhan also conveyed India’s interest to further enhance footprints in the Russian E&P sector. Minister Pradhan invited Russian oil and gas companies to invest in building gas infrastructure in India and in the expansion of city gas distribution networks.
Both the Ministers agreed to work closely in the coming months to develop a more comprehensive hydrocarbon engagement keeping in view a long-term perspective.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Dredging Corporation of India Limited Announces 20% Dividend for 2017-18
The Dredging Corporation of India Limited has declared a 20% dividend on the paid up capital of Rs.28 Crore for the year 2017-18. A cheque of Rs. 4,11,44,026  was handed over to Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways, Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation by Shri Rajesh Tripathi, CMD, DCI in the presence of senior officials of the Ministry of Shipping in New Delhi today. At its 42nd Annual General Meeting held earlier this month, DCI declared a dividend of Rs.2 per equity share of Rs.10 each, amounting to Rs. 5.6 Crore for the year 2017-18. Government of India holds 73.47 % of the share capital in the company. The amount of Rs. 4.11 Crore is the dividend pertaining to this share.
The Company earned a profit of Rs.1664.27 lakh after tax for the year as compared to Rs.712.26 lakh for the previous year. The operational income of the Company was Rs.59187.36 lakh as compared to Rs.58514.77 lakh for the previous year. The total income for the year is Rs.61211.90 lakh as compared to Rs.59896.55 lakh for the previous year. The Company’s earning per share for 2017-2018 has increased to Rs 5.94 as compared to Rs.2.54 for the previous year.
DCIL has been performing dredging at Haldia Port for the past thirty years. The company also caters to the maintenance dredging requirements of other major ports/Indian Navy etc.
During the year, maintenance dredging contracts were executed for Kolkata Port, Cochin Port Trust, Cochin Shipyard, RGPPL-Dabhol, Gangavaram, Mumbai Port Trust and New Sand Trap and its approaches at Visakhapatnam Port Trust. Capital Dredging Contracts were executed at Paradip Port, Bangladesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, Gogha and Dahej.
For its CSR initiatives, the Company has spent an amount of Rs.109.42 lakh, taking up projects for constructing toilets in public places and Government schools and providing RO plants in Government Schools.
Dredging Corporation of India Limited  was established in 1976 to provide integrated dredging services to the Major Ports of the Country. DCI is a Schedule B, Mini Ratna Category-I Public Sector Undertaking under the administrative control of Ministry of Shipping, Government of India. Clients include Major Ports, non-major Ports, Indian Navy, State Governments etc.The Company is a listed Company and the shares are presently being traded at around Rs.500/- per share against the face value of Rs.10/- per share.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Out of Pocket Expenditure for Covid-19 Treatment
National Health Authority has been providing necessary support to States/UTs for ensuring free COVID-19 testing and treatment to all eligible beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana .Public Health being a State subject, response to COVID-19 pandemic is primarily directed by State Governments.
When COVID-19 pandemic started, initially existing treatment packages were used for providing COVID related treatment. Later, special packages for treatment and testing of COVID-19 were introduced. Many State Governments decided to make COVID-19 testing & treatment free for all residents. While some of them used Ayushman Bharat PMJAY ecosystem including the NHA’s IT platform, others used their own IT systems. Therefore, COVID-19 treatments have been captured in both general and COVID-19 specific packages of AB-PMJAY.
As of 15th November 2021, with respect to transactions recorded on NHA IT platform as well as the information shared by the States/UTs using their own IT systems, approximately 8.3 Lakh hospital admissions have been authorized for the treatment of COVID-19. Out of these 8.3 Lakh hospital admissions, approximately 4.7 Lakh have been authorized in empanelled private hospitals under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana .
10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families identified on the basis of SECC 2011 data are entitled to receive free treatment under AB-PMJAY. However, treatment is free for all in public hospitals.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
MSP Operations during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
Paddy Procurement shows increase of 24.93% over the last year
In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at MSP from farmers as per existing MSP Schemes.
Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 is continuing smoothly in the procuring States & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pardesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam and West Bengal with purchase of over 487.92 LMT of paddy up to 31.12.2020. This is an increase of 24.93% against the last year corresponding purchase of 390.56 LMT. Out of the total purchase of 487.92 LMT, Punjab alone has contributed 202.77 LMT which is 41.55% of total procurement.
About 62.28 Lac farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs 92120.85 Crore.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 51.66 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme. Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs, approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies.
Upto 31.12.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 257425.26 MT of Moong, Urad, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs.1377.69 Crores benefitting 1,38,579 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs.52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu upto 31.12.2020 as against the last year corresponding purchase of 293.34 MT of copra. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds.
Procurement operations of seed cotton  under MSP are going on smoothly in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka. Till 31.12.2020 a quantity of 7503914 cotton bales valuing Rs.21989.94 Crore has been procured benefitting 14,69,704 farmers.
Ministry of Education
Internship with eminent educational institutions to be extended to meritorious students of J&K
To channelize the energy of the youth from Jammu and Kashmir, All India Council for Technical Education  has implemented the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir Students.
Taking one step forward, today, on 27th September, 2019, AICTE and IIT Guwahati have signed a Memorandum of Understanding  in the auspicious presence of Union Minster for Human Resource Development, Shri. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ for extending internships to students from Jammu and Kashmir and students studying in AICTE approved institutions across the country under Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme.
Under this MoU, IIT Guwahati will enrol 100 Meritorious students from Jammu and Kashmir in batches of 25, for internship at IIT Guwahati from 1st May 2020 - 30th May 2020. The objective of the MoU is to provide an exposure to the youth from Jammu and Kashmir to the academic culture at Higher Learning Institutes of India.
The MoU was signed during the IIT Council meeting at IIT Delhi on 27th September 2019. Union Minster for Human Resource Development, Shri. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ encouraged other IIT’s to be involved in this Nation building initiative. Three other IITs at Kanpur, Raipur and Hyderabad have also expressed their interest in such an MoU. Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, AICTE, informed that AICTE has decided to contact all other IITs/NITs & IIMs to follow suit so that maximum number of brothers and sisters from J&K get empowered.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Price of crude oil in international market
The crude oil price fluctuates on a daily basis in the international market. The average price of Indian Basket of crude oil and the quantum of crude oil purchased during last five years are given below:
|
|
Financial Year
|
|
Indian Basket of Crude Oil 
|
|
Import of crude oil 
|
|
2015-16
|
|
46.17
|
|
202850
|
|
2016-17
|
|
47.56
|
|
213932
|
|
2017-18
|
|
56.43
|
|
220433
|
|
2018-19
|
|
69.88
|
|
226498
|
|
2019-20
|
|
60.47
|
|
226955
Indian basket of Crude Oil represents a derived basket comprising of Sour grade  and Sweet grade  of Crude oil processed in Indian refineries
Prices of petrol and diesel have been made market-determined with effect from 26.06.2010 and 19.10.2014 respectively. Since then, the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies  take appropriate decision on pricing of petrol and diesel in line with international product prices and other market conditions. The OMCs have not only increased but also decreased the prices of petrol and diesel in line with changes in international prices and rupee dollar exchange rate.
Public Sector OMCs have implemented daily revision of retail selling price  of petrol and diesel in the entire country with effect from 16th June, 2017. Daily pricing has been introduced to bring more transparency and efficiency in pricing to benefit consumers. The details of retail selling prices of petrol/diesel are available at the website of Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell  i.e. www.ppac.gov.in.
The yearly average price of petrol and diesel at Delhi market  during the last five years is given below:
Rs./Ltr
|
|
Financial Year
|
|
Petrol
|
|
Diesel
|
|
2015-16
|
|
61.59
|
|
47.01
|
|
2016-17
|
|
64.61
|
|
53.24
|
|
2017-18
|
|
69.20
|
|
58.78
|
|
2018-19
|
|
75.37
|
|
68.22
|
|
2019-20
|
|
72.69
|
|
65.78
|
|
2020-21 
|
|
79.12
|
|
72.31
Retail Selling Price of Petrol and Diesel is at Delhi .
This information was given by the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs to collaborate for research and publication, advancement of knowledge, capacity building, awareness and advocacy initiatives among others.
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India  signed a Memorandum of Understanding  today with the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs . The MoU was signed by Ms. Geeta Singh Rathore, Chief Administrative Officer of the IICA and Mr. K.R.Saji Kumar, Executive Director of the IBBI in the august presence of Mr.Injeti Srinivas, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs; Dr. M. S. Sahoo, Chairperson, IBBI; Mr. Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, Director General, IICA; and other distinguished officers of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, IBBI and IICA.
2. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016  provides for reorganisation and insolvency resolution of corporate persons, partnership firms and individuals in a time bound manner for maximization of the value of assets of such persons, to promote entrepreneurship, availability of credit and balance the interests of all the stakeholders and, for this purpose, has established an institutional infrastructure comprising of Adjudicating Authorities, the IBBI, insolvency professionals, insolvency professional agencies and information utilities. The IBBI, which is established under the Code, exercises regulatory oversight over the Insolvency Professionals, Insolvency Professional Agencies and Information Utilities. It writes and enforces rules for processes, namely, corporate insolvency resolution, corporate liquidation, individual insolvency resolution and individual bankruptcy under the Code.
3. The IICA, which is established by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, is a think tank and a Centre of Excellence to support growth of the corporate sector. It offers capacity building and advisory solutions to Government, statutory authorities, and the private sector.
4. The stakeholders and the professionals are undertaking processes under the Code for the first time and new knowledge is getting generated every day. They need to build capacity not only to implement the ongoing reform in letter and spirit, but also to use it to use it to their advantage.
There is also a need to undertake research and publication for further strengthening the insolvency and bankruptcy framework. Keeping these needs in view, the IBBI and IICA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate for research and publication, advancement of knowledge, capacity building, awareness and advocacy initiatives on the basis of reciprocity, best effort, mutual benefit and frequent interactions.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Ministry of MSME is making continuous efforts to generate employment opportunities: Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma
Minister of State for MSME inaugurates the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of
Ni-MSME, Hyderabad
The MSME sector is currently not only increasing the pace of the growth of the economy of the country by contributing to its GDP but also encouraging skilled youth by providing them new employment opportunities said Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma . Hon’ble Minister of State for MSME Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma today inaugurated the diamond jubilee celebrations of Ni-MSME Hyderabad. Addressing the program he said that that 90 percent of the total industrial units of the country are from the MSME sector which is providing employment to around 8 crore people.
Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma also said that MSME Ministry is making continuous efforts to provide employment opportunities to the skilled youth through initiatives like Skill India launched by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The 60 year long journey of this organisation, which was started in the year 1962 calls for a celebration, he added.
Participating virtually in the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Ni-MSME, Union Minister for MSME Shri Narayan Rane said that Ni-MSME institute was set up in the year 1962 with an objective to help the government in preparing policies and hold training and extensive education programs besides conducting research in the field of micro, small enterprises. Shri Narayan Rane emphasized that Ni-MSME works with an objective to create employment opportunities to the skilled unemployed youth.
He applauded the institute for organising nearly 6096 training programs under the central government’s skill development scheme and training participants of 1,75000 youth in the past few years . He also congratulated the members of the Ni-MSME on the occasion of its diamond jubilee celebrations.
Ms .Glory Swaroopa , DG Ni-MSME thanked the Hon’ble MoS Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma and other representatives of Ministry of MSME , Government of India for gracing the glorious occasion of Diamond jubilee of Ni-MSME . She explained the contributions of Ni-MSME in the past 60 years to the field of Micro and small industries sector in her speech.
During the event Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma released the books on Saga of ‘Ni -MSME Entrepreneurs’. Earlier, he laid foundation stone of compound wall and inaugurated the diamond jubilee block and visited the MSME exhibition stalls at the premises Ni MSME.
Shri. B.B Swain,IAS Secretary ,Mo MSME , Shri S.K Singh ,IAS AS&DC Ms. Mercy Epao Joint Secretary  & stake holders from different sectors of Ni-MSME were also participated in the event.
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