ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
“Swachh – Nirmal Tat Abhiyaan”
Week-long intensive Beach Cleaning Drive in 50 identified beaches of India begins today
To strive to make our beaches clean and create awareness amongst citizens about the importance of coastal ecosystems, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change  are undertaking a mass cleanliness-cum-awareness drive in 50 identified beaches under the “Swachh – Nirmal Tat Abhiyaan”, from 11th -17thNovember, 2019. The identified beaches are in 10 coastal States/Union Territories  namely Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. The beaches have been identified after the consultation with the States/UTs.
The cleaning drives in all beaches are being undertaken, involving school/college students of Eco-clubs, district administration, institutions, volunteers, local communities and other stakeholders. State Nodal Agencies for the Eco-clubs will be facilitating the week long intensive cleanliness drive in all 10 States/UTs. Nodal teachers from the Eco-clubs will be present at the sites during the entire cleanliness drive. MoEF&CC officials have also been deputed to monitor the implementation of the drive.
For beach cleaning activities which will be a duration of two hours on daily basis, a minimum of one Kilometre stretch of the beach shall be identified. Beach sand cleaning machines shall also be deployed at about identified 15 beaches. Thereafter collected waste will be processed as per extant Waste Management Rules, 2016. Environment Education Division of the Ministry and Society of Integrated Coastal Management  under the aegis of this Ministry will be responsible for the overall coordination for the drive in 50 beaches. Respective State Governments and Central Ministries will also be actively participating in the beach cleaning drives.
The Ministry has also decided that on completion of the drive, best three beaches will be suitably awarded along with a Certificate of Appreciation for all the participating Eco-clubs.
Ministry of Steel
RINL Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Ministry of Steel organises “Fit India Freedom Run 2.0” as part of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations”.
Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited, RINL, a PSE under Ministry of Steel organized 'Fit India Freedom Run 2.0' yesterday to celebrate ' Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' which commerates 75 years of India's Independence.
Shri D.K.Mohanty, D & CMD  flagged off the Freedom Run at the Col.C.K.Nayudu Ukku Stadium .Addressing over two hundred participants, Shri D.K.Mohanty stressed upon the importance of regular physical fitness for every individual and stated that the Government of India is reminding us of the advantages of good health by organising the Freedom Run all over the country.
Election Commission
CEC/EC decide to voluntarily curtail perks & privileges available to them
CEC/EC decide not to avail exemption from Income Tax on sumptuary allowance
CEC/EC also decide to surrender two LTC per year
After assuming the charge as the Chief Election Commissioner of India on 15th May 2022, Sh. Rajiv Kumar today held the first meeting of the Election Commission, along with the fellow Election Commissioner Sh. Anup Chandra Pandey.
Among other things, the Commission reviewed the perks and privileges available to the Chief Election Commissioner  and Election Commissioners  including the income tax exemptions given to them on sumptuary allowance.
CEC and ECs draw salary perks and perquisites as per Section 3 of the Election Commission  Act, 1991. The CEC and ECs are currently entitled to:
i. A monthly sumptuary allowance of Rs.34000/- There is no income tax payable by the CEC and ECs on this allowance.
ii. Three Leave Travel Concessions in a year for self, spouse and dependent members of the family.
Commission felt the need of observing austerity in personal entitlements. The Commission unanimously decided that:
1. CEC and ECs will not take any income tax benefits presently given to them. It was decided to send the proposal to the Central Government for appropriate action.
2. Further, CEC and ECs will avail only one LTC in a year in place of three LTCs presently available to them.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Utilization of funds allocated to North-Eastern States
During the period from F.Y. 2014-15 to 2020-21  funds amounting to Rs.13199.36 crore were released by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region to North Eastern States including Assam, for projects sanctioned under various schemes of the Ministry. Utilization Certificates of Rs.12242.34 crore has been received from the State Governments during the period from F.Y.2014-15 to 2020-21.
Under the schemes of the Ministry, since funds are transferred by the Ministry to the State Governments, who are responsible for implementing the projects and utilizing the funds, complaints received in respect of irregularities in utilization of funds are sent to the State Governments, who take appropriate action in the matter. Action taken on serious complaints, as well as irregularities pointed out by audit reports are followed up by the Ministry, and where ever required, State Government is asked to fix responsibility against the erring officer and take action as per the rules.
This was stated by Union Minister of State  Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singhin a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
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SNC
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Ministry of Power
Ministry of Power launches scheme for Procurement of Aggregate Power of 4500 MW for five years under B  of SHAKTI Policy
Scheme to help states that are facing power shortage and help generation plants to increase their capacities
- Under the scheme, PFC Consulting Ltd has invited bids for the supply of 4,500 MW.
- Supply of electricity will commence from April 2023.
- Ministry of Coal has been requested to allocate around 27 MTPA for this.
- The last date for the bid submission is 21st December 2022.
Ministry of Power kicks off a Scheme for Procurement of Aggregate Power of 4500 MW on competitive basis or five years on Finance, Own and Operate  basis under B  of SHAKTI Policy.
PFC Consulting Limited  has been designated as the Nodal Agency by the Ministry of Power. Under the scheme, PFC Consulting Ltd has invited bids for the supply of 4,500 MW. Supply of electricity will commence from April 2023. Ministry of Coal has been requested to allocate around 27 MTPA for this.
The utilities that have evinced interest for the scheme are Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd, Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company Ltd, New Delhi Municipal Corporation and Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd. The last date for the bid submission is 21st December 2022.
It is for the first time that bidding is being carried out under B of Shakti scheme. Also, revised PPA for medium term is being used in this bidding.
This scheme is expected to help the states that are facing power shortage and also help generation plants to increase their capacities.
The Ministry of Power had notified the Guidelines for procurement of power on Finance, Own and Operate  basis under para B  of the SHAKTI Policy on 25th October 2022. The methodology for coal allocation as per provisions of Para B  of SHAKTI policy was issued on 11th May, 2022.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
'Main Bhi Digital 3.0' - A special Campaign for Digital Onboarding and Training for street vendors launched ;
24.6 lakh loans worth ₹2,444 Cr have been disbursed to street vendors
Out of 22.41 lakh digitally on-boarded vendors, 7.24 lakh digitally active
Ministry of Housing and urban Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology  launched the pilot drive 'Main Bhi Digital 3.0' - A special Campaign for Digital Onboarding and Training for street vendors under PM SVANidhi scheme across 223 cities in the country today. The pilot derive was jointly by Shri Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs  and Shri Ajay Prakash Sawhney, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology  and in a virtual event. The drive is in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “SabkaSaathSabkaVikas”
The BharatPe, Mswipe, PhonePe, Paytm, Aceware are participating in this drive to issue UPI IDs, QR code and provide digital training. Digital Payment Aggregators will handhold the street vendors to bring about enhanced adoption of digital transactions and behaviour change. To promote digital transactions instruction has been issued to the Lending Institutions  to handover a durable QR Code and train the beneficiaries for conducting digital receipt and payment transactions within a week of disbursement.
So far, 45.5 lakh applications have been received. Out of these, 27.2 lakh loans have been sanctioned and 24.6 lakh loans have been disbursed. The amount disbursed so far is ₹2,444 Cr. More than 70,448 street vendors have repaid their first loan tranche. Out of 22.41 lakh digitally on-boarded street vendors, 7.24 lakh street vendors are digitally active and have recorded 5.92 Cr number of digital transactions.
PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi  was launched on June 1, 2020 as a Central Sector Scheme. The scheme facilitates affordable working capital loan of up to ₹10,000 with an interest subsidy @7% on regular repayment. The street vendors are not required to pay any collateral for the loan. The scheme provides Graded Guarantee Cover, to Lending Institutions, on a portfolio basis. The scheme targets to cover 50 lakh street vendors, who had been vending on or before March 24, 2020. The street vendors also stand a chance to avail a loan of ₹20,000 and ₹50,000 in the second and third tranches respectively on timely repayment of the loan. To encourage digital transaction a cash back up to ₹1,200 on digital transactions at ₹100 per month is provided to the street vendors under the scheme. An Integrated IT Platform has been developed to provide end-to-end solution for the paper less loan processing. SIDBI has been appointed as the implementation agency for scheme administration.
President's Secretariat
Officer Trainees of Indian Information Service Call on the President
A group of officer trainees of the Indian Information Service  called on the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, today  at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Addressing the officer trainees, the President said that as officers of Indian Information Service, they play a versatile role in not only dissemination of information but also in checking its veracity and collating it for a meaningful purpose. In this era of dumbing down of information, they need to emerge as providers of positive information, that is, information which is useful and relevant for people and society. This is in addition to their role as Information Gate Keepers and Information Enablers.
The President said that through public outreach and communication, IIS officers can educate people about different welfare schemes and policies. All of them have the skills and ability to make these welfare schemes and policies comprehensible, relevant, real and actionable for the people at the last mile. Thus, they play an important role in ensuring people’s participation which is most critical to the success of any programme.
The President urged IIS officers to develop strong professional networks with the media community, so that they can disseminate correct information concerning issues of public importance and check misinformation. He said that by doing so they would be able to ensure that the government’s outreach and communication with people shall remain relevant, timely, practical and effective.
Please See the President Speech
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID ‘Tika Utsav’ witnesses growth in number of COVID Vaccination Centres and Daily Vaccinations
More than 1.28 Cr doses administered during Tika Utsav
India has been scaling multiple peaks in its effort to vaccinate vulnerable sections of its population against the COVID-19 virus. The clarion call given by the Prime Minister of observing the days between 11th and 14th April as ‘Tika Utsav’ saw many Workplace Vaccination Centres  operational across the private and public workplaces. On an average 45,000 CVCs used to be functional on any given day. On Day-1, Day-2, Day-3 and Day-4 of the four day “Tika Utsav”, 63,800, 71,000, 67,893 and 69,974 CVCs were active, respectively. Additionally, on an average, Sunday use to witness lower levels of vaccination numbers . But, on the first day of Tika Utsav, which was a Sunday, more than 27 lakh vaccine doses were administered till 8 pm that day.
The four days of Tika Utsav saw intense vaccination activity. 29,33,418 vaccination doses were given on 11th April, another 40,04,521 were administered the next day. The corresponding figure for 13th and 14th April stands at 26,46,528 and 33,13,848.
The total vaccination figures during the Tika Utsav saw a jump of 1,28,98,314 vaccine doses being administered to people of the eligible groups across the country.
Three States have administered more than 1 crore vaccinations cumulatively. These are Maharashtra , Rajasthan  and Uttar Pradesh .
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches in Haryana
Income Tax Department initiated search under section 132 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 today in the case of a Gurugram based real estate Company, its promoters, directors and other group companies, covering a total of 20 premises. The said Company is in the business of government contracts specialising in construction of roads, highways, bridges and runways. The group is in the business of real estate development and residential complexes.
The search has yielded evidences of bogus long term capital gain of Rs. 25 crore in the names of the main promoter and family members in the year 2012-13 and 2013-14, on which no tax has been paid.
The search has also established that bogus expenses in the form of sub- contracts to the tune of Rs. 100 crore have been claimed by the group, to reduce its taxable income. The parties in whose names such expenses were booked were found to be unaware of transactions made in their names and denied any such services done by them. This amount of Rs. 100 crore has been routed back to the group companies as share capital and share premium.
Many incriminating papers and documents showing receipt and payment of crores of rupees of cash in sale of residential units and purchase of properties have been recovered during the course of the search. Documents of benami properties have also been recovered.
Cash of Rs. 1 crore and foreign currency worth about 14000 US dollars have been found and seized, so far. 15 lockers have been detected and have been placed under restraint.
The search is continuing and further investigations are in progress.
Ministry of Defence
INS AJAY DECOMMISSIONED AFTER 32 GLORIOUS YEARS OF SERVICE
INS Ajay was decommissioned on 19 Sep 22 after rendering 32 years of glorious service to the nation. The ceremony was conducted at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai in the traditional manner, wherein the national flag, naval ensign and the decommissioning pennant of the ship were lowered for the last time at sunset, signifying the end of the ship’s commissioned service.
INS Ajay was commissioned on 24 Jan 1990 at Poti, Georgia in the erstwhile USSR and was part of the 23rd Patrol Vessel Squadron under the operational control of Flag Officer Commanding, Maharashtra Naval Area. The ship was in active naval service for more than 32 years and during her illustrious journey, she participated in several naval operations including Op Talwar during Kargil War and Op Parakram in 2001.
Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command was the Chief Guest for the function. Vice Admiral AG Thapliyal AVSM Bar , the first Commanding Officer of the ship was the Guest of Honour.
The ceremony was attended by over 400 personnel including Flag Officers, senior officers from Army, IAF and CG, officers and men of the commissioning crew, crew of previous commissions as well as the ships present crew and families. The Chief Guest addressed the gathering present at the ceremony, highlighting the invaluable service rendered by the ship.
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MK/VM/PS
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Ministry of Defence
CHIEF OF THE ARMY STAFF  PROCEEDS ON A VISIT TO MANIPUR
The Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande will visit Manipur on 27 & 28 May 2023. The COAS will visit various locations where he will interact with the local formation commanders and obtain a first hand account of the situation obtaining on ground. He will also interact with the troops.
On 28 May 2023, he will meet Ms. Anusuiya Uikey, Hon'ble Governor of Manipur, Mr. N Biren Singh, the Chief Minister and Mr. Kuldiep Singh, the Chief Security Advisor of Manipur, to discuss and deliberate over the current situation and future trajectory, in order to restore normalcy at the earliest.
Owing to the internal security situation in Manipur, the State Administration had requisitioned Army and Assam Rifles on 03 May 2023. As an immediate response, Army and Assam Rifles deployed 135 columns to diffuse the situation by carrying out active domination of sensitive and fringe areas. Approximately 35,000 civilians were evacuated to safe zones and immediate relief & humanitarian aid was provisioned to displaced civilians by the Army and Assam Rifles.
PIB Headquarters
Constitution of GST Refund Helpdesk for MSME Taxpayers
GST and Central Excise, Chennai Outer Commissionerate constitutes a Refund Helpdesk exclusively for MSME taxpayers.
This helpdesk will provide guidance and assistance to all MSME taxpayers who have difficulty in filing their refunds or in obtaining sanction of refunds applied for within the time frame. Other taxpayers are also welcome to approach the helpdesk.
The helpdesk will be a link between MSME refund claimants and refund sanctioning authorities and it will ensure that all the pending MSME refund claims are sanctioned within 30 days.
All MSME taxpayers whose claims are pending for more than 30 days and other taxpayers whose refund claims are pending for more than 60 days may contact the helpdesk either in person or over phone for resolving the issue.
The MSME Refund Helpdesk is headed by Shri. G. Raja Jagadeesan, Assistant Commissioner, who is assisted by Shri. A Radha Sankara Bharathi, Superintendent and Shri. Abishek Kumar, Inspector. They may be contacted by calling any of these numbers: 26142852 and 26142782 or by sending an email at sevakendra-outer-tn[at]gov[dot]in, according to the press release issued by Shri Ravindranath, Commissioner of GST and Central Excise Chennai Outer.
Ministry of Defence
CLOSING CEREMONY: INDO-NEPAL JOINT EXERCISE SURYA KIRAN XV
The 15th Edition of Indo-Nepal Joint Training Exercise, EXERCISE SURYA KIRAN XV culminated today at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand after 14 days of rigorous training.
The Joint Exercise, which began on 20 Sep 2021, was focused on Counter Terrorism and Disaster Relief operations. The exercise also provided an opportunity to troops of both Armies to foster everlasting professional and social bonding.
After intense military training, the joint exercise concluded with both Armies exhibiting their combat power and dominance over the terrorist groups during the Validation Exercise. The closing ceremony showcased the immense talent with unique traditional touch of both Nations. The senior officials expressed their satisfaction and appreciation towards the professional conduct of the exercise.
The bonhomie, esprit-de-corps and goodwill generated during the exercise will go a long way in future strengthening the bonds between the Armed Forces of both countries.
SC,VBY,KCR
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
185.04 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India's Active caseload currently stands at 11,871
Active cases stand at 0.03%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.76%
1,198 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,24,97,567
1,086 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
79.20 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 4,81,374 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Special Service and Features
Union Minister of State Dr L. Murugan to inaugurate the stoppage at Papanasam Railway Station for Chennai Egmore- Tiruchendur Express on 3rd December 2022 
Also the inaugural Sunday service of Mettupalayam – Coimbatore MEMU Express Special to be flagged of by the Minister on 4th December 2022  at Mettupalayam Railway station
Dr L. Murugan, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying will inaugurate the stoppage for Train No.16105 Chennai Egmore – Tiruchendur Express at Papanasam Railway Station at 22.00 hrs on 03rd December 2022  and will also flag off inaugural Sunday service of MEMU special from Mettupalayam to Coimbatore at 16.45 hrs on 4th December 2022  at Mettupalayam Railway Station.
Stoppage at Papanasam for Tiruchendur Express
Dr L. Murugan, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying will inaugurate stoppage for Train No.16105 Chennai Egmore – Tiruchendur Express at Papanasam Railway Station at 22.00 hrs on 03rd December 2022. The temporary stoppage at Papanasam for Train No:16105/16106 Chennai – Egmore – Tiruchendur – Chennai Egmore  is provided for a period of six months on an experimental basis effective from 3rd December 2022.
Papanasam is a town in Thanjavur district and is a popular tourist spot surrounded by many ancient temples which attracts pilgrims from various places. A stoppage at Papanasam Railway station will be a boon for the pilgrims, tourists and local population of the town.
Increase in frequency of Coimbatore – Mettupalayam MEMU Express trains
Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Dr. L Murugan will flag off the inaugural Sunday service of MEMU special from Mettupalayam to Coimbatore at 16.45 hrs on 4th December 2022  at Mettupalayam Railway Station.
Three pairs of MEMU Express special trains between Coimbatore Jn and Mettupalayam viz. Train No. 06009/06812, 06815/06816 & 06817/06010, currently operated six days a week  will be run on all days of the week including Sundays. The Sunday Services will largely benefit tourists from various parts of the country visiting the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Ooty and adjoining tourist spots besides serving commuters, vendors and businessmen who commute regularly between Coimbatore and Mettupalayam.
The regular Sunday services  of three pairs of MEMU services between Mettupalayam and Coimbatore will commence on and from 11th December 2022 as per schedule already advised.
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