ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
‘ACCESSIBLE INDIA- ACCESSIBLE FILMS’ SECTION LAUNCHED AT IFFI
Films will include additional narration of visuals, non-dialogue portions
Three films part of this special section
Goa: November 23, 2019
In a bid to create an all-inclusive festival, the 50th IFFI edition is screening three films for those with special needs under the ‘Accessible India-Accessible Films’ section.
This is a joint collaboration between IFFI, Saksham Bharat and UNESCO. The aim is to promote the creation of inclusive spaces for the differently abled through Audio description.
The section opened with ‘Munna Bhai MBBS’ directed by Rajkumar Hirani. It was launched by Festival Director Chaitanya Prasad, Vice-Chairman of ESG Subash Phaldesai, CEO, ESG Amit Satija and actress Taapsee Pannu. Students from Lokvishwas Prathisthan Visually Impaired School, Ponda and National Association for the Blind attended the section.
First timer at the festival, actress Taapsee Pannu said that she was surprised to know such films were made. “I’ve not seen films that use audio to explain the scenes; so I wanted to surely see how it’s done,” she said.
“I don’t like to use the term ‘visually impaired’, in fact, ‘your other senses are stronger than ours. I’m happy such movies can reach out to you,” Ms. Taapsee Pannu added. In future she hoped that her films are converted into audio films as well.
The movies that will be screened are ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’, ‘M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story’ and the Konkani film ‘Questao De Confusao’ with additional narration for the visually impaired.
ED/NS/BSN
Ministry of Railways
IRCTC of Indian Railways and SBI Card launch Co-branded Contactless Credit Card on RuPay Platform
“We are strongly committed in making Railways ‘Aatma Nirbhar’ in all the fields with ‘Make In India’ initiatives as envisaged by Hon’ble Prime Minister."-says Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal
In yet another initiative towards pursuance of the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister of ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’, ‘Digital India’ and ‘Make In India’ and towards fulfillment of the mission of Hon’ble Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in achieving greater self reliance for ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ and engaging with the world from a position of strength, IRCTC and SBI Card together launched their new Co-branded Contactless Credit Card on RuPay Platform. The new credit card was dedicated to the service of the nation today by Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal said “We are strongly committed in making Railways ‘Aatma Nirbhar’ in all the fields with ‘Make In India’ initiatives as envisaged by Hon’ble Prime Minister. The IRCTC SBI co-branded card working on RuPay Platform is one of the many “Make In India” activities undertaken by the Railways”
With the aim to offer a safe transaction environment to the customers, the new RuPay credit card is equipped with Near Field Communication  technology whereby the users can expedite their transactions at the POS machines by just tapping the card on the machines without requiring to swipe the card.
Designed to reward frequent railway travellers, the new co-branded credit card offers the rail passengers maximum savings proposition on their travel together with exclusive benefits on retail, dining and entertainment as well as transaction fee waivers.
The Cardholders will receive up to 10% value back on 1st AC, 2nd AC, 3rd AC, Executive Chair Car & AC Chair Car bookings made at IRCTC website. The card also offers online transaction fee waiver , 1% fuel surcharge waiver and 4 premium lounge free access at Railway stations in a year . The users of the card will receive 350 Bonus Reward Points upon activation of the card with a minimum spent. The users can redeem the accumulated reward points against purchase of train tickets on IRCTC’s ticketing website. In addition to savings on rail travel, the IRCTC SBI card offers several benefits for online shopping portals. Customers can avail discounts while shopping at e-commerce sites.
With RuPay’s increasing market share and gaining popularity among Indian customers, the RuPay powered IRCTC SBI Cobranded Credit Card is yet another step to provide RuPay users a delightful shopping experience.
The new co-branded credit card together substantiates the commitment of IRCTC, SBI Card and RuPay for promoting the Digital India initiatives and aims to ensure a safe, convenient and improved travel experience for the rail passengers.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
New agri export policy to double farmer’s income: Suresh Prabhu
(Suresh Prabhu inaugurating BIOFACH India in New Delhi
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu said that the Government of India is preparing agro specific zones under the new Agriculture Export Policy which will be unveiled soon.He was speaking at the inauguration of BIOFACH INDIA which is the world’s largest event on organic industry organized by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority  and Indo-German of Commerce in New Delhi today.
The Commerce Minister said that India produces nearly 600 MT of agri products including horticultural produce and its strategy is to increase farmer’s income by doubling it and reducing the wastage of food products to the bare minimum. Alongside domestic strategy, the Government is also focusing on exporting agricultural products to the world. Suresh Prabhu further said thatthere is need to cater to the niche market of organic food.
India is bestowed with the potential to produce all varieties of organic produce due to the country’s varied agro climatic regions. India also has the added advantage of inheriting a tradition of organic farming. It is a great advantage for organic producers to tap the market which is growingsteadily in both domestic and export markets.
Indiaranksfirst in terms of total number of organic producers and 9th in terms of worlds organic agricultural land. The Government of India has implemented the National Programme for Organic Production  which is organised by the European Commission and United States Department of Agriculture . Due to these certifications India’s organic products are accepted by importingcountries.
In 2017-18 India produced around 1.70 MT of certified organic products which includes all varieties of food products like oilseeds, sugarcane, cereals and millets, cotton, pulses, medicinal plants, tea, fruits, spices, dry fruits, vegetables and coffee.
Total volume of organic exports during 2017-18 was 4.58 lakh MT and brought in USD 515.44 million.
India’s organic products are exported to USA, EU, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Israel, South Korea, Vietnam, New Zealand and Japan.
Buyers from 15 countries are participating in the3-day event being held from 25th to 27th October 2018 in New Delhi. This event showcases products like organic aqua culture, cashew, coconuts, tea and cocoa and oil seeds. Buyers-Sellers meet and an international conference are also being held alongside the main event.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister’s meeting with the President of Comoros
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met H.E. Mr. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of the Comoros on 10 September 2023 on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi.
President Assoumani thanked Prime Minister for his initiative and efforts in making the African Union a permanent member of the G20. He shared his particular pleasure that this had occured during India’s G20 Presidency, considering India's role and links with Africa. He felt this would also give a boost to India - Comoros relations. He further congratulated Prime Minister for the success of India’s G20 Presidency
Prime Minister congratulated the African Union and Comoros on joining the G20 and highlighted India's efforts to articulate the Voice of Global South and recalled the Voice of Global South Summit convened by India in January 2023.
Both leaders also had an opportunity to discuss their bilateral partnership. They expressed satisfaction at the numerous initiatives underway, and discussed opportunities for cooperation in areas like maritime security, capacity building and development partnership.
Ministry of Education
Sanskrit Education to create more employment opportunities for students – Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
Sanskrit Universities will move towards becoming large multidisciplinary institutions of higher learning – Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
Sanskrit Education to create more employment opportunities for students said Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Union Education and Skill Development Minister and Chancellor, Central Sanskrit University while addressing ‘Utkarsh Mahotsav’ here today.
A three-day Utkarsh Mahotsav was organized by Central Sanskrit University in New Delhi from May 7th, 2022. The objective behind organising the Utkarsh Mahotsav is to promote Sanskrit language across the country and beyond. The focus of the Mahotsav is – the New Educational Era – Moving towards a Global Orientation of Sanskrit Studies.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Pradhan said that Sanskrit is not just a language, it is an emotion. Our knowledge and wisdom are our wealth. The onus is on all of us to take our civilization forward for centuries and achieve the ideals of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, he added.
The Minister highlighted that as envisaged in the National Education Policy, the Government has given importance to all Indian languages including Sanskrit. It has a great contribution in unifying various Indian languages and Sanskrit Universities will move towards becoming large multidisciplinary institutions of higher learning, he added.
The Minister cited that from the time of Hiuen Tsang to today's Raisina Dialogues, the spontaneity, modernity and scientificity of Sanskrit need no proof. He shared his thoughts on the revival of the language of the Vedas i.e Sanskrit, Indianness associated with Sanskrit and the language based education system. The Minister hoped that the deliberations held during the 'Utkarsh Mahotsav' will show the roadmap for the education system of 21st century to make India self-reliant and pave the way for global welfare.
Chairman, High Powered Committee for Promotion of Indian Languages, Shri Chamu Krishna Shastry; Chaiman UGC, Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar; Vice-Chancellor of Central Sanskrit University Prof. Shrinivasa Varakhedi; Vice Chancellor, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, Prof. Murlimanohar Pathak and Vice Chancellors of 17 Sanskrit Universities, scholars and students participated in the event.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Shri Bhupender Yadav says India’s SCO Presidency is guided by the mantra “TOWARDS A "SECURE" SCO” promoting multilateral, political, security, economic and people-to-people interaction in the region
The Fourth Meeting of the Heads of Ministries and Department of SCO Member States Responsible for Environment Protection was held virtually today under the Chairmanship of Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav. The meeting was attended by high-level delegation from the SCO Member States led by Ministers/Deputy Ministers from the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan and representative from the SCO Secretariat.
Prior to this meeting, there was 3rd Expert Group Level Meeting on 17th April, 2023, 1st Ad hoc Expert Group Meeting on 18 January 2023 and the 2nd Ad Hoc Expert Group Meeting on 15 February 2023 with four resumed sessions which were all held virtually.
In the Meeting, there were statements/speeches by the SCO Member States on the status and prospects for developing cooperation in the field of environment protection in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states and follow up of the action plan to implement the 2022-24 concept of cooperation in the field of environment protection of SCO member states.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Bhupender Yadav said India’s SCO Presidency is guided by the mantra, “TOWARDS A "SECURE" SCO”, which was given by our Prime Minister at the Qingdao Summit in 2018.He said India attaches special importance to SCO in promoting multilateral, political, security, economic and people-to-people interaction in the region.
Sharing India’s Experiences and LiFE, Shri Yadav mentioned about the Mission LiFE, which was launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 20th October 2022. He invited the SCO community to be a part of Mission LiFE for individual, family and community-based actions.
The meeting resulted in adoption of the Joint communiqué on the results of the Fourth Meeting of the Heads of Ministries and Agencies of the SCO Member States Responsible for Environmental Protection Issues, 18th April, 2023, New Delhi. The Joint Communique has been framed on the basis of the SCO Action Plan to implement the 2022-24 concept of cooperation in the field of environment protection.
Ministry of Defence
CNS VISIT TO MALDIVES
In his first overseas visit after assuming the office of the Chief of Naval Staff , Admiral R Hari Kumar visited Maldives from 18 to 20 Apr 22.
During the visit he called on HE Mr Ibrahim Mohamad Solih, Hon’ble President of the Republic of Maldives, HE Mr Abdulla Shahid, Hon’ble Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Ms Mariya Ahmed Didi, Hon’ble Defence Minister and Major General Abdulla Shamaal, the Chief of Defence Force .
Adm R Hari Kumar hosted a reception onboard Indian Naval Ship Sutlej on 18 Apr 22, in honour of the Defence Minister of Maldives and the leadership of Maldives National Defence Forces . INS Sutlej, is currently deployed to Maldives for undertaking joint hydrographic survey under the MoU on hydrographic cooperation. The CNS unveiled the first Navigation Chart jointly produced by India and Maldives and handed over hydrography equipment to consolidate organic capabilities of the MNDF.
CNS also visited MNDF maritime assets and complimented the joint efforts of MNDF personnel and the Indian Navy for maintaining role worthiness of these assets. He presented a consignment of engineering equipment for further sustenance of MNDF ships, thereby reaffirming India’s commitment to the capacity building efforts of the MNDF.
During the period of pandemic, both countries have worked very closely, under Mission SAGAR and Op Samudra Setu, towards resource mobilisation and movement of personnel. Easing of pandemic related travel restrictions has witnessed several high level interactions between the two countries over the last few months. The Defence Minister of Maldives was the Chief Guest at the Passing Out Parade of Indian Naval Academy in November 2021 and Col Ibrahim Hilmy, Commandant of Maldives Coast Guard led the Maldives Delegation at MILAN-2022 hosted by India at Visakhapatnam in February 2022. India and Maldives share common perspectives on maritime security issues in the Indian Ocean and have been working together closely in several bilateral, mini-lateral and multilateral fora such as the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium and the Colombo Security Conclave.
Guided by the ‘Five S’ Vision of Sammaan , Samvaad – , Sahyog – , Shanti –  and Samriddhi – , articulated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, the visit of the CNS further consolidated the strong and long standing bilateral relations between two close maritime neighbours and also identified new avenues of expanding the scope of bilateral cooperation in defence and maritime domain.
Ministry of Coal
Steps to Enhance Coal Production and Bridge the gap between Demand and Supply
With a view to increase domestic coal exploration, Government has implemented Central sector scheme  for exploration of coal and lignite resources. The following action has been taken by Government to further enhance the production of the coal and bridge the gap between demand and supply of coal in the country:
- Auction of commercial mining on Revenue Sharing Mechanism was launched on 18.06.2020. Under this scheme, total of 2 tranches have been successfully completed. From these two tranches total of 28 coal mines have been successfully auctioned.
- The Ministry of Coal has amended Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 with a view to allowing sale of coal or lignite, on payment of additional amount, by the lessee of a captive mine up to 50 percent of the total coal or lignite produced in a financial year, after meeting the requirement of the end use plant linked with the mine.
- Single Window Clearance portal has been launched on 11.01.2021. It is an unified platform that facilitates grant of clearances and approvals required for starting a coal mine in India.
- Coal India Ltd. has envisaged 15 Projects identified with a Capacity of about 160 MTPA  to be operated by Mine Developer cum Operator mode.
- Increasing domestic production of coal through allocation of more coal blocks.
With a view to increase coking coal production in the Country, Coking Coal Mission has been launched by the Government with the production target of 170 MT by FY 2029-30 from the current level of 45 Million Tonnes  produced in 2020-21.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in RajyaSabha today.
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches in Visakhapatnam
The Income Tax Department carried out search and seizure operation on 25.08.2021 on a group based in Visakhapatnam at 17 different premises across Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Nagpur and Kolkata. The group entities are engaged in extraction of vegetable oils, mining of manganese ore, and manufacturing of ferro alloys.
During the course of the search operation, hand written diaries/documents, loose sheets depicting undisclosed cash transactions were seized. The group is inflating expenditure, indulging in cash sales of oil and under invoicing of slag. Transactions in the form of suppression of sales and inflation of expenditure were unearthed.
Unaccounted cash of Rs. 3.0 crore has been seized so far. In total, the searches have resulted in detecting incriminating evidence relating to undisclosed financial transactions of about Rs. 40 crore.
Further investigations are in progress.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
STATUS OF FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS
India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement  is the only Free Trade Agreement  that India has entered into in the last 5 years. It was signed on 22.02.2021 and implemented w.e.f. 01.04.2021. Mauritius is located in the continent of Africa.
The continent-wise details of FTAs that India is currently negotiating are as follows:
|
|
Sl.
|
|
Continent
|
|
Countries/Regions
|
|
Name of the Agreement
|
|
1
|
|
Asia
|
|
UAE
|
|
India-UAE CEPA
|
|
2
|
|
Asia
|
|
Israel
|
|
India – Israel Free Trade Agreement 
|
|
3
|
|
Asia/Europe
|
|
Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia
|
|
India-Eurasian Economic Union  Free Trade Agreement 
|
|
4
|
|
Europe
|
|
United Kingdom
|
|
India-UK Enhanced Trade Partnership 
|
|
5
|
|
Europe
|
|
European Union
|
|
India - EU Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement 
|
|
6
|
|
North America
|
|
Canada
|
|
India – Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
|
|
7
|
|
Australia
|
|
Australia
|
|
India - Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement 
|
|
8
|
|
Africa
|
|
South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Namibia
|
|
India - SACU PTA
It is a continuous endeavour to conclude the negotiations at the earliest. However, deadline for completion of an FTA negotiation cannot be predicted as an agreement is reached only when all negotiating countries are satisfied with the outcome.
A chapter on Trade in Services is included in most of the trade agreements of India.This chapter includes an Annexure/Chapter on Movement of Natural Persons which provides disciplines on facilitating and streamlining the procedures for the temporary entry and stay of service suppliers.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Smt. Anupriya Patel, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Cabinet approves grant of medical facilities under Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme  to World War-II Veterans, Emergency Commissioned Officers , Short Service Commissioned Officers  and pre-mature retirees
More than 40,000 individual to be benefitted
The Cabinet Meeting Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today approved the grant of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme  facilities to World War-II Veterans, Emergency Commissioned Officers , Short Service Commissioned Officers  and pre-mature retirees.
As a result, over 43,000 individuals not covered so far under ECHS will be able to avail the benefits of cashless medical treatment under ECHS facilities through a network of over 425 ECHS polyclinics, over 2500 empanelled private hospitals and all Government hospitals throughout the country, subject to certain conditions.
As a special dispensation, war-widows will be exempt from one-time contribution to join ECHS.
Launched by NDA Government in April 2003, ECHS provides quality medicare to 54 lakh ex-servicemen pensioners, their dependents and a few other categories.
Measures for welfare of Ex-Servicemen:
Today's decision is yet another landmark step in the pro-active policies of the Government since its very first days for welfare of our valiant ex-servicemen, who rendered valuable service to the country.
Implementation of 'One Rank One Pension' for ex-servicemen, a demand which had been pending for over four decades, has resulted in over 20 lakh ex-servicemen receiving more thanRs. 35,000 Crore under the scheme. Other welfare measures by the Government for ex-servicemen include increase in pension by 40%, disability pension for pre-mature retirees, applicability of battle causality compensation at Line of Actual Control, Line of Control and International Border, financial assistance to soldiers on their supreme sacrifice through newly created Army Battle Causalities Welfare Fund, enhancement of ex-gratia ad-hoc allowance, Special Pension to Ex-sailors and skill development training in 36 job roles to over 30,000 retiring soldiers so far.