ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
APEDA organizes first ever awareness programme on Agri Exports in A&N Islands
To promote Export of produce from A&N Islands
AGRI export action plan for A&N ISLANDS being finalized
An awareness programme was organized by Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority , Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India along with the Directorate of Industries of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands  in Port Blair on 31st January, 2020 to examine ways to promote the exports of agri products and implementation of the Agri Export Policy in the Islands.
APEDA has facilitated in developing the draft state Agri Export action plan, which is now being finalized. The Union Territory of A&N Islands has designated department of agriculture as the State nodal agency and deputed Joint Director Department of Agriculture as nodal officer for implementation of the Agri Export Policy in a focused manner.
The programme held at Port Blair last week was attended by around 100 participants including concerned Government agencies and some exporters from other States. Secretary Industries, A&N Islands, Dr. Pooja Joshi along with senior officials from APEDA, Director of Industries A&N Islands, NABARD, Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, an ICAR Institute, Spices Board attended the awareness programme. Detailed presentations were also made on activities of the organizations attending the workshop.
The presentation made by APEDA elaborated on the potential of exports from the island, export requirements, financial assistance schemes provided and the activities to be carried out for the implementation of the Agri Export Policy.
Exporters from Chennai and Jharkhand elaborated on the export requirements of products from the area like fruits, vegetables and dried flowers. The exporters also shared their experiences and assured the participants of providing linkages for exports. Export prospects of spices, coconut products and fisheries were also discussed.
The A&N Islands have the advantage of being on the sea route to the South East Asian Nations and can directly export the agri products from the islands to these countries. In the awareness programme, it was informed by the local administration that plans have been drawn to establish trans-shipment ports in the Islands to promote direct export from Islands.
Prime Minister's Office
Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh calls on Prime Minister
Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu called on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today.
The Prime Minister’s Office posted on X;
“Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri @PemaKhanduBJP, met Prime Minister @narendramodi.”
Ministry of Steel
Ministry of Steel to Organise a Workshop on Fostering Steel Usage in Railways and Defence Sector
Ministry of Steel in association with Confederation of Indian Industry  is organizing a workshop on February 17, 2020 at New Delhi focusing on fostering steel usage in Railways and Defence sectors. The aim of the workshop is to have an in-depth discussion with the Railways and Defence sector to identify gaps and opportunities available in the supply of Steel and Steel Products. Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan will be the Chief Guest and Minister of State for Steel Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste will be the Guest of Honour on the occasion. Mr. V. K. Yadav, Chairman, Railway Board, Mr. Ajay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Mr. Binoy Kumar, Secretary  will also be present on the occasion. The Workshop will focus on the following points:
- Present & Future requirement of Steel and Steel Products across Railways, Army, Navy and Air Force
- Long term perspective plan of the user sectors with special reference to the requirement of steel
- Challenges faced in procuring steel domestically
- Quantity of steel being imported by Railways and Defence currently and reason for imports.
- Capabilities of Indian iron and steel industry in meeting the present demand, future expansion plans, manufacturing and R&D capabilities for developing new products.
Special Service and Features
Surveys of National Statistical office in the month of October 2022 in Eranakulam District
Kochi, October 10, 2022
The National Statistical Office , Field Operations Division  under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation  conducts various field surveys for the publication of official statistics.The field officials of National Statistical Office, Kochi SRO are assigned to conduct these surveys across the District of Eranakulam.
The 79th round of the Socio-Economic survey that focuses on Sustainable Development Goals indicators of Global Indices as well as public awareness about the AYUSH System will be conducted in Pampakkuda and Aikkaranad.
Annual Survey on Unincorporated Sector Enterprises  which will be targeting to encapsulate the economic and operational characteristics of unincorporated non-agricultural establishments in manufacturing, trade and other services sector. This survey will be conducted in urban areas of Chendamangalam, Chowwara, Kochi MC, Amballur, Chelamattom, Vengala, Puthenvelikkara and rural areas of Mookkannoor ward 5, Manjalloor ward 12 and ward 4, Thirumarady ward 4, Pallippuram ward 6, Vengola ward 18 of Eranakulam district.
The Periodic Labour Force Survey  with objectives to measure the dynamics in labour force participation and employment status, would be actively pursued in rural areas of Arakuzha, Mudakkuzha, Manjalloor, Thuravoor, Thiruvaniyoor and urban areas of Kumbalangy, Puthencruz, Thrikkakara, Kochi MC, and Edathala.
For routine conduct of sample surveys, the Urban Frame Survey  is conducted to form the geographical frame of a specific location, through satellite mapping via a government authorized mobile app. This survey will be conducted in Puthencruz,Cheriyakadavu, Matoor, Vazhakulam, Kumbalangy, Mulamthuruthy,Vadakkumbhagam,Muvattupuzha, Kedamangalam and Koovapady for updating the Urban Frame.
(Visitor Counter : 9
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Schemes of “Support of Tribal Research Institute” and “Tribal Festival, Research, Information and Mass Education” to promote tribal culture
10 Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum sanctionedto acknowledge the heroic and patriotic deeds of tribal people
Key Highlights:
- To acknowledge the heroic and patriotic deeds of tribal people, Ministry has sanctioned setting up 10 Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum.
- Research and documentation of Indigenous practices by tribal healers and medicinal plants, Adivasi Languages, agriculture system, dances and paintings etc.
- To preserve and promote rich tribal cultural heritage and also to create awareness among others, a searchable digital repository has been developed.
- Ministry gives funding to TRIFED for organizing AdiMahotsav festival at National level and state level.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs is administrating the schemes of “Support of Tribal Research Institute” and “Tribal Festival, Research, Information and Mass Education” under which various activities to promote tribal culture are undertaken as below:
 Research studies/publication of books/documentation including audio visual documentaries on promotion of rich tribal cultural heritage.
 Tribal cultural exchange programmes.
 Research and documentation of Indigenous practices by tribal healers and medicinal plants, Adivasi Languages, agriculture system, dances and paintings etc.
. To acknowledge the heroic and patriotic deeds of tribal people, Ministry has sanctioned setting up 10 Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum. These museums will also exhibit rich tribal cultural heritage of the region.
. To preserve and promote rich tribal cultural heritage and also to create awareness among others, a searchable digital repository has been developed where all research papers, books, reports and documents, folks songs, photos/videos with their metadata are uploaded The repository currently has more than 10,000 photographs, videos and publications which are mostly done by TRIs.The repository can be visited at repository.tribal.gov.in.
. Ministry gives funding to TRIFED for organizing AdiMahotsav festival at National level and state level. State level festivals like Hornbill festival of Nagaland, Pawl-kut festival of Mizoram, MedaramJatra of Telangana are funded through TRI.
. TRIFED organizes Tribal Artisan Melas  to identify new artisans and new products at the sourcing level in States/Districts/Villages for expanding the tribal producers base.
National Tribal Festival/Aadi Mahotsav was held from 1st February to 15th February, 2021 at DilliHaat INA, New Delhi. The main feature of the festival was exhibition-cum-sale of tribal handicrafts, art, paintings, fabric, jewellery, cuisine, folk performances, medicine healers andmuch more through 200 stalls. In this Mahotsav 458 tribal artisans, artists and chefs from 25 States of the country participated.
This information was given by Minister of State for Tribal Affairs,Smt. Renuka Singh Saruta in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Coal
India Needs 1.3 to 1.5 Billion Tonnes of Coal by 2030
Due consultations were held for finalizing India's approach for negotiations at COP 21 and prior to signing the Paris Agreement. As per Economic Survey, the demand for coal is expected to remain in the range of 1.3-1.5 billion tonnes by 2030.
Coal is the most important and abundant fossil fuel in India and accounts for 55% of the country's energy need. Commercial primary energy consumption in India has grown by about 700% in the last four decades. The current per capita commercial primary energy consumption in India is about 350 kgoe/year. Coal is not only the primary source of energy in the country but is also used as an intermediary by many industries such as steel, sponge iron, cement, paper, brick-kilns etc. Similarly, with increase in growth of industries using coal, their demand for coal has also been increasing; hence, there has been an overall increase in the demand of coal over the years.
Being an affordable source of energy with substantial reserve, coal is going to stay as major source of energy in the foreseeable future. Despite push for renewables, country will require base load capacity of coal-based generation for stability and also for energy security.
Overarching decisions titled ‘Glasgow Climate Pact’ reflect the following agreement between parties with regard to coal and fossil fuel subsidies:
‘Calls upon Parties to accelerate the development, deployment and dissemination of technologies, and the adoption of policies, to transition towards low emission energy systems, including by rapidly scaling up the deployment of clean power generation and energy efficiency measures, including accelerating efforts towards the phasedown of unabated coal power and phase-out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, while providing targeted support to the poorest and most vulnerable in line with National circumstances and recognizing the need for support towards a just transition’.
It is evident that above paragraph is not mandating the phase down of coal power, and it is not setting any timelines for the phase down. Further, the paragraph is only ‘calling upon’ Parties to accelerate efforts towards the phase down of unabated coal power in line with national circumstances and recognizing the need for support towards a just transition. Paris Agreement is a multilateral treaty for combating climate change.
Accordingly, while India has committed to clean energy; the pace of transition to cleaner energy sources in India is to be viewed in the light of national circumstances, and principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, the transfer of climate finance and low cost climate technologies.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Indian Armed Forces conduct Cyclothon as part of Swarnim Vijay Varsh Celebrations
Mumbai, 30th August 2021
A Cyclothon was organized by Indian Armed Forces on 29 Aug 2021 as a part of Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations in Mumbai. One of the victory flames which was lit in Delhi last year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorate Golden Jubilee celebrations of the resounding victory over Pakistan in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, will reach Mumbai on 01 September 2021 at the Gateway of India. This Cyclothon is the second event after Run for Fun in a series of such events before the Victory flame arrives in Mumbai.
Air Vice Marshal SR Singh VM VSM, AOC HQ Maritime Air Operations flagged off the participants from RC Church, Colaba. The route for the cyclists was stretched over a distance of 16 km covering major scenic landmarks of Mumbai including Nariman Point, Gateway of India and Asiatic Library before ending at Air Force Station Mumbai at Cotton Green.
Over 60 cyclists participated in the event which was followed by felicitation of 1971 war veterans. The event reignited deep sense of patriotism amongst participants which was evident from the zeal and enthusiasm with which they took part in the Cyclothon.
The ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ celebrations began with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lighting the Victory Flame on December 16, 2020. The Victory Flame was lit from the eternal flame of the National War Memorial, signifying the bravery of the soldiers of the war. Since then, the Victory Flame is travelling across the length and breadth of India and a large number of commemorative events are being conducted during its journey.
Ministry of Mines
Shri Pralhad Joshi Urges National Mineral Exploration Trust  to Step up Activities
State Governments Auction Six Mineral Blocks Funded by NMET During 2021-22
Rs. 880 Lakh Released to Fourteen State Governments as Incentive
Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Pralhad Joshi said that during the year 2021-22, National Mineral Exploration Trust  has received the highest ever release of funds of Rs.125 crore and approved projects cost of Rs.748 crore. Minister Shri Joshi was chairing the fourth Governing Body meeting of NMET here today. Stating that as a fully autonomous body at present, funds will not be a limiting factor for NMET operations, the Minister urged the State Governments to speed up exploration and mining activities to give further fillip to Atma Nirbhar Bharat. Shri Joshi said that six mineral blocks funded by NMET were auctioned by four State Governments during 2021-22 with revenue generation stream of ₹1.63 lakh crore. Rs. 880 lakh has been released as incentive during 2021-22 in favour of 14 State Governments by the Centre. The recent reforms undertaken in the mining sector are based on the views obtained from state governments, the Minister added.
The meeting was also attended by Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Hardeep Singh Puri and the Minister of State  Science & Technology; Minister of State  Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh as members of the governing body. Both the Ministers stressed on the need to hold fruitful meetings with stake holders from state governments for creating further momentum in exploration and mining.
Ministers of State Governments holding charge of Mines and Geology from the states of Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh also attended today’s meeting.
During the financial year 2021-22, NMET has performed exceedingly well in terms of sanctions of projects and providing funds to exploration agencies, surpassing the performance of previous years. The National Mineral Exploration Trust  was established in 2015 with an objective to increase mineral exploration in the country. The Governing Body  of NMET lays down the broad policy framework for the functioning of the Trust and to review its working.
Ministry of Steel
NFRA issues Financial Reporting Quality Review Report of KIOCL Ltd. for FY 2019-20
The National Financial Reporting Authority  has issued a Financial Reporting Quality Review Report  in respect of KIOCL Ltd. for the financial year 2019-20.
The FRQRR is one of the two components of the Inspection Programme of the NFRA. The other component is the Audit Quality Review Report .
The FRQRR focuses on the role of preparers, i.e., those responsible for the preparation of financial statements and reports in accordance with the applicable accounting standards. Therefore, the FRQRR evaluates how well the Chief Financial Officer, and the rest of the Management, and the Audit Committee, as well as the Board of Directors of the Company, have performed in preparing financial statements that show a true and fair view as required under the Companies Act, and in accordance with the applicable accounting standards.
The FRQRR concludes with an advisory to the preparers, highlighting the matters that need improvement. In case there are violations of accounting standards and the law that require action to be taken under the law, the matter is reported to the authorities who can take action.
The FRQRR in respect of KIOCL Ltd. is the first FRQRR issued by the NFRA. .
NFRA has prepared this FRQRR on the basis of examination of the financial statements of the Company for the Financial Year 2019-2020 and other information sought from the Company during the course of NFRA’s review.
NFRA Conclusions/Recommendations in respect of its observations have been categorized into ‘High’ and ‘Moderate’ Impact. Some of the main High Impact Non compliances w.r.t. to Accounting Standards on part of KIOCL are as follows:
- KIOCL’s accounting policy for Foreign Exchange  Forward Contracts is erroneous and it is non-compliant with the classification and measurement requirements of Ind AS 109, Financial Instruments .
- The accounting policy for a material element i.e. Revenue  as stated in its statement of significant accounting policies is erroneous. This erroneous accounting policy raises questions over the reliability and accuracy of the financial statements of the Company.
- Adequate evidence, such as valuation reports, if any, have not been provided by KIOCL in respect of application of Indian Accounting Standard  36, Impairment of Assets  in the case of the Blast Furnace Unit that was non-operational. Also, there is no evidence that impairment loss computations were considered/reviewed/ presented to Audit Committee and the Board of Directors  of the Company.
Many other errors have been noticed in disclosures in the Notes to Financial Statements. These disclosures are either not relevant or useful to the users of financial statements, and have the potential to obscure the material information in the financial statements.
NFRA has recommended that KIOCL examine if it is necessary to prepare and publish restated financial statements as per Ind AS 8 and Section 131 of the Companies Act, 2013.
The FRQRR can be seen on NFRA website on the URL:
https://nfra.gov.in/sites/default/files/FRQR%20Report%20KIOCL_1.pdf
Ministry of Science & Technology
EXPENDITURE ON SCIENTIFIC R&D
As per the latest available R&D statistics, the National Gross Expenditure on Research and Development  in S&T sector during the years 2015-16 to 2017-18 was Rs. 95452.44 crore, Rs. 103099.26 crore and Rs. 113825.03 crore respectively. It is estimated to be of the order of Rs. 123847.71 crore for the year 2018-19. However, India’s GERD as percentage share of GDP, has been 0.7% during last 3 years. The corresponding figures for some developed and developing countries include, Israel , South Korea , Japan , Germany , USA , France , China , UK , Canada , Brazil , Russia  and South Africa .
The Government has taken various initiatives to increase allocation in the field of Science and Technology such as successive increase in plan allocations for scientific departments, setting up of new institutions for science education and research, creation of Centres of Excellence and facilities in emerging and frontline areas of S&T in academic and national institutions, supporting Mega Facilities for Basic Research, launching of new fellowships, substantial grant to potential scientists through extramural research funding, scaled up funding in the new areas such as Clean Energy and Water including Energy Efficiency, Clean Coal Technology, Smart Grids, Methanol, Desalination, Genome Engineering Technology, climate change research, National Supercomputing Mission , National Mission on interdisciplinary Cyber Physical System  etc., promotion of innovation, entrepreneurship and start-ups grant for young scientists, Funds for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure , encouraging public-private partnerships, fiscal incentives and support measures for enhancing the participation of industry in R&D, etc.
The audit on research outcomes in various scientific departments and research organisations is carried out annually. In addition, the compliance audit and performance audit are conducted at periodic intervals. Various scientific research schemes are also audited through a third party audit mechanism at mid-term and five yearly periods.
The Government has encountered the problem of plagiarism in research and a Regulation on "Promotion of Academic Integrity and Prevention of Plagiarism in Higher Education Institutions, 2018" has been brought out by University Grants Commission  to address this issue in the country. In addition, various scientific research organisations have constituted Ethics Committees to check plagiarism.
This information was given by Minister of State  of the Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Govt of India shall continue to provide Gratuity and PF benefits to the employees of existing Air India and Indian Airlines employees
Interests of the employees have been taken care of by the Government and incorporated in the Share Purchase Agreement signed with the Strategic Partner on 25.10.2021.
In accordance with the applicable laws, the Strategic Partner, post disinvestment, shall continue to provide Gratuity and PF benefits to the employees. The arrangement with the employees and Life Insurance Corporation of India for administrating the existing Air India and Indian Airlines employees Self Contributory Superannuation Pension Fund Trust will continue. Further, with regard to the medical benefits, they are to be made available to the retired and eligible retiring AI beneficiaries by the Government.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry Of Civil Aviation  V.K.Singh Retd) in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.