ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Finance
Finance Ministry refutes news media reports of alleged black money held by Indians in Switzerland
Information sought from Swiss Authorities to verify increase/decrease of deposits
Certain reports have appeared in the media on 18.06.2021 stating that funds of Indians in Swiss Banks have risen to over Rs 20,700 crore  at the end of 2020 from Rs 6,625 crore  at the end of 2019, reversing a 2 year declining trend. It has also been stated that this is also the highest figure of deposits in the last 13 years.
Media reports allude to the fact that the figures reported are official figures reported by banks to Swiss National Bank  and do not indicate the quantum of much debated alleged black money held by Indians in Switzerland. Further, these statistics do not include the money that Indians, NRIs or others might have in Swiss banks in the names of third–country entities.
However, the customer deposits have actually fallen from the end of 2019. The funds held through fiduciaries has also more than halved from end of 2019. The biggest increase is in “Other amounts due from customers”. These are in form of bonds, securities and various other financial instruments.
It is pertinent to point out that India and Switzerland are signatories to the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters  and both countries have also signed the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement  pursuant to which, the Automatic Exchange of Information  is activated between the two countries for sharing of financial account information annually for calendar year 2018 onwards.
Exchanges of Financial Account information in respect of residents of each country have taken place between both countries in 2019 as well as 2020. In view of the existing legal arrangement for exchange of information of financial accounts , there does not appear to be any significant possibility of the increase of deposits in the Swiss banks which is out of undeclared incomes of Indian residents.
Further, the following factors could potentially explain the increase in deposits:
- Increase in the deposits held by Indian companies in Switzerland owing to increased business transactions
- Increase in deposits owing to the business of Swiss Bank branches located in India
- Increase in Inter- bank transactions between Swiss and Indian Banks
- A capital increase for a subsidiary of a Swiss Company in India and
- Increase in the liabilities connected with the outstanding derivative financial instruments
The Swiss Authorities have been requested to provide the relevant facts along with their view on possible reasons for increase/decrease in the light of the media reports highlighted above.
Ministry of Culture
44th Eastern India Science Fair begins at BITM
Kolkata, January 08, 2019.
44th Eastern India Science Fair and 18th Engineering Fair were inaugurated by Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi, Governor of West Bengal at Birla Industrial and Technological Museum  here today. 226 students and 129 guide teachers representing 173 schools from 11 Eastern India states including, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Odisha, Tripura, Sikkim and Nagaland are participating in the fair. 156 models and projects have been put up to show innovative skills of the students. The Science and Engineering Fair will continue till January, 12th. Visitors can visit the fair from 10 A.M to 5 P.M every day.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi said, science is very popular among students as it is very relevant to our daily life. He stated that young minds should dedicate themselves to pursuing science and finding solutions facing the world. Central and state governments are working hard for holistic development of youth pursuing science and engineering, he added.
Shri A.K. choudhury, Director General, National Council of Science Museum  said, main purpose behind organizing science fairs is to inspire the youngsters to take keen interest in science. Only science and rational thinking can be used to resolve today’s problems, he added. He informed that BITM’s science fair is one of the best forums for young students to display their talents and to motivate themselves.
Professor Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay, Vice Chancellor, Amity University, Kolkata and shri V.S.Ramachandran, Director, BITM were also present on the occasion.
Ministry of Finance
Mumbai Customs destroys 61.586 kg narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances in Taloja, Navi Mumbai
: Mumbai, March 2, 2023
A High-Level Drug Destruction Committee of CBIC, comprising senior officials from DRI, NCB, Mumbai Customs and Mumbai Police, spearheaded the safe destruction of 61.586 kgs of Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances , such as Heroin, Cocaine, MDMA, Marijuana, Tramadol, Alprazolam, JPDol, Radol, Zolfresh and Dizy-Dizepam tablets etc, by way of incineration held at Common Hazardous Waste Treatment Storage & Disposal Facility , MWML, Taloja, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra today .
Owing to the proactive role by various Customs agencies in intercepting illegal NDPS goods and facilitating their timely destruction under the purview of Mumbai Customs Zone-1, approximately 250 crore rupees  were prevented from being channelised into various illegal activities.
This successful destruction is aimed at safeguarding society from the deleterious consequences of drug trafficking and underscores the importance of strong enforcement measure.
SC/ Source: Mumbai Customs/PM
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Ministry of Tribal Affairs
A special visit of students of Eklavya Model Residential Schools organized to Rashtrapati Bhawan, Amrit Udyan and Rashtrapati Museum today
President Smt Droupadi Murmu interacts with the students
Main Highlights:
- National Education Society for Tribal Students  in coordination with Rashtrapati Bhawan organized the visit
- MoS, Tribal Affairs, Smt Renuka Saruta was present on the occasion
- EMRS students from 3 States viz. Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Nagaland visited Rashtrapati Bhawan, Udyan Utsav and Museum on 15th February, 2023.
National Education Society for Tribal Students  in coordination with Rashtrapati Bhawan organized the visit of 600 EMRS students across 3 States viz. Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Nagaland for a visit to Rashtrapati Bhawan, Museum and Amrit Udyan on 15th February, 2023. This visit of EMRS students was planned keeping in view the desire of the President of India to invite the students of schools & colleges, who are the future this nation, to Udyan Utsav, 2023.
MoS, Tribal Affairs, Smt Renuka Saruta; Secretary Tribal Affairs Shri Anil Kumar Jha; Commissioner, NESTS, Shri Asit Gopal and other officers of Tribal Affairs Ministry were also present on the occasion.

Gardens of Rashtrapati Bhawan are open for general public from 31st January 2023 to 31st March 2023 during Udyan Utsav, 2023. This is first time in the history of Rashtrapati Bhavan that gardens of the Rashtrapati Bhavan are being opened for a longer duration of 2 months to facilitate easy connect of common citizen with the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Smt. Droupadi Murmu interacted with the EMRS students and presented a small gift to EMRS students as a token. During the interaction, the students expressed their joy at being able to visit the Rashtrapati Bhavan and interact with the President of India which will be a memorable experience for them.
These students shall will also visit the Red Fort, National Zoological Park, National Science Centre and participate in Adi Mahotsav which is scheduled from 16th February 2023 to 27th February 2023 at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
“NESTS expresses its gratitude to the President House for their support for arranging a visit and a brief meeting of EMRS students with President of India”, stated Commissioner, NESTS, Shri Asit Gopal.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Japanese Ambassador Mr Satoshi Suzuki calls on MoS DoNER Dr Jitendra Singh
Mutual collaboration in the areas of infrastructure, nuclear energy and outer space discussed
 Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, here today.
During the meeting, various issues related to mutual collaboration and cooperation between the two countries were discussed. There is huge Japanese investment in infrastructure projects in the North Eastern region of the country. The upgradation of Aizwal- Tuipang Section of NH 54 with a length of 372 km is being done with JICA assistance at a cost of Rs 6168 Cr. This road would provide seamless connectivity to Sittwe port in Mayanmar as part of Government’s Act East Policy. In the area of forest management, there is Japanese collaboration with the State Governments of Tripura, Sikkim and Nagaland and soon there will be collaboration with the state of Meghalaya in this field. Among other issues, mutual collaboration in the areas of bamboo, disaster management, road infrastructure and Guwahati Sewerage project, was also discussed.
Discussing the role of mutual cooperation between the two countries, it was mentioned that meeting of Indo-Japan Working Group on Nuclear Energy Cooperation is scheduled to be held next month. On the issue of collaboration between India and Japan in the area of outer space, it was mentioned that bilateral discussions were held last year.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that India shares traditional relations with Japan. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, new areas of mutual collaboration are being added to it. The Minister mentioned about the Bullet train project in this regard. He added that during the last five years, Japanese engagement in India’s infrastructure projects has increased. Recently 12 nursing caregivers from J&K and Ladakh have been taken up for jobs in Japan through initiative of private agencies, the Minister added.
Ministry of Communications
Introduction of Complaint Tracker in Postinfo Mobile App of India Post & issue of revised Citizens’ Charter
With 1.5 lakh Post Offices, the Department of Posts has the most widely distributed postal network in the world. India Post had launched a Postinfo Mobile App on 11.05.2015, which is updated from time to time. Postinfo – the Citizens’ centric android Mobile application of Department of Posts was developed by the Centre for Excellence in Postal Technology. This app has a number of features like tracking consignments, Post Office search, postage calculator, insurance premium calculator and interest calculator. This App of India Post can be downloaded in Android and Windows mobile phones. Five lakh customers have already downloaded the Postinfo App.
The feature of tracking of complaints registered by the customers online on Computerised Customer Care Centres has been introduced in the Postinfo App of India Post last month. This aims at facilitating the complainants to track their complaints on their mobile phones.
In addition to the above, the Department of Posts has reviewed and revised its Citizens’ Charter in December 2017, which is a tool for facilitating the delivery of services to citizens with specified standards, quality and time frame etc. with commitment from the organisation to its customers. The short version of the Citizens’ Charter is displayed in the post offices and the detailed version is available on the website of the Department of Posts i.e. www.indiapost.gov.in.
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Ministry of Defence
Three-day Bi-annual conference of NCC concludes
The three-day bi-annual conference of the National Cadet Corps  concluded here today. Major issues discussed included early fructification of ongoing expansion plan of NCC.
Inaugurating the conference, Director General, NCC, Lt Gen Rajeev Chopra highlighted the efforts made by the organisation to improve the training, infrastructure and logistic functions during the last six months. He said, NCC should consciously contribute towards social awareness and community development programmes.
Lt Gen Chopra asked all Additional Directors General and Deputy Directors General of NCC Directorates to focus on institutionalised training. Appreciating the contribution of all the units towards Swachhta Abhiyan, he called for synergised efforts by NCC, in sync with the Central and State government policies, which will result in effective realisation of the goals, set by the organisation.
The Director General reiterated that the NCC is fully committed to the cause of motivating Young Indians to become responsible citizens of the country.
Ministry of Culture
Ministry of Culture is organizing e-Auction of gifts and mementos received by the Prime Minister, from 17th September onwards
Proceeds from the e-Auction will go to the Namami Gange Mission
Key Highlights:
- The memorabilia include sports gear and equipment of the medal winning Olympians and Paralympians, replica of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir among others.
- Persons/organizations can participate in the e -Auction through the website: https://pmmementos.gov.in between 17th September and 7th October, 2021
Ministry of Culture, Government of India, is organizing e-Auction of gifts and mementos received by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. The memorabilia include sports gear and equipment of the medal winning Olympians and Paralympians, replica of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Chardham, Rudraksh Convention Centre, models, sculptures, paintings, angavastras among others.
Persons/organizations can participate in the e -Auction through the website: https://pmmementos.gov.in between 17th September and 7th October, 2021.
Proceeds from the e-Auction shall go to the Namami Gange Mission aimed at conserving and rejuvenating the Ganga.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
New Eligibility Criterions for MSMEs
The Government vide notification no. S.O. 2119 dated 26.06.2020 has notified the composite criteria of classification of MSMEs based on investment in plant and machinery or equipment and turnover of the enterprises by simplifying the Udyam Registration process for MSMEs by making it fully online, digital, paperless and based on self-declaration. No documents or proof are required to be uploaded for registering as a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise. Aadhaar and PAN are required for registration. PAN, GSTIN linked details on investment and turnover of enterprises are taken automatically from relevant Government databases. The turnover with respect to exports is not counted in the limits of the turnover for any category of MSMEs. The new criteria become applicable to all States/UTs with effect from 01.07.2020. Promotion and development of enterprises is a State subject. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State/UT Governments through various schemes, programmes and policy initiatives for promotion, development and enhancing the competitiveness of MSMEs in the country uniformly including tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
This information was given by Union Minister for MSME Shri Narayan Rane in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Grant of Consular Services to Foreign Nationals, presently residing in India due to travel restrictions in the context of COVID-19 outbreak, till 30th April, 2020
In order to remove confusion in the public, it is informed that Union Ministry for Home Affairs , on 28.03.2020, had granted consular services on gratis basis to foreign nationals, presently residing in India due to travel restrictions in the context of COVID-19 outbreak, till 30th April, 2020. 
Regular visa, e-visa or stay stipulation, of such foreign nationals who have who have been stranded in India because of spread of COVID-19 in many parts of the world and due to consequent travel restrictions imposed by Indian Authorities and whose Visas have expired or would be expiring during 01.02.2020  to 30.04.2020 , would be extended till 30th April 2020  on GRATIS basis, after making online application by the Foreigner.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU between India and ‘Transport for London’,
United Kingdom to improve Public Transport in India.
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing and implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding  between Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and ‘Transport for London’, a statutory body established under the Greater London Authority Act, 1999  to improve Public Transport in India.
The MoU will help to improve the overall public transport system in the country, improve passenger services and promote the use of high capacity buses in India. It will go a long way in strengthening ties and promoting bilateral relations between India and United Kingdom.
The MoU will help in strengthening the integrated public transport for all. This will help people from poorer strata of the society to have access to a quality public transport system.
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PIB Headquarters
An opportunity to revive Postal Insurance Policies which lapsed for unpaid premium
In pursuance of amendments to terms & conditions of Post Office Life Insurance rules 2011 vide notification 25-1/2011-L1  dated 19th September 2019, policy holders of Postal Life Insurance  and Rural Postal Life Insurance  are hereby informed that Policies which are discontinued/lapsed for a continuous period of 5 years from the date of first unpaid premium will not be eligible for revival of policy on/ after 01.01.2020. As an one-time measure, policies which have crossed the limit of 5 years since date of payment of last premium are being provided a window for revival up to 31.12.2019 subject to production of a medical certificate of good health. Policy holders of such policies who intend to revive their policies to enjoy insurance benefits may apply in writing to any nearest Post Office.
After the given date i.e 31.12.2019, such policies will not be revived, and policies so lapsed will be treated as cancelled as per Rules, according to a press release issued by the Chief Postmaster, Chennai GPO, Chennai 600001.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
GeM in collaboration with PIB organises GeM Seller Samvad in Bhubaneswar
Programme aims at sensitizing the stakeholders while improving the service delivery of GeM
The Government e-Marketing  place in collaboration with the Press Information Bureau  on Tuesday organized the GeM Seller Samvad in Bhubaneswar, an interactive session with the stakeholders of GeM to get their feedbacks and suggestions to further improve the service delivery of the digital platform.
The ‘Seller Samvad’ has been planned to interact with the GeM sellers in particular and make them aware about the new GeM features and functionalities that further make it conducive for them to operate on the portal. Through the Samvad, it was also planned to have these sellers speak about their experiences and share the same with others to learn from and get inspired.
Addressing the media, Dr. Girish Chandra Dash, Joint Director, PIB highlighted the importance and benefits of unified market under GeM as envisioned by Prime Minister.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Anoop Dhanvijay, Director, Buyer Management, GeM, said that GeM has grown tremendously since past few years. “Lakhs of buyers and sellers are now connected with the GeM. With the growth, we need to sensitise people and improve its service delivery further for which programmes like this Seller Samvad is important,” he said.
An interactive session with the sellers has also been organized today wherein the sellers shared their experiences on GeM. “I have left a prestigious job and pursue my dream of becoming an entrepreneur. I have launched my startups and currently supplying education materials all over the country. In my journey, GeM helped a lot,” Pragyan Priyadarshini Chinara, a seller said.
During the Seller Samvad, another seller Mr. Priyabrat, shared his experience about GeM and said that it has provided a transparent and hassle free platform to do business and grow. “GeM has added a glitter to my business. It is on a tremendous growth path. GeM has not only worked as a tremendous tool to eradicate corruption but also abolishes the middle-men practice,” he said.
It can be mentioned here that ever since the inception of GeM, it has grown by leap and bounds. As per data, in Odisha alone, there are 1,11,931 registered vendors on GeM, which includes State Government, State PSUs, Central Government, Central PSUs among others. Total 15,323 MSME vendors from Odisha have been registered on GeM out of which 2,557 are women MSME vendors.
This is the fifth day of such Seller Samvad being organized by GeM across the country. Today, apart from Bhubaneswar, the Seller Sambads have been organized simultaneously at Patna and Ahmedabad. The aim of the Seller Samvad is to popularize the GeM portal while improving its service delivery by getting feedbacks and suggestions from its users.
Prime Minister's Office
PM writes about Dr Bindeshwar Pathak
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra wrote an article about the public sanitation pioneer Dr Bindeshwar Pathak who passed away recently.
Posting on X, Shri Narendra Modi remembered his association with Dr Pathak and shared the link to the article
The Prime Minister posted:
"यह मेरा सौभाग्य रहा है कि स्वच्छता के क्षेत्र में अमूल्य योगदान देने वाले डॉ. बिंदेश्वर पाठक जी के जीवन और मिशन को मुझे बहुत करीब से जानने का अवसर मिला। इसी को समर्पित मेरा यह आलेख"
Ministry of Law and Justice
Strength of Judges
As on 21.03.2023, there is no vacancy of Judges in the Supreme Court. As far as the High Courts are concerned, against the sanctioned strength of 1114 Judges, 785 Judges are working and 329 posts of Judges are vacant. Against these 329 vacancies, 119 proposals
recommended by High Court Collegiums are at various stages of processing between the Government and the Supreme Court Collegium and recommendations against remaining 210 vacancies are yet to be received from the High Court Collegiums. TheHigh Court-wise detail of sanctioned strength, working strength and vacancy as on 21.03.2023 is at Annexure.
Appointment of Judges in higher judiciary is a collaborative and integrated process involving the executive and the judiciary. It requires consultation and approval from various constitutional authorities. Differences of opinion, if any, are mutually reconciled by the executive and the judiciary to ensure that only the apposite person is appointed to the high constitutional post of a Judge.
While every effort is made to fill up the existing vacancies expeditiously, vacancies of Judges in High Courts do keep on arising on account of retirement, resignation or elevation of Judges and also due to increase in the strength of Judges. Government is committed to filling up of vacancy expeditiously in time-bound manner.
During the period from May, 2014 to 2023 , 54 Judges were appointed in Supreme Court of India, 893 fresh Judges were appointed in the various High Courts and 646 Additional Judges were appointed as Permanent Judges of High Courts.
The detailed statement of Pendency of Cases in Supreme Court and High Court for the past three years, showing the increase/decrease of pendency of cases in the respective courts is as below:
|
|
Year
|
|
2020
|
|
2021
|
|
2022
|
|
Supreme Court|
|
64,429
|
|
96,855
|
|
69,598
|
|
High Courts|
|
56,42,567
|
|
56,49,068
|
|
59,78,714Source: Supreme Court of India pendency as on 4.12.2020, 6.12.2021 and 1.12.2022 respectively.Source: National Judicial Data Grid pendency as on 31st December of respective years i.e. 2020, 2021 and 2022.
The pendency of cases in courts is not only due to shortage of judges in High Courts but also due to various other factors like  increase in number of state and central legislations,  accumulation of first appeals,  continuation of ordinary civil jurisdiction in some of the High Courts,  appeals against orders of quasi-judicial forums going to High Courts,  number of revisions/appeals,  frequent adjournments,  indiscriminate use of writ jurisdiction,  lack of adequate arrangement to monitor, tracking and bunching of cases for hearing,  assigning work of administrative nature to the Judges, etc.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Law & Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.