Government policies, leadership stories and much more
In an effort to drive innovation and provide better services to passengers, the Indian Railways has made the ticket booking for train easier. The IRCTC has introduced a new facility to book these tickets without any hassle in a matter of seconds. The Indian Railway Tourism and Catering Corporation (IRCTC) has started its payment gateway IRCTC-iPay and it is now active for use by train passengers.
Keeping in view the importance of beekeeping as part of the Integrated Farming System in the country, government approved the allocation for Rs. 500 crore (US$ 68.66 million) for National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) for three years (2020-21 to 2022-23). The mission was announced as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat scheme. NBHM aims for the overall promotion & development of scientific beekeeping in the country to achieve the goal of ‘Sweet Revolution’ which is being implemented through National Bee Board (NBB).
Cross-border infiltration along the India-Bangladesh border fell in 2020 with 489 cases being recorded and 955 persons being apprehended, as compared to 500 cases and 1109 apprehended persons in 2019, the home minister told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The output has increased to 240 lakh tonnes from 140 lakh tonnes in the last six years because of the efforts made by farmers and scientists as well as the government’s initiative, he said. Stating that pulses demand is estimated to reach 320 lakh tonnes by 2050, Tomar said there is a need to shift focus on increasing the production to meet rising demand.
Upto 09.02.2021, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 3,08,989.79 MT of Moong, Urad, Tur, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs.1,663.92 Crores benefitting 1,67,523 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Parliament on Wednesday passed the Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020. Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State (I/C) for Ports, Shipping &Waterways moved the bill in Rajya Sabha today and it was passed. Now the Bill will go to the President of India for his assent.
Government of India is organizing ‘The India Toy Fair, 2021’ from 27th February 2021 to 2nd March 2021 on a virtual platform. This initiative is in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of making India a global hub for the Toy Industry.
As reported by Public Sector Banks (PSBs) [including sponsored Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)] and 14 major Private Sector Banks, as on 27.01.2021, a total number of 41.75 crore accounts have been opened under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) out of which 35.96 crore accounts are operative.
Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy said the Constitution of India is now fully applicable on Jammu and Kashmir, and that the bill will enable the availability of officers in Jammu and Kashmir who have experience of running union territory administration. He said around 170 central laws are being implemented in Jammu and Kashmir.
A historic agreement has been signed in Ladakh, India for the establishment of India’s first-ever geothermal field development project. This was reported this weekend from Leh, the capital of Ladakh with Ladakh Lieutenant Governor R K Mathur describing it as a step towards achieving the goal of carbon-neutral Ladakh.
