Governance

India’s passport power has improved by 24 ranks in the last five years because of the liberalisation of its visa policy and several other measures taken, while the ranks of Taiwan and Hong Kong have surpassed that of China.

After imposing restrictions on foreign companies from participating in government projects and procurements, the Centre has stepped up scrutiny of Chinese investments in NGOs and start-ups. That apart, the government also plans to tighten norms for investment directed via Singapore and Hong Kong.

The 47 apps that have been banned by the latest decision of the government were operating as the clones of the 59 apps that were banned last month, according to a tweet posted by DD News. A report by India Today TV, citing government sources, said that the government had also prepared a list of over 250 apps that would be examined for any user privacy or national security violations.

India has ranked third among the top 10 countries that have gained in forest areas in the last decade, the latest Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) brought out by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has said.

The government has sought proposals from agencies to redesign the Prime Minister”s official website which will be available in six UN languages and 22 scheduled Indian languages. The current website of the Prime Minister is accessible in 12 languages.


The applications — Helo Lite, ShareIt Lite, Bigo Lite and VFY Lite — have been removed from the Google playstore and Apple app store, the officials said.

The Union finance ministry, in a late night development on Thursday, made an important amendment in its public finance rule that barred all government agencies from procuring goods and services from bordering countries such as China and Pakistan on the grounds of national security, two officials said requesting anonymity.