Govt News in brief

*Film preservation should become People’s Movement: Shri Ajay Mittal* Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is exploring possibilities of extending financial and technical support to State Governments in their endeavor to safeguard the country’s filmic heritage. The objective of preserving the country’s cinematic heritage has to be achieved in collaboration with State Governments said Shri Ajay Mittal, Secretary, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Government of India. He was speaking on the sidelines of a High Level Committee meeting on National Film Heritage Mission, held i… more »

As part of the Government’s effort to accelerate efforts to achieve total sanitisation and cleanliness by October 2, 2019 under Swacchh Bharat Mission, a Swacchh Bharat Fortnight is being organised theme-wise by different Ministries. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organised the Swacchh Bharat Pakhwada from August 1-15, 2016 in line with International Youth Day, which fell on August 12. Addressing a joint press briefing here today with Secretary, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Shri Parameswaran Iyer, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Cl… more »

Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has assured the National Security Guard (NSG) of upgrading their infrastructure and training needs. Inaugurating the Composite Building complex of 52 Special Action Group here today, Shri Rajnath Singh also stressed upon the NSG to conduct regular exercises with counterpart forces from friendly countries. Pointing out that such exercises will help the NSG soldiers hone their skills, the Home Minister said that today no developed country can claim immunity from terrorist strikes. All progressive societies have to stand up against terrorism, he a… more »

It has been widely reported in the media that Ms. O.P. Jaisha, Marathon runner collapsed at the end of the marathon run in Rio Olympics 2016, as there were no Indian officials present to provide her water and energy drinks at refreshment points and that there were officials from all other countries to provide refreshments to their runners at designated points after every 2.5 km. The Minister of State (I/C) Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Vijay Goal has constituted a two-member Committee consisting of Shri Onkar Kedia, Joint Secretary (Sports) and Shri Vivek Narayan, Director (Sports) t… more »

India and Germany are deepening their collaboration in the area of skill development. An implementation agreement was signed between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and (German International Cooperation (GIZ), to initiate a new project focused on adapting elements of the German dual system in select industrial clusters in India. This new project will run for three years starting August 2016 with a budget of EUR 3,000,000 (22.6 Crores INR) – made available by the German Government and aims to foster conditions which will help create and improve cooperat… more »

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee launched Akashvani’s Maitree Channel in Kolkata, West Bengal today (August 23, 2016). Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the Akashvani Maitree channel can play a significant role in promoting and preserving the composite Bengali cultural heritage which is the proud inheritance of all Bengali speaking people irrespective of their geographical location. He said that he was sure that the blending of content from both India and Bangladesh in the fields of art, culture, literature, music, sports and also on shared socio-econom… more »

Provisions of safe food should become a part of our ingrained culture: J P Nadda FSSAI announces 10@10 initiatives Commemorating a decade of integrated food law in the country, and marking ten years of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in his congratulatory message underscored the ‘need for the Authority to focus on empowering the consumers so that the manufacturers and suppliers of food products become responsive to consumer needs, demands and expectations.’ He further added that ‘safe an, wholesome and hygienic food will cre… more »

Estimated savings due to blocking of these connections was Rs. 21, 261 crores. Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has come across several news items appearing in various newspapers about the CAG report stating that direct LPG subsidy savings was less than the Government’s claim. In this regard, it is clarified that an intensive exercise was carried out for identifying duplicate/fake/ghost/inactive domestic LPG connections and, as of 01.04.2015, 3.34 Crore such connections were identified by the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). As a result of implementation of DBTL (PAHAL) mechanis… more »

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of Ukraine on the eve of their Independence Day (August 24, 2016). In a message to His Excellency Mr. Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine, the President has said, “On behalf of the Government, the people of India and on my own behalf, it is with great pleasure that I convey warm greetings and felicitations to you and to the people of Ukraine on the occasion of your Independence Day. Relations between India and Ukraine have traditionally been marked by war… more »

Minister for Information & Broadcasting Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, stressed the need for upholding credibility in dissemination of information by public broadcasters. “Public service broadcasters have a great responsibility on their shoulders to ensure credibility in the era of competition. Shri Venkaiah Naidu visited All India Radio and Doordarshan kendras in Hyderabadon Monday. Speaking at the review meeting held at Doordarshan Kendra, Shri Naiduinfused confidence in the officials of different media units of the Ministry while interacting with them to understand their problems. Shr… more »

Continuing with its exercise of providing High speed WiFi services at Railway Stations, Minister of Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu inaugurated Wi Fi services at 8 Mumbai Suburban Railway Stations in Maharashtra viz., Churchgate, Bandra, Bandra Terminus, Dadar Western Railway, Dadar Central Railway, Khar Road, Kalyan and Lokmanya Tilak, today i.e. 22 nd August 2016. The Wi-Fi facility for the visitors & rail users of these 8 busy stations of Mumbai Suburban Rail Network has been commissioned by a Railway PSU, RailTel in association with Google for providing high speed State-o…more »

Delhi will soon have a sprawling new Aerospace Museum close to the international airport focused mainly on Nation’s rich aviation history. New Aerospace Museum is not only meant to preserve the glorious tradition of the IAF but also to create awareness in general public about India’s rich Aerospace heritage. The IAF believes that the Museum would be a popular tourist attraction and a landmark in India’s capital city. A proposal for new Air Force Aerospace Museum was cleared by Ministry of Defence and final financial sanction on the Detailed Project Report is awaited. After the approv… more »

National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years; Arjuna Award is given for consistently outstanding performance for four years; Dronacharya Award for coaches for producing medal winners at prestigious international sports events, Dhyan Chand Award for life time contribution to sports development and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar is given to the corporate entities (both in priva… more »

FS: Training will enable the Government Procurement Officers to make best use of new technologies to procure goods and services in a more transparent, accountable and efficient manner. The one-day hands on training program for Procurement Officers of the Central Government Ministries/Departments was inaugurated here today by Shri Ashok Lavasa, Finance Secretary, Government of India. The training program has been jointly organized by DGS&D, National Institute of Financial Management (NIFM) and National e-Governance Division (NeGD). Speaking on the occasion,Shri Ashok Lavasa complimen… more »

The PPV&FR Authority, New Delhi is organizing its Plant Genome Savior Community Award (2012-13), Plant Genome Saviour Farmer Rewards 2013 and Plant Genome Saviour Farmers’ Recognition 2013 function on Wednesday 24th August, 2016 at 15:00 hrs onwards at A.P. Shinde Symposium Hall, NASC Complex, DPS Marg, New Delhi. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri. Radha Mohan Singh will be the Chief Guest and distribute the awards to awardees. The Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri S.S. Ahluwalia, the Minister of State for Agricu… more »

*H.E. President Mohammad Ashraf GhaniForeign Minister Excellency RabbaniAnd my dear Afghan friends, sisters and brothers* It is indeed a matter of great pleasure to be with you again. Afghanistan is India’s immediate neighbor and, in our hearts and minds, Indians and Afghans have always been closest of friends. Today, we once again come together to celebrate yet another achievement of our friendship and, take another step in the fruitful journey of our cooperation. *Excellency Ghani,* Fewer things give greater joy than getting together with good friends to celebrate successful … more »

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has assured total support in the rescue and relief operations in the flood affected States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Praying for the safety and wellbeing of those affected by floods, the Prime Minister hopes the situation in the affected areas normalises at the earliest. “I pray for the safety and wellbeing of those in areas affected by floods in parts UP, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan & MP. Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh ji is closely monitoring the situation. He has spoken to the CMs and taken sto… more »

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is organizing a Short Films Competition on the theme “Swachh Bharat” that showcases inspiring stories and helps generate awareness among citizens about sanitation and its linkages with public health. The winning entries will be announced in a special felicitation programme to be held in New Delhi on October 2, 2016. National Film Development Corporation of India has invited entries for the Short Films Competition. The last date for submission of entries is September 10, 2016. Awareness generation is an important objective of the Swachh Bha… more »

Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution attended Indian Independence Day celebrations organized by Indian High Commission at London today. A function held at Gymkhana Club, London was attended by a large number of Indian diaspora. Shri Paswan addressed the gathering and informed about the initiatives being taken by Indian Government for all round development of the country. Shri Paswan also Visited Dr Ambedkar Memorial at London and paid floral tributes. The memorial is the place where Baba Saheb resided while studying at London. It was… more »

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee will visit West Bengal from August 22 to 24, 2016. On August 22, 2016, the President will inaugurate a CII-IIEST Conference on the theme ‘Enabling Make in India through Industry Academia Innovation Platform’ in Kolkata. He will also attend a function ‘The Legacy to Humanity: Celebrating 150 years of Homeopathy’ organized by the Dr. Prasanta Banerji Homeopathic Research Foundation in Kolkata as Chief Guest on the same day. On August 23, 2016, the President will launch Akashvani’s Moitree Service in Bangla for listeners in Bangladesh in… more »