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Himachal sets up committee to study legalising cannabis cultivation
A five-member committee has been set up in Himachal Pradesh to study the issue of legalising cannabis cultivation, and it would submit a report within a month. The committee of MLAs was set up by Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on the advice of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The Committee, headed by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, would have chief parliamentary secretaries (CPS) Sunder Singh, and three other MLAs -- Hans Raj, Puran Chand Thakur and Janak Raj -- as members.
CCI approves SREI Infra Finance's acquisition by NARCL, IDRCL
Fair-trade regulator CCI on Thursday said it has approved the acquisition of SREI Infrastructure Finance by National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd and India Debt Resolution Company Ltd. The deal has been cleared under the green channel route. National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL) is an asset reconstruction company while India Debt Resolution Company Ltd (IDRCL) provides debt management services to NARCL. Both entities are backed by the Government of India.
Gaganyaan: ISRO successfully completes human-rated engine test campaign
ISRO on Thursday said it had completed the final long-duration hot test of human-rated L110-G Vikas engine for the planned qualification duration of 240 seconds, marking a major milestone in the journey towards the launch of the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. The test was carried out at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
Sikkim govt asks people to wear face mask in view of surge in COVID-19 cases
The Sikkim government on Thursday issued an advisory asking people to wear face mask in public places in view of surge in COVID-19 cases in the state and in the country. The Himalayan state reported 23 new COVID-19 cases during the day, taking the tally to 44,390, a health department bulletin.
King Charles III supports probe into monarchy's slave ties
King Charles III for the first time has signalled support for research into the British monarchy's ties to slavery after a document showed an ancestor with shares in a slave-trading company, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said Thursday. Charles takes the issue "profoundly seriously" and academics will be given access to the royal collection and archives, the palace said.
MCA extends IL&FS chairman's term till September
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has extended the term of C S Rajan as non-executive chairman of IL&FS up to September 30, 2023. Besides, the ministry has also extended the term of Nand Kishore as managing director of IL&FS up to March 31, 2024. This has been taken on record by the board, IL&FS said in a statement.
FinMin sets up panel to review pension system for govt employees
Finance Ministry on Thursday set up a committee under Finance Secretary T V Somanathan to review the pension system for government employees. The committee would suggest whether in the light of the existing framework and structure of the National Pension System (NPS), as applicable to government employees, any changes therein are warranted.
Cabinet approves Indian Space Policy, 2023: Union minister Jitendra Singh
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on April 6 approved the long awaited Indian Space Policy 2023. During a cabinet briefing, Minister for State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said that thepolicy would enhance the role of India's space department, give a boost to research, academia, start-ups and industry. Read More
Delhi COVID update
National capital logs 606 fresh Covid cases; positivity rate at 16.98 percent
Cabinet approves new gas pricing formula, imposes cap to keep rates of CNG, piped cooking gas under check
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, in its meeting on April 6approved recommendations of the Kirit Parikh committee on natural gas.
Cabinet approved floor of $4/MMBtu price for APM gas, ceiling of $6.5/MMBtu as against current rate of $8.57.
FinMin sets up committee to review pension system for govt employees
Finance Ministry to form a 4-member panel headed by Finance Secretary TV Somanathan
Dollar rises vs most currencies as US nonfarm payrolls loom
The dollar gained against most of its peers on Thursday in thin trading, as investors consolidated positions and pondered how pivotal U.S. jobs data coming out on a stock trading holiday might impact Federal Reserve policy and unleash a potentially volatile market reaction. The U.S. stock market is closed on Good Friday and some European countries are shut on Monday as well.
Delhi to have 100 world-class EV charging stations with the lowest rates by July-end: Atishi
Delhi is likely to have 100 "world-class" electric vehicle (EV) charging stations with the "lowest charging costs in the world" by the end of July this year, Delhi Power Minister Atishi said on Thursday. She further said EV charging rates in Delhi are the "lowest in the world" at less than Rs 3 per unit.Atishi said she has instructed officials to ensure that 50 EV charging stations are ready by the end of April, and all 100 by the end of July.
UK criticised for failures in Windrush immigration scandal
A civil rights group urged UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday to follow through on promises made to thousands of people of Caribbean descent who were wrongly targeted as illegal migrants in the so-called Windrush scandal that emerged five years ago. The Black Equity Organisation submitted a petition signed by more than 50,000 people that criticised the "painfully slow"response by the government and the decision by Home Secretary Suella Braverman to scrap several recommendations for immigration agency improvements that her predecessor accepted.
Belarus sentences ex-presidential candidate to 18 months in prison
A Belarus court on Thursday sentenced a politician who stood against leader Alexander Lukashenko in a disputed presidential election in 2020 to 18 months in prison on Thursday, for taking part in widespread protests against the result of the vote. Andrei Dmitriev, 41, who also led an anti-Lukashenko social movement, was sentenced in the capital Minsk, the Viasna human rights group said. He pleaded guilty to participating in the protests.
Zydus gets USFDA final approval for Acetazolamide tablets
Zydus Lifesciences Ltd on Thursday said it has received final approval from the US health regulator to manufacture and market its generic Acetazolamide tablets used in the treatment of glaucoma. The approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) is for Acetazolamide tablets of strengths 125 mg and 250 mg, Zydus Lifesciences said in a regulatory filing.
Sebi asks investment advisers, research analysts to display their info prominently in advertisements
To bring more transparency, Sebi on Thursday asked investment advisers and research analysts to prominently display information, including their name registered with the regulator, logo, registration number and complete address with telephone numbers, in their advertisements. In addition, they have been asked to give the disclaimer that "registration granted by Sebi, membership of BSE Administration and Supervision Ltd (BASL) in case of IAs and certification from NISM in no way guarantee performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors" in their advertisements.
Lok Sabha functioned for 45 hours, Rajya Sabha 31 hours: Think tank on Budget Session
The Lok Sabha this Budget Session could function for only 45 hours as against its scheduled 133.6 hours because of daily disruptions and frequent adjournments, a think tank data has shown. The Rajya Sabha worked for over 31 hours out of 130 hours in the same session, the data said.The second half of the Budget Session was hamstrung by frequent disruptions throughout before it was adjourned sine die on Thursday.
Govt reserves 10 per cent constable jobs in CRPF for ex-Agniveers
The Union Home Ministry has decided to reserve 10 per cent general duty constables posts, out of the 1,29,929 sanctioned posts, in the Central Reserve Police Force for ex-Agniveers. According to a notification issued by the ministry, out of the sanctioned posts, 4,667 are for women with a pay matrix of Rs 21,700 to Rs 69,100, and the retirement age will be 60 years.
Fortified rice available via PDS in 269 districts; to cover whole India before Mar'24: Food Secy
Fortified rice is being distributed via public distribution system (PDS) in 269 districts so far and will cover the rest of the districts well before the deadline of March 2024, Union Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address in 2021 said the government aims to distribute fortified rice via the government schemes by 2024.
Delhi govt to provide free training to people interested in forest and wildlife conservation
The Delhi government, starting this year, will provide free training to people interested in forest and wildlife conservation, officials said on Thursday. A Forest and Wildlife department official said the goal of the programme is to share knowledge with the general public to boost conservation efforts in the national capital.The department has set up a four-member training cell while a website is being created. A third party from reputable institutions will be engaged to conduct the training.
Delhi Excise 'scam': ED files supplementary charge sheet in money laundering case
The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday filed a supplementary charge sheet before a court here in a money laundering case related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam in which former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia is also an accused. Special Judge Vikas Dhull put up the charge sheet before the judge concerned for consideration on April 14.
It's a pause, not a pivot: RBI Governor on decision to hold interest rate
Governor Shaktikanta Das on Thursday said "it's a pause and not a pivot" about the Reserve Bank's surprise decision to hold the key policy rate at 6.50 per cent after hiking the rate six times since May last year. Cumulatively since last May, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the interest rate by 250 basis points to tackle inflation and the Monetary Policy Committee's decision on Thursday to leave the repo rate unchanged came as a surprise.
Japanese military helicopter goes missing with several people on board
Japan on Thursday said it had lost contact with a military helicopter carrying several crew and passengers near Miyakojima, part of its southwest Okinawa island chain. The UH60 troop transport, commonly known as the Black Hawk, disappeared from radar tracking after leaving a Ground Self Defense Force base on Miyakojima and did not respond to radio communications, according public broadcaster NHK.
Polish PM says fast-track route for Moldovan EU membership is possible
Fast-tracking Moldova's accession to the European Union could be possible, Poland's prime minister said on Thursday, as Chisinau seeks to join the bloc amid fears it could be drawn into the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine. Moldova became an EU membership candidate in 2022 along with Ukraine in a boost to the pro-Western ambitions of its government which has repeatedly accused Russia of trying to destabilise the country.
NPR protests as Twitter calls it ''state-affiliated media''
NPR said it was disturbed to see the description added to all the tweets that it sends out, with John Lansing, its president and CEO, calling it "unacceptable for Twitter to label us this way."It was unclear why Twitter made the move. Twitter's owner, Elon Musk, quoted a definition of state-affiliated media in the company's guidelines as "outlets where the state exercises control over editorial content through financial resources, direct or indirect political pressures, and/or control over production and distribution.""Seems accurate,"Musk tweeted in a reply to NPR.
Govt unlikely to permit additional sugar exports this year due to slight fall in production
The government is unlikely to permit additional sugar exports this year as untimely rains have impacted the production in Maharashtra, Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said on Thursday. The food ministry has allowed 6 million tonnes of sugar exports for the current 2022-23 marketing year (October-September). Out of which, about 4 million tonnes have been exported so far, as per the trade report.
WHO calls for urgent efforts to bridge gaps accentuated by Covid, achieve health for all
On the eve of World Health Day, the WHO on Thursday called for concerted and urgent efforts to bridge gaps accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic and achieving health for all through universal health coverage. WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh said the world health body is fully committed to achieving health for all through universal health coverage (UHC) and facilitating access to essential health services for all without financial hardship.
Rupee slips 2 paise to 81.92 against USD post-RBI policy decision
The rupee pared initial losses and settled 2 paise lower at 81.92 (provisional) against the US dollar on Thursday after the RBI decided to keep the key benchmark policy rate at 6.5 per cent. Forex traders said the Indian rupee witnessed volatility after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) surprised the market by pausing the rate hike.
News Alert
Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting regarding the upcoming Karnataka Assembly Elections is underway at the AICC office in Delhi.
AAP files petition in the Karnataka HC regarding alleged 'delay' in getting national status for the party
In the petition, AAP said that, "Aam Aadmi Party fulfills all the conditions of becoming a national party, but despite this, there is a delay in getting the status."
Former Congress leader Anil Antony joins BJP
Anil Antony, Congress leader and son of former Defence minister AK Anthony, joins BJP, in presence of Union ministers Piyush Goyal and V Muraleedharan.
News Alert
Indian Air Force today signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Ltd for the procurement of an indigenous Electronic Warfare system.
News Alert
Rajya Sabha adjourned Sine Die on the last day of the Budget session of Parliament.
News Alert
French President Emmanuel Macron meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, reports AFP.
News Alert
"We have stopped Chinese from coming into Arunachal Pradesh. Our actions speak for it," saidFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Cong leader Rahul Gandhi is now becoming a "repeat offender" in terms of making baseless allegations against PM: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
"It was Cong govt in Kerala which gave on a platter Vizhinjam port to Adani; it was not given on basis of any tender," saidFM Nirmala Sitharaman.
News Alert
“RBI has taken a good call, I think,” said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on decision to keep benchmark rate unchanged.
“Inflation has been kept at six per cent or below,” said the Finance Ministeron price rise.
PM Modi to inaugurate the New Integrated terminal building of of Chennai Airport on April 8
The construction of New Integrated terminal building, T-2 (Phase -1) in an area of 1,36,295 sq.m has been completed at a cost of Rs. 1260 crore which will increase the passenger serving capacity of the airport from 23 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA) to 30 MPPA.
The new terminal is a striking reflection of the local Tamil culture, incorporating traditional features such as the Kolam (a pattern or design drawn in front of South Indian homes), Saree, Temples, and other elements that highlight the natural surroundings.
Mallikarjun Kharge at joint press conference of opposition parties
"BJP government didn't answer on Adani issue in Parliament and diverted attention by demanding Rahul Gandhi's apology over his remarks in the UK," saidKharge.
Opposition parties gave notices to have discussions on various issues, but time was not given to us: Kharge
"Budget of Rs 50 lakh crore was passed in just 12 minutes without discussion.Members of the ruling party ruling created ruckus in Parliament,"said Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge during joint press conference of opposition parties.
He added, "Almost 19 opposition parties raised the Adani issue, but government of the day was never ready to respond to our queries."
News Alert
"Modi govt talks a lot about democracy but does not walk the talk," saidCongress chief Mallikarjun Kharge during joint press conference of opposition parties.
YES BANK appoints Archana Shiroor as designate Chief Human Resources Officer
YES BANK today announced the appointment of Archana Shiroor as the designate Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of the Bank. She will be succeeding Anurag Adlakha, who is set to superannuate in June 2023. Shiroor is a seasoned leader with over three decades of work experience in the Human Resources (HR)domain.
Her vast experience in the banking and financial services industry and ability to drive the overall HR strategy, large scale transformation, and nurture cultural goals, makes her a valuable addition to the Bank’s leadership team.
News Alert
Delhi HC issues notice in AAP leader Manish Sisodia's bail plea in the Delhi excise policy case.Court to hear the case on April 20.
India logs 5,335 fresh Covid-19 cases, highest in 195 days
India has logged 5,335 fresh coronavirus cases, the highest in 195 days, while the active cases have increased to 25,587, according to Union health ministry data. On September 23 last year, 5,383 cases were recorded in a single day. The death toll has increased to 5,30,929 with 13 deaths -- two each reported from Karnataka and Maharashtra, one each from Kerala and Punjab, and seven reconciled by Kerala.
News Alert
Delhi HC denies bail to AAP leader and former Delhi Minister Satyender Jain in money laundering case.
Congress releases second list of candidates for Karnataka assembly elections. 42 candidates announced in the second list
Women more likely to be rejected when they ask for more pay: Pew Research Center
About 58% of men, and 61% of women said they didn’t ask for higher pay when they were last hired, according to a survey of more than 5,500 US workers conducted by Pew Research Center in early February. Of those who asked for more money, 28% said their negotiations were successful, 38% said they were offered less than they wanted but more than the initial offer, and 35% said they were only given what was first presented, Pew found. Women were more likely than men — 38% to 31% — to say they were only given the initial offer.
Surprise pause by MPC as RBI sticks to accommodative stance
RBI MPC voted to leave the repo rate unchanged at 6.5%: Governor Shaktikanta Das
MPC’s decision to leave repo rate unchanged unanimous: Das
RBI ready to act if the situation so warrants: Das
Decision to pause repo rate hike is for this meeting only: Das
