India's cabinet allows governments to spend Rs 57,613 cr for 10,000 new e-buses
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur said at a briefing. The Cabinet also approved an extension to the Digital India programme and allotted an outlay of 14,903 crore.
Cabinet approves 7 projects for Indian railways with an outlay of Rs 32,500 cr.
A total of Rs 57,613 crore has been allotted to the e-bus scheme. Of this, the central government will provide Rs 20,000 cr and the balance will be paid for by the state governments.
India's first long-range revolver "Prabal" to be launched this week on August 18
India's debut long-range revolver, "Prabal," is poised for launch on August 18. The revolver is manufactured by the state-owned enterprise Advanced Weapons and Equipment India (AWEIL), based in Kanpur. Distinguished by its .32 bore, the Prabal revolver boasts an impressive firing range of up to 50 meters, more than twice the reach of other rivolvers in India.
As per a ToI report, a noteworthy feature of Prabal is its side swing cylinder, marking a significant advancement in revolver design. AWEIL Director AK Maurya emphasized its key attributes, stating, "The Prabal revolver is light in weight and equipped with a side swing cylinder."
CJI announces plan to expand Supreme Court with 27 additional courts and 51 judges’ chambers
Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud on Tuesday announced a plan to expand the Supreme Court with 27 additional courts and 51 judges’ chambers.
Currently, the Supreme Court has 17 courtrooms and two registrar courts. Its judicial strength as of now is 32.
PM Modi announces new scheme to help urban poor build houses
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15 announced a new scheme to help urban poor build houses in cities. Under this programme, they would receive relief in interest rates and loans taken from banks to construct their houses.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day, Mr. Modi said that weaker sections who live in cities face a lot of problems.
Govt appoints R Doraiswamy as LIC MD
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on Monday said the government has appointed R Doraiswamy as the managing director.
Doraiswamy is currently the executive director at the central office in Mumbai.
He has been appointed as managing director of LIC in place of Ipe Mini with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the office on or after September 1, 2023, and up to the date of his superannuation on August 31, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier, a regulatory filing said.
RBI to launch pilot project on Public Tech Platform for frictionless credit
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the launch of the Pilot Project for Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit by Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the RBI.
The Public Tech Platform would enable delivery of frictionless credit by facilitating a seamless flow of required digital information to lenders, the Reserve Bank said.
The Platform would be rolled out as a pilot project on August 17, 2023 in a calibrated fashion, both in terms of access to information providers and use cases.
Telugu, Sanskrit scholar Kandlakunta Alaha Singaracharyulu passes away
Eminent writer, scholar and academician Kandlakunta Alaha Singaracharyulu passed away due to age-related ailments at his residence in Hyderabad late on Sunday. He was 93.
The funeral was performed at the Autonagar crematorium near LB Nagar. He is survived by six children including four sons and two daughters. Senior journalist and Andhra Jyothi editor K Srinivas is his second son.
Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao condoled the demise of Alaha Singaracharyulu and extended his deepest condolences to the family members. He remembered the linguistic and literary efforts of Singaracharyulu from the erstwhile Nalgonda district. He also recalled his services to Telugu and Sanskrit languages as teacher, lecturer, scholar, writer and grammarian.
President approves 76 gallantry awards for Armed Forces, CAPF personn
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday approved the conferment of 76 Gallantry awards to armed forces and central armed police forces (CAPF) personnel ahead of the 77th Independence Day. This list comprises four posthumous Kirti Chakra awardees, eleven Shaurya Chakra recipients (including five posthumous), two recipients of the Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), fifty-two Sena Medals (Gallantry), three Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and four Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
The President also approved 30 Mention-in-Despatches to the Army, including to Army dog Madhu (Posthumous), and one to Air Force personnel for their significant contributions in different military operations. The operations include Operation Rakshak, Operation Snow Leopard, Operation Casualty Evacuation, Operation Mount Chomo, Operation Pangsau Pass, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Orchid, Operation Kalisham Valley, Rescue Operation and Operation Evacuation.
MeitY Secretary Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma launches the ‘Graphene-Aurora Program’
Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) Secretary Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma launched the ‘Graphene-Aurora program’ at a function in Maker Village Kochi, Kerala today.
The program shall be implemented by Digital University Kerala with joint funding from Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India and Government of Kerala and Industry partners, with the total budget outlay of Rs 94.85 Crore, wherein, Carborundum Pvt Limited joined as one of the main industry partners. Along with the startup products developed, the technologies and products also developed at research and development centers like India Innovation Centre Graphene (IICG), setup at Makers village, Kochi shall be considered for commercialization.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma said that a section 8 company (not for profit) called ‘India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (I-GEIC)’ shall be set up and the initial operations will start from the recently opened facility of Government of Kerala at Digital Science Park in Trivandrum. It shall fill the gap between R&D and commercialization by providing a complete facility to startup and industry.
'A-HELP' Programme and Infertility Camp for Livestock under Inclusive Development at Narmada, Gujarat launched by Shri Parshottam Rupala
Under the auspices of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Union Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala has unveiled the 'A-HELP' (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production) programme along with an Infertility Camp, today in the State of Gujarat. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, is spearheading these initiatives as part of the Pashudhan Jagrati Abhiyaan under Inclusive Development. Ms Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary (CDD), Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Govt. of India and Dr. N. H. Kelawala, Vice Chancellor, Kamdhenu University were also present.
Union Minister Shri Parshottam Rupala highlighted the pivotal role played by livestock and women in the comprehensive development of the livestock sector, particularly in Gujarat. 'A-HELP' programme and the Infertility Camp can mark a significant stride towards empowering women, enhancing livestock productivity, and advancing the socio-economic landscape of the region.