Indian Coast Guard's Karaikal base gets Interceptor Boat ICGS C-436
The Karaikal base of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) got the Interceptor Boat ICGS C-436 yesterday. A release from the Defence Ministry said that the vessel is set to give a major fillip to its operations in the vast coastline of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The indigenously built ship C-436 is the 36th interceptor boat of its series. It is fitted with modern navigation and communication equipment capable of operating in tropical sea conditions and for close coast surveillance.
PM greets people on occasion of Navratri, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Navreh, Cheti Chand, Sajibu Cheiraoba
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Navratri, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Navreh, Cheti Chand, and Sajibu Cheiraoba. In a series of tweets today, Mr. Modi said, Navratri, festival of worship of Shakti, may infuse new energy in everyone's life. He also wished Happy New Year to citizens wishing that Vikram Samvat 2079 may bring new enthusiasm and new zeal in everyone's life.
Giving best wishes on the special occasion of Ugadi, the Prime Minister wished that the coming year is marked with lots of joy, prosperity and all scale a new height of success in the new year. On Navreh, Mr. Modi said, our society may touch a new height of progress.
Wishing people on the occasion of Cheti Chand, the Prime Minister said, people remember the pious teaching of Lord Jhulelal and seek his blessings for the happiness and well being our planet. Mr. Modi greeted the people, especially the people of Manipur on the special occasion of Sajibu Cheiraoba. He prayed for a happy and healthy year ahead.
India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement signed
India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement was signed today. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister of Australia Dan Tehan signed this agreement. The agreement was signed in a virtual ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison. Speaking virtually on this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, the agreement was finalised in a short span of time which showed that India and Australia share mutual trust.
Terming this agreement a watershed moment for the bilateral ties, he said, huge potential lies in the economic cooperation between both the nations and this agreement will provide a platform to utilise those economic opportunities. He said, this agreement would also strengthen the stability of Indo-pacific region and supply chain resilience. He said, this agreement will facilitate the movement of students, professionals and tourists between the two countries. He thanked the teams involved in finalising this agreement.
RBI extends timelines for banks to use lockable cassettes in ATMs by March 2023
The Reserve Bank of India has extended the timeline for banks using lockable cassettes in their ATMs which could be swapped at the time of cash replenishment by a year to March 31, 2023. RBI in a notification issued yesterday said the decision has been taken after it received representations from various banks and Indian Banks’ Association expressing difficulties in meeting the timeline.
It has directed the Banks to set a Board approved internal timeline to adhere to the extended deadline and submit quarterly status report and has asked the Boards of the banks to monitor the progress to ensure compliance.
Currently, most of the ATMs are replenished by way of open cash top-up or by loading cash in the machines on the spot. RBI had asked to replace this system by ensuring that lockable cassettes are swapped at the time of cash replenishment in the ATMs.
President, Vice Prez, PM Modi greet people of Odisha on the occasion of Odisha day
President Ram Nath Kovind has greeted people of Odisha on the occasion of Odisha day. In a tweet, Mr Kovind said, the land of the temples of Jagannath, Lingaraj, Konark and other rich heritages, Odisha gave the world a message of peace and love, shunning violence. He conveyed best wishes for the progress of the state.
In his greetings, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said, Odisha is renowned for its iconic temples, vibrant culture and picturesque places. He said, the industrious people of Odisha have contributed immensely to the growth of the nation. Mr Naidu conveyed his best wishes for the state's continuous growth.
Greeting people of Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, Odia people are making landmark contributions to India’s progress and Odia culture is globally admired. He prayed for Odisha’s development in the times to come.
Assam: 'Mysterious' giant stone jars found in India
Researchers have uncovered giant "mysterious" jars in India that may have been used for ancient human burial practices.
The 65 sandstone jars were found scattered over four sites in the north-eastern state of Assam.
They vary in shape and size. Some of the jars are tall and cylindrical, while the others are partly or fully buried in the ground.
Similar stone vessels have previously been found in Laos and Indonesia.
The details of the discovery - which involved researchers from three universities in India and Australia - were published in the Journal of Asian Archaeology journal this week. The research was led by Tilok Thakuria from North-Eastern Hill University and Uttam Bathari from Gauhati University.
PM Modi attends 5th BIMSTEC Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday participated in the 5th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit hosted in virtual mode by Sri Lanka, the current chair of BIMSTEC.
Prior to the 5th BIMSTEC Summit, preparatory meetings at the Senior Official and Foreign Minister levels were held in Colombo on 28th and 29th March in the hybrid mode.
The Summit’s theme “Towards a Resilient Region, Prosperous Economies, Healthy People” captures the main current priorities of member states, and the efforts by BIMSTEC to develop cooperation activities that support member state’s programmes to deal with the economic and development consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. The main outcome of the Summit was the adoption and signing of the BIMSTEC Charter, which formalizes the grouping into an organization made up of members states that are littoral to, and dependent upon, the Bay of Bengal.
Cabinet approves USD 808 million for “Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance”
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved a USD 808 million or Rs 6,062.45 crore, World Bank assisted programme on “Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance” (RAMP).
RAMP is a new scheme and would commence in FY 2022-23.
CJI Ramana launches ‘FASTER’ software to transmit court orders swiftly
Chief Justice of India (CJI) N V Ramana Thursday launched a software that would enable electronic communication of court orders thereby reducing the time that prisons and other authorities have to spend waiting for them.
The CJI said that software Fast and Secured Transmission of Electronic Records (FASTER) will enable the communication of authenticated bail orders swiftly while also ensuring privacy and security.
The CJI pointed out that the court had thought about the concept after coming across a newspaper article. “We took up a suo motu case thereafter and then roped in Justices AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud, Hemant Gupta and others. Orders passed by the Supreme Court and other High Courts have to be transmitted safely without tinkering by third parties,” he said.
Lok Sabha passes bill to unify three Municipal Corporations of Delhi
Lok Sabha has passed the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022. The Bill seeks to further amend the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 and proposes to unify the three existing Municipal Corporations of Delhi into one Municipal Corporation of Delhi. It envisages bringing about greater transparency, improved governance and more efficient delivery of civic service for the people of Delhi.
At present, the three corporations in Delhi -- North, South and East Delhi Municipal Corporations -- have a total of 272 seats. While North and South corporations have 104 Wards each, the East corporation has 64 Wards. The Bill was moved by Home Minister Amit Shah in the House. Replying to the discussion on the Bill, the Home Minister countered the opposition allegations saying that this Bill has been brought by following all the constitutional norms.