President Condoles passing away of former Shahi Imam of Delhi Jama Masjid

The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil has condoled the

Vice President Condoles the death of Maulana Syed Abdullah Bukhari

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari has deeply condoled the sad demise of Maulana Syed Abdullah Bukhari, former Shahi Imam of

PMO sets up Delivery Monitoring Unit

Prime Minister’s Office has set up a Delivery Monitoring Unit in the PMO in pursuance to the

Passport offices in the country

An average of 4,30,000 applications in a month were processed by the passport offices.

Screening of India bound passengers

On the request of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of

G-20 Summits

The Washington Summit held on November 15, 2008 outlined the root cause of

Opening up of New Passport Offices

The Government is committed to improving the Passport Issuance System as a whole,

Naxal violence & centre’s efforts to check it

State-wise statistics of naxal violence during 2006 to 2009 are as under:

Schemes for Jail Reforms

The Government of India has been implementing schemes for Jail Reforms in the country. The Government had constituted following committees for various jail reforms in the country.

Modernizing Communication and Intelligence sharing networks.

The Government is undertaking an exercise of modernizing the communication and information sharing networks between State Police and Central Intelligence agencies.

Steps to check overcrowding in jails

The overcrowding in Indian prisons exist to the extent of 135.7%. As per the data compiled by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), the total number of jails in the country at the end of 2007 was 1276.

Filling of backlog vacancies

A Special Recruitment Drive has been launched in November, 2008 to fill up backlog vacancies of

Amendment to RTI Act

The Government proposes to strengthen right to information by suitably amending the

Hearing of complaints/appeals under RTI

The Government has advised the Central Information Commission that decisions on complaints and appeals should be taken by the

Nation-Wide drive against corruption

CBI, in a recent nation-wide drive against corruption in June 2009, has registered 69 cases of corruption and alleged irregularities by public functionaries. During the drive,

Patna High Court Judges appointed

In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution of India,

Budget outlay for Ministry of I&B

A 27% increase has been effected in the budget outlay of 2009-10 for Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Ambika Soni to inaugurate retrospective of Shakti Samanta Films

The Minister of Information & Broadcasting Smt. Ambika Soni will inaugurate the retrospective of

Measures to revive WTO negotiations

At the G-20 Summit held in London on 2 April 2009,

WTO Negotiation on Agriculture

At the mini-Ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) held in July 2008, Ministers were amenable to

Safeguard of interests of farm sector in WTO talks

The principal aim of India’s negotiating strategy in the agriculture negotiations has been to protect the interests of farmers particularly with regard to

Improving Industrial output

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) registered a growth of 2.6% in 2008-09 (Apr-March) and Consumer durables segment registered a growth of 4.4%. As per the...

Impact of global meltdown on FDI

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) equity inflows in the country have increased from US $ 5.5 billion in 2005-06 to US $ 27.31 billion in the...

India stands third position in steel production during the first five months of 2009

Steel Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh today said that Indian steel Industry has...

Integrated textile parks

Under the Scheme for Integrated Textiles Park (SITP), thirty nine (39) textile park projects have been approved so far.

Decline in export of textiles to USA

As per the latest available provisional data of Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence & Statistics, Kolkata,

Implementation of Acts meant for Construction Workers

Under the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 and the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Cess Act, 1996, the States have to frame and notify Rules,

Number of unorganized workers and steps to improve the standard of living of workers

According to the survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) in 2004-05, the total number of unorganized workers was 43.3 crore.

Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana extend to all BPL families

The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana has been extended to all the estimated 6 crore BPL families (a unit of five) from the year 2009-10.

Review of Contract Labour Act

A Task Force has been constituted on the recommendation of the 42nd Session of the

Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana extend to all BPL families

The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana has been extended to all the estimated 6 crore BPL families (a unit of five) from the year 2009-10.

Amendment in Labour Law

Review/updation of labour laws is a continuous process in order to bring them in tune with the

Railway revenue earnings up by 5.26 per cent during April- June 2009

The total approximate earnings of Indian Railways on originating basis during 1st April – 30th June 2009 were Rs. 20591.51 crore compared to

Railways take steps to curb menace of touts

In a drive to curb menace of touts on Indian Railways, a total number of 2521 touts buying tickets in fictitious names were apprehended and prosecuted,

Rehabilitation of distressed railway bridges

Rehabilitation of old and distressed railway bridges is an ongoing work on Indian Railways.

India’s Position on Climate Change issues -: NAP is India’s domestic plan for sustainable development

India has announced a National Action Plan (NAP)on Climate Change. It has eight National Missions.

Funds spent on centrally sponsered schemes for development of wild life

Under various centrally sponsored schemes, the central government provides financial and technical assistance to governments of states and union territories for the conservation and management of wildlife and its habitats.

Development of Biosphere Reserve in Andhra Pradesh

The Union Government has proposed to develop a biosphere reserve in the state of Andhra Pradesh. For this designated biosphere reserve,

Environmental Clearance to SEZ

The Environmental Impact Assessment Notification of September 2006 stipulates a time limit of 60 days for conveying the Terms of ...

Air quality within ambient air quality standards in Gujrat

Ambient air quality data for residential areas in seven cities of Gujrat have air quality within the ambient air quality standard with respect to Sulphur Di-oxide and Oxides of Nitrogen.

Felling of trees for widening of roads

The Government is aware that several trees on roadside are being felled for widening of roads and other purposes.

Effect of green house gasses on Climate

The concentrations of green house gases in the atmosphere are leading to global warming. The analysis of...

Effect of green house gasses on Climate

The concentrations of green house gases in the atmosphere are leading to global warming. The analysis of...

Himachal Pradesh Deposited Rs. 366.77 crores with CAMPA

The State Government of Himachal Pradesh has remitted Rs. 202.00 crore with the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) as on 30.06.2009.

Early environmental clearance for coal mining

Coal India Ltd. has requested the Ministry of Environment & Forests to expedite the process of environmental clearance.

Utilization of vast areas of forest land

No assessment of the lands under category of forests, which remain barren and unutilised in various states,

Tiger Conservation Foundation for Consevation of Tiger and Biodiversity

Under section 38X of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 as amended in 2006, the State...

Genetically Engineering experiments on crops

The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee(GEAC)has accorded approval for conducting field trials with GM crops namely; cotton, rice,

Use of hazardous technology in oil exploration

Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) technology is not under implementation in oil exploration or power plants etc.

17 Infrastructural Projects await Environmental Clearance

The Ministry of Environment and forests has a total of 17 infrastructural projects from various States to clear for Environmental Clearance till date.

Creation of voluntary national youth corps

Government proposes to create a voluntary national youth corps to take up river cleaning and beautification programme in the

Water Quality in Yamuna from Tajewala to Palla in Haryana within the prescribed limits

As per water quality monitoring undertaken through independent institutions, the water quality in the

National Action Plan for Climate Change

The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) released by the Prime Minister on 30th June 2008

NGRBA to adopt holistic approach for River Ganga

The Central Government, by a Notification dated 20.2.2009, has set up the ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority’

Early disposal of environmental cases

Environment and Forests related cases are cross-cutting and inter-sectoral in nature. Hence,

Proposal for development of Ansupa lake in Orissa

The State Government of Orissa has submitted a proposal to develop Ansupa lake and Nandankanan Zoological park.

Environmental clearance to irrigation projects

The Union Government has received total 17 irrigation proposals from various States including Maharashtra for environmental clearance since 2008, a list of projects is Annexed.

Incinerators in violation of pollution norms

Setting-up of incinerators is one of the options for treatment and disposal of bio-medical waste for health care facilities,

Setting up of National Environment Protection Authority

A proposal to set up a National Environment Protection Authority is in a conceptual stage.

Prime Minister’s Council to coordinate the National Action for Assessment, Adaptation and mitigation of Climate Change

The thirteenth Conference of Parties (COP-13) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Bali in December 2007,

Update on Influenza a(H1N1) as on 8th July 2009

World Health Organization has reported 94,512 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 infection from 135 countries as on 6th July 2009. There have been 429 deaths. There is no further update.

National Health Programme for Children

The School Health Programme (SHP) has been launched under Reproductive Child Health (RCH)-II/National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) since 2007-2008. Broad features of SHP are as follows:

Vaccine for Influenza a (H1N1)

Government of India held discussions with Indian manufacturers of vaccine. Serum Institute of India, Pune,

Steps taken/proposed to be taken by the government to strengthen the Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy

The Department of Ayush is implementing the following Centrally Sponsored Schemes to strengthen the Indian System of Medicine & Homoeopathy:-

Revival of Vaccine manufacturing units

The manufacturing licenses of the three Public Sector Vaccine Institutes namely, the Central Research Institute, Kasauli,

Mechanism to check fake drugs manufacture

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is continuously writing to the

DGEME flags off EME mountaineering expedition to mount Mamostong Kangri (7516m)

A mountaineering expedition to Mount Mamostong Kangri,

Laying of Kelkar Committee Report in Parliament

The Report of the Vijay Kelkar Committee was submitted to the Government of India in two parts. Part-I deals with strengthening self-reliance in defence preparedness.

Modernisation Programme for Armed Forces

Modernization of Armed Forces is a continuous process based on threat perception, technological changes and available resources.

Purchase of Combat Aircraft

A proposal for procurement of 126 Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) is under consideration of the Government. The proposal is at Field Evaluation Trials stage.

Transparency in Defence deals

The Government has recently decided to put on hold for the present dealings with Israeli Military Industries,

Purchase of Missiles from Israel

Procurement of defence items including missiles is made from various indigenous as well as foreign sources including Israel in accordance with the well laid down defence procurement procedure.

Violation of Indian Air Space by a us Military Aircraft

On June 19, 2009 an AN-124 aircraft belonging to Volga Dnepr Airlines of Russia, hired by United States Air Force violated Indian airspace and was asked to land at Mumbai International airport.

Strengthening of coastal security system

The Government has approved setting up of nine additional Coast Guard stations in the country including one station at Nizampatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Appropriate steps have been taken for strengthening coastal surveillance and security,

Air Crashes in Indian Air Force

A total number of 22 MIG Aircraft of the Indian Air Force have crashed from April 01, 2006 till date. There were three casualties in these crashes.

Incidents of fire in Defence Depots

During the last three years only one incident of fire has taken place in 21 Field Ammunition Depot,

Bringing relief for counter-insurgency on par with war victims

Army Headquarters have sent a proposal for uniform rate of ex-gratia payment in case of death of

Indian Armed Forces contingent leaves for Paris for French National Day parade

A 270 personnel contingent of the Indian Armed Forces comprising marching columns and a combined military band from the Army,

National Irrigation Projects

The State Governments are required to submit the proposals for inclusion of

Revival of Water Bodies in the Country

The Government of India had taken up a pilot scheme for Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of water bodies during X Plan with an outlay of

Allocation of funds under AIBP

The budget allocation during 2007-08 and 2008-09 for Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) was Rs. 3080 crore and Rs.6600 crore respectively.

Per Capita availability of water

There is considerable variation in rainfall and hence water availability in various parts of the country.

Kosi Canal Project

The ultimate irrigation potential of the Western Kosi Canal system is 2.348 lakh hectare as per the

NHAI Signs five concession agreements in last two months

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has recently signed concession agreements for five projects. The total cost of

Amount released for National Highways

There has been a near 100 % utilization of the funds allocated for the

Road accidents on national highways declines

The number of road accidents that occurred on the National Highways has decreased during the

Amount released for National Highways

There has been a near 100 % utilization of the funds allocated for the development and maintenance of

Afghanistan seeks cooperation in the Transport Sector

India has assured Afghanistan of its full cooperation in improving its transport system and infrastructure.

Power Exchange a positive initiative: Sushilkumar Shinde

Union Power Minister, Shri Sushilkumar Shinde today said that the Government’s initiative to establish Power Exchanges in India has benefitted the country by ensuring payment security,

Agreements with foreign countries for uranium

India has signed inter-governmental agreements with France, USA and Russia and NPCIL has signed a MOU with Joint Stock Company NAC Kazatomprom of

Production of Uranium

Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL), a public sector undertaking under the

Impact of recession on Indian workers abroad

Indian Missions in the Gulf Countries in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar have informed that there has been no report of any large scale adverse impact on Indian workers because of global economic slowdown and recession, though there has been report of some job losses.

ICDS gets Rs. 6705 crore for the welfare of children and lactating mothers

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) have been allocated Rs.6705 crore in the budget proposals for 2009-10.

Seismic Activity in Kerala

A study has been carried out by the scientists of Indian Institute of Science,