Press Sewa portal ensures faster approvals: PRGI Yogesh Baweja
Ashutosh Mohle, Deputy Press Registrar, delivered a detailed presentation on the new Act. He explained that the entire registration process has transitioned online since March 2024. He stated that applications would be deemed approved if there is no response within 60 days and emphasized the importance of publishers avoiding agents and using the PRGI portal directly. A live demonstration of the portal was given by Gourav Sharma, Assistant Director of NIC. Publishers from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh actively participated in the interactive session.
PIB officials, including Dr Manas Krishna Kanth, Deputy Director, along with Media and Communication Officers Gayathri and Shivacharan Reddy, and officials from I&PR, attended the workshop alongside publishers from both states.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
In Gujarat's ceramics hub, thousands denied PF, other legal benefits
Vadodara: Six decades after The Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act was notified, thousands of workers in Morbi, the world's largest ceramics manufacturing hub, are still not given its mandatory benefits. A study by the Vadodara-based People's Training and Research Centre (PTRC) found that 92% of the workers studied were not given provident fund (PF) benefits, 93% do not get ESIC benefits at all and 90% are not even given payslips. The study, titled "Laws in Captivity", covered 2,000 workers — 1,776 men and 224 women. Of these, 879 (44%) were local workers and 1,121 (56%) were migrants. These 2,000 workers represented 290 industrial units, including 1,729 employed by 246 ceramic units, 156 working at 38 non-ceramic manufacturing units and 115 engaged by six service sector units. "This is perhaps the first systematic study on the implementation of labour laws for social security in Morbi. The ESI Act was notified in Morbi in 1967, bringing most areas under ESI coverage. Yet, 58 years later, industrial units are not implementing the ESI Act, and the govt is not enforcing it. With no strong workers' organizations, enforcement remains weak," said Jagdish Patel, director of PTRC, a voluntary organization working on occupational health and safety. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "All these units are in areas notified under the ESI Act, employ more than 10 workers and have monthly wages of Rs 21,000 or lower — fulfilling the three key conditions for ESI coverage," he said. The study revealed that workers are not even awareness of payslips. "Without proper payslips and ID cards, workers cannot claim compensation if they suffer accidents or occupational diseases," he said. The study also found discrimination between men and women, and local and migrant workers. "Of 1,121 migrant workers, only 40 (3.5%) were covered under the ESI Act," the study states, adding these workers make an average monthly wage of Rs 15,943, but the women earn even less. "Even where deductions are made under ESI, workers are not issued identity cards, which means they cannot access the benefits. Without proof of employment, they cannot claim compensation under the Workers Compensation Act," said Patel. Develop silicosis, forced to retire early Vadodara: The study notes that there are more than 1,500 ceramics units in Morbi, which alone produces 90% of the country's ceramics output, employing more than four lakh workers. Workers who come into contact with fine particles of silica in the ceramics industry are at greater risk of developing silicosis, a fatal disease. Additionally, the risk of such workers getting TB is four times higher than the general population. While working with these workers, PTRC learned that although the area is covered under the ESI Act, many workers are not covered under the Act as ESI contributions are not deducted from their wages. "They are unable to work due to breathing problems and other health complaints and were forced to take early retirement. In such a situation, there is no mechanism available to meet medical expenses or to compensate them for the damage to their lungs. These workers are deprived of their right to social security," Patel said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Faster approvals online for critical mineral: Centre
Environment ministry has set up a separate category on its online clearance portal to speed up approvals for mining projects involving critical minerals , a move aimed at boosting domestic supply of resources considered essential for clean energy and advanced technologies, the government informed Parliament on Monday. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, minister of state for environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said the mines ministry had in Feb requested faster clearances for such projects, following which the new facility was added to the Parivesh 2.0 portal on Mar 13. The step comes after amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, which gave the Centre powers to auction 24 minerals identified as critical and strategic. These include lithium, nickel, tungsten, titanium and graphite, which India largely imports but needs for sectors such as defence, electronics and renewable energy. So far, 34 blocks of these minerals have been auctioned across the country, the minister said, adding they are vital to meeting India's goal of becoming self-reliant in key materials for the energy transition and its net zero target for 2070. Singh also said that projects will not get any exemption from the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, or the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006. The new sub-category on the portal has only been created to improve monitoring of proposals that need central approval under the forest law, he said. He also informed the House that detailed guidelines were issued on Mar 17, 2025, for linear projects such as highways and railways. These allow the extraction of more than 20,000 cubic metres of ordinary earth without a separate environmental clearance, subject to conditions laid down under the amended EIA rules. According to him, the time limits for considering terms of reference and environment clearance applications remain unchanged under the EIA notification. State governments will continue to play the lead role in protecting forests and wildlife, including demarcation and digitisation of boundaries and action against violations. Joint Forest Management Committees and eco-development groups are also involved in monitoring, while breaches of the forest law attract penalties under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980.
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
Top 10 Indian states and UTs by foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in 2024-25
Top 10 state-wise FDI in India 2024-25 list: India is emerging as an attractive destination for foreign investment, with its FDI rising to USD 81.04 billion in FY 2024-25, up 14% from USD 71.28 billion in FY 2023-24. This marks an incredible rise from USD 36.05 billion in FY 2013-14, according to preliminary figures released by PIB. Furthermore, over the last eleven fiscal years (2014-25), India has attracted USD 748.78 billion in FDI. This represents a 143% increase over the previous eleven years (2003-14), which saw inflows totalling USD 308.38 billion. Overall, the recent growth accounts for roughly 70% of the total USD 1,072.36 billion in FDI received over the previous 25 years. Notably, the number of source countries for FDI climbed from 89 in FY 2013-14 to 112 in FY 2024-25, highlighting India's expanding worldwide appeal as an investment hub. Singapore is the leading source country for FDI, accounting for 30%, followed by Mauritius (17%) and the United States (11%). Maharashtra leads the way in terms of overall FDI equity inflows in FY 2024-25, accounting for 39%, followed by Karnataka (13%) and Delhi (12%). Source: DPITT – FDI Factsheet March 2025
