Latest news with #AmendmentBill2025
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
PM Modi urges self-reliance in critical minerals, backs national mission
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said self-reliance in the critical minerals was 'extremely essential', while asserting that his government was working to achieve it. The PM's statement comes at a time when the country is facing shortage of rare earth magnet due to export restrictions placed by China -- which produces over 90 per cent of world's rare earth magnets. Highlighting government efforts, PM Modi said the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM) has already been launched, with exploration work underway at more than 1,200 locations. 'Whether it is the energy sector, the industrial sector, the defence sector, or any field of technology, critical minerals play a very important role. The entire world is now quite alert about them, something that received little attention until recently is now at the centre stage. For us too, self-reliance in critical minerals is extremely essential,' PM Modi said in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort. Approved by the Union Cabinet in January for the period 2024-25 to 2030-31, the NCMM involves Rs 16,300 crore in government funding and an expected Rs 18,000 crore investment from public sector undertakings (PSUs) and other stakeholders. The mission aims for exploration work in projects, secure at least 50 overseas mineral assets, support the filing of 1,000 patents across the critical minerals value chain, and create 10,000 skilled professionals. It also targets recycling at least 10 per cent of India's annual critical mineral consumption. According to the mines ministry, the government has auctioned 34 mineral blocks in five tranches. Earlier this month, it granted 10 patents in the field and identified seven Centres of Excellence, including four IITs, for research and development in critical mineral technologies. The Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2025, passed by the Lok Sabha this week, waived the charges for including extractable critical minerals in the existing mineral lease. The experts believe it will give impetus to the production of critical and strategic minerals.
Business Recorder
22-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Several significant bills approved amid boycott in PA
LAHORE: Amid opposition protest and boycott Punjab Assembly on Monday witnessed the presentation and approval of several significant bills, including the Walled City of Lahore (Amendment) Bill 2025, The Punjab Financial Advisory Services Bill 2025 introduced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman. Additionally, the Punjab Spatial Planning Authority Amendment Bill 2025 was passed, with all opposition amendments rejected. Only 26 lawmakers were present during the voting, with just eight opposition members in attendance. The government also secured approval for the Punjab Finance Amendment Bill 2025, presented by Minister Shujaur Rehman, along with the Punjab Energy and Conservation Agency Bill 2025. During the session, opposition member Brigadier Mushtaq (retd) pointed out the lack of quorum, prompting Panel of Chairpersons Malik Muhammad Arshad to order the ringing of bells for five minutes. Subsequently, opposition members staged a boycott and walked out of the assembly. The government failed to complete the quorum upon which Panel of chair Malik Arshad Advocate adjourned the session until Tuesday at 2 PM. Earlier, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan expressed concern over the absence of ministers in the house, stating that the ministers' benches remain absent, with only one minister usually present while the rest are missing. He said he is compelled to inform Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz that her ministers do not attend the assembly sessions. The Speaker remarked that while it is often claimed that ministers are busy and therefore cannot attend, investigations revealed they are not occupied with any official duties. He directed the ministers to ensure their presence in the assembly. Meanwhile, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan summoned Special Assistant Salma Butt for a discussion regarding the subsidized wheat pricing policy. He stated that after the question-hour session, Butt would be questioned about the wheat policy and would also be required to deliver a speech on the matter. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Punjab governor urges govt to reconsider PECA tweaks
LAHORE: Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has urged the federal government to reconsider the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Bill 2025, citing nationwide protests from the journalist community. The governor's statement comes despite his own party PPP's co-chairman, President Asif Ali Zardari, having signed the bill into law following its passage in the National Assembly and Senate. Speaking at a meeting with party workers at Governor's House on Wednesday, Haider emphasised that journalists are protesting against what they perceive as government overreach and reiterated the need for a review of the amendment. He also reaffirmed the Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) commitment to protecting public rights. Commenting on the ongoing political tensions between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Haider said the country is suffering due to a lack of dialogue between the two parties. He praised President Zardari as the "king of reconciliation" and urged both sides to benefit from his political vision. He said the current democratic system is functioning due to Zardari's positive political approach and stressed that Pakistan's progress depends on mutual consultation and cooperation. Meanwhile, Governor Haider has signed 12 provincial bills into law, which take effect immediately. These include amendments to laws governing alternative dispute resolution, kite flying prohibition, probation of offenders, education and curriculum, protected areas, wildlife management, water and sanitation, and the establishment of special courts for overseas Pakistanis' property cases.
