Latest news with #Centralgovernment
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
Move to make India global EV hub
New Delhi: The Central government on Monday notified guidelines for its forward-looking scheme to enable fresh investments from global manufacturers in the electric cars segment and promote India as a global manufacturing hub for e-vehicles. To encourage global manufacturers such as US tech giant Tesla to invest under the scheme, the approved applicants will be allowed to import completely built-in units (CBUs) of electric four-wheelers with a minimum CIF (cost insurance and freight value) of $35,000 at reduced customs duty of 15 per cent for a period of 5 years from the date that the application is approved. Union Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Monday that Mercedes Benz, Skoda-Volkswagen (VW), Hyundai, and Kia have shown keen interest in manufacturing their electric vehicles (EVs) in India. The minister further said that the application window for the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI) will open soon. Approved applicants would be required to make a minimum investment of Rs 4,150 crore in line with the provisions of the maximum number of e-4Ws allowed to be imported at the reduced duty rate will be capped at 8,000 units per year. The carryover of unutilised annual import limits would be permitted. According to the notification, the maximum number of EVs to be imported under this scheme will be such that the maximum duty foregone per applicant will be limited to Rs 6,484 crore, or the committed investment of the applicant of a minimum of Rs 4,150 crore, whichever is lower. Expenditure incurred on new plant, machinery, equipment and associated utilities, and engineering R&D would be scheme shall help to attract investments from global EV manufacturers and promote India as a manufacturing destination for e-vehicles. The scheme will also help put India on the global map for manufacturing of EVs, generate employment and achieve the goal of 'Make in India', according to the official landmark initiative is aligned with India's national goals of achieving net zero by 2070.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
'Next Covid pandemic far from over': Delhi HC seeks details on sample collection
The Delhi High Court recently observed the "next Covid pandemic" was far from over as it asked for details on the Centre's preparedness for the collection of samples, centres and transport policy. Justice Girish Kathpalia said though it was sanguine that the steps and protocols would be in place, the same ought to be brought on record by the authorities concerned. "Considering that the next Covid pandemic is far from over and in fact, active, amongst the community, today, as per news reports, the vacuum, if any, of steps taken post the meeting of May 30, 2023, is a serious issue," the judge said. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bank Owned Properties For Sale In Tula (Prices May Surprise You) Foreclosed Homes | Search ads Search Now Undo The court's May 28 order further said, "This assumes certain urgency, considering that there are wide reports of COVID-19 , being active in the community, as on date; it would, therefore, be expected from the respondent to crystallise an urgent set of measures, in order that these SoPs are in place and whatever decision was taken in the meeting, has reached its proper conclusion." The court was hearing a contempt plea filed by one Dr Rohit Jain alleging non-compliance by the authorities of an order passed by the division bench of the high court on January 27, 2023. Live Events The bench had disposed of Jain's plea on the issue while directing the Central government to treat it as a representation and decide it within 12 weeks through a reasoned order. Jain submitted despite the orders, no guidelines were framed by the Centre with respect to establishing minimum standards for sample collection, centres and transport. The court said the Centre's standing counsel Monika Arora should ensure that officers concerned were apprised of the court's directions and place a status report within the six weeks. The court then posted the hearing on July 18. It was informed that a meeting was held under the chairmanship of additional director general of health services on May 30, 2023 and the petitioner was also invited. In the meeting, a decision to constitute four sub-committees of experts of pathology, biochemistry, haematology and microbiology was arrived at. The committee members from the Centre-run hospitals were to define standards of procedure for sample collection, sample collection centres and the sample transport policy and submit a report. The guidelines were to include storage standards as well. The court, however, noted that there was no update provided by the authorities on the minutes of the meeting. Even though on first blush, the contempt petition may not subsist considering the decision that was taken to form the sub-committees, it said.
India Today
18 hours ago
- Health
- India Today
Covid far from over: Delhi court seeks report on sample testing as cases surge
The Delhi High Court has directed the Central government to submit a status report within six weeks on the policy for Covid-19 sample collection, transport and testing, stressing that the pandemic is "far from over". The court's order comes in light of recent news reports highlighting a rise in Covid-19 cases across the direction was issued on May 28 after the court noted that no update had been provided regarding the outcome of a key meeting held on May 30, 2023. In that meeting, the Centre decided to constitute four expert subcommittees, comprising specialists in pathology, biochemistry, haematology and microbiology from Central Government Hospitals, to define Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for sample collection, set up collection centres and formulate a policy for transport and storage of Covid-19 the court acknowledged that a Contempt Petition may not stand given that such a decision had been taken, it expressed concern over the apparent lack of follow-up. "Even though on first blush, the Contempt Petition may not vacuum, if any, of steps taken post the meeting of 30th May 2023, is a serious issue," the court said. Observing that there are "wide reports of Covid-19 being active in the community," the court underscored the urgency of formalising protocols and submitting a clear status update. "Though the Court is sanguine that steps would have been taken and protocols would have been in place, it is imperative for the respondent to place the same on record," it court directed Central Government Standing Counsel (CGSC) Monika Arora to personally ensure that the concerned officers are apprised of the order and that a detailed status report is filed within six weeks. The matter will next be heard on July 18, of 8:00 am on Monday, India had 3,961 active Covid-19 cases and 28 deaths, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In the national capital Delhi, the active cases stood at Watch
News18
18 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
'Is It Difficult To Be Patriotic?': Salman Khurshid Hits Back At Congress Criticism, BJP Reacts
Last Updated: Khurshid's remarks came after all-party delegations, including senior Congress leaders, faced criticism from their own party, even as they highlighted India's anti-terror stance. Congress leader Salman Khurshid reacted to constant Congress criticism over the all-party delegations sent to foreign countries to highlight India's anti-terror stand, criticisng the party for 'calculating political allegiances" during the mission against terrorism. The grand old party has been harshly criticised for opposing the inclusion of its own senior figures in the all-party delegations organised by the Central government. Senior Congress leaders criticised their own leaders, most notably Shashi Tharoor, for supporting the ruling party's stance against terrorism. Taking to X, Khurshid said, 'When on mission against terrorism, to carry India's message to the world, it's distressing that people at home are calculating political allegiances. Is it so difficult to be patriotic?" When on mission against terrorism, to carry India's message to the world, it's distressing that people at home are calculating political allegiances. Is it so difficult to be patriotic?— Salman Khurshid (@salman7khurshid) June 2, 2025 Reacting to Khurshid's remark, BJP leader Amit Malviya said the sentiment was tragic and deeply ironic. 'It reflects the cost of a warped idea of secularism that the Congress party has long championed, one that confuses the urgent need to confront terror with a compulsive instinct to appease. In doing so, they have not only diluted the moral clarity required to fight extremism, but have also compromised national security in the name of vote-bank politics," he said. 'What makes this all the more tragic is the Congress party's belief that it is somehow divinely entitled to rule, a notion so deeply ingrained that it often puts the party's partisan interests above the country's welfare. Time and again, we have seen national interest sacrificed at the altar of political expediency, wrapped in lofty rhetoric but hollow in principle." Malviya further accused the Congress of bringing in communal politics during India's fight against terrorism, emboldening enemies of the state and 'betraying" the nation. Congress U-Turn On All-Party Delegations Congress had initially expressed unity with the Centre after the heinous terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 tourists were gunned down by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. No sooner had the all-party delegations left for their respective countries than Congress started criticising the diplomatic outreach and even countered statements made by their own leaders. Congress had criticised the BJP for 'cheap political games" after the latter had announced the names of leaders to lead the delegations. Four senior Congress leaders – Shashi Tharoor, Salman Khurshid, Manish Tewari and Amar Singh – without consulting the party. Tharoor is a former diplomat, and Khurshid served as the External Affairs Minister. Their names did not feature in the list of names suggested by the Congress. Congress has also consistently criticised the government and raised repeated questions about India's military losses during Operation Sindoor, drawing sharp reactions in a particularly sensitive period. Jairam Ramesh's comment that 'our MPs are roaming and terrorists are also roaming" drew severe backlash from the ruling party. He also hit out at Shashi Tharoor's recent remarks, stating that Tharoor's explanation of the government's anti-terror stance did not represent the official position of the Congress party. Tharoor's remarks in Panama created another discomfort among Congress, after which the party dubbed him 'super spokesperson of the BJP". Tharoor has dismissed these remarks, saying he will speak with his colleagues once he returns to India.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
5 years of PM SVANidhi scheme: Street vendors thank Modi govt for empowering them
The PM SVANidhi scheme, which started off as a micro-credit scheme during the Covid-19 pandemic, to help the street vendors and small businesses survive and sustain their ventures in trying times, has another side to it. Many beneficiaries, who got funds under this scheme, utilised it to build lasting enterprises, and many of them went on to create success stories worth emulating. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 1, 2020, the micro-credit facility scheme proved to be a boon for thousands of street vendors and small businesses in improving their livelihood. As the scheme completes five years on Sunday (June 1), many beneficiaries pan-India shared their story of transformation with IANS while extending their gratitude to the Modi government. In Bihar's Bhagalpur, more than 4,000 beneficiaries have availed the benefits of the scheme. It has opened new doors for poor and unemployed youth in the district. Today, there are around 1,200 street vendors who have taken a loan of up to Rs 20,000 and are doing business. Some shopkeepers, namely Sujit Sinha, Arbind Das and Ganesh Gupta, who benefited from the scheme, expressed their deep gratitude to PM Modi. Deputy Mayor of Bhagalpur Municipal Corporation, Salauddin Ahsan, informed that close to two dozen people got a loan of up to Rs 50,000 under the scheme. Under this scheme, a loan up to Rs 10,000 is provided in the first phase, Rs 20,000 in the second phase and Rs 50,000 in the third phase. After repaying one loan, traders can avail of the next phase of the loan. In Uttar Pradesh's Chandauli district, local retailers said that this scheme has helped them a lot in expanding their business. In Chhattisgarh's Bemetra district, Chaileshwar Verma, who got a loan of Rs 10,000 under the scheme, restarted his fruit shop. Today, he has become self-reliant. 'I got a loan of Rs 10,000 from this scheme, with which I restarted my shop. Now my shop is running well. I have become self-employed,' he said. Kawardha, another district of Chhattisgarh, also boasts of the scheme's success as many small businessmen and street vendors saw their business propped by the Central government's assistance under the PM-SVANidhi scheme. Vikas Devangan and Narendra Kumar, the residents of Pandaria Municipality in Kabirdham district, received two instalments of Rs 20,000 under the scheme, which helped them restart their tea and grocery shop, respectively. In Karnataka's Tumkur district, a couple of women street vendors shared their story of despair during Covid and also explained how the scheme helped them cross past all challenges. Lalita, a beneficiary, recalled the financial difficulties during Covid and how local lenders denied loans. She was unable to secure funds from the local bank, also. PM SVANidhi scheme came to her rescue as she was sanctioned a loan of Rs 10,000. She successfully repaid the amount by selling fruits and vegetables on the streets. She thanks the government for stabilising her livelihood during tough times. Radha, a flower vendor, found it hard to sustain her business during Covid times. Under the PM SVANidhi scheme, she got a loan of Rs 10,000, which helped her improve her flower-selling business and gain financial stability. After successfully repaying the first loan, she secured another loan of Rs 20,000, which helped cover rent and also support her children's education. Jayamma, a vegetable vendor in Tumkur, shared her story of finding stability because of the PM SVANidhi scheme, saying, 'Before availing this scheme, I had to struggle with high interest as private loans made it difficult to sustain our business. She expressed her gratitude to the Centre, saying that the scheme has brought a significant difference in her ability to support herself and her family. The scheme launched during the Covid-19 pandemic on June 1, 2020, provides collateral-free loans up to Rs 50,000 for eligible street vendors in incremental tranches. It provides loans in three tranches: 1st tranche of Rs 10,000, 2nd tranche of Rs 20,000, subject to repayment of the 1st tranche, and 3rd tranche of Rs 50,000 upon repayment of the second loan.
