Latest news with #Regulation)Act
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Centre plans speeding up MMDR amendments to boost critical mineral availability
India is expediting steps to boost domestic availability of critical minerals. Changes to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act are being fast-tracked. The move comes close on the heels of China putting curbs on supplies of permanent magnets derived out of rare earth elements (REEs). Besides regulatory tweaks, the centre is also expecting commercially viable domestic production of rare earth permanent magnets in small quantities later this year. Addressing a gathering of industry professionals and academicians during the critical minerals processing seminar, Union Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy said, 'The demand for critical minerals will increase four to six times by 2040. Global supply chains are concentrated in a few countries.' Referring to the ongoing concerns regarding supplies of Rare Earth magnets from China, Reddy said, 'Geopolitical tensions, trade restrictions, and increasing trend of resource nationalism can cause supply chain disruptions. India is currently almost 100% import dependent for critical minerals. We see this as a major challenge.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now The Minister said India recognises the pivotal role of these minerals in driving economic growth. Commenting on the way ahead, Mines Secretary, V L Kantha Rao said tweaks are underway to support domestic critical mineral ecosystems. 'We are planning to amend the (MMDR) act to support the critical mineral mission,' he said. Live Events Rao also said Indian research institutions have found solutions for producing rare earth magnets. 'This has enabled one of the companies in India to produce rare earth magnets in the next three-four months,' he said. The secretary was referring to government sanctioned funding for Midwest Advanced Materials Private Limited (MAM), Hyderabad. The Nonferrous Materials Technology Development Centre (NFTDC), a research and development (R&D) institution under the Mines Ministry , has also transferred advanced technology to MAM. These supports have paved the way for commercial production of Neodymium (NdFeB) materials and Rare Earth Permanent Magnets. Neodymium permanent magnets are vital for propulsion systems in electric vehicles and generators in renewable energy infrastructure.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Assam Health Minister issues certificates to 5 institutions to establish ART clinics, surrogacy centres
Guwahati: In a significant step toward improving reproductive healthcare services in the state, Assam Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal distributed official certificates to five institutions for establishing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Clinics, ART Banks and Surrogacy Clinics in a programme held in Guwahati. The institutions that received certification include Apollo Fertility, Guwahati; Downtown Hospital in Guwahati, GMCH Fertility and IVF Centre, Guwahati; The Institute of Human Reproduction in Guwahati and Swasti Hospital in Rangia. During the programme, Minister Ashok Singhal on Friday stated that today is an important day in Assam's health and family welfare sector, as the process of surrogacy has now come under formal government regulation in Assam. He added that the certification of these institutions will help bring hope and happiness to distressed couples who have been struggling to conceive a child. This milestone follows the implementation of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, by the Government of India, along with their corresponding rules notified in 2022. In alignment with these national regulations, the Government of Assam established the State Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Board and the Appropriate Authority for ART and Surrogacy in December 2023. To facilitate the application process for institutions seeking to establish ART and surrogacy services, the Appropriate Authority launched a state-wide drive through newspaper advertisements on January 30, 2025. Applications are processed via the National ART & Surrogacy Portal, where institutions must submit their information online, followed by the submission of printed documents and payment of registration fees. Once verified, the institutions are inspected by the Appropriate Authority before receiving certification. Earlier this year, the first certificate was issued to an intending couple and surrogate mother after evaluation by the District Medical Board in Dibrugarh, marking the beginning of regulated surrogacy services in Assam. Minister Singhal emphasised the government's commitment to ensuring safe, ethical and high-quality reproductive care. He said the state is dedicated to creating a transparent and accountable system that guarantees access to advanced reproductive services for couples in need. The programme was attended Dr. P. Ashok Babu, Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department; Barnali Shama, Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department; Dr. Umesh Phangcho, DHS, Asam and Dr. Heremba Bhattacharyya, Joint DHS(HQ) and Nodal Officer, Surrogacy and august presence of Senior Health Officers and other departmental officials.
