Latest news with #TheCentre
Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Utmost priority to bridge gender gap in India: Centre on WEF Gender Gap report
New Delhi, The Centre on Wednesday said it has given utmost priority to bridge the gender gap in India, in response to the country slipping to the 131st position out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index 2025, down from 129th rank in 2024. Utmost priority to bridge gender gap in India: Centre on WEF Gender Gap report Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur said the government is committed to reducing gender disparity through a "multi-pronged approach" across economic, educational and political domains. "The Government of India has given utmost priority to bridge the gender gap in India, by reducing disparity between men and women and by increasing socio-economic status of women and their participation in various fields," Thakur said in a written reply. She highlighted several initiatives including the enhanced paid maternity leave, cash benefits for mothers under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, and schemes like Sakhi Niwas, Stand Up India and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana to boost women's employment, entrepreneurship, and skill development. Thakur also underlined the government's focus on political empowerment of women, citing the passage of the Constitution Act, 2023 or the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which mandates one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. On the education front, she said schemes like Samagra Shiksha, construction of gender-segregated toilets, and the Vigyan Jyoti initiative are focused on improving enrolment and participation of girls, particularly in STEM fields. Responding specifically to the impact of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme on India's gender ranking, Thakur said it had transformed from a policy into a "national movement." She said the scheme has contributed to behavioural change, with the sex ratio at birth improving from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24 and gross enrolment of girls in secondary education rising from 75.51 per cent to 78 per cent during the same period. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Economic Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
30 companies penalised in three years over non-compliance with CSR rules
Synopsis The government has taken action against 30 companies in the last three fiscal years, up to FY25, for failing to comply with corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending regulations. According to Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra, the penalties were initiated after examining records, receiving complaints, and following due legal processes as per the Companies Act. ANI Representational image The Centre has penalised 30 companies over the past three years through FY25 for non-compliance of rules governing the corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending, minister of state for corporate affairs Harsh Malhotra told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. In a written reply, he said: "Penal action is initiated as per provisions of the (Companies) Act, following due process of law after examination of records and / or receipt of complaint against the companies and officers-in-default."
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
30 companies penalised in three years over non-compliance with CSR rules
(You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Centre has penalised 30 companies over the past three years through FY25 for non-compliance of rules governing the corporate social responsibility CSR ) spending, minister of state for corporate affairs Harsh Malhotra told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. In a written reply, he said: "Penal action is initiated as per provisions of the (Companies) Act, following due process of law after examination of records and / or receipt of complaint against the companies and officers-in-default."
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Transport ministry approves UP's AI-based project to improve road safety
Lucknow, The Centre has approved an AI-based pilot project for the Uttar Pradesh Transport Department to reduce road accidents and improve enforcement efficiency, officials said on Tuesday. Transport ministry approves UP's AI-based project to improve road safety The Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways on Monday issued a formal No Objection for the UP Transport Department's Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics based Road Safety Pilot Project. This is the first AI-driven road safety experiment ever undertaken by a state transport department in India. The pilot project will be implemented at zero cost by the public sector enterprise ITI Limited in partnership with global technology firm mLogica, according to a statement issued by the Uttar Pradesh government. The state government has already earmarked ₹10 crore in its 2025-26 Budget to establish a "data-driven administrative model" for the Transport Department, it noted. Initial prototype of the model, scheduled for six weeks, will integrate multi-source data accident records, weather feeds, vehicle telematics, driver profiles and roadway attributes to build AI models that pinpoint root causes of accidents, forecast black spots and generate realtime policy dashboards. Upon completion, the AI engine will be rolled out in a phased manner across all core functions of the Transport Department, including faceless licensing and permits, modernised enforcement, revenue collection, e-challan operations and the 'Vahan Sarathi' registries. A comprehensive outcome report will be submitted to the MoRTH at the end of the pilot project, while legal compliance, data privacy and cybersecurity standards will be continuously audited, the statement added. The ministry also asserted that the initiative must fully comply with the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 and all road safety standard operating procedures and it will entail no financial liability for the MoRTH. Building on the evidence generated during the testing phase, the AI will be embedded into other digital assets. The project will integrate the engine with the paperless licensing and permit mechanism, allowing systems to run on self-learning decision models, statement added. Concurrently, the enforcement wing will deploy realtime fraud detection, vehicle positioning and predictive policing based on propensity to violate traffic laws, giving field officers data-backed alarms for on-the-spot action. By fusing these data-sets, the department will gain a virtual dashboard covering income flows, infractions and credential status thus sharpening policy design, according to the statement. Transport Commissioner Brajesh Narain Singh stated, "This initiative will place Uttar Pradesh at the fore front of data-driven governance. By integrating the AI model beyond road safety into every core function of the department, we aim to make our state a national trail blazer in technological innovation." The ITI limited and mLogica team have been authorised to begin work immediately in coordination with the department, the statement noted. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Explained: Why India's 2027 emission target has automakers on edge
India wants to cut vehicle emissions by 33 per cent by 2027, but carmakers say the targets are too steep, too soon, and could hurt jobs, raise prices, and stall the industry's green transition New Delhi India sets ambitious 2027 emission target India wants its cars to breathe cleaner by 2027. To that end, the Centre has proposed slashing average carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 33 per cent. As one of the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters, and with a $137-billion auto sector playing a key role, the push for greener alternatives is gaining urgency. But automakers aren't fully on board. Under the new fuel efficiency standards—Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE-III)—scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2027, manufacturers must lower average carbon emissions to 91.7 grams per kilometre (g/km), from the current 113.1 g/km. While the government frames this as a vital climate commitment, the auto industry warns that the timeline is too narrow and the targets too aggressive—risking an adversarial policy clash. What the government aims to achieve The Centre's proposal, while straightforward on paper, is complex in practice. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways aims to implement the third phase of CAFE standards by 2027, aligned with the globally recognised WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) protocol—considered more realistic than India's older MIDC testing model. Officials insist this move is essential. With transport contributing over 10 per cent of total emissions, the government believes tighter norms will accelerate innovation and electric vehicle (EV) adoption. Why India's carmakers are concerned For manufacturers, the challenge is as much economic as it is technological. Carmakers say that achieving a 33 per cent reduction within three years will require a drastic overhaul of production systems, powertrains, and portfolios—demands they argue are neither time- nor cost-feasible. Maruti Suzuki has asked for relaxed norms for sub-1,000kg vehicles to shield models like Alto and WagonR. Meanwhile, Tata, Mahindra, Hyundai, Toyota, Renault, Honda, and Kia oppose any weight-based exemption, citing competitive distortion. Toyota is also pushing for greater hybrid incentives. Falling short of targets could trigger steep penalties. Given high input costs and a recovering post-pandemic market, several firms fear profit erosion. Worries also extend to downstream impacts—possible job losses, price hikes, and reduced availability of budget vehicles. What it means for Indian car buyers For Indian consumers, this regulatory shift could mean higher prices, particularly for entry-level cars. If automakers divert resources toward lower-emission or higher-margin vehicles, affordability could take a hit. On the upside, stricter norms could spur faster investment in EVs, hybrids, and clean-fuel tech—potentially improving air quality and expanding green vehicle options. But whether these advances remain accessible to the mass market remains uncertain. What automakers are proposing instead Industry groups are urging a phased approach, starting with a 15 per cent emissions cut. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has formally petitioned the government to reconsider targets set under ENVISION 2030. Citing gaps in fuel quality, charging infrastructure, and supply chain readiness—especially for hybrid and EV platforms—automakers argue that a gradual transition will better serve India's dual goals of climate leadership and industrial growth. Why lighter vehicles face fewer hurdles—and more debate CAFE-III targets vary based on vehicle weight. Lighter vehicles are expected to meet lower emission targets than heavier ones, triggering tension among manufacturers. Some large-volume carmakers argue this favours lightweight players and could disincentivise innovation in premium segments—already burdened by electrification and safety compliance costs. Hybrids, ethanol cars and the 'green credit' tug-of-war A parallel debate surrounds which technologies deserve green credits. While EVs receive favourable offsets in fleet emission calculations, the industry wants similar recognition for hybrids, CNG vehicles, and ethanol-blended fuel cars. Many automakers argue that in a country with limited charging infrastructure, hybrids and ethanol vehicles offer a more realistic green pathway. The government has yet to clarify how these alternatives will be accounted for under CAFE-III. Is an ICE ban looming by 2040? Adding to the anxiety is talk of a 2040 phaseout of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. While not yet policy, the possibility has emerged in several government forums. Automakers caution that such signalling could deter near-term investments in ICE upgrades still critical for rural and semi-urban markets. Without incentives or a concrete roadmap, supply chains could be disrupted and consumers left uncertain. The road ahead The government wants cleaner air and global credibility on climate action. The auto industry is asking for more time, clearer rules, and infrastructure support. What emerges from this policy standoff will shape not just India's car market—but the nation's mobility future.
