(HT) Markets must work for the many and not just for the few, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said adding that sudden spike in online business and digital commerce globally have posed new challenges for competition watchdogs in protecting free markets. Democratising the market principle is the key to safeguard the spirit of liberalisation, she added, referring to India’s policy shift in 1990s. “The enactment of the Competition Act in 2002 was a landmark reform in India’s journey from a centrally planned regime… to a market-driven one, and making the Competition Commission a key institution in safeguarding the…
Author: Aruna Sharma
(HT) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the future of a healthy world depends on inclusion, integrated vision and collaboration and added that this year’s theme of World Health Assembly, “One World For Health”, resonates with India’s vision for global health. Addressing the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, via videoconferencing on Tuesday, PM Modi said, “When I addressed this gathering in 2023, I had spoken about One Earth, One Health. The future of a healthy world depends on inclusion, integrated vision, and collaboration.” Emphasising that inclusion is at the core of India’s health reforms, Modi highlighted the Ayushman…
(NDTV) After 12 days, the beating retreat ceremony resumed on Tuesday at the joint check post of the Punjab Frontier, Attari in Amritsar. The retreat ceremony was held for media personnel, whereas the general public was not allowed to attend the ceremony. During the flag-lowering ceremony, there was no handshake exercise between the Border Security Force troops and Pakistani Rangers, while international gates on both sides remained shut. Also, there will be no exchange of sweets or gifts on any occasion. In the present circumstances, this programme of the Border Security Force has been once again opened to the public, so…
(PIB) The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has released provisional payroll data for March 2025, revealing a net addition of 14.58 lakh members. The year-on-year analysis reveals an increase of 1.15% in net payroll additions compared to March 2024, signifying increased employment opportunities and heightened awareness of employee benefits, bolstered by EPFO’s effective outreach initiatives. Key highlights of the EPFO Payroll Data (March 2025) are as follows: New Subscribers: EPFO enrolled around 7.54 lakh new subscribers in March 2025, representing a 2.03% increase over February 2025 and 0.98% year over year growth compared to the previous year in March 2024. This growth in…
(PIB) The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, in collaboration with the Embassy of France and the Embassy of Costa Rica in India, hosted the “Second Blue Talks” on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Prithvi Bhawan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. This event aimed to serve as a milestone in the lead-up to the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), which will be held in Nice, France, from June 09-13, 2025. Building upon the success of the first Blue Talks held in February 2024, the second meeting convened leading scientists, policymakers, global stakeholders, and representatives from government, academia, industry, and…
(PIB) Hon’ble Chief Minister of Mizoram, Shri Lalduhoma on Tuesday, 20th May 2025, officially declared Mizoram a fully literate state, marking a historic milestone in the state’s educational journey. With this achievement, Mizoram becomes the first state in India to attain full literacy. The announcement was made during a special function held in Aizawl, the state capital, in the esteemed presence of Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, Dr. Vanlalthlana, Hon’ble Minister of School Education, Higher & Technical Education, Mizoram, Shri Khilli…
(HT) The European Union has fast-tracked the India-EU free trade talks with the possibility of an early harvest deal being announced soon, and negotiators of both sides are meeting in Brussels this week towards this objective, just days after concluding the 11th negotiating round in New Delhi on May 16, people aware of the development said. The EU doesn’t want to be left out after its erstwhile member, the United Kingdom successful concluded India-UK free trade negotiations on May 6 and the bilateral trade talks between the United States and India are at an advanced stage, they said requesting anonymity.…
(PIB) Shri Manohar Lal, Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs led the Indian Delegation for the BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting hosted in Brasília on 19 May 2025 under Brazil’s Presidency. The Union Minister highlighted energy security as one of the most pressing current challenges and emphasized the need to strengthen BRICS cooperation to ensure economic stability and sustainability, as well as to promote equitable access to energy resources globally. He reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive energy future and lauded Brazil’s leadership under the theme, ‘Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable…
(TOI) Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said 500 consumers installed rooftop solar plants and registered for the PM Surya Ghar Mufti Bijli Yojana , receiving benefits under the scheme. Goa is generating 5.7 megawatts of solar power and has received Rs 3.8 crore central financial assistance to date, he said. Sawant added that Goa’s power requirement as of now is 663.3 megawatts, of which 559.9 megawatts are being procured from thermal power sources, 61.6 megawatts from renewable energy sources, and 41.6 megawatts from nuclear sources. “We need to reduce the reliance on thermal energy and move to alternative sources…
(ET) The Steel Ministry is mulling formation of a separate vertical at Steel Authority of India Ltd with a focus on mining operations for boosting the production of iron ore, according to an official. A proposal is being discussed at the ministry level for the formation of a mining vertical in SAIL for better operations, the senior government official said. SAIL is one the largest integrated steel companies with captive iron ore blocks in India. “The Ministry is discussing it with the company (SAIL). The structure of the vertical is being discussed at present and then it will be sent…