Government Policy

The Congress on Tuesday denied reports that Finance Ministers from Opposition-ruled States at the GST Council had objected to recently announced reduction in tax rates of several items. “An impression has been sought to be conveyed that the BJP was trying to reduce the taxes while the Congress or Opposition …

The Enforcement Directorate, which is now questioning AgustaWestland accused Christian Michel, has so far been able to unearth the money trail allegedly establishing a link between the other two alleged middlemen in the deal and cousins of former Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi. However, all those who are suspected to …

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday underlined the NDA government’s focus on improving connectivity in the northeastern region while inaugurating the 4.94 km Bogibeel Bridge, India’s longest rail-cum-road span, across the Brahmaputra. The strategic bridge, which connects Dibrugarh district on the river’s south bank in Assam to Dhemaji district on …

Pointing that a number of lynching incidents were reported in 2018 mostly due to fake news being circulated through WhatsApp and other social media sites, the government said social media has brought new challenges for the law enforcement agencies, including inducement for recruitment of terrorists, circulation of obscene content, spread …

India’s longest rail-road bridge that took Rs. 5,920 crore to build was born “small” on paper – a scribbled note in Parliament after a dramatic display of anger – 22 years ago. The 4.94 km Bogibeel, the fourth bridge across river Brahmaputra to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi …

WhatsApp, FB will be asked to remove ‘unlawful’ content under proposed rules The government has sought public comments on the proposed amendments to the IT Act that seek to make it mandatory for platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter to trace “originator” of “unlawful” information, while also removing such …

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the institution of a national unity award on the lines of the Padma awards, an official statement said on Sunday. The annual award would be given to any Indian who has contributed to national unity in any manner, the statement said, adding that the …

Watching films in cinema halls is set to get cheaper with the government slashing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on tickets. The GST comes down to 18% from 28% for tickets exceeding Rs. 100 and has been lowered to 12% from 18% for those up to Rs. 100.The decision …

Only one out of 39 locations through which the Ganga flows had clean water in the post-monsoon period this year, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has said in its latest study.As many as 37 of the 41 locations through which the river flows reported moderate to severe water pollution …

The packaging of milk has largely been a tale dominated by plastic.While pasteurised milk sealed in polyethylene pouches is still the mainstay of the doorstep delivery of milk at most homes across the country, consumers, especially in urban areas, have increasingly warmed to milk in Tetra Pak cartons, which help …

Relaxing the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for foreigners visiting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands had “nothing to do with the killing of U.S. national John Allen Chau, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a response in Parliament. The RAP is mandatory for foreign nationals visiting certain areas, including Andaman …

The Centre has sought Parliament’s nod for an additional equity infusion of Rs. 2,345 crore for debt-laden Air India (AI) and a separate sum of Rs. 1,300 crore for a special purpose vehicle (SPV) which houses the national carrier’s debt and non-core assets. Special purpose vehicle The SPV, Air India …

The government had announced a Rs. 2.11 lakh crore capitalisation plan in October 2017, of which Rs. 1.35 lakh was to be raised through recapitalisation bonds and the remaining was to be raised by the banks either through the market or the sale of non-core assets. So far, the banks …

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued safety guidelines for Isotretinoin, an oral drug, which is used in the treatment of severe acne. Drug Controller General Dr. S. Eswara Reddy has directed Drug Controllers of all the States and the Union Territories to monitor the sale, manufacture and …

Despite coming to power in 2014 on an anti-corruption plank, the NDA government has not only failed to set up the Lokpal during its tenure, but did not hold even a single meeting of the search committee to find a candidate for the anti-corruption ombudsman, according to the response to …

The Rajya Sabha did not function for the eight consecutive day on Thursday. Opposition members say the government has failed to make any effort to run the House, and many point the finger at Chairman Venkaiah Naidu. The BJP is not ready to resolve the issues, the Congress has alleged. …

Upset over repeated disruptions and washout of proceedings, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Thursday met leaders of all parties including Congress leader in the House Mallikarjun Kharge and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. The Speaker has learnt to have conveyed to the leaders that the image of the …

Political parties joining any opposition alliance must commit to a one-time comprehensive farm loan waiver and agree to implement the M.S. Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations on minimum support prices, said Maharashtra farmer leader Raju Shetti. “That must be on the election manifesto. That is our main condition for joining the gathbandhan …

The Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI), which houses one of South Asia’s largest and most invaluable agglomeration of rare manuscripts, opened its treasure vault digitally by launching an e-library of ancient religious and historical works on Wednesday. Nearly 1,000 rare books and manuscripts in Sanskrit and its related languages are …

Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Wednesday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that the government was trying to reduce goods and services tax (GST) on 99% of the items below 18% as ‘belated wisdom’. “Having scrambled the egg needlessly when GST was introduced, government is trying to unscramble it! …