MNEWS

RM appreciates National Level Open Challenge Competition "Solution to Problem: DefExpo 2018" Winners Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman today gave away prizes for National Level Open Challenge Competition "Solution to Problem: DefExpo 2018" during DefExpo India 2018 at Thiruvidanthai, Kancheepuram district on the East Coast Road near Chennai. Raksha Mantri said that much more than anything else in the DefExpo this was the most interesting aspect. She appreciated the students for their contributions for the betterment in the field of science and technology in general and defence technology in particular and mentioned that she was seeing better future for the country as most of these young minds have come up with such ingenious solutions in spite of tied up with the academic schedules. Smt Sitharaman encouraged the winners to keep up the good work and said Ministry of Defence would be always looking forward to engaging such brilliant minds in fu...

Plans to install at least 5 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2022 The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) an autonomous body under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has called for ‘Expression of Interest’ (EoI) for the first offshore wind energy project of India. The global EoI is intended to shortlist prospective offshore wind energy developers for a  1000 MW offshore wind energy project in Gulf of Khambat, off the coast of Gujarat . The proposed area is located 23-40 km seaward side from Pipavav port. MNRE plans to install at least 5 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2022.  As per the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy notified on October, 2015, National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), Chennai is the nodal agency to carry out the necessary studies/surveys before final bidding and act as a single window for facilitating necessary clearances required for development of offshore wind project in India. The first offshore LiDAR was instal...

The Central Information Commission (CIC) is holding a seminar here tomorrow on the topic “Health and Right to Information Act”. The Seminar is aimed at Health and Right to Information Act 2005, with a view to improve governance in the Health sector. Prof. M. Sridhar Acharyulu , Information Commissioner, CIC, Dr. Sheela Priya, State Chief Information Commissioner, Tamil Nadu, Shri Alok Saxena, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health (AIDS Control and Ayushman Bharat), Dr. Sabahat S. Azim, Chief Executive Officer, Global Healthcare System, Dr. Manu Mathur, Sr. Research Scientist and Associate Professor & Ms. Neha Tomar, Manager (Legal ), Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Mr. Sunil Nandraj, Ex- Advisor, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and Dr. Jayant Kumar Dass, Director, National Institute of Health Family Welfare (NIHFW) are scheduled to participate in the Seminar and give their presentation. Dr. V. K. Paul, Member, Niti Aayog and Shri Indu Bhushan,...

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of a Cooperation Arrangement between Food Safety & Standards Authority of India ( FSSAI ), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare ( MoH&FW) and Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation & Livestock (MAIL), Afghanistan for cooperation in the field of Food Safety and related areas. The areas of cooperation include the following: Establishment of a mechanism of information exchange and communication; Facilitating technical exchange  on identified topics  of interestespecially about import procedures, quality control operations, sampling,testing, packaging and labeling; Facilitating/organization of joint seminars, workshops, visits, lectures,training programme, etc; Other areas of interest to the participants within their responsibilitiesas they may mutually determine. The cooperation arrangement will facilitate information sharing training and capacity ...

ramnath kovind The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind , graced and addressed the 34 th  annual session of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) today (April 5, 2018) in New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that women constitute half our country. They contribute to our economy at work and at home, in many diverse ways. Yet, when it comes to business and commerce, it is regrettable that women have not been given their due. We need to create conditions for more and more of our daughters and sisters to come into the workforce. We need to push harder to ensure appropriate, encouraging and safe conditions at home, in society and at the work-place to enhance the percentage of working women. The President said that if more women become part of the workforce, both household incomes and our GDP will rise. We will become a more prosperous nation. Much greater than that, we will become a more equal society. The President said that we need to take the ...

Shri Nitin Gadkari announces adoption of international system of counting of Lane Kilometres Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways , Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin Gadkari has said that over 9829 kilometres National Highways were constructed during the year 2017-18. This represents 20 per cent growth over the last year, when 8231 kilometres were constructed. 17055 kilometres road length was awarded in the year, against 15948 kilometres last year. Expenditure of Rs 1,16,324 crore was incurred on construction of National Highways during the year 2017-18. Addressing media in New Delhi today, the Minister announced adoption of international system of counting of Lane Kilometres from the coming Financial Year onwards. He said, the ministry has so far been calculating construction of National Highways in linear length, which did not truly reflected the amount of work completed. Shri Gadkari informed that the wor...

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh made a statement in the Lok Sabha today on violence during Bharat Bandh. Following is the full text of the statement: “Madam, Yesterday, there have been incidences of violence and arson in some parts of the country. During Bharat Bandh , 8 people lost their lives in violence. (M.P 06, U.P 01 & Rajasthan 01). During the bandh, there have been clashes between the police and the protesters. I would like to convey my deep condolences for the people who have lost their lives. I fully appreciate that there is widespread anger amongst the people, following the Supreme Court order. I wish to inform the house that Government of India was not party in that case. People have taken to the streets. Through the House, I want to assure the people that there has been no dilution in whatsoever by my Government, rather after coming to power and examining the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, we have taken a decision to strengthe...

Violent protests erupted today during a nationwide bandh called by several  Dalit organisations against the alleged "dilution" of the SCs/STs Act.   Following the SC order, the violent protests today hit life across the country with some states ordered closure of educational institutions and curtailed communication and transport services, including rail, incidents of arson and vandalism were reported from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Utar Pradesh, Bihar and Punjab, among other states.  Hundreds of protesters carrying swords, sticks, baseball bats and flags forced shopkeepers and other establishments to shut down in several cities of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Odisha and Jharkhand. There were also reports of shooting, arson and clashes with police forces.   Political leaders like Mayawati and Mamata Banerjee expressed themselves on the prevailing agitation. Taking a dig at PM Modi, West Bengal chi...