PM Modi Chairs 45th PRAGATI Meeting to Review National Projects
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 45th meeting of PRAGATI, an ICT-based platform aimed at ensuring the timely implementation of government initiatives through collaboration between the Central and State governments.
During the session, eight projects were reviewed, including six Metro Urban Transport projects and one project each focusing on road connectivity and thermal power. The total cost of these projects, spanning various states and union territories, exceeds Rs. 1 lakh crore.
The Prime Minister underscored the impact of project delays, citing cost escalations and delays in public access to the intended benefits. He called for enhanced efficiency at both Central and State levels to minimise delays.
The meeting also covered public grievances in the banking and insurance sectors. PM Modi acknowledged the reduced time in grievance resolution but called for attention to the quality of disposals.
Former Suzuki Motor Chairman Osamu Suzuki Passes Away
Osamu Suzuki, former chairman of Japan's Suzuki Motor, died. He was 94 years old. Suzuki led the company for more than 40 years, until he stepped down as chairman in 2021, transforming the Shizuoka-based company into a global automaker.
Arvind Kejriwal Inducts Bodybuilders, Wrestlers in AAP Ahead of Delhi Polls
Several sportspersons, including wrestlers and bodybuilders, joined the AAP in the presence of party chief Arvind Kejriwal, giving a boost to the party ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls.
Kejriwal welcomed Tilakraj, Rohit Dalal and Akshay Dilawari, who are associated with sports and fitness, at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) office and handed party scarves and caps to them.
Dec 28, 2024
Centre Forms Tribunal to Review ULFA's Status
The Centre set up an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal to determine whether there is sufficient cause to declare the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), including all its factions, wings and front organisations, as an unlawful association.
The tribunal is headed by Justice Michael Zothankhuma of the Gauhati High Court.
The MHA decided to constitute the tribunal almost a month after it extended the ban on the ULFA for the next five years for its role in continuing to work to secede Assam from India and maintain links with other insurgent groups for extortion and violence.
Dec 27, 2024
BJP Got over Rs. 2,600 crore Donation in 2023-24: EC Reports
The ruling BJP received contributions of over Rs. 2,600 crore during 2023-24 while the opposition Congress got Rs. 281.38 crore in its kitty, according to contribution reports of the two parties put in public domain by the Election Commission (EC).
The donations listed in the reports were received till March 31, ahead of the Lok Sabha election. BJP had declared donations worth over Rs. 740 crore ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha poll, while the Congress had claimed to have received over Rs. 146 crore in 2018-19.
IIT Madras and Odisha Government Collaborate for Road Safety Innovations
IIT Madras' RBG Labs joined hands with the Government of Odisha to implement a data-driven, evidence-based approach to improving road safety in the state. This initiative focusses on reducing road accidents and fatalities through strategic interventions and stakeholder engagement.
The partnership is guided by RBG Labs' '5E Model and Transportation Safety Framework' (TSF), which integrates Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Emergency Care, and Empathy to design impactful road safety solutions.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between IIT Madras RBG Labs and Odisha's Commerce and Transport Department, led by Hon'ble Minister Shri Bibhuti Bhusan Jena.
Dec 26, 2024
Manipur CS Named Higher Education Secretary
In a major bureaucratic reshuffle, the central government appointed new secretaries for higher education, revenue, and the department of personnel and training, among others.
The central government shifted Manipur Chief Secretary and a 1992-batch IAS officer Vineet Joshi to Delhi in his new role as Higher Education Department Secretary.
Defence Ministry Launches 'Rashtraparv' Website, Mobile App for Citizens
The Ministry of Defence launched the 'Rashtraparv' website and mobile app to provide citizens with easy access to information about national festivals organised by the ministry.
The initiative aims to keep the public informed about the events, ensuring they have all the necessary details to participate or learn more about the national celebrations facilitated by the Defence Ministry. The platform will offer a user-friendly experience, ensuring accessibility and real-time updates for users.
Arunish Chawla New Revenue Secretary, Neerja Sekhar Productivity Council Chief
Neerja Sekhar, a 1993-batch Haryana cadre IAS officer, was appointed the Director General of National Productivity Council (NPC).
Sekhar was special secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting before being appointed as NPC chief.
Arunish Chawla was appointed the revenue secretary in the finance ministry. He was secretary in the pharmaceutical department of the ministry of chemicals and fertilisers. He will continue to hold the additional charge of the secretary in the ministry of culture.
Rachna Sah appointed secretary in the department of personnel and training. She was earlier secretary in the textiles ministry.
Dec 25, 2024
President Announces Governors for 5 States
In a significant reshuffle, President Droupadi Murmu appointed two new Governors and reassigned three others, reorganising the leadership in five states.
Ajay Kumar Bhalla, a seasoned administrator, was appointed as the new Governor of Manipur, replacing Anusuiya Uikey.
Another key appointment is Arif Mohammed Khan, the Governor of Kerala, who was reassigned to Bihar.
Other key appointments include Hari Babu Kambhampati, the Governor of Mizoram, who was transferred to Odisha, and General (Dr.) Vijay Kumar Singh, a decorated retired officer, who will now serve as the Governor of Mizoram. Meanwhile, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the Governor of Bihar, was reassigned to Kerala.
Republic Day 2025: Tableaux Theme 'Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas'
The theme for showcasing tableaux at the 2025 Republic Day Parade is 'Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas', and 15 states and UTs have been selected for presenting them on the Kartavya Path on January 26, the defence ministry said. These states and UTs are -- Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Dadar Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.