A parliamentary panel has questioned the coal ministry for not taking due care of its responsibility as a watchdog for Coal Mines Provident Fund Organisation (CMPFO). The panel has stressed that financial irregularities could have been avoided if the government had been vigilant enough in monitoring the activities of CMPFO. CMPFO is a body that […]
Inflation measured by wholesale price index (WPI) shot up to 7.39% in March 2021, the highest rate since October 2012, primarily on higher prices of crude oil, but also aided by a low base. Rise in prices of some manufactured goods and food items like pulses and fruits also pushed the index. Retail (CPI) inflation […]
Germany-based global life science major Bayer AG has signed a statement of intent (SoI) for a strategic partnership with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), the government’s programme to create and promote innovation and entrepreneurship. The SoI will span promotion of science education, advancing digital solutions and agri-tech to strengthen supply chains, and healthcare projects, the company […]
Commodity prices continued their recovery in the first quarter of 2021 and are expected to remain close to current levels throughout the year, lifted by the global economic rebound and improved growth prospects, according to the World Bank’s semi-annual Commodity Markets Outlook. However, the outlook is heavily dependent on progress in containing the COVID-19 pandemic as […]
India has denounced attempts to link climate issues to economic recovery amid the coronavirus pandemic at the forthcoming G20 talks, saying it will impose a huge developmental cost on developing countries. The US administration has been pushing for a strong climate agenda as part of the process of recovery from the pandemic. According to a […]
India has kept the nutrient-based subsidy rates unchanged for phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers for the current 2021-22 fiscal till further orders. For the last fiscal, the government had fixed the subsidy rate for nitrogen (N) at Rs 18.78 per kg, phosphate (P) at Rs 14.88 a kg, potash (K) at Rs 10.11 per kg […]
An inter-ministerial Empowered Group 2 (EG2) has initiated several measures to ensure the supply of medical oxygen to various affected states during the Covid-19 pandemic, a Press Information Bureau (PIB) bulletin said on Thursday. Medical oxygen is a critical component in the treatment of Covid affected patients. The surplus stock available with steel plants is being […]
The Indian government is determined to implement compulsory hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts from June 1, amid rumours that the scheme’s rollout could be delayed. Hallmarking for gold jewellery started in April 2000 as a voluntary scheme. Around 40 per cent of gold jewellery sold in the country is being hallmarked at present. “No […]
In order to provide relief to the rooftop solar industry, the Indian government is proposing to allow rooftop solar installations with up to 500 kilowatt (kW) capacity to be billed under ‘net metering’. If the proposal is approved, those who have rooftop solar panels will receive higher tariffs from power distribution companies (discoms) for the […]
The Supreme Court of India stayed the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) last month’s order of stalling operations of Vedanta’s mining plant at Dharbandora in Goa for lack of mandatory environmental clearance. A Bench led by Justice LN Rao, while staying the NGT’s March 4 order, also sought response from Goa Foundation, an NGO, which had […]
