Notifications & Circulars

Press Information Bureau

14.02.2019

Civil

Government hikes Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Sugar to Rs. 31 per Kilo for the year 2019-20

MANU/PIBU/0328/2019

With the aim of benefitting Sugar farmers and in order to clear their arrears/cane dues, the Union Government has decided to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Sugar from Rs. 29 to Rs. 31 for the year 2019-20. This announcement was made by the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan today evening. The Department of Food, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has made this key decision of increasing MSP by Rs. 2 in order to provide more liquidity to the Sugar Mills so that they are able to pay the arrears or dues to the Sugarcane farmers.

Addressing media after the announcement, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan asserted that the main objective of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government is to ensure farmers' welfare and growth and this move is another step in that direction. Shri Paswan expressed confidence that the hike in MSP will lead to increased income and savings for the Sugar Mills which will then be passed on to the Sugarcane farmers.

The Department of Food and the State governments will also be able to monitor the sale of Sugar at the new, revised MSP rate so as to ensure that the Sugar Mills are utilising their increased liquidity to pay farmers' dues. As on 13th February, 2019, the Farmers' dues amount to Rs. 20167 crores while the same computed at FRP amounts to Rs. 18157 crores.

The Union Minister also condemned the attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama, Kashmir. Shri Paswan asserted that the sacrifices of our brave soldiers will not go in vain and expressed solidarity with the families of the brave martyrs.

Tags : Hike MSP Sugar

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Ministry Of Home Affairs

14.02.2019

Civil

Exercise of power under Section 7 and 8 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 by the State Governments and the Union territory Administrations in relation to SIMI

MANU/HOME/0015/2019

Whereas, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government has declared the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) to be an unlawful association vide notification number S.O. 564(E), dated the 31st January, 2019, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section-3, Sub-section (ii), dated the 31st January, 2019;

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 42 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the Central Government hereby directs that all powers exercisable by it under section 7 and section 8 of the said Act shall be exercised also by the State Governments and the Union territory Administrations in relation to the above said unlawful association.

Tags : Power Enactment SIMI

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Reserve Bank of India

14.02.2019

Banking

National Centre for Financial Education (NCFE) - eLearning Management System and Content Development

MANU/RPRL/0041/2019

The National Centre for Financial Education (NCFE) was setup in 2013 with support from all the financial sector regulators i.e., RBI, SEBI, IRDAI and PFRDA for implementation of the National Strategy for Financial Education (NSFE). It functions under the aegis of the Technical Group on Financial Inclusion and Financial Literacy (TGFIFL) of the sub-committee of the FSDC (Financial Stability and Development Council). NCFE is now a section 8 (Not for Profit) Company, incorporated on September 05, 2018.

NCFE has invited proposals for NCFE eLearning Management System and Content Development, the details of the same can be found in the website of NCFE as under- https://www.ncfe.org.in/tenders

Tags : NCFE ELearning Establishment

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Press Information Bureau

12.02.2019

Environment

Government releases comprehensive publication on various initiatives taken towards combating and adapting to climate change

MANU/PIBU/0291/2019

Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change released a publication today in New Delhi on climate actions in India titled "India - Spearheading Climate Solutions". This publication "India - Spearheading Climate Solutions" mentions the key actions India has taken under various sectors towards combating and adapting to climate change.

Releasing the publication Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that India has been one of the proactive countries in the world that has been working on multiple aspects of climate change at domestic as well as international level. Expressing happiness over the release Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that this publication not only highlights our achievements towards climate action but also our preparedness for future. "The initiatives captured in this publication are reflection of our commitment towards addressing climate change concerns while keeping a fine balance with the sustainable development priorities", said the Union Minister.

Further, the Environment minister said that we all know that climate change has become a global problem and the continuing change in climate across the world is posing threat to our environment and society. "Today, it's easy to get disheartened or fearful about climate change but, I always believe that there is a solution to every problem; you just need to find it.", said Dr. Vardhan.

In the last four years, many clean and green development initiatives taken at both the state and national level have significantly contributed to the adaptation and mitigation of climate change. A number of new policies and initiatives in various sectors like e-mobility, green transportation, renewable energy, waste management, afforestation, water, etc. have also been introduced to minimise the impact of climate change.

In the recent past the Government of India has taken number of initiatives to combat the challenge of climate change. Some of the key initiatives of Government of India include the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), National Adaptation Fund on Climate Change (NAFCC), Climate Change Action Programme (CCAP) and State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC)

The ambitious goal of generating 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022, smart cities, electric vehicles, energy efficiency initiatives, leapfrogging from Bharat Stage -IV to Bharat Stage-VI emission norms by April 2020 etc. have been undertaken proactively to minimise the impact of climate change.

The renewable energy capacity stands at more than 74 GW today which includes about 25 GW from solar. India's forest and tree cover has increased by 1 percent as compared to assessment of 2015. Schemes like UJALA for LED distribution has crossed the number of 320 million while UJJWALA for distributing clean cooking stoves to women below poverty line has covered more than 63 million households.

India recently submitted its Second Biennial Update Report (BUR) to UNFCCC in December 2018 as per the reporting obligations under the convention. The report brings out the fact that emission intensity of India's GDP came down by 21% between 2005 & 2014 and India's achievement of climate goal for pre-2020 period is on track.

Some of the major initiatives included in the publication are:

India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) which covers eight major missions on Solar, Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Habitat, Water, Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, Green India, Sustainable Agriculture and Strategic Knowledge on Climate Change.

International Solar Alliances (ISA)

State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC)

FAME Scheme - for E-mobility

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT) - for Smart Cities

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana - for access to clean cooking fuel

UJALA scheme - for embracing energy efficient LED bulbs

Swachh Bharat Mission

Tags : Publication Releases Climate change Combat

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Press Information Bureau

12.02.2019

Civil

Monitoring of Healthcare Service provided under PPP Mode

MANU/PIBU/0292/2019

Public Health and Hospitals is State subject. The National Health Mission offers flexibility to the States to provide healthcare services under Public Private Partnership mode depending upon its requirements.

Under the National Health Mission (NHM), technical and financial support is provided to States/UTs to strengthen their healthcare systems, based on the requirements posed by the States/UTs in their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs). This includes support for provision of healthcare services through Public Private Partnership mode for projects/programmes such as Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme, Free Diagnostic Service for high end low volume tests like Teleradiology Services & CT Scan Services, Ambulance Services, Biomedical Equipment Management Maintenance Programme, National Quality Assurance Programme and other ancillary services duly sharing the suggested guidelines with them.

States may contract in or outsource those services which improve efficiency and quality of care in public health facilities or close the existing critical gaps. The areas of overall supervision and monitoring of these PPP arrangements, including identification of services, private partner, terms of engagement, payment, etc. lie within the jurisdiction of the respective State Government.

Further under Revised National TB Control Programme, there is a provision of engagement of NGOs/private providers for expanding free diagnosis or treatment services under the National Guidelines on Partnerships.

Government of India has enacted Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 and notified the Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012 for registration and regulation of clinical establishments including private healthcare establishments. The provisions of the said Act and rules, are given below:

Government of India has enacted Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 and notified the Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012 for registration and regulation of clinical establishments including private healthcare establishments. The States may adopt the Act under clause (1) of Article 252 of the Constitution.

The Act provides for registration and regulation of the clinical establishments providing both therapeutic and/or diagnostic services belonging to all recognised systems of medicine from both Government and private sector (except those of Armed Forces) with a view to prescribe minimum standards of facilities and services as may be provided by them.

In accordance with the aforesaid rules, the States/Union Territories where the said Act is in force, the clinical establishments are inter-alia required to follow Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) issued by the Central/State Governments, display the rates charged for each type of services provided and facilities available, at a conspicuous place and charge rate for each type of procedure and service within the range of rates determined from time to time in consultation with the State Governments. The National Council for Clinical Establishments has approved a standard list of medical procedures and standard template for costing of medical procedures and shared the same with the States and Union Territories for appropriate action by them.

At present, the Clinical Establishments Act is applicable in 11 States viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Rajasthan, Assam and Haryana and all Union Territories (except Delhi).

Tags : Healthcare Service PPP Mode Monitoring of

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Press Information Bureau

11.02.2019

Media and Communication

Manufacturing of Mobile Handsets

MANU/PIBU/0272/2019

One hundred twenty-seven units are manufacturing mobile handsets in the country and all of them are operating from the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA). As per information received from the Department of Commerce, M/s. Flextronics Technologies (I) Pvt. Ltd. and M/s. Pertech Exports Pvt. Ltd. have been granted letter of approval for manufacture of mobile handsets in SEZs.

As per information received from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the mobile handset manufacturing operations in DTA are governed by the applicable duty structure. The benefits available to manufacturers of mobile handsets include rationalized tariff structure and a Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) and their sub-assemblies, parts, availing Capex benefits under the Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS), 100% FDI permitted for manufacture of mobile handsets and their sub-assemblies, parts, export incentive of 4% of FoB value of export under the Merchandise Export from India Scheme (MEIS) and specified capital goods for manufacture of mobile handsets are permitted for import at 'Nil' Basic Customs Duty (BCD).

Benefits available to the units under SEZ Act, 2005 & SEZ Rules, 2006 include duty free import and domestic procurement of goods for development, operation and maintenance of SEZ units, 100% Income Tax exemption on export income for SEZ units under Section 10AA of the Income Tax Act for first 5 years, 50% for next 5 years thereafter and 50% of the ploughed back export profit for next 5 years, exemption from GST and supplies to SEZs are zero rated under IGST Act, 2017 and exemption from other levies as imposed by the respective State Governments.

MeitY has received representations from industry, industry associations, including M/s Samsung India Electronics Pvt Ltd in respect of Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) for 2019-20. MeitY has informed that its proposal to defer PMP for cellular mobile handsets, its sub-assemblies and parts, sub-parts, inputs of the sub-assemblies thereof has been accepted by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

Import of LCD, LED TVs from Free Trade Agreement (FTA) countries including China is 3.68 lakh units in 2017-18 and it is 7.58 lakh units during April to October, 2018. Although Samsung has stopped production of TVs in India and import from Vietnam has risen during 2017-18, Government has undertaken several initiatives to promote domestic electronics manufacturers. Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology has implemented incentives schemes, increased FDI up to 100% and introduced 'Nil' Basic Customs Duty for notified capital goods. Proactive steps are taken in R&D with grant-in-aid to premier technology institutes to support "Make in India". National Centre for Excellence have been set up in areas of Flexible Electronics (NCFleXE), Technology for Internal Security (NCETIS), Next Generation AMOLED Displays, OLED Lighting and OPV Products and Internet of Things (IoT).

Tags : Manufacturing Mobile Handsets

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Press Information Bureau

11.02.2019

Customs

Computer based Examination under Regulation 6 of the Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations, 2018 (As Amended)

MANU/PIBU/0273/2019

Reference is invited to the Notice dated 27.04.2018 and Corrigendum dated 11.12.2018 inviting applications for the Customs Brokers Examination to be conducted by Directorate General of Performance Management. Vide Notification No.8/2019-Customs (N.T.) dated 6/2/2019 issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN) has been authorized to conduct said examination under Regulation 6 of the Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations, 2018.

The Examination shall be conducted on 15.03.2019 at designated Examination Centers across India. The examination will be a Computer Based Exam with Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) of 3 hours (10:30 -13:30) duration. There will be 150 questions of 2 marks each and to pass the exam, a candidate will be required to score minimum 180 marks. There will be no negative marking. The syllabus of examination will be as prescribed in Regulation No. 6 (7) of the Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations, 2018. Those qualifying in said examination will have to appear for oral examination in terms of Regulation 6 of said Regulations.

A dummy Question paper for the purpose of awareness of candidates will also be made available on the CBIC and NACIN websites under the icon/tab , from 20th February, 2019. A link to download the admit card will also be provided therein. Admit cards shall also be sent by email to applicants 15 days in advance before the date of examination. For convenience of candidates, other necessary details like list of centers, guidelines to the candidates, help desk email Id etc will be made available under the said icon/tab.

Tags : Examination Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations

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Press Information Bureau

11.02.2019

Civil

Government has reconstituted the Indian Council of Historical Research

MANU/PIBU/0276/2019

As per Rule 3 of Rules of ICHR, New Delhi, 1972, the Government has reconstituted the Council of Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), New Delhi for a period of three years w.e.f. the date of the first meeting of the re-constituted Council i.e. 07.01.2019 to 06.01.2022 and the composition of the Council is as follows:

An eminent historian nominated by the Government of India who shall be Chairman of the Council;

Eighteen historians nominated by the Government of India;

A Representative of the U.G.C;

Director-General of Archaeology;

Director, National Archives;

Four persons to represent Government who shall be nominated by the Government of India and which shall include one representative each of the Ministry of Education, the Department of Culture and the Ministry of Finance; and Member Secretary.

Tags : Historical Research Council Constitution

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