Category: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Around one lakh marine fishing vessels across India will soon be equipped with indigenously developed transponders under the Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS), following the Union government’s approval of a nationwide rollout plan aimed at enhancing fishermen’s safety, communication and navigation.

The Union Department of Fisheries on Thursday approved the national rollout of the VCSS under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) at an estimated cost of Rs 364 crore.

The project includes the installation of transponders on marine fishing vessels, establishment of earth stations and associated communication infrastructure, and development of the ‘Nabhmitra’ mobile application in regional languages.

Under the scheme, eligible fishermen will receive the transponders free of cost. The project will be implemented on a 60:40 cost-sharing basis between the Centre and the states, while Union Territories will receive 100 per cent central assistance.

The VCSS has been developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to strengthen the monitoring, control and surveillance of marine fishing vessels. ISRO has also developed the ‘Nabhmitra’ application to provide real-time communication and support services to the marine fishing community.

The application offers a range of features, including periodic position reporting, two-way messaging, emergency and SOS alerts, automatic geo-fencing-based boundary crossing warnings, weather and cyclone advisories, emergency weather alerts, Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) information, navigational assistance, and an e-Token/Trip Declaration system.

According to officials, the system is expected to significantly improve the safety of fishermen by enabling faster search and rescue operations during emergencies and adverse weather conditions. It will also help prevent Indian fishing vessels from inadvertently crossing into the territorial waters of neighbouring countries by issuing timely boundary alerts.

As part of the project, communication infrastructure will be developed at 423 Fish Landing Centres (FLCs) out of the 1,547 notified FLCs across the country.

The centres have been selected by states and Union Territories based on factors such as the number of operational fishing vessels, dependence of local fishing communities, fish landing volumes, proximity to fish markets and processing facilities, techno-financial viability, availability of funds and compliance with statutory requirements.

According to government data, Andhra Pradesh has the highest number of notified Fish Landing Centres at 350, followed by Tamil Nadu with 301 and Kerala with 204.

(With inputs from IANS)

Source: Government of India (4)

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will distribute loans worth Rs 300 crore to self-help groups (SHGs) at a state-level capacity-building and loan distribution programme in Thandla town of Jhabua district on Friday, the state government said.

According to an official statement, the programme, scheduled to begin after 1:30 p.m., aims to strengthen self-help groups, promote women’s economic empowerment and enhance rural livelihoods across the state.

During the event, the Chief Minister will interact with farmers practising natural farming and progressive cultivators to discuss their experiences and the government’s initiatives to promote natural and organic farming.

Yadav will also lay the foundation stone for 29 development projects worth Rs 174.64 crore and inaugurate 28 completed projects valued at Rs 109.17 crore in Jhabua district.

The state government said the loan distribution programme would provide a significant boost to women’s economic self-reliance, rural livelihoods and self-employment by strengthening the functioning of self-help groups.

As part of the event, 215 self-help groups in Jhabua district will receive loans worth Rs 10.08 crore under the Madhya Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission.

Beneficiaries of several government schemes will also receive assistance, including under the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Kamdhenu Scheme for modern dairy units, the Chief Minister Udyam Kranti Yojana, the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Self-Employment Scheme, the Tantya Mama Economic Welfare Scheme and the Prime Minister Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme.

The Chief Minister will felicitate meritorious Class 10 and 12 students, distribute helmets to farmers through the Agriculture Department, and provide benefits to eligible beneficiaries under the Ladli Laxmi Yojana.

An “Aajeevikano Mela” will also be organised alongside the programme. The exhibition will feature stalls by government departments and self-help groups showcasing local products, tribal handicrafts, natural and organic farming practices, medicinal plants and information on various government welfare schemes.

The district administration has completed preparations for the event, the statement said.

(With inputs from IANS)

Source: Government of India (4)

Source: Government of India (4)

The Ministry of Ayush and the IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the Ayush sector, with a focus on research, digital innovation, medicinal plants, drug administration and capacity building.

Under the agreement, the Ministry of Ayush will onboard the AIKosh platform and share eligible health research artefacts, including datasets, metadata, AI models, toolkits and relevant use cases. The integration is expected to foster collaboration, encourage innovation and support the responsible development of AI-based solutions for the Ayush sector.

The partnership will also enable access to GPU-based high-performance computing infrastructure through the IndiaAI initiative at subsidised rates, subject to applicable service-level agreements. Officials said the advanced computing resources would help address critical infrastructure needs and support the development and scaling of AI applications in healthcare and traditional medicine.

The MoU was signed by Dr Kavita Jain, Joint Secretary and Chief Vigilance Officer, Ministry of Ayush, and Sudeep Srivastava, Chief Operating Officer of the IndiaAI Mission and Joint Secretary, MeitY, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jain said the integration of AI with the Ayush ecosystem would create new opportunities for evidence-based research, knowledge management and innovation. She said the collaboration would enable the ministry to leverage advanced AI capabilities in areas such as research, medicinal plants, drug administration and capacity building, making the Ayush ecosystem more technology-driven and future-ready.

Srivastava said the partnership reflects the growing importance of integrating modern technologies with India’s traditional knowledge systems. He added that the collaboration would help enrich the AIKosh platform with traditional healthcare datasets and support researchers and practitioners of traditional medicine through AI-enabled innovation.

Naman Goyal, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Ayush Grid, said the platform is developing AI-driven solutions under its Emerging Technologies component to accelerate the digital transformation of the Ayush sector. He described the MoU as an important milestone in expanding the use of AI across the ecosystem.

Source: Government of India (4)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, where he will inaugurate, dedicate and lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over ₹17,900 crore, spanning aviation, semiconductors, renewable energy, power transmission, road infrastructure and youth development.

Later in the day, PM Modi will also inaugurate the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre – Viveka Smaraka at the Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama in Mysuru, Karnataka.

The Prime Minister will begin his visit in Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district, where he will undertake a walkthrough of the passenger terminal of the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport before formally inaugurating the facility. He will also address a public gathering.

Developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at a cost of over ₹5,640 crore, the Greenfield airport has an annual passenger handling capacity of six million. The airport is expected to strengthen regional air connectivity while boosting tourism, trade, investment and employment in Andhra Pradesh.

The terminal integrates advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Building Information Modelling (BIM), Airside 4.0 systems, Airport Predictive Operations Centre (APOC), biometric passenger processing, automated baggage handling systems and intelligent operational monitoring.

Designed with sustainability at its core, the airport features a 5 MW solar power plant, rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient HVAC systems and lighting, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, waste management systems and smart building management solutions. The terminal has been designed in accordance with Green Building Standards and is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Architecturally, the terminal draws inspiration from Andhra Pradesh’s cultural heritage, with its roof profile reflecting traditional Chuttilu cottages, the landscapes of Araku Valley, and the form of a flying fish.

Andhra’s first semiconductor manufacturing facility

During the visit, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the ASIP Semiconductor Project in Visakhapatnam, being developed with an investment of over ₹460 crore by ASIP Technologies Pvt. Ltd. in partnership with APACT, Republic of Korea.

Approved under the India Semiconductor Mission, it will be Andhra Pradesh’s first semiconductor manufacturing facility and is expected to produce around 96 million semiconductor chips annually, while creating high-skilled employment and supporting the growth of a semiconductor ecosystem in the state.

Renewable energy transmission projects

The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for the Transmission System for Integration of Kurnool-IV Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) – Phase I (4.5 GW), being implemented by POWERGRID through a Special Purpose Vehicle at an investment of about ₹5,550 crore.

In addition, he will inaugurate the Transmission System for Kurnool Wind Energy Zone/Solar Energy Zone – Part A and Part B, built at a cost of around ₹3,550 crore, along with the Transmission Scheme for Solar Energy Zones in Ananthapuram (2,500 MW) and Kurnool (1,000 MW), developed at a cost of over ₹820 crore.

These projects will facilitate the evacuation and transmission of renewable energy through the National Grid, improving clean power availability while supporting India’s energy transition and decarbonisation goals.

Highway projects worth over ₹1,880 crore

Prime Minister Modi will also dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone for National Highway projects worth over ₹1,880 crore.

Projects to be inaugurated include the Recherla–Guruvaygudem and Guruvaygudem–Devarapalle sections of NH-365BG, as well as the Tadipatri Bypass on NH-67.

He will also lay the foundation stone for the high-level bridge at Lingasamudram on the Penchalakona–Yerpedu section of NH-565.

The highway projects are expected to reduce congestion, improve road safety, shorten travel time between Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad, and strengthen regional connectivity.

PM to inaugurate Viveka Smaraka in Mysuru

Later in the day, the Prime Minister will travel to Mysuru in Karnataka to inaugurate the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre – Viveka Smaraka at the Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama.

The centre commemorates Swami Vivekananda’s historic visit to Mysuru in November 1892, during which he interacted with scholars and received the support of Maharaja Sri Chamarajendra Wadiyar X, whose patronage helped enable his participation in the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.

Built over 81,000 square feet at the historic Niranjana Math, the centre includes a 4-D Experience Centre, exhibition hall, amphitheatre with seating for around 700 people, classrooms, conference rooms, library, meditation and yoga hall, reading room and facilities for students preparing for competitive examinations.

The Cultural Youth Centre aims to promote value-based education, leadership development and personality building, and is expected to benefit more than 10,000 students, along with urban and rural youth, through lectures, workshops and capacity-building programmes inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s ideals.

Source: Government of India (4)

An explosion buried parts of a mining complex and killed at least 34 miners in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Thursday, a Pakistani official said.

A rescue operation is still underway to find and recover the remaining two trapped miners, said Muhammad Fahad, director of operations for the Provincial Disaster Management Authority.

Shoaib Nosherwani, Balochistan’s minister for mines and mineral development, earlier told Reuters that 36 people were in the collapsed part of the complex at the time of the explosion.

Rescue efforts were under way at a depth of 4,000 feet (1,219 meters), said Muhammad Atif, the chief inspector of mines in the province.

Abdul Ghani Baloch, a senior government mining official in the region, said: “Two mines close to each other were damaged in a powerful methane gas explosion.”

The explosion occurred in Sorange, a remote area near the provincial capital Quetta.

(Reuters)

Source: Government of India (4)

The death toll in the Bhiwandi building collapse in Maharashtra’s Thane district rose to nine on Friday after rescuers recovered another body from the debris of a partially collapsed residential building, even as search operations continued for those feared trapped.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said nine bodies had been recovered from the rubble so far.

“Nine bodies of victims have been retrieved till now. Operations are still continuing,” the NDRF said, adding that one of its Assistant Commandants sustained injuries during the rescue operation.

The incident occurred between 11 p.m. and 11.30 p.m. on Thursday when a portion of the B Wing of the ground-plus-four-storey Kohinoor Building in Balaji Nagar, Gangaram Wada, Narapoli, Bhiwandi, collapsed.

According to the Thane Municipal Corporation’s Disaster Management Cell, the building had been declared unsafe by the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation. Repair work was reportedly underway despite the structure being categorised as dangerous.

Residents said they heard cracking sounds between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., prompting neighbours to help evacuate several families before the collapse. However, some occupants who were still inside while trying to leave the building were trapped when the B Wing caved in.

Authorities had earlier said seven to eight people, including Shamji Pal (46), Santosh Pandey alias Munna (42), Miraj Sheikh (35), and several workers yet to be identified, were feared trapped under the debris.

A multi-agency rescue operation involving the NDRF, the Bhiwandi Fire Brigade, Bhoiwada Police, the local administration and a dog squad remained underway at the site. Two ambulances and a JCB machine have also been deployed.

Rescue teams continued to clear the debris in search of survivors.

-ANI

Source: Government of India (4)

India and Bhutan reviewed the progress of their development partnership under Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2024-29) during the fifth India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks, approving 12 new Project Tied Assistance (PTA) projects worth Rs 332 crore.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Bhutan on July 30-31 at the invitation of his Bhutanese counterpart, Pema Lektup Dorji, to co-chair the Development Cooperation Talks.

During the visit, Misri called on the King of Bhutan, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister D.N. Dhungyel.

According to a joint press release, the two sides reviewed cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including development partnership, energy, trade and investment, connectivity, people-to-people ties and regional issues of mutual interest.

The talks also reviewed the implementation of the Government of India’s Rs 10,000 crore support package for Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan. The assistance includes funding for Project Tied Assistance projects, High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs), the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) and Programme Grants.

With the approval of the 12 new projects, the total number of PTA projects under the current Five-Year Plan has risen to 82, with a cumulative outlay of Rs 6,860 crore. The newly approved projects span infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, urban development and disaster management.

India has also released Rs 1,250 crore under the Economic Stimulus Programme, Rs 735.20 crore for High Impact Community Development Projects and Rs 200 crore as Programme Grant. The two sides reviewed the utilisation of these funds during the meeting.

The Indian delegation reaffirmed New Delhi’s commitment to supporting Bhutan’s development priorities, guided by the shared vision of the King of Bhutan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and aligned with the priorities of the Royal Government of Bhutan and its people.

The Bhutanese side expressed appreciation for India’s continued assistance, describing it as crucial for implementing key programmes under the country’s 13th Five-Year Plan.

During the visit, the two Foreign Secretaries virtually inaugurated the Thimphu Ecological Park and Olakha Park, developed under the PTA project titled “Green Infrastructure and Open Spaces in Thimphu.” They also handed over 45 electric vehicles procured under the PTA project, “Accelerate e-Mobility Uptake in Bhutan,” to the Bhutanese government.

The two sides also witnessed the exchange of two key agreements. These included an Umbrella Line of Credit Agreement between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) to operationalise a concessional Rs 4,000 crore Line of Credit for energy projects in Bhutan, and a Memorandum of Understanding between AIIMS New Delhi and Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan to promote collaboration in medical research, education and training.

According to the Indian Embassy in Bhutan, Misri briefed the King on the progress achieved under the development partnership during the Plan Talks and discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation. In a post on X, the embassy said the King appreciated the progress made, shared updates on the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) project and reiterated his support for further strengthening India-Bhutan ties.

Both sides agreed to hold the next India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks in New Delhi on a mutually convenient date.

The joint statement described India and Bhutan’s relationship as an “exemplary partnership” built on trust, goodwill, mutual understanding and close people-to-people ties, adding that the visit reflected the longstanding tradition of close engagement and cooperation between the two neighbours.

(With inputs from ANI)

Source: Government of India (4)

European soccer’s governing body UEFA and its 55 member nations on Thursday voted to boycott all FIFA tournaments in what could be a knockout blow to the global soccer organisation’s proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup to external investors.

In a statement that pulled no punches, Europe presented a united front to FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, whose proposal this week blindsided regional confederations and caused uproar just weeks after the World Cup staged in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Six of the top 10 ranked teams in both men’s and women’s soccer are from Europe, including world champions Spain.

CONCACAF and its 41 member associations also rejected FIFA’s plan during a meeting on Thursday, although the Mexican Football Federation later said that they have not yet made a decision and will wait for the round-table discussions organised by FIFA to provide further information and documentation relating to the new model.

The Asian Football Confederation, meanwhile, issued a scathing letter to the continent’s 47 member associations and warned the proposal would never succeed without the support of all six regional blocs.

UEFA’s stance raised the stakes dramatically, with immediate implications for the 2027 women’s World Cup due to be hosted in Brazil. Spain and Portugal are co-hosts of the 2030 men’s World Cup along with Morocco.

Members of UEFA voted 55-0 in favor of the boycott at an emergency meeting, a soccer source told Reuters.

“We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors,” UEFA said in a statement.

“No UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership.”

NOT FOR SALE

UEFA said the World Cup was not for sale and could not be treated as an investment product or surrendered to private investors.

Infantino’s plan would create a $20 billion subsidiary to run the World Cup and its other events, while offering minority stakes to private investors.

He has offered FIFA’s 211 member associations $40 million each if they agree to the proposal by September 19 as part of a $10 billion package to become available from January 1, 2027.

If rejected, the package would revert to $2.7 billion previously offered, around $10 million per member association.

“This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football,” UEFA said of a proposal which has triggered a major governance crisis.

“The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. Investor expectations become a daily pressure.”

UEFA, whose elite club competitions generated €4.4 billion ($5 billion) in the 2024/25 season alone, and FIFA have long waged a battle for power and control in a sport that has become a mighty money machine.

Infantino, who is up for reelection as head of FIFA next year, has cast the move as pushing global “democratisation” by broadening access to its financial largesse.

Others have taken a different view.

“Football belongs to the fans, not billionaire investors. Enough is enough. It’s time to take a stand to protect our game,” said Britain’s culture minister Lisa Nandy after the UEFA statement.

AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa said his body was not consulted by FIFA at any level before the public announcement. That, and the lack of any detailed governance, financial or legal analysis of the proposal, was “totally unacceptable”, he added.

“FIFA’s unilateral actions appear to undermine the very foundations of continental football, which are based on solidarity, cooperation and transparency,” added the Bahraini.

“Such an initiative will not succeed without the support of all the confederations, which is not the case now.”

CONCACAF REJECTS THE FIFA PROPOSAL

CONCACAF, the regional bloc for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, also held a meeting on Thursday where the presidents of its member associations expressed “deep concerns” about what they called a lack of due process surrounding the proposal, a short deadline and the absence of any review or approval by relevant FIFA governance bodies.

“The discussion reinforced the need for greater transparency and proper governance,” CONCACAF said in a statement. “For these reasons, CONCACAF and its 41 Member Associations have: Rejected the proposal.”

The African confederation’s executive committee meets next week to evaluate the proposal, while the Oceania confederation, the smallest regional bloc with 11 full member nations, said it would discuss the proposal at a meeting next month.

South American governing body CONMEBOL, which has yet to comment publicly, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Players’ bodies have also expressed opposition to FIFA’s plan, with FIFPRO, the global players’ union, warning the proposal would irreversibly reshape the incentives underpinning the tournaments in which players work and build careers.

(Reuters)

Source: Government of India (4)

The death toll in the Bhiwandi building collapse in Maharashtra’s Thane district rose to nine on Friday after rescuers recovered another body from the debris of a partially collapsed residential building, even as search operations continued for those feared trapped.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the victims’ families.

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the loss of lives due to the building collapse in Thane, Maharashtra. In this tragic incident, my condolences are with the grieving families. My prayers are that the injured in this accident recover as soon as possible,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.

He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the incident.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said nine bodies had been recovered from the rubble so far.

“Nine bodies of victims have been retrieved till now. Operations are still continuing,” the NDRF said, adding that one of its Assistant Commandants sustained injuries during the rescue operation.

The incident occurred between 11 p.m. and 11.30 p.m. on Thursday when a portion of the B Wing of the ground-plus-four-storey Kohinoor Building in Balaji Nagar, Gangaram Wada, Narapoli, Bhiwandi, collapsed.

According to the Thane Municipal Corporation’s Disaster Management Cell, the building had been declared unsafe by the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation. Repair work was reportedly underway despite the structure being categorised as dangerous.

Residents said they heard cracking sounds between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., prompting neighbours to help evacuate several families before the collapse. However, some occupants who were still inside while trying to leave the building were trapped when the B Wing caved in.

Authorities had earlier said seven to eight people, including Shamji Pal (46), Santosh Pandey alias Munna (42), Miraj Sheikh (35), and several workers yet to be identified, were feared trapped under the debris.

A multi-agency rescue operation involving the NDRF, the Bhiwandi Fire Brigade, Bhoiwada Police, the local administration and a dog squad remained underway at the site. Two ambulances and a JCB machine have also been deployed.

Rescue teams continued to clear the debris in search of survivors.

-ANI