NDA-ruled states lead in digitization of public distribution systems

States ruled by the National Democratic Alliance have taken the lead in implementing digital ration shops with the introduction of electronic point of sale machines, while non-NDA states have lagged behind in introducing this crucial anti-pilferage measure, data obtained from the food and consumer affairs ministry showed. Out of the seven states that have introduced the system, five […]

Service Charge in Restaurants: Center says still waiting for industry proposal

The ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution is still waiting to hear from the hotel and restaurant industry associations on how they intend to resolve the issue of levying service charges ‘unfairly’. The matter had come to a head in early January when the ministry sent a directive to all state governments asking […]

No immediate plans for universal basic income: Indian Government

The Indian government has no immediate plans or proposals to institute a scheme of ‘unversal basic income’ in place of the myriad social welfare scheme run by the country at present, the finance ministry said in response to a query. The clarification that there is ‘no proposal for a universal basic income scheme’ comes in […]

Hindustan Aeronatics submits detailed proposal for Aerospace Univeristy

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, India’s biggest manufacturer of aeroplanes and related equipment, has submitted a detailed project report for setting up an aerospace university in the country, the government said. The university will be called ‘HAL Aerospace University’, the civil aviation ministry said in response to a query. The university, to be set up at a […]

Gadkari to miss ambitious highway target for 2016-17

Nitin Gadkari, who is slowly building up a reputation as a pragmatic and capable minister, is likely to face major disappointment in the ongoing financial year as his ministry is unlikely to meet the steep road construction target it set for itself. Unlike the term of the previous government, when an average of 5,000 km […]

Poor water levels cripple hydropower generation in Telangana, Jharkhand, Andhra, TN

Water levels of dams in central and south India are abnormally low this year, going by data of hydro-electricity production across India. According to data of electricity produced by dams in India from April 2016 to February 2017, both the south and central India are facing extreme shortage of water. The average production of hydro-electricity […]

Half of rural population classified as poor in Socio-Economic Caste Census

Half of India’s rural population have been classified as poor by the Socio-Economic Caste Census of India 2011, the government said today. The findings of Socio-Economic Caste Census of India, which was conducted after vociferous demands by some political parties, has never been released to the public in full. However, according to data obtained from […]

Anti-corruption activists to conduct ‘Ghotala Yatra’ in Delhi on Thursday

An umbrella group of anti-corruption groups will conduct a ‘Ghotala Yatra’ or ‘Scam Procession’ at Delhi’s Mandi House area tomorrow. The rally, with the cry ‘freedom from corruption’ will start at 11 AM and be followed by a sitting protest at Jantar Mantar — the traditional venue for protests in the capital. Among the organizations […]

Stock markets pricing in a BJP win in Uttar Pradesh – analyst

The recent strength in India’s key stock market indices indicates that market participants are pricing in a victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh, according to an stock market analyst. India’s largest state has been busy electing its next legislative assembly for almost a month. The first phase of elections in the state […]

Most UP MLAs saw big increases in wealth in 5 yrs, but some lost big

The average Uttar Pradesh MLA saw their wealth increase by 82% in the five years during their tenure in the state assembly from 2012 to 2017, an analysis of their wealth submissions by Association for Democratic Reforms found. The analysis was based on the filings made by 311 of the 404 existing members of the […]

PVR enters its 49th city with 3-screen multiplex at Moradabad

PVR Ltd, India’s largest chain of film exhibition halls, said it had entered its 49th city with the opening of a new multiplex in Moradabad. The three-screen, 631-seat facility was opened inside the newly opened Parsvnath Mall. The facility marks the 11th city in Uttar Pradesh that is home to a PVR complex. With this, […]

Power companies to save Rs 2,500 cr/yr as coal linkage rationalization expands

The amount of money estimated to be saved by power companies in India due to the rearrangement of coal supplies has risen to Rs 2,503.50 cr per year, according to power ministry sources. The program of swapping coal sources, known as ‘coal linkage rationalization’, is in its third phase. The first phase, which was carried out […]