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Feb12017 by Team - The Digital IndianNo Comments

Surgical strikes a fitting reply to repeated incursions: President Mukherjee

National

The surgical strikes by India at several terrorist launch pads along the Line of Control to prevent infiltration from Pakistan was a “fitting reply” to the repeated incursions on its territorial sovereignty, President Pranab Mukherjee said. Noting that the country is facing the grave challenge of terrorism for the last four decades including cross-border attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Mukherjee, in his address to the joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament on the opening day of the Budget Session, said India will actively cooperate with other nations to decisively defeat terrorist forces. Asserting that the government is committed to combating terrorism and ensure that the perpetrators of such acts are brought to justice, he said, “My government has taken decisive steps to give...

Feb12017 by Team - The Digital IndianNo Comments

Mining can take off Goa to new heights says Parrikar

Goa

Days after NCP chief Sharad Pawar accused Manohar Parrikar of being responsible for closing down the mining industry in Goa, the former Chief Minister on Tuesday said mining can be successful in the coastal state only if mine owners control their greed. “Goa was having 50 MT extraction annually when people started mining around all the places in Goa. Mining can be successful in Goa if they (mine owners) control their greed,” Parrikar told reporters. The minister also said that now mining in Goa has started in a full-fledged manner but within the restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court. “May be another, five to ten million metric tons can be added more to the 20 MT extraction cap imposed by the apex court,” he said. Parrikar said the Centre has got funds worth Rs...

Feb12017 by Team - The Digital IndianNo Comments

Announcements for Aadhaar-Pay, BharatNet and other Digital India Initiatives in Union Budget 2017

Economy

The Union budget 2017-2018 put the focus firmly on the idea of Digital India with the government announcing more steps for increasing digital payments in the country, along with a boost to the optical fibre network in rural areas to improve internet connectivity and access. Here’s a look at the top Digital India-related announcements from the Budget 2017-2018. Aadhaar Pay Aadhaar Pay, which is a merchant version of Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS), will be launched shortly. According to the Finance Minister, “This will be specifically beneficial for those who do not have debit cards, mobile wallets and mobile phones.” The government has set a target of 2,500 crore digital transactions for 2017-18 through UPI, USSD, Aadhar Pay, IMPS and debit cards. Additionally the government...

Feb12017 by Team - The Digital IndianNo Comments

Highlights of Union Budget 2017-18

Economy

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented theUnion Budget 2017, his fourth annual budget, today. Here are the highlights of this year's budget: ►Income Tax rate cut to 5 pc for individuals having income between Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh ►10 pc surcharge on individual income above Rs 50 lakh and upto Rs 1 cr to make up for Rs 15,000 cr loss of due to cut in personal I-T rate ►15 pc surcharge on income above Rs 1 cr to continue ►Of 3.7 cr individuals who filed tax returns in 2015-16, 99 lakh showed income below exemption limit ►Direct tax collection not commensurate with income and expenditure pattern ►Revenue deficit reduced to 2.1 pc from 2.3 pc for 2016-17 ►Govt pegs fiscal deficit target at 3.2 per cent for 2017-18 and 3 per cent for next year. ► Monetary policy to...

Jan292017 by Team - The Digital IndianNo Comments

Indian Govt is working on boosting infrastructure significantly to reduce logistics cost

National

Government is working on boosting infrastructure, particularly ports, roads and waterways, to significantly reduce logistics cost that is “very high” in the country, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said today. He made a pitch for port-led development which is “crucial” for higher economic growth. “Our logistics cost is very high. It is 18 per cent. It is easy to take any material from Mumbai to Dubai or from Mumbai to London, but it is very difficult to take material from Mumbai to Delhi as it is costly and complicated… We want to give highest priority to that on how we can reduce this cost,” he said. Speaking at the Andhra Pradesh Investors Summit, the road, transport, highways and shipping minister hoped that the target 40 km of road construction per day will be achieved by next year....

Jan292017 by Team - The Digital IndianNo Comments

Policies of USA shall not effect Indian IT, pharma firms

Economy

Indian IT, Biotech and pharma industries will not be impacted due to Donald Trump’s policies as the US is expected to continue “the commerce-related attitude” towards the country, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers H N Ananth Kumar today said. “Prime Minister has already had a telephonic conversation with the US President (Trump). As per the relations we have been having with the US, I don’t think there will be any change in the attitude of the US in terms of commerce-related issues. I also don’t think, there will be any problem for the Indian IT, BT and pharmaceutical industries,” Kumar said. He was replying to a query on Trump’s policy of protectionism at a news conference to announce the “Indian Pharma” and “India Medical Devices-2017” international conference scheduled ...

Jan292017 by Team - The Digital IndianNo Comments

PM Modi urges people to focus on responsibilities, duties on Mann ki Baat

National

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged the people to focus on their responsibilities, not just their rights. “People should focus both duties and rights in our discussions,” he said in his `Mann ki Baat” programme on Sunday. “We only think about our rights but forget our responsibilities. “I urge the citizens to focus on their duties towards the country and fellow citizens as much as they focus on their rights,” he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to soldiers who died in an avalanche in Jammu and Kashmir. “When we were happily celebrating Republic Day, soldiers were killed in an avalanche,” Modi said in his radio programme `Mann Ki Baat`. “I salute them.” At least 15 soldiers were killed after two avalanches hit a military post and a patrol along the...

Jan282017 by Team - The Digital IndianNo Comments

Government of India has increased investment in railways, infrastructure: Suresh Prabhu

National

The central government is spending huge amounts to modernize infrastructure, particularly in the railways sector to push growth, Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu said today. He said the government will invest more in railways this year as compared to the previous years. “Railways used to put Rs 30,000- Rs 40,000 crore in a year into railway infrastructure…We increase the investment to Rs 1 lakh crore. Last year, it was Rs 1.21 lakh crore and this year, it will be definitely higher…almost Rs 3 lakh crore has been invested in the span of two-and-half years,” he said. These investments are in addition to whatever the ministry allocates out of the budget and by giving contracts to different agencies, the minister said. He said these huge investments in infrastructure and the new indirect ...

Jan282017 by Team - The Digital IndianNo Comments

No serious breach of laws by Tata Group: SEBI

Economy

Amid the Tata-Mistry battle, markets regulator SEBI feels that the board of a company can continue to seek the expertise of a ‘Chairman Emeritus’ even after the person has left the company, though the regulator appears to be in favour of stricter norms for removal of independent directors. Ever since the boardroom battle erupted at the conglomerate after removal of Cyrus Mistry as chairman in October last year and subsequent allegations by him, including about ‘interference’ by Ratan Tata, SEBI has been keeping a close watch on the developments related to the group. The markets regulator has carried out a detailed scrutiny of any possible breach of securities laws, including about corporate governance and insider trading norms, a senior official said. However, no serious breach of...

Jan282017 by Team - The Digital IndianNo Comments

Indian Army sets up WhatsApp helpdesk, asks soldiers to share issues with Gen Rawat

National

The army has set up a WhatsApp number for its soldiers to post their problems directly to Army Chief General Bipin Rawat instead of going to the social media directly. The move came after a series of videos were posted online by personnel from the army, Indian Air Force and central police forces regarding various conditions that they work under. The WhatsApp number to register complaints is — +919643300008. Officials said that that there is an existing system of grievance redressal within the army which is prompt. “But in case a soldier has exhausted all grievance redressal forums and is still not happy, he may contact the Army Chief’s office through the new number,” an official said. However, many in the army are apprehensive about this move as they say that it will be impossi...