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Governance Community

Delhi Government Gives Approval Letters to 4,000 Women Under Lakshmi Yojana

/ Governance Community

The Delhi Government has distributed approval letters to 4,000 eligible women under the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, with 2,500 beneficiaries receiving the letters at a formal ceremony. Under the scheme, eligible women will receive financial assistance of ₹2,500 every month. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu described the initiative as an important step towards strengthening women’s welfare, dignity and empowerment, while emphasising their role in the social and economic development of the country. The government has finalised a two-part mechanism for disbursing the monthly assistance. Of the ₹2,500, ₹1,000 will be provided every month through a digital wallet, while ₹1,500 will be placed in a fixed deposit, with the interest to be borne by the government. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the scheme would help women meet essential expenses, including children’s education and care, household needs, and requirements related to livelihoods and business activities. Around 9.13 lakh women registered for the scheme, while more than 6.52 lakh applications were submitted. The government said the monthly assistance will be credited directly to the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries from September 1. The Delhi Budget for 2026-27 has allocated ₹5,110 crore for the scheme. The government said the strong response to the initiative reflects women’s confidence in the programme and reinforces its commitment to expanding opportunities, financial security and empowerment across the capital. Source: News on AIR  

Delhi Government Gives Approval Letters to 4,000 Women Under Lakshmi Yojana Read More »

PM Modi Urges Space Startups to Build Ecosystem That Draws Global Talent to India

/ Governance Community

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on India’s space-sector startups to sustain their momentum and help create a strong ecosystem capable of attracting space professionals and innovators from around the world. During an interaction with CEOs of space-sector startups, Modi said the growing confidence shown by these companies in the government reflects the sector’s expanding potential. He urged industry leaders to remain focused on their efforts and contribute towards building an environment where global talent views India as a preferred destination to develop careers and pursue opportunities in space technology. The Prime Minister highlighted India’s competitive cost advantage, availability of skilled talent and growing culture of risk-taking as key strengths of the country’s space industry. He said the combination of these factors could enable India to emerge as a major global player in the space sector in a relatively short period. Source: News on AIR  

PM Modi Urges Space Startups to Build Ecosystem That Draws Global Talent to India Read More »

Ashwini Vaishnaw Says India’s Growth Anchored in Infrastructure, Inclusion and Manufacturing

/ Governance Community

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said India’s economic growth is gaining global recognition, with the country maintaining a growth rate in the range of 6 to 8 per cent. He attributed the momentum to four key areas — investment in social, digital and physical infrastructure, inclusive development and a strong manufacturing push. Addressing the Uttar Pradesh-Japan Investment Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Vaishnaw said investment remains central to India’s development journey. He noted that annual public investment, which was once relatively limited, has now reached around $130 billion. Highlighting the expansion of infrastructure, the minister said 99.6 per cent of India’s railway network has been electrified. Around 38,000 kilometres of railway lines have been added over the past decade, while 162 semi-high-speed trains have also been introduced. Vaishnaw further said India now has the world’s second-largest road network, with nearly 65,000 kilometres of highways added over the last decade. The number of airports in the country has also doubled during this period, he added. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the India-Japan partnership is built around shared growth, technological cooperation and prosperity. He highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s emergence as one of India’s three largest state economies and described it as an important engine of the country’s growth. Adityanath said the state’s budget and per capita income have nearly tripled over the past nine years, with the government focusing on security, stability and faster development. He added that more than 96 lakh MSME units, over 35,000 large industries and more than 22,000 startups are contributing to the state’s economic expansion. Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the government is working to accelerate India’s development while placing particular emphasis on farmers and the agriculture sector. Chouhan said increasing agricultural production and positioning India as the world’s food basket are among the government’s key objectives. He stressed that greater farm mechanisation will be important for lowering agricultural production costs and improving farmers’ productivity. The minister also underlined the need to ensure that research and technological innovations reach farmers directly, helping them adopt modern agricultural practices. Calling Uttar Pradesh a state with significant investment potential, Chouhan said it has increasingly emerged as a hub for global investment. He also described India-Japan ties as a relationship that extends beyond government-to-government cooperation, calling it a convergence of two civilisations. Source: News on AIR  

Ashwini Vaishnaw Says India’s Growth Anchored in Infrastructure, Inclusion and Manufacturing Read More »

31 More Applications Approved Under Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme

/ Governance Community

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has approved 31 additional applications under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), with a projected investment of ₹7,877 crore. The latest approvals are expected to create more than 9,500 employment opportunities across the country. The applications have been received from 10 states, with Tamil Nadu accounting for seven approvals, while Maharashtra and Haryana received six each. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw formally handed over the approval letters to the selected applicants at an event in New Delhi. The approved projects cover the manufacturing of a range of electronic components, including acetylene black, speakers and microphones, optical transceivers, capacitors and coils. With the latest approvals, the total number of companies approved under the ECMS has reached 106. Vaishnaw said the government had initially set an investment target of ₹59,000 crore under the scheme, but the target has already been surpassed, with projected investments now crossing ₹69,000 crore. Source: News on AIR

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BRICS Economies Emerging as Key Drivers of Global Growth: Sitharaman

/ Governance Community

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that public investment should help unlock private investment rather than replace it, stressing the need for greater private capital participation across BRICS economies. Speaking at a seminar in Jaipur on the New Development Bank’s role in mobilising private investment in BRICS nations, Sitharaman said the grouping’s economies are among the key drivers of global economic growth. However, she noted that attracting private capital remains a significant challenge. The Finance Minister emphasised that access to capital alone is not enough. Building investor confidence, ensuring economic stability and maintaining a predictable, long-term policy environment are equally important to encourage investment. She also underlined the role of multilateral development banks in reducing investment risks, improving the financial viability of projects and boosting investor confidence, which can help attract private capital at scale. Highlighting India’s experience, Sitharaman said the government has expanded infrastructure development through sustained public capital expenditure and structural reforms. New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff also spoke at the seminar. Earlier, Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur said greater participation from private capital is increasingly important amid the evolving global economic environment. The seminar forms part of the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ meeting in Jaipur, being held under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026. The meeting aims to deepen cooperation among member countries on key global economic and financial matters. Source: News on AIR

BRICS Economies Emerging as Key Drivers of Global Growth: Sitharaman Read More »

150 Years of Vande Mataram to Take Centre Stage at 80th Independence Day Celebrations

/ Governance Community

The commemoration of 150 years of the National Song “Vande Mataram” will be among the key highlights of India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations this year, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said during a media briefing in New Delhi. The celebrations will focus on two major themes — the contribution of young Indians towards building a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the celebrations from the historic Red Fort, where he will unfurl the National Flag and address the nation. For the first time, Vande Mataram will be performed from the ramparts of the Red Fort as part of the Independence Day ceremony. The venue will feature floral decorations inspired by the National Song, while nearly 2,500 NCC cadets and My Bharat volunteers will create a ‘Vande Mataram’ formation along Gyanpath. The National Song will also be performed collectively at the Red Fort with the participation of Service bands. Those present will stand at attention during the rendition. Following the Prime Minister’s address, NCC cadets and My Bharat volunteers will sing Vande Mataram, followed by the National Anthem. An aerial display by Mi-17 helicopters will add to the ceremony, featuring the National Flag, flower petals and a special banner marking 150 years of Vande Mataram. Armed Forces Bands to Perform Nationwide As part of the broader Independence Day celebrations, bands from the armed forces and other uniformed services will perform at 343 prominent locations across the country between August 8 and 15. The participating contingents will include bands from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, NCC, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, SSB, BSF, IDS, RPF and Assam Rifles. Yuva Shakti to Be a Key Theme The second major theme of this year’s celebrations is “Yuva Shakti – Leading the Journey to Viksit Bharat@2047”, with a special focus on young achievers and contributors to India’s development journey. Nineteen medal-winning students from the 2026 International Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics Olympiads have been invited as special guests. Young innovators, PM Internship Scheme interns, startup representatives, PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana trainees, My Bharat volunteers and beneficiaries of various government programmes will also attend. Around 500 students from Delhi government schools, selected through quizzes and competitions, will be part of the Independence Day ceremony. The event will also recognise a diverse group of people contributing to the Viksit Bharat vision. These include women entrepreneurs supported through PM Mudra, PMAY-U beneficiaries, scientists and innovators, Bharat Taxi drivers, PM Surya Ghar beneficiaries, PM Vishwakarma artisans, PM Shram Yogi Maandhan beneficiaries, farmers and International Yoga Day volunteers. Special Arrangements for Invitees More than 1,500 people from Delhi representing different states and Union Territories have been invited to the celebrations. They will attend the event wearing traditional attire representing their respective regions. To facilitate their travel, Delhi Metro services will commence at 4 am on Independence Day and will be available free of cost for invitees. Around 200 My Bharat and NCC volunteers will assist visitors at the venue, including those requiring wheelchair support. Facilities such as cloakrooms, drinking water, toilets and rain ponchos will also be provided. Parking locations will be made available through Google Maps and Mappls to help visitors plan their journey. Following the main ceremony, NCC cadets and My Bharat volunteers will conduct a cleanliness drive at the Red Fort. The initiative will include systematic plogging and the prompt removal of waste from the premises. Source: News on AIR  

150 Years of Vande Mataram to Take Centre Stage at 80th Independence Day Celebrations Read More »

Parliament Clears Bill to Expand Supreme Court Bench Strength to 37 Judges

/ Governance Community

Parliament has approved the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, paving the way for an increase in the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India. The Rajya Sabha passed the legislation after a discussion and returned it to the Lok Sabha, which had already cleared the Bill earlier this week. The legislation amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 to accommodate the growing workload of the country’s highest court. Before the Bill was introduced, President Droupadi Murmu had promulgated an ordinance in May this year authorising the increase in the number of judges. Responding to the debate in the Rajya Sabha, Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the expansion of the apex court’s bench reflects the government’s broader judicial reform agenda under the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas. He stated that strengthening the Supreme Court’s capacity would improve judicial efficiency and help address the increasing complexity and volume of cases before the court. The minister noted that the government has been implementing several measures to accelerate the disposal of pending cases. He said the rise in litigation, evolving constitutional issues and growing legal challenges have made it necessary to enhance the court’s judicial strength. During the discussion, Congress MP Vivek Tankha questioned the government’s decision to first issue an ordinance for the move, pointing out that nearly 95,000 cases remain pending before the Supreme Court. Supporting the legislation, BJP MP Sangeeta Yadav described it as a landmark reform that would strengthen the justice delivery system and improve access to timely justice. She observed that many cases have remained unresolved for more than a decade, making the expansion of the bench essential. Several members from different political parties backed the Bill while raising broader concerns about judicial infrastructure and vacancies. TMC MP Dr Menaka Guruswamy highlighted that nearly 30 per cent of High Court posts remain vacant. DMK MP R Girirajan said the additional judges would help reduce the Supreme Court’s mounting backlog, while BJD MP Dr Sasmit Patra emphasised the need to improve infrastructure in both the Supreme Court and High Courts. YSRCP MP S. Niranjan Reddy pointed to the increasing number of cases handled by each judge. AIADMK MP I.S. Inbadurai welcomed the move, calling it a timely reform, and urged the Centre to fill vacant judicial posts in the Madras High Court, where only 52 judges are currently serving against a sanctioned strength of 75. Shiv Sena MP Dr Jyoti N. Waghmare said the legislation would strengthen public confidence in the judiciary and contribute to faster justice delivery. Members including Rajendra Jain (NCP), Sanjay Singh (AAP), Milind Deora (Shiv Sena), Vijay Chintakayala (TDP) and Mahua Maji (JMM) also participated in the debate. Following the passage of the Bill, the Rajya Sabha proceeded with Special Mentions, during which members raised issues of public importance, before adjourning for the day. Source: News on AIR

Parliament Clears Bill to Expand Supreme Court Bench Strength to 37 Judges Read More »

Mandaviya Honours Commonwealth Weightlifting Medallists, Urges Them to Inspire Young Athletes

/ Governance Community

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated India’s medal-winning weightlifting contingent from the Commonwealth Games 2026, awarding cash incentives and encouraging the athletes to inspire young Indians by engaging with students in schools and colleges. To recognise their achievements, the Minister presented ₹30 lakh to gold medallists, ₹20 lakh to silver medallists and ₹10 lakh to bronze medallists. India’s weightlifting team concluded its Glasgow campaign with an impressive tally of eight medals—one gold, six silver and one bronze—across 11 weight categories, while also setting multiple Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records alongside several personal-best performances. Congratulating the athletes, Mandaviya said the nation celebrated every medal won by the team and noted that their achievements were acknowledged in Parliament, reflecting the country’s pride in their success. The Minister also lauded the contribution of coaches, particularly Dronacharya awardee Vijay Sharma, describing coaches as the backbone of an athlete’s journey and recognising their role in producing world-class champions. Among the standout performers, Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu created history by becoming the first Indian weightlifter to win three consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medals. Rishikanta Singh and Valluri Ajay Babu set new Commonwealth Games records in the snatch event, while Gyaneshwari Yadav and Harjinder Kaur registered personal-best lifts during the competition. Highlighting the success of government-backed sports programmes, Mandaviya noted that six of India’s 11 weightlifters are Khelo India Athletes. He added that medallists such as Gyaneshwari Yadav, Bindyarani Devi and Harjinder Kaur have trained at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Patiala, which has become a key hub for nurturing elite sporting talent. Calling the athletes role models, the Minister urged them to visit educational institutions and share their journeys of perseverance and achievement to motivate more young people to embrace sports. During the interaction, Mandaviya discussed the athletes’ training experiences, personal struggles and preparations for the 2026 Asian Games. The lifters credited national coaching camps, international exposure and scientific training for helping them reach the podium and expressed confidence about bringing more honours to India. The Minister also encouraged athletes who narrowly missed medals, reminding them that setbacks are an integral part of competitive sport and urging them to continue striving for excellence. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to sports development, Mandaviya said initiatives such as Khelo India are creating a strong talent pipeline by providing athletes with world-class coaching, scientific support and competitive opportunities to excel on the global stage. Separately, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi applauded the outstanding performance of India’s women athletes at the Commonwealth Games, noting that Nari Shakti played a pivotal role in the country’s campaign by winning eight of India’s 13 gold medals across boxing, weightlifting, judo and para athletics. In a post on X, she highlighted that five Indian women boxers secured gold medals and said their achievements reflect the growing strength of women’s sports in the country. She added that their success is inspiring a new generation of girls to pursue sporting excellence and credited the progress to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying India’s daughters are ushering in a new era of sporting achievement. Source: DD News

Mandaviya Honours Commonwealth Weightlifting Medallists, Urges Them to Inspire Young Athletes Read More »

Lok Sabha Considers Public Examinations Amendment Bill, 2026 to Strengthen Anti-Paper Leak Law

/ Governance Community

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday took up the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 for consideration and passage, aiming to further tighten the legal framework against examination malpractices and paper leaks. The proposed legislation amends the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 by introducing stricter penalties for offenders. Under the Bill, those found guilty could face imprisonment of up to 10 years, fines of up to ₹10 crore, and confiscation of their properties. It also mandates every state and Union Territory to establish Special Fast Track Courts for day-to-day hearings to ensure swift justice. The Bill further requires investigations into offences to be completed within two months from the registration of a police case, while trials must conclude within three months of filing the chargesheet. Introducing the Bill, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr Jitendra Singh said the amendment reflects the government’s commitment to protecting students and preserving the integrity of public examinations. He stated that the strengthened legal framework aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve to safeguard the future of the country’s youth. Singh described the legislation as a landmark reform, adding that previous governments lacked a comprehensive law to effectively address paper leak cases. He said recent incidents of examination malpractice highlighted the need for stronger legal provisions, prompting the government to introduce the amendment to restore public confidence in the examination system. During the debate, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi criticised the government, alleging that the amendment falls short of meaningful education reforms and serves only as a cosmetic change to the existing law. Backing the Bill, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj called it a significant step towards ensuring transparent and fair examinations. She said organised examination mafias now operate across multiple states, making stronger legal measures essential. Swaraj also highlighted provisions for the creation of a Special Task Force to investigate paper leak cases and the establishment of Special Fast Track Courts for speedy trials. Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav expressed concerns over recurring paper leaks and questioned the government’s outsourcing practices at the National Testing Agency (NTA), citing the alleged NEET-UG paper leak despite the enactment of the 2024 law. Supporting the legislation, AITC MP Abhishek Banerjee said every student deserves a fair examination process and emphasised that stringent laws are necessary to curb paper leaks and maintain the credibility of competitive examinations. Source: News on AIR

Lok Sabha Considers Public Examinations Amendment Bill, 2026 to Strengthen Anti-Paper Leak Law Read More »

PM Modi Reaffirms Zero-Tolerance Stand on NEET Paper Leak, Calls for Stronger Exam Security

/ Governance Community

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated the Centre’s commitment to taking strict action against those involved in the NEET paper leak case while urging all stakeholders to work together to prevent similar incidents in future examinations. Addressing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Parliamentary Party meeting, popularly known as Mangal Milan, at the Parliament House complex, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to safeguard the interests of students and maintain the integrity of competitive examinations. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government acted swiftly after receiving information about the NEET paper leak. He stated that all individuals linked to the case have been arrested, with 13 accused currently in judicial custody. According to Rijiju, the Prime Minister stressed that those responsible should receive the strictest possible punishment and highlighted that the government has already introduced stringent measures to prevent examination paper leaks in the future. During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi also discussed India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), saying that the interests of Indian farmers have remained a top priority in every trade pact signed by the country. He noted that these agreements have been negotiated with national interest and farmers’ welfare at their core. On the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Prime Minister said the NDA would play a constructive role in facilitating the passage of important legislation. Rijiju also appealed to opposition parties to cooperate in Parliament, emphasizing that despite political differences, all Members of Parliament share the responsibility of serving the nation and protecting the future of its youth. The meeting concluded with NDA alliance partners passing a congratulatory resolution honouring Prime Minister Narendra Modi for becoming India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister. Source: News on AIR

PM Modi Reaffirms Zero-Tolerance Stand on NEET Paper Leak, Calls for Stronger Exam Security Read More »