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Governance Community

DAC Clears Defence Acquisition Proposals Worth Over ₹1.10 Lakh Crore

/ Governance Community

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved capital acquisition proposals worth more than ₹1.10 lakh crore for the Indian Armed Forces, with around 98 per cent of the procurements expected to be sourced from Indian industry. For the Indian Army, the approvals include Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Recce Vehicles, High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs), Self-Propelled Mechanical Mine Layers (MMLs), Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs), Trawl Tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System. The CBRN Recce Vehicles will help detect, identify, monitor and mark areas contaminated by hazardous CBRN agents. HMVs are expected to strengthen troop mobility, logistics and operational support in difficult terrain, while MMLs will enable rapid and responsive mine-laying operations. The ALHs will support complex missions across diverse terrains and operational conditions. Trawl Tanks and the Sarvatra Bridge System will provide fighting formations with essential crossing capabilities during military operations across varied terrain. For the Indian Navy, the DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity for the acquisition of Arudhra Radars and for the design, development and subsequent procurement of Marine Gas Turbines (MGTs). The Arudhra systems will replace existing Air Route Surveillance Radars at various naval air stations. The indigenous development of MGTs, which are used for warship propulsion, is also aimed at reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. For the Indian Air Force, the Council cleared several proposals aimed at strengthening the operational capabilities of fighter aircraft, transport platforms and helicopters. Approval was also given for Ground-Based Multi-Purpose Jammers (GBMPJs) and the Defence Forces Secure Access Card (DEFSAC) system. The GBMPJ is designed to disrupt and jam adversary radar systems, while DEFSAC will replace paper-based identity cards, passes and permits with interoperable smart cards based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The latest approvals underline the government’s push towards greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing, with the overwhelming majority of the proposed acquisitions expected to benefit domestic defence companies and strengthen India’s indigenous military-industrial capabilities. Source: News on AIR

DAC Clears Defence Acquisition Proposals Worth Over ₹1.10 Lakh Crore Read More »

India Must Build World-Class Medical Devices, Government to Fund Testing Equipment Fully: Goyal

/ Governance Community

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday urged India’s pharmaceutical and healthcare industry to focus on developing high-quality medical devices that can compete in global markets, assuring that the government is prepared to fund the entire cost of acquiring advanced testing equipment. Addressing two pharma industry events, Goyal called for stronger domestic capabilities and the creation of modern shared testing infrastructure where Indian medical devices can be tested, benchmarked against global standards and certified for international markets. He said the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is willing to support 100 per cent of the cost of the best available testing equipment, and encouraged the industry to come forward with proposals for setting up modern testing laboratories. Goyal also stressed the need for greater technology collaboration, joint ventures and partnerships with global innovators and major pharmaceutical companies. He called for co-designing and co-developing products, licensing technologies where necessary and establishing joint research and development centres with other countries. Highlighting India’s cost advantage, the minister said improvements in design capabilities, patent and copyright frameworks and the broader intellectual property rights ecosystem are essential for positioning the country as a global innovation hub. He further urged insurers and health-tech companies to develop solutions that simplify the patient journey and enable faster reimbursements. The healthcare industry, he said, should also invest in training and certifying caregivers to create a workforce capable of delivering healthcare services that meet international standards. Goyal called for greater transparency in hospital treatment packages and warned healthcare providers against unethical practices. Any instance of patients being misled or cheated, he said, could damage the credibility and goodwill of both individual institutions and India’s healthcare sector. As part of efforts to expand medical value tourism, he proposed greater participation in international exhibitions, global hospital tie-ups and the creation of facilitation networks. He also suggested that overseas patients should be treated only at verified and NABH-accredited hospitals, emphasising that healthcare quality should remain consistent for both Indian and foreign patients. To make India more accessible to international patients, Goyal recommended creating a pool of trained interpreters covering multiple languages. Better communication, he said, would improve patient confidence and make interactions with healthcare providers smoother. Goyal said India’s pharmaceutical and healthcare ecosystem has the potential to strengthen the country’s global standing while generating substantial employment and business opportunities across drugs, medical devices and healthcare consumables. According to the minister, around 3.5 million patients have benefited from India’s medical value tourism ecosystem over the past seven years. He said India should now aim to increase this figure to 10 million international patients annually. Goyal added that India has the doctors, technical expertise and healthcare ecosystem required to achieve this ambition, provided the industry maintains high standards of quality, ethics, integrity and patient care. He also noted that countries engaged with India through free trade agreements and other business negotiations are showing strong demand for Indian pharmaceuticals as well as doctors, nurses, technicians and caregivers. Source: PTI

India Must Build World-Class Medical Devices, Government to Fund Testing Equipment Fully: Goyal Read More »

Civil Aviation Minister Pushes for Faster, Hassle-Free NOC Process to Boost Ease of Doing Business

/ Governance Community

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu has directed officials to simplify and streamline the process for issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) in the aviation sector, with a focus on making the system more transparent, automated and time-bound. Naidu chaired a meeting in New Delhi with senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India to review measures aimed at improving the ease of doing business in the sector. During the meeting, the minister stressed the need to minimise manual intervention in the NOC process and make it more efficient and user-friendly. He directed officials to examine ways to simplify, automate and decentralise the procedure and complete the necessary groundwork for implementing the reforms within 15 days. The proposed changes are intended to make the process easier for members of the public, housing societies, builders and industry stakeholders, while ensuring that all aviation safety and regulatory requirements continue to be met. Naidu also reviewed the possibility of informing applicants about permissible building heights at the initial stage of the application process. The proposal is particularly relevant for major metropolitan centres such as Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad, where construction activity and aviation-related height restrictions frequently intersect. The ministry said the proposed measures are aimed at improving regulatory efficiency and providing greater clarity to applicants while maintaining necessary safeguards for aviation safety. Source: News on AIR

Civil Aviation Minister Pushes for Faster, Hassle-Free NOC Process to Boost Ease of Doing Business Read More »

PM Modi, Putin discuss trade, energy and defence; India reiterates support for peaceful end to Ukraine war

/ Governance Community

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 26th annual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, with discussions centred on strengthening India-Russia cooperation in trade, investment, energy and defence. During the meeting, Modi said India was pleased with the continued expansion of bilateral ties, noting that cooperation between the two countries had reached new levels. The Ukraine conflict also featured prominently in the talks. Modi emphasised the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means and said that every day of war represents a setback for humanity. He reiterated India’s support for all initiatives aimed at bringing about peace, stressing the need to move away from prolonged conflicts towards lasting solutions. The meeting comes ahead of Putin’s planned visit to India for the upcoming annual BRICS summit. Modi said Indians were looking forward to welcoming the Russian President and his delegation, adding that the visit would provide fresh momentum to bilateral relations and deepen dialogue and cooperation within the BRICS grouping. Putin, meanwhile, expressed satisfaction over the continued strengthening of India-Russia relations, describing the partnership as being based on the principles of a special and privileged relationship. Source: News on AIR  

PM Modi, Putin discuss trade, energy and defence; India reiterates support for peaceful end to Ukraine war Read More »

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 »