THE HEADLINES:-
- Government approves continuation of integrated PM-AASHA Scheme during 15th Finance Commission Cycle up to 2025-26.
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launches Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme to strengthen MSME sector.
- India’s exports rise 7.21 per cent reaching around 683 billion dollars between April 2024 and January 2025.
- Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani arrives in New Delhi on a two-day state visit to India.
- Top Russian and American officials to hold talks in Saudi Arabia tomorrow on ending Ukraine war.
- In Women’s Premier League Cricket, Delhi Capitals were 136 for 9 in 18.4 overs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Vadodara a short while ago.
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Government has approved the continuation of the integrated Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan – PM-AASHA Scheme during the 15th Finance Commission Cycle up to 2025-26. With this decision, the Government has also allowed the procurement of Tur, Urad and Masur pulses under price support scheme, equivalent to 100 per cent of the production of the State for the procurement year 2024-25. It will help in farmers’ contribution to enhancement of domestic production of pulses and to reduce the dependence on imports.
“Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan has also approved the procurement of Tur pulse in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh under Price Support Scheme for the Kharif 2024-25 Season for a total quantity consolidating to 13.22 Lakh Metric tonnes. The Ministry informed that the procurement has already started in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Telangana and a total quantity of 0.15 Lakh Metric tonnes of Tur pulse has been procured in these States till 15th of this month, benefitting over 12 thousand farmers. With Rahisuddien, Aman Yadav, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today launched the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). The scheme will facilitate loans up to 100 crore rupees to MSMEs for purchase of machinery or equipment without collateral. Later, addressing the media in Mumbai, the Finance Minister said, several steps have been taken in the last three Budgets focussed on improving MSMEs.
The Minister highlighted that India now has an environment where investments are yielding good returns. Ms. Sitharaman added that the government has supported the defence manufacturing sector through favourable policies. This has resulted in India’s defence exports surging to over 24 thousand crore rupees, and Maharashtra is developing as a hub for defence manufacturing.
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India’s total exports during April-January 2024-25 logged a growth of 7.21 percent as compared to the same period in the last fiscal. On the other hand, total imports during April-January in current fiscal registered a growth of 8.96 percent. As per the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s data released today, total exports during the reported period is estimated at around 683 billion US dollar while imports estimated at around 770 billion US dollars.
As per the data, Merchandise exports during April-January in current fiscal were at around 359 billion US dollars while Merchandise imports for the same period were at around 602 billion US dollars. Merchandise trade deficit during this period was at around 243 billion US dollars.
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India’s smartphone exports surged by 140 percent in January compared to the same month last year, reaching a record 25,000 crore rupees. This remarkable growth was driven by tech giants Apple and Samsung, who ramped up overseas shipments from their Indian supply chains.
From April to January of the current financial year, total smartphone exports have touched 1.55 lakh crore rupees, representing a 56 percent increase over the corresponding figure of 99,120 crore rupees in the same period last year.
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Union Education Minister Dharmedra Pradhan has said that two new features have been added under the National Education Policy that will not only shape job seekers but also job creators. The minister was addressing the 126th Founder’s Day of Delhi University’s Hindu College in New Delhi.
Mr Pradhan further said that a separate foundation will be laid to foster research across the country. He added that the government envisions the creation of Anusandhan National Research Foundation and an interest free loan of one lakh crore rupees is available for the Indian Industry.
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BJP’s legislative party meeting is expected to be held in New Delhi on 19th of this month. All the newly elected BJP MLAs along with senior leaders of the party will participate in the meeting. According to party sources, the name of Delhi’s next Chief Minister is likely to be finalized during the meeting and the swearing-in ceremony for the next Chief Minister is expected to be held on the 20th of this month at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi. A meeting of Delhi BJP leaders was also held in New Delhi today. BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde and Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva and other party leaders attended the meeting.
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The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim BinHamad Al-Thani arrived in New Delhi this evening on a two days official visit. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers, senior officials and a business delegation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani at the airport.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also held bilateral talks with Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani in New Delhi.
Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan tomorrow. During his visit, the Amir will hold discussions with President Droupadi Murmu,who will also host a banquet in his honour. The Amir will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi covering various aspects of the bilateral relations.
India and Qatar have deep-rooted historical ties of friendship, trust and mutual respect.
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Senior American and Russian officials, including the countries’ top diplomats, will hold talks in Saudi Arabia tomorrow on improving their ties and negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine. The talks, mark another step by the Trump administration to reverse US policy on isolating Russia. The Kremlin today said it would be the most significant meeting between the sides since Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine nearly three years ago.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov will fly to the Saudi capital Riyadh tonight.
US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will meet the Russian delegation.
Ukraine will not participate. The moves have sent Kyiv and key allies scrambling to ensure a seat at the table, and France called an emergency meeting of European Union countries and the UK tonight.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today said his country won’t take part in US-Russia talks this week on ending the war and won’t accept the outcome of the talks if Ukraine doesn’t take part. Speaking to journalists, Mr. Zelenskyy said, his government had not been invited in tomorrow’s planned talks in Saudi Arabia.
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The Railways will set up permanent holding areas at 60 railway stations across the country to manage crowds. Sources in the Ministry said the decision has been taken to manage heavy crowds during the peak season. Talking to media, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northern Railway, Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay said, the Railways will also use advanced technology to monitor crowds. He said a special campaign will be launched at all Delhi railway stations to monitor the facilities and smooth flow of the passengers.
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NEWS FROM MAHA KUMBH IN PRAYAGRAJ
The grand event continues to draw a huge number of devotees with over one crore 23 lakh people taking the holy dip in Triveni Sangam till 6 this evening. So far 54 crore 19 lakh devotees have taken the sacred bath in Sangam. Amongst the unique programs at the Mahakumbh fair area, the Indian railway held an exhibition to offer visitors a glimpse into the railway’s heritage and future advancements. The exhibition features models of Chenab and Pamban bridges, while also educating the public about the next-generation trains like Namo Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Vande Bharat sleeper trains.
“The exhibition highlights the historical contributions of Indian Railways in wars and other significant national events. Its role during the 1965, 1971, and Kargil wars, emphasizes its critical contributions in times of national need. Beyond transportation, it features the role of Indian Railways in the development vision through a double-engine government. To facilitate pilgrims during Mahakumbh, Indian Railways has set up temporary ticket counters, enquiry rooms with electronic display boards, and multilingual announcement systems, all of which are prominently featured in the exhibition. With Abhishek Kapil, Adarsh for Akashvani News, Prayagraj.”
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BUSINESS NEWS,
The Benchmark domestic equity indices today snapped their eight-day losing streak to end with marginal gains. The 30-share index at Bombay Stock Exchange, Sensex, rose 58 points, to close at 75,997. Similarly, the National Stock Exchange Nifty-50 added 30 points,to settle at 22,959.
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In the Women’s Premier League, Delhi Capitals have set a target of 142 runs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. Delhi Capitals scored 141 runs losing all wickets in stipulated 19.3 overs. Top scorer Jemimah Rodrigues made 34 runs. Earlier, Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the toss and opted to bowl.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
- Government approves continuation of integrated PM-AASHA Scheme during 15th Finance Commission Cycle up to 2025-26.
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launches Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme to strengthen MSME sector.
- India’s exports rise 7.21 per cent reaching around 683 billion dollars between April 2024 and January 2025.
- Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani arrives in New Delhi on a two-day state visit to India.
- Top Russian and American officials to hold talks in Saudi Arabia tomorrow on ending Ukraine war.
- In Women’s Premier League Cricket, Delhi Capitals set a target of 142 runs before Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Vadodara.
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