THE HEADLINES:
• Centre gives nod to Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme to boost manufacturing of electronic goods in the country.
• Government approves Nutrient Based Subsidy rates for Kharif 2025 on Phosphatic and Potassic fertilizers; Also approves 2 percent Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, India First has become mantra of country’s foreign policy.
• Defence Ministry signs two contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for supply of 156 Light Combat Helicopters, Prachand.
• Atleast 144 people killed and over 700 injured in earthquake hit Myanmar; Strong tremors also felt in Thailand.
• And in Senior Asian Wrestling Championship, India’s Manisha Bhanwala reaches Women’s 62 Kg final in Jordan.
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The government has approved the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme to boost the manufacturing of electronic goods in the country and strengthen the electronics supply chain. Briefing media in New Delhi today, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, the electronics sector has witnessed tremendous growth in the last ten years. He said, electronics production has grown five times with the rate of 17 percent compound annual growth rate while electronic exports witnessed growth of 20 percent compound annual growth rate in these years.
The Minister said, funding worth over 22 thousand crore rupees will be provided for the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme.
Mr. Vaishnaw said, the government has also approved Nutrient Based Subsidy rates for Kharif 2025 on Phosphatic and Potassic fertilizers to ensure affordable, subsidized, and reasonable fertilizers to the farmers.
The Union Cabinet has also given nod to inclusion of Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project of Bihar under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana- Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP). The project aims to provide over two lakh 10 thousand hectares additional annual irrigation in Kharif season in Araria, Purnea, Kishanganj and Katihar districts of Bihar.
Mr. Vaishnaw also informed that the government has approved construction of four-lane greenfield and brownfield Patna-Arrah-Sasaram corridor having the length of 120.10 kilometres in Bihar.
Mr. Vaishnaw said, the government has approved 2 percent Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners.
Later addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme, which has been approved by the Union Cabinet, will boost domestic electronic manufacturing. He said, the electronic production, which was 1.90 lakh crore rupees in 2014-15 has reached around ten lakh crore rupees.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that “India First” has become the mantra of the country’s foreign policy, and now New Delhi is not just participating in the world order but also contributing to shaping and securing the future. Mr. Modi was addressing an event organized by a private TV channel in New Delhi today.
The Prime Minister said that India has prioritized humanity over monopoly and paved the way for the creation of a global institution of the 21st century, ensuring equal participation.
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Defence Ministry has signed two contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for supply of 156 Light Combat Helicopters, Prachand, along with training and other associated equipment worth 62 thousand 700 crore rupees. The first contract is for supply of 66 Light Combat Helicopters to the Indian Air Force and second is for supply of 90 Light Combat Helicopters to the Indian Army. The Ministry said, the contracts will enhance the combat capability of Armed Forces at high altitudes. Light Combat Helicopters is India’s first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter having a capability of operating at an altitude of over five thousand meters.
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The Central Government has issued a notification for the repatriation of Justice Yashwant Varma from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court, following the Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendations on March 24. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has directed the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court not to assign any work to Justice Varma.
Justice Varma is facing an in-house inquiry by a 3-judge panel constituted by the Chief Justice of India over the allegations regarding the discovery of illicit cash currencies at his official premises.
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The Delhi High Court has ruled that restaurants cannot impose a mandatory service charge on food bills, making it voluntary for customers. Justice Prathiba M Singh dismissed petitions filed by the Federation of Hotels and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) and the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), challenging the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) guidelines prohibiting such charges.
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In Myanmar, 144 people have died, and 732 have so far been injured, following a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand this afternoon. The head of Myanmar’s military government, General Min Aung Hlaing, in a televised speech this evening, said that 96 people have died in Nay Pyi Taw, 18 in Sagaing, and 30 in Mandalay. General Hlaing said the death toll and injuries are likely to rise. The quake damaged historical sites in Mandalay and collapsed a 90-year-old bridge in Sagaing.
In Thailand, the earthquake claimed at least three lives in Bangkok and caused a high-rise building under construction to collapse. Defence Minister of Thailand Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai said, three people were killed at the site where high-rise under construction collapsed in a quake and 90 others are missing in Bangkok. So far, seven people have been rescued, but unstable rubble is slowing rescue efforts. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra called an emergency meeting to assess the impact of the quake. The earthquake caused widespread fear in Bangkok as buildings swayed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern over the earthquakes which occurred in Myanmar and Thailand today. In a social media post, he added that India stands ready to offer all possible assistance and asked the External Affairs Ministry to remain in touch with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand.
The Indian Embassy has advised Indian nationals in Thailand to contact the emergency number +66 618819218 in case of any emergency.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-day visit to Thailand on the 3rd of April to participate in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. Briefing the media in New Delhi this afternoon, Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar said this will be the Prime Minister’s third visit to Thailand.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that following the BIMSTEC Summit, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Sri Lanka from the 4th to the 6th of April for a state visit at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
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UAE has pardoned 500 Indian prisoners ahead of Ramzan, reflecting the strong bilateral ties between India and the Gulf nation. Narendra Modi government’s proactive and sustained diplomatic efforts have facilitated the release and pardon of thousands of Indian nationals across various countries over the past decade.
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Supporters of pro-monarchy in Nepal clashed with police in today during a rally in Kathmandu for the restoration of the abolished monarchy. The demonstrators breached the prohibited area at Tinkune and torched some houses. They also vandalised private property.
“Thousands of supporters of former king Gyanendra Shah took out a support rally and moved towards the restricted area in Tinkune forcing their way towards New Baneshwor where there was an ongoing Parliament session. The rally was organised by an alliance of different groups supporting the ex-monarch. Some police persons and protestors were also injured in the clash. The police resorted to water cannon and tear gas shells to disperse the protestors after they forced their way towards New Baneshwor from Tinkune.
The District Administration Office, Kathmandu, has imposed curfew at surrounding at Baneshwor-Tinkune area, Gaushala-Tribhuvan International Airport-Gairidhara-Tinkune-Koteshwor Koteshwor areas. SWETA SINGH/ FOR AKASHVANI NEWS, KATHMANDU.”
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In the Asian Wrestling Championship-2025, Indian wrestler Manisha Bhanwala advanced to the women’s 62kg category final at Amman in Jordan. Manisha dominated her matches, securing wins over Kazakhstan’s Tynys Dubek and Korea’s Hanbit Lee, before defeating Kalmira Bilimbek Kyzy 5-1 in the semifinal. She will now face Korea’s Ok J Kim in the final for her first Asian Championship title. In the 53kg category, Antim Panghal won her quarterfinal against China’s Jin Zhang but lost to Japan’s Moe Kiyooka in the semifinal. Panghal will now compete for the bronze medal.
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In the Indian Premier League, Royal Challengers Bangalore have set a target of 197 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs for Chennai Super Kings, when reports last came in.
With both teams are walking in with high confidence after impressive wins in their openers. Chennai secured a 4-wicket victory over Mumbai, while Bangalore triumphed over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders by 7 wickets.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty winds at isolated places over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Goa and Maharashtra tomorrow.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN.
• Centre gives nod to Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme to boost manufacturing of electronic goods in the country.
• Government approves Nutrient Based Subsidy rates for Kharif 2025 on Phosphatic and Potassic fertilizers; Also approves 2 percent Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, India First has become mantra of country’s foreign policy.
• Defence Ministry signs two contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for supply of 156 Light Combat Helicopters, Prachand.
• Atleast 144 people killed and over 700 injured in earthquake hit Myanmar; Strong tremors also felt in Thailand.
• And in Senior Asian Wrestling Championship, India’s Manisha Bhanwala reaches Women’s 62 Kg final in Jordan.
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