Day: November 2, 2023

One- Day Workshop on Harnessing Data for Development (D4D) for Accelerating Progress on the SDGs

 
NITI Aayog is organising Workshop on the theme “Harnessing Data for Development (D4D) for Accelerating Progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” tomorrow at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi. This workshop is the second in the series of Feeder Thematic Workshops being organised by NITI Aayog on varied themes to discuss the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (NDLD).

The workshop will serve as a platform for discussion on the relevance, dimensions, and implementation of the G20 Principles of Harnessing Data for Development (D4D) within the Indian context. This one-day workshop will bring together key think tanks and academics whose work is intrinsically linked to the central theme. It will provide insights into the way forward regarding “Harnessing Data for Development for Accelerating Progress on the SDGs” and offer essential contributions to the forthcoming national workshop.

The workshop will include four sessions on the following themes:

Sustainability: Enhancing high-quality data and sustainable data infrastructure, promoting data-informed approaches for sustainable development.

Inclusion: Bridging the digital gap, with a particular focus on addressing gender and data disparities, while also championing the inclusive utilization of data for development purposes.

Technology and Finance: Securing additional financial backing while also promoting technology assistance to enhance the progress and effectiveness of development initiatives.

Capacity Building: Enhancing the capacity of individuals and organizations, fostering collaborative efforts, and nurturing strategic partnerships to bolster the effectiveness of data-driven initiatives for sustainable development.

Ten such Feeder Thematic Workshops are being organised from November 1, 2023 to November 9, 2023. The themes of the workshops include G20 to G21, Data for Development, Tourism, Digital Public Infrastructure, Sustainable Development Goals, Trade, Indian Development Model, Women Led Development, Reforming Multilateral development banks & Climate Finance and Green Development.

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NITI Aayog through Atal Innovation Mission to host State-level innovation workshop to catalyze regional Innovation & entrepreneurship ecosystems development

 In a strategic move to foster and nurture innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem throughout India, Atal Innovation Mission is set to organize a peer-to-peer workshop focusing on the development of state-level innovation ecosystems.

The upcoming event, “Building State-level Innovation Ecosystems” is scheduled to take place from November 6th to 8th at the prestigious Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore). This three-day gathering will provide a unique platform for states and union territories (UTs) across India to convene, exchange insights, and build strategies to foster innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) within their respective regions.

Mission Director Atal Innovation Mission Dr. Chintan Vaishnav while addressing a pre event press conference here on Thursday said that “India’s recent ascent in the Global Innovation Index, from 81st to 40th place, underscores the nation’s vast innovation potential. To continue this remarkable trajectory and break into the top 25, it is imperative that India’s diverse states collaborate to build resilient I&E ecosystems tailored to their specific strengths and local contexts. These ecosystems play a pivotal role in strengthening regional industries, stimulating economic growth, and generating employment opportunities.”

He further maintained that the states across India have already embarked on the journey to construct robust I&E ecosystems, supported by initiatives from the Central Government. Consequently, a multitude of state-level models have emerged, each offering its own set of insights and accomplishments. However, this state-level workshop has been meticulously designed to harness the power of mutual learning among states and UTs, fostering a shared commitment to advancing their respective state-level I&E ecosystems.

The purpose of this workshop is to unleash the power of peer learning across the states/UTs in order to propel each state-level ecosystem forward.

In addition to sharing of State/UT-level innovation and entrepreneurship models, participants will exchange ideas, strategies, and experiences, showcasing successful implementations and the knowledge they have acquired in building innovation ecosystems.

Furthermore, the workshop aims to create a dynamic network of state and UT-level ecosystem builders who can continue to collaborate, exchange ideas, and drive progress beyond the workshop. The participants will also visit parts of the Karnataka innovation ecosystem during the workshop.

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Nationwide public outreach campaign to create awareness in science, technology, innovation enabling provisions introduced by the Modi government for StartUps and potential entrepreneurs

 Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has called upon scientific organisations and research institutions across the country to chalk out a roadmap for a nationwide public outreach campaign to create awareness in science, technology, innovation enabling provisions introduced by the Modi government for StartUps and potential entrepreneurs

The Union Minister said, after the Chandrayaan-3 landing on the Moon, there is a massive public interest generated in India’s Space exploration projects and the momentum needs to be sustained.

“This campaign will not only raise public awareness about our pioneering achievements by DST, CSIR, DBT, ISRO, DRDO & other scientific Departments during the more than nine years of the Government led by PM Modi, but also inspire and motivate the youth to contribute and be a part of this exciting journey,” he said.

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, was chairing a meeting of all Science Secretaries in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, Professor Ajay Kumar Sood; Secretary, DST, Prof. Abhay Karandikar; Secretary, CSIR, Dr (Mrs) N. Kalaiselvi; Secretary, DBT, Dr Rajesh S. Gokhale; Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO, Shri. S. Somanath; Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty, besides senior officers.

Lauding the ‘One Week One Lab’ student connect programme of CSIR-NIScPR conducted between Jan.1, 2023- Sep 24, 2023 by 37 CSIR Laboratories/Institutions during which their doors were thrown open to the students and public, Dr. Jitendra Singh called for grooming innovation aptitude in school children.

“Innovative learning will contribute to make India a $5 trillion economy goal and fulfil the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” he said.

The S&T Minister said the INSPIRE scheme is helping create a scientific temper as every year there is an increasing number of aspiring students competing for the awards. The first-ever Mentorship Programme for Young Innovators was launched in November 2021 to mark the 75th Year of India’s Independence, he said.

The INSPIRE Awards – MANAK is a flagship programme of the Government of India and is jointly implemented by Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India. INSPIRE Scheme caters to students in the age group 10-32 years with several components. So far, more than 1.3 lakh Higher secondary students have been offered INSPIRE scholarships to pursue a career in Natural and Basic Sciences.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that the DST supports a variety of infrastructure related schemes like FIST, PURSE, SAIF, etc. towards augmenting/ facilitating the R&D equipment for research activities at various Universities/ Institutes and other Academic organizations as well as promote industry-academia linkages.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that PM Modi’s vision is to step up the efforts in various fields to make the country ‘the most advanced laboratory for modern science’ in the ‘Amrit Kaal’-the next 25 years leading to a Viksit Bharat.

Working towards this vision, the Government has committed to invest heavily on building research infrastructure in the country. Under FIST Program, DST has supported 3,074 Departments and PG Colleges at a total budget of about Rs. 3,131 crores for Scientific Infrastructure Building in various STEM Departments.

Dr Jitendra Singh pointed out that flexible infrastructure grants are being provided to universities nationwide to keep up the vigour of conducting highly challenging R&D activities with an investment of Rs 950 Crores till date.

The Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) with a nationwide reach supports the universities’ research ecosystem by making high-end research equipment available to our academicians/scientists, enabling our universities to compete with global standards. A new scheme, SUPREME, has also been launched to provide financial support for repair/ upgradation/ maintenance/ retrofitting or acquiring additional attachments to increase functional capabilities of existing Analytical Instrumentation Facilities (AIFs).

Dr Jitendra Singh said that under PM Modi, the Government is taking a number of steps to promote scientific temper among the masses, particularly youngsters, by strengthening scientific research and innovation efforts in the country. He said, this is a pan-India Scheme that envisages Star College in every district of the country supported by the Department of Biotechnology.

A total of 278 undergraduate colleges across the country comprising more than 1.5 lakh students are supported under the DBT Star College Scheme. This includes 55 colleges from rural areas and 15 colleges in Aspirational districts.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is now steering the world in innovative technologies. We are on course to our target of reducing Greenhouse gases emission, and achieve Net Zero by 2070.

India is today one of the leading users of non-conventional energy including electric automobiles, wind & solar energy and the world’s first Hydrogen powered bus has been made in India, said the Minister. “The world is looking up to us for leads,” he said.

Sharing some of the key achievements of India in S & T like India’s massive jump in its ranking of Global Innovation Index (GII) from 81st in the year 2015 to 40th in 2022 among 132 economies of the world, 3rd rank in terms of number of StartUps, Unicorns, scientific publications and PhDs awarded, the Minister said that India has in recent years made some unprecedented progress in S & T.

“During the Covid pandemic, India not only saved its own population but also helped the world by providing vaccines and we also delivered the world’s first DNA vaccine,” he said.

The Minister mentioned that in the recent past, the Government of India has launched several flagship initiatives such as the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (ICPS); Quantum Computing and Communication; National Mission on Supercomputing, Electric Mobility, Green Hydrogen etc.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, our Chandrayaan Mission was the first to discover evidence of water on the Moon and the Aditya-L1 solar mission is led by a woman Director. PM Modi has provided an enabling milieu to India’s endeavours in Space research, and S&T. PM Modi has emerged the tallest leader in the world after the G20 Summit.

“Today the world is ready to be led by India. The declaration of International Yoga Day and International Year of Millets by the UN is proof of our rising stature. Now is the time for all of us Indians to rise to the occasion and seize the opportunity,” he said.

Referring to PM Modi’s monthly radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’, in May 2022, Dr Jitendra Singh said India’s Startup ecosystem is not limited to just big cities, but about 50% of Startups hail from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

“Today there are over 3,000 Agritech Startups and are very successful in areas like Aroma Mission and Lavender cultivation, quite a few of them do not have high qualifications, but are very innovative. In 2014, there were just 4 Startups in the Space sector, now there are over 150 Space StartUps, some of the pioneering ones now worth hundreds of crore rupees,” he said.

A lot of this has been possible because of groundbreaking reforms brought by Prime Minister Modi, including StartUp policy, National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Space sector and Drone deregulations, new geospatial policy, National Research Foundation etc, he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, PM Modi also brought in the new National Education Policy (NEP-2020) which supplements Start-Up ecosystem with the promise to open new career and entrepreneurship opportunities for students and youth in India.

Referring to the last more than 9 years of Government led by PM Modi, Dr Jitendra Singh pointed out that apart from formal jobs, lakhs of opportunities and avenues were created outside the government sector for the youth of the country, be it Start-ups, Mudra Scheme, PM SVANidhi.

During the meeting, the Union Minister reviewed preparations for the 9th India International Science Festival (IISF) – 2024 to be held at the NCR Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad from January 17-20, 2024.

National Efficient Cooking Programme launched, to promote affordable and energy-efficient induction cookers

 Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of Public Sector Undertakings under Ministry of Power, launched its groundbreaking National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) and Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP) today, unveiled by the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh, at an event held in New Delhi today, November 2, 2023. These initiatives are aimed at revolutionizing cooking practices in India and emphasizing on the importance and urgency of energy efficient fans. As part of these programmes, EESL will distribute 1 crore efficient BLDC fans and 20 Lakh energy-efficient induction cook stoves nationwide.

The National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) introduces induction-based cook-stoves, offering a cost advantage of 25-30% over traditional cooking methods, promising both energy savings and cost-effective cooking solutions. By deploying 20 Lakh Induction cook-stoves across India, EESL seeks to reduce the environmental impact of cooking methods, ensuring cleaner air and improved health for citizens. EESL has also partnered with Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) for the large-scale deployment of induction cooktops. The deployment is expected to accelerate the acceptance and large-scale adoption of modern electric cooking devices in Indian kitchens.

The Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP) focuses on deploying energy-efficient BLDC fans, with the goal of distributing 1 crore ceiling fans. These initiatives not only reduce energy consumption and environmental impact, but also enhances consumer comfort while lowering electricity bills, creating a win-win situation for all. The program for deploying one crore ceiling fans was initiated during the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group in Goa in July 2023. In continuation of this, EESL is inviting the first bid of 20 lakh fans, under a programme titled Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP).

“Electric Cooking is one way to reduce dependence on imported sources for energy”

Addressing the gathering comprising the proud officials of EESL and others, the Union Power & NRE Minister underlined the strategic imperative due to which a shift towards electric cooking is necessary. “We have cooking based on imported Liquified Natural Gas. We can afford it financially, but in strategic terms, it is not advisable to depend on other countries for energy needs. This is one reason we need to shift from imported sources of energy to indigenous forms; and one way to do that is to shift our cooking to electricity.”

“Absolutely no difference between food cooked using e-cooking and gas stoves”

The Minister stressed that there is no difference in food cooked on flame versus that cooked using induction cookers. “We need to propagate this; all organizations under Ministry of Power and Ministry of New & Renewable Energy will help in propagating this, all organizations will get together to bring to every household the advantages of shifting to electric cooking, in terms of price and availability.”

“E-Cooking will reduce cooking costs of poor families”

Shri Singh explained how a shift to electric cooking will help the ordinary citizen. “Even though we subsidize our gas cylinders, many poor families are not able to afford buying gas cylinders. So, this brings us back to cooking based on fossil fuels. Electric cooking, I believe, is the answer to this problem; especially for poor consumers, if they switch over to electric cooking, it will reduce their cooking costs, after accounting for cost of electricity as well.”

“Energy inefficient fans will be rapidly phased out”

The Minister also sent a message to all manufacturers that inefficient fans will be rapidly phased out. “The fans brought out by EESL are Five-Star. We are going to phase out inefficient fans at a rapid pace. All manufacturers in both organized and unorganized sectors may take note. We want the people of India to get the best. We want to be and will continue to be a world leader.”

“EESL and BEE have played a stellar role in India’s energy transition journey”

The Minister commended EESL and Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), both organizations under the Ministry of Power, for making a stellar contribution to India emerging as a world leader in energy transition. Shri Singh recalled that the roadmap for energy transition adopted by the government has been to electrify the economy with an aim to shift it from other forms of energy to electricity and then to green the electricity. “About 44% of our capacity is already non-fossil-fuel sources, about 25% in energy terms. By 2030, around 65% of our capacity will be from non-fossil-fuel sources, and in energy terms, it will be around 40% – 45%. And we have been able to reach where we are today, largely due to the efforts of BEE and EESL. Both have come out with schemes which are world-leaders.” EESL has been responsible for shifting our lighting to LEDs, despite many hurdles, notwithstanding the shortfall in financial resources for local bodies, the Minister added.

Complimenting and congratulating EESL for the success with LED programme, the Minister said: “You need to do with the cooking stove what you did with the LED.”

“Energy Efficient Fans Programme will trigger huge replacement demand”

Addressing the gathering, Union Power Secretary, Shri Pankaj Agarwal said that the two programmes launched today are outstanding and will play a catalytic role. He said that the Energy Efficient Fans Programme will lead to a huge replacement demand. “The fans market in the country is about Rs. 10,500 crores, comprising about 200 players and around 14 branded fans. A lot of the demand which is coming is not only new demand but replacement demand as well. The Star labelling programme is going to trigger a huge replacement demand. I hope that Indian manufacturers are geared up with the products. The Demand aggregation being provided by EESL will bring economies of scale and also create huge outreach.”

Shri Agarwal added that low-hanging fruits for electrification of economy are electrification of mobility and of cooking. “Electric induction-cooking market is about 10 million units a year; We have huge ambitions for energy transition. EESL initiative will help expand access, bring prices down and provide benefits to citizens at large,” Shri Agarwal said.

“India led the world in setting Energy Transition Agenda at G20”

The Power Secretary noted that India played a leadership role in setting the agenda for energy sector and energy transition for the world, as President of the G20. “We have been a leader in energy transition, we are walking the talk. We notified Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs), for which we laid down mandates in Energy Conservation Act. We gave states to meet obligations as per their preferences. One area in which a hard obligation has been set is in the area of distributed renewable energy, in which we want to really work hard and meet our high aspirations.”

Director General, BEE, Shri Abhay Bakre emphasized that energy transition has to take place in an affordable and equitable manner, keeping in mind national circumstances. “In this, not only supply side, but demand side efficiency improvement and demand side energy management are also critical. We have already put forth a very clear roadmap for doubling energy efficiency. These demand side measures have the potential of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by almost 40% by 2050.”

The DG added that the two initiatives launched today will go a long way in delivering the schemes to the doorstep of the common citizen. “If we have a higher share of electrification in all sectors, this indicates that we are reaching towards a developed country. So, when we aspire to become a developed country in a few decades, electric cooking is a very good solution.”

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), EESL, Shri Vishal Kapoor said: “With the launch of the National Efficient Cooking Programme and the Energy Efficient Fan Programme, EESL is taking bold steps to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprints in Indian households. Our past initiatives, such as the distribution of millions of LED bulbs under UJALA and installation of streetlights under Street-lighting National Programme, have already made a substantial impact by reducing energy consumption, preventing peak demand, and cutting CO2 emissions.”

The launch event can be watched here.

National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP)

“National Efficient Cooking Programme” (NECP) is a subset of the Clean Cooking Scheme. NECP focuses on Non-Solar/Electricity-based Induction Cookstoves, aligning with the Go- electric initiative by the Ministry of Power. EESL has already initiated efforts to promote clean and safe electric cooking to support India’s Go-electric campaign and contribute to carbon mitigation goals.

The induction cooktop market’s rapid growth is driven by its efficiency, technology, and aesthetic appeal. With over 10 million units sold in 2021-22, increased demand is attributed to factors like modular kitchens, rising LPG costs, and the versatility of cooking with induction. Northern and western India are leading in sales, while portability, convenience, and safety make induction stoves increasingly popular. They are seen as an efficient and safer alternative to traditional gas and electric stoves, contributing to the market’s steady expansion. Additionally, induction cooking’s adoption in various food outlets and the growing awareness of its benefits are fuelling its growth.

Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP)

EESL has been actively dedicated to encouraging the adoption of energy-efficient appliances, such as LED bulbs, tube lights, and high-performance fans. Beginning January 1, 2023, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has mandated that ceiling fans must bear star labels.The annual ceiling fan market in India comprises approximately 4.4 crore units.  Notably, ceiling fans contribute to approximately *40% of total residential electricity consumption, which accounts for over a quarter of India’s overall electricity usage. By replacing all current ceiling fans with the most efficient models available today, nearly 20% of total residential electricity consumption can be reduced. EESL aims to capitalize on this potential for savings by deploying 1 crore 5-star energy-efficient ceiling fans across India.

Conventional fans typically consume 75-80W, whereas contemporary 5-star fans consume only 28-32W, and 3-star fans use 40-45W. Remarkably, the adoption rate of 5-star energy- efficient fans stands at a mere 5%, indicating substantial potential for energy conservation.

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) intends to enhance the market for efficient fans by deploying one crore efficient ceiling fans throughout the country. The program for deploying one crore ceiling fans was initiated during the G20 Summit in Goa in July 2023. In this continuation, EESL is inviting the first bid of 20 lakh fans.

About Energy Efficiency Services Limited

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), operating under the Ministry of Power, is a leading Energy Service Company. Their portfolio encompasses energy-efficient products like LED bulbs, tube lights, fans, air conditioners, streetlights, and electric vehicles. EESL’s transparent procurement processes, overseen by CVC, have enabled them to distribute millions of these products, resulting in substantial energy savings, reduced peak demand, and greenhouse gas emissions.

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Dust Control at National Highway Construction Sites in NCR

 To monitor the effective implementation of dust control measures in National Highway projects being implemented by NHAI in Delhi-NCR, NHAI has set up a ‘Dust and Control Management Center’, pursuant to the directions issued by Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) to improve air quality index in the National Capital Region.

NHAI is implementing prestigious projects around NCR such as Dwarka Expressway, UER II Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway and Delhi – Dehradun Expressway. To keep the air quality and dust levels in control, NHAI has directed its contractors/ concessioners to review the existing dust control measures at the National Highway construction sites and strictly comply with the directions issued by the CAQM / Central and/ or State Pollution Control Board.

Dust control measures to be taken at the construction sites includes deployment of mechanical sweeping machines on completed projects, water sprinkling along the day on all construction sites, Deployment of Anti-Smog Guns on all constructions sites and batching plants, Covering of Construction & Demolition material with green net or cloth.     

With a dip in air quality parameters in Delhi-NCR, CAQM has invoked actions as envisaged under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). In line with these guidelines, NHAI is ensuring that all possible measures are taken to maximize dust control at the National Highway construction sites in the region.

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Nationwide Digital Life Certificate Campaign

 To enhance ‘Ease of Living’ of Central Government pensioners, Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has been promoting Digital Life Certificate (DLC) i.e. Jeevan Pramaan extensively.  In 2014, submission of DLCs using biometric devices was commenced. Subsequently, the Department engaged with MeitY and UIDAI to develop a Face Authentication technology system based on Aadhar database, whereby it is possible to submit LC from any Android based smart phone.  As per this facility, the identity of a person is established through face authentication technique and DLC gets generated. This breakthrough technology, launched in November 2021, reduced the dependence of pensioners on external bio-metric devices and made the process more accessible and affordable to masses by leveraging smartphone-based technology.

With a view to spread awareness amongst all the Central Government pensioners as well as the Pension Disbursing Authorities for use of DLC/Face Authentication technology to submit Digital Life Certificate, DoPPW launched a nation-wide campaign in the month of November 2022 in 37 cities through-out the country. The Campaign was a huge success with more than 35 lakh DLCs of Central Government Pensioner issued.  A Nation-wide Campaign is being held from 1st to 30th November, 2023 in 500 locations in 100 cities across the country, targeting 50 lakh pensioners in collaboration of 17 Pension disbursing banks, Ministries/ Departments, Pensioners’ Welfare Association, UIDAI, MeitY. 

With a view to ensure that the benefit of digital modes of Life Certificate submission reaches pensioners in the remotest corners of the country and also benefits super senior/ sick / incapacitated pensioners, a comprehensive Circular with detailed guidelines has been issued defining roles and responsibilities of all the stakeholders which includes Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, Pension Disbursing Banks and Pensioners’ Associations. These guidelines include nomination of nodal officers by the stakeholders, for the Campaign,  spreading awareness / providing due publicity to DLC-Face Authentication technique through banners/posters placed strategically in offices and bank branches/ ATMs, use DLC/Face Authentication technique as far as possible where Doorstep banking services are availed, equipping dedicated staff at bank branches with an Android phone to use this technology when pensioners visit the branch for submission of Life Certificate, holding of Camps to enable pensioners to submit their DLCs without delay and home visit in case of bed ridden pensioners

The Pensioners’ Welfare Associations have also been sensitized to hold camps for pensioners for DLC submission. The officials from Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare will be visiting major locations through-out the Country to assist pensioners in use of various digital modes to submit their Life Certificates.

The Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare will be putting all efforts to make this Campaign a grand success throughout the country. 

 

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Para-athletes for their Stellar Performance at 4th Asian Para Games

 The achievements of para-athletes at Asian Para Games in China have not only marked a historic moment for Indian sports but have also set a benchmark for aspiring athletes across the nation, said Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs here today.

The Minister was speaking at an event organised by IndianOil to honour the monumental achievements of Indian para-athletes, at the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China.

Shri Rameswar Teli, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Labour & Employment;  Shri Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman, IndianOil, Ms Deepa Malik, President, Paralympic Committee of India (PCI); Shri Gursharan Singh, Secretary General, PCI and Shri Avinash Rai Khanna, Patron-in-Chief, PCI also attended the event.

Noting the performance of Indian para-athletes in the recent Asian Para Games, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri lauded their indomitable spirit, resilience, and unparalleled determination. He also mentioned about some extraordinary athletes who, he said, with their prowess, have become the luminaries of Indian para-sports.

He talked about Sheetal Devi, who is the world’s first female armless archer. Shooting with her feet, this prodigious 16-year-old clinched gold in the compound individual open event, paired up with Rakesh Kumar for another gold in the compound mixed team event and secured a silver in the women’s compound doubles with Sarita.

Alluding to the performance of Ankur Verma at Asian Para Games, the Minister said that his mastery was evident as he clinched gold in both the men’s T11 1500m and 5000m races. He became the first Indian to win two gold medals in a single edition of the Asian Para Games, Shri Puri added.

The Minister also lauded the performance of Sundar Singh Gurjar and Sumit Antil at the recent Asian Para Games.

Complimenting the IndianOil for standing up with para-athletes in India, the Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas said that the Oil Sector PSU has played an invaluable role in their journeys to success. In line with Prime Minister’s vision to create a nurturing environment for sports in our country, he said, that the Government of India will keep extending full support to the sports and athletes/sportspersons in the country.

Indian performance at 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China:

The India contingent marked an unparalleled success at the 4th Asian Para Games  rounding off the event with a stellar medal haul of 111 – 29 golds, 31 silvers, and 51 bronzes. This magnificent tally eclipses the previous record of 72 medals clinched in 2018. With this, India firmly established itself at the fifth position on the overall leaderboard of the 4th Asian Para Games.

The phenomenal trajectory from securing a modest three gold medals in the 2014 edition of the games to a commendable 29 golds this year narrates the saga of dedication, hard work, and the relentless spirit of our para-athletes. India showcased its formidable representation this year by dispatching a contingent of 303 athletes, which included 191 men and 112 women. This marked the country’s most substantial ever delegation to this continental event, seeing a notable rise from the 190 athletes in 2018.

India’s women athletes, making up 37% of our representation in Hangzhou, stood out by securing 40 medals, accounting for 36% of the total medal count. Additionally, our athletes created history by establishing three world records, 13 Asian records, and 15 Para Asian Games records.

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Ministry of Panchayati Raj during 2nd – 31st October 2023

 Union Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Shri Giriraj Singh and Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil inspected Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) office premises at Jeevan Bharati Building, New Delhi on the last day of Special Campaign 3.0 on 31st October 2023, as part of monitoring the progress of Special Campaign 3.0 conducted by MoPR for institutionalizing Swachhata and minimizing pendency.  

   

Union Minister Shri Giriraj Singh and MoS Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil advised the staff-members to contribute to thorough cleanliness drives and zero pendency initiatives as part of the Special Campaign for Disposal of Pending Matters (SCDPM) to create a healthy work culture that ensures enhanced level of cleanliness and work efficiency. Shri Giriraj Singh and Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil called upon all the staff-members to practice cleanliness at the office – Clean Office and Clean Desk (no pendency of work) at all times so that sustaining the momentum of Special Campaign 3.0 can be ensured.

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Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil and then Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj Shri Sunil Kumar along with Additional Secretary, MoPR, Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Economic Adviser, MoPR, Dr. Bijaya Kumar Behera and other senior officers took a round of office premises in Jeevan Bharati Building on 6th October 2023 and inspected overall cleanliness and reviewed the progress made under implementation of Special Campaign 3.0 in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

   

Special Campaign 3.0 was regularly monitored under the guidance of Union Minister of Panchayati Raj, Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj and also through DARPG’s dedicated portal of Swachhata Campaign and SCDPM–2023 where the requisite data and relevant photographs were uploaded on a regular basis.

  

The progress made in the implementation of Special Campaign 3.0 was reviewed by Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar with Nodal Officers of Divisions/ Sections in the Ministry on 4th, 17th and 25th October 2023. Disposal of Public Grievances, Public Grievance Appeals, PMO References, other References and pending matters gained momentum during the Special Campaign 3.0, and considerable numbers of Public Grievance Appeals were disposed of and e-files were reviewed.

  

The month-long Special Campaign 3.0, kick-started on 2nd October 2023, provided an opportunity to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to reiterate the commitment to improve current cleanliness levels in the office premises, disposal of scrap/ waste materials, ensure timely disposal of Public Grievances and reduce the pendency of work in the offices. Special Campaign 3.0 commenced with Swachhata Pledge taking event organized at two office premises of Ministry of Panchayati Raj at Jeevan Bharati Building, Sansad Marg and Jeevan Prakash Building, New Delhi where the Swachhata Pledge was administered to all officers and staff-members (regular contractual and outsourced) of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

Special Campaign 3.0 that aims to mobilize and involve all officers and employees for institutionalizing Swachhata and minimizing pendency in government offices witnessed active and enthusiastic participation of all staff-members (regular, contractual and outsourced) of Ministry of Panchayati Raj during the Preparatory Phase (15th – 30th September 2023) and Implementation Phase (2nd – 31st October 2023) of Special Campaign 3.0.

Prior to the launch of Special Campaign 3.0, Action Plan for Special Campaign 3.0 for institutionalizing Swachhata and minimizing pendency in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj was issued vide office circular dated 19th September 2023 among all officers and staff-members of the Ministry. All the officers and staff-members (regular, contractual and outsourced) posted in the Ministry at three locations namely, Krishi Bhawan, Jeevan Bharti Building and Jeevan Prakash Building were sensitized regarding maintenance of cleanliness in the Offices on daily basis during the Special Campaign 3.0 and beyond. Banners on Special Campaign 3.0 were displayed at prominent places in the office premises located in three buildings for greater awareness, widespread participation for creating a movement and environment for Special Campaign 3.0.

A workshop on Capacity Building of Record Officers was organized on 27th September 2023 under Chairmanship of Dr. Bijaya Kumar Behera as part of Preparatory Phase of Special Campaign 3.0 where participants were enlightened about robust due diligence, record keeping and record retention. Dr. Bijaya Kumar Behera underscored that preparatory phase of Special Campaign 3.0 includes cleanliness as well as disposal of pending references etc., adding that there are no pending grievances in the Ministry as of now, and we should maintain momentum.

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Division–wise Nodal Officers were designated and concerted efforts were made in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to identify redundant scrap materials and obsolete/ unserviceable items, and to sensitize the staff-members for maintaining a clean and hygienic workplace at all times. Senior officers of the Ministry performed Shramdaan and personally visited different Sections from time to time during the Special Campaign 3.0 and advised the staff-members to make Swachhata everyone’s business.

As many as 45 staff-members of the Ministry were provided with new computers during the Special Campaign 3.0, which will help them improving their work efficiency and productivity. For successful implementation of Special Campaign 3.0, the General Administration Section has procured indoor plants, flower pots and decorative items for the Ministry.

Under the Special Campaign 3.0, all the employees of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj enthusiastically participated in the disposal of pending cases. All-out efforts made during the Special Campaign 3.0 have yielded encouraging results with disposal of 995 Public Grievances, 283 Public Grievance Appeals and 1 VIP Reference. Besides, 750 e-files were also reviewed for weeding out. Apart from regular cleanliness drives in office premises, 15 intensive cleanliness drives were organized in office premises with special focus on decongesting, decluttering and beautifying the workspace and improving the infrastructure and ambience of offices.

Vigorous cleanliness campaigns were conducted at the three office locations of the Ministry with adequate cleaning of office chambers of all senior officers, rooms of other officers and staff-members, sections, corridors, conference hall, work stations, furniture, wash-rooms, toilets, storage places, passages, reception areas and inside premises of the MoPR office-buildings. Dr. Bijaya Kumar Behera in-Charge of General Administration in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj used to interact with housekeeping / cleaning staff on regular basis during the Special Campaign 3.0 and discussed about their concerns / issues including health, safety and dignity in order to fulfil our collective responsibility to ensure their welfare. All the housekeeping staff have been given monetary incentive in recognition of their sincere efforts and dedication for proper cleaning and upkeep of the office premises.

    

Few innovative and best practices undertaken by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj during the ongoing Special Campaign 3.0 are as follows:

  • During the Special Campaign 3.0, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has started productive use of the freed up space in the office premises at Jeevan Bharati Building with setting-up quiet, tidy and distraction-free Work Stations for staff-members to optimize the workspace and boost productivity.
  • The reception area and corridors in the MoPR office premises on the ninth floor of Jeevan Bharati Tower–2 Building, New Delhi have been transformed into bright, beautiful and welcoming spaces with placing the green plants, flower pots and plant containers during the Special Campaign 3.0.
  • The renovation work in the MoPR office premises on the eleventh floor of Jeevan Prakash Building has been started during the Special Campaign 3.0.
  • Contributing to Environmentally Responsible Workplace through: (a) Indoor Plants in corridors that help purify the air and create a calm atmosphere, (b) Using an energy-efficient LED lighting system, (c) Sustainable and recycled décor items, (d) Cleanliness is maintained through regular cleaning.
  • Promoting energy-efficient/energy-saving practices – switching off electronic appliances / devices / equipments when not in use.
  • Prioritizing women’s hygiene and sustainable menstrual waste management, MoPR ensures responsible Menstrual Waste management and clean women’s restrooms/ washrooms for all women staff-members.
  • Providing new computers to 45 staff-members to enhance their efficiency and productivity.
  • Monetary incentive to all the housekeeping staff in recognition of their sincere efforts and dedication for proper cleaning and upkeep of the office premises.

During the month-long Special Campaign 3.0, all officers and staff-members actively participated with full enthusiasm and renewed vigour for successful implementation of the Special Campaign 3.0 in the Offices of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. A short video film based on the theme of Special Campaign 3.0 was produced and official social media platforms of the Ministry were utilized to conduct outreach with public and highlight MoPR’s efforts and achievements under Special Campaign 3.0.

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National-level innovation challenge aimed at motivating young individuals to create functional prototypes of innovative solutions

 Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Shri Sanjay Kumar today inaugurated a national-level innovation challenge aimed at motivating young individuals to create functional prototypes of innovative solutions. The Ministry of Education collaborated with the ATL Marathon program, spearheaded by the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, in partnership with UNICEF and YuWaah.

Dr. Chintan Vaishnav (Mission Director, AIM), Shri Vipin Kumar (Additional Secretary, Ministry of Education), Kevin Frey (CEO, Generation Unlimited), Dhuwarakha Sriram (Chief of YuWaah, Youth Development and Partnerships, UNICEF) and Abhishek Gupta (COO YuWaah, UNICEF) attended the event.

Department of School Education & Literacy has been committed to strengthening education in India through the National Education Policy (NEP) framework, with a focus on practical learning. Initiatives like the School Education Council and various programs have been instrumental in promoting this approach. The collaboration with the ATL Marathon has been a significant step in this direction, with over 32,000 innovations submitted by school students from across India over the last six years.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sanjay Kumar expressed that through this program, we aim to support students in working collectively, introducing them to best practices that nurture their innovation skills, and connecting them with role models. We are also committed to supporting the best innovators from the program under School Innovation Councils, by providing a seed fund of 1-lakh rupees for 200 innovators, with ATL Marathon finalists being considered, he added.

This year’s ATL Marathon is themed “India’s 75th Republic Day” and features problem statements in areas such as Space, Agriculture, Inclusivity, Disaster Management, Mobility, Health, Education, and Skill Development. Student teams are encouraged to build projects addressing these challenges.

The top-performing teams will have the opportunity to participate in the Student Innovator Program, which includes internships with leading corporates and incubation centers in India. They will also receive certificates from AIM, NITI Aayog, and various exciting opportunities.

The Ministry of Education is excited about the prospects of this collaboration and looks forward to witnessing the remarkable innovations that young students will contribute to the development of India and the world through the ATL Marathon program.

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DRDO holds XVIII International Workshop on High Energy and Special Materials

 he Defence Research and Development Organisation’s  (DRDO)  High Energy Material Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune  is organizing the XVIII International Workshop on High Energy and Special Materials (HEMs-2023) in association with Tomsk State University & Federal Research & Production Centre, Russia on 2nd & 3rd November 2023 at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam DRDO Golden Jubilee Auditorium, Pashan, Pune. The workshop was inaugurated by Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO.

 HEMRL is organizing  this international workshop for  the first time in India, which provides a platform to the scientists, technocrats and researchers to share knowledge, experience and technological advancements made in recent past. About 250 delegates from countries like Russia, Germany, France, India etc., are attending the workshop. Various DRDO and ISRO laboratories, academic institutes and industries are participating in the workshop.

 HEMs-2023 is being held to discuss, deliberate and share new developments in recent past in High Energy Materials and allied technologies. The theme of this workshop is ‘Emerging Trends in High Energy and Special Materials’. The workshop is aimed at strengthening the collaboration of scientists and researchers across the globe on the development of new articles based on High energy and special materials. Focused areas for deliberations and discussions at the workshop are synthesis, characterization & evaluation of new energetic materials for various applications, insensitive & green HEMs, advanced high explosive formulations and devices, advanced pyrotechnics, nano materials for HEMs application, demilitarization, waste management, environmental studies and disposal technologies for HEMs, advances in special materials and allied technologies.

The International Workshop on HEMs was started in the year 2004 and thereafter regularly organized by Russia with International Collaborators like Politecnico di Milano, Italy; Airbus Safran Launchers (Ariane Group) and Universite Lyon 1, France; JAXA, Japan.

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India Manufacturing Show’ in Bengaluru

 Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the three-day ‘India Manufacturing Show’ in Bengaluru, Karnataka on November 02, 2023. The show has been jointly organised by Laghu Udhyog Bharti & IMS Foundation and supported by Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence. The central theme of the event is ‘Make in India, Make for the World’.

Addressing the industry captains & young entrepreneurs present at the inaugural function, the Raksha Mantri described the small-scale industries as the backbone of India’s economy that contribute immensely to the development of the nation. “Small industries are the motor of the Indian economy. The faster the motor runs, the quicker the vehicle of the economy moves,” he said, also crediting the small industries for maintaining stability in the economy.

Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the important contribution of these industries to the socio-economic development of the country. “Compared to investment made, small industries create more employment opportunities than large industries. They also ensure a more even dispersion of wealth in society. Many MSMEs are doing well in exports and are becoming a part of the global supply chain of the world’s biggest companies. Heavy industries, too, play a big role in the nation’s development, but the country cannot fully progress by ignoring small industries,” he said.

The Raksha Mantri remembered the time when India was called ‘golden bird’ and a big reason was that there were many small industries in villages and towns, which provided employment to the people. “In ancient times, there were no large-scale industries in India; they were only small industries. Textile, iron and shipbuilding were the three industries for which India was known all over the world. They showcased our industrial capability,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh also underlined the ability of small industries to adapt to the changes more easily than large industries. “It is the adaptability of small industries which increases the possibilities of innovation. Many times, small industries bring more innovation than large industries in terms of new products, services and business models,” he said.

The Raksha Mantri recalled Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy on economy, wherein he encouraged to focus on small industries rather than heavy industries. This is due to stronger connections of small industries with local communities. Even though their production scale is small, they are better tuned to local needs, he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh added that big industries, which have a turnover of thousands of crores, were once small industries, which reflects their importance. He termed the small-scale industries as the youth of industrial development; which possesses more energy, innovation and the ability to create something new. He emphasised that drawing focus towards small industries does not mean undermining the importance of heavy industries. He termed the relationship between the two as symbiotic, with both depending on each other for their profitability.

Referring to the opinion of a section of people who believe that private industries operate on selfish motives, the Raksha Mantri said, “There is a need to understand the concept of economy; the fine line between selfish motive and profit motive. The profits of private industries reach crores of families in India, due to which the economy of this country is running. If private industries do not work on a profit motive, they will not be able to contribute to the economy. ‘Profit is not selfish, Profit is legitimate benefit’”.

Shri Rajnath Singh voiced the importance the Government attaches to the small-scale industries and listed out a number of decisions taken to ensure their welfare. These include MUDRA scheme, launched in 2015, under which a provision was made to provide collateral-free loans to MSMEs. The government also provided additional credit worth crores of rupees for MSMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Raksha Mantri also enumerated the unprecedented steps taken for MSMEs in the defence sector. “We are the first government which imposed restrictions on itself for the import of weapons. We released five positive indigenisation lists, under which 509 equipment have been identified, the manufacturing of which will now take place in India. In addition, four positive indigenisation lists for Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) were also promulgated, under which 4,666 items were identified, that will be manufactured within the country. To ensure adequate demand assurance for our domestic industries, we reserved 75% of the defence capital acquisition budget, which amounts to approximately Rs one lakh crore, for purchases from local companies. These steps will strengthen our MSMEs and make them ‘Aatmanirbhar’,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh also referred to the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, which was launched to invite new ideas in defence manufacturing through start-ups and innovators. He added that iDEX Prime was launched to support projects, requiring support beyond Rs 1.5 crore up to Rs 10 crore, to help the start-ups in the defence sector.

The Raksha Mantri termed Laghu Udyog Bharti as a bridge between the government and the industry. “As an institution, Laghu Udyog Bharti should make the government aware of the problems of small industries. We will find solutions as soon as possible. It has another important role. The government and society have some expectations from industries. As an industry association, it should work in line with those expectations. As much responsibility as the industry has towards its balance sheet and profit & loss statements, it also has the same responsibility towards the nation. You should ensure that you provide top-quality and cost-effective products. You should take care of the interests of all the stakeholders. Keeping the environment in mind, the use of clean technologies must be promoted,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh appreciated the fact that small industries of the country are progressing well through Laghu Udyog Bharti. He exuded confidence that India will become self-reliant and a global manufacturing hub in the times to come, if the industries continue to move forward with hard work and dedication.

Members of Parliament Dr Sudhanshu Trivedi & Shri Tejasvi Surya, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharat Forge Limited Shri Baba Kalyani and Executive Vice President & Head, L&T Defence Shri Arun Ramchandani were among those present on the occasion.

The sixth edition of ‘India Manufacturing Show’ will provide a platform to the exhibitors to showcase their technologies, equipment and R&D in different sectors, such as aerospace & defence engineering, automation, robotics & drones to the participants. The aim is to bring together best minds, best technologies and best practices while providing business and knowledge sharing opportunities for its participants.

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ABB/Savvy

One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) Awareness Drive in Jammu and Kashmir

 Jammu, November 2, 2023 – Shri Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary of the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), Government of India, addressed beneficiaries and emphasised the importance of raising awareness for the One Nation, One Ration Card (ONORC) initiative during an awareness drive workshop in Jammu & Kashmir.

The awareness drive workshop took place at Udyog Bhawan, Rail Head Complex, Jammu, on November 2, 2023, , and was aimed at enlightening beneficiaries about the benefits of ONORC, a transformative scheme designed to ensure seamless access to ration entitlements across the nation.
Other dignitaries who attended the workshop included Shri Zubair Ahmed (Secretary, Dept of FCS(CA, J&K), Sh. Ramesh Kumar (Divisional Commissioner, J&K), Sh. Abdul Rashid War (Labour Commissioner, J&K), Ms. Rifat Kohli (Director, Dept of FCS&CA, Jammu) and other senior officials. About 120 beneficiaries and FPS dealers attended the workshop. The event was broadcast live over DFPD’s official YouTube page.

Shri Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, DFPD GoI, addressing beneficiaries in the ONORC workshop conducted in Udyog Bhawan, Jammu

During his address, the Secretary, DFPD, emphasised the motto, “Aap jahan, aapka ration waha”, highlighting the key principle of ONORC. This initiative allows beneficiaries to avail their entitled ration from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice, no matter where they are in the country.

He also highlighted the remarkable success of the ONORC program, revealing that over 2.5 crore transactions are recorded nationwide every month. In Jammu & Kashmir alone, since the inception of ONORC, 18 lakh transactions have been recorded to date, underscoring a strong start for the initiative.

Addressing concerns among FPS dealers that they may face a shortage of ration while serving beneficiaries from other regions, he clarified that FPS dealers can easily request additional quotas of ration using their Electronic Point of Sale (e-POS) devices. This ensures a smooth and uninterrupted supply of ration to beneficiaries.

In addition to these efforts, he highlighted other significant initiatives and schemes of the Department, including the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and rice fortification initiative. These initiatives collectively aim to achieve the food and nutritional security of over 80 crore beneficiaries across the nation.

Furthermore, he reiterated that the State Governments can now utilise funds from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) funds to create Model FPSs. These model shops will serve as examples of efficiency and modernization, setting a benchmark for other FPSs in the region.

At the conclusion of the event, Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, DFPD, also handed over bags of fortified rice to beneficiaries attending the event.

(Left) Shri Sanjeev Chopra handing over bags of fortified rice to a beneficiary; (Right) A bag of fortified rice.

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III International Convention on Sustainable Trade and Standards’

 Quality Council of India (QCI), an autonomous organization of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry hosted the International Convention on Sustainable Trade and Standards (ICSTS) in New Delhi today. ICSTS, a two-day event, has been organized by the India National Platform on Private Sustainability Standards and hosted by QCI in collaboration with the United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards (UNFSS).

The event witnessed a bilateral Agreement between QCI and African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) to strengthen trade relations and harmonize standards, enhancing the global trade landscape. Benchmarking of IndG.AP. by the GLOBAL G.A.P. through the National Technical Working Group (NTWG) mechanism and creation of National Interpretation Guidelines (NIG) also took place at the ICSTS, which is expected to benefit around 12,000 farmers. Continuing with the engagement, India has inked agreements with Brazil, Mexico and now the African Regional Standards Organisation for cooperation on Voluntary Sustainability Standards.

The digitalization initiative of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) initiative would align with its commitment to foster the e-commerce revolution, making trade more accessible and efficient in the digital age, support the IEC / ISO standards about material, product properties, calculation methods, formats of declarations, ensure Confidentiality and trustworthiness, facilitate Peer-to-peer communication decentralized architecture for full data sovereignty of all partners. ONDC identified QCI to assess Digital Readiness of entities to understand their readiness to seamlessly onboard on the Seller App in the ONDC Network.

The event witnessed presence of the esteemed dignitaries including Shri Jaxay Shah, Chairperson, QCI; Dr Harsha Vardhana Singh, Chair, India PSS Platform & Former DDG, World Trade Organization (WTO); Shri Rajesh Maheshwari, Secretary General, QCI; Dr Virpi Stucki, Chief, Division of Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade, UNIDO; Mr Charles Gachahi, Eco Mark Africa, CACO and COCO Coordinator (ARSO); and Mr Santiago Fernandez De Cordoba, Chief, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) VSS Program among others.

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Coal Sector Achieves Impressive 16.1 % Growth in September among Eight Core Industries

 As per the index of eight Core Industries for the month of September 2023 released by the Ministry of Commerce & Industries, the index of coal sector has showcased impressive growth of 16.1% reaching 148.1 points compared to 127.5 points during the same period last year. This is the highest growth in last 14 months except for August 2023.

The latest data indicates that the Combined Index of eight Core Industries has shown noteworthy increase of 8.1% (Provisional) in September 2023, compared to the same period in the previous year.

The Index measures the combined and individual production performance of eight core industries, viz. cement, coal, crude oil, electricity, fertilizers, natural gas, refinery products, and steel.

The significant growth in the coal sector is attributed to a substantial upswing in coal production during September 2023, which reached an impressive 67.27 MT, surpassing the figure of 58.04 MT during the corresponding period of the previous year, representing a remarkable increase of 15.91%. The Coal Industry registered a growth of 9.1% in Apr’2023 which rose to 16.1% in Sept’2023, showcasing consistent and sustained growth.

The Ministry of Coal has played a pivotal role in driving this growth through various strategic initiatives. These initiatives include the amendment of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2021, allowing captive mines to sell coal or lignite, augmenting domestic production through the auction-based regime for commercial coal mining, engaging Mine Developer cum Operators (MDOs) to ramp up domestic coal output and the reopening of discontinued mines on a revenue-sharing model to boost coal production.

The remarkable growth of the coal sector and its contribution to the overall growth of the eight core industries are a testament to the continuous efforts and initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Coal. These efforts align with the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and contribute to the nation’s progress towards self-sufficiency and energy security.

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5th Edition of ICC Sustainability Conclave 2023

 The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and Indian Chemical Council (ICC) organizing the two days Conclave with the theme of “Integrating Sustainability & Business Strategy for the Chemical Industry- Addressing Challenges and Opportunities”.

Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers and New and Renewable Energy, Shri Bhagwanth Khuba, Minister for Industries, Energy, and MSME, Government of Odisha Shri Pratap Keshari Deb, Secretary Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ms Nivedita Shukla Verma and senior officials of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Officials from ICC and champions of the Industries were present on the occasion.

Addressing the event, Shri Bhagwanth Khuba said that Chemical and Petrochemical Industry holds a pivotal position in our economy serving as a backbone for numerous sectors offering a diverse range of over 80000 commercial products. While the government has commendably taken steps to reduce our reliance on imports, enhance infrastructure, and improve the business environment, it is imperative that we infuse a strong focus on chemical sustainability into this narrative of growth. With our Industry posed to grow from its current value of approximately USD 215 bn to an estimated USD 300 bn by 2025, it is crucial that this growth is accompanied by an unwavering commitment to sustainable development.

Shri Khuba further stated that he envisions the chemical sector growing sustainably, reducing carbon emissions, and making a positive contribution to the environment. He also expresses hope that the industry maintains its growth and continues to be a significant contributor to the Indian economy.

On this occasion, Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ms Nivedita Shukla Verma said that with the objective of Make in India and Make for the World, Govt of India with its ‘whole of government’ approach is making all-out efforts to promote manufacturing in all the sectors. She further stated that our department is actively engaged in the promotion of the chemicals industry and enhancing the ease of doing business whenever required.  As we aim to provide a secure and reliable industrial ecosystem in the world, the chemical sector in India holds immense potential for expansion. With its natural advantages, India is an attractive place for investment and this is borne out by the fact that about 90% of the growth has been recorded in FDI in the chemical sector in 2021-22.

This is a major initiative of the Indian Chemical Industry for encouraging sustainability in the management of the entire life cycle of chemicals. Environment Resource Management (ERM), a globally renowned entity in the sector, is the Knowledge Partner for the Conclave.

ICC Sustainability Conclave holds immense significance in light of India’s international commitments to address climate change, decrease carbon footprints, increase renewable energy utilization, and encourage sustainable corporate practices. The two-day event will bring together senior representatives from Indian and Global companies, government officers, multilateral organizations, chemical industry bodies, and academic experts to discuss trending issues and opportunities, including ESG strategies, de-carbonization, net-zero transition, digital transformation, green growth, cleaner energy, safety promotion, and product stewardship beyond regulations.

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