Day: June 12, 2024

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal takes charge at the Ministry of Law and Justice

 The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal took charge of the Ministry of Law and Justice today in New Delhi. Addressing the office bearers as well as the staff, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal said, “Guided by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, I am committed to serving the people with dedication & integrity and the Ministry of  Law & Justice will contribute in realizing the dream of Viksit Bharat”.

He said that “it is our priority to generate awareness among people for the 3 new criminal laws which are going to be implemented soon”. He further added that “it is our priority that the people get speedy justice in the courts”.

Shri Meghwal, born on 20th December, 1953, is a Post-Graduate in Political Science. He is a Law Graduate and has also done MBA from University of Philippines. Shri Meghwal is  a retired IAS Officer from Rajasthan and fourth time Member of Parliament representing Bikaner constituency in Lok Sabha since 2009 onwards. Prior to the present charge Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal has served as  Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate affairs (2016-2017), Union Minister of State for Water Resources , River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation and Parliamentary Affairs (2017-19), Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises and Parliamentary Affairs (2019-21), Union Minister of State for Culture & Parliamentary Affairs  (2021-2023), Union Minister of State (I/C) for law and justice MoS for culture and parliamentary affairs (2023-24). Shri Meghwal is famous as a bicycle rider for commuting to Parliament and has been awarded Sansad Ratna (3 times) and Sansad Maharatna award.

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Dr. Loganathan Murugan takes charge as Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting

 Dr L. Murugan today assumed charge as Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting. Speaking with media on the occasion Dr Murugan expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for reposing his faith in him. He further stated the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting plays a key role in executing Government policies by acting as a communication bridge between the Government and the people of the country.

Dr Murugan stated that Government is committed to Garib Kalyan and this is exemplified by the Cabinet decision to build 3 crore rural and urban houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

Dr Murugan was welcomed by Secretary Shri Sanjay Jaju and other senior officials of the Ministry and Media Units under the Ministry.

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Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw takes charge as Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting

 Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw assumed charge as Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting here today. Speaking with media on the occasion Shri Vaishnaw said that the Government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is dedicated to the upliftment of poor. The Minister reiterated the Cabinet decision for construction of 3 crore rural and urban houses yesterday and said that the first Cabinet decision on the first day of the Government is devoted to the empowerment of poor. He further stated that the Government will continue to serve the people of the country.

The Minister expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for this opportunity to serve as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting.

Shri Vaishnaw was welcomed by Secretary Shri Sanjay Jaju and other senior officials of the Ministry and Media Units under the Ministry.

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Shri Amit Shah reassumes charge as Union Home Minister in North Block, New Delhi today

 Shri Amit Shah reassumed charge as Union Home Minister in North Block, New Delhi today. In his post on ‘X’ Shri Amit Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will remain committed to the security of the nation and its people, as it always has been. Union Home Minister said that Modi 3.0 will take its efforts for India’s security to the next level and build Bharat as a bulwark against terrorism, insurgency, and naxalism.

 

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Earlier today, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah paid tributes to martyred police personnel at National Police memorial. He said that remembering the martyrs of our police forces who laid down their lives guarding the honor of the nation and whose saga of sacrifice immortalised the fervour of patriotism forever.

 

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Manohar Lal assumes Charge as MoHUA Minister

 The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHYA) saw a change of guard with both the new cabinet Minister Shri Manohar Lal, and Minister of State Shri Tokhan Sahu assuming office today. They held a joint review meeting with  senior Ministry officials who made presentations on key missions of the Ministry. Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas who was holding charge of Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and MoHUA untill now, was also present on the occasion.

Shri Manohar Lal stressed the need to carry forward the important work on ensuring clean and green cities and appreciated the efforts under the Swatch Bharat Mission to convert waste to wealth as part of the mission to make all our cities ‘Garbage Free’.

In the review meeting, the Minister appreciated the objectives of AMRUT mission to make cities water secure and ensure universal coverage of water supply in 4,900 ULBs and sewerage & septage management in 500 AMRUT cities.

Highlighting the importance of the Metro rail in easing the travel experience of urban areas, the Minister said the Ministry’s efforts to ensure timely completion of all metro projects would be redoubled, as the Metro has become the preferred mode of transport that is convenient and safe for all segments of society.

Further, the Minister noted that the projects completed under the Smart Cities Mission had set new benchmarks in urban planning and governance in the country. The use of technology for better urban management has increased in these cities and the urban services in each of the 100 cities have significantly improved in diverse fields like crime tracking, safety & security of citizens, transport management, solid waste management, water supply, disaster management etc.

Shri Manohar Lal, highlighted the need to further increase the reach of the benefits of PM Svanidhi and DAY –NULM Missions to urban poor in all parts of the country, so as to address multiple dimensions of urban poverty and improve their source of income and livelihoods.

Speaking about the importance of owning a roof over one’s head, he said the PMAY is working during fulfilling the lifelong dream of millions and therefore the Prime Minister’s announcement of making another 1 crore houses under the PMAY (Urban) will be a key priority of the Ministry. He assured effective state level reviews would also be undertaken periodically to ensure timely completeion of all housing projects.

After reviewing the performance, he expressed optimism about the strategic and comprehensive roadmap for sustainable urban development in the country and pledged to take forward the development agenda with  renewed momentum, to achieve an inclusive and Viksit Bharat.

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Dr. Jitendra Singh assumes charge as the Minister of State (Independent charge) for the Ministry of Earth Sciences

 Dr Jitendra Singh assumed the charge of Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) today at the Prithvi Bhavan headquarters in New Delhi. He was welcomed by Dr. M Ravichandran, Secretary of MoES, along with senior scientists, officials, and MoES staff.

Dr. Jitendra Singh has held this portfolio nearly for two consecutive terms except for a brief period since 2014. He is a member of Parliament from the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency. He is also the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office; Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; Minister of State in the Department of Atomic Energy; and Minister of State in the Department of Space.

Dr. Jitendra Singh assuming the charge of Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)

Addressing the media after assuming charge Dr. J. Singh thanked the Honorable PM Shri. Narendra Modi, for his continued trust, support, and encouragement. “The challenges facing our planet demand bold action and scientific innovation. We must remain committed to harnessing the immense potential of Earth sciences to foster sustainable development, mitigate climate risks, advance data-driven policy and decision making, safeguard our people from risks, and enhance environmental stewardship for future generations.” Dr. Singh.

Dr. Jitendra Singh being welcomed by Dr M Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES

In his welcome address, Dr M Ravichandran said, “Under the leadership of Dr Jitendra Singh ji, the Ministry of Earth Sciences is poised to embark on a trajectory of transformative initiatives aimed at unlocking the vast potential of our planet’s resources sustainably and addressing challenges that cater to the needs of our citizens, keeping them informed and building community resilience.” Addl. Secretary & Financial Adviser, Joint Secretary and other senior officials from MoES were also present during the occasion.   

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Shri Bhupender Yadav takes charge as the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

 Shri Bhupender Yadav today assumed charge as the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) on 11th June 2024. He was greeted at the office at Paryavaran Bhawan by Secretary Ms. Leena Nandan, Secretary(EF&CC) and other senior officials of the ministry. Shri Kirtivardhan Singh also assumed charge as Minister of State.

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Briefing the media after assuming the charge, the Union Minister thanked Hon’ble Prime Minister for giving him this opportunity and said he is ready to discharge his duties and responsibilities in the Ministry. He also welcomed his colleague Shri Kirtivardhan Singh, Minister of State. He said many steps have been taken by this Ministry in the last 10 years under the leadership of PM Modi and that the Government was moving ahead taking environment and development together. He also said that the focus will remain on initiatives such as Mission LiFE- Lifestyle for Environment. He said that globally there is an environment crisis and Hon’ble PM announced Mission LiFE- Lifestyle for Environment at the Glasgow, Climate Conference 2021. He also said that Mission LiFE seeks to mobilize individuals for climate-positive behavior and to create an ecosystem to reinforce and enable environmental-friendly self-sustainable behaviours. It upholds mindful consumption rather than mindless consumption. 

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Hon’ble Minister for MoEF&CC also said that the government believes environmental conservation and development can go hand in hand. He said that Hon’ble PM has also started a plantation initiative “एक पेड़ माँ के नाम” to counter escalating global warming and urged all citizens to take part in this initiative, launched by Hon’ble PM on World Environment Day, 2024 to promote mass plantation. This will help combat rising temperature, desertification and challenges facing biological diversity.

After assuming the charge, the Minister also held a meeting with the senior officers of the Ministry where he was briefed on the key initiatives and policy issues of the Ministry.

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Shri Jayant Chaudhary assumes charge as Minister of State for Ministry of Education

 Shri Jayant Chaudhary assumed charge as Minister of State for Education at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi, today. On his arrival at the Ministry of Education, Shri Chaudhary was welcomed by the senior officials of the Ministry.

 

 

 

He expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the trust placed in him and pledged his commitment to working diligently towards enhancing the education sector. Shri Chaudhary said that the government is committed to empower future generations. He also said that he was honored to have a role in the Ministry, which is driving the development and reforms of the key education sector.

Shri Jayant Chaudhary is an advocate for implementing programs and launches that integrate the deprived into the mainstream of development to ensure continued growth and development across sectors and the country at large.

He also brings with him a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the welfare of the people. He was a member of the Standing Committee on Commerce, the Consultative Committee on Finance, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and the Committee on Government Assurances. He has served previously on the Standing Committees on Agriculture and Finance as well as the Committee on Ethics.

Shri Jayant Chaudhary did his undergraduate studies at Shri Venkateswara College, Delhi University, and an M.Sc in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2002.

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Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat takes charge as Union Minister of Culture

 Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat assumed charge as Union Minister of Culture, here today. Speaking with the media on the occasion, Shri Shekhawat expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for reposing his faith in him and giving this opportunity to preserve, protect and promote the vibrance of Bharateeyata both across our country and the world.

He further stated that in transitioning from India to Bharat, under the leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi we have been taking giant steps in shedding our colonial cloak and reinstating our glorious cultural heritage. Shri Shekhawat stated that our nation’s growing soft power is in its rich cultural fabric and its myriad manifestations in the form of art, music, dance, textiles among others.  ‘Let’s work together to strengthen it in this Amrit kaal and make culture a strong thread to weave Viksit Bharat’, the minister added.

Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was welcomed by Secretary Shri Govind Mohan and other senior officials of the Culture Ministry.

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Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah assumes charge as the Union Minister of Cooperation

 Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah today assumed charge as the Minister of Cooperation at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan in New Delhi.

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After assuming charge, Shri Amit Shah posted on X, “The Ministry of Cooperation will continue to work towards strengthening the country’s economy along with the rural economy by empowering the farmers as per Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s vision of ‘Sahkaar Se Samriddhi’. Our government is committed to bring positive change in the lives of crores of people associated with this sector by giving new opportunities to them while empowering the idea of ​​cooperation. Today I got the privilege of taking over the charge of Minister of Cooperation again, in Modi 3.0.”

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Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia takes charge of Ministry of Communications

 Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia assumed charge of the Minister of Communications here today

Addressing the media, he emphasized the importance of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), as well as of India Post, in today’s day and age in connecting the length and breadth of India. “I am honoured that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi I have been given the charge of the Ministry of Communications. In the past ten years, our government has transformed the sector and today I want to reaffirm my steadfast commitment to make India a sustainable, customer centric and competitive telecommunications and postal market,” he said.

 

 

Minister of Communications credited the revolution in telecommunications to the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and vowed to persevere and put in his best to ensure the delivery as per the aspirations of 140 crore citizens.

The Officer of the Ministry extended a warm welcome to Shri Scindia and assured him of their full cooperation in achieving the Ministry’s goals. His extensive experience and dynamic leadership are expected to bring a fresh perspective and renewed vigour to the Ministry of Communications.

Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia’s tweet link: https://twitter.com/JM_Scindia/status/1800433070413152579?t=lSd2E36lAoARrmhijo1zkA&s=19

Link to more photos and videos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nP-n5_cv21jSF7TjJnFvoHOCBJZ3JC_o

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Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal holds review meeting with officials of Ministry of Commerce and Industry

 Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal officially took charge of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for a second consecutive term in New Delhi today. Upon assuming office, Shri Goyal immediately convened a review meeting with senior officers from both departments within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Minister of State, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada also attended the meeting. During the meeting, the Commerce Secretary and DPIIT Secretary presented a brief on the ongoing proposals and action items of the ministry.

Shri Goyal emphasized the importance of continued collaboration and directed that a series of meetings must be scheduled in the coming days to delve into the details of various policies and action items that have to be finalized.

Expressing his gratitude and enthusiasm, Shri Piyush Goyal stated, “I am delighted to be part of PM Modi’s third term and am grateful to the people of Mumbai North for electing me. As I take charge, I come to you with a lot of fresh perspectives about India and about ground zero.”

Shri Piyush Goyal said that there is a need to introspect and coordinate better between departments. Shri Piyush Goyal emphasized upon the importance of Research & Development (R&D) and strengthening Public Private Partnership (PPP) model of governance.

He urged the officers to focus upon integrity, speed, skill and scale. He said that Steering Committee on Advancing Local value-add & Exports (SCALE) Committee and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes must be utilized to their full potential to boost exports and domestic production.

Highlighting the achievements of his previous term, Shri Goyal cited the boost in overall exports from India, signing of various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), significant inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country, etc. With a renewed commitment to driving economic growth and fostering international trade, the Minister expressed hope to lead the Ministry of Commerce and Industry towards new heights, ensuring that India’s progress remains steadfast and inclusive.

Shri Goyal encouraged the officers of the Ministry to make Quality the mantra to ensure India’s progress. Shri Goyal noted that the timely sharing of data and transparency in exports and imports will encourage investors to invest more confidently. He said that India is positioned in a sweet spot and it is the right time to convert our challenges into opportunities.

 

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Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal assumes charge of Ministry of Commerce and Industry

 Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal officially assumed charge of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi today. Minister of State, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada; Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Sunil Barthwal and Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, along with senior officers of the Ministry were present on the occasion.

On the occasion of assuming charge, Shri Piyush Goyal expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for giving him the opportunity to serve the nation once again. He said that over the past decade, PM Modi’s strong development-oriented governance has inspired a wave of progress across the country, and it is imperative to continue building on this foundation.

Shri Goyal emphasized the importance of working diligently during the Amrit Kaal to ensure rapid advancements in the field of commerce and industry. He said that the government is committed to creating new opportunities for the youth and working relentlessly for the welfare of all citizens. Under the visionary leadership of PM Modi, the nation is poised to achieve new heights. He also noted that embracing the philosophy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Prayas,” the collective efforts and trust of the people will drive India towards a brighter future.

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DPIIT to conduct knowledge sharing workshop with Flipkart and Indian Toy Industry on June 12

 The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his “Mann ki Baat” address in August 2020, expressed his desire to establish India as a global toy manufacturing hub. In order to fulfill the vision, the Government has undertaken a series of initiatives including formulation of a comprehensive National Action Plan for Toys (NAPT) to promote designing of toys, using toys as a learning resource, monitoring quality of toys, promoting indigenous toy clusters etc.

This has resulted in remarkable growth of Indian toy industry in FY 2022-23 in comparison to FY 2014-15, with the decline in imports by 52%, rise in exports by 239% and development of overall quality of the toys available in the domestic market.

In order to enable further growth, increased market access and development of new-age marketing skills, DPIIT is conducting a workshop with Flipkart and Indian Toy Industry on 12th June 2024.  In the workshop, participation from Flipkart, Walmart and Toy Association of India is expected with around 100 participants.

The workshop aims to enhance India’s position and capabilities in the global toy supply chain. It will help the toy manufacturers understand the nuances of online selling which shall in turn help in the growth of sales and market access.

The Government has already undertaken a series of initiatives for development of Indian toy industry including:

  1. Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on toys (HS code 9503) was increased from 20% to 60% in February 2020, and subsequently to 70% in March 2023.
  2. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has mandated sample testing of each import consignment to curb the import of sub-standards toys
  3. A Quality Control Order (QCO) for Toys was issued in 2020, with effect from 01.01.2021.
  4. Special provisions were notified by BIS on 17.12.2020 to grant licences to micro sale units manufacturing toys without testing facility for one year and without establishing in-house testing facility, which was further extended by three years.
  5. BIS has granted more than 1400 licences to domestic manufacturers and more than 30 licences to foreign manufacturers for manufacture of toys with BIS standard Marks
  6. Cluster-based approach adopted to support domestic toy industry. The Ministry of MSME is supporting 19 toy clusters under the Scheme of Funds for the Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI), and the Ministry of Textiles is providing designing and tooling support to 26 toy clusters.
  7. Several promotional initiatives have also been undertaken to promote indigenous toys and encourage innovation, including The Indian Toy Fair 2021, Toycathon, etc.

With the workshop, DPIIT aims to synergize the industry with online marketplaces, thereby enabling opportunities for growth.

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Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan officially takes charge of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare

 Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan today took charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Speaking with media on the occasion, Shri Chauhan said he is happy to say that the first decision taken by the Prime Minister yesterday was in the interest of the farmers. He said the Prime Minister has resolved to double the income of farmers and the government will take every possible step for the welfare of farmers. The Minister also added that the NDA government has been committed for farmers’ welfare for past ten years and his Ministry will continue to work for achieving the goals.

After taking over charge, the Minister visited various offices in the Ministry and interacted with staff at various levels including cleanliness workers. He exhorted them to work as a team for achieving the government vision for welfare of farmers and work in cooperation with each other. He also visited Krishi integrated command and control center in the Ministry and saw facilities to review the agriculture scenario within the country including crop production and drought preparedness.

Later, he held a meeting of senior officials of the Ministry and underscored the need for transparency in Ministry functioning. He also handed government manifesto for welfare of farmers and rural development and called upon everyone to work towards its fulfilment. Shri Chauhan asserted that PM Narendra Modi is a visionary leader and called upon the officials to work on a roadmap for achieving goals set up in the manifesto. He said improving upon the lives of Annadata should be the mission of Ministry.

Shri Ramnath Thakur and Shri Bhagirath Choudhary also took charge as Ministers of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The hon’ble Ministers were welcomed by Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ welfare Shri Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, DARE Shri Himanshu Pathak and other senior officials of the Ministry.

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