The government introduces 'Bharat rice' at a subsidised price of Rs 29/kg to address the 15% increase in retail rice prices. Watch the video to know the details

Buy Bharat Rice at Rs 29/kg : Know about Modi govt's latest scheme

Akasa Air is in continuous discussions with Boeing on aircraft deliveries and expects to add a few more planes to its fleet in the current fiscal ending March 2025, the airline's chief Vinay Dube has said.
The carrier, which started flying in August 2022, currently has a fleet of 26 Boeing 737 MAX planes and 200 aircraft are on order.
In a recent interview to PTI, Dube said that 2024 has been a good year for the airline and will continue to build on it in 2025.
"On the service excellence we have provided, I think consumers look at Akasa as being a kind and gentler airline, little more empathetic. We will continue to treat our travellers in a kind, gentle manner," he said and added that the airline also continues to make sure its employees feel loved and respected.
Earlier this month, some pilots flagged concerns about alleged training and safety issues, and the airline had rejected them as baseless and untrue.
This year, the carrier has inducted 4 planes into its fleet.
When aske

Amid concerns in certain quarters about virtual duopoly in the Indian aviation market, Akasa Air chief said the airline does not have the luxury of being concerned by things that it does not control

Japanese imaging and optical products major Canon believes that it has a good opportunity in India for its semiconductor lithography equipment required for chip fabrication, and it is in negotiations with companies setting up facilities here, said its India President and CEO Toshiaki Nomura.
Though Canon did not disclose names, it said there are immense opportunities in this, as many chip manufacturers are now eying India as a new destination for semiconductor manufacturing.
"A lot of Chip manufacturers are eyeing India as a new manufacturing place. We are discussing with all those chip manufacturers to give our product and service," Nomura told PTI.
This is a "good opportunity for us", and the Tokyo-based group can contribute through its technology, products and services in this segment of the Indian market, he added.
"We are installing the equipment for them to manufacture chips through our technology and the product. We help chip manufacturers build a strong facility in India. O

Besides its core business of imaging, printing, and surveillance, Canon India is also trying to make its presence in fields like semiconductors, flat panel display business, and the medical industry

Albania's prime minister said on Saturday the government will shut down the video service TikTok for one year, blaming it for inciting violence and bullying, especially among children.
Albanian authorities held 1,300 meetings with teachers and parents following the stabbing death of a teenager in mid-November by another teen after a quarrel that started on TikTok.
Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking at a meeting with teachers and parents, said TikTok "would be fully closed for all.... There will be no TikTok in the Republic of Albania". Rama said the shutdown would begin sometime next year.
It was not immediately clear if TikTok has a contact in Albania.
TikTok, in an email response on Saturday to a request for comment, asked for "urgent clarity from the Albanian government" on the case of the stabbed teenager. The company said it had "found no evidence that the perpetrator or victim had TikTok accounts, and multiple reports have in fact confirmed videos leading up to this incident w

There has been increasing concern from Albanian parents after reports of children taking knives and other objects to school to use in quarrels or cases of bullying promoted by stories on TikTok

According to Isro, the agreement establishes a framework for cooperative activities in human space exploration and research

The Uttar Pradesh health department has made special arrangements to provide an insect-free experience during the Maha Kumbh.
Officials on Sunday said an innovative system had been introduced that would deploy automatic mist blowers in the Maha Kumbh area.
These blowers are capable of eradicating mosquitoes and flies within 30 minutes of receiving a call. The system ensures a swift response and a hygienic environment for all attendees, they said.
Significant efforts are being made to maintain a clean and insect-free environment in the akharas and the expansive tent city, they added.
A total of 110 state-of-the-art mist blowers and 107 mini foggers are being deployed across the site.
These devices are expected to enhance the devotees' overall experience and ensure a healthy environment throughout the grand gathering, the officials said.
According to Dr VP Singh, nodal joint director (vector control) for the Maha Kumbh, insecticide spraying would be carried out across the entire ve

These blowers are capable of eradicating mosquitoes and flies within 30 minutes of receiving a call. The system ensures a swift response and a hygienic environment for all attendees

V O Chidambaranar Port, one of the popular seaports of Tamil Nadu, has earmarked Rs 41,860 crore worth of investments, aimed at making it the Green Hydrogen-Ammonia hub of the country, a top official said.
The port has also taken measures to augment capacity after witnessing an increase in cargo handling this year.
V O Chidambaranar Port has handled a cargo volume of 29.70 million tonnes including 5.62 lakh TEUs of containers till December 19, 2024 this is an overall growth of 1.87 per cent and 6.74 per cent, respectively.
"With the ever-increasing trend in cargo handling, the Port has initiated several strategic capacity augmentation and cargo evacuation initiatives to increase cargo throughput, enhance handling efficiency and expand its market share in the region," a press release said on Sunday.
As part of a mission to position V O Chidambaranar Port as the Green Hydrogen-Ammonia Hub of India, the Port has allocated 501 acres of land to four firms for establishing Green Hydrogen

V O Chidambaranar Port has handled a cargo volume of 29.70 million tonnes including 5.62 lakh TEUs of containers till December 19, 2024 this is an overall growth of 1.87 per cent and 6.74 per cent

The GST Council, in its meeting on Saturday, is likely to decide on reducing tax rates on life and health insurance premiums, but a decision on big-ticket rate rationalisation, including a higher tax on sin goods, may be deferred.
The GoM on GST rate rationalisation had proposed rate rejigs in 148 items in its recommendations, but sources said that consensus is needed to be built on some of the tax changes that the panel has suggested and some more time may be needed for that.
The 55th meeting of the GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and comprising state counterparts, is also likely to deliberate on bringing Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), a major component for airline industry's operation cost, in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) fold.
The GST rate is also proposed to be cut on food delivery platforms like Swiggy and Zomato, to 5 per cent (without input tax credit), from the current 18 per cent (with ITC).
However, the Fitment Committee (comprising tax

Also, the Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST compensation cess is likely to get a six month extension till June, 2025, to submit its report. The compensation cess regime comes to an end in March, 2026

Funds devolved to states under the 15th Finance Commission (2021-2024) is more than what was devolved under the 14th Finance Commission (2015-20), finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday.
In a pre-budget meeting with states, Sitharaman remarked that because of healthy macroeconomic environment, buoyancy and efficiency in the tax collections, the devolution has increased.
"The funds devolved to the states in the last 45 months (April 2021 to December 2024) under the 15th Finance Commission is more than what was devolved in 60 months under the 14th Finance Commission (2015-20)," an official statement quoting Sitharaman said.
The Union finance minister also referred to the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), which was first announced in the Union Budget 2020-21, and acknowledged that it has received a very good response from states.
States have been requesting the Central government to enhance the outlay under the scheme as it is leading

In addition to this, the Union finance minister stated that the Centre has created an additional dispensation under SASCI for the states affected by disaster of a severe nature as assessed by the Inte

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Buy Bharat Rice at Rs 29/kg : Know about Modi govt's latest scheme

The government introduces 'Bharat rice' at a subsidised price of Rs 29/kg to address the 15% increase in retail rice prices. Watch the video to know the details

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