Page 4 - Anurag Thakur

122 YouTube-based news channels blocked since Dec 2021: Anurag Thakur

The Centre on Thursday said that since December 2021 it has issued directions to block 122 YouTube news channels for carrying content related to the "sovereignty and integrity" of the country. Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, said the channels carried content that was violative of Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. "Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has, since December, 2021, issued directions for blocking from public access of 122 YouTube based news channels for carrying content violative of section 69A of IT Act, 2000, in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to the above," he said. Thakur said that when it comes to electronic media, all private satellite television channels are required to adhere to the Programme ..

Congress hatching conspiracy to insult Indian culture, identity: Thakur

Stepping up heat on the opposition over the north-south divide remarks, Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Wednesday accused the Congress of hatching a conspiracy to insult Indian culture and identity, instead of analysing the reasons for its defeat in the elections. Addressing a press conference here, he also questioned the silence of senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on the issue and wondered whether the remarks on the north-south divide, reference to north India as "gaumutra states" and criticism of Sanatan Dharma had their sanction. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is spreading the message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' but the opposition has started using foul language and blaming the EVMs and regionalism for their loss in the assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh," the senior BJP leader said. "The Congress doesn't believe in constitutional institutions. After facing defeat, they never analyse the reason for the defeat. They keep blaming EVM

People have rejected caste-based politics of Congress: Anurag Singh Thakur

Anurag Thakur further said that women in Rajasthan had made up their minds to vote against the Congress for allegations of corruption and poor handling of women's security in the state

People will be freed from Rajasthan's Congress govt and its loot: Thakur

He also thanked the people of Rajasthan for extending their support to the BJP

Cabinet approves 'terms of reference' for 16th Finance Commission

Chairman, members to be appointed 'as soon as possible'; commission to submit report by Oct 31, 2025

Centre approves 'terms of reference' for the 16th Finance Commission

The government has approved the 'Terms of Reference' for the 16 Finance Commission, which makes recommendations on sharing of tax revenues between the Centre and states. The recommendations would cover a five-year period commencing April 1, 2026, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said on Wednesday, giving details about the decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting last evening. The commission would submit its report by October 31, 2025, Thakur said. The 15th Finance Commission was constituted on November 27, 2017. It made recommendations covering a six-year period commencing April 1, 2020 through its interim and final reports. The recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission are valid up to financial year 2025-26. Article 280(1) of the Constitutions lays down the modalities for setting up of a Finance Commission to make recommendation on the distribution of net proceeds of taxes between the Union and states; allocation between states of respective shares of such

Union cabinet approves terms of reference for 16th Finance Commission

The government has approved the terms of reference for the 16th Finance Commission, which decides on sharing of tax revenues between the Centre and States, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said on Wednesday. The decision was taken on Tuesday evening at a Union Cabinet meeting. Thakur said the 16th Finance Commission will submit its report by October 2025 and the recommendations will be valid for a five-year period beginning April 2026. Set up under Article 280 of the Constitution, the core responsibility of Finance Commission is to evaluate the state of finances of the Union and State governments, recommend the sharing of taxes between them and lay down the principles determining the distribution of these taxes among States.

Centre extends PMGKAY free ration scheme for another five years till 2029

At a cabinet briefing, Anurag Thakur said that the extension will cost the exchequer Rs 11.8 trillion

Govt committed to boosting creative economy for cinematic quality: Thakur

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur on Tuesday said the government is committed towards boosting creative economy, mentoring outstanding artists and encouraging youngsters to achieve cinematic excellence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes in the energy of youth and he wants that more opportunities and platforms be given to them, Thakur said. He was speaking after inaugurating the '75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow' section on the sidelines of Film Bazaar of the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2023 in Goa. This is the third edition of the section in which 75 young filmmakers have been selected from 19 states. Thakur said, Nine years back, India was nowhere in the startup domain, but with a new policy, India has emerged as the third largest startup ecosystem in the world with one hundred thousand startups in the country." When the world was facing the COVID-19 pandemic, India had 50 unicorns, he said. You can well imagine, when big comp

India to be 3rd largest media & entertainment mkt in 5 yrs: Anurag Thakur

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur has said India will become the third largest media and entertainment market in the world in next five years. Speaking at the inauguration of 54th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panaji on Monday, Thakur also said that for the first time, IFFI has decided to bestow the best web series OTT award, acknowledging the transformative role of original content creators in the country. "India, on one hand, has become the fifth largest economy of the world. It is also fifth largest in the world in terms of the media and entertainment industry. In the next five years, India is going to be the third largest economy in the world as well as the third largest media and entertainment market," he said. The minister said similar to last year's edition when they initiated some firsts, the spirit continues with some more firsts in this edition also. "For the first time and from hereon, IFFI will bestow the best web

Interest in IFFI growing across globe: Thakur says new film policy on anvil

Thakur said India's media and entertainment industry is clocking an annual growth rate of 20% and added post-production work is creating different kinds of interest in the country

'Media must act as responsible pillar of democracy, call out fake news'

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday said there are "individuals and media outlets" who consistently spread fake propaganda against 'Bharat', both domestically and internationally, and stressed that media must act as a responsible pillar of the democracy, calling out fake narratives in the open. "It is our collective responsibility to challenge such narratives, expose the falsehoods, and ensure that truth prevails," he said. "It is essential to safeguard the interests of our nation and avoid providing space to anti-India views that can threaten the unity and integrity we hold dear," Thakur added. The minister was addressing an event organised here by the Press Council of India (PCI) to mark the National Press Day. "Even as we celebrate the freedom of the press, we cannot turn a blind eye to those who seek to undermine the spirit of our nation. There are individuals and media outlets that consistently spread fake propaganda against Bharat, both domestically

Chhattisgarh polls: Baghel failed to fulfill promises, says Anurag Thakur

Union minister Anurag Thakur said that the Bhupesh Baghel-led government in the state has been unable to fulfill any promise they made during 2018 Assembly elections

Chhattisgarh elections: Lotus ready to bloom in state, says Anurag Thakur

Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that the lotus is now ready to bloom in the mess spread by the Congress in Chhattisgarh

Draft bill proposed to replace the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act

The regulation will require broadcasting and content platforms to form a self-regulating content evaluation committee to oversee content on their platforms

New Bill seeks to consolidate self-regulation in broadcast sector

The government on Friday unveiled a Bill that seeks to consolidate the regulatory framework for broadcasting services, including Over-The-Top (OTT) and digital media content. The Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023 seeks to replace the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act of 1995 and other rules and guidelines governing the broadcasting sector, and strengthen self-regulation on content. "This pivotal legislation modernises our broadcasting sector's regulatory framework, replacing outdated Acts, Rules, and Guidelines with a unified, future-focused approach," Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said on X. Thakur said the draft legislation seeks to advance Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for ease of doing business and ease of living, and adapts to the dynamic world of OTT, digital media, DTH, IPTV and more, promoting technological advancement and service evolution. The information and broadcasting ministry has invited comments on the Bill from ...

Kaleshwaram is the biggest engineering blunder, says Anurag Thakur

The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is a multi-purpose irrigation project on the Godavari River in Telangana's Kaleshwaram

AAP steeped in corruption from Delhi to Punjab, alleges Anurag Thakur

Anurag Thakur said, "Ever since they came to power, one leader after another has been found involved in corruption. Aam Aadmi Party has done widespread corruption from Delhi to Punjab

Who are these people who want to create chaos here: Anurag on Kerala blasts

"I condemn the bomb blast incident in Kerala...," Thakur told reporters in Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur on late Sunday evening

SHGs products to be made available on e-commerce platforms: Anurag Thakur

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday said the Centre has decided to sell products made by women-associated self-help groups through e-commerce to double their income. He addressed around 200 such self-help groups from different areas of Una district during an 'Atmanirbhar Narishakti se Samvad' (interaction with self-reliant women) programme. Thakur said that under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, about Rs 9,000 crore has been spent by the central government to make women living in rural areas self-reliant. He called upon the delf-help groups to take special care of the quality and packaging of the finished products so that these can compete with brands available in the market. In the future, products prepared by self-help groups will be made available on the e-commerce platforms to increase their sale, the Union minister added. Speaking to reporters after the event, Thakur accused the Congress governments in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh of looting