The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the proposal of Department of Water Resources, RD & GR for continuation of centrally sponsored Scheme, viz., “Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP)” with total outlay of Rs. 4,100 crores for a period of 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26 (15th Finance Commission period).
Under the Flood Management Programme (FMP) component of FMBAP with an outlay of Rs. 2940 crore, central assistance will be provided to State Governments for taking up critical works related to flood control, anti-erosion, drainage development and anti-sea erosion, etc. The pattern of funding to be followed is 90% (Centre): 10% (State) for Special Category States.
Under River Management and Border Areas (RMBA) component of FMBAP with an outlay of Rs. 1160 crore, flood control and anti-erosion works on common border rivers with neighbouring countries including hydrological observations and flood forecasting, and investigation & pre-construction activities of joint water resources projects (with neighbouring countries).
Mumbai-based radio personality Ameen Sayani, 91, who hosted that iconic hit parade of film songs from Dec 1952 to April 1994, passed away following a heart attack on 21 Feb 2024. Sayani's journey began in a Gujarati household, far from the world of Hindi radio. However, destiny intervened, leading him to his first Hindi commercial in 1951.
Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has signed an MoU with the Indian Air Force (IAF) for integration of futuristic Weapons and Sensors for LCA Tejas aircraft. Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is a premier organization under the aegis of the Department of Defence R&D with mandate to Design and Develop Tejas-LCA and its Variants.
International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology (iCreate), Microsoft signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) facilitated by the Ministry of Electronics & IT to boost AI startups in India. Microsoft and iCreate, in the presence of Minister Chandrasekhar launched iMPEL-AI (iCreate-Microsoft programme for Emerging Leaders in Artificial Intelligence) programme.
The Centre has approved an amendment in the Foreign Direct Investment, FDI policy, allowing 100% foreign investment in the space sector. Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said that FDI up to 100% under the Automatic route will be allowed for the manufacturing of components and systems or sub-systems for satellites, ground segments, and user segment.
Union Government has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the continuation of the implementation of the Umbrella Scheme on ‘Safety of Women’ at a total cost of around 1,180 crore rupees during the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26. Besides, every year 5000 police personnel will be imparted training for effective investigation and prosecution to curb crime.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said, under it, 24-hour emergency helpline service 112 will be scaled up. He also informed that for scientific and timely investigation, six cyber forensic science laboratories are being set up at Pune, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Delhi, Kamrup, and Bhopal.
India’s largest integrated power company NTPC Limited has signed a Land Lease Agreement in order to realize its green energy and green hydrogen objectives, thus also contributing to the Government of India’s efforts towards energy transition. The hub will come up on 1,200 acres of land near Pudimadaka village of Atchutapuram Mandal in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
World Thinking Day is also known as Thinking Day and is observed on 22 February annually by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides across 150 countries. The day has been observed since 1926 and is celebrated as a day of international friendship. The day celebrates sisterhood, friendship, and women's empowerment.
Theme for World Thinking Day 2024 is 'Our World, Our Thriving Future'.
World Scout Day, celebrated annually on February 22nd, marks the birthday of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scout Movement. It is a day for Scouts worldwide to celebrate their shared values, reflect on their achievements, and recommit themselves to the ideals of Scouting.
The theme for World Scout Day 2024 is “Scouts for a Better World.”
India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is projected to moderate sequentially to 6 per cent year-on-year (YoY) in the third quarter of FY24 as against 7.6 per cent in Q2, according credit rating agency ICRA. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) projection stands at 6.5% for the said quarter. ICRA has also noted that the GVA growth may ease to 6% in Q3FY2024.
Government of Goa and Indian travel major MakeMyTrip (MMT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to further turn Goa in a year-round destination, moving beyond its iconic sun, sand, and beaches. The one-of-a-kind public-private partnership aims to outline a series of innovative initiatives to showcase Goa's lesser-known inland treasures, its rich cultural tapestry
HSBC has announced that India has become its third-largest profitable region, surpassing China. This growth is primarily driven by a strong performance in its global banking and markets division, catering to large corporations and including treasury operations. In 2023, HSBC's profit before tax in India rose by 19% to $1.51 billion, following Hong Kong and the UK.
In a significant development, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has made crucial appointments in the banking sector. These appointments, disclosed by the Department of Personnel & Training, align with the decisions made by the ACC. M R Kumar, the former LIC Chairman, has been named as the part-time non-official Director and non-executive Chairman of BOI.
Srinivasan Sridhar has taken on the role of the part-time non-official Director and non-executive Chairman on the Board of Indian Overseas Bank (IOB). Sridhar’s appointment is also for a three-year term, contingent upon his resignation from the Board of Bank of Baroda.
Aravamudan Krishna Kumar assumes the position of part-time non-official Director and non-executive Chairman on the Board of UCO Bank. His tenure spans three years, subject to his resignation from the Board of Suraksha Asset Reconstruction Limited, as directed by the Department of Personnel & Training.