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Union Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav Chairs 2nd Meeting of Parliamentary Consultative Committee on AYUSH

The 2nd meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Ayush held on 15.12.2025 in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush.

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Union Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav Chairs 2nd Meeting of Parliamentary Consultative Committee on AYUSH

Union Minister of State Shri Prataprao Jadhav emphasized the critical role of medicinal plant cultivation in empowering farmers, strengthening the AYUSH sector, and conserving biodiversity.

He highlighted the initiatives of the National Medicinal Plants Board and informed that for the last 25 years,

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Union Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav Chairs 2nd Meeting of Parliamentary Consultative Committee on AYUSH

NMPB has been implementing the Central Sector Scheme on “Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants” across the country. Special emphasis has been placed on Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities to create awareness and build capacity among farmers.

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Union Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav Chairs 2nd Meeting of Parliamentary Consultative Committee on AYUSH

He stated that during 2020–21 to 2024–25, about ₹1161.96 lakh was approved through 139 projects for farmers’ training and awareness, with 7 Regional-cum-Facilitation Centres providing technical support across the country. He noted that the “e-Charak” digital platform has strengthened market linkages by directly connecting farmers with buyers.

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Union Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav Chairs 2nd Meeting of Parliamentary Consultative Committee on AYUSH

The Minister emphasized that medicinal plant cultivation is a key driver of farmer empowerment, strengthening the AYUSH value chain, and biodiversity conservation, and also highlighted the global rise of millets (Shri Anna), boosted by the UN declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets, which enhanced cultivation and farmers’ income.

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Index Numbers of Wholesale Price in India for the Month of November, 2025 (Base Year: 2011-12)

The annual rate of inflation based on All India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) number is (-) 0.32% (provisional) for the month of November, 2025 (over November, 2024). Negative rate of inflation in November, 2025 is primarily due to decrease in prices of food articles, mineral oils, crude petroleum & natural gas, manufacture of basic metals and electricity etc.

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31.69 lakh defence pensioners onboarded on SPARSH, India’s largest Digital Pension platform

Ensuring ‘Right Pension to the Right Pensioner at the Right Time’, System for Pension Administration - Raksha (SPARSH), a flagship Digital India initiative, has emerged as the country’s first end-to-end digital pension platform.

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India, ADB sign loans worth over $2.2 billion for development projects

The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank today signed agreements for five loans totaling over $2.2 billion with to support various development projects. The financing will advance initiatives under India’s national flagship programmes in skilling and rooftop solar deployment along with projects supporting healthcare,

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India, ADB sign loans worth over $2.2 billion for development projects

metro development and ecotourism promotion across three states.

The Government of India’s engagement with ADB for the finalisation of the loans was done under the guidance of Shri Baldeo Purushartha, Joint Secretary (ADB & Japan), Department of Economic Affairs.

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India, ADB sign loans worth over $2.2 billion for development projects

Accordingly, the loan agreements were signed by Shri Saurabh Singh, Deputy Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of India, and Officer-in-Charge and Deputy Country Director, India Resident Mission, Ms. Aarti Mehra, on behalf of ADB.

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India, ADB sign loans worth over $2.2 billion for development projects

The signed projects comprise of supporting Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded Industrial Training Institutes Programme ($846 million); Accelerating Affordable and Inclusive Rooftop Solar Systems Development Programme (Subprogramme 1 – $650 million); Assam State Tertiary Health Care Augmentation Project (ASTHA- $398.8 million);

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India, ADB sign loans worth over $2.2 billion for development projects

Chennai Metro Rail Investment Project (Tranche 2- $240 million); and Integrated Ecotourism and Sustainable Agri-based Livelihood Development in Meghalaya Project ($77 million).

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India, ADB sign loans worth over $2.2 billion for development projects

ADB financing for Supporting Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded Industrial Training Institutes Programme aims to create a future-ready workforce for India’s manufacturing and emerging technology sectors.

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India, ADB sign loans worth over $2.2 billion for development projects

This will be achieved through modernising 650 ITIs across 12 states and upgrading 5 National Skill Training Institutes into centres of excellence for advanced trainer development. This will help deliver demand-driven courses in high-growth sectors such as renewable energy, electric mobility and advanced manufacturing, improving employability for at least 1.3 million youth.

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Gross NPAs in Outstanding Education Loans of PSBs Fall from 7% to 2%, Reflecting Improved Asset Quality

As informed by Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in terms of outstanding education loans, the Gross Non-Performing Assets (NPA) of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) reduced from 7% in FY 2020-21 to 2% in FY 2024-25, thereby showing the significant improvement in asset quality of education loans over the years. The state-wise information in this regard is not maintained by the RBI.

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Gross NPAs in Outstanding Education Loans of PSBs Fall from 7% to 2%, Reflecting Improved Asset Quality

Credit related matters of regulated entities (REs) are largely deregulated and the same are governed by the Board approved loan policies of the REs framed under the ambit of relevant regulatory and statutory requirements and terms and conditions of the loan agreement between the borrower and the RE.

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BHEL hands over dividend cheque of over 109 cr to Government of India

A Dividend Distribution Ceremony was held on Monday, 15th December 2025, in respect of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). The occasion was graced by the presence of Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy.

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BHEL hands over dividend cheque of over 109 cr to Government of India

During the ceremony, a dividend cheque of Rs. 109.98 Crore was handed over to the Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel. The dividend payout for the financial year 2024-25 is a 100% increase over the payout for the year 2023-24.

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Eight new Information Commissioners administered oath of office in Central Information Commission on 15.12.2025

Shri Raj Kumar Goyal has been appointed as the Chief information Commissioner in the Central Information Commission and assumed his office on 15.12.2025.

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Haj Suvidha Mobile App and fully digitized portal enables end-to-end online registration

The Government of India has comprehensively modernized Haj infrastructure across three key areas, Digital Infrastructure, Medical Infrastructure and Physical Infrastructure.

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Haj Suvidha Mobile App and fully digitized portal enables end-to-end online registration

The Haj Suvidha Mobile App and fully digitized portal now enable end-to-end online registration, payments, health uploads, real-time tracking, and feedback to ensure hassle free experience for the pilgrims. To address medical needs of the pilgrims, round-the-clock clinics, mobile medical teams, dental units, and emergency services are operational in Saudi Arabia,

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Haj Suvidha Mobile App and fully digitized portal enables end-to-end online registration

supported by doctors, paramedics and pharmacists, and health monitoring. To address pilgrims needs for facilities in Saudi Arabia, the buildings in Makkah and Madinah are inspected and booked months in advance to secure closer and better accommodations; transport fleets, airport shuttles, and AC-equipped tents in Mina/Arafat have been upgraded;

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Haj Suvidha Mobile App and fully digitized portal enables end-to-end online registration

training facilities at Haj House Mumbai and regional centres have been enhanced. The infrastructure at all embarkation points across India is regularly assessed and expanded in close coordination with State Haj Committees and other stakeholders, with development works executed by the Haj Committee of India.

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Haj Suvidha Mobile App and fully digitized portal enables end-to-end online registration

The Government has undertaken several measures to improve coordination between the Ministry, the Haj Committee of India, and State Haj Committees for the preparations for Haj–2026. These include strengthened institutional coordination through periodic review meetings, issuance of detailed guidelines and timelines for all operational activities, and

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Haj Suvidha Mobile App and fully digitized portal enables end-to-end online registration

regular consultations to streamline accommodation, transport, training, and other logistical arrangements.

The Government has undertaken several initiatives to enhance the safety, convenience, and logistical support of pilgrims, with special focus on senior citizens and first-time pilgrims.

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Haj Suvidha Mobile App and fully digitized portal enables end-to-end online registration

Key measures include: Improving the State Haj Inspector (SHI) ratio from 1:300 to 1:200 and further to 1:150 for better on-ground support. Enhancing the quality of SHIs through a Computer-Based Test and interview to ensure deployment of well-trained personnel. Strengthening medical support, including robust pre-departure screening and,

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Haj Suvidha Mobile App and fully digitized portal enables end-to-end online registration

including robust pre-departure screening and improved medical arrangements during Haj operations. Upgrading digital facilitation through the Haj Suvidha App for real-time information, guidance, and grievance redressal. Providing Haj Suvidha Smart Watches to all pilgrims for Haj–2026 to assist with navigation, tracking, and emergency alerts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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Rural Local Bodies in Kerala Receive Over ₹260 Crores as First Instalment of XV Finance Commission Grants

The Union Government has released ₹260.20 crores to Rural Local Bodies in Kerala as XV Finance Commission grants for the Financial Year 2025- 26. The amount represents the first instalment of Untied Grants and covers all 14 District Panchayats, 152 Block Panchayats and 941 Gram Panchayats in the State.

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Rural Local Bodies in Kerala Receive Over ₹260 Crores as First Instalment of XV Finance Commission Grants

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation) recommend the release of XV FC Grants for RLBs/PRIs, which is subsequently released by the Ministry of Finance in two installments during a financial year.

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Rural Local Bodies in Kerala Receive Over ₹260 Crores as First Instalment of XV Finance Commission Grants

Untied Grants are meant to be utilized by Rural Local Bodies/PRIs for location-specific felt needs under the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, except for salaries and other establishment expenditures.

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Miyana Railway Station Receives National Energy Conservation Award 2025 from the President of India

Indian Railways has achieved a new milestone in energy conservation. On the occasion of National Energy Conservation Day, Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji, presented the National Energy Conservation Award, 2025 to Miyana Railway Station in Guna, Madhya Pradesh. The award was received by GM WCR, Smt. Shobhana Bandopadhyaya.

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Miyana Railway Station Receives National Energy Conservation Award 2025 from the President of India

The station was recognised as the Best Performing Unit in the Transport Category (Railway Station).

The award, given by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), recognises outstanding efforts in energy conservation. Miyana Railway Station was selected for its effective use of LED lighting, BLDC fans, and 30- 70% smart lighting circuit operation systems.

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Miyana Railway Station Receives National Energy Conservation Award 2025 from the President of India

These measures have helped the station save 9,687 units of electrical energy, reflecting Railways’ strong focus on energy efficiency and sustainable development.

Indian Railways remains committed to energy saving, cost efficiency, and eco-friendly operations, with Miyana Railway Station emerging as a model of effective implementation and sustainable development.

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Red Roads, Green Intent: NHAI is redefining highway safety while protecting wildlife and forest ecology

As India rapidly expands its highway network, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under the guidance of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), is also redefining what responsible infrastructure development looks like.

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SBI gets new MD as Ravi Ranjan takes charge

The government appointed Ravi Ranjan as the new Managing Director of State Bank of India (SBI).

Prior to this, Ranjan was the Deputy Managing Director at the bank and succeeded Vinay M Tonse, who completed his term on November 30, 2025.

Following the government's notification, Ranjan assumed the charge, SBI said in a regulatory filing.

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SBI gets new MD as Ravi Ranjan takes charge

The government has cleared his appointment up to the date of his attaining the age of superannuation, September 30, 2028, or until further orders, whichever is earlier, it said.

The SBI board is headed by the Chairman, assisted by four managing directors.

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