The Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2025 was published in the Government Gazette today.
The bill seeks to amend the Trade Unions Ordinance to strengthen the regulation of trade unions to safeguard national security and improve the trade union regulatory regime, thereby facilitating trade unions’ healthy development, the Government explained.
The Labour Department further elaborated that the proposed amendments will strengthen the statutory powers of the Registrar of Trade Unions to supervise and regulate trade unions to better fulfil the duty of safeguarding national security under the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
At the same time, the amendments, giving due regard to Hong Kong residents’ freedom and right to form and join trade unions, will not adversely affect the operation of law-abiding trade unions, it stressed.
The bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council for first and second readings on April 30. Subject to the passage of the bill, the amendment ordinance will come into operation on the expiry of six months after the day on which it is published in the Gazette.
In the meantime, the department will further publicise and explain the amendments to trade unions in order to aid their understanding and compliance.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Drainage Services Department (DSD) achieved outstanding results at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, winning one gold medal with the congratulations of jury, one gold medal, four silver medals and two bronze medals.
The Director of Drainage Services, Mr Ringo Mok, said today (April 16), “The DSD won a total of eight awards at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva. Among them, an in-house developed project – the Mosaic Model Map (M³) received a gold medal with the congratulations of jury. Additionally, the Flood Alert System for Tomorrow (FAST), which received a silver medal, was the first collaborative achievement between the DSD and the Pearl River Water Resources Research Institute of the Pearl River Water Resources Commission in an international competition. These accomplishments underscore the department’s commitment to research and the application of innovative technologies, driving the development of a smart city.”
The International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva is one of the most significant global annual events on inventions. Around 1 050 inventions from 35 countries and regions were evaluated by an international jury of specialists.
The DSD’s winning projects are:
Gold medal with the congratulations of jury
Mosaic Model Map (M³) – Real-time territorial flood risk visualisation system leveraging Hydraulic Model Pre-run, Scenario Mapping and Mosaic Compilation technologies
​Gold medal
The Smart Structural Integrity Monitoring System
Silver medals
CRISmart – CRISPR-based Smartphone Microbial Assay for Rapid Testing
Flood Alert System for Tomorrow (FAST) – Intelligent Flood Alert and Emergency Response System
MAESTRO – Machinery Analysis & Early System Trouble Resolution Operator
Automated Software for Drainage Network Detailed Design
​Bronze medals
MoShark Water Surface Mowing Robot – Wireless AI-powered Remote-controlled River Cleaning Robot
RAPID – Real-time Alert Platform for Inundation Detection
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) Hong Kong Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit 2025 Gala Dinner today (April 16):
Mr Michael Lee, Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Guo Huaigang, Secretary General of WTCF, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen and friends from the global tourism community,
Good evening, everyone!
Over the past few days, we have witnessed together a rich and colourful array of Summit activities, from experiencing Hong Kong’s diversified and unique tourism resources through visiting tourists attractions, to engaging in in-depth fora and meetings about the latest developments, trends, and insights of the tourism industry, on top of deepened mutual understanding and strengthened friendship, I know that we also reached valuable consensus covering many aspects on tourism development. Through exploring innovative strategies and best practices that can elevate our respective destinations and enhance the experiences we offer to visitors from around the globe together, I am confident that we shall meet our common goal and achieve high-quality development of the tourism economy.
As far as Hong Kong is concerned, we boast significant traditional strengths: world-class tourist attractions, vibrant culinary scene, efficient urban management and unparalleled transport systems, to name just a few. Some of you have experienced first hand the tourism assets of Hong Kong earlier this week and just now in the afternoon. But Hong Kong is a city that never stands still. We are working in full steam to strengthen these assets, as well as unearthing new tourism resources to consolidate our position as a world-class premier tourist destination. One of our key strategies is to press ahead with the four “+ Tourism” directions, which integrates culture, sports, ecology and mega events into our tourism offerings. And tonight we are enjoying the breathtaking ambiance of the iconic Happy Valley racecourse, which is a perfect example for illustrating this approach.
Horse racing has been a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s cultural identity for over a century. It is a game, a sport and so much more. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is Hong Kong’s largest charitable donor, and the various sectors under my purview – sports, culture and tourism, benefit tremendously from the generosity of the Jockey Club. And as you can see and feel for yourselves, horse-racing is also a vibrant social event that brings people together, and people are enjoying themselves no doubt. We are further enriching this activity with cultural experiences, culinary delights, and entertainment. Unique tourism products, integrating different offerings, are being developed to bring holistic experience to visitors. Similarly, we are also crafting a series of distinctive and attractive tourism products and projects under the four “+ Tourism” directions to showcase Hong Kong’s unique and diversified characteristics in new and exciting ways.
Tourism is an important dynamo for economic development, and an important bridge that connects people and culture. In the face of future challenges and opportunities, we need to unite more closely and jointly explore new friends, areas and paths in tourism. I believe that with the friendship we developed in the last few days, and our concerted efforts, we can together foster brighter and sustainable development of the global tourism industry.
Once again, please accept my sincere gratitude for your active participation in this episode of the Fragment Hills Tourism Summit, and your unwavering dedication to advancing the tourism sector.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my special and heartfelt gratitude to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Chairman Michael and CEO Winfried, for the Club’s generous sponsorship of this wonderful evening.
Thank you so very much, and enjoy the rest of your evening!
The leaders review ongoing bilateral collaboration and reiterated commitment to to further deepen the partnership.
They exchanged view on regional and global issues
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with the President of the Republic of Finland H.E. Mr. Alexander Stubb today.
The leaders reviewed the ongoing collaboration between the two countries including in the areas of digitalization, sustainability and mobility. They reiterated their commitment to further strengthen and deepen the partnership including in the areas of quantum, 5G-6G, AI and cyber-security.
The leaders also exchanged the views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Ukraine. President Stubb expressed Finland’s support for closer India- EU relations and conclusion of a mutually beneficial FTA at the earliest.
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India successfully organized a conference on “Building Together a Clean Sport Ecosystem” today at the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi. The event, held as part of Play True Week 2025, brought together a wide spectrum of stakeholders committed to fostering a clean, fair, and values-based sporting environment in India.
In the inaugural session, Secretary, Department of Sports, Smt. Sujata Chaturvedi emphasised that as India is bidding to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, we must anchor our sporting ambition with a robust anti-doping system to ensure fairness, integrity, and commitment to clean sport.
Dr. Mayumi Yaya Yamamoto, Director, Asia/Oceania Office, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) commended NADA India’s and national stakeholders’ efforts in this year’s global Play True Campaign. She underscored the importance of the ‘It Starts With Me’ campaign and highlighted the shared responsibility and unity required to build a clean sport ecosystem together.
One of the key moments of the inaugural session was the unveiling of “NADA India’s Fair Play Guide” in ten different regional languages, aimed at making clean sport education more accessible to athletes and stakeholders across the nation. Participants also engaged in a pledge signing ceremony to reaffirm their commitment to fair play and doping-free sport.
The conference featured engaging panel discussions on critical themes including anti-doping policy, enhancing education and testing, and increasing awareness about athlete rights & responsibilities, particularly in the context of Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs). Experts from national sports federations, medical institutions, and international organizations shared practical insights and actionable strategies to strengthen India’s anti-doping system.
The event witnessed participation from sport administrators, athletes, coaches, educators, and medical experts, and created a space for collaboration, idea exchange, and future-oriented planning.
2024-25 Retail Inflation Drops to 4.6%, March Sees YoY Dip to 3.34%
Introduction
Retail inflation in India, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which reflects the cost of everyday goods and services, fell to a remarkable 4.6% in the fiscal year 2024-25, the lowest since 2018-19. This milestone highlights the effectiveness of the Reserve Bank of India’s pro-growth monetary policy, which has successfully balanced economic expansion with price stability. Notably, the year-on-year inflation rate for March 2025 dropped to 3.34%, a decline of 27 basis points from February 2025, marking the lowest monthly inflation rate since August 2019. These figures demonstrate a sustained effort to curb price rises while fostering economic growth.
The government’s strategic interventions have been pivotal in achieving this outcome. Key measures include bolstering buffer stocks of essential food items and releasing them periodically in open markets, alongside subsidised retail sales of staples like rice, wheat flour, pulses, and onions. Simplified import duties on critical food items, stricter stock limits to prevent hoarding, and reduced GST rates on essentials have further eased price pressures. Targeted subsidies, such as LPG support under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, have protected vulnerable households from rising food grain costs, ensuring that the benefits of lower inflation reach those who need it most.
What is Consumer Price Index?
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is one of the most important economic indicators used to measure changes in the general level of retail prices over time. It reflects how much households need to spend on a fixed basket of goods and services they typically consume, such as food, clothing, housing, and fuel. In India, the CPI is compiled by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) and is currently calculated using the base year 2012. By tracking the cost of this basket over time, the CPI shows how prices rise or fall, affecting the purchasing power of consumers and their overall welfare.
The CPI measures price changes by comparing the current cost of this fixed basket of goods and services to what it cost in a previous period. Since the contents of the basket are kept constant in terms of quantity and quality, any change in the index reflects only the change in prices. When prices increase, the CPI goes up, signalling inflation; when they fall, the CPI declines, indicating lower inflation or deflation.
Originally, CPI figures were developed to track changes in the cost of living for workers so that their wages could be adjusted in line with price movements. Over time, however, the CPI has evolved into a widely used macroeconomic tool. It is now a key benchmark for targeting inflation, monitoring price stability, and guiding monetary policy decisions by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It also serves as a deflator in the National Accounts to measure real economic growth.
In India, along with the general CPI (CPI–Combined), segment-specific indices are also published to cater to different population groups:
CPI (IW) – Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers
CPI (AL) – Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers
CPI (RL) – Consumer Price Index for Rural Labourers
These indices help in wage revisions, rural planning, and understanding inflation trends in specific segments of the population.
Key Highlights for March 2025
Food Inflation: The year-on-year food inflation based on the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) stood at 2.69% in March 2025, the lowest since November 2021. This marks a sharp decline of 106 basis points from the previous month.
Rural food inflation: 2.82%
Urban food inflation: 2.48%
Drivers of Decline: The overall moderation in food prices was led by a drop in inflation across key categories such as vegetables, eggs, pulses and products, meat and fish, cereals and products, and milk and products.
Rural Inflation: A notable fall was recorded in both headline and food inflation in rural areas.
Headline inflation fell from 3.79% in February to 3.25% in March
Food inflation dropped from 4.06% to 2.82%
Urban Inflation: Headline inflation in urban areas saw a marginal rise to 3.43% in March, up from 3.32% in February. However, food inflation declined significantly from 3.15% to 2.48%.
Housing Inflation: For the urban sector, housing inflation rose slightly to 3.03% in March 2025 from 2.91% in February.
Fuel & Light: Inflation in this category rebounded to 1.48% in March from -1.33% in February, covering both rural and urban areas.
Education Inflation: A moderate increase was noted in education-related inflation, rising to 3.98% from 3.83% the previous month.
Health Inflation: Prices in the health segment saw a mild rise, with inflation at 4.26% in March, up from 4.12% in February.
Transport & Communication: Inflation in this category increased to 3.30% in March 2025 compared to 2.93% in February.
Items with Highest Inflation: In March 2025, the top five items with the highest year-on-year inflation were coconut oil (56.81%), coconut (42.05%), gold (34.09%), silver (31.57%), and grapes (25.55%).
Items with Lowest Inflation: The items witnessing the steepest decline in prices were ginger (-38.11%), tomato (-34.96%), cauliflower (-25.99%), jeera (-25.86%), and garlic (-25.22%).
Retail Inflation Eases for Third Year in a Row
Retail inflation in India has followed a steady downward path over the past three financial years, falling from 6.7 percent in 2022–23 to 5.4 percent in 2023–24, and further to 4.6 percent in 2024–25. This consistent moderation highlights the combined impact of the Reserve Bank of India’s calibrated monetary policy and the Government of India’s focused interventions to ease supply-side constraints and stabilise prices of essential commodities. The declining trend has helped ease cost-of-living pressures and fostered a more stable environment for economic growth.
From High Prices to Stability: A Decade of Inflation Control
Between 2009–10 and 2013–14, India faced a prolonged period of high inflation, with the average annual rate remaining in double digits. Households across the country bore the brunt of steep increases in food and fuel prices, which eroded purchasing power and created a challenging environment for both consumers and businesses. Looking at a broader timeframe, the average annual inflation between 2004–05 and 2013–14 stood at 8.2 percent, reflecting a decade marked by considerable volatility in retail prices.
In sharp contrast, the ten-year period from 2015–16 to 2024–25 witnessed a marked decline in inflationary pressures, with the average rate coming down to 5 percent. This significant moderation reflects the sustained efforts of both the Government and the Reserve Bank of India to improve price stability through better supply-side management, fiscal prudence, and inflation-targeting monetary policy. The shift from a high-inflation era to a more stable pricing environment has provided greater certainty for consumers and strengthened the foundation for long-term economic growth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the steady decline in retail inflation over recent years marks a crucial milestone in India’s economic journey, reflecting the success of coordinated efforts by the Government of India. From proactive monetary policies to targeted fiscal measures that safeguard consumers, especially the vulnerable, from volatile price swings, the approach has been both inclusive and effective. With inflation now at its lowest since 2018–19, India has not only reinforced macroeconomic stability but also created an enabling environment for sustainable growth. This trajectory underscores the country’s resilience and commitment to ensuring price stability without compromising on development goals.
The compilation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s thoughts and speeches on culture, titled ‘Sanskriti Ka Paanchva Adhyay’, is now being presented to readers in the form of a book. The formal launch ceremony of the book will be held on Friday, April 18, 2025, at 5:00 PM at the Samvet Auditorium, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), located at Janpath, New Delhi.
The book will be formally released by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Pujya Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj, the head of the Juna Akhara. The event will be presided over by Shri Harivansh, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, Chairman of IGNCA, will be present as the Guest of Honour.
‘Sanskriti Ka Paanchva Adhyay’ is a curated collection of speeches by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered on various occasions, highlighting Indian culture, traditions, spiritual values, and cultural heritage. The foreword of the book is written by Shri Ram Bahadur Rai and the compilation has been done by Dr. Prabhat Ojha. The book has been published by Prabhat Prakashan.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ17: Governance of Hospital Authority
(3) The HA Board endorsed the Extending Employment Beyond Retirement (EER) policy in September 2021 so as to attract more retirees who wish to continue to serve in the HA after retirement for training and knowledge transfer, as well as to alleviate the manpower issues. The numbers of staff working on a full-time (Note 2)/part-time (Note 3) terms after their retirement as at December in the past five years (i.e. from 2020 to 2024), by rank, are set out below:
On 15 April 2025, to commemorate the 106th Birth Anniversary of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh Padma Vibhushan, DFC, a bust was unveiled at Astha, Senior Citizen Home, Tughlakabad, Delhi by Air Mshl Vijay Kumar Garg, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command and Air Mshl Jagjeet Singh (Retd) Senior Vice President Air Force Association. The event was attended by Mrs Ritu Garg, President AFFWA(R), lAF veterans and Personnel of Air Force Station, Tughlakbad.
The event was a tribute casted in the form of unveiling of the Marshal’s bust, symbolising his enduring courage, visionary leadership and selfless service to the nation. The audience was reminded of his strategic brilliance and unflinching resolve shown as the Chief of the Air Staff during 1965 war. Under his leadership, the Indian Air Force provided the decisive close air support to pulverise the Pakistani Armoured thrust in the Akhnoor sector which changed the course of the war in India’s favour. He is the only Five-star officer of the lAF, who is an institution by himself and shall remain a guiding beacon to follow for generations to come.
During the event, the AOC-in-C, Maintenance Command and President AFFWA (R) also interacted with the senior citizens and enquired about their wellbeing. The Air Force personnel also had the opportunity to interact with veterans who had served with the Marshal. Their real life narrative revived the heroic life of the legend.
106th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh Padma Vibhushan, DFC.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to Inaugurate Newly Developed 220-Bedded ESIC Hospital in Ranchi, Jharkhand Tomorrow Union Minister to Give Cash Benefits Certificates/Sanction Letters to ESI beneficiaries and Felicitate Construction Workers
Posted On: 16 APR 2025 4:14PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, will inaugurate the newly developed 220-bedded ESIC Hospital at Namkum, Ranchi, Jharkhand on 17th April 2025. This state-of-the-art facility marks a significant milestone in strengthening healthcare delivery under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Scheme in the state of Jharkhand. Union Minister of State for Defence, Shri Sanjay Seth along with Shri Pradip Verma, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Shri Rajesh Kachhap, MLA, Khijri, Ranchi and senior officers of ESIC will also be present on the occasion.
During the programme, Dr. Mandaviya will felicitate and give Cash Benefits Certificates/Sanction Letters to ESI beneficiaries. He will also felicitate construction workers who were involved in the construction of hospital.
Originally established in 1987, the ESIC Hospital in Namkum was founded with the primary objective of providing accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services to insured workers and their families. For over four decades, it has played a vital role in serving the healthcare needs of industrial workers in Ranchi and the surrounding areas.
To further enhance healthcare services in the region, the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) approved the construction of a 200-bed hospital in June 2018. Construction commenced on 31st May 2018 and has since been completed, with the facility now upgraded to a 220-bedded hospital. In a significant development, ESI Corporation also approved the establishment of a Medical College with 50 MBBS seats in October 2024, with operations set to begin in near future.
The hospital is well-equipped with essential departments such as General Medicine, Surgery, Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology (Eye), and Dental, along with various support services. It offers both Outpatient (OPD) and Inpatient (IPD) care, effectively meeting the medical needs of ESI beneficiaries. The upgraded hospital will now also offer speciality and super-speciality treatments, greatly improving access to advanced healthcare services for residents of Ranchi and neighbouring districts.
The modernised facility is expected to benefit over 5 lakh Insured Persons (IPs) and their dependents, offering improved infrastructure and a broader range of medical services. The hospital complex features a Basement, Ground Floor, and four additional floors, spread across a 7.9-acre campus. New building has been constructed with a cost of 99.06 crore and spread 17559 sq meter area. It is a 4 storey building equipped with 03 modern Operation Theatres (OTs) and provision for one additional Operation Theatres (OTs). It has 34 wards and 6 isolation wards, 40 OPD rooms and enough space for all doctors, administrative officers and staff.