The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today commended Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal for ensuring a boost in livelihoods, driving grassroots employment and economic growth across India.
Responding to a post by Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal on X, he stated:
“Commendable feat, ensuring a boost in livelihoods, driving grassroots employment and economic growth across India.”
Commendable feat, ensuring a boost in livelihoods, driving grassroots employment and economic growth across India. https://t.co/nny2a1UhKZ
Prime Minister condoles the loss of lives in the explosion at a firecracker factory in Banaskantha, Gujarat PM announces ex-gratia from PMNRF
Posted On: 01 APR 2025 7:32PM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today condoled the loss of lives in the explosion at a firecracker factory in Banaskantha, Gujarat. He announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs. 50,000 to the injured.
The Prime Minister’s Office handle in post on X said:
“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the explosion at a firecracker factory in Banaskantha, Gujarat. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected.
An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM @narendramodi”
Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the explosion at a firecracker factory in Banaskantha, Gujarat. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, chaired the first meeting of the new term of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Task Force today (April 1). He emphasised that “innovation” is particularly important in promoting the interfaces of mechanisms, regulatory frameworks and talent training among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. He noted that it will further facilitate Hong Kong’s integration into the overall development of the country and enhance the innovation capabilities and radiating effect of the GBA.
During the meeting, the Task Force had an in-depth discussion on the latest development of the various policy measures set out in the Department of Justice (DoJ)’s Action Plan on the Construction of Rule of Law in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and future key initiatives, including the establishment of a panel of GBA arbitrators to further facilitate arbitrators from the three places in providing legal and dispute resolution services in the GBA, as well as the setup of a GBA legal information platform to provide enterprises and people with practical legal information on cross-boundary businesses and living.
Meanwhile, Dr Cheung welcomed the new members, namely Mr Neville Cheng, Mr Michael Lok, Mr Tse Shing-yick, Mr Joaquim Vong and Mr Zeng Xuezhi, to the Task Force. Dr Cheung said that the DoJ has long been upholding principles and at the same time, embracing innovation in its co-operation with various stakeholders to draw collective wisdom and actively implement the Action Plan, with a view to leveraging the unique strengths under “one country, two systems and three jurisdictions” of the GBA.
Dr Cheung pointed out that the inclusion of lawyers from the Mainland and Macao for the first time facilitates the DoJ to learn about issues from the perspectives of different jurisdictions, and signifies a strong collaboration among the legal sectors of the three regions to jointly harness the unique edges of “three jurisdictions”.
He also noted that Mr Tse, an online key opinion leader (KOL) who has been residing in the Mainland, holds a considerable understanding of the circumstances of Hong Kong people working and residing in the GBA. Mr Tse’s joining will not only help the DoJ better grasp public opinions on various policy measures in relation to the GBA, but will also assist the DoJ in effectively communicating with the community.
Dr Cheung said that he firmly believes that the new-term Task Force will continue to work closely together to deepen the legal co-operation in the GBA with diverse and innovative thinking, contributing wisdom and strengths to the GBA’s high-quality development.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
HKSAR Government signs co-operation arrangement with Ministry of Water Resources The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, and the Director General of the General Office of the Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Tang Liang, represented the HKSAR Government and the Ministry of Water Resources respectively to sign the arrangement. The arrangement will strengthen the governance and protection of the Pearl River Estuary and the rivers along the Guangdong-Hong Kong boundary, and promote co-operation in disaster prevention and mitigation; water supply safety; planning and management of major projects; information sharing; talent cultivation; hydraulic technology and more.
Mr Lee expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Water Resources for its continuous and full support of Hong Kong’s efforts in water supply and flood prevention. He said, “This year marks the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong. It is of great significance that the HKSAR Government and the Ministry of Water Resources signed the arrangement at this milestone to strengthen co-operation on water-related affairs in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The HKSAR Government will continue to adhere to the principles of water conservation and enhancement of utilisation efficiency and work together with the Ministry of Water Resources to ensure the safety of water supply to Hong Kong and flood control safety of the Pearl River Estuary and the rivers along the Guangdong-Hong Kong boundary, and to provide water resources support and guarantee for the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.”
Mr Li said that establishing a standing mechanism for exchange and co-operation marks a new milestone in water affairs co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong. He said, “The Ministry will strengthen water resources co-operation with the HKSAR Government on all fronts, continuously enhance the water safety system in the Greater Bay Area, and provide stronger water safety guarantees for high-quality development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.” Issued at HKT 20:38
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah terms the passing of the ‘Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025’ by the Rajya Sabha under the visionary leadership of PM Modi, as a historic day for the cooperative sector of the country Union Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah expresses gratitude to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the passing of the bill by the Parliament
This bill will bring the triveni of cooperation, innovation and employment in the country
Now cooperative education will become an integral part of Indian education and curriculum and through this university, trained youth from all over the country will make the cooperative sector more comprehensive, well-organized and modern-age friendly
Posted On: 01 APR 2025 10:37PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah terms the passing of the ‘Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025’ by the Rajya Sabha under the visionary leadership of PM Modi, as a historic day for the cooperative sector of the country.
In a post on X platform, Shri Amit Shah expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the passing of the bill by the Parliament, on behalf of brothers-sisters associated with the cooperative sector. He said that this bill will bring the triveni of cooperation, innovation and employment in the country. Shri Shah said that now, cooperative education will become an integral part of Indian education and curriculum and through this university, trained youth from all over the country will make the cooperative sector more comprehensive, well-organized and modern-age friendly.
आज का दिन देश के सहकारी क्षेत्र के लिए ऐतिहासिक है।
मोदी जी के विजनरी नेतृत्व में ‘त्रिभुवन सहकारी विश्वविद्यालय विधेयक, 2025’ लोकसभा के बाद आज राज्यसभा में भी पारित हो गया। सहकार, नवाचार और रोजगार की त्रिवेणी लाने वाले इस महत्त्वपूर्ण कार्य के लिए मैं सभी सांसदों को बधाई देता…
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has reached a significant milestone in financial management and institutional efficiency by submitting its Annual Accounts for the Financial Year 2024–25 to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India on April 1, 2025. This submission has been accomplished three months ahead of the statutory deadline of June 30, 2025.
This early submission reflects CSIR’s continued commitment to sound financial governance, administrative transparency, and process efficiency. It is the result of coordinated efforts across CSIR Headquarters and its 38 constituent laboratories and institutions located across the country.
The Integrated Finance Division Team presenting the Balance Sheet and Annual Accounts to DG, CSIR
Shri Chetan Prakash Jain, JS&FA, CSIR lead IFD team submitting the Annual Accounts for the Financial Year 2024–25 to the CAG
A key enabler of this achievement has been the successful implementation of the Accounts Management System (AMS) software, developed entirely in-house. The system was conceptualized and developed by a team of CSIR officers comprising Shri S.P. Singh, Senior Deputy Financial Adviser; Shri Arvind Khanna, Financial and Accounts Officer; and Ms. Akansha Trehan, Technical Officer. The software has enabled streamlined, real-time financial consolidation and has brought greater accuracy and timeliness in the preparation of accounts across the CSIR system.
The initiative was undertaken under the guidance of Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, and was steered under the financial leadership of Shri Chetan Prakash Jain, Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser, CSIR/DSIR.
By completing the process of annual financial closure and submission on the very first day of the new financial year, CSIR demonstrates the viability of achieving high standards in public financial reporting. This development serves as a benchmark for other scientific and public sector organizations striving to enhance financial discipline and administrative performance.
CSIR remains committed to further strengthening its systems and practices in alignment with the principles of good governance.
Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Muralidhar Mohol today replied to the discussion on the Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025 in the Rajya Sabha After the discussion, the House passed the Bill. The Lok Sabha had passed this Bill on 26 March, 2025
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, where rural economy will have an important contribution in making India the third largest economy in the world by the year 2027
Shri Amit Shah ji became the first Minister of Cooperation of this country, with vast experience in PACS and market committee, President of the District Cooperative Bank and Director of the State Cooperative Bank
Cooperative sector will need about 17 lakh trained youth in the next five years and in view of this, the initiative to establish Tribhuvan Sahkari University has been taken
An institutionalised system is necessary to bring dynamism in the cooperative sector and its expansion and Tribhuvan Sahkari University has been established for the same purpose
Under the leadership of Shri Amit Shah, the Ministry of Cooperation took 60 new initiatives to give a new direction to the cooperative sector
In 2013-14, a budget of Rs 122 crore was allocated for the Department of Cooperation, which has increased 10 times to Rs 1190 crore today
Bye-laws of PACS were amended to make them and multipurpose and these bye-laws have been adopted by 32 states and UTs
Today, 43 thousand PACSs are running Common Service Centers, 36 thousand PACSs running PM Kisan Samridhi Kendra and 4 thousand PACSs running Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra
Only when PACSs will be economically strong, the farmer will be empowered and the villages will also become prosperous
National Cooperative Policy is being formulated under leadership of PM Modi and guidance of Union Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah and it is our resolve to announce this policy
This year NCDC has given financial assistance of about Rs 10 thousand crore to the sugar mills of the country
Posted On: 01 APR 2025 10:16PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Muralidhar Mohol today replied to the discussion on the Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025 in the Rajya Sabha. After the discussion, the House passed the Bill. The Lok Sabha had passed this Bill on 26 March, 2025.
Replying to the discussion, Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Muralidhar Mohol said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has resolved to make India the third largest economy in the world by the year 2027, where rural economy will have an important contribution. He said that today more than 50 percent of the country’s population is associated with the agriculture sector. There are about 8 lakh cooperatives in the country with over 30 crore members. Shri Mohol said that one person from every farmer family is associated with the cooperative sector.
Minister of State for Cooperation said that in 2013-14, a budget of Rs 122 crore was allocated for the Department of Cooperation, which has increased 10 times to Rs 1190 crore today. Earlier, the work related to cooperatives of the whole country was being handled by a joint secretary-level officer, but Prime Minister Modi ji established an independent Ministry of Cooperation for the welfare of farmers. He said that taking a visionary decision, PM Modi ji formed the Ministry of Cooperation for the development and expansion of cooperative societies like Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), Dairy, Sugar Mills, Cooperative Bank, Textile Mills across the country and strengthen the cooperative movement.
Shri Muralidhar Mohol said that it is a matter of pride for all of us that Shri Amit Shah ji became the first Minister of Cooperation of this country, who worked in the PACS and market committee of the village, as the President of the District Cooperative Bank, also as the Director of the State Cooperative Bank and who has made a great contribution and has vast experience in the cooperative sector.
Minister of State for Cooperation said that under the leadership of Shri Amit Shah, the Ministry of Cooperation took 60 new initiatives to give a new direction to the cooperative sector. These include the first step of strengthening the PACS. He said that PACS is the most important link in the cooperative sector, so the bye-laws of PACS were amended and PACS were made multipurpose and these bye-laws have been adopted by 32 states and union territories.
Shri Muralidhar Mohol said that today in the country, 43 thousand PACSs are running Common Service Centers, 36 thousand PACSs are running Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendra and 4 thousand PACSs are running Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra. Many PACSs are also running petrol pumps. He said that only when PACSs will be economically strong, the farmer will be empowered and the villages will also become prosperous.
Minister of State for Cooperation said that to strengthen cooperative sector in the states, computerization of about 66 thousand PACS is being done by the Union Ministry of Cooperation, on which the Government of India is spending Rs 2516 crore. He said that the government is trying to make every village of the country prosperous through cooperation. For this, the Ministry has set a target of creating 2 lakh PACSs, out of which 14 thousand PACSs have already been created. Shri Mohol said that in the next five years, the number of PACSs in the country will increase to 3 lakh.
Shri Muralidhar Mohol said that while forming PACSs, we have kept in mind the social structure of the country and decided to give representation to all sections of the society including women in cooperatives. He said that under the new bye-laws, the government has made it mandatory to have members of SC, ST category and a woman member in the Board of Directors of PACS. Through this, we are working to provide social justice in the cooperative sector. Shri Mohol said that a National Cooperative Database has been created by taking all the states together. Now, information about all cooperatives can be obtained with one click.
Union Minister of State for Cooperation said that the National Cooperative Policy of the country is also being formulated under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi ji and guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah. It is our resolve to announce this policy in the next few days. He said that for the first time in 2023, under the leadership of Shri Amit Shah ji, three new cooperative societies – Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL), National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) and National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) – were established at the national level to provide facilities to the farmers of the country from seed to market. 34 thousand cooperative institutions have been made members by these three societies. This will increase the income of farmers.
Shri Muralidhar Mohol said that the Ministry of Cooperation has created the world’s largest food storage scheme for farmers. The work of food storage scheme has started through PACSs. This will reduce transportation costs, protect the crop and farmers will get storage facilities at a place near them and they will also get financial benefits. He said that in 2013-14, only Rs 5300 crore was given to the cooperative institutions of the country through National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), which the Modi government increased to Rs 1 lakh 28 thousand crores. This year NCDC has given financial assistance of about Rs 10 thousand crore to the sugar mills of the country.
Union Minister of State for Cooperation said that an institutional system is necessary to bring dynamism in the cooperative sector and its expansion. The university has been established for this purpose. He said that many cooperatives have challenges like lack of efficiency, irregularities in management and limited use of technical resources, which affect their performance. Through this university, the scope and effectiveness of the cooperative sector will definitely increase, which will also create new opportunities for self-employment and innovation.
Shri Muralidhar Mohol said that today there is a need for proper training for efficiency and discipline at all levels, from the secretary of PACS to the MD of Apex Bank. According to an estimate, the cooperative sector will need about 17 lakh trained youth in the next five years. In view of this need, the initiative to establish a university has been taken. He said that at present the system of teaching and training in the cooperative sector is not adequate and it is also scattered. Keeping this in mind, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the guidance of Home and Cooperative Minister Shri Amit Shah, it was decided to establish Tribhuvan Sahkari University. This university will fulfill the need of trained human resources in the cooperative sector and develop cooperative spirit in the youth of the country and inspire them to make a career in this field.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The International Water Pioneers Summit was held today (April 1) in Hong Kong. The Summit convened internationally renowned leaders, experts, academicians, senior government officials, representatives and stakeholders from water supply sector to explore new opportunities and prospects for collaboration in the development of water supply sector. The Summit attracted an on-site or online participation of around 5 000 people.
The Summit, with the theme of “Smart Water‧High-Quality Development”, was jointly organised by the Water Supplies Department; the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering – Hong Kong Branch; the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers – Building Services Division; and the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management – Hong Kong Branch. It is one of the celebration activities marking the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong.
Participants proposed high quality development characteristics including innovation, green, sharing and co-ordination to spearhead digital transformation of the water supply sector and secure wholesomeness of water to the benefits of mankind health. Hong Kong should give full play to the distinctive role of a connector between the country and the rest of the world. The Summit serves the purpose of attracting overseas professional knowledge and experience and promoting cross-boundary and cross-sector collaboration. It also demonstrates to the world the country’s advanced technologies and experience in water supply aspects as well as the wisdom of profound Chinese water culture for making contributions in the joint promotion of the application of water resources, water technologies and water culture around the world.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee; the Minister of the Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Li Guoying; the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Wang Weizhong; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Zheng Yanxiong; Member of the Office Leadership of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Mr Xiang Bin; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Mr Qi Bin; Vice Governor of Guangdong Province Mr Zhang Shaokang and the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, officiated at the opening ceremony of the Summit.
Speaking at the summit, Mr Lee said that the summit convened high-profile professionals and senior government officials from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Asia and around the world to celebrate together the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong and joined forces to ensure provision of a sustainable water supply to mankind. He pointed out that innovation in infrastructure development will power our water-secure future and Hong Kong is developing into an international infrastructure centre that serves the country and the HKSAR.
Mr Li said that the Ministry of Water Resources will resolutely strengthen exchanges and co-operation with the relevant government departments of the HKSAR Government and ensure the safety of water supply to Hong Kong. Guangdong will also actively support Hong Kong to utilise its distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, as well as a channel for sharing with the world the water management concept, experience and solutions to promote future water security, calling for a new chapter of water management to work toward a community with a shared future for mankind.
Mr Wang said that Guangdong will firmly proceed with planning of urban development, land use, population, and production based on water resources and further deepen Guangdong-Hong Kong in-depth collaboration in respect of water management to enhance the livability of the Greater Bay Area with quality for living, working and travelling. Guangdong will actively learn advanced experience and seize firmly the collaboration opportunities brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative and promote international exchanges and co-operations in the aspects of water technologies, water ecology and water security with an aim to better facilitate the high quality development of water resources.
Addressing the ceremony, Ms Linn pointed out that sustainable water resources management is crucial in facing of the challenges brought by global climate change and scarcity of resources. The summit, with the theme of “Smart Water‧High-Quality Development” timely convened different parties to explore innovative and feasible solutions together with proactive and forward-thinking strategies to combat challenges.
The Director of Water Supplies, Mr Roger Wong, thanked all guest speakers for sharing their insights and all the supporting organisations for their strong support. He pointed out that the summit has showed the win-win power of collaboration and innovation.
Topics of the summit covered high-quality development of water supply and technologies, development in water safety and relative issues on Dongjiang water. Participants also discussed building water security under the Belt and Road Initiative.
PRESIDENT OF INDIA HOSTS PRESIDENT OF CHILE CHILE IS AN IMPORTANT PARTNER OF INDIA IN THE LATIN AMERICA REGION: PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU
Posted On: 01 APR 2025 9:39PM by PIB Delhi
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu received H.E. Mr Gabriel Boric Font, President of the Republic of Chile at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (April 1, 2025). She also hosted a banquet in his honour.
Welcoming President Boric on his first visit to India, the President said that his political journey, from student politics to the post of President, is an inspiration for young leaders across the world.
The President said that this visit is an important milestone in India-Chile relations, as it is taking place at a time when we are completing 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations.
The President said that Chile is an important partner of India in the Latin America region. The political and economic priorities of India and Chile complement each other. She stated that there are many opportunities to increase cooperation between the two countries in trade and investment, technology and cultural exchange.
The President was happy to note that trade between India and Chile has increased in recent years, and many Indian companies have invested in Chile in various sectors. She said that there is potential for enhancing cooperation in these areas.
The President appreciated the important contribution of the Indian community in Chile, who are helping to popularize Indian cuisine, Yoga and Ayurveda in Chile, and strengthening our people to people linkages.
The two leaders agreed that there is a huge opportunity to further the strong relations between the two countries, and this visit will add a new chapter in the India-Chile relationship.