Government Launches BAANKNET and e-BKray to enhance PSU Bank E-Auctions for Asset Sales BAANKNET Portal ensures Transparency with automated KYC and Secure Payments
Posted On: 24 MAR 2025 6:18PM by PIB Delhi
In order to boost the sale value realized through bank e-auctions, Public Sector Banks(PSBs) were requested by Department of Financial Services to redesign their e-auction platform. The platform “e-BKray” was launched on 28th February, 2019. In order to further streamline the listing and auctioning of assets of Banks, a revamped e-auction portal named “BAANKNET” was launched on 03rd January, 2025.
The salient features of the BAANKNET portal are as follows:
State-of-the-art Innovative Platform: A cutting-edge property listing and e auction platform specifically designed for banks and lending institutions to address the recovery of Non-Performing Asset (NPA) loans through efficient property auctions.
Robust Architecture: Ensures seamless reliability and accessibility for users through both mobile and web interfaces, making it easy for stakeholders to interact with the platform.
Automated KYC and Secure Payment Gateways: Integrates advanced Know Your Customer (KYC) tools and secure payment gateways, ensuring a transparent and secure auction process.
Comprehensive Property Listings: Offers a convenient solution from property “search” to “sale” for all types of properties across India, streamlining the entire auction journey.
Simplified Navigation: Provides an easy-to-use interface for property search and auctions, making the process user-friendly and accessible.
Smart Auctions and Fair Pricing: Facilitates intelligent auction mechanisms, ensuring fair pricing and maximum value for all listed properties.
Transparency and Seamlessness: Guarantees transparent, efficient, and seamless auction processes, enhancing stakeholder trust and confidence.
Bank Verified Titles: Ensures that all property titles are verified by banks, providing authenticity and reliability in the auction process.
The BAANKNET portal is specifically designed to enhance transparency and speed up the process of disposing of Non-Performing Asset (NPA) cases. By leveraging state-of-the-art technology and integrating automated KYC tools, secure payment gateways, and bank-verified property titles, the platform ensures a high level of transparency throughout the property auction process.
All 12 Public Sector Banks, and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) are using the platform for listing and auction of properties across the country.
This information was given by Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Government has taken several initiatives to facilitate ease of access to credit to Women Entrepreneurs Government has announced a new Loan Scheme for Women, SC/ST Entrepreneurs in the Union Budget 2025-26
Credit to women by Public Sector Banks has seen a substantial increase over last 5 years
Jan Samarth Portal simplifies access to 15 government
Posted On: 24 MAR 2025 6:17PM by PIB Delhi
The Government reviews all credit linked schemes from time to time and takes several initiatives in order to facilitate ease of access to credit to the entrepreneurs including women entrepreneurs.
As per para 32 of Union Budget 2025-26 “A new scheme will be launched for 5 lakh women, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes first- time entrepreneurs. This will provide term loans upto Rs. 2.00 crore during next 5 years. The Scheme will incorporate lessons from successful Stand Up India Scheme. Online capacity building for entrepreneurship and managerial skills will also be organized.”
The entrepreneurs are also provided collateral free loans upto Rs. 20 lakh to enable them to set up or expand their business activities under Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) launched on 8th April 2015.
Further, as informed by Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the details of credit extended to women by Public Sector Banks during the last five years is as under:
Credit to women by Public Sector Banks
(No. of A/cs in Lakh and Amount in ₹ Crore)
Financial Year
No of A/cs
Amount Outstanding
Mar-20
207.60
488,459.43
Mar-21
289.46
731,617.22
Mar-22
305.56
836,200.08
Mar-23
350.90
1,008,935.62
Mar-24
387.24
1,169,279.00
The Government has taken various steps towards effective implementation of the Schemes and for addressing the challenges faced by potential beneficiaries including women which, inter alia, include intensive publicity campaigns, simplification of application form, Credit Guarantee Scheme, providing support in Stand-Up India Scheme by reduction in margin money as well as inclusion of activities allied to agriculture.
The Jan Samarth portal is a one-stop digital platform for linking fifteen Government-sponsored loans and subsidies Schemes. It provides a quick and efficient way to apply for loans and obtain approvals based on a digital evaluation of the applicant’s data. Further, many Banks and financial institutions have developed online platforms and mobile apps for end to end digital processing of loan applications, reducing the need for physical paperwork and in-person visits.
This information was given by Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Competition Commission of India (CCI) investigated 35 cartel cases in last five years CCI has Signed MoUs with Global Regulators for Competition Law Cooperation
Competition Act 2023 Introduced ‘Lesser Penalty Plus’ for Cartel Disclosures
Posted On: 24 MAR 2025 6:15PM by PIB Delhi
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) investigated a total of 35 cartel cases across various sectors over the last five financial years (till 13.03.2025).
CCI has signed Bilateral/Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Egypt, Mauritius, Japan, Brazil, BRICS (Brazil, the Russian Federation, People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa), Canada, European Commission, Australia and United States Department of Justice (DOJ) for cooperation in the field of competition law and policy. These MOUs include provision for enforcement cooperation between CCI and its MoU partners, subject to their respective legal framework, constraints, enforcement interests and available resources.
In addition, India has signed 14 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with its trading partners. Some of these FTAs have a separate Chapter on Competition, according to which each Party shall, in accordance with its laws and regulations, take measures which it considers appropriate against anticompetitive activities, in order to facilitate trade and investment flows between the Parties and the efficient functioning of its market.
The Commission has a Division for trend analysis and conducting research in various sectors of the economy to have a holistic view and to detect any anti-competitive activities. The Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023 introduced the concept of “lesser penalty plus” within the framework of Section 46 of the Act. Consequently, on 20.02.2024, the CCI (Lesser Penalty) Regulations, 2024 were notified, replacing the 2009 regulations and introducing a “lesser penalty plus”(LPP) mechanism to incentivize disclosures of cartels. The LPP mechanism was introduced to incentivize an existing lesser penalty applicant in respect of a cartel to give full, true, and vital disclosures about another cartel, hitherto not in the knowledge of the CCI.
To further widen the scope of cartel investigation, Hub & Spoke mechanism has been incorporated by introducing the Proviso in Section 3(3) of the Competition Act, 2002 through the Amendment Act 2023 which provides that an enterprise or association of enterprises or a person or association of persons though not engaged in identical or similar trade shall also be presumed to be part of the agreement under this sub-section if it participates or intends to participate in the furtherance of such agreement.
CCI, through its enforcement and advocacy mandate, seeks to promote and sustain competition in the markets by conducting market studies and advocacy events, imparting training about competition issues besides carrying out market corrections to eliminate distortions. The CCI conducted 1446 advocacy programmes during the last five financial years (till 19.03.2025).
This information was given by Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Shri Nirmala Sitharaman, in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
International Workshop on Land Governance Kick Starts with Global Participation from 22 Countries in Gurugram, Haryana Fostering Cross-Country Knowledge Sharing; SVAMITVA Scheme Showcased as a Model for Rural Empowerment
Participants Gain Practical Insights into Drone Surveying and Geospatial Technologies for Sustainable Land Governance
Posted On: 24 MAR 2025 6:11PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant milestone, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) inaugurated the first-of-its-kind International Workshop on Land Governance today at the Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) in Gurugram. This six-day workshop, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, brings together more than 40 senior officials from 22 countries across Africa, Latin America, and South-East Asia to explore innovative approaches for addressing global land governance challenges. The inaugural session witnessed distinguished participation from senior officials, including Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj; Shri Viraj Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs; Shri Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj; and Shri Ramesh Chander Bidhan, Director General, Haryana Institute of Public Administration. This landmark initiative strongly aligns with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to transform rural India through technological innovation and securing land rights.
In his address, Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, articulated the vision behind SVAMITVA and its potential for global replication, offering valuable insights into policy advancements and India’s strategic vision for land governance. “SVAMITVA represents more than just a land mapping exercise; it is a comprehensive approach towards rural empowerment through secure property rights”, Shri Lohani stated. He said “With over 3.17 lakh villages mapped across 67,000 sq. km, representing an estimated asset base of Rs.132 lakh crore, we have demonstrated the scalability and impact of this model. We are eager to share our experiences and learn from our international partners to collectively advance land governance worldwide”. Shri Lohani emphasized upon the transformative role of geospatial technologies in land governance, underlining the technical expertise that has made SVAMITVA one of the world’s largest rural mapping initiatives. He said, “The integration of drone technology with traditional surveying methods has revolutionized our approach to mapping rural inhabited areas, delivering unprecedented accuracy and efficiency”.
Addressing the International Workshop, Shri Viraj Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, emphasized upon the diplomatic significance of the workshop. Shri Singh said “This initiative exemplifies India’s commitment to South-South Cooperation and knowledge sharing. By bringing together nations facing similar challenges, we are fostering a collaborative approach towards addressing land governance issues globally.” He also highlighted the role of the ITEC programme in facilitating international cooperation and the role of collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in advancing ITEC’s objectives.
Shri Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, said that the SVAMITVA Scheme exemplifies how innovative approaches can transform rural communities by securing property rights and unlocking economic potential. “SVAMITVA demonstrates how innovative approaches to land governance can directly contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty reduction, secure land tenure, and sustainable land use” he said. Shri Smit Shah, President of the Drone Federation of India, provided insights into India’s rapidly evolving drone ecosystem, highlighting how policy reforms and technological advancements have positioned India as a leader in drone-based solutions for land governance.
Innovations in Geospatial Technologies and Drone Solutions
A major highlight of the inaugural day was the cutting-edge exhibition that highlighted the latest advancements in land governance, digital cadastral systems, and geospatial technologies. The event showcased a wide range of technological solutions, from precision drone mapping and 3D geospatial data analytics to integrated land administration systems. The exhibition also spotlighted high-precision surveying equipment and comprehensive GIS applications designed to enhance land governance. Local innovations in drone technology and UAV-based land administration solutions were prominently featured, alongside contributions from government bodies that demonstrated survey-grade drones, CORS & Rover systems, and other transformative tools. Attendees had the opportunity to engage in hands-on demonstrations of drone flight planning, data processing techniques, and real-time, high-accuracy surveying capabilities, offering a comprehensive look at the future of land management.
Technical Sessions Highlight SVAMITVA’s Impact and Methodology
On the inaugural day, participants also engaged in in-depth technical discussions on the modernization of land governance and its impact, as well as resource mobilization and administrative tasks. A comprehensive overview of the SVAMITVA Scheme was presented, emphasizing its objectives, implementation strategy, and its positive impact on rural communities, particularly in fostering financial inclusion and economic empowerment. Presentations from various countries, sharing their experiences and best practices in land administration systems were also made. Participants also benefited from practical drone demonstrations, interactive sessions with vendors, and knowledge assessments to reinforce learning outcomes.
Global Participation Highlights International Interest
The ongoing workshop has garnered significant international participation, with delegates from 22 countries, including Turkmenistan, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Fiji, and several others, underscoring the global significance of land governance issues.The workshop, which combines interactive technical sessions, field visits, and hands-on demonstrations, highlights India’s leadership role in South-South Cooperation. By offering technical expertise, policy guidance, and skill development opportunities through SVAMITVA, India is contributing to building institutional capacity for partner nations in land governance, property rights management, and rural development. The event explores challenges such as property disputes, outdated land databases, and the need for high-resolution digital maps. This six-day international workshop will continue with detailed technical sessions, field demonstrations, and visits to the Survey of India lab, providing participants with practical insights into drone-based surveying, data processing, and the integration of geospatial technologies in land administration.
About SVAMITVA Scheme: The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme is a flagship initiative of the Government of India implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. It aims to provide rural property owners with “Record of Rights” by using drone surveying technology to map inhabited areas of villages. The scheme has successfully mapped over 3.17 lakh villages across India, representing an estimated asset base of Rs.132 lakh crore.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj presented a short film on the #SVAMITVA_Scheme at the International Workshop on Land Governance at HIPA, Gurugram, highlighting its impact on rural land governance.
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu reached Bhubaneswar, Odisha this afternoon (March 24, 2025) from Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
The President travelled to Nayagarh from Bhubaneswar and made darshan and puja at Lord Nilamadhab Temple. Later, she graced the foundation day ceremony of Bharatiya Biswabasu Shabar Samaj at Kaliapalli.
Addressing the gathering at the Kaliapalli, the President said that the spectacular views of this area are very attractive. It has the potential to become a popular tourist destination. She expressed confidence that the development of infrastructure in this area will attract tourists and pilgrims. It will also boost the economy of the area. She urged all to contribute to developing this place and area. She said that everyone should come forward to shape the possibilities of Nayagarh in various fields like agriculture, handicrafts, tourism, etc.
The President said that a nature-friendly lifestyle is a characteristic of Indian culture. It is also an integral part of tribal life. Tribal brothers and sisters worship forests, trees etc. as gods. According to tribal beliefs, the souls of their ancestors reside in the forest. This belief is great mantra of forest protection.
The President said that the government is implementing various schemes for empowerment and self-reliance of tribal brothers and sisters while preserving and promoting their art and culture. She urged them to be aware about the welfare schemes and take benefit of those schemes. She said that the government schemes would be successful only with people’s cooperation and participation.
Over the past ten years, Indian Navy has deepened its partnerships with maritime agencies of Indian Ocean Region (IOR), to enhance maritime security in consonance with the GoI’s vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). Indian Navy has been collaborating with navies of IOR countries on several initiatives such as joint naval exercises, coordinated patrols, information sharing, HADR efforts, capacity building and other diplomatic engagements. With SAGAR entering its second decade, and the announcement of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions (MAHASAGAR) by Hon’ble Prime Minister, during his visit to Mauritius in March 2025, Indian Navy is launching its maiden initiatives of IOS Sagar and AIKEYME, which are aimed at consolidating Indian Navy’s stature as the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ and ‘First Responder’ in Indian Ocean Region.
IOS Sagar
Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar, is an initiative towards continued cooperation with IOR nations. One Indian Naval ship (INS Sunayna) is being deployed to the Southwest IOR with a combined crew of India and nine Friendly Foreign Countries (Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka , South Africa). The ship is planned to be deployed for over a month in April 2025, and would be undertaking port calls at Dar-es-Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, Port Victoria and Male and Joint surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius and Seychelles.
The personnel from FFCs would undergo a training capsule of two weeks at various naval professional schools at Kochi, including training at Sea. The FFC personnel would be engaged in wholeship activities, watch keeping and other events related to their respective branches/ trade. The participants of IOS Sagar are also planned to witness harbour phase activities of Exercise AIKEYME at Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
AIKEYME
India and Africa give immense importance to maritime security and have reiterated their commitment to increase cooperation in tackling maritime security threats such as piracy, illegal activities including trafficking, unregulated and unreported fishing through sharing of information and surveillance. A large scale multilateral maritime engagement exercise with African Countries, titled as ‘Africa India Key Maritime Engagement’ also known as ‘AIKEYME’, which means ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit is an initiative in this direction to enhance interoperability with the navies/ maritime agencies. The maiden edition of the exercise is being co-hosted by Indian Navy and Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Force (TPDF) and would be conducted at/ off Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, and is planned to be inaugurated by Hon’ble RM Shri Rajnath Singh in mid-April 2025. The exercise is planned over six days and includes participation from Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa in addition to the co-hosts. The Harbour Phase of the exercise would include TableTop and Command Post exercises on Piracy and Information sharing, along with training on Seamanship and Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS). The Sea Phase comprises Seamanship evolutions, Search and Rescue, VBSS, Small Arms firing and Helicopter Operations.
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in collaboration with the Media & Entertainment Association of India (MEAI), hosted WAM! (WAVES Anime & Manga Contest) at Whistling Woods International in Mumbai on 23rd March 2025. WAM! is one of the WAVES (World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit – Create in India Challenges. Around 300 participants competed across three key categories, Manga, Webtoon, and Anime, at the latest edition in Mumbai. The event also featured a Voice Acting showdown with 34 participants and an electrifying Cosplay contest with 45 participants.
Winners of WAM! Mumbai 2025
Voice Acting Competition
Winner: Chinchakar Ganesh Sanyog
Runners-up: Aditi Joshi & Payal Vishal
Cosplay Contest
Winner: Kaizad Sheshbaradaran as Okarun
First Runner-up: Yash Mokal as Monkey D. Luffy
Second Runner-up: Esha Joshi as Robin
Manga Category
Student Winner: Jay Kumar Nagori
Professional Winner: Hriday Biswas
Webtoon Category
Professional Winner: Eesha Chavan
Anime Category
Student Winner: Chinmay Narote
Professional Winner: Reubun Saldhana
Winners in the Manga, Webtoon, and Anime categories received prizes including pen tablets, art supplies, official merchandise, and cash prizes. Additionally, Anime category winners will receive English, Hindi, and Japanese dubs for their pilot episode. Toonsutra has confirmed the distribution of the Webtoon winners’ work on their platform.
In a special segment, attendees got an exclusive first look at TRIO, India’s first anime currently in development. The event also featured notable industry leaders, including: Sushil Bhasin – President, Media & Entertainment Association of India; Abhishek Dutta – Associate Vice President – Acquisition & Programming (Kids Cluster), Star India Pvt Ltd; Sumeet Pathak – Actor, Chief Operating Officer & Managing Director, Gulmohar Media; Ankur Javeri – Actor, Voice Artist, and Founder & Past President of the Association of Voice Artists; Jazyl Homavazir – 2D Animation Professional and Creator of India’s first Manga – Beast Legion; Dakshata Pawar – COSPLAY Artist and Founder of MAGE.
The previous editions of WAM were conducted in Guwahati, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Varanasi, and Delhi.
For More Details: Ankur Bhasin; Secretary, Media & Entertainment Association of India +91 98806 23122 ; secretary@meai.in
The Government of India is set to host the first-ever World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a landmark event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, from May 1st to 4th, 2025, in Mumbai. Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, WAVES – as a global platform – offers the ultimate platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the global M&E landscape.
With a vision to position India as a global creative powerhouse, WAVES aims to set new benchmarks in creativity, innovation, and influence on the world stage. The summit will magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound And Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and extended reality (XR).
The Department of Health (DH) today (March 24) is actively following up and investigating an incident of a falling examination lamp in a treatment room at Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Tsuen Wan (HKAH-TW). In addition, the DH has issued a special alert to inform the stakeholders in Hong Kong that if they are using the same model (i.e. Polaris® 50) of examination lamp, they should contact the local supplier.
According to the HKAH-TW’s report, upon a doctor finished a procedure for a patient in a treatment room of the Urgent Care Centre last night, the examination lamp suddenly fell while a healthcare staff assisting the doctor was trying to adjust it, hitting both of them. Upon examination, neither suffered any major injuries and did not require hospitalisation for treatment. The patient, who was in the treatment room at the time of the incident, was not injured.
After the incident, the hospital stopped using the room in question in the evening of the same day, and asked the supplier to immediately send staff to inspect all examination lamps of the same model in the hospital to ensure safety. As a precautionary measure, the HKAH-TW has also requested the supplier to inspect all lights manufactured by the same supplier (Draeger Hong Kong Limited) but of different models in the HKAH-TW. The DH has requested the HKAH-TW to submit an investigation report. The DH will carefully assess the findings of the investigation and the measures taken by the hospital, and take appropriate follow-up actions to ensure patient safety and prevent similar incidents.
On the other hand, the DH has contacted the local supplier of the device to learn more about the incident. Preliminary information indicated that the medical device in question is a Class I general medical device under the Medical Device Administrative Control System. The DH will notify stakeholders of the incident, including the Hospital Authority, all private hospitals, licensed private healthcare facilities and relevant medical professional bodies, and inform them to contact the local supplier, Draeger Hong Kong Limited, as soon as possible if they are using the device concerned. The DH will also issue a special alert on the Medical Device Division’s website. The DH has requested Draeger Hong Kong Limited in writing today to proactively notify the affected customers and take follow-up action.
The DH would continue to liaise closely with the HKAH-TW and the supplier concerned, and follow up on the case to safeguard patient safety.
Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at a media session after chairing the Sports Commission meeting this afternoon (March 24):
Reporter: First of all, can you just recap in English like other any specific performance indicators or factors that justify the decision to keep Tier A funding for snooker and tennis? How will the Sports Commission ensure that this decision does not unfairly disadvantage other sports, like other types of sports, that are also seeking funding? Is this one of the decisions? You mentioned that the Sports Commission will review the EVSS (Elite Vote Support Scheme) for greater flexibility in recognising sports with unique strengths or growing popularity? Is there a timetable to complete the review and are there any sports that you have in mind that might fit in the new requirements? Thank you.
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism: The review of the EVSS has just been done. That is what the Sports Commission has just discussed and that was the outcome of the review of the EVSS. The outcome is that tennis and billiard sports will continue to stay at Tier A elite sports in the coming two years. The reasons being are that we have reviewed the criteria, the one in particular being adjusted, in the past we required that for a sport to stay at elite (sports) (Tier) A, first of all, it has to be a sport that is included in the Olympic (Games) or the Asian Games in the four past events or upcoming two events. In these six events, at least three would include this sport. So, this would pose difficulty for billiard sports, for example. But recognising this difficulty which is not within the control of the sports association itself, we have decided to adjust the scheme a little bit, so that we will count from 1997, the year that we started to compete in the name of Hong Kong, China. From then till now, at least three times a sport will have to be included in either the Olympic (Games) or the Asian Games. If that is the case, they would be qualified to stay in Tier A elite sports. Billiard sports will meet the criteria upon this adjustment.
For tennis, we would advise that on top of the Olympic (Games) or Asian Games, normally for other sports, World Championship is also an important event that would be counted or considered for whether a sport can be included or stayed within the elite zone. But for tennis, they don’t have a world champion tournament as such. So, we have decided to take into account outcome in Grand Slam events, and also the Davis Cup or Billie Jean King Cup outcome. It is an adjustment that is fitting for tennis in which we are also making good performances recently. Of course, this is a system that is ever-evolving in light of the latest development of the sports sector. We will continue to see if adjustment is necessary in the future times to come. Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
LegCo to consider Courts (Remote Hearing) Bill The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (March 26) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, the Second Reading debate on the Courts (Remote Hearing) Bill will resume. If the Bill is supported by Members and receives its Second Reading, it will stand committed to the committee of the whole Council. After the committee of the whole Council has completed consideration of the Bill and its report is adopted by the Council, the Bill will be set down for the Third Reading.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2025, the Buildings Energy Efficiency (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Electronic Health Record Sharing System (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Supplementary Medical Professions (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Merchant Shipping (Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships) Bill will be introduced into the Council for the First Reading and the Second Reading. The Second Reading debate on the Bills will be adjourned.
On Government motion, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development will move a proposed resolution under the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation Ordinance to resolve that the maximum percentage prescribed for section 13(2) of the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation Ordinance is 95 per cent. The proposed resolution is set out in Appendix 1.
On Members’ motions, Mr Dennis Leung will move a motion on accelerating the development of a smart government to better assist the public in integrating into the life in the Greater Bay Area. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Mr Chan Siu-hung and Mr Steven Ho will move separate amendments to Mr Leung’s motion.
Mr Tommy Cheung will move a motion on reviewing the effectiveness of the small class teaching mode in primary and secondary schools. The motion is set out in Appendix 3. Mr Chu Kwok-keung will move an amendment to Mr Cheung’s motion.
Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.