Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah says our relentless hunt against the drug trade continues In line with the Modi government’s zero tolerance against drugs, a major narco-network busted in Delhi-NCR
NCB and Delhi Police grabbed the gang by its throat and recovered methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine worth ₹27.4 crore and arrested five people
I applaud NCB and Delhi Police for this major breakthrough: Home Minister
Posted On: 31 MAR 2025 4:53PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah said that our relentless hunt against the drug trade continues.
In his post on ‘X’ platform Home Minister said “In line with the Modi government’s zero tolerance against drugs, a major narco-network was busted in Delhi-NCR. The NCB and Delhi Police grabbed the gang by its throat and recovered methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine worth ₹27.4 crore and arrested five people. I applaud NCB and Delhi Police for this major breakthrough”.
Our relentless hunt against the drug trade continues.
In line with the Modi government’s zero tolerance against drugs, a major narco-network was busted in Delhi-NCR. The NCB and Delhi Police grabbed the gang by its throat and recovered methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine worth…
On receipt of an input about an imminent exchange of high-quality Methamphetamine in Chhatarpur area of Delhi a joint team of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Special cell of the Delhi Police mounted surveillance on the suspects leading to interception of a vehicle carrying 5.103 kilograms of High-quality Crystal Methamphetamine valued at Rs. 10.2 crore (appx.). Five occupants of the vehicle including four African Nationals belonging to influential family of Nigeria have been arrested.
Sustained on-the-spot, interrogation and technical backtracking revealed that this contraband was sourced from an African Kitchen in the Tilak Nagar area of West Delhi. Search at this kitchen led to recovery of 1.156 kilograms Crystal Methamphetamine, 4.142 kilograms Afghan Heroine and 5.776 kilograms MDMA (Ecstasy pills) valued at Rs 16.4 crore (appx.). Further, a follow-up search at a rented apartment at Greater Noida led to a recovery of 389 grams of Afghan Heroin and 26 grams of cocaine.
Investigation revealed about involvement of this syndicate in facilitating African Youth peddling drugs and narcotics, in getting student visas for study at major private universities of National Capital Region (NCR) as well as Punjab. For some of the students, the visa was only a cover for their stay in India where as they were involved in supplying drugs and Crypto conversions. Further, investigations to identify the backward and forward linkages of this drug syndicate is underway.
The seizure exemplifies the NCB’s commitment to successfully dismantle drug networks. To fight against drug trafficking, NCB seeks support of the citizens. Any person can share information related to sale of narcotics by calling on MANAS- National Narcotics Helpline Toll Free Number-1933.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong today (March 31) held the Commemoration Ceremony of the 60th Anniversary of Dongjiang Water Supply to Hong Kong and the Launching Ceremony of Dancing Water Drops Exhibition at the Central Government Offices, Tamar, to celebrate this remarkable and important occasion.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee; the Governor of Guangdong Province, Mr Wang Weizhong; the Minister of Water Resources, Mr Li Guoying; the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (LOCPG) 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 Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; Deputy Director of the LOCPG in the HKSAR Mr Qi Bin; Vice-Governor of Guangdong Province Mr Zhang Shaokang; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; and the Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, Mr Qin Weizhong, officiated at the ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lee said that the country has been providing Hong Kong with reliable and stable supply of Dongjiang water over the past 60 years. Currently accounting for about 70 to 80 per cent of the fresh water consumption in Hong Kong, Dongjiang water supports the sustainable economic development of Hong Kong, and nourishes the citizens, allowing them to live and work in a better place. Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong is not only a water engineering project, but also an epitome of the strong blood ties between the country and Hong Kong. He said that Hong Kong citizens will cherish the country’s care and express their gratitude by making greater contributions to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Mr Wang said that, over the past 60 years, Guangdong has been resolutely implementing the strategic decisions of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and has made it a priority to ensure the safety of water supply to Hong Kong, guaranteeing stable supply of high-quality Dongjiang water to Hong Kong. Standing at a new starting point, Guangdong will always stay true to the aspirations of General Secretary Xi Jinping, and will fully, faithfully and resolutely implement the principle of “one country, two systems”, and effectively manage the Dongjiang-Shenzhen Water Supply Scheme. This will ensure that Hong Kong citizens continue to have access to safe and high-quality water, providing strong support for the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
Mr Li said that, over the past 60 years, the Ministry of Water Resources has resolutely implemented General Secretary Xi Jinping’s water regulating approach of “Prioritising water conservation, Balancing spatial distribution, Taking systematic approaches, Promoting government-market synergy”. Under the sincere care of the Central Authorities, the quantity and quality of water supply to Hong Kong and emergency support capabilities have been continuously enhanced. The Ministry of Water Resources will strengthen co-operation on water resources with the HKSAR Government on all fronts, and will continue to enhance the water safety security system in the Greater Bay Area while ensuring stable, safe and quality water supply to Hong Kong.
A lighting ceremony for the Dancing Water Drops Exhibition was also held at the event. The large-scale art installations exhibition was specially created by internationally acclaimed artist Simon Ma in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong. The display of water drop-shaped installations of various sizes symbolises the vitality that Dongjiang water brings to Hong Kong and social inclusion. The setting and number of water drop-shaped installations will vary at different stages of the exhibition period from April to June. Installations for the first stage include an 18.8-metre-tall water drop-shaped installation and over 100 small never-fall water drop-shaped installations, which will be on display from tomorrow (April 1). The highlight of the exhibition is a 28.8-metre-tall giant water drop-shaped art installation. It is by far the largest of its kind among similar exhibitions and will be on display for the first time in May. The exhibition will be held from tomorrow to June 13 at Tamar Park and the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section).
In addition to the Dancing Water Drops Exhibition, a series of activities in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong have been held under the theme “Dongjiang River – An Inseparable Bond, Our Blessed Origin” since September last year. These activities included a roving exhibition, thematic talks and Mainland study tours. Upcoming celebration activities will be the International Water Pioneers Summit, which will be held tomorrow, and a study tour on national water engineering projects, culture and technology, which will be held within this year.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah unveils the grand statue of Maharaja Agrasen, inaugurates the newly constructed ICU, and lays the foundation stone for the PG hostel in Hisar, Haryana The land of Haryana has worked to enrich and preserve India’s culture, values, and traditions since ancient times
Maharaja Agrasen paved the way for the prosperity and welfare of every individual without burdening the state
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is also following the path shown by Maharaja Agrasen and working towards the development of the country
The Modi government has spent 64,000 crore rupees on public health centers and community health centers, building a strong foundation for medical infrastructure
In the next 5 years, there will not be a single district in the country without a medical college
In the double-engine government, Haryana is the best example of politics based on principles by like-minded people
The Saini government in Haryana provided 80,000 jobs to youth in a transparent manner, without bribes or recommendations
OP Jindal established the values of caring for the people before profit, caring for society before business, and prioritizing
In the Agarwal community, most people are entrepreneurs who are contributing to the service of the nation with a spirit of dedication
Posted On: 31 MAR 2025 5:00PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today unveiled the grand statue of Maharaja Agrasen, inaugurated the newly constructed ICU, and laid the foundation stone for the PG hostel in Hisar, Haryana. On this occasion, several distinguished individuals, including Haryana’s Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini, were present.
In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said the land of Haryana has worked to enrich and preserve India’s culture, values, and traditions since ancient times. He said, from Mahabharata time to the freedom struggle and even after independence, Haryana’s contribution to the development of the country has always been far greater than that of the larger states.
Shri Amit Shah said that in this large hospital, where nearly 5 lakh people avail OPD services, 180 children graduate in medical education every year, and patients receive various types of modern medical facilities, all of this is possible due to the foundation laid by O.P. Jindal. He mentioned that today, along with the statue of Maharaja Agrasen, the newly constructed ICU has been inaugurated, and the foundation stone for the PG hostel has also been laid. He added that these initiatives represent another step towards advancing this institution.
Union Home Minister said that Maharaja Agrasen was a unique kind of ruler, and it is said that in his time, the capital had a population of 1 lakh people. Whenever a new person arrived there, they were given a brick and one rupee by every individual to help them build a house. Shri Shah said, Maharaja Agrasen paved the way for the prosperity and welfare of every individual without burdening the state. He said that Maharaja Agrasen worked to nurture the values of the entire state. Maharaja Agrasen ensured that no one in his kingdom went to bed hungry, no one lived without a roof over their head, and no one was without work. He said that these three things were guaranteed by Maharaja Agrasen through his good governance. Home Minister added that today, every individual in all the clans of the Agarwal community is an entrepreneur, dedicated to the country, serving others, and contributing to the nation’s development.
Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is also following the path shown by Maharaja Agrasen. He mentioned that during Prime Minister Modi’s 10-year tenure, 25 crore people in the country have risen above the poverty line. He said that Prime Minister Modi has provided 4 crore houses, 5 kg free ration per person per month to 81 crore people, gas connections to 11 crore families and toilets to 12 crore families. He said that the first government in the country to provide toilets in every house was the Haryana Government. He added that the Modi government has provided 15 crore people with piped water, health coverage of up to 5 lakh for 60 crore people, electricity to every household, and is now working through cooperatives to provide self-employment to every household.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that under Prime Minister Modi’s tenure, the country has seen transformative changes in various sectors over the past 10 years. He mentioned that the Modi government has taken a holistic approach to the health of the citizens. He explained that the government first provided a gas cylinder to every household, which is directly related to the health of women. Following that, yoga was popularized worldwide, then the Fit India Mission, the Nutrition Campaign, Mission Indradhanush, and the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which provides health coverage up to 5 lakh, were introduced. He stated that all these initiatives are related to health, and Prime Minister Modi has worked to weave them all together as a unified approach.
Shri Amit Shah said that the Modi government has made significant strides in the field of medical infrastructure. He said, the Modi government has spent 64,000 crore rupees on public health centers and community health centers, building a strong foundation for medical infrastructure. He also highlighted the establishment of 730 integrated public health labs, 4,382 block public health units, and 602 new critical care boxes over the past 10 years. He further stated that in the year 2013-14, the country’s health budget was 33,000 crore rupees, which Prime Minister Modi has more than tripled, raising it to 1 lakh 33 thousand crore rupees in the 2025-26 budget.
Union Home Minister said that in 2014, there were 7 AIIMS in the country, while in 2024, there are 23 AIIMS. Similarly, in 2014, there were 387 medical colleges in the country, and today there are 766. He mentioned that the number of MBBS seats, which was 51,000 in 2014, has now increased to 1.15 lakh and an additional 85,000 seats will be added over the next 5 years. He also stated that in 2014, there were 31,000 PG seats, which have now increased to 73,000. Shri Shah assured that in the next 5 years, there will not be a single district in the country without a medical college.
Shri Amit Shah said that Haryana is the best example of politics based on principles, with like-minded people in the double-engine government. He mentioned that in previous governments, corruption in jobs was due to casteism, and jobs were obtained through bribes and recommendations. Shri Shah said that Saini government in Haryana provided 80,000 jobs to youth in a transparent manner, without bribes or recommandations. Shri Shah also pointed out that Haryana’s athletes have won three times more medals in the last 10 years, Haryana is the largest exporter of Basmati rice, and one in every 10 soldiers in the army is from Haryana. He added that Haryana is the state where the highest number of 24 crops is purchased at the minimum support price (MSP). Furthermore, Haryana was the first state to give land ownership rights within the red lines (Lal Dore), ensured that no Panchayat head is illiterate, and has 50 per cent participation of women in Panchayats.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that between 2004 and 2014, Haryana received 41,000 crore rupees from the central government, while the Modi government has provided Haryana with 1 lakh 43 thousand crore rupees between 2014 and 2024. He added that in addition to this, infrastructure work worth 1 lakh 26 thousand crore rupees, road construction worth 72 thousand crore rupees, and railway projects worth 54 thousand crore rupees have also been carried out in Haryana.
The Fourth edition of Exercise Tiger Triumph, the bilateral Tri-Service India-US Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise, is scheduled on the Eastern Seaboard from 01 to 13 Apr 25. The exercise is aimed at developing interoperability for conducting HADR operations and for the formulation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to establish a Combined Coordination Center (CCC) that would enable rapid and smooth coordination between Indian and US Joint Task Forces (JTF) during exercises and crisis / contingencies.
The Indian side would be represented by Indian Naval ShipsJalashwa, Gharial, Mumbai and Shakti with integral helicopters and landing crafts embarked, Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I, Army Troops from 91 Inf Brigade and 12 Mech Infantry Battalion, Air Force C-130 Aircraft and MI-17 Helicopters, along with the Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT). The US side would be represented by US Navy Ships Comstock and Ralph Johnson with troops of the US Marine Division embarked.
The Harbour Phase is scheduled at Visakhapatnam from01 to 07 Apr 25 during which an Opening Ceremony with a joint Flag Parade and Media Interaction will be held onboard INS Jalashwa on01 Apr 25. Participants from both sides would also engage in Training Visits, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, Sports Events and Social interactions. On completion of the Harbour Phase, the ships with troops embarked, would sail for a Sea Phase and undertake Maritime, Amphibious and HADR operations off Kakinada.
During the exercise, a joint command and control center, would be established by Indian Army and US Marines at the Kakinada Naval Enclave. The IAF RAMT and the US Navy medical team would also establish a joint medical camp for providing medical aid. The exercise would culminate with a closing ceremony on board US Navy Ship Comstock on 13 Apr 25 at Visakhapatnam.
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) today reported significant growth in its financial performance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, as per provisional data.
Loan sanctions for FY 2024-25 stood at ₹47,453 crore, marking a 27% increase from ₹37,354 crore in the previous year. Loan disbursements rose by 20% to ₹30,168 crore, compared to ₹25,089 crore in FY 2023-24. The outstanding loan book also expanded by 28%, reaching ₹76,250 crore as of March 31, 2025, up from ₹59,698 crore in the previous year.
Shri Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman & Managing Director, IREDA, stated, “Announcing IREDA’s annual performance on the last day of the financial year underscores our strong commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance and transparency with our investors. IREDA’s consistent growth in loan sanctions, disbursements, and loan book reflects our strong dedication to financing renewable energy projects. We remain committed to supporting India’s clean energy transition through innovative and accessible financing solutions.”
“I sincerely thank Hon’ble Union Minister; Hon’ble Union Minister of State, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy; Secretary, MNRE; our Board of Directors; Regulators; and officials of MNRE and other ministries for their unwavering support. I appreciate the dedication and relentless efforts of the Team IREDA, whose commitment drives our success”, Shri Das added.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Survey shows awareness of intellectual property rights protection remains high The Director of Intellectual Property, Mr David Wong, said, “The IP system has always been an important driving force for innovation and creativity. The survey results, which show that the awareness of IP rights protection remains high among the general public, notably the widespread public recognition of statutory protection of copyright, trade marks and patents, are encouraging.”
Similar to the results of the last survey, this survey showed that over 60 per cent of the respondents were of the view that with Hong Kong being a regional IP trading centre, the protection of IP rights could facilitate the development of local arts, culture and creative industries as well as local innovation and technology, promote IP-related professional services in Hong Kong, attract foreign investment and strengthen the competitiveness of Hong Kong. The survey also showed that 90 per cent of the respondents had seldom or never bought pirated or counterfeit goods in the past year. The major reasons cited were “quality of genuine goods is guaranteed (38.8 per cent)”, “no need to buy or not interested in pirated or counterfeit goods” (36.9 per cent), and “respect and support IP rights/support genuine goods/immoral or wrong to infringe IP rights” (16.9 per cent).
In terms of the attitude towards IP rights protection, over 80 per cent of the respondents agreed that “it is morally wrong to browse or use the content on unauthorised websites or mobile apps knowing that it is an infringement of IP rights” (83.0 per cent), and that “it is morally wrong to buy pirated or counterfeit goods knowing that it is an infringement of IP rights” (85.9 per cent). Both percentages are similar to the results of the last survey, indicating that the respondents maintain a very positive attitude towards IP rights protection.
“Public education is crucial in promoting IP rights protection. The Government will continue to enhance public awareness of protecting and respecting IP rights, especially among the younger generation, through various educational and promotional activities,” Mr Wong said.
To encourage the purchase of genuine goods, the “No Fakes Pledge” Scheme has been rolled out by the IPD alongside a number of retail and industry associations. “No Fakes” logos are displayed to help distinguish merchants that sell genuine goods. The survey revealed that 77.6 per cent of the respondents had heard of the Scheme, among which, most (75.0 per cent) considered the Scheme helpful in building confidence among consumers and tourists to shop in Hong Kong, and strengthening Hong Kong’s reputation as a “shopping paradise”.
Similar surveys have been commissioned by the IPD regularly since 1999, with the previous round conducted in 2022. The report of the latest survey is available on the IPD’s websiteIssued at HKT 17:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
​The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) Chief Executive, Mr Eddie Yue, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor, Dr Eli M. Remolona, Jr., led a bilateral meeting to exchange views and strengthen co-operation on various areas of central banking on March 28 in the Philippines.
Hosted by the BSP, officials from the two institutions discussed and shared insights on capital market development, digital payments and connectivity, digital banking, and sustainable finance. In particular, the meeting covered issues such as bond market and ecosystem; multilateral digital payment projects; cybersecurity risk management and consumer protection; digital financial literacy; climate risk stress testing and other green finance initiatives.
The HKMA and the BSP also explored potential collaboration, to further broaden and enhance their longstanding co-operation and bilateral ties.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (March 31) launched the Platform for Cemeteries and Crematoria Services (service platform) (app.fehd.gov.hk/ccsp). This one-stop portal provides online services for all cemeteries and crematoria facilities under the FEHD’s management, streamlining the electronic application process and offering personalised services to further facilitate the handling of after-death arrangements for members of the public.
Starting today, members of the public can submit applications for all cemeteries and crematoria services managed by the FEHD via the service platform, including cremation services, allocation of public niches, cemetery services, green burial, cremation or keeping services for abortus, free memorial sails and the establishment of the Internet Memorial Service Website (Advanced Planning Version). The service platform features a key function that allows members of the public to create an integrated service account to manage after-death arrangements for multiple deceased individuals, reducing cumbersome procedures. Users can also manage multiple applications for the same deceased in a single account and track the application progress of each service at a glance.
The service platform also supports multiple electronic payment methods, saving time for the public by eliminating the need to visit cemetery and crematorium offices in person for applications and fee payments.
Applicants must register and complete authentication on the service platform before applying for cemetery and crematorium services. The FEHD encourages the use of the “iAM Smart” electronic identity verification, which automatically fills in parts of the online forms to expedite the application process.
To facilitate the public in registering as users of the service platform and understanding how to handle after-death arrangements through the new system, the FEHD has produced a series of demonstration videos and pamphlets. For details, please visit the following website: www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/platform_for_cemeteries_and_crematoria_services.html.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Government announced today (March 31) the reappointment of Mr Kenneth Leung Yuk-wai as Vice-Chairman of the Youth Development Commission (YDC) and the reappointments of 13 non-official members as well as appointments of 15 new non-official members, including five new non-official members appointed through the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth, for a term of two years with effect from April 1, 2025.
The Chief Secretary for Administration and Chairman of the YDC, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, said, “The YDC has been working closely with the Government to promote cross-bureau and interdepartmental collaborations to facilitate the healthy and all-round development of young people. The YDC will continue to follow through on the guiding principles of the Youth Development Blueprint to actively implement various schemes covering different areas such as youth exchanges and internships, entrepreneurship, life planning and positive thinking. I look forward to working together with all members of the new-term YDC to nurture a new generation of young people with an affection for our country and Hong Kong, and who are equipped with a global perspective, an aspiring mind-set and positive thinking.”
Mr Chan also thanked the 12 outgoing members for their contribution to the YDC.
The membership of the YDC with effect from April 1, 2025, is as follows:
Chairman
——–
Chief Secretary for Administration
Vice-Chairman
——–
Mr Kenneth Leung Yuk-wai
Non-official members
——–
Ms Chan Wing-man
Ms Jenny Chan Yan-yee
Mr Duncan Chiu
Mr Albert Chuang Ka-pun
Mr Conrad Ho
Ms Vivian Kong Man-wai
Mr Rex Lai Tat-shing
Ms Amy Lam Cheuk-yin
Mr Lawrence Lam Chi-bun
Dr Lam Ho-yi
Mr Chris Lam Ka-tat
Dr Kevin Lau Chung-hang
Ms Charlotte Lau Hei-lam
Mr Victor Lau Ngai
Ms Dana Lau Sing-she
Ms Janet Lee Ching-yee
Mr Jacky Lee Chiu-yu
Ms Natalie Leung Hoi-ching
Mr John Li Zhong
Mr Wilson Lung
Mr Justin Ng Hin-ching
Mr Victor Pang Wing-seng
Mr Nicklaus Pannu-yuon
Ms Beatrice Sun Long-ching
Mr Patrick Tsang On-yip
Mr Calvin Tse Hoi-fat
Mr Tsui Ho-yin
Ms Grace Yu Ho-wun
Ex-officio members
——–
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism
Secretary for Education
Secretary for Health
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs
Secretary for Housing
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry
Secretary for Labour and Welfare
Secretary for Security
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
EPD launches Packaging Reduction Charter with over 100 businesses pledging to reduce packaging To assist businesses in packaging reduction and management, the EPD has published the Practical Guides on Packaging Reduction and Management (Practical Guides) for eight specific sectors (Note) on its website. The EPD has also conducted briefing sessions for relevant trades and will closely monitor their progress in packaging reduction.Issued at HKT 18:20