Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CE meets Governor of Jiangxi Province (with photo)
Mr Lee welcomed Mr Ye and his delegation to Hong Kong. Mr Lee noted that Hong Kong and Jiangxi have been maintaining close economic and trade relations, and the Jiangxi-Hong Kong economic and trade co-operation activities held by Jiangxi since 2002 have been a significant platform for exchange and collaboration between the two places. He said that Hong Kong is Jiangxi’s largest source of external investment and an important trading partner, with the total value of imports and exports between the two places exceeding US$9.4 billion last year. Hong Kong also serves as a main capital market for Jiangxi enterprises listed outside of the Mainland.
Mr Lee said that this year marks the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang’s water supply to Hong Kong. Jiangxi, as the source of Dongjiang River, has been providing a vital water supply to Hong Kong over the past six decades. He expressed gratitude to Jiangxi Province for its long-standing efforts in ensuring the safety and cleanliness of the Dongjiang water source, which has been crucial to Hong Kong’s prosperity and development.
Mr Lee noted that Hong Kong is a key link in the Belt and Road Initiative and a core city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong has the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world. He said that Hong Kong will give full play to its roles as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder” to serve Jiangxi in expanding international markets.
Issued at HKT 17:30
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MULTI MODAL LOGISTICS PARKS IN TELENGANA (MMLPS)
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 02 APR 2025 2:23PM by PIB Delhi
a. Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) are being developed by various public and private entities across the country, depending on their feasibility. Government has approved 35 locations for development of Multi-Modal logistics Parks across India to improve the logistics efficiency which is also expected to enable reduction in the logistics cost.
Out of the approved locations, (05) MMLPs at Jogighopa, Chennai, Bengaluru, Nagpur and Indore are under development and expected to be operational in FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27.
b. The amount allocated for the 5 MMLPs that have been awarded is given at Annexure-I.
c. The estimated Cargo volume for the 5 MMLPs that have been awarded is given at Annexure-II.
Annexure mentioned in Part (b) of reply
Annexure mentioned in Part (c) of reply
This reply was given by the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written statement to an unstarred question (3619) in the Rajya Sabha.
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GDH/HR
(Release ID: 2117707) Visitor Counter : 76
New Milestone in Locomotive Production: India Surpasses the US and Europe by Producing 1,681 Locomotives for the Financial Year 2024-25
Source: Government of India
New Milestone in Locomotive Production: India Surpasses the US and Europe by Producing 1,681 Locomotives for the Financial Year 2024-25
19% rise in production;1,681 locomotives in FY 2024-25, 209 more than 1,472 in FY 2023-24
‘Make in India’ Drives Growth: Locomotive Production Surges to 9,168 in Last 10 Years, Doubling Annual Average to 917
Posted On: 02 APR 2025 4:55PM by PIB Delhi
India has emerged as a global leader in railway locomotive manufacturing, achieving a record production of 1,681 locomotives in the financial year 2024-25. This milestone surpasses the total locomotive production of regions such as the United States, Europe, South America, Africa, and Australia, reaffirming India’s growing dominance in the global railway sector.
Indian Railways’ locomotive manufacturing units have achieved a remarkable milestone by producing 1,681 locomotives in various categories during the financial year 2024-25. This marks an increase of 209 locomotives, or 19%, compared to the 1,472 locomotives produced in the previous financial year 2023-24. This record-breaking production is the highest ever for locomotive manufacturing in the country, reflecting the significant achievements of all units in enhancing railway infrastructure and capacity.
The continuous rise in locomotive production is a direct result of strategic decisions taken to strengthen the “Make in India” initiative. Between 2004 and 2014, India produced a total of 4,695 locomotives, with a national annual average of 470. In contrast, from 2014 to 2024, locomotive manufacturing witnessed a significant surge, with 9,168 locomotives produced, raising the annual average to approximately 917.
In the financial year 2024-25, Indian Railways achieved a record production of 1,681 locomotives across its manufacturing units. The production was distributed as follows: Chittaranjan Locomotive Works manufactured 700 locomotives, Banaras Locomotive Works produced 477, Patiala Locomotive Works contributed 304 locomotives and 100 locomotives each were manufactured at the Madhepura and Marhowrah units
The majority of the locomotives produced in the country were intended for freight trains. Among the 1,681 locomotives produced in the financial year 2024-25, the breakdown is as follows:
- WAG-9/9H locomotives: 1,047
- WAG-9HH locomotives: 7
- WAG-9 Twin locomotives: 148
- WAP-5 locomotives: 2
- WAP-7 locomotives: 272
- NRC locomotives: 5
- WAG-12B locomotives: 100
- WDG 4G/6G locomotives: 100
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Dharmendra Tewari/Shatrunjay Kumar
(Release ID: 2117830) Visitor Counter : 68
Clarification on Parliamentary Responses Regarding State Science Policies
Source: Government of India
Posted On: 02 APR 2025 2:58PM by PIB Delhi
New Delhi, April 2: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) clarifies that recent media reports suggesting a contradiction in responses given in Parliament regarding the first state to implement a science policy are misleading. The two questions asked in 2022 and 2025 were different in scope and intent, and the answers provided were in accordance with the specific queries posed.
In response to a Parliamentary Question on July 21, 2022, which sought to determine whether any State Government had ever initiated a science policy since independence, DST cited Gujarat’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Policy of 2018 as an example. The answer was factual and aligned with the query, which did not ask for a chronological first but rather if any state had initiated such a policy.
In contrast, the Parliamentary Question answered on March 13, 2025, explicitly sought information on all states that have implemented a science policy, as well as the first state to do so post-independence. In response, DST provided a comprehensive list of states with their respective policy implementation years—Kerala (1974 & 2002), Gujarat (2018), Himachal Pradesh (2021), and Madhya Pradesh (2022). Kerala was specifically mentioned as the first state to have implemented a science policy in 1974, which directly answered the question posed.
DST emphasizes that there is no contradiction in the responses. The difference in the information provided arises from the distinct nature of the questions asked. The department remains committed to transparency and accuracy in all its parliamentary responses and upholds the highest standards of accountability in disseminating information.
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NKR/PSM
(Release ID: 2117723) Visitor Counter : 44
End-to-end onboarding assistance will be provided to all Startups to start selling on GeM
Source: Government of India
End-to-end onboarding assistance will be provided to all Startups to start selling on GeM
GeM Pavilion to Provide Startups a Unique Platform to Engage with Government Buyers and Explore Market Opportunities
GeM to Present the Second Edition of Startup Mahakumbh
Posted On: 02 APR 2025 5:01PM by PIB Delhi
The Second Edition of Startup Mahakumbh, presented by Government e Marketplace (GeM), is set to commence from April 3rd to 5th, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. End-to-end onboarding assistance will be provided to all Startups so that they are ready to start selling on GeM.
The GeM Pavilion will serve as an open platform for participating Startups to engage with select Government buyers and explore market-fit opportunities for their innovative products and services. Visitors can also interact with GeMAI, a virtual chatbot providing an immersive experience on the GeM portal. With chat features and voice command functionality in eight languages, GeMAI will assist visitors in navigating the platform, answering queries, and tracking tickets. CEO, GeM, Shri Ajay Bhadoo, said that the GeM Pavilion (Hall 5) will provide an exclusive opportunity for newly registered Startups to avail professional product photoshoot and catalogue uploading assistance—completely free of cost.
In alignment with its vision of onboarding maximum eligible Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade(DPIIT)-registered Startups onto its platform, GeM is setting up a mega Pavilion in Hall 5 to facilitate Startup registrations during the three-day event. As part of GeM’s extensive outreach program, Team GeM will offer guided onboarding support to help Startups seamlessly integrate as Sellers on India’s largest e-marketplace for Government buyers.
Throughout the event, various sessions led by GeM leadership will explore opportunities for Startups in public procurement. Special masterclasses are also being planned to provide sector-specific insights that will help Startups scale their business in the public procurement domain. Senior officials from GeM will be present at the event to engage with the Startup community.
The event will bring together over 3000 Startups, 1000+ incubators and accelerators, and industry leaders across 10 key sectors, making it the world’s biggest platform for showcasing innovation.
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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas
(Release ID: 2117837) Visitor Counter : 51
LCQ19: Promoting staging of international convention and exhibition activities in Hong Kong
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ19: Promoting staging of international convention and exhibition activities in Hong Kong
| These C&E events have attracted numerous participants (including exhibitors and buyers), not only benefitting the C&E industry but also bringing in high-spending business travellers that drive economic activities in such related sectors as accommodation, catering, retail and entertainment, thereby benefitting various industries and bringing important contributions to Hong Kong’s economy. According to the statistics of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, there were about 1.42 million overnight C&E visitors in 2024 and their per capita spending was about $7,800. In 2025, it is estimated that the HKCEC and the AWE will organise over 140 conventions and 180 exhibitions in total, including large-scale international exhibitions and conferences such as Art Basel Hong Kong 2025, Routes World 2025 and the Asia Financial Forum. In view of the contribution of C&E events to Hong Kong’s overall economy, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government launched the Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions (ISRE) in July 2023 which was very well received. As announced in the 2024 Policy Address, the HKSAR Government would allocate an additional provision of $500 million for implementing the ISRE 2.0, subsidising venue rentals of eligible exhibitions organised by private organisers at specified venues (including the Central Harbourfront Event Space and relevant parts of the West Kowloon Cultural District which are newly included in the ISRE 2.0, apart from the HKCEC and the AWE). The ISRE 2.0 will focus on attracting new and recurrent international exhibitions of a large scale to further promote the development of the C&E industry and the mega event economy, thereby generating overall economic benefits for Hong Kong. The ISRE 2.0 will be launched on July 1 this year subject to the Legislative Council’s funding approval. Hong Kong is the world’s 10th largest trading entity in merchandise trade and has developed into the region’s premier C&E hub. The international large-scale C&E events held here will help enhance Hong Kong’s image as an international C&E hub, foster overall economic development and trade, and promote Hong Kong’s brands in various industries to assist Hong Kong enterprises in tapping the Mainland and international markets, while reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as an international trade centre and fully demonstrating our role as the “super connector” and “super value-adder” between the Mainland and the rest of the world. The HKSAR Government will continue to promote the development of the C&E industry and attract more international large-scale C&E events to be staged in Hong Kong. Issued at HKT 17:40 NNNN Two more men and one woman arrested in connection with murder in Sha TinSource: Hong Kong Government special administrative region Two more men and one woman arrested in connection with murder in Sha Tin In connection with a murder case happened in Sha Tin on March 16, Police further arrested two more men and one woman.Issued at HKT 19:25 NNNN Minority Affairs Ministry implementing various skilling and education schemes for socio-economic development of minoritiesSource: Government of India Posted On: 02 APR 2025 3:04PM by PIB Delhi The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) has been implementing various skilling and education schemes for socio-economic development of minorities to make them employment ready. The Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) is a flagship scheme of the Ministry, which converges five erstwhile schemes viz. ‘Seekho Aur Kamao’, ‘Nai Manzil’, ‘Nai Roshni’, ‘USTTAD’ and ‘Hamari Dharohar’ schemes and focuses on upliftment of six notified minority communities through the following:
The scheme also provisions to facilitate credit linkages by connecting beneficiaries with loan programs offered by the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC). Under the scheme; the Ministry has received some proposals and is in the process of short-listing and finalising the projects. Under the scheme, the implementing partners are to ensure placement of candidates trained through their linkages with the industries. The Ministry is collaborating with the Central Government Ministries/Departments and State/UT governments to seek proposals from willing agencies under the Scheme. Further, Ministry also spread awareness about its schemes through initiatives like Hunar Haat and Lok Samvardhan Parv, print and social media platforms, etc. This is a central sector scheme, which would be implemented at pan India basis. This information was given by the Union Minister of Minority Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today. *** SS/ISA (Release ID: 2117729) Visitor Counter : 109 Read this release in: Urdu
DH receives carbon monoxide poisoning case and reminds public to ensure ventilation when using gas water heatersSource: Hong Kong Government special administrative region DH receives carbon monoxide poisoning case and reminds public to ensure ventilation when using gas water heaters NNNN Government implementing various schemes for the welfare and upliftment of every strata, including minorities, especially the economically weaker and lesser-privileged sections of the societySource: Government of India Posted On: 02 APR 2025 3:05PM by PIB Delhi The Government implements various schemes for the welfare and upliftment of every strata, including minorities, especially the economically weaker and lesser-privileged sections of the society. Ministry of Minority Affairs specifically implements various schemes for socio-economic and educational empowerment of the six (6) centrally notified minority communities, across the country. The Schemes/ programmes implemented by the Ministry are as under: 1. Educational Empowerment Schemes i. Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme ii. Post Matric Scholarship Scheme iii. Merit-cum-Mean based Scholarship Scheme The Scholarship Schemes are implemented through National Scholarship Portal (managed by NIC) which is a continuously evolving platform. Scholarship payments are done through Aadhaar Payment Bridge System (APBS) under DBT mode so that benefit could reach to the genuine beneficiaries. 2. Employment and Economic Empowerment Schemes
ii) National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC): It implements schemes of Term Loan, Micro Finance, Education Loan & Virasat Scheme for socio-economic development of “backward sections” among the notified minority communities by providing concessional loan for self-employment income generation ventures across the country. The schemes of NMDFC are implemented through State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) nominated by respective State Govt./ UT Administration, Punjab Gramin Bank and Canara Bank. To monitor implementation of its schemes, NMDFC regularly conducts “beneficiary verification” and “impact assessment study” by engaging independent third-party organizations/agencies to assess the proper utilization & impact of NMDFC financing on the target groups across the country. NMDFC officials also visit different States/UTs for beneficiary interaction. 3. Infrastructure Development Scheme The projects under PMJVK are considered and approved on the basis of the requests received from the respective State Governments/UT Administration. The formulation of the project proposal submission thereof to the Ministry; execution of the approved projects and operation & maintenance of the completed projects is the responsibility of the respective State Governments/UT Administration. National Commission for Minorities (NCM), a statutory body under the Ministry was established under the NCM Act, 1992. As part of its function, it receives petitions of minorities and takes them up with the appropriate authorities/ State Governments for necessary action. Further, to promote communal harmony, Hon’ble Chairman and Members of the NCM hold regular meetings with the representatives of the minority communities. Moreover, NCM conducts ‘Sarv Dharam Samvad with representatives of minority communities to discuss issues faced by the communities and promote communal harmony. The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) has been implementing various skilling and education schemes for socio-economic development of minorities to make them employment ready. Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) is a flagship Scheme of MoMA which converges five erstwhile schemes and focuses on upliftment of minorities through skill development; entrepreneurship and leadership of minority women; and education support for school dropouts. Prior to PM VIKAS, the Ministry provided skill training to youth from minority communities to increase employment and livelihood opportunities under the ‘Seekho Aur Kamao’, ‘Nai Manzil’, and ‘USTTAD’ schemes, which have now been converged into the PM VIKAS scheme. No new targets were allocated under the said erstwhile schemes after 2020-21. A brief of these schemes along with achievements made therein is as under: i) Seekho aur Kamao (SAK) scheme, started in 2013-14, targeted to upgrade the skills of minority youth (14-45 years) in various modern/ traditional skills depending upon their qualification, prevailing economic trends, and market potential, that could earn them suitable employment or make them suitably skilled to take up self-employment. Since inception, about 4.68 lakh beneficiaries have been trainedunder the scheme. ii) Nai Manzil scheme started in 2015, and was implemented with an objective to benefit the minority youth who do not have formal school leaving certificate. The scheme provided a combination of formal education (Class VIII or X) and skills and enabled the beneficiaries to seek better employment and livelihoods. Since inception, 98,712 beneficiaries have been trained under the scheme. iii) USTTAD and Hamari Dharoharscheme started in 2015 for targeted capacity building and upgrading of the traditional skills of master craftsmen/ artisans. Since inception, about 21,611 beneficiaries have been trained under the scheme. iv) Nai Roshni, a Leadership Development Programme for Minority Women was launched in 2012-13 with an objective to empower and instill confidence among minority women by providing knowledge, tools and techniques for interacting with Government systems, banks and other institutions at all levels.Since inception, over 4.35 lakh beneficiaries have been trained under the scheme. Ministry engaged institutions of national repute namely, National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), National Institute of Design (NID) and Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) to work in various craft clusters for design intervention, product range development, packaging, exhibitions and brand building etc. Ministry initiatives like Hunar Haat and Lok Samvardhan Parv aim at creating awareness about the schemes and providing opportunities to upliftminority traditional artisans through showcasing and marketing their products. Since 2015 to till date, 43 such events have been organised by the Ministry across the country. Further details of schemes are available on the website of the Ministry i.e www.minorityaffairs.gov.in. This information was given by the Union Minister of Minority Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today. *** SS/ISA (Release ID: 2117731) Visitor Counter : 122 |