MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:28PM by PIB Delhi

In furtherance to the first-ever Commercial Coal Mine Auctions launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 18.06.2020, the Ministry of Coal is poised to launch the 12th round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions on March 27, 2025. This initiative marks another significant step toward enhancing domestic coal production, reducing imports, and ensuring long-term energy security for the nation. Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Union Minister of State, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, will be the Guest of Honour.

Under round 12, a total of 25 coal mines are being offered, comprising 7 mines under CMSP [Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015] and 18 mines under MMDR (Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957). Among these, 2 are lignite mines, catering to diverse energy requirements. Furthermore, 13 coalmines are Fully Explored, while 12 are Partially Explored, providing opportunities for both immediate and future development.

In addition, under the 2nd Attempt of Round 11, the Ministry of Coal is offering three partially explored coal mines under the MMDR Act, providing significant investment opportunities while reinforcing domestic coal production and energy security.

With a vision to foster a transparent, market-driven coal economy, the Government continues to create new opportunities for investors and industry players. The commercial coal mine auctions have been a game-changer, unlocking the vast potential of India’s coal reserves while promoting competition, efficiency, and sustainable mining practices.

The 12th Tranche of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions is expected to attract significant interest from domestic and international investors, reinforcing India’s commitment to self-reliance in energy and industrial growth. This milestone will further accelerate the development of a robust and resilient coal sector, supporting industries, power plants, and infrastructure projects across the country.

The Ministry of Coal remains steadfast in its mission to drive reforms, enhance ease of doing business, and create a thriving ecosystem for coal mining. As India marches towards a Viksit Bharat, these initiatives will play a pivotal role in strengthening the nation’s economic foundation.

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Shuhaib T

(Release ID: 2115289) Visitor Counter : 13

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:27PM by PIB Delhi

The draft Telecommunications (Standards, Conformity Assessment and Certification) Rules, 2025 has been proposed in suppression of the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017.  “Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017” vide G.S.R. 1131(E) PART XI prescribes for Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE) and is already in force w.e.f. 01.10.2018.

It ensures that the telecommunication equipment used/connected to telecommunication network conform to all the prescribed standards including EMI/EMC, Safety, Security Requirements, interoperability and other technical Requirement. The main objectives are given below:

1. any telecommunication Equipment does not degrade performance of existing network to which it is connected;
2. safety of the end–users;
3. security of the Telecommunication Networks;
4. protection of users and general public by ensuring that radio frequency emissions from equipment do not exceed prescribed standards;
5. telecommunication equipment complies with the relevant national and international regulatory standards and requirements.

A total of 211 telecommunication equipment have already been notified under MTCTE in six phases. Thus, the proposed rule shall continue to ensure the above objectives and strengthen the telecommunication network across India.

TEC is responsible for development of essential requirements(ER) for the various telecommunication equipment notified under these rules and issuance of certificate of conformity if the product comply to the essential requirements. Further, labs are being designated by TEC for carrying out the testing against the essential requirements(ER).

National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS) is responsible for the development of security requirements for telecommunication equipment and ensuring compliance of the telecommunication equipment in respect of the prescribed security requirements.

At present, the certification process is already end-to-end online. However, the proposed portal will further facilitate digital implementation of these rules including specifying the standards and conformity assessment procedures for compliance, fees and charges, notices of non-conformity, and any orders or directions under these rules by the Appropriate Authority. The portal will act as single window for the stakeholders and thereby enhance the Ease of doing Business in the country.

The provisions have been made in the draft rules which provides for exemption for telecommunication equipment imported into India for the purpose of carrying out research and development or demonstration or testing of samples in India, subject to compliance with relevant rules and procedures for such research, demonstration or testing. These exemptions will be useful especially for start-ups, R&D centres, academia and industries located in any part of the country including Maharashtra for fostering innovations. The draft rules also provide exemption for the telecommunication equipment brought into India by a person for personal use in India and that is not otherwise prohibited to be imported or used under the Act or any other law for the time being in force.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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Samrat/Allen

(Release ID: 2115287) Visitor Counter : 7

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:26PM by PIB Delhi

Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) is implementing National Handicrafts Development Programme and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme on pan India basis. Under these schemes, support to artisans is provided through marketing support, skill development by means of Design programme, training programs, cluster development, direct benefit to artisans, infrastructure and technology support and assistance through Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana.

Further, Office of Development Commissioner (Handloom) is implementing National Handloom Development Programme and Raw Material Supply Scheme on pan India basis. Under these schemes, financial assistance is provided to eligible handloom agencies/weavers for raw materials, procurement of upgraded looms & accessories, solar lighting units, construction of workshed, skilling, product & design development, technical and common infrastructure, marketing of handloom products in domestic/overseas markets, concessional loans under weavers’ MUDRA scheme, scholarships and social security etc.

Ministry of Textiles is implementing Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SAMARTH) on pan India basis. It provides demand driven, placement oriented National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) compliant skilling programme to supplement the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the organized textile and related sectors, covering the textile value chain, excluding Spinning and Weaving in organized sector, through entry level and upskilling courses.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA

MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

DIRECTOR

(Lok Sabha US Q4122)

(Release ID: 2115284) Visitor Counter : 12

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:26PM by PIB Delhi

The Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) framework aims to accelerate proliferation of internet services by setting up public Wi-Fi Hotspots in the country with the objective of building digital India and consequential benefits thereon.

sUnder the PM-WANI framework, Public Data Offices (PDOs) establish, operate and maintain WANI compliant Wi-Fi Hotspots based on their techno-commercial considerations and deliver internet services to subscribers. PDOs need to partner with a Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA) to deliver internet services.

The total number of PM-WANI Wi-Fi hotspots installed in the country, as on 20.03.2025, are 2,78,439.

PM-WANI compliant Wi-Fi hardware is easily available in the market. As per the information furnished by Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), PM-WANI compliant Wi-Fi hardware is also supplied by C-DOT through its transfer of technology (ToT) partners.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.  

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Samrat/Allen

(Release ID: 2115285) Visitor Counter : 9

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:26PM by PIB Delhi

The Department through its vast network of around 1.64 lakh post offices, with around 1.39 lakh in rural areas, complemented by the India Post Payment Bank, and around 2.4 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks, is providing digitally enabled postal, financial and citizen-centric services.

Post offices ensure the timely and reliable delivery of documents and parcels, in every nook and corner in the country.

All Post Offices in the country are functioning with Core Banking Solution. The following facilities are available to the customers:

1. Internet Banking & Mobile Banking
2. National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT)/ Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) services for transfer of funds
3. Electronic Clearing Services (ECS) facility – for crediting the interest & maturity amount in bank accounts
4. e-Passbook facility to view the balance and mini-statement
5. India Post Payments Bank – Post Office Savings Accounts linkage service for all types of digital transactions
6. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and Citizen Centric Services like Aadhaar enrolment and updation

 

India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) provides digital and paperless banking, Aadhaar enabled Payments System (AePS), DBT facility and assisted digital services.

Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) scheme has been designed to provide affordable insurance coverage to people in rural areas.

The steps taken to connect widespread network of post offices with online business and expand its access to the market are as follows:

1. Department, with its extensive reach provides complete solutions from induction, transmission and delivery of consignments across the country. Various value-added services like insurance, track and trace, cash on delivery, Application Programming Interface (API) integration, Management Information System (MIS) dashboard, Book Now Pay Later facility (BNPL).

 

2. A dedicated national road transport network has been established to enhance connectivity to tier-2 and tier-3 towns, serving as a critical infrastructure initiative that extends e-commerce benefits to urban and rural areas. These are further supplemented by state-level transport routes.

3. To strengthen last-mile delivery, nodal delivery centres (NDCs) have been set up for exclusive and expedited parcel distribution using mechanized modes of transport.

 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.  

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Samrat/Allen

(Release ID: 2115286) Visitor Counter : 7

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:25PM by PIB Delhi

A total of 10 Implementing Partners having office address in Maharashtra are empaneled under Samarth scheme in last three years i.e. 4 IPs in FY 2021-22 and 6 IPs in FY 2023-24.

The RFP was floated on 06.12.2024 for empanelment of new Implementing Partner. Under this RFP, 13 proposals have been received from applicants having office address in Maharashtra. These proposals are under consideration.

The details of beneficiaries trained (pass) and placed under Samarth scheme during the last three years, category-wise are provided below and district-wise details of Maharashtra are also given below.

The Textiles Committee which is the Resource Support Agency (RSA) under SAMARTH scheme conducts Training of Trainers (ToTs) and Training of Assessors (ToAs) on regular basis as these activities are demand driven to the textile industry.

There is no state wise allocation of target under Samarth scheme. However, Implementing Partner may open training centre across the country.

The details of beneficiaries trained (pass) and placed under Samarth scheme during the last three years, Category wise are as given below:

S. No.	District	Gen	OBC	SC	ST	Total
1	Beed	115	0	0	0	115
2	Kolhapur	293	69	54	1	417
3	Latur	186	3	50	1	240
4	Mumbai	207	296	188	0	691
5	Nagpur	852	182	1,012	172	2,218
6	Nanded	25	0	64	0	89
7	Nashik	26	0	0	0	26
8	Palghar	153	10	89	86	338
9	Pune	14	0	27	6	47
10	Raigad	132	0	53	24	209
11	Ratnagiri	70	0	0	0	70
12	Sangli	117	22	0	0	139
13	Satara	60	0	0	0	60
14	Thane	1,521	270	1,763	966	4,520
	Total	3,771	852	3,300	1,256	9,179

The details of beneficiaries trained (pass) and placed under Samarth scheme during the last three years, District wise in Maharashtra are as given below:

S. No.	District	Trained (pass)	Placed
1	Beed	115	96
2	Kolhapur	417	380
3	Latur	240	238
4	Mumbai	691	316
5	Nagpur	2,218	1,912
6	Nanded	89	89
7	Nashik	26	26
8	Palghar	338	308
9	Pune	47	43
10	Raigad	209	176
11	Ratnagiri	70	70
12	Sangli	139	139
13	Satara	60	60
14	Thane	4,520	3,920
	Total	9,179	7,773

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA

MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

 (Lok Sabha US Q4083)

(Release ID: 2115281) Visitor Counter : 16

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:25PM by PIB Delhi

Government provides financial support to various Export Promotion Councils and Trade Bodies under Market Access Initiative Scheme implemented by Department of Commerce for organising and participating in trade fairs, exhibitions, buyer-seller meets etc. at national and international levels so that Indian exhibitors get benefits of global exposure.

The major eligible items of expenditure for organising / participating in Fairs, Exhibitions and Buyer Seller Meets Abroad under MAI Scheme are as under:

1. Venue Cost, including Participation charges/ fee and organising expenses;
2. Publicity Cost incurred on promotion/ marketing/publicity, including digital marketing for buyer participation;
3. Cost of catalogue/printed and digital material, including cost of e-catalogue/ e-brochure/ web-banners/ online advertisement and other materials including its design and development/ creation;
4. Translation and Interpreters charges;
5. Expenditure towards freight charges of exhibits;
6. Reimbursement of air-fare to exporting companies with an f.o.b. value of exports below Rs.50 crore in the preceding financial year.
7. Any other specific component approved by the Empowered Committee.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

DIRECTOR

(Lok Sabha US Q4134)

(Release ID: 2115282) Visitor Counter : 16

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:25PM by PIB Delhi

Ministry of Textiles through Office of Development Commissioner (Handlooms) promotes Handloom products of the country including Bargarh by implementing following scheme:

1. National Handloom Development Programme;
2. Raw Material Supply Scheme;

• Under the above schemes, financial assistance is provided to eligible handloom agencies/weavers for raw materials, procurement of upgraded looms & accessories, solar lighting units, construction of workshed, skilling, product & design development, technical and common infrastructure, marketing of handloom products in domestic & international markets, concessional loans under weavers’ MUDRA scheme and social security etc.

· Assistance in establishing international marketing linkages to suitable Apex/Primary handloom cooperative societies, corporations, producers’ companies, handloom awardees, exporters, other talented weavers etc. who are producing exclusive exportable handloom products.

· Market penetration through organisation/participation in international fairs/exhibitions, big ticket events, Buyer Sellers Meet, Reverse Buyer Sellers Meet etc., for export promotion of handloom products. Publicity and brand development through India Handloom Brand (IHB), Handloom Mark (HLM) and other measures.

· Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS) is being implemented throughout the country including Bargarh to make available yarn to handloom weavers. Under the scheme, fright charges are reimbursed for all types of yarn; and component of 15% price subsidy is there for cotton hank yarn, domestic silk, wool and linen yarn and blended yarn of natural fibres.

• Sambalpuri Bandha Saree & Fabrics is also registered under the Geographical Indication (GI) of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act 1999.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA

MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

DIRECTOR

(Lok Sabha US Q4081)

(Release ID: 2115283) Visitor Counter : 15

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:24PM by PIB Delhi

Under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), total 168 Research & Development projects of Rs. 509.8 crore have been approved till date. Project Completion Reports of    06 R&D projects have been received, out of which 02 projects have been closed.

The research areas under NTTM includes fundamental research in thrust areas of speciality fibre like Carbon Fibre, Aramid Fibre, Nylon Fibre, and Composites & application based research in geotextiles, agro-textiles, medical textiles, mobile textiles and sports textiles and development of biodegradable technical textiles. 

The specific research projects in speciality fibers includes the development of carbon fiber, meta-aramid fibers, high-performance gel-spun Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), flame-retardant Nylon-66 yarn, and bio-component fibers. Further, Mission is focusing on applications of geotechnical textiles for high-speed railway networks, roads, sub-zero temperature infrastructure, erosion control in North East Region (NER) & soft soils areas and structural geotextiles made from textile waste, etc.

With the outcome of these research projects, the mission aims to improve penetration level of technical textiles in the country and to create an ecosystem for manufacturing of technical textiles through indigenous development of critical application areas and innovative solutions.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA

MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

DIRECTOR

(Lok Sabha US Q4061)

(Release ID: 2115280) Visitor Counter : 24