The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, recognizing the potential of fisheries sector, since 2015, has substantially stepped-up investments in fisheries sector through schemes worth Rs. 38,572 crore for holistic development of fisheries and aquaculture and welfare of fishermen in the country including in West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The schemes include, (i) Blue Revolution Scheme implemented from FY2015-16 to 2019-20 with central outlay of Rs 3,000 crore helped in mobilizing of a total investment of Rs. 5,000 crore, (ii) Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund implemented from FY2018-19 with a fund size of Rs. 7,522.48 crore, (iii) Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) implemented from FY2020-21 to 2024-25 with an investment of Rs. 20,050 crore, (iv) Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY) implemented from the FY2023-24 to 2026-27 with a total outlay of Rs. 6,000 crore an. In addition, the Government of India has also extended the facility of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to the fishers and fish farmers to meet their working capital requirements.
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying during the last four years (2020-21 to 2023-24) and current year(2024-25) has accorded approvals to the fisheries developmental proposals of various State Governments, Union Territories and other implementation agencies amounting to Rs.20,990.79 crore with central share of Rs.8926.28 crore under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana for development of fisheries and aquaculture in the country. This includes (i) proposals of Government of West Bengal approved at a cost of Rs.544.39 crore with central share of Rs.225.55 crore and (ii) proposals of Andaman & Nicobar Administration approved at a cost of Rs.58.67 crore with central share of Rs.31.23 crore under PMMSY. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampadha Yojana (PMMSY)inter-alia provides adoption of a cluster-based approach to enhance the competitiveness of the fisheries sector, facilitate economies of scale, generate higher incomes, accelerate the growth, expansion of fisheries and aquaculture in an organized manner in cluster based approach. The Department of Fisheries, Government of India has issued the “Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Production and Processing Clusters in Fisheries Sector” to all the State Governments and Union Territories for implementation of clusters in various field of fisheries and aquaculture under PMMSY. The States and UTs have been advised to implement the clusters based approach for development of fisheries and aquaculture. Based on the request received from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, development of Tuna fisheries cluster in Andaman & Nicobar Islands has been notified under PMMSY.
The ‘National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017 notified by the Government of India, provides guiding principles of conservation and optimum utilization of fisheries resources for ensuring sustainability. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, as a conservation measure, has been implementing fishing ban in India’s EEZ along the east and west coasts annually during the major breeding season of the commercial fish species. On the east coast, including the coasts of West Bengal and Andaman and Nicobar, the fishing ban is implemented annually from 15th April to 15th June. The States and UTs, through their Marine Fisheries Regulation Act, also regulates fishing activities in the state’s and UT’s territorial waters to support the sustainable management of fisheries. In addition, the Government of India has prohibited harmful fishing practices, such as pair or bull trawling, and the use of LED or artificial lights for fishing within the EEZ.
This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 25th March, 2025.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah replies to the discussion on the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Rajya Sabha, Upper house passes the bill Under Modi ji’s leadership, India became a global leader in disaster management
Modi government is managing disasters by adopting a proactive approach instead of a reactive one and by aiming for zero casualties instead of minimising casualties
Compared to the previous regime, Modi government has given more than three times the money to the states from the central fund
In the previous regime, funds were given to the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation from PMNRF
This bill will further increase the capacity, intensity, efficiency and accuracy in disaster response
Earlier, thousands of people used to die in cyclones, but Modi government is moving towards zero casualty
The aim of this bill is to increase transparency, accountability, efficiency and cooperation in disaster management
India’s disaster management prowess has been established globally through CDRI
To deal with the changing size and scale of disasters, we will have to change the methods, systems and make institutions accountable as well as give them powers
India has had the most successful management of the COVID-19 pandemic in the entire world
Earlier, it used to take two generations for getting vaccines, but under the Modi government, India has made the COVID vaccine and also delivered it to every citizen
The Modi government has given more money than the prescribed amount to the states for disaster managementna
Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 9:24PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today replied to the discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024. After the discussion, with the passage of the bill from the upper house the amendment bill was passed by the Parliament.
Speaking in the upper house during the discussion, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that through this amendment bill, the Narendra Modi government intends to connect Centre, State governments, Panchayat and all our citizens with the cause of disaster management and there is no question of centralization of power. He said that this disaster management amendment bill is an attempt to take the fight against disasters from a reactive approach to a proactive one and also beyond to an innovative and a participatory approach.
Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji presented a ten-point agenda to the world for disaster risk reduction which has been accepted by more than 40 countries of the world. He said that this bill envisages participation not only from state governments and local units but also from the society. He said that the amendment bill keeps scope of minute planning at local levels too along with the national level and gives clarity on the powers and duties of institutions involved. Shri Shah said that the fight against disasters cannot be accomplished without enabling the institutions and making them better and more accountable, and both of these things have been taken care of in the bill. He said that disasters are directly related to climate change and to mitigate them, we should take steps against global warming. He said that India has been moving in this direction for thousands of years and the Modi government is working to take this tradition forward.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the Disaster Management Act was brought for the first time in the year 2005 and under this NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), SDMA (State Disaster Management Authority) and DDMA (District Disaster Management Authority) were formed. He said that in this bill, the biggest responsibility in the aftermath of disasters have been given to DDMAs which is under the state government, thus there is no question of any damage to our federal system. He said that for financial assistance, National Disaster Response Fund and National Disaster Mitigation Fund were created. Shri Amit Shah said that the Finance Commission has made a scientific arrangement for disaster relief and the Modi government has not given a single penny less than the prescribed amount to any state, rather it has given more.
He said that due to global disasters like Covid-19, increasing urbanization, irregular rain-related disasters and climate change, both the size and scale of disasters have changed. Shri Shah said that to deal with the changing size and scale of disasters, we will have to change the methods and systems and also make the institutions accountable and give them powers. He said that with this objective, this bill has been brought for an effective and comprehensive solution to the disaster management problem. He said that suggestions have been incorporated from stakeholders, ministries and departments of the Central Government, all state governments, Union Territories, international organizations and national and international non-governmental organizations and this bill has been prepared comprehensively by accepting 89 percent of their suggestions.
Union Home Minister said that through this bill, Modi government wants to move from reactive response to proactive risk reduction, from manual monitoring to AI-based real-time monitoring, from radio warnings to social media, apps and mobile warnings, and from government-led response to a multi-dimensional response involving society and citizens. He said that this entire bill has been made to incorporate capacity, intensity, efficiency and accuracy in disaster response. Shri Shah said that in the last 10 years, there has been a change in disaster management in our country due to which we have emerged as a regional and global power recognized by the world. He said that this bill is necessary to maintain this success story of India for a longer time in future.
Shri Amit Shah said that this Bill will make both NDMA and SDMA effective, disaster database will be created at national and state level. It envisages creation of Urban Disaster Management Authority which will be completely under the state governments. Apart from this, this Bill will also give statutory power to NDMA and SDMA in creating a blueprint for 100% implementation of the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission. He said that transparency, trust, credibility and accountability have been given place in it. Shri Shah also said that well-defined roles have been fixed in it and moral responsibilities have also been given place. The Home Minister said that we have also fixed responsibility for the best use of resources. He said that through this Bill, an attempt has been made to fight against disaster with synergy, between preparation, good management and coordination. Many reforms have been made on these four pillars and not a single one of these reforms is for centralization of power.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that in the last ten years, on one hand, Prime Minister Modi Ji has done many things for environmental protection and on the other hand, he has also taken disaster management a long way forward. He said that on one hand Modi Ji talked about Mission Life in front of the world and on the other hand he also announced a ten-point disaster risk reduction agenda. He said that on one hand, a definite concrete program was given to become a pro-planet people and on the other hand, the Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure (CDRI) was presented to the world, which has 43 countries as members. Shri Shah said that Modi Ji started the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuel Alliance and also formed a task force on Disaster Risk Reduction by hosting the G20 conference in India. He said that on both these fronts, Prime Minister Modi and the government led by him have worked in a meticulous manner with great foresight. The Home Minister said that on the one hand efforts should be made to prevent disasters by protecting the environment and on the other hand, in case of a disaster, Modi ji has made complete arrangements to fight the disaster in a scientific manner from villages to Delhi.
Shri Amit Shah said that the devastating earthquake in Bhuj, Gujarat in 2001 shook not only Gujarat but the entire country and the world. He said that at that time Shri Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat and he had established the Climate Change Department for the first time in India. He said that at that time Modi ji created the Climate Change Fund in Gujarat and in 2003 brought the State Disaster Management Act in Gujarat. Shri Shah said that in 2013, the country’s first city level action plan for heat wave was made in Ahmedabad and Modi ji also worked on making a detailed plan for reconstruction, community preparedness and rehabilitation after the earthquake.
Union Home Minister said that after Shri Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister in 2014, a holistic and integrated approach was introduced in the country instead of a relief-centric approach. He said that a proactive approach was adopted instead of a reactive one and disaster management was done by keeping the target of zero casualty instead of the usual target of minimum casualty of the previous regime. He said that today governments are not only focus on relief and rescue after a disaster but also make many preparations to tackle them. Shri Shah said that the Modi government has done a very good job in early warning system, prevention to the extent possible, mitigation, timely preparedness and disaster risk reduction. He said that when the Odisha Super Cyclone hit in 1999, 10 thousand people died, but when Cyclone Fani hit in 2019, only one person died, this was the result of our changed approach. He said that when Cyclone Biparjoy hit Gujarat in 2023, not a single person or animal died and we achieved the target of zero casualties in 2023. He said that there has been a 98 percent reduction in loss of life and property due to cyclones and we have also succeeded in reducing heat-related mortality significantly.
Shri Amit Shah said that the budget of SDRF was Rs 38 thousand crores during the year 2004 to 2014, which was increased to Rs 1 lakh 24 thousand crores by the Modi government during 2014 to 2024. Rs 28 thousand crores were given to NDRF during 2004 to 2014, while Rs 80 thousand crores were given during 2014 to 2024. Shri Shah said that the government has increased the total amount from Rs 66 thousand crores to more than Rs 2 lakh crores. He said that the Modi government has given more than three times the money to the states from the central funds. Shri Shah said that apart from this, a National Disaster Response Reserve of 250 crores was created, the first National Disaster Management Plan was released in 2016 which is completely in line with the Sendai framework, the Subhash Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award was established in 2018-19 and the first phase of National Cyclone Risk Mitigation was done in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh in 2018. He said that in 2020-21, the Home Ministry decided that the Inter-Ministerial Consultative Team (IMCT) will first go and do an immediate review and the Modi government made a provision to provide immediate assistance by sending 97 IMCTs within 10 days in 5 years.
Union Home Minister said that currently 16 battalions of NDRF are operational and seeing the NDRF personnel, people feel assured that they are safe now. He said that apart from this, programs have also been made for landslide risk management, glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) and civil security and training capacity building.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), in the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, conducted ‘Operation Maitri’ during the earthquake in Nepal in 2015, ‘Operation Samudra Maitri’ in Indonesia in 2018, ‘Operation Dost’ in Turkey and Syria in 2023, ‘Operation Karuna’ in Myanmar and ‘Operation Sadbhav’ in Vietnam, due to which the governments and people of these countries praised NDRF and Modi ji. He said that NDRF has worked to get our disaster management system firmed up at a national level.
Shri Amit Shah said that the Government of India has signed agreements with Japan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Italy, Turkmenistan, Maldives and Uzbekistan to strengthen disaster management and disaster risk reduction. The geographical conditions of these countries make them prone to similar disasters which are possible in India. He said that we have tried to ensure that these countries benefit from our best practices and we benefit from their best practices. Apart from the MoUs, international seminars were also held in the years 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2023, in which disaster management experts from member countries of organizations like SAARC, BRICS, SCO also participated.
Union Home Minister said that the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is an example of India’s global leadership in the field of disaster management. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi put forward this idea in the UN Climate Summit held in New York on 23 September 2019 and it was established in India itself. He said that so far 42 countries and 7 international organizations have become members of CDRI and through CDRI, work has been done to establish India’s leadership in this field at the global level.
Shri Amit Shah said that through the ‘Aapada Mitra’ scheme, a force of one lakh community volunteers has been created in 350 disaster prone districts at a cost of Rs 370 crore and the volunteers have been registered on the India Disaster Resource Network portal. The District Collectors have their complete details. When a disaster strikes, these volunteers reach for the help on their own. The Home Minister said that 20 percent of the one lakh ‘Aapada Mitra’ volunteers are women. Our women power is working shoulder to shoulder in the work of disaster management. He said that as a result of the ‘Aapada Mitra’ scheme, 78 thousand people were rescued from disasters and taken to safe places and 129 lives were saved by providing them timely treatment at the hospitals.
Union Home Minister said that the ‘Aapada Mitra’ scheme is being expanded. To involve the youth, more than 1300 trained ‘Aapada Mitras’ have been employed as master trainers with a budget of Rs 470 crore. In this, NCC, NSS, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan and Bharat Scouts and Guides will train two lakh 37 thousand ‘Aapada Mitras’, which will increase the total number of community volunteers to three lakh 37 thousand.
Shri Amit Shah said that we have created many apps for weather related information. These include ‘Mausam’, ‘Meghdoot’, ‘Flood Watch’, ‘Damini’, ‘Pocket Bhuvan’, ‘Sachet’, ‘Van Agni’ and ‘Samudra’. Also, a nodal agency has been created for the study of landslides. India Quake app has been created for automated broadcasting of earthquake parameters. He said that due to the efforts of Modi ji, today all these apps have reached almost every citizen of the country. This has benefited farmers, fishermen, people living on the seashore and people living in landslide prone areas on time.
Union Home Minister said that the entire world has accepted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the world in the field of environment, therefore the United Nations has honoured him with the award of Champions of the Earth. Modi ji has almost completed the task of making India free from single-use plastic. Many countries have joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) formed on his initiative. Modi ji has worked to popularise the ‘One Sun, One Earth, One Grid’ project worldwide. The construction of Inter-Regional Energy Grid has begun for sharing solar energy across the world. Crores of people have planted trees with devotion in reverence of Mother Earth and their own mothers through the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign.
Shri Amit Shah said that India has set the target of Net Zero Carbon Emission by the year 2070. He said that we have already achieved the targets of International Solar Alliance, Global Bio-fuel Alliance and 20 percent Ethanol Blending by the year 2025. Today all our vehicles have 20 percent eco-friendly fuel. Shri Shah said that by providing 10 crore gas connections under the Ujjwala Yojana, we have stopped the smoke of cow dung cakes and coal. We have increased the Swachhata Abhiyan from 39 percent to 100 percent sanitation coverage. Along with this, the Green Hydrogen Mission has started the implementation of a new type of scheme in the entire world.
Union Home Minister said that, if the best COVID management has happened anywhere in the world, it has happened in India. Every Indian should be proud of this and the whole world praises our efforts immensely. He said that as soon as Corona arrived, we started making the vaccine. He said that during the previous regime, it used to take two generations to administer vaccines but under Modi Government India not only got the vaccine made but also ensured that it reached every citizen of the country. Shri Shah said that there is no parallel to such a precise use of technology for public welfare anywhere in the world. Due to the use of technology, the certificate was made available on the mobile as soon as the vaccine was administered and a reminder message would also come up with the time for the second vaccine.
Shri Amit Shah said that through video conference in the state’s civil hospitals and AIIMS, doctors treating minor diseases in small villages were guided about telemedicine, which saved the lives of lakhs of people. He said that the Prime Minister talked to the Chief Ministers of the states 40 times during COVID-19 and inquired about the situation. Not only the Prime Minister, the entire cabinet was involved in this work.
Union Home Minister said that due to our leadership we were able to fight the best battle against Corona in the whole world. Governments were fighting against Corona all over the world, but here the Central Government, State Government and 130 crore people were fighting together. He said that there is not a single example in independent India when an appeal by a leader has had the seriousness of a government order and the whole country followed the appeal of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for Janta curfew with full seriousness. No leader’s appeal had ever received such a great respect.
Shri Amit Shah said that the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) was created during the previous regime. He said fund from PMNRF used to be given to Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. Shri Shah said that during Modi ji’s regime PM Cares fund was created. We spent its funds for tackling the corona epidemic, disaster relief, oxygen plants, ventilators, assistance to the poor and vaccination. Shri Shah said that under PM Cares, along with relief work, we have also provided many types of innovative assistance. There is no political interference in this.
Union Home Minister said that for Karnataka, an estimate of Rs 5,909 crore was given by a high-level committee, out of which Rs 5,800 crore was transferred. For Kerala, an estimate of Rs 3,743 crore was made, out of which Rs 2438 crore was given. For Tamil Nadu, Rs 4600 crore was given out of Rs 4817 crore. West Bengal was given Rs 5000 crore out of Rs 6837 crore. Himachal Pradesh was given Rs 1766 crore out of Rs 2339 crore. The committee has given more or less the same amount to Telangana as well.
Shri Amit Shah said that Rs 111 crore was given to Jharkhand, Rs 121 crore to Kerala, Rs 460 crore to Maharashtra, Rs 256 crore to Bihar and Rs 254 crore to Gujarat for fire-fighting measures, which was never given before. He said that other states will be given funds for fire-fighting measures next year. Shri Shah said that Rs 228 crore has been given to Tamil Nadu between the years 2019 to 2024 and a lot of assistance has been provided.
Union Home Minister said that we declared the disaster in Wayanad, Kerala as a disaster of severe nature. Rs 215 crore was immediately released from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Rs 36 crore was sent for debris removal, which has not been spent yet. Apart from this, assistance of Rs 153 crore was given on the basis of the IMCT report. The state government has estimated the need for Rs 2219 crore for normalizing the situation and reconstruction, out of which Rs 530 crore has been given. Along with this, other measures have been suggested to get additional assistance from a special window.
Shri Amit Shah said that for the Central Government, citizens of all states including Kerala, Ladakh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh are equal and we do not discriminate against anyone. He said that in the Disaster Management Bill, we have paid attention to increasing human resources along with the provision of increasing technical capacity. Along with the government’s effort, provision has also been made for community effort and along with disaster-resistant construction, care has also been taken for the conservation of nature.
India, Singapore Sign Letter of Intent (LOI) on Green Shipping & Digital Corridor Collaboration Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal along with Senior Minister Dr Amy Khor Attends the Signing Ceremony
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held Bilateral Meeting with Vice Minister Brigit Gijsbers of The Netharlands on Further Deepening Maritime Cooperation between the two countries
“Fruitful discussion on using Dutch Global expertise to enable Cargo Movement in low draft rivers of Brahmaputra & Barak”: Sarbananda Sonowal
Sarbananda Sonowal joined Dr Amy Khor to inaugurate India Pavillion at the ongoing Singapore Maritime Week (SMW)
Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates ‘’ Pavillion, Presides over India Business Roundtable
Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 8:16PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Shri Sarbananda Sonowal attended the signing ceremony of Letter of Intent (LOI) between India and Singapore on maritime digitalisation (Digital Corridor Collaboration) and Decarbonisation (Green Shipping) here today. Shri Sonowal was joined by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Sustainability and the Enviornment and Ministry of Transport, Singapore. The LOI was inked by Shri R Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary, MoPSW, and Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
Under the LOI, both sides will collaborate on maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation projects, including identifying relevant stakeholders who could contribute to the effort, and work towards formalising the partnership through a memorandum of understanding on a Singapore-India Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC).
India is a leading player in information technology with the potential to become a major producer and exporter of green marine fuels.
Singapore, as a key transshipment and bunkering hub, also supports a dynamic research and innovation ecosystem. The Singapore-India GDSC, when established, will enhance collaboration from both countries and help accelerate the development and uptake of zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies and the adoption of digital solutions.
Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “The signing of this landmark LOI marks the bilateral
collaboration as a significant step towards modernising maritime operations and advancing green shipping efforts. The Singapore-India
Green and Digital Shipping Corridor will drive innovation, accelerate the adoption of low-emission technologies, and strengthen digital integration in the sector, allowing us to move India towards realising the vision of PM Shri Narendra Modiji’s ‘Viksit Bharat’. With India’s strength in Information Technology and green fuel production, along with Singapore’s role as a global maritime hub, this partnership will set new benchmarks in sustainability and efficiency in the maritime sector. We look forward to work closely to build a resilient, future ready maritime ecosystem that benefits both nations and the global maritime industry.”
Seeking the Global Dutch Expertise for revamping India’s waterways rivers like Barak and Brahmaputra, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “With their rich experience and global expertise in dredging, river engineering, we can enable our diverse and rich riverine system with effective dredging techniques, modern inland vessel technology & water management. The Netherlands’ expertise in shallow-draft push barges, modular inland vessels, & LNG-powered river transport presents a valuable opportunity for India. We are keen to adapt these technologies to enhance cargo movement in low-draft rivers like the Brahmaputra & Barak, making inland waterways more efficient, sustainable, & economically viable. We see great potential for Dutch collaboration in India’s major projects like the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) and Brahmaputra River dredging. This will help us realise the vision of PM Shri Narendra Modi ji to empower the Northeast as the New Engine of Growth for an Atmanirbhar Bharat charting its course on becoming a Viksit country.”
The Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal also inaugurated the ‘India Pavilion’ along with Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of Singapore.
Shri Sonowal also inaugurated the IRClass Pavilion at the ongoing Singapore Maritime Week (SMW). Speaking at the India Business Roundtable, the Union Minister, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “India is rapidly emerging as a global maritime hub, driven by sustainability, digital innovation, and strategic partnerships. Under the visionary leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi ji, we are transforming ports into clean energy-driven investment hubs, fostering shipbuilding excellence, and decarbonising shipping. With bold reforms, resilient supply chains, and global collaborations like the India-Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor, we invite the world to partner with us in shaping a sustainable and future-ready maritime economy.”
During the day, the Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal also visited Singapore Cruise Centre to understand the infrastructure and facilities that has helped Singapore to become a thriving cruise tourism destination. India aims to replicate such terminals in key locations like Goa, Mumbai and Chennai to provide a fillip to the cruise tourism. Sonowal also met with key officials of Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA) as well as top industry captains from maritime sector of the Netherlands.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Operations Wing of Kowloon East Region of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) today (March 25) conducted the second phase of an inter-departmental tabletop exercise for the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP), codenamed “WINGEDTIGER”, at the Kowloon East Regional Headquarters. The exercise aimed to enhance collaboration and immediate response capabilities among relevant government bureaux, departments and stakeholders in responding to emergencies in transportation services during large-scale events.
The exercise built on insights from the first phase of the tabletop exercise completed on October 25, 2024, and data collected from a number of subsequent large-scale test events and stress tests, which showed approximately 70 per cent of participants chose to take the MTR Tuen Ma Line during large-scale events at the KTSP. As such, this exercise, which was based on the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens simulated different emergency scenarios involving train operations and signal systems at nearby MTR stations, causing varying degrees of impact to the MTR Tuen Ma Line service.
The exercise aimed to enhance stakeholders’ ability to immediately deploy manpower, implement appropriate contingency measures, and coordinate inter-departmental actions according to different emergency situations, so as to minimise impacts on participants of large-scale events and local residents near the KTSP, as well as ensuring their safety and smooth mobility.
Supported by 13 government bureaux, departments and relevant organisations, over 150 representatives participated in the exercise, including personnel from the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Security Bureau, the HKPF, the Fire Services Department, the Hospital Authority, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the Transport Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Home Affairs Department (Wong Tai Sin District Office and Kowloon City District Office), the MTR Corporation Limited and the KTSP Limited.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (March 25) the completion of public healthcare fees and charges reform review and submission of policy recommendations to the Health Bureau. The proposals adhere to the principle that no person should be denied, through lack of means, from obtaining adequate medical treatment, aiming to strengthen healthcare protection, rationalise public hospital service subsidies, reduce wastage and misuse, and enhance the sustainability of the public healthcare system by reforming the public healthcare subsidy framework.
The Chairman of the HA, Mr Henry Fan, said, “We sincerely thank the Health Bureau for leading the HA in conducting this fees and charges reform review. Through this reform, the HA can promote the development of Hong Kong’s public healthcare services. We believe that once the fees and charges reform measures are fully implemented, the current service imbalances in public hospitals can be gradually straightened out and the protection for patients, especially those with critical illnesses or emergency conditions, can be enhanced. This will enable sustainable development of public healthcare services to cope with the various challenges posed by Hong Kong’s ageing population.”
Currently, the government provides a high degree of subsidy for HA services, with a subsidy rate as high as 97.6 per cent, with the subsidy amount for some public hospital services even reaching 100 per cent. Beyond facing challenges from an ageing population creating excess demand, Hong Kong’s public healthcare system experiences systemic imbalances, subsidy misallocations, and service waste. To ensure the sustainability of the public healthcare system, the HA initiated a review to reform public healthcare fees and charges last year, based on relevant principles including public affordability, optimal service utilisation, cost sharing, subsidy prioritisation, support for the underprivileged and public acceptance. The review covers the following areas:
Reforming the susidisation structure
systematically reforming the subsidisation structure to determine government subsidy levels and citizen copayment ratios across different public healthcare services, rationalising relative demand across inpatient, emergency, and outpatient services, to provide patients with appropriate medical services;
Reducing wastage and misuse
introducing copayment models for non-emergency diagnostic radiology and pathology examination services, adjusting standard drug fees and quantities to change the public’s healthcare-seeking behavior and ensure limited medical resources can be precisely allocated to patients needed;
Strengthening healthcare protection
enhancing the medical fee waiving mechanism, relaxing the income and asset limit to significantly strengthen support for low-income families and underprivileged groups;
introducing a cap on annual spending of $10,000 for public healthcare services (excluding self-financed items) to better care for critically ill patients;
accelerating the introduction of more effective innovative drugs and devices and relaxing the eligibility criteria of means test for the safety net applications, so that more critically ill patients can receive subsidy for self-financed drugs and devices.
The Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko, said, “The HA will fully implement the reform. Under the reform, subsidy ratios will vary by service type of public hospitals, depending on the nature of the service. After the reform, the public copayment ratio will remain affordable. Through the enhanced medical fee waiving mechanism, relaxed eligibility criteria of means test for Samaritan Fund safety net applications, and a cap on annual spending on inpatient and outpatient fees, the HA will continue to ensure that no one will be denied adequate medical care due to lack of means and will strengthen the protection of the public, not only taking care of the underprivileged groups, but also preventing middle income people from impoverishment due to illness.”
After the implementation of measures such as enhancing medical fee waiving mechanism, relaxing eligibility criteria of means test for Samaritan Fund safety net applications, and establishing a cap on annual spending on inpatient and outpatient fees, over 1.4 million people are expected to be eligible for protection. The HA pledges that all additional revenue generated from fees and charges adjustments will be entirely utilised to medical services, particularly supporting those with critical conditions like cancer or rare diseases, waiving or reducing self-financed medications and devices or medical supplies fees. The HA can also accelerate the introduction of more effective new medications and devices to improve treatment outcomes.
The detailed fee schedule will take effect in January 2026 (see Annex). Details of enhanced protection measures, include enhancing medical fee waiving mechanism, introducing an annual fee cap on inpatients and outpatients of $10,000, and relaxing eligibility criteria of means test for Samaritan Fund safety net application, are provided in the appendix. The HA’s last fee adjustment was in 2017.
Mr Fan stated that Hong Kong’s public hospitals remain among the world’s most efficient healthcare providers. The HA will continue promoting reforms to improve the service level of public hospitals, and ensure limited medical resources can be used for patients most in need. Once the public healthcare fees and charges reform achieves its target within five years, Hong Kong’s public healthcare system will take a major step forward. The HA will also fully cooperate with other government healthcare reform measures to continue providing high-quality and sustainable medical services with appropriate healthcare protection for Hong Kong citizens.
In order to manage the overall food security and to prevent unscrupulous speculation, the Government of India has decided that Traders/Wholesalers, Retailers, Big Chain Retailers and Processors in all States and Union Territories have to declare their Stock position of wheat on the portal (https://evegoils.nic.in/wsp/login) w.e.f. 01.04.2025 and then, on every Friday till further orders. All the respective legal entities to ensure that stock are regularly and correctly disclosed on the portal.
Wheat Stock Limit is expiring on 31.03.2025 for all categories of entities in States and UTs. Thereafter, the entities have to disclose the wheat stock on portal. Any entity which is not registered on the Portal, may register themselves and start disclosing the wheat stock on every Friday.
The Department of Food and Public Distribution is maintaining a close watch over the stock position of wheat to prevent speculation, control prices and ensure easy availability in the country
The Competition Commission of India has approved acquisition of Athaang Devanahalli TollwayPrivate Limited, Athaang Jammu Udhampur Highway Private Limited and Quazigund Expressway Private Limited by Cube Highways Trust and Cube Highways and Infrastructure V Pte. Ltd.
The Proposed Combination envisages:
acquisition of 100% shareholding of Athaang Devanahalli Tollway Private Limited (ADTPL) by Cube Highways and Infrastructure V Pte. Ltd. (Cube V); and
acquisition of 100% shareholding of (i) Athaang Jammu Udhampur Highway Private Limited (AJUHPL), and (ii) Quazigund Expressway Private Limited (QEPL) by Cube Highways Trust (Cube Trust).
(Hereinafter ADTPL, AJUHPL and QEPL are collectively referred to as the ‘Targets’)
The Cube Trust is an infrastructure investment trust registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) under the SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014 (as amended). The road assets/ SPVs of Cube Trust are engaged, inter alia, in the operation and maintenance (O&M) of various road and highway projects in India.
Cube V is registered as a foreign portfolio investor with the SEBI and acquires, operates and manages road assets in India.
The Targets have been incorporated in India as special purpose vehicles and are engaged in the business of operating (through governmental concessions) roads and highways in India.
The Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed combination involving, inter alia, Maple Infrastructure Trust (MIT); CDPQ Infrastructures Asia III Inc. (CDPQ Asia); Maple Highways Pte. Ltd.; 360 ONE Private Equity Fund and certain road assets of the Ashoka Buildcon group.
The Proposed Combination involves the acquisition by MIT, acting through Maple Infra Invit Investment Manager Private Limited (Maple IM) of Ashoka Dhankuni Kharagpur Tollway Limited (ADKTL); Ashoka Sambalpur Baragarh Tollway Limited (ASBTL); Ashoka Belgaum Dharwad Tollway Limited (ABDTL); Ashoka Highways (Bhandara) Limited (AHBL); and Ashoka Highways (Durg) Limited (AHDL) (Proposed SPV Acquisitions) and certain inter-connected transactions.
MIT is a private trust settled under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, and was registered as an infrastructure investment trust under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014, on 24thFebruary 2020. MIT is, through its special purpose vehicles, engaged in the business of owning and operating road assets in India. Maple IM is the investment manager of MIT.
CPDQ Asia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Caisse de dépôt et de placement du Québec (CDPQ). CDPQ is a global investment group that manages the funds of its depositors, primarily comprised of public and para-public pension and insurance plans from Québec.
Maple Sponsor is the sponsor of MIT for purposes of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014.
360 ONE Private Equity Fund is registered with the SEBI as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund and is established for the purpose of investing in various sectors in India and worldwide. The 360 ONE Private Equity Fund is managed by its investment manager, 360 ONE Alternates Asset Management Limited.
ADKTL, ASBTL, ABDTL, AHBL and AHDL are engaged by the National Highway Authority of India Limited (NHAI) to provide infrastructure concession services.
The Competition Commission of India has approved the acquisition of 100% equity shareholding in 11 road special purpose vehicles owned by Ashoka Concessions Limited and Ashoka Buildcon Limited by Epic Concesiones 2 Private Limited.
The Proposed Combination envisages acquisition of 100% equity shareholding by Epic Concesiones 2 Private Limited (EC2PL) in road 11 special purpose vehicles (Target SPVs) owned by Ashoka Concessions Limited (ACL) and Ashoka Buildcon Limited (ABL) (Proposed Equity Transaction).
EC2PL is a private limited company engaged in owning and operating infrastructure projects. It is owned by Infrastructure Yield Plus II (IYP II) & Infrastructure Yield Plus IIA (IYP IIA) (collectively IYP), which are both schemes of the Infrastructure Yield Trust, an irrevocable and determinate contributory investment trust under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 and registered with the SEBI as a Category I – Infrastructure Alternative Investment Fund, under the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012. The investment manager of IYP II and IYP IIA is EAAA India Alternatives Limited (EIAL) which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of EFSL, the parent entity of EC2PL.
The Target SPVs are eleven road SPVs have been incorporated in India and are engaged in the business of operating (through governmental concessions) roads and highways in India.
The Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) was announced on 15th September, 2015 with the objective to reduce country’s reliance on the import of gold in the long run and mobilise gold held by households and institutions in the country to facilitate its use for productive purposes.
The GMS comprised of 3 components:
Short Term Bank Deposit (1-3 years)
Medium Term Government Deposit (5-7 years), and
Long-Term Government Deposit (12 – 15 years)
Based on the examination of the performance of the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) and evolving market conditions, it has been decided to discontinue the Medium Term and Long Term Government Deposit (MLTGD) components of the GMS w.e.f. March 26, 2025.
Accordingly, any gold deposits tendered at the designated Collection and Purity Testing Centre (CPTC) or GMS Mobilisation, Collection & Testing Agent (GMCTA) or the designated bank branches under the said components of GMS shall not be accepted with effect from March 26, 2025. However, the existing deposits under MLTGD shall continue till redemption as per extant guidelines of GMS issued vide Reserve Bank Master Direction No. DBR.IBD.No.45/23.67.003/2015-16 dated October 22, 2015 (as updated).
Further, the Short-Term Bank Deposits (STBD) offered by the banks under GMS shall continue at the discretion of the individual banks based on the commercial viability as assessed by them. The detailed guidelines of Reserve Bank in this regard shall follow.