MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Government of India

Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda chairs breakaway session, “Promoting Swasth Bharat through Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana and Ayushman Arogya Mandir” during Civil Services Day Celebrations in New Delhi

Two pillars of Ayushman Bharat – AAM and AB PMJAY are a result of a very well-thought process which started in 2015 and culminated with the adoption of the National Health Policy in 2017: Shri JP Nadda

“National Health Policy 2017 is the first such policy covering all aspects of healthcare holistically”

Highlights need for enhancing capacity of health administrators to ensure timely and effective decision making, enhancing capacity of ASHA and community health workers, strengthening hub-and-spoke model of digital health intervention and monitoring and assessment of health impacts

Ayushman Bharat encompass the philosophy of Universal Health Care and also builds the pathway to achieve UHC: Dr VK Paul

“Thanks to AB PMJAY, hospitalization rates in India has increased by 40% and out-of-pocket expenditure has decreased from 64% in 2013-14 to 39.4% in 2021-22”

Posted On: 21 APR 2025 6:42PM by PIB Delhi

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda chaired a breakaway session titled “Promoting Swasth Bharat through Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana and Ayushman Arogya Mandir” during the Cvil Services Day celebrations, here today. Dr V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog was also present.

 

Addressing the gathering, Shri JP Nadda stated that providing affordable and quality healthcare to every poor person in the country is a priority of the central government and the two pillars of Ayushman Bharat initiative – Ayushman Arogya Mandir and AB PMJAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) are a result of a very well-thought process. “The consultations started in 2015, zonal conferences were held in 2016 and in 2016, the National Health Policy was laid out which is first such policy covering all aspects of healthcare holistically”, he stated.

Shri Nadda highlighted that the government’s expenditure on healthcare has increased from 29% in 2014 to 48% today leading to decline in out-of-pocket expenditure of people. He stated that screening of communicable and non-communicable diseases in Ayushman Arogya Mandir and expanding the package of services being provided there has helped in providing preventive and promotive healthcare and addressing the growing concern of lifestyle diseases. “Health facilities are being encouraged to undertake self-assessment under the Indian Public Health Standards 2022 and National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS)”, he stated.

 

The Union Health Minister also highlighted the need for enhancing capacity of health administrators to ensure timely and effective decision making, working on the program implementation plans, enhancing the capacity of ASHA workers and community health workers, strengthening and institutionalizing the hub-and-spoke model of digital health intervention and monitoring and assessment of health impacts.

Union Health Minister stated that the narrative that there is less funding for the health sector will soon end. He stated that while the Central Govt is providing it’s share of funding, there is lack of absorption in the states.

Shri Nadda urged the young officers to have an impact survey done of the benefits that have accrued from the programmes of the Health Ministry at the ground level.

He concluded his address by stating that while there has been a tremendous progress in healthcare in the last 10 years, the government is committed towards providing affordable, accessible, equitable and quality healthcare for all.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr V K Paul stated that the underlying motivation behind today’s paradigm for health is achieving the goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), i.e., to ensure that every citizen has access to quality healthcare without financial hardship. He stated that health coverage today not only entails curative treatment but also promotive, preventive, palliative, rehabilitative and therapeutic. “The two pillars of Ayushman Bharat initiative – Ayushman Arogya Mandir and AB PMJAY encompass the philosophy of UHC and also builds the pathway to achieve UHC.”

Dr Paul stated that “as many as 90% of essential interventions for UHC can be delivered through primary healthcare systems” and “an estimated 75% of projected health gains under the SDGs can be achieved through primary healthcare system”. He highlighted that countries with strong primary healthcare have higher life expectancy, better health outcomes, lower medication use and overall lower medical costs. “Because of this, the National Health Policy attaches prime importance to this and commits two-third of financial resources to primary healthcare system.”

Dr Paul highlighted that thanks to AB PMJAY, hospitalization rates in India has increased by 40%. “The out-of-pocket expenditure has decreased from 64% in 2013-14 to 39.4% in 2021-22”, he stated. He stated that these figures highlight that the two pillars of Ayushman Bharat are serving their purpose. He concluded his address by urging the different ministries and departments of the Union Government to work in coordination for achieving health goals.

 

Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava said that India’s dream of Viksit Bharat cannot be attained without achieving ‘Swasthya Bharat’. She stated that healthcare sector has seen a significant uplift in the last decade with the launch of initiatives like Ayushman Bharat. She stated, “Ayushman Bharat is based on providing continuum of care from providing comprehensive primary healthcare through Ayushman Arogya Mandir with referral and research linkages for follow-up to secondary and tertiary healthcare. AB PMJAY falls under the second pillar. To enable the referral linkages, there is the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) which falls under the third pillar and the PM ABHIM (Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission) comes under the last pillar to address infrastructure gaps.”

The Union Health Secretary gave an overview of the health system strengthening approach under the National Health Mission which operates under three broad pillars: Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition; Communicable Diseases and Non-Communicable Diseases.

She highlighted India’s success in decline of Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) which is more than double that of the global decline. “Similarly, India’s decline in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Under 5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) is also much higher than the global decline”, she stated. She also highlighted that 31 states have achieved replacement level of fertility as per NFHS-5. Smt. Srivastava informed that these successes are the result of developing very comprehensive primary healthcare system by strengthening our primary healthcare centres and sub-centres and developing them as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

 

Smt. Gayatri A. Rathore, Principal Secretary of Medical & Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Rajasthan; Smt. L S Changsan, Addl. Secretary, Union Health Ministry; Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Addl. Secretary and Mission Director (NHM), Union Health Ministry; Shri Saurabh Jain, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry and senior officers of the Union Government were present on the occasion.

 

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MV

HFW/HFM Civil Services Day Address/21 April 2025/2

(Release ID: 2123250) Visitor Counter : 39

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 21 APR 2025 6:22PM by PIB Delhi

The private sector taking leadership roles in public yoga activities, in pursuit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s call to take the rewards of yoga to every corner of the country, is an unmissable trend in the countdown to the IDY this year.

Aligning with this trend, the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) announced their early plans, with their members proudly taking up “Harit Yoga” activities. These include:

1. Yoga Retreat on 22nd April 2025 – Atmantan Wellness Centre, Mulshi, Maharashtra. An immersive yoga retreat set in the serene Sahyadri hills, offering a deep connection with nature and the self.
2. Campus event on 29th April 2025 – FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management (FHRAI-IHM), Greater Noida . A vibrant campus event engaging future hospitality leaders in the principles of yoga and sustainability.
3. Event on 17th May 2025 at JW Marriott, Bangalore. A flagship gathering in the heart of the city, celebrating wellness in urban life through a rich blend of yoga, dialogue, and community action.

The Federation added in their announcement that these events are not just symbolic- they represent FHRAI’s steadfast commitment to supporting the Government of India’s vision of a healthier, greener, and more mindful society. Through these collaborative efforts, FHRAI aim to amplify the message of yoga as a lifestyle, deeply rooted in Indian tradition yet universally relevant in today’s world.

Harit Yoga is one among the 10 Signature Activities being coordinated by the Ministry of Ayush in the run-up to IDY 2025, to mark the special occasion of the IDY observation completing 10 years. The project combines wellness and environmental awareness and seeks to use the medium of yoga to propagate the message of the conservation of the environment. Harit Yoga activities typically go beyond Yoga sessions, and participants will engage in eco-friendly activities like tree planting, beach clean-ups, and community-driven environmental efforts. It will also include educational campaigns covering critical topics like climate change and conservation, encouraging sustainable lifestyles. The last two weeks have seen the emergence of international participation in Harit Yoga, and it will inspire worldwide communities to join these environmentally conscious initiatives.

FHRAI has made plans to conduct yoga events on a large scale in preparation for IDY-2025. As informed by Ms. Payal Swami, Assistant Secretary General of the Federation, FHRAI is proud to stand with the Government in the yoga movement and looks forward to making their IDY events inclusive and impactful.

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MV/AKS

(Release ID: 2123245) Visitor Counter : 173

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 20) detected one drug trafficking case involving a passenger at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 2.75 kilograms of suspected cocaine, with an estimated market value of about $2.2 million.

A female passenger, aged 27, arrived in Hong Kong from Johannesburg, South Africa, via Dubai of United Arab Emirates, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cocaine inside her check-in suitcase. She was subsequently arrested.

An investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en).

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 21 APR 2025 5:26PM by PIB Delhi

As part of India’s commitment to regional maritime security under the vision of ‘Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for all in the Region (MAHASAGAR)‘ and its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the Indian Navy successfully completed a major refit of the Maldivian Coast Guard Ship MNDF Huravee at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.

The ship set sail for Maldives on 21 Apr upon completing her maiden Normal Refit at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. Over the last four months since her arrival at Mumbai on 13 Nov 24, major works concerning maintenance of all machinery, weapons, and sensors, along with a habitability upgrade, were undertaken. The ship was thereafter put through rigorous harbour & sea trials, operational checks of equipment, safety audits and Operational Sea Training before her departure.

The efforts put in by various Indian Navy agencies and dockyard teams across multiple departments were instrumental in achieving this extensive refit within the stipulated timeframe. The successful refit of MNDF Huravee underscores the strong diplomatic and military cooperation between the two countries and reaffirms India’s unwavering commitment to being a reliable partner in the region.

The Make in India ship handed over to MNDF in May 2023 as a replacement for an older platform, has played a crucial role in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Medical Evacuation operations across the Maldivian archipelago.

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VM/SKS                                                                                                        91/25

(Release ID: 2123218) Visitor Counter : 49

Source: Government of India

Two-day International Conclave organized by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture in Arunachal Pradesh

Namsai rich in Buddhist Heritage: ideal Centre for a Buddhist Circuit in North- East: Shri Chowna Mein, Deputy Chief Minister

Over 300 participants including heads of Sanghas, Bhikkus, Bhikkhunis, Academicians and Representatives from Bhutan, Myanmar, Cambodia participated in the Seminar

Posted On: 21 APR 2025 5:18PM by PIB Delhi

 Rooted in centuries old Buddhist culture and traditions, Namsai, a district in the extreme end of Arunachal Pradesh is a unique example of how an ancient way of life is still being practised here even today, explained Mr Chowna Mein, the Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh at the international Conclave on Buddha Dhamma and the Culture of North- East India.

Making a strong case for initiating a Buddhist tourism circuit in the state, he said “our culture is deeply rooted in socio-religious festivals, we recently concluded the Songpa Water Festival, a Buddhist festival celebrated by the Khamti community in Arunachal Pradesh, specifically in Namsai and other areas like Changlang and Itanagar, where visitors from overseas were invited to participate. It was a grand success. He added that there were several important ancient pilgrimage sites associated with Buddhism in the state too.

In fact, his tribe the Tai Khamtis were the first, according to him, to wage the first war of independence against the British in 1839. He mentioned that “We defeated the British in the Anglo- Khamti war, and as a result of this subsequently, the British burnt down our villages and scatter our tribe in several areas of North East.”

 

According to Mr Mein, they have preserved the Pali language through their Khamti script. In fact, there are just two ancient scripts in the State: theirs (the Lic Tai) and the Bhoti. Even the Ramayan and Mahabharat are written in the Khamti script (Lic Tai).

The Deputy Chief Minister also explained the enormous “good work” the Mahabodhi Society was undertaking in the region and he was hoping the region would get a skill development centre for empowerment of the youth of the region.

He was speaking at the 2-day International Conclave organized by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and supported by the government of Arunachal Pradesh and the Mahabodhi Society of Namsai. There were over 300 participants including heads of Sanghas, Bhikkus and Bhikkhunis, eminent members of the society, political representatives, professors, academicians from the Northeast and other regions _attending the event. Representatives from Bhutan, Myanmar, Cambodia participated in the seminar sessions, while the Consul General of Bhutan in Guwahati Mr Jigme Thinly Namgyal, addressed the congregation in the inaugural session.

Emphasizing the “our dharma is our culture; which is our way of life,”Mr Zingnu Namchoom, MLA Namsai explained that even in our weddings the Buddha’s teachings are given on how to lead our married life in society. Buddhism is in our blood stream, he noted. The dhamma address was presented by Most Ven. Aggadhamma Bhaddanta, Chief Abbot of the Pariyatti Sasana Buddha Vihara, Namsai.

The Secretary General of IBC Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche welcomed the guest and the Director General of IBC Mr Abhijit Halder, explained the details of the event and presented the concluding remarks. The sessions will include discussions on the following topics: Historical relevance of Buddha Dhamma in the North-East of India, Art, Culture & Heritage of Buddhist Communities and a special Session on the Cultural Impact on Buddhists in the region.

Special prayers and chanting will be held tomorrow at the Golden Pagoda for the victims of the recent earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. This will be followed by a session on Vipassana. 

 

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 2123208) Visitor Counter : 98

Source: Government of India

India’s DBT: Boosting Welfare Efficiency

Report Reveals ₹3.48 Lakh Crore in Savings and 16-Fold Increase in Beneficiaries

Posted On: 21 APR 2025 5:01PM by PIB Delhi

Introduction

India’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system has helped the country save an estimated ₹3.48 lakh crore till 2024 by plugging leakages in welfare delivery, according to a new quantitative assessment by the BlueKraft Digital Foundation. The report also finds that subsidy allocations have been halved from 16 percent to 9 percent of total government expenditure since the implementation of DBT, reflecting a major improvement in the efficiency of public spending.

The assessment evaluates data from 2009 to 2024 to examine the impact of DBT on budgetary efficiency, subsidy rationalisation, and social outcomes. It shows how the shift from paper-based disbursals to direct digital transfers has ensured that public funds reach the people they are meant for. One of the key features of DBT is the use of the JAM trinity, which stands for Jan Dhan bank accounts, Aadhaar unique ID numbers and mobile phones. This framework has enabled targeted and transparent transfers on a massive scale.

To capture the full extent of its impact, the report introduces a Welfare Efficiency Index. This index combines fiscal outcomes such as savings and reduced subsidies with social indicators like the number of beneficiaries reached, offering a clear picture of how well the system is working. The index has risen nearly threefold from 0.32 in 2014 to 0.91 in 2023, reflecting a sharp increase in both effectiveness and inclusion.

At a time when governments across the world are rethinking how to strengthen social protection, the DBT model presents valuable lessons in aligning financial prudence with equitable governance.

Key Findings

The data on subsidy allocations reveals a significant shift post-DBT implementation, highlighting improvements in fiscal efficiency despite a surge in beneficiary coverage.

• Pre-DBT Era (2009–2013): Subsidies averaged 16% of total expenditure, amounting to ₹2.1 lakh crore annually, with considerable leakages in the system.
• Post-DBT Era (2014–2024): Subsidy expenditure decreased to 9% of total expenditure in 2023-24, while beneficiary coverage surged 16-fold from 11 crore to 176 crore.
• COVID-19 Outlier: A temporary spike in subsidies occurred during the 2020–21 fiscal year due to emergency fiscal measures. However, efficiency rebounded following the pandemic, further validating the system’s long-term effectiveness.

 

 

Subsidy Allocation Trends (2009-2024)

The reduction in subsidy burden, despite a significant increase in coverage, underscores DBT’s role in optimising fiscal allocations. By eliminating ghost beneficiaries and middlemen, the system redirected funds to genuine recipients without proportional increases in the budget.

Sectoral Analysis

A detailed breakdown of sector-specific impacts shows how DBT has particularly benefited high-leakage programmes.

 

• Food Subsidies (PDS): ₹1.85 lakh crore saved, accounting for 53% of total DBT savings. This was largely due to Aadhaar-linked ration card authentication.
• MGNREGS: 98% of wages were transferred timely, saving ₹42,534 crore through DBT-driven accountability.
• PM-KISAN: ₹22,106 crore saved by deleting 2.1 crore ineligible beneficiaries from the scheme.
• Fertilizer Subsidies: Sales of 158 lakh MT of fertiliser were reduced, saving ₹18,699.8 crore through targeted disbursement.

 

Sectoral Impact Analysis

These sector-specific savings highlight DBT’s disproportionate impact on high-leakage programs, such as food subsidies and wage schemes like MGNREGS. The system’s role in biometric authentication and direct transfers has been crucial in improving efficiency and curbing misuse.

Correlation and Causality Findings

The correlation analysis further underscores the effectiveness of DBT in improving welfare delivery.

• Strong Positive Correlation (0.71): There is a strong positive correlation between beneficiary coverage and DBT savings, signifying that as coverage expanded, savings increased.
• v Negative Correlation (-0.74): There is a significant negative correlation between subsidy expenditure as a percentage of total expenditure and welfare efficiency, highlighting the reduction in waste and leakages facilitated by DBT.

 

Heat-map showing correlation between key variables

The heat-map analysis quantifies the relationship between budget allocations, DBT savings, and welfare efficiency. As DBT savings increased, subsidy allocations decreased, demonstrating that DBT improved targeting while reducing leakages. This enabled the government to expand welfare programs, reaching more beneficiaries without increasing fiscal outlays. The inverse relationship between subsidy expenditure and efficiency challenges critiques of “declining welfare spending” and affirms DBT’s role as a powerful tool for fiscal optimisation.

 

Welfare Efficiency Index (WEI)

As part of the methodology for assessing the impact of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, the Welfare Efficiency Index (WEI) was developed as a composite metric to measure efficiency gains across various dimensions. The WEI comprises three weighted components:

 

 

 

 

The rise in the WEI from 0.32 in 2014 to 0.91 in 2023 quantifies systemic improvements, emphasising that efficiency gains stem from multi-dimensional factors—not merely budget cuts. This index provides a replicable model for global policymakers to evaluate welfare reforms.

The WEI surged, driven by:

• DBT Savings (50% weight): ₹3.48 lakh crore cumulative leakage reduction.
• Subsidy Reduction (30% weight): A decline from 16% to 9% of total expenditure.
• Beneficiary Growth (20% weight): A 16-fold expansion in coverage.

 

Conclusion

The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system has proven to be a transformative tool for India’s welfare delivery, significantly enhancing the efficiency of public spending and expanding the reach of social benefits. Over the past decade, DBT has not only reduced fiscal leakages by ₹3.48 lakh crore but also ensured that subsidies are better targeted, with a marked decline in subsidy allocations as a percentage of total expenditure. The rise in the Welfare Efficiency Index (WEI) underscores the success of DBT in optimizing fiscal resources while broadening coverage for millions of beneficiaries. The sectoral savings, particularly in high-leakage programs like food subsidies, MGNREGS, and PM-KISAN, illustrate how the system’s integration of Aadhaar and mobile-based transfers has addressed inefficiencies and curbed misuse.

As per the report by the BlueKraft Digital Foundation, this data-driven assessment demonstrates that fiscal prudence and inclusivity can go hand-in-hand, offering valuable insights for policymakers worldwide looking to refine their own social protection models. As governments grapple with balancing fiscal constraints and social equity, India’s experience with DBT presents a compelling case for the efficacy of direct transfers in fostering both economic and social development. The lessons learned from this success story can guide global efforts to make welfare systems more efficient, transparent, and inclusive.

Reference:

 

Click here to see in PDF

Santosh Kumar/ Sheetal Angral/ Saurabh Kalia

(Release ID: 2123192) Visitor Counter : 112

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 21 APR 2025 5:00PM by PIB Delhi

The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) increased by 3.8 per cent (provisional) in March, 2025 as compared to the Index in March, 2024. The production of Cement, Fertilizers, Steel, Electricity, Coal and Refinery Products recorded positive growth in March, 2025. The details of annual indices, monthly indices and growth rates are provided at Annex I and Annex II.

The ICI measures the combined and individual performance of production of eight core industries viz. Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement and Electricity. The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 percent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

The final growth rate of Index of Eight Core Industries for December 2024 was observed at 5.1 per cent. The cumulative growth rate of ICI during April to March, 2024-25 is 4.4 per cent (provisional) as compared to the corresponding period of last year.

The summary of the Index of Eight Core Industries is given below:

Coal – Coal production (weight: 10.33 per cent) increased by 1.6 per cent in March, 2025 over March, 2024. Its cumulative index increased by 5.1 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.

Crude Oil – Crude Oil production (weight: 8.98 per cent) declined by 1.9 per cent in March, 2025 over March, 2024. Its cumulative index declined by 2.2 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.

Natural Gas – Natural Gas production (weight: 6.88 per cent) declined by 12.7 per cent in March, 2025 over March, 2024. Its cumulative index declined by 1.2 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.

Petroleum Refinery Products – Petroleum Refinery production (weight: 28.04 per cent) increased by 0.2 per cent in March, 2025 over March, 2024. Its cumulative index increased by 2.8 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.

Fertilizers – Fertilizer production (weight: 2.63 per cent) increased by 8.8 per cent in March, 2025 over March, 2024. Its cumulative index increased by 2.9 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.

Steel – Steel production (weight: 17.92 per cent) increased by 7.1 per cent in March, 2025 over March, 2024. Its cumulative index increased by 6.7 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.

Cement – Cement production (weight: 5.37 per cent) increased by 11.6 per cent in March, 2025 over March, 2024. Its cumulative index increased by 6.3 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.

Electricity – Electricity generation (weight: 19.85 per cent) increased by 6.2 per cent in March, 2025 over March, 2024. Its cumulative index increased by 5.1 per cent during April to March, 2024-25 over corresponding period of the previous year.

 

Note 1: Data for January, 2025, February, 2025 and March, 2025 are provisional. Index numbers of Core Industries are revised/finalized as per updated data from source agencies.

Note 2: Since April 2014, Electricity generation data from Renewable sources are also included.

Note 3: The industry-wise weights indicated above are individual industry weights derived from IIP and blown up on pro rata basis to a combined weight of ICI equal to 100.

Note 4: Since March 2019, a new steel product called Hot Rolled Pickled and Oiled (HRPO) under the item ‘Cold Rolled (CR) coils’ within the production of finished steel has also been included.

Note 5: Release of the index for April, 2025 will be on Tuesday, 20^th May, 2025.

 

Annex I

Performance of Eight Core Industries

Yearly Index & Growth Rate

Base Year: 2011-12=100

Index

    *Provisional

 

Growth Rates (on Y-o-Y basis in per cent)

  *Provisional.

   Y-o-Y is calculated over the corresponding financial year of previous year

 

Annex II

Performance of Eight Core Industries

Monthly Index & Growth Rate

Base Year: 2011-12=100

Index

    *Provisional

 

Growth Rates (on Y-o-Y basis in per cent)

   *Provisional.

   Y-o-Y is calculated over the corresponding financial year of previous year

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Abhishek Dayal / Abhijith Narayanan

(Release ID: 2123185) Visitor Counter : 184

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 21 APR 2025 10:09PM by PIB Delhi

His Holiness Pope Francis, Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See passed away today, the 21^st April, 2025. As a mark of respect, three-day State Mourning shall be observed throughout India, in the following manner:

1. Two days’ State Mourning on Tuesday, the 22^nd April, 2025 and Wednesday, the 23^rd April, 2025.
2. One day’s State Mourning on the day of the funeral.

During the period of the State Mourning, the National Flag will be flown at Half Mast throughout India on all buildings where the National Flag is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment.

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RK / VV / RR / PS

(Release ID: 2123334) Visitor Counter : 229

Source: Government of India

PoshanTracker Application receives the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2024 under the Innovation category (centre) on 17th Civil Services Day

Breakout Session on Promoting Nutrition for Women and Children through Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0” held under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi

There is a need for inter-departmental convergence, community participation, and tech-driven approaches—like the Poshan Tracker—for enhancing service delivery and impact: Smt Annpurna Devi

Posted On: 21 APR 2025 9:29PM by PIB Delhi

On the occasion of the 17^th  Civil Services Day the PoshanTracker Application of Ministry of Women and Child Development, received the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2024 under the Innovation category (centre). The award was received by the Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, on behalf of the Ministry.

https://x.com/Annapurna4BJP/status/1914326447118057770

On the day a dedicated breakaway session titled “Promoting Nutrition for Women and Children through Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0” was also held from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi.

Discussion Key highlights included:

• Shri Anil Malik, Secretary, MWCD, presented an overview of national strategies and key milestones achieved in advancing women and child nutrition.
• Dr. Bharati Kulkarni, Director, National Institute of Nutrition emphasized the importance of evidence-based, locally adapted nutrition interventions.
• Smt. Leena Johri, Principal Secretary, Uttar Pradesh, and Smt. Rashmi Arun Shami, Principal Secretary, Madhya Pradesh, shared state-level innovations and success stories under POSHAN 2.0.

In her keynote address, Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi stressed the need for inter-departmental convergence, community participation, and tech-driven approaches—like the Poshan Tracker—for enhancing service delivery and impact. She reinforced the shared mission of ensuring a well-nourished, healthy future for India’s women and children. She also mentioned about the role of Poshan Tracker beneficiary module for citizen ownership and empowerment.

The session concluded with a  vote of thanks by Shri Gyanesh Bharti, Additional Secretary, MoWCD appreciating the unwavering commitment of all participants to building a stronger, healthier India.

The breakout session was also  attended by more than 500 participants across the country through webcast.

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SS/MS

(Release ID: 2123319) Visitor Counter : 16

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 21 APR 2025 4:40PM by PIB Delhi

The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel met the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today.

The  PMO India handle on X wrote:

“CM of Gujarat, Shri @Bhupendrapbjp, met PM @narendramodi.

@CMOGuj”

 

 

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MJPS/SR

(Release ID: 2123178) Visitor Counter : 99