V Gangadharan Chennai, Apr 26 () Started as a pioneering scheme to offer meals at highly subsidised prices, the Amma Canteens inTamil Nadu have turned out to be the saviour during theCOVID-19 national lockdown, helping all sections, includingguest workers, truck drivers and even the middle class. Though largely the working classes, including migrantworkers, and the indigent people, depend on Amma Canteens, apet scheme of late chief minister Jayalalithaa, now these havecome as a boon to several others who are feeling the pinch ofthe lockdown with pay cuts and loss of jobs.What'smore, the ruling AIADMK has started bearing thecost of the food served by the canteens in several cities andtowns, making it free for the customers.Of the 650 plus Amma Canteens, run by local bodies,scattered across the state, Chennai alone has 407, over twothirds, and dish out idlies for breakfast, variety rice forlunch and chapathis for dinner and have come in forappreciation for the quality. "I had a wrong impression previously that the food qualityhere is not good. But actually it is good and on par withother eateries. During these times of financial distress, AmmaCanteens are a boon," a young man, who lost his informationtechnology job a few months ago, said.The man turned up with tiffin boxes to take home food atthe city's Madipakkam locality where a large number of peoplethronged the canteen on Sunday, which also happened to be thefirst day of the four-day complete shutdown announced by thegovernment in major cities, including Chennai, to check spreadof the coronavirus.With the government announcing that all shops wouldremain closed during the four days, only the Amma Canteens,named so after Jayalalithaa, fondly called by her supportersas "Amma" (mother), were abuzz with activity.A variety of people such as truck drivers, guest workers,and also men and women from middle and upper middle classescould be seen arriving to eat or take food home as stafferswere busy cooking and cleaning up. As a mini-truck arrived at one such eatery in thesprawling but empty Madipakkam bus terminus on Sundayafternoon, the driver and another man got down from thevehicle hurriedly and walked up to the outlet and asked if"anything" was available to eat. When pat came the reply, "only sambar and curd rice rightnow" the duo was apparently relieved as it was not availableanywhere else.Usually, the Amma canteens do not offer take away but itis now allowed. A V Ganesan, a priest in a small local temple, said hewas happy that Amma canteens were open. "The LPG cylinder in my home has gone dry and this canteenis close to my home, and I can eat or take home food," hesaid.Free food was now a boon since many like him, who work intemples. have virtually no income, he added. In another locality, a couple of women and children, partof a group of street performers from Chattisgarh, are visuallyrelieved that the canteens are serving food free during thelockdown. "These are very tough times for us as there is no incomeand the canteens are no doubt a boon, it is a boon," a youngmother of two children said in a mixture of broken Tamil andHindi. In fact, it is a repeat of such scenes in several areas ofthe city and especially in north Chennai which has a sizablechunk of labour class population. At one such canteen in Vyasarpadi, people could be seenstanding in serpentine queues on Sunday, but maintainingsocial distancing. An Inter-Ministerial Central Team to assess the COVID-19situation in Tamil Nadu also visited a canteen on KamarajarSalai here. An official told that a special fund allocation of Rs19.54 crore has been made for Chennai Corporation AmmaCanteens and as a whole Rs 31.39 crore has been earmarked forall the eateries in the state. In Chennai alone 4.5 lakh people eat food at the canteensevery day while the rest of the state sees about 6.25 lakhfootfall. Since the start of the lockdown period, over 140.38 lakhidlis, 53.24 lakh rice items, and 37.85 lakh pieces ofchappathis have been distributed, benefiting about 85 lakhpeople, the official said.Launched by Jayalalithaa years ago, the canteens offeridlis at a cost of Rs one each, two pieces of roti at Rs 3,Pongal Rs 5 and rice varieties including sambar, lemon andcurd at Rs 5 a plate. Now the food is being offered free of cost with theAIADMK's local units footing the bill in major cities ofChennai, Salem and Coimbatore besides some other places inview of the lockdown.In Salem, the home district of Chief Minister KPalaniswami in western Tamil Nadu, eggs are being served freein addition to the regular menu, officials said.The state governments of Karnataka and Rajasthan hadlaunched Indira Canteens and Annapurna Rasoi respectivelyinspired by the Amma Canteens. Across Tamil Nadu, there are 658 Amma Canteens, includingaround 250 outside Chennai under 14 corporations and 121municipalities. VGNVS VS

From truck drivers to street performers, Amma Canteens prove to be a boon during lockdown in urban TN

In the upcoming <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Union+Budget+&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Union Budget </a>2017, <keyword id="6389694" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="junk-food">junk food</keyword> and sugar-sweetened beverages may attract higher taxes. With this move, the government will make an effort to curb the growing incidence of lifestyle diseases like diabetes and obesity. 
 
The proposal was made by the group of secretaries on health, sanitation and urban development in a recent meeting with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=PM+Narendra+Modi+&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">PM Narendra Modi </a>to discuss budget proposals. The group has also suggested that proceeds from such higher taxes be used to increase the government's spending on health. 
 
"In our presentation to the PM, we suggested higher taxes on junk food and sugary beverages because consumption of such products is growing fast and fuelling several lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes and heart disorders. We have also suggested that revenue earned from such tax be invested in health schemes," a member of the group, told ET. 
 
The proposal for higher taxes on such products has been in the pipeline since April last year. The government had also constituted an inter-ministerial committee headed by the health secretary to deliberate on the proposal to impose stringent measures including higher taxes and restrictions on endorsements and advertisements of such products on TV, mainly during prime time . 
 
"The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is already working on mechanisms to regulate consumption of junk food. This is crucial given the growing disease burden in India," health secretary CK Mishratold ET.

Junk food, sugary drinks may attract higher taxes in Budget 2017

Telecom companies join hands to seek reservation of <keyword id="4546197" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="5g-airwaves">5G airwaves</keyword> Representatives of leading mobile phone and broadband services providers will join hands and approach a key inter-ministerial panel to seek reservation of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/5G-coming-by-2020-IIT-Delhi-Ericsson-join-hands-to-take-Indias-digital-age-further/articleshow/57915977.cms">5G airwaves</a> from Geneva-based International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/4G-to-be-pass-soon-5G-is-just-round-the-corner-and-look-what-India-is-doing-to-be-an-early-adopter/articleshow/54952894.cms">4G to be passé soon! 5G is just round the corner and look what India is doing to be an early adopter</a> The companies want ITU to reserve efficient sub-1GHz spectrum in the 614-698 MHz frequency band for commercial <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/5G-Only-a-pipe-dream-or-a-possible-reality/articleshow/47393716.cms">5G services</a>. Three leading telecom lobby groups, viz. the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), London-based GSMA and Broadband India Forum (BIF), will come together to back reservation of airwaves in the 614-698 MHz frequency band for super-fast <keyword id="764355" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="5G">5G</keyword> mobile broadband networks, people aware of the developments told <a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/telecom-lobbies-team-up-to-seek-reservation-of-airwaves-for-5g/articleshow/58724051.cms">ET</a>. The ITU will be holding a meeting in the US next month, inviting senior officials of the department of telecom to articulate India's position on preferred <keyword id="6450594" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="5g-spectrum">5G spectrum</keyword> bands before the next <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Govt-doesnt-want-to-delay-tech-progress-5G-spectrum-auction-soon/articleshow/57571450.cms">spectrum auction</a> of 5G airwaves. ITU is a multinational collective effort between governments and private companies to deal with global spectrum management issues. In case ITU decides to back India's proposal, device makers might go for mass production of 5G phones that will operate on the cost-efficient 614698 MHz band. (Image source Information Security Buzz)

Telecom companies join hands to seek reservation of 5G airwaves

<keyword id="6354814" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="prime-minister-Narendra-Modi">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</keyword> did not forget the tasks he had assigned to different departments. 
 In January this year, Modi had set up eight groups of secretaries for concentrated attention on areas such as <keyword id="6439829" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Good-Governance">good governance</keyword>, inclusive growth, employment generation, education and health, Swachh Bharat and energy efficiency. 
 
He had asked the bureaucrats to "get cracking" and deliver results. 
 
Now, it is review time for all the departments and Modi will assess whether the departments brought about a transformative change and changed lives of people. 
 NITI Aayog CEO <keyword id="6358887" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amitabh-Kant">Amitabh Kant</keyword> will make a detailed presentation to Modi in the presence of all council of ministers of the cabinet at a comprehensive review meeting on Friday. 
 
"Group of secretaries had suggested transformative ideas to PM to push economic growth in the country. Following this, NITI had set action plans for all departments and have been monitoring progress on each of them," a senior NITI Aayog official told ET. 
 
“Friday's presentation to Modi is on the progress by each department on these action plans and inter-ministerial hurdles, if any, in implementing these,” the person added. 
 
Meanwhile, Modi will review departments based on good governance, employment generation, farmer-centric initiatives, education and health, etc. 
 
(Image: PIB)

Modi to review action plan of departments and assess whether they delivered ‘cracking’ results

In order to insulate airlines and passengers from high user charges, the <keyword id="149609" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ministry-of-Civil-Aviation">Ministry of Civil Aviation</keyword> is reconsidering management contracts to private operators at India’s six airports. 
 
“We need to consider our learnings from the airport contracts awarded in the past,” a senior ministry official said. “One concern raised by stakeholders is the cost of turnaround of an aircraft. The turnaround cost for a jet is around $6,000 at an Indian private airport, whereas it costs $2,300 at Changi (Singapore) airport. We need to ensure privatisation does not increase the cost of the airport,” he added. 
 
The Civil Aviation Ministry will seek approval from an inter-ministerial group to give management contracts at six airports: Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Guwahati, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. 
 
The ministry is also taking stock of the views expressed by the Comptroller and Auditor General on privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports. “We are looking into these concerns. All this will be debated in the inter-ministerial group,” the official added. 
 
The United Progressive Alliance government had initiated the process to award management contracts for these airports in 2013. 
Image: Thinkstock

Govt Reviewing Airport
Privatisation To Control High User Charges

Shares of <keyword id="56013" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Sun-TV">Sun TV</keyword> Network, the largest media organization in South India, fell 2.5 percent after The Economic Times reported an inter-ministerial panel had rejected the group's plea to participate in the next round of auctions for FM radio waves. It indicated that the group's application to request renewal of license for its 33 TV channels could also meet the same fate, the paper said.
 

	The Home Ministry had earlier denied the Sun Group security clearance, the report added. The group, headed by a politically powerful family, is likely to move court against the government's decision, the paper said.
 

	Shares of Sun TV fell 7.10 rupees to 271.95 on the National Stock Exchange, where 7.8 lakh shares were traded in the first hour of trade compared with the 5-day average of 16.4 lakh shares. Futures of Sun TV were the top losers in the derivatives segment, showing a build up of short positions on the counter.
 

	Sun TV has seen its market capitalisation erode 37 percent in the past one year to 10,700 crore rupees. 
	 
	(Image credit: Indiatimes)

Sun TV's prospects are not looking sunny. Know why

<keyword id="74266" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Apple-Inc">Apple Inc</keyword> today indicated to the government that it is ready with a blueprint to begin manufacturing iPhones in <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="100" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>, but wants fiscal concessions, including Customs duty waiver on import of components. 
 <keyword id="6354427" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Apple">Apple</keyword> executives made a detailed presentation on its road map for setting up a manufacturing unit in India to an inter-ministerial group headed by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion Secretary Ramesh Abhishek, sources privy to the development said. 
 The presentation was made by senior executives of the company, including Global Vice-President (<keyword id="6354606" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="iPhone">iPhone</keyword> operations) Priya Balasubramanian. It cited the country's business friendly ecosystem for keenness to start local manufacturing. 
 
With sales tapering in the US and China, Apple is eyeing India -- the fastest growing smartphone market in the world -- and looking to set up a local manufacturing unit to cut costs. 
 
It, however, does not manufacture devices on its own and rather does it through contract manufacturers. 
 
Besides exemption from the Customs duty on imports of components and equipment for 15 years, Apple wants relaxation in the mandated 30 per cent local sourcing of components. 
 
 When contacted, Apple spokesperson told PTI: "We have been working hard to develop our operations in India and are proud to deliver the best products and services in the world to our customers here." 
 
The spokesperson added: "We appreciate the constructive and open dialogue we have had with the government about further expanding our local operations." 
 
On the duty and tax-related concessions being sought by the company, the sources said most of them are within the policy domain and decisions will be taken by the respective departments. 
 
"They are seeking certain duty exemptions and other concessions. Respective departments will look at those demands," they added. 
 
The official also said the company has indicated that it would gradually make India a major manufacturing hub for its products. 
 
"The company setting up its manufacturing unit in India is going to be a reality. They have full-fledged plans. There is no policy impediment. They would also bring their supply chains," the sources divulged. 
 
The company executives yesterday called on Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Apple's Tim Cook is ready with a blueprint to sell cheap iPhones in India but there's a catch

Even though the government has decided to repeal the controversial '<keyword id="6406536" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Angel-Tax">angel tax</keyword>', experts believe that a number of start-ups will not be able to benefit from this because of the additions in the new regulation. 
 
'Angel tax' is the tax that the government planned to levy on investments in start-ups; however, since it was considered regressive by many and the fact that it led to many start-ups exiting from the country, it was decided to be amended. 
 
However, start-up experts think that it will still continue to pester start-ups, given that the amendments ask to exempt only those firms that have been classified as start-ups under the new government regulations, which means that only the start-ups stamped from the Inter-ministerial Board of Certification should be exempted from the tax. 
 
For this stamp, start-ups needs to fulfil several criteria like, the company should not be more than five-year old, it should not have turnover exceeding Rs 25 crore, tit should be working towards innovation and commercialisation of new products or services, and it should be driven by technology or intellectual property. 
 
Of course, several start-ups are yet to go for this certification. 
 
Also, the fact that the new regulation will not apply to retrospective investments also leaves many start-ups open to be questioned by tax authorities. 
 "It will definitely have a positive impact but it is not a complete but a partial solution," Saurabh Srivastava, cofounder of <keyword id="328347" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Angel-Network">Indian Angel Network</keyword>, told <a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/policy-trends/investors-see-devil-in-the-details-say-angel-tax-exemption-will-not-benefit-several-startups/articleshow/52825377.cms">ET</a>. "For all angel investments that were made in the last few years ever since the Section 56 came into being, the start-ups and angel investors are today being harassed by income-tax authorities which have opened up their investment records. This is not a good scenario and is upsetting angels," he said. 
 
Srivastava is in talks with the government so that there is a way to certify angel groups, which would mean that investments made through them will be exempted from taxation. "This will be the next logical step and would solve 99 per cent of the problem," he said. 
 
<a href="https://ithinkbigger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/angel-investor-31816.jpg">Image source</a>

Taxed for being an ‘angel’? Several start-ups won’t benefit even as angel tax is revoked, say experts

<keyword id="6408304" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="doordarshan">Doordarshan</keyword>, India’s national broadcaster, is getting churned up with Narendra Modi-led government’s emphasis on the state-run media. Doordarshan is set to go global in January next year when it will be beamed free of cost to 120 million homes in Europe and Middle East, as per <keyword id="384646" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Information-and-Broadcasting-Ministry">Information and Broadcasting Ministry</keyword> officials. 
 After the polls in Maharashtra and Haryana, Information and Broadcasting Minister <keyword id="119642" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Prakash-Javadekar">Prakash Javadekar</keyword> will hold the first inter-ministerial meeting of secretaries of ministries of external affairs, information and broadcasting, tourism, culture and home affairs to chalk out the content to be aired in these countries. Prasar Bharati CEO Jawahar Sircar said that a deadline and a consultative group for the project will be decided in the meeting. 
 
"We need to finalise right content to project a new, dynamic India. The new aspirations of India have to be portrayed in a manner that European and Middle Eastern audiences would appreciate and understand. Expert advice of ambassadors who have worked in these countries would be useful, as would be those of TV professionals who have foreign experience," he said. 
 
Doordarshan has also revived a project of digitisation of its terrestrial transmitters.

India’s Doordarshan
Goes Global; To Telecast Programmes In Europe, Middle East

NEW DELHI: BJP's prime ministerial <keyword id="53129" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="candidate">candidate</keyword> <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> on Tuesday reacted to controversial statements by leaders like Pravin Togadia and Giriraj Singh. 
 
"Petty statements by those claiming to be BJP's well wishers are deviating the campaign from the issues of development &amp; good governance. I disapprove any such irresponsible statement and appeal to those making them to kindly refrain from doing so," Modi tweeted. 
 While Togadia had reportedly called for the forcible eviction of a Muslim family from a Hindu-dominated locality, <keyword id="266830" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Bihar-BJP">Bihar BJP</keyword> leader Giriraj Singh had said that those who oppose Modi should go to Pakistan as there will be no place for them in India. 
 
On Saturday evening, Togadia joined a group of VHP and Bajrang Dal members on a street protest in Bhavnagar outside a house purchased by a Muslim businessman near Meghani Circle. 
 
While saffron groups have been regularly organizing 'Ram Dhuns' and 'Ram Darbars' to thwart such deals, Togadia went a step further by asking the protesters to take complete control of the house and put a 'Bajrang Dal' board on it. 
 
Togadia then told the gathering that there were two ways to stop such deals. One is to pressurize the state government to bring in Disturbed Areas Act in Bhavnagar, which prevents inter-community sale of immovable property. The second is to take forcible possession of the house and fight a legal battle later which will go on for years. 
 
He gave the Muslim occupant 48 hours to vacate the house. "If he does not relent, go with stones, tyres and tomatoes to his office. There is nothing wrong in it. Killers of Rajiv Gandhi have not been hanged ... there is nothing to fear and the case will go on," Togadia told the charged-up gathering. 
 
"I have done it in the past and Muslims have lost both property and money," he had said. 
 
The Election Commission on Monday evening directed the district administration of Bhavnagar to file an FIR against Togadia for his hate speech. 
 
Gujarat's chief electoral officer Anita Karwal said, "We have inquired about the Bhavnagar incident and have directed the district administration to file an FIR in the matte 
 
Bihar leader Giriraj Singh, has also been booked for his comment that those who oppose the BJP's prime ministerial candidate have a place in Pakistan and not in India. 
 The <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> was quick to reject Modi's appeal and called it 'crocodile tears'.

Refrain From Making Irresponsible Statements, Modi Tells Leaders

Forget about defining the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Line+of+Actual+Control+">Line of Actual Control</a> and addressing the issue of Chinese intrusion into Indian territories as <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> has now given birth to a new issue which could further widen gaps between the two countries. 
 It has now operationalised the $1.5 billion Zam <keyword id="2398983" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="hydropower-station">Hydropower Station</keyword>, which has raised concerns in India over the likelihood of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=disrupting+water+supplies">disrupting water supplies</a>. 
 The dam, the largest in <keyword id="6364076" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Tibet">Tibet</keyword>, built on the Brahmaputra river, also raised concerns in India over <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=China">China's ability to release water in times of conflict</a> which could pose serious risk of flooding. 
 
The China Gezhouba Group, a major hydropower contractor based in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province said on Tuesday that all six of the stations’ units were incorporated into the power grid. 
 
Located in the Gyaca County, Shannan Prefecture, the Zam Hydropower Station also known as Zangmu Hydropower Station, harnesses the rich water resources of Brahmaputra known in Tibet as Yarlung Zangbo River, a major river which flows through Tibet into India and later into Bangladesh. 
 
The dam considered to be the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=hydropower+station+">world's highest-altitude hydropower station</a> and the largest of its kind will produce produces 2.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity a year. 
 
According to the company, it would alleviate the electricity shortage in central Tibet and empower the development of the electricity-strapped region. It is also an important energy base in central Tibet. 
 
Investment of the hydropower station, about 140 kms from Tibetan capital Lhasa, totaled 9.6 billion yuan (about $1.5 billion). 
 
The first unit began operations last November. 
 
The problem for India does not end here as China is reportedly building few more dams. The country seeks to allay Indian fears saying that they are the run-of-the-river projects which were not designed to hold water. 
 
An Indian Inter-Ministerial Expert Group (IMEG) on the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=hydropower+station+">Brahmaputra</a> in 2013 said the dams were being built on the upper reaches and called for further monitoring considering their impact on the flow of waters to the lower reaches. 
 
The IMEG noted that the three dams, Jiexu, Zangmu and Jiacha are within 25 kms of each other and are 550 kms from the Indian border. 
 
India has been taking up the issue with China for the past few years the two countries reached an understanding in 2013. Chinese side agreed to provide more flood data of Brahmaputra from May to October instead of June to October in the previous agreements river water agreements in 2008 and 2010. 
 India is concerned that if the waters are diverted, then projects on the Brahmaputra, particularly the <keyword id="743602" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Upper-Siang">Upper Siang</keyword> and Lower Suhansri projects in <keyword id="46408" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arunachal-Pradesh">Arunachal Pradesh</keyword>, may get affected. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

A reason to worry for! China operationalises biggest dam on Brahmaputra in Tibet

Prime Minister <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Narendra+Modi">Narendra Modi</a> on Thursday launched the project '<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Imprint+India">Imprint India</a>', a single window funding clearance mechanism backed with a Rs 1,000-crore kitty to get Indian technical institutions to conduct original research in areas where the country is heavily dependent on foreign technology. 
 
Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister said, "Society is becoming technology driven. important to understand the importance of this &amp; look towards affordable technology." The PM talks of 'innovation being the key' and said 'science is universal but technology has to be local'. 
 
An <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Inter+Ministerial+Group">Inter Ministerial Group</a> (IMG) is being set up as the single window mechanism that will screen research projects and proposals by India's leading research and technology institutes and then approve them and earmark funds for the same. The IMG will have on board the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Ministry+of+Human+Resource+Development">Ministry of Human Resource Development</a> (HRD), Ministry of Defence, Department of Science &amp; Technology, Department of Biotechnology, and Ministry of Rural Development, among others. Named 'IMPRINT' - the one stop research funding mechanism to boost indigenous technology and research will be launched by the PM and President on November 5 at the Visitor's Conference. 
 
The move to set up a one stop funding system was done after a number of scientists and researchers conveyed how the current bureaucratic systems were coming in the way and delaying projects as well as discouraging institutes from taking them up. The drill of getting clearances and approvals through various ministries was another dampener. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs) are already on board with the plan that is being piloted by the Smriti Irani-led HRD ministry. The issue was also taken up with the institutes at the recent meeting of the IIT Council and the NIT Council. 
 
Ten areas have been identified where India is heavily dependent on foreign technology and where little or no research and manufacturing has been initiated in India. These include healthcare, computers &amp; information technology, energy, sustainable habitat, nano technology hardware, water resources and river systems, advanced materials, manufacturing, defence, environment &amp; climate change. 
 
The IITs and the Indian Institutes of Science have helped identify these areas and detailed the specifics of India's technology requirements now and in the next few years. For instance, in areas like nano technology hardware, almost everything is being imported currently as is the case with diagnostic imaging in healthcare. The research areas will also dovetail with the 'Make in India' campaign to boost indigenous manufacture. 
 
"The idea is to encourage a research environment and also drive institutes to take up research that is socially and technically relevant to India's needs across sectors. For instance, in Healthcare, India practically imports every single diagnostic machinery simply because it is not manufactured here and there is new research in India which can be scaled up. Through IMPRINT, we hope to change that. 
 
That apart, a streamlined, well-coordinated funding process is key to building a robust research eco system and this forum should help bring in that", an official associated with IMPRINT said on condition of anonymity.

Narendra Modi just launched a Rs 1000cr fund that’s
like a dream come true for all engineers and innovators

In order to bring down rising <keyword id="54322" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="food-prices">food prices</keyword>, the Narendra Modi-led government is thinking about using nuclear irradiation technology developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for increasing the shelf life of fruit and vegetables, especially that of onions and potatoes. This will help the government to meet its supply shortage during lean seasons.
 This issue of high importance was discussed at a meeting of an inter-ministerial group called by Transport Minister <keyword id="26680" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Nitin-gadkari">Nitin Gadkari</keyword> after a sharp increase was seen in retail prices of tomato and onion in the national capital. Food and Consumer Affairs Minister <keyword id="973" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ram-Vilas-Paswan">Ram Vilas Paswan</keyword>, who attended the meeting, said, “In between July and October, we face shortage of onions, potatoes and tomatoes, due to which we need technologies that can increase the shelf life by at least six months. We saw a presentation by <keyword id="71684" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Bhabha-Atomic-Research-Centre">Bhabha Atomic Research Centre</keyword> (BARC) on how application of radiation technology improved the shelf life of onions and potatoes.” 

	The meeting was also attended by Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region VK Singh, along with ministers of state for food and agriculture. The meeting also marked the presence of secretaries of all the departments.
 The government might look at establishing such irradiation plants alongside <keyword id="404460" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Central-Warehousing-Corporation">Central Warehousing Corporation</keyword> and <keyword id="6354672" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Food-Corporation-of-India">Food Corporation of India</keyword> warehouses mainly those situated around metro cities, said Paswan. 

	“We have instructed all the secretaries to hold further discussions with scientists and officials from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and department of atomic energy to take forward this expansion plan,” added Paswan.
 Anil Kakodkar, former chairman of <keyword id="86592" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Atomic-Energy-Commission">Atomic Energy Commission</keyword>, who was also present in the meeting, said, there are two plants in the government sector which use irradiation technology. The first plant is in Vashi for spices and the second one is in Lasalgaon for onions. He added that 10-12 such units come under the private sector, but most of these are suffer from lack of economies of scale. 

	He concluded that this technology has been approved by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Commission and there are no safety issues whatsoever.

Modi Govt Eyes Nuclear Technology To Increase Shelf Life Of Fruits And Vegetables

Working mothers would be happy to know that the central government is considering to enhance maternity leave for working women from three months to six months. There also will be double bonus payments to employees and an option to make gratuity portable between jobs. 
These proposed changes in the employment laws could buttress the Modi government's credentials with the working class, while it attempts to push through more ambitious reforms in labour rules that are blamed for hampering investment and job creation in the country, as per a news report by The Economic Times. 
 
"The changes in the Payment of Bonus Act would raise the salary limit for getting a bonus from Rs 10,000 per month to Rs 19,000, and are at an advanced stage with a draft Cabinet note being moved earlier this month for comments from ministries,"a senior labour ministry official told ET. Separately, the government is initiating stakeholder consultations to amend the Maternity Benefits Act of 1961 and the Payment of Gratuity Act of 1972, the official added. 
 
While many states including West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir offer maternity leaves for maximum 730 days, with the Centre’s new initiative, private companies would be required to enhance maternity leave for working women from 3 months to 6 months. 
 
Currently, companies are legally required to grant 12 weeks of maternity leave to employees, though several leading employers offer additional time off and other benefits. For instance, Accenture offers five months off to new mothers while <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/flipkart-is-trying-its-best-to-retain-women-employees-heres-how/articleshow/47893400.cms">Flipkart</a> offers 24 weeks paid leave. Citibank also offers a creche allowance to new mothers, as do some other multinational firms and investment banks. 
 
"The ministry of women and child development has been pursuing this with us extensively as it is primarily responsible for women's welfare, so we are framing a proposal to kick off talks with employers and trade unions on enhancing the maternity leave to 24 weeks," the official told the ET. One option being considered is to limit the enhanced maternity leave to two children and an employee having a third child would be granted 12 weeks off, in line with the present norm. 
Employee representatives have been seeking a reduction in the five-year continuous service clause to qualify for gratuity and the social security committee of the Indian Labour Conference had endorsed the idea in May 2013. 
 
"While we are examining the possibility of reducing the five-year eligibility for gratuity benefits, this requirement would be redundant if we allow gratuity to be transferred from one job to another. So we are looking at both the options," the official said. 
 
The Payment of Bonus Act of 1965, expected to be the first of the three laws for which amendments will come up for the Cabinet's consideration, sets two numerical ceilings for limiting bonus payouts to workers. 
 
All employees earning up to Rs 10,000 a month are eligible for a minimum bonus of 8.33% of their annual salary and a maximum of 20%. This ceiling takes into account any productivity-linked bonus that employers may offer. 
 
The Rs 10,000 salary cut-off is only used for eligibility purposes and actual bonus payments are linked to a separate 'calculation ceiling'. Bonus payments for anyone earning more than Rs 3,500 a month are made assuming his or her salary is Rs 3,500 per month. Both these thresholds were last revised in 2006. After tripartite consultations with employers and employees yielded no consensus late last year, the government had referred the Bonus Act amendments to an inter-ministerial group that has now recommended both thresholds be raised in line with changes in the consumer price index since 2006, according to the ET report. 
 
The new ceilings under the Bonus Act are likely to be Rs 19,000 per month (salary limit for eligibility) and Rs 6,600 (salary limit for bonus calculation purposes). 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Accenture-has-planned-a-Mothers-Day-gift-for-all-its-female-employees-Know-what/articleshow/47160794.cms">Also Read: ​Accenture has planned a Mother’s Day gift for all its female employees. Know what</a>

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