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<keyword id="6358777" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="New-Delhi">New Delhi</keyword>, Replying to a supplementary question on the situation of air quality in <keyword id="66" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi">Delhi</keyword>, Union Minister of Environment Prakash Javadekar said that the main reason behind deteriorating air quality in the national capital in the month of September to November is the <keyword id="1023531" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="stubble-burning">stubble burning</keyword> in Haryana and <keyword id="6354953" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="punjab">Punjab</keyword>. He said that stubble burning in Punjab has increased by 75 per cent this year while it has increased by 25 per cent in Haryana. Union government has spent huge amount on providing 40,000 machines to the states but they are used seldom. The wind during September to November is eastward due to which the pollution increased in Delhi, the minister added. The government said that the problem of Delhi is that it has alluvial soil which results in the dust while the city's like Bengaluru have rocky soil. The AQI on Monday in Loni, Ghaziabad and Delhi was reported to be 456 and 393 respectively, which falls under hazardous category. The government said that we will introduce the Pusa model of decomposition process of stubble and promote it. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/apples-talks-with-hyundai-and-kia-for-autonomous-cars-may-have-crashed-early/articleshow/80742934.cms">Apple's talks with Hyundai and Kia for autonomous cars may have crashed early</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-9-pro-new-flagship-smartphone-expected-price-specification-and-launch-date-leaked/articleshow/80742720.cms">This could be the next OnePlus flagship smartphone</a>

Prakash Javadekar blames Punjab stubble burning for pollution in Delhi

<ul><li>The prime minister had on the 74th Independence Day announced 'Project <keyword id="58145" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="dolphin">Dolphin</keyword>', saying it will give a boost to <keyword id="53219" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="biodiversity">biodiversity</keyword> and create employment opportunities. </li><li>In India, these dolphins are sighted in long deep river reaches in Assam, Bihar, <keyword id="6360371" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="jharkhand">Jharkhand</keyword>, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and <keyword id="6357783" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="West-bengal">West Bengal</keyword>. </li><li>The Ganges river dolphin is a species of freshwater dolphins primarily found in the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. </li></ul> The ambitious project to conserve Gangetic river dolphins announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be launched in 15 days, Union Environment Minister <keyword id="119642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prakash-Javadekar">Prakash Javadekar</keyword> said on Monday. The prime minister had on the 74th Independence Day announced 'Project Dolphin', saying it will give a boost to biodiversity and create employment opportunities. "As announced by PM @narendramodi ji on #74thIndependenceDay, @moefcc will be launching a holistic Project #Dolphin in another 15 days for the conservation and protection of the #Dolphins in the rivers and in oceans of the country," Javadekar tweeted. The PM had on August 15 said his government wanted to promote Project Dolphin. "We will focus on both types of dolphins living in the rivers and in the seas. This will also give a boost to biodiversity and create employment opportunities. This is also a centre of attraction for tourism. So, we are going to move forward in this direction too," Modi had said. Gangetic river dolphins were declared national aquatic species in 2010. The Ganges river dolphin is a species of freshwater dolphins primarily found in the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. In India, these dolphins are sighted in long deep river reaches in Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. As per official figures, there are about 3,700 Gangetic river dolphins in the Indian river systems. As river dolphins act as indicators of healthy river ecosystems, their conservation would also ensure controlling river pollution and improving availability of fish and enhancing economies of local communities through sustainable fishery, the ministry said. "It envisages to address conservation concerns and empower the stakeholders like the river-dependent population in reducing river pollution and allowing sustainable fishery and river-based other livelihood options through scientifically oriented conservation methods," it said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/latest-job-openings-at-google-microsoft-jp-morgan-goldman-sachs-ericsson-amazon-adobe-zomato-for-software-engineers/slidelist/77585263.cms">Google, Microsoft, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Ericsson and other companies hiring software engineers in India right now</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/the-heat-is-on-mark-zuckerberg-in-india-as-facebook-and-whatsapp-incur-the-ire-of-modis-rivals/articleshow/77575358.cms">The heat is on Mark Zuckerberg in India as Facebook and WhatsApp incur the ire of Modi's rivals</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/the-top-9-movies-on-netflix-this-week-from-aposjurassic-parkapos-to-aposwork-itapos/slidelist/77548389.cms">The top 9 movies on Netflix this week, from 'Jurassic Park' to 'Work It'</a>

Project Dolphin to be launched in the next 15 days, says Prakash Javadekar

Lucknow, An FIR has been lodged here against the makers of web series 'Tandav' and <keyword id="18635" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword>'s India head of original content for allegedly depicting Hindu gods in a manner hurtful to <keyword id="522164" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="religious-sentiments">religious sentiments</keyword> of the people. The FIR against Aparna Purohit, the head of Amazon's India head of original content, director of the series Ali Abbas, producer Himanshu Krishna Mehra, writer Gaurav Solanki, and an unknown person was lodged late on Sunday night by senior Sub Inspector Amar Nath Yadav at the Hazratganj Kotwali police station here. The film starring <keyword id="333" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Saif-Ali-Khan">Saif Ali Khan</keyword>, Dimple Kapadia, Sunil Grover, Tigmanshu Dhulia, <keyword id="5894" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dino-Morea">Dino Morea</keyword>, Kumud Mishra, Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub, <keyword id="327" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gauhar-Khan">Gauhar Khan</keyword> and <keyword id="140105" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kritika-Kamra">Kritika Kamra</keyword>, premiered on the streaming platform on Friday. Taking to Twitter, BSP President Mayawati called for removing the objectionable content from the web series. Protests are being registered against some scenes hurting the religious and ethnic sentiments in the Tandav web series, in respect of which it would be appropriate to remove whatever is objectionable so that the atmosphere of peace, harmony and mutual brotherhood in the country is not spoiled anywhere, she said. According to the FIR, following public outrage expressed on social media platforms, the web series was viewed and it was found in the 17th minute of the first episode of the series that Hindu gods and goddesses have been allegedly presented in an "undignified manner' and shown using language which is hurtful to religious sentiments. Dialogues in the web series can incite caste anger, the FIR stated. It also alleged that the person occupying the high post of Prime Minister of India has been portrayed in a very belittling manner besides there are scenes in which castes have been presented as low and high and women in an insulting manner. The FIR further alleged that intent of the web series is to incite religious sentiments of a particular community and create enmity among classes.This act of the producer-director has hurt and incited religious and caste sentiments of the people, the FIR added. The FIR has been lodged under sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language), 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class), 505 (1) (B) (statements conducing to public mischief with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquility) and 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation) along with sections of the IT Act. Taking cognizance of complaints that Hindu gods and goddesses have been ridiculed in the web series, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had on Sunday sought an explanation from <keyword id="10265015" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="streaming-platform-amazon-prime-video">streaming platform Amazon Prime Video</keyword> on the issue, sources had said. The development came after BJP MP Manoj Kotak on Sunday said he has written to Information and Broadcasting Minister <keyword id="119642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prakash-Javadekar">Prakash Javadekar</keyword> seeking a ban on Amazon Prime Video's series 'Tandav' for ridiculing Hindu deities. "The ministry has taken cognizance of the matter (complaints) and asked Amazon Prime Video to explain," a source in the ministry had said. Kotak, the MP from Mumbai North-East, said different organisations and individuals have complained that Hindu gods and goddesses have been ridiculed in the 'Tandav' web series. When contacted about the complaints, Amazon Prime Video PR had said the platform "won't be responding" on the matter. The government recently brought OTT platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar, besides other online news and current affairs content, under the ambit of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, giving it powers to regulate policies and rules for the digital space. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heres-what-analysts-have-to-say-about-the-4634-crore-indian-railway-finance-corporation-irfc-ipo/articleshow/80323479.cms?upcache=2">The ₹4,600 crore IPO from IRFC is ‘attractive,’ and the best thing about the borrowing arm for Indian Railways is the assured margin</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/how-to-apply-for-indian-railway-finance-corporation-irfc-ipo/articleshow/80327303.cms">How to apply for IRFC IPO? Check the details and online application process here</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/cure-fit-strengthens-its-us-offering-by-acquiring-digital-trainer-and-workout-app-onyx/articleshow/80326857.cms">Cure.fit strengthens its US offering by acquiring digital trainer and workout app Onyx</a>

Tandav controversy - FIR filed against the show's director and Amazon India head of content in UP

<ul><li>India’s <keyword id="6355512" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-cabinet">Union Cabinet</keyword> has approved the merger of the troubled <keyword id="135860" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lakshmi-Vilas-Bank">Lakshmi Vilas Bank</keyword> (LVB) with <keyword id="133737" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="DBS-Bank">DBS Bank</keyword> India.</li><li>“This is a part of the clean up that was required in the banking sector,” said Union Minister <keyword id="119642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prakash-Javadekar">Prakash Javadekar</keyword> during the press conference.</li><li>He also revealed that the members of the board, who have now been removed, will be held accountable and there will be liability for those found to have made mistakes. </li></ul>The merger of the troubled Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) with DBS Bank India has been approved by the <keyword id="44734" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Government">Indian government</keyword>’s Union Cabinet. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said the ₹20,000 crore deposit of the 20 lakh customers is now safe. “Customers need not rush to banks to withdraw their money. However, whoever does wish to withdraw can now do so at any time in a safe way,” he said during the press conference. He also revealed that those members of the board who were responsible for the mistakes will be held accountable. “Those who have made mistakes, will be punished. There will be improvement in overall oversight also so as not to repeat such incidents in the future,” Javadekar explained. Resolving the LVB crisis On the fateful night of November 17, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/lakshmi-vilas-bank-under-moratorium-rbi-caps-maximum-deposit-or-withdrawal-at-25000/articleshow/79267116.cms">LVB was put under a one-month moratorium</a> with withdrawals capped at ₹25,000 per account holder by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). India’s apex bank also announced that due to lack of a potential bank for capital infusion, LVB will now be merged with DBS Bank India, a subsidiary of Singapore’s DBS. “This is a part of the clean up that was required in the banking sector,” said Javadekar. While some have praised the RBI’s decisiveness, others like the head of the All India Bank Employees’ Association (<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/rbis-decision-to-merge-lvb-with-dbs-bank-questioned-by-banking-union-head-on-why-other-institutions-werent-considered/articleshow/79277116.cms">AIBEA</a>) and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/lakshmi-vilas-bank-promoter-believes-the-rbi-shouldve-called-for-bids-from-interested-parties-other-than-dbs-bank/articleshow/79320765.cms">one of the bank’s promoters</a> have raised the red flag on the central bank’s decision. The primary concern to these queries is why other bids were not considered for the merger of LVB. The former Chairman of Canara Bank and the man appointed by the RBI to lead the bank during the moratorium period, TN Manoharan, assured the press that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/lakshmi-vilas-bank-customers-have-withdrawn-10000-crore-since-rbis-moratorium-was-announced-last-night/articleshow/79281857.cms">there is no run on the bank</a> a day after taking over. Manoharan predicted that the lifting of withdrawal limits and the lifting of moratorium to be coterminal. If this holds true, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/lakshmi-vilas-bank-is-the-fifth-financial-firm-after-ilfs-dhfl-yes-bank-and-pmc-bank-to-collapse-in-india/slidelist/79286096.cms">RBI’s handling of the LVB crisis</a> will be considered at par with its swift handling during the Yes Bank scam. On the other hand, the PMC bank crisis remains unresolved — leaving its depositors in the lurch, even today. The street view Meanwhile, in the stock market, LVB’s share price continued to plummet for the seventh consecutive day on November 25. The stock has lost more than half of its value — around 55% — since the moratorium was announced on November 17. “In our view, the merger of LVB with DBS Bank, which is trying to expand its base in India, will be a long-term positive for the latter,” said Emkay Research in its report dated November 18. However, the analysts also point out that there is a flip side. Since LVB will now be delisted from the stock market, it will be a negative move for the minority investors in the company. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/bank-employees-to-go-on-a-nationwide-strike-tomorrow-in-solidarity-with-farmers-protests/articleshow/79402946.cms">Bank employees to go on a nationwide strike on November 26 in solidarity with farmers’ protests</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/twitters-verification-badges-are-set-to-make-a-return-here-all-the-terms-and-conditions-of-how-to-apply/articleshow/79402586.cms">Twitter's coveted blue ticks are making a comeback next year along with new account types and labels</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/elon-musk-led-space-x-is-ready-to-conduct-the-first-major-test-of-its-starship-rocket-next-week-and-set-a-new-record/articleshow/79401235.cms">Elon Musk-led Space X is ready to conduct the first major test of its Starship rocket next week and set a new record</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/15-of-the-43-apps-india-banned-today-are-dating-apps/articleshow/79389714.cms">One-third of the latest Chinese mobile apps banned by India are dating services</a>

LVB-DBS Bank India merger approved by Union Cabinet — ‘those who have made mistakes will be punished’

<keyword id="7543721" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chief-Minister-Pramod-Sawant">Chief Minister Pramod Sawant</keyword> on Friday thanked Union Minister for Environment and Forests <keyword id="119642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prakash-Javadekar">Prakash Javadekar</keyword> for sanctioning 100 electric buses, which would be added to the fleet of the state road transport corporation. "On behalf of people of Goa, I thank Shri @PrakashJavdekar Ji for sanctioning 100 electric buses for Kadamba Transport Corporation. This will mark the beginning of KTC's transformation towards greener transportation, improving operational efficiency &amp; reducing carbon footprint," Sawant tweeted. Earlier, Javadekar had tweeted: "100 electric buses have been sanctioned for Goa's Kadamba Transport Corporation. These environment friendly e-buses for the intercity services of Goa would help protect environment as well as improve mobility. @DrPramodPSawant @goacm @PIB_Panaji @BJP4Goa @DDNewsPanaji #FAME." The buses have been sanctioned under the Central government's Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &amp;) <keyword id="6354973" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicles">Electric Vehicles</keyword> in India (FAME India) scheme, which was initiated in 2015 to promote the manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicle technology and to ensure sustainable growth of the same. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/news/the-best-wildlife-photos-taken-this-year-reveal-a-pair-of-puffins-fighting-foxes-and-a-perfectly-camouflaged-hippo/slidelist/78297252.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">The best wildlife photos taken this year reveal a pair of puffins, fighting foxes, and a perfectly camouflaged hippo</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/the-senate-plans-to-subpoena-the-ceos-of-facebook-google-and-twitter-to-testify-before-congress-next-month/articleshow/78302874.cms">The Senate plans to subpoena the CEOs of Facebook, Google, and Twitter to testify before Congress next month</a>

Goa CM thanks Union Minister Javadekar for sanctioning 100 e-buses for KTC

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s working formulae is simple-delivering on promises, pro-activeness and good governance and Prakash Javadekar might have fulfilled many criteria to secure the Cabinet rank. 
 
In Modi’s new Cabinet, Javadekar is the lone junior minister who got promoted to the Cabinet rank. This is despite Javadekar, who was junior Environment Minister, was stripped off two main departments-Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, during the two-year reign of this government. 
 
What really helped Javadekar to get this promotion, was his pro-active role in the climate change talks in Paris. 
 
Under Javadekar: 
 
- India signed the historic Paris climate agreement along with more than 170 nations. India had maintained that the burden of fighting climate change cannot be put on the shoulders of the poor after decades of industrial development by the rich nations. 
 
- Initiatives such as increase in forest cover, better pollution monitoring and control and 2000 approvals unlocking Rs 10 lakh crore of investment were taken up. 
 
-A job potential of 10 lakh was created. Also, project approval period was reduced from 600 to 190 days and policy decisions and protecting India’s interest at COP 21 in Paris, etc worked in his favour. 
 
Some of his schemes for future may have also clicked with Modi such as incentivizing tree cover outside forest, promoting Ease of Doing Responsible Business, etc. 
 
Javadekar, a commerce graduate who is from Pune, rose from RSS ranks and was elected to Maharashtra Legislative Council twice between 1990 and 2002 before being first elected to Rajya Sabha in 2008. 
 
He represents Madhya Pradesh in Rajya Sabha. 
 
He was BJP spokesperson and party's incharge of Andhra Pradesh and also instrumental in striking a deal with Chandrababu Naidu's TDP to bring it into the NDA-fold.​ 
 
(Image: PIB)

Here’s what helped Prakash Javadekar to get promoted to Cabinet from a junior minister

New Delhi, Feb 19 () The government on Wednesday approved a Rs 4,558-crore scheme to promote the dairy sector which will benefit about 95 lakh farmers. Briefing reporters about the decisions taken by the Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said that this scheme will take the "White revolution" to the next level. He further said that the Cabinet has also decided to raise the benefit under the interest subvention scheme from 2 per cent to 2.5 per cent. Both the decisions are aimed at benefitting the farming community, the I&amp;B minister added. NKD MJH CS PRSMRMR

Govt approves Rs 4,558 cr scheme for the dairy sector: Javadekar

Aimed at bringing 300 million people online, search giant <keyword id="6355629" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Google">Google</keyword> has partnered content providers along with government agency, <keyword id="541856" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="CDAC">CDAC</keyword> to make regional content available on Internet. 
 It has announced the creation of the Indian Language Internet Alliance (<keyword id="2582343" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="ILIA">ILIA</keyword>), and through this group it is looking at promoting the growth of Indic-language content online. The ILIA is composed of Times Internet Limited, Patrika Group, Process Nine Technologies Pvt Ltd, Prost Innovation Pvt Ltd, Reverie Language Technologies Private Limited, Ver Se Innovation/NewsHunt, Webdunia.com etc in addition to Google. Under this alliance, Google also launched a new website called www.<keyword id="6357660" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="hindi">hindi</keyword>web.com which curates content from these content partners in Hindi language. 
	 

	In order to provide Internet connectivity to 300 million by 2017, Google will also offer voice search service in Hindi. Going forward, Google also plans to include other Indian languages such as Tamil, Marathi and Bengali. 
 

	"India has about 200 million Internet users with about 5 million new users being added every month with 100 percent coming through mobile devices. At this pace, India will overtake the US in terms of number of users in the next 12 months," Google India Vice President and Managing Director Rajan Anandan said.
 

	“However, only 198 million people in the country are estimated to be proficient in English with most of them already on the Internet. The group is committed to promoting the growth of Indic- language content online. The Indian Language Internet Alliance (ILIA) hopes to enable 300 million Indian language speakers to become highly engaged Internet users by 2017," he added.
 

	Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar welcomed this move and expressed hope that if Internet becomes available in Indian languages, then the number of Internet users in the country will go up to 50 crore. “This will help in realisation of digital India initiative of the government. It is an important initiative," he said. 
	Disclaimer: Business Insider India is run by Times Internet Ltd. which is part of the ILIA

Google Has A New Gameplan To Win More Internet Users In India

New Delhi, The Union government has sanctioned 670 <keyword id="6358344" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-buses">electric buses</keyword> for Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat and Chandigarh, and 241 charging stations in Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat and Port Blair under Phase-II of the 'FAME India' Scheme. Union Minister of Heavy Industries Prakash Javadekar said on Friday, "This is a big push to Prime Minister's vision of eco-friendly Public transportation." Announcing this in a series of tweets, Javadekar said the decision reflects the government's commitment to reduce dependence on fossil fuel and to address issues of vehicular emissions." The Department of Heavy Industries (DHI) under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises is administering the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &amp;) <keyword id="6354973" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicles">Electric Vehicles</keyword> in India (FAME India) Scheme since April, 2015 to promote adoption of electric/hybrid vehicles (xEVs) in India. In the first phase of the scheme up to March 31, 2019, about 2,80,987 hybrid and electric vehicles were supported by way of demand incentive, amounting to about Rs 359 crore. Further, DHI sanctioned 425 electric and hybrid buses to various cities in the country with a total cost of about Rs 280 crores. The Department of Heavy Industry had also sanctioned 520 charging stations for Rs 43 crore (approx.) in cities like Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Jaipur and Delhi under Phase-I of <keyword id="2800532" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="FAME-India-scheme">FAME India Scheme</keyword>. At present, Phase-II of FAME India Scheme is being implemented for a period of three years from April 1, 2019 with a total budgetary support of Rs 10,000 crore. This phase focuses on supporting electrification of public and shared transportation and aims to support through subsidies, approximately 7000 e-Buses, five lakh e-3 wheelers, 55,000 e-4 wheeler passenger cars and 10 lakh e-2 wheelers. In addition, creation of charging infrastructure is also supported to address the anxiety among users of electric vehicles. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/news/the-best-wildlife-photos-taken-this-year-reveal-a-pair-of-puffins-fighting-foxes-and-a-perfectly-camouflaged-hippo/slidelist/78297252.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">The best wildlife photos taken this year reveal a pair of puffins, fighting foxes, and a perfectly camouflaged hippo</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/the-senate-plans-to-subpoena-the-ceos-of-facebook-google-and-twitter-to-testify-before-congress-next-month/articleshow/78302874.cms">The Senate plans to subpoena the CEOs of Facebook, Google, and Twitter to testify before Congress next month</a>

Central government sanctions 670 electric buses, 241 charging stations for 9 states under FAME scheme

New Delhi, Feb 12 () A Bill to regulate business of pesticides and compensate farmers in case of losses from usage of spurious agro-chemicals will be introduced in the ongoing session of Parliament, the government said on Wednesday.The Union Cabinet on Wednesday had approved Pesticides Management Bill, 2020."As far as farmers are concerned because that is our primary concern, Pesticides Management Bill will be introduced in this session of Parliament. Today pesticide business is regulated by 1968 rules which have become age old and needs immediate rewriting," Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters.The minister informed that a Bill in this regard was presented in 2008."In 2008 that effort was done. Bill was presented. It was discussed thoroughly in Standing Committee. After taking cue from standing committee recommendations, this new bill has been drafted," he added.The main objective of the Bill is to protect the interest of farmers and ensure they get safe and effective pesticides. "Secondly, he (farmer) will not get spurious pesticides. Because many times he is at the receiving end if he gets spurious pesticides," the minister said.Javadekar said farmers would also be empowered to get all information as the data would be in open source and in all languages. "More importantly he will know about the strength and weakness of pesticides, the risk and alternatives and this will be an open data in digital format also." The minister said farmers would essentially get these information from the dealers selling pesticides. The bill also intends to promote organic pesticides.The minister informed that all pesticide manufacturers have to be registered and bound by the new Act, once it is passed. Even their advertisements will be regulated that there should be no confusion or no cheating in any way of the farmers."If there is any loss because of the spurious or low quality of pesticides then there is a provision for compensations. This is unique feature of this bill. The penalties collected from the companies and money put if required by the government will form a central fund which will take care of compensation," Javadekar said.The minister said this is an important bill for farming community and yet another step by the Modi government for the welfare of farmers. NKD MJH CS MKJ

Pesticides Management Bill gets Cabinet nod, to be tabled in Parliament

(Eds: Adding more details)New Delhi, Feb 12 () A bill to regulate pesticides business and compensate farmers in case of losses from usage of spurious agro-chemicals will be introduced in the Budget session of Parliament, the government said on Wednesday. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved Pesticides Management Bill, 2020, which seeks to replace the Insecticides Act, 1968, for regulating the pesticide sector by fixing prices and setting up an authority. It would also regulate advertisements of pesticides and provides for heavy penalty as well as jail term for any violation of the law. "As far as farmers are concerned because that is our primary concern, Pesticides Management Bill, 2020 will be introduced in this session of Parliament. Today, pesticide business is regulated by 1968 rules which have become age old and needs immediate rewriting," Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters. The minister said this is an important bill for farming community and yet another step by the government for the welfare of farmers. Highlighting various features of the proposed law, Javadekar said the main objective is to protect the interest of farmers and ensure they get safe and effective pesticides. "Secondly, he (farmer) will not get spurious pesticides. Because many times he is at the receiving end if he gets spurious pesticides," the minister said. Javadekar informed that all pesticide manufacturers have to be registered under the new Act, once it is passed. "Even their advertisements will be regulated that there should be no confusion or no cheating in any way of the farmers," he added. Javadekar also said that if there is any loss because of the spurious or low quality of pesticides, then there is a provision for compensations. This is a unique feature of the bill, he added. "The penalties collected from the companies and money put, if required, by the government will form a central fund which will take care of compensation," he added. That apart, Javadekar said farmers would be empowered to get all information as the data would be in open source and in all languages. "More importantly, he (farmer) will know about the strength and weakness of pesticides, the risk and alternatives and this will be an open data in digital format also," he noted. The minister said farmers would essentially get these information from the dealers selling pesticides. The bill also intends to promote organic pesticides. Javadekar informed that a bill in this regard was presented in 2008. In 2008, a Pesticide Management Bill was approved by the Cabinet and introduced in the Rajya Sabha. After that, it was referred to the standing committee on agriculture. During the first term of the Modi government, a draft bill was prepared by the in 2017-18. The draft bill sought to regulate the import, manufacture, export, storage, sale, transport, distribution, quality and use of pesticides with a view to control pests. Other provisions included ensuring availability of quality pesticides, permitting use only after assessing its efficacy and safety and minimising the contamination of agricultural commodities by pesticide residues. Pesticide companies would have to pay a huge penalty ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50 lakh for violation of any rules and regulations, according to the earlier draft. The new bill also proposes imprisonment of up to five years, up from two years at present. The second phase of the Budget session starts from March 2. NKD MJH CS RAM

Pesticides Management Bill gets Cabinet nod

The Centre on Monday night invited agitating <keyword id="3627663" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="farmer-unions">farmer unions</keyword> for talks on December 1, two days ahead of a scheduled meeting, as their stir against the new agri-marketing laws appeared to intensify despite a strong defence of the legislation by the government and <keyword id="6354814" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="prime-minister-narendra-modi">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</keyword> who accused the opposition of "playing tricks" on farmers again through misinformation. The development came a day after the protesting farmers rejected the Centre's offer to start talks as soon as they move to Burari and continued to stay put Singhu and Tikri borders of the national capital. "Keeping in view the cold and COVID-19, we have invited leaders of farmer unions for discussion much before the scheduled December 3 meeting," Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told and urged the farmers to end their stir. Addressing a press conference on Monday, representatives of agitating farmers said on Monday they have come to Delhi for a "decisive" battle and asked Prime Minister Modi to listen to their "mann ki baat". Peaceful sit-ins by farmers, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, continued for the fifth day at the Singhu and Tikri borders with no untoward incident reported after Friday's violence, while the numbers of protestors swelled at the Ghazipur border. "Our demands are non-negotiable," Jagmohan Singh, general secretary Bhartiya Kisan Union (Dakaunda), said addressing a press conference by representatives of farmers at Singhu border. "We have come here to fight a decisive battle.... We have come to Delhi to ask the prime minister to listen to 'mann ki baat' of farmers, else the government and the ruling party will have to pay a heavy price...," he said. The opposition parties too stepped up pressure, asking the Centre to "respect the democratic struggle" of the farmers and repeal the laws. Security was beefed up by the Delhi Police and concrete barriers placed at all borders points connecting the city with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh as the farmers threatened to block all highways to the national capital. Long queues of vehicles choked the roads as the Delhi Police kept the Singhu and Tikri borders closed and heightened checking at others. Amid the rancour of protests, farmers were seen performing 'Ardas' (prayer) at the Haryana-Delhi border and distributing 'karah parshad' among the people on <keyword id="3846034" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Guru-Nanak-Jayanti">Guru Nanak Jayanti</keyword>. At dusk, earthen lamps were placed on the barricades by the protesting farmers who exchanged sweets while preparing for another winter night in their tractor-trollys which have been turned into makeshift shelters. Many protesters said that they have come prepared for a long haul with rations and other necessities. During the day several union ministers and BJP leaders again urged the farmers not to have "misconceptions" about these reforms which, they asserted, have nothing to do with the mechanism of minimum support price (MSP) and 'mandi' that will continue along with the government's purchase of grains. The prime minister, who was visiting his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi, too allayed concerns that MSP and mandi mechanism would be discontinued, even as he attacked the opposition. "The farmers are being deceived on these historic agriculture reform laws by the same people who have misled them for decades," he said, in an apparent reference to parties that are supporting the protest. He reiterated that farmers who wanted to follow the old system of trading - referring to the 'mandis' where they can get the MSP - are still free to do so. But the three laws gave them new options to sell for more, he said. He said whenever new laws are enacted questions are bound to be asked. "But presently a new trend is being seen in the country. The protests are based on creating doubts through misinformation," Modi said at a public gathering. "We must remember that those doing so are the ones who had for decades deceived farmers," he claimed. The MSP used to be declared but very little procurement was done on it, he claimed. "Farmers have faced deceit on MSP, loan waiver schemes, urea and productivity for a long time in the past," he said. He claimed that it is because of this "long history of deceit" that farmers are again wary as they are seeing the new move in the same manner. Though the protesting farmers have been adamant about not allowing any political party to use their platform, the opposition has come out in their support. The Congress launched a social media campaign to muster support for the farmers and said its members will extend assistance to the protesters, while the DMK and its allies too issued a statement slamming the government's stand. "The Modi government has persecuted the farmer - first it brought black laws and then used lathis against them, but it forgot that when the farmer raises his voice, it resonates throughout the country. You also raise your voice against the exploitation of farmers and join the #SpeakUpForFarmers campaign," Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi. A joint statement was issued by DMK president M K Stalin, TNCC chief K S Alagiri, MDMK general secretary Vaiko, CPI(M) state secretary K Balakrishnan, Communist Party of India state secretary R Mutharasan and others slamming the Centre's stand. "More than 500 farmer unions from across India have rallied on behalf of the country's 62 million farmers. We all strongly condemn the dictatorial, hegemonic BJP government for disregarding this massive rally and stipulating that negotiations will only take place only if the farmers go to the Burari ground," it said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to the people of Delhi to help the protesters and urged the Centre to hold talks with them at the earliest. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose JD(U) is a constituent of the BJP-led, expressed the hope that the Centre will be able to allay the fears about MSP in its dialogue with the farmers. "The Centre has proposed to hold talks with the agitating farmers. Once they sit across the table, it will become clear that fears over MSP are unfounded," he told reporters. Nagaur (Rajasthan) MP Hanuman Beniwal, an alliance partner of NDA , said he will have to reconsider his party's support to the Centre if the new agricultural reform laws are not withdrawn. Beniwal, the convener of <keyword id="6996429" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rashtriya-Loktantrik-Party">Rashtriya Loktantrik Party</keyword> (RLP), appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to withdraw the three farm laws immediately and implement all the recommendations made by the Swaminathan Commission. Farmers, who had reached the Nirankari Samagam Ground in Burari on Saturday, also continued their protest. Sukhwinder Singh, who has been agitating at the Tikri border for the fifth consecutive day, said farmers don't want to go to Burari ground --- the designated protest site identified for the demonstration. "We have enough ration to sustain for at least six months. We do not wish to go to Burari. If we proceed from here, we will only go to Jantar Mantar. We will not protest anywhere else," Singh said. Tractor-trolleys have occupied over a 10-km-long stretch along the Ambala-Delhi national highway. Many protesters have cushioned their trolleys with layers of straw and laid mattresses over them to protect them from the cold. Night temperatures over the last few days have been settling at around 9 degrees Celsius. Among the protesters are men and women aged over 70 years. Flags of various farmers' outfits from Punjab and Haryana can be seen fluttering atop the tractors, some of which are fitted with loudspeakers and used by the leaders of peasants' bodies to address the gatherings. Having gathered here in thousands amid the coronavirus pandemic, the farmers claim adverse conditions do not affect them as they are used to various challenges anyway while working in the fields. Experts warn their agitation could well be a COVID-19 superspreader as there have been few signs of social distancing during the protests that started last week with the farmers, banded under various organisations, leaving their homes and moving towards Delhi. "A protest is a mass gathering and thus from a public health perspective, I would urge protective and preventive behaviour against the spread of coronavirus infection, failing which a superspreading event might set in," cautioned Dr Samiran Panda, head of the Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases division at the Indian Council of Medical Research. The farmers are protesting against the three laws -- Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020; Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020 -- that took effect from September 27 after President <keyword id="6354561" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="ram-nath-kovind">Ram Nath Kovind</keyword>'s assent. The farmers have expressed apprehension that the Centre's farm laws would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the "mercy" of big corporates. The government has maintained that the new laws will bring farmers better opportunities and usher in new technologies in agriculture. In a series of tweets in Hindi, BJP leader and Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad sought to refute criticism of these bills. "New agri laws do not end APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) mandis. Mandis will continue to operate as they have been. New laws have given farmers the freedom to sell their produce anywhere. Whoever gives farmers the best price will get to buy their produce be it inside the mandis or outside," he said. Many misconceptions like the farm bills are a conspiracy to not offer farmers MSP, are being spread, he said, adding that the reality is that these legislations have nothing to do with the minimum support price. "The MSP has been in force and will remain in force," he said. Another senior BJP leader and Union minister Prakash Javadekar said, "Don't have misconceptions about the farm laws. Farmers of Punjab have sold more paddy in mandi than they did last year and at a higher MSP. MSP is alive and so is mandi. And government purchase is also taking place." SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/news/fauci-and-public-health-experts-are-sounding-the-alarms-about-another-coronavirus-surge-after-americans-traveled-for-the-thanksgiving-holiday/articleshow/79479417.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Fauci and public health experts are sounding the alarms about another coronavirus surge after Americans traveled for the Thanksgiving holiday</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/from-whitehat-jr-big-basket-and-unacademy-to-dunzo-these-are-the-indian-startups-that-reported-data-leaks-over-the-past-few-months/slidelist/79467618.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">From WhiteHat Jr, Big Basket, and Unacademy to Dunzo — these are the Indian startups that reported data leaks over the past few months</a>

Centre invites agitating farmer unions for talks on December 1, two days ahead of a scheduled meeting

NEW DELHI: <keyword id="71" type="POSITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Prime-Minister">Prime Minister</keyword> <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> killed at least two birds with one stone with his retire-at-75 policy: He managed to keep about 10 septua-and-octogenarian BJP leaders such as Murli <keyword id="6602480" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Manohar-Joshi">Manohar Joshi</keyword>, CP Thakur, Bhola Singh and Karia Munda out of the ministry, which in turn helped create space for several Young Turks, whom he made ministers of state with independent charge (MoS-IC) of portfolios that are far meatier than some of the Cabinet posts he's doled out to more senior party colleagues. 
 Many of these MoS-IC positions have in the past been part of the Cabinet. Piyush Goyal, for instance, gets independent charge of power, coal and new &amp; renewable energy – that's actually three Cabinet positions. Same with Nirmala Sitharaman, who has independent charge of commerce and industry. Dharmendra Pradhan, a <keyword id="127192" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="BJP-general-secretary">BJP general secretary</keyword>, has got petroleum and natural gas, a heavyweight Cabinet responsibility in the past. Prakash Javadekar's I&amp;B and environment portfolios have often been in the Cabinet. 
 
Minute planning went into the ministry-making process. Nripendra Mishra, who was on Tuesday tipped as principal secretary to PM, played a key role and helped the BJP core team come up with the relatively small council of ministers. It would have been even smaller – around 35 members – if there had been agreement on a full-scale restructuring of ministries. For instance, a proposal to merge three industry ministries – heavy industry, DIPP and micro, small and medium enterprises – couldn't be implemented because it would meant sacrificing two Cabinet posts and one of MoS. 
 
 
 
 
There was another, possibly secondary, reason: The key portfolios related to manufacturing and job creation would have had to be assigned to a senior leader who may not have been as aligned to Modi's crucial reforms agenda as the Young Turks. In the Vajpayee government, the reforms process was blocked by three senior ministers – Ram Naik, Murli Manohar Joshi and Shiv Sena's Manohar Joshi. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Significantly, Nirmala Sitharaman also has additional portfolios of MoS for finance and corporate affairs under <keyword id="42575" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Arun-Jaitley">Arun Jaitley</keyword> – which, in a sense, makes him 'super-minister' of finance, industry and commerce. With Sitharaman also MoS finance, other turf battles involving exporters or SEZs can be resolved more easily. 
 Also, in a bid to avoid differences between the finance ministry and the department of industrial policy and promotion related to <keyword id="44528" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="FDI">FDI</keyword> policy and investment agreements, there could be a move to transfer DIPP to finance. 
 
 
 
With economic reforms high on Modi's checklist, there is talk of a search for a few competent officers to drive the agenda from the PMO. A secretary-rank officer handling infrastructure ministries is said to be on the cards. This will be a throwback to the Vajpayee PMO where initially N K Singh, and later S Narayan, coordinated the economic agenda of the NDA. 
 
While Modi's choice of ministers is said to have been driven primarily by considerations such as like-mindedness and efficiency, some 'social balancing' was unavoidable. Kalraj Mishra, a veteran Brahmin leader from UP, who has got the micro, small and medium enterprises portfolio, appears to have been a beneficiary of Murli Manohar Joshi's enforced absence from Cabinet.

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