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New Delhi, The <keyword id="6362177" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-government">Union Government</keyword> plans to sell 10% stake in Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers Ltd (RCFL) through the offer for sale (OFS). The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management has sought bids from law firms to act as legal advisers and assist the government in the process. A domestic law firm will act as the legal adviser to the transaction and submit proposals in a consortium with an international law firm of repute, with similar experience and expertise in public offerings or OFS in capital markets, <keyword id="6470244" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="dipam">DIPAM</keyword> said in a notice. The <keyword id="6356303" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Centre">Centre</keyword> currently holds 75 per cent stake in the public sector undertaking (PSU). The notice said: "The GoI intends to disinvest 10 per cent paid-up equity capital of RCFL out of its shareholding of 75.0006 per cent, through 'Offer for Sale (OFS) method of shares by promoters through the stock exchanges' as per Securities and Exchange Board of India (<keyword id="35210" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="sebi">SEBI</keyword>) Rules and Regulations." The government is also considering allotting shares to eligible and willing employees of the RCFL at a discount on the issue or discovered price up to a maximum of certain percentage of the OFS size subsequent to completion of the transaction under OFS. The percentage and extent shall be decided in due course. The notice also said that merchant bankers or selling brokers will be required to render such assistance. Rashtriya Chemicals &amp; Fertilisers Ltd is a Mini-Ratna fertiliers and chemicals manufacturing company under the administrative control of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. It has two operating units, one at Trombay in Mumbai and the other at <keyword id="1314206" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Thal">Thal</keyword> in Maharashtra's Raigad district, about 100 km from Mumbai. RCFL manufactures urea, complex fertilisers, bio-fertilisers, micro-nutrients, 100 per cent water-soluble fertilisers, soil conditioners, and a wide range of industrial chemicals. The authorised share capital of the company is Rs 800 crore and the paid-up equity capital is Rs 551.69 crore as on March 31, 2020.

Centre plans to sell 10% stake in Rashtriya Chemicals via OFS

The <keyword id="6355512" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-cabinet">Union Cabinet</keyword> on Wednesday decided to restore Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for central government employees and pensioners from July 1, 2021 while increasing the rate of allowance to 28 percent. The increase in the DA and DR will impose an additional annual burden of ₹34,401 crore on the exchequer, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag <keyword id="6360857" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="thakur">Thakur</keyword> told reporters after the cabinet meeting. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the <keyword id="6362177" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-government">Union Government</keyword> had frozen the three additional instalments of the DA and DR which were due from January 1, 2020, July 1, 2020 and January 1, 2021. The move, Thakur said, will benefit about 48.34 <keyword id="11638790" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="lakh-central">lakh central</keyword> employees and 65.26 pensioners. "The government has decided to increase DA to central government employees and DR to pensioners with effect from July 1, 2021 representing an increase of 11 per cent over the existing rate of 17 per cent of the basic pay/pension," said a release. "#Cabinet approves restoring of three instalments of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief with effect from 01.07.2021 representing an increase of 11% over the existing rate of 17% of the Basic Pay/Pension. No arrears for the period from 01.01.2020 till 30.06.2021 shall be paid," the official handle of <keyword id="44978" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="PIB">PIB</keyword> tweeted. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/tatva-chintan-pharma-chem-ipo-anti-china-sentiment-across-the-globe-maybe-a-boon-for-this-speciality-chemical-company/articleshow/84404755.cms">Tatva Chintan Pharma Chem IPO: Anti-China sentiment across the globe maybe a boon for this speciality chemical company</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/new-smartphone-oppo-reno-6-and-reno-6-pro-5g-price-specification-and-features/articleshow/84406144.cms">Oppo Reno 6, Reno 6 Pro 5G smartphones with 65W fast charging launched in India – price, specifications and availability details</a>

Government hikes dearness allowance to 28% effective from July 1

<keyword id="6358777" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="new-delhi" source="Orion">New Delhi</keyword>, March 14 (IANS) The <keyword id="6362177" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-government" source="Orion">Union Government</keyword> after deliberations with scientific bodies decided on Monday to start <keyword id="9257042" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-vaccination" source="Orion">Covid vaccination</keyword> for 12-14 year age group from March 16. Those teenagers born in 2008, 2009 and 2010 or those who are already above 12 years of age of population will be administered <keyword id="8764262" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="covid" source="Orion">Covid</keyword> vaccines from March 16. The Covid-19 vaccine to be administered would be Corbevax manufactured by Hyderabad based Biological E, said the <keyword id="83655" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-health-ministry" source="Orion">Union Health Ministry</keyword>. The government has also decided that the condition of co-morbidity for Covid-19 precaution dose for population over 60 years of age will be removed forthwith. "If children are safe then the country is safe! I am happy to inform that the Covid vaccination program for the children in the age group of 12 to 13 and 13 to 14 is starting from March 16", said Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in a tweet. "Also, everyone aged 60 plus will now be able to get precaution dose. I urge the families of children and people in the age group of 60 plus that they must get the vaccine", he said in the same tweet in Hindi. The ministry said that the population above 14 years of age is already being administered vaccines under the ongoing vaccination drive. "Hence, from 16th March 2022 onwards, the entire population above 60 years of age will be eligible for Precaution Dose of COVID19 vaccine", said the ministry. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/india-records-the-lowest-single-day-covid-19-spike-only-2503-cases-in-680-days/articleshow/90195533.cms">India records the lowest single-day COVID-19 spike, only 2,503 cases in 680 days</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/paytms-shares-hit-an-all-time-low-plunging-below-the-700-mark-after-rbi-pulls-up-its-payments-bank/articleshow/90193957.cms">Paytm’s shares hit an all-time low plunging below the ₹700-mark after RBI pulls up its payments bank</a>

India to begin COVID-19 vaccination for kids aged 12 to 14 from Wednesday

The monetisation of railways' assets is likely to be one of the key agenda items in the forthcoming <keyword id="6360189" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="union-budget" source="Orion">Union Budget</keyword> for 2023-24, which Finance Minister <keyword id="129243" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="Orion">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> is going to present on February 1. In 2021-22, the <keyword id="54441" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="railway-ministry" source="Orion">Railway Ministry</keyword> had set a target of monetising railways assets worth Rs 17,000 crore, however due to poor response from the private sector, the target could not be achieved. Even this fiscal's target of railways' asset monetisation of Rs 57,000 crore is likely to be halved as the department has not been able to meet it till now, sources aware of developments, said. It is likely to be brought down to around Rs 25,000 crore as the Railway Ministry has not been able to monetise its assets during the current fiscal and only three months are left for 2022-23 to end, the sources added. Despite lack of enthusiasm shown by investors in railways' assets, the government is bullish on pushing them and in the forthcoming Union Budget, it is likely to set a target, albeit a reasonable one, for monetisation of railways assets, the sources said. Under asset monetisation, the government transfers revenue rights to private parties for a specified transaction period in return for a revenue share and commitment of investments in the assets. The assets are monetised through models like Public Private Partnership (PPP) - Operate Maintain Transfer (OMT), <keyword id="6288212" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="toll-operate-transfer" source="Orion">Toll Operate Transfer</keyword> (TOT), and <keyword id="6363823" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="operations" source="Orion">Operations</keyword>, Maintenance and Development (OMD). Under monetisation, the government does not sell assets, but leases them for a certain period for redevelopment and operations by a private entity, while continuing to retain their ownership. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/fintechs-raised-5-65-bn-in-2022-a-47-drop-from-2021-tracxn/articleshow/97123507.cms">Fintechs raised $5.65 bn in 2022, a 47% drop from 2021: Tracxn</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/adani-enterprises-fpo-20000-crore-green-hydrogen-ambitions-and-debt-repayment/articleshow/97123733.cms">Adani Enterprises’ ₹20,000 crore FPO opens on January 27, will fuel its green hydrogen ambitions, repay debt</a>

Government bullish on railway assets monetisation in Union Budget

New Delhi, The <keyword id="6357801" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="union">Union</keyword> <keyword id="26362" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Government">government</keyword>'s fiscal deficit soared to ₹10.75 lakh crore, or 135.1% of the 2020-21 Budget Estimates (BE), at the end of November 2020, mainly on account of low realisation of revenue due to disruption in business activities amid the coronavirus pandemic. The fiscal deficit at the end of November 2019 had stood at 114.8% of 2019-20 BE. In absolute terms, the fiscal deficit stood at ₹10,75,507 crore at the end of November 2020, according to the latest data released by the <keyword id="513373" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Controller-General-of-Accounts">Controller General of Accounts</keyword> (CGA). The lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus had significantly impacted business activities and, in turn, contributed to sluggish revenue realisation. The fiscal defict, or gap between the expenditure and revenue, had breached the annual target in July this year. The government's total receipts stood at ₹8,30,851 crore (37% of BE 2020-21) till the end of November 2020. This included ₹6,88,430 crore tax revenue (net to centre), ₹1,24,280 crore of non-tax revenue and Rs 18,141 crore of non-debt capital receipts. Non-debt capital receipts consist of recovery of loans and disinvestment proceeds. The tax revenue collection was 42.1% of BE of 2020-21, compared with 45.5% of BE (2019-20) during the corresponding period a year ago. Non-tax revenue was 32.3% of BE. During the corresponding period of the last fiscal, it was 74.3% of BE 2019-20. During the corresponding period last fiscal, the total receipts were 48.6% of 2019-20 BE. According to the data, over ₹3.34 lakh crore were transferred to state governments as devolution of share of taxes by the <keyword id="6377129" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-of-india">Government of India</keyword> up to November 2020. The CGA data said the total expenditure incurred by the government stood at ₹19,06,358 crore or 63% of BE. Of the total expenditure, ₹16,65,200 crore was on revenue account and ₹2,41,158 crore on capital account. It further said that out of the total revenue expenditure, over ₹3.83 lakh crore was on account of interest payments and ₹2,02,119 crore towards major subsidies. For this financial year, the government had pegged the fiscal deficit at ₹7.96 lakh crore or 3.5% of the GDP in the <keyword id="6360189" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-budget">Union Budget</keyword>, which was presented by <keyword id="25455" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="finance">Finance</keyword> Minister <keyword id="129243" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> in February 2020. These figures, however, may have to be revised significantly in view of the economic disruptions created by the coronavirus pandemic. Fiscal deficit had soared to seven-year high of 4.6% of the gross domestic product in 2019-20, mainly due to poor revenue realisation. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/top-stocks-to-watch-tata-steel-vedanta-adani-green-tata-motors-maruti-mm-dhfl-v-mart-indian-bank-and-others/articleshow/80038635.cms">Top stocks to watch — Tata Steel, Vedanta, Adani Green, Tata Motors, Maruti, M&amp;M, DHFL, V-Mart, Indian Bank, and others</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/checkout-the-list-of-upcoming-new-mobiles-in-january-2021-with-expected-price/articleshow/80039794.cms">Upcoming smartphones in India in January 2021</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/ten-of-the-most-outrageous-predictions-for-2021-according-to-saxo-bank/slidelist/80040045.cms">From Amazon buying Cyprus to Germany bailing out France — here are ten of the most ‘outrageous’ predictions for 2021</a>

India's fiscal deficit is more than double its FY21 target

Six <keyword id="530930" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="new-IITs">new IITs</keyword> will come up at Tirupati, Palakkad, Dharwar, Bhilai, Goa and Jammu while ISM Dhanbad will also be upgraded to an <keyword id="6354859" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="IIT">IIT</keyword>. 

	The Union Cabinet which met today gave its ex post facto approval to amend The Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 for incorporation of new IITs at Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), Palakkad (Kerala), Dharwar (Karnataka), Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), Goa, Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) and conversion of Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad to an IIT under the law.
 

	"The approval will bring six new Indian Institutes of Technology within the ambit of The Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 and declaring them as the institutions of national importance," an official statement said in New Delhi.
 

	The amendment will also help convert ISM, Dhanbad into an IIT by bringing it into the ambit of the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961.
 

	The Cabinet also gave ex post facto approval to set up NIT, Andhra Pradesh which has been registered as a Society under the Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act, 2001.
 

	The Cabinet also approved introduction of a bill - the National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2016 for inclusion of the NIT, Andhra Pradesh in its first schedule, another statement said.
 

	"The proposed amendments to the NITSER Act, 2007 will ensure a high level of public accountability and increased participation of the stakeholders in the administration and academic activities of the Institute," the statement said.

Union Cabinet Gives Approval To 6 New IITs

<keyword id="6354743" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon-India">Amazon India</keyword> and Flipkart are studying the Budget proposal on levy of one per cent TDS, and will reach out to the government for clarifications. "We are studying the details, and will reach out to the government for clarifications. We hope the tax regime is simple and uniform so that millions of small and medium businesses can go online, digitise their operations and continue to contribute to growing the economy," an Amazon India spokesperson said in response to an e-mailed query. Flipkart also said it was going through the proposal.
 "We are studying the details, particularly how it impacts the MSMEs and Sellers on our marketplace platform. We will discuss further with our seller partners, and engage with government and other stakeholders in due course," Flipkart said in its response.
 The government on Saturday proposed a new levy of 1 per cent TDS (tax deducted at source) on e-commerce transactions, a move that could increase burden on sellers on such platforms.
 "In order to widen and deepen the tax net by bringing participants of e-commerce (sellers) within tax net, it is proposed to insert a new section 194-O in the Act so as to provide for a new levy of TDS at the rate of one per cent," according to Budget 2020-21 documents.
 The amendments will take effect from April 1, 2020.
 The documents said the e-commerce operator -- an entity owning, operating or managing the digital platform -- will have to deduct 1 per cent TDS on the gross amount of sales or service or both. This provision will not apply in cases where the seller's gross amount of sales during the previous year through e-commerce operator is less than ₹5 lakh and the seller has furnished his PAN or Aadhaar number.
 An industry expert said the move will reduce cash flow for sellers as cash will be stuck with government in refund system. Given that many sellers are micro, small and medium enterprises, it would add pressure on them.
 BookMyShow Head (Finance) Mitesh Shah said compliance on e-commerce has been increased by mandating them to deduct a TDS of 1 per cent on all goods and services sold on e-commerce platforms.
 "This would be in addition to TCS (tax collected at source) under GST (goods and services tax) and this amendment might further increase the cost of compliance for e-commerce companies," he added.
 A senior industry executive, who did not wish to be named, said levying the one per cent TDS on 'sales proceeds net of commission, shipping fees, listing fees etc' would have been more beneficial than the current proposal of the levy being imposed on gross sale. SR MSS
BAL See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/you-will-now-have-to-pay-14-5-tax-on-dividend-received-on-lic-policy/articleshow/73887794.cms?src=hp_ts">You will now have to pay 14.5% tax on dividend received on LIC policy</a>

Amazon, Flipkart and Bookmyshow need clarity on additional TDS imposed by Budget 2020

NAGPUR: The Maharashtra cabinet on Wednesday gave clearance to a proposal for setting up a disaster response force of its own on the lines of the <keyword id="119446" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="National-Disaster-Response-Force">National Disaster Response Force</keyword> (NDRF) set up by the <keyword id="6362177" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="union-government">Union government</keyword>. It also gave its nod for creating 428 posts for the proposed force. 
 
Every year floods, landslides, drought are annual features that affect 15 to 20 districts of the state, Last year, most of Vidarbha was hit by excessive rains, Latur in past was hit by earthquake. 
 
Instead of depending only on the NDRF's two units that are based in Talegaon Dabhade, the government feels the need to set up its own units for faster response. So two companies, each comprising three teams of 45 personnel each will be put in place. 
 The cabinet also decided to provide a financial grant of Rs221 crore to district central cooperative banks and primary cooperative agriculture credit societies in the state. While Rs131 crore will be given to DCCBs, farm credit societies will get Rs95 crore. Besides 31 DCCBs, there are 21,382 credit societies that work at village level. This capital infusion was necessitated to empower the cooperating farm <keyword id="6357455" type="EVENT" weightage="40" keywordseo="Funding">funding</keyword> network on which nearly 70% of farmers depend. The cooperative banks have been in trouble following state's decision in 2008-07 to offer farm loans at as low as 6% interest, a government note said. 
 
The Cabinet also expressed satisfaction that the monsoon had picked up well by July end and the aggregate rainfall received till now is 61% of the average for the season. Except for 10 districts, including Yavatmal, Nashik, Aurangabad where there is deficiency, other districts have received over 50% rainfall. By July 28, sowing was done in 62% of the 134 lakh hectares expected under kharif coverage.

Disaster Response Force For Maharashtra Cleared

<keyword id="71" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Prime-Minister">Prime Minister</keyword> <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>, in an interview to ANI, said the opposition alleging that his government is a 'suit-boot ki sarkaar' is definitely better and more acceptable than being labelled a 'suitcase' (ki sarkaar), and satirically added, that after ruling for sixty years, the <keyword id="1575" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress">Congress</keyword> has suddenly remembered the poor. 

	Excerpts:
 

	1. In a scale of 1-10, how would you grade your government?
 

	It is for the people of this country to grade and evaluate us. How can I take away their right? I have presented my report card to the country. Recently, media has published the findings of some surveys. You would already have seen them. I can only say that we have laid a solid foundation on which the people can rate us.
 

	2. You came in with the promise of 'Acche Din.' Have you been able to meet the goals that you set for yourself in the first year of the government?
 

	Yes. I am fully satisfied with the work that we have done. The most satisfying part of this year is that we have lived up to the promise that our intentions will be pure and our actions will be driven by long-term national interest. Recall the situation one year ago. Massive corruption at various levels of Government gave rise to scams on a regular basis. Our precious natural resources were going into the hands of a chosen few. In contrast, there are neither any charges of corruption against my Government nor any scandals. Corruption was seen as the biggest problem. We have given a clean, transparent and efficient Government. Burey Dino Ki Vidayee Hui hai. (Bad days are over). Is this not Acche Din for the country?
 

	3. What has been the single big success in the past year? 
 

	The achievements and successes of my government are numerous. However, I know that the success of a government's journey lies in reaching the last man. Therefore, our efforts were directed towards the poor and marginalized. We have also paid special attention to remote corners of the country. Our objective is to transform quality of life, infrastructure and services. We have worked simultaneously on all fronts which bring a smile on the face of the common man. I can give you some examples. From controlling food prices to enhancing farm productivity; improving Railways to strengthening Roads; generating electricity to its 24x7 availability; building school toilets to setting up IITs, IIMs and AIIMS; building houses for the homeless to upgrading our heritage cities; cleaning surroundings to bridging the digital divide; making world class products to skilling and employment generation; strengthening the banking system to funding the unfunded; ensuring labour welfare to providing social security to common man; rejuvenating rivers to irrigating fields; from enhancing co-operation with States to deepening foreign relations; we have worked at an energetic pace and with innovative spirit. 
 Bringing back black money was a major electoral promise, but then your party president, <keyword id="6355521" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amit-Shah">Amit Shah</keyword> gave the word 'jumla' to it and Arun Shourie criticized the procedures adopted by the finance ministry. How committed is your government in bringing back black money to India? 

	My Government is fully committed on the issue of Black Money. We want to crack down severely on tax evasion and black money. I had taken up this issue with world leaders during the G-20 summit. In our very first cabinet meeting, we formed an SIT. Then, we presented a new legislation in Parliament which is very stringent. We want to make it more difficult to evade taxes and siphon money abroad. We are also aggressively pursuing cases against those who have stashed funds illegally in foreign banks. Recently the names of some such persons have been revealed. We are also trying to move towards cashless transactions. We want to make maximum use of ICT in our tax administration.
 

	At the same time, we want to remove the discretion which causes corruption and generation of Black Money. Hence, we promulgated ordinances in sectors like coal and mines. It has proved to be a good step. We have generated Rs. 3.30 lakh crore for the country so far through transparent auction of some coal mines. Similar is the case with auction of spectrum. I can say that if your intentions are noble, you are sure to get success and required support.
 

	5. Key bills like the Land Acquisition Bill has got stiff opposition from the opposition. They have been able to create doubts about the government's intention. What do you have to say? 
 

	Opposition to our Land Bill is totally unjustified and unfortunate. We have not made any changes for private industry. Moreover, if you have money, you don't need a Land Acquisition Act to accumulate land. Some individuals have done so in Rajasthan, Haryana, Shimla, Delhi etc. Land acquisition becomes necessary for government-driven strategic and development activities, especially in undeveloped areas. 
 

	This too is done mostly by State Governments. We have made changes only in response to demands of the States. The benefits of these changes will also accrue to the rural poor in terms of irrigation, housing, electrification, as well as better physical and social infrastructure.
 
 

	In this country, the Land Acquisition Act was almost 120 years old. The Congress-led Governments used the same Act after independence. Suddenly, before the last Parliamentary elections, the Congress went to another extreme by legislating an Act which is neither in the interest of farmers nor in the interest of the country's development. 
 

	Now, they are not even ready to sit and discuss. We believe in dialogue with all political parties. I have personally appealed in Parliament that we are ready to open a dialogue with political parties and consider their suggestions. I hope that the parties will cooperate on issues of larger national importance without getting into political calculations. 
 

	6. How are you going to convince the farmers of this country that you mean well?
 

	The proposed Land Acquisition Bill focuses on benefitting the farmer and balancing the long-term interests of the nation. The world is changing fast. Even farmers need canals to irrigate, roads to transfer products from farms to markets. They need hospitals, schools and houses. Farmers want modern amenities in their vicinity and jobs in formal sectors for their sons and daughters. I have always believed that if we want inclusive development, we need amenities. We need to match the development of such amenities with agricultural growth. This is what the Bill strives to do while safeguarding the interests of farmers. Our amendments only aim to do away with the bureaucratic bottlenecks in the 2013 Act. I am sure the farmers of this country will understand where their real welfare lies.
 

	7. Agriculture is in distress in the country. To a large extent the problem is endemic and decades of mismanagement have resulted in the present situation but how does your government plan to stem the tide of farmer suicides and farming stress?
 
 The root causes of the problem find mention in your question itself. This is a very important issue and the Government is concerned about it. We have responded to the recent agrarian crisis with alacrity. We have undertaken several reforms. The <keyword id="6362177" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="union-government">Union Government</keyword> has enhanced the relief norms for compensation against crop loss by 50%. 

	The limit of minimum crop damage, for grant of compensation, has been reduced from 50% to 33%. Norms have been relaxed to allow procurement of damaged food grains at MSP rates. The target of agricultural credit has been enhanced in our two consecutive budgets. 
 

	But as you said, the problem in agriculture is endemic. Nothing much was done for six long decades. But we have started long-term steps for the farm sector. To address the issue of access to irrigation for every farm, and efficient utilization of water, the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) has been started. Blue Revolution which aims to improve production and productivity in the fisheries sector is also an action point. We have launched the soil health card scheme. The price stabilization fund with a corpus of Rs. 500 crores has also been set up for perishable commodities. Rashtriya Gokul Mission has been commenced with the objective of conserving and developing indigenous cattle breeds. We have made honest and sincere efforts for rural development. I have recently launched the Kisan Channel for giving timely information to farmers on inputs and markets. In the coming days, I would like to see more focused action on increasing Farm Productivity; Rural Industrialization; Skill Development in rural areas and rural trades, and faster Investments in Rural Infrastructure including cold chain.
 

	8. The opposition has termed your government as suit boot ki sarkar. What is your take on this allegation? 
 

	Suit-boot is definitely more acceptable than suitcase. After ruling for sixty years, the Congress has suddenly remembered the poor. People of this country have suffered and remained poor due to shortsighted policies of the Congress. Many countries of the world have surpassed us on all accounts including poverty removal. Congress did incremental work so as to keep the issue relevant for next election. Did the coal and spectrum scandals or the CWG fiasco benefit the poor? Everyone knows who were their beneficiaries - some chosen industrialists and contractors. The result of Congress's politics and governance of sixty years is that poverty is still our biggest challenge. One-fourth of the families are without shelter. Health, education, water, electricity and roads are even bigger unrealised dreams for a large number of citizens of this country. You should ask them- If you were pro-poor, why does poverty still exist in India?"
 

	9. Opposition says that your government is pro-industrialists.
 

	Those who gave away precious natural resources like coal and spectrum to their favourite industrialists have no right to say this. We are working for the common man of the country. 
 
 
 
 

	We implemented the Jan Dhan scheme and opened more than 14 crore bank accounts for financial inclusion. Earlier also, there were banks, as well as people without bank accounts. What did they do all these years?
 

	The so called pro-poor have been just repeating that there is leakage in subsidy. We used technology to ensure that LPG subsidy reaches the targeted person directly; We have launched MUDRA Bank for financing 6 crore small vendors and businesses 61% of whom are SCs, STs, OBCs and Minorities; We have launched the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana which the Congress did not think of in sixty years; We have planned to see that by 2022, no family remains without a roof over its head; The Soil Health Card scheme has been launched to enhance farm productivity and reduce expenses, thereby enhancing the farmer's income. 
 

	We have come out with a comprehensive social security scheme for the poor and marginalised, old and those with low income levels; Swachh Bharat Mission has been started to see that health and hygiene issues of the poor do not affect the working capacity and output of the poor and labourers; Railways, on which the common man travels, is being changed for the better.
 

	We have set up the Skill Development Ministry to enhance employability of the youth to whom we are committed to provide jobs through initiatives like 'Make in India'. In the past, the country had been led into an economy of jobless growth.
 

	We provided for reservation of women in the police forces of Union Territories. This was done even when there were no elections around the corner. 
 

	Through the regime of coal auction that we have put in place, more than Rs. three lakh crore have already been generated for the less-developed states of India. This money will be used for the poor of those states.
 
 These are just a few examples. Why were these things not done in the past sixty years. Who prevented them? Their worry is not that we are not pro-poor. Their worry is that they are being exposed as not being pro-poor. People are asking them: "If <keyword id="6360789" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi-Government">Modi Government</keyword> can think and do this in six to nine months, why could you not think and do it in sixty years." 

	10. You have travelled to 17 countries in 12 months...something that nobody expected you to do as you were seen as a novice on foreign policy matters. But you seem to enjoy running the country's foreign policy. Any comments? 
 

	Foreign engagements are international obligations on the part of the Prime Minister. All Prime Ministers have to do this. Moreover, this is an integrated world. We have to attend international, multilateral and bilateral summits, and build ties with our neighbours and other nations. Our foreign policy is mature and there is a full-fledged mechanism to pursue it. I have only added an element of dynamism to it. We have strived to strongly further our economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region. We have endeavoured to nurture new economic partnerships and tap reserves of energy, minerals, technology and finance from major economies.
 
 11. In real terms, do you see that the Chinese will actually deliver on the financial pledge they have done, that the US will open up its markets for India, that Pakistan will give up its anti-India agenda? That our smaller neighbours will stop seeing us as a bully? Yes, I am sure that the commitments and agreements will be implemented. We have received a commitment from the Government of <keyword id="6355311" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Japan">Japan</keyword> for facilitating public and private funding of 3.5 trillion Yen - or approximately $35 billion dollars - over the next five years; there are agreements with China on two industrial parks and intended investments of 20 billion US dollars; there are investment plans of about 42 billion U.S. dollars from U.S. companies over the next five years. <keyword id="6358826" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Russia">Russia</keyword> has proposed to manufacture helicopters in India. With Australia and Canada, we have signed civil nuclear cooperation agreements, and other agreements to strengthen our energy security. With the United States, we have moved forward in implementation of the civil nuclear agreement and signed a significant partnership agreement to use renewable energy for rapidly expanding rural access to energy. There has been good response from financial institutions, including pension funds from Korea, Canada, Australia and the US. There is a strong support in all major economies for our "Make in India" programme. 

	In the neighbourhood, there has been forward movement on the 5600 MW Pancheshwar project in Nepal, that was stuck for the last 25 years. Similarly, with Bangladesh we have settled the land boundary issue. We are working with a spirit of mutual benefit. There is no question of bullying anyone. Our recent help to Nepal during the natural calamity shows that our approach is brotherly. With Pakistan too, we will pursue our long-standing approach. We will continue our efforts to advance cooperation and connectivity, without compromising our national security. 
 

	12. If we were to return to domestic issues, you have come for criticism from many for not being able to reign in vitriolic elements in your party who have made disparaging remarks against minorities. What do you say? 
 

	Our Constitution guarantees religious freedom to every citizen and that is not negotiable. The tradition of welcoming, respecting and honouring all faiths is as old as India itself. As Swami Vivekananda said: We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. This principle of equal respect and treatment for all faiths has been a part of India's ethos for thousands of years. And that is how it became integral to the Constitution of India. Our Constitution did not evolve in a vacuum. It has roots in the ancient cultural traditions of India. I expect that everyone will understand and respect this.
 

	13. Why do some elements in your party feel emboldened to say awful things even though they ought to know that a Prime Minister of India cannot really support bigots in his cabinet? 
 

	I have said this before and I say it again: any discrimination or violence against any community will not be tolerated. My position on this is very clear: Sab ka saath, sab ka vikas. We stand for each of the 1.25 billion Indians regardless of caste or creed and we will work for the progress of each of them. Every faith in our country has equal rights; it is equal not only before the law but also before society. 

	 
	As published in ET.

Narendra Modi says suit-boot ki sarkaar better than suitcase ki sarkaar!

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesOne air traffic controller said she was unable to attend her grandmother's funeral during the shutdown as she hasn't been paid for weeks.</div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>America's 22,790 <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/air-traffic-controller">air-traffic controllers</a> have gone unpaid since the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/government-shutdown">government shutdown</a> began on December 22. </li><li>The National Air Traffic Controllers Association sued the federal government <a href="https://natca.org/index.php/newsroom-member-side/news-archive/2661-natca-sues-government-over-failure-to-pay-members-for-work-performed-during-shutdown">on January 11 </a>for "unlawfully depriv(ing)" its union members of wages.</li><li>One air traffic controller said she was unable to attend her grandmother's funeral during the shutdown as she hasn't been paid for weeks.</li><li>Two other federal employee unions have sued the government since the shutdown commenced.</li></ul>The union that represents America's <a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/2017/may/oes532021.htm">22,790 air-traffic controllers</a> is <a href="https://natca.org/index.php/newsroom-member-side/news-archive/2661-natca-sues-government-over-failure-to-pay-members-for-work-performed-during-shutdown">suing</a> the federal government. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is alleging that "the government unlawfully deprived NATCA members of their earned wages without due process," and thus violated the Fifth Amendment. On January 11, according to <a href="https://natca.org/images/NATCA_PDFs/TRO-motion.pdf">the NATCA's motion</a>, air-traffic controllers and other NATCA members should have been compensated for the first pay period of 2019. But, as some air-traffic controllers posted <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/unpaid-air-traffic-controllers-zero-dollar-pay-stub-government-shutdown-2019-1">on Twitter this week</a>, their pay stubs reflected a take-home pay of no more than $0. Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/unpaid-air-traffic-controllers-zero-dollar-pay-stub-government-shutdown-2019-1">Air-traffic controllers working unpaid during the government shutdown are posting their $0 pay stubs on Twitter</a>Neither NATCA nor its legal counsel Molly Elkin, partner at Woodley &amp; McGillivary LLP, immediately returned Business Insider's request for a comment. The White House also did not respond.The suit also argues that the federal government violated the Fair Labor Standards Act for not paying air-traffic controllers and other NATCA members at least minimum wage or overtime pay.As Business Insider's Benjamin Zhang <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/unpaid-air-traffic-controllers-zero-dollar-pay-stub-government-shutdown-2019-1">reported yesterday</a>, air-traffic controllers who are working unpaid are due to receive back pay once the shutdown ends. Furloughed workers might not receive any pay.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File</div></div></div>The shutdown has hurt air-traffic controllers in ways that won't be addressable through back pay, the suit alleges. One NATCA member said she couldn't afford travel to her grandmother's funeral on January 8, and others could not afford urgent medical care for their family members. "Measuring the weight of these individual losses as they are multiplied across the thousands of Air Traffic Controllers represented by the NATCA becomes unbearable; a continued deprivation of rights is not sustainable for NATCA's members, who already serve the nation in one of the most stressful jobs in the country," the case <a href="https://natca.org/images/NATCA_PDFs/TRO-motion.pdf">describes</a>. "These are losses for which future monetary compensation is insufficient."Air-traffic controllers earn a median of <a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/2017/may/oes532021.htm">$124,540 per year</a>. There's already a <a href="https://www.wcpo.com/news/national/air-traffic-controllers-union-warns-of-delays-amid-controller-shortage">shortage</a> of controllers, and the job requires <a href="https://abc7news.com/travel/could-air-traffic-controller-shortage-have-impact-on-safety/4468996/">four years</a> of training. Since the shutdown began on December 22, some 420,000 federal employees are working without pay. <keyword id="34991" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="transportation">Transportation</keyword> Security Administration (TSA) workers are experiencing <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tsa-employees-unpaid-government-shutdown-quit-job-union-2019-1">"extreme financial hardships"</a> as they're working without pay, and some have quit. Many TSA employees are calling in sick as they lack the funds to get to work. Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-united-jetblue-pilots-warn-of-flying-dangers-during-shutdown-2019-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Delta, United, and JetBlue pilots are warning that flying will become more dangerous as the government shutdown continues</a>Two other government worker unions have sued the federal government since the shutdown began.National Treasury Employees Union sued the federal government <a href="https://www.nteu.org/~/media/Files/nteu/docs/public/letters/2018/nteu-shutdown-flsa-complaint.pdf?la=en">on January 9</a> as workers represented in their union also went unpaid. The NTEU represents 150,000 employees across 33 government agencies and departments, tens of thousands of which have worked unpaid during the shutdown. The American Federation of Government Employees, a union that includes correctional officers, Border Patrol and ICE agents, sued the US government <a href="https://www.afge.org/publication/american-federation-of-government-employees-and-kalijarvi-chuzi-newman--fitch-sue-the-government-over-shutdown/">on December 31</a> for requiring employees to labor without pay. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/government-shutdown-us-airports-lines-tsa-workers-pay-wages-2019-1">Airports are dealing with massive lines during the government shutdown as TSA employees are working without pay</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

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