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Jaishankar meets UN Secretary-General, discusses Afghanistan, global impact of Ukraine conflict

On Friday External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar meet United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for ‘wide ranging discussion’.

Both of them exchanged views on the impacts of the Ukraine conflict and how the implications are serious for developing countries.

“A wide ranging discussion with UNSG @antonioguterres Exchanged views on the global impact of the Ukraine conflict, especially on food and energy security. Implications for developing countries are serious,” tweeted S Jaishankar.

They also talked about the developments in Afghanistan and Myanmar. Jaishankar appreciated Antonio Guterres for his interest in working with India to address important contemporary challenges.

“Spoke about latest developments in respect of Afghanistan and Myanmar. Appreciate his interest in working with India to effectively address important contemporary challenges,” Jaishankar tweeted.

On Thursday S Jaishankar was received by the Ambassador of India to the UN, TS Tirumurti.

 

Egypt approves India as wheat supplier: Piyush Goyal

Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal announced that Egypt has approved India as a wheat supplier.

“Indian farmers are feeding the world. Egypt approves India as a wheat supplier. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government steps in as the world look for reliable alternate sources for a steady food supply. Our farmers have ensured our granaries overflow and we are ready to serve the world,” tweeted Piyush Goyal.

According to a statement posted on the official Facebook account of the President of the Egyptian Council of Ministers, the Minister of Agriculture of Egypt announced the adoption of India as a new source for importing wheat.

Meanwhile, exports of agricultural products including marine and plantation products for the year 2021-22 have crossed USD 50 billion, the highest level ever achieved for agriculture exports.

Wheat has recorded an unprecedented growth of more than 273%, jumping nearly four-fold from $568 million in 2020-21 to touch close to $2119 million in 2021-22. An increase in exports of these products has benefitted farmers in states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, etc.

 

PM Modi, CM Mamata Banerjee greets people on Poila Boishakh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday greeted people on the occasion of Poila Boishakh.

PM Modi said that this special occasion manifests the outstanding Bengali culture.

“Greetings on Poila Boishakh. This special occasion manifests the outstanding Bengali culture. I hope that the coming year brings with it joy, peace and prosperity. May all our wishes be fulfilled,” said Modi.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also greeted the people and tweeted, “ Happy New Year, 1429. Wake up Happy New Year. Many, many greetings and congratulations to all. Stay healthy, stay well, enjoy the coming days very much.”

President Ram Nath Kovind also greeted everyone and said, “Greetings to all the countrymen on Boishakhi, Vishu, Rongali Bihu, Nab Barsha, Vaishakhadi and Putan ‍ Du Pirapu. Celebrated in different ‍ ways in different regions of the country, these ‍ festivals show our diversity and plurality. I wish that this festival brings happiness in everyone’s life.”

With a woman as CM, even a single crime against women is shameful: TMC MP Saugata Roy

On Thursday while attending the inauguration of a police station in North 24 Pargana TMC MP said that even a single crime against women in Bengal is shameful.

“We are all extremely worried about crime against women and I am not sure if it is due to the media. We must have zero tolerance in in such cases. In a state where we have a woman as the Chief Minister, even one such crime under her leadership is a matter of shame for all of us. I hope the police and administration will be mindful of that fact,” the TMC MP said.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister is facing criticism from different sectors for her remarks on the Hanskhali minor’s rape and death case.

Banerjee questioned if the girl was actually raped or had a love affair that got her pregnant.

“Was she Raped or was she pregnant, or there was some other reason or someone slapped her, or was she ill…Even family knew it was a love affair. If a couple is in a relationship, how can I stop them?” said Mamata Banerjee.

Government Waives Customs Duty On Cotton Imports Till September 30 To Boost Textile Industry

Finance Ministry on Wednesday waived customs duty on cotton imports till September 30, a move that will benefit the textile industry. Because of this move, the textile exports will get a boost.

Cotton imports attract 5 per cent Basic Customs Duty (BCD) and 5 per cent Agriculture Infrastructure Development Cess (AIDC).

The Central Board of Indirect and Customs (CBIC) said, “The notification will come into effect from April 14, 2022 and will be in force till September 30, 2022.”

Removal of customs duty on cotton will give relief to the consumer as it may also bring down the prices of incoming cloth.

“Good news for the Textiles sector on this festive day. Modi Govt. removes customs duty on import of cotton till Sept.30, 2022. This will not only help boost our manufacturing & exports but also bring down prices benefiting consumers,” tweeted Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal.

Can’t have a state that is known only for violence: Bengal Governor Dhankhar

On Thursday, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar BR Ambedkar, laid a wreath at Dr. BR Ambedkar’s statue, in the state assembly, and lashed out at the state administration over some recent incidents in Bengal.

While talking to the reporters he said that the recent events in West Bengal were painful. He further said that even before the recent events in the state situation needed to improve.

ANI quoted Jagdeep Dhankhar saying, “We can’t have a state that is known only for violence, gets into headlines for crime against women, where bureaucracy is politicised & preamble of the constitution is disregarded.”

Governor Dhankhar has also sought interaction with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to discuss the law and order situation in the state.

He wrote a letter to Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday saying that he is deeply concerned about the continual deteriorating law and order in the State.

“Deeply concerned at extremely disturbing and unprecedented worrisome scenario unfolding today in the hallowed precincts of High Court at Calcutta as also the recent spate of heinous crime against women and continual deteriorating law and order in the State,” Dhankhar wrote in the letter.

“You would agree that in a system governed by constitution and rule of law, denial of access to justice and obstruction in the functioning of the Courts sounds death knell of democracy,” he further added.

PM Modi inaugurates Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya, buys first ticket to enter museum

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated Pradhanmantri Sanghralaya in New Delhi. The museum tells the story of India after independence through the lives and contributions of its prime ministers.

PM Modi became the first official visitor of the museum as he purchased the first ticket before the inauguration. PM Modi paid for the ticket via digital mode.

“Representing a seamless blend of the old and the new, the Sangrahalaya integrates the erstwhile Teen Murti Bhawan designated as Block I, with the newly constructed building designated as Block II. The total area of the two blocks is over 15,600 square metres,” said PMO.

The Sangrahalaya has employed cutting-edge technology-based interfaces to encompass heterogeneity in content and frequent rotation of display.  Holograms, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Multi-touch, etc. enable the exhibition content to become highly interactive and engaging.

There are a total of 43 galleries in the Sangrahalaya. Starting from displays on freedom struggle and the framing of the Constitution, the Sangrahalaya goes on to tell the story of how our Prime Ministers navigated the nation through various challenges and ensured the all-round progress of the country.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister paid tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar and said “the constitution of which Babasaheb was the main architect, that constitution gave us the basis of the Parliamentary system. The main responsibility of this Parliamentary system has been on the office of the Prime Minister of the country. It is my good fortune that today I have got the opportunity to dedicate the Prime Minister’s Museum to the nation.”

He also acknowledged and greeted the families of the past Prime Ministers present on the occasion.

The Prime Minister said that the museum has become a living reflection of the shared heritage of each government. Every Prime Minister of the country has contributed immensely towards achieving of the goals of constitutional democracy, the Prime Minister continued. “To remember them is to know the journey of independent India. People coming here will be familiar with the contribution of the former Prime Ministers of the country, their background, their struggles and creations”, he added.

Recalling the rich history and prosperous era of India, the Prime Minister laid stress on spreading awareness about the correct picture of India’s heritage and present.

Commenting on the logo of the museum which has many hands holding the chakra, the Prime Minister said that the Chakra is the symbol of 24 hour continuity and resolve for prosperity and hard work. This resolve, consciousness and strength is going to define India’s development in the coming 25 years, The Prime Minister emphasized.

India, France affirm closer defence ties in 20th India-France Joint Staff talks

The 20th edition of the India-France Joint Staff talks was held in Paris, France on April 12-13, 2022.

The meeting was co-chaired by Assistant Chief of Integrated Staff, Int-C (Military Cooperation), Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) Air Vice Marshal B Manikantan, and Head of Bilateral Cooperation South/Staff HQ Brigadier General Eric Peltier.

The meeting was conducted in a friendly, warm and cordial atmosphere. The discussions focused on new initiatives under the ambit of the existing bilateral defence cooperation mechanism and strengthening ongoing defence engagements.

The India-France Joint Staff talks is a forum established to enhance defence cooperation between both the nations through regular talks at the strategic and operational levels.

Bengal Governor Dhankhar discusses law & order situation with DGP & Chief Secretary

On Wednesday the Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar held an hour-long meeting with the Chief Secretary H. K. Dwivedi and Director General (DG) Police of the state. In the meeting, Governor called upon both of them to take steps to curb rising crime against women and improve law & order situation. He also emphasized that constitutional governance is must and not optional.

Governor Tweeted a video of his meeting which lasted for an hour and wrote, “Guv Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar called upon CS  @chief_west & DGP @WBPolice to take steps to curb rising crime against women; improve worrisome law & order situation & respond to pending issues. In hour-long meeting Guv emphasized – constitutional governance is must & not optional.”

Meanwhile, the BJP has constituted a five-member fact-finding committee to probe the rape and murder case.

In a statement, BJP said, “National President Jagat Prakash Nadda has nominated a five-member fact-finding committee to visit the place of rape and murder of minor girl at Hanskhali, Nadia, West Bengal. The committee will submit its report at the earliest.”

Cabinet approves signing of MoC between India and Japan in area of Decentralized Domestic Wastewater Management

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday gave its ex-post facto approval for a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed between the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD&GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti and The Ministry of the Environment of Japan in the areas of Decentralized Domestic Waste Water Management.

According to a statement by the Cabinet, a Management Council (MC) will be formed which will be responsible for the implementation of this MoC by formulating detailed activities of collaboration and monitoring its progress.

This MoC was signed for promoting cooperation for Decentralized Domestic Wastewater Management in preserving the water environment in the public water areas and improvement of public health, based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit between the two countries.

The collaboration with Japan through the MoC will be useful in areas such as Decentralized Domestic Wastewater Management and Effective reuse of treated wastewater using Johkasou technology.

“The decentralized Johkasou systems towards management of wastewater can have greater implications for management of grey or black water from settlements with coverage under Jal Jeevan Mission as well as the sustainability of sources of fresh water under the mission, besides similar situation under Namami Gange Program.  It will help ULBs to plan better for the complex issue of treating waste water,” read the statement.