HOUSING PROGRAMMES
US lawmakers questions FDAs drug inspection programme in India and China
Three top American lawmakers have raised concerns about the FDA's foreign drug inspection program in India and China. In a letter to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, they highlighted inconsistencies in inspection outcomes from January 2014 to April 2024. Some inspectors reported no compliance issues in numerous inspections, while others found issues in almost every inspection. The lawmakers, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Brett Guthrie, and Morgan Griffith, pointed out these discrepancies and called for an investigation into the skill and thoroughness of FDA inspectors to ensure rigorous and consistent inspections.
Property digitisation benefits all: Enhancing transparency and efficiency in the real estate sector
The new government announces assistance for 3 crore homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, reinforcing GoI's commitment to affordable housing and potentially boosting GDP by over $500 bn.
Property digitisation benefits all: Enhancing transparency and efficiency in the real estate sector
The new government announces assistance for 3 crore homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), potentially boosting GDP by over $500 billion.
With its new pact with North Korea, Russia raises the stakes with the West over Ukraine
In a significant move, President Putin's visit to North Korea showcased Russia's willingness to challenge Western interests, particularly in the context of the Ukraine crisis. The pact signed with Kim Jong Un includes mutual military assistance and the possibility of weapons shipments to North Korea. This agreement marks the strongest tie between the two countries since the Cold War. Putin's actions have raised concerns in Washington and Seoul, with South Korea considering supplying arms to Ukraine in response. However, Putin warned against this, indicating potential repercussions.
States seek infra, rural push in pre-budget meet with FM Sitharaman
States presented demands for higher special assistance, increased allocations for rural schemes, and support for housing programmes to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the pre-budget meeting. Sitharaman highlighted the Centre's aid to states through timely tax devolution and release of GST compensation arrears. Andhra Pradesh requested central funds for various projects and initiatives, including the development of Amaravati as its capital.
Vice President Dhankar to inaugurate Prerna Sthal in Parliament House Complex today
According to an official press release, all Members of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have also been invited to the programme.
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Builders must provide for rain harvesting, solar energy to make housing societies sustainable: Govt
Naredco President G Haribabu regretted that the real estate sector still does not have as many women entrepreneurs as required for its potential because their participation is still about 8-10 per cent, whereas in other professions such as medical and nursing, women's participation reaches almost 40 per cent of the total capacity.
Rural jobs, roads, housing next on government radar
The government plans to construct 30 million houses under PMAY and is focusing on addressing rural distress to boost growth in private consumption expenditure and household savings.
Focus and execution will increase on affordable housing: Prashant Thakur
Now, the definition of affordable needs to be increased. There were certain incentive that have been rolled back. So, these are the demands which were unmet and I strongly believe that with this government coming back in power the focus will be there and we will see an overall spurt in affordable housing which was lagging significantly.
ETMarkets Smart Talk: Housing, building material & related sector might be a dark horse in Modi 3.0
Whether the thrust on railway, defence & environment for capex would pan is not clear at this point, and markets hate uncertainty & de-rating happens when growth is not certain
View: GOI has the solution of India's economic puzzle but it needs to let go fiscal hesitations
India's economy is thriving with 8.2% GDP growth, strong public investment, and tax revenues. However, weak consumer demand and private capex remain issues. To boost growth, the government should create more public sector jobs, increasing incomes and consumption, funded by local savings.
Portugal to use golden visa scheme to help migrants, build affordable homes
Portugal plans a 'solidarity visa' to allow wealthy foreigners to invest in affordable housing for locals or migrants, complementing the golden visa scheme attracting over 7.3 billion euros since 2012.
UK's July general election: Impact on India FTA, Indo-Pacific tilt
While political analysts and strategic experts have expressed confidence that very little should change on the bilateral relationship front whatever the outcome in either election, the very small window that was open for a deal being clinched by the Sunak-led Tory government has now been swept away in the election wave of both countries.
Rationalisation of govt bodies: WCD ministry 'officially' dissolves Food and Nutrition Board
The Women and Child Development (WCD) Ministry has officially dissolved the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB), a technical wing of the ministry responsible for providing technical and logistical support for community nutrition programmes. The FNB had a network of offices and quality control laboratories in Delhi, Faridabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. The decision came after a Cabinet meeting in April last year, following recommendations from the Principal Economic Adviser's report on the rationalisation of government bodies.
DMEO, an attached office of NITI Aayog, to evaluate the roll-out and implementation status of e-Vidhan project
The Indian government is assessing the implementation of the e-Vidhan project, a mission mode project for state legislatures, under the Digital India Programme. The project aims to make all legislatures paperless, streamline information exchange, and enable members to use the latest ICT tools. The Development, Monitoring and Evaluation Office is inviting bids to evaluate the project's progress and identify concerns. The evaluation is expected to be completed within four months, with the inception report submitted within 30 days.
'NASA-type' NSA: Why India's next National Security Adviser should be a space scientist
If the Government of India decides to appoint a new National Security Adviser (NSA) in June, it should consider someone outside the traditional choices of diplomats or spymasters. The role of the NSA should be more like the American model, focusing on coordination between security-related government wings. India's previous NSAs have varied in their approaches, with some acting more like deputy prime ministers. A space scientist could bring a fresh perspective, especially considering India's advancements in space technology and the strategic importance of space in defense and telecommunications.
China unveils steps to stabilise crisis-hit property sector
China announced significant measures to stabilize the struggling property sector. The measures included allowing local governments to purchase apartments, easing mortgage rules, and committing to finishing incomplete homes. These efforts aim to address declining demand, falling prices, and a surplus of unsold properties, with the hope of reviving a sector that once contributed significantly to the economy.
Standout midcap stocks to buy on dips: Deven Choksey
Deven Choksey analyzes market trends, emphasizing the impact of railways on capital goods companies' growth. He recommends seizing buying opportunities during price dips and highlights potential stocks for investment. He says: Choksey further says that selectivity, in the corrective market, one should definitely go for buying fresh into the portfolio.
Household savings decline due to rising home, auto, personal loans
Household savings saw a third consecutive decline in FY24, dropping by Rs 9 lakh crore to Rs 14.16 lakh crore by FY23, per MoSPI data. ICRA's Aditi Nayar attributed this to a 73% rise in liabilities during 2022-23. Yet, there's optimism for FY25 as RBI curbs on personal loans may reverse the trend. Chief Economic Advisor Nageswaran highlighted a shift towards real assets.
GIFTwrap for golden return visa
Golden visa offers citizenship to wealthy Indians. Concerns over exploitation led to restrictions in EU countries. GIFT City in Gujarat provides an 'anti-golden visa' alternative. Mumbai branch proposal aims to attract businessmen back.
Kumaraswamy slams Congress after EC stops farmhouse feast
Election officials halted the 'Hosa Todaku' event at JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy's farmhouse in Ramanagara, citing a violation of the model code of conduct. Kumaraswamy criticized the Congress for interfering with the tradition of hosting a non-vegetarian feast the day after Ugadi. The incident sparked a political controversy.
Rooftop solar scheme may be linked with Gati Shakti programme
The PM Gati Shakti plan incorporates the infrastructure schemes of various ministries and state governments like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, inland waterways, dry and land ports, among others. Once under Gati Shakti, stakeholders like power distribution companies (discoms) can do better planning of the infrastructure and capacity addition required by them.
Expecting Model Code of Conduct to kick in, government departments speedrun project approvals
Once the Election Commission makes the dates for the elections public, the Model Code of Conduct will kick in, curtailing government departments' abilities to make major policy decisions, with some decisions requiring prior permission from the poll body. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced a ₹1,700 crore sanction for three highway projects in Gujarat, Assam, and Karnataka.
IIT-D launches MA in culture, society and thought
The application process for admissions will begin on March 20 for the academic year starting July 2024. The last date to apply is April 4. Interested candidates with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline (with a minimum 55% or equivalent CGPA in BA and first division for all other degrees) can apply through the institute’s PG admission portal.
Mizoram government to launch flagship institutional credit programme soon
While addressing his customary speech in the state assembly, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati said that this year, a new hand-holding policy – ‘Bana Kaih’ would be launched by the Mizoram government.
White House touts $11 billion US semiconductor R&D programme
Congress in August 2022 approved the landmark Chips and Science Act. The law provides $52.7 billion, including $39 billion in subsidies for semiconductor production and $11 billion research and development. It also creates a 25% investment tax credit for building chip plants, estimated to be worth $24 billion.
Pentagon plans AI-based programme to estimate prices for critical minerals
The programme, which received little attention after it was announced on a Pentagon website in October, is part of Washington's broader efforts to jumpstart US production of critical minerals used in weapons manufacturing and the energy transition.
Lok Sabha 2024: WB CM talks about land rights, free houses and other issues in outreach programme
During the Lok Sabha polls outreach programme, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee talked about land rights, free houses and improved healthcare for tea workers. West Bengal government has announced that it will be acquiring six closed tea gardens in Jalpaiguri district to provide income for the tea garden workers.
Govt to run pilot for growth hubs programme in four cities: MoS Rao Inderjit Singh
Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Varanasi, Surat and Visakhapatnam have been identified for running the pilot under the Growth Hubs programme, minister of state for planning Rao Inderjit Singh said in response to a question in Rajya Sabha on Monday.
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