Author: admin

New Delhi, March 20 (BNP): Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar chaired a high-level ministerial meeting with States and Union Territories during the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026, focusing on strengthening energy security and accelerating sectoral reforms.

The meeting, held on the second day of the summit, was co-chaired by Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Naik and attended by senior officials and energy ministers from across the country.

Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister highlighted that India has achieved over 520 GW of installed power capacity and has made significant progress in improving distribution company (DISCOM) performance, expanding smart metering, and reducing power shortages.

He stressed that coordinated efforts between the Centre and States are essential to ensure affordable, efficient, and reliable power supply. Emphasising the importance of energy security amid global uncertainties, he called for increased per capita energy consumption and faster adoption of renewable energy sources.

The Minister also pointed to the potential of nuclear energy as a clean power source and described the SHANTI Act as an important step towards strengthening the energy framework. He assured States of full support from the Centre in implementing necessary legal and administrative reforms.

Speaking at the meeting, Shripad Naik underlined the role of technology and artificial intelligence in transforming the power sector, particularly through initiatives such as smart metering. He noted that nearly half of India’s installed power capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources and highlighted the draft National Electricity Policy aimed at achieving long-term energy goals.

During the meeting, the Ministry of Power released two key reports for FY 2024–25 — the Consumer Service Ratings of DISCOMs (CSRD) and the Distribution Utilities Ranking (DUR).

The CSRD report evaluates DISCOMs on parameters such as billing accuracy, grievance redressal, and tariff transparency. Based on performance, utilities are graded from A+ to D to promote competition and service improvement. Of the 66 DISCOMs assessed, six received the top A+ rating, while 21 were rated A and 27 received B+ grades.

Officials said the improved ratings reflect better service delivery and consumer satisfaction, with fewer utilities falling in lower performance categories, indicating an overall positive trend in the power distribution sector.

The meeting underscored the need for collective action to meet rising energy demand while ensuring sustainability, reliability, and affordability across the country

New Delhi, March 21 (BNP): The Ministry of Heavy Industries has invited global bids for setting up integrated Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnet manufacturing facilities in India, under a flagship scheme aimed at boosting domestic production and reducing import dependence.

The Request for Proposal (RFP) seeks to establish facilities for manufacturing Sintered NdFeB Rare Earth Permanent Magnets with a total capacity of 6,000 Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA). The bidding process will be conducted online through the Central Public Procurement (CPP) Portal using a transparent two-stage Least Cost System (LCS), comprising technical and financial bids.

According to the Ministry, the tender documents have been made available from March 20, 2026, with a pre-bid conference scheduled for April 7. The last date for submission of bids is May 28, while technical bids will be opened on May 29.

The scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2025, has a financial outlay of ₹7,280 crore and aims to position India as a key player in the global rare earth magnet market.

Under the initiative, selected beneficiaries will be eligible for a capital subsidy of ₹750 crore and sales-linked incentives worth ₹6,450 crore. Each participant will be allocated manufacturing capacity ranging from 600 to 1,200 MTPA.

The scheme also provides for limited assured supply of NdPr oxide from IREL (India) Limited to the three lowest bidders, ensuring raw material availability for production.

Rare Earth Permanent Magnets are critical components used in sectors such as electric vehicles, wind energy, electronics, aerospace, and defence. Officials said the development of a complete domestic value chain—from raw materials to finished magnets—will significantly reduce reliance on imports and strengthen India’s strategic and industrial capabilities.

The Ministry said the initiative marks a major step towards building a self-reliant ecosystem in advanced materials and clean energy technologies.

New Delhi, March 21 (BNP): Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday launched ‘PRARAMBH 2026’, a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at educating taxpayers about the upcoming Income Tax Act, 2025.

The multimedia campaign, which will run across print, television, radio, digital and social media platforms, seeks to familiarise citizens with the key features of the new law ahead of its implementation from April 1, 2026.

As part of the initiative, the Minister also inaugurated the upgraded Income Tax Website 2.0, designed to offer improved navigation, enhanced usability, and more efficient service delivery for taxpayers.

Addressing the gathering, Sitharaman said the new Income Tax Act represents a major step towards simplifying tax laws, reducing disputes, and improving voluntary compliance. She noted that, for the first time in independent India, both direct and indirect tax systems are being overhauled simultaneously to create a more citizen-centric framework.

The Minister emphasised that effective implementation of the law is as important as its formulation, urging tax officials to adopt a trust-based and empathetic approach while leveraging technology to minimise human interface.

Highlighting outreach efforts, she said the campaign includes guidance materials such as brochures, tutorial videos, FAQs, and interactive initiatives like quizzes to ensure better understanding among taxpayers. The Department is also focusing on multilingual communication and digital engagement to reach a wider audience.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a human-centric digital era, Sitharaman said the new tax regime should be rooted in ethical governance, accountability, and inclusivity.

Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava said the Income Tax Act, 2025 marks a shift towards a simpler and more user-friendly tax system, supported by capacity-building efforts within the department.

Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Ravi Agrawal, described PRARAMBH as a comprehensive outreach and facilitation initiative aimed at easing compliance through clear communication and digital tools.

The campaign will include over 300 workshops and stakeholder consultations across the country. An AI-enabled chatbot, “Kar Saathi,” has also been introduced to assist taxpayers with queries related to the new law.

Officials said PRARAMBH 2026 marks the beginning of a more transparent, simplified, and technology-driven tax administration system, aligned with the government’s broader push for citizen-centric governance.

New Delhi, March 20 (BNP): Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan conducted a comprehensive review of the agriculture sector, focusing on crop losses, insurance claims, and timely assistance to farmers affected by adverse weather conditions.

The high-level meeting, held at Krishi Bhavan, examined the impact of heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and other weather-related disruptions across several states. The Minister stressed that the government’s approach goes beyond production and includes scientific assessment of crop damage, proper insurance settlement, and prompt relief measures.

Chouhan directed officials to ensure that crop-cutting experiments are conducted without delay and losses are assessed accurately using scientific methods. He emphasised that affected farmers must receive timely compensation and should not face delays in insurance claim settlements.

Highlighting the need for coordination, the Minister instructed central and state authorities to work closely to strengthen relief mechanisms and improve field-level implementation. He also noted that forecasts by the India Meteorological Department indicate possible further weather disturbances, underlining the urgency of preparedness and advisory services for farmers.

The review also focused on long-term agricultural strategy, including farmer welfare, income stability, and risk management. Chouhan said the sector must prioritise not only production but also farmer security and resilience against climate-related risks.

On procurement, the Minister stated that the government is prepared for the upcoming wheat and paddy procurement season, noting sufficient stock levels. He highlighted a renewed push under the self-reliance mission for pulses, assuring farmers that crops such as tur, urad, and masur will be procured at Minimum Support Price (MSP) through agencies including NAFED and NCCF.

Emphasising quality alongside quantity, Chouhan called for promotion of superior crop varieties and bio-fortified produce to help farmers secure better market prices. He also reviewed preparations for the nationwide Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, aimed at delivering scientific advisories and region-specific agricultural guidance to farmers.

The Minister announced that regional agricultural conferences will be held across five zones, with upcoming meetings scheduled in Jaipur, Lucknow, and Odisha, to develop crop-specific and state-specific roadmaps.

Reaffirming the Centre’s commitment, Chouhan said the government is working to ensure that farmers receive comprehensive support from sowing to marketing, with the broader goal of strengthening agricultural growth and rural prosperity.