Category: News

Apr 20 (BNP): The Reserve Bank of India (Reserve Bank of India) has opened a premature redemption window for Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) 2020–21 Series VII, allowing investors to exit ahead of maturity and book significant gains.

The redemption price has been fixed at ₹15,254 per unit, calculated on the basis of the average closing price of 999-purity gold over the previous three trading sessions.

Investors who purchased at the issue price of ₹5,051 per unit are now earning returns of over 200%, excluding interest income. Those who availed the online subscription discount have recorded even higher effective gains of around 205%.

In addition to capital appreciation, SGB holders also receive 2.5% annual interest, paid semi-annually during the holding period.

The tranche, issued on October 20, 2020, has become eligible for early redemption after completing five years, as per RBI guidelines. While the scheme has an eight-year maturity period, investors are not required to hold until final redemption.

Redemption requests must be submitted through the issuing bank, post office, or SHCIL, with proceeds credited directly to registered bank accounts on the redemption date.

Tax treatment varies based on holding period and mode of purchase, with premature exits subject to applicable capital gains tax rules.

The update highlights strong investor participation and significant wealth creation through sovereign-backed gold investment instruments.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 20 (BNP): Odisha has stepped up efforts to document and preserve its rich manuscript heritage through an extensive survey and digitisation initiative under the Government of India’s Gyan Bharatam Mission.

A review meeting held at Lok Seva Bhavan was chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, where progress on the ongoing survey of palm-leaf manuscripts and ancient texts was assessed.

Preserving a Rich Literary Legacy

Odisha is home to a vast collection of traditional manuscripts written on palm leaves and paper, preserved over centuries in Sanskrit, Odia, Pali, and other regional languages. These manuscripts are considered a vital source of the state’s cultural, historical, and intellectual heritage.

Officials informed that nearly 53,950 manuscripts have already been registered across the state, with survey and digitisation work actively underway by the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture.

Digital Preservation Push

The initiative aims to create a comprehensive National Digital Repository, ensuring that rare and fragile manuscripts are preserved in digital form and made accessible for researchers, students, and institutions.

ପ୍ରାଚୀନ ତାଳପତ୍ର ପୋଥି ଏବଂ ପାଣ୍ଡୁଲିପି ଗୁଡ଼ିକର ସର୍ବେକ୍ଷଣ, ସଂରକ୍ଷଣ ଓ ଡିଜିଟାଇଜେସନ ସଂପର୍କରେ ଏକ ବୈଠକ ଆଜି ଲୋକସେବା ଭବନଠାରେ ମୁଖ୍ୟ ଶାସନ ସଚିବ ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ଅନୁ ଗର୍ଗଙ୍କ ଅଧ୍ୟକ୍ଷତାରେ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠିତ ହୋଇଯାଇଛି।

ଏହିସବୁ ମୂଲ୍ୟବାନ ସମ୍ପଦର ସଂରକ୍ଷଣ ଓ ସୁରକ୍ଷା ପାଇଁ ସହଯୋଗ କରିବା ଓ ସ୍ୱେଚ୍ଛାକୃତ ଭାବେ ନିଜ ପାଖରେ ଥିବା… pic.twitter.com/nR7dzPp7Q4

— I & PR Department, Odisha (@IPR_Odisha) April 18, 2026

Authorities have encouraged public participation, urging individuals, monasteries, temples, and libraries to voluntarily register manuscripts in their possession. Registration can be done through the dedicated Gyan Bharatam mobile application, while departmental teams will also conduct field visits to assist in documentation.

Focus on High-Priority Districts

The current phase of the survey, which began on March 16, 2026, will continue for three months. Special focus is being given to districts such as Ganjam, Cuttack, Bhadrak, Nayagarh, and Puri, which have reported significant manuscript collections.

Officials said manuscripts will be systematically mapped and verified district-wise to ensure accurate documentation and smooth coordination with local administrations.

Safeguarding Knowledge for Future Generations

The state government emphasized that the project is not only about preservation but also about ensuring long-term digital access to India’s traditional knowledge systems.

The initiative is expected to strengthen research, promote cultural awareness, and safeguard Odisha’s manuscript heritage for future generations by bringing centuries-old knowledge into the digital era.

Lucknow, Apr 20 (BNP): In a significant relief for farmers, the Uttar Pradesh government has relaxed procurement norms by allowing wheat sales at government purchase centres without mandatory online registration.

As per an official statement, the earlier requirement of completing a digital Farmer Registry for crop identification and verification will now be optional for wheat procurement under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system.

The decision has been taken to reduce procedural hurdles and address difficulties faced by farmers, particularly those in rural areas with limited access to digital facilities.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed all District Magistrates to ensure immediate implementation of the revised guidelines across the state.

Officials said the move is aimed at making the procurement process more accessible, ensuring that farmers can sell their produce smoothly without being affected by technical or administrative barriers.

The change is expected to boost participation in government procurement centres and improve ease of selling wheat during the current procurement season.

Colombo, Apr 20 ( BNP):  Vice President of India C P Radhakrishnan held discussions with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo on Sunday, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new areas of cooperation, including a proposed India–Sri Lanka energy link.

According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, both leaders discussed the idea of a cross-border oil pipeline, which could serve as a key component of future energy connectivity between the two neighbouring countries.

The talks also covered a wide range of issues aimed at deepening the multifaceted partnership between India and Sri Lanka. These included cooperation in housing development projects, energy security initiatives, and long-standing concerns related to fishermen from both countries.

Officials noted that several India-led initiatives already underway were reviewed during the meeting, along with new proposals aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and economic integration. The proposed energy corridor was highlighted as a significant step toward strengthening long-term strategic and economic ties.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest, reflecting the shared vision of stable and forward-looking relations between the two South Asian neighbours.

The discussions are expected to pave the way for closer coordination on infrastructure, energy, and people-centric development initiatives in the coming years.

Jhargram, West Bengal,Apr20(BNP): In a notable and candid moment during his election campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unscheduled stop at a roadside jhalmuri stall in Jhargram, adding a local flavour to a day packed with rallies across the state.

During his visit to College Mor, the Prime Minister interacted warmly with the vendor, enquired about the price, and insisted on paying for the popular snack despite initial reluctance from the seller. He was also seen sharing jhalmuri with children and supporters present at the spot, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere.

The spontaneous gesture, captured on camera and widely shared on social media, drew positive reactions from locals and supporters. Such interactions are seen as part of the Prime Minister’s broader approach to connect with people through culturally relatable moments, especially in regions that hold significant political importance.

The brief pause amid a hectic campaign schedule blended local culinary culture with public engagement, further amplifying its impact beyond the immediate gathering.

New Delhi , Apr 20 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today attended the ceremonial reception held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in honour of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, marking the beginning of his official state visit to India. The visit underscores the growing strength of the India–South Korea relationship and reaffirms both nations’ commitment to deepening their Special Strategic Partnership.

President Lee Jae Myung was accorded a ceremonial welcome with full state honours, including a guard of honour, in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu and senior dignitaries. The reception highlighted the importance India places on its diplomatic engagement with the Republic of Korea.

The visit comes at a crucial time when both countries are seeking to expand cooperation across key sectors such as trade, advanced manufacturing, defence, semiconductors, digital technologies, and clean energy. It also reflects a shared vision for building resilient and diversified global supply chains.

Following the ceremonial reception, President Lee is scheduled to pay tribute at Rajghat and hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House. The talks are expected to focus on strengthening economic collaboration, enhancing investment opportunities, and advancing cooperation in emerging technologies.

Both sides are also likely to explore expanded partnerships in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, shipbuilding, and green energy transition, along with efforts to further boost bilateral trade and private sector engagement.

The visit includes participation from leading business representatives, reinforcing the strong economic dimension of the India–South Korea relationship and highlighting growing opportunities for industrial and technological collaboration.

This high-level engagement marks an important milestone in India–South Korea relations and sets the stage for a more dynamic and future-oriented partnership in the years ahead.

Bengaluru, April 20: PlumbexIndia 2026 concluded with strong industry and government participation, reinforcing its role in advancing the country’s water security and sustainable infrastructure agenda.

The three-day event, organised by the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA), brought together over 15000 visitors, 180 exhibitors, and representatives from countries, such as USA, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, France, Isreal Japan, Tiwan and China.

The event was supported by two key ministries of government of India, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) and The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT Mission), underscoring growing alignment between policy and industry.

Gurmit Singh Arora, National President, Indian Plumbing Association said

“Plumbex India 2026 has once again demonstrated the power of collaboration in addressing India’s most pressing water challenges. The conversations, innovations, and partnerships forged here reflect a shared commitment across government, industry, and academia to build resilient, efficient, and sustainable water systems. As India continues to urbanise rapidly, platforms like PlumbexIndia are essential in translating ideas into actionable solutions on the ground,”

Chandra Shekhar Gupta, National Vice President, IPA, added:

“This year’s PlumbexIndia has reinforced the importance of integrating engineering excellence with policy direction and on-ground implementation. The strong participation and the MoU signing with CaHO are significant steps towards improving water and sanitation standards, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare.”

A key outcome of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IPA and the Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations, aimed at strengthening water, sanitation, and plumbing standards in healthcare infrastructure.

The event featured high-level discussions on urban water management, groundwater sustainability, engineering-led infrastructure solutions, and design-driven innovation, with participation from leading experts across sectors.

Key initiatives included the IPA Bathroom Challenge, a live technical competition supported by IAPMO and IWSH, and “Around the Drop”, a student-focused design platform in partnership with Ethos Empowers.

The event also recognised 21 industry leaders through the IPA Awards of Excellence and honoured winners of the “My Water My Story” an initiative by IPA Vanita (women’s wing of Indian Plumbing Association), celebrating grassroots contributions to water conservation,  Among the participants, Anvitha A, emerged as the National Winner, standing out for her exceptional contribution to the “My Water My Story” initiative.

Building on the outcomes of 2026, the next edition of PlumbexIndia is expected to further strengthen its role as a national platform for collaboration, innovation, and actionable solutions in water and sanitation.

 

New Delhi, April 18(BNP): Iran’s decision to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz has led to a sharp decline in global oil prices, raising expectations of a possible reduction in petrol and diesel prices.

Following the announcement, international crude oil prices dropped by around 10 per cent, as the resumption of commercial shipping through the key maritime route eased concerns over supply disruptions.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly a fifth of global oil supply passes, had faced disruptions due to geopolitical tensions in the region. Its reopening—linked to a temporary ceasefire—has improved market sentiment and stabilised energy supply expectations.

Market analysts indicate that the decline in crude oil prices could translate into a reduction of fuel prices, with estimates suggesting a possible drop of around 10 per cent, depending on domestic pricing mechanisms and currency factors.

However, experts caution that the situation remains fragile, with uncertainties over the durability of the ceasefire and security of shipping routes. Any renewed tensions could again impact global oil supply and price trends.

The development is being closely watched by oil-importing countries like India, where changes in global crude prices directly influence retail fuel costs.

New Delhi, April 18(BNP): The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed all states and Union Territories to strictly enforce regulations against the use of prohibited artificial fruit ripening agents.

According to a recent update shared by the authority, states have been instructed to ensure stringent checks and prevent the use of calcium carbide for artificial ripening of fruits such as mangoes, bananas, and papayas.

FSSAI reiterated that calcium carbide, commonly known as ‘masala’, is banned due to the serious health risks associated with its use. The chemical releases acetylene gas, which may contain harmful impurities and can adversely affect human health.

The regulator has asked state authorities to intensify surveillance, conduct regular inspections, and take strict action against those found violating food safety norms.

FSSAI also emphasized the importance of adopting safe and approved ripening methods, such as ethylene-based techniques, to ensure consumer safety. Consumers have been advised to remain cautious and avoid purchasing fruits that appear artificially ripened.

The move is part of FSSAI’s ongoing efforts to curb unsafe food practices and ensure the availability of safe, quality food across the country.