Month: March 2024

GeM crosses ₹ 4 Lakh Crore in GMV at the end of this Fiscal Year, doubles business in a year

Manish Kumar

Government e Marketplace has closed this financial year with ₹ 4 lakh crore in Gross Merchandise value (GMV) – doubling its GMV clocked at the end of previous Fiscal Year. This testifies to the portal’s unique digital capabilities and functionalities that have facilitated greater efficiency, transparency, and seamlessness in public procurement. The procurement of Services through the GeM portal has proved to be a pivotal force behind this staggering GMV. Nearly 50% of this GMV has been attributed to the procurement of Services, displaying a remarkable surge of 205% in…

C-Vigil is part of ECI’s steps to leverage digital tech to ensure free, fair and inducement-free polls

Manish Kumar

The cVIGIL app of Election Commission of India has become an effective tool in the hands of people to flag election code violations. Since the announcement of General Elections 2024, over 79,000 complaints have been received as of today. Over 99% complaints have been resolved and close to 89% of these complaints have been resolved within 100 minutes. Speed and transparency are the cornerstones of cVIGIL app. More than 58,500 complaints (73% of the total) received are against illegal hoardings and banners.  More than 1400 complaints received pertain to money,…

Vice-President’s address at the 70th Founders’ Day of IIPA

Manish Kumar

Democracy has to be defined in several facets. Some facets of democracy are potent, essential, and inalienable, and that is embedded in our Constitution. Preamble of the Constitution, particularly fundamental rights in Part 3 of the Constitution, fundamental duties Part 4 of the Constitution. And if we go further, we will find a structure has been designed but to fructify on the ground, to realise on the ground is public administration. You may have good policies, great vision, but if it is not converted into action around reality, then people…

Will Mukhtar Ansari’s wife attend his last rites? A look at most wanted ‘lady dons’ in UP?

Manish Kumar

 The last rites of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who died on Thursday night after suffering a cardiac arrest in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda jail, will take place on Saturday (today). The jailed gangster was serving life imprisonment in various cases and was behind bars since 2005. Ansari’s death marks the end of another crime era in UP, as the state’s image has improved a lot under the Yogi administration in terms of handling the gangsters. While several male gangsters were met with justice, many ‘lady dons’ in the state are still out…

UN Voices Concern Over Kejriwal’s Arrest and Electoral Integrity in India

Manish Kumar

The arrest of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has drawn international attention, with the United Nations expressing concern over the unfolding political unrest in India. As the country gears up for national elections, questions regarding the integrity of the electoral process have come to the forefront. The UN’s statements follow similar expressions of concern from the United States, where officials highlighted the importance of fair and transparent legal processes. In response to US remarks about Kejriwal’s arrest, Indian authorities summoned a senior US diplomat to address their objections, underscoring the sensitivity…

C-DOT showcased indigenously developed advanced security solution and other ongoing technology programs to visiting IAF Chief

Manish Kumar

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari visited Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) Delhi Campus on March 26, 2024. The C-DOT is the premier Telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India. It is actively working on developing indigenous, secured telecom solutions, for critical infrastructure such as defence communications & Cyber Security. CEO, C-DOT, Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay, gave a detailed presentation on diverse telecom product portfolio/solutions and key telecom security solutions such as security operation centre (real-time detection of malware in…

Government’s Borrowing plan for first half of FY 2024-25

Manish Kumar

The Government of India, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, has finalized its borrowing programme for the first half (H1) of FY 2024-25. Out of Gross Market borrowing of ₹14.13 lakh crore projected for FY 2024-25 in the Union budget, ₹7.50 lakh crore (53.08%) is planned to be borrowed in the first half (H1) through dated securities, including ₹12,000 crore through issuance of Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs). Based on market feedback and in line with global market practices, it has been decided to introduce a new dated security of 15-year tenor.…

Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi sworn in as judicial member, Lokpal of India.

Manish Kumar

Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi sworn in as judicial member, Lokpal .The oath was administered by Justice A. M. Khanwilkar, Chairperson, Lokpal of India. Shri Pankaj Kumar and Shri Ajay Tirkey took oath as member, Lokpal. The oath ceremony was organised today at Lokpal of India office in New Delhi.   The new appointments took place as two existing Judicial Members namely Justice P. K. Mohanty and Justice Abhilasha Kumari and three Members namely Shri D. K. Jain, Smt. Archana Ramasundaram and Shri Mahender Singh have completed their tenure in Lokpal on 26th March…

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Filing of nominations for second phase begins

Manish Kumar

The Lok Sabha elections 2024 will be held in seven phases from April 19. As many as 89 parliamentary seats across 12 states/UTs will go for polling in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 26. The nomination process for 88 parliamentary seats across 12 states and Union territories in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections began on Thursday. The Election Commission issued the notification for the second phase of the parliamentary polls, scheduled to be held on April 26, on behalf of the president…

Uttar Pradesh: Fresh petition filed in court to declare Taj Mahal as Shiva temple

Manish Kumar

Uttar Pradesh news: A fresh petition has been filed in an Agra court in Uttar Pradesh seeking the declaration of the Taj Mahal as Tejo Mahalaya, a Hindu temple. The petition, filed on Wednesday (March 27), has called for a halt to all Islamic activities and any other practices not suitable for a place of worship. The matter is scheduled to be heard on April 9 (Tuesday). Advocate Ajay Pratap Singh has filed the suit as the patron of Shree Bhagwan Shree Tejo Mahadev and as the president of Yogeshwar Shree…