Month: May 2024

Portal for National Green Hydrogen Mission Launched

Manish Kumar

The government held a day-long workshop on “Quality Control in Green Hydrogen: Standards & Testing Infrastructure” at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi on May 8, 2024. The workshop convened by the Union Ministry of New & Renewable Energy deliberated on actions needed to create a homogeneous ecosystem for Green Hydrogen production processes through clear quality standards. It also discussed the steps to be taken to create a network of green hydrogen testing facilities, and for promoting Ease of Doing Business to accelerate the clean energy transition. On the occasion, a…

OMCs’ FY24 combined profit rose over 25-times year-on-year

Manish Kumar

The state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) have had a fabulous financial year 2023-24.  Even as they navigated rapidly evolving geo politics and wide fluctuations in crude prices, the OMCs not only ensured fuel availability at affordable rates, with one of the lowest fuel price inflation globally in India, but they have also rewarded the shareholders’ trust by posting commendable annual results.   However, some media reports have just focused on the Q4 2024 to Q4 2023 financial comparison to  paint an abysmal picture and downplay their overall annual performance. Parameters…

NHAI Debars Toll Operating Agency for Misbehaving with Highway Users

Manish Kumar

Acting tough on misbehavior with the general public by toll (user fee) operator and its employees, NHAI has taken strict action and debarred Ms. Riddhi Siddhi Associates for an incident of assault and misbehavior with the National Highway users at Sirmandi Toll Plaza on Amritsar-Jamnagar section in Rajasthan. An incident of assault and misbehavior by the employees of toll operating agency with highway users at Sirmandi Toll Plaza on 05.05.2024 was reported.  Taking prompt action on the matter, the incident was examined by NHAI and a ‘Show Cause’ Notice was…

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)- Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) celebrates National Technology Day

Manish Kumar

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR)- Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) celebrated the ‘National Technology Day‘ on 10th May 2024. India celebrates its National Technology Day on 11th May each year to signify the technical prowess India achieved . It also inspires young minds and creates awareness of the technological supremacy of the country. Dr. D.K. Aswal, Director, Health, Safety and Environment Group, BARC, Mumbai graced the celebration. He delivered a lecture on “Nuclear Energy for a Clean Environment and a Sustainable Future”. In his lecture, Dr Aswal clarified various myths associated…

India’s Index of Industrial Production grows by 4.9 % in March 2024

Manish Kumar

For the month of March 2024, the Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) with base 2011-12 stands at 159.2. The Indices of Industrial Production for the Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity sectors for the month of March 2024 stand at 156.1, 155.1 and 204.2 respectively. These Quick Estimates will undergo revision in subsequent releases as per the revision policy of IIP. The Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production (IIP) are released on 12th of every month (or previous working day if 12th is a holiday) with a six weeks lag…

Navigating Diplomatic Waters: China’s New Ambassador Xu Feihong Steps into India Amidst Border Tensions

Manish Kumar

Xu Feihong, the freshly appointed Chinese Ambassador to India, touched down in New Delhi, poised to take up his new responsibilities. Xu Feihong succeeds his predecessor, Sun Weidong, who departed in October 2022 after a three-year tenure. His arrival comes amidst a landscape dominated by the unresolved Ladakh border clash of 2020, which continues to cast a long shadow over Sino-Indian relations. Emerging from the ranks of the Chinese Communist Party’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Xu brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously served as the Assistant Foreign…

Arvind Kejriwal Granted Interim Bail till June 1: Key Points

Manish Kumar

Relief Granted: In a significant development, the Supreme Court has provided interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal until June 1, offering a respite amidst legal proceedings. Consideration of Election Period: The bench, comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, took into account the ongoing Lok Sabha election while passing the order, acknowledging the need for Kejriwal’s participation in electoral activities. Surrender Date: As per the court’s directive, Kejriwal must surrender on June 2, the day after his interim bail expires. Interestingly, this coincides with the election result day on June 4,…

Dr. Vivek Joshi chairs workshop on ‘State of Artificial Intelligence in Banks’ with representatives from 12 Public Sector Banks and other financial institutions under DFS

Manish Kumar

Dr. Vivek Joshi, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), chaired a workshop on the ‘State of Artificial Intelligence in Banks’ as part of its lecture series, in New Delhi, today. The NASSCOM made a presentation during the workshop to provide banks and financial institutions with insights into best practices for AI adoption and risk mitigation.  The event featured several industry experts who shared their experiences and insights on the AI. Besides, DFS Secretary, attendees included senior officials from the DFS, CEOs, MDs, CTOs, and CDOs from 12 Public Sector Banks…

Ministry of Textiles organized National Symposium on Advancements in Composites, Speciality Fibres and Chemicals

Manish Kumar

The Ministry of Textiles in partnership with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Ahmedabad Textiles Industries’ Research Associations (ATIRA) organized a National Symposium on Advancements in Composites, Speciality Fibres and Chemicals here in New Delhi today. India’s Technical Textiles market has a huge potential backed by a significant growth rate of 10% and placement as the 5th largest technical textiles market in the world, said Mrs Rachna Shah, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles while addressing the symposium. She further said that that composites has distinct structural and physical features, which make them…

Japan Confronts Dual Challenges – Rising Vacant Homes and Falling Real Wages

Manish Kumar

Japan stands at a crossroads, grappling with not one, but two significant challenges that are shaping the landscape of its economy and society. The surge in vacant homes across the nation and the persistent decline in real wages underscore the complex interplay of demographic shifts, economic dynamics, and policy imperatives. Rising Vacant Homes: The phenomenon of vacant homes, commonly referred to as “Akiya,” has reached alarming proportions, with recent data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications revealing a staggering nine million vacant houses in Japan. This surge, representing…