Latest news with #NSS
Business Recorder
14 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
National Saving Schemes: CDNS lowers rates of return
The Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) has reduced the rates of return on a number of its National Savings Schemes (NSS) with effect from June 27, 2025, it was learnt on Wednesday. The rate of Saving Account (SA) remained unchanged at 9.50%, brokerage house Topline Securities reported. The Defence Saving Certificates (DSC) will offer a return of 11.76%, after a decline of 15bps from 11.91%. The return on Bahbood Savings Certificates (BSC) declined by 24bps to 13.20% from 13.44%. National Saving Schemes: CDNS revises rates of return downwards Meanwhile, the rates of Pensioners Benefit Account (PBA) and Shuhda Family Welfare Account (SFWA) also lowered by 24bps each, to 13.20% each. Similarly, Regular Income Certificates (RIC) will offer an 11.16% return, as compared to 11.52% earlier, a drop of 36bps. Special Savings Certificate (SSC) will now offer return of 10.6% amid a drop of 30bps. Meanwhile, the rates of Serwa Islamic Saving Account (SISA) and Serwa Islamic Term Account (SITA) also lowered by 59bps each, to 9.75% each.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Gujarat sees sharp rise in fat consumption: NSS Report
Ahmedabad: Gujarat has recorded one of the highest increases in daily fat intake in urban areas over the past 12 years, according to the latest National Sample Survey (NSS) report titled 'Nutritional Intake in India 2023–24'. The report states that urban residents in Gujarat consumed 89.3g of fat per person per day in 2023–24, up from 68.5g in 2009–10, an increase of 20.8g. This is among the highest across major Indian states, with only Sikkim (112.1g), Chandigarh (101.1g), and Ladakh (91.8g) surpassing Gujarat. Nationally, the average rise in fat consumption in urban areas during this period was 16.8g. In contrast, the increase in protein intake was far more modest. The average daily protein consumption in urban Gujarat rose from 56.4g in 2009–10 to 59.4g in 2023–24, an increase of just 3g. This is slightly lower than the national average increase of 4.6g over the same period. On the calorie front, Gujarat presented a mixed picture. In rural areas, the average daily calorie intake stood at 2,105 kilo calories (Kcal), below the national rural average of 2,212 Kcal. However, in urban areas, the state's average was 2,310 Kcal, higher than the national urban average of 2,240 Kcal. The NSS report also highlighted the primary sources of protein in Gujarat's diet. Cereals remain the largest contributor, providing 47.3% of protein in rural areas and 40.4% in urban areas. This is followed by milk and milk products (15% rural, 16.3% urban), and pulses (10.6% rural, 11.2% urban). Animal-based proteins—fish, meat, and eggs—made up just 3.6% of protein intake in both segments, with the remainder coming from other sources. Speaking on the findings, Shruti Bhardwaj, chief clinical nutritionist at Zydus Hospital, said that while the rise in calorie and protein intake is encouraging, there's scope for improvement. "Fat, protein, and carbohydrates are all essential macronutrients. The key is maintaining the right balance for optimal body function," she said. Bhardwaj noted that individual nutritional needs vary depending on age, gender, occupation, and lifestyle. "For instance, a sedentary IT professional may require only 1,600 Kcal daily, not the 2,000 Kcal often recommended. Similarly, while 1 gram of protein per kg of body weight has been the norm, newer studies suggest that 0.8 grams per kg may suffice for most adults," she added. She also emphasized the importance of dietary innovation to meet nutritional needs. "Simple changes like adding protein-rich ingredients to chapati flour can help meet daily requirements without relying on supplements," she said.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Gujarat sees sharp rise in fat consumption: NSS Report
Ahmedabad: Gujarat has recorded one of the highest increases in daily fat intake in urban areas over the past 12 years, according to the latest National Sample Survey (NSS) report titled 'Nutritional Intake in India 2023–24'. The report states that urban residents in Gujarat consumed 89.3g of fat per person per day in 2023–24, up from 68.5g in 2009–10, an increase of 20.8g. This is among the highest across major Indian states, with only Sikkim (112.1g), Chandigarh (101.1g), and Ladakh (91.8g) surpassing Gujarat. Nationally, the average rise in fat consumption in urban areas during this period was 16.8g. In contrast, the increase in protein intake was far more modest. The average daily protein consumption in urban Gujarat rose from 56.4g in 2009–10 to 59.4g in 2023–24, an increase of just 3g. This is slightly lower than the national average increase of 4.6g over the same period. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad On the calorie front, Gujarat presented a mixed picture. In rural areas, the average daily calorie intake stood at 2,105 kilo calories (Kcal), below the national rural average of 2,212 Kcal. However, in urban areas, the state's average was 2,310 Kcal, higher than the national urban average of 2,240 Kcal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The NSS report also highlighted the primary sources of protein in Gujarat's diet. Cereals remain the largest contributor, providing 47.3% of protein in rural areas and 40.4% in urban areas. This is followed by milk and milk products (15% rural, 16.3% urban), and pulses (10.6% rural, 11.2% urban). Animal-based proteins—fish, meat, and eggs—made up just 3.6% of protein intake in both segments, with the remainder coming from other sources. Speaking on the findings, Shruti Bhardwaj, chief clinical nutritionist at Zydus Hospital, said that while the rise in calorie and protein intake is encouraging, there's scope for improvement. "Fat, protein, and carbohydrates are all essential macronutrients. The key is maintaining the right balance for optimal body function," she said. Bhardwaj noted that individual nutritional needs vary depending on age, gender, occupation, and lifestyle. "For instance, a sedentary IT professional may require only 1,600 Kcal daily, not the 2,000 Kcal often recommended. Similarly, while 1 gram of protein per kg of body weight has been the norm, newer studies suggest that 0.8 grams per kg may suffice for most adults," she added. She also emphasized the importance of dietary innovation to meet nutritional needs. "Simple changes like adding protein-rich ingredients to chapati flour can help meet daily requirements without relying on supplements," she said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
OC Media
a day ago
- Politics
- OC Media
Pashinyan calls for regulation of non-Armenian citizens' participation in politics
Sign in or or Become a member to unlock the audio version of this article Join the voices Aliyev wants to silence. For over eight years, OC Media has worked with fearless journalists from Azerbaijan — some of whom now face decades behind bars — to bring you the stories the regime is afraid will get out. Help us fuel Aliyev's fears — become an OC Media member today Become a member Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has called for the establishment of mechanisms or the adoption of legislation that would limit the political activity of foreign nationals in Armenia. According to Pashinyan, some foreign nationals express 'the most radical views', such as making calls for the overthrow of the constitutional order. 'This is something unimaginable and unacceptable, and I, as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, cannot tolerate such a thing', Pashinyan stated, adding that such phenomena would not be tolerated in any other country. The prime minister apparently was referring to the case of the recently arrested Russian–Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, who has been charged with calling for the usurpation of power in Armenia. The tycoon was arrested during a raid of his home in Yerevan after he had made statements in defence of the Armenian Church amidst ongoing tensions between it and the government. As Karaptyan was arrested, Pashinyan vowed to 'swiftly' nationalise the Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA), which is run by Karapetyan's Tashir Group, and also launched inspections into his popular Tashir Pizza chain, closing down some branches over violations. Since his arrest, the Yerevan municipality has been taking down screens and posters with messages in support of Karapetyan. Pashinyan called for limiting the political activity of foreign nationals as he introduced the newly appointed director of the National Security Service (NSS), Andranik Simonyan, to his staff on Monday. Advertisement Simonyan's predecessor was fired on the same day as Karapetyan's arrest. Pashinyan seemed to confirm that Armen Abazyan's dismissal was connected to Karapetyan's case, saying that 'overall the work of the NSS director pertains to virtually everything, especially security-related, including hybrid security'. However, he dismissed rumours that Abazyan was dismissed for refusing to carry out his orders. Tackle the 'agents of [foreign] influence' During his introduction of Simonyan, Pashinyan touched on 'hybrid threats' faced by Armenia, saying it was necessary to pay 'special attention' to the activities of 'agents of [foreign] influence'. He said that sometimes, a foreign agent's activities have 'the most dangerous manifestations', targeting the state and its sovereignty. 'We should have the opportunity to express a specific attitude towards this form of activity,' Pashinyan said. Pashinyan praised the work of NSS, noting that it was 'effectively confronting the numerous challenges' which Armenia faces, adding that all the challenges which could 'destabilise' Armenia and 'create security challenges have been successfully neutralised to this moment'. He also highlighted the importance of what he said are the three main objectives of the security agency: counterintelligence, fighting terror, and maintaining constitutional order. Pashinyan also assured that his government would continue to provide all necessary conditions for increasing the effectiveness of the NSS's activities.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Top 5% in rural India consume nearly double the animal protein of bottom 5%
A report by the Ministry of Statistics titled 'Nutritional Intake in India (2022–23 & 2023–24)' indicates that as Monthly Per Capita Consumer Expenditure (MPCE) — the average monthly spending per person in a household— goes up, so does the reliance on eggs, fish, and meat as sources of protein. This pattern is especially pronounced in rural India, where dietary habits are more sensitive to income levels. Among the poorest 5% of the rural population based on MPCE fractile classes, just 9% of their total protein intake comes from animal-based sources like eggs, fish, and meat. In contrast, the richest 5% in rural areas derive 17.1% of their protein from these non-vegetarian items, almost double the share seen among the poorest. In urban India, however, the gap is narrower. The lowest MPCE group in urban areas gets 11.2% of their protein from animal sources, compared to 13.8% among the highest MPCE group. While income still influences dietary patterns in cities, the difference in protein source preferences is less stark than in rural regions. MPCE represents the average monthly spending per person within a household. It is widely used in National Sample Survey (NSS) reports serving as a key indicator of household consumption patterns and is often used as a proxy for assessing living standards and poverty levels. To analyse consumption distribution across the population, MPCE data is divided into fractile classes statistical groupings that split the population into equal segments based on their expenditure levels. According to the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023–24, the bottom 5% of India's rural population ranked by MPCE has an average monthly per capita expenditure of Rs 1,677, compared to Rs 2,376 among the bottom 5% in urban areas. In stark contrast, the top 5% of the population spends significantly more: Rs 10,137 in rural India and Rs 20,310 in urban India. The report highlights a shift in the sources of protein intake as MPCE levels rise. As incomes increase, the reliance on cereals as a primary source of protein declines significantly. In rural India, the share of protein derived from cereals drops from 56% among the bottom 5% of the population by MPCE to 33.8% among the top 5%. A similar trend is observed in urban India, where the contribution of cereals to protein intake falls from 51.9% in the lowest MPCE fractile to 24% in the highest. This decline is offset by an increased contribution from other food groups as MPCE levels rise. The most notable increase is seen in the share of milk and milk products, which rises from 5.5% to 14.6% in rural areas and from 7.8% to 14.6% in urban areas across the same MPCE range. The Nutritional Intake in India (2022-23 & 2023-24) survey covered a nationally representative sample of 2.61 lakh households across 8,684 villages and 6,143 urban blocks, providing insights into changing dietary patterns across income groups. The average daily per capita calorie intake in India stands at 2,212 kilocalories (Kcal) in rural areas and 2,240 Kcal in urban areas. However, calorie consumption is closely linked to MPCE and shows a monotonically increasing trend across MPCE class that is, calorie intake consistently rises with higher expenditure levels. The gap between the lowest and highest MPCE fractiles is particularly stark. In rural India, individuals in the bottom 5% of the population by MPCE consume an average of just 1,688 Kcal per day, while those in the top 5% consume 2,941 Kcal, a difference of over 1,250 Kcal. The pattern is similar in urban areas, where average daily calorie intake increases from 1,696 Kcal in the bottom 5% to 3,092 Kcal in the top 5%.
