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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
'Govt does not foresee revenue shortfall, aims to achieve deficit target'
The Central government does not foresee any revenue shortfall at this stage and aims to achieve the targets fixed in the Budget Estimates for 2025-26, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary informed Parliament on Tuesday. As per the Budget, the Centre has estimated the fiscal deficit for 2025-26 at 4.4 per cent of GDP, amounting to Rs 15.69 lakh crore. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, the minister said the Central government supports state finances through Finance Commission grants, Centrally Sponsored Schemes, and Special Assistance as loans to states for capital expenditure. Total resources being transferred to the states, including the devolution of state's share in taxes, grants/loans and releases under Centrally Sponsored Schemes, etc, in Budget Estimates for 2025-26 is about Rs 25.01 lakh crore, he said. In reply to another question, Chaudhary said, as per inputs received from Public Sector Banks (PSBs), as on March 31, 2025, 96 per cent staff are in position against their business requirement. The small proportion of gap is attributable to attrition on account of superannuation and other usual factors, including unplanned exits, he said. Further, during the last 5 years (FY 2020-25), banks have recruited 1,48,687 employees, and for FY 2025-26, recruitment of 48,570 employees is underway, he added. Replying to another question, Chaudhary said, insurers are required to decide on the request for cashless authorisation within 1 hour of receipt of such request and grant final authorisation within 3 hours of the receipt of discharge authorisation request from the hospital as per IRDAI Master Circular on Health Insurance Business dated May 29, 2024. However, the data related to the average time taken by insurance companies and third-party administrators (TPAs) for the claim settlement is not maintained by IRDAI, he said. IRDAI has informed that during FY 2023-24, 58.39 per cent of total claims were settled through cashless mode in terms of count and 66.16 per cent in terms of amount, he said. As per the data provided by National Health Authority, he said, the number of hospitals onboarded to National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) is 450 as on March 28, 2025. In another reply, Chaudhary said, enforcement action has been taken against 886 entities during the period April 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, for violation of provisions of SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices Relating to Securities Market) Regulations, 2003. Continuous monitoring of key parameters is done to assess the effectiveness of measures implemented in the market, he said. Surveillance systems, data analytics tools and digital forensics tools are constantly upgraded to detect manipulations, he added.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Govt does not foresee revenue shortfall, aims to achieve deficit target: MoS Finance
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Central government does not foresee any revenue shortfall at this stage and aims to achieve the targets fixed in the Budget Estimates for 2025-26, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary informed Parliament on per the Budget, the Centre has estimated the fiscal deficit for 2025-26 at 4.4 per cent of GDP, amounting to Rs 15.69 lakh a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, the minister said the Central government supports state finances through Finance Commission grants, Centrally Sponsored Schemes , and Special Assistance as loans to states for capital resources being transferred to the states, including the devolution of state's share in taxes, grants/loans and releases under Centrally Sponsored Schemes, etc, in Budget Estimates for 2025-26 is about Rs 25.01 lakh crore, he reply to another question, Chaudhary said, as per inputs received from Public Sector Banks (PSBs), as on March 31, 2025, 96 per cent staff are in position against their business small proportion of gap is attributable to attrition on account of superannuation and other usual factors, including unplanned exits, he during the last 5 years (FY 2020-25), banks have recruited 1,48,687 employees, and for FY 2025-26, recruitment of 48,570 employees is underway, he to another question, Chaudhary said, insurers are required to decide on the request for cashless authorisation within 1 hour of receipt of such request and grant final authorisation within 3 hours of the receipt of discharge authorisation request from the hospital as per IRDAI Master Circular on Health Insurance Business dated May 29, the data related to the average time taken by insurance companies and third-party administrators (TPAs) for the claim settlement is not maintained by IRDAI, he has informed that during FY 2023-24, 58.39 per cent of total claims were settled through cashless mode in terms of count and 66.16 per cent in terms of amount, he per the data provided by National Health Authority, he said, the number of hospitals onboarded to National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) is 450 as on March 28, another reply, Chaudhary said, enforcement action has been taken against 886 entities during the period April 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, for violation of provisions of SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices Relating to Securities Market) Regulations, monitoring of key parameters is done to assess the effectiveness of measures implemented in the market, he systems, data analytics tools and digital forensics tools are constantly upgraded to detect manipulations, he added.
Hindustan Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
127-year-old Havelock Bridge in Andhra to be revamped
The 127-year-old Havelock Bridge, one of the oldest railway bridges in India, built on Godavari river at Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari district, will be restored and repurposed into a world-class heritage, cultural, and entertainment zone, according to an official statement. The Havelock Bridge (right) was decommissioned in 1997 after the Godavari Arch Bridge was built next to it. (HT photo) The initiative will be undertaken with an estimated budget of ₹ 94.44 crore under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme for 2024–25, funded by the Central government, tourism and cinematography minister Kandula Durgesh announced on Monday. He said the project is being taken up as part of the Akhanda Godavari tourism project, for which Union minister for tourism and culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat would lay the foundation stone on Thursday. Deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan and Rajamahendravaram MP Daggubati Purandeswari would also take part in the programme, he said. The construction of the Havelock Bridge commenced on November 11, 1897 and opened for traffic on 30 August 1900. The bridge was named after Sir Arthur Elibank Havelock, the then-British governor of Madras Presidency. As per the details mentioned on the plaque installed at the bridge, the construction was taken up by then engineering-in-chief Frederick Thomas Granville Walton, assisted by executive engineers RA Delanougerede, FD Couchman and JE Eaglesome. The Havelock Bridge was constructed with stone masonry and steel girders. It has 56 spans each of 45.7 metres and is 3,480 metres long. The rail bridge, which served as a critical railway bridge across the Godavari river, lies on the busy Howrah-Chennai line. Having served its full life span of 100 years, it was decommissioned in 1997, after the present Godavari Arch Bridge was built on the river adjacent to it, which is now being used to host civic water supply pipelines. According to the tourism minister, out of these 56 spans, 25 spans will be revamped and themed individually. 'Each span will be developed with a unique experiential theme to reflect the cultural, historical, and modern identity of Andhra Pradesh and Rajamahendravaram,' he said. The proposed themes include history of Rajamahendravaram, history of Andhra Pradesh, artificial waterfalls, glass skywalks, gaming zones, space-themed installations, urban handicraft bazaar, hanging gardens, hologram zoo, time travel experience, rail museum and aquarium tunnel. 'In order to support the themed zones, as many as 10 buffer zones will be set up with essential tourist amenities, rest areas, and navigation points. This development aims to convert the non-functional bridge, which was earlier proposed to be demolished by Indian Railways, into a vibrant public space,' he said. He said the decision to revive bridge was taken keeping in view the sentiments of the people of the twin Godavari districts, who view the bridge as a symbol of their cultural heritage. 'The restoration will be carried out in compliance with strict safety standards, ensuring it is structurally safe for visitors. Environmental measures will also be implemented under the National River Conservation Programme, to ensure eco-friendly tourism development around the Godavari riverfront,' Durgesh said. He added that the project is expected to become a major crowd-puller, generating employment, encouraging local artisans, and boosting the regional economy. He said as part of the Akhanda Godavari tourism project, various other projects would be taken up keeping in view the 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu (a once-in-12 years religious event on the lines of Kumbh Mela), aiming to make the area accessible to tourists. Tenders have already been finalized for the beautification of Pushkar Ghat, adjacent to the Havelock Bridge. The bridge and Pushkar Ghat will be interconnected to develop it as a dynamic tourist destination.
News18
10-06-2025
- Business
- News18
'In-depth Viewership': INS Guldar Set To Become India's First Underwater Museum
Last Updated: The 1,120-tonne vessel measuring 83.9 metres long and 9.7 metres wide, was retired on January 12, 2024, and gifted to Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation by Indian Navy In a groundbreaking move, the decommissioned Indian Navy warship INS Guldar is set to become India's first underwater museum and artificial coral reef, nestled near Nivati Rock in Sindhudurg's Vengurla taluka, Maharashtra. This ambitious project, aimed at boosting marine conservation and tourism, was launched virtually by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, with deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, along with key ministers and officials, in attendance. Officials said it's a historic step, blending heritage, ecology, and adventure to create a unique destination. The INS Guldar, a 1,120-tonne vessel measuring 83.9 metres long and 9.7 metres wide, was retired on January 12, 2024. Gifted to the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) by the Indian Navy at no cost, with approvals from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defence minister Rajnath Singh, the ship was transported from Port Blair to Karwar Naval Base at the Navy's expense, saving significant costs for the state. On February 22, 2024, MTDC took official possession, and by March 16, 2025, the ship was safely towed to Vijaydurg in Sindhudurg. The Maharashtra Maritime Board permitted the vessel to be docked at its Vijaydurg jetty for six to seven months, free of charge. The project, funded with Rs 46.91 crore by the union tourism ministry on December 27, 2024, under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme, involves transforming the INS Guldar into an underwater attraction. Environmentally cleaned by April 15, 2025, the ship is now ready for scuttling near Nivati Rock, a task assigned to Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited on April 16, 2025. Once submerged, the vessel will foster coral growth, creating a vibrant marine ecosystem. This will pave the way for scuba diving and, in the future, submarine tours, offering tourists a thrilling glimpse of the underwater world. This initiative, a first for India, draws inspiration from similar projects worldwide. It promises to put Sindhudurg on the global tourism map while promoting marine biodiversity. The MTDC, led by managing director Manoj Kumar Suryavanshi and general manager Chandrashekhar Jaiswal, is working closely with local authorities, including Sindhudurg's district collector Anil Patil, to ensure its success. By blending history with eco-tourism, officials say the INS Guldar underwater museum will offer an unforgettable experience, inviting adventurers to explore a sunken warship surrounded by thriving coral reefs. First Published:
The Print
31-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Khandu lays foundation of Rs 750-cr education infra projects
A major portion of the investment focuses on strengthening educational infrastructure. This includes upgrading 39 government higher secondary schools across the state under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme at a cost of Rs 300 crore. These projects, to be executed by the Rural Works Department (RWD), are scheduled for completion in the current financial year. Itanagar, May 30 (PTI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday virtually laid the foundation stones of Rs 750-crore infrastructure development projects in the education sector. Additionally, Rs 322 crore has been earmarked for the construction of 156 hostels and teachers' quarters in all districts under the scheme. Under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), 14 high-capacity hostels with 120 beds each will be built at a cost of Rs 71.40 crore. The initiative also covers the construction of 60 bachelor barracks in rural schools with an allocation of Rs 9 crore. Further, Rs 30 crore will be used for infrastructure development at Arunachal University in Pasighat (East Siang district), while Rs 23.64 crore has been set aside for constructing 394 kitchen sheds-cum-stores under the PM Poshan scheme. 'This is in line with our commitment to successfully implement the Shikshit Arunachal 2029 Mission adopted by our government,' Khandu stated. He emphasised that the mission aims to comprehensively address infrastructure requirements in government schools, while also enacting policy reforms to revamp the state's education system. Reiterating his stance on improving quality, the chief minister announced that non-functional schools or those with zero attendance will be shut down. These will be replaced by an inter-village school model to optimise resources and outcomes. 'Over the years, in our pursuit of quantity, we compromised on quality. Under the Shikshit Arunachal Mission, we aim to elevate the standard of education to top-notch levels by 2029,' he asserted. PTI UPL UPL ACD This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
