The ICMR-NIN-led 'Let's Fix Our Food' (LFOF) Consortium has released a policy document titled 'Priority Policy Actions to Promote Healthier Diets and Food Environments for Children and Adolescents in India'. This document provides evidence-based recommendations to improve dietary behaviours and create healthier food environments for children and adolescents, aiming to prevent diet-related non-communicable diseases. Key recommendations include promoting healthy school food environments, nutrition literacy, front-of-pack nutrition labelling, regulating unhealthy food marketing, and taxing foods high in fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS). The initiative involves multiple national and international partners, with NITI Aayog endorsing the need for such multisectoral policy action.
The Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) operates in Bihar through field officials and the Bihar Rajya Beej Nigam Limited, its designated nodal agency. While no formal branch office exists, BBSSL coordinates seed distribution, business development, and monitoring of seed-related activities, including direct supply to cooperative societies. BBSSL implements a farmer-centric pricing model, ensuring seed-producing farmers receive the highest of MSP plus a minimum 10% incentive, prevailing mandi market price, or the concerned State Seed Corporation’s procurement rate. This model aims to provide assured procurement, protect farmers from price fluctuations, and offer a remunerative premium for quality seed production.
The article details government initiatives to strengthen cooperative societies in India, with a focus on Odisha. Key measures include the Central Sector project for Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), which aims to bring all functional PACS onto a common ERP-based national software and link them with NABARD. The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has also disbursed significant funds for cooperative sector development. The Ministry of Cooperation, established in 2021, is driving initiatives like converting PACS, Dairy, and Fisheries Cooperatives into Multipurpose cooperative societies for business diversification and financial sustainability. It has also set up a Co-operative Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Development Fund under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023, for the revival of sick multi-State cooperative societies.
Bharat Taxi, a cooperative-based mobility platform, has been launched by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL) under the aegis of the Ministry of Cooperation. Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, STCL operates on a 'Sarathi-owner' (driver-owner) and zero-commission model, allowing drivers to be members and share in the cooperative's surplus. The platform aims to provide an indigenous alternative to conventional aggregators, with features like transparent fares and real-time tracking. It is being rolled out in phases across the country, currently operational in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat. The article also clarifies that Bharat Taxi is distinct from Yatri Sathi, a state government initiative from West Bengal.
The article provides an update on the Computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) Project, specifically focusing on Rajasthan. It details the number of PACS approved for computerization, those already onboarded with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and the financial assistance released to Rajasthan for this project across multiple fiscal years. The Union Minister for Home and Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, provided this information in Rajya Sabha, stating the project's completion timeline is March 31, 2027.
The article details the review and implementation mechanism of the National Cooperation Policy (NCP) 2025. It highlights the establishment of a 'Policy Implementation and Monitoring Committee' and a 'National Steering Committee on Cooperation Policy' for central-state coordination, troubleshooting, and periodic review. The policy is implemented using a 'Whole-of-Government approach' and in the spirit of 'cooperative federalism'. A comprehensive National Cooperative Database (NCD) has also been developed by the Ministry of Cooperation, providing data on over 8.5 lakh cooperative societies across 30 economic sectors, crucial for policy formulation and implementation, including the formation of new PACS and other primary cooperatives.
INS Malvan, the second of the indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), was commissioned at Karwar. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, with over 80% indigenous content, it reinforces the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. The vessel is equipped for Underwater Surveillance, ASW operations, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and Mine Warfare, bolstering coastal defence and maritime domain awareness. It carries historical significance from Malvan, Maharashtra, linked to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and its crest features the 'Bagh Nakha'. The commissioning also highlighted the importance of safeguarding sea lines of communication and tri-service integration.
The article details the status of cooperative societies in Maharashtra, highlighting the significant number of societies across various sectors. It outlines key initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Cooperation since its inception to strengthen the cooperative sector nationwide, with a focus on Maharashtra. These initiatives include the computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to integrate them with a national software and link them to NABARD, financial support through NCDC, and policy reforms. Specific policy measures mentioned are Model Bye-laws for PACS enabling diverse business activities (like PM-Kisan Samridhi Kendras, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, CSCs), the 'Cooperative-led White Revolution 2.0' for dairy cooperatives, income tax relief for cooperative sugar mills, reduction in GST on molasses, and efforts to revive closed sugar mills. The data also shows NCDC's cumulative disbursements for cooperative development in Maharashtra.
The Government has launched several digital initiatives and enhanced welfare measures for Indian Haj pilgrims for Haj 2026, focusing on healthcare, accommodation, transportation, and emergency assistance. These efforts aim to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of pilgrims through improved digital governance and reforms. The information was provided by the Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, in Rajya Sabha.
The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, inaugurated the GKNM College of Nursing in Coimbatore, emphasizing the critical role of a skilled and compassionate healthcare workforce for achieving 'Viksit Bharat by 2047'. He highlighted the importance of quality healthcare and education as twin pillars of national development. The Vice-President commended the G. Kuppuswamy Naidu Charitable Trust for its contributions to healthcare and education. He also underscored the transformative impact of government initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat programme, specifically mentioning the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) for health insurance coverage and the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana for senior citizens' healthcare. He stressed the importance of preventive healthcare, including efforts to eliminate anaemia, ensure healthier pregnancies, improve nutrition, and promote organ/eye donation.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has amended its Standard Request for Proposal (RFP) documents for Authority Engineer (AE) and Independent Engineer (IE) consultancy services. The reforms mandate minimum remuneration for key professionals, sub-professionals, and young professionals, ensuring fair compensation through an escrow arrangement. Additionally, NHAI has revised its policy for Site Engineers, creating structured career progression opportunities and mandating that a minimum of 20% of sub-professional engineering staff in consultancy firms comprise previously engaged NHAI/MoRTH/NHIDCL professionals. A new mandatory empanelment and interview process through the NHAI Skill Bridge portal has also been introduced to enhance the quality of professional engagement and strengthen technical supervision in National Highway projects.
The article details India's significant progress in wind energy, reaching an installed capacity of 57,443 MW by June 30, 2026, and ranking 4th globally in wind energy installation as of December 31, 2025. It highlights various government initiatives aimed at promoting renewable energy, including wind power, such as the Green Energy Corridor Scheme, waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges, 100% FDI under the automatic route, Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) and Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO) trajectories, Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for offshore wind projects, and several new Electricity Rules and policies like the National Repowering and Life Extension Policy for Wind Power Projects, 2023, and the Offshore Wind Energy Lease Rules, 2023. The article also provides state-wise installed capacity and power generation data, with Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka leading.
