India

New Delhi, March 22 (IANS): A timely and strategic move by the government with the RELIEF initiative to support exporters amid global disruptions has strengthened trade resilience and ensured continuity by easing logistics, insurance, and cost pressures in a volatile geopolitical environment, apex business chamber CII said on Sunday.

"For the manufacturing and chemicals sector, it comes as a crucial buffer against rising freight, insurance, and input costs, helping maintain production continuity and export competitiveness," CII President-designate R. Mukundan said in a statement.

Mukundan, who is also Managing Director & CEO, TATA Chemicals Ltd, noted that the Indian industry has consistently demonstrated strong resilience in the face of global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions.

The continued robust performance of the Indian economy reflects the strength of its policy framework and the impact of sustained reforms undertaken by the government to enhance competitiveness, improve ease of doing business, and strengthen the manufacturing ecosystem.

For sectors such as chemicals and petrochemicals, these initiatives have created a conducive environment for investment, capacity expansion, and deeper integration with global value chains. With strong domestic demand and a stable policy environment, the industry remains confident of contributing meaningfully to India’s growth story while supporting the country’s emergence as a reliable global manufacturing hub, he added.

India’s merchandise trade deficit narrowed to $27.1 billion in February from $34.68 billion in the previous month, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry recently.

The country’s merchandise exports rose to $36.61 billion from $36.56 billion in January, reflecting the resilience of the sector, while imports fell to $63.71 billion from $71.24 billion, the figures showed.

India’s merchandise exports stood at $402.93 billion for April–February 2025–26, which was up from $395.66 billion in the same period last year, representing a 1.84 per cent increase, according to official data.

The data comes against the backdrop of the escalation in the Iran war, which broke out on February 28, leading to the choking of the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East through which 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas exports transit. The blocking of the Strait has also hit India’s exports of commodities such as rice to the Middle East countries.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, March 22 (IANS) The government of Telangana has allocated Rs 9,000 crore under Rythu Bharosa scheme to provide financial assistance to farmers for cultivation on 1.50 acres.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday released first instalment of Rs 3,590 crore at a public meeting held at Narmeta in Siddipet district.

With Sunday being a holiday, the amount will be credited in the bank accounts of farmers on Monday.

He announced that second instalment of Rs 2,650 crore will be released within the next 20 days while the remaining Rs 2,760 crore will be released in the next 20 days.

Under the scheme, the state government provides Rs 12,000 annually as input subsidy to farmers for every acre. The scheme benefits 70 lakh farmers.

The Chief Minister stated that despite the financial problems, the government is continuing welfare schemes for farmers.

He said during the previous regime, Rs 2,533 crore was spent every month for farmer welfare but in the 28 months of the Congress government, Rs 5,500 crore were spent every month.

CM Revanth Reddy said that the government wants to see happiness in the eyes of farmers by implementing welfare schemes including remunerative price for the agricultural produce.

He remarked no state where farmers cry can prosper.

He said the government was also providing compensation to farmers who have suffered crop losses.

“The people’s government has so far spent over Rs 1 lakh crore on farmers' welfare within just two years,” he said.

The Chief Minister revealed that Telangana has emerged as the number one state in the country in terms of paddy production.

He noted that this season, the government procured 71 lakh tonnes of paddy. He, however, lamented that the Central government is not procuring anything beyond 50 lakh tonnes.

Emphasising the need for transformation in agriculture, he said farmers need to adopt crop diversification.

He recalled that in the past, different regions used to cultivate various types of crops specific to their locality.

“There is a need to encourage farmers to cultivate not just paddy, but a diverse range of crops. Plans necessary to facilitate this must be formulated,” he said.

Revanth Reddy said with the support of the Central government, the state government will ensure that the crops cultivated by farmers become profitable.

--IANS

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Chandigarh, March 22 (IANS) The family of Punjab State Warehousing Corporation District Manager Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, who allegedly died by suicide in Amritsar, on Sunday demanded strict action and the immediate arrest of former state minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, alleging sustained harassment had pushed the officer to take the extreme step.

Talking to reporters here, the deceased officer’s brother, Varinder Singh Randhawa, said the family would not compromise and would continue to seek justice.

“We are not going to bow down, and there will be no compromise. This is the stand of the entire family after discussions among all members,” he said, adding that merely registering a case was not sufficient.

Criticising the state government, Randhawa said honest officers were being pushed to the breaking point despite claims of development and opportunities in Punjab.

"There were big claims about bringing investment and opportunities to Punjab, but today, even officers are being driven to extreme steps. Your ministers have turned into bullies. You used to say people from abroad would come and create jobs here, and you appeal to Punjabis not to send their children overseas. But what happens to those who study hard and become officers on merit? They are put under such pressure,” he said.

Appealing directly to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Randhawa said the arrest of the accused would demonstrate the government’s seriousness in ensuring justice.

“An FIR has been registered, but the accused Laljit Singh Bhullar has not yet been arrested. If he is arrested, it will show that you are a true leader of Punjab and a sincere Chief Minister,” he said.

The family also alleged that Gagandeep Randhawa had been facing intense pressure over warehousing tenders and had been repeatedly harassed by the former minister and his associates. According to relatives, he was allegedly asked to favour certain parties in tender allotments linked to Bhullar’s family, which he resisted.

They further claimed that the officer had been summoned to the minister’s residence earlier this month, where he was allegedly humiliated and assaulted, leaving him mentally distressed.

Gagandeep Randhawa allegedly consumed a poisonous substance at his residence in Amritsar on Saturday. Before his death, he recorded a brief video message on his mobile phone claiming that he had consumed poison out of fear of Bhullar. The video later surfaced on social media and triggered a major political controversy in the state.

Following the incident, Bhullar resigned as minister and an FIR was registered against him, his father Sukhdev Singh Bhullar and another associate at the Ranjit Avenue police station in Amritsar under provisions related to abetment of suicide under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The bereaved family had earlier refused to perform the last rites until a case was registered against the former minister and has demanded a fair and transparent investigation into the circumstances leading to his death.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders from the Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress, and the Bharatiya Janata Party gathered at the Punjab MLAs' hostel in Chandigarh and planned a protest march towards the residence of Chief Minister Mann, demanding the arrest of Bhullar and a transparent probe into the case.

The incident has triggered a major political row in Punjab, with opposition parties accusing the AAP-led government of failing to protect officials from alleged political pressure, while the state government has ordered an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Randhawa’s death.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 22 (IANS) Former High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Veena Sikri emphasised India's active diplomatic engagement with all parties amid the ongoing Iran-US-Israel tensions, underscoring the country’s pursuit of peace, dialogue, and diplomacy.

Speaking to IANS on India's foreign policy approach, Sikri said: "India is talking to all sides in the conflict. So of course, that means talking to Saudi Arabia, talking to the UAE, talking to Qatar, and to many others, including Kuwait, France and Oman. And that is the only way in which you can build up a certain opinion, which will then lead you to find a solution that will end the hostilities and bring in dialogue and diplomacy."

On regional stability, Sikri stressed the importance of coexistence and understanding, particularly in the Gulf region.

"In the UAE, there is talk about finishing Iran and so on, but I think everyone has to realise that living in peace, friendship, and understanding is very important for all, because the people of a country are the most important. Iran, with 93 million people, is a very large country, and as such, it has its own defence, development, and scientific programmes, and it is willing to share them with other countries," she said.

Sikri also highlighted India’s proactive role in engaging with the Iranian leadership.

"I think this is the second conversation between PM Modi and President Masoud Pezeshkian since the Iran-US-Israel conflict started, and it is a very important indicator that our Prime Minister has excellent relations with all parties to this conflict. He is working strongly in favour of peace, cessation of hostilities, dialogue, and diplomacy, and as part of this, he spoke to the President of Iran. Also, our Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister have been in conversation with Iranian leaders, including the President and Foreign Minister Araghchi," she added.

Turning to domestic issues, Sikri commented on the Indian socio-cultural ethos and the importance of minorities. Referring to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), she said: "If you talk about the RSS, I remember its chief Mohan Bhagwat saying that Hindutva exists because of minorities. We all have to live together -- that is the focus. Minorities are part of what can be described as the Indian ethos, the Indian civilisational ethos, because they have always been there."

Sikri also criticised the latest report on religious freedom by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), terming it "completely illogical and biased".

She said: "The Government of India has issued a very strong statement against it because it has no logic at all. You cannot just criticise institutions; they are even criticising government institutions like the R&AW, or the RSS, which is, of course, an NGO. It is a legitimate institution that has been doing a lot of social work."

--IANS

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Ahmedabad, March 22 (IANS) The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will contest the upcoming local self-government elections in Gujarat without any alliance and is set to announce its first list of candidates shortly, the party’s state president Isudan Gadhvi said on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference in Ahmedabad, Gadhvi said the party has decided to go it alone, emphasising that AAP follows its own electoral strategy.

“AAP will not form any alliance in the local elections. We move forward with our own strategy and will be among the first to announce our candidates,” he said.

He added that meetings of the party’s screening committee have been held over the past three days, during which discussions took place with the top leadership.

The first list of candidates is expected to be released soon, while deliberations for a second list are also underway.

“We will also finalise the second list during the Gujarat visit of Arvind Kejriwal, and it will be announced by March 28–29,” Gadhvi said.

The selection process, he said, has involved applications from prospective candidates, marking what he described as an open approach aimed at giving opportunities to ordinary citizens.

The party’s preparations come alongside a planned visit by its national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to Gujarat from March 24 to 27.

During the visit, both leaders are scheduled to address public meetings across Saurashtra and tribal regions.

According to Gadhvi, “Vijay Vishwas Sabha” programmes focusing on farmers’ issues will be held in Amreli on March 25 and Jamnagar on March 26, where Kejriwal is expected to raise concerns related to the farming community.

On March 27, Kejriwal and Mann will attend a large public gathering in Dahod, addressing issues concerning tribal communities.

Gadhvi said the issues to be raised during the visit would focus on the poor, deprived and marginalised sections, including tribal groups.

"Discussions with Kejriwal and Mann would also cover the party’s candidate selection process and broader election strategy," he added.

The party is also expected to deliberate on the forthcoming by-election to the Umreth Assembly seat during the leadership meetings, Gadhvi said, indicating that a decision on the matter would be taken soon.

--IANS

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Bhubaneswar, March 22 (IANS) Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday stressed the importance of water security for building a 'Samruddha and Viksit Odisha' and urged all citizens to come forward in support of the cause.

The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering during the state-level World Water Day celebration held at Lok Seva Bhawan here on Sunday.

“Our goal is to eliminate gender disparity in water management and strengthen the rural economy. Water security is a key requirement for building a prosperous and developed Odisha,” said Majhi. He added that women and self-help groups have been engaged as “Jal Sathi” to ensure water security for all citizens in the state.

The Chief Minister also urged all citizens to support water security, in line with this year’s World Water Day theme, ‘Water and Gender Equality’.

Speaking about various water-based schemes in the state, Majhi said that water scarcity affects the poor the most. Therefore, ensuring access to clean water for the last person in society is part of the Antyodaya policy. He added that under Mission Shakti, the state government is working to provide clean water to remote villages and backward regions. Similarly, in agriculture, the policy of “more crop per drop” is also being promoted.

CM Majhi noted that through the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, Odisha has emerged as a leading state in tree plantation. He added that to prevent future water disputes, the state has prepared a balanced water policy to avoid conflicts over water resources. Majhi also highlighted the government’s aim to increase crop intensity to 220 per cent by 2036 and 250 per cent by 2047 through improved irrigation facilities in Odisha.

He further stated that proper utilisation of water and increasing the availability of safe drinking water are the needs of the hour.

“Therefore, water security is essential to meet the growing demands across various sectors under the Odisha Vision Documents 2036 and 2047,” CM Majhi added.

Highlighting the importance of water conservation, Majhi urged everyone to take a pledge to ensure that not even a drop of water is wasted. He emphasised that the message of water conservation should reach every household on the occasion of World Water Day.

“The children must be educated about water conservation from school itself, as they are the future ‘water warriors’. We will not waste water and conserve rainwater to keep the soil moist,” Majhi said.

Notably, CM Majhi on the occasion also launched several water resource projects worth a total of Rs 2,612 crore. Of these, foundation stones were laid for 17 projects worth approximately Rs 2,292 crore, while 124 projects with a total cost of about Rs 320 crore were inaugurated.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 22 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday that the integration of key medical institutions in the national capital will not only strengthen healthcare services but also significantly improve medical education.

The move is expected to pave the way for a substantial increase in MBBS and postgraduate (PG) seats, she said.

The Delhi government plans to merge Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital (GTB), Delhi State Cancer Institute (DSCI), and Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital (RGSSH) to create an autonomous institution on the lines of the AIIMS model, she said.

In addition, efforts are underway to develop the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) into a second National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS-2).

The Chief Minister said a key objective of the project is to significantly increase PG seats so that more doctors can receive specialist training and the quality of healthcare can be enhanced.

As part of the plan, similar departments and disciplines currently operating separately across GTB Hospital, DSCI, and RGSSH will be integrated. At present, resources and manpower are fragmented, leading to underutilisation.

Once integrated, faculty members, including assistant professors, associate professors, and professors, will be pooled. According to medical norms, an associate professor can support two PG seats, while a professor can support three.

Officials indicated that departments such as radiology, pathology, and anaesthesia are likely to see a significant rise in seats. In radiology, where seats are currently extremely limited or even absent in some institutions, the number could increase to around 22 after integration. Pathology seats may rise to nearly 26, while anaesthesia could see a jump to about 48 seats.

This growth will not only come from merging departments but also from filling existing vacant faculty positions, as several posts remain unfilled across hospitals.

Some specialised departments currently do not offer PG seats, particularly in the Delhi State Cancer Institute and Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital.

After integration, new faculty will be recruited and PG courses will be introduced in these areas. At DSCI, around 26 new PG seats could be added in departments such as radiation oncology, nuclear medicine, cancer research, and intensive care. At RGSSH, about 14 new seats are expected in super-speciality areas like cardiology and cardiac surgery, according to a statement.

The Chief Minister added that an increase in bed strength, patient load, and faculty numbers will also create strong prospects for expanding MBBS seats in the future. To support this, the government plans to develop hostels, modern laboratories, lecture theatres, and other academic infrastructure to ensure a better learning environment for students.

CM Gupta said the initiative is not limited to improving healthcare delivery but also focuses on expanding medical education and promoting research.

She emphasised that the plan will help position Delhi as a leading national centre for medical education, research, and advanced healthcare services.

By integrating institutions, the government aims to optimise the use of faculty, infrastructure, and advanced medical equipment, offering students better training and enhanced research opportunities.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the government’s goal is to strengthen healthcare systems in the capital while taking medical education to new heights, ensuring Delhi emerges as a frontrunner in both treatment and medical research.

--IANS

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Gandhinagar, March 22 (IANS) The Gujarat government will begin procuring gram and rapeseed at minimum support prices (MSP) across the state from March 23, with arrangements put in place to cover more than 2.96 lakh registered farmers, Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani said on Sunday.

The procurement exercise, aimed at ensuring farmers receive remunerative prices for their produce, will be carried out through a network of designated centres established based on registration data, sowing area, and expected output.

A total of 165 centres have been set up for gram procurement and 60 for rapeseed.

According to the minister, more than 2.59 lakh farmers have registered to sell gram, while over 37,000 farmers have enrolled for rapeseed procurement this season.

He said that adequate quantities would be purchased from all registered farmers.

“All advance planning for the procurement process has been completed under the guidance of the Chief Minister,” Vaghani said, adding that sufficient arrangements have been made across the state to facilitate farmers.

The government has introduced additional measures this year to ease the process and improve transparency.

For the first time, Aadhaar-enabled biometric or face authentication will be used to verify farmers at procurement centres, with the aim of ensuring that only registered beneficiaries take part in the sale.

In cases where a farmer is unable to be present due to unavoidable circumstances, a nominee authorised by the farmer will be permitted to complete the transaction on their behalf.

“To manage crowds and maintain order at procurement centres, farmers will be informed in advance via SMS about their designated date and time for bringing produce,” officials said.

Officials have further urged farmers to adhere to the scheduled timings to ensure smooth operations.

The procurement drive is expected to run across multiple districts, with the state government relying on the registration-based system to regulate arrivals, avoid congestion at centres, and maintain oversight of the process.

--IANS

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Pune, March 22 (IANS) Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan said on Sunday that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's traditional systems of medicine have gained renewed global recognition.

Addressing the 81st Foundation Day celebrations of Nisargopachar Ashram at Uruli Kanchan in Pune, the Vice President said AYUSH institutions are playing an important role in preventive and holistic healthcare and contributing to the growth of medical and wellness tourism in the country.

He emphasised that yoga and naturopathy are not alternatives but powerful complements to modern medicine and described India’s traditional wellness systems as invaluable gifts to the world.

He highlighted India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat and stressed that the vision must also encompass a Swasth Bharat, with institutions like Nisargopachar Ashram playing a vital role in this endeavour.

The Vice President urged people to adopt balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, mental well-being, and a lifestyle aligned with nature.

Highlighting the growing burden of lifestyle diseases, the Vice President said that the message of the Ashram is more relevant today than ever before.

He emphasised that health is not merely the absence of disease, but a state of complete physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

The Vice President said that in today’s fast-paced world, people often search for happiness in material success, but true fulfilment comes from peace, balance, and harmony in life.

He added that when individuals are healthy, families become strong; when families are strong, society prospers; and when society prospers, the nation rises.

On the occasion, the Vice President also released the book Secrets of Our Happiness authored by Narayan Hegde, Managing Trustee of the Ashram.

He noted that both Mahatma Gandhi, who conceptualised the Ashram, and the farmer who donated land for this noble cause deserve the nation’s gratitude.

He described the Ashram as not merely an institution, but a movement, a philosophy, and a way of life inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of simple, disciplined living in harmony with nature.

The Vice President said that Gandhiji believed nature to be the greatest healer and emphasised that true health lies in simplicity, discipline, and living in harmony with nature.

--IANS

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Bhopal, March 22 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh’s economy is set on a strong growth trajectory, with projections indicating it will reach Rs 18.48 lakh crore in 2026-27. According to a government press note issued on Sunday, the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), which stood at Rs 16.48 lakh crore in 2025-26, is expected to expand rapidly, driven by provisions outlined in the state budget.

For the upcoming financial year, the government has placed development, social security, and infrastructure expansion at the heart of its Rs 4,38,317 crore budget.

Officials have forecast a revenue surplus of Rs 44 crore by the end of 2026-27, signalling fiscal stability alongside ambitious growth plans.

A capital expenditure of Rs 80,266 crore -- amounting to 4.80 per cent of the GSDP -- has been proposed to accelerate infrastructure projects, industrial activities, and rural development initiatives. Significant increases in allocations have been made across key departments.

The Rural Development Department will see a 37 per cent rise, Urban Development and Housing 16 per cent, Women and Child Development 26 per cent, Revenue 43 per cent, and School Education 11 per cent.

These measures aim to strengthen rural infrastructure, urban amenities, and social sector programmes.

Agriculture and farmer welfare remain a top priority, with Rs 88,910 crore earmarked for agriculture and allied sectors. Including non-budgetary resources, nearly Rs 1.15 lakh crore will be available to modernise farming practices and boost farmer incomes.

Women’s empowerment also features prominently, with Rs 23,800 crore allocated to the Ladli Behna Yojana, the state’s flagship scheme.

Other major provisions include Rs 10,400 crore for the VB-GRAM G Scheme, Rs 5,500 crore for the Chief Minister Kisan Kalyan Scheme, and Rs 4,600 crore for the National Health Mission.

Preparations for the upcoming Simhastha event will receive Rs 3,000 crore. Healthcare services have been strengthened with an allocation of Rs 23,747 crore, while Rs 1,83,708 crore has been set aside for schemes promoting social and economic upliftment.

Of this, 26 per cent is earmarked for Scheduled Tribes and 17 per cent for Scheduled Castes.

New long-term initiatives include the Dwarka Scheme with Rs 5,000 crore over three years, Rs 3,800 crore for the SVAMITVA Scheme, and Rs 700 crore for the Yashoda Milk Supply Scheme, all aimed at boosting rural economies and animal husbandry.

Revenue receipts are estimated at Rs 3,08,703 crore, while capital receipts are projected at Rs 80,694 crore.

With a balanced approach to development and welfare, Madhya Pradesh is positioning itself for sustained economic growth and inclusive progress in the years ahead.

--IANS

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