Author: TheStateLine

New Delhi, Nov 4 (IANS) In a move to promote sustainable use of biological resources, the National Biodiversity Authority has disbursed Rs 3 crore to 199 beneficiaries, covering 198 farmers from Andhra Pradesh and cultivators of Red Sanders, an official said on Tuesday.The funds were released as part of the Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) Framework, which helps the NBA provide financial support to providers and the long-term conservation of Red Sanders.The current release of funds also benefited an academic institution, the University of Andhra, said the official in a statement.The disbursement, facilitated through the Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board, is part of the Access and Benefit-Sharing mechanism under the Biological Diversity Act.This initiative builds on a series of bene...

Morbi, Nov 4 (IANS) Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel attended the grand celebration of the 118th birth anniversary of Dada Bhagwan held in Gujarat's Morbi. On the second day of the festival, the Chief Minister joined devotees in offering prayers and performing 'aarti' to Simandhar Swami and Dada Bhagwan, praying for the well-being of all.During the event, CM Patel participated in satsang and prayer sessions, attentively listening to the spiritual discourse (Atma Gnan Pravachan) delivered by Atmagnani Deepak. The Chief Minister also offered floral tributes and performed rituals before taking blessings from Deepak, who presented him with the book “Gnani Purush – Part 6”, based on the life and teachings of Dada Bhagwan.The celebration, which began on November 3, will continue till November 9, f...

Amaravati, Nov 4 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu met Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami and discussed various issues, including partnership with UK universities.The Chief Minister, who is on a personal visit to London, posted on ‘X’ that he discussed with the High Commissioner the strengthening of trade relations, education collaboration, innovation, entrepreneurship, and diaspora engagement between Andhra Pradesh and the UK.According to an official statement here, the Chief Minister discussed the issue of various universities in the UK forming partnerships with Andhra Pradesh.Issues like UK universities setting up their centres in Andhra Pradesh and joint ventures with the support of the Centre were also discussed.The Chief Minister expressed ke...

Patna, Nov 4 (IANS) Ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Tuesday said that Bihar has gained significant momentum under the current government and that the people of the state want the NDA to return to power.Speaking to IANS, Anurag Thakur stated, “Bihar has gained momentum, and the people want the NDA government again. Everyone acknowledges that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and other NDA leaders have worked tirelessly for the development of Bihar’s youth and people.”Drawing a comparison between the RJD’s previous tenure and the current NDA administration, Thakur said, “During the RJD government, the development rate was only 4.4 per cent. Today, it has risen to 9.9 per cent. The per capita income has also increased significantly. Ea...

New Delhi, Nov 4 (IANS): With hydrogen prices declining faster than anticipated, India could see hydrogen become a viable alternative to natural gas within the next five to ten years, making this route central to our decarbonisation and global competitiveness goals, a top Government official said on Tuesday.Addressing the CII Steel Summit 2025 here, Union Steel Secretary Sandeep Poundrik said: "The DRI (Direct Reduced Iron) plus Hydrogen route offers a promising pathway for green steel production."He highlighted that there are significant opportunities for investments in the steel industry, driven by growing needs from sectors such as defence, space, automotive and power – all of which are expanding rapidly and increasing demand for high-grade steel products.Poundrik said that with consist...

Gandhinagar, Nov 4 (IANS) Gujarat has once again reaffirmed its position as one of India’s most progressive and business-friendly states, emerging as a frontrunner in the ‘Fast Moving’ category under the latest Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) rankings released by the Government of India, as shared by officials on Tuesday.The announcement came during the third session of the ‘Atal Smaran Lecture Series’, organised by the Sardar Patel Institute of Public Administration (SPIPA) in collaboration with the Secretariat under the General Administration Department’s Administrative Reforms and Training Division at SPIPA’s Gandhinagar campus.The session, held on the theme “Developed Gujarat for a Developed India – The Governance Imperative”, saw insightful discussions aligned with the Viksit Bhara...

Patna, Nov 4 (IANS) An FIR has been registered against Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh on Tuesday for the alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct in Bihar's Mokama.An official statement, issued by the district magistrate-cum returning officer, Patna, said, "The Patna district administration analysed video footage recorded by the surveillance team. After examination, an FIR has been lodged against Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh under relevant sections of the BNS and the Representation of the People Act."Earlier, the Election Commission of India had also issued a notice to Lalan Singh over his alleged remarks in Mokama and had sought a response within 24 hours.The Patna district administration also shared the video of Lalan Singh on his social networ...