20 Jun, 2022 News Image Prime Minister says GatiShakti National Master Plan is a medium of Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the main tunnel and five underpasses of Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor Project in New Delhi today. The Integrated Transit Corridor project is an integral part of Pragati Maidan Redevelopment Project. Union Ministers Shri Piyush Goyal, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Shri Som Prakash, Smt Anupriya Patel and Shri Kaushal Kishore were among those present on the occasion.
 
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister called the project a big gift from the central government to the people of Delhi. He said that this tunnel is part of the campaign to transform Pragati Maidan according to the needs of the 21st Century. He recalled the enormity of the challenge in completing the project due to the traffic congestion and the pandemic. He credited the new work culture of New India and workers and engineers for completing the project.  'This is a New India that solves the problems, takes new pledges and works tirelessly to realize those pledges', the Prime Minister said.
 
For the first time, the Prime Minister emphasized that any government is giving importance to urban planning on such a large scale. Work is being done to provide better facilities to everyone, from the urban poor to the urban middle class. Shri Narendra Modi said that the country is creating multimodal connectivity through the vision of PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. GatiShakti is a medium of Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas, he said.
 
Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal said it is a result of Prime Minister Modi’s commitment towards Ease of Living that today the Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor Project has been completed. 'This is a good example of the saying, ‘Modi hai to mumkin hai’ (Modi makes it possible).'
 
Shri Goyal said the tunnel is a shining example of AatmaNirbhar Bharat as the entire construction and designing of the tunnel has been done by our engineers. 'We have undertaken a systematic shift in integrated planning and execution of the civil works during its construction, utility shifting alone is to the tune of Rs 32 crores,' he said.
 
Shri Goyal said the tunnel is part of redevelopment plan of ITPO site at Pragati Maidan and this state-of-the-art convention and exhibition centre will be ready in time for India’s Presidency of the G20 Summit in December next year due to be held under the chairmanship of PM Modi. 'This facility will showcase to the world India’s capabilities, modernization and sensitivity towards environment,' he said.
 
Citing India’s success at the recently concluded WTO 12th Ministerial Conference where India championed the cause of the Developing and Under-Developed countries, Shri Goyal said Prime Minister Modi has given India a place at the high table in the international community. 'The prestige that Indians receive today across the world is a symbol of a New and AatmaNirbhar India that is emerging as the voice of the world,' he said.
 
Guided by PM Modi, Shri Goyal said India set the narrative at the WTO Ministerial talks. 'On the one side WTO and multilateralism has been promoted, while India batted on the front foot, candidly laying before the world and ensuring the interests of our farmers, fishermen and MSMEs,' said Shri Goyal, adding, 'Checks are being placed on illegal fishing in the high seas and our fishermen will have full freedom in our EEZ. Similarly, we have ensured the MSP stays and our farmers interests have been protected.'
 
Lamenting the callous attitude of the Delhi Government towards the Pragati Maidan Corridor, Shri Goyal said unfortunately the State Government ignored repeated reminders to fulfill its share of just 20% cost of the project. 'When the State Government showed complete alacrity, PM Modi declared that the Central Government will bear the entire cost of the project,' he said.
 
Shri Goyal said, the time, guidance and concern shown by PM Modi towards this project demonstrates his sensitivities towards the people of Delhi.

 Source:  pib.gov.in
20 Jun, 2022 News Image India can become global player in agri export: Shobha.
India, which is producing foodgrains in surplus, has the potential to be a major global player in agriculture, and this will be possible with proper coordination among various agencies connected with agriculture, said Union minister of state for agriculture and farmers’ welfare Shobha Karandlaje.
 
She was speaking at the zonal workshop of Krishi Vijnana Kendras (KVK), on ‘Strengthening Integrated Farming System through Appropriate Technologies along with Organic and Natural Farming Practices,’ organised by the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad, in collaboration with other agencies on Sunday, and said that to achieve this, farmers must stress on natural farming. 'Even though there cannot be an immediate shift to organic farming, it should be done in a phased manner. The international market is hungry, and is ready to pay the cost for agriculture produce, provided they are supplied with natural products,' she said.
 
'This is the right time for farmers to double their income, by opting for natural farming, which not only boosts the supply of nutritious food , but also enhances their revenue,' she said.
Shobha said that two years ago, Basmati rice exported from Punjab and Haryana was rejected, as it contained high pesticide residue. 'Today, wheat too is facing the same problem, as Gulf countries are not willing to import wheat with pesticide residue. Therefore, the onus is now on the farmers to contain pesticide residue, and supply quality food substances to the people,' the minister asserted.
 
'The agriculture department has decided to set up a quality check laboratory in every district, to check the pesticide residue in the crop, before exporting it to other countries or to metropolitan cities,' she said.
 
'The Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) are knowledge hubs, and they should work according to the needs of the farmers. More research on developing new crop breeds, providing quality substances, water management and protecting the health of the soil should be their focus area,' said Shobha.
 
Karnatak minister for agriculture B C Patil said that the BJP government is making all efforts to make agriculture a business, and provide more opportunities for graduates to take up 'agripreneurship'.
 
'To protect the health of the soil, and facilitate the farmers to enhance the fertility of soil, the department has introduced 224 mobile soil testing clinics with lab facilities. The farmers have to make use of these mobile vans, to see that the land does not become saline,' he added.
 
ICAR director Venkatasubramanian and UAS vice-chancellor M B Chetti were present.

 Source:  timesofindia.indiatimes.com
20 Jun, 2022 News Image Israel deepens strategic partnership with India in agriculture & water.
Ambassador Eynat Shlein, Head of MASHAV- Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, visited India with an aim to further strengthen Israel-India strategic partnership and development cooperation in the fields of agriculture and water.
 
Shlein said, 'India is a strong, strategic partner of Israel. The two most significant pillars of our growing relations are cooperation in agriculture and water, which was the focus during my visit to India. These two fields are so important that out of the 6 resident experts that Mashav posted around the world, 2 are based in India.'
 
She added, 'We are keen to continue and expand our cooperation with all our partners in India as we continue enhancing the strategic partnership between our two nations. Currently we have 29 fully-active Indo-Israeli Centers of Excellence in different parts of India, which are benefiting millions of Indian farmers on a daily basis. Thirteen more such centers are in the pipeline. Gradually these centers will be expanded into Villages of Excellence in partnership with local state governments, which will further prove beneficial for larger populations.'
 
Shlein toured Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and met with senior government officials, local farmers and also visited Indo-Israeli Centers of Excellence that have been established under the framework of Indo-Israel Agricultural Project (IIAP).
 
Shlein held a bilateral meeting with Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh. Both sides had an extensive discussion about enhancing the existing cooperation and future joint projects in water management and agriculture.
 
One of the main highlights of this visit was the signing of a joint declaration between Israel and the Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Haryana in the field of integrated water resources management and capacity building. As part of this joint declaration, MASHAV will share knowledge, capacity building and Israeli technologies for the development of Haryana in the water management sector.
 
During the visit, Shlein also met with senior leaders from the Department of Agriculture & Horticulture, Government of Rajasthan.
 
In Delhi, Ambassador Shlein held discussions with Economic Relations officials at the Ministry of External Affairs about continuing dialogues between both nations on development cooperation. She also visited the office of National Mission for Clean Ganga, Ministry of Jal Shakti to discuss various areas of cooperation in the water sector.

 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com
20 Jun, 2022 News Image Centre to launch programmes to promote millets.
'The Union Government has declared 2023 as the Year of Millets. A series of programmes will be launched to promote millets and other nutritious grains across the country,’’ Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shobha Karandlaje said on Sunday.
 
These schemes will focus on increasing the acreage under millets and that millet growers get remunerative prices for their produce, she said.
 
She was speaking after launching work on farmers hostel and staff quarters on KLE Society’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Campus at Mattikoppa village in Belagavi district.
 
She said that the government was increasing agriculture research grants to ensure farmers welfare.
 
The Central Government is increasing the research grants to 1.32 lakh crore, up from Rs.23,000 crore in the last few years. Of this, around Rs.800 crore is set aside for developing new farm technology. Over 70 per cent of the population is dependent on agriculture and farming contributes 22 per cent of the GDP.
 
'Prime Minister Narendra Modi dreams of doubling farmers income and wants India to be among the top 10 countries that export farm produce. We are already the ninth largest food producing nation. We want to train farmers in food processing and value addition, so that their incomes increase,' she said.
 
Giving farm loans at three per cent interest is among the schemes aimed at strengthening farmers, he said. Farmers will also be encouraged to grow Palmoline and green manure crops, she said.
 
KLE Chairman Prabhakar Kore urged the Minister to help the KVK set up facilities to preserve farm produce and food processing units. We are helping exporting farmers export farm produce and oil seeds, he said.
 
MLA Mahantesh Dodagoudar, ICAR scientist V. Venkatasubramanya, KVK director B.R. Patil, principal Sridevi Angadi and others were present.

 Source:  thehindu.com
20 Jun, 2022 News Image Special ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers meeting: Upgradation of ties.
India hosted a special meeting of Foreign Ministers of ASEAN on 15-16 June 2022. This was propelled by not only India’s focus on the region for mutual economic benefits in accordance with its ACT East policy, but also its growing concern over the spiralling tension because of the increasing Chinese belligerence.
 
On this occasion, the Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar pushed for ‘deepening, broadening and upgrading the partnership’ as India enters the fourth decade of its partnership with ASEAN. He averred: 'A better-connected India and ASEAN would be well-positioned to promote decentralised globalisation and resilient and reliable supply chains that are needed by the international community. It is important that we identify a new set of priorities while ensuring the early realisation of our ongoing initiatives.'
 
The comprehensive agenda included a greater focus on trade and investment growth, physical and digital connectivity, defence and security, climate action and green growth and more people to people exchanges. Jaishankar also focused on the post-pandemic recovery of the global economy, observing that 'there is much ground yet to be covered as we walk towards post-pandemic recovery'. He also mentioned that ‘this path has become even more arduous with geo-political headwinds which we face due to developments in Ukraine and its knock-on effects on food and energy security, as well as fertilizer and commodities prices, and logistics and supply chain disruptions’. The meeting adopted a 17-point statement, which broadly had three dimensions. First, it acknowledged the need for greater cooperation in the field of defence and welcomed the upcoming ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting in November 2022 and the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise. Second, it called for further strengthening and deepening the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership for mutual benefit, across the whole spectrum of political, security, economic, socio-cultural and development cooperation by utilizing relevant existing ASEAN-led mechanisms. Third, it stressed the need to explore potential cooperation between the AOIP and Indo-Pacific Ocean’s Initiative (IPOI) initiated by India, in areas such as maritime cooperation, including maritime security, maritime connectivity, the Blue Economy, Disaster Risk Management, Search and Rescue (SAR) cooperation, marine environmental protection, and maritime safety. Crucially, without naming China but taking cognisance of its growing belligerence, they reaffirmed the 'commitment to multilateralism founded on the principles of the international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other relevant UN treaties and conventions, maintain an open and inclusive regional cooperation framework, support ASEAN Centrality in the evolving rules-based regional architecture, uphold multilateralism in jointly responding to regional and global challenges'.
 
The statement emphasised the need to strengthen regional connectivity, including both physical and digital, and explore synergies between the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and India’s connectivity initiatives under India’s Act East Policy, in line with 'Connecting the Connectivities' approach. It was also decided to review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to ensure that it is more user friendly, simple and trade facilitative for businesses, by accelerating the process of endorsement of the review of AITIGA so that the AIFTA Joint Committee can be activated to oversee the implementation of the AITIGA Review. In the current environment, it is imperative.
 

 Source:  timesofindia.indiatimes.com
20 Jun, 2022 News Image FSSAI issues list of products for +F endorsement.
To remove ‘ambiguity’, the FSSAI has issued an advisory with respect to the revised SOP for applying +F endorsement for fortified food products in FoSCoS and has issued a list of identified products for +F endorsement.
 
Some 82 products under various  product categories of milk & milk products, edible oil, fortified fruit juices, cereals & cereals products, bakery products and salt were included in the list which are covered for the endorsement to make it easy for the food businesses to identify their product.
 
The advisory by the food authority says, 'To remove the ambiguity regarding the food products which can be fortified as per Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Food) Regulations, 2018, and subsequent Amendment Regulations, 2020, a list of identified products has been created and made available in FoSCoS for +F endorsement.'
 
FSSAI in its order of April 2021 issued SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) regarding the provision for applying +F endorsement of processed food products made in the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) as per the Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Food) First Amendment Regulations, 2020, and incorporated coverage of processed food in the list of product categories.
 
However, the order was proved ambiguous for the food businesses as general references were given about the product categories and the FSSAI was requested for clarification. Subsequently, the food authority issued the list of products to remove the ambiguity related to +F endorsement.

 Source:  fnbnews.com
20 Jun, 2022 News Image Mega Buyer-Seller Meet in Guwahati in collaboration with Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
A vision to promote sustainable trade and create market linkages, a mega buyer-seller meet was organized at Guwahati under One District One Product initiative of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry with the support of Ministry of Development of North East Region (MDoNER) and its PSUs, North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC) and North East Regional Agriculture Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC). The meet focussed on agricultural products from the eight states of the North Eastern Region and witnessed the presence of multiple national and International Brands.
 
Over 70 sellers, traders, farmers, aggregators from various districts of each of the NE States - Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim - showcased their products to the buyers at the meet in Guwahati. Products included Meghalaya’s world-famous Lakadong Turmeric with more than 7% curcumin content, the GI Tagged Large Cardamom from Sikkim and Queen Pineapple from Tripura, Orthodox Assam Tea, Manipur’s Black Chakhao Rice and more. These products have been showcased to over 30 large buyers representing big brands such as Reliance and ITC, as well as upcoming start-ups in India.
 
The keynote address for the event was made by Shri Lok Ranjan, Secretary, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region in the presence of officials and subject matter experts from the Agricultural and Horticultural Departments of the various state governments.  Shri. B. Ramanjaneyulu, Director DPIIT, Shri. Manoj Kumar Das, Managing Director, NERAMAC, and Brig R K Singh, Managing Director, NEHHDC were also present.
 
NERAMAC which has been set up to support farmers/ producers from the North Eastern Region has been working to bridge the gap between farmers and the larger market. Thus, its role in the current Buyer-Seller Meet in collaboration with the ODOP Initiative has been critical. Through the joint efforts, the best-in-class products from the region are being matched with big brands to improve the earning potential of farmers. Focused trade discussions were also facilitated between the buyers, sellers and the State Government representatives from all the 8 NER states. Additionally, Letters of Intent (LOI) worth Rs. 6 crores were signed during the event.
 
The above is a direct outcome of the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self Reliant India). DPIIT, under its initiative of One District One Product, which is working to ensure creation and sustenance of such linkages with a strong focus on increasing farmers income. With over 700 products cutting across sectors like agriculture, textiles, handicrafts, and manufacturing, the ODOP Initiative seeks to select, brand, and promote one product from every district of the country. This is marked by a key role to coordinate, create collaborative networks, and enable handholding of buyers and sellers for the larger aim of trade promotion and facilitation.

 Source:  pib.gov.in
20 Jun, 2022 News Image After a 9-year lull, India and EU re-launch negotiations for India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
In a joint event held at the Headquarters of the European Union (EU) at Brussels yesterday, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal, and Mr. Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President of European Commission formally re-launched the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. Besides, negotiations were also launched for a stand-alone Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) and a Geographical Indicators (GIs) Agreement.
 
Last year, in the India and EU Leaders’ Meeting held in Porto on 8th May 2021, an agreement was reached for resuming negotiations for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial FTA and starting fresh negotiations on the IPA and a separate agreement on GIs.  Both partners are now resuming the FTA talks after a gap of about nine years since the earlier negotiations were left off in 2013 due to difference in the scope and expectations from the deal.
 
The Delhi visit of the European Commission President Ms. Ursula von der Leyen in April 2022, and the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Europe accelerated the FTA discussions and helped in defining a clear roadmap for the negotiations.
 
This would be one of the most significant FTAs for India as EU is its second largest trading partner after the US.  The India-EU merchandise trade has registered an all-time high value of USD 116.36 Billion in 2021-22 with a year-on growth of 43.5%.  India’s export to the EU jumped 57% in FY 2021-22 to $65 billion.  India has a surplus trade with EU.
 
Considering that both partners have similar fundamental values and common interests and are two of the largest open market economies, the trade deal will help to diversify and secure the supply chains, boost economic opportunities for our businesses, and bring significant benefits to the people. Both sides are aiming for the trade negotiations to be broad-based, balanced and comprehensive, based on the principles of fairness and reciprocity. There will also be discussions on resolving the Market Access Issues which are impeding the bilateral trade. 
 
While the proposed IPA would provide a legal framework for cross-border investments to enhance the confidence of investors, the GI pact is expected to establish a transparent and predictable regulatory environment, to facilitate trade of GI products including handicrafts and agri-commodities.  Both parties are aiming to negotiate all the three agreements in parallel and conclude them simultaneously.  The first round of negotiations for all the three agreements will be held from 27th June to 1st July 2022 in New Delhi.
 
India earlier this year has concluded FTAs with Australia and the UAE in a record time.  The FTA talks with Canada and the UK are also underway.  The FTA negotiations are part of India’s broader strategy to forge balanced trade agreements with key economies and revamp existing trade pacts to improve trade and investment.

 Source:  pib.gov.in
17 Jun, 2022 News Image Mandatory registration on the govt anvil to curb wheat flour exports.

After having banned wheat export, the Central government might look to curb the shipping out of wheat flour by making registration mandatory for all participants just as in the case of sugar.


 Source:  business-standard.com
17 Jun, 2022 News Image India 'convinced' WTO talks will be successful.
India is convinced that the World Trade Organization's ministerial conference will be among the most successful held for many years, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said Thursday.
 
Goyal is the man in the spotlight at the WTO's 12th gathering of trade ministers (MC12), being held at its headquarters in Geneva, where talks were coming to the crunch after going through the night and into an extra fifth day.
 
Several diplomats have been blaming India for being intransigent across all the topics being thrashed out at the global trade body -- where objection from any one of its 164 members can block an agreement.
 
But Goyal said he thought the negotiations would be a success, unlike the last conference in 2017 in Buenos Aires which concluded without a major agreement.
 
'India is convinced that this will turn out to be one of the most successful ministerials that the WTO has seen in a long time,' Goyal told reporters at the organisation's HQ.
 
Goyal said many people had written off the conference on Wednesday -- scheduled to be the closing day -- when ministers gathered for talks with WTO director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
 
'We could see that the mood was very crestfallen,' he said.
 
'India took the lead to try and bring everybody together to start talking about subjects, talking on specific issues in smaller groups.
 
'Everybody got enthused into working together to find solutions.
 
'There was a lot of sensitivity to each others' concerns and needs.
 
'In that spirit the outcomes of MC12 are being watched by the world as a signal that the multilateral order is not broken.'
 
Countries have been trading off concessions on the different deals through Wednesday night and beyond in a bid to see if one over-arching package can be stitched together.
 
Cross the hump
Ministers are seeking deals on curbing harmful fishing subsidies; temporarily waiving Covid-19 vaccine patents; food security; agriculture; e-commerce; the WTO's response to pandemics; and reform of the organisation itself.
 
'We are very confident that the progress made... and the positivity with which everybody is engaged truly is a matter of celebration for the world,' said Goyal.
 
'We have taken some solid decisions, probably after seven years, for the first time, subject to a few issues being sorted out.'
 
He added: 'Nothing is done until every is done and I'm sure that that spirit will help us cross the hump.'
 
Countries have spent more than two decades trying to reach agreement through the WTO on curbing harmful fishing subsidies.
 
Goyal on Tuesday said it would be 'impossible' to finalise the MC12 negotiations without a 25-year exemption -- far longer than many are comfortable with -- calling the draft text 'completely unacceptable'.

 Source:  economictimes.indiatimes.com