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India to privatise discoms in all Union Territories, explore PPP across states
India will privatize electricity distribution companies (discoms) in all its eight union territories and explore public-private partnerships for power distribution in some states, Union power minister said. The Centre has informed the Union territories about the decision. Unlike discoms in states governed by the respective state governments, those in Union territories are directly administered by the central government. Ministry of Power will put in place a distribution system which is based on totally open, transparent, competitive, commercial principles.
Govt set to introduce vehicle scrappage policy to boost India's auto manufacturing: Gadkari
Union Minister said the government is set to introduce a vehicle scrappage policy, under which recycling clusters may be established near ports, expressing confidence that India will emerge as the world's leading automobile manufacturing hub in five years. He said the government has decided to increase the depth of the country's ports by 18 metres, and automobile clusters comprising recycling plants can be set up near the ports. The minister added that the material recycled will be useful for the automobile industry as it will reduce cost of manufacturing cars, buses, and trucks, increasing India's competitiveness in international markets. "Within five years, India will be the number one manufacturing hub of all cars, buses and trucks, with all fuel, ethanol, methanol, bio-CNG, LNG, electric as well as hydrogen fuel cells," Minister Said.
Govt modifies public procurement norms to give more preference to local suppliers
The government has modified public procurement norms to give maximum preference to companies whose goods and services have 50 per cent or more local content, a move aimed at promoting 'Make in India' and making the country self-reliant. The revised Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India), Order 2017, has introduced a concept of Class-I, II and non-local suppliers, based on which they will get preference in government purchases of goods and services.
India’s smart cities playing big role in technology led battle against COVID-19: GlobalData
As seen in many countries across the globe, smart cities in India too have been playing a major role and leading the way in the country’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. Despite delays in the country’s smart city projects due to paucity of funds, smart have been able to effectively tap technologies like IoT/sensors, tele-healthcare, data and analytics, and contribute significantly to India’s fight against COVID-19.