In the year 2018-19, Government of India has extended the facility of Kisan Credit Card to fishers and fish farmers to meet their working capital requirements. Under the scheme, farmers receive KCC loans up to Rs.2.00 Lakhs (fishers & fish farmers) at a subsidized interest rate of 7%. To facilitate this, an up-front interest subvention (IS) of 1.5% is provided to financial institutions by the Govt. of India and additionally, farmers who repay their loans promptly on time, receive a 3% Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI), effectively reducing the interest rate to 4% per annum. Besides, the collateral-free loan limit for KCC fisheries has also been enhanced from Rs.1.60 lakh to Rs. 2.00 lakh from 01.01.2025. Moreover, in the Union Budget 2025-26, the Government of India has increased the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) lending limit of loans up to ₹5 lakh to enhance credit accessibility for fishers, farmers, processors and other fisheries stakeholders under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme. Till date, 4,63,492 KCC cards have been issued to fishers and fish farmers with a loan amount of Rs. 2982.58 crore in all States/UTs.
Besides, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, with effect from financial year 2018-19 is implementing Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) with a total fund size of Rs 7522.48 crore. FIDFinter-aliaprovides concessional finance for development of various fisheries infrastructure facilities to the Eligible Entities (EEs), including State Governments/Union Territories, State entities and other Stakeholders for development of identified fisheries infrastructure facilities. Under FIDF, the Department of Fisheries provides interest subvention up to 3% per annum for providing the concessional finance by the NLEs at the interest rate not lower than 5% per annum. A total of 141 projects with outlay of Rs.3947.54 crore have been approved under FIDF.
Further, in order to provide social security measure to fishers, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India under ongoing Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) provides Group accidental insurance coverage to fishers wherein the entire insurance premium amount is borne by the Central and State Government, with no contribution from the beneficiary. The insurance coverage provided includes (i) Rs.5,00,000/- against death or permanent total disability, (ii) Rs.2,50,000/- for permanent partial disability and (iii) hospitalization expenses in the event of accident for a sum of Rs. 25,000/. During the last three years (2021-22 to 2023-24) and current financial year (2024-25) of the implementation of the PMMSY,131.30 lakh fishers with an average of 32.82 lakh fishers annually have been enrolled for providing insurance coverage under the Scheme.
This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 25th March, 2025.
Global CEO of Eli Lilly, world’s pioneer Insulin manufacturing Company, David Ricks called on Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh to discuss strengthening partnership, with a focus on Insulin and Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) therapies as well as biomanufacturing The talks also covered the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for insulin therapies, as well as clinical trials for advanced treatment options
Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 5:47PM by PIB Delhi
Global CEO of Eli Lilly, world’s pioneer Insulin manufacturing Company, David Ricks called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh to discuss strengthening partnership, with a focus on Insulin and Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) therapies as well as biomanufacturing.
Eli Lilly, a global pharmaceutical giant headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and a global pioneer in Insulin production for Diabetes and several other drugs particularly for Cancer etc has a significant presence in India through its subsidiary, Eli Lilly and Company (India) Pvt. Ltd. The company imports and markets medicines for diabetes, gastric cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other critical diseases. Its operations also extend to Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka through partnerships with local pharmaceutical firms.
The talks also covered the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for insulin therapies, as well as clinical trials for advanced treatment options.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, himself a renowned Endocrinologist, emphasized on carrying out studies particularly for India, as there is difference in metabolic disorders faced in India and the rest part of the world. He stressed that food habits and phenotype are different thus central obesity and visceral obesity is quite prevalent.
With diabetes being a major health concern in India, discussions on expanding insulin production and accessibility hold immense significance. Dr. Jitendra Singh, who has been vocal about leveraging biotechnology for affordable healthcare solutions, welcomed the dialogue, emphasizing India’s growing capabilities in pharmaceuticals and clinical research. The conversation aligns with the government’s broader push for self-reliance in drug manufacturing and innovation in life sciences.
Referring to India’s push for affordable healthcare for all and the importance of generic medicine, Dr. Jitendra Singh said “Both Generic Medicine and advancement in specialized medicine can co-exist in India.
Eli Lilly’s engagement aligns with the government’s broader vision of achieving self-reliance in drug manufacturing and advancing innovation in life sciences. Dr. Jitendra Singh has emphasized that bio-manufacturing plays a crucial role in India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative by reducing import dependence and ensuring wider access to cutting-edge therapies. He has pointed out that India’s robust pharmaceutical industry, evolving biotech ecosystem, and highly skilled scientific workforce position the country as a potential global leader in bio-manufacturing. The Minister has also highlighted the importance of government-industry collaboration in accelerating research, streamlining regulatory processes, and driving innovation, particularly in insulin production and treatments for non-communicable diseases.
Eli Lilly’s engagement with India comes at a time when the country is focusing on bolstering its pharmaceutical industry, not just for domestic needs but also as a global supplier. The potential establishment of a Centre of Excellence could serve as a critical step in making insulin therapies more accessible, reinforcing India’s role in combating lifestyle diseases.
The meeting underscores the increasing collaboration between global pharmaceutical firms and the Indian government, with a shared vision of enhancing healthcare accessibility and advancing research in non-communicable diseases.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today issued its response to the back-reference received from Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in respect of TRAI’s recommendations dated 24.04.2024 on‘Telecommunication Infrastructure Sharing, Spectrum Sharing, and Spectrum Leasing’.
Earlier, DoT, through a reference dated 07.12.2021 under Section 11 (1) (a) of the TRAl Act, 1997, requested TRAI to provide recommendations on allowing sharing of core network elements such as MSC, HLR, IN etc., among telecom operators. Subsequently, DoT, through a reference dated 10.02.2022, mentioning its earlier reference dated 07.12.2021, informed that “to promote optimum resource utilization among the licensees, it is proposed to allow sharing of all kinds of telecom infrastructure and network elements among all categories of service providers licensed under the Section 4 of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 for provision of authorized telecom services”, and requested TRAI to provide recommendations on the subject.
Considering the request of stakeholders to permit inter-band spectrum sharing and leasing of spectrum in the country, the Authority decided to take up the issues related to spectrum sharing and spectrum leasing along with the issues related to infrastructure sharing in the stakeholders’ consultation.
After a comprehensive consultation with stakeholders, TRAI sent its recommendations on ‘Telecommunication Infrastructure Sharing, Spectrum Sharing, and Spectrum Leasing’ to DoT on 24.04.2024.
Subsequently, DoT, through a back-reference dated 13.02.2025, informed TRAI that as per Section 11(1) of the TRAI Act 1997 (as amended), such recommendations on ‘Telecommunication Infrastructure Sharing, Spectrum Sharing, and Spectrum Leasing’ dated 24.04.2024, where the Government has reached aprima-facieconclusion that these recommendations may not be accepted or may need modification are being referred back to TRAI for its reconsideration.
In this regard, after a careful examination, TRAI has sent its response to the back-reference to DoT. TRAI’s response to the back-reference has also been placed on the TRAI’s website (www.trai.gov.in).
For any clarification or information, Shri Akhilesh Kumar Trivedi, Advisor (Networks, Spectrum and Licensing), TRAI may be contacted at Telephone Number +91-11-20907758.
The uniform ban on fishing for 61 days is implemented annually by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India beyond territorial waters on both the coasts for 61 days (i.e., 15th April to 14th June in the East Coast, and 1st June to 31st July in the West Coast) based on the recommendations of the Technical Committee and in consultation with the coastal States/Union Territories (UTs). The traditional non-motorized units are exempted from this uniform fishing ban imposed in the Indian EEZ beyond territorial waters. Similarly, the coastal States/UTs are also implementing the fishing ban within their territorial waters in line with the uniform ban implemented in the EEZ. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) implemented by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, the livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fishers is provided during the fishing ban/lean period. Livelihood and nutritional support for 5,97,709 fisher families has been provided annually during fishing ban/lean period, at a total investment of Rs.1059.94 crores during 2020-21 to 2023-24.
As informed by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India, there has been an import of fish and fish products worth 722.01 million USD to India in the last 3 years (FY 2021-22 to FY 2023-24), including import in the state of Tamil Nadu. As informed by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, there has been an export of fish and fish products worth 23,235.78 million USD from India in the last 3 years (FY 2021-22 to FY 2023-24), including fish and fish products worth 2,607.99 million USD from the state of Tamil Nadu.
In order to promote the export of marine products, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India has taken several steps, these inter-alia include support through PMMSY for branding, standards and certification, training and capacity building, creation of post-harvest infrastructure with emphasis on seamless cold-chain and development of modern fishing harbours and fish landing centers, etc. In addition, to address the critical infrastructure requirements of fisheries and aquaculture sectors, the Department of Fisheries, GoI during 2018-19 has created the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) with a total fund size of Rs 7522.48 crore to provide concessional finance to states/UT and private sector. In this regard the supported activities included development of 27,823 ice plant /cold storages and transportation facilities with an investment of ₹1362 Cr, acquisition of 1398 Deep Sea Fishing Vessels (₹ 1310 Cr) and up-gradation of 1338 fishing vessels (₹ 193.64 Cr). Further, Department of Fisheries has also approved the projects for export oriented fish species such as Scampi, Mud crab, Asian Seabass, Cobia etc. and supported the state-of-the-art aquaculture production technologies like RAS and Biofloc. In addition, Department of Fisheries, GoI has notified Tuna Cluster in the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Seaweed Cluster in the Lakshadweep and has issued the Guidelines for promoting diversified species and Nucleus Breeding Centre (NBCs)/Broodstock Multiplication Centre (BMCs) under the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005 (amended in 2023). Apart from this, to ensure the sustainability and uninterrupted supply of Indian seafood material to the US Market, the Department is supporting a Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Project at the cost of around ₹ 13.29 Cr. In order to meet the requirements of the export markets for wild-caught shrimp, the Department of Fisheries is facilitating the installation of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in shrimp trawlers by including TEDs as a separate line item under the PMMSY scheme, and has advised the maritime states/UTs to mandate TED usage in trawl nets through amendments in their respective Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts. To strengthen India’s seafood sector globally, the Government is facilitating ease of business by amending Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act (Amendment) 2023. In addition, the Department is conducting Investors meets, Stakeholders consultation and also advising the States/UTs to encourage the farmers to attend the technical and demonstration workshops/training programs related to seed and feed, technology infusion, ornamental fisheries, hatchery technologies etc. on periodic basis in order to increase in productivity and quality of fishery produce.
This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 25th March, 2025.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah says separatism has become history in Kashmir A big victory for Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of building a developed, peaceful and unified Bharat
The unifying policies of the Modi government have tossed separatism out of J&K
Two organizations associated with the Hurriyat announced the severing of all ties with separatism
Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 5:43PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah has said that separatism has become history in Kashmir.
In his post on X platform Home Minister said, the unifying policies of the Modi government have tossed separatism out of J&K. Two organizations associated with the Hurriyat have announced the severing of all ties with separatism.
Shri Amit Shah said that he welcomes this step towards strengthening Bharat’s unity and urge all such groups to come forward and shed separatism once and for all. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that it is a big victory for Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of building a developed, peaceful and unified Bharat.
Separatism has become history in Kashmir.
The unifying policies of the Modi government have tossed separatism out of J&K. Two organizations associated with the Hurriyat have announced the severing of all ties with separatism.
I welcome this step towards strengthening Bharat’s…
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Aquaculture and Marine Export
Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 5:42PM by PIB Delhi
The Government of India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry has established the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) as a dedicated agency to facilitate export of seafood. MPEDA, through its field offices in maritime States and registered societies like NaCSA (National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture), NETFISH (Network for Fish Quality Management & Sustainable Fishing) and RGCA (Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture) is taking various activities to promote sustainable aquaculture and marine exports. In aquaculture, MPEDA focused on capacity building for better management practices, antibiotic reduction through initiatives like “SHAPHARI” certification and ELISA labs, and disease control through Aqua One Centres and mobile labs. MPEDA also supported sustainable shrimp farming through NaCSA and operated seven technology transfer projects via RGCA. In the marine sector, MPEDA, primarily through NETFISH, conducted workshops and trials for Turtle Excluder Device (TED) implementation, supported marine mammal stock assessments for US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) compliance, promoted eco-friendly fishing gear like square mesh cod ends, and organized numerous coastal clean-up drives and plastic collection projects and hands-on training programs and meets. The details of these projects and their outcomes, project-wise is furnished as Annexure-I and II.
MPEDA has implemented several measures to promote environmentally sustainable shrimp farming by encouraging eco-friendly practices, responsible resource management, and disease prevention strategies. MPEDA also ensure quality and traceability through farm/hatchery enrollment and SHAPHARI certification programs, which include geographical mapping and unique identification numbers. MPEDA supports infrastructure development by providing financial assistance for nursery-rearing units and shrimp handling centers, all aimed at enhancing sustainable practices and ensuring high-quality, safe shrimp production for export. Additionally, through various training programs, MPEDA promote sustainable shrimp farming. With regard to seaweed cultivation, MPEDA-RGCA signed MoU with Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu for supplying the quality germplasm of seaweeds and technical consultant for establishment of Multipurpose Seaweed Aqua Park under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampda Yojana (PMMSY) assistance.
Annexure-I
Aquaculture and Marine Export.
Sl.No.
Name of the project
Name of the produce/ services
No. of Beneficiaries
Quantity supplied
1
Asian Seabass Hatchery, Thoduvai, Tamil Nadu
Seabass fingerlings (nos.)
4300
49.8 million
2
Mud crab Hatchery,
Thoduvai, Tamil Nadu
Crab instar (nos.)
919
11.27 million
3
GIFT Tilapia Hatchery
Vijayawada, Andra Pradesh
GIFT seed (nos.)
581
50.48 million
GIFT brood-fry (nos.)
50
84,295
4
Marine Finfish Hatchery,
Pozhiyoor, Kerala
Cobia fingerlings (nos.)
95
1,25,091
Pompano (nos)
115
5,02,250
5
Aquatic Quarantine Facilities for
L. vannamei, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
L. vannamei Broodstocks (nos.) quarantined
4,175
25,26,607
P. monodon broodstocks (nos.) quarantined
28,128
P. monodon PPLs (nos.) quarantined
1,84,077
L. vannamei PPLs (nos.)
9,19,431
6
Artemia Demo Farm at
Tharuvaikulam&Uppoor, Tamil Nadu
Artemia biomass (kg)
725
9400
Artemia cyst (tins)
4,673
7
Multispecies Aquaculture Complex (MAC)
Vallarpadam, Kerala
GIFT Seed (nos.)
8,704
15.68 million
Seabass fingerlings (nos.)
1,484
14,12,018
Etroplus suratensis seed (nos.)
690
12,12,425
P. monodon seed (nos.)
185
89,69,455
Contribution from RGCA Central Laboratories
S.No
Laboratory
Testing (by samples)
Samples
(Nos)
No. of Beneficiaries
1
Mobile Aquaculture Disease Diagnosis Laboratory
Molecular diseases diagnosis (PCR)
4,570
1,094
Microbiology & water parameters
2
Central Aquaculture Pathology Laboratory
Molecular diseases diagnosis (PCR), Microbiology & water parameters,Histology
Disease surveillance / NSPAAD,
Seed health, PCR-based species identification,Sequencing-based species identification
30,635
4,532
3
Central Aquaculture Genetics Laboratory
24,897
555
Annexure-II
Aquaculture and Marine Export.
Sl.No.
Hands on Training Program/ Meets
No. of Trainings/ Events
No. of Beneficiaries
1
Best Management Practices of nursery, grow-out and cage culture in earthen ponds for Asian Seabass
95
1,814
2
Best Management Practices of nursery, grow-out and Softshell culture of Mangrove Mud crab
106
1,909
3
Breeding, Seed Production and Grow – out farming of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT)
79
1,165
4
Artificial Insemination Technique used for SPF Black Tiger Shrimp, Penaeus monodon with special reference to Broodstock Management, Maturation and Seed Production
4
22
5
Hatchery Production of Marine Finfish
2
3
6
Artemia Production & Processing of Cyst and Biomass
8
265
7
PCR and its Application in Aquaculture Pathology
44
945
8
PCR and its Application in Aquaculture Genetics Research
37
773
9
RAS ( Re-circulatory Aquaculture System)
1
23
10
Training at MAC, Vallarpadam
13
203
11
Farmers Meet/ Program for SC/ST beneficiaries:
on Diversified Aquaculture/
558
17563
This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 25th March, 2025.
Revolutionizing Mobility The Make in India Auto Story
Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 5:39PM by PIB Delhi
Key Takeaways
Make in Indiahas boosted domestic car production and EV manufacturing.
The automobile sector contributes approximately 6%to India’s national GDP
Vehicle productiongrew from 2 million (1991-92) to 28 million (2023-24).
Automobile exportsreached 4.5 million units in FY 2023-24.
US $36 billion FDIattracted in the past four years.
4.4 million EVs registered, with 6.6% market penetration.
PLI & PM E-DRIVE schemessupporting EV and battery manufacturing.
GST on EVs reducedfrom 12% to 5%.
India’s auto component sectorcontributes 2.3% to GDP and employs 1.5 million people directly.
The sector grew at a CAGR of 8.63% from FY16-FY24.
Exportsreached US$ 21.2 billion in FY24 and are projected to hit US$ 30 billion by 2026.
The government is actively promoting electric mobility and advanced automotive technologies.
Introduction
Launched in 2014, the Make in India initiative has significantly transformed India’s automobile industry, fostering domestic car production and accelerating electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing. Over the past decade, policy reforms, fiscal incentives, and infrastructure development have positioned India as a key global automotive hub. The sector has attracted substantial investments, spurred innovation, and increased localization, contributing to economic growth and sustainability.
The Indian auto industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors. It embarked on a new journey in 1991 with the de-licensing of the sector and subsequent opening up for 100 percent FDI through the ‘automatic route’. Since then, almost all the global majors have set up their manufacturing facilities in India, taking the level of production of vehicles from 2 million in 1991-92 to around 28 million in 2023-24.
The turnover of the Indian automotive industry is about USD 240 billion (20 Lakh Crore), which translates into a large contribution to the country’s economy and manufacturing sector. As per the Annual Report 2024-25 of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, around 30 million jobs (Direct: 4.2 million and Indirect: 26.5 million) are supported by the Indian Auto Industry. Indian Automotive Industry exported vehicles and auto components amounting to about USD 35 billion. In terms of global standing, India is the largest manufacturer of three-wheelers, among the top 2 manufacturers of two-wheelers in the world, the top 4 manufacturers of passenger vehicles, and the top 5 manufacturers of commercial vehicles in the world.
Auto Components Industry in India
The auto component sector is one of the key pillars of India’s manufacturing industry, supplying critical parts and systems to domestic vehicle manufacturers and exporting to major global markets. The industry covers a broad spectrum of products, including engine parts, transmission systems, braking systems, electrical and electronics components, body and chassis parts, and more. India has become a preferred destination for auto component manufacturing due to its cost competitiveness, skilled workforce, and strong policy support. The auto component sector is expected to reach the $100 billion export target by 2030 making the sector one of the largest job creators in the country.
Overview of the Auto Components Industry
Contribution to GDP
2.3%
Direct Employment
1.5 million people
Industry Turnover (FY24)
Rs. 6.14 lakh crore (US$ 74.1 billion)
Domestic OEM Supply Share
54%
Export Share
18%
CAGR (FY16-FY24)
8.63%
Export Value (FY24)
US$ 21.2 billion
Projected Exports (2026)
US$ 30 billion
India’s auto component sector contributes 2.3% to India’s GDP, directly employing over 1.5 million people. The sector’s turnover in FY24 was Rs. 6.14 lakh crore (US$ 74.1 billion), with domestic OEM supplies making up 54%, and exports contributing 18%. Over FY16-FY24, the industry grew at a CAGR of 8.63%. In FY24, exports reached US$ 21.2 billion, with a trade surplus of US$ 300 million, and are projected to hit US$ 30 billion by 2026.
The Indian auto components industryexportsover 25% of its production annually. By FY28, the Indian auto industry aims to invest US$ 7 billion to boost the localisation of advanced components like electric motors and automatic transmissions by reducing imports and leveraging the “China Plus One” trend. In 2023, the auto component industry achieved a 5.8% reduction in imports over two years. The majority of the components sold to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are engine components (26%), body/chassis/BIW (14%), suspension and braking (15%), drive transmission and steering (13%), and electricals & electronics (11%). Major exports are to Europe (US$ 6.89 billion), followed by North America (US$ 6.19 billion) and Asia (US$ 5.15 billion).
Growth in Domestic Automobile Production
The automobile sector contributes approximately 6%to India’s national GDP, with exports reaching 4.5 million units across all categories in FY 2023-24, including 6.72 million passenger vehicles and 3.45 million 2-wheelers. Global automotive companies like Skoda Auto Volkswagen India exporting 30% of their production and Maruti Suzuki exporting around 2.8 lakh units annually, exemplify this trend.
The sector has attracted$36 billioninForeign Direct Investment (FDI)over the past four years, highlighting India’sgrowing prominencein theglobal automotive landscape. Major international players are making substantial commitments, withHyundaiplanning aUSD 4 billion(INR 33,200 Crore) expansion, whileMercedes-Benzhas pledgedUSD 360 million(INR 3,000 Crore). Recently,Toyotaannounced aUSD 2.3 billion(INR 20,000 Crore) investment to further increase its capacity.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Manufacturing Boom
The country is also advancing in sustainable mobility, with 4.4 million Electric Vehicles (EV) registered by August 2024, including 9.5 lakh in the first eight months of 2024, achieving a 6.6% market penetration. To support this growth, the government has implemented initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI)Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery storage. In the 2024-25 Budget, the government allocated INR 2,671.33 crore under the FAMEscheme and proposed the exemption of customs duties from the import of critical minerals required for EV cell components manufacturing.
Additionally, in March 2024, the Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) was launched with an INR 500 Crore outlay for four months, specifically targeting support for the two and three-wheeler segments to expedite the transition to electric vehicles. These initiatives align with the recent discovery of lithium deposits in Jammu & Kashmir, positioning India to become a key player in the global battery manufacturing industry in the coming years. The Indian EV sector is likewise developing quickly and is predicted to record a growth of USD 113.99 billion in 2029.
As per the inputs provided by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the total annual production of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in India during the last five years, year-wise is as given below:
The Ministry of Heavy Industries has formulated the following schemes to promote electric vehicles (EVs) and to address the various challenges faced in adoption of electric mobility including availability and accessibility of charging stations in the country:
Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme Phase-II: The Government implemented this scheme for a period of five years from 1 April2019 with a total budgetary support of INR 11,500 Crore. The scheme incentivised e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-4Ws, e-buses and EV public charging stations. The Department of Heavy Industries has also sanctioned 2636 charging stations in 62 cities across 24 States/UTs under phase II. State-wise allocation of these charging stations is as follows:
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto Component Industry in India (PLI-Auto): The Government notified this scheme on 23 September 2021 for Automobile and Auto Component Industry in India for enhancing India’s manufacturing capabilities for Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) products with a budgetary outlay of INR 25,938 Crore. The scheme proposes financial incentives to boost domestic manufacturing of AAT products with minimum 50% Domestic Value Addition (DVA) and attract investments in the automotive manufacturing value chain.
Feature
Details
Budgetary Outlay
Rs. 25,938 crore
Target Years
FY 2022-23 to FY 2026-27
Domestic Value Addition
Minimum 50%
Focus
Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) products
Targeted Technologies
Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Components
Incentives for EVs and Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Components
13% – 18%
Incentives for AAT components
8% – 13%
Investment Attraction
Global OEMs
Eligibility
Both domestic and export sales
PLI Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC): The Government on 12 May 2021 approved PLI Scheme for manufacturing of ACC in the country with a budgetary outlay of INR 18,100 Crore. The scheme aims to establish a competitive domestic manufacturing ecosystem for 50 GWh of ACC batteries.
PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE)Scheme: This scheme with an outlay of INR 10,900 Crore was notified on 29 September 2024. It is a two-year scheme which aims to support electric vehicles including e-2W, e-3W, e-Trucks, e-buses, e-Ambulances, EV public charging stations and upgradation of vehicle testing agencies.
PM e-Bus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) Scheme: This Scheme notified on 28 October 2024, has an outlay of INR 3,435.33 Crore and aims to support deployment of more than 38,000 electric buses. The objective of scheme is to provide payment security to e-bus operators in case of default by Public Transport Authorities (PTAs).
Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India(SMEC) was notified on 15 March 2024 to promote the manufacturing of electric cars in India. This requires applicants to invest a minimum of INR 4,150 crore and to achieve a minimum DVA of 25% at the end of the third year and DVA of 50% at the end of the fifth year.
Measures taken by other Ministries include the following initiatives:
Ministry of Power has issued guidelines and standards for EV Charging Infrastructure titled, “Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure-2024” on 17 September 2024. These revised guidelines outline standards and protocols to create a connected & interoperable EV charging infrastructure network in the country.
Ministry of Finance has reduced GST on EVs from 12% to 5%.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) announced that the battery-operated vehicles will be given green plates and be exempted from permit requirements.
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has amended the Model Building Bye-Laws, mandating the inclusion of charging stations in private and commercial buildings.
Conclusion
The Make in India initiative has driven unprecedented growth in India’s automobile sector and Indi’s auto component sector, significantly boosting domestic car production and EV manufacturing. Through sustained policy support, investment influx, and technological advancements, India is on track to becoming a global leader in automotive and electric mobility and achieving greater self-reliance in the automotive sector.
The DBIM framework strengthens the government’s vision of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance: Jayant Chaudhary MSDE Launches DBIM-Compliant Website
Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 5:29PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step toward strengthening India’s digital governance ecosystem, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) today launched its DBIM-compliant website, developed in alignment with the Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) Version 3.0 introduced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Launching the revamped website, Sh. Jayant Chaudhary the Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE, said: “The DBIM framework strengthens the government’s vision of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’ by creating a unified and citizen-centric digital ecosystem. As India’s digital economy expands, a standardized and seamless service delivery model is crucial. Our Ministry’s website, aligned with DBIM 3.0, ensures that skilling opportunities are more accessible, inclusive, and efficient for every citizen.” Sh. Chaudhary congratulated the MSDE IT team and NIC for their efforts in making this possible. Further he encouraged all stakeholders to explore the website and leverage its enhanced features for seamless access to skilling initiatives and resources.
The newly launched website enhances accessibility, uniformity, and ease of navigation for users, featuring AI-powered search, multi-language support through Bhashini, persona-led navigation, and centralized content management. With its three-click approach, it ensures citizens can seamlessly access essential services and skilling resources.
The MSDE website serves as a one-stop digital hub showcasing all flagship schemes and initiatives of the Ministry, including Skill India Mission, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and more. Each initiative is seamlessly linked to its respective dashboard, portals, and resources, ensuring real-time access to data, performance metrics, and impact stories. The website’s integrated design enhances transparency and enables stakeholders, industries, and citizens to easily explore skilling opportunities, track progress, and engage with government programs more efficiently.
The DBIM framework, introduced by MeitY, ensures a consistent digital presence across all government ministries and platforms, fostering a seamless, integrated, and transparent governance approach. MSDE is among the first five ministries to transition to this new system, reflecting its commitment to leveraging technology for efficient public service delivery.
The Minister further urged all MSDE-operated portals to adopt DBIM standards soon, ensuring standardized governance across all digital platforms under the Skill India Mission.
For more details, visit the new MSDE website: www.msde.gov.in
Government of India is implementing the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) in 28 States and 2 Union Territories (UTs) viz. Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, to increase production of foodgrains through area expansion and productivity enhancement by providing incentives to the farmers, through the States/UTs, on crop production and protection technologies, cropping system-based demonstrations, distribution of certified seeds of newly released varieties/hybrids, integrated nutrient and pest management techniques, improved farm implements/tools/resource conservation machineries, water saving devices, capacity building of farmers through trainings during cropping seasons. The area under Rabi foodgrains in 2024-25 has increased by 14.35 lakh hectares, reaching a total of 565.46 lakh hectares, compared to 551.11 lakh hectares in 2023-24.
The Government is implementing “Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS)’ across various States and UTs in pan India to provide concessional interest rates on short-term agricultural loans through Kisan Credit Cards. The Government of India has also implemented several measures to improve the accessibility, transparency, and efficiency of the crop insurance scheme, which includes National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP), a centralized platform for data management, subsidy payment, coordination, and online farmer enrolment. Digiclaim Module has been introduced to monitor the claim disbursal process. District and State Level Grievance Redressal Committees has been established to resolve farmer complaints. Additionally, the Krishi Rakshak Portal and Helpline (toll-free number 14447) allows farmers to raise issues related to claims, with fixed timelines for resolution. Other technological interventions such as YES-Tech, Weather information and Network Data System (WINDS), App for Intermediary Enrolment (AIDE App) etc. have also been implemented.
Government on 31.05.2023, has approved the “World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector. The Plan entails creation of various agri infrastructure at Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) level, including godowns, custom hiring center, processing units, Fair Price Shops, etc. The coordination between Railways and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) ensures efficient movement of foodgrains from surplus to deficit regions, addressing storage capacity, procurement, and allocations. Further, the government arranges procurement for all six mandated Rabi crops. For wheat and barley, FCI and state agencies provide price support to farmers. Procurement of pulses (Gram, Masur) and oilseeds (Rapeseed/Mustard, Safflower) is done under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) through the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) when market prices fall below the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Government of lndia is deeply committed to the well-being of farmers across the nation, which is evident through its remarkable increase in budget allocation for the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. The budget allocation for Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has been increased from Rs 1,32,469.86 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 1,37,756.55 crore in 2025-26.
As regard Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) it is informed that on account of several interventions by Government of India (GoI), the premium rates charged by the Insurance Companies under the scheme have significantly reduced and hence the premium liability of GoI has reduced. In 2023-24 premium rate was 10.8% as compared to 15.9% in 2020-21. It may be further noted that Revised Estimates (2024-25) has been increased to Rs.15,864 crore as compared to Rs.14,600 crore at Budget Estimates stage (2024-25). Further, Union Cabinet in its meeting held on 01.01.2025 has approved exemption from 10% mandatory allocation in North Eastern Region (NER) heads due to which funds which were surrendered in earlier years have been made available for utilisation for non-NER States which will significantly reduce past liabilities. Keeping in mind the above, BE 2025-26 has been kept at Rs.12,242 crore. Further, the Union Cabinet in the meeting held on 01.01.2025 has also approved an increased outlay of Rs.69,515.71 crore under the scheme for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26. Therefore, sufficient funds are available for additional allocation.
Majority of the claims are settled within the stipulated timelines under the Operational Guidelines of the scheme by the insurance companies. However, during the implementation of PMFBY, some complaints against insurance companies about non-payment and/or delayed payment of claims; under payment of claims on account of incorrect/delayed submission of insurance proposals by banks; discrepancy in yield data & consequent disputes between State Government and insurance companies, delay in providing State Government share of funds, non-deployment of sufficient personnel by insurance companies etc., were received in the past which were suitably addressed as per the provisions of the scheme.
Since the scheme is implemented by the State Government, therefore, in order to resolve the grievances/complaints including those related to claims of insured farmers, provision of Stratified Grievance Redressal Mechanism viz. District Level Grievance Redressal Committee (DGRC), State Level Grievance Redressal Committee (SGRC) has been made in the Revised Operational Guidelines of the Scheme. These committees have been given the detailed mandate as outlined in the Operational Guidelines for hearing the complaints/ grievances and to dispose them as per the stipulated procedure.
To further improve the grievance redressal mechanism, Krishi Rakshak Portal and Helpline (KRPH) has been developed. A single Pan-India toll free number 14447 has been deployed and linked to the insurance companies database, where farmers can raise their grievances/issues. Timelines to resolve these grievances/issues has also been fixed.
Department is regularly monitoring the functioning of insurance companies by various methods, including timely settlement of claims through weekly video conferences of all stakeholders, one to one meeting as well as National Review Conferences.
Based on the experience gained, views of various stakeholders and with a view to ensure better transparency, accountability, timely payment of claims to the farmers and to make the scheme more farmer friendly, Government has periodically revised the Operational Guidelines of the PMFBY comprehensively to ensure that the eligible benefits under the scheme reach the farmers timely and transparently.
This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
ARCHBOLD, Ohio, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Board of Directors of Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc., (Nasdaq: FMAO) the holding company of F&M Bank, with total assets of $3.36 billion at December 31, 2024, today announced that it has approved the Company’s quarterly cash dividend of $0.22125 per share. The first-quarter dividend is payable on April 20, 2025, to shareholders of record as of April 4, 2025.
About Farmers & Merchants State Bank: Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FMAO) is the holding company of F&M Bank, a local independent community bank that has been serving its communities since 1897. F&M Bank provides commercial banking, retail banking and other financial services. Our locations are in Butler, Champaign, Fulton, Defiance, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Shelby, Williams, and Wood counties in Ohio. In Northeast Indiana, we have offices located in Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Jay, Steuben and Wells counties. The Michigan footprint includes Oakland County, and we have Loan Production Offices in West Bloomfield, Michigan; Muncie, Indiana; and Perrysburg and Bryan, Ohio.
Safe Harbor statement Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (“F&M”) wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions included in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements by F&M, including management’s expectations and comments, may not be based on historical facts and are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties inherent in general and local banking conditions, competitive factors specific to markets in which F&M and its subsidiaries operate, future interest rate levels, legislative and regulatory decisions, capital market conditions, or the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impacts on our credit quality and business operations, as well as its impact on general economic and financial market conditions. F&M assumes no responsibility to update this information. For more details, please refer to F&M’s SEC filing, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Such filings can be viewed at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov or through F&M’s website www.fm.bank.
Company Contact: Lars B. Eller President and Chief Executive Officer Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (419) 446-2501 leller@fm.bank
Investor and Media Contact: Andrew M. Berger Managing Director SM Berger & Company, Inc. (216) 464-6400 andrew@smberger.com
The National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) has been launched on 15th August, 2024 by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to enhance the surveillance and management of pest diseases across the country. The system utilizes latest digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI and ML) to provide quick and instant solution regarding pest attacks, crop diseases, crop damages etc. by issuing real time crop protection advisory to the farmers. It includes a user-friendly mobile app and a portal for identification of pests and disease mitigation.
NPSS is being used by the farmers across the country for identification of pests and diseases in 61 crops and pest management advisories for 15 major crops namely cotton, paddy, wheat, maize, pigeon pea, moong, soyabean, sugarcane, brinjal, tomato, apple, banana, grapes, pomegranate. NPSS is currently available in four languages namely English, Hindi, Marathi and Punjabi. So far, 10154 pest management advisories have been issued through NPSS for the benefit of farmers.
The Government has formulated six point strategy for the welfare of farmers and development of agriculture. Strategies for increasing farmer incomes include improving crop productivity, reducing cost of production, agricultural diversification, adaptation to climate change for sustainable agriculture and compensation of farmers’ losses. Further, Ministry has formulated various schemes and programs to ensure effective coordination between the union and state governments and to address agricultural challenges at the grassroot level and also to incentivize and encourage farmers to grow a variety of crops. The list of schemes/ programmes implemented by DA&FW is enclosed at Annexure-I.
A total of 79 new high yielding varieties of seven major agricultural crops, 11 of fruits and 31 of vegetables were exhibited during Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela held during February 22-24, 2025. Besides, technologies for 18 biofertizers and bioformulations, Soil Test Fertilizer Recommendation Meter, Zn-loaded nano clay polymer composite; SpeedySeed Viability KitTM; Polymer composite seed coating for bruchid management; Nanocellulose extracted from pummelo peel and rice husk; Pea pod powder for instant noodles; Overripe banana powder in snack puffs and Muffins functionalized with by-products were also displayed. Eight new agricultural implements were also demonstrated during the event.
The details of main topics covered in the technical sessions and farmer-scientist interactions are as follows session-wise:
Session 1 : Technologies for Climate Resilient Agriculture; Session 2 : Crop Diversification; Session 3 : Digital Agriculture; Session 4 : Agricultural Marketing and Export; Session 5 : FPO-Start up linkage; Session 6 : Entrepreneurship Development of Youth and Women and Session 7 : Innovative Farmers Meet.
The farmers, entrepreneurs, youth and women were sensitized and educated about the new varieties and technologies through guided tours to Live demonstrations of the salient varieties and technologies developed by ICAR-IARI; exhibitions on salient technologies, products and services of ICAR-IARI as well as ICAR Institutes, Agricultural Universities, KVKs, FPOs, entrepreneurs, start-ups, public and private companies; and farmers-scientists’ interactions were held in technical sessions of Unnat Krishi – Viksit Bharat theme.
• 245 stalls of ICAR institutes, agricultural Universities, public and private institutes, farm entrepreneurs were showcased.
• Over 1800 quintals of seeds of various crops like paddy, moong, pigeon-pea, pearl millet, and vegetables were provided to the farmers at a very reasonable rate. On-Spot advisories were provided to the farmers and other stakeholders.
• Extension literatures on technologies were also distributed among all stakeholders
Some of the major announcements during the event include supervision of “Krishi Chaupal – Vigyan se Kisan Tak” and engagement of the IARI awardee/ Innovative farmers etc. in dissemination of technol
This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Shri Shri Bhagirath Choudhary in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
During 2024-25, the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) has been renamed as National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) and the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing NFSNM for increasing production of pulses, nutri cereals, rice, wheat and coarse cereals in the country. Under NFSNM, the incentives are provided to the farmers, through the States/UTs, on crop production and protection technologies, cropping system based demonstrations, production & distribution of certified seeds of newly released varieties/hybrids, integrated nutrient and pest management techniques, capacity building of farmers through trainings during cropping season etc.
Further, the Government of India also provides flexibility to the states for state specific needs/priorities under Pradhan Mantri-Rashtirya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY). The states may promote coarse cereals and millets (Shree Anna) under PM-RKVY with approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) headed by Chief Secretary of the State.
This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, ShriRamnath Thakurin a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Digital Crop Survey (DCS) System has been established to collect crop-sown details via a mobile interface, ensuring data is captured directly from the field. This database provides accurate, real-time crop area information for every agricultural plot, which will help to arrive at accurate production estimation.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has developed the Agri Stack in accordance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and other IT laws of the country. AgriStack ensures complete privacy of farmers’ data by ensuring that farmers’ data is collected only with their consent. Farmers have full control over their data, which is only shared with authorized entities based on their consent for a specific purpose. Moreover, Agri Stack has been developed in a federal manner so that states have control over the entire data. The Government of India also ensures robust data security in the Agri Stack, which is fully compliant with the cyber security guidelines of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In). Agri Stack sends farmers’ information in a secret code so that only the designated system can read it. Secure APIs and token-based authentication govern all data exchanges, ensuring controlled access to data. In addition, the government conducts security audits of all these IT systems and monitors risks.
Although internet penetration has increased in rural areas, additional steps have been taken to ensure digital inclusion of farmers who do not have mobile phones, they can use existing support structures like Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Krishi Sakhis, and Common Service Centres (CSCs), to get them registered on Agristack and access services and benefits. Further, states are organizing the camps so that no farmer is left out from getting the benefits of Agristack. The Government is providing administrative and technical support to all the states for implementation of the Mission.
The State Farmer Registry under the Digital Agriculture Mission covers all the land holders’ farmers, including women farmers. Farmers Registry application also has the provision to onboard the tenant and lessee farmers. A State can decide to include such farmers in the Farmers Registry as per the state’s policy.
This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Agriculture is a State subject and Government of India supports the efforts of States through appropriate policy measures, budgetary allocation and various schemes/ programmes. The various schemes/ programmes of the Government of India are meant for the welfare of farmers by increasing production, remunerative returns and income support to farmers. The Government has substantially enhanced the budget allocation of Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare(DA&FW) from Rs. 21933.50 crore BE during 2013-14 to Rs. 1,22,528.77 crore BE during 2024-25. Major schemes/programmes initiated by DA&FW to increase the income of farmers including small and marginal farmers and for the development of agriculture Sector in India are as under:
11. Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises’ (AgriSURE)
12. Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
13. Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM)
14. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
15. Soil Health & Fertility (SH&F)
16. Rainfed Area Development (RAD)
17. Agroforestry
18. Crop Diversification Programme (CDP)
19. Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE)
20. Sub-Mission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP)
21. National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM)
22. Integrated Scheme for Agriculture Marketing (ISAM)
23. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
24. National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO)-Oil Palm
25. National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO)-Oilseeds
26. Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region
27. Digital Agriculture Mission
28. National Bamboo Mission
Indian Council on Agricultural Research (ICAR) has released a compilation of success stories of 75,000 farmers who have increased their income more than two times by convergence of schemes being operated by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and the allied Ministries/Departments.
The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) conducted a Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of Agricultural Households during NSS 77th round (January, 2019 – December, 2019) with reference to the agricultural year July, 2018- June, 2019 in the rural areas of the country.
According to these surveys, the estimated average monthly income per agricultural household increased from ₹6,426 in 2012-13 (NSS 70th round) to ₹10,218 in 2018-19 (NSS 77th round).
As per NSSO Survey on House hold Consumption Expenditure (2023-24), a comparison of the estimates of all-India average Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) is as under:
Sector
Average MPCE (Rs.) over different period
2011-12 NSS
(68th round)
2023-2024
Rural
1,430
4,122
Urban
2,630
6,996
Difference as % of Rural MPCE
83.9
69.7
This information was given by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
New funding from the Province will allow the City of Merritt to rebuild two damaged dikes to higher standards to better protect against flooding and keep people safe.
The Province is providing the City of Merritt with $60 million to relocate and rebuild two critical dikes, on both banks of the Coldwater River, that were damaged during the flooding of November 2021.
“Today marks a significant step forward in the City of Merritt’s recovery from the 2021 atmospheric river event, which was devastating for the community,” said Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “Moving and rebuilding these dikes will allow the river to flow more naturally, bringing ecosystem benefits while better protecting Merritt from future flooding. We’ll continue to support communities throughout B.C. as they recover from the 2021 event to keep people safe and better prepared.”
Intense rainfall caused the Coldwater River to overflow its banks, leading to failure of the dikes and catastrophic flooding in Merritt. Because the flooding changed the course of the river, the dikes could not be rebuilt at the existing locations and must be rebuilt at alternative sites.
“This $60-million investment is a game-changer for Merritt,” said Micheal Goetz, mayor of Merritt. “The construction of dikes 129 and 130 means our community can finally breathe a sigh of relief, knowing we are taking real steps to protect our homes, businesses, and vital infrastructure. This funding brings us closer to a safer, more resilient future — one where we can face the future with greater confidence and security.”
This funding will allow the City of Merritt to reconstruct the dikes to modern standards and acquire land to build the dikes in new locations. These projects are part of the City of Merritt’s flood mitigation plan to restore and protect the community after the 2021 flooding. Other key projects in the plan, being undertaken with support of the local First Nations, include ecosystem restoration, riverbank restoration and armouring to prevent erosion. Relocating and rebuilding the two dikes will also help reduce flood risks to downstream communities and benefit the local ecosystem by preserving the natural flow of the river.
“The Shackan Indian Band is happy to see our neighbours receive the needed funding for rebuilding these dikes, helping the city mitigate risks from future flooding,” said Chief Lindsay Tighe, Shackan Indian Band. “The flooding in 2021 has been absolutely devastating to our communities; some of our community members remain evacuated as Shackan continues to recover. Our support is a step toward a stronger relationship with the City of Merritt and neighbours, as we all depend on a healthy Nicola Valley. It is encouraging to see various partners throughout the Nicola Valley continuing to work together three years after the devastating flooding, to make our communities stronger and more resilient. ”
Rebuilding these key dikes is one of several flood-mitigation and restoration projects funded by the Province to support the City of Merritt. Other projects include reconstructing the Middlesboro Bridge, rebuilding dikes and banks along the Coldwater River, road repairs, park restorations and water-well restorations.
Learn More:
For information about disaster and climate-risk reduction, visit ClimateReadyBC: https://www.ClimateReadyBC.ca
For more information about the City of Merritt’s flood mitigation plan, visit: https://flood.merritt.ca/
To learn more about the City of Merritt, visit: https://www.merritt.ca/
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)
INDIANAPOLIS— 14 individuals have been charged in a federal indictment alleging a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine in Indianapolis, Lafayette, and surrounding communities. The charges follow a successful law enforcement operation in which 13 total individuals have been arrested and are in federal custody. Eight individuals were arrested on March 21, 2025. The following lists the individuals indicted and the charges they face:
Defendant
Charge(s)
Tanesha M. Turner, 39
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Kidnapping
Carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime
Accessory to a crime after the fact
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Charles T. Dunson, 44
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Distribution of methamphetamine
Possession of a machinegun
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Tre J. Dunn, 27
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Causing Death by Using a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime
Possessing, Brandishing, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime
Nahamani I. Sargent, 34
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Retaliating against a witness
Use of fire or explosives
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Byron A. Mason, 38
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Unlawful use of a cell phone
Adrian J. Bullock, 34
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Avery J. Bullock, 27
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute
John M. Whitfield, 37
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Aaliyah Hackett, 23
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Unlawful use of a cell phone
Emorrie J. Dunn, 26
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Chancelor R. Walker, 38
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
D’Ericka Lee, 30
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Lamar T. Browning, 39
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
Mark C. Marshall, 57
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances
This was a multi-agency operation, involving ten agencies who assisted with the investigation and the arrests on the morning of March 21, 2025. Law enforcement has asked the public for assistance in locating fugitive Lamar T. Browning. He should be considered armed and dangerous. Those with information are asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
According to the indictment, all 14 defendants allegedly operated a drug trafficking conspiracy, selling meth, fentanyl, cocaine and heroin out of several trap houses in Indianapolis.
Some members of the conspiracy allegedly committed multiple acts of violence, including murder, firing gunshots, throwing Molotov cocktails at a home, kidnapping, and pistol-whipping in order to intimidate drug customers and rival drug dealers The violence was used as a tool to collect money owed to them by their drug customers, to protect the locations that they used to distribute drugs, and to retaliate against potential witnesses.
Specifically, Nahamani Sargent allegedly fired gunshots and threw Molotov cocktails at the home of a customer, believing that the victim had provided information about the conspiracy to law enforcement.
Additionally, Tanesha Turner allegedly kidnapped a victim at gunpoint and held them for ransom because they owed $40. Tre Dunn then allegedly shot the same victim for owing money and providing information to law enforcement.
Tre Dunn also allegedly aided and abetted the murder of a man because he disrespected him and his associate during a failed drug deal. Tanesha Turner then allegedly aided Dunn by driving him to another location following the murder to prevent his arrest.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to life in federal prison.
The following investigative agencies collaborated to make this investigation and recent warrant execution possible:
Federal Bureau of Investigation (Indianapolis, Chicago, and Cincinnati SWAT)
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, SWAT
Fishers Police Department, SWAT
Drug Enforcement Administration
United States Department of Agriculture
Indiana Capitol Police Department
Indiana Department of Homeland Security
Johnson County Sheriff’s Department
Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley A. Blackington and Kelsey Massa, who are prosecuting this case.
This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). This operation is part of the Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program.
An indictment or criminal complaint are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Headline: N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Announces America 250 NC Grants to 58 Counties
N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Announces America 250 NC Grants to 58 Counties jejohnson6
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ America 250 NC initiative has dispersed nearly $1.2 million in a second round of grant funds across 58 counties in the state. The grant-funded projects include new cultural events, physical and digital exhibits, historical markers, and more all inspired by North Carolina’s revolutionary history and the themes of America 250 NC. The America 250 NC Grants are designed to spark programs and activities on a local level to create a memorable and meaningful commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
“These America 250 NC grants will help local N.C. communities to more fully participate in the nationwide commemoration of our nation’s founding,” said DNCR Secretary Pamela Brewington Cashwell. “We look forward to working with communities across the state to build a memorable and meaningful celebration for all North Carolinians.”
In June 2024, DNCR issued nearly $900,000 across 34 counties in the first round of America 250 NC grants. Between the two rounds, $2.1 million in grant funds has been awarded in 74 of the state’s 100 counties. The second round of grant awards completed this funding initiative and no additional grant opportunities are currently planned. A list of current awardees is available online.
In 2026, America will commemorate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the development of a new nation dedicated to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
In the years since, our country has undergone many changes and faced many challenges. This commemoration offers a unique opportunity to reflect upon our country’s founding ideals. Explore the pivotal events, places, and voices, both historical and modern, that have shaped our state and country from the Halifax Resolves to the civil rights movement, and beyond.
America 250 NC is North Carolina’s commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary and is led by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
For more information, visit america250.nc.gov.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
Headline: Historic Halifax State Historic Site Hosts ‘Halifax Resolves Days: Prelude to Revolution’ on April 11-12, 2025
Historic Halifax State Historic Site Hosts ‘Halifax Resolves Days: Prelude to Revolution’ on April 11-12, 2025 jejohnson6
On April 12, 1776, the 4th Provincial Congress in session at Halifax, N.C., passed a resolution that became known as “The Halifax Resolves.” In this document, North Carolinians declared their grievances against British rule and encouraged their delegates in the Continental Congress to vote for independence. It was the first official action of any of the 13 colonies calling for independence.
Historic Halifax State Historic Site will commemorate the 249th anniversary of the Halifax Resolves with an exciting two-day event. Immerse yourself in the past as skilled historians bring to life the Revolutionary-era citizens of Halifax. Discover the pivotal role North Carolina and its people played in shaping the destiny of America. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with history firsthand.
Festivities begin on Friday, April 11. Steven Green will present a lecture about American Indian Patriots at 9 a.m. in the Commissioners Room at the Historic Court House. Later that day, at 11 a.m., Tom King will lecture on the life of the Rev. Edward Drumgoole at the First Baptist Church of Halifax. Both lectures on Friday are sponsored by the Halifax County’s A250 Churches, Genealogy, and Cemeteries Committee. At 10 a.m. members of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe will hold a ceremony at Magazine Springs. Guided tours of historic buildings and living history demonstrations are available from noon-5 p.m.
On Saturday, April 12, the Sons of the American Revolution will host a wreath-laying ceremony at the site of the Colonial Courthouse at 10 a.m., followed by the Historical Halifax Restoration Association’s annual commemoration ceremony at 2 p.m. Guided tours of historic buildings, living history, historic vignettes, and artillery demonstrations will be ongoing from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., the historic Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church will offer a community church service — all welcome to attend. To finish the night, a free concert on the steps of the Historic Courthouse on King Street will begin at 7 p.m. The concert is sponsored by the Town of Halifax and made possible through funding by America 250 NC.
Special programming by supporting community partners will occur in Halifax on both days. The Bradford-Denton House will offer ongoing hearth cooking, blacksmithing, and other living history demonstrations. The Royal White Hart Lodge #2 will be open for tours. A variety of food trucks will be available throughout the weekend. All activities are free.
A full schedule of events and a site map will be available online at https://www.america250.nc.gov. For more information, please call Historic Halifax State Historic Site at (252) 583-7191.
About Historic Halifax State Historic Site Located on the Roanoke River, the town of Halifax developed into a commercial and political center at the time of the American Revolution. North Carolina’s Fourth Provincial Congress met in Halifax in the spring of 1776 where it unanimously adopted a document on April 12 that became knowns as the “Halifax Resolves,” the first official action by an entire colony recommending independence from England. A temporary visitor center operates Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m., from the Tap Room tavern (101 N. King St.). The site is closed Sunday, Monday, and most major holidays
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
Headline: State Historic Preservation Office Begins Graham County Comprehensive Architectural Survey
State Historic Preservation Office Begins Graham County Comprehensive Architectural Survey jejohnson6
Graham County has been chosen as the subject of a comprehensive survey of historic buildings and landscapes planned to take place in 2025. The 2025 architectural survey will intensively document historic buildings and landscapes from the 19th century through the 1970s. Data gathered during the survey will assist Graham County in planning for the preservation of its historic resources for years to come.
Dr. Michael Ann Williams and Audrey Thomas, architectural survey specialists with the State Historic Preservation Office (HPO), will complete the project. They will conduct fieldwork from April to May, with the project concluding in late 2025.
Architectural survey entails documentation of buildings and landscapes that are at least 50 years old. Fieldworkers take photographs, draw site plans, and collect oral history from people they meet on site. They conduct a limited amount of archival research to establish countywide patterns of historical development. Properties that appear to be potentially eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, either individually or as historic districts, will be identified. National Register properties are potentially eligible for state and federal tax credits for certified historic rehabilitation. The Graham County Comprehensive Architectural Survey will culminate in a final report that analyzes the history of the county through the lens of its historic architecture.
After the survey, the HPO will retain all materials from the survey as part of the statewide architectural record. Public access to the information will be available through HPOWEB, the HPO’s geographic information system, which is accessible online at http://gis.ncdcr.gov/hpoweb/. The survey material will facilitate the environmental review necessary for state and federal undertakings and will aid in planning for future economic and community development projects. Survey products also will be useful for the continued development of heritage tourism programs in Graham County.
For more information on the Graham County Comprehensive Architectural Survey, contact Elizabeth C. King, Architectural Survey Coordinator for the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, at elizabeth.king@dncr.nc.gov or 828-250-3108, or Michael Ann Williams at michaelann.williams@dncr.nc.gov or Audrey Thomas at audrey.thomas@dncr.nc.gov or 828-296-7230.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
Spacesuits were an important consideration that Nasa had to factor into its plans to bring the astronauts back home. Wilmore and Williams had travelled to the ISS in Boeing’s experimental Starliner spacecraft, so they arrived wearing Boeing “Blue” spacesuits.
Following helium leaks and thruster (engine) issues with Starliner, Nasa decided it was safer not to send them back to Earth on that vehicle. The astronauts had to wait to return on one of the other spacecraft that ferry crew members to the ISS, the SpaceX Crew Dragon.
This meant they needed a different type of spacesuit, made by SpaceX for use in its vehicle only. Boeing’s suits cannot be used in Crew Dragon in part because the umbilicals (the flexible “pipes” that supply air and cooling to the suit) have connections and standards that don’t work with the ports inside a Crew Dragon.
This highlights a general problem for the growing number of space agencies and companies sending people into orbit, and for planned missions to the Moon and beyond. Ensuring that different spacesuits are compatible, or “interoperable”, with spacecraft they weren’t designed to be used in is vital if we are to protect astronauts’ lives during an emergency in space, especially in joint missions.
The spacesuits worn during a return from space are called “launch, entry and abort” (LEA) suits. These are airtight and provide life support to the astronauts in case there is a decompression, when air is lost from the cabin.
Unfortunately, a decompression has already caused loss of life in space. During the Soyuz 11 mission in 1971, three Soviet cosmonauts visited the world’s first space station, Salyut 1. But during preparations for re-entry, the crew cabin lost its air, killing cosmonauts Georgy Dobrovolsky, Vladislav Volkov and Viktor Patsayev, who were not wearing LEA suits. All cosmonauts wore them after this incident.
As well as the connections for life support, the Boeing and SpaceX suits also have restraints and connections for communications that are specific to each vehicle. For their return home from the ISS in a SpaceX capsule, Williams was able into use a spare SpaceX suit that was already aboard the space station and the company sent up an additional suit on a cargo delivery for Wilmore to wear.
Two spacecraft are usually docked at the ISS as “lifeboats” to evacuate the astronauts in the event of an emergency. These are generally a SpaceX Crew Dragon and a Russian Soyuz capsule.
If an emergency evacuation were to occur and there weren’t enough of the right spacesuits available – for either the Crew Dragon or Soyuz – it could endanger astronauts during the fiery re-entry through Earth’s atmosphere. Interoperability between spacesuits has therefore become a matter of survival.
The Outer Space Treaty, which provides the basic framework for international space law, recognises astronauts as “envoys of humankind” and grants them specific legal protections. These were expanded on in subsequent UN treaties – notably the Rescue Agreement, which imposes a range of duties on states to render assistance to each others’ astronauts in cases of emergency, accident or distress.
For the ISS, a collaborative space programme with international flight crews, protocols include terms that set forth how this obligation is to be met. However, these protocols do not contain terms relating to spacesuit interoperability.
Risks to astronauts in space
A major potential cause of an emergency evacuation is space debris. The ISS has regularly had to manoeuvre to avoid collisions with debris – including entire defunct satellites.
In his memoir, Endurance, Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly describes being commanded to enter the Soyuz vehicle with two other crew members and prepare to detach from the ISS because of a close approach by a large defunct satellite. Luckily, the spacecraft passed by harmlessly.
As orbits become increasingly congested, with an exponential increase in the number of space objects being launched, the risk of collisions will also increase.
Ever more companies and governments are entering the human spaceflight arena. The Tiangong space station, China’s orbiting laboratory, has been fully operational since 2022, and there are plans to open it to space tourism, just like the ISS.
India is planning to join the community of nations with the capability to launch humans into space, under a programme called Gaganyaan. And while most space travellers remain government-funded astronauts, the number of private space-farers is increasing.
Billionaire Jared Isaacman (who is President Trump’s nominee to run Nasa) has commanded two private missions into orbit using Crew Dragon. On the second of these, he participated in the first spacewalk by privately funded astronauts. The ISS is set to be retired in 2030 – but one company, Houston-based Axiom Space, is already building a private space station.
Against this complex and part-unregulated backdrop, ensuring the interoperability of different spacecraft systems, including spacesuits, will increase levels of safety in this inherently risky activity.
While the safety and practicality of spacesuits has always been the top priority, compatibility between different suits and vehicles should also be high on the list. This requires space agencies and private spaceflight companies to engage with each other in a process to agree on standard interfaces and connections for life support and communications, across all their suits and space vehicles.
Amid this period of increased commercialisation and competition between the organisations and companies involved in orbital spaceflight, a move toward greater collaboration can only be a good thing.
Berna Akcali Gur does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
I grew up in a mixed-heritage family. Both of my parents’ childhoods were deeply affected by colonialism in India and they often told me stories about this period in their lives. As a result, I inherited a sense of place and a feeling for a country which was never my home.
It’s a strange feeling, which I still struggle to put into words, though I tried in my memoir, Shalimar: A Story of Place and Migration, which holds at its heart the sensation and imagery of India’s climate and its wildlife. India, for me, will always coexist with English weather and the roses my father tended to in our modest, suburban home in Hayes, west London.
While we now have beautifully written, tender children’s books which address colonial history, from Nazneen Ahmed Pathak’s City of Stolen Magic (2023) to Jasbinder Bilan’s Nush and the Stolen Emerald (2024), The Secret Garden still holds a powerful spell over me. That’s because of its representation of nature and its use of fiction to tell a story about England and India, two countries brought together through the healing space of the garden.
I believe that re-contextualising A Secret Garden as an early work of climate fiction – a type of storytelling that imagines how climate change could shape our world – is an apt way to rethink this classic tale.
This article is part of Rethinking the Classics. The stories in this series offer insightful new ways to think about and interpret classic books and artworks. This is the canon – with a twist.
Published in 1911, The Secret Garden unfolds against the backdrop of the fictional Misselthwaite Manor and its walled garden on the Yorkshire Moors.
While Yorkshire and its thick sheets of rain, enveloped in mist and fog, is portrayed vividly by Hodgeson Burnett, the ghostly heat and skies of India are also woven throughout the book’s micro-climates. Hodgeson Burnett’s attention to nature is masterful and magical:
One knows it sometimes when one gets up at the tender solemn dawn-time and goes out and stands out and throws one’s head far back and looks up and up and watches the pale sky slowly changing and flushing … And one knows it sometimes when one stands by oneself in a wood at sunset and the mysterious deep gold stillness slanting through and under the branches seems to be saying slowly again and again something one cannot quite hear, however much one tries.
The climates of India and Yorkshire blur into a new reality when seen through the eyes of the book’s central protagonist, the recently orphaned Mary Lennox. She is sent to live with her uncle after her parents die of cholera in colonial Calcutta.
Wilful and fiery, Mary’s grief and rootlessness seems to be unending until she follows a twitching robin into a walled garden. There she befriends other children including her cousin Colin, who uses a wheelchair, and the gardener, Weatherstaff.
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The hidden sanctuary and wonder of the garden is intertwined with Mary’s inner world and her search for solace after the loss of her parents. Her resilience thrives and blooms, particularly when she becomes a storyteller and draws the other children into this secret place through her tales of adventure.
Here, the telling of the “story” of the garden is as important as the experience of the garden itself. This is where fiction does its work – we need stories like this to recover a sense of care in times of ecological crisis.
Last year saw the launch of the Climate Fiction Prize, a vital endeavour to specifically support literary fiction as a cultural form which permits writers the freedom to imagine alternative paths for human existence. The Secret Garden is a work of such imagination, of transformation from otherwise impossible states of crisis and inertia.
Beyond the Canon
As part of the Rethinking the Classics series, we’re asking our experts to recommend a book or artwork that tackles similar themes to the canonical work in question, but isn’t (yet) considered a classic itself. Here is Davina Quinlivan’s suggestion:
Shaun Tan’s Tales From the Inner City (2018) is a beautiful and extremely moving collection of illustrated, eco-centric stories exploring the relationship between humans and animals in urban environments.
Tan is well known for his elegiac and often uncanny, playful storytelling and Tales From the Inner City skilfully braids these aesthetic values with a powerful message of hope and compassion for the wild and domestic creatures we share our world with. While there is no explicit reference to the climate crisis, Tan’s exquisite images illustrate stories of kinship between humans and dogs, snails, whales, pigeons, cats and tigers – all bound to each other as intertwined species.
Set within cities, the wild beauty of each animal seems enlarged, as does the poignancy of each story, reminding us of what we have to lose. Some of the creatures literally morph into giant versions of themselves, eerie against Tan’s various backdrops of urban space. In one story, two tiny humans are seen being carried through stormy waters, perched between the ears of an enormous cat. It’s an indelible image of hope and survival in the wake of environmental devastation. Tan’s imaginative power is utterly extraordinary.
Davina Quinlivan is an AHRC-funded StoryArcs Fellow based in the Department of English and Creative Writing at The University of Exeter. She is also an Artistic Lead with Emblaze, an imprint of Paper Nations. Paper Nations is an award-winning creative writing incubator illuminating stories of colour in the South West, funded by Arts Council England and produced by The Story Society, Bath Spa University.
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi will deliver the keynote address at the opening of the second meeting of the Group of Twenty (G20) Health Working Group on Wednesday.
The meeting will take place at the Capital Zimbali Resort in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, and will last for three days.
The theme of the meeting will be “Accelerating Health Equity, Solidarity, and Universal Coverage”.
Motsoaledi will be joined by Deputy Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, and KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane.
The event will also include several side events that provide a platform for delegates to engage in bilateral and multilateral discussions on various critical issues, including strengthening health systems and promoting equitable access to health services.
Key issues for discussion during the meeting and side events include financial protection for universal health coverage (UHC) and maintaining health financing amid a challenging global economy.
The meeting will also zoom into strengthening investments and advancing UHC, bridging the equity gap to accelerate action to address the burden of non-communicable diseases, and responding to the global health financing emergency.
The Department of Health has announced that a co-sponsored event focused on the elimination of cervical cancer will take place alongside this meeting.
Delegates from G20 countries, invited nations, representatives, and international organisations will be in attendance.
South Africa holds the G20 Presidency from 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025, only five years before the deadline of the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda. South Africa has embraced the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” for its G20 Presidency.
The G20 comprises 19 countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, United Kingdom, and the United States and two regional bodies, namely the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU).
The first virtual G20 Health Working Group meeting was held in January as part of the country’s G20 Presidency activities planned for this year. – SAnews.gov.za
[BOISE] – Attorney General Raúl Labrador joined 51 other attorneys general in filing an amicus brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in support of two military veterans and their families who were unlawfully denied their full G.I. Bill education benefits by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In this case, U.S. Army veteran Lieutenant Colonel Paul Yoon and U.S. Air Force veteran Colonel Toby Doran were denied crucial education benefits to which they are clearly entitled. The brief argues that the VA has taken a restrictive interpretation of the G.I. Bills that contradicts the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Rudisill v. McDonough, which confirmed that veterans who qualify under both the Montgomery and Post-9/11 G.I. Bills are entitled to a full 48 months of education benefits. Despite the clear precedent, the VA has continued to limit benefits based on an erroneous reading of the ruling, depriving veterans and their families of critical educational opportunities. “Our veterans have made profound sacrifices for our country,” said Attorney General Labrador. “It is the responsibility of the United States to meet every obligation and contractual agreement we as a country made in exchange for their service. Keeping our word is not optional.” This amicus brief was also joined by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
Acting United States Attorney Matt R. Molsen announced that Gabriel Lee Rice, 36, of Winnebago, Nebraska, was sentenced on March 20, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a spouse or intimate or dating partner. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Rice to 30 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Rice’s release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
In July 2022, Rice assaulted a woman known to him, pinning her against a wall, then covering her mouth and nose with his hand. Rice restricted the victim’s breathing to the point that the victim could not breathe at all and fell unconscious. The assault occurred in front of a child.
This case was prosecuted in federal court because the offense was a felony and occurred on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in Nebraska.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Indiana of the April 23, 2025, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the severe storms and tornadoes occurring on July 9, 2024.
The disaster declaration covers the counties of Gibson, Knox, Pike, Posey, Vanderburgh and Warrick in Indiana, as well as Gallatin, Wabash and White counties in Illinois, and Henderson and Union counties in Kentucky.
Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises
EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
“SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 23, 2025.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Alexander Richard Braczkowski, Research Fellow at the Centre for Planetary Health and Resilient Conservation Group, Griffith University
For nearly 15 years almost no information was available on the population status of Uganda’s large carnivores, including those in its largest national park, Murchison Falls. These species represent a critical part of Uganda’s growing tourism economy. The country is home to the famed tree-climbing lions, which are much sought after for this unique behaviour. Together, lions and leopards generate tens of thousands of dollars annually from safari viewing and allied activities.
Keeping an eye on the proverbial prize could not be more critical for the country. When wildlife isn’t monitored rigorously, populations can disappear within just a few years, as tigers did in India’s Sariska tiger reserve.
But many people working in conservation discourage monitoring. They argue that a “bean counter” approach to conservation overlooks the funds and actions that save animals. Others simply say that it is a hard thing to do at scale and particularly for animals that are naturally shy, have big home ranges (sometimes over multiple countries), and occur in very low numbers.
Even in a comparatively small African country – Uganda ranks 32nd in size out of 54 countries – how does one cover enough ground to see how populations of carnivores are faring? This has been the challenge of our work in Uganda for nearly a decade now, monitoring African lions, leopards and spotted hyenas.
Our two recent studies in Murchison Falls and six protected areas across the country sought to address the problem by drawing on a wide range of local and international experts who live and work in Uganda. Working with the Ugandan government’s Uganda Wildlife Authority research and monitoring team, we set out to identify and bring together independent scientists, government rangers, university students, lodge owners and conservation managers in the country’s major savanna parks.
We hoped to cover more ground with people and organisations that wouldn’t traditionally work together. Doing so exposed many of these individuals for the first time to the science and field skills needed to build robust, long term monitoring programmes for threatened wildlife.
The result is the largest, most comprehensive count of African lions, leopards and spotted hyenas. We found spotted hyenas to be doing far better than we expected. But lions are in worrying decline, indicating where conservation efforts need to be focused. Beyond that, our count proved the value of collaborating when it comes to generating data that could help save animals.
Our unique approach
Inspired by Kenya’s first nationwide, science-based survey of lions and other carnivores in key reserves, the first important step of this study was to secure the collaboration of the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s office of research and monitoring. Together, we identified the critical conservation stakeholders in and around six protected areas. These are Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Kidepo Valley, Toro Semliki, Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls. Leopards and hyenas occur in some other parks (such as Mount Elgon and Rwenzori National Park) but resource constraints prevented us from surveying these sites.
We had no predisposed notions of who could or would participate in our carnivore surveys, only that we wanted people living closest to these species in the room.
We shortlisted lodge owners, government rangers, independent scientists, university students from Kampala, NGO staff and even trophy hunters. All came together for a few days to learn about how to find carnivores in each landscape, build detection histories and analyse data. We delivered five technical workshops showing participants how to search for African lions in the landscapes together with mapping exactly where they drove.
how to identify lions by their whisker spots in high-definition photographs – these are the small spots where a cat’s whiskers originate on their cheeks
how to determine identity in camera trap images of leopard and spotted hyena body flanks
post data collection analysis techniques
a technique to estimate population densities and abundance.
More than 100 Ugandan and international collaborators joined in the “all hands on deck” survey, driving over 26,000km and recording 7,516 camera trap nights from 232 locations spanning a year from January 2022 to January 2023.
Our scientific approach focused on how to achieve the best possible counts of carnivores. In the process we identified some of the biggest shortcomings of previous surveys. These included double counting individual animals and failing to incorporate detection probability. Even worse was simply adding all individual sighted animals and not generating any local-level estimates.
What our results tell us
As expected, our results painted a grim picture in some areas, but marked hope for others.
In the majestic Murchison Falls national park, through which the River Nile runs east-west, we estimated that approximately 240 lions still remained across some 3,200km² of sampled area. This is the highest number in Uganda and at least five to 10 times higher than in the Kidepo and Queen Elizabeth parks.
In Queen Elizabeth national park, home to the tree-climbing lions, we found a marked decline of over 40% (just 39 individuals left in 2,400km²) since our last survey in 2018.
In the country’s north, Kidepo Valley, the best estimate is just 12 individual lions across 1,430km², in stark contrast with the previous estimate of 132 lions implemented nearly 15 years ago.
In contrast, leopards appeared to continue to occur at high densities in select areas, with Lake Mburo and Murchison Falls exhibiting strong populations. Pian Upe and Queen Elizabeth’s Ishasha sector recorded the lowest densities.
Spotted hyenas have proven far more resilient. They occur at densities ranging from 6.15 to 45.31 individuals/100km² across surveyed sites. In Queen Elizabeth, their numbers could be rising as lion populations decline, likely due to reduced competition and ongoing poaching pressure targeting lions.
These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted conservation interventions, particularly for lions in Uganda’s struggling populations.
Value beyond numbers
Our approach shared the load of data collection, and gave people an opportunity and skills to engage in wildlife science. For many emerging conservationists in the country, this was their first chance to be authors on a scientific paper (an increasingly important component of postgraduate degree applications). Even if many of the people we worked with disagree on how to save large carnivores in Uganda, they could at least agree on how many there are as they had a hand in collecting the data and scrutinising it. Since we have embraced a fully science-based approach, we recognise that our surveys too should improve over time.
Aggrey Rwetsiba, senior manager, research and monitoring at Uganda Wildlife Authority, contributed to the research on which this article is based.
Duan Biggs receives funding from Northern Arizona University and is a member of the IUCN (World Conservation Union).
Alexander Richard Braczkowski and Arjun M. Gopalaswamy do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
In an era where screens dominate our daily lives, a silent epidemic is sweeping the globe. Digital eye strain, a condition once relegated to the fringes of occupational health concerns, has emerged as a significant public health issue affecting millions worldwide. As our reliance on digital devices for work, education and social interaction intensifies, so too does the risk to our ocular health.
Recent studies paint a stark picture. Up to 50% of computer users could develop digital eye strain. This condition, characterised by a range of ocular and visual symptoms, including dryness, watering, itching, burning and blurred or even double vision, is not merely a matter of discomfort; it can indicate potentially chronic issues that can significantly affect a person’s quality of life and productivity.
The COVID pandemic has exacerbated this trend, with lockdowns and social distancing measures driving screen time to unprecedented levels.
A marked increase in digital device usage during the pandemic correlates with a surge in ocular surface diseases, visual disturbances and digital eye strain.
The unseen toll of digital dependence
But what exactly happens to our eyes when we stare at screens for long periods? The answer lies in the intricate biology of our visual system. When focusing on digital displays, our blink rate falls, and our eyes strain to maintain focus on near objects for extended periods. Reduced blinking and sustained near focus triggers a cascade of ocular issues, from mild irritation to chronic dryness.
The symptoms of digital eye strain are diverse and often insidious. They range from the immediately noticeable, such as eye fatigue, dryness, and blurred vision, to more subtle signs like headaches and neck pain. While often transient, these symptoms can become persistent and debilitating if left unchecked.
So, how can we protect our vision in this screen-centric world? The solution lies in a multifaceted approach that combines behavioural changes, environmental adjustments, and, when necessary, medical interventions.
Protective measures
The 20-20-20 rule is a simple but effective strategy for protecting your eyes against digital strain.
Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to focus on something 20 feet away. This brief respite allows your eye muscles to relax, reducing the strain associated with constant near focus work. While widely recommended, it’s worth noting that the efficacy of this specific rule hasn’t been rigorously studied, but the principle of taking frequent breaks is sound.
Environmental factors play a fundamental role in maintaining ocular comfort during screen use. Proper lighting, adequate humidity and good air quality can significantly affect eye health. Use adjustable lamps to direct light away from your eyes, use a humidifier to maintain moisture levels and consider an air purifier to remove irritating airborne particles.
Ergonomic adjustments are equally important. Position your screen at arm’s length and slightly below eye level to reduce neck strain. Increase font sizes to minimise squinting and ensure your chair provides proper back support for good posture.
For those experiencing persistent symptoms, professional help is key. Eye care practitioners can provide comprehensive exams to identify underlying issues such as refractive errors – common eye conditions where the eye’s shape prevents light from focusing correctly on the retina, causing blurry vision – or dry eye disease. Ocular specialists can prescribe targeted treatments, from specialised eye-wear to medications that address specific eye health concerns.
Emerging therapies offer hope for more effective management of digital eye strain. Drugs called novel TRPM8 agonists show promise in relieving dry eye discomfort by activating cooling receptors on the eye’s surface. Meanwhile, wearable biosensors that fit as a patch under the eye or attached to contact lenses are being developed to monitor tear fluid biomarkers in real time. Tears can reflect the health of the ocular surface and potentially the whole body, so this technological development could transform the diagnosis and treatment of ocular surface diseases.
Irreplaceable assets
In this digital age, it’s important to take measures to protect our vision. By recognising the signs of digital eye strain, implementing protective strategies, and seeking timely professional care, we can reduce the risks associated with our screen-dependent lifestyles.
The challenge of digital eye strain is not insurmountable. With awareness, education and a commitment to ocular health, we can continue exploiting digital technology’s benefits without compromising our vision. As we look to the future, integrating eye-friendly technologies and ergonomic designs in our digital devices may offer additional layers of protection.
In the meantime, remember to take breaks, blink often and don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you experience persistent symptoms. In doing so, you’ll be taking crucial steps towards ensuring clear, comfortable vision.
Daniela Oehring receives funding from UKRI and Sight Research UK.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Nirma Sadamali Jayawardena, Assistant Professor in Marketing, University of Bradford
Whether it’s selling at a market or working in the home or in the field, south Asian women are contributing to their economies.Florian Augustin/Shutterstock
As a child, I lived with my grandmother in a rural village in Sri Lanka where women often played an active economic role – working in sectors like farming, technology, sewing, household work or some other area. These days across South Asia, businesses led by women are on the rise, with online platforms making it easier for entrepreneurs to start with minimal investment.
If more women could be encouraged into employment in the region, it would, of course, bring wider benefits. For instance, it’s estimated that if women’s participation in India’s workforce reached 50% from its current level of 31%, the country’s annual growth rate could increase by 1.5 percentage points.
Female entrepreneurs in South Asia have been described as “silent contributors”, as their input to the economy and society is still not properly understood. And when their contributions go unrecognised, women can be denied access to education and career development.
Not only that, but it can lead to women having fewer opportunities for leadership roles, financial security, and professional growth. It may discourage the participation of other women, or limit their progress in industries and societies that could benefit from greater female representation.
Research often points to factors such as a lack of education, technical expertise, gender discrimination and low self-esteem as reasons female entrepreneurs may be demotivated.
But after reviewing several studies, I realised there’s a deeper, more complex issue. I identified a three-pillar effect that discourages women from entrepreneurship.
These are socio-cultural barriers, which include traditional gender roles and societal expectations; economic and financial constraints such as limited access to funding; and regulatory and institutional challenges like legal obstacles and a lack of support systems.
These three pillars create significant hurdles for women who are trying to build their businesses.
A study looking at Mumbai, India, found that limited affordable transport can significantly reduce women’s chances of entering the workforce or starting a business.
For example, some Indian and Sri Lankan women are expected to stay close to home to take care of children or elderly relatives. This limits their ability to travel to markets or participate in other work. There is also the issue of poor access to education and technical skills that can hold women back in terms of development and building a business.
These barriers are starting to receive more recognition and were depicted in the award-winning film The Great Indian Kitchen. This 2021 film in the Malayalam language tells the story of a young woman who is expected to follow traditional gender roles after her marriage. The film highlights the social norms that often deter women from working or seeking education.
The Great Indian Kitchen trailer.
Most women entrepreneurs in South Asia work in the informal sector. This includes street vending, agriculture, retail and home-based industries like sewing. But these sectors and enterprises often remain unregistered and are not captured in official economic data.
For example, women in cities like Delhi in India and Colombo in Sri Lanka sell products like vegetables or handmade jewellery on the streets. Often, these women do not have legal businesses or commercial registration numbers. This limits their access to loans, social security and more formal markets. Across South Asia, only 25% of women have a bank account, compared with 41% of men – the biggest gender gap in the world.
Nepal, however, has made strides in financial inclusion, particularly in closing the gender gap. According to Nepal’s financial inclusion report in 2023, women’s access to formal financial services the previous year was at 89% while men’s stood at 90% – showing that change is possible.
The barriers for women
The lack of education and technical training often restricts women’s ability to develop skills and entrepreneurial nous. But it can also expose them to exploitation by officials who can prey on their lack of legal knowledge, forcing them to face bureaucratic hurdles and corruption.
Another thorny issue is that in some cultures it is unacceptable for women to hold seniority or authority over men. Often, government policies and programmes focus on male entrepreneurs, overlooking women’s issues. These include childcare needs or safety concerns.
In Sri Lanka, female-owned businesses face significant challenges in accessing key government incentives simply because of limited awareness. A big issue is that women in rural areas often do not hear about funding programmes, grants and financial schemes.
South Asian women’s economic contributions continue to be damaged by social, cultural and institutional limitations. It is vital to recognise these contributions and bring them into the formal economic system. This should ensure that female entrepreneurs get their rightful place in the broader economic arena.
Nirma Sadamali Jayawardena does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.