Central Government

More than 61 per cent of the respondents seemed to agree with the demand for legally guaranteed MSP, with just 21 per cent opposed to it. Expectedly, a higher share of opposition voters supported this demand than NDA voters. But more than 54 per cent of NDA supporters agreed with the demand. Respondents were then asked a related question if they would agree with a similar demand made by other farmers for legally guaranteed MSP on food items like milk, fruits, vegetables, eggs, chicken and the like.

The official also said that the Centre has allowed the export of 10 million doses of Covishield to the WHO and GAVA-led global vaccine-sharing programme COVAX. Regarding children's vaccines, the source added that the Centre is not in a hurry to take any decision but will go through complete scientific evaluation before final call. The government first wants to make sure it has enough doses to fully inoculate all of its citizens.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Surya Kant, after hearing submissions of counsel of the Delhi government and Central government, said it needs clear answers on steps to curb air pollution in the capital, which has become a yearly phenomenon for the past several years.

The Centre, in an affidavit, said the number of vehicles used for the Central government business in NCR was not very significant, therefore "the Central government decided that in view of the recent normalisation of functioning of Central government offices post-Covid pandemic, the advantage of not passing work from home direction would outweigh the advantages which would be gained from work from home directions".

Sources said that the review is being undertaken at the behest of the prime minister's office (PMO) that as there is a feeling that the body is not delivering as per stated objectives and may need a reset in terms of its role and responsibilities so that it could play a more proactive role on policy matters in the country.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and comprising Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Surya Kant told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that it needs a solution to stop stubble burning and also effective measures to control it. Mehta, who was elaborating on the steps taken by the air quality management commission to abate air pollution in NCR and the adjoining areas, replied that he never intended to say that only farmers were responsible for pollution.

The Department of Food and Public Distribution (F&PD) under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said it procured over 209.52 LMT paddy during KMS 2021-22 from the procuring states and UTs like Chandigarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Telangana, Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar.

The tenure of D.P. Singh, the current chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), is ending in the first week of December. In view of this, UGC may get a new chairman by the end of December. According to the Ministry of Education, some standards have been set for the appointment of the new chairman. As per these norms, preference for the post will be given to a person with global experience in innovation. Also, the age of the applicant should be less than 60 years. The term of the chairman of the UGC is five years or till the age of 65 years -- whichever is earlier.

Annual reports of ministries will be circulated to the Members of Parliament (MPs) in next year's Budget Session. An office memorandum of ministry of Parliamentary Affairs said that the annual report should reflect actual data from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 and provide projections or estimates for the period January-March, 2022. "On no account, supply of annual reports to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats, Press Information Bureau etc as indicated, should be delayed under the impression that these reports should contain the actual data as on March 31, 2022," it said.

"The mission will focus on sustainability of Open Defecation Free (ODF) outcomes, achieving scientific processing of Solid Waste in all cities, and managing Wastewater in cities with less than 1 lakh population in Census 2011 [cities not covered under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)] under which all cities will be made to achieve at least 3-star garbage free certification," said a statement on Tuesday.