Ashwini Vaishnaw

November 6, 2024 4:00 PM

Cabinet approves PM Vidyalaxmi scheme for affordable education loans

The Union Cabinet has approved the PM Vidyalaxmi scheme, aimed at easing financial barriers for middle-class students pursuing higher education. This initiative enables students admitted to higher education institutions to secure loans without collateral or guarantors, Union Information Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced after the Cabinet meeting. Under the PM Vidyalaxmi scheme, up to 100,000 students annually can avail of education loans for their studies. Students from families with an annua...

October 24, 2024 5:12 PM

Cabinet approves ₹1,000 crore venture capital fund to boost space sector startups

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the creation of a ₹1,000 crore Venture Capital Fund dedicated to the space sector, under the supervision of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe). Announcing the decision, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the fund aims to support the development of space startups, with a planned deployment period of up to five years from the start of operations. “The Union Ca...

October 16, 2024 9:39 PM

Cabinet approves multi-deck bridge across Ganga connecting Varanasi and Chandauli with six-lane highway and four railway tracks

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the construction of a state-of-the-art rail-cum-road bridge across the Ganga River, traversing Varanasi and Chandauli districts in Uttar Pradesh. The bridge will feature a six-lane highway on the upper deck and four railway lines on the lower deck, marking a significant infrastructural upgrade for the region. Announcing the decision, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who also serves as the Union Railways Minister, explained the need ...

September 18, 2024 4:34 PM

Cabinet approves ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, which aims to conduct simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, followed by urban body and panchayat polls within 100 days. The proposal is based on the recommendations of a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, which submitted a detailed report on the subject. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, addressing a press conference in New Delhi, said, "The Union Cabinet has accepted the recomme...

September 16, 2024 3:55 PM

India to soon launch expanded semiconductor program Semicon 2.0: Ashwini Vaishnaw

The Indian government will soon unveil the Semicon 2.0 program, an expanded version of the current initiative aimed at boosting the country’s semiconductor ecosystem, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday. Speaking at the Semicon India summit at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, Vaishnaw said, "Semicon 2.0 may be unveiled in three to four months. The second phase will focus on the complete value chain." The original program, known as...

September 16, 2024 3:27 PM

“MoU between Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and Indian Air Force will help in creating efficient logistics system”: Rajnath Singh

The Indian Air Force and Army have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), a newly established central university specializing in transportation and logistics. The agreement, inked in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, aims to improve the logistics expertise of military personnel. This collaboration is expected to contribute to key national initiatives, including the PM Gati Shakti National Master Pla...

September 16, 2024 4:02 PM

Ashwini Vaishnaw attacks opposition for taking stand against lateral entry in govt jobs

After the Union Public Service Commission notification for lateral entry posts ignited criticism from the opposition, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw accused the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) of "hypocrisy", saying that it was the UPA government that developed the concept of lateral entry. The UPSC recently announced a notification for recruiting Joint Secretaries, Directors, and Deputy Secretaries through lateral entry. This decision has ignited criticism from opposition parti...

September 16, 2024 5:19 PM

Government boosts Northeast railway development with Rs 10,376 crore allocation

The Indian government has announced a significant investment of Rs 10,376 crore for railway development in the northeastern region, as revealed by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during a press conference in Delhi on Wednesday. In addition to this substantial allocation, Vaishnaw disclosed plans to revamp 60 railway stations in the northeast, transforming them into "Amrit Stations" as part of a broader modernization initiative. "For the entire northeastern region this year, an allocati...

September 16, 2024 6:17 PM

Cabinet approves MSP for 14 Kharif season crops, farmers to get Rs 35,000 crore more over previous season

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 14 Kharif crops, including paddy, ragi, bajra, jowar, maize, and cotton. The decision will have a financial implication of Rs 2 lakh crore for the government while ensuring a gain of Rs 35,000 crore for farmers over the previous season. Addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw underscored the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third...

September 16, 2024 5:09 PM

I&B ministry announces third edition of Antarashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has announced the 3rd edition of the Antarashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman for 2024, aimed at recognizing the positive role and responsibility of the media in promoting the spread of yoga both in India and abroad. A total of 33 awards will be conferred under three categories - Print, Television, and Radio - in 22 Indian languages as well as English. This includes 11 awards each for the "Best Media Coverage in Yoga in Newspaper," "Best Media Coverage ...