Category Archives: policy

community, education, government, policy, technology

Best-performing zilla parishads, civic bodies in education to get incentives

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**Maharashtra Announces Incentive Prizes for Excellence in Education Initiatives**

School Education Minister Shri Dadaji Bhuse announced on Friday that Zilla Parishads and Municipal Corporations excelling in promoting quality and innovative education initiatives in Maharashtra will be awarded incentive prizes. The awards include Rs 5 crore for first place, Rs 3 crore for second place, and Rs 2 crore for the third position.

The announcement was made during the inauguration of the two-day State-Level School Education Conference held in Balewadi, Pune. The event was attended by key officials including School Department Principal Secretary Ranjit Singh Deol, Education Commissioner Sachindra Pratap Singh, Maharashtra Primary Education Council State Project Director Sanjay Yadav, State Educational Research and Training Council Director Rahul Rekhawar, State Examination Council Director Nandkumar Bedse, and other directors and education officers from across the state.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Bhuse emphasized that education must be enjoyable, of high quality, comprehensive, and rooted in national values. He urged the department to implement innovative initiatives to position Maharashtra as a leader in education. Highlighting the importance of artificial intelligence, technology integration, infrastructure development, and flagship schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Yojana, scholarship examinations, and the Nipun Bharat Abhiyan, Bhuse called for a holistic approach to education enhancement.

The minister further underscored the value of experiential learning through educational trips. He suggested organizing visits to historical sites, agricultural activities, and banks to enrich students’ learning experiences.

In addition, Bhuse announced the organization of an elocution competition commemorating the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Punyashloka Ahilyadevi Holkar, and a quiz contest marking the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda.

**Administrative Reforms and Scholarship Exams Resumption**

Announcing administrative reforms, the minister revealed that the existing 15 school-level committees will be consolidated into four committees to enhance operational efficiency. He also confirmed the resumption of scholarship examinations for Classes 4 and 7 starting from the next academic year.

Principal Secretary Ranjit Singh Deol stressed the importance of local self-government bodies prioritizing education and health. He urged municipal commissioners to ensure effective implementation of government initiatives at the grassroots level.

Education Commissioner Sachindra Pratap Singh spoke about improving the quality of education, the implementation goals of the National Education Policy (NEP), targets set under the Nipun Bharat Abhiyan for 2027, and various ongoing school-level initiatives.

**Launch of Competition Guide and Conference Highlights**

During the ceremony, Minister Bhuse released the Teacher and Officer-Employee Competition Guide, which features 36 competitions and six Olympiads. The guide was prepared under the guidance of Rahul Rekhawar.

The conference included discussions on several critical topics such as the New Education Policy 2020, the PARAKH assessment survey report measuring learning outcomes, administrative reforms, and holistic education strategies.

Officials from different districts presented innovative educational practices implemented locally and were honored by the minister with mementos and books.

Additionally, administrative matters including Class 11 admissions, the Group School Scheme for inclusive education, the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) Plus database, and teacher recruitment approvals were deliberated.

Programs and schemes from the Maharashtra Primary Education Council, NEP 2020 action plans, competency-based question banks, e-Vidya educational channels, and yoga curriculum guides were also highlighted for effective execution.

**Upcoming Initiatives and Events**

Minister Bhuse directed schools across the state to organize annual gatherings, student sports competitions, and patriotic drills scheduled for January 26, 2026. He also announced an increase in prize money for science exhibitions, aiming to further encourage student participation and innovation.

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The State-Level School Education Conference marks a significant step toward elevating educational standards in Maharashtra through strategic reforms, incentivizing innovation, and fostering community involvement in education.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/maharashtra-announces-incentives-for-best-performing-zilla-parishads-municipal-corporations-in-education-23594869

business, law, policy, technology, telecommunications

Vodafone Idea shares rise 9% as Centre seeks AGR solution

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**Vodafone Idea Shares Rise 9% as Centre Seeks AGR Solution**

*By Mudit Dube | Sep 19, 2025, 01:27 PM*

Vodafone Idea’s shares surged by a significant 9% on Friday following a positive indication from the Indian government regarding the telecom company’s plea related to Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR).

The Centre informed the Supreme Court that it was not opposing Vodafone Idea’s request and acknowledged that “some solution is required.” This development has brought much-needed relief to the beleaguered telecom operator, whose financial health has been under severe strain due to AGR-related dues.

**Government Stance**

The Centre told the Supreme Court, “Not opposing Vodafone Idea plea, some solution is required, government is also an equity holder. Some solution may be required, subject to Supreme Court approval.”

This statement confirms that the government is not against the company’s request and recognizes its position as a key stakeholder in Vodafone Idea. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case on September 26.

**Background of the Case**

The case stems from a Supreme Court order in March 2020, which upheld AGR dues up to the financial year 2017 and barred reassessment for those periods. Despite this ruling, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) raised fresh claims for the financial years 2018 and 2019.

Vodafone Idea contends that much of the new demand overlaps with settled periods, making the additional claims contentious.

Following the conversion of dues amounting to ₹53,083 crore into equity, the government now owns 48.99% of Vodafone Idea.

With total AGR liabilities approaching ₹2 trillion, Vodafone Idea has warned that the additional claims could threaten its survival, impact 198 million subscribers, and put over 18,000 jobs at risk.

The telecom industry and investors alike are closely monitoring the Supreme Court’s upcoming hearing, hoping for a resolution that ensures the company’s sustainable future.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/centre-urges-sc-for-agr-resolution-vodafone-idea-shares-surge/story

energy, government, policy, technology, urban development

Indore’s Smart Metering Will Shine From Kashmir To Kerala

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**Indore’s Smart Meter Initiative Draws Delegation from Eight States**

Indore, Madhya Pradesh — Renowned for its exemplary cleanliness, Indore has once again set an example, this time in the field of smart metering. A team of 14 engineers from 11 power supply companies across eight states recently visited the Smart Meter Master Control Centre at Polo Ground to learn about Indore’s smart metering operations.

The delegation included representatives from Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Haryana, Bihar, and Jammu & Kashmir. The visit was organised in collaboration with the Power Finance Corporation and IIM Indore, highlighting the importance of knowledge sharing in the power distribution sector.

During their visit, the delegates received a detailed briefing on Indore’s eight years of experience with smart metering. They participated in interactive Q&A sessions and toured the meter laboratory, where they observed firsthand how smart meters can be remotely disconnected and reconnected—a feature that enhances operational efficiency and customer service.

Anup Kumar Singh, Managing Director of Madhya Pradesh Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company (West Discom), emphasized the project’s efficient execution. He noted that sharing this expertise with other power distribution companies nationwide is a key goal of the initiative.

The visiting engineers expressed their appreciation for Indore’s accomplishments in smart metering. They affirmed that the insights gained during the visit would be invaluable for implementing similar systems in their respective states and power companies.

Indore’s success story continues to inspire innovation and collaboration across India’s power sector.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/indores-smart-metering-will-shine-from-kashmir-to-kerala

conservation, environment, fisheries, marine biology, policy

CMFRI forms panel to study shark fishing and trade amid Wildlife Act changes

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ICAR-CMFRI Forms Special Committee to Study Shark Fishing and Trade Issues in India

In a major move to address the growing concerns of the fishing community, the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has announced the formation of a special committee to scientifically study the issues surrounding shark fishing and trade in India. These concerns have arisen following the amended provisions of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The amendment, which came into force in 2022, places numerous species of sharks and rays under various schedules of the Act, imposing strict regulations on their catch, trade, and export. This has led to widespread unease and operational difficulties for fishermen across the country’s coastline, many of whom often encounter these species as incidental bycatch.

Balancing Species Protection with Fisher Livelihoods

The newly constituted committee will undertake a comprehensive study to develop science-based solutions addressing these challenges. It will focus on the biological and ecological aspects of the protected species, as well as the socioeconomic impacts of the conservation laws on fisher livelihoods, said Grinson George, Director of CMFRI.

George spoke after inaugurating a stakeholder workshop on shark and ray conservation alongside fisher livelihood concerns. At the workshop, CMFRI proposed a balanced and pragmatic approach to implementing the Act, aiming to ensure both biodiversity conservation and livelihood security for coastal communities.

“Fishing is the lifeline of millions of coastal families. Unlike on land, bycatch in marine fisheries cannot be predicted or controlled until the net is hauled. Strict penal action for incidental catch of protected species often creates conflict, undermining both conservation intent and fisher livelihoods,” George explained.

Clarifying Rules for Schedule IV Thresher Sharks

The Institute recently intervened following an incident in Kanyakumari where the landing of thresher sharks caused confusion among fishers and enforcement officials. CMFRI clarified that thresher sharks are listed under Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, which aligns with CITES Appendix II.

Unlike species listed under Schedules I or II, Schedule IV regulates international trade but does not prohibit domestic fisheries and trade. International trade regulations are subject to the advice of the CITES Scientific Authority in the country. CMFRI has been notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change as the Scientific Authority for Schedule IV (CITES-listed) species, George added.

Proposals to Support Sustainable Trade and Conservation

To facilitate effective implementation of these regulations, CMFRI has proposed several initiatives, including:

  • Training programmes for enforcement agencies and stakeholders focused on species identification.
  • Community-based monitoring and self-regulation of landings.
  • Stakeholder-driven conservation plans.
  • Regular scientific assessments.
  • Preparation of Non-Detriment Findings (NDFs) to guide international trade decisions.

These measures aim to support sustainable trade while protecting vulnerable shark and ray populations, ensuring that conservation objectives harmonize with the needs of fishing communities.

Published on September 19, 2025.

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/cmfri-forms-panel-to-study-shark-fishing-and-trade-amid-wildlife-act-changes/article70068492.ece

climate change, economy, environment, finance, policy

India needs to tap into global green finance

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India’s Climate Finance Landscape: Progress, Challenges, and the Road Ahead

India’s climate actions so far have primarily been financed from domestic resources. These include government budgetary support, a mix of market mechanisms, fiscal instruments, and policy interventions.

India’s initial Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement estimated that the country’s climate action would require $2.5 trillion (at 2014-15 prices) for meeting climate change actions between 2015 and 2030. The NDC aims to reduce the emissions intensity of India’s GDP by 45 per cent by 2030 from the 2005 level.

In November 2022, India submitted its Long-Term Low-Carbon Development Strategy to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Several estimates regarding India’s financial needs for this strategy vary due to differences in assumptions, coverage, and modelling approaches. However, these estimates suggest that the requirement will exceed $10 trillion by 2050.

Given India’s substantial financial needs for climate action, tapping into global sustainable/green finance and foreign private capital is expected to play a crucial role in achieving its NDC goals. Encouragingly, the size of global sustainable/green debt finance has been growing rapidly in response to climate change challenges.

According to data from the Institute of International Finance (IIF), cumulative global sustainable/green debt issuances since March 2013 reached $8.86 trillion in December 2024, up from $1.5 trillion in June 2019. Of this amount:

– Mature economies accounted for $6.05 trillion (68.25%)
– Emerging economies $1.53 trillion (17.25%)
– Offshore centres $0.30 trillion (3.38%)
– Supranationals $0.98 trillion (11.12%)

### Green Instruments in Sustainable Finance

Debt instruments used for raising sustainable/green finance range widely, including green bonds/loans, green asset-backed securities (ABS), sustainability bonds, social bonds, green municipal bonds, and sustainability-linked bonds/loans.

Among these instruments:
– Green bonds account for the largest share at 37.10%
– Sustainability-linked loans follow with 18.95%
– Sustainability bonds make up 13.14%
– Green loans comprise 10.44%

India’s share in global sustainable/green debt issuances till December 2024 was $91.2 billion, which represents just 1.03% of the global total. However, when viewed as a share of emerging economies’ sustainable/green debt issuances, India’s portion looks more respectable at 5.97%.

By contrast, China’s share in sustainable/green debt issuances was much higher, at $690.7 billion — accounting for 7.80% globally and 45.21% within emerging economies. Clearly, India has considerable ground to cover in increasing its presence in this space.

### Steps Taken and Future Prospects

Several climate-related measures were announced in the Union Budget 2022-23, including the introduction of sovereign green bonds and thematic funds for blended finance. India joined the sovereign green bonds club on January 25, 2023, by raising ₹80 billion. Since then, a few more sovereign green bond issuances have taken place.

While the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued disclosure requirements for the issuance and listing of green debt securities in 2017, Indian corporate entities entered the green bond market earlier — with Yes Bank issuing the first green bond worth $260 million in 2015. Since then, various public and private sector corporate entities have actively raised green finance.

India has been gaining traction in accessing sustainable/green financing both locally and globally. Yet, the financing gap to meet its NDCs under the UNFCCC remains huge. To bridge this gap, India needs to tap into the rapidly growing global pool of sustainable/green capital from pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurance funds, private equity, venture capital, infrastructure funds, and more.

### Policy Enablers to Attract Global Green Finance

Attracting global private finance into India’s sustainable/green projects requires a focus on both micro and macro-level policy enablers.

At the micro level, increasing transparency by aligning disclosure and reporting standards to global benchmarks will reduce information asymmetry faced by investors and lenders. Establishing an integrated domestic measurement, reporting, and verification system would enhance the availability and accessibility of sustainable/green finance data.

At the macro level, developing a robust green taxonomy combined with fiscal incentives and a credible domestic capital market is crucial to accelerate the inflow of global private green finance into India.

In this context, the mandatory implementation of Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) for the top 1,000 listed companies and the announcement to develop a taxonomy for climate finance in the Union Budget 2024-25 are positive steps. However, much more needs to be done to attract global sustainable/green finance.

For example:
– Developing a dedicated channel for listing green bonds on Indian stock exchanges could help increase visibility.
– Launching or expanding ESG performance-based equity/bond indices on Indian exchanges would incentivize sustainable investment.
– Collaborating with offshore stock exchanges and index providers to include Indian green bonds in global indices could boost international investor interest.

### Conclusion

India stands at a critical juncture in its climate finance journey. While domestic resources have driven much of its climate actions to date, bridging the significant financing gap demands greater engagement with global sustainable finance markets.

Strategic policy reforms, enhanced transparency, and international collaboration will be key to unlocking private capital flows that can support India’s ambitious climate commitments and long-term low-carbon development goals.

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*The writer is a Professor at the Institute of Development and Communications (IDC), Chandigarh. Views expressed are personal.*
*Published on September 18, 2025.*
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/india-needs-to-tap-into-global-green-finance/article70062300.ece