Sarkar will be poor company for great art
Housing National Museum’s treasures in North-South blocks is not a good idea. Both atmosphere and public access would be suboptimal. Let’s think of an Key Points
Times Of IndiaShree Cement plans to bid in India's lithium auction - source
India's Shree Cement (SHCM.NS) plans to bid for lithium mining rights under a government plan to secure critical minerals production through auctions that are expected to raise more than $5 billion. Key Points
ReutersAspirational blocks Programme: Govt to spend Rs 100-cr in 500 most backward blocks this fiscal
Niti Aayog implementing ABP in 329 districts. Three-year timeframe set for improvement in 5 areas including health and nutrition, education, agriculture, drinking water and sanitation. Key Points
ThePrintGovt has allocated Rs 100 cr for Aspirational blocks Programme this fiscal: Official
The Indian government has allocated Rs 100 crore for the Aspirational blocks Programme (ABP) in the current financial year. The program aims to improve governance at the block level and enhance the quality of life of citizens. It is being implemented in 500 aspirational blocks across 329 districts in the country. NITI Aayog will rank the blocks every quarter based on their performance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the success of the aspirational districts program will form the basis of the aspirational blocks program. Key Points
Economic TimesAs many as 76 mineral blocks auctioned in 2023: Govt
The government announced the auctioning of 76 mineral blocks in 2023, with 30 for mining lease and 46 as composite licenses. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan led in block auctions. Iron Ore and limestone were among the highest auctioned minerals this year. Key Points
Economic Times
Centre annuls auction of 13 critical mineral blocks
It has been decided to return the bid security to bidders for 11 mineral blocks that got less than three bids each, an official aware of the development said. These blocks which received poor response hold glauconite, nickel, chromium and platinum group elements (PGE), potash, nickel and copper, molybdenum ore, graphite, and lithium, titanium and bauxite (aluminous laterite). They are spread across Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Key Points
Economic TimesIndia to start auction of critical mineral mines in few weeks
The Indian government is set to begin the auction of critical mineral mines in the coming weeks. The blocks that will be up for auction include nickel, lithium, cobalt, platinum, and rare earths. The tender seeking bids is expected to be released in December, with auctions starting three months later. These reforms are aimed at boosting exploration and securing critical mineral assets. State-run enterprises and energy giants are actively seeking these valuable mineral resources, with India's focus on regions like Australia and South America. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia to start lithium, other critical mineral blocks auction in next four months, Mines Secretary Vivek B
India is preparing to start the auction process for some 100 critical mineral blocks in the next four months, as part of plans to secure domestic supplies of the raw materials needed to fuel the green energy transition. The blocks are for minerals including nickel, lithium, cobalt and platinum, along with rare earths, Mines Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj said in an interview in New Delhi. Key Points
Economic TimesGovt launches auction of 20 critical minerals worth Rs 45,000 cr
New Delhi, Nov 29 (PTI) Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday launched the auction of 20 critical minerals worth Rs 45,000 crore. Of the 20 minerals put on sale, two are lithium blocks, Joshi said. One of the lithium blocks is in Jammu & Kashmir, while the other is in Chhattisgarh. Show Full […] Key Points
ThePrintCritical mineral, offshore mineral blocks set for auction in 2024
In a strategic move, India is set to auction critical and offshore mineral blocks, along with issuing exploration licenses in 2024, aiming to revive the mining sector and spur economic growth. Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi disclosed plans for regular critical mineral auctions, aligning with the government's focus on self-reliance. Key Points
Economic Times
Read an exclusive excerpt from Nuts & Bolts by Roma Agrawal
The structural engineer wants her curiosity, as a child and as an engineer, to be infectious. Her new book examines tiny building blocks of the man-made world. Key Points
Hindustan TimesIndia launches 1st auction of 20 critical mineral blocks ‘containing deposits worth Rs 45,000 crore’
Blocks up for auction contain critical minerals such as lithium, rare earth elements, and molybdenum, among others. They are located across 7 states and 1 Union territory. Key Points
ThePrintHow many blocks do you see in this optical illusion?
An optical illusion shared on Twitter has gained attention, with users debating the number of blocks in the image. The post has sparked numerous comments. | Trending Key Points
Hindustan Times3 get chemistry Nobel for protein design and structure prediction
The Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded Wednesday to three scientists for their breakthrough work predicting and even designing the structure of proteins, the building blocks of life. The prize was awarded to David Baker, who works at the University of Washington in Seattle, and to Demis Hassabis and John Jumper, who both work at Google DeepMind, a British-American artificial intelligence research laboratory based in London. Key Points
The TribuneIndia to launch first-ever auction of critical mineral blocks, including world's new fuel, from Nov 29
India is set to launch its first-ever auction of 20 critical mineral blocks on November 29. This initiative aims not only to bolster economic growth but also secure essential resources for driving the nation's green energy shift. The online auction will use a transparent two-stage ascending forward process, selecting bidders based on their quoted mineral values. Key Points
Economic Times
Union Cabinet approves royalty rates for critical and strategic minerals including lithium
The Union Cabinet has approved royalty rates for critical minerals in India. The decision comes as the government prepares to auction critical mineral mines, including those containing nickel, lithium, cobalt, platinum, and rare earths. The move is aimed at attracting investment and development in the mining sector. India's mineral royalty rates are currently among the highest in the world, which has impacted the competitiveness of the sector. The auction for lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to take place soon, with overseas miners expressing interest. Key Points
Economic TimesData crucial for success of Aspirational Block Programme: Niti CEO
Addressing an event here, Subrahmanyam further said through the implementation of the Aspirational Block Programme, the goal of the government is to saturate the 500 blocks, with every development initiative that the government of India is implementing. Data is very very crucial for the success of the Aspirational Block Programme. There is a need to make data visually available to aid decision-making, he said. Key Points
Economic Times