The imposition of anti-dumping duty on imported solar panels and cells has been a longstanding plea of domestic solar equipment manufacturers. So when the directorate-general of allied duties was hearing the petition, domestic manufacturers left no stone unturned to convince journalists for ensuring positive coverage. In addition to dedicated PR personnel, some manufacturers also released a video clip to manufacture consent on WhatsApp.

Early toast

For all domestic bankers with exposure to RCom, Mukesh Ambani’s RJio emerging as a white knight to buy RCom’s wireless assets came as a godsend. Bankers were thrilled as they need not categorise RCom as an NPA for the December quarter. This is like ringing in the new year ahead of time for the banking industry, quipped a banker reacting to this development.Going by the grapevine, there was much toasting with sparkling champagne!

Number one priority

The ministry of small and medium enterprises has embraced a newfound affection for bovines brandished with pride by rightwing activists. The Giriraj Singh-led ministry has prioritised developing clusters at the village level to promote products developed from gau mutra (cows’ urine). The brief includes identification of potential raw material suppliers, indigenous product development, and development of marketing facilities.

Transferring success

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) is the Government’s major reform initiative to re-engineer the existing delivery processes, ensuring better and timely delivery of benefits using ICT. As on date, 400 schemes from 56 ministries/departments are being implemented under DBT. Centrally-sponsored schemes are implemented through State governments; granular level details are being maintained by the respective State governments. DBT focuses on better targeting of beneficiaries, timely disbursal of benefits and curbing of pilferage by de-duplication, elimination of ghost beneficiaries and so on, clarified Pon Radhakrishnan, minister of state for finance in the Lok Sabha.

In the firing line

Television screens have picked up the act of naming and shaming defaulters even before banks do so. A persistent message on Times Now says, “This channel is likely to be switched off by Hathway on January 10 due to non-payment of huge outstanding by the broadcaster.” The brutal message circulates on the screen of the high tempo news channel throughout the day. The Times broadcast group is already grappling with its star TV face starting a competing news channel. The year 2017 has definitely not been the best year for the group which also saw broadcast operations being disrupted by the fire at Kamala Mills, Mumbai.

Modi on Sabarimala

In his last Mann Ki Baat broadcast for 2017, the PM cited Sabarimala temple as an example of strong resolve to maintain cleanliness along with strict discipline observed during worship.

“…Millions of devotees come to this world famous temple, seeking the blessings of Lord Ayyappa Swami. It is a huge challenge maintaining cleanliness around such a large religious place where devotees come in such huge numbers. Especially, since this place is situated in the midst of hills and forests,” he said.

“One police officer P Vijayan initiated a programme, Punyam Poonkavanam, and commenced a voluntary campaign of creating awareness on cleanliness. And he began a tradition that the yatra of devotees will remain incomplete if they do not contribute by performing some physical labour or the other in the cleanliness programme.”

Modi went on to say: “Every morning, there is a uniquely pleasant scene of cleanliness here when all devotees join in the drive. However big a celebrity may be, or however rich or however high an official — each one... becomes a part of this cleanliness drive.”

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