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No plan to increase FDI limit for PSU banks: Finance Minister

By
LO Bureau
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PSU Banks

The Union Government has no plan to increase the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in public sector banks. The current limit stands at 20 percent. There was a perception in the banking sector that the Centre might consider raising the FDI limit to 49 percent. The Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Choudhary, clarified it in the Parliament on Tuesday. He said that the Centre is not considering any such proposal to raise the FDI limit in Public Sector Banks (PSBs).

Choudhary’s statement came in reply to a written question in the Rajya Sabha on whether the government has proposed raising the FDI limit in PSBs to 49 percent. It should be noted that the government continues to hold its share in 12 public sector banks since 2020.

The FDI limit in PSBs and private sector banks is 20 percent and 74 percent, respectively. In the case of private sector banks, up to 49 percent of FDI is through the automatic route, and beyond 49 percent and up to 74 percent, the government route is applicable.

Chaudhary also clearly said that the number of shares held by the Union Government in 12 public sector banks (PSBs) has not declined since 2020. However, he added, the respective percentage of shareholding of the Union Government has declined in some of these banks due to the raising of capital through the issuance of fresh shares by banks.

According to the minister, fresh capital is raised by the banks to meet their capital requirement for business growth and maintaining regulatory requirements. He added that such capital raising reduces the fiscal burden on the government and strengthens the balance sheet of banks. Further, the minister said, there is a minimum public shareholding requirement of 25 percent, which banks have to ensure compliance of under the rule.

As per the New Public Sector Enterprises policy for Atmanirbhar Bharat, recommendations are to be made by NITI Aayog with regard to Central PSEs under strategic sectors, which includes the Banking, Insurance, and Financial Services Sector.

REC Limited Sanctions ₹3.60 Crore for Three Mobile Medical Units to Boost Rural Healthcare in Tripura

By
LO Bureau
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REC Limited Mobile Medical Units Tripura

REC Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to accessible and affordable healthcare for India’s remotest communities through a major CSR initiative in Tripura. In a significant step toward supporting underserved and tribal populations, REC has sanctioned ₹3.60 crore to Sewa International for the operation of three Mobile Medical Units (MMUs)—two in Dhalai district and one in South Tripura district—over the next three years.

The MMUs were officially flagged off on 30 November 2025 by Hon’ble Governor of Tripura, Shri Indra Sena Reddy Nallu. The ceremony was graced by Shri Narayanan Thirupathy, Independent Director, REC Limited; Shri Shyam Parande, Global Coordinator and General Secretary, Sewa International; Shri Shubhendu Roy, CPM, Regional Office Guwahati, REC Limited; and members of the REC CSR Team.

Equipped with GPS-enabled tracking, the Mobile Medical Units are designed to deliver doorstep healthcare services across remote pockets of Dhalai and South Tripura districts. The units are expected to cater to approximately 3,750 beneficiaries every month, providing free medical consultations, diagnostic services, medicines, and preventive healthcare awareness to communities that often lack access to primary medical facilities.

This initiative underscores REC Limited’s unwavering dedication to improving quality of life in rural and tribal regions, while strengthening public health infrastructure in alignment with national development priorities.

Maharashtra misses NIA chief Date, urges Centre for his repatriation

By
LO Bureau
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IPS Sadanand Date

Success follows those who chase excellence in life. This is the moral that the story of Maharashtra cadre IPS officer Sadanand Date teaches. He is heading India’s premier federal agency, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), currently, but the Maharashtra government wants him to head the state police. When he was heading the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), the Centre borrowed him from the state to head the agency that investigates crimes against India’s sovereignty and integrity—the NIA. Now Maharashtra misses him and wants him back.

Date is tipped to take over as the next state police chief from current incumbent Rashmi Shukla, who retires on Dec 31.

Interestingly, the UPSC is yet to select Date’s name as one of the three shortlisted candidates to be picked as DGP; the state government wants the Centre to relieve him and hence has sought his repatriation to the state.

It has been done in anticipation, as the Date’s name figures at the top of the list of seven IPS officers sent to the UPSC for shortlisting by the state government in November. Being the most senior officer on the list, Date’s name is sure to be included in the panel of three names to be selected by the UPSC for the appointment as the next DGP.  

Besides being the senior-most officer in the list sent to the UPSC, Date has been a decorated police officer who shot to fame after taking on two of the 10 terrorists who attacked Mumbai on 26/11 in 2008. He was even awarded the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry in 2009. It was his impeccable profile as a counter-terrorism specialist that impressed the central government enough to lift him from the Maharashtra ATS to lead the country’s federal agency. 

During a vast and variegated policing career spanning over 35 years, Date has earned several commendations and awards for his work, including the Mahatma Gandhi Peace and Communal Harmony award from the Minorities Commission and the Police Medal for Meritorious Services in 2007.

If picked, Date can get a two-year term as Maharashtra’s top cop, though he has only one year of service remaining.

By Dinesh Kumar

RBI appoints Usha Janakiraman as Executive Director

By
LO Bureau
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Usha Janakiraman RBI

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed senior official Usha Janakiraman as Executive Director, with her new role taking effect from December 1, 2025.

Before this elevation, Janakiraman was serving as Chief General Manager-in-Charge in the Department of Regulation at the RBI’s Central Office in Mumbai. She has been associated with the central bank for more than 30 years, contributing across key functions such as regulatory oversight, external investments, banking supervision, currency management, public debt operations and other core areas.

A Chartered Accountant by qualification, Janakiraman will now head the Department of Supervision (Risk, Analytics and Vulnerability Assessment) as part of her Executive Director responsibilities.

Her appointment comes shortly after the RBI named Sonali Sen Gupta and Sanjay Kumar Hansda as Executive Directors in October 2025.

Also Read: Sanjay Kumar Hansda appointed Executive Director in RBI (October 9, 2025)

Also Read: Sonali Sen Gupta appointed Executive Director of RBI (October 12, 2025)



Deepak Agarwal gets additional charge as MD of Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium

By
LO Bureau
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Deepak Agarwal IAS

In a key administrative development, senior IAS officer Deepak Agarwal (IAS:2000:UP) has been given additional charge of Managing Director, Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has granted ex-post facto approval for the assignment.

According to the order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (December 2, 2025), Agarwal will hold the additional charge with effect from August 28, 2025. He will continue in the role until a regular incumbent is appointed or until further orders, whichever comes earlier.

Agarwal is currently serving as Managing Director of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

NHAI partners with Reliance Jio to roll out mobile-based highway safety alert system

By
LO Bureau
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NHAI Logo

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Reliance Jio to introduce a telecom-driven safety alert system aimed at improving road safety and enhancing the travel experience on National Highways. The initiative will use Jio’s existing 4G and 5G network to send advance warnings to commuters approaching identified risk zones such as accident-prone stretches, fog-hit areas, stray cattle zones and emergency diversions.

Under the new system, highway users will receive alerts through SMS, WhatsApp messages and high-priority automated calls, enabling them to adjust their speed and driving behaviour before entering hazardous locations. The alerts will be integrated in phases with NHAI’s digital platforms, including the ‘Rajmargyatra’ mobile app and the national highway emergency helpline number 1033.

The solution will function automatically for all Jio subscribers travelling on or near National Highways. Since the system relies on existing telecom towers, it can be deployed quickly without the need for additional roadside equipment. Jio’s extensive digital footprint—serving over 500 million users—will allow safety messages to be delivered at a national scale.

Welcoming the initiative, NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav said it represents a major step in ensuring timely and reliable information for commuters, helping them adopt safe driving practices well in advance. Reliance Jio President Jyotindra Thacker noted that the project leverages the company’s telecom reach to deliver critical alerts that can contribute to safer highway mobility.

The pilot phase will begin under selected NHAI regional offices to fine-tune risk-zone identification and alert mechanisms. The system will operate in compliance with regulatory norms and data-protection requirements.

NHAI has clarified that similar collaborations will also be explored with other telecom operators. With the help of real-time communication and strong digital infrastructure, the initiative is expected to boost commuter awareness and reduce preventable road accidents, supporting the authority’s broader vision of safer and smarter National Highways across India.

New complex housing PMO set to be renamed as ‘Seva Teerth’

By
LO Bureau
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PM Narendra Modi

In a major symbolic shift, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) will soon be renamed Seva Teerth as part of the government’s ongoing effort to promote a citizen-first approach to governance.

The new building complex—earlier known as the Executive Enclave under the Central Vista Redevelopment project—is in its final stages of completion. It will house the PMO along with the offices of the Cabinet Secretariat, National Security Council Secretariat, and India House, which will serve as a venue for high-level diplomatic meetings.

The name Seva Teerth has been chosen to reflect a workplace rooted in the spirit of public service and national duty.

Similarly, Raj Bhavans, the official residences of Governors, are being renamed Lok Bhavan.

This renaming follows a series of changes introduced over recent years to underline themes of responsibility, welfare and transparency. In 2016, the Prime Minister’s residence was renamed Lok Kalyan Marg to highlight the focus on public welfare.

Similarly, the Central Secretariat was renamed Kartavya Bhavan, and Rajpath became Kartavya Path, emphasising that public office represents duty rather than privilege.

These changes signal a broader shift in governance spaces, reflecting values of seva (service) and kartavya (duty) at the centre of government functioning.

IAS officer Ajoy Sharma empanelled as Additional Secretary

By
LO Bureau
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Ajoy Sharma IAS

In a significant administrative development, Punjab-cadre IAS officer Ajoy Sharma (IAS:1999:PB) has been empanelled for holding Additional Secretary or equivalent posts in the Government of India. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on Tuesday (December 2, 2025) approved his empanelment.

Sharma is currently serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Labour & Employment, a position he has held since November 2024 for a five-year tenure.

Meenaxi Rawat gets additional charge as HPCL CVO

By
LO Bureau
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Meenaxi Rawat IES

Meenaxi Rawat (IES:1993), who is currently serving as the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) in Mumbai, has been assigned additional charge as CVO of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL). According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the competent authority has approved the proposal for entrustment of additional charge of the post to Rawat for a period of six months from date of assumption of charge of the post or till the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Ramesh Kumar Verma prematurely repatriated to parent cadre

By
LO Bureau
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Indian Trade Service

Ramesh Kumar Verma (ITradeS:2013), presently serving as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has been prematurely repatriated to his parent cadre. According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on Tuesday (December 2, 2025), the competent authority has approved the proposal of DPIIT to repatriate Verma to his parent cadre on personnel grounds with provision of extended cooling off.

Verma was initially appointed to the post through an order dated July 19, 2023, for a tenure up to March 31, 2025. His tenure was later extended to be co-terminus with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP) or until further orders. The latest repatriation order brings an early end to his central deputation.

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