Scindia Reviews 10 per cent GBS Use for Northeast Development

26 Jul 2025 CW Team

Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, chaired a meeting of the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of DoNER at Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi, on 24 July 2025.

The meeting aimed to review progress under the 10 per cent Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) allocated for the Ashtalakshmi states of the Northeast and explore ways to strengthen coordination for better development outcomes.

Also present were Union Minister of State for DoNER and Education, Dr Sukanta Majumdar, and Members of Parliament from the region.

The discussion focused on enhancing inter-ministerial coordination, improving grievance redressal mechanisms, and ensuring timely and effective implementation of the GBS mandate across all eight North Eastern states.

Minister Scindia reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to a whole-of-government approach, aligning efforts with the #ViksitNortheast vision and India’s Act East Policy.

He highlighted that since 2014, GBS utilisation has consistently exceeded expectations, reaching 104 per cent, 112 per cent, and even 114 per cent in select years. Ministries with underperformance are now being steered to set achievable targets, with emphasis on high-value departments.

Scindia also stressed the important role of MPs in identifying transformative local projects, assuring them that the DoNER Ministry would continue to act as a strong intermediary between states, central ministries, and elected representatives to drive inclusive growth in the region.

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..