Indore tops at National Smart City Conclave 2023

28 Sep 2023 CW Team

announced that Indore had secured the top position for the 'Best Smart City' in India at the National Smart Cities Conclave held in 2023. Surat in Gujarat was declared the second-place winner, while Agra in Uttar Pradesh managed to secure the third position among India's smart cities. The Best State in the country was determined to be Madhya Pradesh, with Tamil Nadu coming in second. Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh jointly claimed the third position. The winners of the fourth edition of the India Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC) for 2022 were honoured by President Droupadi Murmu. The ISAC has been organised under the Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, since 2018. While addressing the event, the President expressed her satisfaction with the substantial increase in the country's overall investment in urban development. She remarked, "The overall investment in urban development in our country has increased more than tenfold over the last decade compared to what it was previously. The role of the Smart Cities Mission in implementing best practices and developing viable business models is of paramount importance," she added.

Infrastructure Urban

03 Apr 2026

Centre Disburses Over Rs 24,610 mn in XV Finance Commission Grants

The Union Government has released XV Finance Commission tied grants during the financial year 2025–26 to rural local bodies in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Sikkim and has released withheld portions of tied and untied grants to Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Tripura. The total disbursal exceeded Rs 24,610 mn, with figures expressed in million (mn) thereafter. The releases cover allocations pertaining to different financial years and aim to strengthen rural local governance. State-wise disbursements included Rs 3,324.6 mn for Punjab, Rs 9,432.7 mn for Madhya Pradesh, Rs 3,47..

Centre Releases Over Rs 15 bn as XV FC Grants to Rural Bodies

The Union Government has released over Rs 15 bn in grants recommended by the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in six states. The funds comprise tied and untied grants disbursed in FY 2025–26. Telangana received Rs 2.48 bn as the first instalment of untied grants for FY 2025–26, benefitting 12600 Gram Panchayats (GPs). Uttarakhand received Rs 913.1 mn as the second instalment and an additional Rs 18.4 mn of a withheld first instalment was released to a further 216 GPs. Mizoram is included among beneficiary st..

Government Assures Fuel Supplies And Seafarer Safety Amid West Asia Developments

The Government of India has stepped up coordinated measures to maintain stability in critical sectors as developments in West Asia continue to unfold. It has prioritised uninterrupted energy supplies, safeguarded maritime operations and extended consular assistance to nationals. Central authorities are working with State and Union territory administrations to ensure timely information dissemination and operational continuity. Refineries are reported to be operating at high capacity with adequate inventories of petrol and diesel, and domestic LPG production has been increased to support consump..