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Srinagar civil enclave to be developed further at the cost of ₹1,677 cr

Srinagar civil enclave to be developed further at the cost of ₹1,677 cr

by | Feb 24, 2026 | Business


Accordingly, the new facility will be operated by the Airports Authority of India within the Budgam Airbase of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
| Photo Credit:
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To strengthen aviation infrastructure in the Kashmir Valley, a new civil enclave will come up at Srinagar International Airport at an estimated cost of ₹1,677 crore.

Accordingly, the new facility will be operated by the Airports Authority of India within the Budgam Airbase of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

This aviation infrastructure facility was designated as an international airport in 2005 and is located approximately 12 km from Srinagar city.

On Tuesday (February 24, 2026), Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, which took the decision to erect the civil enclave.

Project’s scope

Besides, the project’s scope includes the construction of barracks for security personnel.

As per the CCEA, the project, spread over 73.18 acres, will feature a state-of-the-art terminal building spanning 71,500 square meters (including 20,659 square meters of the existing structure), designed to serve 2,900 passengers during peak hours and with an annual capacity of 10 million passengers per annum (MPPA).

The expanded apron, it said, will accommodate 15 aircraft parking bays, including one wide-body (Code E) aircraft (nine existing and six proposed), while the runway will continue to be operated by the IAF.

Furthermore, the project will also include the construction of a multi-level car parking facility for 1,000 cars.

Architecturally, the new terminal will reflect a harmonious blend of modern design and the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir, incorporating traditional elements such as intricate woodwork and locally inspired craftsmanship, the CCEA said.

It will also maintain operational efficiency through streamlined passenger processing areas, spacious lounges, and advanced security and check-in facilities.

Beyond infrastructure enhancement, the CCEA said the project is expected to significantly boost tourism and economic growth by improving connectivity to iconic attractions, including Dal Lake, Shankaracharya Temple, and the Mughal Gardens, thereby generating employment opportunities, stimulating investment, and reinforcing Srinagar’s position as a premier tourist and economic destination.

Published on February 24, 2026



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NHA and ESIC sign MoU for convergence of ESI scheme with AB PM-JAY

NHA and ESIC sign MoU for convergence of ESI scheme with AB PM-JAY

by | Feb 24, 2026 | Business


To strengthen coordinated healthcare delivery and expand access to quality services, an MoU was signed on Tuesday between the National Health Authority (NHA) and the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation for convergence of the ESI scheme with the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

The MoU was signed by Sanjay Mehrishi, Joint Secretary, NHA, and Ashok Kumar, Director General, ESIC.

Another MoU was inked between ESIC and the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) to promote quality assurance and accreditation across ESIC healthcare facilities. The agreement was signed by Dr. Ramanand N Shukla, CEO, NABL, and Dr. R Srinivasan, Medical Commissioner (MS), ESIC, with the objective of strengthening laboratory services and ensuring adherence to national quality standards, the Ministry of Labour and Employment said after the ESIC’s 75th Foundation Year Celebrations.

Addressing a gathering, Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya described the institution’s journey as a remarkable example of growth, reform and service to the nation.

Mandaviya emphasised that ESIC must continue to adopt a reform-and-perform approach and take collective “sankalps” in its 75th year to further improve service delivery. Stressing the need to ensure availability of medicines, equipment and doctors across all hospitals, he called for minimising referrals by strengthening in-house facilities and ensuring that staff members are delivering their duties with due diligence.

He underlined that in India, “Swasthya hi seva hai, aur seva hi hamara sanskar hai” (“Health is our mission, and service is our tradition”) and urged all medical professionals and officers to uphold discipline and honour the trust of the people of our country. He also stated that ESIC’s standards should aspire to match premier institutions like All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

The Union Minister also stated that the provision in the Labour Codes provides for mandatory health check-ups for all workers above 40 years of age, which would contribute to strengthening worker welfare and creating a protected workforce.

ESIC began its journey in 1952 with around 1.2 lakh beneficiaries and a single dispensary. It has today expanded to serve more than 15 crore beneficiaries through a vast network of 166 hospitals, 17 medical colleges and nearly 1,600 dispensaries, he stated.

Published on February 24, 2026



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IRFC: Govt plans to sell 26.137 cr shares via offer-for-sale on Wednesday

IRFC: Govt plans to sell 26.137 cr shares via offer-for-sale on Wednesday

by | Feb 24, 2026 | Business


Currently, promoter (Union government) hold 86.36 per cent stake. Among the public, LIC holds 1.10 per cent, small retail investors 9.51 per cent

The Union Government, through the Ministry of Railways, has announced an Offer for Sale of up to 26.137 crore shares of Indian Railway Finance Corporation Ltd, representing 2 per cent of its paid-up capital. The Centre has decided to sell an additional 2 per cent in case of over-subscription, totalling up to 4 per cent of the company’s equity. The floor price for the offer has been fixed as ₹104.

At the floor price, the Centre would raise ₹2,718.248 crore.

While the OFS opens for non-retail investors (institutional investors) on Wednesday, retail investors can bid on Thursday. Eligible employees can apply for up to 25,000 shares (₹2 lakh per employee) as part of the employee quota.

Promoter holding

Currently, promoter (Union government) hold 86.36 per cent stake. Among the public, LIC holds 1.10 per cent, small retail investors 9.51 per cent. The stake sale will also help the company to achieve the minimum public shareholding of 25 per cent.

This is the second OFS in February by the Centre. A few days back, it divested 5 per cent stake in BHEL. “The second day of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited OFS closed with enthusiastic response from retail investors. The issue was subscribed 1.34 times. We thank all investors for their participation,” DIPAM posted in social media X-blog post. Offer for Sale in Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) had received an enthusiastic response and was over subscribed 2.3 times on the first day.

The stock of IRFC on Tuesday closed at ₹109.40.

Published on February 24, 2026



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FSIB recommends Hitesh Joshi for CMD position in GIC Re

FSIB recommends Hitesh Joshi for CMD position in GIC Re

by | Feb 24, 2026 | Business


The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) on Tuesday recommended the candidature of Hitesh R Joshi for the position of Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) in General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re).

Joshi, who is currently Executive Director with the State-owned reinsurer, has been exercising the financial and administrative powers and functions of CMD of GIC Re since October 1, 2025, after Ramaswamy Narayanan superannuated on September 30, 2025.

FSIB interfaced with 5 eligible candidates for the position of CMD in GIC-Re. Keeping in view their performance in the interface, their overall experience and the extant parameters, the Bureau recommended Joshi for the position, per a Bureau statement. Joshi was elevated as Executive Director with effect from July 09, 2024.

Joshi is a post-graduate in Accountancy from Mumbai University and holds a Master’s Degree in Financial Management from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies. He is also a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of India.

Over the course of his career in Corporation, Joshi has undertaken a diverse range of assignments across key functions, including reinsurance (both domestic and international inward business), retrocession, finance, Enterprise Risk Management, budgetary control and strategic planning, internal audit, credit rating, investor relations, and also served as Executive Assistant to the Chairman and Managing Director of the Corporation.

Published on February 24, 2026



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National HPV vaccination campaign set for roll-out, to protect against cervical cancer

National HPV vaccination campaign set for roll-out, to protect against cervical cancer

by | Feb 24, 2026 | Business


About one crore vaccines have been supplied through India’s partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and supplied to the States, the official said
| Photo Credit:
RAO GN

India is set to undertake a country-wide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination initiative for adolescent girls, as part of a special public health campaign against cervical cancer— one of the most common yet preventable cancers affecting women, a source familiar with the development said.

The high-profile rollout is just days away, a Government source told businessline, of the national programme to vaccinate adolescents in the country. India’s public health infrastructure broke new ground with its vaccination programme during Covid-19, a first in adults. This later extended to the youth as well. The country has, however, been running immunisation campaigns for infants for several decades.  

Quadrivalent HPV vaccine  

The proposed HPV campaign covers adolescent girls (14 year-olds only), who will be vaccinated with the single dose Gardasil 4, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine that protects against HPV strains 16 and 18, which cause cervical cancer, besides 6 and 11. The programme is in line with the World Health Organization recommendation that identifies HPV vaccination as key to the Global Strategy to Eliminate Cervical Cancer. (Gardasil is the HPV vaccine from Merck Sharp & Dohme.)

About one crore vaccines have been supplied through India’s partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and supplied to the States, the official said. The total commitment is for 2.6 crore vaccines. There are about 1.15 crore girls in the 14-year bracket, the source added. The vaccine is WHO-approved and single dose (helping better adherence, compared to multiple dose vaccines), the source said,  indicating its choice for the national programme. Earlier reports suggested Serum Institute of India was to be part of this programme.

Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in India, with nearly 80,000 new cases and over 42,000 deaths reported annually, the source pointed out. Scientific evidence establishes that almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV types 16 and 18, which together account for more than 80 percent of cervical cancer cases in India – the source pointed out.

The vaccine is non-live, does not cause HPV infection, and has an excellent safety record, supported by more than 500 million doses administered globally since its introduction in 2006, the source explained. India’s approach is backed by expert recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), the official indicated, adding that the campaign covered 14 year-old girls, as a preventive before potential exposure to the virus.

 Vaccine safety

GlaxoSmithKline’s Cervarix (discontinued in India, few years ago) and Gardasil had come in for scrutiny in 2010, following the death of tribal girls who had participated in feasibility studies evaluating the use of cervical cancer vaccines for mass vaccination. The study was done in Gujarat and then undivided Andhra Pradesh by the non-government organisation PATH. The companies, though, had stood by the safety and efficacy of their vaccines.

The national HPV vaccination programme will be conducted at designated government health facilities, including primary health centres), community health centres, Sub-District and District Hospitals, and Government Medical Colleges, the source said.

Published on February 24, 2026



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