New Delhi, Sep 24: With 4,912 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India’s tally of cases rose to 4,45,63,337, while the active cases declined to 44,436, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday.
The death toll has climbed to 5,28,487 with 38 fatalities, which include 19 deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The 19 fatalities reported in 24 hours include two each from Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana and Karnataka.
The active cases comprise 0.10 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has increased to 98.71 per cent, the health ministry said.
A decline of 845 cases has been recorded in the active caseload in 24 hours, it said.
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 1.62 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was 1.69 per cent, it mentioned.
The number of recoveries climbed to 4,39,90,414, while the case fatality rate was 1.19 per cent.
According to the ministry, 217.41 crore doses of vaccines have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive.
India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.
It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.
India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4, three crore on June 23 last year and four crore on January 25 this year. (Agencies)
India reports nearly 5,000 fresh Covid cases
United Nations | India hits back at Pakistan PM Sharif’s criticism on Kashmir
United Nations, Sept 24: In a strong response to Pakistan, India has said in the UN General Assembly that a country that claims to seek peace with its neighbours would never sponsor cross-border terrorism nor would it shelter planners of the horrific Mumbai terrorist attack, disclosing their existence only under pressure from the global community.
India exercised the Right of Reply in the UN General Assembly on Friday to respond sharply to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who had raked up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir during his address to the high-level General Debate earlier in the day.
“It is regrettable that the Prime Minister of Pakistan has chosen the platform of this august assembly to make false accusations against India,” First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN Mijito Vinito said in the Right of Reply.
“He has done so to obfuscate misdeeds in his own country and to justify actions against India that the world considers unacceptable,” the young Indian diplomat said.
In his address, Sharif reiterated that Pakistan wants to have peace with India but added that long-lasting, enduring peace can only be “insured and guaranteed” through a just and fair solution to the issue of Kashmir under the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions.
India responded that a “polity that claims it seeks peace with its neighbours would never sponsor cross-border terrorism, nor would it shelter planners of the horrific Mumbai terrorist attack, disclosing their existence only under pressure from the international community”. (Agencies)
Centre withdraws special benefits given to IAS, IPS officers from Norh East cadres
NEW DELHI, Sept 24: Centre has withdrawn special benefits including additional monetary allowance given to All India Services (AIS) officers belonging to the Norh East cadres.
AIS officers comprising Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFS) belonging to the Assam-Meghalaya joint cadre, Sikkim, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur cadres were entitled to a special allowance of additional 25% basic pay among other incentives while being posted in Northeast. The additional monetary allowance introduced in 2009 has been discontinued.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) notified on Friday that special incentives and allowances being granted to AIS officers posted in North East States be withdrawn with immediate effect.
The order said that post-retirement housing facility for officers belonging to NE cadres shall also be withdrawn. This policy was introduced in 2007.
Since the tribal population is exempted from paying Income Tax, the facility is also extended to tribal AIS officers while being posted in NE States. Now the “incentive of reimbursement of payable Income Tax to Tribal All India Service officers belonging to the North-East Cadres while on central deputation” stands withdrawn.
The order on flexible inter-cadre deputation for officers of NE cadres that was consolidated in 2017 has also been scrapped.
A senior AIS officer posted in one of the Noth East States said on condition of anonymity that the order was unfair. “Extortion is quite common in these States due to insurgency related issues. The additional benefits gave a sense of security and acted as an incentive to work here. While officers from other States who belong to NE cadres are made to pay full Income Tax, their tribal counterparts are exempted,” said the officer.
It was not clear if the officers belonging to Arunachal Pradesh Goa Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) or UT cadre who are posted in NE will be affected by the present DOPT order. (Agencies)
Azad pays tribute to Maharaja Hari Singh on his birth anniversary
JAMMU, Sept 23: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Friday paid tribute to late Maharaja Hari Singh on his birth anniversary amid a maiden holiday announced by the J&K administration on the occasion.
“Rembering the true visionary, patriot and the last Dogra ruler of J&K, Maharaja Hari Singhji on his birth anniversary today, ” Azad said in a statement. Azad, who recently quit Congress, recalled the “sea of changes in J&K brought in by Maharaja Hari Singh”.
“His well-organised public administration system, people friendly policies, promotion of free & compulsory education for all, developmental and infrastructural works etc. were milestones in J&K’s development, ” he said.
“His religion was ‘justice to all’. In his public speech the Maharaja remarked “If I am considered worth governing this State, then I will say that for me all communities, religions and races are equal. As a ruler, I have no religion; all religions are mine and my religion is justice, ” he added.
Punjab police busts ISI-backed, Canada-based terror module; two held
Chandigarh (Punjab), Sept 23: Punjab police on Friday busted an ISI-backed terror module controlled by Canada-based Lakhbir Landa and Pak-based Harvinder Rinda and arrested two people in connection with it.
The police have recovered one AK-56 Rifle, two magazines and 90 live cartridges.
“On directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to make Punjab crime-free, Punjab Police
has busted an ISI-backed terror module controlled by Canada-based Lakhbir Landa and Pak-based Harvinder Rinda. Two module members were arrested with the recovery of one AK-56 Rifle, two Magazines and 90 live cartridges,” tweeted Punjab police. (Agencies)
Gold falls Rs 139; silver declines Rs 363
New Delhi, Sep 23: Gold price in the national capital fell by Rs 139 to Rs 50,326 per 10 grams on Friday amid a fall in international precious metal prices, according to HDFC Securities.
In the previous trade, the yellow metal had finished at Rs 50,465 per 10 grams.
Silver also fell sharply by Rs 363 to Rs 58,366 per kilogram from Rs 58,729 per kg in the previous trade.
In the international market, gold was quoting lower at USD 1,665 per ounce, while silver was flat at USD 19.50 per ounce.
Gold prices have capped downside despite of stronger dollar over recession worries as the US Federal Reserve committed to raise interest rates,” said Tapan Patel, Senior Analyst (Commodities) at HDFC Securities. (Agencies)
DIG Sujit Kumar, SSP Rakesh Balwal awarded DG CRPF’s commendation disc and certificate
JAMMU, Sept 23: Deputy Inspector General of Police, Central Kashmir Range, Sujit Kumar and Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar, Rakesh Balwal have been awarded DG CRPF’s commendation disc and certificate for their outstanding performance in the successful conduct of Amarnath Yatra-2022.
Rakesh Balwal, a son of the soil, has been awarded DG CRPF’s commendation disc and certificate in recognition of his efforts in the smooth and successful conduct of Amarnath Yatra.
Balwal was appointed as SSP Srinagar in December last year and has been instrumental in building bridges between police and the public in J&K’s summer capital.
An IPS officer of 2012, Balwal has also been at the forefront of tackling social crimes in Srinagar.
Balwal, who earlier served in the National Investigation Agency, played a key role in the probe of the Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.
He was instrumental in preparing a watertight case against 19 accused involved in the Pulwama attack.
The other police officers awarded DG CRPF’s disc and commendation certificate are Sujit Kumar (DIG, CKR), Zubair Ahmad Khan(SSP, PCR), Muhammad Yosouf (SSP Awanitpur), Ashish Mishra(SSP Anantnag), Dr.G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy(SSP Kulgam), Arif Amin Shah(SP HQR Srinagar),Mushtaq Ahmad(DSP), Farooq Hussain(DSP) and Shamim Ahmad(HC(M).
India to shift 50% of energy requirements to renewable energy by 2030: Dr Jitendra Singh
Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for the Ministry of Science and Technology has announced the launch of the “Innovation Roadmap of the Mission Integrated Biorefineries” developed by co-leads and active inputs from Brazil, Canada, EC and the UK.
The Minister is currently leading a high-level Joint Indian Ministerial Delegation of Ministry of Power, New & Renewable Energy and Ministry of Science & Technology at Global Clean Energy Action Forum at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States
“The Mission aims at greater international collaboration and the need for increased financing for Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) during the next five years to kickstart this objective and unleash a virtuous cycle of public and private investment,” said the Minister.
He was speaking at the 1st Roundtable on “Sustainable Bioenergy and Bio-refineries” at the Global Clean Energy Action Forum – the joint convening of 7th Mission Innovation and 13th Clean Energy Ministerial -2022.
Dr Singh said, “Innovation Roadmap of the Mission Integrated Biorefineries” aims to fill the void by identifying gaps and challenges in current biorefining value chains, prioritising Eight key actions to support the Mission, and guiding the Mission’s overall path in achieving its goal.”
He said, it also provides policymakers with a strategy framework to establish a rising RD&D portfolio over the next five years, specific financing proposals across the entire spectrum of vital Biorefinery technologies, and rapid action suggestions.
Addressing the Ministers and CEOs, Senior representatives of (US DoE, Mission Innovation Steering Committee (MISC) and Mission Innovation Secretariat, Senior representatives from MI Member countries and partner organisations, Dr Singh said, Clean Energy Meet offers India an opportunity to present Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s climate and clean energy vision before the world.
Dr Jitendra Singh informed the delegates that India is continually working towards transforming the energy landscape of country with significant clean energy share and added that by 2030, India agreed to reach 500-Gigawatt non-fossil energy capacity, shift 50% of energy requirements to renewable energy, lower overall anticipated carbon emissions by one billion tons, reduce carbon intensity of the economy by 45% over 2005 levels, and achieve net zero emissions by 2070.
Besides, he shared that a pilot plant of 10 Tons/day capacity plant with integrated enzyme production is being set up at Panipat Haryana, which will be commissioned by December 2022.
This will be the 1st indigenous technology for on-site enzyme production. The Minister pointed out that Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has also planned to supply this indigenous enzyme to commercial 2G ethanol plant of 100 KL/day expected to be commissioned by Q2 of 2024.
Further, lignin valorization process is also being developed to produce value added products from waste lignin. He said, it’s successful demonstration will give an indigenous technology to the nation and will contribute to Self-Reliant India and reduce carbon foot print from transport sector.
Dr Jitendra Singh underlined that sustainable biofuels play key role to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from the transport sector. He said, India, through the Department of Biotechnology, has been supporting R&D innovations in Advanced Biofuels and Waste to Energy technologies.
“India has established 5 Bioenergy Centers, where interdisciplinary team is working on advance sustainable biofuels using modern biotechnology tools,” he said.
Home Minister Amit Shah pays tribute to Maharaja Hari Singh on birth anniversary
New Delhi, September 23 :Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday paid tributes to Maharaja Hari Singh on his birth anniversary, who was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
“I bow to the symbol of nationalism Maharaja Hari Singh ji on his birth anniversary. PM Modi has paid a true tribute to him by declaring his birth anniversary as a state holiday to commemorate his efforts to make Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of India and to keep the country’s integrity intact,” Shah tweeted in Hindi.
Maharaja Hari Singh was born on September 23, 1895.
Earlier on September 15, the announcement was made by Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha following his meeting with a delegation comprising prominent political leaders, members of the Yuva Rajput Sabha, and civil society members, including the head of the Jammu and Kashmir transport union, at the Raj Bhavan.
“The government has taken a decision to declare Maharaja Hari Singh Ji’s birthday as a public holiday. Maharaja Hari Singh was a great educationist, progressive thinker, social reformer and a towering man of ideas and ideals. The public holiday will be a fitting tribute to Maharaja Hari Singh Ji’s rich legacy,” the Lieutenant Governor had observed.
Pertinently, on the directions of Lt Governor, a four-member committee was constituted by the UT administration earlier this year to examine the public demand regarding the holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh.
Sinha had said that the decision to declare the birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh as a public holiday was taken respecting the sentiments of the local people. (Agencies)
Charak Biradari Mahasabha, Jammu organized a grand function to celebrate the Birth Anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji
Greater Kailash :- Charak Biradari Mahasabha, Jammu organized a grand function to celebrate the Birth Anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji in the Shiv Charak Bhawan Greater Kailash Jammu in which large number of Charak Biradari took part. A seminar was also held in the Greater Kailash of the Shiv Charak Bhawan to throw light on the life and works of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji. Rakesh Singh Charak, President Charak Biradari Mahasabha, Swarn Singh Charak, President Managing Committee, Jai Data Ranpat Dev Maharaj Bhawan expressed their views whereas Sushil Singh Charak conducted the proceedings.
Speaking on the occasion Sh. Rakesh Singh Charak appreciated the decision of the government, though taken after lapse of seven decades, to declare 23 September, the day of birth of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji as holiday. This is recognition of the thoughts and contributions of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji who integrated Jammu and Kashmir with rest of India by signing the instrument of accession and was a progressive and secular ruler to the core. He had declared Justice as his religion.
All the Charak Biradari Mahasabha Jagdev Singh Charak Advisor Balkar Singh Advisor , Pawan Singh Charak , Secretary, Kher Singh General Secretary Ajeet Singh, Gar Singh,Kulbushan Singh and Ranjeet Singh present in the gathering Cake Cut to the Maharaja Hari Singh Ji on the occasion.