Jul 29: India logged 20,409 new coronavirus infections pushing the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,39,79,730, while the active cases declined to 1,43,988, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.
The death toll climbed to 5,26,258 with 32 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The active cases comprise 0.33 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.48 per cent, the ministry said.
A decrease of 2,335 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 5.12 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 4.82 per cent, according to the ministry.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,33,09,484, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.20 per cent.
According to the ministry, 203.60 crore doses of Covid vaccine 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.
The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year.
The 32 new fatalities include seven from West Bengal, three each from Karnataka and Maharashtra, two each from Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Uttarakhand and one each from Chandigarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. (Agencies)
India logs 20409 new infections, 32 deaths in last 24 hours
Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya Power @2047 Bijli Mahotsav held in Bhadarwah
By King RJ
Bhadarwah, July 28: As a part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to celebrate 75 years of India’s Independence, District Administration, NHPC and JPDCL organized a ‘Bijli Mahotsav’ under Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya Power @2047 at Community Hall Bhadarwah on Thursday.
On the occasion DDC Chairman Doda Dhananter Singh Kotwal was the chief guest, while Sangeeta Bhagat Vice-Chairperson Doda was the guest of honour. DDC Doda Vikas Sharma presided over the programme. Cheif guest along with guest of honour and other dignitaries inaugurated the event in presence of large number of people.
ADC Bhadarwah Dil Mir Choudhary, ADC Doda Dr R K Bharti, Kamlesh Kumar, Asst. Rajbhasha Officer, NHPC Kishtwar and General Manager (Electrical) NHPC Kishtwar Mithilesh Dinkar were also present on the occasion.
BDC Chairpersons, DDC Councillors, Senior Manager NHPC (HR) Ashok Dhanwal, Officials of NHPC Kishtiwar and JPDCL and public representatives were also present.
Various cultural programmes, Nukkad nataks and screening of short films on the power sector were held at the venue. The events also witnessed several beneficiaries sharing their experiences.
During the Mahotsav, the dignitaries highlighted the benefits of electricity and the unprecedented growth achieved by the power sector over the past few years.
On this occasion, Dhananter Singh Kotwal and Sangeeta Bhagat while addressing the gathering said that the government is doing remarkable work in the field of electricity. The local administration is implementing various schemes, and the public is getting benefited. He urged upon the public to install smart meters, use the electricity judiciously and Cooperate with the electricity department to have uninterrupted power supply.
SE JPDCL Kishtiwar Circle has given detailed information about the programs being run for the public. Numerous dignitaries graced the occasion which saw large turnouts of crowd from nearby villages and other far off areas including school students.
The Bijli Mahotsav programmes are being used as a platform to celebrate the collaboration between the state and the Centre Governments and to highlight the key achievements in the power sector.
Some of the key highlights in the sector as informed during the programme have been, 169 GW of generation capacity added which transformed our country from power deficit to power surplus.
1.6 lakh CKM of transmission lines added, which connected entire country into one grid running on one frequency, emerging as largest integrated grid in the world.
India achieved 100% village electrification (18,374) and 100% household electrification (2.86 Cr).
Rs 2.02 Lakh Cr outlay for system strengthening, has increased duration of power supply in rural areas from 12 hours in 2015 to average 22.5 hours at present.
Fastest growing Renewable Energy (RE) capacity which has doubled from ~76 GW in 2014 to ~160 GW at present. India has also achieved 40% RE Generation capacity in 2021 and India stands 4th globally.
The Bijli Mahotsav is being celebrated all over the country under the umbrella of Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya – Power @2047 for more public participation and getting across the developments in the power sector to the citizens at large.
Traffic Police organises Seminar on religious harmony in Bhadarwah Campus
By King RJ
Bhadarwah July 28 : To promote religious harmony and to eliminate extremism from the society for peaceful living, which is imperative for holistic development, Traffic police NHW244 Doda Kishtwar axis organised a seminar on the topic Religious Harmony on Thursday as a part of Azadi Ka Amrut Mohatsav.
On the directions of the government and PHQ, under the supervision of SSP Traffic NHW Ramban Shabir Ahmed Malik. Baljit Singh JKPS DySP Traffic Doda/Kishtwar axis presided over the function.
Chief guest Aftab Ahmed Mir, Addl SP Bhadarwah, guest of honour SDPO Bhadarwah Meer Gafoor and ERO Bhadarwah Campus Aarif Khateeb beside students from different educational institutes of Bhadarwah took part in the seminar that was held at Lal-Ded Auditorium of Bhadarwah Campus.
Dy SP traffic Baljeet Singh said the main objective of the seminar which was organised under 'Civic Action Programme' is to make everyone especially youth understand that we can develop through social, religion and economic harmony.
Students from different age groups took part in the seminar and shared their views on communal harmony.
Speakers at seminar emphasised the need to highlight communal harmonies between different religions and faiths besides improving mutual understanding between them.
“We should embrace this diversity a gift of the divine that needs to be celebrated. One can have spiritual unity if we own spiritual unity deep and there are many paths for intimate reality. We don’t need to judge other rather we need to honor which is a very important step in human evolution. Not to say only my path is right but to say, my path is right to me and your path is right to you and I honour your path and I hope you honour my path. And this is a fundamental principle of spiritual unity,” said Riya Charak, student of Business School, Bhadarwah Campus.
The participating students deliberated on the importance of maintaining the religious harmony.
The speakers were felicitated with certificates and trophies. The position holders were rewarded with cash prizes too including Babita of University Campus Bhadarwah got first position, followed by Awais Khurshid of BHSS Bhadarwah and Jaseen Ahmed of GDC Bhadarwah which stood second and third respectively.
Others who were present on the occasion were Dr Sandeep Kotwal from GDC Bhaderwah, Sh Kuljit Singh Academic Coordinator Bhaderwah Campus, Sh Gafoor Mir JKPS SDPO Bhaderwah besides teachers from the participating institutions who were also present.
The Chief guest Aftab Ahmed Mir, in his address lauded the effort of participants who in one voice put forward the need of better relations within the communities. The chief guest spoke at length on the topic and exhorted the participants to spread the message of love and mutual respect among different religions to create peaceful atmosphere which leads to prosperity and development of the nation.
The participating students were provided with pick and drop facility and refreshment.
The effort of the Traffic Police was appreciated by the audience as well as participating students.
The vote of thanks was presented by Baljit Singh JKPS DySP Traffic Doda/Kishtwar axis.
ACD Doda reviews progress of developmental works in Block Bhaderwah
Doda, July 28; Assistant Commisioner Development Doda, Phulail Singh held a review meeting of RDD staff at Block headquarters Bhaderwah.The meeting was attended by Executive Engineer REW Doda Sh. Pankaj Sharma, BDO Bhaderwah Sunil Kumar, AEE REW, AE REW, all the Secretary Panchayats, Junior Enginneers and Technical Assistants.
The ACD reviewed the progress of Capex grants under Area Development Programme, MGNREGA, PMAY and construction of new Panchayat Ghars. Junior Engineer wise targets were reviewed and BDO Bhadeewah was directed to ensure that estimates of all the works are prepared with in five days. The technical assistants were directed to prepare estimates of soakage pits under MGNREGA on war footings so that the targets assigned by the government are achieved within stipulated period of time.
Besides, the Technical Assisntants were also directed to complete estimation of all the projected works on secure software under MGNREGA so that the works are started once the target of soakage pits is achieved.
The secretary panchayats were directed to handle all the portals and assignments of GRS till they resume their duties.
Latter ACD also conducted meeting of PRI for making arrangements for Har Ghar Tiranga under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Heavy rains trigger flash floods in Jammu
Jammu, July 28
Authorities rescued students and teachers trapped in a government school after heavy rainfall triggered flash floods inundating many areas of the Jammu region on Thursday, officials said.
Dozens of houses and structures were damaged, some bridges washed away and scores of vehicles stuck on roads and highways in various districts of the region, they said.
The Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed for traffic in the morning due to landslides and shooting stones in Ramban district.
In Jammu, police and locals swung into action and rescued students and teachers trapped in a school building due to flash floods in the Muthi-Udhaywala area, the officials said.
Several people escaped unhurt when an old building collapsed due to heavy rains in the Kanak Mandi area. It triggered protests against the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) for its alleged failure to bring down old and unused buildings in the old city causing a threat to life to the residents and shopkeepers, the officials said.
A wall of another house collapsed in Kalka colony.
Most of the roads and dozens of colonies in Jammu city were inundated due to heavy rainfall gauged over 80 mm in a few hours.
As per reports, dozens of houses and structures suffered damage due to rains, flash floods and landslides in Jammu, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur and Reasi districts.
The region recorded heavy rainfall since early Thursday morning.
Worst-affected areas in Jammu due to the rainfall and subsequent flash floods were Keran, lower Roopnagar, Kangrail, Raipur, Kot-Bhalwal, Burn and Ghrota, Paloura, Takab Tillo, Channi Himmat and other low-lying areas where the rainwater entered houses, the officials said.
Power and water supply in parts of the city and other rural areas was affected badly, while water and mud entered many houses and shops in Old Janipur, Bhawani Nagar, Naseeb Nagar, Shant Nagar, Paloura, Lower Roop Nagar, Muthi, they said.
The water level of most of the rivers like Chinab, Tawi, Ujh, Basantar and other nallahs was running above the danger mark. Authorities issued advisories urging people to stay away from rivers, the officials said.
Dozens of vehicles were trapped on a highway in Kathua.
In Kishtwar, a foot-bridge was washed away in the Afti area, the officials said.
In Reasi district, a new track to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop the Trikuta hills was closed on Thursday as a precautionary measure following heavy rains in the area, they said.
As per the advisory, those residing in slide-prone areas should remain extra vigilant and report any untoward incident to the administration at the earliest.
SSC scam: Arrested Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee sacked from Cabinet
The West Bengal Government on Thursday removed Partha Chatterjee, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a school jobs scam, from the ministry with immediate effect.
“Partha Chatterjee, minister in-charge, department of industry, commerce and enterprises, department of information technology and electronics, department of parliamentary affairs and department of public enterprises and industrial reconstruction, is hereby relieved of his duties as MIC of the aforesaid department with immediate effect,” an official order said.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee later said at a government event here that she will look after the portfolios held by Chatterjee for the time being.
The ED had arrested Chatterjee, who is also the Trinamool Congress secretary-general, on July 23 in connection with its investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment drives by the School Service Commission (SSC).
The Central agency has also arrested Chatterjee’s close associate Arpita Mukherjee, and seized crores of rupees from her houses in different parts of the city.
Rajouri: DC calls for collective efforts to cover left out beneficiaries under AB-PMJAY
Appeals public to supplement efforts of Distt Admin & get themselves enrolled under scheme to avail health care benefits
2000 registrations to be done per day under the scheme & VLEs to visit left out houses if required
RAJOURI, JULY 28: Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Vikas Kundal today chaired a meeting of the concerned officers to discuss the statergy for the hundred percent coverage of all eligible beneficiaries under AB-PMJAY scheme in the district.
Officers who attended the meeting included PO ICDS, Shoket Mehmood Malik; DSEO, Sandeep Sharma; representatives of the State health authorities, CMO, Dr Abdul Hamid Zargar and AD Planning, Mohd Rafi and other concerned officers.
During the meeting, the DC sought a detailed report from the concerned officers concerning the progress made under the scheme in the district. The concerned officers briefed the chair to date status in this regard.
While stressing upon the completion of exercise in time in the interest of patient care, he asked the concerned stakeholders to put in place dedicated efforts to meet the targets within the shortest possible time.
The concerned from the State Health Agency was directed to deploy more Arogya Mitras in subdistrict hospitals of the district to facilitate the patients in a better manner.
He also fixed the target of registering 2000 beneficiaries per day under the scheme. It was also decided that the VLEs would also visit left out houses if required.
Meanwhile, the DC also made an appeal to people of the district to get themselves registered under the AB-PMJAY scheme to avail the necessary health care benefits under the scheme.
Popular govt alone is the panacea for ills afflicting J&K: Harsh Dev
Chenani, 28-07-2022: Accusing the present regime for its indifference and neglect of the common masses facing denial of even the basic amenities, both in urban and rural areas, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh, Former Minister and senior AAP leader said that a democratically elected govt alone was the panacea for the ills afflicting the centrally ruled UT of J&K. He said that babus requisitioned from other states mostly UP and Bihar had hardly any idea about the peculiar problems of the UT’s diversities and had failed to satisfy the urges of the people. While the common masses had hardly any access to the ‘babus’ operating from their AC Chambers, the latter too seemed to have abdicated their responsibilities of interacting with public so as to ascertain their difficulties and to take the appropriate remedial action for redressal of their genuine grievances, asserted Mr. Singh. He was addressing huge gatherings in Upper Manta, Truta-dabbar and Bali villages of Chenani constituency today.
“While the frequent power outages and acute drinking water problems had made the lives of people a living hell, the helmsmen seemed to be least bothered about the sufferings of the public. As the affected people were protesting on roads on day to day basis, a highly impudent and apathetic bureaucracy preferred to remain cocooned in their sanitized environment quite unmindful of the woes of the agitating masses. Not only was the common man annoyed over the administrative apathy towards their basic concerns but varied sections of society had expressed their disapproval with the proxy rule of the centre. The unemployed youth including the contractuals, consolidated and daily wagers assured of a fair deal had all felt betrayed and cheated and were fighting for their rights on roads and streets with none to listen to their woes.
Mr. Singh maintained that the people in the rural areas in particular were the worst victims of govt apathy with none to respond to their shrill cries for justice. Deprived of proper connectivity and communication, the people residing in several remote and far-flung areas had lost contacts with the civilized world due to road blocks and disruption of traffic on damaged roads for months together. Sadly there were no takers for even the staff deficient and defunct schools thereby jeopardizing the careers of rural students.Declare J&K peace zone, let SAARC countries invest here: PDP chief Mehbooba to PM Modi
NEW DELHI, July 28: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare Jammu and Kashmir a peace zone and make it a model of SAARC cooperation by opening all routes across the Line of Control (LoC) and allowing every member country to invest in the region. In a fiery speech at Sher-e-Kashmir Park here on the occasion of the PDP’s 23rd foundation day, she also said there was no other option than dialogue to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir issue.
“I request you ( PM Modi) that J-K whose name you fear to take along with the name of Pakistan, there is a saying in English ‘catch the bull by the horns’, make this J-K and the other J-K a model of SAARC cooperation.
“Declare both J-K’s a zone of peace and let all the SAARC countries invest here. Let they open their banks here, their handicrafts universities be opened, every one be allowed to move freely, open all routes,” Mehbooba said addressing the party workers.
The trade between India and Pakistan goes on at the Wagah border in Punjab but it was suspended in Jammu and Kashmir, she said.
“Have we ever heard that there was firing on the Punjab border or that there was war between India and Pakistan on the Gujarat border or Rajasthan border? No, it only happens on the borders in J-K. There is a war inside J-K as well. Ten lakh army personnel on one side and youth with guns on the other. You will have to resolve this issue and there is no other option,” the PDP chief said.
She also asked the prime minister to make J-K a gateway to Central and South Asia.
“Pakistan and China have said all countries can become a part of the CPEC — a route which goes via the other J-K to Central Asia and South Asia. You said do not do it, but they will do it and they will not stop because you said so. Did you stop from abrogating Article 370 when they said so? No, you went ahead and ruined everything here.
“The other J-K is lucky that its strategic position is being used to become a gateway to Central and South Asia. Why do not you open routes through this J-K? Why not make it a gateway to Central and South Asia? Start from Jammu, reach Valley and then Ladakh — be it Xinjiang, Yarkhand, Kargil-Skardu, Bandipora-Astoor, we are telling you what to do,” Mehbooba said.
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in Dhaka on December 8, 1985. Its member states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The organisation promotes economic development and regional integration
Mehbooba also appealed to Prime Minister Modi to grant general amnesty to all Kashmiri youths languishing in different jails across the country. (Agencies)
Sh. Sham Sharma, Sh. Devender Rana, Smt. Rekha Mahajan listen to public grievances
J&K BJP Vice-President & Former Minister Sh. Sham Lal Sharma, Former-MLA Sh. Devender Rana and BJP Secretary Smt. Rekha Mahajan, listened to the grievances of a large number of people belonging to different areas of Jammu & Kashmir at party Headquarter, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu.
Numerous individuals and deputations from various areas of Jammu & Kashmir visited BJP office to share their grievances with the senior party leaders. They presented their grievances before the party leaders and requested for their intervention in the matters for their redressal.
Sh. Sham Lal Sharma, Sh. Devinder Rana and Smt. Rekha Mahajan gave patient hearings to the problems of the people, which were taken up with the concerned officials of the departments stressing for early resolution so that the people are not made to suffer.
Sh. Sham Lal Sharma on the occasion said that BJP with its pro-people policy is dedicatedly attending to the issues faced by the public and taking required measures to solve their problems.
Sh. Devender Rana on the occasion laid stress on the importance of these grievances camps in which people highlight their genuine problems and party makes sincere efforts in solving them.
Smt. Rekha Mahajan said that the problems raised by people in the public grievances camp were immediately taken up at appropriate platforms for their redressal.