New Delhi, Nov 5: Delhi residents continued to endure hazardous air quality on Tuesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) nearing severe levels in several areas. At 9 am, the AQI was recorded at 384, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The 24-hour average AQI for Monday was reported at 381, marking the second highest in the country.

According to the CPCB’s Sameer app, which offers hourly AQI updates, 13 out of 38 monitoring stations recorded severe category readings above 400. These stations include Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Dwarka, NSIT Dwarka, Nehru Nagar, Moti Marg, Sonia Vihar, Vivek Vihar, Wazirpur, Rohini, Punjabi Bagh, Mundka, and Jahangirpuri.

The CPCB indicates that severe air quality levels, classified between 400 and 500, can affect even healthy individuals and significantly impact those with pre-existing health conditions. AQI classifications are as follows: 0-50 (good), 51-100 (satisfactory), 101-200 (moderate), 201-300 (poor), 301-400 (very poor), and 401-500 (severe).

Additionally, the minimum temperature in Delhi dropped to 17.6 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal. At 8:30 am, humidity levels were reported at 94 percent, according to the India Meteorological Department. The weather office forecasts mainly clear skies throughout the day, with maximum temperatures expected to reach around 33 degrees Celsius.

Lucknow, Nov 5: The Uttar Pradesh government has enacted new rules aimed at ensuring an independent and transparent process for selecting the Director General of Police (DGP). This decision was made during a cabinet meeting held on Monday, which approved the Appointment Rules, 2024.

Under these new guidelines, the selection of the state police chief will be overseen by a committee led by a retired high court judge, eliminating the need to submit names to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) panel for approval.

The primary goal of the Appointment Rules, 2024, is to create a selection mechanism that is free from political or executive interference and is tailored to meet the specific conditions and policing needs of Uttar Pradesh. The selection committee will comprise the chief secretary, a nominee from UPSC, the chairman or nominee from the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, the additional chief secretary or principal secretary from the Home Department, and a retired state DGP.

Candidates for the DGP position must have a minimum of six months of service remaining from the date a vacancy arises, with only current officers in the DG role at Level 16 of the Pay Matrix being considered. Additionally, the minimum tenure for the DGP will be set at two years.

These new rules align with Supreme Court directives concerning the removal of a DGP prior to the completion of their term if criminal charges, corruption, or failure to perform duties effectively are established. They are consistent with the Supreme Court’s instructions to states in the case of Prakash Singh vs. Union of India, which called for new police legislation to ensure that police forces operate without external pressures, protect citizens’ rights, and uphold the rule of law.

In response to the new regulations, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav questioned whether this move was an effort by the state government to regain control from the central government. “I have heard that arrangements are being made to give a permanent post to a senior officer and extend his tenure by two years. The question is whether the person making these arrangements will also stay for two years. Is this an attempt to take the reins from Delhi into their own hands?” he posted on X in Hindi, without naming any specific individuals.

Mumbai, Nov 5: Bollywood star Salman Khan has reportedly received a new threat, with the sender demanding Rs 5 crore, according to Mumbai police. The threatening message was discovered by an officer on the Mumbai traffic police helpline around midnight, sources said.

The message, allegedly from an individual claiming to be the brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, warned that Khan must apologize at the Bishnoi community temple or pay the demanded amount to ensure his safety. “If Salman Khan wants to stay alive, he should go to our temple and apologize or pay Rs 5 crore. Otherwise, our gang will take action,” the message stated.

Mumbai police have launched an investigation into the threat’s source and have heightened security for the actor. Efforts are also underway to determine any potential links to Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently in jail facing charges including attempted murder and extortion.