CS for development of exclusive portal to monitor the activities & outcomes
NEW DELHI, JULY 29: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today held a meeting to chalk out an extensive program for celebration of 15-days long ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ to be culminated on Independence Day across the UT.
Besides the Administrative Secretaries the meeting was attended by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir/Jammu; Deputy Commissioners; concerned Heads of Departments (HoDs); Principals of Medical Colleges besides senior officers from the other Department.
Outstation officers participated in the meeting through video conferencing.
During this meeting the Chief Secretary enjoined upon the Divisional & District administrations to encourage participation of all in this people-centric two weeks long programme.
He stressed on showing exemplary coordination in conducting of different activities that are part of ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’. He directed for creation of exclusive portal for uploading all these activities to be carried out by respective Departments and Deputy Commissioners with tangible outcomes to be assessed at its culmination.
He advised the concerned Divisional administrations to evaluate the action plans of their districts and extend suggestions/assistance to them to make these better or to organise these plans in a more befitting manner. He stressed on eliminating the chances of duplication of activities on part of Departments and DCs.
Dulloo took this occasion to hear from the respective Administrative Secretaries and Deputy Commissioners about the calendar of activities they have scheduled for these 15 days right from the Ist of August. He asked each of them to make a dedicated Nodal Officer for each activity planned along with devising the specific strategy to implement it smoothly on ground.
He underscored the need of taking these swachhta and plantation drives to the nook and corner of J&K. He asked for making the ‘Ek Ped Shahidon Ke Naam’ program a huge success. He called upon the Forest Department to ensure availability of plantation materials in each district for holding these activities comfortably there.
About the activities to be carried out in both urban and rural areas, it was given out by the concerned officers that massive plantation and cleanliness drives would be undertaken by different Departments and in each District.
The Housing & Urban Development Department (H&UDD) and Rural Development Department (RDD) are going to be the nodal departments to implement the programs in urban and rural areas respectively besides the Forest Department would provide the plantation material from their nurseries.
The Forest Department, as revealed in the meeting, would be organising as many as 600 events as part of ‘Ek Ped Shahidon ke Naam’ across the districts here. It would also carry out cleanliness of Forest, Wildlife areas and the public spaces under their possession.
The Deputy Commissioners divulged plethora of activities to be organised in their districts for all these 15 days. They made out that in coordination with concerned Departments they are going to hold plantation drives all across their districts with focus on ‘Ek Ped Shahidon Ke Naam’ and ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’ campaigns.
They also informed the meeting about the IEC activities for creating awareness among masses about the advantages of personal or community hygiene. It was further revealed that cleanliness drives would be carried out at waste hotshots like bus stands, sports fields, markets etc.
It was added that specific drives would be carried out to ensure cleanliness of educational institutions, government office campuses, religious places, tourist destinations, water bodies or other public properties in consultation with NGOs and civil society members.
Moreover the meeting was apprised that besides carrying sustained IEC activities, Swachhta pledges would be undertaken by the participants at each location of the event. It was given out that debates, discussions, quizzes, painting competitions and sporting activities by students would be held to commemorate this week in our educational institutions.
As part of creating awareness about the hazards of ‘single use plastic’ the RDD is implementing ‘Platic Lao Thela le Jao’ campaign in different districts where people can deposit their plastic waste for proper disposal and take back a biodegradable bag for use at home, as was informed during this meeting.
Admin gears up for massive cleanliness & plantation drives to mark the ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’
Budget: Small Gains Now, Long-Term Benefits Ahead
The past week was dramatic in more ways than one. Markets declined during the first four days of the week, extending losses for five consecutive days before a complete turnaround occurred on Friday, marking the start of the August futures series.
The Union Budget was declared on Tuesday, and markets continued their losing streak both before and after the announcement. However, the losses from the first four days were more than compensated for by substantial gains on Friday. The BSE Sensex surged by 1,292 points, and the Nifty by 429 points. By the end of the week, the BSE Sensex had gained 728.07 points or 0.90%, closing at 24,834.35 points, while the Nifty gained 303.45 points or 1.24%.
Broader markets also performed well, with the BSE 100, BSE 200, and BSE 500 gaining 1.65%, 1.83%, and 1.92%, respectively. The BSE Midcap rose by 3.13%, and the BSE Smallcap by 3.45%. The week ended with gains in one trading session and losses in four. Notably, FPIs bought on Monday and Friday but sold on the other three days.
The Indian Rupee lost seven paise, closing at 83.73 to the US Dollar. The Dow gained in three out of five sessions, rising by 301.79 points or 0.75% to close at 40,589.34 points. There seems to be a correlation between the US and Indian markets, with both showing a sharp rally on Friday.
Tuesday, July 23rd, saw the presentation of the Union Budget for the financial year 2024-2025. The budget included provisions for the stock markets, raising the long-term capital gains tax to 12.5% and the short-term capital gains tax to 20%. The Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on F&O was doubled. Additionally, the tax on buybacks was shifted from companies to individual taxpayers.
The budget addressed various stakeholders, including farmers, employment, infrastructure, industry, and the salaried class. Relief was provided for the bottom-of-the-pyramid taxpayers, and customs duty on gold and silver was reduced to 6%, which could curb gold smuggling.
One broad theme post-budget is the affordable housing sector, which could see significant activity. Companies involved in affordable housing, housing finance, and NBFCs and banks in this segment may benefit.
Despite popular belief, this budget was not populist, which brought relief to the markets. Freebies were not announced in abundance.
Thursday, July 25th, saw the July futures expire with gains of 361.70 points or 1.50%, ending at 24,406.10 points. The series saw new highs, culminating with the budget presentation.
In primary market news, Sanstar Limited’s IPO listed on Friday, July 26th. It issued shares at Rs 95, reaching a high of Rs 127.68 and closing at Rs 115.09, a gain of 21.15%.
Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited’s IPO is opening on Tuesday, July 30th, and closing on Thursday, August 1st. The issue includes a fresh issue of Rs 680 crores and an offer for sale of 1,73,30,435 equity shares in a price band of Rs 646-679.
Upcoming IPOs include Ceigall India Limited, opening on Thursday, August 1st, and closing on Monday, August 5th, and Ola Electric Mobility Limited, opening on Friday, August 2nd, and closing on Tuesday, August 6th.
Looking ahead, markets are expected to consolidate after Friday’s gains. Valuations are high, and quarterly results have been mixed. The US FED meeting next week will be crucial, with no rate cut expected given the strong US economy.
The strategy for the coming week is to book profits and remain cautious, as the risk-reward ratio currently favors caution. Look for investment opportunities selectively and avoid being fully invested at these elevated levels.
Delhi BJP Chief Labels Coaching Centre Student Deaths as ‘Murder,’ Demands AAP Government’s Resignation
New Delhi, Jul 29 : BJP leaders and workers staged a protest near the AAP office on Monday, demanding the resignation of the Arvind Kejriwal government. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva called the deaths of three civil services aspirants at a coaching centre “murder.”
“Those three students, who were the country’s future, died due to the corruption of the Aam Aadmi Party that governs Delhi and MCD,” Sachdeva said.
The three civil services aspirants lost their lives after the basement of Rau’s IAS Study Circle in central Delhi’s Old Rajinder Nagar was flooded following heavy rain on Saturday.
“This is not an accident; it’s murder,” alleged Sachdeva during the protest.
“Strict action must be taken against officers responsible for the death of these students. Whether they are from the MCD or any other agencies, they should be held accountable,” Sachdeva added. He also called for the resignation of Water Minister Atishi and Rajinder Nagar AAP MLA.
Women protesters carried bangles and banged ‘thalis’ as a mark of protest. Delhi Police used water cannons to disperse protesters who were trying to reach the AAP headquarters.
Bhaker-Sarabjot Duo Advances to Bronze Medal Match in 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Event
Chateauroux, Jul 29 – The Indian duo of Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh has qualified for the bronze medal match in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the Olympic Games. On Monday, Bhaker and Sarabjot shot a combined score of 580, earning them a spot in the medal round where they will face off against Korea on Tuesday.
Notably, 22-year-old Bhaker entered the qualifications after securing a historic bronze medal in the 10m women’s air pistol event on Sunday.
CBI Files Chargesheet Against Kejriwal in Delhi Excise Policy Case
New Delhi, Jul 29 – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a charge sheet against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in connection with the excise policy case on Monday, officials reported.
The charge sheet was submitted before a special CBI court at Rouse Avenue, they added.
Over 1,800 Pilgrims Depart from Jammu Base Camp for Amarnath Yatra
Jammu, Jul 29 – Over 1,800 pilgrims departed from the base camp in Jammu for the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas under tight security on Monday, officials reported.
This year, more than 4.55 lakh pilgrims have already paid homage at the naturally-formed ice lingam at the cave shrine, surpassing last year’s total of over 4.5 lakh pilgrims.
The 32nd batch, consisting of 1,832 pilgrims, left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp at 3:22 am in a convoy of 62 vehicles, escorted by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The group comprised 1,358 men, 363 women, two children, and 109 sadhus and sadhvis.
Among the pilgrims, 1,263 will reach Pahalgam to undertake the annual pilgrimage through the traditional 48-km route in Anantnag district, while 569 have chosen the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
Since June 28, when Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from Jammu, a total of 1,38,816 pilgrims have embarked on the annual pilgrimage from the base camp.
The 52-day yatra, which formally began on June 29 from the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps in Kashmir, is set to conclude on August 19.