SRINAGAR, Jan 30: Due to fresh snowfall in Kashmir and parts of Jammu, Srinagar-Jammu national highway has been closed, while all flights have also been delayed at the Srinagar International Airport and train service from Banihal to Baramulla was also suspended.
Quoting an official, that train service will remain suspended till snow on the railway track is removed.
The fresh snowfall also disrupted flight operations at the Srinagar International Airport as all morning flights have been delayed.
Director Srinagar International Airport Kuldeep Singh said the visibility was only 200 M and there is continuous snowfall.
“We are simultaneously clearing the snow. All flights are delayed,” he said.
He also advised air passengers to check the status of their flights from respective airlines before coming to the airport to avoid inconvenience and congestion
Meanwhile, Srinagar-Jammu national highway was also shut for vehicular movement due to mudslides and shooting stones at many places between Chanderkot and Banihal and fresh snowfall in Qazigund area.
“Due to shooting stones and slide in various stretches, NH closed for traffic,” SSP Ramban, Mohita Sharma tweeted. (KNO)
Fresh Snowfall Disrupts Air, Surface Traffic In Kashmir; Train Service Also Suspended
India Records 80 New Covid-19 Infections, Tally Of Active Cases At 1,848
New Delhi, Jan 30: India saw a single-day rise of 80 coronavirus infections, while the active cases have increased to 1,848, according to Union health ministry data updated on Monday.
The total tally of Covid cases is 4.46 crore (4,46,82,719) and the death toll stands at 5,30,740, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The daily positivity rate has been recorded at 0.11 per cent while the weekly positivity stands at 0.08 per cent, the ministry said.
The active cases now comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national recovery rate has increased to 98.81 per cent, according to the health ministry’s website.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has increased to
4,41,50,131, while the case fatality rate stands at 1.19 per cent, it said.
According to the ministry’s website, 220.45 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far. (Agencies)
Mehbooba, Priyanka join Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir
SRINAGAR, Jan 28: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday joined her brother Rahul Gandhi at the Bharat Jodo Yatra at Lethpora in Jammu and Kashmir as the party’s foot march entered its penultimate day. Priyanka Gandhi walked alongside the former Congress president amidst tight security arrangements before the yatra stopped for a break at Lethpora.
The yatra resumed from Awantipora where PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and her daughter Iltija Mufti joined Gandhi, the Lok Sabha member from Wayanad in Kerala, for the march.
Gandhi also paid homage to the 40 CRPF personnel who were killed in a suicide car bomb attack at Lethpora by laying a bouquet at the spot where the security force’s bus was blown up in February 2019.
The yatra is scheduled to halt at Panthachowk for the night.
The march which started from Kanyakumari on September 7, is scheduled to reach Pantha Chowk in the outskirts of Srinagar later in the day, after a single stop near Birla School in Galandar area of Pampore.
After a night’s halt there, the yatra would resume on Sunday morning from Pantha Chowk and will culminate near Nehru Park on Boulevard Road in the city.
On Monday, Gandhi will unfurl the tricolour at the party headquarters at M A Road here, following which a public rally at SK Stadium here for which 23 opposition political parties have been invited. (Agencies)
BJP thriving on empty rhetoric, falsehood: Harsh Dev
Chenani, 28-01-2023: Accusing the BJP of having failed and floundered in honouring its commitments with the people of J&K ever since its ascendance to power, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh, Former Minister and senior AAP leader said that the saffron party was thriving merely on empty rhetoric and false propaganda. While it promised a Job bonanza for educated youth post Art 370 abrogation, it did exactly the opposite of what it had assured. It not only terminated several hundreds and thousands of youth working in various govt deptts but also put the existing vacant govt jobs to auction with the middlemen extorting huge money from prospective Job seekers in the name of employment. The lands of poor farmers are being forcibly retrieved and indigent rural masses being forced to starvation. The Health and educational institutions in rural areas are facing chronic deficiency of staff with a highly insensitive remote controlled regime averse to the woes of the common masses. The BJP had proved to be a party of ‘Jumlas’ with a complete mismatch between its promises and delivery. The BJP leadership exploited the gullibility of the innocent voters during all elections held in the past eight years, including those of Parliament, Assembly, BDC and DDC, without delivering anything on the ground”. He was addressing public meetings in Mayana and Sanada villages of Chenani constituency today.
Urging upon the people to recognize the real face of BJP behind its deceptive facades, Mr. Harsh Dev said that it was coming out with new slogans during each elections only to conceal its past failures and to enkindling new hopes amongst the poor indigent and deprived masses in order to fulfil its political ambitions. He said that the innocence of poor hapless people was once again exploited during the last DDC elections when several central BJP leaders indulged in boisterous extravaganza promising moon to the people. They made tall promises of early restoration of statehood, immediate Assembly elections, review of toll plazas, employment packages for the educated youth and so on and so forth, said Mr. Singh. He lamented that the people fell prey to such declamatory and bombastic talks of the ‘Jumle baaz’ leaders who only specialized in emotional mobilization and showmanship. He urged upon the people to wake up to the falsehood and innuendo of BJP which has been tailoring its slogans with the sole aim of capturing power.Going all gun blazing against the BJP, Mr. Singh said that it had cheated the people in the past four elections of Assembly, Parliament BDC and DDC through its false narrative. Accusing the saffron for exploiting the religious sentiments of the people to gain power Mr. Singh said that such kind of divisive politics was not in tune with our pluralistic ethos. He said that AAP believed in secular values and would strongly oppose all fascist, bigoted political forces in the overall interest of the society and nation. The BJP had scripted a political narrative of falsehood and polarization which needed disapproval from saner elements of society.
Pointing towards the local issues of the area, Mr. Singh called for opening of adequate number of ration depots in the remote areas so as to facilitate the delivery of civil supplies to the people in their native villages. He regretted that several Panchayats of Chenani including Kither, Chirdi, Ladha, Chapper etc did not have any ration depot as a result of which the eligible BPL families had to travel 8-10 kms on foot to collect their subsidized ration thereby defeating the very purpose of the scheme. He called for timely release of instalments under PM’s Awas Yojana which had been delayed for years in several cases. He called for early payment of compensation for lands and structures acquired from farmers for construction of PMGSY roads namely Ghantwal road, Chirdi Ladha road, Naugalta–Rajar road; Tandhar–Charat road, Satyalta and Pakhlai roads.
White Knight Gunners celebrated 74th Republic Day with the locals of Malpur
Akhnoor, January 27: On the occasion of Republic Day, flag hoisting program was organized across the country. Amidst all this, White Knight Gunners organised a simple but impressive program along with the local people in Village Malpur, Akhnoor and celebrated the 74th Republic Day. They all together unfurled the tricolor flag at village Malpur. After that the national anthem was also sung.
The local people participated in the flag hoisting ceremony with zeal and enthusiasm. Major Amit Pathak was the Chief Guest of the function. The Indian Army also distributed the tricolor among the local people. Sarpanch Pawan Sharma of Malpur Village appreciated the initiative of Indian Army towards nation building. Major Amit Pathak while addressing the villagers said that the 74th Republic Day is being celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm across the country. In his message he said that it has been 75 years since our country got independence and we have to reach that destination of progress, which was dreamed of by our freedom fighters. We have to contribute in the development of the country and the state by following his ideals. During this, the villagers took a pledge to protect the pride of the country.
Our government working with mantra of “preference for underprivileged” like Lord Devnarayan: PM Modi in Rajasthan
“Today the country is moving forward on this path. We are also working with the mantra of ‘preference for the underprivileged’. That is why today the poor are getting free ration and free treatment. The poor used to worry about the house, toilet, and gas cylinder. We are removing that too. Bank accounts of the poor are being opened,” Modi added.
PM Modi also stated that attempts to break India could not succeed.
He said, “We take pride in our thousands of years old history, civilisation and culture. Several civilisations of the world ended with time. Several attempts were made to break India geographically, culturally, socially and ideologically. But no power could finish India.”
“India is not just a tract of land but also an expression of our civilisation, culture, harmony and possibilities. That is why India is laying the foundation for its glorious future. The biggest inspiration behind this is the power of our society which belongs to crores of people of the country,” the prime minister said.
PM Modi said that in every period in the country, such a power emerges from within the society which has shown the direction to everyone. Lord Devnayan was also such an incarnation who protected the country from the invaders.
PM Modi stated that Lord Devnarayan removed the evils spread in society and spread the spirit harmony, united the society, and worked towards establishing an ideal system.
“This is the reason that there is reverence and immense faith in him in every section of society,” he said.
He said that due to the efforts of the government, electricity, water, health, housing and banking facilities are reaching the common people.
The government’s efforts are also going on to provide water for agriculture and to protect livestock. For the first time, the facility of Kisan Credit Card has also been provided to the cattle rearers. More than 15000 cr has been deposited in the bank accounts of the farmers under PM Kisan Saman Nidhi, PM Modi said.
PM Modi also thanked the people of Rajasthan for inviting him on the auspicious occassion.
He said, “We will work hard. We all will work together and everyone’s efforts will lead to success. I am very grateful to society that it has invited me here as a devotee. The power and devotion of society inspired me and I am here today.”
The event was organised by the culture ministry.
Malaseri is the birthplace of Bhagwan Dev Narayan, greatly revered by the Gujjars in the area.
The Gujjars are about 9 per cent to 12 per cent of the population in the state and they are significant in 40 to 50 assembly seats in eastern Rajasthan.
Bhagwan Shri Devnarayan ji is worshipped by the people of Rajasthan, and his followers are spread across the length and breadth of the country. He is revered especially for his work towards public service.
Earlier this morning Prime Minister Modi prayers at the Malaseri Dungri temple in the district and also made offerings in the ongoing Yagya there.
Notably, this is Prime Minister Modi’s third visit to the poll-bound Rajasthan in the last four months.
PM Modi has given all opportunities to youth to make country number one in the world: Amit Shah in Karnataka
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday appealed to the youth that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given them all the opportunities to make the country number one in the world.
“If you can’t sacrifice your life for the country then live your life for your nation and make it the number one country in the world. PM Modi has given you all opportunities to do that,” Amit Shah said after attending ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ event at BVB Engineering College. Amit Shah who arrived in Karnataka earlier in the day inaugurated a stadium at KLE society’s BV Bhoomaraddi Engineering College and Technology University in Hubballi city the state.
The home minister is likely to attend a roadshow in Karnataka today as the southern state is expected to witness Assembly elections in mid-April or the beginning of May.
The Home Minister will participate in the roadshow near Brahma Devara Temple in Dharwad’s Kundgol area, mentioned an official engagement plan.
Earlier, Home minister Amit Shah was received by Karnataka’s Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.
The Minister will further lay the foundation stone of National Forensic Sciences University (Karnataka Campus) around noon in National Forensic Science University (NFSU) in Dharwad, a city located in the north-western part of Karnataka.
Shah will also offer prayers at Shambulingeshwara Temple in Dharwad’s Kundgol and visit Sri Basavanna Devara Mutt in the area on Saturday afternoon.
The Home Minister’s visit to Karnataka has been organised at a time when Assembly elections are scheduled here this year along with eight other states, including Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.
These Assembly elections are said to be the semi-finals ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections scheduled to be held in 2024. The elections in Karnataka are likely to be held in mid-April or the beginning of May. Ahead of the assembly polls, the focus of political parties has shifted to the state. Among the other significant seats, one is the Mangalore City South assembly constituency.
Aircraft crashes near Bharatpur in Rajasthan
In a similar incident as two fighter jets crashing in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena, an aircraft also crashed in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district on Saturday.
Superintendent of Police Shyam Singh said the aircraft crashed in an open field in the Ucchain area of the city. No casualties have been reported so far. However, the police said that it is not yet clear whether it was a chopper or a fighter plane of the Indian Air Force.
District Collector Alok Ranjan soon after reaching the spot said that a chartered plane crashed in the area but defence sources later confirmed that it’s an IAF jet .
“Received info about a plane crash around 10-10.15 am. After coming here, it was found it was an IAF fighter jet. Going by the debris, we are unable to adjudge if i it is a fighter plane or a regular plane. Yet to know if pilots got out or are still in,” ANI quoted Bharatpur DSP as saying.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan defence officials said that “it may take time for an official note as officials are checking all details”.
Ex-SC Judge Nariman Slams Rijiju For ‘Diatribe’ Against Collegium; Says Sitting On Judges’ Names ‘Deadly’ For Democracy
Mumbai, Jan 28: Former Supreme Court judge Rohinton Fali Nariman has slammed Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju for his “diatribe” against the collegium system for appointment of judges, and said the government sitting on the names of judges recommended by the collegium was “deadly” for democracy.
Nariman also said that if the last bastion of independent judiciary falls, then the country would enter the “abyss of a new dark age”. What is the independence of the judiciary if independent and fearless judges are not being appointed, he said.
He was speaking on Friday at the Mumbai University while delivering the seventh Chief Justice M C Chagla Memorial Lecture.
The former apex court judge also called for a special five-judge bench to be formed and for it to pass a judgment that once a name is sent by the collegium to the government and if the latter has nothing to say within a period of 30 days, then it will be taken as it has nothing to say.
“This sitting on names is a very deadly thing against democracy of this country. Because what you are merely doing is you are waiting for a particular collegium and hoping that the next collegium changes its mind. Appointment must be done within a reasonable time period,” Nariman said.
“It is how a constitution works. If you don’t have fearless and independent judges say goodbye…There is nothing left…As a matter of fact, according to me if finally this last bastion falls or was to fall we would enter the abyss of a new dark age, in which R K Laxman’s Common Man will ask himself only one question: if the salt has lost its savour, wherewith will shall it be salted?…” he said.
Nariman was part of the Supreme Court collegium till he retired in August 2021.
Rijiju has time and again questioned the collegium system of appointment of judges, noting that it was “opaque and not transparent”. Recently, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar said that the striking down of the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act by the Supreme Court was a severe compromise of parliamentary sovereignty.
“We have heard a diatribe by the Union law minister of the day against this process (appointment of judges). Let me assure the law minister that there are two very basic constitutional fundamentals he must know,” Nariman said.
“One fundamental is that unlike the United States, a minimum of five unelected judges are trusted with the interpretation of the Constitution. So, this constitution bench is trusted to interpret the constitution and once they have done this it is your bounden duty as an authority to follow that judgment,” Nariman said.
“You may criticise it…as a citizen I may criticise it…no problem…but never forget you are an authority and as an authority you are bound by the judgment…right or wrong,” he added.
On the issue of the basic doctrine structure, Nariman said it was sought to be undone twice in the past over 40 years ago and since then nobody has said a word against it except very recently.
“So let us be clear that this is something that has come to stay and thank god it has come to stay,” he said.
Nariman added that in the United States, judicial appointments do not involve any decision-making process from the judiciary at all, but India adopted a different approach.
“Fortunately for us, what India did was initially till the 1990s, the President in consultation with judges that he thinks fit appoints judges in consultation with the Chief Justice of India. By and far what the Chief Justice of India said or recommended was followed,” he said.
The retired judge further said that the constitutional principle here was the independence of judiciary and that was crucial for democracy.
“What is independence of the judiciary if not independent and fearless judges being appointed. Who would know better than the Chief Justice of India whether a judge should be appointed or should not,” Nariman said.
It was later decided that apart from the CJI, senior judges would also be consulted, Nariman said, adding ultimately, the judiciary took into its own hands the appointment process. (AGENCIES)
Ram Temple there but no Ramrajya says Togadia
Amethi (UP), Jan 28: Antarashtriya Hindu Parishad chief Pravin Togadia on Saturday said that although the Ram temple is coming up in Ayodhya, there is no ‘Ramrajya’ in the country yet.
Speaking at an event here in Purey Ramdeen village late on Friday evening, Togadia said, “Ram temple is coming up in Ayodhya but the ‘Ramrajya’ which should have come is nowhere to be seen.”
“Now I want that thousands of Hindus of the country to get houses, children should get a good education, youth must get employment and farmers should get good prices for their crops,” he said.
“Hindus worked together to awaken all and started a campaign to build the Ram temple. Hindus went from village to village to get the support of people and donations to build the Ram temple,” said Togadia.
He said his campaign is that Hindus should be prosperous and safe in the country.
“To make our country prosperous, all Hindus should come forward and unite to get back the lost prosperity of Hindus,” he said.
Togadia also participated in another programme in Musafirkhana. PTI