National Democratic Party Indian (NDPI) chief Rajesh Gupta addressing party functionaries and workers on Monday at NDPI office in Jammu said, “NDPI bring both regions (Jammu and Kashmir) together after politics came to a standstill and statehood of J&K was snatched… The two regions have the same demands — restoration of statehood, protection to land and jobs, and development.” “Elections must take place. Elections lead to the formation of people’s Government and resolve their issues. A Lieutenant Governor cannot do that,” he said. NDPI president further said, “In the absence of an elected government, public issues remain unheard.
The administration has miserably failed to perform on the ground and the failure of bureaucracy in the delivery system has crumbled the entire system of good governance.”
Gupta said, 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 center. The unemployed youth including the contractual, 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. Gupta added 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.
NDPI leader 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.
‘Bureaucracy’ failed to deliver good governance in J&K’: NDPI chief
Kashmir valley: Cold wave conditions prevail as mercury remains below freezing point at most places
In Kashmir valley, the cold wave conditions prevail as the mercury remains below the freezing point at most places. MET department said a minimum temperature of -10.2 degree celsius was recorded at the Pahalgam tourist spot last night while -1.9 degree celsius was recorded in Srinagar.
Lots of credit goes to them for our success: Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill introduce Indian cricket team’s special trio
After clinching the ODI series against Sri Lanka by 3-0, India batters Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill introduced the throwdown specialists Raghu, Nuwan and Daya in a great gesture during their interview and credited the trio for team’s success.
A destructive powerplay spell from Mohammed Siraj continued Sri Lanka’s downfall for the third straight ODI, helping the hosts clinch a massive 317-run win in the final ODI at Kerala on Sunday. With this, India won the ODI series 3-0.
In an official video posted by BCCI on their Twitter handle, former India captain Kohli stated that the trio made the biggest difference in his career and thanked Team India’s throwdown specialists after the ODI series win in Trivandrum.
Introducing these support staff, Virat Kohli said, “This is Raghu, Daya, Nuwan – they challenge us every day with 145 kmph, 150 kmph, practice sessions are so intense, make us ready for the match, they had played a big role in my success, so everyone should remember their faces and names so thank you, guys”.
“To be honest, They’ve given us world-class practice on a daily basis and they challenge us in the nets. A lot of credit goes to them for our success, their contribution has been unbelievable.
And tell how we will face if we have to play ball at the speed of 14-150KMPH on the field. He always gets us out and keeps testing us,” he added.
Kohli won the ‘Man of the Match’ award for his match-winning ton and also the ‘Man of the Series’ for scoring 283 runs in the series, which included two centuries.
“To be honest they make the biggest difference in my career. The cricketer I was before this kind of practice and where I am today, most of the credit goes to him. Who made us practice daily. I think Shubman must be feeling the same way. His contribution is incredible. You must remember their faces and names because this is the reason behind our success,” said the former India captain.
Coming to the match, They have also recorded the biggest win in terms of runs in the history of ODI cricket and are the first team ever to register a win by a margin of 300 runs or more.
Electing to bat first, India got off to a wonderful start, with skipper Rohit Sharma (42) having an opening stand of 95 runs with Shubman Gill. Later, Gill teamed with Virat Kohli to stitch a 131-run second wicket stand and brought up his second ODI ton, before being dismissed for 116 off 97 balls. Virat took Lankan bowlers to the attack, smashing an unbeaten 166 off 110 balls, consisting of 12 fours and eight sixes.
For SL, Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara picked two wickets each while Chamika Karunaratne got one scalp.
Chasing 391, Sri Lanka could not put up a fight and a powerplay spell from Mohammed Siraj (4/32) demolished any hopes of redemption, leaving Lanka at 39/6. The visitors were dismissed for just 73 and lost the match by 317 runs.
Siraj’s spell of 4/32 proved to be lethal for Lanka. Kuldeep Yadav (2/16) and Mohammed Shami (2/20) got wickets too. Only three Lanka batters, Nuwanidu Fernando (19), skipper Dasun Shanaka (11) and Kasun Rajitha (13*) touched double digits.
J-K highway closed due to landslide in Ramban
JAMMU, Jan 16: The Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed for traffic on Monday due to a landslide in Ramban district, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded, an official said.
The 270-km highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was blocked by the landslide at Pantiyal area.
An iron tunnel setup at this point to facilitate traffic in the wake of stone shooting has been damaged, they said. There have been incidents of shooting stones in other areas in Ramban section, they said.
Hundreds of heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) and Light motor vehicles (LMVs) are stranded at different points of the highway due to the closure.
Men and machinery have been deployed to clear the area.
WPI Inflation Cools To 4.95% In December
New Delhi, Jan 16: The wholesale price-based inflation declined to 4.95 per cent in December 2022, mainly due to fall in prices of food articles and crude petroleum.
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation was 5.85 per cent in November 2022 and 14.27 per cent in December 2021.
Inflation in food articles was (-)1.25 per cent, while in fuel and power it was 18.09 per cent during December 2022. Inflation in manufactured products was 3.37 per cent during the month, the commerce and industry ministry said in a statement.
“The decline in the rate of inflation in December 2022 is primarily contributed by fall in prices of food articles, mineral oils, crude petroleum & natural gas, food products, textiles and chemicals & chemical products,” it said. (AGENCIES)
Govt orders transfer, posting of 7 JKAS officers
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday ordered transfer and posting of 7 JKAS officers with immediate effect.
According to an order, Pardeep Kumar, JKAS, Deputy Secretary to the Government, Information Department, is transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Reasi, against an available vacancy.
As per the order, Ishtaq Ahmad Bhat, IKAS, Deputy Secretary to the Government, Culture Department, is transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Ganderbal, against an available vacancy.
Muzaffer Ahmad Sheikh, JKAS, BDO, Devsar, is transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Bandipore, against an available vacancy. Shabir Ahmad Hakak, JKAS, Sub-Registrar, Budgam, is transferred and posted as Project Officer, Wage Employment (ACD), Baramulla, against an available vacancy.
Muzamil Maqbool Beigh, Collector Land Acquisition Special Army (Budgam & Srinagar) will look after the routine work of Sub-Registrar, Budgam in addition to his own duties.
Sheraz Ahmad, JKAS, is transferred and posted as Project Manager, IWMP, Rajouri, Commissioner Panchayat, Rajouri, against an available vacancy. He shall also hold the additional charge of the post of Project Manager, IWMP, Rajouri, till further orders.
Manzoor Ahmad Mir, JKAS, Deputy Secretary to the Government, Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, is transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Shopian, against an available vacancy.
Sunil Kumar, JKAS, Project Manager, IWMP, Samba, is transferred and posted as Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Samba, against an available vacancy. He shall also hold the additional charge of the post of Project Manager, IWMP, Samba, till further orders—(KNO)
NHAI says no data available about faulty FASTags, penalties collected from users at toll plazas
NEW DELHI, Jan 16: State-owned NHAI has no information about faulty FASTags and the penalties collected from motorists in case their FASTags are non-functional at highway toll plazas.
In case a motorist does not have a FASTag or it is non-functional, then the person has to pay double the toll charges at toll plazas.
According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), more than 6 crore FASTags have been issued as on October 31, 2022.
However, it has no information about the number of faulty FASTag cases and the total amount of penalty collected from users despite having their vehicles fitted with the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag.
In response to RTI queries about the number of faulty FASTag cases and the amount of penalties collected from the users for non-functional FASTags, NHAI said, “no such data is available”.
“Total no. Of 60,277,364 FASTags have been issued till 31.10.2022,” it said in response to an application filed by PTI under the Right to Information Act.
A FASTag allows a user to pay the highway fee electronically without having to stop at the toll collection booths set up by the highway operators.
Since February 16, 2021, the government has made FASTag mandatory for all private as well as commercial vehicles.
As per rules, vehicles that do not have a valid or functional FASTag must pay double the toll charge as penalty.
On whether any penal action has been taken against any FASTag issuing agency for faulty FASTag, NHAI said, “no such data is available”.
“Total toll collection through FASTag since 16.02.2021 to 16.04.2022 as per NPCI data for NHAI fee plaza is Rs 39,118.15 crore,” said the RTI reply.
The total toll collection for NHAI fee plaza during FY22 stood at Rs 34,535 crore, the RTI reply said, citing data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
Currently, a FASTag is issued by 24 banks. There are complaints from users that FASTags sometime do not function properly at toll plazas as a result of which they have to pay double the toll charges.
NHAI has set up helpline no. 1033 to address queries and complaints at national highway fee plazas.
“Most of the complaints are resolved instantly by the customer care executive. Other complaints are forwarded to concerned NHAI regional offices and banks for necessary resolution,” it said.
However, in most cases of complaints related to non-functional tags, a user cancels the FASTag and buys another one or the issuer bank provides a fresh tag later. But the user never gets a refund of the excess fee that is already paid due to non-readable RFID tag.
The Indian Highway Management Company Limited (IHMCL), incorporated with equity participations from NHAI, concessionaire and financial institutions, has been entrusted with the task of implementing the electronic toll collection on the national highways.
However, IHMCL, incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956, “does not fall within the definition of ‘Public Authority’ under Section 2 (h) of Right to Information Act, 2005”, NHAI said. (Agencies)
PM Modi Interacts With Agniveers
NEW DELHI, Jan 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday interacted with Agniveers, who are among the initial teams of recruits under the short-term induction programme for the armed forces.
Official sources said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also attended the exercise.
Under the Agnipath scheme, announced on June 14 last year, the three services are recruiting youths between the age bracket of 17-and-half years and 21 years for four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years.
For 2022, the upper age limit was extended to 23 years.
Opposition parties have criticised the exercise but the government has said it will make the armed forces more youthful and cater to its current needs. (Agencies)
X-Band Doppler Weather Radar comes up in J&K
JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union minister Jitendra Singh have virtually inaugurated X-Band Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) at Banihal Top along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.
The DWR with a range of 100 kilometres is the third such facility installed in Jammu and Kashmir by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to provide better and improved weather services for timely forecasts, warnings and various weather data, an official spokesman said.
Congratulating the IMD and the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, Sinha said the new system would help in the detection of severe weather events and ensure safe conduct of various pilgrimages, especially the annual Amarnath Yatra.
The event, which marked the 148th foundation day celebrations of the IMD, was attended virtually by Uttrakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh. On the occasion, DWR systems for Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh were also inaugurated, the spokesman said.
“The IMD is playing a significant role in protecting life and livelihood of the people from adverse weather and is registering remarkable progress in making J-K disaster-proof.
“The system will go a long way in augmenting and helping the agriculture and allied sectors and tourism which are the mainstay of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir,” the Lt Governor said.
He said the Union Territory receives heavy snowfall in winters and heavy rain in summers, which makes it vulnerable to various kinds of natural disasters.
The IMD had earlier installed two DWRs, one each in Jammu and Srinagar, Keeping in view the vulnerability due to various kinds of extreme weather, especially in a changing climate scenario, and to provide better and improved weather services for timely forecasts.
“The recent one installed at Banihal Top will facilitate tourists and tourism industry, safe navigation of aircraft and help to detect severe weather events, especially thunderstorms, heavy showers, hailstorms, heavy snowfall and avalanches,” Sinha said.
He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the socio-economic development of J-K and the safety and welfare of its people.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences and the scientists are doing remarkable work to enhance synergy between technology and common people, he said.
India G20 Presidency: First Infrastructure Working Group Meet to begin in Pune today
The first Infrastructure Working Group (IWG) Meeting is all set to begin in Pune from Monday under India’s G20 Presidency and will focus on various facets of making cities economic centres of growth, financing urban infrastructure, and making it future-ready in all aspects.
The meeting will also lay emphasis on directing fiscal investments for unlocking Pvt financing for energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable infrastructure and mitigating social imbalances. The IWG meeting, held as part of India’s G-20 Presidency, is scheduled for January 16-17 in Pune, Maharashtra, and will bring together forum members, guest countries and international organisations invited by India to discuss the 2023 Infrastructure Agenda.
The meeting is being hosted by the Department of Economic Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance, along with Australia and Brazil as the co-chairs, the official statement of the Ministry of External Affairs read.
The G20 Infrastructure Working Group deliberates on various aspects of infra investments, incl developing infra as an asset class, promoting quality infrastructure investment and identifying innovative instruments for mobilizing financial resources for infrastructure investment.
According to the official statement of the Ministry of External Affairs, the outcomes of the IWG feed into the G20 Finance Track priorities and promote Infrastructure Development.
The flagship priority to be discussed in this meeting is “Financing Cities of Tomorrow: Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable.”
Moreover, India also has a crucial role to play in its G20 presidency in the technology sector. As a country with a strong focus on technology and innovations, it has a significant role to play in bridging the digital divide.
Harsh Shringla, India’s Chief Coordinator for G20, earlier said the principle of data for development will be an integral part of the overall theme of India’s presidency of the group of the world’s developed and emerging economies.
On Sunday, Solomon Arokiaraj, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance said that the G20 delegates have already arrived in Pune for the meeting.
“The first infrastructure working group meeting of G20 is going to happen in Pune. Today is the welcome dinner for the delegates who have already arrived and tomorrow and the day after tomorrow that is the 16th and 17th will be the official proceeding of the G-20 infrastructure working group,” Arokiaraj said on Sunday during a media briefing on the first Infra working group meeting of G-20.
Arokiaraj said that the Infrastructure working group deliberates on various issues related to the infrastructure sector, the challenges, the financing options and various standardisations, and indicators. “So, during different presidencies, different themes have been selected,” he said.
The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union.