Taking a swipe at the BJP-led center over the hike in the price of commercial cooking gas, The National Democratic Party Indian (NDPI) president Rajesh Gupta today said that this is the government’s “New Year gift” to the people and that “this is just the beginning”. “The first gift of the New Year, commercial cooking gas cylinder is now ₹ 25 dearer. This is just the beginning.” Gupta said, “The prices of essential commodities are increasing with every passing day as the Government is failed to control it. Price hike of Commodities of daily use is very unfortunate for people belonging to lower and middle class. Gupta flayed BJP government for imposing taxes, heavy electricity bills etc.
The NDPI leader maintained the uncontrolled hike in the prices of the essential commodities has added a heavy burden to the common people. He demanded bringing petrol, diesel and LPG under GST. Country never seen this type of situation ever before. Inflation is one of the major problems of the common man with the prices of commodities of the daily use soaring high. Inflation had made the common man very difficult and the worst thing is when the food items get dearer, one is compelled to stretch oneself beyond one’s capacity to the necessities to one’s family.
The NDPI Chief said, “Commercial consumers would now have to pay ₹ 25 more for a 19-kg cooking gas cylinder. The rate for domestic consumers remains unchanged. A hike in the rate of commercial cooking gas cylinders would hit restaurants and the businesses may pass it on to consumers, making dining out or ordering in more expensive. The government has on several occasions pointed to the international rates of crude oil when questioned about the fuel price hike. The Opposition is now questioning why the rates have not been slashed now that the international rates have dropped.
NDPI demands to bringing petrol, diesel and LPG under GST
Health Ministry proposes amendments in NMC Act; new board to conduct NExT exam
New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry has proposed merging the existing National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBES) as an autonomous board under the National Medical Commission, which will also be in charge of conducting the NExT exam.
The ministry has also proposed amendments to the existing NMC Act as part of which all cases by medical colleges in matters related to the National Medical Commission (NMC) should be jurisdiction of the high court of Delhi instead of the current practice of filing pleas in high courts in different states.
“It has been decided to make amendments in the NMC Act 2019 to incorporate provisions for setting up a fifth autonomous board, namely Board of Examinations in the Medical Sciences under the NMC,” a public notice on the draft National Medical Commission (Amendment) Bill 2022 issued on December 29 said.
Since NBES is also giving degrees under the Diplomate of National Board (DNB) and NMC under the Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Master’s in Surgery (MS), it was felt that keeping them under one regulatory control will lead to better and standardised medical education in PG courses, an official said.
Besides, the draft bill also proposees incorporating provision in the parent Act that jurisdiction in the cases filed by medical colleges/institutions in matter related to NMC shall be Delhi High Court only.
It also proposes providing provision for parents, their relatives/complainants to prefer an appeal in the Ethics and Medical Registration Board/National Medical Commission against the decision of the State Medical Council in complaints related to medical negligence or professional misconduct.
So far patients/their relatives or complainants, in such cases, have been asked to approach the court if they were dissatisfied with the verdict of the state medical commission.
The NMC (Amendment) Bill, 2022 has been put out in public domain to solicit comments/suggestions within 30 days from the date of issue of this notice. (Agencies)
Cinema hall owners can regulate food and beverages inside the theatres: SC
The Supreme Court observed that cinema hall owners are fully entitled to set their terms and conditions for sale of food and beverages inside the halls.
“Suppose someone starts getting jalebis. Owner would not want anyone wiping their hands on the seats,” said a bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha.
Chief Justice Chandrachud said, “A cinema hall owner has the right to regulate the entry of food and beverage. Whether to consume what is available is entirely upon the choice of the movie goer. Viewers visit the hall for entertainment.”
The court further said that the cinema hall owners may not want “tandoori chicken to be bought in the hall” but clarified that no one was forcing cinema goers to buy popcorn.
The bench said that a movie goer has a choice to not consume the food and beverages served inside the theatres.
A cinema hall is the private property of the owner and he is entitled to put such terms and conditions as he deems fit provided the same are not contrary to public interest or safety, the bench observed.
The court said that viewer has to adhere to the rules of the cinema hall and it is evidently a matter of commercial decision of the theatre owner.
“The cinema hall is not a gym where you need healthy food. It is a place of entertainment. It is privately owned, so it is the owner’s prerogative,” the court said.
The top court said this while setting aside the Jammu and Kashmir High Court order which had directed the multiplexes and movie theatres not to prevent cinema goers from carrying their own food and beverages inside the movie halls.
The top court was hearing a batch of appeals filed by theatre owners and Multiplex Association of India challenging a 2018 verdict of the High Court.
Press release: RVS iGlobal new State of art Office Launch
RVS iGlobal, a UK based MNC, headquartered in London recently launched a new state of art office in Jammu (Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir) to cater to the growing demand of IT skilled engineers for their British and European clients. With the addition of this new office, the company intends to increase the workforce from the current size of 100 IT engineers to 250 IT engineers by the end of next year.
To celebrate the move, opening of the office was done in presence of Managing Director, Vikrant Gupta. During an interview with the Asian News International media person, he mentioned that the employees are working on latest technologies available in the market to deliver distinguished IT network solutions. Vikrant Gupta says, “It is a proud moment not only for every one of us at RVS iGlobal but also for the people of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. RVS iGlobal’s initiative is one of the kind in the whole UT where International operations are carried out bringing International professional experience and exposure into Jammu & Kashmir for the betterment and upliftment of its people.”
RVS iGlobal is providing a great platform to technologically skilled workforce in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with an opportunity to be able to work in corporate set up where they can gain international exposure while honing their technical skills. RVS iGlobal’s Jammu office operates 24/7 throughout the year, providing high quality technical solutions to its customers based in the UK, the USA and Europe.
The IT consulting company was started in 2014 in London and Jammu each to provide White label IT Support services. RVS iGlobal provides IT services to clients based in the United Kingdom and Europe around the clock, 365 days a year from its Network Operations Centre based in Jammu to suffice the IT technical requirements of the clients.
Security forces recover, defuse old rusted shell in Anantnag
Srinagar: An old rusted shell was recovered as well defused in Sunglan, Chittergul area of Shangus in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday.
Senior Police officer said that a rusted old Shell was recovered late evening yesterday. Today early morning a joint team of Police, security forces along with Bomb Disposal Squad reached to the spot.
Meanwhile, BDS has successfully defused the old Shell, the officer told news agency GNS.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji Birthday: Spl casual leave on Jan 05
JAMMU, Jan 4: Jammu and Kashmir Government ordered grant of one day special casual leave for employees, who desire to avail holiday on account of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s birthday on January 05.
An order issued by Secretary to the Government, Piyush Singla, reads that “Sanction is hereby accorded to the grant of one day Special Casual Leave in favour of employees who desire to avail holiday on account of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Birthday on 5th January, 2023 (Thursday).”
India beat Sri Lanka by two runs in first T-20 International of three-match series in Mumbai
In Cricket, India defeated Sri Lanka by two runs in the first T-20 encounter of the three-match series at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai tonight. Chasing the target of 163 runs, Sri Lanka were all out for 160.
Earlier put into bat, India made 162 runs for the loss of five wickets. Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel remained not out on 41 and 31 runs respectively. Ishan Kishan contributed 37 runs.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya has been named captain for the T-20 series. Regular captain Rohit Sharma is unavailable due to injury, while veteran batsman Virat Kohli and KL Rahul have not been included.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district administration launches e-library
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Doda district administration has launched e-library to benefit thousands of students of the district by providing them with notes and study material prepared by the best subject matter specialists in the district. AIR Jammu Correspondent reports that the feat has been achieved after working for more than five months under the ADBHUT Doda campaign launched in the district. The facility will enable the students to use the study material prepared not only for the examination in the month of March/April but to clear their doubts/concepts when schools reopen after winter vacations.
The site www.adbhutdoda.org/elibrary shall have the facility of reading, downloading and getting the notes printed by any student in the district or for that matter any part of the UT. The e-library would be upgraded further and in due course of time notes for class 9th onwards shall be made available for the students.
The notes shall also help during online ZOOM classes to be launched by the administration on the 10th of this month for the students who want to use the vacations for more productive purposes.
G20 to be flavour of 2023; first meeting under tourism track likely in late January
NEW DELHI, Jan 4: From showcasing Incredible India visiting delegates to positioning the country as a major travel destination during its year-long presidency, G20 will be the Union Tourism ministry’s focus area in 2023.
India assumed the presidency of the influential bloc on December 1, setting the tone for the ministry’s calendar this year. More than 200 meetings will be held across 55 locations, culminating with the annual G20 summit on September 9-10.
The Tourism ministry is geared up to put its best foot forward and showcase to the guests from different countries the cultural heritage and culinary delights of India.
The first G20 meeting — the Sherpa meet — was held in the first week of December in Rajasthan’s Udaipur.
From artistic murals to decking up of heritage sites with lights, the old city played the perfect host as iconic buildings were chosen as venues, besides sightseeing to Kumbhalgarh Fort — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Preparations for the G20 meetings are underway and the first meet under the tourism track will be held in the picturesque Rann of Kutch in Gujarat in late January or early February, Union Tourism Secretary Arvind Singh had said. ”The second meeting (in this category) will be held in Siliguri (West Bengal), the third one in Srinagar and the fourth one in Goa,” Singh had said, adding sustainability would be one of the priority areas when India hosts the G20 events.
The 55 locations for the meetings span big metros to smaller cities, including those rich in history and scenic beauty such as Hampi and Khajuraho.
These locations will also include Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities that have picturesque landscapes and are rich in cultural heritage.
”So, these cities will also get spruced up as part of the preparations for the G20 meetings,” Singh had said in November.
At a press conference in Aizawl, Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy had said some of the meetings of the influential group were planned to be held across the Northeast and the Mizoram capital would host one of these.
Also, 100 viewpoints would be constructed along highways in the Northeast, starting with nine in Mizoram, he had said. Twenty-two of these viewpoints with wayside amenities are expected to be completed before next monsoon, the ministry has said. Reddy took part in the the 10th International Tourism Mart (ITM) for the Northeast that put a spotlight on the region’s tourism potential and was held in Aizawl from November 17-19 to facilitate interaction among government agencies, business fraternity, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders. Private companies in the hospitality sector are ”showing an appetite to invest in the Northeast,” Tourism Secretary Singh had said in Aizawl. The event also focused on ”priorities of G20 for tourism track”. This was Mizoram’s first time hosting the ITM. ”We have to use this occasion (G20 meetings) to showcase our cultural and traditional heritage to the foreign guests,” Reddy had later said during the event’s opening ceremony. India sharpened its focus on G20 much before the presidency was handed over by Indonesia.
During a national conference of state tourism ministers in Himachal Pradesh’s Dharamshala from September 18-20, Singh had said India planned to position itself as a ”major tourism destination” during its G20 presidency.
Tourism-related aspects of the G20 leaders’ summit were also discussed during the conference organised by the ministry in the hill town. (Agencies)
India logs 175 Covid cases in a day, active caseload declines to 2,570
NEW DELHI, Jan 4: India recorded 175 new Covid infections in a day while active caseload declined to 2,570, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. The tally of Covid cases in India is crore while the death toll is 5,30,707, data updated at 8 am stated.
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.09 per cent while the weekly positivity was 0.12 per cent.
Active caseload declined by 12 in a day and now comprises 0.01 per cent of the total infections.
The national COVID-19 recovery rate has increased to 98.80 per cent, according to the health ministry website.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,45,854 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.
According to the ministry’s website, 220.11 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the COVID-19 vaccination drive.
India’s Covid tally 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.
India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4, three crore on June 23 last year and four crore on January 25 this year. (Agencies)