JAMMU, Nov 16: Weather was generally dry in J&K during the last 24 hours as the MeT office said on Wednesday that dry weather with partly cloudy sky is expected during the next 24 hours.
“Dry weather with partly cloudy sky is expected in J&K during the next 24 hours”, an official of the MeT department said.
Srinagar had 2.4, Pahalgam minus 2.4 and Gulmarg minus 3.6 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature.
In Ladakh region, Drass town had minus 13.2, Kargil minus 5 and Leh minus 8.6 as the minimum temperature.
Jammu had 11.7, Katra 11.2, Batote 3.5, Banihal 4.4 and Bhaderwah 2.5 as the minimum temperature. (AGENCIES)
Dry weather, partly cloudy sky likely in J&K in next 24 hrs: MeT
J-K High Court dismisses ex-minister Choudhary Lal Singh’s plea against eviction notice
Jammu, November :
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Tuesday dismissed former minister Choudhary Lal Singh’s petition against an eviction notice issued to him and directed him to vacate the government residence allotted to him previously within six weeks.
Singh, the Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan Party president, was among several politicians who were served notices by the Estates department last month to vacate government accommodations at Jammu’s posh Gandhi Nagar locality.
The former minister had, however, moved the high court against the notice on the pretext that he was covered under ‘Z-category security’.
The case came up for hearing before Justice Sanjeev Kumar Shukla, who dismissed the petition after hearing the arguments from both sides, senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli told PTI.
She said the court gave six weeks’ time to the former minister to vacate the bungalow.
In its notice, the Estates department had asked Singh, who has been occupying the bungalow for the past two decades, to vacate the building by November 15.
A two-time MP and three time MLA, Singh switched from the Congress to the BJP in 2014 and was also a minister in the previous PDP-BJP government, which collapsed in June 2018.
Several months before the fall of the government, Singh had resigned from the BJP and floated his DSSP, following an uproar over his participation in a rally in support of the accused in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua in January 2018.
Choudhary Lal Singh, however, defended his participation in the rally but claimed he was there to “defuse the situation”.
Later, he launched an agitation to press for a CBI inquiry into the incident.
Besides Singh, the government has also served a notice to PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, asking her to vacate her plush Fairview government bungalow in Srinagar.
Another former chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah vacated his official bungalow on Gupkar Road in 2020, even before the administration issued an eviction notice to him.
The change in entitlements for former chief ministers in the wake of the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories meant that they could not continue to live in the official residences provided to them in the erstwhile state.
Last year, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court had directed the government to evict former ministers and legislators who were in “illegal occupation” of government bungalows.
“It is very unfortunate that some former ministers, legislators, retired officers and politicians have illegally and unauthorisedly managed to continue to stay in the residential accommodations provided to them by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, though they are no longer entitled to such accommodation,” the court had said in an order in February last year.
The Estates department, in its status report filed in the court, named 89 former ministers and ex-legislators who continue to occupy government bungalows. Some of the prominent names in the list include J&K BJP chief and former MLA Ravinder Raina and former J&K deputy chief minister Kavinder Gupta.
G20 summit begins; economic recovery, climate change high on agenda
Bali: The 17th G20 Summit kicked off on Tuesday in the Indonesian resort island of Bali, with issues pertaining to world economic recovery, world health systems and climate change taking the centre stage.During the two-day summit under the theme “Recover Together, Recover Stronger”, other issues including digital transformation and food and energy security will also be discussed, reports Xinhua news agency.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the summit, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he hopes that the summit can be a catalyst for inclusive global economic recovery.
Being responsible means respecting international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter consistently, and creating win-win not zero-sum situation, the President stressed.
“We should not divide the world into parts,” Widodo said, calling on the world to act wisely, shoulder the responsibility and show their leadership.
The summit comes as the world is facing multiple challenges such as the fragile economic recovery, the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic, an inflation higher than seen in several decades, tightening financial conditions in most regions, among others.
The International Monetary Fund in October projected the global economy to grow by 3.2 per cent this year and 2.7 per cent in 2023, with a downward 0.2-percentage-point revision for 2023 from the July forecast.
The international community pins its hope on major economies to strengthen coordination on macroeconomic policies and promote multilateralism, openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation at the summit.
Established in 1999, the G20 is a central forum for international cooperation on financial and economic issues.
It comprises 19 countries plus the European Union.
The countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, Britain and the US.
Tribal committee’s role in J&K’s development crucial: LG
Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Tuesday said that the tribal committee’s role in Jammu and Kashmir’s development was crucial.An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that addressing a Janjatiya Samagam on the launch of week-long festivities on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, the LG said, “We recognise the critical role and contribution of the tribal community in the development of J&K. They are the prime mover of the progress. Tribal community is our moral compass and taught us the values of co-existence, oneness, harmony and sustainable living.”
The LG shared various initiatives and resolutions taken by the J&K government for the welfare of the tribal community and tribal youth.
“We are making dedicated efforts to harness the potential and channelise the productive energy of tribal youth and women so that the new generation can transform the economic fortunes of their families and contribute to cultural and social vitality,” the LG said.
He said that special emphasis was being laid on beneficiary-oriented schemes and welfare infrastructure with priority to road connectivity, power supply, drinking water, modern tribal villages, self-employment, healthcare, skill development, scholarships and education.
The LG said that livelihood generation for tribals by harnessing the wealth of ‘Van Dhan’ aims to tap into traditional knowledge and skill sets of tribals by adding technology and IT to upgrade the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Vikas Yojna at each stage and convert tribal wisdom into a viable economic activity.
“We are promoting a culture of excellence in our schools in tribal-populated areas through smart classrooms. These schools will act as a vital source of new knowledge and innovative thinking, and as providers of highly skilled students,” he said.
Enumerating the steps taken to give impetus to the socio-economic development of the tribal community, the LG said that apart from Forest Rights Act, several infrastructures like transit accommodation, boys and girls hostels, Eklavya model residential schools, mini sheep farms, new dairy units, smartcards, trucks for migratory population, Pradhanmantri Aadi Aadarsh Gram Yojna, coaching programmes for NEET and JEE, UPSC, Technology Enabled Education Scheme, and Tribal Research Centre had been created.
“I urge those undertaking Padyatra to return home. Some people with vested interest are spreading rumours on reservation. They are the same people who do not want peace and progress in the region,” he said.
The LG said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was working tirelessly to fulfill the dreams of tribals.
“I urge people not to fall for those instigating people on reservation. The Home Minister has assured Gujjars and other communities’ interests will be protected and there will be no decrease in their quota even by one percent,” he said.
The LG said that after decades of wait, the PM had transformed the dream of social equity and justice into reality.
“It has brought fast and radical change in the lives of tribal communities and paved the path for socio-economic growth,” he said.
Paying tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his Janm-Jayanti, the LG remembered his immense contribution.
“I am confident the Janjatiya Gaurav Saptah will not only celebrate the rich contribution of the tribal community but instill a sense of pride in the tribal tradition and cultural values,” he said.
The LG said that Janjatiya Gaurav Saptah would act as a fillip to the efforts for preservation of tribal arts and culture in this hyper connected and internet driven world, to encourage upcoming artists and students of tribal literature.
Earlier, he launched a web portal for tribal awards to streamline and bring transparency in the nomination process.
Advisor to Lt Governor Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar extended his wishes and greetings to the tribal community for the Janjatiya Diwas and highlighted the reforms introduced by the government for the empowerment of tribal population of J&K.
He lauded the contribution of tribal communities in the progress of J&K.
Secretary to Government, Tribal Affairs Department, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary highlighted the landmark initiatives for the welfare of tribal community.
Performances by the artists showcased the tribal culture and heritage of J&K.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar and DC Jammu Avny Lavasa were also present on the occasion.
Gujarat Assembly polls: AAP releases 17th list of four candidates
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday released its 17th list of four candidates for the next month’s Assembly polls in Gujarat.
The AAP has fielded Dinesh Thakor from Kheralu, Jayantilal M Patel from Visnagar, Bhaskar Patel from Mansa and Sandeep Singh Raj from Padra.
Earlier, AAP had announced Isudan Gadhvi, the party’s national joint general secretary and a member of the party’s highest decision-making body, the national executive.
Gadhvi will contest the Assembly polls from the Khambhalia seat, in his home district of Devbhumi Dwarka.
Gadhvi is a member of the AAP’s National Executive, the party’s highest decision-making body.
The party unveiled its CM face after a crowdsourcing campaign during which people were asked to send their suggestions on a phone number and an email id till 5 pm on November 3.
AAP national convenor Kejriwal launched the campaign on October 29 asking people to choose who they wanted to be the party’s chief ministerial face.
Even before the Assembly elections in Punjab, the AAP had conducted a similar crowd survey in which Bhagwant Mann emerged as the popular choice. Mann went on to become the chief minister riding a landslide victory for AAP.
AAP has also released a list of star campaigners for the upcoming Assembly polls in Gujarat where the party is looking to take on the ruling BJP.
Big names of the party including Delhi Chief Minister and party’s supremo Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy in the Delhi government Manish Sisodia, and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann are among the star campaigners of the party.
AAP MPs Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha also feature in the list of 20-star campaigners for Gujarat where the party is eying to make inroads.
Former cricketer and Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab Harbhajan Singh will also campaign for the party in Gujarat as a star campaigner.
Besides, AAP’s Chief Ministerial candidate in the state Isudan Gadhvi and party’s state president Gopal Italia in Gujarat are also in the list.
Others who feature in the list include Alpesh Kathiria, Yuvraj Jadeja, Manoj Sorathia, Jagmal Vala, Raju Solanki, Praveen Ram, Gauri Desai, Mathur Baldaniya, Ajit Lokhil, Rakesh Hirapara, Baljinder Kaur, Anmol Gagan Mann.
Notably, in the list, two women ministers of the Punjab government, Baljinder Kaur and Anmol Gagan Mann have also been named.
The 182-member Assembly elections will be held in two phases on December 1 and 5. The counting of votes will occur on December 8, which coincides with Himachal Pradesh’s result date.
The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has been in power in the state for the last 27 years and the party is seeking its seventh term in office this year.
While Congress is seeking to oust the BJP, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is also making efforts to put up a strong performance in the polls.
RBI Governor-headed committee reviews global, domestic economic situation
Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das chaired a meeting of the sub-committee of the Financial Stability and Development Council, in which major developments in the global and domestic economy as well as in various segments of the financial system were reviewed.
The routine exercise was held on Tuesday at the Reserve Bank of India, the apex bank said in a statement. Certain inter-regulatory issues were also discussed at the meeting.
Further, the sub-committee reviewed the activities of various technical groups under its purview and the functioning of State Level Coordination Committees (SLCCs) in various States and Union territories.
“The members resolved to remain vigilant and proactive to ensure that financial markets and financial institutions remained resilient amidst the spillovers arising from evolving global macroeconomic situation,” the RBI statement added.
The meeting was attended by the members of the Sub-Committee — Ajay Seth, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs; Vivek Joshi, Secretary, Department of Financial Services; Manoj Govil, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs; Sanjay Malhotra, Officer on Special Duty and Secretary (Designate), Department of Revenue; V Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Adviser; Shashank Saksena, Senior Adviser and Secretary, Financial Stability and Development Council; Madhabi Puri Buch, Chairperson, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI); Debasish Panda, Chairman, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI); Supratim Bandyopadhyay, Chairman, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
Deputy Governors of the Reserve Bank – Mahesh Kumar Jain, Michael Debabrata Patra and T Rabi Sankar; and Executive Directors of the Reserve Bank – OP Mall and Saurav Sinha – were among the others who were part of the meeting.
Awareness Camp on Osteoporosis held at GAMC Akhnoor
Under the able guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Shashi Sudhan a awareness camp organized on Osteoporosis by Orthopedic Department, GMC Jammu. Osteoporosis is a silent epidemic having huge cost on individual and society arising out of it.
What has to be done for its prevention in society was discussed by Dr Bias Dev, Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedics GMC Jammu with students and faculty of Govt Ayurvedic Medical College Akhnoor on 15th November 2022.
In the presentation to the students and faculty, Govt. Ayurveda Medical College Akhnoor, the role of Peak Bone Mass (PBM) was discussed. It was told that the mass of bone achieved by middle of third decade is the peak bone mass which cannot be gained thereafter by any means and after mid thirties the individual’s bones gradually start losing their bone mass whose rate of loss is more in females. Since the PBM cannot be augmented in later life, the emphasis was laid for having good PBM through good amount of physical activities besides a balanced diet and avoiding bone resorptive fast foods, carbonated drinks and alcohol. Further, stress laid on preventive measures through holistic approach by improving lifestyle and adopting various principles viz. Dincharya, Ritucharya etc. mentioned in the Ayurveda.
The students were called upon to adopt life style which helps them prevent osteoporosis in their later life and become messengers to the general public for percolating the concept of peak bone masses among them when they start their clinical practice.
The program was attended by Dr. Narinder, Nodal Officer, Dr. Shailej Gupta, Dr Rajesh Sharma, Dr. Dheeraj Khajuria, Dr Tanvi Singh.
No change in reservation status of Gujjars, Bakerwals: LG Sinha
JAMMU, Nov 15: The grant of reservation to the Pahari community in Jammu and Kashmir will not have any effect on the quota of the Gujjar and Bakerwal communities, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme here, he referred to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement during his visit to Rajouri and Baramulla on the grant of reservation to the Pahari community.
“Some people are trying to mislead the communities for political reasons, but I again reiterate with confidence and responsibility that there will no change in the reservation quota of Gujjars, Bakerwals, Gaddis and Sippis,” Sinha said.
Gujjars and Bakerwals have been holding protests against the Centre’s move to give Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to Paharis. (Agencies)
Gujarat polls: 1,362 candidates file nominations for first phase
As many as 1,362 candidates have filed the nomination forms for the first phase of Gujarat Assembly polls in 89 seats, state election officials said on Tuesday.
Among notable candidates who have filed their nomination for the first phase are Gujarat Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party’s CM candidate Bhupendra Patel, who is contesting from Ghatlodia seat in Ahmedabad, and Aam Aadmi Party’s chief ministerial candidate Isudan Gadhvi, who is contesting from Khambhalia seat in Devbhumi Dwarka district.
The Election Commission started accepting the forms for the first phase on November 5 and Monday was the last day for filing the nominations.
The elections for 89 out of the total 182 seats in Gujarat will be held on December 1.
As per details shared by the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer, nominations have been filed for the first phase by candidates in Kutch, Surendranagar, Morbi, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Porbandar, Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Botad, Narmada, Bharuch, Surat, Tapi, Dangs, Navsari and Valsad districts, under Saurashtra-Kutch and south Gujarat regions.
Besides, 95 candidates have also filed the nomination forms for the second phase of elections to be held in 93 seats on December 5.
These nominations have been filed for seats in Banaskantha, Patan, Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar, Aravalli, Ahmedabad, Kheda, Panchmahal, Mehsana, Dahod, and Vadodara districts in Gujarat’s north and central regions.
The last date for filing of nominations for the second phase is November 17.
The scrutiny of nominations for the first phase of polls is on Tuesday and for the second phase on November 18.
The last dates for the withdrawal of candidature for the first and second phases are November 17 and 21, respectively.
The counting of votes for all the seats will be taken up on December 8.
Consumers in Baramulla asked to pay pending electricity bill or face police case
BARAMULLA: The Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited has asked consumers in the old town area of Baramulla to pay pending electricity bills or face a police case.
A circular in this regard has been issued by the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL).
“It is to inform all Mohalla presidents to advise the defaulter consumers of your Mohalla to pay your pending electricity bills immediately, otherwise FIR in the police station Baramulla will be lodged against the defaulters”, reads the circular.
The official said that there are hundreds of consumers in the old town area of the district who have not paid any power dues for the last several years in the old town. He said that the defaulters include those who have not deposited electricity dues for 6 months to 10 years despite several notices.
The official added that at least 697 consumers have not paid their dues for the last several years, while around 130 consumers have availed of an amnesty scheme to date.