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J&K: AJKPC to contest all 280 DDC seats as independent

Bengal elections
Representational image

LUBNA FAYAZ

Srinagar (NVI): All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC), the apex body of Panchayats in the Union Territory, has announced that it will contest all 280 seats of District Development Councils (DDCs) as independent candidates.

AJKPC chairman Shafiq Mir said that by amending the J&K Panchayati Raj Act, the government has opened the door for the entry of politicians in this institution at the third stage. “But we will not allow them to enter our institution; that is why we have decided to field independent candidates on all 280 DDC seats, for which the preparation is in final stages,” he said.

Addressing a press conference here yesterday, a large number of Panchayat leaders led by Shafiq Mir said that they will not allow the politicians to enter in Panchayati institutions “because these are the people who have always been against the PRI system in Jammu and Kashmir.”

-ARK

Four killed in ‘terror attack’ at multiple locations in Vienna, 15 injured

(Pic via Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): At least four people were killed while several others injured after gunmen opened fire at multiple locations across central Vienna last evening. According to reports in foreign media, one gunman has been shot dead while a manhunt is underway for the second assailant who remains on the run.

The gunmen opened fire in at least six locations in central Vienna with automatic weapons, a CNN report said.

Austrian officials have described the incident as a “terror attack”. According to Austria’s Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, the attackers were “very well equipped” with automatic weapons and “professionally prepared.”

However, authorities have also discouraged any premature conclusions on the motive of the attack, CNN reported.

Earlier, the Vienna Police said that three people were killed, including two males and one female. One of the injured persons succumbed to the wounds later, taking the casualties to four. Among the 15 persons severely injured is an officer of the Vienna Police Department. According to the police, the assault is considered to have an Islamic motive.

The Vienna police said in a tweet that the assault was carried out by at least one suspect who was shot and killed by officers. The suspect was armed with an assault rifle, among other handguns.

The police further stated that the suspect was appearing to wear an explosive vest which turned out to be a dummy. Meanwhile, the suspect’s apartment in the city has been opened by the SWAT and searched.

Apart from that, the sighting and evaluation of the numerous video footage is underway.

The attacks took place at around 8 pm (local time) yesterday when people were celebrating hours before the start of a nationwide lockdown to combat another wave of Covid-19.

At the time of the deadly attack, the city’s bars and restaurants were packed, with people sitting outside due to the warm weather, enjoying their last few hours of freedom, the CNN report said.

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was quoted as saying by CNN that “an anti-Semitic motive cannot be excluded” as the shooting took place near Vienna’s main synagogue, the Seitenstettengasse Temple, in a busy area packed with cafes and restaurants.

However, Oskar Deutsch, the head of Vienna’s Jewish community, said in a tweet that it was unclear whether the synagogue was a target, as it was closed at the time of the shooting.

Meanwhile, all Jewish institutions, including schools and kosher restaurants, will be closed today as a precaution, Oskar said.

The attacks have been condemned by world leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the attacks in Vienna. “Deeply shocked and saddened by the dastardly terror attacks in Vienna. India stands with Austria during this tragic time. My thoughts are with the victims and their families,” he said in a tweet.

Netizens and experts have compared the attack to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, in which terrorist Ajmal Kasab was involved.

-ARK

Global Covid-19 cases over 46.8 mn, death toll tops 1.2 mn

US sees highest single-day spike in Covid cases

New Delhi (NVI): The total Covid-19 caseload in the world stands at 46,801,621 now with 1,205,221 deaths due to the deadly virus recorded so far, according to US-based Johns Hopkins University.

The University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) in its latest update revealed that the US is the worst-hit country in the world with the highest number of cases and deaths at 9,284,261 and 231,507, respectively.

India continues to be in second place with the total caseload at 82.67 lakh while 1,23,097 people have died so far. According to the latest data available with the Health Ministry, the Covid tally in the country now stands at 82,67,623. The active cases stand at 5,41,405 and 76,03,121 patients have been cured or discharged so far.

Apart from that, Brazil has the second-highest number of Covid fatalities at 160,074 while the country’s tally stands at 5,545,705.

In another news, media reports yesterday said that Prince William, second-in-line to the British throne, contracted coronavirus in April but kept his diagnosis secret. According to The Sun newspaper, the 38-year-old Duke of Cambridge was diagnosed shortly after his father, heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles, announced he had caught the virus in late March.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a return to lockdown for England from November 5 which will be in effect till at least December 2. This coincides with Covid-19 cases rising past the 1 million mark across the UK on Saturday.

-ARK

38,310 fresh cases take India’s Covid tally to 82.67 lakh

covid cases
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): India has reported 38,310 fresh coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, taking the overall tally to 82.67 lakh while 1,23,097 people have died of the deadly virus so far.

According to the latest data available with the Health Ministry, the Covid tally in the country now stands at 82,67,623. The active cases stand at 5,41,405 and 76,03,121 patients have been cured or discharged so far, as per the ministry.

This is for the fourth consecutive day when the active coronavirus cases remained below 6 lakh. With 38,310 fresh cases, India has reported lowest Covid-19 cases in a week.

More than 11 crore Covid tests have been conducted across the country and the recovery rate has reached around 92 per cent, Secretary, Union Health Ministry said during a press briefing today.

Maharashtra remains the worst-affected state with total 16,87,784 confirmed cases which include 44,128 deaths. The active cases in the state stand at 1,19,352 and 15,24,304 recoveries.

Maharashra is followed by Karnataka (8,29,640), Andhra Pradesh (8,27,882), Tamil Nadu (7,29,507), Uttar Pradesh (4,85,609) and Kerala (4,44,268).

National Capital Delhi has recorded 3,96,371 cases so far while 6,604 people have died of the virus.

-ARK

Afghanistan: At least 19 killed, dozens injured in Kabul University attack

New Delhi (NVI): At least 19 people were killed and dozens wounded when gunmen stormed Kabul University today in a brutal, hours-long assault that saw students left in pools of blood in their classrooms.

The incident took place when the university was hosting a book fair at the campus, which was attended by a number of dignitaries, including the Iranian ambassador to Afghanistan.

A group of three gunmen stormed the campus when Afghan and Iranian officials were inaugurating the book fair, Tolo News reported.

The country’s interior ministry spokesperson, Tariq Arian, said the attackers were killed in the ensuing battle with security forces.

Vice President Amrullah Saleh on twitter called the attack the result of an “intelligence failure” and claimed the Taliban had orchestrated the university assault.

However, Taliban has issued a statement denying responsibility for the attack.

The attack on Kabul University, which came as violence surges across Afghanistan, marked the second time in less than two weeks an educational institution was targeted in the capital.

-CHK

Centre to release second tranche of GST compensation of Rs 6,000 cr

SDRF
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): In a bid to bridge the Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue shortfall, Central government will release Rs 6,000 crore as the second tranche to 16 states and three union territories under a special borrowing window today, the Finance Ministry said.

“The Ministry of Finance, Government of India, under its Special Window to States for meeting the GST Compensation Cess shortfall, will be releasing an amount of ₹6000 crore as second tranche to 16 States and 3 Union Territories today,” the MoF said in a statement.

The 16 states and 3 UTs that will receive the funds are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, UT of Delhi, UT of Jammu and Kashmir and UT of Puducherry.

“This amount was raised at a weighted average yield of 4.42 per cent,” the statement added.

It further said that this amount will be passed on to the States or UTs at the same interest rate, which is lower than the cost of borrowings for the States and UTs, thus benefitting them.

“Ministry of Finance has facilitated loans of Rs 12,000 crore till date under the Special Window to States/UTs,” it said.

Twenty one states and 3 union territories so far, have opted for the Special Window under Option 1. “The loans raised by government are released on a back-to-back basis to States/UTs, in lieu of GST Compensation Cess releases,” Finance Ministry stated.

Earlier on October 23, the Centre borrowed and transferred an amount of Rs 6,000 crore as the first tranche to 16 states and 2 union territories. The interest rate was fixed at 5.19 per cent.

-CHK

J&K: Attack case on BJP leader in Ganderbal solved, 3 militant associates held

Terrorist arrested
Representational image

Lubna Reshi

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir police today said that they have solved the case of attack on a BJP leader from Nunar area in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district and have arrested three militant associates.

In a statement, police said, “On October 6, terrorists carried out an attack on the District Vice President of BJP, Ghulam Qadir, at Nunar, Ganderbal, in which one terrorist involved in the attack, namely Shabir Ahmad Shah of Tral, was also killed on the spot in retaliatory firing.”

“Constable Mohammad Altaf was also killed due to a gunshot wound during the incident,” police added.

An FIR was filed in this regard in Ganderbal Police Station and investigation was set into motion.

During investigation, involvement of Qaiser Ahmad Sheikh of Serch (Hospital Security Guard) Ganderbal was unraveled, however, the subject upon questioning tried to dodge the investigation agency.

Technical details sought through ESU revealed some startling facts and sustained questioning of the subject on October 30 revealed that he was an active member of Hizbul Mujahideen and had been instrumental in the attack.

Accordingly, he was arrested and on his disclosure one pistol, one Pistol Magazine with 3 rounds of ammunition and some Pak flags were recovered by the police.

During sustained questioning, the said militant associate disclosed names of two other associates namely Hilal Ahmad Mir of Bernbugh Kangan, working as ATM Guard at SKIMS and Asif Ahmad Mir of Serch Ganderbal (Private Security Guard at SMHS), who were also arrested. One more Chinese pistol and ammunition, two detonators, Pak flags and other incriminating material was recovered at their instance, according to the police statement.

The statement added, “All the three had come in contact with militant operatives in South Kashmir and were tasked by him to prepare a kill list of local political workers and attack them.”

Further investigation in the case is going on and more arrests are expected, the statement read.

-CHK

Indian Mission in Dubai to have free legal aid facility

Pravasi Bhartiya Sahayta Kendra (PBSK) in Indian Consulate.

New Delhi (NVI): Indians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can now avail of free legal aid, financial counselling and psychological services with increased frequency through the Indian Consulate in Dubai.

These services will be available at the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra (PBSK), whose office was inaugurated by Indian Ambassador to the UAE Pavan Kapoor at the Consulate premises. Indian Consul General in Dubai Dr Aman Puri was also present on the occasion.

“We are regularly looking to improve our services to the Indian community, and hope that this will be another step in that direction,” Kapoor tweeted.

“We are taking one step forward to serve our fellow Indians with inauguration of Pravasi Bhartiya Sahayta Kendra(PBSK),” tweeted the Indian Consulate General in Dubai.

As per the plan, free legal aid will be offered every day of the week while  psychological counselling will be available three-four days a week.

Anybody in real emergency can just walk in for help, Puri said, adding that arranging a prior appointment would otherwise be a preferred option.

-CHK

Agricultural land can only be sold to agriculturists from J&K under new land laws: Govt

Rohit Kansal during a press conference in Jammu

New Delhi (NVI): Under the new land laws for Jammu and Kashmir, agricultural land can now only be sold to agriculturists from within the Union Territory, the Principal Secretary, Information and government spokesman, Rohit Kansal said.

While addressing a virtual press conference, Kansal said, “No agricultural land can be transferred to any person from outside the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir but can only be sold to an agriculturist from within J&K. No land used for agricultural purpose can be used for any non-agricultural purpose.”

He informed that, the term agricultural land and agriculturist have been defined to include not just agriculture but horticulture and allied agro-activities as well.

“The safeguard on agricultural land alone would ensure that more than 90 percent of land in the Union Territory which is an agricultural land remains protected and with the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Kansal added.

Kansal also stated that, Jammu and Kashmir government repealed 11 Land Laws that existed in the erstwhile state of J&K, replacing the old, regressive and outdated laws with a set of modern, progressive provisions.

He added that the new land laws will not only afford protection to over 90 per cent of the land in Jammu and Kashmir from being alienated to outsiders but will also help revamp the agriculture sector and foster rapid industrialization, aid economic growth and create jobs in J&K.

Kansal made these comments while speaking on issues related to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Fifth Order, 2020.

The spokesperson also remarked that the repealed laws were made to serve the old agrarian based economy and were required to be modified for modern economic needs.

Besides, they were beset with ambiguities, contradictions and redundancies and in many cases, were clearly regressive, he added.

Kansal said that the Prohibition of Conversion of Land and Alienation of Orchards Act, 1975 not only prohibited alienation of orchard lands it surprisingly restricted creation of new orchards too.

Meanwhile, the old Agrarian Reforms Act prohibited the selling of land distributed to tillers even after 44 years. The Right of Prior Purchase Act severely constrained an owner’s right to dispose off his own property, he said.

The spokesperson stressed upon that the new land laws are modern and progressive even while affording adequate protection against alienation of land to outsiders.

“A number of protections have been built into the new land laws on similar lines as has been enacted in other states such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand,” he added.

Kansal said that, the new provisions not only address the infirmities in the old set of laws but also provide for modern and enabling provisions to aid in the agricultural and industrial growth of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir

“While progressive provisions of the repealed laws have been retained by including them in the modified Land Revenue Act, new provisions have been added to modernize existing laws,” he added.

The spokesperson further said that there are now provisions for setting up of a Board of Revenue, Regional planning for regulating use of land, alienation and conversion, land lease, consolidation and contract farming.

“The Board of Revenue comprising senior officers will not only be the Developing Authority for preparing regional plans but can notify a scheme of consolidation of land holdings,” he said, adding that, also a scheme for restricting and regulating the fragmentation of agricultural land holdings to make agriculture viable.

-RJV

EESL to support Andhra govt on energy efficiency

solar energy
Representational image of solar plant

New Delhi (NVI): Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), a joint venture under the Union Ministry of Power, will be helping the Andhra Pradesh government in establishing solar plants with the capacity of 10,000 megawatts, the state government has said.

To discuss the prospects of cooperation, EESL Managing Director Rajat Sud has met Andhra Pradesh Energy Secretary Srikant Nagulapalli.

Sud and Nagulapalli discussed the implementation of energy efficiency measures in the state, said a tweet by EESL.

According to Nagulapalli, the state government plans to establish solar power plants with the capacity of 10,000 megawatts.

It also plans to provide free agriculture power to farmers for the next three decades and empower them through implementation of direct benefit transfer of agriculture power subsidy, he said.

Nagulapalli said the EESL would fully support the efforts of Andhra Pradesh government in enhancing energy performance, solar power development and smart metering.

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