Thursday, September 10, 2026
Home Blog Page 1063

India’s COVID tally surpasses 78-lakh mark; death toll mounts to 1.17 lakh

COVID-19

New Delhi (NVI): India’s coronavirus tally crossed the 78-lakh mark and stands at 78,14,682 with a single rise of 53,370 fresh cases in the last 24 hours, Union Health Ministry confirmed.

The country’s death toll has reached to 1,17,956 with 650 fatalities reported during this period.

So far, 70,16,046 patients have been cured and recovered all over the country while active cases stands at 6,80,680.

This is the second consecutive day when the active cases have remained below seven lakh. The recovery rate also further improves to 89.78 per cent in the country.

In worst-affected Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases climbed to 16,32,544, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 8,00,684 cases, and Karnataka with 7,93,907 positive cases.

Other states with a high virus hit included Tamil Nadu (7,03,250), Uttar Pradesh (7,66,060).

Meanwhile, of the total deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 43,015 fatalities, followed by Tamil Nadu with 10,858 deaths.

Delhi reported 4,086 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, the highest single-day spike in 34 days, taking the tally to 3,48,405, while the death toll from the virus has reached 6,189 in the national capital.

According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a total 10,13,82,564 samples tested for COVID-19 up to October 23. Of these, 12,69,479 samples were tested yesterday.

Furthermore, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan yesterday said that the next 3 months are going to be decisive in determining the coronavirus situation in the country as he urged people to follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour in the coming festival season and winter months.

-RJV

MBBS seats in J&K govt medical colleges increased from 500 to 1100 in 2020

Srinagar (NVI): In a significant development, the total number of MBBS seats in Government Medical Colleges of Jammu and Kashmir has been increased from 500 for 2018-19 to 1,100 for the current academic session 2020-21, the UT government said today.

In this regard, Health & Medical Education Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir got Letter of Permission (LoP) from National Medical Commission, New Delhi for Government Medical College Doda to admit 100 MBBS students for the current academic session 2020-2021 while Government Medical College Anantnag and Government Medical College Baramulla have also got permission to admit second batch of 100 students, the official spokesman said.

Worthwhile to mention that Government Medical College Rajouri and Government Medical College Kathua have already got permission for second batch with intake of 115 and 100 seats respectively whereby the total MBBS seats in J&K have now been enhanced from 500 (2018-19) to 1100 (2020-21) seats during the current academic session 2020-21.

The makeshift arrangement for admission of MBBS students in Government Medical College Doda to accommodate the Lecturer Theatres, Labs, Dissection Hall, Library, Museum, Faculty rooms, Administrative block etc. have also been made ready and is fully equipped and furnished to start MBBS classes in the current academic year, the official spokesman said.

“The main buildings of all the new Government Medical Colleges are in various stages of completion and are expected to be ready for use in the next few months,” he said.

Pertinently, addition 115 MBBS students this year will make 1100 MBBS seats available in Medical Colleges of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir for the aspirants of MBBS Course, which is a great achievement of the UT Government. “Also, 50 per cent of these seats shall be made available to female aspirants as per the MBBS Admission Policy of the UT,” the spokesman said.

-ARK

Class 10, 12 exams in J&K to commence from Nov 9: JKBOSE

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) today said that the annual examinations for the 10th and 12th standards of Kashmir division and winter zones of Jammu division will commence from 9th and 10th November respectively.

BOSE has further raised the relaxation of syllabi by 10 percent for 10th and 12th standards.

“Annual Regular Exams for class 10th and 12th will commence from 9th and 10th November respectively for Kashmir and winter zone of Jammu. BOSE raises relaxation by 40 percent and the students have to attempt only 60 percent marks which will be raised to 100%,” Advisor to J&K LG KK Sharma said.

According to the date sheet issued by BOSE, the annual examinations for Class 10th will commence from November-09 and will culminate on November-27.

Similarly, the annual examinations for the 12th standard will commence from November 10 and will culminate on December 12.

Amid COVID-19, BOSE top officials said that they will soon issue the Standard Operating Procedures (SPOs) before conducting the exams of both classes.

-ARK

J&K first UT to launch Public Financial Management System at district level

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir has become the first Union Territory in the country to operationalise Public Financial Management System (PFMS) at the district level with e-inauguration of eight district offices here today by Additional Controller General of Accounts, Subodh Kumar Mathur.

An official spokesman said that Joint Controller General of Accounts, Sushil Pal and Assistant Controller General of Accounts, Shakeel Maqbool were present on the occasion.

“The rolling out of these offices in Jammu and Kashmir will result in improved program administration and management, direct payment to beneficiaries and greater transparency and accountability in use of public funds at the district level and below levels,” the official spokesman said.

Maqbool, the nodal officer for J&K, highlighted the significance of PFMS in further improving accounts administration and congratulated PFMS, State Directorate J&K team for taking initiative of operationalising District Project Management Units (DPMU) despite the challenging times in the wake of COVID pandemic.

Pertinently, PFMS State Directorate J&K was established in 2016 in J&K, like in rest of the states and UTs for operationalising PFMS and now J&K has emerged as the first UT in the country in terms of expanding the PFMS to districts which is a significant achievement for all the stakeholders.

-ARK

 

India invested its ‘heart and soul’ for success of United Nations: Jaishankar

Jaishankar at the release of commemorative postage stamp on UN's 75th anniversary. (Pic: Twitter @DrSJaishankar)

New Delhi (NVI): While highlighting India’s commitment to the United Nations, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today said that New Delhi left no stone unturned to ensure the success of UN as the world’s leading body at the forefront of keeping peace.

“As a founding member of the United Nations, India is invested with its heart and soul right from the crafting of the principles of the UN Charter to being in the forefront of keeping its peace,” Jaishankar said at an event after releasing a commemorative postage stamp on the 75th anniversary of the UN. The stamp was brought out by the Department of Posts (DOP).

Pertinently, India has been a major contributor of troops to the UN’s peacekeeping missions across the world.

“As Prime Minister rightly emphasised during his address to the UN’s special meeting to commemorate the 75th anniversary recently, and I quote ‘Our world today is a better place because of the United Nations. We pay tribute to all those who have advanced the cause of peace and development under the UN flag, including in UN peacekeeping missions, where India had been a leading contributor.’,” he said.

He further states that the 75th anniversary is a significant milestone for the world’s biggest, and by far, the most crucial deliberative organisation. “In the last 75 years, the United Nations has served as a platform for the nations of the world to come together under one roof and dream and work together towards a better future for humankind,” he said.

He said that it is commendable that the Department of Post has been a salient record-keeper of India’s engagement with the UN, with their carefully curated stamps on various occasions in the past as well, including on UN’s 9th, 40th and 50th anniversaries.

“India-UN Women ‘He or She’ series of stamps were released in 2016, highlighting solidarity for gender equality. The United Nations Postal Administration have also released stamps on themes that now resonate beyond India and Indians – such as the International Day of Non-Violence in 2009, the International Day of Yoga in 2017, Deepawali Stamps in 2018, as well as for Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th Birth Anniversary Stamp which was released last year,” he added.

He said that as India looks forward to beginning its eighth term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, beginning January 2020, “it is important that at this historic juncture of the 75-year long journey of the UN, we recommit ourselves to join hands and work with vigour and dedication to bring the goals and objectives of the UN closer to the aspirations of its member states, and more importantly to the aspirations of their peoples. Let us work together to make this, one United Nations that we have, the best possible United Nations there can be.”

India’s Postal department had previously released similar such commemorative postage stamps on UN’s 9th, 40th and 50th Anniversaries in 1954, 1985 and 1995 respectively.

Also present on the occasion were Secretary West Vikas Swarup, Secretary (Posts), Department of Post and virtually Chief of UN Postal administration, heads of 22 UN agencies in India, India’s permanent representatives and envoys from New York, Paris, Geneva, Vienna, Rome, Bangkok and Nairobi.

-ARK

Pakistan to stay on terror-financing watchdog FATF’s ‘grey list’ till Feb 2021

Imran Khan

New Delhi (NVI): With the Imran Khan government’s failure to comply with a 27-point action plan handed to it by Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the terror financing watchdog today voted to keep Pakistan on its “grey list” till February 2021.

FATF’s decision dashed the hopes of the Pakistan government to remain out of the grey list, despite Imran Khan’s efforts that he made before the virtual meeting of the FATF plenary to get his country off-the-hook. Khan had also hired a top lobbyist firm on Capitol Hill to push its narrative.

The global watchdog didn’t let Pakistan’s status change, mostly in view of Pakistan’s inability to substantially deliver on 6 of the 27 action points.

FATF president Marcus Pleyer said that Pakistan completed 21 of 27 items, but the 6 outstanding items are very serious deficiencies that still have to be repaired and risks haven’t gone. “Pakistan govt must do its best to work on these 6 items,” he said.

The “grey list” comprises countries whose controls over terrorism financing are deemed inadequate.

FATF also said that an on-site visit by it would only be done once Islamabad fulfills all conditions and only then Pakistan will have the curbs lifted.

-ARK

ESI Scheme extended to Arunachal

New Delhi (NVI): In its continuous endeavor to cover more workers under ESI Scheme, the Centre has now extended the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Scheme to Arunachal Pradesh for the first time, and will come into effect from November 1, 2020.

All factories located in the district of Papum Pare of Arunachal Pradesh employing 10 or more persons shall become eligible for coverage under ESI Act, 1948, according to a statement issued by Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The employees working in these factories, earning wages up to Rs. 21,000/- per month (Rs. 25 thousand per month for persons with disability) shall be eligible for coverage under the ESI Scheme, the statement added.

Furthermore, the covered employees and their dependants shall become eligible for host of benefits including Cashless Medical Care Services, Sickness Benefit, Maternity Benefit, Employment Injury Benefit and Dependant Benefit in case of death due to employment injury, Unemployment Benefit etc.

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation is a pioneer of Social Security organization and provides comprehensive social security benefits like reasonable medical care and a range of cash benefits in times of need such as employment injury, sickness, death etc.

Apart from various benefits, the employees covered under ESI Scheme are also entitled to unemployment allowance. There are two unemployment allowance schemes namely Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna (ABVKY) and Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojna (RGSKY).

-CHK

Will fight a long political battle to get back Art 370, J&K flag: Mehbooba

‘Total lawlessness in J&K’: Mehbooba after 2 PDP leaders held day before DDC poll results

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Days after her release from 14-month detention, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti today declared that she would not contest any elections nor raise any flag till the restoration of special status of Jammu and Kashmir and its statehood.

Addressing her first press conference after her release, the former Chief Minister said she is ready to fight a long political battle for restoration of J&K’s special status where it had a separate flag and Constitution.

“The BJP has desecrated the Indian Constitution by stripping off special status of J&K,” the PDP chief told the media, while keeping the flag of the erstwhile J&K State in front of her.

“Today I am talking to you after a long time. Let me tell you that BJP acted like dacoits and misused the Constitution to loot J&K’s Constitution only to fulfil its own agenda,” she charged.

Noting that her party has entered into an alliance with National Conference, Peoples Conference and some other parties, Mehbooba said, “This is going to be a long battle and we will fight it peacefully… I will not be taking part in elections until we get the position in which we had before August 5, 2019.”

The special status of J&K, granted under Article 370, was abolished in August last year. The state of J&K was also bifurcated into two Union Territories — Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh.

When pointed out that it was PDP which entered into an alliance with the BJP, allowing the saffron party to become part of the government for the first time, she said her late father Mufti Muhammad Sayeed had tried to “cage the BJP in a bottle by forging an alliance with them. But we regret trusting a Prime Minister about whom one had never thought he would rob J&K of its special status, flag, constitution, and other resources. Now, we have non-J&K residents even for sand extraction in Kashmir.”

When asked about what kind of political struggle she will start, she said she is a street fighter and “hitting streets for people is nothing new for me. We will spill our blood to get the pre-August 5, 2019 position, our constitution and our flag. I will not raise any flag till we get our own flag back.”

Queried whether anyone from the government of India had approached her for any sort of deal, she said: “These things are not supposed to be disclosed before media.”

On whether she subscribes to the views of Farooq Abdullah that with Chinese intervention, J&K may get Article 370 back, she said there is no denying the fact that after the abrogation of special status, there is more international focus on Kashmir.

“Kashmir has never been so internationalised. It is because of Article 370 revocation,” she said while claiming that China has encroached 1,000 square kms of land in Eastern Ladakh of which only 40 kms have been retrieved after so much of “requests.”

CBSE issues clarification regarding fake news about CTET 2020 exam date

Maharashtra
(Representational/file photo)

New Delhi (NVI): The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) today issued a clarification regarding a fake news being circulated recently on social media platforms that CTET 2020 exam will be conducted on November 5.

The board has stated that the news being circulated about the new Central Teachers’ Eligibility Test (CTET) 2020 exam date is fake. The new exam dates have not been decided by the authorities yet.

In an official notification CBSE said that, “It has come to the notice of the Board that there is a fake message being circulated with regard to the exam date for Central Teacher’s Eligibility Test (CTET) 2020.”

The notice also read, “It is mentioned here that Board had issued a public notice dated 25.06.2020 informing that the next date of examination will be intimated when situation is more conducive to conduct examinations.

“It is again clarified that CBSE has not yet announced the new date for the 14th edition of Central Teachers Eligibility Test. Public is hereby advised to visit CTET website for updates and announcement in this regard,” it added.

The Central Board of Secondary Education conducts Central Teachers’ Eligibility Test (CTET) twice every year. The exam is conducted as an eligibility test for recruitment to the post of teachers in government schools for classes I to V and teachers of class VI to VII.

-RJV

India assumes chairmanship of ILO’s governing body after 35 years

Apurva Chandra

New Delhi (NVI): After a gap of 35 years, India assumed the chairmanship of the governing body of International Labour Organisation (ILO), marking a new chapter in the 100 years of productive relationship between India and ILO.

Labour Secretary Apurva Chandra has been elected to the post for the period of October 2020 – June 2021, according to a Labour Ministry statement.

The chairperson of the governing body of ILO is a position of international repute.

The Governing Body (GB) is the apex executive body of the ILO, which decides policies, programmes, agenda, budget, and elects the Director-General.

At present, the ILO has 187 members. Chandra will be presiding over the upcoming the Governing Body’s meeting, to be held in November 2020.

At Geneva, Chandra will have the opportunity to interact with the senior officials and social partners of the member states.

It will also provide a platform to apprise participants of the transformational initiative taken by the government in removing the rigidities of the labour market, besides making intention clear about the universalisation of social security to all workers in the organised or unorganised sector, the ministry added.

Chandra belongs to the 1988 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Maharashtra Cadre. He has spent more than seven years in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.

In addition to this, he has worked for over four years between 2013 and 2017 as Principal Secretary (Industries) in the Maharashtra government.

Chandra joined as Director General (Acquisition) in the Ministry of Defence from December 1, 2017, with the mandate of strengthening the Indian Armed Forces by expediting the acquisition process.

He has also chaired the committee to draft the new Defence Acquisition Procedure.

The Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 has come into effect from October 1, 2020, on the day he joined the Ministry of Labour and Employment as Secretary.

-CHK

1...1,0621,0631,064...1,732Page 1,063 of 1,732

MUST READ