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India’s Covid-19 death toll surpasses 1 lakh; tally at 64.7 lakh

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): The death toll due to coronavirus in India have crossed 1 lakh mark today while 64,73,545 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19, Union Health Ministry confirmed.

In addition to this, India now accounts for nearly 10 per cent of the world’s COVID-19 deaths, the country has registered 1,00,842 fatalities so far.

Also, the country has reported at least, 79,476 new cases of coronavirus and 1,069 deaths in the last 24 hours.

So far, 54,27,707 patients have recovered all over the country, while active cases stands at 9,44,996. With this, India has occupied the number one position in terms of recovered coronavirus cases followed by Brazil and the US.

In terms of total number of cases, Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state with 14,16,513 coronavirus cases followed by Andhra Pradesh with 7,06,790 cases, Tamil Nadu with 6,08,885 positive cases.

The other worst affected states includes Karnataka (6,20,630), Uttar Pradesh (4,06,995) and Delhi (2,85,672).

In terms of fatalities, Maharashtra tops the tally with 37,480 deaths followed by Tamil Nadu 9,653, ministry said.

The death toll in the national capital surged to 5,438 while another 2,53,784 patients have recovered so far, healthy ministry data shows.

According to the Indian Council Medical Research (ICMR), a total of 7,78,50,403 samples tested for COVID-19 up to October 2. Of these, 11,32,675 samples were tested yesterday.

Meanwhile, with the UP government allowing programmes in the open outside containment zones in the next phase of coronavirus lockdown, decks have been cleared for holding religious events in the upcoming festival season.

-RJV

Shopian encounter: Bodies of 3 slain youth exhumed, handed over to families

Security forces launch search op in South Kashmir's Pulwama
(File/Representational Image)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): After a gap of over 70 days, the authorities today allowed the exhumation of bodies of three slain youth from Rajouri district who were killed in a fake encounter on July 18 at Amshipora, Shopian in South Kashmir. The bodies of the trio were handed over to the families in presence of a magistrate.

Officials privy to the development, told NVI that exhumation took place early this morning in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district where parents of three slain who had travelled from Rajouri to Srinagar in the night and a magistrate besides senior police officers.

“We travelled from Rajouri to Srinagar in the night and then were taken to an undisclosed location in Baramulla district early morning today. The bodies of our sons were exhumed and handed over to us. Now we are leaving back to Rajouri,” said Muhammad Yousuf, father of one of the slain youth killed in Amshipora, Shopian. He demanded compensation to all three families and stern punishment to the Army men involved in the killing of three innocent youth, who were dubbed as terrorist.

The exhumation took place soon after the Inspector General of Police, Kashmir stated that DNA samples of three Rajouri families had matched with the trio killed at Amshipora, Shopian on July 18.

On September 18, in a brief statement, the Army had stated that the Shopian operation contravened the “dos and don’ts of the Chief of Army Staff approved by the Supreme Court.”

“The inquiry has brought out certain prima facie evidence indicating that during the operation, powers vested under the AFSPA 1990 were exceeded and the Do’s and Don’ts of Chief of Army Staff as approved by the Supreme Court have been contravened.

Consequently, the competent disciplinary authority has directed to initiate disciplinary proceedings under the Army Act against those found prima-facie answerable,” the statement had said.

Soon after the Army’s statement, the families of slain youth had demanded immediate exhumation of the bodies of their loved ones for proper burial at Rajouri.

The three families from Rajouri had identified their sons through pictures that went viral on social media. The army had ordered a court of inquiry while police and the administration had been probing the case separately.

At the same time, police probe had found nothing adverse against the trio and that there was no militant connection established in the police probe, officials privy to the police investigations revealed.

-RJV

J&K LG urges militants to shun violence, promises jobs to youth

Manoj Sinha
File Photo: LG J&K Manoj Sinha

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today reached out to militants in the Valley and asked them to shun violence and said that the Union Territory government will provide jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities to the misled Kashmiri youth.

Addressing a gathering at Shirmal, Shopian in southern Kashmir on the eve of implementation of Phase 3 of ‘Back to Village’ program, the J&K LG said: “The occasion of 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, also celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence is an opportunity for the people of India to reflect upon his commitment to the principle of non-violence and I urge the misguided youth to shun violence and return to the mainstream.”

“The government is ready to help all with jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities’ said Sinha while launching the J&K government’s ambitious- Back to Village-3 programme from Shirmal, Shopian.

He added that the people of J&K, especially the youth want to tread the path of progress and development and the government is committed to making J&K a role model of development and prosperity. “We will empower youth and strengthen PRIs,” he said.

The LG remembered the bond that Mahatma Gandhi shared with villages and said that Back to Village 3 is a tribute to his bond and aspirations with respect to villages. Village development will add to the nation’s development, he said.

The LG termed villages as the lifeline of India and stressed on the need for their development.

Speaking on Back to Village-3, which starts from today, the Lt Governor called it a bridge between the public and the administration. Sharing his dream of making villages equally developed as the cities, he said that the government is persistently delivering services and helping them join the mainstream. “Efforts are being made to make villages Atmanirbhar,” he added.

Reiterating the government’s commitment for overall development of villages, the J&K LG said that nobody would need to leave one’s village to seek education or livelihood in the near future.

“I have been personally witnessing equitable change at village as well as sub-division level during my last 12 districts tours, and have conducted review meetings to gear up slow-paced incomplete works. After inspecting ground implementation of governmental initiatives, directions have been passed with respect to all essential services like power, cooking gas and ration, etc., Raj Bhavan helicopter has also been delegated for emergency cases, if needed. People’s cooperation is vital for development, peace and prosperity in the region,” he said.

Sinha informed that two candidates from every panchayat are to be identified and assisted by the Special Desk of Jammu & Kashmir Bank. With sufficient handholding, 8500 of such youth would be turned into entrepreneurs. Similarly, sports kits are also being provided to every panchayat under B2V3, he said.

A robust Industrial policy is in offing, which will be among one of the best in the country and will prove to be a new model of development, besides providing immense opportunity to youth with special focus on girl empowerment, the LG said.

“In a major step towards the overall welfare of residents of J&K and facilitating affordable healthcare facilities, the UT Government has recently announced the Jammu and Kashmir Health Scheme in order to provide universal health Insurance coverage to all the residents of the Union Territory,” the LG said.

In the coming days, said the Lt Governor, attention is to be given to animal husbandry and sheep husbandry which shall help generate around 50 thousand self-employments. Other areas of focus shall be Dairy, Poultry, Fisheries, Agriculture and allied sectors, he said.

He stressed on better road connectivity of all major roads with special focus on connectivity of Regional Head Quarters to District Head Quarters.

“Instructions have been passed for replacing damaged Transformers within 24 hours,” he said.

He also announced that winter preparedness stock will be ready by October 15. “Playground in every panchayat will be established to motive the youth to indulge in sports activities. Genuine demands and grievances shall be addressed on merit,” he added.

-ARK

India wants top quality research to help its farmers: PM at Vaibhav Summit

Fasal Bima Yojana
Prime Minister Narendra Modi

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that India wants top-quality research to help its farmers and praised Indian scientists for increasing the production of pulses and food grains.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came while inaugurating the Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Summit, a global virtual summit of overseas and resident Indian Researchers and Academicians.

PM’s observations came amid the Parliament passed two farm bills recently. The PM had congratulated farmers when the bills were cleared in Rajya Sabha amid huge protests from the Opposition, saying that it is a ‘watershed moment in the history of Indian agriculture”.

Apart from that, he said the need of the hour is to ensure more youngsters develop interest in Science. “For that we must get well-versed with science of history and history of science”, the Prime Minister said in his introductory remarks at the summit.

He referred to India’s immense efforts towards development of vaccines and executing the vaccination programme, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said, the long break in vaccine production is broken. “In 2014, four new vaccines were introduced into our immunization programme. This includes indigenously developed rota vaccine,” he said in his inaugural address.

He also mentioned about ambitious mission to eliminate tuberculosis in India by 2025, which is five years before the global target.

In addition to this, Modi referred to the National Education Policy 2020 which was brought in after three decades and after nation-wide detailed consultations and deliberations. The policy aims to boost curiosity towards science and gives much needed boost to Scientific Research. It provides open and broadbased environment to nurture young talent.

Mentioning about Indian partnership in Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory, CERN and International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), he highlighted the importance of scientific research and development efforts at global level.

He also referred to India’s major missions on supercomputing and cyber physical systems. Talking about fundamental research and applications in areas of artificial intelligence, robotics, sensors, and big data analysis, he said that this will boost the startup sectors and manufacturing in India.

He mentioned about the 25 innovation technological hubs already launched in India and how it would further boost the startup ecosystem.

More than 3,000 overseas Indian origin academicians and scientists from 55 countries and about 10,000 from India are taking part in the VAIBHAV summit and it is being organized by 200 Indian academic institutes and S&T departments, led by Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India.

Around 700 overseas panelists from 40 countries and 629 resident panelists from eminent Indian academia and S&T departments will deliberate on 18 different verticals with 80 sub-topics in 213 sessions, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

-ARK

14 more deaths, 1,090 fresh cases take J&K Covid tally to 77,253

Over 3,200 cops COVID positive in J&K and 15 succumbed to virus
File photo

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today recorded 14 fresh deaths, taking the death toll to 1,212 while 1,090 cases tested positive, pushing the tally to 77,253 in the Union Territory.

Of the total cases, 46,687 are from Kashmir and 30,566 from Jammu division. Officials said that among 1,090 new cases, 487 belong to Kashmir while 603 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir has reached 46,687 including 38,904 recoveries and 847 deaths.

On the other hand, total number of positive cases in Jammu division has reached 30,566 including 21,048 recoveries and 365 deaths.

The officials said that total number of active cases in J&K is 16,089 including 6,936 from Kashmir and 9,153 from Jammu division.

With 1,409 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in the UT has reached to 59,952 which is 77.60 percent of the total cases.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 181 from Srinagar, 54 from Budgam, 64 from Baramulla, 29 from Pulwama, 32 from Anantnag, 58 from Bandipora, 25 from Kupwara, 28 from Ganderbal, 06 from Kulgam and 10 from Shopian in Kashmir division while as 603 from Jammu division include 354 from Jammu, 33 from Rajouri, 30 from Udhampur, 21 from Kathua, 27 from Doda, 20 from Samba, 22 from Poonch, 25 from Ramban, 46 from Reasi and 25 from Kishtwar,” as per the daily Covid bulletin.

Notably, in the last 24 hours, 14 persons who were tested positive for COVID-19 have died which include 4 from Kashmir division and 10 from Jammu division.

The Covid patients, who have died include three from Srinagar and one from Budgam in Kashmir division while 10 from Jammu division include four from Jammu district, two each from Udhampur and Kathua and one each from Doda and Samba.

As per the daily information bulletin, 5,81,282 persons in J&K are under observation while 15,129 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides, 16,089 persons are in isolation.

Apart from that, 4,99,404 persons have completed surveillance period and 49,448 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 16,67,587 samples are available of which 15,90,334 tested negative while 77,253 have tested positive. Among them, 16,089 are active, 59,952 persons have recovered and 1,212 persons have died.

-ARK

Khalilzad meets Taliban in Doha amid delay in direct peace talks b/w two sides

Pic courtesy: Ariana news

New Delhi (NVI): As the Taliban drags its feet on Afghan peace negotiations, deliberately delaying the much-needed talks, Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, met the Taliban deputy leader Abdul Ghani Baradar and their chief negotiator Mawlawi Abdul Hakim in Doha, reports TOLO news.

The meeting took place yesterday as Khalilzad is visiting Doha at least three weeks after the inauguration ceremony of Afghanistan’s peace negotiations in Doha.

Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem said it was insisted in the meeting that more efforts should be made for the implementation of the US-Taliban agreement. He said that the release of Taliban prisoners was also discussed in the meeting, reports the Afghan news portal.

So far, negotiating teams from both sides have held six meetings in contact groups level to discuss their procedural rules, but they are yet to agree on two out of 20 articles.

Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem said that the group does not feel the need for a mediator for the Afghan peace negotiations and stated that resolving a 40-year conflict requires patience to reach a conclusion.

While the Taliban demands recognition of the US-Taliban agreement as the ‘mother deal’ underlying the Afghan peace negotiations, the Afghan republic team has recommended four options. Taliban also demands Hanafi Figh as the sole religious legal guidelines for the talks.

Meanwhile, regarding the US-Taliban agreement, the republic’s team has recommended four options:

Under the first option, the terms of the US-Taliban agreement could be accepted as underlying the talks, however, the terms of the joint declaration between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, NATO and the US should also be accepted as applicable.

The second option says that neither the US-Taliban agreement nor the declarations of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan with the US and NATO will be recognized as having any authority, and the negotiations will move forward based on the decisions of the consultative Loya Jirga and the Jirga’s declarations.

As per the third option, both sides start talks “based on the national interest of Afghanistan.”

The fourth option says the Quran and Hadith are the main authority for the talks, replacing all others.

“There is a huge difference in the views between the two sides, therefore gaps and delays are common during the talks,” Mohammad Rasoul Talib, a member of the republic’s negotiating team was quoted as saying by TOLO news.

The Afgan news website reported that the republic’s team has proposed that if a religious issue arises it can be solved based on Hanafi Figh by default, however, the Shia Personal Status Law must be respected, and the choice of religious jurisprudence should be given to other minority groups as well.

On the other hand, the Taliban insist that talking about the Jafari jurisprudence under current circumstances is not logical but said that this can be discussed during the talks about the Constitution of the country.

-ARK

J&K: NIA files chargesheet against 3 accused in LeT recruitment case

Lashkar-e-Mustafa

Srinagar (NVI): National Investigation Agency (NIA) today filed a chargesheet against three people from South Kashmirs’ Kulgam district in a case related to recruitment of local youths into the Lashkar-e-Taiba terror outfit.

In a statement issued here, the NIA said that the chargesheet was filed in a Special NIA Court in Jammu against three accused identified as Muneeb Hameed Bhat, resident of village Nanibugh, Kulgam, Junaid Ahmad Mattoo, resident of Villagre Khudwani, Kulgam, Umer Rashid Wani, resident of Village Khudwani, Kulgam, under section 120(B) of Ranbir Penal Code, and sections 13 (2), 18, 39 and 40 of UAP Act, 1967.

“The instant case arose out of FIR No.197/2017 dated 09.11.2017, Police station Kulgam. It pertains to subversive activities of militant organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Kulgam district whereby it was motivating youths such as accused Muneeb Hameed Bhat and others to join Lashkar-e-Taiba and organized their travel to Pakistan for militant training on the basis of valid travel documents on the recommendation of separatist leaders. Later, NIA took over the case on 25.09.2018 and re-registered it as RC-28/2018/NIA/DLI,” the NIA said in its chargesheet.

The statement further stated that investigation by NIA established that LeT militant Junaid Ahmad Mattoo motivated accused Muneeb Hameed Bhat to join LeT and go to Pakistan for militant training. Another LeT militant Umer Rashid Wani gave him funds to meet the expenses of his Pakistan visit.

In July-August 2017, accused Muneeb Hameed Bhat visited Pakistan on valid travel documents for militant training with the assistance of separatist leaders. He was imparted weapons training and also training for using secret social media chat platforms, according to NIA.

After returning from Pakistan, he remained constantly in touch with LeT handlers in Pakistan and active militants of Kulgam area on secret messaging platforms for carrying out subversive and militant activities in Kashmir Valley. He was working as a sleeper cell of LeT and further intended to join the militant ranks in militant organisation LeT, as per the NIA statement.

The investigation has also established that during the year 2016 to 2018, many Kashmiri youths were sent by separatist leaders to Pakistan on valid travel documents for getting militant training with active assistance of the commanders of militant groups. These youth got militant training in the militant camps of Pakistan for period ranging from 5 to 15 days. After returning, they are initially used as sleeper cells by militant organisations and subsequently recruited for active militancy.

Accused Junaid Ahmed Mattoo and Umer Rashid Wani were killed in separate encounters in J&K in 2017 and 2018. Further investigation in the case is continued, read the statement.

-ARK

Mike Pence, wife test Covid negative

US Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence

New Delhi (NVI): US Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence have tested negative for the coronavirus today, Pence’s spokesman said.

The results came just hours after President Donald Trump and the First Laddy Melania Trump announced they had tested positive.

Taking to Twitter, spokesman Devin O’Malley said, “Taking to Twitter, spokesman Devin O’Malley said, “As has been routine for months, Vice President Pence is tested for COVID-19 every day. This morning, Vice President Pence and the Second Lady tested negative for COVID-19.”

“Vice President Pence remains in good health and wishes the Trumps well in their recovery,” he added.

Mike Pence is first in line to the presidency, followed by the speaker of the House, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, and Senate president pro tempore, Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa.

So far, more than 7.27 million COVID-19 cases, and at least 2,07,816 deaths, have been reported in the United States, more than any other nation, according to Johns Hopkins University.

-RJV

Harvest Moon of 2020 to rise in the night sky

New Delhi (NVI): The Harvest Moon is all set to be brilliant and the brightest in all its glory, embellishing the night-sky with its vibrant shine across the horizon tonight.

The Moon will appear full for about three days around this time.

Harvest Moon is typically a full moon, which take places in the month of late September or early October.

Reportedly, this full moon, at this time of the year remains so dazzling and glaring that it shines late till the night which in earlier times used to help farmers to harvest their summer agricultural produce beyond midnight. Hence, this gorgeous full moon came to be known as ‘Harvest Moon’.

In fact, this will be the closest full moon for the entire northern hemisphere as the Harvest Moon will come nearest to the autumnal equinox during these days.

It is also estimated that the glittering phenomenon of the Harvest moon is going to take place 17 times from 1970 to 2050.

In addition, astronomers predict that, on average, this full moon occurs once in 3 years but may vary up to 8 years. That’s why the next Harvest Moon will rise only in the year 2028.

Interestingly, a day after Harvest Moon, a bewildering and fiery red object can be observed towards the upper-left direction of the Moon which is touted to be Mars as it will make yet another closest approach to the Earth.

Last year, the Harvest Moon occurred in September, while for the Southern Hemisphere it appears usually in the month of late March or early April.

The second full moon for this month will glow on 31st October and is famously said as ‘Blue Moon’.

-CHK

Andhra, UP get additional borrowing permission for PDS, EoDB reforms

SDRF
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have been granted additional borrowing permission from the Ministry of Finance for undertaking reforms in the public distribution system (PDS) and Ease of Doing Business.

This will make an additional amount of Rs 7,106 crore available to these states, the Ministry of Finance said in an official statement.

Uttar Pradesh has now become the sixth state to complete the reform process in PDS to implement One Nation One Ration Card System, the ministry said. This has made the state eligible to raise an amount of Rs 4,851 crore through Open Market Borrowings (OMBs). This amount will help the state in mobilizing additional financial resources required to fight COVID-19.

On the other hand, Andhra Pradesh became the first state in the country to successfully undertake “Ease of Doing Business” reforms and has thus become eligible to raise an additional amount of Rs 2,525 crore through Open Market Borrowings.

Earlier, Andhra Pradesh had also completed PDS reforms to enable One Nation One Ration Card System.

One Nation One Ration Card System ensures availability of ration to beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and other welfare schemes, especially to the migrant workers and their families, at any Fair Price Shop (FPS) across the country, the statement read.

It also enables better targeting of beneficiaries, elimination of bogus or duplicate or ineligible cardholders. Thus, One Nation One Ration Card enhances welfare and reduces leakage.

Moreover, the Department of Food and Public Distribution is the nodal Ministry to assess reform claims of the states and recommend the release of an additional borrowing limit of 0.25 percent of GSDP.

The department has confirmed that the States of Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Karnataka and Tripura have successfully carried out aforesaid reforms in PDS and implemented One Nation One Ration Card System.

“Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) is an important indicator of an investment-friendly business climate in the country. Improvement in the ease of doing business will enable faster future growth of the state economy,” the ministry said.

Therefore, to incentivize implementation of district level and licensing reforms for EoDB, an additional borrowing facility of 0.25 per cent of GSDP has been allowed to states on the recommendation of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

However, the reform envisages undertaking all of the following actions by the state governments.

The state will complete the first assessment of ‘District Level Business Reform Action Plan’ as intimated by DPIIT. They will eliminate the requirements of renewal of certificates/ approvals/ licences obtained by businesses for various activities from the authorities at the State level as per list circulated by DPIIT.

In addition to this, collection of reasonable fees with automatic non-discretionary deemed renewal will also be permissible as reform if done in a transparent online, non-discretionary & automatic manner.

The state will also implement a computerized central random inspection system under the Acts as per list circulated by DPIIT and inspection report is uploaded within 48 hours of inspection.

Earlier in May, the Centre had allowed additional borrowing limit of up to 2 percent of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) to the States for the year 2020-21. This made an amount up to Rs 4,27,302 crore available to the States, the ministry noted.

“One percent of this is subject to implementation of following four specific state level reforms, where weightage of each reform is 0.25 percent of GSDP. They are implementation of One Nation One Ration Card System, ease of doing business reform, urban local body/ utility reforms and power sector reforms,” it added.

-RJV/ARK

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