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Army begins process to grant Permanent Commission to women officers

File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The selection board constituted for screening the women officers commenced its proceedings to grant Permanent Commission (PC) at the Army headquarters on September 14, the Defence Ministry said today.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence stated, “The Special No 5 Selection Board constituted to screen Women Officers for grant of Permanent Commission (PC) in Indian Army has commenced it’s proceedings at Army HQ on 14 September 2020.”

The board is headed by a Senior General Officer and includes a woman officer of the rank of Brigadier, it added.

Meanwhile, in order to add transparency to the process, women officers have been permitted to witness the proceedings of the board as observers.

“Women officers who qualify in the screening process will be granted Permanent Commission subject to being in minimum acceptable medical category,” the ministry said.

Earlier in July this year, the Defence Ministry issued a formal sanction letter to grant the Permanent Commission to women officers who joined Indian Army through short service commission.

The order, however, specified the grant of PC to Short Service Commissioned (SSC) Women Officers in all ten streams of the Indian Army.

-RJV

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India have reached 53,08,015 after 93,337 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, according to Union Health Ministry data.

The country’s death toll has gone up to 85,619 after 1,247 new fatalities were reported in the country during this period.

In terms of total number of cases, Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state with 11,67,496 coronavirus cases followed by Andhra Pradesh with 6,09,558 cases, Tamil Nadu with 5,30,908 positive cases.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 3,631

Andhra Pradesh- 6,09,558

Arunachal Pradesh- 7,005

Assam- 1,52,858

Bihar- 1,65,218

Chandigarh- 9,506

Chhattisgarh- 81,617

Dadra Nagar Haveli & Diu – 2,831

Delhi- 2,38,828

Gujarat- 1,20,336

Goa- 27,379

Haryana– 1,06,261

Himachal Pradesh- 11,622

Jammu and Kashmir- 61,041

Jharkhand- 68,578

Karnataka- 5,02,982

Kerala- 1,26,381

Ladakh- 3,635

Madhya Pradesh- 1,00,4458

Maharashtra- 11,67,496

Manipur- 8,607

Meghalaya- 4,445

Mizoram- 1,548

Nagaland- 5,357

Odisha- 1,71,341

Puducherry- 21,913

Punjab- 92,833

Rajasthan- 1,11,290

Sikkim- 2,303

Tamil Nadu- 5,30,908

Telangana- 1,69,169

Tripura- 21,484

Uttarakhand- 38,007

Uttar Pradesh- 3,42,788

West Bengal– 2,18,772

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 52

Andhra Pradesh- 5,244

Arunachal Pradesh- 13

Assam- 540

Bihar- 859

Chandigarh- 113

Chhattisgarh- 645

Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 2

Delhi- 4,907

Goa- 335

Gujarat- 3,286

Haryana- 1,092

Himachal Pradesh- 111

Jammu and Kashmir- 966

Jharkhand- 602

Karnataka- 7,808

Kerala- 501

Ladakh- 48

Madhya Pradesh- 1,901

Maharashtra- 31,791

Manipur- 52

Meghalaya- 32

Nagaland- 15

Odisha- 682

Puducherry- 462

Punjab- 2,708

Rajasthan- 1,308

Sikkim- 24

Tamil Nadu- 8,685

Telangana- 1,025

Tripura- 235

Uttarakhand- 464

Uttar Pradesh- 4,869

West Bengal- 4,252

However, a total of 42,08,431 people have been cured or discharged. Total active cases stand at 10,13,964.

-CHK

J&K LG Sinha announces Rs 1,350 cr package for revival of ailing business

ATAL J&K Yojana to cover 35,000 youth for entrepreneur skill development

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today announced a mega economic package of Rs 1,350 crore for reviving the ailing business sector of the Union Territory.

Addressing a press conference at Rajbhawan, the J&K LG said it was just a beginning and with the active support of Prime Minister Narendera Modi, much more was in the offing.

He said that the government was mulling a “structured package” for transporters, drivers, auto-drivers, houseboat owners and shikara wallas besides other sectors who have suffered due to perpetual strife in the past over 20 years.

LG Sinha said that when he took over the reins of the UT a month ago, he had stated that resolution of people’s issues wasn’t possible without the participation and support of common people.

“On August 18 this year I met almost 35 delegations from various sectors after which a committee headed by my advisor KK Sharma was constituted. And I am happy that the committee has submitted its report in a time-bound manner,” Sinha said.

He added that he was glad to announce that for the first time an official committee has submitted it’s report in the shortest possible time.

During the presser, the LG said that the committee has recommended an economic package of Rs 1,350 crore for revival of ailing business sector in J&K. “I am glad to announce this package today with a message that this is just a beginning,” he added.

He further said that Rs 1,350 crore economic package is apart from Rs 1,400 crore package announced for J&K under Aatma Nirbhar Abhiyan of which Rs 6,000 crore is for power sector reforms etc.

Sinha also announced stamp duty exemption till March 2021 for all borrowers. “I would like to announce that from October 1, a special desk will be set up at every J&K Bank branch for youth including entrepreneurs,” the LG said.

Sinha said that the Government of India is working out a new industrial policy which will be ready soon, adding that, a different package will be worked out for tourism sector and hoteliers after thorough consultations with the stakeholders.

-RJV

India overtakes US in global Covid-19 recoveries, cures 95k in a day

corona
(File/Representational image)

New Delhi (NVI): With over 95,000 people recovered from the coronavirus in a single day, India has overtaken the United States to register the highest number of COVID-19 recoveries in the world, Union Health Ministry said.

The country reported the highest number of total recoveries with more than 42 lakh (42,08,431) COVID-19 patients recovered with a record 95,885 people recovered from the coronavirus in the past 24 hours.

“In a landmark global achievement, India has overtaken the US and become the top country in terms of global COVID-19 recoveries,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

The country now accounts for close to 19 per cent of the total global recoveries. This has strongly pushed the national recovery rate to nearly 80 per cent, it added.

The ministry also said that timely steps taken by the government to detect the virus have resulted in this global achievement.

“Centre-led focussed, calibrated, responsive and effective measures of early identification through high and aggressive testing, prompt surveillance and tracking coupled with standardised high-quality clinical care have together resulted in this global achievement,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the country has also scaled another peak of registering the highest ever single day recoveries, the ministry said, adding that, the total of 95,880 recoveries have been recorded in last 24 hours.

“Around 90 per cent of the new recovered cases are being reported from 16 States/UTs,” it added.

However, India has maintained a sustained path of reporting very high number of recoveries. These are the result of focussed strategies leading to coordinated effective actions in the states and Union Territories, the ministry noted.

India’s coronavirus tally crossed the 53-lakh mark and stands at 53,08,015 including 10,13,964 active cases, and 85,619 deaths in the country.

-RJV

3 terrorists held in J&K’s Rajouri; arms, ammo recovered

Terrorist arrested
Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Security forces arrested three persons believed to be terrorists along with arms and ammunition from Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, officials said today.

Official sources said that an operation was launched in an area near Rajouri town in the intervening night of September 18 and 19 after which forces successfully nabbed three suspects who all are from Kashmir.

They further said that huge quantity of arms and ammunition including assault rifles, pistols and other incriminating material have been recovered so far in the operation.

“The weapons recovered include two Ak-56 riffles, six AK magazines, 180 rounds, two Chinese pistols, three pistol magazines, and 30 rounds, four grenades, two pouches and Rs one lakh cash,” the officials said.

The three terrorists arrested have been identified as Rahil Bashir, Amir Jan and Hafiz Yunis Wani, all residents of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district. “A case has been registered in police station Rajouri under FIR number 492/20 Under Section 307/120 B/121/122 IPC 7/27/IAA and 13 ULAP, ” the officials added.

 

-RJV

Coronavirus cases surge past 30.3 million globally

Coronavirus cases surpass 52 mn globally; US reports record 1.36 lakh infections

New Delhi (NVI): More than 30.3 million people around the world have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, and over 9,50,000 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

At least 20.7 million patients have been cured and recovered worldwide.

In the US, the total number of coronavirus cases stand around 6.72 million, while 1,98,509 people have lost their lives due to the deadly virus.

Brazil, remains number one COVID-19 affected country in Latin America, recorded 39,797 cases within 24-hours and surpassed 4.49 million.The country’s death toll stands at 1,35,793.

France has reported 154 new COVID-19 deaths taking the toll to 31,249, and recorded 13,215 new infections. With this, the total number of coronavirus cases stands at 4,67,421 in the country.

In Spain, some 6,40,040 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus, health authorities said, with a rise of 4,697 in the past 24 hours.

The health authorities in China recorded 14 new cases, all from overseas. It is the 34th consecutive day the country has reported no new domestically transmitted cases. So far, the Chinese mainland had registered 85,269 coronavirus cases.

Meanwhile, Canada is extending the agreement to keep the US border closed to non-essential travel to October 21 during the coronavirus pandemic.

Apart from this, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom urged countries to ensure consistent funding for the health sector in order to enable the world to be better prepared for health crises.

-RJV

India’s COVID-19 tally crosses 53-lakh mark, death toll at 85,619

India’s COVID tally tops 10.34 million with 16,505 new cases
(File/ Representational image)

New Delhi (NVI): India coronavirus tally has crossed the 53-lakh mark and stands at 53,08,015, with a single-day jump of 93,337 new cases in last 24 hours, Union Health Ministry said.

The country’s death toll has gone up to 85,619 with 1,247 new fatalities being reported during this period.

So far, 42,08,432 patients have recovered all over the country, while active cases stands at 10,13,964. The recovery rate also improves further to 80 per cent.

With this, India has overtaken the US to become number one in terms of global coronavirus recoveries.

In terms of total number of cases, Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state with 11,67,496 coronavirus cases followed by Andhra Pradesh with 6,09,558 cases, Tamil Nadu with 5,30,908 positive cases.

The other worst affected states includes Karnataka (5,02,982), Uttar Pradesh (3,42,788) and Delhi (2,38,828).

In terms of fatalities, Maharashtra tops the tally with 31,791 deaths followed by Tamil Nadu 8,685, ministry said.

The death toll in the national capital surged to 4,907 while another 2,01,671 patients have recovered so far, healthy ministry data shows.

According to the Indian Council Medical Research (ICMR), a total of 6,24,54,254 samples tested up to September 18 for COVID-19. Of these, 8,81,911 samples were tested yesterday.

Meanwhile, the ministry yesterday said that medical oxygen is an essential public health commodity and any disruption in its supplies may critically impact management of COVID-19 patients as it stressed that no restriction be imposed on its movement between the states.

-RJV

Nepal test drives two Indian-built trains amid border dispute with India

New Delhi (NVI): The Nepal government today conducted a test drive of two brand new Indian-built trains on the 45km Jayanagar-Janakpur line, amid border issues with India.

The new trains will be operated by Nepal Railways after India sent its railways officials to coach Nepal technicians to operate Janakpur-Jaynagar route.

According to the contract signed between the Nepal and Indian Railways board, a total of 26 Indian Railway officers were sent to Nepal with rolling stock.

The railway project is being undertaken with Indian government assistance, and the broad gauge tracks are being laid till Bijalpura, the Nepali Times reported.

According to the news website, the Jayanagar-Bijalpura narrow gauge line is not new, and had been built during British India in 1937 and used steam locomotives till it went out of service in 2001 after bridges were washed away in a flood.

In the beginning, both the Amelkhganj and Bijalpura railways were used by the British to transport logs from Nepal’s Tarai forests for railway sleepers in India, it reports.

The Raxaul-Amlekhganj tracks were built by the British in 1927 and transported dignitaries who could take jeeps to Bhimphedi for the three-day trek to Kathmandu. The seven Garratt steam locomotives were in use till 1965, when they were replaced by the highway to Kathmandu, reports Nepali Times.

Besides the Janakpur train, the only other railway line in Nepal at present is the 6km broad gauge from Raxual to the Sirsiya Inland Container Port that connects landlocked Nepal to sea ports in India. It was inaugurated in 2005, and serves as an important link for Nepal’s trade with the outside world.

Interestingly, the development comes when Nepal has introduced new text books in the school curriculum that include the country’s revised political map showing three strategically-important Indian areas as part of its territory.

India has already termed as untenable the “artificial enlargement” of the territorial claims by Nepal after its Parliament unanimously approved the new political map of the country featuring Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura areas which India maintains belongs to it

The book has been introduced by Nepal education minister Giriraj Mani Pokharel who has also written its preface. The book includes the disputed area of Kalapani in Uttarakhand as Nepal’s territory. The book also mentions that Nepal has a geographical area of 1,47,641.28 sq km, of which 460 sq km is the Kalapani area.

All these developments take place in the backdrop of strain in the relations between the two countries. The strains emerged after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a strategically crucial road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand on May 8. Nepal protested it, claiming that it passed through its territory.

Days later, Nepal came out with the new map showing Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as its territories. Subsequently, in June, Nepal’s Parliament approved the new political map of the country featuring areas, which India maintains belong to it. India termed the move as “artificial enlargement” of territorial claims by Nepal.

-ARK

Taiwan engages jets as China intrudes its airspace during US official’s visit

New Delhi (NVI): China, which keeps an eye on Taiwan and opposes any official contact with it, today deliberately conducted an air exercise near the island, in a bid to intimidate it’s government on a day when a senior US official held talks in Taipei.

According to CNA, multiple Chinese warplanes crossed the sensitive mid-line of Taiwan, in an escalation of tensions between the two countries. Taiwan’s Air Force, which was ready for the move, also scrambled its jets in the air and gave warnings to the Chinese aircraft.

US Undersecretary for Economic Affairs Keith Krach arrived in Taipei yesterday for a three-day visit. China had earlier announced that it would conduct combat drills near the Taiwan Strait. Pertinent to mention here that Beijing denounces the Taiwan Strait and claims it as a part of its territory.

Four J-10 single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft, four J-11 twin-engine jet fighters, and a number of J-16 tandem-seat twinjet multi-role strike fighters crossed the median line, the Taiwan Air Force said in a report.

Another two Xian H-6 strategic bombers accompanied by a number of J-16s entered Taiwan’s southwest ADIZ, reports CNA.

A report by Taiwan’s Air force said that it broadcast warnings to the Chinese military aircraft to leave, and activated its air defense missile system tracking function.

The Chinese exercise was conducted by PLA’s Eastern Theater Command. China has also conducted the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) recently to test the level of integration of its different forces and weapons systems, according to PLA Eastern Theater Command spokesman Zhang Chunhui.

Meanwhile, apprehending “invasion” by China, Taiwan’s military has also been conducting exercises to test their capabilities in the near shore zones and to neutralise enemy forces on beaches and in other landing areas.

Meanwhile, apprehending “invasion” by China, Taiwan’s military has also been conducting exercises to test their capabilities in the near shore zones and to neutralise enemy forces on beaches and in other landing areas.

China has claimed that US is trying to control Beijing through Taiwan. The latest development also comes amid US-China tensions over a lingering trade war and coronavirus pandemic that originated the Chinese province of Wuhan.

Pertinent to mention here that Washington is Taiwan’s main arms supplier and most important international support.

-ARK

Activists denounce Pakistan’s plans to make Gilgit-Baltistan as its province

In July, Gilgit-Baltistan people had protested against Pakistan after they were denied proper access to internet for several months.

New Delhi (NVI): Under constant pressure from China, Pakistan has decided to elevate Gilgit-Baltistan’s status to that of a full-fledged  province, while brazenly ignoring India’s protests regarding Islamabad’s efforts to bring material change in Pakistan occupied territories.

The move has been criticised by Human Rights activists and experts who have said that it will be challenged on legal and constitutional grounds.

Several activists from Gilgit-Baltistan have also been protesting over the Imran Khan government’s move to forcibly turn the region into one of Pakistan’s provinces. This also comes when the people in G-B are living under one of the worst systems of governance in Pakistan with no basic human, political and economic rights.

“Gilgit Baltistan is a part of Ladakh province of the State of Jammu & Kashmir, since 1947 it’s under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. Pakistan can’t make it a province. Any such move from Pakistan shall be resisted worldwide & challenged on legal & constitutional grounds,” tweeted Prof Sajjad Raja, Chairman, National Equality Party, JKGBL (Jammu Kashmir Gilgit Baltistan and Ladakh), who has been raising his voice against Pakistan’s attempts to gain complete control on PoK which is a disputed territory.

According to a report in Pakistan media on Wednesday, Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs, Ali Amin Gandapur, said that Prime Minister Imran Khan would soon visit the region and make the formal announcement to elevate Gilgit-Baltistan to the status of a full-fledged province with all constitutional rights.

The minister has also said that Gilgit-Baltistan would be given adequate representation on all constitutional bodies, including the National Assembly and the Senate.

Behind all this facade is an underlying truth that China has been pressuring Pakistan for several years now to incorporate Gilgit-Baltistan as a full-fledged province. China couldn’t afford to invest billions of dollars on a road that passes through a disputed territory claimed both by India and Pakistan.

It is pertinent to mention here that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), linking China to Gwadar post in Balochistan province has an investment worth USD 60 billion dollars and Pakistan has to abide by Beijing’s policies under its ambitions Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) since it is already facing the challenges of a dipping economy.

India has already protested against Islamabad’s efforts to bring material change in Pakistan occupied areas. In a statement issued in May this year, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said that Pakistan should immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation.

Gilgit-Baltistan is a part of undivided Jammu and Kashmir and it was illegally occupied by Pakistan by military force in 1947. Since then, the mountainous region has been witnessing immense subjugation at the hands of Pakistan and its Army.

-ARK
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