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PM Garib Kalyan package: About 42 crore received financial aid

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New Delhi (NVI): Around 42 crore poor people have received financial assistance of Rs 53,248 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) so far, the Ministry of Finance said today.

“As part of the Rs 1.70 lakh crore Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package, the Government announced free food grains and cash payment to women and poor senior citizens and farmers,” the Ministry of Finance said in a statement. The government had announced the relief package on March 26.

Giving details of the package, the Finance Ministry said that Rs 16,394 crore has been given towards payment of the first installment of PM-KISAN to 8.19 crore beneficiaries.

Rs 10,029 crore has been credited to 20.05 crore (98.33%) women Jan Dhan account holders as first installment. The number of women PMJDY accounts holders whose accounts have been debited by customer induced transaction under 1st installment is 8.72crore (44%), the ministry said.

Apart from that, Rs. 10,315 crore as been credited to 20.62 crore (100%) women Jan Dhan account holders with second installment. The number of women PMJDY accounts holders whose accounts have been debited by customer induced transaction under 2nd installment is 9.7crore (47%).

A total of Rs 2814.5 crore has been disbursed to about 2.81 crore old age persons, widows and disabled persons in two installments. “Benefits transferred to all 2.81 crore beneficiaries in two installments,” the ministry said.

Besides, 2.3 crore building & construction workers have received financial support amounting to Rs 4312.82crore.

So far, 101 Lakh MT (Metric Tonnes) of food grains have been lifted by 36 States/UTs for April. 36.93 LMT of foodgrains have been distributed, covering 73.86 crore beneficiaries by 36 States/UTs for April 2020. 32.92 LMT of food grains have been distributed, covering 65.85 crore beneficiaries by 35 States/UTs for May 2020. 3.58 LMT of foodgrains have been distributed, covering 7.16 crore beneficiaries by 17 States/UTs for June 2020. 5.06 LMT of Pulses have also been dispatched to various states/UTs. Total 1.91 LMT Pulses have been distributed so far to 17.9 crore household beneficiaries out of 19.4 crore such beneficiaries, the Ministry said.

Total 9.25 crore PMUY cylinders have been booked under this scheme so far and 8.58 crore PMUY free cylinders already delivered to beneficiaries.

16.1 lakh members of EPFO have taken benefit of online withdrawal of non-refundable advance from EPFO account amounting to 4725 crore.

“Increased rate has been notified w.e.f 01-04-2020. In the current financial year, 48.13 crore person’s man-days of work generated. Further, Rs 28,729 crore released to states to liquidate pending dues of both wage and material. 24% EPF contribution transferred to 59.23 Lakh employees account amounting to 895.09 crore, the ministry said in a release.

Cyclone Nisarga makes landfall, hits Alibaug near Mumbai

Representative pic

New Delhi (NVI): Cyclone Nisarga, which intensified into a severe cyclonic storm this morning, has made landfall in Alibaug, a coastal town in Maharashtra’s Raigad district, about 100 km from Mumbai at a wind speed of 110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph.

The storm will gradually enter Mumbai and Thane districts during the next three hours, according to IMD. Mumbai is already on alert as it braces for the first such cyclonic storm in over 100 years.


At least 1,00,000 people, including some coronavirus patients, were being moved to safer locations in Mumbai.

As per the latest update, the cyclone lay centered at 2:30 pm over coastal Maharashtra. Meanwhile, flight operations have been suspended at Mumbai airport till 7 PM.

Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray, has appealed to the people in the state to stay indoors.

Furthermore, the movement of people in Mumbai near the coastline has been banned till Thursday evening, Mumbai Police said.

Notably, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli have been put on high alert as some parts of these two states and the Union Territories fall in the path of the cyclone.

About 41 NDRF teams are deployed in the two states, of which 21 are in Maharashtra and 16 are deployed in Gujarat.

In addition to this, Goa, about 580 km from Mumbai, also witnessed heavy rains this morning. It is pertinent to mention here that Maharashtra and Gujarat are also the two worst-affected states by Covid-19 in the country.

This is the second cyclone to strike India in two weeks. Last month, Cyclone Amphan had wreaked havoc in West Bengal and leaving behind a trail of destruction in the two states.

IED expert who was behind recent car bomb among 3 terrorists killed: J&K Police

IGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar at press conference today.

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): An IED expert and top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammed, who was the mastermind behind the car bomb caught in Pulwama recently, was among the three terrorists killed by security forces in south Kashmir today, Jammu and Kashmir Police said.

Addressing a press conference here along with the top Army and CRPF officers, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar said that an IED expert of Jaish, who had also participated in the Afghan war and was the mastermind of the car bomb that was detected and destroyed by the security forces in Pulwama on May 28, was among three militants killed today.

On May 28, security forces had detected a car laden with 45 kgs of explosives at Rajpora area in Pulwama, averting a major 2019 like terror attack that killed 40 CRPF men.

“Today’s encounter is a big success for the security forces as we have killed Jaish’s IED expert who was also the mastermind of May 28 car bomb attempt,” he said. “The slain commander has been identified as Abdur Rehman alias Fouji Bhai or Fouji Baba, who had participated in Afghan war and was active since 2017 in Kashmir,” he added.

He said that the identity of two other slain militants is being ascertained and it seems that both are locals. “We have called some people to identify the slain terrorists and if they turn out to be locals, their parents will be allowed to participate in the burial at Baramulla district of north Kashmir,” he said.

Asked whether security forces have wiped out all IED experts of Jaish outfit, the IGP said that there are two more Jaish militants who have been identified as Waleed Bhai and Lamboo Bhai, both are foreigners and have an expertise in making IEDs.

“We have also identified the Jaish chief Abdullah Rashid Gazi, who operates in Khrew area of Pulwama district and is hiding in the woods. He will be neutralised once he comes down and we can even catch him where he is hiding. It is because of our source base that we have identified the Jaish chief otherwise Jaish outfit doesn’t disclose the names of its head,” he said.

The IGP, who was flanked by Army and CRPF officers, said that it was for the first time that top militant commanders of Hizbul, Lashkar and Jaish were killed. “The number of militants killed this year is 75 and the majority of them were commanders,” he said.

He said that the police has categorised Over Ground Workers in A, B and C categories. “Public Safety Act will be slapped on A category OGWs, B category OGWs will be arrested and C category OGWs will go through counselling and their parents will be called and then they will be released,” the IGP said.

World Bicycle Day 2020: History, significance and benefits

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New Delhi (NVI): We all remember the first bicycle gifted to us by parents or relatives in childhood. The simple bike must have been the most favorite thing that many of us might have memories of.

Like other inventions, the bicycle has also evolved over time and it has been in use for last two centuries. It evolved in the 19th century as several inventors came up with the idea of balancing oneself on two wheels and using the machine as a vehicle for transport.

In 1817, a German baron named Karl von Drais made the first major development when he created a steerable, two-wheeled contraption. Drais invented his Laufmaschine (German for “running machine”), which was called Draisine (English) or draisienne (French) by the press.

However, this wooden prototype didn’t include a chain, brakes or pedals. The riders had to propel the 50-pound frame forward by pushing off from the ground with their feet.

Since then, the bicycle has been used in different ways and shapes all across the world, for moving from point A to B as well as for fitness.

World Bicycle Day is observed on June 3 each year. It is celebrated to lay importance on the benefits of cycling. Bicycle riding is not only good for health but is also good for the environment.

This is the third anniversary of World Bicycle Day, which was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in April 2018. UN officials, diplomats, athletes, and advocates of the cycling community had spoken at the inaugural event in New York, sharing the numerous benefits of riding vehicles.

The main idea behind it is to recognise the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, that affordable, simple, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport, as per the UN.

World Bicycle Day is a global holiday that is meant to be enjoyed by all. On this day, various cycling events are organised in order to promote the culture of cycling in the society.

However, this year no such events will be conducted due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The United Nations encourages member states, to spread awareness about its many benefits and to develop a culture of cycling and organize initiatives like local bike rides, while promoting pedestrian safety and cycling mobility.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the bicycle fosters environmental stewardship and good health, providing a cost-effective form of transport while reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, diabetes and other health conditions.

In addition to this, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu took to Twitter to urge people to take up cycling, “On World Bicycle Day, I call upon people to promote the use of cycle as it is a simple, affordable and environment-friendly means of transportation.”

“There is a need to develop a culture of cycling in view of its beneficial impact on health & climate,” Naidu tweeted.

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): India has become the seventh worst-affected country in the world index due to coronavirus pandemic, as the country continues to witness huge spike in the infected cases.

As the country has entered in the fifth phase of nationwide lockdown, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat remain the worst affected states.

The total number of coronavirus cases in the country stands at 2,07,615 including 5,815 casualties, according to the Union Health Ministry.

Maharashtra tops the country with the maximum number of coronavirus cases and has reported nearly 72,000 confirmed cases so far.

The first confirmed coronavirus case in India was reported in the state of Kerala on January 30. Since then, the virus has tightened its grip across the country.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 33

Andhra Pradesh- 3,898

Arunachal Pradesh- 22

Assam- 1,513

Bihar- 4,155

Chandigarh- 301

Chhattisgarh- 564

Dadar Nagar Haveli- 4

Delhi- 22,132

Gujarat- 17,617

Goa- 79

Haryana– 2,652

Himachal Pradesh- 345

Jammu and Kashmir- 2,718

Jharkhand- 712

Karnataka- 3,796

Kerala- 1,412

Ladakh- 81

Madhya Pradesh- 8,420

Maharashtra- 72,300

Manipur- 89

Meghalaya- 27

Mizoram- 13

Nagaland- 49

Odisha- 2,245

Puducherry- 82

Punjab- 2,342

Rajasthan- 9,373

Sikkim- 1

Tamil Nadu- 24,586

Telangana- 2,891

Tripura- 468

Uttarakhand- 1,043

Uttar Pradesh- 8,361

West Bengal – 6,168

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andhra Pradesh- 64

Assam- 4

Bihar- 24

Chandigarh- 5

Chhattisgarh- 1

Delhi- 556

Gujarat- 1,092

Haryana- 23

Himachal Pradesh- 5

Jammu and Kashmir- 33

Jharkhand- 5

Karnataka- 52

Kerala- 11

Ladakh- 1

Madhya Pradesh- 364

Maharashtra- 2,465

Meghalaya- 1

Odisha- 7

Puducherry- 1

Punjab- 46

Rajasthan- 203

Tamil Nadu- 197

Telangana- 92

Uttar Pradesh- 222

Uttarakhand- 7

West Bengal- 335

A total of 1,00,303 people have been cured or discharged from hospitals in India. There are around 1,01,497 active cases currently, according to the Health Ministry.

Top Jaish commander among 3 terrorists killed in J&K’s Pulwama

encounter
File photo

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Three Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists including a top commander were killed today while a soldier sustained injuries in an encounter with security forces at Kangan village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, defence officials said.

Defence spokesperson Rajesh Kalia said that ‘Operation Kangan’ was launched in the early hours today and a cordon was laid after getting specific inputs about the presence of militants in the area. “Contact established in the morning. Announcements were made for terrorists to surrender, but they opened fire on security forces. A gunfight ensued and the three terrorists of JeM were killed including an IED expert,” he said.

“A soldier also sustained injuries who was evacuated to the Army’s 92-base hospital in Srinagar for treatment,” officials said. “Among the three slain militants is a top commander of Jaish outfit,” they added.

A joint team of Army’s 55 RR, Police and the CRPF laid a siege in Kangan village of Pulwama district on the basis of specific lead about the presence of Jaish militants and a top commander. “When the forces zeroed in on a suspected house, the hiding militants opened fire triggering a fierce gunbattle,” they said.

J&K Director General of Police, Dilbagh Singh said, “all three militants who were hiding in a house in a village at Pulwama have been killed. The operation was jointly conducted by army, police and CRPF,” he said.

Meanwhile, authorities have snapped the internet in Pulwama district as a precautionary measure. This is the second gunfight in the area within the past 24 hours as two militants were killed in an encounter in Tral area of Pulwama district yesterday.

Coronavirus cases exceed 6.3 million worldwide

Coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): More than 6.38 million coronavirus cases have been confirmed around the world with the death toll soaring past 3,80,000, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Reportedly, Brazil recorded 1,262 deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, hitting another daily record. The total number of cases in the country stands at 5,55,383 with more than 31,000 causalties being reported due to the deadly contagion.

Brazil, Peru and Mexico are among countries easing restrictions even as cases increase rapidly.

Mexico has recorded 3,891 new novel coronavirus patients, the highest number of cases identified in a single day since the pandemic began, taking the total cases to 97,326.

Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases in Peru rose to 1,74,884, an increase of 4,845 from the previous day, according to the country’s health ministry.

In the US, more than 1.8 million cases have been recorded, including over 1,06,000 deaths.

New Zealand could return to ‘normal life’ as early as next week but borders will remain closed.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she will decide on Monday whether to reduce the country’s alert level to one, more than two months after she imposed a strict, level four, lockdown.

India’s COVID tally crosses 2.07 lakh; death toll 5,815

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 2,07,615 and fatalities from the virus have gone up to 5,815, according to Union Health Ministry.

At least, 1,00,303 patients have been cured of the virus or discharged.

In the past 24 hours, 8,909 fresh COVID-19 infections and 217 deaths were reported in the country.

In terms of total number of cases, Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state with 72,300 coronavirus cases followed by Tamil Nadu with 24,586 and Delhi with 22,132 positive cases.

The other worst affected states are Gujarat (17,615), Rajasthan (9,373) Madhya Pradesh (8,420) and Uttar Pradesh (8,361).

In terms of deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 2,465 fatalities, ministry said.

The death toll in the national capital surged to 556 while another 9,243 patients have recovered so far, healthy ministry data shows.

Apart from this, total 41,03,233 samples have been tested till now, of which 1,37,158 samples have been tested in the last 24 hours, as per Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday said that strengthening the economy is one of the top priorities alongside fighting coronavirus.

J&K: Covid frontline worker, 14 pregnant women among 117 new cases

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A frontline Covid warrior and 14 pregnant women were among 117 fresh positive cases reported in Jammu and Kashmir today, taking the total number of cases in the UT to 2,718.

Officials said that among the 117 fresh cases, there were 14 pregnant women as well, who tested positive for the deadly virus. With this, the number of pregnant women who have been infected by the deadly virus has gone up to 90, majority of whom belong to Kashmir’s rural areas.

Among the new cases is Kashmir’s leading pulmonologist and a Covid-19 warrior, Dr Naveed Nazir, who is Head of Department of Chest Diseases Hospital Srinagar, who was on the forefront of the battle against Covid-19, officials said.

Dr Naveed confirmed himself through his post on Twitter saying, “I have tested positive for the virus and I have gone under quarantine. I am doing my work in whatever way possible from the quarantine.

Officials said that among 117 new cases, 22 were tested positive at SKIMS Soura, 44 at CD hospital, 6 at JVC Bemina, 19 at Army’s Command Hospital, Udhampur, besides other private labs.

Among 117 new cases, 77 belong to Kashmir division while 40 are from Jammu division, officials said, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division has reached 2,076 including 818 recoveries and 29 deaths while the total number of positive cases in Jammu division has reached 642 including 135 recoveries and 4 deaths.

They added that the total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir are 1731 including 1229 from Kashmir division and 503 from Jammu division.

Cases tested positive in J&K include 11 from Kulgam, 15 from Srinagar, 8 from Budgam, 10 from Kupwara, 7 from Shopian, 7 from Baramulla, 5 from Bandipora and 14 from Pulwama in Kashmir division while 40 from Jammu include 13 from Jammu, 9 from Ramban, 2 from Kathua, 2 from Udhampur, 1 from Samba district, 9 from Poonch, 3 from Rajouri and one from Doda.

As per officials figures, 349 positive cases including five deaths and 126 recoveries are from Anantnag, 311 including four deaths and 32 recoveries are from Kulgam, 305 including seven deaths and 141 recoveries are from Srinagar, 289 including 76 recoveries and one death is from Kupwara, 245 including 103 recoveries and six deaths are from Baramulla, 181 including 108 recoveries and three deaths are from Shopian, 151 including 134 recoveries and 1 death from Bandipora, 119 including 61 recoveries and two deaths are from Budgam, 34 including 24 recoveries are from Ganderbal and 92 including 13 recoveries are from Pulwama.

In Jammu, 157 including 41 recoveries and two deaths are from Jammu district, 153 including 16 recoveries are from Ramban, 80 including 27 recoveries are from Kathua, 69 including  26 recoveries and 1 death is from Udhampur, 45 including 13 recoveries from Samba, 49 are from Poonch, 36 including 5 recoveries are from Rajouri, 14 including 3 recoveries area from Reasi, 12 including 3 recoveries is from Kishtwar, 27 including 1 recovery and 1 death is from Doda.

As per the daily information bulletin, 185,119 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 43,635 persons have been kept under home quarantine besides that 1732 persons are in hospital isolation while as 43 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 89,456 persons have completed surveillance period and 50,220 persons are under home surveillance besides that so far results of 180,349 samples are available.

Out of 1,80,349 samples, 180,349 have tested negative while 2718 have been tested positive. Among positive cases, 1732 are active and 953 persons have recovered while 33 persons have died.

Trump invites PM Modi for G-7 Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. (File)

New Delhi (NVI) US President Donald Trump today invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the next G7 summit to be held in the US.

Both the leaders had a telephonic conversation today and President Trump spoke about the US Presidency of the Group of Seven, and conveyed his desire to expand the ambit of the grouping beyond the existing membership, to include other important countries including India, according to a statement by Prime Minister’s Office.

“In this context, he extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to attend the next G-7 Summit to be held in USA,” the PMO said.

Responding to the invitation, PM Modi commended President Trump for his creative and far-sighted approach, acknowledging the fact that such an expanded forum would be in keeping with the emerging realities of the post-COVID world.

He said that India would be happy to work with the US and other countries to ensure the success of the proposed Summit.

Apart from this, the PM expressed concern regarding the ongoing civil disturbances in the US, and conveyed his best wishes for an early resolution of the situation, PMO said.

The two leaders also exchanged views on other topical issues, such as the COVID-19 situation in the two countries, the situation on the India-China border, and the need for reforms in the World Health Organisation.

During the conversation, President Trump warmly recalled his visit to India in February this year. Prime Minister Modi said that the visit had been memorable and historic on many accounts, and had also added new dynamism to the bilateral relationship.

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