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Pakistan’s actions in Jadhav case ‘farcical’: India

Kulbhushan Jadhav
Kulbhushan Jadhav. (File photo)

New Delhi (NVI): Pakistan has indulged in “farcical” actions on the issue of Consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, India said today while highlighting how Islamabad failed to provide remedy to the death row convict as per the directions of the International Court of Justice.

External Affairs Ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava told a media briefing here that India has requested consular access 12 times over the past one year but Pakistan has so far not been able to provide an “unimpeded” consular access.

Giving details, he said the meeting of Indian Consular Officers with Jadhav on July 16 was scuttled by Pakistan authorities as the Consular Officers were instructed not to hand over any document to the imprisoned Indian.

Hence, the Indian Consular Officers could not obtain a Power of Attorney from Jadhav, the spokesman said.

Similarly, India has repeatedly requested Pakistan for relevant documents related to the case of Jadhav and in response, it was told that the relevant documents could be handed over only to an authorised Pakistani lawyer.

“Thereafter, India appointed a Pakistani lawyer to obtain the relevant documents. To our surprise, as advised by the Pakistani authorities, when the authorised Pakistani lawyer approached the concerned authorities, they declined to handover the documents to the lawyer,” Srivastava said.

“In the absence of an unimpeded and unhindered consular access as well as of the relevant documents, as a last resort, India tried to file a petition on 18 July. However, our Pakistani lawyer informed that a review petition could not be filed in the absence of power of attorney and supporting documents related to the case of Shri Jadhav,” he said.

While detailing the “farcical” actions, he said, Pakistan also created confusion over the last date of filing a petition. Initially, they indicated that a petition has to be filed by no later than 19 July. Subsequently, Pakistan indicated that the time limit to file a review petition shall expire on 20 July.

“Knowing the inadequacies and shortcomings in the Ordinance, India had already shared its concerns in June 2020, including a considerable delay in informing India about its promulgation, with the Pakistan authorities. Pakistan took two weeks to inform us about this Ordinance and shared the copy of the Ordinance only after India requested the same.”

The MEA spokesman said India has conveyed to Pakistan that the Ordinance neither fulfils nor gives complete weight to last year’s judgment of the ICJ.

“With regards to the Ordinance, it seems, Pakistan was non-serious in its approach and was not interested in implementing the judgment of the ICJ in letter and spirit. It has blocked all the avenues for an effective remedy available for India,” Srivastava said.

“The whole exercise of not providing any documents related to the case even after repeated requests, not providing an unimpeded consular access and some reported unilateral action of approaching the HC on part of Pakistan again exposes the farcical nature of Pakistan’s approach,” he said.

The spokesman said Pakistan “is not only in violation of the judgment of ICJ, but also of its own Ordinance. Pakistan has completely failed to provide the remedy as directed by the ICJ and India reserves its position in the matter, including its rights to avail of further remedies.”

Army recovers huge cache of arms, ammo along LoC in J&K’s Baramulla

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): The Indian Army today recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition during a search operation launched near the Line of Control (LoC) in Hathalanga area of Rampur sector in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Army’s Srinagar-based Chinar-Corps said in a tweet that an input was received regarding weapon drop near LoC and a search operation was launched after that.

“On 22 July 2020 late evening, input was received regarding likely weapon drop along the Line of Control ahead of AIOS. On this basis, a search operation was launched along the Line of Control in Hathlanga, Rampur Sector, #Baramulla district,” the tweet read.

During the search operation, a weapon cache was discovered. Recoveries include one AK-47 rifle with magazines, five Chinese pistols with magazines, 24 grenades and other warlike stores, the defence sources said.

They said that expert teams are at the spot to find out how the arms cache reached the spot and who was assigned to receive the consignment. “It seems that a fresh consignment of weapons was supposed to be received by a group which has sneaked in or was about to infiltrate,” they said.

They said a heightened vigil is being maintained across LoC in Uri area, especially Rampur sector, to foil any possible infiltration bid.

-ARK

300 mn tonnes of plastic waste each year, 8 mn tonnes end up in ocean: UNEP

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): At least 300 million tonnes of plastic waste is produced by the entire humanity each year, of which about 8 million tonnes end up in the ocean, according to a UN environment programme (UNEP) report.

In the last 50 years, plastic production has increased more than 22 times as per the report. Yet in 2015, only an estimated 9 per cent of plastics were recycled.

Plastics are part of modern life but when not properly managed, they harm human health, biodiversity and ecosystem services. The problem of plastic pollution has been growing, and the costs mounting, particularly for the marine environment, says UNEP in its report.

In 2015, the estimated damage to fisheries and aquaculture, marine transport, shipbuilding and marine tourism from marine debris for Asia-Pacific economic cooperation countries was USD 11.2 billion, the report said.

There has been a growing action, including bans on single-use plastic products. However, with investments of around USD 180 billion over the last decade in plastics production facilities, and COVID-19 causing a resurgence in single-use plastic products, the challenge is back.

Marine litter is a pollutant without borders, therefore, it needs a common approach to a common cause: the unsustainable consumption and production of plastic.

For keeping the oceans plastic free, UNEP is involved in several partnerships including the Global Partnership on Marine Litter, with over 200 members.

Apart from that, UNEP is involved in partnership with United Nations Environment Assembly, which will meet next year to advance action on marine litter, addressing plastic products pollution and other issues.

Another point is that the industry must take more responsibility for managing the plastic waste before it ends up in oceans. This can be done by bringing new tools and business models aimed at cutting unnecessary and problematic plastic use and keeping the plastic we need within the economy at its highest value.

We also need to manage COVID-19 plastic waste. According to the World Health Organization, every month, the world needs 89 million plastic medical masks, 76 million plastic examination masks and 1.6 million plastic protective goggles. Meanwhile, we have seen the halting or reversal of policies aimed at reducing single-use plastic products.

-RJV/ARK

New GST e-invoicing scheme for businesses with Rs 500 cr turnover from Oct 1: CBIC

GST

New Delhi (NVI): To further streamline the GST filing process, the Government has decided to implement a new GST e-invoice scheme under which businesses with a turnover of Rs 500 crore and above will generate all invoices on a centralised portal from October 1, a CBIC official said today.

The decision was announced by CBIC Principal Commissioner (GST) Yogendra Garg in an ‘ASSOCHAM e-Conclave on 3 years of GST – Further streamline needed?’

“The QR codes are definitely not happening on October 1 but the e-invoice schema and 500 crore turnover related notification should be out by next week and the industry can start working on as everything is ready, the FAQs, the circular etc will be issued at the earliest,” said Garg.

He further stated that CBIC would improve the existing GST return filing system instead of rolling out a new model.

Sharing his views on the industry’s suggestion about the need for training the officers, Garg stated, “We are constantly endeavoring to gain from strengths of both central and state officers and those getting transferred, so there is a plan going forward in the new year to ensure that there is more interaction to gain from each other’s strengths and make it a better experience for taxpayers.”

Noting that the government’s endeavour is to make the life simpler for the taxpayer and has been reactive and sensitive to trade requirements, he added, “There are challenges ahead but rest-assured, the whole idea is to keep it as simple as possible and focus is on improving compliance mechanism, making it further simple and bring the costs down.”

Garg however lamented about lack of communication with industry and urged to keep communication channels open so that the policy wing keeps getting to know as to what is required and expected.

Pratik Jain, Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council on Indirect Taxes suggested to hold discussions every month to highlight industrial issues and also suggested creating a forum for regular interaction between the Government and Trade.

In addition to this, while addressing the ASSOCHAM e-conclave, Chief Executive Officer, GSTN (Goods and Services Tax Network), Prakash Kumar said, “We are happy that in the last three years we have been able to have a system where more than 47 crore returns have been filed, more than Rs 25 lakh crore worth payments have been made in 14.23 crore transactions, and more than 128 crore e-way bills have been generated.”

-CHK/ARK

Indian Navy’s largest solar plant commissioned in Ezhimala

Solar Power Plant (Representative Pic)

New Delhi (NVI): The largest Solar Power Plant of the Indian Navy, with a capacity of 3-megawatt (MW) was commissioned yesterday at the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, the Indian Navy said.

Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command commissioned the plant through virtual conferencing.

The plant, is in line with the government’s ‘National Solar Mission’ to achieve 100 GW of solar power by 2022, is the largest in the Indian Navy with an estimated life of 25 years, said press release issued by Navy.

All components have been indigeneously sourced, including 9,180 highly efficient monocrystalline solar panels employing the latest technology, it added.

The project has been executed by Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation Ltd (KELTRON).

Despite heavy monsoons and restrictions due to COVID-19, all concerned agencies including Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) continued work on the project adhering to all guidelines and protocols against COVID-19 and executed the work in a timebound manner, the release said.

However, the solar power plant will also help the Ezhimala academy in reducing the carbon footprint and it is one of the many initiatives undertaken by INA towards a clean and green environment. While the surplus power generated will also feed the KSEB electricity grid.

-RJV

Covid-19: Odisha sees highest single-day surge of 1264 cases

Subrat Kumar Sarangi

Bhubaneswar (NVI): With 1,264 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, Odisha witnessed its highest single-day surge of positive cases, taking the overall tally to 21,099.

114 people have died of the deadly virus in the state so far. Ganjam district has reported the highest number of new infections – 540 within 24 hours.

According to the I&PR Department, of the new cases, 847 are reported from quarantine centres and 417 from local contacts which include 61 identified new cases from a local Flour Mill of Mancheswar Industrial estate, as declared by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation.

This flour mill case has raised tensions for the district administration as there might be a chance of spreading the infection to other people.

Apart from this, Berhampur Circle Jail of Ganjam district is reeling under the outbreak of coronavirus as 33 prisoners and 11 jail staff has been detected positive. The infected prisoners have been kept under isolation in the jail campus while the infected staff has been asked to remain in-home quarantine.

-ARK

Shah launches ‘Vriksharopan Abhiyan’

New Delhi (NVI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah today launched the ‘Vriksharopan Abhiyan’ organised by the Coal Ministry. Under the campaign, trees will be planted in colonies, mines, and offices.

The virtual event place took place in over 130 locations which are spread in 38 locations of 10 coal and lignite bearing states.

Under the campaign, Amit Shah also inaugurated and laid foundation stone of six eco-parks and tourism sites.

The Abhiyan organised by the Ministry of Coal involves all coal and Ignite PSUs.

Under this, large scale plantation will be carried out in colonies, offices and mines and in other suitable areas of coal and Ignite PSUs.

The Union Home Minister launched the campaign in the presence of Pralhad Joshi, Union Coal, and Mines Minister, according to the official statement.

-CHK

India reports highest single-day COVID-19 recoveries

File photo

New Delhi (NVI): India reported the highest single-day recoveries at 29,557 in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recovered cases to 7,82,606. With this the COVID-19 recovery rate has also improved further and stands at 63.18 percent. According to Health Ministry.

For the second day in a row, recoveries in a single day continue to post significant rise.

Higher number of patients getting cured and discharged has contributed to increasing gap between recovered and total active cases. It is pegged at 3,56,439 as of today.

This accomplishment can be attributed to the Central Government led COVID-19 management strategies. Sustained efforts by the Center and and state and UT governments are resulting in more effective containment, aggressive testing, and prompt and efficient clinical treatment strategies.

While the national recovery rate has improved, 19 states and UTs have posted a recovery rate higher than the national average.

Delhi tops the list with 84.83 percent recovery and all northern states are in the list, including Ladakh at 84.31 percent, which has the best recovery rate in India after Delhi.

The Union Government continues to coordinate with the efforts of the States and UTs by sending Central teams of experts to areas witnessing increase in caseload and handholding of COVID hospitals in states through the tele-consultation program led by AIIMS, New Delhi.

These combined efforts have resulted in Case Fatality Rate being managed at low levels. It is 2.41 percent, as on date, and steadily declining.

Furthermore, this has also helped in reducing the actual case load of COVID-19 cases which remains confined to 4,26,167 active patients currently.

-CHK

China launches ‘Tianwen-1,’ its first independent mission to Mars

New Delhi (NVI): China today launched its first independent and unmanned Mars probe, named ‘Tianwen-1’ with an aim to complete orbiting, landing and roving in one mission.

If successful, Tianwen-1 will make China the first country to orbit, land and deploy a rover in its inaugural mission.

A Long March-5 rocket, which China claims is its largest launch vehicle, left for space carrying the spacecraft with a mass of about 5 tonnes, according to Xinhua news agency. The rocket was launched from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site on the coast of southern China’s island Hainan province at around 12:41 pm.

About 36 minutes later, the spacecraft, including an orbiter and a rover, was sent into the Earth-Mars transfer orbit, embarking on an almost seven-month journey to the red planet, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

The ambitious Mars mission is named ‘Tianwen-1’ (which means Questions to Heaven in Mandarin) from a poem written by Qu Yuan (about 340-278 BC), a leading poet of ancient China.

China has launched its ambitious mission to Mars amid the Covid-19 pandemic, which it has been able to control to some extent, and the worst floods it is experiencing in decades, as a show of strength, especially to the West.

Depending on the success of the mission, China will join the international community of explorers on Mars, comprising the US, Europe, Russia, India.

The UAE has also launched its first mission to the red planet on July 20, which makes another country that may join the community. The Arab country launched ‘Hope Probe’ mission to Mars as a UAE spacecraft blasted off to the red planet from Japan.

-ARK

Centre grants Permanent Commission to women officers in Indian Army

File photo

New Delhi (NVI): Women officers in the Indian Army will now be able to play larger roles with the grant of Permanent Commission (PC) for women in the armed forces by the Centre.

The Ministry of Defence today issued the formal letter sanctioning the grant for women officers, empowering eligible women personnel to take on more responsibility in the Army.

The order specifies grant of PC to Short Service Commissioned (SSC) Women Officers in all ten streams of the Indian Army i.e Army Air Defence (AAD), Signals, Engineers, Army Aviation, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), Army Service Corps (ASC), Army Ordnance Corps (AOC), and Intelligence Corps in addition to the existing streams of Judge and Advocate General (JAG) and Army Educational Corps (AEC).

Earlier in anticipation, the Army Headquarters had set in motion a series of preparatory actions for conduct of the Permanent Commission Selection Board for affected Women Officers. The Selection Board will be scheduled as soon as all affected SSC Women Officers exercise their option and complete requisite documentation, an official release by Defence Ministry stated.

“The Indian Army is committed to providing equal opportunities to all personnel including women officers to serve the nation,” it said.

-CHK

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