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Heavy rains expected in Kashmir this weekend

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Kashmir plains received rains today while the higher reaches received fresh snowfall bringing down the minimum temperatures.

The local Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has predicted moderate rain and snow from today till Saturday.

“Light rain and snow would commence at a few places in Kashmir division on Thursday morning. The intensity and distribution will then increase during the next two days and main activity is expected on Friday and Saturday,” the MeT department said.

“There is possibility of thunderstorm, hail and gusty winds at 30 to 40 K.M.PH in the plains of Jammu Division and few places of Kashmir Division during the period,” the department said.

Tourist destinations of the region, including the Gulmarg resort in north Kashmir and Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir, also received moderate rain and snowfall.

Meanwhile, Srinagar, the summer capital of the state recorded a low of 3.5 while the mercury in Qazigund in south Kashmir settled at a low of 2.7 degrees Celsius.

Pahalgam the famous health resort which also serves as one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra recorded a low of minus 1.2 degrees Celsius.

The temperature in Gulmarg famous ski-resort in north Kashmir was minus 3.5 degrees Celsius.

Kokernag town recorded a low of 1.8 degrees Celsius while Kupwara town in north Kashmir registered a low of 3.4 degrees Celsius.

Jammu city recorded 13.7 degrees Celsius, Katra town 11.2, Batote 4.9, Banihal 3.2 and Bhaderwah recorded 3.4 as the minimum temperatures.

5 patients with coronavirus-like symptoms quarantined at Srinagar hospital

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Five patients with coronavirus-like symptoms have been quarantined at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar.

These COVID-19 suspects have a recent history of travelling to coronavirus-affected countries.

Epidemiologist, Integrated Disease Surveillance Program at SKIMS, Dr Mansoor Qadri said that four had been already quarantined at the hospital on Wednesday. “A new patient has been suspected with corona flu-like symptoms. He has been isolated. He already had a history of Myocardial infarction (MI),” he said.

The samples of the suspects were collected and sent for testing to the National Institute of Virology in Pune.

Of the five, one had travelled to Thailand while two had been to Iran, they said, adding that the remaining two had a recent travel history to the epicentre of COVID-19 in China’s Wuhan.

Jammu and Kashmir has stepped up preparedness in order to identify the symptoms and deal promptly with the emerging infection of coronavirus.

In Jammu, two passengers with travel history to Italy and South Korea were shifted to the quarantine ward at a government medical college hospital on Wednesday.

The tests of the two persons have been sent to Delhi and symptomatic passengers have been instructed for home quarantine.

Although no positive cases of coronavirus have been reported in Kashmir, health officials said all hospitals should ensure their staff is trained, and well-prepared to deal with the virus.

The government has been issuing advisories to inform people of the precautionary measures and symptoms associated with coronavirus.

On Wednesday, JK Government appointed various officers to ramp up efforts for prevention and control of novel coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the order issued by the GAD, Bhupinder Kumar, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), J&K, shall be the overall in-charge of the coronavirus control efforts at the Union Territory level who shall work under the supervision of Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education Department, J&K.

The order also states that Dr Shafqat Khan (designated Nodal Officer) shall work under the supervision of overall in-charge coronavirus control efforts (Mission Director, NHM).

Further, at the Divisional Level, respective Divisional Commissioners shall be the overall in-charge of coronavirus control efforts and shall be assisted by the respective Directors of Health Services.

At the District Level, Deputy Commissioners shall be the in-charge of coronavirus control efforts to be assisted by the respective Chief Medical Officers.

Nirbhaya convicts to hang on Mar 20

New Delhi (NVI): A Delhi court today issued fresh death warrants and a new date to hang the four convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case. The convicts will be hanged on March 20 at 5:30 am in Tihar Jail now, the court said.

This comes after President Ram Nath Kovind rejection the mercy petition by Pawan Gupta — one of the convicts in the Nirbhaya case.

Earlier on March 4, a plea was moved in a Delhi court, seeking fresh death warrant for the execution of the four convicts, contending that the convicts have exhausted all the legal remedies.

Pawan Gupta and the three other convicts– Vinay Sharma, Akshay Kumar and Mukesh Singh – are scheduled to be hanged.

Nirbhaya, a 23-year-old girl, was brutally raped and murdered on the night of December 16, 2012 in a south Delhi area.

India keen to engage on Arctic: Prez

Former President of Iceland Olafur Ragnar Grimsson with President Ram Nath Kovind

New Delhi (NVI): India is keen to engage on the Arctic and looking at new avenues for cooperation, President Ram Nath Kovind said today as he met Former President of Iceland Olafur Ragnar Grimsson at Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

“The Arctic region is of special significance to India. Scientific studies have shown a link between the Arctic region and the monsoon,” President Kovind said.

Welcoming Grimsson, the President said that India deeply appreciates his efforts on Arctic and climate change issues.

President Kovind also appreciated Grimsson’s initiative to get all stakeholders on the Arctic together on one global platform – the Arctic Circle. “we all have to contribute towards building a sustainable planet for ourselves and for our future generations,” he added.

PF interest rate reduced from 8.65% to 8.50% for this fiscal

New Delhi (NVI): Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has reduced the interest rate on employee provident fund from 8.65 per cent in the last fiscal (2018-19) to 8.50 per cent for this fiscal (2019-20).

Union Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar confirmed the interest rate cut today, as the move is expected to affect around 6 crore people who have PF account with the retirement fund body.

The decision was taken at the central board of trustees (CBT) meeting of the retirement fund body Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) here today.

The salaried employees would earn 0.15 per cent lower returns for their provident fund deposits in this financial year ending March 31, 2020.

The EPFO has invested 85 per cent of its annual accruals in the debt market and 15 per cent in equities through exchange-traded funds.

As on March 31, 2019, EPFO has made a cumulative investment of Rs 74,324 crore fetching a return of 14.74 per cent.

Concerted efforts needed to combat Coronavirus: Harsh Vardhan

Union Minister Harsh Vardhan. (Source:@drharshvardhan)

New Delhi (NVI): The Health Ministry is constantly reviewing the evolving scenario due to the spread of coronavirus in the country with 29 positive cases so far, Harsh Vardhan said while briefing Lok Sabha MPs today.

The Union Health Minister said that a “concerted effort” would be needed from all sectors of government to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.

He gave details of cases detected in India as well as travel restrictions. He said the government has initiated a series of actions to contain the spread of the virus adding that the Health Ministry was conducting daily reviews.

“As on March 4, a total of 28,529 persons were brought under community surveillance and are being monitored. The universal screening for all international passengers will now be conducted,” he said

“The Government is constantly in touch with WHO headquarters. Our focus is on adherence to global standards on preparedness against disease,” he added.

Temperature down by few notches as rains lash Delhi-NCR

New Delhi (NVI): Rain and thundershowers lashed parts of Delhi-NCR last night, bringing mercury down.

Delhiites woke up to a cloudy morning today but the weather turned humid gradually.

There was a slight decrease in minimum temperature in the national capital to 14 degree Celsius from 14.4 degrees Celsius recorded yesterday.

The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 26 degrees celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Significantly, Skymet had already predicted the possibility of rain in Delhi-NCR. The reason for this rain is the Western Disturbance in North India and the cyclonic winds developed due to its effect.

This cyclonic system is currently over Rajasthan and adjoining parts, while the Western Disturbance is over Jammu and Kashmir. Both these systems are quite active and will remain on the states of North India for the next two days.

The rainfall activities are likely to increase today. There may be a few intense spells of rain and thundershowers in parts of Punjab, Haryana and West Uttar Pradesh during night hours.

Meanwhile, the overall air quality in the national capital today is in “moderate” category.

According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 110 which falls in the “moderate” category.

J&K: SPO, Civillian killed in Sopore militant attack

Representational Image

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): A J&K Special Officer Officer (SPO) and a civilian were killed in a militant attack in Sopore town of north Kashmir this evening.

SSP Sopore Javaid Iqbal confirmed the death of a cop and a civilian. “In the incident ,SPO and a civilian were killed while as another policeman sustained injures,” he said.

The deceased have been identified as SPO Wajahat Ahmad Bhat son of Asadullah Bhat of Wagoora Kreeri and the civilian has been identified as Umar Subhan of Warpora.

The injured cop has been identified as Showkat Ahmed.

Police has cordoned off the area and search is on to nab the culprits.

Meanwhile, an encounter broke out between militants and security forces at Chadoora area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, police said.

The encounter was still on when this report was filed.

J&K: HC seeks Centre’s response on evacuation of students from Iran

Jammu (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir High Court today sought Centre’s response on a plea filed by a Budgam resident regarding the evacuation of J&K students and other persons from coronavirus hit Iran.

The High Court directed the administrations of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh to ensure creation of proper isolation and quarantine facilities besides testing laboratories for prevention of the novel coronavirus disease.

The board comprised of Chief Justice Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rajesh Bindal made Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Secretary Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Secretary Ministry of Civil Aviation, Chief Secretaries and Commissioner Secretaries of Health and Medical Education Departments of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh respectively as party respondents.

According to the directions, the Ministries of External Affairs, Health and Civil Aviation are required through the Indian Embassy in Tehran, Iran and their offices, to ensure availability of the required materials including masks, medication and essential commodities including food etc. to all Indians especially the students, who are stated to be stranded there.

They will further identify the protocol to be followed, examine the mode to forthwith implement the same and take steps for evacuation of the Indian students stranded in Iran.

The High Court directed the administrations of J&K and Ladakh to identify and ensure creation of proper facilities for isolation and quarantine in the Government and private sector, testing laboratories as well as availability of the health care and medication for prevention of the COVID 19 disease and treatment of the persons infected/carrying the infection.

They were further directed to take immediate steps for acquisition of and to ensure availability in sufficient numbers and quantity of N-95 (or any other recommended) masks, for the public and separation kits for all medical personnel and staff.

The High Court directed the respondents to file status report on or before March 12, 2020 which has been listed as the next date of hearing.

Cabinet gives nod to FDI in Civil Aviation

New Delhi (NVI): In a big move, the government today cleared the way for NRIs to control up to 100 per cent stake in disinvestment-bound Air India.

In a high-level meeting chaired Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, the Union Cabinet approved to amend the extant FDI Policy to permit Foreign Investment in Air India Ltd by NRIs, who are Indian Nationals, upto to 100 per cent under automatic route, the Government said in an official statement here.

As per the present Foreign direct investment (FDI) Policy, 100 per cent FDI is permitted in scheduled Air Transport Service and Domestic Scheduled Passenger Airline (automatic upto 49 per cent and government route beyond 49 per cent).

However, for NRIs 100 per cent FDI is permitted under automatic route in scheduled air transport service and domestic scheduled passenger airline.

Further, FDI is subject to the condition that substantial ownership and effective control (SOEC) shall be vested in Indian Nationals as per aircraft rules, 1937, the Government said.

However, as per the present policy, foreign investment in Air India including that of foreign Airline shall not exceed 49 per cent, either directly or indirectly, subject to the condition that substantial ownership and effective control of Air India will continue to be vested in Indian Nationals.

Therefore, although 100 per cent FDI is permitted under automatic route for NRIs in scheduled air transport service and domestic scheduled passenger airline, it is restricted to be only 49 per cent in case of Air India.

In light of the proposed strategic disinvestment of 100 per cent by the government, Air India will have no residual government ownership and will be completely privately owned, it has been decided that foreign investment in Air India Ltd be brought on a level playing field with other scheduled airline operators.

The amendment in FDI policy will permit foreign investment in Air India Ltd at par with other Scheduled Airline Operators that is upto 100 per cent in Air India Ltd by those NRIs, who are Indian Nationals.

The proposed changes in FDI Policy will enable foreign investment by NRIs into Air India upto 100 per cent, under automatic route.

Above amendments to the FDI Policy are meant to liberalise and simplify the FDI policy to provide ease of doing business in the country. Leading to largest FDI inflows and thereby contributing to growth of investment, income and employment.

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