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11 dead due to hailstorm in Bihar, Jharkhand

Unseasonal rains and hailstorm have also caused damage to crops in Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, over the past two days. (Source: Twitter @bisnujha)

New Delhi (NVI): Heavy hailstorms have killed at least 11 people in parts of Bihar and Jharkhand, even as rains continue to northeast states.

Three people lost their lives in Munger while 2 were dead in Gopalganj and Jamui each. Bhagalpur, Sarhanpur and Aurangabad reported 1 casualty each, SkymetWeather reported.

Unseasonal rains and hailstorm have also caused massive damage to crops at several places in Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, over the past two days, as per media reports.

Meanwhile, it was cloudy weather in Delhi with the minimum temperature recorded at 13 degrees Celsius from 12.7 degrees Celsius recorded yesterday.

The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 28 degrees Celsius in the national capital, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The overall air quality in the national capital today is in the “poor” category.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 249 which falls in the “poor” category.

The IMD said that there will be a rise in  minimum temperature by 2 to 3 degree Celsius over northwest India and over East India it is expected to have fall in temperature by 2 to 3 degree Celsius

“No significant change temperature is expected in rest of the country,” it added.

AI flight evacuates 119 Indians from coronavirus-hit Japan ship

New Delhi (NVI): A special Air India flight arrived in Delhi from Tokyo today, bringing back 119 Indian nationals who were on board a Japanese cruise ship, affected by coronavirus.

Japanese cruise ship Diamond Princess was docked at Yokohama port near Tokyo after confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported on the vessel. It was under quarantine and under the process of disembarkation.

“Air India flight has just landed in Delhi from Tokyo, carrying 119 Indians & 5 nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa&Peru who were quarantined onboard the #DiamondPrincess due to #COVID19. Appreciate the facilitation of Japanese authorities. Thank you @airindiain once again,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.

Jaishankar also appreciated the Indian Embassy in Tokyo for their efforts to make the evacuation process smooth.

A total of 138 Indians, including 132 crew and six passengers, were among the 3,711 people, onboard the Diamond Princess ship when it docked at Yokohama on February 3.

Apart from that, an Indian Air Force flight brought back 76 Indians from Wuhan in China. The plane also brought back 36 nationals from 7 countries.

“On its return from Wuhan, the IAF flight has brought back 76 Indians & 36 nationals from 7 countries – Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, China, South Africa, USA and Madagascar. Appreciate facilitation by the Chinese government,” Jaishankar said in another tweet.

The C-17 Globemaster III plane had departed from Air Force Station, Palam yesterday carrying 15 tonnes of medical supplies to Wuhan.

This is the third Air India flight that India has sent to coronavirus-hit Wuhan to evacuate its nationals.

A total of three flights have been organised including the one today. Earlier two flights were on 31 January and 1 February. In all 723 Indian nationals and 43 Foreign nationals have been evacuated from Wuhan, China in these three flights, the government said in a press release today.

Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, said that while the evacuees from Japan will be quarantined at the Army camp at Manesar, those from Wuhan shall be housed at the ITBP facility at Chhawla.

Out of the 138 Indian nationals on board of Cruise Ship Diamond Princess, 119 out of 122 who were tested and found negative as per latest PCR test have been brought back as 3 Indian nationals opted not to come back. All other 16 are in hospitals in Japan getting treatment and quarantined, Harsh Vardhan stated.

Harsh Vardhan added, “Government of India has also sent a consignment of 15 tonnes of Indian Medical Relief for COVID-19 to Wuhan, China.”

Cabinet gives nod to apply 37 Central Acts in J&K

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar (File)

Delhi (NVI): The Union Cabinet today approved an order for issuance of adaptation of central laws in the concurrent list — subjects that give powers to both the Centre and state– for the newly formed Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir.

Under the new order, 37 central laws that were not applicable to the UT, will now be applicable.

The order for adaptation comes under Section 96 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 by the Central Government.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a decision in this regard. Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar informed press on the development after the high-level meeting

After coming into force of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 the erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir has been reorganized into Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh on w.e.f 31st October 2019, the government said in a statement today.

All the Central Laws which are applicable to whole of India except the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir before appointed date i.e. 31.10.2019 are now applicable to Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir w.e.f. 31.10.2019, it added.

The government further stated that it is necessary to adapt the Central Laws made under the Concurrent List, with required modifications and amendments, for ensuring administrative effectiveness and smooth transition with respect to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir thereby removing any ambiguity in their application in line with the Constitution of India.

J&K: Amnesty extended for settlement of issues in old tax regime

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): With an aim for smooth implementation of Goods and Services Tax in Jammu and Kashmir, the UT administration today extended timeline for availing benefits of amnesty settlement of unresolved issues in the old tax regime.

The order was issued by the Finance Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir. The Scheme would continue till June 30, 2020.

“The scheme will be availed by all the dealers who could not avail the benefit of the amnesty announced vide Government order no.39-FD of 2018 dated 5th February 2018, provided they pay the admitted/assessed/reassessed principal tax by or before June 30, 2020,” the order reads.

The scheme can also be availed by all those dealers, who had applied under the earlier scheme, but had either failed to deposit the payment in time or had missed any of the instalments.

The most attractive aspect of the Scheme is that it provides relief to the dealers having arrears on account of Tax, interest and penalty by granting full waiver of interest and penalty under Jammu and Kashmir Valued added Tax Act, 2005(now repealed) and General Sales tax Act, 1962.

For all the cases pending in appeal in any forum – this Scheme offers a relief only if the cases are withdrawn by the dealers and the proof of the same is to be submitted along with the proof of payment of tax by or before 30th June 2020.

As the objective of the Scheme is to free as large segment of the taxpayers from the legacy taxes as possible, the relief given thereunder is substantial. The Scheme is well-tailored to cover the period up to 7th July 2017.

Coronavirus: India issues travel advisory for South Korea, Iran, Italy

New Delhi (NVI): The Health Ministry today asked citizens to refrain from non-essential travel to Republic of Korea, Iran and Italy, in the wake of coronavirus outbreak that has claimed 2,715 lives so far.

The “additional directions” were issued by the ministry today “in view of the evolving situation related to COVID-19 being reported from other countries, besides the travel advisories already issued.”

As per the advisory, the people coming from Republic of Korea, Iran and Italy or having such travel history since 10th February 2020 may be quarantined for 14 days on arrival in India.

However, the government has not banned travel to these countries but advised to avoid unnecessary travel, as a preventive measure.

CISF takes over security of Jammu, Srinagar airports

Jammu (NVI): The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was handed over the security of the Srinagar and Jammu airports today.

With this, the CISF now provides security cover at 62 airports across the country. The force will, however, continue to handle the outer periphery security at Srinagar airport.

“#CISF took over the security of Srinagar Airport (J&K). Shri M A Ganapathy, Spl. Director-General, CISF, Airport Sector HQrs, New Delhi graced the occasion. With this induction, total airports under #CISF security cover raised to 62,” the force said in a tweet.

The decision to entrust CISF with the responsibility of protecting sensitive Srinagar and Jammu airports was taken last month after Dy SP of J&K Police Davinder Singh was arrested while ferrying two terrorists. Singh was posted as Dy SP in the anti-hijacking unit.

NSA Doval reviews situation in Delhi

New Delhi (NVI): National Security Advisor Ajit Doval today visited violence-hit areas of northeast Delhi and appealed for peace. He said that the situation in the area is “under control” and police is trying their best.

Doval said that he had been sent by Home Minister Amit Shah to review the situation.

The NSA urged all sections of the society to maintain harmony and work to address problems, rather than aggravating them.

Doval said those who love the country should also love their neighbours.

After visiting areas of northeast Delhi, he met Home minister Amit Shah at North Block and apprised him of the situation.

Trump, Modi taking care of business: USINPAC

New Delhi (NVI): Despite reports that the US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi didn’t finalise on a trade deal during the former’s two-day India visit, the two leaders got down to business and were ironing out differences, the US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) has said.

“During his historic two-day visit to India, Trump and PM Modi got down to business. Despite reports that the two leaders did not announce a trade deal, they are ironing out differences,” USINPAC said in a statement yesterday.

Modi and Trump are known as tough negotiators but both have indicated that they are on a path to a “comprehensive” accord. “Comprehensive trade is what we need,” said Sanjay Puri, Chairman of USINPAC.

“We need to hammer out a long-term trade deal that addresses agriculture, defense, goods and services, tariffs and also includes the needs of small and medium-sized businesses and women-owned enterprises – issues that the Indian American community and PM Modi have been working on since Gujarat and beyond.”

The Committee further said that both countries know that going forward the India-US relationship must be based on more than strategic interests, important as those are. The Trump visit has solidified this understanding and perhaps created new momentum for a 2020 deal, it said.

“Back in Washington, we cannot let up,” Puri said. “The Indian American community is a driving force that can make a good deal a better deal. This is why we continue to be at the forefront of calling for fairer treatment. As I have said before, we have testified at Congressional hearings. Our statements are included in Committee records, and on the House floor. We have galvanized House and Senate members in the US Congress to advance equal opportunity, advancement and inclusion across the spectrum.”

“We thank President Trump and the First Lady for visiting India to see firsthand why India matters to us. We look forward to the Trump Administration and Modi government capitalizing on the momentum brought about by Trump’s visit to India. And, on behalf of the Indian American community, we will continue to do all we can to bring about smart solutions for a long-term trade deal that recognizes the vital importance of the US-India partnership,” Puri stated.

Army Chief visits LoC, asks troops to remain alert for ’emerging’ challenges

File

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Amid repeated border ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Army Chief Gen M M Naravane today visited some forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir and asked the troops to remain alert to meet “emerging security challenges effectively”.

Gen Naravane, who was on his first visit to Kashmir since taking over as the Chief of Army Staff, was accompanied by Northern Army Commander Lt Gen YK Joshi and Kashmir-based Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen KJS Dhillon when he visited the formations and units deployed along the LoC.

 

He was briefed by senior Army officials on the counter-insurgency operations in the hinterland and alertness of the anti-infiltration grid along the Line of Control (LoC), an Army spokesman said.

During his visit to forward areas, the Army Chief asked soldiers to remain alert for any eventuality. “Be prepared to meet emerging security challenges effectively at all times,” he told soldiers during his interaction on snow-clad heights.

He appreciated sharp vigil and alertness along the Line of Control and high morale of the troops.

The Army Chief was earlier briefed by the Chinar Corps Commander at Badami Bagh Cantonment on the overall situation pertaining to the Line of Control and the hinterland.

The COAS also interacted with senior officials of the administration and Security Forces.  He also met members of the civil society.

SpiceJet plane makes emergency landing

Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): A SpiceJet plane, with 180 passengers and crew on board, made an emergency landing at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata today.

The flight was from Mumbai to Guwahati. All passengers have been reported to be safe.

The pilot of the aircraft suspected a fuel leakage and contacted the Kolkata Air Traffic Control and sought permission for an emergency landing.

After getting permission, the flight was landed at 9 am.

The inspection of the plane showed that the leakage was in the water tank, media reports said.

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