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Use of AI will benefit investors, startups: Piyush Goyal

NSE PIYUSH GOYAL
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal

New Delhi (NVI): Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal today said India is a safe investment destination and that the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in this direction will particularly benefit investors and startups.

The minister was speaking at an event in New Delhi today where he inaugurated the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Knowledge Hub, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered learning ecosystem.

While addressing the gathering, the minister also assured continued Government support to investors and startups and said that India is a safe investment destination today for even the smallest of investors.

The NSE Knowledge Hub is aimed at boosting the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector, Commerce and industry.

This Knowledge Hub by NSE will strengthen and empower those working in the BFSI sector and will benefit investors and the financial services to give world-class services through knowledge, innovation and value- addition, Goyal said.

The union minister also said that although India has developed as the second-largest fintech hub in the world, a lot of work still needs to be done in the BFSI sector. He also hoped that the Knowledge Hub created by NSE will fill in these gaps and help the financial sector to move into the future.

He said that this industry-driven learning ecosystem will help India in building next generation skills and capabilities in the BFSI sector.

The NSE Knowledge Hub will enhance skills and help academic institutions in preparing future-ready talent for the financial service industry. It is also available on mobile and attempts to bring together world-class content and learners through this state- of- the- art and future-ready platform.

The use of AI will ensure that the skill upgradation is affordable and accessible and helps in the creation of a workforce that is adequate for the requirements of the sector, the minister said.

AI and Machine Learning will contribute USD 1 trillion by 2035 and this is a good beginning by NSE to tap the potential of AI and use it as a tool to create a workforce in the BFSI sector in India, he added.

Room ACs to have 24-degree default setting now

New Delhi (NVI): Room air conditioners, covered under the ambit of BEE star-labelling programme, must have 24-degrees celsius default setting now, according to the standards notified by the central government.

The move by the central government, in consultation with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), is aimed at saving energy and reducing carbon emissions.

According to the notification, “All brands and types of star labelled room air conditioners, namely, Multi-Stage Capacity Air Conditioners, Unitary Air Conditioners and Split Air Conditioners which are rated from one star to five star, based on their relative energy efficiencies up to a rated cooling capacity of 10,465 Watts (9,000 kcal/hour) and manufactured, commercially purchased or sold in India, shall ensure default setting of temperature in the room air conditioners at twenty-four degrees Celsius with effect from the 1st January 2020.”

The default setting, to be ensured by the manufacturers, will mean that an AC will have 24 degrees celsius when started. The temperature can be altered later.

BEE launched the voluntary star labelling programme for fixed-speed room air conditioners (RACs) in 2006, and it became mandatory on January 12, 2009.

Thereafter, in 2015, voluntary star labelling programme for inverter room air conditioners was launched and which was made mandatory with effect from January 1, 2018, an official release said.

The BEE star labelling programme for room air conditioners now covers both fixed and inverter RAC up to a cooling capacity of 10,465 watts (2.97 TR).

Continual enhancement in performance levels has resulted in substantial energy efficiency improvement of about 43% in the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for split units, which are the most popular RACs sold in the market.

Star labelling programme for room air conditioners (RACs) has led to an estimated 4.6 billion units of energy savings in FY 2017-18 alone and a cumulative energy savings of 46 billion units translating to 38 million tonnes of carbon emission reduction.

According to the Power Ministry, every degree increase in temperature setting of an AC saves around 6 per cent of electricity consumed.

Union Power Minister R K Singh had said earlier that normal body temperature of a human being is around 36-37 degrees Celsius but hotels and offices generally maintain a temperature of around 18-21 degrees Celsius, which is wastage of energy.

Some countries like Japan have put in place regulation to keep the temperature at 28 degrees celsius, he had said.

Special status gone, property tax to be imposed in J&K

By Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Five months after abolition of the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, the government of the newly-formed Union Territory is all set to impose property tax, reviving a move that was thwarted nearly 9 years back.

An official in Housing and Urban Development department said all central laws are now applicable in Jammu and Kashmir since it has been reorganized as the Union Territory. “Property tax is already being collected from the people in other states and Union territories,” he said.

An official of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) said a proposal to impose property tax was mooted earlier in 2011 but it could not be taken forward as the Legislative Council of the erstwhile J&K state had rejected a bill in this regard then.

Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council rejected the bill, though it was passed by Legislative Assembly.

The Legislative Assembly on March 31, 2011 passed the bill seeking imposition of tax on commercial and residential properties falling within municipal limits, amidst uproarious scenes and en masse walk-out by the opposition.

The bills, JK Municipal (Amendment) Act 2000 and JK Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act 2000, besides a bill to establish a Property Tax Board were passed by voice vote with only members from treasury benches available to consent the passage.

As per the law, 10 percent tax was to be levied on all commercial properties whereas four percent tax was to be imposed on residential properties falling within municipal corporations of Srinagar and Jammu. Lands upto 10 marlas and residential construction thereon were exempted.

In Municipal Committees, only commercial properties were to be charged tax with maximum ceiling of three percent. Commercial properties in Municipal Councils were to be charged upto seven percent while residential properties were to be charged upto a maximum of three percent.

The official said the money generated from the tax would be spent on the development of the city. There are certain parameters including location of the property and type of the structure which will determine the tax slabs, he said.

“Once we collect the tax, we are bound to provide all the facilities to the people like development of roads, lanes, by lanes, pavements, foot paths, street lights, intelligent traffic lights, sanitation, parking area, development of graveyards and waste disposal,” he noted.

Sources said waste disposal and drainage are the major issues being faced by the people in the city. “Srinagar city – with a population of 1.4 million – produces 380 metric tonnes to 450 metric tonnes of solid waste every day,” he said.

Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Khurshid Sanai confirmed that property tax will be imposed in the Srinagar city. “We have to conduct a detailed survey of areas falling in the territorial jurisdiction of SMC and accordingly devise a policy for charging property tax. It will take us two to three months to devise the policy. Later we will assess the tax rates,” he said.

 

Move to introduce e-rickshaws in Srinagar to curb pollution

Srinagar (NVI): With vehicular pollution on the rise due to growing traffic, authorities in Srinagar intend to introduce battery-operated e-rickshaws here as a clean mode of transport.

A 15-day trial project has been started from January 4. A technical team would monitor it on daily basis to evaluate the capacity of such vehicles and other necessary aspects.

Initially the service would be provided on three routes and once the trial period is over, the performance would be reviewed through a multi-stage process wherein Automotive Research India Limited must approve it.

An introduction certificate would be issued by State Transport Agency.

The e-rickshaws are lithium battery operated vehicles that have all-weather feasibility. A single battery can last up to 90 hours while a double battery can run for 120 hours and has a life of six years.

Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary has asked the authorities to incorporate this project under Smart City programme which is underway in the capital of the newly-formed Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the aim of introducing e-rickshaws in Srinagar is primarily to control increasing levels of pollution resulting from growing traffic in the city.

Choudhary urged the manufacturer of these e-rickshaws to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) of setting up its manufacturing unit in Kashmir and submit the same.

He said setting up of the unit would generate employment for the youth of valley.

Temperature rises a bit in Delhi; rain likely in next few days

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi witnessed further respite from chill today as the minimum temperature rose to 9.9 degrees celsius from 7.6 degrees celsius recorded yesterday.

The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 19.0 degrees celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The weatherman stated that there are chances of rainfall in Delhi in the next few days due to which mercury may fall further. It may also lead to a slight reduction in pollution.

Meanwhile, the overall air quality in the national capital today remained in the “very poor” category.

According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR),the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 318 which falls in the “very poor” category.

The worst affected areas are Dhirpur, Delhi University, Chandni Chowk, Pusa, Lodhi Road, Mathura Road, IGI Terminal 3 and the neighbouring Noida.

Bhatnagar named Advisor to J&K LG

Jammu (NVI): Former CRPF Director General Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar was today appointed as Advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor.

Bhatnagar is a retired IPS officer of 1983 batch from Uttar Pradesh cadre.

The Advisor, according to communication from the Union Home Ministry, shall assist the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in effective discharge of his functions.

The appointment will be effective from the date from which he assumes charge.

Previously, Bhatnagar has served as Director-General of the Central Reserve Police Force.

He was also the Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

Panel to deal with elephant deaths caused by anthrax

New Delhi (NVI): The Environment Ministry has constituted an expert committee to finalise a Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) to deal with issues related to death of elephants caused by anthrax and herpes virus.

Anthrax is one of the most fatal diseases impacting elephants. It is a bacterium that causes high fever, shivering, ulcers, and swellings. This disease may be spread through contaminated water or soil. The average lifespan of elephants is about 65 years of age or more.

The committee has been constituted to deal with anthrax and EEHV (Elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus) cases pertaining to elephants.

The ministry has also consulted veterinary experts and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) on the committee report for finalizing the SOP.

The main objective behind the preparation of SOP by the expert committee is to ensure that carcasses of elephants suspected/diagnosed with anthrax are disposed off in a scientific as well as transparent manner to prevent any spread of anthrax to other wildlife populations.

The SOP shall be useful to the field staff of the Forest Department in elephant range Forest Divisions and other areas where elephants are likely to be affected by anthrax/suspected anthrax.

A document released by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in this regard, has also suggested authorities who will be held responsible for implementation of SOP, and line of action required in dealing with cases of suspected anthrax in elephants.

Other contents of the detailed document include: Mapping spatial distribution of anthrax zones, continuous monitoring, videography of elephant necropsy and test of confirmation of the disease.

Anthrax and herpes cases in elephants have been reported across the world as well as in the country. The breakout of these deadly diseases poses threat to the bio diversity as well as human beings.

In October last year, the Forest department in Odisha struggled to get a hold of outbreak of herpes virus among captive elephants in the state. The hemorrhagic infection was reported to have spread to other parts of the state. Elephant Endotheliotripic Herpes Virus (EEHV), as it is known, has been in the past, reported in Kerala, Maharashtra and Assam.

In October 2019, the Botswana government said that more than 100 elephants died in a span of two months because of a suspected anthrax outbreak, reported news agency Reuters. The landlocked country in Southern Africa is home to almost a third of Africa’s elephants, around 130,000.

‘139’ to be the only number for railway enquiries

New Delhi (NVI): Indian Railway has integrated helplines into single number 139 for the passengers for quick grievance redressal and enquiry during their journey.

This has been done to overcome the inconvenience over multiple helpline numbers for grievances and enquiry during railway travel.

As the new helpline number 139 will take over all the existing helpline numbers (except 182), it will be easy for the passengers to remember this number and connect with Railways for all their needs during the travel, the railways said in a statement.

All these Railway grievances helplines are being discontinued, 138 (for general complaints)1072 (for accidents and safety)9717630982 (for SMS complaints)58888 / 138 (for clean my coach)152210 (for vigilance)1800111321 (for catering services)

The Helpline 139 will be available in twelve languages. It will be based on IVRS (Interactive Voice Response System).

There is no need of a smart phone to call on 139, thus, providing easy access to all mobile users.

For security and medical assistance, passengers will have to press 1 which will immediately connect the callers to call centre executives, for enquiries, passengers will need to press 2 which will connect to a sub-menu depending on the requirements.

While passengers can press 3 for catering complaints, 4 will have to be pressed for general complaints.

For vigilance-related complaints, the digit 5 will have to be pressed; for queries during accidents, passengers will need to press 6,for status of complaints, passengers should press 9 and then press * to talk to a call centre executive.

Delhi’s minimum temp dips a bit

New Delhi (NVI): The minimum temperature in Delhi dropped a notch to 7.0 degree Celsius today from 8.0 degree Celsius recorded yesterday.
The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 23.0 degrees celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The weatherman stated that the flow of chilly northwesterly winds stopped due to the easterlies which are comparatively warm and humid in nature.
Delhi and neighbouring Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Faridabad have been witnessing severe cold conditions over last one week.
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‘Cold day’ conditions are declared when the day’s maximum temperature is below normal by more than 4.4°C.  A ‘severe cold day’ is when mercury remains more than 6.4°C below normal through the day.
Meanwhile,  the overall air quality in the national capital today remained in the “very poor” category.
According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR),the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at  333 which falls in the “very poor” category.
The worst affected areas are Dhirpur, Delhi University, Chandni Chowk, Pusa, Lodhi Road, Mathura Road, IGI Terminal 3 and the neighbouring Noida.

Rs 15 cr reallocated to J&K for clearing dairy scheme cases

Jammu (NVI): The Centre has reallocated Rs. 15 crore subsidy to Jammu and Kashmir for clearing the Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS) cases pending with banks.

At least 970 DEDS units have been established during the current fiscal and there are around 2115 cases pending with banks for disbursement.

This was stated at a meeting held here by Principal Secretary Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Asgar Hassan Samoon, who directed clearance of all the pending cases under DEDS on a fast-track basis.

Samoon emphasized the role of DEDS in poverty-alleviation, employment generation and to achieve self-sufficiency in milk and milk products.

All Chief Animal Husbandry Officers and Lead Bank Managers were directed to clear all pending cases within a fixed timeline.

A Sub-Committee under the Chairmanship of Samoon has been constituted to examine the reasons underlying slow rate of sanction of DEDS cases by banks and suggest measures to improve it for better livelihood options.

The Committee will also recommend measures to improve the implementation of DEDS to make dairy sector more remunerative.

It will study different models of insurance coverage being provided by various companies in livestock sector especially in Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand and their adoption in Jammu and Kashmir.

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