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Temperature on rise in North India; isolated rains at few places

New Delhi (NVI): Temperatures are steadily on a rise in North India even as the weatherman has predicted isolated rainfall at few places during next few days.
Narnaul in Haryana  is the coldest city in the plains where the minimum temperature was recorded at 5.9 degrees  Celsius, according to Skymet weather.
In Madhya Pradesh’s Betul and Umaria the minimum temperature was recorded at 6.2 and 6.3 respectively.
Amritsar in Punjab and Hisar in Haryana recorded minimum temperature at 6.6 and 6.7 degrees Celsius.
Apart from this, Bhiwrala in Rajasthan and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh at 6.8 and 7.2 degree Celsius respectively.
Madhya Pradesh’s Datia and Nawgaon and Chittorgarh in  Rajasthan  recorded a minimum temperature at 7.5 degree celcius.
Delhi and NCR region also saw a slight decrease  in minimum temperature to 9 degrees Celsius from 11.3 degrees Celsius recorded yesterday.
The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 28 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The overall air quality in the national capital today is in “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 343 which falls in the “very poor” category.
The IMD said that the Western Disturbance (WD) is most likely to approach the Western Himalayas by the night of February 19. The system is expected to impact the plains of North India in the form of rain and thundershowers from February 20.
“No significant change temperature is expected in rest of the country,” it added.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s health stable: Doctors

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Amid rumors of the deteriorating health condition of separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the doctors treating him today said that his condition is stable.

Director, SKIMS, Dr. AG Ahangar said that he is stable and is conscious. “A team of doctors is monitoring his condition and he is cooperative and oriented,” he said.

According to doctors, Geelani is suffering from chest infection. “The patient is taking liquid diet and medicines prescribed by Dr Naveed from Chest Medicine of GMC Srinagar,” the doctor said.

Speculations about the health condition of 90-year-old Geelani had forced authorities to shut down the mobile internet for a day earlier this week.

Security forces have been deployed in strength outside Geelani’s Hyderpora residence to deal with any eventuality.

Meanwhile, the ‘Sunday Market’ in the heart of Srinagar remained closed for the second successive week today amid rumors about Geelani’s health.

The market, which attracts thousands of customers from different parts of the valley besides tourists, was closed. Hundreds of vendors who had reached there could not set up their stalls.

“We were asked by police not to put up our stalls today,” the vendors said adding they are leaving for their homes now.

Indo-Bangladesh joint military exercise SAMPRITI-IX concludes

New Delhi (NVI): The ninth edition of joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh– SAMPRITI-IX– concluded today at Umroi, Meghalaya.

With the completion of the exercise, the head of observer delegations from both sides conveyed their appreciation for both the participating contingents for successfully achieving the objectives of the Exercise.

The exercise, which started on February 3 was aimed at strengthening military ties between the two countries, which allowed the two armies to understand each other’s tactical drills and operating techniques.

The exercise provided an ideal platform for the personnel of the two countries to share their experiences on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. Apart from tis SAMPRITI-IX was also aimed at providing aid to civil authorities for disaster management especially in the jungle and semi-urban terrain.

PM Modi visits Varanasi

Varanasi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and launched 50 development projects worth over Rs 1,200 crore.

The Prime Minister also attended the closing ceremony of the centenary celebration of Jagadguru Vishwaradhya Gurukul at Jangamwadi Mutt in Varanasi. While addressing the ceremony, PM Modi said that the country is formed not just from the government but from the culture and values of every citizen.

He said that our conduct as a citizen will determine the future and direction of a new India. On the occasion, the PM also flagged off Kashi Mahakaal Express, IRCTC’s third corporate passenger train to link Varanasi, Ujjain and Omkareshwar.

It will connect three Jyotirling pilgrim destinations — Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, and Ujjain and Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh. Apart from this, the trail will also join industrial and educational hubs of Indore and Bhopal. It will also offer exclusive optional tour packages for passengers travelling for religious, business and tourism purposes in UP and MP.

J&K: Panchayats to monitor functioning of govt depts at grassroots level

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Panchayats are the new supra bodies to monitor the functioning of government departments at the grassroots level in Jammu and Kashmir.

From keeping a tab on employees to redressing public grievances, Panches and Sarpanches are the new eyes and ears of the government at the village level.

An official of the Rural Development Department said the government has decided to constitute inspection teams to ensure 100 percent attendance of employees at the Panchayat level.

Official documents assessed by News Vibes of India reveal that Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has directed Deputy Commissioners to constitute teams for overseeing the punctuality of officials at sub division block level.

“Divisional Commissioner directed DCs to involve Block Development Council chairpersons, Sarpanches, Urban Local Body members at the grassroots level and plan formulated identification of works and also supervision of works,” the documents read.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has also asked the officials to evolve a mechanism for installing drop boxes in all Panchayat Halqas so that people can feel free to register their complaints. Officials have been directed to ensure that the complaints, grievances, and suggestions received are properly addressed.

“Besides, the complainant should be informed about the action taken on his complaint. District Development Commissioners shall regularly monitor the execution of Back To Village works and ensure their completion by March 2020,” Divisional Commissioner has directed officers.

Jammu and Kashmir administration has released Rs 50 crore for works identified during ‘Back to Village’ programme 2.0 held in last week of November last year.

“Officials have been told to work on developmental projects. People at Panchayat Halqas can also give feedback about all these works through complaint box,” an official of the Finance Department said.

The government has also directed the officers to maintain records of works and ensure transparency in the utilisation of funds.

Earlier, Panches and Sarpanches were given powers to take decisions over the development works in their respective ‘halqas’ in Jammu and Kashmir. They were also given control of 21 departments at the Gram Panchayat level.

Arvind Kejriwal sworn in as Delhi CM

New Delhi (NVI): Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal was today sworn in as Delhi Chief Minister for a third consecutive term. The oath-taking ceremony took place at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan.

A heavy security cover is in place at the venue with around 2,000 personnel of Delhi Police and 25 companies of paramilitary forces deployed for the ceremony. Traffic regulations are in place in the area from 8 am to 2 pm.

The newly sworn-in CM, who had also invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the ceremony said that he wants to work with the Centre to make Delhi number one city. PM Modi is not expected to attend the event as he is scheduled to be in his constituency, Varanasi, today. Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal also attended the ceremony at Ramlila Maidan.

The AAP leader dedicated his party’s poll victory in the recently held Delhi Assembly election to Delhiites. The party recorded a massive victory winning 62 of the 70 seats while BJP bagged the remaining eight seats. The Congress was not able to win a single seat for a second consecutive time.

Coronavirus: 1,666 dead; over 68,500 cases confirmed in China

(Image courtesy: CGTN)

New Delhi (NVI): The death toll due to the deadly coronavirus climbed to 1,666 today, as over 68,500 cases have been confirmed in China. 510 cases of the people affected due to the epidemic have been confirmed abroad.

So far, 1,666 people have died in China due to the virus, including 1 in Hong Kong and 3 abroad, according to China Global Television Network (CGTN).

Around 9,419 people have recovered from the virus even as WHO experts scramble to assist Beijing in containing the virus.

China’s National Health Commission has confirmed 2,009 new infection cases across the country.

A pneumonia outbreak was first reported in the city of Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, in December last year. Experts have attributed the outbreak to a novel coronavirus that has since spread across China and abroad.

Pollution likely to rise in Delhi due to lower wind speed

(Pic courtesy: SkymetWeather)

New Delhi (NVI): As the summer is just around the corner, the national capital is bracing for a rise in pollution as the wind speed may lower down from today.

Although the strong surface winds since February 12 have led to the rise in temperature, they have helped to clear the pollution over the region, according to a SkymetWeather report.

Due to the phenomenon, the air quality is varying between ‘satisfactory’ to ‘very poor’ category. As per the weather monitor, only a few places on Central Delhi are recording ‘very poor’ air quality.

The prevailing subtropical jet stream will weaken from today, which will cause the wind speed to come down considerably.

Meanwhile, in the next three to four days, the sky conditions will remain clear. The day temperature is likely to remain between 24 to 26 degrees Celsius while the night temperatures will settle around 10 degrees, according to SkymetWeather.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 208 today, according to the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

J-K to come up with investment polices within one week

Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam

Mubashir Bukhari

Jammu (NVI): Ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Global  Investors’ Summit,  investment friendly sectoral policies will be prepared and pre-event road shows will be held in Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Chennai from February 17.

Chairing the  2nd apex committee meeting to review preparations for the Summit to be held in Srinagar and Jammu, Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam yesterday expressed optimism that it will be a determining factor in ushering Jammu and Kashmir into an industrial hub.

Subrahmanyam asked all Administrative Secretaries to redouble their efforts for preparing investment-friendly sectoral policies within the next one week.

The summit will not only help to present business-friendly policies of the government but also harmonize Jammu and Kashmir’s intrinsic strength and aspirations of development and employment opportunities.

He also emphasized the need to synergize the roles and responsibilities of the Administrative Secretaries, HoDs and other officers to encourage one on one interaction.

The roadshows will be held in Bengaluru and Kolkata on February 17, in Mumbai on February 21, in Hyderabad on March 2, in Chennai on March 5 and in Ahmedabad on March 9, officials said.

Fifty-four senior officers and dignitaries will preside over the pre-event functions slated during the roadshows, they added.

International roadshows were also planned to attract foreign investment, the officials said. Besides, mini conclaves will be held in Srinagar and Jammu in March, they added. The signing of MoUs with the interested investors will also form a part of the roadshows and the main summit, the officials said.

While reviewing the preparations of various pre-event activities, the chief secretary laid emphasis on ensuring the participation of major industry players for an enhanced awareness among investors to project Jammu and Kashmir as an investment-friendly region.

New technology to drive future of India’s energy sector:Pradhan

New Delhi (NVI): Union Minister of
Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan  today said the future of India’s energy sector will be noticeably different from its current avatar and will be driven by new technology and business models.

In his inaugural address at the 10th World PetroCoal Congress here, he said   India is expected to become the largest energy consumer surpassing US and China, in the next decade or so.

“We are encouraging our oil & gas companies to develop extensive and qualitative engagement with Indian technology and research institutions of excellence,” he said.

“I am happy that seven Indian oil and gas PSUs joined with IIT Bombay last year to set up a Centre of Excellence in oil, gas and energy,” he added.

“Energy transition currently underway can become more manageable only if proactive measures are set in motion. Digital technologies are transforming the energy sector in a profound manner,” Pradhan said.

“Industrial Revolution 4.0 is truly at our door step. Indian energy companies will have to quickly adopt and adapt these technologies at a faster pace,” he said.

“We need to create more innovative platforms in India for convergence of leading global technology leaders in the energy sector,” he added.

Pradhan stressed on the need to achieve the twin objectives of more energy availability at an affordable price and less carbon through a healthy mix of all commercially-viable energy sources.

He said that our target to transform India to a USD 5 trillion economy by 2024, requires a gradual and measured energy transition by deploying all sources of energy.

“The contours of India’s energy transition are also changing fast in sync with global challenges and opportunities,” he said.

“Winds of change are evident in the global energy arena. Energy sources, energy supply and energy consumption patterns are changing rapidly. In our pursuit to navigate energy transition, it is natural that we will take advantage of unique synergies that exist within the country,” he said.

“Equally, our efforts will be guided by our global commitments be it under UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 2030 or those under Paris Climate Summit. ”, he said.

The government’s approach to energy policy is based on energy access, energy sustainability, energy affordability, energy efficiency and energy security. All these five enablers will deliver energy justice to our people.

The Minister advocated the need to move away from the crude price as the basis for determining the LNG price.

“Global gas production and markets have witnessed significant restructuring during the last few years. Global supply of LNG is increasing at a rapid pace, and globally LNG prices are coming down significantly,” he said.

“It is time for our companies to take a relook at the term-contracts with major LNG suppliers. I also believe that the time has come for changing the pricing formulae for purchase of LNG by India,” he added.

Talking about the initiatives in transforming India into a gas-based economy, Pradhan said I consider that the biggest game changer to bring about greater environmental sustainability and flexibility in India’s energy system is through rapid deployment of natural gas.

“It would serve as a transition fuel in our country. Our government is working towards increasing the share of gas from 6.2% to 15% in the energy mix by 2030,” he said.

Pradhan also spoke about estimated investment of 60 billion US dollars being lined up in the sector, developing a ‘one Nation one Gas Grid’, cross-country pipelines, rapid expansion of the LNG infrastructure in the country, City Gas Distribution (CGD) network expanding to cover more than 70 % of the country’s population, covering 407 districts spread across 28 States and Union Territories.

“We are actively encouraging use of LNG, among others, for long-haul trucking along expressways, industrial corridors and inside mining areas, marine applications.  We are also making natural gas easily available at doorsteps for users through mobile dispensing.” he added.

Describing alternative fuels like ethanol and bio-diesel being on high priority  in energy mix, he said “We are well on our way to meet the target of 20% blending of ethanol in petrol and 5% blending of bio-diesel in diesel by 2030.  We are advancing our collaboration with countries such as Brazil and US to improve blending technologies in transport sector.”

Pradhan said that India is now leading the global movement in embracing renewable energy sources. The country has an ambitious plan to increase renewable energy capacity to over 175 GW by 2022 and up to 450 GW subsequently.

“I wish to emphasize that India needs all kinds of transportation solutions – cleaner diesel and petrol, CNG, LNG, bio fuels and Electric Vehicles,” he added.

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