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Govt notifies divyang-friendly features

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules for providing divyang-friendly features in buses.

The amendment provides for priority seats, signs, securing of crutches, canes, walkers, hand rail/stanchions, controls at priority seats and wheel chair entry/housing/locking arrangement for wheel chair for the divyangjan.

Such facilities for differently abled passengers or passengers with reduced mobility will be checked and ensured at the time of Fitness Inspection for Buses.

The amendment shall come into force on 1st March, 2020.

The draft rules to amend the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 were published vide notification number G.S.R 523(E), dated the 24th day of July, 2019, inviting objections and suggestions from all persons likely to be affected thereby. The notification has been issued after duly considering the objections and suggestions received from public in respect of the said draft rules.

Dense fog envelops Delhi, temperature dips to 2.6 degrees Celsius

air pollution in asia pacific region
File Photo
New Delhi (NVI): Delhi was enveloped by a dense fog today as the minimum temperature dropped to 2.6 degrees Celsius from 3.2 degree Celsius recorded yesterday, bringing further chill in the weather in the national capital.
According to IMD, the visibility dropped drastically in the national capital because of the fog.
The minimum temperature of 2.6 degrees Celsius is five degrees below normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 13.0 degree Celsius, it said.
The weather forecast department said Delhi and its neighbouring cities have been facing a severe winter chill this December.
“Not just Delhi, but neighbouring Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Faridabad are also facing severe cold conditions,” IMD stated.
‘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 air quality in national capital worsened today, sliding into “severe” category from “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  436 which falls in the “severe” category.
The worst affected areas are Dhirpur, Delhi University, Chandni Chowk, Pusa, Lodhi Road, Mathura Road, IGI Terminal 3 and the neighbouring Noida.

Bit improvement in Delhi temperature

New Delhi (NVI):  The cold wave conditions eased a bit in Delhi today, with the minimum temperature rising to 3.4 degrees Celsius from 2.4 degrees Celsius recorded yesterday.
The minimum temperature of 3.4 degree Celsius is four degrees below normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 13.0 degree Celsius, it said.
Delhi and its neighbouring areas have been facing a severe winter chill over the last few days, making it the coldest December in decades.
“Not just Delhi, but neighbouring Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Faridabad are also facing severe cold conditions,” IMD stated.
‘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 air quality in national capital today remained in the “very poor” category for the seventh consecutive day.
According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR),the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at  395 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.

J&K rolls out TB elimination action plan

Jammu (NVI): With an aim of seeing Tuberculosis (TB)-free Jammu and Kashmir by 2025, government of the Union Territory today launched the TB elimination action plan.
While launching the programme, Commissioner of Health and Medical Education Atal Dulloo said the elimination of TB is a clear vision set by the Prime Minister.
“We have to undertake the activities under the National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination forward in a mission mode for ending the epidemic by 2025,” he said.
“The goal of the government is to accelerate the universal TB coverage and preventive services,” he said.
“The objective is to promote health seeking behaviour in the community for early case detection and prevention of emergence of new cases of TB,” he said.
He emphasized on the need to ensure patient centric care and expand TB care through engagement of various stakeholders, including the community.
“Significant progress has been made but a lot more needs to be done and government is fully committed to intensify its efforts to achieve the target by 2025,” he added.
He also pointed out various components for TB elimination strategy and laid stress on generation of awareness through Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM).
“Locals will be involved for planning for TB elimination by creating aggressive Information, Education and Communication awareness using all forms of media about TB and generating data base of vulnerable populations,” he said.
“The government has set the target to achieve the sustainable development goals related to TB by the year 2025 as against the global target of 2030,” he said.
“The country is implementing a National Strategic Plan 2017-25 to end TB by 2025,” he said.
“Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) was launched in J&K in April 2004 and was then extended to all districts of J&K by September 2005,” he added.
“There are 12 district TB centres, 104 treatment units and 164 designated microscopic centres in J&K,” he further added.

Date of filing IT returns extended in J&K, Ladakh till Jan 31

New Delhi (NVI): With internet services remaining suspended in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has further extended the due date of filing of Income Tax Returns and Tax Audit Reports there to January 31, 2020.

The relaxation of date will be applicable to all categories of assessees in J&K and Ladakh, who were required to file ITRs/TARs, a CBDT statement said.

It said the due date was being further extended “on consideration of reports of disturbances in internet facility in certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir”.

The extension of due date comes as internet services continue to remain suspended in J&K and most of Ladakh since August 4, when the Centre moved to revoke the special status of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir granted under Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcated it into two Union Territories.

Travel rule for OCI cardholders relaxed till June-end

New Delhi (NVI): Those having Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards should get their OCI cards re-issued after attaining the age of 50 years or if they are below 20 years of age and getting passport renewed.

The rule have been emphasised by the Union Home Ministry even as it asked the External Affairs Ministry to relax it temporarily till June 30, 2020 to enable OCI cardholders to travel to India without any problem.

OCI cardholders are foreign citizens of Indian origin.

“This Ministry (of Home Affairs) has been informed that immigration authorities/airlines in some countries are not allowing OCI cardholders to travel to India on the following grounds: The OCI cardholder has not got the OCI card re-issued mandatorily after attaining 50 years of age or the OCI cardholder below 20 years of age has not got his/her OCI card re-issued on renewal of passport,” a note from the MHA said.

“In this regard, it is informed that instruction regarding re-issuance of OCI card on renewal of passport or on attaining the specified age is a requirement expected to be timely complied with by the OCI cardholders,” it added.

However, it said that in view of the problems being faced by OCI cardholders regarding re-issuance of OCI cards, MEA is requested to advise Indian Missions of the following temporary relaxation till June 30, 2020.

In case an OCI cardholder below the age of 20 years has not got the OCI card re-issued on change of passport, he/she may travel on the strength of his/her existing OCI card bearing old passport number till June 30,2020 subject to the condition that along with the new passport, the OCI cardholder carries old passport mentioned in the OCI card, the note from MHA to the MEA said.

In case an OCI card holder who has attained the age of 50 yeras and got his/her passport renewed subsequently but has not got his/her OCI card re-issued on renewal of passport, he/she may travel till June 30, 2020 on the strength of the existing OCI card along with the new and old passports, it said.

The OCI cardholders of the above categories may be advised to have their new OCI card issued in the meantime, the note said.

Around 77.50 lakh pilgrims visited Vaishno Devi Shrine

Jammu (NVI): Around 77.50 lakh devotees performed pilgrimage this year to Vaishno Devi Shrine where facilities and surveillance systems are being upgraded.

Among the works in progress are installation of CCTV Surveillance System on the entire track from Darshani Deodi to the Vaishno Devi Shrine situated in the Trikuta mountains in Jammu Division, which will be implemented on turn-key basis.

A mega Durga Bhawan is also being constructed for accommodating nearly 4000 pilgrims at Bhawan area and Inlet Queue management system is being installed at Bhawan, Exit Track at Bhawan, and Queue Management system at Bhairon Ji.

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor G C Murmu directed the newly-appointed CEO of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) Ramesh Kumar to ensure best ‘langar’ facilities and usage of environment-friendly material in ‘Bhojnalayas’ (eateries).

The directive came when Kumar called on the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor, while reviewing the progress of upgradation of wayside facilities along the tracks, called for renewed focus on sanitation and maintenance of impeccable hygienic conditions in and around the ‘Bhojanalayas’.

While briefing about the functioning of the Bhawan-Bhairon passenger ropeway, the CEO informed the Lt Governor  that as many as 20.20 lakh pilgrims have availed the facility of this hi-tech ropeway which was commissioned last year and has completed one year of its successful operation.

Murmu directed the CEO to conduct a technical safety and fire audit of the ropeway and devise a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the inspection of the said ropeway periodically to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims.

The Lt Governor was further informed that 162 children are presently under training at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul. The Lt Governor stressed on imparting the best possible training to the children with special focus on practical training and employment awareness.

  Indian consumers seeking alternatives to reduce env impact: Study

New Delhi (NVI):  Indian consumers are conscious of their actions and are seeking alternatives to reduce their environmental impact, according to a study conducted by the Mahindra Group.

However, the biggest barrier to a sustainable lifestyle lies in the lack of available alternatives that are sustainable, viable and affordable, it suggests.
“4 out of 5 (80%) respondents are aware of the impact of plastic and waste management on climate change, while 88% of respondents believe eco-friendly alternatives are either too expensive or not effective, which prevents them from being more environmentally considerate,” report said.
Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra said, “our basic philosophy is that a business must create shared value by doing good and doing well at the same time.. We intend to create shared value by committing to the battle against climate change and by embracing the business opportunities that arise from it. It is time for action.”
He added, “business cannot be divorced from the consequences of climate change in the world we share and the people we love.”

Economy will rebound: VP

Raipur (NVI):  Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has expressed confidence that the Indian economy would rebound in the near future, saying the current slowdown was cyclical.
Inaugurating the 102nd annual conference of the Indian Economic Association, Naidu said it was true that the Indian economy was facing some challenges due to the decline in growth this fiscal.
“However,  the country had faced similar slumps in the past in the wake of the East Asian financial crisis and global slowdown but bounced back with a higher growth rate every time,” he said.
Referring to the reforms initiated by the government including the introduction of the revolutionary GST to usher ‘ one nation, one tax, one market’, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and the steps taken to curb black money, Naidu asserted that they were aimed at making the economy more robust and more resilient.
Observing that agriculture was the mainstay of Indian economy, the vice president cautioned that various waivers and subsidies would be unsustainable in the longer run.
Stressing the need to diversify the rural economy, he said that rural non-farm activities are equally crucial for the growth of the rural economy.

Temperature dips to 2.4 degree Celsius in Delhi 

New Delhi (NVI): The minimum temperature in Delhi dropped to 2.4 degree Celsius today from 4.2 degree Celsius recorded yesterday, bringing further chill in the weather in the national capital.
The minimum temperature of 2.4 degree Celsius is five degrees below normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 14.0 degree Celsius, it said.
The weather forecast department said Delhi and its neighbouring cities have been facing a severe winter chill this December.
“Not just Delhi, but neighbouring Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Faridabad are also facing severe cold conditions,” IMD stated.
‘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 air quality in national capital today remained in the “very poor” category for the sixth consecutive day.
According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR),the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at  391 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.
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