Friday, July 4, 2025
Home Blog Page 1387

ADB, India sign $ 490 mn loan for upgradation of MP roads

Representative picture.

New Delhi (NVI): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Union government today signed a $490 million loan for public-private partnership (PPP) project to upgrade about 1,600 km of state highways and major district roads (MDRs) in Madhya Pradesh.

Besides, another $286 million investment will be mobilised through private sector participation under the PPP modality.

The project will upgrade 750 km of state highways and 850 km of MDRs to two-lane and all-weather standards with road safety features, an official statement said.

It will also develop an e-maintenance system, which can record defects or required maintenance, along with a training programme to develop capacity on contract implementation and project finance in Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation.

Since 2002, ADB has provided the state government with five loans to develop its road network, improving about 7,300 km of roads or about 11 per cent of the total network.

Speaking on the occasion, Additional Secretary (Fund Bank and ADB) Sameer Kumar Khare said that the state highways and major district roads provide a crucial link between rural roads and national highways.

The upgradation of these roads under the project will improve rural and peri-urban connectivity in the state and improve access to markets and better services, he added.

Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission, Kenichi Yokoyama said that the project continues ADB’s engagement with the state’s road sector since 2002. This will open a new partnership by introducing PPP through the hybrid-annuity model, thereby leveraging government financing and improving the sustainability of capital investments.

Notably, under the hybrid-annuity model, the government will release 60 per cent of the total project cost during construction, to be paid to the concessionaire in tranches linked to completion milestones. The remaining 40 per cent is arranged by the concessionaire in the form of equity and commercial debt. Once the project is completed, the government will repay the concessionaire’s financial investment over 10 years.

Sensex, Nifty hit new record high

Mumbai (NVI): Indian markets benchmark Sensex and Nifty started at fresh highs in the early morning trade.

The 30-share BSE Sensex after hitting its record intra-day high of 41,809.96, it was trading 102.51 points or 0.25 per cent higher at 41,776.43 in opening session.

Similarly, the 50-scrip NSE Nifty rose 22.70 points or 0.19 per cent to 12,282.40. It hit an intra-day lifetime high of 12,284.65.

Yes Bank was the top gainer in the sensex pack rising up to 2.91 per cent, followed by SBI, ICICI Bank, Hero MotoCorp, Tata Motors, TCS, L&T and Bajaj Finance.

On the other hand, Vedanta was the top loser, shedding up to 0.97 per cent. Kotak Bank, Tata Steel, HDFC Bank and HUL were also trading in the red.

Meanwhile, the rupee opened on a weak note and fell 12 paise to 71.15 against the US dollar in early trade.

On thursday, the Sensex gauge settled 115.35 points, or 0.28 per cent, higher at its fresh closing record of 41,673.92.

Similarly, the Nifty rose 38.05 points, or 0.31 per cent, to its new peak of 12,259.70.

Delhi air slips to “severe” category

air pollution in asia pacific region
File Photo

New Delhi (NVI): The air quality in Delhi plunged into the “severe” category today with an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 402.

According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the AQI is likely to deteriorate by tomorrow.  A decrease in wind speed has also been predicted for today.

However, the wind speeds are likely to pick up by tomorrow thus giving slight respite to the people of the National Capital, SAFAR said.

The worst affected areas are Dhirpur with PM2.5 of 417, Delhi University it is 468, Chandini Chowk the PM2.5 is 533, Mathura Road the AQI is 419, IGI Airport it is 408 and the neighbouring Noida the PM2.5 is 471.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that cold to severe cold conditions will prevail over the entire north India during the next two to three day.

The weatherman said that in Delhi, the minimum temperature will be around 6.4 degree Celsius today that is two notches below normal. The maximum temperature recorded yesterday was 15 degree Celsius which was seven degree below normal.

J&K bags 4 national awards under MGNREGA

J&K bags national awards under MGNREGA

Jammu (NVI): The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has bagged four different awards at the national level for irrigation works at Gram Panchayat levels and overall effective implementation of MGNREGA scheme at block levels.

The award was given under four different categories — Best Performing Gram Panchayat for construction of structures augmenting irrigation, Best Performing Gram Panchayat for construction of structures augmenting water harvesting under MGNREGA, GIS Asset supervisor implementation of Geo-MGNREGA initiative and MGNREGA Spatial Enumerator implementation of Geo-MGNREGA initiative in recognition of the exemplary performances at National level  in Geo-tagging of the assets under MGNREGA across J&K and outstanding performance in augmenting irrigation under MGNREGS in various Gram Panchayats, an official statement said.

The impressive award ceremony was held at New Delhi today and was chaired by Minister for Rural Development, Narendra Singh Tomar.

The award was received by Additional Secretary to Government, Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, J&K, Rakesh K Badyal on behalf of RD&PR Department J&K.

Kulgam and Samba districts were facilitated for Jal Sangrah works under the “Best Performing Gram Panchayats for construction of structures augmenting irrigation under MGNREGS”, and “Best Performing Gram Panchayat for construction of structures augmenting water harvesting structures under MGNREGS”  respectively.

Moreover, Kahtra block of Doda district and Mandi block of Poonch district were conferred the prestigious award for effective implementation of MGNREGA scheme in the said blocks for GIS Asset supervisor implementation of Geo-MGNREGA initiative and Block Mandi, District Poonch was facilitated in recognition of MGNREGA Spatial Enumerator implementation of Geo-MGNREGA initiative.

The Centrally-sponsored scheme, MGNREGA, supports more than 2.76 lakh rural households in J&K as of December 19 and caters up to 15.20 lakh registered workers in the UT.

Out of the total, there are at least 6,80,049 women workers and 1,10,925 Schedule Caste workers. While the scheme has generated 98 lakh Person Days (PDs) in J&K as today, it has simultaneously created 4.16 lakh durable assets with more than 3.64 lakh assets being geo-tagged under phase-I during the same period.

The Department espoused far-reaching reforms and initiatives to maximise transparency and accountability in the implementation of the demand-driven scheme such as inauguration of e-FMS for disbursal of payments directly to the beneficiaries account in real-time, Geo-tagging of assets for avoiding duplication of works, engagement of Ombudsmen to redress grievances related to MGNREGA works at district levels and Good Governance initiatives such as CIB, 7 registers, new job card, case records.

Div Com reviews developmental works in Valley

Srinagar (NVI): Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan today convened a meeting to review the ongoing developmental works in various districts of the Kashmir division.

He obtained a detailed feedback from all the Deputy Commissioners and concerned officers regarding the developmental works and bottlenecks, if any.

During the meeting it was informed that drop boxes are being installed in all Panchayats, as per the administrative council decision.

The officer directed to create awareness about the installation of drop boxes, so that people can use it for registering their complaints and offer suggestions, an official statement said.

Regarding the Jal Jeevan Mission (Har Ghar Nal), it was informed that Srinagar, Ganderbal, Pulwama and Shopian districts are being covered under the first Phase of the programme while the base line survey (door to door) and formulation of DPR is underway.

Baseer Ahmad Khan directed the concerned to complete DPRs at the earliest so that the programme is completed by or before 31st March, 2020.

While discussing the re-registration of schools for scholorships, it was informed that 691 out of 804 high schools were registered and 345 higher secondary schools out of 378 across the Valley, while the process of re-registration of primary and middle school is still underway.

He also sought detailed feedback of languishing projects and works taken up under Back to Village programme.

DCs were asked to submit District Environment Plan immediately on a prescribed format so that it is implemented in each district well in time.

The meeting was also informed that proposals related to Administrators of vacant Panchayat posts have already been sent to Rural Development Department and the vacant Sarpanchs and Panchs will be elected after updation of electoral rolls by the Election Commissioner.

Regarding uploading of Artificial Insemination Data on the portal, the meeting was informed that Anantnag has uploaded 3,112, Bandipora 3,542, Baramulla ,3660, Kulgam 4,204, Kupwara 3,652 and Shopian 2,628, while remaining data is being uploaded on daily basis.

Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal, Additional Commissioner Kashmir Bilal Ahmad Bhat and other officials were present in the meeting.

Preparations launched for J&K Investors Summit 

Jammu (NVI) : The first Jammu and Kashmir Global Investors Summit, proposed to be held next year, will be a mega event, with strategic sectoral sessions, round table deliberations, technical presentations, partnerships, one-to-one business meetings and signing of MoUs.
This was stated by Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam today as he chaired the first meeting of the Apex Committee constituted for hosting the event.
The Apex Committee is responsible for the overall high level coordination necessary for the successful conduct of the Investment Summit.
At the meeting, a detailed presentation on the contours of the Summit was made by Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department.
Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO) is the nodal agency for conducting the summit.
Several Committees such as Empowered Committee, Hospitality Committee, Venue Management Committee, Traffic & Security Committee, transport Committee, Cultural Committee, City Beautification Committees, Media and Publicity Committee, Sight Seeing Committee, Exhibition Committee etc with specific role and responsibilities, headed by Administrative Secretaries, are also being constituted.
These Committees will be working in synergy for desired outcomes.
Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu will be presiding over various pre-event functions in coming weeks including an interactive session with potential Investors at New Delhi scheduled on January 8 to set the stage for the Summit.
Further, road-shows on the Summit are also being planned.
While underscoring the importance of the event for J&K, the Chief Secretary said it will provide the newly-formed Union Territory a platform to showcase its strengths, strategies and potential in the investment sector.
Participating trade and industry organizations will have an opportunity to know firsthand about the business-friendly policies of the government and identify business opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Secretary said the Summit will kick start industrial development in J&K at par with other states and propel the UT as the preferred investment destination among the domestic and global investors.
“Investors Summit will provide an opportunity to allay fears and apprehensions from the minds of outside trade and business community about investment in J&K, ” he said.
The Summit will present immense opportunities to develop contacts between the local and outside business community and will provide not only primary employment but also generate secondary and ancillary employment opportunities for youth in J&K, the Chief Secretary said.

2+2 Dialogue: India and US to work for strategic cooperation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of Defense Dr Mark T Esper and Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo at the India-US Ministerial 2+2 Dialogue in Washington.

New Delhi (NVI): Both India and US reiterated their commitment to advancing a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region besides deepening military-to-military cooperation.

This was decided at the second annual India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and their US counterparts Secretary of Defense Dr Mark T Esper and Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo in Washington yesterday.

At the Dialogue, both sides stressed on deepening military-to-military cooperation, including between the Indian Navy and the US Navy Fleets under US Indo-Pacific Command, Central Command, and Africa Command and intend to expand similar cooperation between their respective Armies and Air Forces.

A number of other initiatives to enhance military-to-military cooperation were also agreed upon, an official statement said here today.

Notably, this 2+2 Ministerial is the highest-level institutional mechanism between the two countries and provides for a review of the security, defence and strategic partnership between India and the United States.  This was the second 2+2 meeting and the first in US.

India and the US also concluded the Industrial Security Annex during the visit.

Priority initiatives have been identified for execution under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) programme. The two sides also concluded a standard operating procedure for this process.

These measures are expected to provide momentum to collaboration between the private defence industries of both the countries.

Moreover, the two sides also agreed to move forward in their engagement in the area of defence innovation.

While Rajnath Singh and Secretary Esper held delegation-level bilateral talks at the Pentagon on further strengthening India-US defence partnership, External Affairs Minister on the other hand held bilateral talks with his counterpart Secretary Pompeo.

After the 2+2 meeting, both the Defence and External Affairs Minister called on US President Donald J Trump at the Oval Office. They were accompanied by US National Security Adviser Ambassador Robert O’Brian.

During his visit to the US, Rajnath Singh had addressed a large Indian community reception and also visited the Norfolk Naval Air Station where he was briefed on the naval and air assets stationed at the base.

CGHS services to be extended to 100 cities: Harsh Vardhan

New Delhi (NVI): The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) services will be extended to 100 cities including Itanagar, Kannur, and Kozhikode, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan said.

Speaking while inaugurating the new CGHS Wellness Centre at Vikaspuri here today Harsh Vardhan said, “At present the scheme is operational across 72 cities through 329 allopathic wellness centres and 86 AYUSH centres. It serves 12.9 lakh primary cardholders and 35.72 lakh  beneficiaries, out of which around 17 lakh belong to Delhi-NCR,” he said.

“There are more than 2.5 lakh beneficiaries aged 75 years and above. About 58 per cent of CGHS beneficiaries avail of CGHS facilities at least once a year,” he added.

“It is sad that the people of Delhi have been deprived of the invaluable tertiary health services under Ayushman Bharat PMJAY, which have benefitted more than 69 lakh people from various parts of the country through more than 19,000 empanelled hospitals,” the Minister said.

The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) is a contributory health scheme for serving and retired Central Government employees and their dependent family members.

The scheme was started in 1954 in Delhi. It provides comprehensive health care facilities to the beneficiaries that include OPD Consultation from CGHS Medical Officers and specialists, issue of medicines, investigations at Government hospitals and private empanelled centres, specialist consultation and hospitalization at Government and private empanelled hospitals.

NVI Impact: J&K govt starts building disabled-friendly infrastructure

BY Sameer Ahmad

Srinagar(NVI): The Social Welfare Department of Jammu and Kashmir has swung into action and started utilizing the funds to make ramps in government offices for the benefit of physically-handicapped people.

On, December 14, NVI had carried a news that most of Social Welfare Department buildings, offices are unfriendly for the physically-handicapped people.

After NVI carried the news, the Social Welfare Department swung into action and started utilizing the funds to make ramps in government offices for the benefit of physically-handicapped people.

While talking to NVI , Directoral General of Social Welfare Department Rukhsana G said, “We have started utilizing these funds to make ramps in under construction buildings”.

“Several buildings are under construction in the Union Territory and ramps are being built in these buildings,” she added

The Social Welfare Department had not utilized funds on ground level which was released in March 2018 through Accessible India Campaign (ACI).

Notably, the Accessible India campaign was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi on December 3, 2015.

The motive of the campaign was to renovate old building infrastructure to create accessibility for personal disabled persons and to innovate 25 buildings in every state capital to make ramps in building instead of stairs.

Government has released funds of Rs 1 crore 44 lakhs on an account of social welfare department in March 2018 to create accessibility for disabled persons in Kashmir.

In December 2018, the government had completed access audit in Jammu and Kashmir but till date the department has not utilized funds on ground level.

India, Russia bilateral tri-services drill concludes

Indian and Russian armed forces at the 2nd edition of Joint Tri-Services Exercise INDRA 2019.

New Delhi (NVI): The second edition of bilateral tri-services exercise ‘INDRA-2019’ between India and Russia concluded today at Babina, Pune and Goa.

As part of validation exercise, troops of both the countries carried out specialised joint counter terrorist operations which was witnessed by dignitaries of services of both countries, an official statement said here.

The drill included joint training in counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations under the United Nations mandate.

Moreover, important lectures, demonstrations and drills related to counter terrorism operations were rehearsed and executed jointly. Both the contingent shared their expertise and experience.

The validation exercise was reviewed by Minister of State for Defence Shripad Yesso Naik in presence of Lieutenant General SK Saini, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command and other senior officers of both the participating countries.

The Russian side was represented by Lieutenant General Sergei Serukov, Deputy Commander, Eastern Military District.

Exercise INDRA-2019 was very successful in increasing the bonhomie and camaraderie amongst both the participating nations.

The exercise provided an opportunity to both the Armies for greater understanding and strengthening of mutual trust and cooperation, the statement added.

1...1,3861,3871,388...1,495Page 1,387 of 1,495

MUST READ