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India-Nepal ties offer limitless potential: Rajnath Singh

India-Nepal

New Delhi (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Nepal Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali in New Delhi today and said that India-Nepal relations offer limitless potential.

Nepal Minister Gyawali, who was on a three-day visit to India, held a meeting with Rajnath Singh on his final day and was accompanied by Nepalese Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal.

“Had a wonderful meeting with the Foreign Minister of Nepal, Shri @PradeepgyawaliK today. India’s relations with Nepal are not limited to governments in both the countries but it is driven by the people of the both the nations. India-Nepal relations offer limitless potential,” Singh tweeted.

During the interaction, Gyawali conveyed his greetings from the leadership of Nepal, and expressed his desire to deepen the bilateral relations. He also expressed thanks for all the assistance provided by India, according to a statement issued by Ministry of Defence.

Rajnath Singh reciprocated the sentiment and emphasised that India-Nepal relations are underpinned by unique people-to-people linkages, the statement added.

Singh also conveyed his personal connect, long association with leadership and special regard for the people of Nepal.

He further stated, “India is ready to provide Humanitarian assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) training & capacity building of Nepal.”

“India is looking forward for further deepening and strengthening the special relationship between India and Nepal,” Rajnath Singh said.

Both sides expressed their satisfaction at the excellent military-to-military cooperation.

In addition to this, Nepal Foreign Minister congratulated India on success in developing the Covid vaccine and expressed confidence that the pandemic will be soon overcome.

Earlier on Friday, Gyawali held wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar covering the entire expanse of bilateral ties between India and Nepal.

-CHK

Bird flu confirmed in dead owl at Delhi zoo

delhi zoo
Delhi zoo (File photo)

New Delhi (NVI): The samples from a dead brown fish Owl at National Zoological Park in Delhi have tested positive for Bird Flu today, the authorities said.

This is the first case reported from Delhi zoo, after samples were taken from Owl which was found dead in the Zoo on January 11.

The samples were found positive for H5N8 avian influenza virus under real time RT-PCR test done by ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Disease (NIHSAD), Bhopal, according to the reports.

This has prompted Delhi Zoo authorities to initiate a sanitisation drive as per the protocol.

“Sanitization and surveillance drills have been intensified in the park and all possible preventive measures are being taken,” the authorities said.

Delhi zoo has both captive and free-ranging birds, including local migratory waterfowls and waders, in its premises.

Earlier this month, Avian Influenza (AI) outbreak in Delhi was confirmed when the carcasses of dead crows and other birds found in Mayur Vihar, Dwarka and other parts of the national capital came positive.

So far, Bird flu has been confirmed in 10 states, including Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, prompting culling of birds, while the centre has asked these states to examine the availability of animal vaccines in the country.

-RJV

EESL, PCRA sign MoU to implement ‘Energy Efficient PNG Cook Stove’ programme

EESL

New Delhi (NVI): State-run Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) for implementation of Energy Efficient PNG Cook Stove (EEPS) programme on a pan India basis.

The MoU was exchanged in the presence of Tarun Kapoor, Secretary (Petroleum and Natural Gas) and Chairman, PCRA, during the inauguration of SAKSHAM (Sanrakshan Kshmata Mahotsav) Campaign 2021, a month long annual event by PCRA.

Under this pact, the EESL will execute and implement the EEPS programme across India and will collaborate with the PCRA to promote the programme and distribute energy efficient PNG (piped natural gas) based cook stoves to prospective consumers, according to a statement released by EESL.

In the first phase of the EEPS programme, 10 lakh energy efficient PNG based cooking stoves will be distributed in select cities of the country, the statement added.

The programme will be available to all PNG consumers in the relevant areas.

The consumers can opt for two kinds of payment models for availing the programme – Upfront or EMIs.

“The EESL will implement this programme by mobilising the requisite investment and will do procurement, distribution, annual maintenance, and warranty obligations,” the statement added.

For this programme, using economies of scale, EESL expects a 15-20 per cent reduction in price for the stoves as compared to the usual market price, which will greatly benefit the consumers.

Speaking about the partnership, Niranjan Kumar Singh, Executive Director, PCRA, said, “Natural gas is a clean source of energy. This programme will not only be a boon for the consumers through the proliferation of economical, convenient and safe PNG stoves, but will also lead to energy savings and emission reduction.”

Rajat Sud, Managing Director, EESL, said, “The PNG stove developed in consultation of Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun by the PCRA is more efficient and safe. The PNG stove has been designed specifically for the use of piped gas consumers. This will help in considerable fuel conservation and savings up to 25 per cent of gas consumption.”

In addition to this, the EESL will develop an online web portal and mobile app to receive the orders from consumers, along with creating a real time dashboard to monitor the orders received and delivered.

EESL under the administration of Ministry of Power is working towards mainstreaming energy efficiency and is implementing the world’s largest energy efficiency portfolio in the country.

-CHK

5 arrested for pasting threat posters in south Kashmir

militant associate

Neyaz Elahi

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Police claimed to have arrested five persons in Tral area of south Kashmir for pasting threatening posters of militant outfit on walls and poles to intimidate people in the area.

While divulging information about it, a police official informed that a couple of days back, some threatening posters of the militant outfit were found pasted in Seer and Batagund villages of South Kashmir’s Tral area.

Police immediately took cognizance of these intimidating posters and set investigation into motion after registering a formal case under relevant sections of Unlawful Activities at Police Station Tral, that falls in Southern Pulwama district.

“During the course of investigation, the investigating team raided multiple locations and rounded up several suspects. During the questioning of these suspects and collection of other evidence five militant associates were found to be involved in the act and accordingly they were arrested.”

The official identified the arrested persons as Jehangir Ahmad Parray, Aijaz Ahmad Parray, Towseef Ahmad Lone, Sabzar Ahmad Bhat and Qaisar Ahmad Dar, all residents of Gulshanpora hamlet of Tral town.

“One Laptop and a printer used for the preparation and printing of these threatening posters have been seized as well and further investigation is in progress,” the official said.

Notably, police with the assistance of Army have arrested dozens of persons for their alleged involvement in militancy related cases. Most of these arrested youth have been accused of providing logistic support to the active militants in Kashmir.

-RJV

Indian Railways allows e-catering services to resume at selected stations

e-catering
Representational/file image

New Delhi (NVI): The Indian Railways has allowed the e-catering services to resume in trains at selected railway stations across the country, in a major development for the rail passengers.

In an official statement, the Ministry of Railways said, “This will be subject to compliance of all the guidelines on health and safety matters issued by Central and state government and other authorized agencies under them.”

The ministry added that the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) had written to the Railway Board for the resumption of e-catering at selected Railway stations.

“IRCTC will have to review the situation now and permit the resumption of e-catering services depending upon the feasibility, availability of staff and local restrictions etc,” the statement said.

The e-catering services had been suspended as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it added.

The announcement came after Manish Chandra, CEO and Founder, RailRestro, had written a letter to the Ministry of Railways and IRCTC officials to allow the e-catering services in the trains, according to the reports.

The IRCTC-authorized e-catering wing, RailRestro has received confirmation from the ministry and is set to operate from the last week of January.

Earlier in May 2020, the railway ministry decided to open all catering stalls at stations in the country with COVID-19 protocols. The catering services were shut in view of the lockdown on account of the pandemic.

-RJV

EESL signs MoU with Odisha for sale of energy-efficient appliances

EESL

New Delhi (NVI): Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under the Ministry of Power, has signed a MoU with the government of Odisha for sale of energy-efficient appliances and provision of energy auditing opportunities in the state.

The Memorandum of Understanding signed between EESL and TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL) is aimed at building up the energy efficiency ecosystem in Odisha.

Taking to Twitter, EESL said, “Today, we’ve signed MoU with @TPCentralOdisha for sale of #energyefficient appliances & provision of energy auditing opportunities.”

“This MoU, which is aimed at ramping up the energy efficiency ecosystem in Odisha was signed by Mr Rajeev Kharyal, Chief- Commercial Services-TPCODL & our Cluster Head, Mr Abhishek Gupta,” it said in another tweet.

TP Central Odisha is a joint venture between Tata Power and the government of Odisha, which carries out the business of Central Electricity Supply Utility of Odisha (CESU).

Earlier this week, EESL signed a MoU with National Highway Authority of India to establish solar power projects, EV charging stations and energy-efficient LED lighting at all NHAI structures and toll plazas.

-RJV

MNRE implements Phase III of Grid-connected Rooftop Solar Scheme

solar energy
Representational image of solar plant

New Delhi (NVI): To generate solar power by installing solar panels on the rooftop of houses, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is implementing Grid-connected Rooftop Solar Scheme (Phase-II), under which it will provide 40 per cent subsidy for the first 3 kW and 20 per cent subsidy beyond 3 kW and upto 10 kW.

The scheme is being implemented in the states by local Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOMs), according to a statement released by MNRE.

However, MNRE stated that some rooftop solar companies / vendors are setting up rooftop solar plants by claiming that they are authorized vendors by the Ministry. It is clarified that no vendor has been authorized by the Ministry.

This scheme is being implemented in the state only by DISCOMs. The DISCOMs have empaneled vendors through bidding process and have decided rates for setting up a rooftop solar plant, the statement added.

Almost all the DISCOMs have issued online process for this purpose. Residential consumers willing to set-up a rooftop solar plant under MNRE scheme can apply online and get rooftop solar plants installed by listed vendors, as per the statement issued by MNRE.

For this, they have to pay the cost of rooftop solar plant by reducing the subsidy amount given by the Ministry as per the prescribed rate to the vendor. The process of which is given on the online portal of the DISCOMs. The subsidy amount will be provided to the vendors by the Ministry through the Electricity Distribution Companies.

Furthermore, domestic consumers are informed that to get subsidy under the scheme of the Ministry, they should install rooftop solar plants only from the empanelled vendors of the DISCOMs following due process of approval, MNRE added.

The solar panels and other equipment to be installed by the empanelled vendors shall be as per the standard and specifications of MNRE and also includes 5-year maintenance of the rooftop solar plant by the vendor.

-CHK

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

COVID cases

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India have crossed the 10.54 million-mark and currently stands at 10,542,841 after 15,158 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The country’s death toll stands at 1,52,093 after 175 new fatalities were reported during the same period.

In worst-affected Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases increased to 19,84,768 followed by Karnataka with 9,30,668 and Andhra Pradesh with 8,85,710 positive cases.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 4,979

Andhra Pradesh- 8,85,710

Arunachal Pradesh- 16,802

Assam- 2,16,777

Bihar- 2,57,193

Chandigarh- 20,464

Chhattisgarh- 2,92,612

Dadra and Nagar Haveli– 3,388

Delhi- 6,31,884

Gujarat- 2,54,849

Goa- 52,262

Haryana– 2,65,964

Himachal Pradesh- 56,802

Jammu and Kashmir- 1,23,108

Jharkhand- 1,17,480

Karnataka- 9,30,668

Kerala- 8,36,883

Ladakh- 9,648

Madhya Pradesh- 2,50,858

Maharashtra- 19,84,768

Manipur- 28,811

Meghalaya- 13,691

Mizoram- 4,314

Nagaland- 12,039

Odisha- 3,32,949

Puducherry- 38,595

Punjab- 1,70,191

Rajasthan- 3,14,682

Sikkim- 6,024

Tamil Nadu- 8,29,573

Telangana- 2,91,367

Tripura- 33,329

Uttarakhand- 94,465

Uttar Pradesh- 5,95,614

West Bengal – 5,64,098

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 62

Andhra Pradesh- 7,139

Arunachal Pradesh- 56

Assam- 1,066

Bihar- 1,449

Chandigarh- 330

Chhattisgarh- 3,544

Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 2

Delhi- 10,732

Goa- 753

Gujarat- 4,360

Haryana- 2,979

Himachal Pradesh- 963

Jammu and Kashmir- 1,920

Jharkhand- 1,049

Karnataka- 12,158

Kerala- 3,415

Ladakh- 128

Madhya Pradesh- 3,746

Maharashtra- 50,336

Manipur- 365

Meghalaya- 144

Mizoram- 9

Nagaland- 88

Odisha- 1,898

Puducherry- 640

Punjab- 5,485

Rajasthan- 2,744

Sikkim- 130

Tamil Nadu- 12,251

Telangana- 1,575

Tripura- 391

Uttar Pradesh- 8,558

Uttarakhand- 1,602

West Bengal- 10,026

However, a total of 10,179,715 people have been cured and discharged, while the total active cases stands at 2,11,033 in the country.

-CHK

COVID-19 vaccine drive begins in J&K, SKIMS director gets first shot

vaccine shot

Neyaz Elahi

Srinagar (NVI): The COVID-19 vaccination drive began in Jammu and Kashmir today, with first shot administered to Director of SKIMS, A G Ahangar in the Union Territory.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the vaccination drive in Jammu, while in Kashmir region Advisor to Lt Governor, R R Bhatnagar and District Development Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Shahid Choudhary inaugurated the drive.

The first vaccine shot was administered to Director of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Dr A G Ahangar and a sanitation worker.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched the India’s vaccination program at around 10:30 at Kashmir’s premier health institute SKIMS Soura in Srinagar outskirts.

Last week, Kashmir received 79,000 doses of ‘Covishield’, the COVID-19 vaccine which is manufactured by Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII).

In addition, Ahangar said that these vaccines will be administered to people in phase wise. COVID-19 affected patients will get this vaccine in phase 4.

He said over 4,000 health workers will get the vaccine today. “The much awaited drive against SARS CoV2 infection started today at 10:30 pm. This vaccine is for everyone working on the frontlines at the hospital. The day will see faculty, doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and other categories of staff getting the shot.”

Ahangar further said that this vaccine will be administered at 40 locations. He added SKIMS and all other vaccination sites had been equipped with manpower to register and monitor all events related to the administering of Covishield vaccine.

Doctors Association Kashmir President Dr Nisar-ul-Hasan recently in a statement claimed that this vaccine can be administered to pregnant women and even to the people suffering from different allergies.

-RJV

PM launches COVID vaccine drive, says India to vaccinate 3 cr now, 30 cr in phase 2

Vaccine drive

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the world’s biggest COVID-19 vaccination programme in India and said that the country will administer the vaccine to 3 crore people in first phase and hopes to take the numbers to 30 crore in the second phase.

Addressing the nation ahead of the launch, PM Modi said a vaccination drive at such a massive scale was never conducted in history.

“There are over 100 countries with less than 3 crore population and India is administering vaccination to 3 crore people in the first phase only. In the second phase, we will increase this number to 30 crores,” he added.

During the launch, the Prime Minister congratulated the citizens and said “Everyone was asking as to when the vaccine will be available. It is available now. I congratulate all the countrymen on this occasion.”

PM Modi also lauded the efforts of the scientific community who were involved in the vaccine research.

“Normally, it takes many years to make a vaccine but in such a short span of time, not one, but two ‘Made in India’ vaccines are ready. Meanwhile, the work on other vaccines is progressing at a fast pace,” he said.

The Prime Minister further said that, “Start of vaccination does not mean people should stop following the COVID-19 protocols of wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. We must take another vow – Dawai bhi, Kadaai bhi.”

PM Modi also got emotional while talking about the hardships faced by healthcare and frontline workers during the COVID pandemic.

“This disease kept people away from their families. The mothers cried for their children & had to stay away. People could not meet their elderly admitted at hospitals. We could not bid adieu to those with proper rituals who died due to corona,” he said.

The Prime Minister after his speech took to Twitter and wrote, “India begins the world’s #LargestVaccineDrive. This is a day of pride, a celebration of the prowess of our scientists and hardwork of our medical fraternity, nursing staff, police personnel and sanitation workers. May everyone be healthy and free from illness.”

Apart from this, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan also joins doctors and potential vaccine beneficiaries at AIIMS with Delhi participates in the launch of the world’s largest vaccine drive kicked off today.

A total of 3,006 vaccination centers across all states and union territories was virtually connected during the launch. About 100 beneficiaries will get the shots at each site on the first day, the Union Health Ministry said.

In the first phase, the government and private-sector health care workers, including Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) workers, will receive the vaccine, it added.

-RJV

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