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Cabinet nod for Rs 59,000 cr post matric scholarship scheme for SC students

Cabinet nod to Rs 59,000 cr post matric scholarship scheme for SC students
Union Minister Thawarchand Gehlot

New Delhi (NVI): The Union Cabinet today approved Rs 59,000 crore Post Matric Scholarship scheme for more than four crore Scheduled Caste (SC) students in the next five years, to successfully complete their higher education.

Making the announcement after the cabinet meeting, Union Minister Thawarchand Gehlot said the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a total investment of Rs 59,048 crore for post-matric scholarship scheme.

He added that the Central government would spend Rs 35,534 crore (60 per cent) and the balance would be spent by the state governments.

In a official statement, the CCEA said, “This replaces the existing ‘committed liability’ system and brings greater involvement of the Central government in this crucial scheme.”

The Post Matric Scholarship scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme for scheduled castes, which allows students to pursue any post matric course starting from class 11 and onwards, with the government meeting the cost of education.

“The focus of the scheme would be on enrolling the poorest students, timely payments, comprehensive accountability, continuous monitoring and total transparency,” the statement said, adding that, a campaign will be launched to enroll the students, from the poorest households passing the 10th standard, in the higher education courses of their choice.

As per the estimates about 1.36 crore such poorest students, who are currently not continuing their education beyond 10th standards would be brought into the higher education system in the next 5 years.

The scheme will be run on an online platform with robust cyber security measures that would assure transparency, accountability, efficiency, and timely delivery of the assistance without any delays, the statement noted.

The states will do verification of the eligibility, caste status, Aadhar identification and bank account details on the online portal.

Under this scheme, transfer of financial assistance to the students shall be on DBT mode, and preferably using the Aadhar Enabled Payment System. “Starting from 2021-22, the central share (60 per cent) in the scheme would be released on DBT mode directly into the bank accounts of the students as per fixed time schedule, after ensuring that the concerned state government has released their share,” the CCEA said.

Furthermore, monitoring mechanism will also be strengthened through conduct of social audits, annual third party evaluation, and half-yearly self-audited reports from each institution.

The Central assistance which was around Rs 1,100 crore annually during 2017-18 to 2019-20 would be increased more than 5 times to be around Rs 6,000 core annually during 2020-21 to 2025-26, the statement added.

-RJV

Three CRPF jawans injured in grenade attack in Kashmir’s Ganderbal

Three CRPF jawans injured in grenade attack in Kashmir’s Ganderbal

Neyaz Elahi

Ganderbal (NVI): Three CRPF personnel were injured in a grenade attack by militants in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district today, police officials said.

A police official said that the blast took place inside a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Camp of 118 Battalion, resulting in the injuries to three troopers. He said they were shifted to Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura.

The camp is located at Tawheed Chowk at Dadharhama area of the district.

According to sources, a grenade was tossed by militants inside the CRPF camp.

Shortly after the incident, security forces rushed to the spot.


Ganderbal is the only district in Kashmir Valley where no encounter between security forces and militants took place this year. However, militants this year carried out an attack in Pandach area of the district that resulted into the death of two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel.


Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ganderbal, Khalil Ahmed Poswal told NVI that they are looking at both aspects, whether grenade was lobbed by militants or it was an accidental blast. “Investigation has been set into motion,” he said.

-ARK

PM Modi to release PM-KISAN next installment of Rs 18,000 cr on Dec 25

PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (File photo)

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the next instalment of more than Rs 18,000 crore under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) on December 25.

This is going to be the last instalment of financial benefits of the current fiscal year for the quarter between December and March.

“With the push of a button, the Prime Minister will enable the transfer of more than Rs 18,000 crores to more than 9 crores beneficiary farmer families at 12 pm via video conferencing,” the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement.

PM Modi will also have a conversation with farmers from six different states during the event. “The farmers will share their experiences with PM-KISAN and also on various other initiatives taken by the government for the welfare of farmers.” the PMO noted.

During the event, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar will also be present.

Under this scheme, a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year is provided to the eligible beneficiary farmers, payable in three equal 4-monthly installments of Rs 2000 each, the statement said.

However, the fund is transferred directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, it added.

-RJV

 

Six held in connection with recent south Kashmir grenade attacks: Police

Terrorist arrested
Representational image

Neyaz Elahi

Srinagar (NVI): Six persons have been arrested in connection with grenade attacks and pasting “threat posters of election boycott” in Tral and Sangam areas of south Kashmir, police officials said today.

“Police along with 42RR and 180 BN CRPF busted a (militant) associate network of Jaish-e-Mohammad involved in grenade lobbing incidents in Tral, Pulwama and Sangam areas of Anantnag district,” a police spokesperson said in a statement.

“The arrested (militant) associates have been in contact with Pakistani handlers and have targeted security forces by lobbing grenades in recent past,” he said, adding, “The arrested persons have been involved in pasting of threat poster of election boycott in Tral areas.”

Those arrested have been identified as Aijaz Ahmad Bhat of Larow Tral, Mohammad Amin Khan of Handoora Tral, Umer Jabar Dar of Wagad Tral, Suhail Ahmad Bhat of Dogripora in Awantipora, Sameer Ahmad Lone of Darganiegund in Tral and Rafiq Ahmad Khan of Handoora, Tral.

“Incriminating material including explosive substance has been recovered from the possession of the arrested persons,” he said. A case (FIR No. 99/2020 and 109/2020) under “relevant sections of law” stands registered against them in Police Station Tral, he added.

CHK/ARK

COVID reaches Antarctica, the last untouched continent

COVID reaches Antarctica, the last untouched continent

New Delhi (NVI): The coronavirus has landed in Antarctica, the last continent previously free from COVID-19 as health and army officials scrambled to clear out and quarantine staff from a remote research station surrounded by ocean and icebergs.

Chile’s armed forces said at least 36 people had been infected at its Bernardo O’Higgins base, including 26 army personnel and 10 civilian contractors conducting maintenance at the base.

The permanently staffed research station, operated by Chile’s army, lies near the tip of a peninsula in northernmost Antarctica, overlooking a bay often dotted with icebergs.

Base personnel are already properly isolated and constantly monitored by health authorities in Magallanes, in Chilean Patagonia, the army said, adding there had so far been no complications.

Research and military stations in Antarctica – among the most remote in the world – had gone to extraordinary lengths in recent months to keep the virus out, cancelling tourism, scaling back activities and staff and locking down facilities.

In addition to this, the Magallanes region, one of the closest populated areas to Antarctica and take-off point for many boats and planes headed to the continent, is among the hardest-hit in Chile.

Much of the area, blasted by cold winds off the ocean, mountains and glaciers, has been under quarantine restrictions for months.

Chile’s Navy reported it too had detected three cases of COVID-19 among 208 crew members of a ship that had sailed in the Antarctic region between November 27 and December 10.

-CHK

Fact check: Fake NRA website inviting applications for various posts

Fact check: Fake NRA website inviting applications for various posts

New Delhi (NVI): A website claiming to be the official site of the National Recruitment Agency (https://nra-gov.online/) has invited applications for various posts in the government departments.

Debunking such claims, the Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) clarified that the website is fake and NRA had as not issued such recruitment advertisement for vacancies.

In a tweet, PIB fact check wrote, “A website is claiming to be the official website of the National Recruitment Agency (NRA)and is inviting applications for various posts.

#PIB Fact Check: This website is Fake. The NRA has not issued any advertisement/notice for recruitment against vacancies in the government, as yet.”

Notably, the National Recruitment Agency (NRA) is a central agency established by the Indian government, that conducts a Common Eligibility Test (CET) for selection to non-gazetted posts in the central government and public sector banks.

Earlier, a fake notice claiming that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) has invited applications for recruitment to various post had gone viral.

-RJV

Army Chief visits forward areas in Ladakh, reviews security situation along LAC

Army Chief visits forward areas in Ladakh, reviews security situation along LAC

New Delhi (NVI): Army Chief General MM Naravane today visited forward areas in Eastern Ladakh including Rechin La and reviewed the security situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) amid the India-China stand-off.

The areas where Gen Naravane visited also fall on the southern bank of Pangong lake.

“COAS visited forward areas of Fire and Fury Corps including Rechin La and undertook a first-hand assessment of the situation along the LAC,” the Army said in a statement. Pertinent to mention here that Fire and Fury Corps, or the XIV Corps is responsible for the LAC in eastern Ladakh and is part of the Udhampur-based Northern Command.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) undertook on the spot inspection of the state of habitat of troops on the forward line of defences at Rechin La, Army said.

Gen Naravane also visited forward base Tara and interacted with the local commanders and troops. He distributed sweets and cakes to soldiers on the eve of Christmas and boosted their morale.

Notably, India and China are locked in an around eight-month-long military stand-off along LAC in Eastern Ladakh. Thousands of troops have dug in on either side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in sub-zero conditions.

Despite a series of military and diplomatic level talks, both sides have not arrived on a concrete decision yet towards the withdrawal of troops in the region that would lead to de-escalation in tensions.

On Friday, India and China resumed diplomatic-level talks after a gap of nearly 11 weeks, to resolve the border stand-off in Ladakh as diplomats from both sides held a virtual meeting under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on Border Affairs (WMCC).

This was the 20th meeting of the WMCC where the two sides reviewed the developments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border areas since the last round of the WMCC held on 30 September 2020.

-ARK

Night curfew in Karnataka till Jan 2

Night curfew in Karnataka till Jan 2
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The Karnataka government today announced the imposition of night curfew in the state starting tonight, amid concern over the new coronavirus strain.

The nine-day night curfew will remain in force till January 2 from 10 pm to 6 am.

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa made the announcement after a meeting to review the COVID-19 situation in the state with the Karnataka health minister K Sudhakar and technical advisory committee.

According to the reports, Karnataka health minister said, “This night curfew has been done to prevent and contain the coronavirus strain found in the UK. We are also monitoring international passengers arriving in the state.”

Sudhakar on being asked if Christmas celebrations would be allowed said, “Between December 23 and January 2, no function or festive celebration is allowed to take place after 10 pm. It applies to every kind of function.”

The development comes just a day after Yediyurappa said that there was no need for a night curfew ahead of Christmas and New Year in the state.

Earlier, the state government had also banned DJ parties on New Year’s eve in Karnataka to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Karnataka recorded 1,141 coronavirus cases and 13 fatalities on Tuesday, which pushed the overall caseload to 9,11,3872 in the state.

-RJV

Cop goes missing along with rifle from south Kashmir

Cop goes missing along with rifle from south Kashmir
Representational Image

Neyaz Elahi

Srinagar (NVI): A Special Police Officer (SPO) has gone missing from South Kashmir’s Kulgam district along with AK-47 rifle, officials said on Wednesday.

Official sources said that the SPO, Zakir Hussain Malik, son of Muhammad Skinder Malik of Hanger Behibagh area of Kulgam, has gone missing along with AK-47 rifle since Tuesday (December 22).

The missing policeman was posted at police post Frisal, which falls under the jurisdiction of police station Yaripora Kulgam.

Sources said that the service rifle that the missing SPO has taken along belongs to Chowki Officer, Police Post Frisal, however, it was not confirmed by the officials.

Police sources said that a hunt has been launched to trace the missing cop.

“We are trying to bring him back,” the officer said.

-CHK

Bhutan imposes 7-day nationwide lockdown amid spike in Covid-19 cases

Bhutan imposes 7-day nationwide lockdown amid spike in Covid-19 cases
File photo

New Delhi (NVI): The government of Bhutan has announced a nationwide lockdown for seven days starting from today, after rising cases of coronavirus in the Himalayan Kingdom.

In a official statement, Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering announced that a nationwide lockdown will be enforced for seven days, starting December 23, which will enable the government to control the spread of the disease and also discern the extent of transmission in the communities.

“In continuation to the inter-district movement restriction imposed on Tuesday morning, the national COVID-19 taskforce decided the need for a more stringent action after detection of sporadic cases in flu clinics in Thimphu and Paro and also in Lhamoizingkha, which is evident of local transmission,” Prime Minister’s Office Bhutan said in a statement.

All dzongdas and thrompons have been requested to take charge, activate and ensure the smooth implementation of the zone system. It is left to the districts to decide the time for the activation of the zone system. All other support and actions required will be carried out in close consultation with the national taskforce and the zoning team, it added.

During this period, only designated shops within the zones and essential services will be available, all schools, institutions, offices and business establishments should remain closed.

Likewise, movement of individuals with the card within the zones and delivery of essentials will start in Thimphu from today, as it completes the third day of lockdown. However, zone relaxation will not apply to houses under isolation, the statement noted.

Furthermore, the PMO assured that relevant agencies will ensure that there are no disruptions in the supply of goods, vegetables and other essential items, including animal feed, within the country.

It added that the Bhutan government will also facilitate and ensure minimum disruption in the import and export of all goods.

“While we have decided on the seven-day lockdown to begin with, the pattern of disease transmission will determine the way forward. This time, we have an obvious indication of rampant local transmission and urge people to take maximum precaution,” the PMO Bhutan said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health Bhutan in its bulletin said, the total number of coronavirus cases stood at 479 out of which 430 have recovered, while Bhutan is yet to record a COVID-related death.

-RJV

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