External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed concerns over investments moving from Maharashtra to Gujarat, firmly rejecting these claims during a press conference at the BJP office in Mumbai ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections on November 20. Jaishankar emphasised that the decision-making process for investors is complex and depends on the performance of the state government. In his remarks, Jaishankar highlighted that not all investment projects over the last decade have favoured BJP-ruled states. He stated, "Competitive federalism is good for the country," and explained that investors consider many factors, including the effectiveness of local governance. "They will see a performing state government which is capable and efficient. You can’t blame the Centre but must also assess your own merit," he added. The minister pointed out that the much-discussed India-Middle East Economic Corridor will have a significant interface in Maharashtra, reinforcing the state's strategic importance. This comes as leaders from opposition parties, including the Congress and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), have consistently accused the government of shifting large investment projects from Maharashtra to Gujarat. According to Jaishankar, the Indian government plays a crucial role in branding and marketing the nation internationally. However, he stressed that state governments are pivotal in attracting investments and creating jobs. He said, "The success of a country depends on positive, effective, and sincere partnerships from the state governments." Maharashtra, being the most industrialised state in India, requires a government aligned with the Centre's vision to drive growth and prosperity. Jaishankar underlined the state's substantial contributions in various sectors, including industry, technology, airports, and ports. He emphasised the need to bolster investments, improve logistics, and enhance exports to support the country's foreign policy objectives. Furthermore, the minister remarked that infrastructure development and skilled educational policies are vital components of economic growth. "The Centre’s focus is on boosting the economy and employment," Jaishankar concluded, reinforcing the government's commitment to enhancing Maharashtra's economic landscape. As Maharashtra approaches its assembly elections, the BJP aims to solidify its position by promoting the narrative of effective governance and investment potential in the state, as per PTI reports. (With inputs from PTI)
27 October,2024 05:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAn investigation into the recent terrorist attack in Gagangir, located in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district, has uncovered significant intelligence gaps and undetected infiltration along the Line of Control (LoC) over the past year, officials reported on Sunday. The attack, which took place on October 20, resulted in the tragic deaths of seven individuals, including a local doctor and two labourers from Bihar. This incident has sparked alarm regarding a worrying trend of local youths joining militant groups in the region during this time. The assault occurred at a construction site for the Z-Morh tunnel, involving two attackers. One of them was identified as a local youth from Kulgam in South Kashmir, who had reportedly joined a militant group in 2023, while the other is believed to have crossed over from Pakistan. Security officials have voiced concerns over the rapid radicalisation of local youth, highlighting the urgent need to improve human intelligence (HUMINT) capabilities to identify and counter this trend. In light of recent changes in the leadership of the Jammu and Kashmir police and the XV Corps of the Indian Army, there is a renewed emphasis on enhancing HUMINT to prevent further local youths from being drawn into terrorism. The attackers entered the construction site and opened fire for approximately ten minutes before fleeing into the nearby jungles. The local assailant was armed with an AK rifle, while his accomplice wielded an American M-4 rifle. Reports indicate that the local terrorist may have played a role in facilitating the infiltration of the other attacker, who likely crossed the LoC from the Tulail sector back in March. Intelligence reports have pointed to various regions—including Tulail, Gurez, Machil, and Gulmarg—as hotspots for infiltration attempts since December last year. However, the army has often denied these attempts due to a lack of corroborating evidence. In a related incident on Thursday in Bota Pathri, Gulmarg, where two soldiers and two army porters were killed, officials believe the terrorists involved had been hiding in the higher reaches of Afrawat since early August. Security agencies have struggled against what they term the "hidden threat," with terrorists employing "conservation and consolidation" tactics. This strategy allows infiltrators to remain dormant within the local populace until they receive directives from their handlers in Pakistan. The recent month-long assembly elections in the Union Territory may have caused these groups to adopt a low-profile approach due to increased security measures and heightened international scrutiny. The shift in terrorist operations underscores the urgent need for enhanced surveillance to thwart foreign mercenaries from executing their plans. Moreover, security forces have observed that the infiltration and recruitment of local youths increasingly occur through online platforms. Terrorists are utilising encrypted messaging services like Telegram and Mastodon for covert communication and operational coordination, even in districts like Rajouri and Poonch, where these services are banned. As authorities maintain heightened alertness, the challenge of gathering actionable ground-level intelligence continues to be a pressing issue. This situation highlights the critical need for a comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism in the region, as officials strive to protect the safety of residents and uphold security. (With inputs from PTI)
27 October,2024 04:52 PM IST | SrinagarDY Chandrachud, Chief Justice of India, has stated that while every institution can be improved, this should not lead to the conclusion that there is something essentially flawed. He was discussing the collegium system during an engagement on Saturday after delivering the first lecture in a series organised by the Marathi daily 'Loksatta' here, reported PTI. In response to a question about the collegium system for appointing Supreme Court and High Court justices, the CJI stated that it is a federal system with responsibility divided between multiple levels of government (both the Centre and the states) and the judiciary. "It is a process of consultative dialogue, where consensus emerges, but at times there is no consensus, but that's part of the system. We must have the maturity to understand that this represents the strength of our system," Chandrachud said according to a PTI report. "I wish, we will be able to foster a greater consensus, but the point of the matter is, this is dealt with a very great level of maturity on the parts of different levels within the judiciary and different levels within the governments," he added. If there is an objection to a particular applicant, conversations are conducted with "very great maturity," according to the chief justice. "We have to understand that it is very easy to criticise the institution that we have formed....every institution is capable of betterment. But the very fact that there are institutional improvements, which are possible, should not lead us to a conclusion that there is something fundamentally wrong with the institution," he said. "The fact that these institutions have stood the test of time for over the last 75 years is a reason for us to trust our system of democratic governance of which judiciary is well a part," he added. To another question, the chief justice said unlike in other fields, the work burden of a judge increases both in terms of volume and complexity as he or she rises in the judiciary. "Our judges are not galivanting or goofing up even in the vacation, they are deeply committed to the work they do," he said. The orders they pass will define the country in next decades, but judges hardly get time to think or read about law (aside from their work), the chief justice said. "....do we give our judges sufficient time to think or read about the law or do you just want them to be merely a mechanical machine in the disposal of cases," he asked. Despite its drawbacks, the emergence of social media is good for society, CJI Chandrachud said. "The whole universe of judging, I believe, has undergone changes due to social media. Judges have to be very careful about what they say, use appropriate language," he said. "I still feel that the advent of social media is good for society, as it enables the user to reach a huge section of society," he remarked. With PTI inputs
27 October,2024 04:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is set to launch a significant health coverage initiative aimed at citizens aged 70 years and older, regardless of their income status, under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) on October 29, news agency PTI reported. In addition to the health coverage scheme, PM Modi will also launch the U-WIN portal on the same day. This platform is designed to maintain an electronic registry of routine immunisations, similar to the Co-WIN system used during the COVID-19 vaccination drive. The U-WIN portal aims to keep a permanent digital record of vaccinations for pregnant women and children up to 17 years old under the Universal Immunization Programme, stated PTI. "PM Modi is likely to launch the expanded programme under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme for those aged 70 years and above. It will benefit an estimated 6 crore citizens in about 4.5 crore households," a source informed PTI. All citizens aged 70 or above, as verified by their Aadhaar card, will be eligible for the scheme. Each eligible senior citizen will receive free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh at any empanelled AB-PMJAY hospital. As of September 1, there are 29,648 hospitals empanelled under PM-JAY, including 12,696 private facilities. The scheme is operational in 33 states and Union territories, excluding Delhi, Odisha, and West Bengal. It is an application-based scheme and people will need to register on the PMJAY portal or on the Ayushman app, official sources said. "Those already having the Ayushman card will need to again apply for a new card and complete their eKYC again," stated PTI. Senior citizens aged 70 from families already enrolled in AB-PMJAY will receive an additional top-up coverage of Rs 5 lakh per year specifically for themselves, which is separate from the family coverage for younger members. Since its inception, AB-PMJAY has facilitated over 7.37 crore hospital admissions, with nearly half being women beneficiaries. The health ministry reports that the scheme has provided more than Rs 1 lakh crore in benefits to the public. Initially covering 10.74 crore families from vulnerable sections of society, the beneficiary base was revised in January 2022 to include 12 crore families due to population growth. However, as per PTI, those already availing benefits of other public health insurance schemes such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) may either choose their existing scheme or opt for AB PM-JAY. The scheme was further expanded to cover 37 lakh ASHAs/AWWs/AWHs working across the country and their families for free healthcare benefits, stated PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
27 October,2024 03:54 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has approved a 3 per cent hike in the Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees, taking it from 50 per cent to 53 per cent of their basic salary. This decision was made during a cabinet meeting held on Sunday. According to ANI, the increase in DA is to be applied retroactively from July this year. Chief Minister Sarma, addressing the press, announced that state employees will start receiving their DA arrears in instalments beginning in December. The arrears will be paid over four months, with 25 per cent of the amount disbursed each month, concluding in March. The Chief Minister described this increment as a “Diwali gift” from the government to its employees, offering financial support as the festival season approaches. This DA hike is the second adjustment made by the Assam government this year. Earlier, in March, the government had implemented a 4 per cent DA increase, raising it from 46 per cent to 50 per cent of the basic salary. The latest adjustment highlights the administration’s ongoing effort to address inflationary pressures on its workforce. In addition to the DA increase, the Assam Cabinet has also designated a week-long celebration named ‘Bhasha Gaurav Saptah’ or Language Pride Week, which will take place from November 3 to November 9, 2024. This initiative is intended to honour the Assamese language, which was recently granted the status of a classical language by the Union Cabinet, a milestone Chief Minister Sarma said brings a sense of pride to the people of Assam. According to ANI, the Bhasha Gaurav Saptah will feature various cultural events to spotlight and celebrate Assamese heritage and linguistic identity. Moreover, Chief Minister Sarma reported that in the past two months, 138 individuals identified as infiltrators, specifically Rohingya Muslims, had been detected in Assam. He noted that authorities have since pushed these individuals back across the borders, reiterating the government’s stance on illegal migration and efforts to address security concerns. The Chief Minister emphasised that this issue remains a priority for the administration as it continues its measures to safeguard the region. As per ANI, these recent announcements reflect the Assam government’s multifaceted approach to addressing both socio-economic and cultural matters within the state, from employee welfare and language pride to security and regional integrity. (With inputs from ANI)
27 October,2024 03:00 PM IST | AssamThe Kerala government has voiced its frustration over the lack of central assistance for the rehabilitation of landslide-hit Wayanad, with 100 days now having passed since the devastating landslides struck the region. Despite several appeals, the central government has yet to allocate specific relief funds or define the classification of the disaster, the state’s Revenue Minister, K Rajan, said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters, Rajan described the Centre’s approach to Wayanad's recovery as "negative" and "painful," emphasising that the state’s requests for assistance have thus far gone unanswered. He highlighted that Kerala has repeatedly requested a unique aid package for Wayanad rather than the standard State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) allocation, which he explained was insufficient to cover the level of damage and recovery efforts needed for the region. According to PTI, he noted, "What Kerala wants is not the amount from the State Disaster Response Fund. We need a special package specifically for Wayanad." The SDRF, Rajan clarified, is generally intended for all levels of disasters across the state, including minor incidents, and is not specific to a disaster of this scale. A special package, however, would target the massive landslides that affected Wayanad, providing a more tailored solution for the community’s rehabilitation. Kerala has already submitted a memorandum to the central government under the Disaster Management Act, formally requesting aid for Wayanad, PTI reported. However, as of yet, the Centre has made no announcements regarding the classification of the landslide, which would determine the extent of financial and logistical support available. The National Disaster Management Authority in India categorises disasters into levels L0, L1, L2, and L3, with each level signifying the scope of damage and required response. Rajan noted that if the Centre were to classify the Wayanad landslide as an L3 disaster, even Members of Parliament from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha could contribute funds towards the rehabilitation of the area. "We are waiting patiently...we are continuing to stay in contact with officials from the disaster management authority," Rajan added, reiterating the state’s hopes that assistance would soon be provided. The minister’s comments come just a day after Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, strongly criticised the Centre’s handling of disaster support for Kerala, accusing it of taking a stance that is detrimental to the state, even during times of crisis. According to PTI, Vijayan expressed disappointment that the union government has not yet clarified under which category the Wayanad disaster falls, whether L1, L2, or L3, leaving the state without critical guidance on what level of aid it can expect. In the meantime, Kerala officials are persisting in their efforts to secure support, hopeful that, with continued communication and pressure, a more favourable response will be forthcoming from the Centre. (With inputs from PTI)
27 October,2024 02:40 PM IST | ThiruvananthapuramIndian Army's Romeo Force, in a joint operation with Special Operations Group (SOG) police, busted a terror hideout in the Balnoi sector in Poonch, officials said. According to the Poonch police, the operation that took place on Saturday led to the recovery of two grenades and three Pakistani Mines from the hideout. Meanwhile, a search operation was carried out in Tangmarg and several parts of Jammu and Kashmir as the Indian Army and police intensified their searches to trace the accused in terror attacks in Gulmarg, Baramulla in north Kashmir and Gagangir in the Ganderbal district of the Union Territory. On October 24, two Army soldiers and two civilian porters were killed after terrorists attacked a military vehicle in Baramulla. Earlier on October 20, a doctor and six construction workers were killed when terrorists attacked a tunnel construction site on the Srinagar-Leh national highway in Ganderbal district. The terrorists struck as the labourers and other staff returned to their camp in Gund, Ganderbal. The incident raised serious concern as this was a targeted killing by the terrorists. The terrorists believed to be at least two, opened fire indiscriminately on a group of labourers, which included both local and non-local people. On Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha directed the police to tighten security measures around key infrastructure projects and construction camps in the union territories. He further directed a security audit of infrastructure projects, round-the-clock nakas at the strategic points, night patrolling and area domination. The Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) carried out a major operation in six districts of the Valley and caught recruiters linked to a terror outfit. The counterintelligence unit informed that the raids were conducted in districts including Srinagar, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Anantnag, Budgam, and Kulgam. The officials said that they were able to dismantle a recruitment module of the newly formed terrorist organisation called "Tehreek Labaik Ya Muslim" (TLM), which is said to be an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) that was being operated by a Pakistani terrorist handler known as Baba Hamas. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 October,2024 01:24 PM IST | Jammu and Kashmir | ANIIndia must undergo a revolutionary transformation to rise as a developed economy, said ISRO Chairman S Somanathan, stressing the importance of technological advancements and product development to drive economic growth. He also praised tech mogul Elon Musk for his innovative work in the space sector, noting that Musk’s achievements have inspired global efforts, including those within ISRO. Somanathan made these remarks while addressing students at the 13th convocation ceremony of the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Delhi on Saturday. “If India aspires to become the third, second, or even the first-largest global economy, a revolutionary change is needed. Growth will not be driven by trade and resources alone. We need to create value in technology that powers product development,” he said. Speaking about Musk, the ISRO chief said, “Elon Musk is making heads turn with his rockets. Everyone, from Europe to Russia to China, is looking at what he is doing. He is a great man doing fantastic work, and we are all inspired by his achievements”. The ISRO chief also highlighted India’s recent strides in space, mentioning the country’s successful lunar missions. However, he pointed out that continuous effort and innovation are essential to maintain momentum. “We have reached a level where we are the fifth-largest global economy, but to move further up, we must build and improve upon our technology. We have to work hard to develop our own expertise in areas like propulsion, material sciences, and orbital dynamics,” he said. Somanathan applauded the government’s recent initiatives to open the space sector to private players, saying it was a step in the right direction. “The government has recognised the importance of private investment and participation in space. This will drive fasten development cycles, reduce costs, and enhance our global competitiveness,” he said. He encouraged young engineers and scientists to innovate and build technologies that could propel the country forward. “The current knowledge and technology lifespan is so short that you must remain a student throughout your life. Be humble, honest, and willing to adapt. This is what will help you navigate the challenges ahead,” he advised. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 October,2024 01:22 PM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesCivil Society Organisations have urged the Delhi government to reconsider its proposal to incinerate 100 per cent of the city’s waste, a statement said. According to the statement released on Friday, the CSO had written a letter to the Delhi government to stop further expansion of Waste-to-Energy (WTE) incineration projects in the Delhi/NCR region. It emphasised that when the Air Quality Index (AQI) falls into the “poor” category, WTE operations under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) should be suspended. The letter highlighted the need for systemic changes in waste management, including the effective enforcement of local bylaws, waste minimisation, source segregation, and stricter penalties for non-compliance. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated stage two of the GRAP on October 21, implementing measures like increased water sprinkling to reduce dust, a ban on firecracker use, higher parking fees, and improved public transport services, the statement read. Despite these efforts, the burning of 7,250 tons of unsegregated municipal solid waste each day in the city’s four existing WTE incinerators continues to contribute significantly to pollution, it claimed. The statement mentioned, “Even the recent CSIR-National Environment Engineering Research Institute report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has warned against this technology and its negative health impacts on the community and the environment and about 1 of every 3 children have lung-related issues”. However, there are plans underway to increase incineration to an additional 6,000 tons of mixed waste per day by 2027, bringing the total to about 13,300 tons of waste burned daily in Delhi by that time, it noted. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 October,2024 01:21 PM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThree persons were arrested in connection with the alleged gang rape of a 21-year-old woman in Odisha’s Naygarh district on Saturday. The incident happened on October 20 evening when the woman and her fiance were returning from the Fategarh Ram Temple, they said. A group of men allegedly intercepted them near the Pithakhai forest and forcefully took them to the nearby jungle. The accused persons also filmed the horror and uploaded a video of it on social media. The video has since gone viral, it said. “The police have arrested three persons,” said police. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 October,2024 01:21 PM IST | Bhubaneswar | AgenciesAs the Jharkhand Assembly elections approach, set for November 13 and 20, Babu Lal Soren, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for Ghatshila, has emphasised his commitment to the development of the local populace, reported ANI. Soren, son of former Chief Minister Champai Soren, outlined his key focus areas during an interview with ANI, "The issue is the development of the people. We have three issues in development, the migration happening inside the Ghatshila assembly and the labourers going to the other states. We will work on employing them." He highlighted the ongoing migration of labourers to other states and pledged to create employment opportunities to curb this trend. "We will stop migration and after that, when it comes to health, I have my resolve that we will arrange an ambulance in every Panchayat and sub-health centre. We will also work on providing digital education in the coming days," he told ANI. In his statements, Soren expressed gratitude towards key BJP leaders for their support and faith in his candidacy. "On my behalf, I would like to thank all officials and members of BJP, Union Minister JP Nadda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah. Thank you for having faith in me, I have been serving the public since the beginning.” The party has also announced its first list of 66 candidates, revealing its strategy to contest 68 seats in alliance with the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) 10 seats, Janata Dal (United) two seats, and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) one seat. Prominent candidates from the BJP include state chief Babulal Marandi from Dhanwar and Lobin Hembrom from Borio. Former Chief Minister Champai Soren will represent Saraikella, while Geeta Balmuchu and Meera Munda will contest from Chaibasa and Potka, respectively. On Saturday, BJP announced the list of 40 star campaigners for the upcoming elections, which includes prominent figures such as Prime Minister Modi, BJP national president JP Nadda, and several Union Ministers like Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari Dharmendra Pradhan and Shivraj Singh Chouhan. BJP CMs such as Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh), Nayab Singh Saini (Haryana), Mohan Majhi Himanta Biswa Sarma and Vishnu Deo Sai (Chhattisgarh) are also among the star campaigners, stated ANI. (With inputs from ANI)
27 October,2024 01:20 PM IST | Seraikela-Kharsawan, Jharkhand | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
