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Tag: Centre

  • Nara Lokesh: No strings attached support to NDA, but we expect help for Andhra’s development

    Telugu Desam Party has extended unconditional support to BJPled National Democratic Alliance (NDA), but we are looking forward to the Centre’s support for development of Andhra Pradesh as an electronics manufacturing hub of South India, an automotive cluster and peppering our long coastline with ports, TDP national general secretary and N Chandrababu Naidu’s son Nara Lokesh told Nidhi Sharma in an exclusive interview. Lokesh speaks on attracting private investment, the first decisions to be made and winning Mangalgiri for the first time since 1985. Excerpts:What do you want the Centre to do?TDP has extended unconditional support to NDA. So, there is no demand. But, we are looking forward to Centre’s support for fulfilling commitments that were made at the time of bifurcation of united Andhra Pradesh on development of Amravati as capital and Polavaram dam. There are performancelinked incentive schemes of the Centre and we would like Andhra to be given preference.What about the demand for a special status for Andhra an issue on which your father walked out of NDA in 2018?AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther States In the runup to elections, no commitments were made. But Andhra Pradesh is a new state and needs handholding. We want to develop Andhra as an electronics manufacturing hub of South India, an automotive industry cluster, a sports hub and pepper our long coastline with ports so that it can become the gateway of the South. A special status does not create a developed state. This is the culmination of all these ideas. We are working out a framework and we need the Centre’s support.Would TDP like a common minimum programme for NDA?We unnecessarily create processes and then complain of things moving slowly. Both the leaders – Mr Naidu and Mr Modi – are senior leaders. Mr Naidu understands the sensitivities of running a coalition government. We will sit across the table and discuss if some issues crop up.Modi and Naidu have spoken in different voices over reservation for Muslims in the runup to elections…As far as Andhra Pradesh is concerned, we will continue to provide reservation to Muslims.

    Where does TDP stand on contentious issues like Uniform Civil Code?

    We have gone through the Bill and as long as there is no discrimination against any particular community we fully support it.

    What will be the priorities of the Naidu government?

    The first decision on which Mr Naidu will put his signature on will be filling up of vacant government posts through District Selection Committee. The second will be repealing of the draconian Land Titling Act. These two will be the first decisions taken in June. The third will be rolling out of pensions for the elderly, differentlyabled and women in July.

    Will BJP be a part of the state government?

    We haven’t discussed it yet. We have a meeting of NDA tomorrow (Friday) and we will have better clarity after that.

    How serious are you about taking action against officers whose names are in your red diary?

    Let me give you some context to the whole thing. I am a Stanford graduate. I returned to India to work for my party and the state. From 2013 to 2019, there was not a single criminal case against me. Between 2019 and 2024, 26 cases were foisted against me and I was taken to the police station 67 times. If a welleducated person like me has to contend with that, imagine how much a common man has been suffering under the YSRCP regime. The laws have been misused to target people. So, when I was on my padyatra I met people and wrote names of officers who had falsely targeted them. Now, we will institute an inquiry, even open it to people to complain against errant police officers and punish the guilty.

    Is developing Amravati as capital of Andhra Pradesh back on the agenda?

    what do you mean by back? It has always been on the agenda. Our idea is very clear – one state, one capital. It’s not just about developing Amravati. It is about decentralisation of development.

    What will decentralisation of development mean for Andhra? We want to develop all districts as specific hubs. We have focus areas and want to build on them. We want to develop East and West Godavari districts for defence production and fisheries, Kakinada as petrochemical corridor, Kadapa as the sports capital of India and Kurnool for renewable energy. We have already started discussions with the industry leaders and in the first 100 days, there will be big bang announcements of private investment projects.

    the victory has been big…

    TDP has not won Mangalagiri, my constituency, since 1985. When I lost my first election in 2019, I had vowed that I will not leave the constituency and keep working and win it. I have won it by 91,143 votes.

  • If IAS, IPS officers stay in detention for over 48 hours affirmation of suspension not wanted: Centre

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: There isn’t any requirement for affirmation of suspension by the Central authorities in case an IAS, IPS or IFoS officer stays in detention/custody for greater than 48 hours, the Centre has mentioned.

    The clarification comes after the federal government acquired various queries concerning the difficulty of deemed suspension and the requirement of affirmation of suspension by it below the provisions of All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.

    Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS) are the three All India Services. 

    According to present provisions, “a member of the service who is detained in official custody whether on a criminal charge or otherwise for a period longer than 48 hours, shall be deemed to have been suspended by the government concerned under this rule”.

    “The matter has been examined in light of 3(2) of AIS(D&A) Rules, 1969. Accordingly, it is clarified that in the cases of deemed suspension under Rule 3(2), the confirmation of suspension by the Central government is not required for the period that the government servant remains in detention/custody,” mentioned an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

    The query of affirmation of suspension would come up solely when, after launch from detention/custody, the federal government intends to proceed with suspension, it added.

    “In this event, if the period of suspension exceeds 30 days, the confirmation of suspension order by the Central government as envisaged under Rule 3(1) will be required within 30 days from the date of release or the date on which the fact of his release comes to the knowledge of the government,” mentioned the order issued to chief secretaries of all state governments and secretaries of Home and Environment, Forest and Climate Change ministries.

    NEW DELHI: There isn’t any requirement for affirmation of suspension by the Central authorities in case an IAS, IPS or IFoS officer stays in detention/custody for greater than 48 hours, the Centre has mentioned.

    The clarification comes after the federal government acquired various queries concerning the difficulty of deemed suspension and the requirement of affirmation of suspension by it below the provisions of All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.

    Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS) are the three All India Services.  googletag.cmd.push(perform() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-1687167573941-0’); );

    According to present provisions, “a member of the service who is detained in official custody whether on a criminal charge or otherwise for a period longer than 48 hours, shall be deemed to have been suspended by the government concerned under this rule”.

    “The matter has been examined in light of 3(2) of AIS(D&A) Rules, 1969. Accordingly, it is clarified that in the cases of deemed suspension under Rule 3(2), the confirmation of suspension by the Central government is not required for the period that the government servant remains in detention/custody,” mentioned an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

    The query of affirmation of suspension would come up solely when, after launch from detention/custody, the federal government intends to proceed with suspension, it added.

    “In this event, if the period of suspension exceeds 30 days, the confirmation of suspension order by the Central government as envisaged under Rule 3(1) will be required within 30 days from the date of release or the date on which the fact of his release comes to the knowledge of the government,” mentioned the order issued to chief secretaries of all state governments and secretaries of Home and Environment, Forest and Climate Change ministries.

  • Govt asks commerce to cut edible oils MRP by Rs 8-12 per litre as world prices drop

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Centre on Friday directed edible oil associations to further reduce the utmost retail worth (MRP) of important edible oils by Rs 8-12 per litre with quick impression, in line with the worldwide market.

    “Some companies which have not reduced their prices and their MRP is higher than other brands have also been advised to reduce their prices,” the meals ministry acknowledged after a gathering, chaired by meals secretary Sanjeev Chopra, with the commerce representatives.

    Price to distributors by the producers and refiners moreover should be lowered with quick impression so that the price drop should not be diluted in any strategy, it acknowledged.

    It was moreover impressed upon that at any time when a reduction in worth to distributors is made by the producers/refiners, the revenue should be handed on to the patrons by the commerce and the ministry is also saved educated commonly, it added.

    With the edible oil prices persevering with to level out a downward improvement and set to witness further low cost by the edible oil commerce, the ministry acknowledged, “The Indian consumers can expect to pay less for their edible oils. The falling edible oil prices will help in further cooling inflation fears if any.”

    Industry representatives along with the Solvent Extraction Association of India and the Indian Vegetable Oil Producers’ Association had been present throughout the second meeting convened inside a month to debate further low cost in retail prices of edible oils amidst a continued fall throughout the world prices.

    In the meeting, the ministry acknowledged the worldwide prices of imported edible oils are persevering with on a downward improvement and attributable to this reality, the edible oil commerce needs to make it possible for the prices throughout the residence market moreover drop commensurately.

    The commerce was instructed to ensure the price drop throughout the world market is handed on expeditiously to the tip buyers and by no means in a delayed technique as is observed now.

    “The leading edible oil associations were advised to take up the issue with their members immediately and ensure that the maximum retail price (MRP) of major edible oils be reduced further by Rs 8-12 per litre with immediate effect,” the ministry acknowledged in an announcement launched after the meeting.

    The worldwide and residential prices of edible oil had been on an upward swing all through 2021-22 due to many geopolitical components along with elevated enter and logistic costs.

    However, the edible oil prices throughout the worldwide market are witnessing a fall since mid-June 2022, it acknowledged.

    “The fall in the prices of edible oils in the domestic market is gradually being reflected in the domestic market. However, the government feels the associations can further reduce the prices and provide relief to the consumers,” it well-known.

    On the other side, the commerce educated us that the worldwide prices of varied edible oils have fallen by USD 150-200 per tonne throughout the last two months and they also have lowered the MRP and may further reduce it shortly.

    “However, there is an element of time lag for reflection in the retail markets and the retail prices are soon expected to come down further,” the commerce acknowledged.

    Earlier moreover the ministry had convened a gathering with the principle edible oil associations and over a month the MRP of refined sunflower oils and refined soybean oil of some important producers was decreased by Rs 5-15 per litre.

    The comparable decrease has been executed throughout the case of mustard oil and completely different edible oils as correctly.

    The low cost in oil prices bought right here throughout the wake of the low cost of worldwide prices and lowered import duty on edible oils making them cheaper.

    The commerce was then urged to make it possible for the entire benefit of the lowered worldwide prices is handed on to the patrons invariably, the ministry added.

    Other factors like worth info assortment and packaging of edible oils had been moreover talked about throughout the meeting.

    NEW DELHI: The Centre on Friday directed edible oil associations to further reduce the utmost retail worth (MRP) of important edible oils by Rs 8-12 per litre with quick impression, in line with the worldwide market.

    “Some companies which have not reduced their prices and their MRP is higher than other brands have also been advised to reduce their prices,” the meals ministry acknowledged after a gathering, chaired by meals secretary Sanjeev Chopra, with the commerce representatives.

    Price to distributors by the producers and refiners moreover should be lowered with quick impression so that the price drop should not be diluted in any strategy, it acknowledged.googletag.cmd.push(carry out() googletag.present(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); );

    It was moreover impressed upon that at any time when a reduction in worth to distributors is made by the producers/refiners, the revenue should be handed on to the patrons by the commerce and the ministry is also saved educated commonly, it added.

    With the edible oil prices persevering with to level out a downward improvement and set to witness further low cost by the edible oil commerce, the ministry acknowledged, “The Indian consumers can expect to pay less for their edible oils. The falling edible oil prices will help in further cooling inflation fears if any.”

    Industry representatives along with the Solvent Extraction Association of India and the Indian Vegetable Oil Producers’ Association had been present throughout the second meeting convened inside a month to debate further low cost in retail prices of edible oils amidst a continued fall throughout the world prices.

    In the meeting, the ministry acknowledged the worldwide prices of imported edible oils are persevering with on a downward improvement and attributable to this reality, the edible oil commerce needs to make it possible for the prices throughout the residence market moreover drop commensurately.

    The commerce was instructed to ensure the price drop throughout the world market is handed on expeditiously to the tip buyers and by no means in a delayed technique as is observed now.

    “The leading edible oil associations were advised to take up the issue with their members immediately and ensure that the maximum retail price (MRP) of major edible oils be reduced further by Rs 8-12 per litre with immediate effect,” the ministry acknowledged in an announcement launched after the meeting.

    The worldwide and residential prices of edible oil had been on an upward swing all through 2021-22 due to many geopolitical components along with elevated enter and logistic costs.

    However, the edible oil prices throughout the worldwide market are witnessing a fall since mid-June 2022, it acknowledged.

    “The fall in the prices of edible oils in the domestic market is gradually being reflected in the domestic market. However, the government feels the associations can further reduce the prices and provide relief to the consumers,” it well-known.

    On the other side, the commerce educated us that the worldwide prices of varied edible oils have fallen by USD 150-200 per tonne throughout the last two months and they also have lowered the MRP and may further reduce it shortly.

    “However, there is an element of time lag for reflection in the retail markets and the retail prices are soon expected to come down further,” the commerce acknowledged.

    Earlier moreover the ministry had convened a gathering with the principle edible oil associations and over a month the MRP of refined sunflower oils and refined soybean oil of some important producers was decreased by Rs 5-15 per litre.

    The comparable decrease has been executed throughout the case of mustard oil and completely different edible oils as correctly.

    The low cost in oil prices bought right here throughout the wake of the low cost of worldwide prices and lowered import duty on edible oils making them cheaper.

    The commerce was then urged to make it possible for the entire benefit of the lowered worldwide prices is handed on to the patrons invariably, the ministry added.

    Other factors like worth info assortment and packaging of edible oils had been moreover talked about throughout the meeting.

  • Prescribe generic medicines or face movement: Centre tells medical medical doctors at central govt hospitals 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Centre has warned medical medical doctors at central government-run hospitals and CGHS wellness centres to regulate to the norms of prescribing generic medicines failing which movement might be taken in the direction of them.

    According to an office order, the medical medical doctors at central authorities hospitals, Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) wellness centres and polyclinics have been instructed repeatedly to solely prescribe generic medicines.

    “Despite this, it has been observed that medical medical doctors (along with residents) in some conditions proceed to prescribe branded medicines.

    This has been seen strictly by the competent authority,” Director General of Health Services Dr Atul Goel talked about in an office order issued on May 12.

    This may be well-known by all heads of institutions, and they also may assure strict compliance by the medical medical doctors working under them, the order talked about.

    It has threatened to take movement in cases of non-compliance, the order further acknowledged.

    Further, the order requested them to guarantee that visits of medical representatives to hospital premises are completely curtailed.

    Any particulars a couple of model new launch may be communicated by way of e-mail solely.

    NEW DELHI: The Centre has warned medical medical doctors at central government-run hospitals and CGHS wellness centres to regulate to the norms of prescribing generic medicines failing which movement might be taken in the direction of them.

    According to an office order, the medical medical doctors at central authorities hospitals, Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) wellness centres and polyclinics have been instructed repeatedly to solely prescribe generic medicines.

    “Despite this, it has been observed that medical medical doctors (along with residents) in some conditions proceed to prescribe branded medicines.googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.present(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

    This has been seen strictly by the competent authority,” Director General of Health Services Dr Atul Goel talked about in an office order issued on May 12.

    This may be well-known by all heads of institutions, and they also may assure strict compliance by the medical medical doctors working under them, the order talked about.

    It has threatened to take movement in cases of non-compliance, the order further acknowledged.

    Further, the order requested them to guarantee that visits of medical representatives to hospital premises are completely curtailed.

    Any particulars a couple of model new launch may be communicated by way of e-mail solely.

  • Centre urges SC to make states, UTs occasions to proceedings on pleas on same-sex marriage

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday urged the Supreme Court that all states and Union Territories be made occasions to the proceedings on the pleas on the lookout for approved validation for same-sex marriages.

    In an affidavit filed inside the apex courtroom, the Centre has said it has issued a letter on April 18 to the entire states inviting suggestions and views on the “seminal issue” raised inside the pleas.

    Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, exhibiting for the Centre, requested a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud that states be made occasions to the proceedings.

    Also study: ‘Notion of man, girl not absolute’ based on genitals: SC on same-sex marriage

    The bench, moreover comprising Justices S Ok Kaul, S R Bhat, Hima Kohli and P S Narasimha, commenced listening to for the second day on the batch of pleas on the lookout for approved validation for same-sex marriages.

    “It is, therefore, humbly requested that all states and Union Territories be made a party to the present proceedings and their respective stance be taken on record and in the alternative, allow the Union of India, to finish the consultative process with the states, obtains their views/apprehensions, compile the same and place it on record before this court, and only thereafter adjudicate on the present issue,” the affidavit said.

    “It is submitted that Union of India, has issued a letter dated April 18, 2023 to all states inviting comments and views on the seminal issue raised in the present batch of petition,” it said.

    The listening to and the tip consequence might have very important ramifications for the nation the place frequent people and political occasions keep divergent views on the subject.

    The apex courtroom had on November 25 ultimate yr sought the Centre’s response to separate pleas moved by two gay {{couples}} on the lookout for enforcement of their correct to marry and a path to the authorities concerned to register their marriages beneath the Special Marriage Act.

    NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday urged the Supreme Court that all states and Union Territories be made occasions to the proceedings on the pleas on the lookout for approved validation for same-sex marriages.

    In an affidavit filed inside the apex courtroom, the Centre has said it has issued a letter on April 18 to the entire states inviting suggestions and views on the “seminal issue” raised inside the pleas.

    Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, exhibiting for the Centre, requested a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud that states be made occasions to the proceedings.googletag.cmd.push(carry out() googletag.present(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

    Also study: ‘Notion of man, girl not absolute’ based on genitals: SC on same-sex marriage

    The bench, moreover comprising Justices S Ok Kaul, S R Bhat, Hima Kohli and P S Narasimha, commenced listening to for the second day on the batch of pleas on the lookout for approved validation for same-sex marriages.

    “It is, therefore, humbly requested that all states and Union Territories be made a party to the present proceedings and their respective stance be taken on record and in the alternative, allow the Union of India, to finish the consultative process with the states, obtains their views/apprehensions, compile the same and place it on record before this court, and only thereafter adjudicate on the present issue,” the affidavit said.

    “It is submitted that Union of India, has issued a letter dated April 18, 2023 to all states inviting comments and views on the seminal issue raised in the present batch of petition,” it said.

    The listening to and the tip consequence might have very important ramifications for the nation the place frequent people and political occasions keep divergent views on the subject.

    The apex courtroom had on November 25 ultimate yr sought the Centre’s response to separate pleas moved by two gay {{couples}} on the lookout for enforcement of their correct to marry and a path to the authorities concerned to register their marriages beneath the Special Marriage Act.

  • Centre raises small financial savings deposit charges

    The central authorities on Friday raised the rates of interest on numerous small financial savings schems for the three months from 1 April to 30 June by 10 to 70 foundation factors, confirmed an official order.

    The highest enhance is within the case of National Savings Certificate, on which rate of interest has been raised from 7% which was relevant within the January to June interval of this calendar yr to 7.7% for the interval from 1 April to 30 June.

    The fee on 5 yr time deposit has been raised from 7% to 7.5%, whereas the speed on 5 yr recurring deposit has been raised from 5.8% to six.2%. The rate of interest on Senior Citizen Savings Scheme has been raised from 8% to eight.2%, whereas that on Monthly Income Account Scheme has been raised from 7.1% to 7.4%, confirmed the order. The fee on Kisan Vikas Patra has been raised from 7.2% to 7.5%. The scheme will now mature in 115 months, in comparison with 120 months earlier. There isn’t any change in rate of interest on Public provident fund deposits, which stays at 7.1%.

    The rate of interest relevant on Sukanya Samriddhi Account scheme meant for woman youngster will fetch 8% within the April to June interval in opposition to 7.6% within the first three months of this yr, confirmed the order.

    Experts mentioned the speed enhance on small financial savings instrument was anticipated and that it’ll assist in garnering regular deposits within the June quarter.

    In the union funds for FY24, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced measures to make small saving schemes extra engaging.

    The funds proposed to lift the utmost deposit restrict for Senior Citizen Savings Scheme from ` ₹15 lakh to ₹30 lakh and within the case of Monthly Income Account Scheme from ₹4.5 lakh to Rs` 9 lakh for single account and from ₹9 lakh to ₹15 lakh for joint account. The funds additionally proposed a brand new small saving scheme Mahila Samman Savings Certificate, that will probably be made out there for a two-year interval as much as March 2025.

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  • Amid uptick in Covid-19 circumstances, Centre writes to 6 states to take pre-emptive motion

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: As Covid-19 circumstances are seeing an uptick, the Centre on Thursday wrote to 6 states, together with Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Telangana, to take care of a strict watch and to take pre-emptive motion to regulate the rising unfold of the virus.

    The union well being ministry directed the six states, which additionally included Gujarat and Maharashtra, to hold out testing, monitor new and rising clusters of latest Covid-19 circumstances and to watch Influenza-like sickness and extreme acute respiratory an infection, which can also be quickly surging throughout India.

    In a letter, union well being secretary Rajesh Bhushan stated India has noticed a major decline within the variety of Covod-19 circumstances in the course of the previous few months.

    “However, since the past few weeks a rise in cases has been noted specifically in certain parts of the country with a total of 2,082 cases reported in the week ending March 8 which rose to 3,264 cases in the week ending March 15.”

    He stated these states are reporting increased numbers of circumstances indicating the potential localized unfold of an infection.

    The well being secretary stated there’s a must comply with a risk-assessment-based method to forestall and include the an infection, with out shedding the good points made up to now within the combat towards the pandemic.

    He requested all six states to look at the Covid-19 state of affairs on the micro-level – districts and sub-districts – and preserve give attention to implementation of needed measures for immediate and efficient administration of Covid-19.

    Bhushan additionally stated that the five-fold technique of test-track-treat-vaccination and following Covid acceptable behaviour must be adopted and requested the states to give attention to genomic sequencing for prescribed samples of worldwide passengers, and assortment of samples from sentinel websites.

    “It is crucial that the state should preserve a strict watch and take pre-emptive motion if required in any areas of concern to regulate the rising unfold of an infection,” the letter stated.

    Seven districts in Maharashtra, together with Pune, Mumbai and Thane, are recording a excessive variety of Covid-19 circumstances. Similarly, in Gujarat, seven districts, together with Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat, are reporting a rise within the circumstances prior to now few weeks.

    The ministry stated evaluation of Telangana confirmed that many of the circumstances are being reported from Hyderabad district.

    In Tamil Nadu, 4 districts – Salem, the Nilgiris, Tiruppur and Tiruchirappali – are reporting a rise in Covid-19 circumstances, whereas Kerala has reported a rise in Covid-19 circumstances from six districts, together with Ernakulam, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur and Palakkad.

    Four districts in Karnataka – Shivamogga, Kalaburagi, Mysuru and Uttara Kannada – are reporting elevated weekly circumstances, the ministry stated.

    Meanwhile, the primary case of H3N2 an infection was reported in Bhopal. The affected person has been saved in house isolation, a report quoting Madhya Pradesh Medical Education Minister, Vishwas Sarang, stated.

    NEW DELHI: As Covid-19 circumstances are seeing an uptick, the Centre on Thursday wrote to 6 states, together with Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Telangana, to take care of a strict watch and to take pre-emptive motion to regulate the rising unfold of the virus.

    The union well being ministry directed the six states, which additionally included Gujarat and Maharashtra, to hold out testing, monitor new and rising clusters of latest Covid-19 circumstances and to watch Influenza-like sickness and extreme acute respiratory an infection, which can also be quickly surging throughout India.

    In a letter, union well being secretary Rajesh Bhushan stated India has noticed a major decline within the variety of Covod-19 circumstances in the course of the previous few months.googletag.cmd.push(perform() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

    “However, since the past few weeks a rise in cases has been noted specifically in certain parts of the country with a total of 2,082 cases reported in the week ending March 8 which rose to 3,264 cases in the week ending March 15.”

    He stated these states are reporting increased numbers of circumstances indicating the potential localized unfold of an infection.

    The well being secretary stated there’s a must comply with a risk-assessment-based method to forestall and include the an infection, with out shedding the good points made up to now within the combat towards the pandemic.

    He requested all six states to look at the Covid-19 state of affairs on the micro-level – districts and sub-districts – and preserve give attention to implementation of needed measures for immediate and efficient administration of Covid-19.

    Bhushan additionally stated that the five-fold technique of test-track-treat-vaccination and following Covid acceptable behaviour must be adopted and requested the states to give attention to genomic sequencing for prescribed samples of worldwide passengers, and assortment of samples from sentinel websites.

    “It is crucial that the state should preserve a strict watch and take pre-emptive motion if required in any areas of concern to regulate the rising unfold of an infection,” the letter stated.

    Seven districts in Maharashtra, together with Pune, Mumbai and Thane, are recording a excessive variety of Covid-19 circumstances. Similarly, in Gujarat, seven districts, together with Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat, are reporting a rise within the circumstances prior to now few weeks.

    The ministry stated evaluation of Telangana confirmed that many of the circumstances are being reported from Hyderabad district.

    In Tamil Nadu, 4 districts – Salem, the Nilgiris, Tiruppur and Tiruchirappali – are reporting a rise in Covid-19 circumstances, whereas Kerala has reported a rise in Covid-19 circumstances from six districts, together with Ernakulam, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur and Palakkad.

    Four districts in Karnataka – Shivamogga, Kalaburagi, Mysuru and Uttara Kannada – are reporting elevated weekly circumstances, the ministry stated.

    Meanwhile, the primary case of H3N2 an infection was reported in Bhopal. The affected person has been saved in house isolation, a report quoting Madhya Pradesh Medical Education Minister, Vishwas Sarang, stated.

  • LGBTQ+ neighborhood denounces Centre’s opposition to authorized validation of same-sex marriage

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Activists and members of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood have criticised the Centre’s opposition to granting recognition to same-sex marriage, saying regardless of India’s plurality and variety the federal government nonetheless believes that marriage rights can solely be given to heterosexuals.

    In an affidavit earlier than the Supreme Court which is scheduled to listen to the matter on Monday, the Centre has stated authorized validation of same-sex marriage would trigger full havoc with the fragile stability of private legal guidelines and accepted societal values.

    It, nevertheless, added that non-heterosexual types of marriages or unions between people although not recognised are usually not illegal.

    Reacting to the Centre’s affidavit, equal rights activist Harish Iyer and a member of the neighborhood stated India is a nation of plurality, not homogeneity.

    “Unity in diversity is a lesson we learn in our schools. Everyone is equal in the eyes of law. Yet we afford marriage rights only to the majority and not us minorities. The state in its stance has confirmed that they believe that marriage is only between a biological man and a biological woman and their offspring,” Iyer informed PTI.

    Iyer additional slammed the language utilized by the Centre within the affidavit.

    “The very language reveals that the state needs a crash course on sex, sexuality and gender. The correct terms are cis man and cis woman. Now that the Supreme Court has written down Section 377, I would like to know from the state how they define LGBT families,” Iyer stated.

    In its affidavit, the federal government submitted that regardless of the decriminalisation of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, the petitioners can not declare a basic proper for same-sex marriage to be recognised underneath the legal guidelines of the nation.

    A queer scholar and PhD candidate on the University of St Andrews in Scotland, who prefers to be recognized as Q, stated queer intimacies predate the Indian State by many centuries and the State has all the time been essentially heterosexual.

    “The Centre stated that the traditional heterosexual family unit is foundational to the existence and continuance of the State. This is partly correct. The State has always been fundamentally heterosexual; its institutions, its laws, its capitalist structures, even its borders veered toward the cis-heterosexual upper-caste male. The State is also drenched in its masculinity. That being said the Centre hides within these truths one distinct untruth – that the continuance of the State has never been in question,” Q stated.

    Q additional rued that the State will persist no matter whether or not or not homosexual marriage exists, just because the State exists now.

    “Gay marriage is an institutionalisation of existing relationships. What the Centre perhaps meant by that affidavit is that heterosexual marriage is foundational to the continuance of the present regime…,” Q stated.

    The Supreme Court had struck down the draconian Article 377 that criminalised homosexual intercourse and since then many petitions have been filed within the apex courtroom to legalise same-sex marriage too.

    Shubhankar Chakravorty, a Bengaluru-based guide who identifies as a homosexual man, stated rights and freedoms have seldom been offered upfront of a mass battle or in anticipation of a sizeable demand and particularly when it is a matter as advanced as marriage legislation that includes a bunch of associated legal guidelines, there must be a strong case of beneficial public influence.

    “India has an LGBT+ population of at least 50 million (less than 5 per cent of 1.4 billion) and still you’d struggle to find a few thousand same-sex couples in present need of marriage rights. While it’s a very real need for many people currently in long-term relationships/civil partnerships, same-sex parenting, etc., the number isn’t high enough to put pressure on the government.”

    “So, much like the movements preceding the amendment of Section 377, there need to be large-scale activities and campaigns to relay the importance of marriage equality and how it impacts hundreds of thousands of real people,” he informed PTI.

    “Till then, as unfair as the government’s stand is, there isn’t much to counter it with. The LGBT+ community, which is still trying to make sense of what it means to have rights and freedom around gender, sex, and sexuality post the Section 377 ruling, needs to do more to assert the real-life outcomes of those rights and freedoms,” he added.

    NEW DELHI: Activists and members of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood have criticised the Centre’s opposition to granting recognition to same-sex marriage, saying regardless of India’s plurality and variety the federal government nonetheless believes that marriage rights can solely be given to heterosexuals.

    In an affidavit earlier than the Supreme Court which is scheduled to listen to the matter on Monday, the Centre has stated authorized validation of same-sex marriage would trigger full havoc with the fragile stability of private legal guidelines and accepted societal values.

    It, nevertheless, added that non-heterosexual types of marriages or unions between people although not recognised are usually not illegal.googletag.cmd.push(operate() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

    Reacting to the Centre’s affidavit, equal rights activist Harish Iyer and a member of the neighborhood stated India is a nation of plurality, not homogeneity.

    “Unity in diversity is a lesson we learn in our schools. Everyone is equal in the eyes of law. Yet we afford marriage rights only to the majority and not us minorities. The state in its stance has confirmed that they believe that marriage is only between a biological man and a biological woman and their offspring,” Iyer informed PTI.

    Iyer additional slammed the language utilized by the Centre within the affidavit.

    “The very language reveals that the state needs a crash course on sex, sexuality and gender. The correct terms are cis man and cis woman. Now that the Supreme Court has written down Section 377, I would like to know from the state how they define LGBT families,” Iyer stated.

    In its affidavit, the federal government submitted that regardless of the decriminalisation of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, the petitioners can not declare a basic proper for same-sex marriage to be recognised underneath the legal guidelines of the nation.

    A queer scholar and PhD candidate on the University of St Andrews in Scotland, who prefers to be recognized as Q, stated queer intimacies predate the Indian State by many centuries and the State has all the time been essentially heterosexual.

    “The Centre stated that the traditional heterosexual family unit is foundational to the existence and continuance of the State. This is partly correct. The State has always been fundamentally heterosexual; its institutions, its laws, its capitalist structures, even its borders veered toward the cis-heterosexual upper-caste male. The State is also drenched in its masculinity. That being said the Centre hides within these truths one distinct untruth – that the continuance of the State has never been in question,” Q stated.

    Q additional rued that the State will persist no matter whether or not or not homosexual marriage exists, just because the State exists now.

    “Gay marriage is an institutionalisation of existing relationships. What the Centre perhaps meant by that affidavit is that heterosexual marriage is foundational to the continuance of the present regime…,” Q stated.

    The Supreme Court had struck down the draconian Article 377 that criminalised homosexual intercourse and since then many petitions have been filed within the apex courtroom to legalise same-sex marriage too.

    Shubhankar Chakravorty, a Bengaluru-based guide who identifies as a homosexual man, stated rights and freedoms have seldom been offered upfront of a mass battle or in anticipation of a sizeable demand and particularly when it is a matter as advanced as marriage legislation that includes a bunch of associated legal guidelines, there must be a strong case of beneficial public influence.

    “India has an LGBT+ population of at least 50 million (less than 5 per cent of 1.4 billion) and still you’d struggle to find a few thousand same-sex couples in present need of marriage rights. While it’s a very real need for many people currently in long-term relationships/civil partnerships, same-sex parenting, etc., the number isn’t high enough to put pressure on the government.”

    “So, much like the movements preceding the amendment of Section 377, there need to be large-scale activities and campaigns to relay the importance of marriage equality and how it impacts hundreds of thousands of real people,” he informed PTI.

    “Till then, as unfair as the government’s stand is, there isn’t much to counter it with. The LGBT+ community, which is still trying to make sense of what it means to have rights and freedom around gender, sex, and sexuality post the Section 377 ruling, needs to do more to assert the real-life outcomes of those rights and freedoms,” he added.

  • SC agrees to listen to Friday plea in search of probe into Hindenburg Research report on Adani companies

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has agreed to listen to on Friday a plea in search of a path to the Centre to represent a committee monitored by a retired apex courtroom decide to inquire and examine into the Hindenburg Research report which has made a slew of allegations in opposition to the enterprise conglomerate led by industrialist Gautam Adani.

    Advocate Vishal Tiwari, who has filed the petition, talked about the matter for pressing itemizing earlier than a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud on Thursday.

    Tiwari advised the bench, additionally comprising Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala, {that a} separate plea filed on the difficulty is scheduled to be listed for listening to on February 10. He urged the bench that his plea be additionally heard on Friday together with the separate plea.

    In his public curiosity litigation (PIL), Tiwari has additionally sought instructions to arrange a particular committee to supervise the sanction coverage for loans of over Rs 500 crore given to large corporates.

    Last week, one other PIL was filed within the apex courtroom by advocate M L Sharma in search of prosecution of quick vendor Nathan Anderson of US-based agency Hindenburg Research and his associates in India and the US for allegedly exploiting harmless traders and the “artificial crashing” of Adani Group’s inventory worth out there.

    The Adani Group shares have taken a beating on the bourses after Hindenburg Research made a litany of allegations, together with fraudulent transactions and share-price manipulation, in opposition to the enterprise conglomerate.

    The Adani Group has dismissed the costs as lies, saying it complies with all legal guidelines and disclosure necessities.

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has agreed to listen to on Friday a plea in search of a path to the Centre to represent a committee monitored by a retired apex courtroom decide to inquire and examine into the Hindenburg Research report which has made a slew of allegations in opposition to the enterprise conglomerate led by industrialist Gautam Adani.

    Advocate Vishal Tiwari, who has filed the petition, talked about the matter for pressing itemizing earlier than a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud on Thursday.

    Tiwari advised the bench, additionally comprising Justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala, {that a} separate plea filed on the difficulty is scheduled to be listed for listening to on February 10. He urged the bench that his plea be additionally heard on Friday together with the separate plea.

    In his public curiosity litigation (PIL), Tiwari has additionally sought instructions to arrange a particular committee to supervise the sanction coverage for loans of over Rs 500 crore given to large corporates.

    Last week, one other PIL was filed within the apex courtroom by advocate M L Sharma in search of prosecution of quick vendor Nathan Anderson of US-based agency Hindenburg Research and his associates in India and the US for allegedly exploiting harmless traders and the “artificial crashing” of Adani Group’s inventory worth out there.

    The Adani Group shares have taken a beating on the bourses after Hindenburg Research made a litany of allegations, together with fraudulent transactions and share-price manipulation, in opposition to the enterprise conglomerate.

    The Adani Group has dismissed the costs as lies, saying it complies with all legal guidelines and disclosure necessities.

  • No separate legislation to ban violence towards docs, healthcare professionals: Centre

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Central authorities has determined to not enact separate laws for prohibiting violence towards docs and different healthcare professionals, the Rajya Sabha was knowledgeable on Tuesday.

    In a written reply, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya stated {that a} draft of the Healthcare Services Personnel and Clinical Establishments (Prohibition of Violence and Damage to Property) Bill, 2019 was ready and was additionally circulated for consultations.

    “Thereafter it was decided not to enact a separate Legislation for prohibiting violence against doctors and other health care professionals,” he stated to a query on the explanations for the withdrawal of the Bill, which meant to guard healthcare professionals and establishments.

    Mandaviya stated that the matter was additional mentioned with related ministries and departments of presidency in addition to all stakeholders, and an ordinance specifically The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 was promulgated on April 22, 2020.

    However, the federal government, on September 28, 2020, handed the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, 2020 below which acts of violence towards healthcare personnel throughout any scenario have been thought-about cognizable and non-bailable offences.

    Speaking with TNIE, Dr Rohan Krishnan, National Chairman, FAIMA Doctors Association, stated that there have been many instances of violence towards docs and well being professionals previously few months inside the federal government hospitals, however the union well being ministry has not taken their demand to have a separate legislation for offering security and safety to healthcare employees and docs significantly.

    “The government needed us during the Covid-19 pandemic and came out with rules and regulations. We also felt safe and secure. But now that Covid-19 is declining and we were able to bring normalcy, the government is showing its true colours. It is shameful,” he stated.

    “The government is not standing up to its promise of bringing a separate law to prohibit violence against doctors and healthcare professionals,” he added.

    “On the one hand, it has failed to provide mental and physical safety and security to the doctors and healthcare professionals; on the other hand, instead of having verbal communication with us regarding this matter, the government is denying any scope of providing a separate law in the future. This is a very serious issue. We will raise this issue at every level,” Dr Krishnan stated.

    Under the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, the fee or abetment of acts of violence or harm or loss to any property is punishable with imprisonment for a time period of three months to 5 years, and with a superb of Rs 50,000 to Rs 2,00,000.

    In case of inflicting grievous harm, imprisonment shall be for a time period of six months to seven years and with a superb of Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 5,00,000.

    In addition, the offender shall even be liable to pay compensation to the sufferer and twice the truthful market worth for harm to property.

    Since, legislation and order is a state topic, State, and Union Territory governments additionally take acceptable steps to guard healthcare professionals/establishments below provisions below the Indian Penal Code (IPC)/Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the minister stated.

    To one other query on the variety of safety guards employed/outsourced by authorities hospitals within the nation, the Minister of State for Health Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar stated that public well being and hospitals are state topics, due to this fact no such information is maintained centrally.

    NEW DELHI: The Central authorities has determined to not enact separate laws for prohibiting violence towards docs and different healthcare professionals, the Rajya Sabha was knowledgeable on Tuesday.

    In a written reply, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya stated {that a} draft of the Healthcare Services Personnel and Clinical Establishments (Prohibition of Violence and Damage to Property) Bill, 2019 was ready and was additionally circulated for consultations.

    “Thereafter it was decided not to enact a separate Legislation for prohibiting violence against doctors and other health care professionals,” he stated to a query on the explanations for the withdrawal of the Bill, which meant to guard healthcare professionals and establishments.

    Mandaviya stated that the matter was additional mentioned with related ministries and departments of presidency in addition to all stakeholders, and an ordinance specifically The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 was promulgated on April 22, 2020.

    However, the federal government, on September 28, 2020, handed the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, 2020 below which acts of violence towards healthcare personnel throughout any scenario have been thought-about cognizable and non-bailable offences.

    Speaking with TNIE, Dr Rohan Krishnan, National Chairman, FAIMA Doctors Association, stated that there have been many instances of violence towards docs and well being professionals previously few months inside the federal government hospitals, however the union well being ministry has not taken their demand to have a separate legislation for offering security and safety to healthcare employees and docs significantly.

    “The government needed us during the Covid-19 pandemic and came out with rules and regulations. We also felt safe and secure. But now that Covid-19 is declining and we were able to bring normalcy, the government is showing its true colours. It is shameful,” he stated.

    “The government is not standing up to its promise of bringing a separate law to prohibit violence against doctors and healthcare professionals,” he added.

    “On the one hand, it has failed to provide mental and physical safety and security to the doctors and healthcare professionals; on the other hand, instead of having verbal communication with us regarding this matter, the government is denying any scope of providing a separate law in the future. This is a very serious issue. We will raise this issue at every level,” Dr Krishnan stated.

    Under the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, the fee or abetment of acts of violence or harm or loss to any property is punishable with imprisonment for a time period of three months to 5 years, and with a superb of Rs 50,000 to Rs 2,00,000.

    In case of inflicting grievous harm, imprisonment shall be for a time period of six months to seven years and with a superb of Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 5,00,000.

    In addition, the offender shall even be liable to pay compensation to the sufferer and twice the truthful market worth for harm to property.

    Since, legislation and order is a state topic, State, and Union Territory governments additionally take acceptable steps to guard healthcare professionals/establishments below provisions below the Indian Penal Code (IPC)/Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the minister stated.

    To one other query on the variety of safety guards employed/outsourced by authorities hospitals within the nation, the Minister of State for Health Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar stated that public well being and hospitals are state topics, due to this fact no such information is maintained centrally.