Health

Jaishankar Meets Chinese VP; Says Normalisation Of Ties Can Produce Mutually Beneficial Outcomes

Beijing, Jul 14: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday conveyed to Chinese Vice President Han Zheng that continued normalisation of India-China ties can produce mutually beneficial outcomes and an open exchange of views between the two sides is “very important” considering the “complex” global scenario. The external affairs minister held talks with Zheng shortly…

Jaishankar Meets Chinese VP; Says Normalisation Of Ties Can Produce Mutually Beneficial Outcomes
Health International National
Amit Shah Reviews Security Along Indo-Pak Border, Airports With Top Officials
Health National

Amit Shah Reviews Security Along Indo-Pak Border, Airports With Top Officials

New Delhi, May 9: Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday reviewed the prevailing situation along India’s border with Pakistan and airports in the country amid the military conflict between the two countries, sources said. The meeting came hours after the Border Security Force said it has foiled an infiltration bid from across the International Border…

Govt committed to offer 200 units free electricity: CM Omar Abdullah

JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that Jammu and Kashmir aims to achieve self-sufficiency in power generation in next two years, ensuring a reliable electricity supply, and that the government was committed to offering 200 units of free electricity. He said Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation was prioritizing the development of hydroelectric…

Govt committed to offer 200 units free electricity: CM Omar Abdullah
Health Jammu and Kashmir National
Grenade attack on police station in north Kashmir’s Baramulla, no casualties: Officials
header Health Jammu and Kashmir National

Grenade attack on police station in north Kashmir’s Baramulla, no casualties: Officials

BARAMULLA: A suspected grenade attack took place at a police station in north Kashmir's Baramulla district late last night, police said today. "During the night intervening March 4-5, at approximately 2120 hrs, a blast-like sound was heard from the backside of Police Post Old Town, Baramulla, causing concern among the general public. No casualty or…

Business

Rs 50,000 cr FDI in food processing sector in last 9 yrs: Modi
Business header National Political

Rs 50,000 cr FDI in food processing sector in last 9 yrs: Modi

NEW DELHI: On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that over the previous nine years, foreign direct investment (FDI) up to Rs 50,000 crore has been drawn to India's food processing industry, which has become a "sunrise" industry. At Bharat Mandapam in the nation's capital, Modi was giving a speech at the second World Food India event. The final day of the three-day event is November 5. "The food processing industry has received FDI of Rs 50,000 crore over the past nine years. It is the outcome of the government's pro-farmer and pro-industry policies, according to Modi. According to him, the capacity for processing food at home has grown dramatically over the past nine years, and exports of processed food have climbed by 150%.The prime minister launched a "food street" as part of "World Food India 2023" and gave seed cash support to more than a lakh Self Help Groups (SHGs). The celebration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets intends to highlight India as the world's food basket. The international event was not able to be organised in the following years because of the COVID-19 epidemic, which took place during the first edition in 2017. "Seed Capital Assistance" will assist SHGs in increasing their marketable prices through higher-quality manufacturing and better packaging. Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Pashupati Kumar Paras encouraged international businesses to make investments in India in this field during his speech.According to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, the Modi administration has strengthened the nation's food processing industry and guaranteed the nation's food security. He outlined the development initiatives carried out by the national government over the last nine years. Around 200 cooks will participate in the "Food Street," which showcases regional cuisines and royal culinary legacy, and will include traditional Indian cuisine. Government agencies, business leaders, farmers, entrepreneurs, and other interested parties will have a forum to network, develop alliances, and look into investment opportunities in the agri-food sector through World Food India. CEO roundtables with an emphasis on investment and ease of doing business will also be held during the event. A number of pavilions have been erected to highlight the power and inventiveness of the Indian food processing sector. [caption id="attachment_4902" align="alignnone" width="300"] Rs 50,000 cr FDI in food processing sector in last 9 yrs: Modi[/caption]  

Azad slams National Conference, PDP for allying with BJP
header Jammu and Kashmir National Political

Azad slams National Conference, PDP for allying with BJP

Doda : Ghulam Nabi Azad, the chairman of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), chastised the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) and the National Conference (NC) for their alliance with the BJP. In both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, one speaker discussed Article 370. Why remained silent all the other members and MPs? They had two Lok Sabha representatives. At a public gathering on Thursday, Azad stated, "If they had not had the courage to oppose, they could have just stood up." He asked, "Are they with the BJP or me?"The DPAP chairman boasted that he was a major factor in Congress' victory in Delhi, saying, "It was me who made it possible for Congress to win in Delhi...I brought Congress seats from Delhi to Jammu and Kashmir." Azad went on to say that he had contributed to the Congress' victory in areas controlled by regional parties. "They will prevail in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh due to the absence of regional parties." But in the areas where regional parties were dominant, I assisted Congress in winning," he remarked. Azad claimed, "Mufti and PDP allowed BJP to come into Jammu and Kashmir," accusing the PDP of forming an alliance with the BJP in the state.The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir went on to accuse the PDP, BJP, and NC of sabotaging votes and supporting the BJP. The three of them are together today. They are proficient at manipulating votes.Where are the Doda, Inderwal, Banhal, and Ramman NC MLAs? The BJP is fighting against us with the assistance of the Congress, NCP, and PDP," Azad remarked. [caption id="attachment_4896" align="alignnone" width="300"] Azad slams National Conference, PDP for allying with BJP[/caption]  

Will do justice with minorities if voted to power: Bukhari
header Jammu and Kashmir National Political

Will do justice with minorities if voted to power: Bukhari

JAMMU: Syed Muhammed Altaf Bukhari, the head of the Apni Party, declared on Thursday that if his party were elected to power in Jammu and Kashmir, they would treat the minorities fairly. Altaf Bukhari gave the group, headed by Dalbir Singh, the district president of Minority Cell, his word that he would treat Jammu and Kashmir's minorities fairly in terms of their advancement in society, politics, and education. The province president of Jammu Manjit Singh and senior vice president of the Apni Party, Ghulam Hassan Mir, were also present at the meeting with the Apni Party's Minority Cell delegation. The delegation discussed the Sikh community and the preservation of the cultural history of Jammu and Kashmir's minority groups in this meeting, which was a pointless discussion. They reported that, regardless of geographic or religious affiliation, a sizable portion of the population in Jammu and Kashmir spoke Punjabi. During the discussion, the deputation told the head of the Apni Party, "The language is a binding force for the communities and therefore, it must be promoted and recognised as one of the official languages in Jammu and Kashmir." Additionally, they asked for the reservation of two seats in the Legislative Assembly, one in each of the regions of Jammu and Kashmir. Altaf Bukhari reaffirmed his party's commitment to the advancement of minorities in Jammu and Kashmir after listening to them. Regarding the demand for the Punjabi language, he gave the delegation the assurance that it would be taken into consideration and that the Apni Party had it on its agenda. He offered his support, stating that the request for two seats in the Legislative Assembly was legitimate as well. "It should be accepted by granting two Legislative Assembly seats each in Jammu and Kashmir regions to the Sikh community," he stated. [caption id="attachment_4893" align="alignnone" width="300"] Will do justice with minorities if voted to power: Bukhari[/caption]  

Congress : BJP not ready to face ULB, panchayat polls in J&K
header Jammu and Kashmir National Political

Congress : BJP not ready to face ULB, panchayat polls in J&K

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Congress stated on Thursday that the BJP opposes panchayat and urban local body elections to be held in the Union Territory because it is certain to lose these elections. The working president of the Jammu and Kashmir Congress, Raman Bhalla, stated that his party was the one that brought up the subject of OBC reservations in ULBs and panchayats in line with the 73rd and 74th amendments in a letter cum objections to the J&K Chief Electoral Officer on September 13, 2023, demanding reservations to OBCs in addition to holding ULB elections under the State Election Commission (SEC) in accordance with the Constitution. "The BJP in power is terrified of losing any kind of election, including assembly elections, ULB elections, and panchayat polls.Since the LAHC-Kargil elections served as a BJP campaign trailer, they are afraid of losing and hence do not want to have elections. According to the law and the constitution, elections to these bodies had to be held one month before the end of their five-year terms; "While all municipal bodies, including Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations, will complete their term by November 14, the elections should have been conducted and completed by October 15 but it has been delayed and deferred," Bhalla told reporters here. "The real picture will unfold after the Assembly elections and the BJP shall be wiped out in the Jammu region too," he said.Leaders of the JKPCC questioned the recovery of arrears of the abolished Irrigation tax from farmers, citing a case of alleged bureaucratic arbitrariness and "anti-farmer" decisions of the "BJP government-controlled Union Territory administration". However, the PDP-BJP government had abolished this tax (Abhiyana) in the 2015–2016 budget. "What right does the government have to recover the waived off/ abolished tax and even charge future tax when an elected government has abolished the same" , asked the politician. [caption id="attachment_4889" align="alignnone" width="300"] Congress : BJP not ready to face ULB, panchayat polls in J&K[/caption]  

Div Com accords warm reception to Champion para Athlete Sheetal Devi & Rakesh Kumar at Jammu
header Jammu and Kashmir National Political Sports

Div Com accords warm reception to Champion para Athlete Sheetal Devi & Rakesh Kumar at Jammu

JAMMU: Para athletes Sheetal Devi, 16, and Rakesh Kumar, 16, were received and welcomed by Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar today in Jammu. After earning medals at the recently finished Para Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, the Para Athletes have returned. Despite all odds, Sheetal Devi—who was born without arms—became the first female armless champion archer in history.The Div Comm praised Sheetal Devi for her tenacity, resolve, and unbreakable character, which made her the first paraarcher without arms in history. He also praised Rakesh Kumar's efforts and accomplishments. He stated that the UT of J&K and the country are proud of the accomplishments of the paraathletes. The Div Comm went on to say that the UT of J&K is working hard to develop sports and athletes under the direction of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.He also valued the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board's assistance in providing the athletes with amenities and care. Prominent athletes were in attendance, including ADDC Kishtwar's Sham Lal, J&K Sports Council member Ranjit Kalra, DSO Sports Council's Baljinder Singh, Arjuna Awadee and Krupali Singh, coach Abhilasha Choudhary, escort Romika Sharma, and others. [caption id="attachment_4877" align="alignnone" width="300"] Div Com accords warm reception to Champion para Athlete Sheetal Devi & Rakesh Kumar at Jammu[/caption]    

SC Reserves Verdict On Pleas Challenging Validity Of Electoral Bonds Scheme
header National Political

SC Reserves Verdict On Pleas Challenging Validity Of Electoral Bonds Scheme

NEW DELHI, Nov 2:  Regarding a number of petitions contesting the legality of the electoral bonds programme for financing political parties, the Supreme Court postponed making a decision on Thursday. On October 31, arguments on four petitions, including those submitted by Congressman Jaya Thakur, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the non-governmental Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), were heard by a five-judge constitution bench that included Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, J B Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra.As part of initiatives to increase political finance transparency, the government announced the programme on January 2, 2018, and it was positioned as an alternative to financial contributions to political parties. Any Indian individual or organisation incorporated or founded in India may purchase electoral bonds in accordance with the scheme's terms. Election bonds may be purchased individually or in combination with other people. Electoral bonds can only be obtained by political parties that are registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and that have garnered at least 1% of the votes cast in the most recent election for the Lok Sabha or a state legislative Assembly.The announcement states that a political party that qualifies may only cash electoral bonds through an account with a bank that has been licenced. In April 2019, the Supreme Court rejected the Centre's request to halt the electoral bonds scheme and declared that it would give the pleas a thorough hearing because the Election Commission and the Centre had brought up "weighty issues" that had a "tremendous bearing on the sanctity of the electoral process in the country." [caption id="attachment_4857" align="alignnone" width="300"] SC Reserves Verdict On Pleas Challenging Validity Of Electoral Bonds Scheme[/caption]

Shah Terms Cong ‘Cut, Commission, Corruption’ Party, Slams INDIA Bloc Constituents
header National Political

Shah Terms Cong ‘Cut, Commission, Corruption’ Party, Slams INDIA Bloc Constituents

KARNAL (Haryana), Nov 2: On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah attacked the Congress, branding it a party of "cut, commission, and corruption." He also denounced the opposition INDIA alliance, claiming that 27 parties have united to further their own agendas. He contrasted this with the BJP's efforts to promote the wellbeing of the populace.Speaking at the "Antyodaya Sammelan" event hosted by the Haryana government here, Shah commended the Manohar Lal Khattar administration for implementing the state's overall development. In the last nine years, he claimed, the BJP Government in Haryana has eradicated corruption and nepotism and strengthened law and order. The Union Minister urged people to support the BJP in the next general elections by enumerating the many programmes and initiatives of the Narendra Modi administration. Shah introduced five programmes for the "Antyodaya" families during the ceremony, where Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and other guests were present."I want to ask (Bhupinder) Hooda ji whether the development which took place in the last nine years (under BJP) is visible or if (your) eyes are still shut," he said, slamming Bhupinder Hooda, the leader of the Haryana Congress. Shah claimed that the Congress is incapable of advancing both the nation and Haryana. The Congress is a crooked, cut-and-commission party. The Union home minister said, "The party's hand (election symbol) is not with the people of Haryana." Shah referred to the opposition bloc as a "ghamandiya (arrogant)" alliance and claimed that all 27 members were "'parivarvadis' (dynasts)"."All 27 of the clothing items are 'parivarvadis'. Some must help their son adjust, some must appoint their son to the prime ministership, some must protect their son from agencies, and yet others must appoint their son to the position of chief minister. Some must become into devoted followers of Madam. Are these folks able to benefit the public in any way? stated Shah. Regarding the Ram Temple issue, he also took aim at the Congress. Shah claimed that the Congress delayed the construction of the Ram Temple and kept the matter unresolved for decades after Independence. According to the Union Home Minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi set the temple's foundation. He said that the massive temple will host the consecration of Lord Ram Lalla's idol on January 22. [caption id="attachment_4854" align="alignnone" width="300"] Shah Terms Cong ‘Cut, Commission, Corruption’ Party, Slams INDIA Bloc…