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LG reviews power scenario in J&K

editor October 11, 2023

SRINAGAR: A meeting to assess the functioning of the Power Development Department and assess the current state of the power situation in the UT was presided over by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The Lt. Governor talked about the department's comprehensive plan for meeting peak electricity demand. He also gave the go-ahead to improve sustainability and efficiency in order to guarantee a sufficient and trustworthy supply of power during the winter. In order to reduce AT&C losses in certain locations to single digits and assure maximum power supply to smart metre saturation feeders, the Lt. Governor instructed the administration to take concrete action.Jammu, Srinagar, and district headquarters should all have smart metres installed as soon as possible. He continued that PDD should make sure metered regions receive dependable services and high-quality electricity. It was disclosed that the UT has almost 4 lakh smart metres installed. To prevent causing the consumers any difficulty, the Lt. Governor ordered that the curtailment plans be followed and that the damaged transformers be promptly replaced. In preparation for the impending winter season, he noted, a buffer supply of transformers should be preserved for border and remote districts. He argued that strong local enforcement is the best way to combat power theft. The LG also gave instructions for the proper implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in the UT and for utilising the potential of new and renewable energy. The chair was updated by H. Rajesh Prasad, Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, on the department's initiatives to close the demand and supply gap. He claimed that following the previous winter, a sizable capacity augmentation was completed to allow the system to handle increased peak demand. In order to meet the rising demand throughout the winter, the Lt. Governor emphasised the importance of ensuring resource adequacy in terms of the availability of additional electricity capacity. According to information provided, the peak demand increased by more than 28% during Financial Years 2020–21 and 2023–24, while the peak shortfall shrank from 22% to 12%.The meeting was attended in person and virtually by Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, Dr. RP Singh, Chairman of the JKPCL, Dr. Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Heads of Departments and Power Corporations, Chief Engineers and senior officers. [caption id="attachment_3827" align="alignnone" width="300"] LG reviews power scenario in J&K[/caption]

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Dr Jitendra : ‘Gaganyaan’ Test Space Flight scheduled for October 21

editor October 10, 2023

NEW DELHI:On the 21st of this month, the "Gaganyaan" Test Vehicle Space mission (TV-D1), also known as the "Gaganyaan" Test Vehicle Development flight, is slated to launch. Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space, made this announcement in front of the audience today during a programme honouring ISRO scientists who worked on the Chandrayaan Mission. By 2024, ISRO hopes to launch both manned and unmanned spacecraft thanks to the Crew Escape System, a critical component of the "Gaganyaan" mission, which will also be put to the test. The test will be carried out at Sriharikota's Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The astronauts will travel to orbit on the Gaganyaan expedition in the Crew Module. A crew module will be sent into space for the test, returned to Earth, and then recovered after touching down in the Bay of Bengal. Personnel from the Indian Navy have already begun practise operations to recover the module. The Minister was informed that if this test is successful, it will pave the way for the first unmanned "Gaganyaan" mission and ultimately a manned journey to low Earth orbit. The female robot astronaut "Vyommitra" will go on a test flight next year before the final manned "Gaganyaan" mission, he claimed. The Gaganyaan project aims to launch a human crew into a 400 km orbit and return them safely to land in Indian sea waters as a demonstration of human spaceflight capability. The development of numerous essential technologies, such as human rated launch vehicles for carrying crew safely into space, life support systems to provide crew with an environment similar to that on Earth while they are in space, crew emergency escape provisions, and evolving crew management aspects for crew training, recovery, and rehabilitation, are prerequisites for the Gaganyaan mission. India is one of the top five countries in the world when it comes to space exploration, according to Dr. Jitendra Singh. "India just made history by becoming the first country to land on the virgin south pole section of the lunar surface. India's ambitious space exploration plan has left a clear message that we are one of the most scientifically sophisticated nations in the field of Space Science and Technology with the launch of Aditya -1, which is the first space-based Indian mission to study the Sun, he added. Dr. Jitendra Singh gave full credit to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for "unlocking" India's space sector and creating an enabling environment so that India's enormous potential and talent could find an outlet and prove itself to the rest of the world, allowing India's space scientists to validate the dream of their founding father Vikram Sarabhai. "After the opening up of the Space sector by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in June 2020, the number of Space Startups sky-rocketed from merely 4 to 150 Startups," he stated. India's space missions, he claimed, are made to be economical. Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that virtually every household in India has been impacted by space technology. He was referring to applications of space technology to various sectors like railways, highways, agriculture, water mapping, smart cities, telemedicine, and robotic surgery, which brought "Ease of Living" for the average person. "During PM Modi's tenure of nine years, India's disaster capabilities have become world class and we are providing Disaster Forecasts for neighbouring countries as well," he stated. According to Dr. Jitendra Singh, ISRO is the perfect example of India's Naarishakti, with women scientists spearheading many of the different activities in space research missions. The Union Minister presented awards to ISRO scientists Dr. Veeramuthuvel, Project Director of Chandrayaan-3, Ms. K. Kalpana, Associate Project Director of Chandrayaan-3, M. Shrikanth, Mission Director of Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya L1, and Ms. Nigar Shaji, Project Director of Aditya L1. [caption id="attachment_3824" align="alignnone" width="300"] Dr Jitendra : 'Gaganyaan' Test Space Flight scheduled for October…

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Rescind order on tourist guides in Gulmarg: Mehbooba Mufti to LG

editor October 10, 2023

SRINAGAR: Mehbooba Mufti, the leader of the PDP, requested Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday to reverse a decision made by the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation that instructed tour operators and service providers to pay regular fares on the second phase of the Gulmarg Gondola Project. You are unable to comprehend why the local administration keeps giving directives that only serve to harm the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.Mehbooba was responding to a Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation order that directed guides and service providers be charged as normal passengers if they accompany tourists to Affarwat on the second phase of the Gulmarg Gondola Project. This latest directive from the authorities in Gulmarg mandates that tourist guides and other service providers pay for the second phase of the gondola cable car.This wasn't the case in the past because they could join tourists with the use of a special pass. As it stands, they help tourists to make a meagre wage that barely supports their families. The former chief minister of the old Jammu and Kashmir state remarked, "Request Manoj Sinhaji to withdraw this order, which will otherwise have a disastrous impact on them. [caption id="attachment_3817" align="alignnone" width="300"] Rescind order on tourist guides in Gulmarg: Mehbooba Mufti to LG[/caption]

Breaking News header Jammu and Kashmir National Political

CBI files 6 charge sheets in Patnitop land grabbing case

editor October 10, 2023

JAMMU: According to sources, the CBI has filed six charge sheets in connection with claims that hotels and guesthouses in Jammu and Kashmir colluded with past CEOs of the Patnitop Development Authority (PDA) to seize forest and agricultural land. The agency has listed eight hotel owners in its charge sheets submitted to a special court in Jammu, along with two former PDA CEOs, Rajinder Krishan Verma and Kamal Kishore Gupta, two Khilafwarzi inspectors, Avesh Jasrotia and Zaheer Abbas. On Monday, the agency submitted five charge sheets, and on Saturday, one. The agency has also identified Syed Mushtaq Shah, Nazir Shah, Samina Shah, Zubeida Begum, Shakeel Shah, Koushal Magotra, and Virender Kesar as the alleged owners of the hotels Mount View, Dream Land, Broadway, and Hollywood. "Investigation revealed that accused public servants did not take steps to remove illegal constructions, etc. in conspiracy with other accused," a spokesperson for the CBI stated. According to the Jammu and Kashmir High Court's instructions, the CBI took up the probe in 2020 after the president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Patnitop filed a public interest lawsuit citing flagrant violations of the Patnitop area's master plan.He said that 70% of hotels and restaurants had been built without authorization. The construction of numerous hotels and guest houses without authorization and without registration with the PDA was further accused. Additionally, it was claimed that officials knew about these encroachments but did nothing about them. The hotels allegedly failed to submit a compounding charge in some instances, according to the CBI's statement following the filing of the FIR. The CBI said that government employees who had control over property in Patnitop conspired with the owners and operators of hotels, guest homes, resorts, etc. failed to uphold the interests of the state and, in contravention of the PDA master plan, permitted illegal development on the aforementioned land that was intended for agriculture, parking, and residential use. [caption id="attachment_3797" align="alignnone" width="300"] CBI files 6 charge sheets in Patnitop land grabbing case[/caption]

Breaking News header Jammu and Kashmir National Political

LG reviews arrangements ahead of President’s visit to J&K

editor October 10, 2023

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha presided over a meeting to discuss the preparations for the visit of Smt. Draupadi Murmu, the President of India, to the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. The Lt. Governor evaluated the University of Kashmir's convocation preparations, which will be attended by the President. In preparation for the President's visit, he also assessed the security measures and gave the go-ahead for the execution of a detailed traffic plan. Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University, Dr. Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Vijay Kumar, ADGP Kashmir, Sujit Kumar, DIG CKR Srinagar, Athar Amir Khan, Commissioner SMC, Mohammad Aijaz, DC Srinagar, Rakesh Balwal, SSP Srinagar, and senior officers were present at the meeting. [caption id="attachment_3791" align="alignnone" width="300"] LG reviews arrangements ahead of President's visit to J&K[/caption]

Breaking News header Jammu and Kashmir National Political

Omar : Denying democratic rights can push people of J&K to protest

editor October 10, 2023

SRINAGAR: Omar Abdullah, vice president of the National Conference, stated on Monday that people may come to the streets to demand their right to an elected government if the Election Commission does not make the polling date for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly public. According to Abdullah, we appear to be being forced into a position where we must demonstrate even for our democratic rights. The former chief minister was responding to a query on whether Jammu and Kashmir politics had deteriorated to the point where protests calling for assembly elections were necessary.In a press conference today, the Chief Election Commissioner stated that they will weigh all factors before making a decision on the polls in Jammu and Kashmir. He had before stated that J-K needed a void to be filled. We are curious about these factors. Are EVMs not being provided by the government? Is security not being provided by the government? If elections cannot be held, is the situation worse than it was in 1996? Is it worse than the fallout from the disaster in 2014?" he questioned. Abdullah claimed that the Solicitor General had stated that the government was prepared for elections at the Supreme Court during the hearing of Article 370 petitions, but that the Election Commission would have to make the final decision. "They are either hiding behind the EC or they lied in the SC,"The only reason (for the delay) that I can think of is BJP fear. Please let us know if there is any more information. The BJP has previously been hiding behind the Raj Bhawan. He continued, "Right now they are hiding behind the Election Commission. According to Abdullah, the "resounding" loss of the BJP in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) elections in Kargil may cause further delays in the holding of elections for the Jammu and Kashmir legislature, panchayats, and urban local bodies. "We are prepared for elections, but the Centre and the BJP are not because they are afraid, I have always claimed. At this point, if they had their way, they wouldn't even hold elections for the parliament, according to the data that is available today. We might conclude from this outcome that our elections have become more distant from us, he continued. The NC leader argued that the Chief Election Commissioner need to inform Jammu and Kashmir's citizens whether they enjoy the same right to vote as citizens in other areas of the nation. "Are the people of Jammu and Kashmir not entitled to vote for their leaders? They don't have the same rights as the people of Rajasthan, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, and MP, he continued. Abdullah asserted that the administration had claimed that the long-standing desire of the people of Ladakh had been met after Article 370 was repealed in 2019 and Jammu and Kashmir was divided into two Union territories. "However, the results of the election show that the Ladakhi people did not approve of it. They suffered the same harm from the split as the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who are currently protesting it, he said. "BJP will claim that the outcome was caused by Kargil's Muslim majority. The question that follows is: Was JK's divide caused by religion? When questioned about the lieutenant governor's claim that 80% of Jammu and Kashmir residents were satisfied with the current political climate, Abdullah remarked Manoj Sinha appeared to have an obsession with the number 80. "I can see that he finds the number 80 to be fascinating. He sees 80 in everything, as I've noticed. Why did he offer a 20% discount while he gave statistics about his popularity? He is welcome to have 100%, he said. According to Abdullah, if events were to be taken at face value, Prime Minister Narendra Modi might abolish elections. "If things can be done like this, then Modi can say 80 per cent of people like him and there is no need for elections," he stated. When questioned about the BJP's accusation that opposition parties were promoting dynastic politics, Abdullah responded that elections allow the public to make decisions.…

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NHAI Issues SOPs To Reduce Incidents Of Altercation At Toll Plazas

editor October 9, 2023

New Delhi, Oct 9: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Monday said it has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to safeguard commuters and toll operators, reduce incidents of altercations and strengthen security at toll…

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Dr Jitendra Singh addresses ‘India-Sweden Innovation Day’ meet, promises deeper collaboration

editor October 9, 2023

NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, addressed the 10th "India-Sweden Innovation Day" meeting today. He pledged deeper cooperation between the two nations and called for strengthening India-Sweden bilateral cooperation to effectively address pressing global challenges while remaining steadfast in the pursuit of immediate goals on the path to a more prosperous future. Dr. Jitendra Singh, who spoke on behalf of the Indian government, said that businesses on both sides should be encouraged to collaborate in research and exchange human resources.Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that nine Swedish companies visited India this year as part of the India-Sweden Innovations Accelerator programme in order to expand their export and investment opportunities in the area of green technology and strengthen ties between Sweden and India in this field. The Minister mentioned that in 2023, both nations would mark the fifth anniversary of the Sweden-India Joint Declaration on Innovation Partnership for a Sustainable Future as well as the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. The 10th India Sweden Innovation Day's theme is "Innovation for a Better World," according to him, and it is a momentous occasion.Dr. Jitendra Singh reaffirmed that the goal of this historic occasion is to realise a net-zero future by leveraging our individual areas of expertise and driving ecologically sustainable growth. Dr. Jitendra Singh said that in May 2022, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji reaffirmed their commitment to encouraging cooperative research and innovation across a variety of fields, including polar and space research. The relationship, according to the minister, spans a number of industries, including energy, clean technology, new materials, space, the circular and bio-based economy, health and life sciences, and transportation and eMobility.In accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, he also said that the India-Sweden Innovation Partnership builds links between institutions, R&D-intensive industries, and creative entrepreneurs. Dr. Jitendra Singh reported that the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has announced the INDIA-SWEDEN Collaborative Industrial Research & Development call in association with the Swedish Government Agency for Innovation Systems (VINNOVA). According to him, this effort is a crucial component of the larger Sweden-India Innovation Partnership, which seeks to increase competitiveness and find creative solutions to urgent global problems like climate change and sustainable development.Dr. Jitendra Singh pointed out that the joint call for proposals between Sweden and India in the area of the circular economy was first made public last year. Three large projects in all were supported through this call, which was co-funded by nine Indian and nine Swedish funding organisations for the Joint Programme. On March 13, 2023, a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was formally approved, creating a cooperation between the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education (STINT), the Department of Science and Technology, and the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).This partnership aims to promote knowledge exchange and the advancement of research while strengthening collaboration and research ties between academic institutions in Sweden and India through the organisation of seminars, workshops, and conferences. Dr. Jitendra Singh also thanked Andreas Carlson, Minister of Infrastructure, Government of Sweden, for participating in the 10th annual India Sweden Innovation Day. Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that India is ready to strengthen the bilateral partnership, particularly in the area of science and technology, as well as to support our innovation ecosystem. The Minister went on to say that the success of our bilateral diplomatic relations has been a result of our shared values and dedication to fair trade and globalisation.I am really happy to observe that the area of India and Sweden's bilateral relationship that is growing the fastest is innovation cooperation, he continued. Swedish ambassador to India Tanmaya Lal, Robin Sukhia, president of the Sweden-India Business Council, and Sanjoo Malhotra, CEO of India Unlimited also spoke at the event in addition to Hon. Jan Thesleff, the ambassador of India to Sweden. [caption id="attachment_3776" align="alignnone" width="300"] Dr Jitendra Singh addresses 'India-Sweden Innovation Day' meet, promises deeper collaboration[/caption]

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NC, Cong To Hold Chief Executive Councillor Post In LAHDC-Kargil In Rotation: Omar

editor October 9, 2023

Srinagar, Oct 9: Omar Abdullah, the head of the National Conference, claimed on Monday that his party and the Congress had an accord prior to the election regarding the rotation of the chief executive councillor position in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil. Together, the National Conference and Congress won 22 of the 26 seats up for election in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil on October 4. Four voting members are proposed by the administration for the 30-member council.The National Conference, which is now the single-largest party, got 12 seats, according to the officials, while its ally Congress won 10 seats. According to them, the BJP won two seats and two Independent candidates also won. "We shall have rotating chief executive councillors in Kargil for two and a half years each, that was decided before the elections. According to Abdullah, it hasn't changed in light of the results and wouldn't have changed even if we had 16 seats and the Congress only had six.He responded, "Being the bigger partner, the National Conference should be the first," when asked which party would run for the position first. Additionally, that would be in keeping with the coalition dharma. The Congress wouldn't want to set the tone for the INDIA coalition, in my opinion. Will the Congress give up the prime minister's position for a lesser partner if it wins the most votes in the Lok Sabha elections? asked the leader of the National Conference. Abdullah responded that the National Conference was open to conversations on the topic when asked if his party was prepared for a pre-election partnership with the Congress in future elections in Jammu and Kashmir."We are prepared to have a conversation. However, the INDIA coalition has not yet started talking about seat sharing, he continued. [caption id="attachment_3770" align="alignnone" width="300"] NC, Cong To Hold Chief Executive Councillor Post In LAHDC-Kargil In Rotation: Omar[/caption]

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“Tanzania is biggest, closest partner of India in Africa”: PM Modi

editor October 9, 2023

NEW DELHI: While speaking at the Exchange session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that Tanzania is India's largest and closest ally in all of Africa and that today is a momentous day for relations between the two countries. "Today marks a turning point in India and Tanzania's relationship. We are attempting to turn our long-standing friendship into a Strategic Partnership today, he remarked. PM Modi noted that Tanzania and India are significant trading and investment partners, adding that "both sides are working on an agreement to increase trade in local currencies." In addition, PM Modi noted that "Tanzania is the biggest and closest partner of India in the entire Africa." On Monday, PM Modi and Samia Suluhu Hassan, the president of Tanzania, attended the MoU exchanging programme at Hyderabad House in Delhi. The Indian Navy and the Tanzanian Shipping Agency exchanged technical agreements regarding their cooperation in sharing white shipping information, the National Sports Council of Tanzania and the Sports Authority of India exchanged MoUs regarding their cooperation in the field of sports, and India and Tanzania also exchanged agreements regarding their cultural exchange programme for the years 2023 to 2027.Additionally, there was a discussion regarding the establishment of an industrial park in Tanzania between the Tanzania Investment Centre and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, which is a division of the Ministry of Port, Shipping, and Waterways of India. Finally, an MoU exchange about cooperation in the maritime industry was place between Cochin Shipyard Limited and Marine Services Corporation Limited. India has significantly aided Tanzania in developing its capacities and skills. "ICT centres, vocational schools, defence training, and scholarships from ITEC and ICCR. By collaborating in key areas including agriculture, health, water supply, and education, we have attempted to improve Tanzanians' quality of life. President Narendra Modi saidRegarding the defence industry, PM Modi mentioned that a five-year framework has been agreed upon by Tanzania and India. "Through this, new dimensions will be added in areas like military training, maritime cooperation, capacity building, and defence industry," he stated. He also expressed his happiness that Tanzania had chosen to join the Global Biofuels Alliance, which had been established at the G20 Summit by India. "I am glad that Tanzania has decided to join the Global Biofuels Alliance launched by India at the G20 Summit," he stated. In the presence of US President Joe Biden, Presidents Luiz Inacio of Brazil, Alberto Fernandez of Argentina, and Giorgia Meloni of Italy, PM Modi established the Global Biofuels Alliance during the G20 Summit.Everyone agrees that the greatest security threat to humanity is terrorism, including India and Tanzania. "In this regard, we have also decided to increase mutual cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism," said Prime Minister Modi. "The most important thing that binds our relationships is our strong and oldest people-to-people ties," said Prime Minister Modi. The establishment of the IIT Madras centre in Zanzibar, according to PM Modi, is a significant turning point in our relationship. On July 4, in the presence of Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of an IIT Madras campus in Zanzibar was signed by the Ministry of Education (MoE), the central government, IIT Madras, and the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MoEVT) of Zanzibar, Tanzania. "Technology is the biggest pillar for the path of development between India and Tanzania," PM Modi stated. The Union Minister of State for Education Annapurna Devi met Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who was in India at President Droupadi Murmu's invitation, on Sunday at the Delhi airport.Earlier today, President Hassan received a formal welcome on the Rashtrapati Bhawan forecourt and took part in the wreath-laying ceremony at Rajghat. The day before, President Samia Suluhu Hassan praised the outstanding relations between the two nations and noted that her visit will open up new doors for Tanzania's and India's political and economic development.

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