Month: March 2022

Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday lifted all Covid-19 restrictions imposed in the state, as the number of cases drops.

Avnish Kumar Awasthi, Principal Secretary Home, Uttar Pradesh, issued an order stating that “As the number of cases in the state has declined, the government has announced to remove all Covid restrictions in the state.”
The order further mentioned that “All swimming pools and water parks in the state will be functional. Anganwadi Centres will also be allowed to function”

“People are allowed to attend or organise celebrations, wedding functions with no restrictions on the number of people. However, it is pivotal to wear masks and follow necessary Covid protocols,” it said.

However, it is mandatory to take precautionary measures.

With the addition of 2,539 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the total active cases in India further declined to 30,799 constituting 0.07 per cent of the country’s total positive cases, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday.

The overall COVID-19 cases in the country stand at 4,30,01,477.

According to the health ministry, the daily positivity rate has fallen to 0.35 per cent, while the weekly positivity rate is 0.42 per cent.

With 4,491 recoveries in the last 24 hours, the cumulative recovery in the country stands at 4,24,54,546. While death count rose to 5,16,132 with 60 fresh COVID-related fatalities.

The recovery rate in India has increased to 98.72 per cent and the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.20 per cent. (ANI)

India has called for diplomacy and dialogue to address the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday.

Bagchi’s remarks came during the weekly briefing of MEA where he reiterated India’s stand on the Ukraine situation.
“We have been clear and consistent, we feel that the only way out is through diplomacy and dialogue which has been emphasised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his conversation with President Putin and President Zelenskyy,” he stated.

Bagchi said that India at the United Nations has been highlighting the need to respect the UN charter and the territorial integrity of countries.

The MEA spokesperson also informed that Operation Ganga, launched for the evacuation of Indian nationals in war-torn Ukraine, is still underway.

“We have evacuated over 22,500 Indian nationals from Ukraine. As this is a developing situation, there might be some people in isolated pockets. As per our knowledge, some 15-20 people are there who want to come back, while the rest do not want to leave. We, particularly through our embassy in Warsaw, will continue to help any Indian citizen who wants to return,” he said.

On February 24, Russia began a special military operation in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics requested help in defending themselves.

Russia has been facing immense pressure from the international community to stop its military operations in Ukraine which has created an immense humanitarian crisis with thousands of refugees from Ukraine fleeing to the neighbouring countries to the West.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is scheduled to hold an extraordinary meeting at 3:00 pm ET on Thursday to discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. (ANI)

In yet another case of border spat between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Afghan Foreign Ministry has reportedly protested against continuing border violations along the Durand Line.

According to the Afghan side, artillery shells, including firing from heavy and light weapons, were noticed in some districts of Nangarhar province. Artillery shells were also fired in residential areas of the Sarkari and Marawara districts of Kunar province from across the border.

In addition, Pakistani aircraft and drones also violated the Afghan airspace in the Kunar province.

An Afghan Foreign Ministry delegation, including defence and interior ministry officials, is scheduled to visit Islamabad to discuss the border issue with their counterparts.

After the initial elation over the Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan in August last year, Pakistan’s euphoria is now subsiding in the face of increased terrorism at home.

The Pakistan government had hoped that a friendly regime in Afghanistan would ease its concerns about the Pakistani Taliban, known as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). What has happened instead is a spike in terror attacks in recent months, said a Canada-based think tank, International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS).

Pakistan claims that many of the terror attacks were planned by militants hiding inside Afghanistan. (ANI)

Sri Lanka on Thursday signed USD 1 billion credit line with India for procurement of food, medicines and other essential items, amid the island nation’s worsening economic crisis.

The agreement was signed between the State Bank of India (SBI) and the Government of Sri Lanka, during Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksha’s two-day visit to India.
This agreement was signed after Rajapaksa held a meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi today. The Ministers discussed wide-ranging issues of mutual interest and economic cooperation.

This signing of the credit facility comes a day after Rajapaksa on Wednesday met PM Modi and thanked him for extending support for the Sri Lankan economy.

PM Modi spoke about the central role that Sri Lanka occupies in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and its S.A.G.A.R (Security and Growth for all in the Region) doctrine. Modi reiterated that India would continue to stand with the friendly people of the neighbouring country.

Sri Lanka has seen its national currency getting devalued significantly against major international currencies, in addition to crippling fuel and gas shortages and daily electricity cuts.

As Sri Lanka faces a severe economic crisis, India has continued to assist its neighbouring country in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and to mitigate its adverse impact and its developmental priorities.

India provided more than USD 500 million in foreign currency swaps to strengthen Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves, taking the total up to USD 900 million. India also extended the repayment time frame for the USD 500 million debt of Sri Lanka under the Asian Clearance Arbitration.

Espousing India’s Neighborhood first policy, Jaishankar said that India stands with Sri Lanka.

“Neighborhood first. India stands with Sri Lanka. USD 1 billion credit line signed for the supply of essential commodities. Key element of the package of support extended by India,” Jaishankar tweeted. (ANI)

A US court has dismissed Pakistan’s motion to stay enforcement of USD 6 billion penalty imposed against the country in the Reko Diq case by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in July 2019, according to a media report.

Emphasising that it was not entitled to review such an arbitrability argument with respect to an ICSID award under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), Washington DC’s District Court dismissed Pakistan’s motion for stay enforcement, reported The Express Tribune.

Notably, the ICSID imposed a USD 6 billion fine on Pakistan on July 12, 2019, over a breach of the Australia-Pakistan Bilateral Investment Treaty and denial of the mining lease to the Tethyan Copper Company (TCC) at Reko Diq in Balochistan in 2011.

Ruling on the matter, a British Virgin Islands (BVI) court also attached Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) assets in New York and Central Paris to enforce the award, according to the media outlet.

Pakistan argued that it had not waived its sovereign immunity under the FSIA since no valid arbitration agreement existed, the media outlet reported citing Investment Arbitration Reporter (IA Reporter).

The court, however, noted that the US statute implementing the ICSID Convention required courts to give awards “the same full faith and credit as if the award were a final judgment” of a state court.

According to the IA Reporter, the court closed its order by emphasising that the award was final and that in the application of Articles 53(1) and 54(1) of the ICSID Convention, Pakistan was obliged to comply with the award, reported The Express Tribune.

Notably, Reko Diq, located in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan, is one of the world’s biggest untapped copper and gold deposits. Development of the asset has been stalled for nearly a decade because of a long-running dispute. (ANI)

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday announced that an anti-corruption helpline will be launched in the state on Shaheed Diwas on March 23.

The newly elected chief minister said that people will be able to lodge complaints against corruption via WhatsApp.
“99 per cent of people are honest, because of 1 per cent the system breaks down,” said Mann.

Mann had also taken to Twitter to post, “On the martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh ji, we will launch the anti-corruption helpline number. That will be my personal WhatsApp number. If anyone asks you for a bribe, send it to me by recording a video/audio of it. A strict action will be taken against the corrupt. Corruption will no longer work in Punjab.”

A day after Mann assumed office, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government took the first step towards fulfilling the promises which it had made during the run-up to the state assembly polls – a corruption-free government and controlling drug menace in the state that shares a border with Pakistan.

The AAP registered a landslide victory in recently concluded Punjab Assembly polls, winning 92 seats, pushing most of its rivals to the margins. Congress won 18 seats in the 117-member Assembly. (ANI)

Urging trainee civil servants to focus on the ‘biggest goal of the 21st century’ Aatmnirbhar Bharat and Modern India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asked them to ‘reform, perform and transform’ to the next level.

“In this period of Amrit Kaal, we have to take Reform, Perform, Transform to the next level. That is why today’s India is moving ahead with the spirit of ‘Sabka Prayas,” said PM Modi, while addressing a valedictory function of the 96th Common Foundation Course at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussorie via video conferencing.

He further said that the country has been facing many problems due to a lack of coordination between different government departments.

He also recalled Mahatama Gandhi’s mantra that every decision should be evaluated on the touchstone of the welfare of the last person in the last line.

“That’s the reason why we introduce PM Gati Shakti. Once, we identify the problem, it is easier to find solutions,” he added while asking trainee officers to never let their sense of service and duty sag.

PM Modi said during these times of transformation of civil services, the government is bringing many reforms like mission Karmayogi and Aarambh program.

The Prime Minister urged the civil servants not to make a hasty decision and always wish for challenging projects don’t make comfort yourself.

The Prime Minister advised the officers for recording their aspirations and plans at the time of their departure from the Academy to revisit them after 25 or 50 years to evaluate the level of achievement.

“Try identifying five challenges in the sector of your choice. It is very important to find these challenges locally faced by society to find solutions. When we have the power of ‘Jan Bhagidari’ then 1+1 does not equal 2, but 1+1 equals the strength of 11,” he said.

“When you are involved in decision making, try to understand the root cause of what happened in the past and understand their reasons. Never make a hasty decision. Always make an informed decision.

He said identification of the challenges is the first step in the rectification of the challenges. He gave the example of the government’s identification of challenges of providing pucca houses and electricity connection for the poor, which were addressed by schemes like PM Awas Yojana, Saubhagya Scheme and schemes for Aspirational Districts.

He further said to work by understanding the difference between files and fields. You will have to connect with the field for the real feel. “Figures contained in the files are not just numbers. Every figure, every number, is a life. You have to work for every single life, not for mere numbers,” added PM Modi.

The Prime Minister said not to restrict to the comfort zone while urged to hunt for challenging jobs to develop risk-taking capacity. “It will not only help in your personal development but also take the nation to newer heights of success,” he said.

“You should hope to never get easy work. Coming out of your comfort zone will teach you more in the next 2-4 years then what you have learned in the last 20 years,” he added.

The Prime Minister said that the importance of service and sense of duty has been an integral part of the training because when we work with a sense of duty and sense of purpose, “we do not feel the burden of work. You must become a part of a positive change for the society, for the country.”

As per the PMO, the 96th Foundation Course is the first Common Foundation Course at LBSNAA based on the principle of ‘Mission Karmyogi’, with new pedagogy and design.

Emphasis was put on transforming the Officer Trainee from a student/civilian into a public servant through initiatives like interaction with the Padma Awardees in the spirit of ‘Sabka Prayas’. All 488 Officer Trainees were given first-level training in Krav Maga and various other sports. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India needs to develop at a faster pace to find its role while the new world order shapes up in the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Prime Minister said that the whole world is looking at India. “In the circumstances created by COVID-19, new world order is emerging. In this new order, India has to develop itself at a faster pace,” he added.

The Prime Minister was addressing a valedictory function of the 96th Common Foundation Course at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie via video conferencing.

He said that the current batch of civil servants will play a big role in the development of the country in the next 25 years.

“Over the years, I have spoken to and spent a long time with various batches of Civil Servants. But this batch is very special. You are starting your work in the 75th year of India’s Independence. In this Amrit Kaal, you will play a big role in the development of the country in the next 25 years,” said PM Modi.

He further urged the civil servants to keep the goals of building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat and laying the foundation of ‘New, Modern India’ at the top of their priorities.

“You always have to keep the goals of 21st century India in mind. The goal of building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the goal of laying the foundation of New, Modern India,” said PM Modi.

The Prime Minister also stated that the inauguration of the new sports complex and revamped Happy Valley Complex will give a new direction to the Academy.

“During training, you were enlightened with the vision of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Service and duty have been a vital part of your training. The importance of service and sense of duty has been an integral part of your training,” he added.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the new sports complex and dedicated the revamped ‘Happy Valley Complex’ to the nation.

Based on the principle of ‘Mission Karmyogi’, with new pedagogy and design, the 96th Foundation Course at LBSNAA comprises 488 (Officer-trainees) OTs from 16 services and three Royal Bhutan Services (Administrative, Police, and Forest).

The new pedagogy based on the principles of ‘Mission Karmayogi’ was designed to harness the adventurous and innovative spirit of the youthful batch, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in an official statement.

As per the PMO, the 96th Foundation Course is the first Common Foundation Course at LBSNAA based on the principle of ‘Mission Karmyogi’, with new pedagogy and design. Emphasis was put on transforming the Officer Trainee from a student/civilian into a public servant through initiatives like interaction with the Padma Awardees in the spirit of ‘Sabka Prayas’. All 488 Officer Trainees were given first-level training in Krav Maga and various other sports. (ANI)

Many factors like women, caste combination, education qualification, age and performance of the MLAs will be taken into consideration before the formation of the Yogi government 2.0, said sources on Thursday.

Several rounds of meetings have taken place within the party after poll results on March 10.
“Many new leaders who joined the BJP within months before the election have also come out victorious and they are likely to be inducted into the government. However, what is come out from the exercise that has been carried out so far is that without a doubt the caste combination of a particular region and the representation of the elected MLA from that area will be taken into consideration while announcing cabinet,” the sources said.

According to sources, there was open public displeasure against several ministers and MLAs of the last term largely owing to the fact that these leaders would hardly go and meet people in the constituency.

“Like Bihar, this time in Uttar Pradesh women voters who stood up in huge numbers to vote for the party were instrumental to BJP winning a majority in the state. It is also given to understand that the women representation in the Yogi Cabinet will be a substantial one and quite a few women MLAs would be inducted,” sources added.

In the next couple of days, the BJP will also be finalizing the candidates for MLC elections on 36 seats. A few ministers, who have also been MLCs before, are likely to get repeated.

“What are the big shocks in this election for the BJP was the loss of Keshav Prasad Maurya who was a deputy Chief Minister in Yogi 1.0 government from Sirathu. Given his experience as well as popularity it is being said that he will be made an MLC. Congress turned BJP leader Jitin Prasada is also likely to be repeated as an MLC as he has been a minister in the Yogi government,” said sources.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has made at least two visits to the national capital after the election results to meet top leaders of the party.

Among the other leaders from the state who attended these meetings include Dinesh Sharma, Keshav Maurya, BJP State President Swatantra Dev Singh, Uttar Pradesh General Secretary Sunil Bansal.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a part of a few meetings, most of the meetings have been taken place in the presence of BJP national president JP Nadda, general secretary organization B L Santosh, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP Uttar Pradesh election in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP UP in charge Radha Mohan Singh.

BJP Uttar Pradesh core committee held a six-hour-long crucial meeting on Wednesday to discuss the formation of government in the state.

The BJP emerged victorious winning 255 seats in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The SP was the second largest party with 111 seats and its ally SBSP secured the win in six constituencies. Mayawati’s BSP was reduced to only one seat. (ANI)