Tuesday, 31 May 2022
Hockey Rankings: India women achieve best-ever sixth place; men slip one spot to fourth
India's per capita income remains below pre-COVID level in 2021-22
India's per capita income Remains Below pre-COVID Level in 2021-22
India's annual per capita income at constant prices remained below the pre-COVID level at Rs 91,481 in 2021-22, official data showed on Tuesday.
However, the per capita income based on Net National Income (NNI) at constant price grew by 7.5 per cent in FY22 over the previous year.
The per capita income at constant price was Rs 94,270 in 2019-20 before it dipped to Rs 85,110 in 2020-21 on account of the disruption in economic activities caused by COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.
At current prices, the per capita income rose by 18.3 per cent to Rs 1.5 lakh during in 2021-22 fiscal.
The per capita income at current prices had dipped to Rs 1.27 lakh in 2020-21 from Rs 1.32 lakh in 2019-20.
The per-capita income is a crude indicator of the prosperity of a country.
(Source : The Pioneer)
Female Power : Females Grab Top 3 ranks in Civil Services Exam
Female Power : Females Grab Top 3 ranks in Civil Services Exam
Shruti Sharma has topped the civil services examination 2021, results of which were announced by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Monday.
As many as 685 candidates have qualified the prestigious test, it said, without sharing further details of candidates selected in the examination.
While Shruti Sharma has topped the examination, Ankita Agarwal and Gamini Singla have secured the second and third rank, respectively, the Commission said.
The civil services examination is conducted annually by the UPSC in three stages – preliminary, main and interview – to select officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others.
(Source : PTI & The Pioneer)
Saturday, 28 May 2022
खुद पर दोस्तों का खून लगाकर लाश की तरह लेटी रही बच्ची, टेक्सास हमलावर ने सुनाया 'मौत' का संगीत
खुद पर दोस्तों का खून लगाकर लाश की तरह लेटी रही बच्ची, टेक्सास हमलावर ने सुनाया 'मौत' का संगीत
उत्तराखंड में समान नागरिक संहिता के लिए बनी समिति, वादा पूरा करने की ओर धामी की पहल
उत्तराखंड में समान नागरिक संहिता के लिए बनी समिति, वादा पूरा करने की ओर धामी की पहल
Friday, 27 May 2022
Seven soldiers killed in road accident in Ladakh's Tuktuk sector
Seven soldiers killed in road accident in Ladakh's Tuktuk Sector
Seven Army soldiers were killed and 19 others were injured in the Tuktuk sector of Ladakh on Friday when the vehicle they were travelling skidded off the road and fell into the Shyok river, Army officials said.
The accident took place at around 9 am at a place that is around 25 km from Thoise, they said
Officials said the vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell in the Shyok river.
As many as 26 soldiers were on their way from the transit camp in Partapur to a forward location in sub-sector Hanif.
"Seven individuals have been declared fatal so far. There are grievous injuries to others as well. Dedicated efforts are underway to ensure that the best medical care is provided to the injured," said an official.
The officials said the vehicle fell into the Shyok river to a depth of approximately 50 to 60 feet from the road.
"A party of 26 soldiers was moving from the transit camp in Partapur to a forward location in sub-sector Hanif. At around 9 am, 25km from Thoise, the vehicle skidded off the road and fell in Shyok river," the official cited above said.
All the injured were initially taken to the 403 Field Hospital at Partapur.
Hours later, all 19 injured personnel have been shifted to Chandimandir in the Panchkula district of Haryana.
(Source : The Pioneer)
Wednesday, 25 May 2022
Texas school massacre: 19 children, 2 adults shot dead, several critical
Texas school Massacre: 19 Children, 2 Adults Shot Dead, several Critical
In one of the worst school shootings in American history, an 18-year-old gunman in body armour massacred at least 21 people, including 19 children and two adults at an elementary school in Texas state, with an emotional President Joe Biden urging lawmakers to "turn this pain into action" to control the powerful gun lobby.
The youth opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde town, Texas, 134 km from San Antonio, at about 11.30 AM on Tuesday before he was killed by law enforcement, officials said.
Investigators say the suspect was armed with a handgun, an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and high-capacity magazines.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott identified the killer as Salvador Ramos, a resident of the area where the school was located. The shooter's motive remains unclear. The teenager is suspected of shooting his grandmother at the start of the rampage, US media reports said.
"He shot and killed horrifically, incomprehensibly. Fourteen students and a teacher were killed," Abbott said. Later the toll was raised to 19 children and two adults dead. Two law enforcement officers were shot but are expected to recover, Abbott said.
Names of the deceased and other details were yet to be released. According to the school website, its students are aged between 5 years and 11 years.
Chief of Police, Uvalde, Pete Arredondo said the "mass casualty event occurred at Robb Elementary School at about 11:32 this morning". He said the killer acted as a lone wolf - who was shot dead in a police exchange.
The deceased children are in the second, third and fourth grades - aged between 7 years and 10 years, he said.
US President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting during his return flight from Japan where he attended the Quad Summit.
In a prime-time address on Tuesday, a visibly emotional Biden asked what it would take to convince fellow lawmakers that “it's time to act.”
President Biden again tried to comfort a nation grieving after a mass shooting, urging action to counter powerful gunmakers and repeatedly questioning why the country he leads lacks “the backbone” to stem the bloodshed.
“How many scores of little children who witnessed what happened — seen their friends die as if they're on a battlefield, for god's sake,” said Biden. “To lose a child is like having a piece of your soul ripped away. There's a hollowness in your chest.”
Turning to the issue of gun control legislation, Biden implored lawmakers to “turn this pain into action" as he ticked through some of the mass shootings since the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, when he was vice president.
"I am sick and tired of it. We have to act. And don't tell me we can't have an impact on this carnage," he said, asking: “Why do we keep letting this happen?"
"Where in God's name is our backbone to have the courage to deal with and stand up to the lobbies?” he said.Biden has ordered the US flag to be flown at half-mast until sunset on Saturday, May 28, in memory of those killed in Texas.
(Source: The Pioneer )
Sunday, 22 May 2022
Jihadis'' attack in eastern Burkina Faso kills 11 soldiers
Jihadis'' Attack in Eastern Burkina Faso kills 11 soldiers
Eleven soldiers were killed and nearly two dozen injured by jihadis targeting a military base in eastern Burkina Faso, the government said.
Injured soldiers have been taken to hospital and aerial support killed 15 attackers trying to flee after Thursday's attack in Madjoari in Kompienga province, Burkina Faso's army said in a statement.
For six years the West African country has been ravaged by violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group that has killed thousands and displaced nearly 2 million people. Mutinous soldiers ousted the democratically elected president in January promising to stem the violence, but since then attacks have increased.
Within a 72-hour period last week nearly 60 people, including civilians and security forces, were killed in violence targeting villages in four regions across the country, according to an internal security report for aid workers seen by The Associated Press.
“This attack in Madjoari is yet another indication of militants' capability to target security forces bases and unfortunately showing the severity of (the) security situation in northern and eastern regions,” said Rida Lyammouri, senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Moroccan-based organization focused on economics and policy.
(Source : The Pioneer)
Govt cuts excise duty on petrol by Rs 8, diesel by Rs 6
Govt cuts Excise Duty on Petrol by Rs 8, Diesel by Rs 6
Bowing to public pressure, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced a Rs 8 per litre cut in excise duty on petrol and Rs 6 a litre on diesel to avoid increase in fuel prices that were necessitated due to surge in international oil prices.
Also, the government will give Rs 200 per cylinder subsidy to Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries for 12 cylinders in a year to help ease some of the burden arising from cooking gas rates rising to record levels.
Wednesday, 18 May 2022
Karnataka RTI activist who wrote to PM Modi on Bitcoin scam arrested for extortion
Karnataka RTI activist who wrote to PM Modi on Bitcoin Scam Arrested for Extortion
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) police in Bengaluru on Monday arrested an RTI activist for allegedly extorting money from several clubs by threatening to file false cases against them, officers said.
The police identified the accused as A R Ashok Kumar Adiga (57), a resident of Basaveshwaranagar. He was produced in court on Monday and remanded in police custody for 10 days, they said. Adiga had earlier written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the Bitcoin scam in the state and had brought the issue to national attention.
Officers said he ran many clubs under his name in different parts of the city. Adiga allegedly extorted Rs 50,000 from a club manager named Srinivas who later approached the police over the same, the police said. He claimed to know influential politicians and officers, but demanded that an agreement be made in his name to run the club in order to prevent police raids, officers added. He had allegedly also said that the monthly bribe for the same must be paid to him which he will distribute further.
Recently an audio clip went viral in which he purportedly claimed to be in contact with BJP ministers, leaders and senior IPS officers and said he would be able to help run clubs without police intervention.
(Source : The Indian Express)
Tuesday, 17 May 2022
SC extends deadline till August 28 for demolition of twin 40-storey towers of Supertechin Noida
SC extends deadline till August 28 for demolition of twin 40-storey towers of Supertech in Noida
The Supreme Court on Monday extended till August 28 the deadline for demolition of Supertech's twin 40-storey towers in its Emerald project in Noida, which have been held as illegal for a violation of norms.
A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and PS Narasimha passed the order on an application filed by Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) seeking an extension of the timeline of May 22 by three months till August 28 after the agency appointed for demolition Edifice Engineering sought time.
Counsel appearing for IRP for Supertech said that after the test blast conducted by the Edifice Engineering it was found that the structure was stronger and stable than it was expected.
Amicus curiae advocate Gaurav Agrawal also supported the application and said that even agency CBRI (Central Building Research Institute) which has been appointed by the top court to oversee the demolition exercise has also approved the extension of time.
The bench after considering the application and submission of amicus passed the order directing to complete the demolition of both the towers by August 28 and sought a status report.
On February 28, the NOIDA authority informed the top court that the work for the demolition of realty major Supertech's twin 40-storey towers in its Emerald Court project, which have been held as illegal for a violation of norms, has commenced and will be razed completely by May 22.
(Source : The Pioneer)
Assam flood: Road, rail links cut off, nearly 2 lakh people affected in state
Assam flood: Road, rail links cut off, Nearly 2 lakh People Affected in State
Road and rail links were cut off as heavy rain and flooding with landslides continued to wreak havoc in Assam. Nearly 2 lakh people in 20 districts of the state have been adversely impacted by the floods, a PTI report stated.
A deadly mudslide triggered by the incessant deluge claimed three lives Haflong revenue circle, while two flood-related deaths were reported in Cachar district.
Overall, around 1,97,248 people have been affected by the floods and landslides. Disaster management officials said Cachar and Hojai districts are the worst-hit.
To further compound troubles, the weather office has forecast heavy to very heavy downpour in Assam over the next three days.
Embankments have been breached at 16 locations in different districts in the last 24 hours. Roads, bridges and houses have been completed or partially damaged in several areas.
A state bulletin said Dima Hasao district has been completely cut off due to landslides and a breakdown of communication channels, adding that all roads and railways leading to Haflong have been blocked since May 15.
(PTI & India Today)
Sunday, 15 May 2022
2 Sikh businessmen killed in broad daylight in Pak; PM Sharif says ‘act of terrorism'
2 Sikh businessmen killed in broad daylight in Pak; PM Sharif says ‘act of terrorism'
Two Sikh businessmen were shot dead on Sunday by unidentified gunmen in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the latest targeted terrorist attack against the minority community in the restive province bordering Afghanistan.
Saljeet Singh, 42, and Ranjeet Singh, 38, died on the spot after being attacked by two bike-borne assailants in the morning, according to the police.
The attackers fled after carrying out the attack.
The two Sikhs were in the business of spices and had shops in the Bata Tal bazaar in Sarband, about 17 kms from Peshawar.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the killing.
The Counter-Terrorism Department registered a case of murder of the two Sikh men, Saddar Superintendent of Police Aqiq Hussain told Geo News.
"The incident appears to be a terrorist attack. The CCTV footage will be acquired and the suspects will be arrested soon," he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident and directed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan to ensure immediate arrest and punishment of the culprits.
He also urged the chief minister to ensure steps for the protection of the lives and properties of the citizens, particularly of non-Muslims.
Sharif expressed sympathies with the bereaved families of the deceased.
He observed that enmity with Pakistan was the reason behind this “act of terrorism” and resolved to eliminate the enemies of the country, the report said.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for the attack and sought a report from the provincial chief secretary and inspector general of police.
"The KP government has terribly failed at protecting the minorities," Sanaullah said, indicating past incidents of violence against Sikhs in the province.
He urged law enforcement agencies and the provincial government led by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to ensure the security of minorities.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan condemned the attack and directed the police to take immediate steps to arrest the culprits.
He said that the incident was a conspiracy to disrupt the inter-faith harmony in the province.
The Chief Minister said that justice will be provided to the families of the deceased.
( Source : The Pioneer)
State of economy cause of 'extreme concern': Chidambaram
State of economy cause of 'extreme concern': Chidambaram
Asserting that the state of the economy is a cause of "extreme concern", senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday said taking into account global and domestic developments, it may be necessary to contemplate a reset of economic policies.
Addressing a press conference, Chidambaram said a slower rate of growth has been the "hallmark" of the present government in the last eight years, and the post-pandemic recovery has been "indifferent and halting".
Chidambaram, who heads the panel on economy constituted by Congress president Sonia Gandhi to lead discussions at the three-day 'Chintan Shivir' here, also said the time is ripe for a comprehensive review of fiscal relations between the Centre and the States.
The consequences of the poorly drafted and unfairly implemented GST laws brought in by the Modi government in 2017 are there for everyone to see, the Congress leader said.
"The States' fiscal position is fragile like never before and needs urgent remedial measures," said the former finance minister, flanked by some other members of the panel such as Gourav Vallabh and Supriya Shrinate.
Noting that the Congress-led government ushered in a new era of liberalisation in 1991, Chidambaram said the country has reaped enormous benefits in terms of wealth creation, new businesses and new entrepreneurs, a huge middle class, millions of jobs, exports and lifting 27 crore people out of poverty during a 10-year period.
"After 30 years, it is felt that taking into account global and domestic developments, it may be necessary to contemplate a reset of the economic policies.
"A reset of economic policies must also address the questions of rising inequalities, extreme poverty among the bottom 10 per cent of the population, India's rank in the Global Hunger Index 2021 (101 out of 116 countries), and evidence of widespread nutritional deficiency among women and children," he said.
The external situation has added to the pressures on the economy, he noted.
"The government appears clueless on the ways to deal with these developments," he added.
(Source : The Pioneer)