LIVE: Maharashtra sees 4,004 new Covid cases in 24 hrs; 1,530 in Delhi
Maharashtra is now left with 23,746 active cases after 3,085 patients were discharged on Sunday
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A health worker collects swab sample of a passenger for COVID-19 test, at the CSMT station, in Mumbai. (PTI Photo)
Pragati Maidan Transit Corridor to cut commute time by 15 mins, ease traffic at ITO
The national capital's first road tunnel in the Pragati Maidan area and its five underpasses, which were opened on Sunday after missing five deadlines, will give motorists relief from the traffic snarls in and around ITO.
The Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor, comprising a 1.3-km-long tunnel and five underpasses and built over four years, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.
According to Public Works Department (PWD) officials, the integrated transit corridor will allow commuters travelling to India Gate and other central Delhi areas from east Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad to ditch traffic snarls at ITO, Mathura Road and Bhairon Marg.
"Now Connaught Place or India Gate-bound motorists coming from Noida or east Delhi will not necessarily have to go to ITO as they can use the tunnel and get a smooth ride to destination saving 10 to 15 minutes.
"Earlier, they had to face bottlenecks at ITO and Bhairon Marg while moving towards central Delhi areas. But with the opening of the tunnel, that will no longer be the case," a PWD official told PTI.
Would give priority to Agniveers for security at BJP office, says Vijayvargiya
Amid protests over the Agnipath scheme for recruitment into the armed forces, BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya on Sunday said if he has to hire the services of professionals to arrange security at the party office, he would give priority to those who have served as Agniveer soldiers.
He also attacked the Congress over its opposition to the Agnipath scheme, saying it was only concerned about power and not about the country.
Recently, the Centre announced the Agnipath scheme for recuitment into the three defence services for a short term period. The youths to be recruited under this scheme would be called 'Agniveer'. However, violent protests have erupted against the scheme, which envisages recruitment of soldiers for a four-year period and retirement of most without pension.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP office here, Vijayvargiya said, "Under the Agnipath scheme, the youth would develop qualities like discipline and obedience, which would benefit them in their lives even after the completion of the service period."
"If I have to hire the services of professionals to arrange security at the BJP office, then I will give priority to those who have served as Agniveer soldiers," he added.
BJP leader Vijayvargiya draws flak over remark on Agniveers
BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya on Sunday drew flak from the Opposition as well his own party MP Varun Gandhi for apparently suggesting that he will give priority to 'Agniveers' for security jobs at his party office.
While the Congress accused him of insulting soldiers, Vijayvargiya alleged the "toolkit gang" was twisting his comments and all he meant was that the excellence of these soldiers will be utilised in whichever field they go to after completing their tenure.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP office in Indore, Vijayvargiya made the remarks while defending the Centre's Agnipath scheme on four-year contractual military recruitment that has sparked protests in many parts of the country and is being questioned by many parties.
In Army training, first is discipline and second is following orders. He will undergo training and when he comes out (of the armed forces) after four years of service, he would have Rs 11 lakh in his hand. And he would also walk around with the badge of Agniveer on his chest, Vijayvargiya said.
He went on to say, If I have to have security (personnel) here in this BJP office, I will give priority to Agniveer - a remark which was shared on social media by many who criticised him for it.
"BJP general secretary insulting soldiers. Agniveer will become a watchman outside the BJP office. Mr. Modi, this was the mentality we were afraid of - shameless government," the Madhya Congress said on its Twitter handle.
Have to look after our own interests: Pak Minister on potential ties with Israel
Contrary to Pakistan's longstanding position on Israel, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Senator Saleem Mandviwalla on Saturday said that though people criticize Israel, Islamabad should not stop dialogue with the West Asian country and should look after its own interests.
The Senator made these remarks in an exclusive interview with Pakistan's local media outlet, the Dawn. During the interview, he said, "We should not stop dialogue and trade with any country. People criticise Israel [but] we have to look after our own interests."
Speaking upon the ongoing negotiations of the Middle East nations with Israel, Mandviwalla said that Pakistan must also do what suits its own interest.
"It remains to be seen whether a deal with Israel is in Pakistan's interest or not," he added.
These developments are also crucial as PPP is a part of the Pakistani government. Senator's remarks also come in the backdrop of the latest episode where a number of Pakistani expats and a couple of citizens recently travelled to Israel as part of a delegation.
This sparked a controversy, with former prime minister Imran Khan and his party continuing its rhetoric and saying that the visit is also a part of a foreign conspiracy against his previous government, as per the media portal.
No illegality in Bengal govt's Duare Ration scheme, rules Calcutta HC
The Calcutta High Court has held that there is no illegality in the West Bengal Duare Ration scheme, under which the Mamata Banerjee government delivers foodgrains through the public distribution system at the doorsteps of beneficiaries.
Passing judgment on a plea challenging the state government's Duare Ration scheme, Justice Krishna Rao noted that on an earlier occasion, too, fair price shop dealers had filed petitions on similar issue, but the high court, even then, did not interfere with the Duare Ration Scheme.
Justice Rao, in the judgement passed on June 16, observed that as per provisions of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, it is the obligation of the state government to ensure actual delivery or supply of the foodgrains to the entitled persons at prices specified.
The court held that the state government's decision to deliver foodgrains at the doorsteps of the beneficiaries "cannot be said to be in violation of any provision of the NFSA".
Coal stock at over 52 mn tonnes; enough for 24 days' requirement of power plants
The government on Sunday said that coal stock at various coal mines is more than 52 million tonnes (MT), which is sufficient for about 24 days' of fuel required for power plants in the country.
The statement came weeks after shortage of fuel crippled power generation at various power plants in the country.
"As on 16th June 22, coal stock at different domestic coal mines is more than 52 MT, which is sufficient for about 24 days requirement of power plants," the coal ministry said in a statement.
In addition to it, about 4.5 MT coal stock is available at various goods shed sidings, private washeries and ports and is awaiting to be transported to the power plants.
With increased production, the rake supply from Coal India Ltd (CIL) to power sector has also been at all-time high. The rake loading to power sector increased from 215.8 rakes per day in 2020-21 to 271.9 rakes per day in 2021-22, registering a growth of 26 per cent.
In the current year also (till June 16, 2022), the rake supply from CIL to power sector has increased by 25 per cent as compared to the same period of last year. At the same time, coal stocks at pit head power plants are much higher than distant plants.
2 terrorists killed in Kupwara encounter; gunfight underway in Kulgam also
Two terrorists were killed in an encounter Sunday with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district, while another gunfight was underway in Kulgam district, police said.
They said while one of the terrorists killed in the Kupwara encounter was a Pakistani affiliated with the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the identity of the second was being ascertained.
Police said the encounter in Kupwara started after the forces launched a operation in Lolab area of the north Kashmir on the instance of an arrested terrorist, Showket Ahmed Sheikh.
During the search of the hideouts, the hiding terrorists fired upon the force personnel who retaliated, in which one terrorist was killed, the Kashmir Zone Police said on Twitter.
"The arrested terrorist also got trapped," the police said.
Russia says it struck Kharkiv tank repair plant with Iskander missiles
Applicants must pledge they didn't participate in arson, says govt
First batch of around 25,000 Agniveers to join Army in December: Army official
Intake of 'Agniveers' to go up to 125,000 in future: Dept of Military Affairs
Reform was long pending, says govt on Agnipath scheme
Our intake of 'Agniveers' will go up to 125,000 in near future: Lt General Anil Puri
Agniveer batch number 1 registration process to start from June 24 and from July 24: Air Marshal
From Nov 21, first naval 'Agniveers' will start reaching training establishment: Vice Admiral
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First Published: Jun 19 2022 | 7:53 AM IST
