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  • India will definitely get its economic growth back: PM

    PTI

    New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India will definitely get its economic growth back as the government continues to pursue various reforms

    Speaking at industry association CII’s annual session, he said the government has taken tough steps to fight the coronavirus pandemic and has also taken care of the economy

    “On the one hand we have to safe lives of our people and on the other hand we have to stabilise the economy and speed up the economy,” he said

    “Yes, we will definitely get our growth back,” he asserted

    He said he gets the confidence from farmers, small businesses and entrepreneurs for getting the economic growth back

    “Corona may have slowed our speed (of growth) but India has now moved ahead from lockdown with the phase one of unlock. Unlock Phase-1 has reopened a large part of the economy,” he said

    He said intent, inclusion, investment, infrastructure and innovation are crucial for India to revert back to a high-growth trajectory

    “For us, reforms are not any random or scattered decisions. For us reforms are systemic, planned, integrated, inter-connected and futuristic process,” he said

    He further noted that “for us reforms mean courage to take decisions and taking them to logical conclusion.

  • China has moved troops in significant numbers: Rajnath Singh

    Important dialogue between senior military leaders on June 6, he says

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday acknowledged that China had moved troops in “significant numbers” in the ongoing stand-off at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). There was an important dialogue between the two countries scheduled on June 6 to resolve the issue, he stated.

    Separately, sources said a dialogue was held on Tuesday at the Major General level.

    “It is true that there have been differences on the border at this time. A significant number of Chinese troops have come in. India too has done what it should,” Mr. Singh told CNN News18. “As of now, negotiations are going on at the military level. On June 6, there will be talks between senior military officers. I discussed about this with the Army Chief today,” he said.

    Dialogue between military commanders had been going on daily, sources said, including at the level of Major Generals and on Tuesday too. No concrete resolution had been achieved, it had been learnt and the talks would continue, the sources said.

    Mr. Singh observed that China should also think seriously in this regard so that the issue was resolved completely. Referring to the differences in perception between the two countries on the alignment of the LAC, he said there was something constantly going on between India and China regarding the border. “There will hardly be a year when there is no face-off on the border between both the Indian Army and the Chinese Army,” he said. Sometime there had been such tensions that firearms had been snatched, he noted.

    Specifically asked to comment on reports of Chinese troops moving inside Indian territory, he said without getting into specifics, “India will not infringe on anyone’s sovereignty and at the same time India will let not anyone infringe on its sovereignty.”

    For close to a month now, Indian and Chinese troops have been engaged in stand-offs at several locations along the LAC after Chinese troops moved into Indian territory at Pangong Tso, Galwan Nalah, Hot Springs in eastern Ladakh and Naku La in Sikkim. Chinese troops have set up tents and brought in equipment inside at some places while also building up presence close to Indian positions on their side of the border.

    Mr. Singh later said on Twitter quoting the interview that India’s negotiation with China was on and so he “would not like to express doubts.” “If the issue is resolved through dialogue then what else can be a good thing,” he said and added that the ‘forehead of India’ would not bend under any circumstances.

    With inputs from The Hindu

  • Reopening of schools could lead to irreversible, colossal loss, says Vasundhara Pathak Masoodi

    Srinagar: Former chairman State Women’s Commission Vasundhara Pathak Masoodi has asked the government not to reopen schools in Jammu and Kashmir.

    She wrote a letter to Lieutenant Governor a day after government said it was intending to reopen schools from mid-June in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “I may draw your kind attention to the circular issued by the School Education Department. The said circular inter alia asserts J&K govt intends to reopen schools in June 2020 and will be effective till 30th June 2020. According to the said guidelines the State Governments/UT administrations have been advised to hold consultations at the institution level with parents and other ‘stakeholders’ Based on the feedback a decision on the re-opening of these institutions will be taken in the month of July Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) will prepare SOPs for these institutions,” the letter reads.

    “A bare perusal of the guidelines elucidate and makes it abundantly clear that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has not allowed the opening of schools before 30/06/2020 The guidelines further emphasize that the decision with regards to the opening of schools would be taken in the month of July based on the feedback obtained after consulting parents and other stake holders at the institutional level.”

    “Therefore, the impugned circular by the Education Department with regards to opening of schools in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir by mid June is in abject contravention and violation of the guidelines that were issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs In exercise of the powers under section 6(2)(1) of National Disaster Act The said circular is also highly unwanted and unwarranted on account of being completely arbitrary in nature for the sad circular has been issued without consulting the parents/the stake holders and in absence of any SOPs by (MoHFW) which is the ‘conditio sine qua non for arriving at such a decision as mandated by the above referred guidelines.”

    The letter says that students are the most precious and invaluable assets that the mankind is bestowed with.
    “Therefore, the health, safety and security of students should be of utmost priority and concern viz a viz safeguarding their academic interests The academic interests could be safeguarded through different mediums but in view of incessant and unarresting spike of Covid 19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir, any decision to open the schools at this juncture without any tangible safeguards and gauging a satisfactory decline in the deadly pandemic could lead us to irreversible/colossal loss,” she said in the letter, who is also Advocate of Supreme Court of India. (KINS)

  • Parents file online petition against reopening of schools

    Srinagar: With authorities intending reopening of schools from mid-June in Jammu and Kashmir, parents have filed an online petition against any such move.

    Directors of school education Kashmir and Jammu have been directed to make availability of safety items in government schools to students in view outbreak of coronavirus.

    Director Finance School Education Department has written a letter to Director School Education Kashmir and Jammu. As per the letter, a copy of which lies with new agency KINS reads, “As Government intends to re-open schools in mid of June 2020. I am directed to convey to ensure safety measures in all Govt. schools to arrest spread of Coronavirus to students and staff therein. In this connection necessary instructions may be circulated to heads of all government schools to provide a pair of reusable masks and a pair of hand gloves to every student and ensure availability of one thousand (1000) ml bulk hand sanitizes and 1200 ml liquid soap with disperser at entry point to each Government school. Expenditure on this account shall be debited to Samagra Grants released to all institutions for day to day expenses.”

    However, parents have opposed reopening of schools anywhere across the country unless the COVID-19 situation improves or a vaccine is available.

    “Opening of schools in July will be the worst decision by the government. It’s like playing with fire when we ought to douse it with full force. The current academic session should continue in e-learning mode,” the petition reads as per news agency KINS.

    “If the schools claim that they are doing a good job via virtual learning, then why not continue it for the rest of the academic year,” it says.

    Universities and schools across the country have been closed since March 16 when the Centre announced a countrywide classroom shutdown as part of a slew of measures to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.

    Later, the government announced a nationwide lockdown which began on March 25. The lockdown was initially imposed for a 21-day period till April 14. But, it was later extended till May 31.

    The government on Saturday announced phase-wise easing of restrictions, while the lockdown will continue in containment zones till June 30.

    Earlier, parents have submitted an online petition demanding no fee to be charged for students during lockdown.

    “Are you serious about paying of full fees during the time of complete lockdown? Our shops, factories and businesses are closed. We know how we are making our ends meet and paying salaries to our staff from our pockets. So we can bear this burden, then why can’t these schools pay to their staff during lockdown?” the petition reads.

    It says that schools have been taking hefty fees from them since years. “Cannot they even pay the salaries of the staff on their own at this time when everyone’s life is compromised,” it says.

    “And the gimmick of starting these online E-learning classes in order to justify charging the fees is all the more shameful. The quality of education through these classes is another low. They have become a burden on parents as everything the parents need to teach their kids, make them understand, help them with the assignments. Teachers are not even bothering to correct the sent assignment and send it back. How do you justify the full TUITION fees too. Neither the students nor the teachers or the system is ready and equipped with these online classes. These are a sheer waste of time and energy. As of now peace of mind is more important and we need to accept the current situation. This too shall pass and we can lighten the studies burden for this year,” the petition reads.

    “And what happened to the crores of money they have in their SURPLUS FUNDS. Can’t they pay their staff with that money which is also indirectly given by parents only,” the petition reads. (KINS)

  • Covid-19: 117 Fresh Cases in J&K, Tally Reaches 2718

    Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday reported 117 cases of covid-19, taking the total number of patients to 2718 in J&K.

    Official sources told GNS that among them 77 were reported from Kashmir and 40 from Jammu division. (GNS)

  • It is criminal not give cash support to MSMEs: Rahul

    PTI

    New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said

    it is criminal on the part of the government not to give immediate cash support to the MSMEs, which are closing down.

    “11 crore Indians are employed by MSMEs. 1/3rd of them are closing down permanently. It’s criminal for GOI not to give them cash support immediately,” he said on Twitter.

    Gandhi has been calling for immediate financial support to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country, which employ a large number of people, saying it has been the hardest hit sector by the coronavirus-induced nationwide lockdown.

    He has also called for a financial package for the MSMEs.

  • Cricket not free of racism, I faced it too: Chris Gayle

    Eds: Recasting overnight story

    PTI

    New Delhi: Expressing solidarity with the ‘Black Lives Matter’ campaign, star West Indies batsman Chris Gayle has alleged that he faced racist remarks during his career and cricket is not free of the menace.

    Gayle did not elaborate when he faced racial remarks but hinted it might have been during his stints at global T20 leagues.

    “I have travelled the globe and experienced racial remarks towards me because I am black, believe me, the list goes on,” he posted on instagram on Monday night.

    “Racism is not only in football, it’s in cricket too. Even within teams as a black man, I get the end of the stick. Black and powerful. Black and proud,” he said.

    The big-hitting batsman’s comments came in the backdrop of African-American George Floyd’s death in the USA after a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, pressed his knee on the handcuffed man’s neck as he gasped for breath.

    The incident has sparked violent protests across the USA.

    “Black lives matter just like any other life. Black people matter, pk all racist people, stop taking black people for fools, even our own black people wise the pk up and stop bringing down your own!,” Gayle wrote.

    Racism in cricket was drew attention most recently last year when England pacer Jofra Archer was abused by a spectator in New Zealand.

    New Zealand’s top players and the cricket board had offered apologies for the incident to the Englishman.

    Also on Monday night, the England cricket team’s official twitter handle posted a message denouncing racism.

    “We stand for diversity, We stand against racism,” the message read.

  • Pakistan violates ceasefire along IB in J&K’s Kathua

    PTI

    Jammu: Pakistani Rangers violated ceasefire by resorting to firing on forward posts and villages along the International Border (IB) in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district, police said on Tuesday.

    The firing from across the border started in Karol border outpost area around 10.50 am, drawing a strong retaliation by the Border Security Force (BSF), a police officer said.

    He said the cross-border firing between the two sides continued throughout the night and ended at around 4.30 am.

    There was no report of any casualty in the Pakistani firing, the official said.

    Meanwhile, the official said Indian army defused an unexploded mortar shell fired by Pakistan during ceasefire violations near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kalal area of Rajouri district.

    The shell was noticed lying in an open area and was subsequently defused by the experts of the army’s bomb disposal squad, they said.

  • More jobs to come for J-K residents: Ravinder Raina

    Jammu: BJP J&K president Ravinder Raina on Tuesday said that BJP union Government is committed to create more and more job opportunities for the residents of J&K.

    He further added that BJP has streamlined over 60 thousand daily wagers in Jk who are now getting monthly salary.

    They were getting salary of just few hundreds as they appointed by NC and Congress on very few hundreds, he said.

    He further added that government will advertise around 50 thousand post in J&K in coming days.

    The recruitment will be based on merit and there will be cent percent transparency in it(PTK)

  • After Testing Positive, Pulmonologist Urges Govt To Have Scientific SOP For Corona Warriors

    Srinagar: A leading pulmonologist, who has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, on Tuesday urged the government to prepare a scientific SOP for duties and testing of all frontline workers to safeguard all.

    “Request to the administration for preparing a scientific SOP for duties and testing of all frontline workers to safeguard all (sic),” the doctor said in a tweet.

    However, in spate tweets, the senior doctor, leading the war against COVID-19 in J&K, also expressed gratitude to people who wished him early recovery but disapproved those who termed his test report as being “feigned to avoid duties,” saying he was “saddened” by such reporting.

    “I’m overwhelmed and deeply humbled by the wishes of all my known and unknown well wishers praying for my recovery….tested positive…followed #protocol and got #admitted…thank you everyone .. remember in prayers,” he said.

    As reported earlier by the GNS, the senior doctor, Head of Department Chest Disease Hospital Srinagar, one of the exclusive facilities for the management of the novel coronavirus in the Valley, had tested positive for the disease.

    His swab sample was taken on Monday afternoon and it returned positive late last night.

    “But am saddened by some reporting my report has been feigned to avoid duties…I will be the last person to do that…I’m in quarantine n working from here…available for all possible deliverable services,” he said in the last tweet. (GNS)