THE HEADLINES:
- Union Cabinet approves Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana to enhance agricultural productivity; Hails astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s space journey.
- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approves Investment Exemption for Navaratna Company NLCIL enabling it to invest in Renewable Energy.
- Government calls all-party meeting on Sunday ahead of Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning on the 21st of this month.
- NHRC issues notices to Bihar Chief Secretary and DG Police over reported killing of five members of a family on suspicion of practicing witchcraft in Purnia.
- Israel strikes Syrian military headquarters in Damascus, citing threats to Druze civilians.
- In Women’s Cricket, hosts England set a target of 259 runs for India in the first ODI of the three-match series at Southampton.
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The Union Cabinet has approved Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana to enhance agricultural productivity. The scheme aims to increase crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices, augment post-harvest storage, improve irrigation facilities and facilitate availability of credit. It will help one crore 70 lakh farmers of the country.
Briefing media in New Delhi today after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, one hundred districts will be identified in the country under the scheme, which will be based on three key indicators – low productivity, low cropping intensity, and less credit disbursement.
Mr. Vaishnaw also informed that the Cabinet adopted a resolution hailing astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s space journey. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla landed back safely on earth yesterday from his space journey, representing the infinite aspirations of India. He said, Shubhanshu Shukla’s space mission took India a step closer to realising its own space station. Mr. Vaishnaw said, the Cabinet commended the Indian Space Research Organisation and the entire community of scientists and engineers whose relentless efforts have made this achievement possible.
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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs CCEA has approved enhanced delegation of power to NTPC from the extant guidelines of delegation of power to Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprises. It will enable NTPC to invest in NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL). NTPC’s subsidiary company NGEL is subsequently investing in NTPC Renewable Energy Limited and its other Joint Ventrues.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, the enhanced delegation given to NTPC and NGEL will facilitate accelerated development of renewable projects in the country.
The CCEA has also approved a special exemption for NLC India Limited (NLCIL) from the prevailing investment guidelines applicable to Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprises.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said his government is committed to bringing a significant change in the lives of farmers. In a social media post, Mr Modi said the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojna approved by the Cabinet today is a step in this direction. He said this will not only increase crop production in the districts that have been lagging in the agricultural sector but also boost the income of farmers.
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The Government has convened an all-party meeting on Sunday ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament. During the meeting, the government will seek cooperation from all political parties to ensure the smooth functioning of both Houses of Parliament. The Monsoon Session will be held from the 21st of this month to the 21st of next month. During the session, several important legislations are scheduled to be taken up for discussion and passage.
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The Election Commission has said that over six crore 99 lakh enumeration forms have been collected in Bihar so far under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) initiative which is 88.65 percent of the total enumeration forms.
The Poll body said, only 6.85 percent of electors now remain to submit their filled enumeration forms and many of them have sought time to submit their Enumeration Forms with documents in the coming days.
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The Delhi High Court today reserved its verdict on the plea of AgustaWestland VVIP Chopper scam accused Shravan Gupta to quash a non-bailable warrant. Represented by advocate Vikas Pahwa, Gupta offered to join the probe virtually, citing inability to return to India. The ED opposed, citing Gupta’s failure to respond to nine summons and his abrupt departure to London in 2019. Justice Neena Bansal criticized repeated adjournments and termed the conduct of counsel unbecoming. Gupta is accused of laundering over 28 crore rupees and remains under ED investigation in multiple money laundering cases.
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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police of Bihar over the reported killing and burning of five members of a family on suspicion of practicing witchcraft in Purnia. Taking suo motu cognizance of media reports, the commission has sought a detailed report within two weeks. The Commission has observed that if the contents of the news report are true, it raise serious issues of violation of human rights. The NHRC has also directed the State Government to provide counseling and take steps to ensure the safety of the 16-year-old boy, who is, reportedly, the sole survivor of the victim family and an eyewitness of the incident. More from our correspondent:
“The horrific incident on the night of 6th July in the Ranipatra-Tetgama area under the Muffasil police station in Purnia district has left everyone shaken. Five members of a single family from the Oraon tribal community were brutally killed on suspicion of witchcraft and sorcery.
The police reported that over 50 villagers beaten the victims to death on the name of black magic and holding them responsible for the death of a child. After the killings under the pretext of witchcraft allegations, the accused burned the bodies. This incident has once again highlighted the deep-rooted superstitions prevalent in rural and backward areas. Dharmendra Kumar Rai, Akashvani News, Patna.”
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The Israeli Defence Forces, IDF, struck the Syrian regime’s military headquarters in Damascus, citing threats to Druze civilians. Over the past 24 hours, Israeli aircraft also targeted tanks, rocket launchers, and armed vehicles heading toward Sweida in southern Syria. The Syrian Health Ministry has said that one civilian has been killed and 18 others injured in the Israeli strikes. The strikes follow violent clashes between Druze fighters and Syrian interim government forces. Dozens of Israeli Druze crossed from the Golan Heights to support relatives amid the unrest.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall over Kerala, Mahe, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Telangana for the next six days. Heavy Rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds is also very likely at isolated places over Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Puducherry tomorrow.
Speaking exclusively to Akashvani News, IMD senior scientist R K Jenamani said that Delhi and the National Capital Region will continue to experience light rainfall today.
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Incessant rains in the north-western part of Jharkhand has brought life to a standstill. According to Ranchi Met Centre, orange alert has been issued for four districts of Palamu, Garhwa, Chatra and Hazaribagh while 11 districts including Ranchi have been issued yellow alert for widespread heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours.
Abhishek Anand, Deputy Director and Senior Scientist of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre said that fairly widespread heavy rainfall is expected across Jharkhand for the next 48 hours due to a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal. More from our correspondent :
“The cyclonic circulation system developed over Bay of Bengal has resulted in incessant rains across the state. Two people have succumbed to death in Koderma district today due to lightning strike. Koyal, Auranga, Amanat rivers have been flowing above the danger mark, while district administration has issued alert to remain away from water bodies. Several tourists have also been stuck due to landslide and road damage in Latehar district. Schools till class 12 have been closed for tomorrow in Palamu district. Shilpi, Akashvani News, Ranchi.”
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Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil held a meeting with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in New Delhi today to address ongoing water-related issues between the two states. Key issues concerning water management were deliberated upon during the meeting.
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In Women’s Cricket, hosts England have set a target of 259 runs for India in the first ODI of the three-match series at Southampton. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, England scored 258 runs for the loss of six wickets in stipulated 50 overs.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Union Cabinet approves Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana to enhance agricultural productivity; Hails astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s space journey.
- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approves Investment Exemption for Navaratna Company NLCIL enabling it to invest in Renewable Energy.
- Government calls all-party meeting on Sunday ahead of Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning on 21st of this month.
- NHRC issues notices to Bihar Chief Secretary and DG Police over reported killing of five members of a family on suspicion of practicing witchcraft in Purnia.
- Israel strikes Syrian military headquarters in Damascus, citing threats to Druze civilians.
- In Women’s Cricket, hosts England set a target of 259 runs for India in the first ODI of the three-match series at Southampton.
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