THE HEADLINES:-
- National Testing Agency announces fresh dates for UGC-NET, CSIR UGC-NET, NCET examinations.
- Government amends Employees’ Pension Scheme to provide withdrawal benefits to members with less than six months of contributory service.
- 52 day long Amaranth Yatra commences this morning from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes in Kashmir valley amid tight security.
- In cricket, India to take on South Africa in the final of Men’s T20 World Cup at Barbados this evening.
- Indian Shuttler Malvika Bansod storms into Women Singles semifinals of US Open Badminton tournament in Texas.
<><><>
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced fresh dates for cancelled and postponed examinations. In a notification issued yesterday, the NTA said the UGC-NET June 2024 examination will now be held between the 21st of August and 4th of September. The University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) was cancelled a day after being conducted on the 18th of this month as the Education ministry received inputs that the integrity of the exam was compromised. The UGC-NET is a test to determine the eligibility for the award of Junior Research Fellowship, for appointment of assistant professors and admission to PhD courses.
Joint CSIR-UGC-NET June-2024 Examination which was postponed as a preemptive measure will now be held from the 25th to the 27th of July. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) UGC-NET is accepted for PhD admissions in Chemical Sciences, Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences.
The National Common Entrance Test (NCET) for admission to the four-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP), which was also postponed, will now be conducted on the 10th of July.
The NTA said that the All India Ayush Post Graduate Entrance Test 2024 will be held as per its actual schedule i.e. on the 6th of next month.
The NTA has advised the candidates to visit its official website www.nta.ac.in for further information.
<><><>
The Rajya Sabha yesterday took up discussion on the motion of thanks on President Dropoudi Murmu’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament amidst opposition’s ruckus on the NEET examination issue. A total of 21 hours have been allotted for the discussion. Initiating the discussion, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi highlighted the achievements of the government in the last ten years. In the recent Lok Sabha elections, he said, the NDA has got more vote share in the Southern states in comparison to the Congress party. The BJP MP added that the Congress party failed to get three digit marks in Lok Sabha in the third attempt. Mr. Trivedi said that India has become the fifth largest economy in the world leaving behind Great Britain. He said that the government has distributed 34 crore LED bulbs which shows its commitment towards green energy.
Kavita Patidar, Krishna Lal Panwar, Dr. Bhim Singh, Dr. Anil Bonde, Ram Chander Jangra of BJP and others participated in the discussion.
<><><>
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan yesterday assured the NEET students that strict action will be taken against the culprits. Talking to newspersons outside parliament, he said that government is sensitive over this issue and assured the students and guardians that all necessary action would be taken. He mentioned that the government is ready to discuss any issue in the house.
<><><>
In the wake of temporary closure of Terminal-1 of IGI Airport in Delhi due to roof collapse amid heavy rainfall, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu has asked all airlines to maintain fare stability to avoid passenger inconvenience . An advisory has also been issued to all airlines to ensure that this situation does not lead to a steep increase in airfare.
One person lost his life and four others were injured after the collapse of the canopy of Terminal-1 of Delhi airport due to heavy rainfall in the National Capital yesterday.
Union Minister Naidu convened a high-level review meeting with key officials in which some important decisions were taken to address the ongoing situation. Structural Engineers from IIT Delhi have been asked to immediately assess the incident at Terminal T1 in Delhi. The Ministry added that further examination will be decided based on their initial findings.
<><><>
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit to be held next week. Talking to media, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, the Summit will take place on 3rd and 4th of July at Astana in Kazakhstan.
Replying to a question on the situation in Lebanon, Mr Jaiswal said around two to three thousand Indians live there. He said that the Indian embassy is in touch with them and they have been advised to be in touch with the embassy.
On fishermen caught in Sri Lanka, the spokesperson said India attaches the highest importance to the welfare of Indian fishermen. He said the Ministry is aware of the matter and has taken up this issue with the Sri Lankan side.
<><><>
The Government has amended the Employees’ Pension Scheme to ensure that EPS members with less than six months of contributory service also receive withdrawal benefit. This amendment will benefit more than seven lakh EPS members every year who leave the scheme with less than six months of contributory service.
The Central Government has ensured that every completed month of service rendered is taken into account to give proportionate withdrawal benefit to the members. The amount of withdrawal benefit will depend upon the number of completed months of service rendered by the member and the wages on which EPS contribution was received. Labour Ministry said the measure has rationalized the payment of withdrawal benefit to members. More than 30 lakh withdrawal benefit claims were settled in 2023-24.
<><><>
The 52-day long annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath ji commenced this morning from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes in Kashmir valley amid tight security. The Yatra will come to an end on the 19th of August on the auspicious occasion of Shravan Purnima. Our correspondent reports that the Union Territory Administration has made elaborate security arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the yatra this year.
“The first batch Yatris who arrived in the twin bases camps at Nunwan and Baltal yesterday have proceeded towards the holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji in south Kashmir Himalayas in the early hours today. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha attended an event organised by civil society, trade fraternity and citizens, in Srinagar yesterday to welcome pilgrims of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. In his address, the Lt Governor lauded the significant contribution of the people of Jammu Kashmir in smooth and successful conduct of the annual holy yatra.This is Sunil Koul for Akashvani News from Srinagar.”
Meanwhile, the second batch of 4029 pilgrims left the Bhagawati Nagar Base Camp in Jammu for Amarnath Shrine in South of Himalayas in a cavalcade of 200 vehicles amid tight security.
“The annual shri Amarnathji yatra formally began today from both the routes in Kashmir Valley, the second batch of 4029 pilgrims on saturday left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu amid tight security arrangements. Chanting ‘Bam Bam Bhole’, the pilgrims left the base camp in a cavalcade of 200 vehicles at 5:30 this morning. With this, the number of pilgrims who left for the Amarnath cave shrine from the Jammu base camp climbs to 8632. For Akashvani News this is Jagmohan Sharma from Jammu.”
<><><>
In Telangana, at least five persons were killed and 14 others were injured after a blast in a glass factory at Shadnagar area in Ranga Reddy district last evening. The injured workers have been shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. The pressure of gas in the compressor furnace is suspected to have led to the blast leading to a massive fire.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident, and directed the concerned department to work together in a coordinated manner to carry out the relief work.
<><><>
In Maharashtra, six persons lost their lives while four others were injured after collision between two cars on the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway in Jalna district last night. The mishap took place when a car entered the highway from the wrong side after refuelling and rammed into another car going to Mumbai from Nagpur. The injured are undergoing treatment at Jalna District Hospital
<><><>
In Men’s Cricket, India will lock horns with South Africa in the final of T20 World Cup at Barbados this evening. The match will start at 8 PM Indian Standard Time.
The Rohit Sharma-led side book their spot in the summit clash after thrashing defending champions England by 68 runs in the semi-final. On the other hand, South Africa outplayed Afghanistan in the second semi-final. Both India and South Africa are currently unbeaten in the competition and will hope to continue their winning streak and clinch the coveted title. It will also be the last match for Rahul Dravid as India head coach.
<><><>
In Women’s Cricket, India will resume their play at the overnight score of 525 for four against South Africa in the first inning on Day 2 of the one-off Test match in Chennai this morning.
On day one, opting to bat first, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana displayed masterful batting, putting on the highest ever opening partnership of 292-runs in Women’s Test Cricket. This put India in a commanding position with imposing 525 for the loss of 4 wickets at stumps.
The Women in Blue also broke an 89 year-old record for the most runs scored on a single day in Women’s Tests.
<><><>
In Badminton, Indian shuttler Malvika Bansod has stormed into the Women’s Singles semifinal of US Open Badminton tournament in Texas. Bansod defeated Scottish player Kirsty Gilmour, 10-21, 21-15, 21-10 in the quarter final. The Indian Shuttler will now face Natsuki Nidaira of Japan tonight.
However, Women’s Doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand lost to Japanese pair Rui Hirokami and Yuna Kato 21-17, 17-21, 21-19 in the quarterfinals.
<><><>
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya has welcomed the Indian Olympic Association President Dr PT Usha’s decision to include Yoga in the Asian Games. Mr Mandaviya said that India has been at the forefront of making Yoga popular and the government started it as a competitive sport by including it in the Khelo India Youth Games with great success. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has granted recognition to Yogasana Bharat for promotion and development of Yogasana as a competitive sport in the country.
<><><>
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that Southwest Monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of Rajasthan, Western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, entire Delhi, remaining parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, some more parts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh and remaining parts of Uttarakhand.
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will share his thoughts with the people of the country and abroad in the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme on Akashvani at 11 AM tomorrow. It will be the 111th episode of the monthly radio programme and the first episode after Mr Modi assumed charge of the Prime Minister for the third consecutive time. The programme will be broadcast on the entire network of Akashvani and Doordarshan, AIR News website and newsonair mobile app.
<><><>
TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES:-
- All dailies have put the parliament proceedings in the spotlight. Hindustan Times headlines, “Both houses adjourned after NEET issue rocks Parliament,” while The Asian Age, writes, “Lok Sabha adjourned till Monday as Opposition insists on NEET debate.”
- Papers have widely noticed the aftermath of the heavy downpour in the national capital. The Pioneer writes, “Delhi deluge after 90 years,” The Hindu writes, “Four killed, several injured as monsoon brings record rainfall to national capital.” The Tribune headlines, “Roof collapses at Delhi airport after heavy rain; 1 dead, 6 hurt.”
- And The Kerala government has announced a key intervention in the pharma market to make expensive cancer drugs and immuno suppressants available at zero-profit price to consumers. “Cancer drugs to be cheaper in Kerala,” writes The Hindu
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- National Testing Agency announces fresh dates for UGC-NET, CSIR UGC-NET, NCET examinations.
- Government amends Employees’ Pension Scheme to provide withdrawal benefits to members with less than six months of contributory service.
- 52 day long Amaranth Yatra commences this morning from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes in Kashmir valley amid tight security.
- In cricket, India to take on South Africa in the final of Men’s T20 World Cup at Barbados this evening.
- Indian Shuttler Malvika Bansod storms into Women Singles semifinals of US Open Badminton tournament in Texas.
<><><>
