The action came after investigations carried out by an inter-ministerial committee formed by the home ministry in 2020.
“Yes, the FCRA licence of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation has been cancelled after an investigation against it,” an official said.
Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi is the chairperson of RGF while other trustees include former prime minister Manmohan Singh, former finance minister P Chidambaram, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Set up in 1991, RGF worked on a number of critical issues including health, science and technology, women and children, disability support, etc., from 1991 till 2009. It also worked in the education sector, according to its website. PTI ACB .
Taking to Twitter, the Minister on Wednesday responded, "Home Ministry's press release with respect to the issue of Rohingya illegal foreigners gives out the correct position."
Earlier, the minister in a tweet had said, "India has always welcomed those who have sought refuge in the country. In a landmark decision all #Rohingya #Refugees will be shifted to EWS flats in Bakkarwala area of Delhi. They will be provided basic amenities, AUNHCRAIDs & round-the-clock police protection."
However, this led to strong reactions from various quarters. Vishwa Hindu Parishad expressed its displeasure saying that Rohingyas should not be given housing facilities and should be pushed out of India.
Soon after, the Union Home Ministry clarified that it has not given any directions to provide EWS flats to Rohingya illegal migrants at Bakkarwala in New Delhi. The clarification came following Puri lauding a decision to shift nearly 1,100 Rohingya refugees in Delhi to flats equipped with basic facilities.
With respect to news reports in certain sections of the media regarding Rohingya illegal foreigners, it is clarified that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has not given any directions to provide EWS flats to Rohingya illegal migrants at Bakkarwala in New Delhi, said the Home Ministry.
Meanwhile, AAP slammed the BJP over the issue. Taking to Twitter, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, "The Centre, which was not getting tired of telling this news as its achievement in the morning, is now trying to lay the blame on the Delhi government after the AAP's protest. Whereas it is a fact that the central government was secretly trying to give permanent shelter to the Rohingyas in Delhi."
Reacting on the issue, CPI (M) tweeted, "Government Policy towards Rohingya Refugees Against Humanity and UNHCR. Amit Shah contradicts Union minister Hardeep Puri. State of Sushasan."
He was summoned to join the probe after a raid was conducted at his house. A source said that he is posted with the FCRA unit. His statement was recorded on Saturday at the CBI's headquarters.
The accused arrested by the federal probe agency were allegedly facilitating illegal clearances to Non-Government Organisations (NGO) in registration and renewal in lieu of bribes.
The CBI had on Wednesday arrested 14 persons, including six MHA officials following raids at 40 different places across the nation.
The CBI had recovered cash Rs 3.21 crore and several incriminating documents, mobile phones, etc., during the raid.
The raids were conducted in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Manipur.
After conducting searches, the CBI lodged a case against 36 accused, including seven public servants of the FCRA Division of MHA and NIC and middlemen, representatives of various NGOs on the allegations that some officials of the FCRA Division in conspiracy with the promoters, representatives of different NGOs and middlemen were indulging in corrupt activities for getting backdoor FCRA registration and renewal to NGOs.
They had been doing this illegally with an object to continue receiving donations despite not fulfilling the prescribed norms. The public servants were impersonating themselves as officers posted in the FCRA Division and were indulging in said practices and obtaining bribes from the NGOs for facilitating them for their registration and renewal of registration under FCRA and for other related works.
During investigation, two accused were caught while delivering and accepting the bribe amount of Rs 4 lakh on behalf of a Senior Accountant of MHA. It was alleged that the delivery of bribe was done through a hawala operator and a close associate of said public servant at Avadi (Tamil Nadu).
The arrested accused are being produced before the Competent Court.
Announcing this in the state Assembly, Stalin said he was informed by the Governor's secretary that the NEET Exemption Bill has been forwarded by the Governor to the Union Home Ministry for President Ram Nath Kovind's assent.
Stalin said the next step in the struggle against NEET is to urge the Central government to get the President's assent for the Bill.
The Tamil Nadu Assembly had passed the Bill on September 13, 2021, but the Governor had returned it to the Speaker for reconsideration of the Assembly on February 1, terming it against the interest of the students.
In a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan, it was said that the Governor was of the opinion that the Bill was against the interest of the students, especially the rural and economically poor students of the State.
According to the statement, Ravi came to the conclusion after detailed study of the Bill for admission to undergraduate medical courses seeking exemption from NEET, and the report of the high-level committee constituted by the state government in this regard.
However, the Tamil Nadu Assembly reconsidered the Bill and passed it again. The Bill was again forwarded to Ravi for onward transmission for President's assent in February 2022.
The Bill was pending with Ravi for a long time, forcing Stalin to say that not forwarding the NEET Exemption Bill to the President is an act of 'insulting the people'.
According to a MHA notification, Lieutenant Colonel Vinay Kumar Tiwary of Headquarter Commander Works Engineer, Military Engineering Services, will be working as Commandant (Engineer) in CRPF initially for a period of three years.
He is bound to abide by the CRPF rules as well as that of Central Civil Services besides other instructions as applicable from time to time.
The move came after the CRPF's communication for filling up vacancies at the commandant and deputy commandant-level in the engineering wing for state and armed forces officers from Navy, Army and Air Force.
However, the CRPF never saw the joining of any serving officer from the armed forces.
A senior official of the central security forces said that need for an engineer has been felt for a long time for many operational purposes and the Forces have to depend on the state government officials who don't have the exposure of the operational norms in the Left Wing Extremism areas or any other places.
The move has evoked mixed reactions with some officials criticising it saying that deputation will not serve the purpose as the officer will leave after the deputation period is over, therefore, the all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) need to have its own engineers on permanent basis.
"There has been a massive delay in promotions at all levels in the CRPF. There should be promotions so that the Force can have its own officers at commandant, deputy commandant level but the deputation basis will hamper the chances of the own cadre officers in the CRPF," an official said.
However, some officers also welcomed the move and said that it will prove to be good if the inter-force deputation happens both ways and the CAPF officers to go to Armed forces.
These shock batons will be used by all Central para-military forces during its deployments in assisting the state administration to help them maintain order in Public life.
The MHA has also asked the CRPF to upload the results of the testing of the baton on the website of the Ministry. CRPF's various battalions like Rapid Action Force (RAF) and other units of ITBP, BSF, CISF are often deployed by the local administration to deal with crowd management with the state police or during the elections.
The use of shock batons has hardly any risk in comparison with the tear-gas shelling, lathi charge or even firing at the protesting crowd.
As per the guidelines laid down, acid cannot be sold to anyone without an identity proof while the purpose of purchase should be explicitly mentioned. However, notwithstanding such strict rules, anyone can get a bottle of acid at Rs 20 per litre from small stores in Bhubaneswar.
"In 2013 the SC imposed restrictions on acid sale. But, the law has not been implemented in the State yet. Acid is available easily at shops and acid attacks are continuing," said Amiyabala Parida, a social activist.
Sources said as many as 59 acid attack cases have been reported in the last 10 years in State.
Acid attack victim, Manini Bisoyi of Gangapur in Ganjam district said "Without being at fault, I have been paying a very steep price."
Meanwhile, a group of social activists met Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities minister, Prafulla Samal and submitted a memorandum demanding restrictions on sale of acid.
Social activist, Saroj Das said incidents of acid attack are being reported frequently. "If the sale of acid is restricted, the crime can be stopped." he added.
The minister meanwhile has assured that the government will look into the matter and action will be taken against attackers. "We will also ensure restrictions on acid sale are followed," he added.
A person applying for the death certificate must quote the deceased’s Aadhaar number or else would be required to produce a certificate that the deceased person did not possess Aadhaar number to the best of her or his knowledge.
In case any false declaration is found in the application, it would be treated as an offence as per the provisions of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 and also under the Registration of Birth and Death Act, 1969, the statement said.
The office of the Registrar General of India (RGI), which is entrusted with conducting the country’s census and maintaining the register of births and deaths, said Applicant’s Aadhaar number shall also be collected along with the Aadhaar number of the spouse or parents, a move aimed to ensure accuracy of the details provided by the relatives or dependents or acquaintances of the deceased and prevent identity fraud.
Claiming that this will avert the need for producing multiple documents during the application, the RGI has directed concerned registrar departments in all states and union territories to comply with the notification and confirm to this effect by 1st September 2017.
The award carries a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 51 lakh.
"The award has been instituted to acknowledge the contribution and selfless service of organisations and individuals to humanity in the aftermath of any disaster," said the statement.
This year, 8th Battalion of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) located at Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh has been selected for the award for its commendable work in disaster management.
The NDRF battalion, which was raised in 2006, is a highly specialised rescue and response force and has a responsibility of a large area covering the National Capital Region (NCR), Uttarakhand, western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. It has participated in 314 major operations and rescued over 50,000 people.
In the recent Kerala floods, the battalion rescued 5,338 victims and evacuated 24,000 persons to safety. Other major disasters in which this NDRF battalion participated are Leh cloud burst (2011), Kedarnath floods (2013), Cyclone Hudhud (2014), Chennai floods (2015) and Tripura floods (2018). The battalion had also worked efficiently to neutralise the threat during radiation incident at Mayapuri, Delhi in 2010.
The battalion has also done commendable disaster management-related work internationally. In the aftermath of Nepal earthquake in 2015, six teams of the battalion were amongst the first responders to land at Kathmandu. Their teams were also sent to Japan during Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster (2011) and recent Tsunami in Indonesia (2108).
In the report, the Uttar Pradesh Police said it "swung into action after the violence was reported and brought it under control quickly", according to Home Ministry officials.
It mentioned about the arrests made by the police and the circumstances leading to the death of 22-year-old Chandan Gupta.
"All facts are being ascertained to know if violence was pre-planned or not," said the report.
The Uttar Pradesh government's move comes a day after the Home Ministry sought a detailed report on the incident and the current situation in the state, including on measures taken to ensure peace in the district.
Meanwhile, Inspector General (Aligarh range) Sanjeev Gupta said the Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested the main accused in the Kasganj arson. He was identified as Salim.
Kasganj S.P. Piyush Srivastava said that notices pertaining to attachment of properties of the accused earlier arrested in connection with the violence have been pasted on their houses.
Following the killing of the youth, three shops, two buses, and a car were burnt by a violent mob. The district administration said it had taken a slew of measures to contain lingering tension, with the state government removing the Superintendent of Police.
As many as 118 persons have been arrested in connection with the violence, according to inputs with the Home Ministry's Control Room.
Besides police, units of the anti-riot Rapid Action Force have been deployed in sensitive locations in the district to check untoward incidents, a senior Home Ministry official said.
The committee, headed by T.K. Viswanathan who served as director of ADR, ICADR and as Secretary General of the Lok Sabha, submitted its report to the Union Home Ministry recently, said the sources.
The committee was formed after the Supreme Court struck down section 66A of the Information Technology (IT) Act.
"The committee has submitted its report on section 66AA of IT Act. The Home Ministry is examining the report. Final report on cyber security law is awaited," said a Home Ministry source.
Considering the growing menace of hate speech ans abuse on internet in the absence of the provision, the committee was reportedly set up to propose new laws/amendments in existing laws and is understood to have suggested that section 78 of the IT Act needs to be substituted and Section 153 and 505A of the Indian Penal Code need to be amended.A
It said that Section 78 primarily dealt with capacity building and needs to be relooked at with a view to sensitize the officers of law enforcement agencies. Under it, a police officer of the rank of inspector or above was empowered to investigate offences.
In its report, which relied on the 267th report of the Law Commission of India and international legislation, the committee has recommended that each state should have a State Cyber Crime Coordinator which should be an officer not below the rank of Inspector General of Police.
The committee has also suggested that each district to have a District Cyber Crime Cell headed by an officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector of Police.
According to the Home Ministry statement, this exemption is a one-time measure and available to those organisations that uploaded their missing annual returns between FY 2010-11 and FY 2014-15.
"All such NGOs can upload their missing annual returns along with the requisite documents within 30 days, starting from May 15 to June 14," it said.
Making the filing of annual returns mandatory for registration under the FCRA, the ministry has decided that "no compounding fee will be imposed on them for late filing of annual returns".
The Home Ministry in 2012 cancelled registration of 4,138 NGOs and in 2015 of 10,117, which failed to comply with the the provisions of the FCRA.
The acceptance and utilisation of foreign contribution is regulated under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA), and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rule, 2011 (FCRR).
The website's landing page is drawing a blank and the site itself has become inaccessible. The problem most probably began early in the morning.
"I don't know when the site developed the snag," ministry spokesperson K.S. Dhatwalia told IANS. "Details will be available after we find out the glitches.
"We are checking," Dhatwalia said, adding he was not sure when the website would become functional.
The spokesperson had earlier said it was not a case of hacking as the site was being reconstructed.
The site, like all government websites, is maintained by the National Informatics Commission.
Indian government websites have often come under attack from suspected Pakistan hackers.
Last week, the government informed the Lok Sabha that over 700 websites linked to the central and state governments were hacked in the past four years.
Experts attributed the frequent hacking of Indian websites to lack of adequate security measures in the virtual world.
The ongoing militancy in the state is intrinsically linked to infiltration of terrorists from across the border, both through the International Border as well as the Line of Control, the report for 2016-17 released yesterday said.
"The year 2016 has seen a change in Pak tactics following a strategy of superimposition of militancy over civilian resistance through radicalisation by vested interest groups and social media (sic)," it said.
The Home Ministry said 2016 saw a significant increase in terrorist violence and casualties suffered by security forces in comparison to the year before. However, civilians casualties have decreased in comparison to 2015.
"The year 2016 witnessed a 54.81 per cent increase and a 110.25 per cent increase in the number of terrorist incidents and fatalities of security forces in comparison to the corresponding period of 2015," it said.
However, there is a 11.76 per cent decrease in civilians casualties in comparison to the corresponding period of 2015. During 2016, 38.89 per cent more terrorists have been neutralised.
In 2016, 322 incidents of violence were reported in Jammu and Kashmir in which 82 security forces personnel, 150 terrorists and 15 civilians were killed.
A total of 86 personnel will be conferred with Fire Service Medals, 58 personnel will be awarded with Home Guard & Civil Defence Medals. The list of the awardees was announced by the Home Ministry on Thursday.
The President’s Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service will be given to Kumarbar Samal (Fireman), Bijaya Kumar Muduli (Fitter Station Officer), Jyoti Prakash Rath (Station Officer), Arjun Behera (Leading Fireman) and Soumendra Nath Kanungo (Fireman).
Amulya Kumar Samartha (Civil Defence Volunteer) will receive the President’s Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Distinguished Service.
Similarly, the Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service will be conferred on Bimal Prasad Pani (Civil Defence Volunteer), Prakash Kumar Jena (Civil Defence Volunteer) and Abhina Mohan Samantray (Home Guard).
Of the 86 personnel selected for the Fire Service medals, the President’s Fire Service Medal for Gallantry has been awarded to 15 personnel, the Fire Service Medal for Gallantry to 14 personnel, the President’s Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service to seven officers and the Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service to 50 officers.
Out of 58 personnel who will be given the Home Guard & Civil Defence Medals, the President’s Home Guard & Civil Defence Medal for Distinguished Service will be given away to eight personnel and the Home Guard & Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service to 50 personnel.
Even as prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC were imposed in the New Delhi district, Kejriwal and his team decided to go ahead with the dharna seeking suspension of four Delhi police personnel.
Kejriwal has demanded action against the policemen who allegedly refused to cooperate with Law Minister Somnath Bharti in cracking down on a suspected drug and prostitution racket in south Delhi.
A large number of police personnel have been deployed in the area around Rail Bhawan and barricades have been erected to stop anyone from marching towards North Block, which houses the office of Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.
Kejriwal and his ministerial colleagues, who reached Rail Bhawan around 11.20 AM, were not allowed to alight from their cars and proceed towards the Home Minister's office.
"Whosoever comes to protest, if section 144 is invoked, he will be stopped. At the moment, he (Kejriwal) has been stopped," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) S B S Tyagi.
Meanwhile, activists of Bhartiya Aam Aadmi Party (BAAP) party, donning saffron caps, reached the scene and started shouting slogans against Kejriwal. They were detained by the police and take away from the spot.
Kejriwal had on Friday met Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and demanded action against the police personnel.
The AAP government has also sought action against a policeman who had a tiff with Women and Child Development Minister Rakhi Birla in Sagarpur of West Delhi. The Chief Minister has also blamed the police over the way in which it handled the gangrape case of a Danish tourist on Tuesday.
After the meeting with the Home Minister, the AAP government had said that the Chief Minister along with his cabinet colleagues and AAP MLAs will stage a dharna outside the Home Ministry from Monday if the SHO of Malviya Nagar and two ACPs of the area are not suspended for refusing to take action against the alleged sex and drug ring.
"Extremely shocking murder of Delhi Police Sub-Inspector in Vivek Vihar last night. Who takes responsibility for safety of Delhiites when even police is not safe? May God give courage to the family of late Rajkumar ji," Kejriwal tweeted.
Rajkumar, a Delhi Police Sub-Inspector posted at the Police Control Room (PCR), was found dead in Shahdara's Vivek Vihar area.
The Delhi Police is controlled by the Central government and the Aam Aadmi Party government has been demanding for its control.
The order, which will also have implications for thousands of officers, will be effective with immediate effect for the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Assam Rifles.
It follows a Delhi High Court's January end judgment in which it struck down rules that prescribed different retirement ages for different ranks and directed the Central government to fix a uniform age of superannuation for all ranks.
At present, the retirement age of officers of the rank of commandant and below in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), or paramilitary forces, is fixed at 57 years while officers of the rank of Deputy Inspector General and above retire on attaining the age of 60.
The retirement age for all officers in the Assam Rifles and the CISF, which are part of CAPFs, is already 60 years.
Those who have got an interim stay between the date of High Court judgment and date of Home Ministry's order will be deemed to have not superannuated and will be governed by age of retirement at 60 years, the order said.
"Those who have retired but did not approach any court will be governed by the court order dated February 4, 2019 clarifying para 72 of original order dated January 31, 2019 in (ITBP Deputy Commandant) Dev Sharma case (supra) and hence will be entitled to exercise options either for joining after returning all pensionary benefits, if received or will have an option to have benefit of fitment of pension on completion of age of 60 years."
As per the order, all forces are directed to comply with the court orders.
It said that forces may amend provisions of rules as applicable on line of the court's January 31 order and also to decide the date from which such change will be effected.
The Delhi High Court, however, did not allow stay retirement of any personnel as per the existing age of retirement who might have retired before passing the order except that in the event of enhancement of retirement age, the differential period will be added to the period of service actually rendered for the purpose of pension.
Disposing of a bunch of petitions, a division bench of Justice S. Muralidhar and Justice Sanjeev Narula had directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to take all consequential steps within four months to take a decision on the retirement age.
Although 29 officers from the ITBP, BSF and CRPF had filed petitions challenging the rules, the bench directed that its orders will be implemented across the board for all members of the CAPFs without the respondents insisting on each of them approaching the court for identical relief.
Incidentally, retirement ages are different for different ranks as well as for various branches in the defence forces.
The Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Bill, 2019 was passed by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the just concluded winter session of Parliament.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (a) of section 2 of the Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Act, 2019 (44 of 2019), the central government hereby appoints the 26th day of January, 2020, as the appointed day for the purposes of the said Act," according to a Home Ministry notification issued by additional secretary Govind Mohan.
The merged Union Territory will be named as Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
The merger of the two UTs, located along the western coast near Gujarat, is being done for better administration and to check duplication of various works, Union minister of state for home G Kishan Reddy had said.
So far, both the Union Territories have separate budgets and different secretariats even though they are just 35 km apart.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli has just one district while Daman and Diu has two.
Both UTs were under Portuguese rule for a long time and were liberated in December, 1961. From 1961 to 1987, Daman and Diu was part of the UT of Goa, Daman and Diu. In 1987, when Goa got statehood, Daman and Diu was made a separate UT.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli was occupied by the Portuguese in June, 1783. Residents of Dadra and Nagar Haveli got themselves liberated from Portuguese rule on August 2, 1954. From, 1954 to 1961, the territory was administered by a citizen's council called the Varishta Panchayat of Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
In 1961, it was merged with the Republic of India and made a Union Territory.
According to the act, on and from the appointed day, there shall be allocated two seats to the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu in the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
The Bombay High Court shall continue to extend to the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
The members of each of the All India Services borne on the existing Union territories cadre immediately before the appointed day shall continue to be in the cadre of the same service of the existing Union territory in which they stand allocated before the appointed day.
Every person employed in connection with the affairs of the existing Union territories and serving immediately before the appointed day in the existing Union territories shall, on and from that day continue to serve in connection with the affairs of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
On August 5, the central government had announced the abrogation of the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and its division into two Union Territories.
The country currently has nine Union Territories after the creation of the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. However, with the merger of Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, the number of UTs will come down to eight.
(PTI)
The Home Ministry is preparing the Rules for the CAA in consultation with the Law Ministry that will indicate the process to apply for Indian citizenship by eligible refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan under the legislation.
"We are open to receive suggestions, if any, from anyone on the CAA. We are also trying to remove doubts of people about the CAA through various ways," the official said.
The central government was prepared to face protests against the CAA after its enactment by Parliament. "We had anticipated protests, at least in the Northeast," he said.
Asked about the protests which have taken place in different parts of the country, the official said as many as 59 petitions were filed in the Supreme Court challenging the CAA and many of these individuals and organisations which filed the pleas were behind the protests.
"The protests in Delhi have happened due to circulation of wrong information and rumours," he said.
The Act suggests that the ministry will designate a competent authority that will handle the applications of those who are going to apply for Indian citizenship, and the entire process will be digital.
"No one will get Indian citizenship automatically. One has to prove eligibility," the official said.
Documents required from applicants will be prescribed in the Rules.
Earlier, the central government had delegated powers to handle citizenship applications to collectors, district magistrates or deputy commissioners.
However, the authority may be changed now and it will be specified in the Rules to be issued for implementation of the CAA.
Violent protests have taken place in different parts of the country after the Parliament passed the contentious legislation last week. At least three people were killed in police firing during protests in Assam, two others in Mangaluru and one in Lucknow.
According to the CAA, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, and facing religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants, and be given Indian citizenship.
(PTI)
A form carrying questions as part of the NPR exercise will be finalised soon, ministry officials said.
They said "no papers will be asked" and "no biometrics will be taken" during the exercise.
However, the information available on the website of the office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, the NPR database would contain demographic as well as biometric details.
"The objective of the NPR is to create a comprehensive identity database of every usual resident in the country. The database would contain demographic as well as biometric particulars," it said.
Meanwhile, West Bengal and Kerala have put works related to the updating NPR "on hold" for the time being amid furore over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
The ministry officials said most of the states have notified provisions related to the NPR.
The NPR is a register of usual residents of the country. It is being prepared at the local (village/sub-town), subdistrict, district, state and national levels under provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003.
The rules have a provision for fine of up to Rs 1,000 on those violating it.
The data for NPR was last collected in 2010 along with the house listing phase of the Census 2011. Updating of this data was done during 2015 by conducting door to door survey.
While updating the register in 2015, the government has asked details like Aadhaar and their mobile number.
This time, the information related to their driving licence and voter ID card may also be gathered, the officials said, adding that PAN card details will not be collected as part of this exercise.
For the purposes of the NPR, a usual resident is defined as a person who has resided in a local area for the past six months or more, or a person who intends to reside in that area for the next six months. The law compulsorily seeks to register every citizen of India and issue a national identity card.
The NPR exercise will be carried out between April and September 2020 in all states and UTs, except Assam, along with the house listing phase of the census exercise.
Assam has been excluded because the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise has already been conducted in the state.
The demographic details of every individual are required for every usual resident: name, relationship to head of household, father's name, mother's name, spouse's name (if married), sex, date of birth, marital status, place of birth, nationality (as declared), present address of usual residence, duration of stay at present address, permanent residential address, occupation, educational qualification.
The Union Cabinet has approved Rs 3,941.35 crore for the NPR exercise.
(PTI)
Of the 35 recipients, six have been selected for Distinguished Service and 29 for Meritorious Service, the Ministry said, adding six of the awardees are women -- one for Distinguished Service and five for Meritorious Service.
Superintendent, District Jail Thiruvananthapuram, Sathyaraj D., Assistant Superintendent, Special Sub Jail Kozhikode, E. Krishnadas, Deputy Superintendent, Central Jail Bhopal, Priyadarshan Shrivastava, District Probation Officer, Sambalpur, Niranjan Sahu, Jailor, Sub-Jail Jeypore, Lalatendu Bhusan Das, and Assistant Matron, Nari Bandi Niketan, Sambalpur, Sobhagini Singh are those to be conferred Correctional Service medal for Distinguished Service.
(IANS)
Also Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: 24 Dead In India In Last 12 Hrs, Positive Cases Surge To 11439
MHA issues guidelines for #COVID19 Lockdown 2.0
Prohibited Activities: All public travel, operation of educational institutions
Mandatory homemade face covers at workplaces, fines for spitting
Permitted Activities from April 20: Agri-farm works, goods transport, MNREGA work pic.twitter.com/Z4UDfcxyVf
— OTV (@otvnews) April 15, 2020
MHA writes to States/UTs to ensure strict compliance with consolidated revised guidelines on #Lockdown2 measures to contain the #COVID19 outbreak in the country. Says States/UTs cannot dilute restrictions imposed via aforesaid guidelines issued by the Home Ministry pic.twitter.com/2yFLlpJ7df
— OTV (@otvnews) April 15, 2020
Read More: Domestic violence victims need not visit police stations during lockdown: Odisha DGP
'Hotspots', i.e., areas of large COVID-19 outbreaks, or clusters with significant spread of COVID-19, will be determined as per the guidelines issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
In these hotspots, containment zones will be demarcated by States, UTs and District administrations. Apart from essential services, no other activities which will be relaxed post April 20 in such containment zones.
#COVID19 Fightback: Take a look at the revised guidelines of the Home Ministry on #Lockdown2 due to #CoronavirusOutbreakindia#IndiaFightsCorona #CoronavirusLockdown pic.twitter.com/VfrSWg6sf9
— OTV (@otvnews) April 15, 2020
This letter came Sunday night after it was pointed out, starting Monday, that the 14 districts in Kerala will be divided into four zones for implementing the lockdown curbs -- Green, Orange A, Orange B, and Red.
Union Home Secy Ajay Bhalla, in a letter dated 19 April 2020, has asked Chief Secretaries of all states/UTs drawing their attention to guideline that state/UT govts shall not dilute the norms under Disaster Mgmt Act, 2005 in any manner & shall strictly enforce the same#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/2B1pzs37Hj
— OTV (@otvnews) April 20, 2020
The Centre expressed deep dissatisfaction after it was found out that opening of barbershops, restaurants, workshops and the number of people that can travel on two and four-wheelers.
This amounts to dilution of guidelines issued by MHA & violation of MHA Order dated 15th April 2020 issued under the Disaster Management Act 2005
GoK urged to revise guidelines in line with MHA guidelines, without any dilution and ensure strict compliance of #Lockdown2 measures
— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) April 20, 2020
Incidentally, after the letter came, Jose said on Sunday night, that there are 88 hotspots in the state and these will not get any relaxation.
Also Read: COVID19 Lockdown: MHA Issues SOPs For Inter-State Movement Of Stranded Migrant Labourers
However, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is holding a meeting on Monday to discuss this issue and the reply to Bhalla's letter would be given.
But maintaining a position that there will be no violation in guidelines, State Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said perhaps there was some misunderstanding and the state will abide by the central guidelines, and issues if any, would be resolved.
The State government based on the COVID-19 spread had divided the Idukki and Kottayam districts -- classified as Green Zone -- to witness routine life, subject to the Centre's directives.
The Orange B zone includes Alappuzha, Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, Thrissur and Wayanad where also normal activities will be allowed.
In both these zones, shops, hotels, offices will open, but with no crowding at all. Participation in marriages and funerals would be restricted to not more than 20 persons. Inter-district passage would not be allowed in both these zones.
Also Read: Former CM Kumaraswamy Son’s Wedding Sparks Row Over Lockdown ‘Violation’
For vehicular movement, the government has decided to implement 'odd & even' formula, but vehicles driven by women have been exempted.
In the case of Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Kollam districts -- classified under Orange A zone -- restrictions would be in force, as of now, till April 23. The districts like Kasargode, Kannur, Malappuram and Kozhikode in the Red category would continue with the lockdown.
(IANS)
No shops have been allowed to open in multi-brand or single brand malls.
On April 15, the government had notified the industries and commercial establishments which can open in certain zones where there are no or less coronavirus cases.
Also Read: Coronavirus Restrictions: Here Is The List Of Shops That Will Remain Closed
These relaxations are given by the state governments depending on the situation in a particular area.
In a modification of the earlier order, the Ministry of Home Affairs has replaced the term "shopping complexes" with "market complexes" within the limits of municipal corporations and "municipalities".
They have been allowed outside the city limits except those in malls with 50 per cent workforce while wearing of masks has been made compulsory.
Among the inclusions are shops registered under the Shops and Establishment Act of the respective states and UTs, including those are in residential complexes and market complexes, except shops in multi-brand and single brand malls.
These have been allowed outside the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, with 50 per cent strength of workers, making wearing of masks and social distancing mandatory.
The other inclusion is the smaller establishments in the neighbourhood areas and residential areas which are now allowed to operate within the city.
It includes all shops including in neighbourhood and standalone shops, shops in residential complexes, within the limits of municipal corporations, registered under the Shops and Establishment Act, except shops in market complexes and multi-brand and single brand malls, with 50 per cent strength of workers. As mentioned, wearing of masks and maintaining social distancing norms are mandatory.
This order has been sent to the Chief Secretaries of the states and administrators of the Union Territories and is in continuation of the guidelines for the enforcement of lockdown.
This order carries out amendments in the order issued on April 15, which detailed which industries and commercial establishments can open with safeguards.
Also Read: Odisha Fights Coronavirus: Grocery, Other Shops To Remain Open In Bhubaneswar-Cuttack
One reason could be that if the industries open, the retail end of the supply chain has to be available for consumption purposes. It will also aid gradual pickup in the economic activities.
(IANS)
Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla in a letter to the state Chief Secretaries of all states have requested them to facilitate the movement of such distressed stranded persons who had moved from their native places or workplaces just before the lockdown period but could not return back due to the restrictions.
The clarification order followed the Home Ministry's two earlier orders issued dated April 29 and May 1 allowing movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places due to lockdown imposed across the country to break the chain of novel coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic.
"The facilitation envisaged in the Home Ministry's order is meant for such distressed persons and does not extend to those categories of persons, who are otherwise residing normally at places, other than the native places for purposes of work and who wish to visit their native places in the normal course," the order mentions.
The fresh order was issued considering several persons approaching authorities requesting them to visit their native places citing Home Ministry's earlier orders. The migrant workers, tourists, pilgrims and students got stuck after the Prime Minister on March 24 announced a 21-day lockdown. The lockdown was extended for 19 days till May 3 on April 14. On May 1, the government again extended the lockdown for the third time for more two weeks.
The Centre has also asked all states to take precautions against a COVID-19 outbreak in jails and correctional homes and ensure proper hygiene at such facilities.
The virus which causes the disease is highly infectious and even pre-symptomatic people can infect others, and any person who is in close contact with someone who has suspected or confirmed COVID-19 is at risk of contracting the disease, it said.
"People in prisons and other places of detention, living in a closed and crowded environment, are likely to be more vulnerable to the coronavirus disease," the Home Ministry said.
Moreover, it said, experience shows that prisons, jails and similar settings where people gather in close proximity may act as a source of infection, amplification and spread of infectious diseases within and beyond prisons.
Prison health is, therefore, widely considered as public health. Any control strategy for COVID-19 in the community which does not encompass the prison context will not be sustainable, the ministry said.
"It is, therefore, considered essential that health-care teams of States and UTs should work with the custodial and detention staff in prisons and other places of detention, following the national guidelines and protocols on the subject issued by the government of India from time to time," it said.
The home ministry said certain inmates in a prison were tested COVID-19 positive.
In view of this, it is considered expedient to issue these guidelines to reiterate the precautions and measures to be taken, the ministry said.
"Prevention of import of COVID-19 into prisons and other places of detention is an essential element in avoiding or minimising the occurrence of infection and serious outbreaks in these settings and beyond," it said.
The home ministry said custodial or detention staff should work together with health-care teams in prisons and other places of detention to enable identification of suspected cases among prisoners or detainees.
Isolation of such identified persons in single accommodation and a subsequent clinical-assessment, risk-assessment or risk management, thermal screening at the point of arrest or taking custody by police and also at the entry to prison should be available, the MHA said.
Information should be collected from arrested and convicted persons on any history of fever, cough or shortness of breath, recent travel history to affected areas and possible contact with confirmed cases in the last 14 days, it said.
The decision to limit or restrict visits to prisons as already communicated to be strictly implemented, the ministry said, adding a detailed daily registry of people moving in and out of the prison should be maintained.
Prison and detention management should consider implementing measures of physical distancing, limit the mobility of people within the prison and detention system or to limit access of non-essential staff and visitors to prisons and other places of detention, depending on the level of risk in the specific area.
In order to strengthen efforts at the field level to tackle the situations arising out of COVID-19, it is considered necessary to follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), the ministry said.
If a person who has served his sentence is an active COVID-19 case at the time of release or is the contact of a COVID-19 case and still within the quarantine period, the prison authorities should ensure that the person discharged has a place to go where he can maintain isolation in a health facility and quarantine and that the local authority is notified, it said.
The ministry said due to their close interaction with crime perpetrators and prisoners on a daily basis, police officers, prison officers and health-care professionals working in prisons are at enhanced risk, it said.
(With Agency Inputs)
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs made the announcement, informing that the travel would be arranged by aircraft and naval ships and a standard operating procedure (SOP) has been prepared in this regard.
Indian Embassies and High Commissions are preparing a list of distressed Indian citizens and the facility would be made available on payment basis, a statement issued by the Home Ministry said.
According to the statement, "Non-scheduled commercial flights would be arranged for air travel and the travel would begin in a phased manner from May 7."
"Medical screening of the passengers would be done before they board the flight and only the asymptomatic passengers would be allowed to travel," it said.
During the journey, all these passengers would have to follow the protocols, such as the health guidelines issued by the Health Ministry and the Civil Aviation Ministry.
"On reaching the destination, everyone would have to register on the Aarogya Setu app. Everyone would be medically screened," the statement said.
After scrutiny, the passengers would be quarantined for 14 days, either in a hospital or in an institution on payment basis by the concerned state government.
The Home Ministry clarified that Covid-19 test would be done after 14 days and further action would be taken according to health protocols.
The detailed information will soon be available on the websites of the Ministries of External Affairs and Civil Aviation.
"The state governments are being advised to make arrangements, including for testing, quarantine and onward movement of the returning Indians to their respective states," the statement said.
Since the announcement of the lockdown from March 24 midnight, all international flights were stopped, leaving Indians in foreign lands stranded.
(IANS)
In order to minimize the risk and to encourage a successful restart of industrial units, the guidelines advised the industries to consider the first week as the trial or test run period while starting the units and ensure all safety protocols.
The guidelines were issued on Saturday to all Chief Secretaries and administrators of Union Territories (UTs) as the 14-day lockdown 3.0 is on and will end on May 17.
To minimize the risk, the Home Ministry has advised that employees who work on specific equipment are sensitised and made aware of the need to identify abnormalities like strange sounds or smell, exposed wires, vibrations, leaks, smoke, abnormal wobbling, irregular grinding, or other potentially hazardous signs which indicate the need for immediate maintenance or if required shutdown.
"Especially during the COVID-19 times, ensure all lockout and tag-out procedures are in place on a daily basis (not applicable for units running 24 hours)," the generic guidelines mentioned.
The guidelines suggest inspection of all equipment as per the safety protocols during the restart phase. In case the industry has any difficulty in managing crucial backward linkages that may be critical for their safe functioning, they should approach the local district administration for specific assistance, the guidelines suggest.
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issues guidelines to restart manufacturing industries after #lockdown.
While restarting the unit, consider the first week as the trial or test run period, ensure safety protocols & don't try to achieve high production targets: MHA. pic.twitter.com/dYlAjwEWmF
— OTV (@otvnews) May 10, 2020
District Magistrate, as per the guideline, may be instructed to ensure that in such instance, the industries unit may be facilitated to run their end to end operations, in the overall interests of all industrial security, it said.
The guidelines were issued considering that some of the operators might not have followed the established Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) due to the closure of industrial units during several weeks of lockdown and it may result in some of the manufacturing units, pipelines, valves may have residual chemicals, which may pose risk.
The same is true for the storage facilities with hazardous chemicals and flammable materials, the guidelines mention. Combustible liquids, containing gaseous substances, open wires, conveyor belts and automated vehicles make manufacturing facilities a high-risk environment. "Improper enforcement of safety codes and improperly labelled chemicals can further pose serious health hazards," it said.
While issuing the guidelines, the Ministry said, "All the responsible officers of the district shall ensure the Industrial on-site Disaster Management Plans are also in place and cover Standard Operating Procedures for safe re-starting of the industries during and after COVID-19 lockdown."
In an early response to novel coronavirus pandemic, the Centre imposed nationwide lockdown with effect from March 25. The lockdown is being gradually released in some zones and certain economic activities are being permitted as per National Disaster Management order.
(IANS)
In an advisory to West Bengal and Odisha governments, the ministry said 'Amphan' (pronounced as UM-PUN) is now spotted over the central parts of South Bay of Bengal and the adjoining central Bay of Bengal.
It has been moving nearly northwards with a speed of 13 kmph during past six hours and lay centred at 0530 hours IST on Monday, the ministry said.
The cyclone is currently over west-central and adjoining central parts of South Bay of Bengal (near latitude 13.2 N and longitude 86.3 E) about 790 km nearly south of Paradip (Odisha), 940 km south-southwest of Digha (West Bengal) and 1,060 km south-southwest of Khepupara (Bangladesh), a home ministry official said, quoting an India Meteorological Department bulletin.
The storm is very likely to intensify further into a super cyclonic storm by Monday evening, the official said.
It is very likely to move north-northeastwards across northwest Bay of Bengal and cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) during the afternoon or evening of May 20 as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 155-165 kmph gusting up to 185 kmph, the official said.
The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) on Saturday reviewed the preparedness for the impending cyclone and directed immediate assistance to West Bengal and Odisha, which are likely to hit by the storm.
A meeting of the NCMC, headed by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, was held to take stock the preparations for the cyclone.
The cabinet secretary took stock of the current situation and preparedness for rescue and relief operations and directed that immediate assistance, as required, be provided, an official statement had said.
Heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, accompanied by high-speed winds and tidal waves are expected in the region.
(PTI)
The MHA on May 13 had declared that the nationwide network of over 1,700 Central Police Canteens (CPCs) or CAPF canteens will only sell indigenous or 'swadeshi' products from June 1 in a bid to give a fillip to domestic industries.
The MHA has asked the Central Police Welfare Board to put on hold its list, issued earlier in the day, barring 1,026 items of over 70 companies from selling in CPCs, a home ministry official said in a fresh order.
A new list would be released soon after due diligence, the official said.
Another official said the list of banned items included many made in India products, leading to it being put on hold.
The fresh instructions come just hours after a government order said that over 1,000 products manufactured by firms like Dabur, VIP industries, Eureka Forbes, Jaquar, HUL (foods), Nestle India will not be sold at CAPF canteens anymore from Monday as they are not 'swadeshi' or are prepared from purely imported products.
The move to sell only 'Made in India' products in CPCs followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to the people to buy local products and be vocal about them. "Vocal for Local," he had declared in his address.
The CAPFs -- CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB and NSG -- canteens do an estimated business worth Rs 2,800 crore annually by selling their products to 50 lakh family members of about 10 lakh personnel of these forces tasked for a variety of internal security duties and border guards.
CAPF canteens get 1st 'Swadeshi' consignment from KVIC
Beginning sale of only indigenous goods from Monday across India -- a first ever such step adopted so far -- the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) canteens received delivery of first "Swadeshi" items through the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
Khadi kurta, cotton jackets, honey, mustard oil, Agarbatti, National flags and other eatables are among 13 products which KVIC delivered to five CAPF canteens in Delhi last Saturday.
KVIC has constituted a special team to look after CAPF supplies as it is entrusted to fulfill maximum demands in these establishments across the country.
The development comes within two weeks after Union Home Minister Amit Shah issued an order making it mandatory for CAPF canteens to sell only local products procured through KVIC. The order comes into effect from June 1 (Monday).
The supply order received by the KVIC also includes cotton towels, achar (pickles), agarbatti (incense sticks), papad, dalia (oatmeal), murabba and amla candy etc.
The KVIC has also received a list of 63 new products like Khadi clothes, woolens, cosmetics like herbal oils, shampoo, soaps, face wash, tea and coffee and others to be supplied at these canteens.
The move aims at promoting local products, empowering farmers and strengthening village industries to make India "Atmanirbhar", a call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said a KVIC statement.
KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said, "This will open new employment avenues for khadi artisans, Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) units and lakhs of people already engaged with KVIC programs in cottage and village industries."
"We have received the order from paramilitary canteens for supplying 13 products. The supply has already started. More products will be made available at these canteens in coming days," Saxena said.
With these supplies, the KVIC will add at least 40 lakh people from the families of over 10 lakh paramilitary personnel to its consumer base which will be a true reflection of 'vocal for locals'.
As a goodwill gesture, the KVIC has decided to supply products to the CAPF canteens at a small margin of 3 per cent only.
Notably, there are 20 master "bhandars" of these forces across the country with annual turnover of over Rs 1,800 crore. The supplies of local products at CAPF canteens will also impact the production and sale of thousands of KVIC supported units.
(With Agency Inputs)
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"I would like to clarify that the purpose of restricting the movement of individuals, except for essential services, between 9 pm and 5 am (during lockdown 5.0) is primarily intended to prevent congregation of persons and to ensure social distancing.
"The restriction does not apply to instances of loading/unloading of goods (as part of supply chains and logistics); buses carrying persons and trucks and goods carriers plying on state and National Highways; or persons travelling to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains, and flights," Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla wrote in his communique.
The relaxations in night curfew have been extended for a couple of hours more during the lockdown 5.0, which would continue till June 30.
With the ending of Lockdown 4.0, the Ministry of Home Affairs came up with a fresh set of guidelines to be imposed in Lockdown 5.0. The fifth phase of lockdown that began on June 1 will remain in force till June 30 in all the containment zones while major curbs will be lifted outside containment zones.
The Centre decided to extend the lockdown in containment zones up to June 30, 2020 whereas it was announced to reopen prohibited activities in a phased manner in areas outside containment zones. The guidelines issued will remain in force till June 30, MHA said.
The MHA guidelines for phased re-opening of areas mentions that in areas outside containment zones, all activities will be permitted, except some which were allowed, with the stipulation of following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), in a phased manner.
As per the phased re-opening guidelines issued by MHA, the night curfew time has been reduced. The movement of individuals is now prohibited between 9 PM and 5 AM across the country except for essential services.
(With Agency Inputs)
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The order, issued on Tuesday evening, said the 2000 batch IPS officer was immediately attached to police headquarters in Srinagar.
Rath, posted as inspector general (IG), civil defence, in the union territory, has been asked not to leave the headquarters without permission from the director general of Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The order stated that disciplinary proceedings against Rath are contemplated in connection with repeated instances of gross misconduct and misbehaviour that have been brought to the notice of the government.
He has been placed under suspension with immediate effect, it said.
(PTI)
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A senior official told IANS that the Ministry had raised the issue before the Standing Committee in its recent meeting and said it was, however, not known whether the Ministry has got permission for extension.
The Parliament had passed the amendment to the Citizenship Act, 1955, in December, 2019, following which the Narendra Modi government notified it in January 2020.
As per the amendment, India will grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis, Christians, Jains and Buddhists from Muslim-majority Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan on grounds of religious persecution.
Rules for legislation should be framed within six months of the date of the President's assent or the standing committee on subordinate legislation should be approached for extension of time as per manual on Parliamentary Work.
The CAA, which excludes Muslims, will be applicable to those who entered India before December 2014.
The Home Ministry official said that the additional time has been sought to frame the rules citing the Ministry's busy schedule in other works amid COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown for the last few months.
The committee, however, was informed by the Ministry that the CAA rules will be framed very soon, the official said. "The exact specific time was not mentioned in the meeting."
The manual on Parliamentary Work states that in case the ministries or departments are not able to frame the rules within the prescribed period of six months, "they should seek extension of time from the Committee on Subordinate Legislation stating reasons for such extension" which cannot be more than a period of three months at a time.
The government has claimed that while the rules are being framed, the non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will have to provide proofs of their religious beliefs while applying for citizenship.
The applicants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain or Parsi faiths will also have to furnish documents to prove that they entered India on or before December 31, 2014, according to officials.
Lok Sabha had passed the CAA legislation on December 9, 2019, and Rajya Sabha on December 11, 2019. The amendment was brought in to grant-- for the first time in India-- citizenship based on religion. This triggered massive protests in various parts of the country, including in Assam where opponents alleged the amended Act will violate one of the principal clauses of the Assam Accord of 1985, which was signed after six years of anti-foreigner agitation in that state bordering Bangladesh.
Those opposing the CAA contend that it discriminates on the basis of religion and violates the Constitution. They also allege that the CAA, along with the National Register of Citizens, is intended to target the Muslim community in India.
(IANS)
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The Ministry of Home Affairs is likely to come up with a fresh set of guidelines soon, which will come into effect from October 1 and implemented for the whole month.
Economic Activities
In Unlock-4, malls, salons, restaurants, gymnasiums were allowed to operate with restrictions. It is expected that the Centre will allow opening of more activities with mandatory mask-wearing and physical distancing guidelines in place.
Cinema Halls
While the Centre permitted open-air theatres to open from September 21, West Bengal government has officially announced resumption of cinema halls, along with all jatras, plays, OATs, and musical, dance, recital and magic shows 'with 50 participants or less' from October 1.
To return to normalcy, Jatras, Plays, OATs, Cinemas & all musical, dance, recital & magic shows shall be allowed to function with 50 participants or less from 1 Oct, subject to adherence to physical distancing norms, wearing of masks & compliance to precautionary protocols.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) September 26, 2020
It is to be noted that PIB had rubbished a media report claiming that MHA has ordered reopening of cinema halls across the country from 1st October with the imposition of strict regulations. A fact check mentioned that no decision has been taken by MHA on reopening the cinema halls yet.
Last month, Secretary of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry had suggested MHA to issue guidelines with regard to sitting arrangement formula for movie theatres, stating that alternate seats in the first and next rows should be kept vacant to maintain social distancing. Definitely, opening of cinema halls would be something to watch out for.
Tourism Sector
Taj Mahal was recently thrown open to the public. Even Uttarakhand government allowed entry of tourists to the State without any negative report or institutional quarantine rule.
Odisha Tourism Minister Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi said the government has planned to open tourist spots in the State from the month of October. He however didn't mention a specific date. People now await opening of more tourist destinations.
Temples & Religious Places
Odisha government has reportedly expressed its unwillingness to reopen religious shrines and places of worship in the State anytime soon. With thousands of temples across the State, it is nearly impossible for police to have a check on a possible public gathering. It remains to be seen how other States relax restrictions as per the Covid situation.
Schools and Colleges
Several competitive exams are underway. In September, Health Ministry issued an SOP for partial reopening of schools for students of 9th-12th classes on a voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers. However, primary classes are likely to continue through online mode. Similar is the case with universities and colleges. They have begun taking admission tests and the new academic session is likely to begin via online classes.