Cradle facility for unwanted infants in Lucknow
The cradle has been installed near the main gate of the hospital.
Parents can leave their child in the cradle without revealing their identity.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who also holds the health portfolio, said that a sensor system has also been put up which will alert the staff within two minutes about the baby.
The infant will then be adopted by the state.
The staff will run medical tests to check the overall well-being of the child and then send the child to the Childline for completion of adoption formalities and allotment of a shelter home.
The move is designed to deter people from abandoning unwanted infants in the open, which endangers their lives.
Pathak has appealed to parents to leave babies in the cradle so that they can be sent for foster care rather than abandoning them if they fail to take care of them for any reason.
He also said that no obstruction will be allowed in the operation of the shelter and the state government will provide everything possible.
--IANS
amita/ksk
UP man gets 20 yrs in jail for raping minor
An FIR was registered in the case under IPC section 376 (rape) and section 3/4 of the POCSO Act on November 19, 2019, at Refinery police station, based on a complaint filed by the rape survivor's grandfather.
Usman - a father of two minor children - was arrested a day after the FIR was registered.
The victim's father, a labourer, said his daughter had gone to fetch drinking water from a tap located near their house. The convict forcefully took the girl to a forest area and violated her.
“Two locals, who were passing by, heard her screams and saw Usman running away. Later, we reached the spot and took her to the hospital," the girl's father said.
Special district government counsel (POCSO) Alka Upmanyu said, “Police arrested the accused man and filed a foolproof chargesheet within 15 days of registering the FIR. The medical reports of the minor played a crucial role in the conviction of the accused, who has been behind bars since his arrest.”
The convict is married and has two minor children.
--IANS
amita/shb
UP to launch ‘one tap, one tree’ campaign from July 1
Over 5-lakh saplings would be distributed within a week of the launch of the campaign that is aimed at expanding green cover while ensuring potable tap water in rural areas.
Anurag Srivastava, principal secretary, Namami Gange and the Rural Water Supply Department directed officials to conduct a plantation drive on a massive scale between July 1 and 7.
The campaign is being launched jointly by the Namami Gange Programme and Rural Water Supply Department.
"Under the Har-Ghar-Jal scheme, each beneficiary will be provided a sapling along with tap connection in the state," said the government spokesman.
"Saplings will be planted outside the homes of those who have got tap water connections. They would also be planted near overhead tanks, at pump houses as well as at water treatment plants. UP has the distinction of providing maximum tap water connections under Har Ghar Jal scheme among all states in the country. Every day, 40,000 to 42,000 new connections are being provided to families in rural areas of UP," he stated.
Jal Shakti minister Swatantra Dev Singh said, "While making efforts to improve the present situation, the Yogi Adityanath government is also concerned about the future. The campaign bears testimony to this. The initiative will ensure that our future generations have access to clean drinking water and can breathe in a cleaner environment."
The Jal Samitis and other organisations have been entrusted with the task of carrying out plantation drives at district, block and gram panchayat levels. These organisations will also conduct environment-based programmes and spread awareness among villagers about saving the environment and water, according to the release.
"They will educate people about diseases caused due to water contamination and ways to prevent it. They would also discuss ways to raise awareness about techniques to conserve rainwater. Plantations will be carried out in villages, near water overhead tanks in blocks, panchayat campuses and water treatment plants," the spokesman said.
--IANS
amita/dpb
Muslims across Himachal celebrate Eid
Large crowds were witnessed in the Muslim-dominated areas of Shimla, Chamba and Nahan towns.
The population of the Muslims in the hill state is less than two per cent of the total population of over 68 lakh.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu felicitated the people, particularly the Muslims on the auspicious occasion.
Extending greetings, the Chief Minister hoped this festival would further strengthen the bonds of peace, unity and brotherhood in the country.
He said the festival may spread the message of goodwill and go a long way in strengthening the unity and integrity of the country.
--IANS
vg/dpb
Land confiscated from Atiq will be home to 76 beneficiaries in UP
Yogi Adityanath, on December 26, 2021, had laid the foundation stone for the housing project on this 1731-square-metre site in Lukerganj area of the city.
In October 2021, the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) had prepared a blueprint for construction of houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) on this plot of land that was freed from mafia-politician Atiq Ahmad as part of a crackdown against him and his gang in 2021.
A tender had also been issued for construction of this housing complex.
A total of 75 flats have been built in multi-storey buildings with each flat built in an area of 34.09 square metres. A community hall and a park have also been built in the residential complex.
According to officials, this project had been taken up by the District Urban Development Authority (DUDA) under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), and the flats were built in two blocks.
A total of 6,030 people had applied for these flats in the housing scheme.
Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) had also invited objections in the run-up to the lottery phase.
After disposing of the objections, the PDA had finally announced the date of the lottery along with a list of 1590 eligible candidates.
A lottery of these 76 flats was then taken out on June 9 to select the 76 final beneficiaries who would now get the keys to their homes on June 30.
--IANSamita/dpb
CPI(M) in Kerala B-team of PM Modi: Cong
Thiruvananthapuram, June 17 (IANS) Veteran Congress leader K.Muraleedharan on Saturday slammed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for his alleged "highhandedness" on media and the opposition parties and termed him "B-team" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Situation in Kerala is so bad that even the allies of the ruling Vijayan government are afraid to react, the Lok Sabha member said.
"Even the owner of the leading media outlet- Mathurbhumi- Shreyams Kumar (an ally of ruling Left Democratic Front) has expressed his displeasure over the manner the media is being haunted. During the first Vijayan government, the standard phrase to the media from Vijayan was 'Get out' from meeting places. In the second Vijayan government, it has changed to 'Go to jail '", said Muraleedharan -- the son of legendary Congress leader K.Karunakaran.
"If Vijayan does not mend his ways, we will be forced to launch a never before seen protest, " added Muraleedharan.
The state has been witnessing a never before haunting of the media.
By now quite a number of cases have been registered against top journalists working with leading media outlets, including a female journalist allegedly for anti-government news.
Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan said never before has the media in the state been haunted and hunted like this.
"We, the Opposition leaders are also being threatened by foisting cases on us. We are not going to be cowed down by it as we will tackle it legally and politically, but haunting the media for filing news reports is not acceptable at all," said Satheesan.
--IANS
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Agra: Snake gets trapped in bathroom sink, rescued
Agra, June 17 (IANS) A two foot-long Indian wolf snake was found trapped inside the bathroom sink of a house located in the Belanganj area of the Taj city.Panic-stricken family members, concerned for their own well-being and that of the snake, immediately contacted the Wildlife SOS for help, following which a rescue team arrived at the scene.
The rescue team found the snake slithering into the sink's pipe. The team had to break open the sink to safely retrieve the trapped snake.
Following the successful rescue operation, the veterinary doctors from Wildlife SOS conducted a thorough preliminary health examination of the reptile. The snake was found to be in good health, devoid of any injuries. It was later released back into its natural habitat.
Jatin Sharma, the caller who informed Wildlife SOS about the snake, said, "I was extremely worried when I discovered the snake in the bathroom sink. I immediately contacted Wildlife SOS for assistance, and I am immensely grateful for their prompt response and professional rescue operation. Their dedication and expertise are truly commendable."
Baiju Raj M.V., Director of Conservation Projects, with Wildlife SOS, said, "Rescuing wildlife from challenging situations is at the core of our mission at Wildlife SOS. We are delighted to have successfully saved the Indian wolf snake and ensured its safe return to the wild."
Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO, with Wildlife SOS, said, "Urban human-wildlife conflict is an often neglected subject with no on-ground mitigation efforts being carried out. The effects of anthropogenic encroachment are taking its toll on Indian wildlife. I am immensely proud of the efforts of Wildlife SOS in rescuing the snake and thankful for the rescue caller's sensitivity to the situation."
The Common Indian wolf snake (Lycodon aulicus) is a non-venomous snake found across the Indian subcontinent. This snake is about 50-70 cm in length and has glossy brown or black scales, interspersed with white bands.
The Indian wolf snake is a nocturnal species which feeds mainly on geckos, skinks and rodents.
--IANS
brij/prw/svn/
Fresh law graduates to pay only Rs 750 as enrollment fee to BKC, rules Kerala HC
Kochi, June 17 (IANS) The Kerala High Court has directed the Bar Council of Kerala (BCK) to collect only Rs 750 as enrollment fees from law graduates who wish to enroll as advocates.A division bench said this norm would hold good till the Bar Council of India (BCI) lays down a uniform structure applicable to all State Bar Councils.
Incidentally in February, a single-judge of the Court had passed an interim order directing the BCK to provisionally accept enrollment applications by the law graduates upon payment of Rs 750.
But then the benefit of that order was limited only to the petitioners in the case who had challenged the BCK's decision to collect Rs 15,900 as enrollment fees.
The fresh order has come when the BCK filed an appeal against the interim order which read, "...to a pointed query from the Court, learned senior counsel appearing for the Bar Council of Kerala has stated that so far as the petitioners are concerned by accepting Rs750/- enrollment fee, the enrolment of respective petitioners has been completed. In the fitness of things in the exercise of our jurisdiction, by according to the petitioners herein, the representative status to agitate the grievance for and on behalf of similarly situated graduates, who would be interested in getting enrolled on the rolls of the Bar Council of Kerala, we extend the same benefit to such of the aspirants as well. Such a course would avoid a series of individual cases by the aspirants" the Court stated.
The single judge's order had come on a plea moved by ten law graduates of the 2019-22 batch from the Government Law College, Ernakulam challenging the fee of Rs 15,900 that the BCK was charging.
The fresh order now extended the benefit of the interim order to all law graduates.
--IANS
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Cyclone Biparjoy: Western Rajasthan records heavy rain
Jaipur, June 17 (IANS) As an effect of cyclone Biparjoy, the districts of Barmer, Sirohi, Udaipur, Jalore, Jodhpur in western Rajastan experienced heavy rainfall on Saturday morning, with winds blowing at 50 to 60 kph.Ihe last 24 hours, the maximum impact of the cyclone was seen in Jalore, Sirohi and Barmer as heavy rainfall was recorded in these districts.
The Meteorological Department has issued an 'orange' alert for Barmer, Jalore, Sirohi and Pali for Saturday.
Fourteen trains passing through Barmer have been cancelled. while two flights from Udaipur to Delhi and Mumbai have also been cancelled.
More than 5,000 people of 5 villages of Barmer adjacent to the Pakistan border have been evacuated to safer places.
Due to the effect of Biparjoy, most of the state has been covered by clouds.
Three inches of rainfall was recorded in Churu's Bidasar on Friday night, while strong winds were blowing at a speed of 62 kph in many areas of Sirohi.
In the last 24 hours, maximum rainfall of 5 inch each was recorded at Sedwa in Barmer and Mount Abu in Sirohi.
Intermittent rain continued since Friday night at Sanchore in Jalore district, leading to power cuts in many villages.
Bus and rail service has been completely stopped due to the cyclone.
Cyclone Biparjoy reached Rajasthan on Friday night. but its speed has decreased. Its effect will remain in the state till Sunday.
Earlier on Friday, rain lashed Jalore, Barmer, Jodhpur, leading to floods in low-lying areas. Trees and electric poles were also uprooted at various places.
Pali's factories have been closed for two days.
Orange alert for heavy rain continues in Jodhpur on Saturday.
In view of this, district collector Himanshu Gupta has given instructions to keep all educational institutions, coaching institutions, gyms, tourist places and summer camps closed in the district.
It is estimated 100 mm of rain will lash some places in Jodhpur on Saturday.
--IANS
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Law & order situation in Manipur needs urgent attention: Ex-Army Chief
Imphal, June 17 (IANS) Former Army Chief Ved Prakash Malik said on Friday that the law and order situation in Manipur needs "urgent attention at highest level".Gen Malik (retd), refferring to a tweet by Lt Gen L. Nishikanta Singh (retd), tweeted: "An extraordinarily sad call from a retired Lt Gen from Manipur. Law & order situation in Manipur needs urgent attention at the highest level."
Gen Malik, who served as the 19th Chief of Army Staff from September 30, 1997 to September 30, 2000, tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah in his tweet.
Earlier, Lt Gen Singh (retd) tweeted: "I'm just an ordinary Indian from Manipur living a retired life. The state is now 'stateless'. Life and property can be destroyed anytime by anyone just like in Libya, Lebanon, Nigeria, Syria, etc. It appears Manipur has been left to stew in its own juice. Is anyone listening ?"
Referring to the tweet of Lt Gen Singh (retd), former Union Minister and Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh tweeted: "The PM is certainly not. He has time for all other things except reaching out to the distressed people of Manipur in thought, word and deed."
The devastating ethnic violence, which so far killed over 120 people and injured more than 400, began in Manipur on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised by a tribal student body in the hill districts of the state to protest against the Meitei community's Scheduled Tribe (ST) status demand.
--IANS
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