Bihar elections: Suspense on deputy CM, other ministers in Bihar

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10:24 PM

West Bengal CM, governor pay homage to Soumitra Chatterjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday paid homage to legendary Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee who died at a city hospital after a prolonged battle with multiple ailments.

 

Banerjee said the actor was a "fighter" who will be celebrated for his works and his death has delivered an irreparable blow to the film fraternity of the country.

 

Dhankhar said Chatterjee's death has left a deep void and is a colossal loss to the world of cinema.

 

Chatterjee died after a 40-day battle with multiple ailments, a statement issued by the hospital, where he was undergoing treatment, said. He was 85.

10:10 PM

500 reported arrested in Belarus protests

A human rights group in Belarus said more than 500 people were arrested in protests around the country calling for authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko to step down.

 

The Sunday demonstrations continued the wave of near-daily protests that have gripped Belarus since early August. In the capital Minsk, police wielded clubs and used tear gas and water cannons to disperse thousands of demonstrators.

 

The Viasna human rights organization reported detentions at demonstrations in other cities, including Vitebsk and Gomel. It said the nationwide arrest numbers exceeded 500.

9:09 PM

Brexit: Trade deal 'may not succeed' before year end

The UK's chief Brexit negotiator said Sunday before renewed talks that a trade deal with the European Union may not succeed, but he was still hopeful of a resolution.

 

Arriving in Brussels, David Frost tweeted that there has been some progress in a positive direction in recent days. We also now largely have common draft treaty texts, though significant elements are of course not yet agreed, he said.

 

We will work to build on these and get an overall agreement if we can. But we may not succeed. Britain left the EU on Jan. 31, but continues to follow the bloc's economic rules until a transition period ends on Dec. 31. The two sides are trying to strike a new trade deal before then, but key sticking points such as fishing rights and competition rules haven't been resolved.

8:57 PM

India dismisses Pak charge on terrorism as figment of imagination: MEA

India on Sunday mounted a hard-hitting attack on Pakistan for accusing it of involvement in some of the terror strikes in that country and said the so-called claims of proof' are figments of imagination.

 

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said Pakistan's "desperate attempt" will find few takers as the international community is aware of its tactics, and proof of Islamabad's terror sponsorship has been admitted by none other than its "own leadership".

 

The angry reaction by India came a day after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi addressed a press conference alongside Army spokesman Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar to claim that India was behind some of the terror attacks in that country.

8:26 PM

Spike in COVID cases: More ICU beds, testing in Delhi, says HM Amit Shah

To deal with the recent spike in coronavirus cases in Delhi,the Centre on Sunday said it will soon make available 300 additional ICU beds and double the number of daily RTPCR tests in the national capital.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also said some of the hospitals under the municipal corporations of Delhi will be converted into dedicated COVID hospitals and doctors and paramedics of paramilitary forces will be deployed in the national capital to deal with the shortage of manpower.

Shah said to save more lives, the Centre will also provide oxygen, high flow nasal cannula and other health equipments to Delhi.

The decisions were taken at a high level meeting chaired by Shah and attended byDelhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan among others.

7:48 PM

BJP surprise selection in Bihar: Tarikishore, Renu Devi could be DY CMs

The fourth term Katihar MLA Tarkishore Prasad was on Sunday named as the BJP legislature party leader, indicating he could be deputy chief minister in the new NDA government headed by Nitish Kumar.

Bettiah MLA Renu Devi has been made party's deputy legislature party leader and she could be another deputy cm from the saffron party in the NDA ministry which will be sworn in Monday evening.

Prasad and Renu Devi's names were announced at the BJP legislature party meeting here during the day.

The meeting was attended by senior BJP leader and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the party's state in-charge Bhupendra Yadav, election in-charge Devendra Fadnavis, Union minister Nityanand Rai and state party chief Sanjay Jaiswal, among others.

Sushil Kumar Modi proposed name of Prasad as the party's legislature party leader which was seconded by all the newly-elected MLAs.

7:33 PM

Noise pollution lowest in 15 years during Diwali in Mumbai:NGO

Mumbai recorded the lowest level of noise pollution in the last 15 years on the first day of Diwali festival on Saturday during the permissible hours when the use of firecrackers was allowed, according to an NGO.

 

Sumaira Abdulali, founder of Awaaz Foundation, told PTI on Sunday that the credit for the lowest levels of decibels (dB- the unit in which sound is measured) goes to the strict guidelines of the state government on bursting of firecrackers and growing awareness among citizens.

 

"The noise pollution level recorded during Diwali this year is the lowest in the last 15 years," Abdulali said.

 

In a statement, the NGO said the noise level was measured from 8 pm to 10 pm (on Saturday) and then until the next morning (Sunday).

7:32 PM

Delhi, its suburbs witness light rains

The national capital and its suburbs recorded light rainfall on Sunday under the influence of a fresh Western Disturbance, according to India Meteorological Department.

 

Higher wind speed aided dispersion of pollutants. The maximum wind speed was around 25 km per hour, IMD officials said.

 

The Safdarjung Observatory, which provides representative data for the city, recorded 0.4 mm rainfall.

 

The weather stations at Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge, Jafarpur, Najafgarh and Pusa recorded 1.8 mm, 0.3 mm, 1.2 mm, 1mm, 1mm and 2.5 mm rainfall respectively.

6:56 PM

Air quality "severe" in Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon

The air quality deteriorated to 'severe' level in Ghaziabad, Noida,Greater Noida, Faridabad and Gurgaon in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Sunday, according to a government agency.

Concentration of major air pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 remained high in the five immediate neighbours of Delhi, according to the air quality index (AQI) maintained by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

According to the index, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

The average 24-hour AQI at 4 pm on Sunday was 448inGhaziabad, 441 in Noida, 417 in Greater Noida, 425 in Gurgaon and 414in Faridabad,according to the CPCB's Sameer app.

On Saturday, the average AQI was 456inGhaziabad, 425 in Noida, 394 in Greater Noida,378 in Faridabad and358 in Gurgaon.

6:55 PM

BJP's Tarkishore Prasad tipped to be Bihar Deputy CM now

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has emerged as the largest party in the NDA in Bihar, is yet to decide its nominee for the Deputy Chief Minister's post, long held by its veteran leader Sushil Kumar Modi.

However, as per sources, Tarkishore Prasad, who was elected as the BJP's legislature party leader on Sunday, is likely to get the post.

As the NDA secured the majority in the recently held election, winning 125 seats in the 243-member Bihar Assembly, the BJP was the clear leader in the combine with 74 seats, against the Janata Dal-United's 43 and eight in the kitty of smaller allies, VIP and HAM.

Following this, the party's central leadership wants to change its face in the state, while also claiming a bigger stake in the new cabinet.

6:23 PM

Shah takes stock of Covid-19 situation in Delhi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday took stock of Delhi's COVID-19 situation in the wake of recent spike in cases in the national capital, officials said.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain and senior officers of the central government attended the meeting chaired by Shah.

The home minister reviewed the situation arising due to the spike in COVID-19 cases in Delhi and discussed ways to deal with it, a home ministry official said.

Delhi recorded 3,235 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the infection tally to over 4.85 lakh on Sunday, while ninety-five more fatalities pushed the death toll to 7,614.

The meeting was convened to devise a strategy to contain the spread of the virus in Delhi, especially in view of the festive season and decreasing temperatures accompanied by rising pollution, the official said.

6:13 PM

Air quality "severe" in Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon

The air quality deteriorated to 'severe' level in Ghaziabad, Noida,Greater Noida, Faridabad and Gurgaon in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Sunday, according to a government agency.

 

Concentration of major air pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 remained high in the five immediate neighbours of Delhi, according to the air quality index (AQI) maintained by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

 

According to the index, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

 

The average 24-hour AQI at 4 pm on Sunday was 448inGhaziabad, 441 in Noida, 417 in Greater Noida, 425 in Gurgaon and 414in Faridabad,according to the CPCB's Sameer app.

 

On Saturday, the average AQI was 456inGhaziabad, 425 in Noida, 394 in Greater Noida,378 in Faridabad and358 in Gurgaon.

5:03 PM

16-17 Ministers likely to be sworn in with Nitish

Around 16 to 17 ministers are expected to be sworn-in along with Chief Minister-designate Nitish Kumar in the oath-taking ceremony on Monday, but it was not clear yet if Sushil Kumar Modi will return as Deputy Chief Minister.

 

Nitish Kumar, who was invited by Governor Phagu Chauhan to form the government, said that the list of ministers will be decided by late Sunday evening or early Monday.

 

"We will finalise the names of ministers by late night or tomorrow morning and submit it before the Governor," he said.

 

However, the name of the Deputy CM has not been finalised yet, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who was present in the meetings at the CM's residence as well as at the Raj Bhavan, not speaking on the issue.

5:02 PM

Delay in finalising seat sharing hurt 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar: Tariq Anwar

Delay in finalising seat sharing for the Bihar election adversely impacted the Mahagathbandhan's poll performance, senior Congress leader Tariq Anwar said on Sunday, asserting that the Congress must learn from it and complete alliance formalities well in advance for upcoming assembly polls.

Anwar, party's general secretary and a veteran leader from Bihar, acknowledged that there were shortcomings due to which the party performed worse than other 'Mahagathbandhan' constituents and asserted that the high command was serious about an introspection as well as a thorough analysis of the results.

In an interview with PTI, Anwar said the Bihar poll results were "definitely below" the

5:02 PM

BJP, Cong MP flay firecracker ban, root for workers of industry

The raging debate over the ban on firecrackers in several states continued with BJP national general secretary C T Ravi on Sunday questioning the rationale and flagging concerns about other pollutants.

 

The social media was abuzz with many, including Ravi and Congress MP Manickam Tagore, highlighting the plight of lakhs of workers employed in the fireworks industry's national hub of Sivakasi in southern Tamil Nadu.

 

Several states had banned sale and use of firecrackers this year citing the COVID-19 pandemic and environment concerns with the decision coming as a blow to the industry.

 

A day after the nation celebrated the festival amid the ban, Ravi, the in-charge of the party for Tamil Nadu, said about ten lakh people were dependent on the cracker industry.

 

"Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu is where Crackers are manufactured & nearly 10 lakh people are employed. If activist Govts or tribunals want to ban crackers for #Deepavali, they should ban for all purposes now. No pontificating cricketer or actor should celebrate weddings with Crackers," he tweeted.

4:40 PM

India reports under 50K new daily COVID-19 cases since 8 days; active caseload contracts further

India has reported less than 50,000 new daily cases of COVID-19for the eighth continuous day, a trend which assumes wider significance as many countries in Europe and America continue to see a surge in their daily numbers, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday.

A total of41,100persons were found to be infected with COVID-19 in India in a span of 24 hours, while42,156 people recuperated during the same period, leading to a further contraction of the active caseload.

There are 4,79,216 active cases of coronavirus as on date which comprise merely 5.44 per cent of the total cases.

Last time the daily new cases crossed the 50K threshold was on November7.

4:39 PM

15 Asia-Pacific nations, including China, sign world's biggest trade agreement sans India

Fifteen Asia-Pacific nations, including China, on Sunday signed the world's biggest trade agreement, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), sans India with hopes that it will help recover from the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The RCEP was signed after eight years of negotiations at the conclusion of annual summit of Southeast Asian leaders and their regional partners, held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The agreement, which covers almost a third of the world economy, will progressively lower tariffs across many areas in the coming years, reported Channel News Asia.

 

After the signing, all countries would have to ratify the RCEP within two years before it becomes effective.

 

India, one of the leading consumer-driven market in the region, pulled out of talks last year, concerned that the elimination of tariffs would open its markets to a flood of imports that could harm local producers.

4:38 PM

Punjab requests Centre for restoration of freight movement

Punjab industries and commerce minister Sunder Sham Arora has requested the central government to allow movement of freight trains in the state.

While addressing the press briefing, he said, "Around 13,000 commercial containers are struck between Ranchi and Punjab as the movement of freight trains is not allowed in the state. Due to this reason, the industries in Punjab are suffering from major losses."

He further said, "I do not want the issue to be politicized. I request centre for the immediate restoration of freight movement. Also, if freight trains get resumed, I hope that passenger trains get operational in full swing in the state as well in the near future."

4:38 PM

RCEP signatories ready for talks once India gives written request to join

Countries that have signed the RCEP agreement can start negotiations with India for joining the pact once New Delhi submits a written request stating its intention for the same, according to a declaration.

On November 4 last year, India walked out of mega free trade agreement RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) as negotiations failed to address New Delhi's outstanding issues and concerns.

The remaining 15 member countries have signed RCEP agreement and have stated that the pact would remain open to India.

Now the members of RCEP are 10-nation bloc ASEAN (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia), China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

4:24 PM

Reopening places of worship not anyone's win or defeat: Raut

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday said the Maharashtra government's decision to reopen places of religious worship in the state was neither a victory nor defeat of anybody.

Talking to reporters here, Raut said there was no question of taking credit for reopening the places of worship.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday announced that places of religious worship in Maharashtra, which have been shut since the COVID-19 lockdown in March, will reopen from Monday.

As per the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) released by the state government, religious places located out of COVID-19 containment zones will be allowed to remain open as per the timings decided by authorities, and devotees will be allowed inside in a staggered manner.

3:44 PM

Stubble burning: Maximum cases in Punjab; anger over farm bills among major reasons

Punjab has recorded around 74,000 incidents of stubble burning this season, the maximum in four years, with experts saying anger over farm bills and the government not paying the Supreme Court-ordered financial incentive to farmers could be among the reasons for the spike in farm fires.

 

According to data released by the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, the state recorded 73,883 incidents of stubble burning between September 21 and November 14, which is the highest since 2016.

 

Punjab had reported 51,048 cases of stubble burning in the corresponding period last year and 46,559 such incidents in 2018. The number of farm fires was 43,149 in the state during the same period in 2017.

 

An official from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) said the incidents of stubble burning hit the peak between November 4 and November 7.

 

According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality monitor, SAFAR, the share of stubble burning in Delhi-NCR's pollution peaked to 42 per cent on November 5, when 4,135 farm fires were recorded in the region.

3:39 PM

Facility for obtaining customer's consent electronically extended till Mar 2021 for life insurers

Regulator IRDAI has extended the facility for life insurers to obtain the consent of prospective policy holders electronically by three months till March 31, 2021.

 

In view of the disruption of normal business activity following outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, IRDAI in August, on an experimental basis, had permitted life insurers to obtain consent of customers for pure risk products (policies which do not involve any savings element) electronically till December 31.

 

On a review of the working of the arrangement and on the basis of feedback from the life insurers, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has now extended the time period and the facility to all products.

3:38 PM

Senior Cong leader Ahmed Patel in ICU weeks after contracting COVID-19

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel, who tested positive for COVID-19 a few weeks ago, has now been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon for further treatment, his family said on Sunday.

 

Patel, 71, had announced on Twitter on October 1 that he had contracted coronavirus.

 

In a tweet on Sunday, Ahmed Patel's son Faisal said, "On behalf of his family, we would like to share that Shri Ahmed Patel had tested positive for Covid19 a few weeks ago. He has now been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon for further treatment."

 

"His condition is stable and he continues to be under medical observation...We request you to pray for his speedy recovery," he said.

3:37 PM

CM, Guv condoles Soumitra Chatterjee's death

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar Sunday paid homage to legendary Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee who died in a city hospital after a prolonged battle for his life.

Banerjee said Chatterjee was a "fighter" who will be celebrated for his works and his death has delivered an irreparable blow to the film fraternity of the country.

Dhankhar said Chatterjee's death has left a deep void.

Banerjee, who rushed to the private hospital where the thespian was admitted and died on Sunday, said it is a sad day for Bengal and his fans across the globe.

The chief minister said Chatterjee was a fighter at the core of his heart and took part in several mass movements.

"He was a fighter who will be celebrated and remembered for his works. It is a sad day for Bengal and his fans across the globe," she said.

2:50 PM

Labour Ministry seeks feedback on draft rules under Code on Social Security

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has sought feedback from stakeholders on draft rules under the Code on Social Security, 2020.

 

The feedback is required to be provided within 45 days from November 13, 2020.

 

Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has notified the draft rules under the Code on Social Security, 2020 on November 13, 2020, inviting objections and suggestions, if any, from the stakeholders, the ministry said in a statement.

 

The draft rules provide for operationalization of provisions in the Code on Social Security, 2020 relating to Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), gratuity, maternity benefit, social security and cess in respect of building and other construction workers, social security for unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers.

 

The draft rules also provide for Aadhaar-based registration including self-registration by unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers on the portal of the Central government, the statement said.

2:46 PM

RIL acquires 96% stake in Urban Ladder for Rs 182 crore

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries' retail arm has picked up 96 per cent stake in online furniture retailer Urban Ladder for over Rs 182 crore.

 

Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL), a subsidiary of Reliance Industries (RIL) , has acquired equity shares of Urban Ladder Home Decor Solutions Pvt Ltd for a cash consideration of Rs 182.12 crore, RIL said in a statement on Saturday.

 

The investment represents 96 per cent holding in the equity share capital of Urban Ladder, it added.

 

RRVL has a further option of acquiring the balance stake, taking its shareholding to 100 per cent of the equity share capital of Urban Ladder, it said.

 

Besides, RRVL has proposed to make a further investment of up to Rs 75 crore in Urban Ladder.

 

The further investment is expected to be completed by December 2023, it said.

2:44 PM

Govt school students in Delhi to get lessons on responsible use of social media

From how much information to share online to how to deal with cyber threats, over seven lakh students in schools under the Delhi government, the city's cantonment board and NDMC will soon get lessons on the "responsible use of social media".
 

The month-long series of online sessions, which will be conducted for 1,040 schools, is scheduled to begin from November 23.
 

The lessons are being conducted against the backdrop of increased usage of gadgets and exposure to social media during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Threat through the unknown and anonymous cyber world is a harsh reality nowadays. Ease of access and unmonitored reach has exposed the children to unscrupulous elements on the net," Deputy Director of Education Mohinder Pal said.

2:39 PM

DMK chief Stalin asks TN CM to suspend Anna varsity V-C

DMK president M K Stalin on Sunday demanded that Chief Minister K Palaniswami immediately suspend vice-chancellor of Anna University M K Surappa who is facing an enquiry over allegations of corruption.

 

Hitting out at Surappa for continuing in office despite the probe, he said it was a 'mockery'.

 

Surappa has asserted he has done no wrong and said he was ready to face any probe, soon after the state government on November 13 announced constituting an enquiry committee under retired high court judge P Kalaiyarasan to go into allegations of corruption in the university, financial irregularities and graft charges against him.

2:30 PM

Suspense on deputy CM, other ministers in Bihar

With the election of Nitish Kumar as the leader of the ruling NDA in Bihar, all eyes are now set on who will be his deputy and other ministerial colleagues in his government.

 

There is some suspense whether Sushil Kumar Modi will continue as deputy chief minister or if the saffron party would choose a new face.

Names of eight-term MLA from Gaya town Prem Kumar and that of Kameshwar Choupal, a Dalit MLC who had laid the foundation stone for the temple at Ayodhya
in the 1990s, are also doing the rounds for the post in the political circles.

However, Prem Kumar said, "I have not been staking any claim. We are all committed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of making Bihar Atmanirbhar.

2:24 PM

Nitish unanimously elected as leader of NDA in Bihar; to return as CM

The NDA in Bihar on Sunday unanimously elected Nitish Kumar as its leader in the state legislature, paving the way for his return as Chief Minister for the fourth consecutive term.

 

According to sources in the ruling coalition, an announcement to the effect was made at 1, Anney Marr, the Chief Ministers official residence, by senior BJP leader and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who had flown down for the occasion.

The sources also said that senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi has been chosen the leader of the legislature party and is likely to return as Deputy CM while
Tarkishore Prasad, the MLA from Katihar, has been elected as the partys leader in the state assembly.