India to contribute USD 12 million to UN to fight Ebola
New Delhi: India on Thursday announced USD 12 million contribution to the United Nations to help it fight the deadly Ebola virus in the African continent. The contribution was approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi just ahead of his deparature to the US where he will adddress the 69th session of UN General Assembly in New York on September 27. “India to contribute USD 10 million to UN Secretary General’s Fund for Ebola. Additional USD 2 million for purchase of protective gear to tackle Ebola,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said here. Ebola virus hit the African continent earlier this year and has killed nearly 2,200 people in several countries there. The UN Security Council has also declared the outbreak of the virus in West Africa a “threat to international peace and security”. UN chief Ban Ki-moon last week had described the situation arising out of spread of Ebola virus in the African continent as “unprecedented” and had announced setting up of the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response to put in place an effective response mechanism. (PTI)
Fencing, posts damaged by floods along Indo-Pak border restored
Jammu: BSFon Thursday said that fencing and border posts, which were damaged by the recent floods, have been restored along 190 km long Indo-Pak International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir. “The repair of the fencing where ever suffered damage has been carried out and posts which were affected have also been restored (along IB in Jammu frontier),” Inspector General (IG) of BSF, Jammu Frontier, Rakesh Kumar Sharma told PTI here. He said that additional manpower has been deployed to keep enhanced vigilance and guard along the borderline with Pakistan. “The fencing where damage has occurred, BSF has restored it through replenishment of its stores and little bit more damage, what-ever it is, has been strengthened through its additional manpower,” the IG said. Floods had affected most of the Border out Posts (BoPs) and three-tiers fencing and improvised fencing along riverine belts along Indo-Pak border in Jammu, Samba and Kathua district by submerging posts and washing out of the improvised fencing in large number riverine border sectors, as per reports. (PTI)
Chautala hits out at Cong; vows to take oath from Tihar jail
Jind (Haryana): Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) supremo Om Prakash Chautala on Thursday hit out at Congress for sending him to prison to crush his party’s struggle and vowed he will take oath as Chief Minister from Tihar jail. “I was put behind bars due to wrong policies (of Congress) and its wishful thinking that it will end the struggle of INLD. Rather, in my absence the party has strengthened,” the 79-year-old Jat leader, who is behind bars after being convicted for ten years along with others in a teachers recruitment scandal, said here. Chautala is presently out on bail on health grounds. He and his son Ajay have been sentenced to 10-year prison term after being found guilty in a teacher recruitment scam while others in the case have been awarded varying jail terms. Addressing a rally here in the Jat heartland organised to mark the 100th birth anniversary of late Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal, also popular as messiah of farmers, Chautala told the gathering that “your presence in large numbers here has obliterated the wishful thinking of Congress.” Taking a dig at his opponents for claiming that he will not be able to return to public life, Chautala asked his workers not to get afraid and asserted that he will become the next Chief Minister. “I will take oath as CM from Tihar jail,” he said, exuding confidence that INLD had been strengthened in his absence. (PTI)
NOC not required to bring in relief material to state: Omar
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said his government had decided to allow self-certification by groups, organisations or persons that relief material being brought in by them for the flood-hit state would not be sold in the market. The state government’s decision came in the wake of criticism over its earlier order which entailed seeking a ‘no objection certificate (NOC)’ from the state’s resident commissioner in Delhi or the Srinagar Deputy Commissioner for bringing in relief material. (PTI)