Indian Plumbers stranded in Iraq
Kendrapara (Odisha): Five plumbers from Kendrapara district of Odisha are stranded in strife-torn Iraq, according to official reports released by the local administration on Saturday. “We have so far found out five skilled labourers working in Iraq though unofficial reports put the figure at around 60,” said District Labour Officer, Bighnajit Mohapatra. Of the five, two are reported to be in distressed condition in Nafaj province of Iraq, he said adding family members of Madan Mohan Mallick (28) from Pattamundai’s Nandininagar and Santosh Kumar Mallick (45) of Sandhapalli have sought the administration’s intervention for their safe return. Three plumbers from Maho village under Aul block are reported to be safe in Iraq. “We have met their family members who are in constant touch with Iraq-based workers, Kendrapara Collector, Pramod Kumar Dash said. The administration has drawn the attention of state labour directorate in this regard. The administration would render all possible help towards those stranded in Iraq, he added. Over 1000 skilled workers, mostly plumbers have migrated to oil-rich gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Baharin and Sharjah. However, migration to countries like Iraq and Iran is not on large scale, the officials said. (PTI)
Teens, two minors held with ganja
Panaji: Three teenaged boys were arrested and two minor boys detained in Panaji for consuming ganja and possessing 0.6 gms of the drug. Police said these five were smoking using a plastic bottle for a homemade, improvised “hukkah” when they were nabbed by the police Friday. Those arrested have been identified as Jilali March, Abdul Rahim from Panaji and Rueben Rodrigues from Candolim, all aged 18 years. Two minor boys were also detained by the police, according to police sub-inspector Anant Gaonkar. The accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotic Substances Act. (IANS)
Guerrilla killed, soldier wounded in Kashmir gunfight
Srinagar: A separatist guerrilla was killed and a soldier injured in a gunfight Saturday in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. “Security forces including police, Rashtriya Rifles and the CRPF surrounded Aaripal (Tral) village in Pulwama district following specific information that a group of militants was hiding there,” a police officer told IANS. When the security forces zeroed in on a house where the militants were hiding, they came under heavy gunfire from the militants, resulting in injuries to a Rashtriya Rifles personnel. The security forces retaliated and killed a militant in the gun battle. (IANS)
Demand for improved power supply during Ramzan
Kanpur: Members of the Muslim community here have complained that frequent power cuts during the holy month of Ramzan were creating numerous problems for them in their fasting routine. Members of the community claimed that although District Magistrate Roshan Jacob had written to state power officials on July 1 requesting a fixed schedule of power cuts in the city, owing especially to the fasting by Muslims, that had not brought about any change in the situation. Prominent city-based businessman Imran Siddiqui said, “Traders of the city are the main sufferers in this festive month due to undeclared power cuts and regular transformer faults. “The markets remain powerless during (peak business hours) in the evening. We have to face up to 10-12 hours of power cuts.” Siddiqui further said, “(Muslims) face problems in offering prayers and preparing their ‘sehri’ and ‘iftar’ meals,” he said. In view of the Islamic holy month of Ramzan, a roster was set for power outages which would have seen the supply being interrupted for four hours daily. However, locals are claiming that they are facing longer and more frequent outages. Meanwhile, when contacted, power department officials said, “The requirement for electricity is more than the supply. The routine is for four hour of power cuts in the city but, if the frequency of the grid falls, we are bound to stop the supply.” (PTI)
National Policy for empowerment of Mentally Challenged in offing
Bangalore: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a dream of forming a National Policy for empowerment and self sustainability of Mentally Challenged in the country, Union Minister for Fertiliser and Chemicals H N Ananth Kumar said on Saturday. Speaking after inaugurating a sales outlet of Yashasvini Swabimana Trust, an NGO which is working for mentally challenged, Mr Kumar said union ministers, including Social Welfare, Women and Child, Education and Health will coordinate to implement the objectives of the Policy which will be tabled in the Parliament soon. The Minister appealed to the NGOs working in the field to give their suggestion to draw frame work of the Policy which will sensitise peoples representatives and the officials. He said there are 6 crore mentally challenged in the country. The Policy will work towards creating necessary frame work for their self sustainability and empowerment. It will also evolve means to impart special skills and education for such people. The Trust, an initiative of FAME India, is working towards empowerment of mentally challenged and in the outlet the products manufactured by about 51 children including Paper Covers, Embroidery and Artefacts were kept for sales. (UNI)
‘Seeking doubling of tax exemptions for differently-abled’
New Delhi: Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot on Saturday said that his ministry has requested finance ministry to consider doubling the tax exemptions for differently-abled persons. “We have requested Finance Ministry to consider tax exemptions for differently-abled people. We have sought the doubling of the exemptions currently enjoyed by them. The finance ministry is looking into the matter,” Gehlot told reporters here. The minister was speaking on the sidelines of the 13th national meeting of State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities to review the implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. As regards the passage of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014, which was introduced in Rajya Sabha by the previous UPA government, Gehlot said that a new Standing Committee would look into it. “It (Bill) was with the Standing Committee. The old committee stands dissolved after (Lok Sabha) elections. A new Standing Committee must be formed for the purpose. I think it would be constituted after the (upcoming) budget session. (PTI)