Next set of smart cities to be announced by June end
New Delhi: The Urban Development Ministry will announce by June-end the next set of 40 cities for central funding under the Narendra Modi government’s flagship scheme–Smart City Mission. Launched on June 25, 2015, the mission aims to develop 100 smart cities across the country in a five-year period. The government has earmarked Rs 48,000 crore for the development of these cities. Under the programme, each selected city will be given Rs 500 crore over a period of five years by the Centre with the respective states expected to make the matching contribution. So far, 60 cities have been selected for the scheme and the remaining 40 cities would be announced by June end, an official said. The ministry is also preparing a report card on its Smart City Mission as the scheme is set to complete two years of its launch this June. (PTI)
Crackdown on people threatening govt officials online
Srinagar: Police have arrested several persons for allegedly using social media to threaten professionals and government functionaries in Kashmir. “Police Station Pantha Chowk, Police station Zakoora and Police Post Chanapora have arrested some miscreants who threatened professionals and government functionaries through their posts and uploads (on social media),” a police spokesman said today. He did not reveal the number of persons arrested or the social media platform used to threaten the functionaries. “Following the reports that some miscreants are misusing the cyber space, police across Kashmir has activated its technical cells to monitor their activities on social media. “It was reported and found that some videos and posts were uploaded and shared to harm the reputation of some professionals and officers,” he said. The spokesman said further investigation is going on. (PTI)
Live bullet found in army jawan’s bag at Srinagar airport
Srinagar: A live bullet was on Tuesday found in the baggage of an army jawan at the Srinagar International Airport, after which he was detained, a security official said. The soldier Pandia Raj, who was proceeding to Delhi on leave, was handed over to the army for further investigation, the official said. Prima facie, it seems that the bullet was left behind in the bag “by mistake”, the official added. This is the second incident of an army soldier caught at the airport with live ammunition. On Monday a jawan was arrested after two hand grenades and other ammunition were found in his baggage during the security screening. He had claimed that the grenades had been given to him by a “superior official” for transporting these to Delhi. (PTI)
MP govt hikes minimum wages for workers
Indore:The Madhya Pradesh government has increased the minimum wages of workers in the state from April 1, an official said on Tuesday. “The Labour Commissioner hiked the minimum wages of workers on the basis of the revised dearness allowance (DA) rates. The increase in minimum wages has come into effect from April 1 in total 67 scheduled sectors,” a public relations department officer said. As per the new rates of minimum wages, unskilled workers would get Rs 7,125 per month at the rate of Rs 274/day, while the semi-skilled workers would get Rs 7,982 per month at the rate of Rs 307/day. The wages for skilled workers have been increased to Rs 360/day, which means they would get Rs 9,360 per month. The highly skilled workers would now get Rs 410 a day, which comes to Rs 10,660 a month, he said. Unskilled farm workers would now get Rs 199.93/day or Rs 5,998 per month, the official said. (PTI)
President greets people on Ram Navami
New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee wished people on the occasion of Ram Navami on TUesday, calling them to re-dedicate themselves to the progress and prosperity of the country. In a series of tweets, the President said Lord Rama was an embodiment of great virtues and the highest values. “May his example guide us on the path of noble deedsand the celebrations of this joyous festival bring our people together and lead to a unity of hearts and mind,” he said. “Warm greetings and best wishes to all my fellow countrymen in India and abroad on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami…Let us on this day re-dedicate ourselves to the progress and prosperity of our motherland,” he said. (PTI)