Ex-IB chief is Spl Envoy on counter terrorism
New Delhi: Former IB chief Asif Ibrahim was on Thursday named Special Envoy for counter terrorism and extremism, a job that will help Government in evolving strategies to deal with radicalisation of youths in India due to rise of ISIS and security challenges in Af-Pak region. The appointment of 62-year-old Ibrahim as Special Envoy in the National Security Council Secretariat was approved by Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC), according to an official order.
order modified on DD News DG appointment
New Delhi: Modifying its order regarding appointment of senior Information Service officer Veena Jain as Director General of DD News that had raised questions over the public broadcaster’s autonomy, the I&B Ministry on Thursday said that she would report to Prasar Bharati for “all operational purposes” and to the Ministry as officer on special duty. The modification came after its earlier order which said that Jain would “report to the Ministry for all purposes” had raised a furore. Prasar Bharati Chairperson A Surya Prakash had also met Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley seeking modification of the earlier order.
SC declines to hear plea on communal clash
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed a victim affected by the recent communal violence in Faridabad, Haryana to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court for compensation and security of the minority community staying in the affected village. The Bench of Justices PC Pant and Amitava Roy directed the petitioner Shakir Ali to approach the HC after it came to know that the victim had straight approached the apex court. “What prevented you from first approaching HC,” the Bench asked. The clashes broke out after the minority community began construction of a mosque at a disputed land site in Atali village in Faridabad. The houses of the minority communities were vandalised and damaged by majority community on May 25.
Air Marshal Dhir Takes over as SWAC Chief
New Delhi: Air Marshal Ravinder Kumar Dhir took over as the chief of South-Western Air Command, Gandhinagar, Gujarat on Thursday. An alumnus of National Defence Academy(NDA), Dhir has more than 3,200 of flying hours on various types of fighter aircraft. Before assuming the new responsibility, he was Senior Staff Officer, Southern Command, IAF officials said here.
Int’l yoga Day: PM modi tweets many ‘asanas’
New Delhi: In the run-up to the International Yoga Day on June 21, the Prime Minister is tweeting information about different exercises involved in it as part of his efforts to make the event a grand success. “For improved neuromuscular coordination, balance & rejuvenated ligaments, do practice Vrikshasana,” he tweeted on Thursday. He also uploaded a video about how the ‘Vrikshasana’ is performed.
Railways to harness solar power in big way
New Delhi: Railways has rolled out a non-AC coach of Rewari-Sitapur passenger train lit by solar panels installed on its roof as part of its plan to harness the green source of energy in a big way. Railways is planning to come out with a solar policy for procuring 1000 MW solar power in the next five years. Coaches of Shan-e-Punjab Express and Taj Express are also going to be equipped with solar power shortly, a senior Northern Railway official said. It cost about Rs3.90 lakh for equipping the non-AC coach of Rewari-Sitapur passenger train while the Railways will save Rs1.24 lakh per year in power cost.