Schools in Ganjam, Malkangiri, Korapur Closed Today Due To Incessant Rains

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Because of continued rains, District Collectors of Ganjam, Malkangiri and Koraput have declared the closure of all schools and Anganwadi Centres for a day in their respective districts today.

Bhubaneswar, Sept 10: Because of continued rains, District Collectors of Ganjam, Malkangiri and Koraput have declared the closure of all schools and Anganwadi Centres for a day in their respective districts today.

The district Collectors announced school closures after the India Meteorolgical Department (IMD) issued a heavy rainfall alert for the southern districts.

Notably, almost all parts of Malkangiri district have been cut off from the rest of the world due to incessant rains. Areas like Poteru, MPV 16, Badali, MV-7, MV-3, three wards of Malkangiri Municipality and Undurukonda have been marooned in the district.

Vehicular movement on the Bonda Ghati has been disrupted as floodwater flows on the road. Similarly, road communication between Odisha and Andhra has been stopped due to the damage of a bridge in Chitrakonda.

Caused by incessant rains, inundation has also affected different parts of Ganjam and Koraput districts.

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Bihar: Over 12 Houses Submerged, Ganga River Flowing Above Danger Mark

by Utkalika Mohanty

Patna, Sep 17: More than a dozen houses on the banks of the Ganga River submerged as the waterbody was flowing above the danger mark in Bihar's Bhojpur district.

The most affected areas include the Shahpur and Barahra blocks, particularly the villages of Neknam Tola, Sinha, and Poraha in the Barahra block, as well as Jawainiya and Maqsoodpur in the Shahpur block.

In Jawainiya village, the concrete house of Binod Yadav and the local Kali temple were submerged overnight due to the rising water of the Ganga River. In Neknam Tola village of Barahra block, floodwater entered more than 20 houses.

The situation is dire, as the water level of the Ganga continues to rise, creating significant hardships for residents.

Vijay Sharma, a resident of Poraha village, said, "The flood has led to a shortage of essential supplies, including food, drinking water, and other daily necessities. The situation has worsened in the last three days."

The Water Resource Department has reported that the Ganga River was flowing 48 cm above the danger mark at 49.08 metres at Gandhi Ghat in Patna.

Additionally, the river is above the danger level at Hathidah block, where the water level has reached 41.88 meters, 12 cm above the danger mark.

The situation is particularly alarming for villagers living near the riverbanks, as soil erosion has become a significant concern. The ongoing erosion poses a severe threat to the stability of homes and land in these villages, creating an atmosphere of panic among those living at the river's edge.

Rajeshwar Yadav, a resident of Neknam Tola, expressed deep concern over the rising water level of the Ganga River.

"Our children and the entire family are unable to sleep at night due to the fear that the water might reach our house," he said.

In response to the crisis, the district administration and the Water Resource Department have claimed that they are implementing preventive measures.

They are placing sandbags along the banks of the Ganga River to slow down and prevent further soil erosion. However, the residents continue to live in fear as the river's water level shows no sign of receding.

--IANS

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Women, Youth, Minorities, Farmers Get Modi 3.0's Priority Attention In First 100 Days

by Hemanta Pande

New Delhi, Sep 17: In the first 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government's third term, projects worth Rs 15 lakh crore have been launched with a focus on farmers, women, the middle-class, youths, tribals and minorities, among others.

Since the first term in 2014, the NDA government has consistently focused on the welfare of women, farmers, tribals, youths and minorities. In fact, before even starting the campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi had given several tasks to officials to be completed within the first 100 days of the third NDA government.

Improving farmers' income

The 17th instalment of Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi was released. As part of the instalment, Rs 20,000 crore has been distributed to 9.3 crore farmers. A government statement said that so far Rs 3 lakh crore have been distributed to 12.33 crore farmers.

The Minimum Support Price for Kharif crops for 2024-25 was increased, which has benefitted 12 crore farmers.

The Centre has also approved seven major schemes with a total outlay of Rs 14,200 crore, including Digital Agriculture Mission to enhance efficiency and productivity in the agricultural sector.

Women empowerment

In the first 100 days, the PM Modi government has awarded certificates to 11 lakh new 'Lakhpati Didis'. According to government figures, over one crore 'Lakhpati Didis' now earn more than Rs 1 lakh every year.

The Centre has established over 90 lakh self-help groups (SHGs) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) for women. This has helped 10 crore women to promote financial inclusion, digital literacy, sustainable livelihoods and social development measures.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister is scheduled to launch the Odisha government's flagship women-centric initiative, Subhadra Yojana in the state.

Relief to middle-class

The NDA government announced no tax on income up to Rs 7 lakh, helping salaried individuals save up to Rs 17,500 in taxes.

In a statement, the government said that the standard deduction has been increased to Rs 75,000 and the exemption limit for family pension raised to Rs 25,000.

The government will also conduct a comprehensive review of income tax rules within six months to make them concise, clear and easy to understand, the statement added.

The PM Modi government also implemented a unified pension scheme, under which government employees with 25 years of service will receive 50 per cent of their average basic salary as a pension.

The government has said that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, three crore houses were approved -- one crore houses under the urban scheme, and two crore houses were approved for construction in rural areas. So far, over four crore houses have been approved in urban and rural regions in India.

Benefits to minorities, tribals

The government has said that under the Prime Minister's Developed Tribal Village Campaign, 63,000 tribal villages were approved to be developed. This has helped improve the socio-economic status of around five crore tribals.

The Namaste Scheme has been extended to include waste pickers along with sanitation workers, promoting their social and economic empowerment, the government statement said.

The recently introduced Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, represents a major step towards improving the management and preservation of Waqf properties. This legislation will facilitate the creation of a digital platform for online registration and monitoring of Waqf properties. By introducing an online system, the government aims to enhance transparency, reduce disputes, and ensure better management of these important assets. The bill is a significant move towards modernising the administration of Waqf properties and addressing long-standing issues related to their management.

Youth empowerment

The PM Modi-led NDA government has announced a Rs 2 lakh crore package to promote empowerment and skill development among the youth. The goal is to benefit 41 million youth over the next five years.

The government has announced more than 15,000 new appointments and first-time employees are covered under EPFO. An incentive of up to Rs 15,000 will be provided in three instalments, the government has said.

The MUDRA loan has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, which will greatly help the youths.

Strengthening healthcare

The Ayushman Bharat Scheme has been expanded to include all citizens aged 70 and above under free insurance of up to Rs 5 lakh.

To improve healthcare, 75,000 new medical seats have been added. The government said that this will help the healthcare system become more effective and reduce dependence on foreign medical education.

The National Medical Commission is preparing a National Medical Register to create a centralised repository of doctors in the country.

In line with the vision of ‘Swasth Bharat’, the government has also introduced the Rashtriya Poshan Mission. This flagship programme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) seeks to enhance the nutritional status of children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls. (IANS)

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India's Wholesale Price Inflation Eases To 1.31 Pc In August 2024

by Hemanta Pande

New Delhi, Sep 17: The annual rate of inflation based on the all-India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for August 2024 eased to 1.31 per cent, a provisional figure compared to 2.04 per cent in July 2024.

According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the rise in inflation is primarily due to increases in the prices of food articles, processed food products, textiles, and machinery and equipment.

Despite the inflation, the rate has moderated from 2.04 per cent in July 2024, indicating some easing of price pressures.

The WPI for all commodities in August stood at 154.5, showing a slight decrease from 155.2 in July. Primary articles, which hold a weightage of 22.62 per cent, registered an index of 194.9 with a year-on-year inflation rate of 2.42 per cent, down from 3.08 per cent in July.

The drop in primary articles was driven by declining prices in minerals, crude petroleum, and natural gas.

Meanwhile, the Fuel & Power category, representing 13.15 per cent of the WPI, saw its index inch up to 148.1, though it posted a deflation rate of -0.67 per cent for August, after showing 1.72 per cent inflation in July. Electricity prices saw an increase, while prices for mineral oils decreased.

Manufactured products, which make up 64.23 per cent of the index, registered a minimal decline in their index from 141.7 in July to 141.6 in August, with an inflation rate of 1.22 per cent.

The WPI Food Index, tracking prices of food articles and manufactured food products, fell from 195.4 in July to 193.2 in August. This decline translated into a lower annual food inflation rate, down to 3.26 per cent from 3.55 per cent in July.

The drop in food prices, particularly in vegetables and fruits, contributed to the decline in overall food inflation.

On a month-over-month (MoM) basis, the WPI declined by 0.45 per cent in August compared to July. Primary articles saw a decrease of 1.37 per cent, led by lower prices for minerals, crude petroleum, and food articles, although non-food articles showed a modest increase in prices.

The Fuel & Power group experienced a slight increase of 0.14 per cent in its index, with higher electricity prices being a key factor.

The Manufactured Products group saw a marginal decline of 0.07 per cent in August, with mixed trends across sectors.

Some industries, such as food products, machinery, and motor vehicles, witnessed price increases, while others, including basic metals, chemicals, and textiles, recorded price decreases.

The final WPI for June 2024 has been confirmed at 154.0, with an annual inflation rate of 3.43 per cent, based on a weighted response rate of 95.9 per cent. This finalization provides a clearer understanding of inflation trends over the past months.