Teachers hold mass rally despite Govt warning

Even though the State Government has warned the teachers not to leave schools without submitting applications, over 50,000 teachers under the banner of the Odisha Primary Teachers’ Association (OPTA) (Under New Pension Scheme) and the Odisha Sikshya Sahayak Association (OSSA) gathered here and staged a demonstration demanding fulfilment of their three-point charter of demands here on Wednesday.

It might be mentioned here that the teacher bodies had earlier submitted memorandum many times to the fitment committee to remove inequalities in salaried paid as per the Sixth Pay Commission.

But the fitment committee didn’t look into such demands and implemented the Seventh Pay Commission in a partial way for which inequalities in the Sixth Pay Commission continued in the Seventh Pay Commission.

“Primary teachers in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab and other states are getting Pay of Rs 9,300 and Grade Pay 4,200 as per Sixth Pay Commission but primary teachers in Odisha are still getting Pay of Rs 5,200 and Grade Pay of Rs 2,200 which violates the Right to Education Act norms.

The State Government had implemented the Right to Education Act in April 2010 and as per the Act the minimum eligibility of the primary teacher should be Plus Two and CT and salary will be paid as per the post. But the Government has not yet upgraded the minimum eligibility from matriculation and CT to Plus Two and CT, Mohanty added.

He said teachers fulfilling criteria of Plus Two and CT are getting salary meant for Matriculation and CT holders.

The other demands include regularisation of Siksha Sahayaks who have completed six years in job and abolishment of the post (Sikshya Sahayak posts and naming them tas junior teachers.

The teacher bodies have threatened they would continue stir for indefinite period until their demands are not fulfiled.

Among others, OPTA general secretary Khagendra Nath Pal, OSSA president Malay Kumar Jena, general secretary Arjun Kumar Sethi, Bikram Rath, Purnachandra Acharya, Manoj Mohanty, Mahendra Mishra, Rajlaxmi Mahapatra, Aswini Rout, Ananta Parida, Pramod Kumar Bhanja and Pabitra Mohan Jena were present.

Source : http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/bhubaneswar/teachers-hold-mass-rally-despite-govt-warning.html

Haryana Govt to set up chair in universities

Even after facing severe criticism from the opposition parties, the Manohar Lal Khattar Government in Haryana is still going full throttle to celebrate the birth centenary of RSS ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyay.

After holding events in Government-run schools to spread awareness among lakhs of students about life and teachings of the RSS ideologue, Haryana Government has now proposed to set up a chair in the name of Upadhyay at Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak and Kurukshetra University in Kurukshetra.

For promoting the achievements of the RSS ideologue, the BJP-led Haryana Government is also considering publication of books on him and organising lectures, national level workshop and seminars on Upadhyay in various universities.

Haryana Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma will preside over a meeting of Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of all government and private universities of the State here on Wednesday in this regard.

The issues to be taken up in the meeting include setting up of chair in the name of Upadhyaya in Maharshi Dayanand University and Kurukshetra University and publication of books on Pt. Upadhyaya’s unitary humanism thought. Other issues would include organising lectures on Pt. Upadhyaya’s life and philosophy, and national level workshop and seminars on him.

Apart from this, various issues concerning improvement in higher education would also be discussed in the meeting. Earlier this year, more than 2000 copies of “Deendayal Upadhyay Sampoorna Vangmaya”, a compilation of his speeches and writings were distributed to libraries of educational institutions throughout the state by the BJP Government.

From organizing events to launching schemes named after Upadhyay, the State Government has planned a series of events for his birth centenary celebrations.

Source : http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/chandigarh/haryana-govt-to-set-up-chair-in-universities.html

Golmaal Again grosses Rs 156 crore worldwide

World breaking news - Reliance Entertainment-backed "Golmaal Again", the latest in the hit Bollywood franchise "Golmaal", has garnered Rs 156 crore at the worldwide box office in the first four days of its release, the makers said.

Director Rohit Shetty said: "I am overjoyed that 'Golmaal Again' has broken records along with spreading happiness, cheer and smiles during this Diwali. I am thankful to the audience for the success and the love they have shown to the 'Golmaal' series."

The movie released on October 20, a day after Diwali.

Shibasish Sarkar, Chief Operating Officer, Reliance Entertainment, said: "We are delighted with the response 'Golmaal Again' has received. We look forward to many more milestones with this franchise, and from other projects that we are presently working on with Rohit to entertain global audiences."

"Golmaal Again" features an ensemble cast including Ajay Devgn, Parineeti Chopra, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Kunal Kemmu and Tabu.

The film is presented by Reliance Entertainment in association with Mangalmurti Films and Rohit Shetty banner.

Source : http://www.dailypioneer.com/trending-news/golmaal-again-grosses-rs-156-crore-worldwide.html

BJP caricature of Rahul Gandhi not working any more: Tharoor

Latest News in English - The BJP had "very successfully caricatured" Rahul Gandhi but the tactic is no longer working because the people now see the Congress vice president as an "effective opponent" to the ruling party, former minister Shashi Tharoor has said.

The Congress MP in an interview to PTI said the narrative had "changed very very clearly" in the past few months and people were now openly expressing "doubts and misgivings" about how the Narendra Modi-led BJP government was performing.

People are also more willing to see the Congress as a viable alternative to the BJP, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said.

"The BJP had very successfully caricatured Rahul Gandhi in the past. That is no longer working because Rahul Gandhi is seen as a rather effective opponent to the BJP...As this changed narrative proceeds, you are going to find more and more momentum behind the Congress," he asserted.

Tharoor said a change was visible with the Congress's recent victory in the by-election in Gurdaspur in Punjab and of its ally in Vengara in Kerala, and claimed the BJP's attempts to conduct yatras in places such as Kerala and Gujarat had "fallen flat".

"I also feel very strongly that the people are beginning to ask when is the government going to keep the promises it has made...We are already riding much higher in people's estimation than we were in the April or May of 2014, of that there is no doubt," the 61-year-old leader said.

His comments assume significance as Gandhi is expected to take over the reins of the Congress party soon.

Last month, while addressing students at the University of California in the United States, the Congress vice president had said the impression that he was a reluctant politician was a result of a campaign against him by the other political camp.

"There is a BJP machine, about a thousand guys, sitting on computers that basically tell you about me," he had said.

Tharoor said when Gandhi takes over, there will be "fresh energy" injected into the party.

Noting that there was still time for the general election, Tharoor said Congress's credibility was on the rise.

"I would say that the narrative has changed very very clearly. People are now openly expressing doubts and misgivings about how the BJP government and Mr Modi are performing," he said.

Asked if the state elections were any indication of the 2019 poll outcome, Tharoor said drawing conclusions from the state elections "may not always be the wisest way forward".

"My gut instinct says we are doing well...In the next 12 months some very clear patterns will emerge," he argued.

The former minister of state for external affairs, who has been vocal in criticising the government's stand on the Rohingya Muslims, said forced deportation would "give India a very bad name in the international community".

Tharoor answered in the affirmative when asked if India's stature in the world arena would take a hit if the Rohingyas were deported.

"You cannot start off with the presumption that they are terrorists. Many of them are women and children, they are obviously innocents," the former UN under secretary general said.

Source : http://www.dailypioneer.com/top-stories/bjp-caricature-of-rahul-gandhi-not-working-any-more-tharoor.html

Parking may cost you 4 times more

Breaking News - As Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated into the worst “red zone”, Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) has taken up mitigation plans, like banning diesel generators and shutting down Badarpur thermal plant.

Now, the EPCA under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) may increase parking fees for vehicles up to four times soon as vehicular emissions are the third-biggest pollutants after construction dust and stubble burning. Also, EPCA chief Bhure Lal and CSE director Sunita Narain on Tuesday planned a series of measures to be taken based on the severity of air pollution during the winter.

Air monitoring agencies have raised a red flag and asked for tough measures to control the ever-deteriorating air quality in and around national Capital. Narain said parking fees may have to be hiked in Delhi, despite the fact that a parking policy is still being worked out, if air pollution aggravates further to alarming proportions, “cars will have to be off the roads”.

While the National Air Quality Index (NAQI) has marked the air quality “red”, the administration finally woke up and measures under the “very poor” and “severe” categories of the plan came into force on Tuesday, under which the Badarpur thermal power plant has been closed and diesel generators have been banned in Delhi.

The ban on diesel generators may severely impact the business of farm houses, marriage banquets and grounds when the wedding season is about to begin.

Earlier this month, in an effort to check alarming pollution level, the Supreme Court put a temporary ban on the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR ahead of Diwali.

Notably, a study by IIT Kanpur that was commissioned by the Delhi Government has revealed that apart from construction dust and stubble burning, vehicular emission is important factor in rising pollutant values.

On Tuesday evening, the air quality index noted pollutions at severe levels as vehicular emissions aggravated the air quality.

Taking into account the 24-hour average of Suspended Particulate Matters (SPMs) recorded by SAFAR, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), the concentration of Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 was recorded 139 micro gram per cubic metre. SAFAR forecast has raised the alarm for Wednesday and Thursday. Similarly, the mass concentration of Particulate Matter (10) was recorded much higher than its prescribed limit.

The map of national Capital on SAFAR meter was coloured red, which means that the toxicity levels in city air are higher in concentration.

Further, air meters of Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) too recorded values of pollutants very high at different places in Delhi.

At ITO, the busiest traffic junction, PM 2.5 was recorded at 207 micro gram per cubic metre. In Anand Vihar area, values of both pollutants were recorded tremendously high. PM 10 was recorded at 455 µgm-3 and PM 2.5 was recorded at 129 µgm-3.

In Mandir Marg area, levels of both the pollutants were recorded at 187 µgm-3 and 72 µgm-3 respectivly; and in RK Puram area, the value of PM 10 was measured at 268 µgm-3.

It is important to mention here that with the higher numbers of vehicles plying on Delhi roads, values of nitrogen oxides recorded high on Air Quality Index (AQI) meters. This trend was also observed on Tuesday evening when AQI marked values of nitrates “abnormally high”. In RK Puram area, value of same pollutant was recorded at 170.8 µgm-3.

Taking cognisance on vehicular emission, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) dismissed the Centre’s plea seeking modification of its order banning ten-year-old diesel vehicles in Delhi-NCR. The Tribunal noted that emissions from diesel vehicles is carcinogenic in nature and in its verdict, the tribunal mention that one diesel vehicle causes pollution equivalent to 24 petrol vehicles or 40 CNG vehicles.

Meanwhile, amid festive season and winter onset, SAFAR released its advisory and observations on air quality status about national Capital.

“There is likelihood of increase in upper air winds and wind direction changing to NNW from October 22, which may deteriorate Delhi air quality, if synoptic condition remains same, exactly when cracker effect (if any) will diminish,” SAFAR press statement quoted.

“Given the above scenario, the contribution of transport from distance sources is quite less until October 21. It is just due to horizontal spread rather than direct pumping,” the SAFAR analysts mentioned.

The experts said Delhi surface winds were extremely calmer so far but now started transiting from calm to lighter winds. “This is still a favourable condition for local pollutants to stay longer and stagnant within Delhi region before getting flushed out. Moisture in the Delhi air is increasing and morning temperature is declining. This may increase atmospheric holding capacity of the emissions coming from firecrackers,” they said.

Experts forecast that the highest levels of PM10 and PM2.5 are expected between 11AM and 3AM on the night of 19-20, October and Air Quality will be start to improve further from Oct 21.

“Most striking factor is that share of PM2.5 (relatively more harmful than coarser 2 particles) in PM10 expected to remain same as normal in last 2 scenarios (50 per cent and 0 per cent) unlike last year when it increased by 10-20 per cent during Diwali period as compared to normal days which made AQ more toxic,” SAFAR mentioned in its official statement.

Source : http://www.dailypioneer.com/todays-newspaper/parking-may-cost-you-4-times-more.html

India can help US to keep an eye on Pakistan: Haley

India can help America in keeping an eye on Pakistan and ensure that it is held accountable for giving safe havens to terrorists, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has said.

Haley said that one of the pillars of President Donald Trump's recently announced strategy for combating terrorism in Afghanistan and South Asia is the development of America's strategic partnership with India.

"America's overriding interest in Afghanistan and throughout South Asia are to eliminate terrorist safe havens that threaten us. And to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of terrorists, we will use all the elements of our national power economic diplomatic and military to pursue these goals,” she said.

"Critically we will look to our economic and security partnerships with India," the Indian-origin diplomat said in her address at an event organised by the US India Friendship Council.

President Trump has taken a "tougher approach to Pakistan harbouring terrorists, she said.

"c has been a partner to the United States at times. We value and respect that. But, we cannot tolerate this government or any other government giving safe haven to terrorists who target Americans. This new approach will require understanding and restraint from both Pakistan and India," she said.

The US, she said, is looking at India to help it more in Afghanistan particularly in economic and development assistance.

India has already made important contributions to the stability of Afghanistan.

"We are really going to need India's help in Afghanistan. They are the good neighbours and partner that we have in the region," she said.

"So, having them help not only with infrastructure and the aide that they can give towards rebuilding Afghanistan, (They can) also help us to keep an eye on Pakistan," Haley said, adding that it would important for making sure that they are held accountable.

"We can't continue to see them harbouring the terrorists. We have to see something change. India is going to witnessing that. India is going to help us with that," Haley said in response to a question.

The Trump administration, she said, is hoping to expand India's contribution in Afghanistan through a deep partnership.

"The partnership between India and America is strong and getting stronger," she said.

Responding to a question, Haley said India is a responsible nuclear power.

"Because India is a democracy that threatens no one. The United States and India have both felt the pain of terrorism and we share the commitment of defeating terrorists and the hateful ideology that motivates them," Haley said.

"We want to show the world that yes there are countries that have nuclear weapon, but they are not supposed to act like North Korea. They are not supposed to manage themselves like Iran," she said.

Haley also said there was a plan for her to travel to India by the end of this year.

"I would love to go back to India. It's amazing and special for me. I was fortunate to be there a few years ago, for the first time when I was two. And it was as magical as my parents say about it. So I look forward to going back to India," she said.

Source : http://www.dailypioneer.com/top-stories/india-can-help-us-to-keep-an-eye-on-pakistan-haley.html

No BPL in Jharkhand by 2020, vows CM

Breaking News - Chief Minister Raghubar Das said at the State BJP executive committee meeting on Monday that the government is committed for Antyodaya in the State. He said that the government has been working for wiping out poverty from State and expressed hope of no BPL in Jharkhand by 2020.

Attacking on the opposition, Das said that parties engraved Jharkhand in their name only looted pride, dignity and self respect of the people before Jharkhand took shape, and continued doing so through their governments post formation of Jharkhand. “But this Government is committed to the people and we have been taking every single fraction of the society along in development saga of State,” said Das.

State BJP Executive Committee during its one day meeting on Monday patted both the governments at Centre and State for their vision of inclusive growth and their efforts so far in direction of making Antyodaya philosophy of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya for new India come true at the earliest. Party State General Secretary and Chatra MP Sunil Singh said that State government has succeeded in changing perception about Jharkhand not only outside the State, but also in many parts of the world.

“We have seen lot many things happening in recent times which neither happened in the country post independence, nor in Jharkhand before BJP government was sworn in little over 1,000 days. At one end, this is for the first time that China had to step back on the issue of Dokalam which is one of the lot many diplomatic victories of present government including Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj exposing Pakistan over pallet gun faced dying lady photo bluff of neighbouring country. On the other hand, the State government has been magically working over bringing all the MoUs signed during Momentum Jharkhand: Global Investors’ Summit earlier this year. We have passed resolutions of thanking both the governments for their moves,” said Singh.

However, most of the political resolutions made during one day meeting where Chief Minister Raghubar Das, Party State President Laxman Gilua, former Chief Minister Arjun Munda, most of the State cabinet ministers, office bearers and others were present, present ‘all is well’ kind of picture in party and government.

The Committee praised roll-out of Goods and Services Tax (GST) which, according to the party, has evaporated tax related issues of trader community. Singh, however, said that any new system needed continuous monitoring until it fits with the ecosystem, and GST Council meeting at regular intervals to revise, redefine and simplify rules was a welcome move to ease issues of traders. Spokespersons JB Tubid and Pratul Shahdeo were also present on the occasion.

Singh added that anti-evangelism law, open defecation movement, women empowerment, DBT in food grains and extremely successful foreign tours of the CM, including recent visit of Czech Republic and Japan were testimony of the government towards its commitment for well-being of every section of society in State.

Source : http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/ranchi/no-bpl-in-jharkhand-by-2020-vows-cm.html