IANS/PTI
Ban on trucks, construction lifted in Delhi
New Delhi, Nov. 16 (IANS): Despite Delhi’s air quality continuing to be “very poor”, the ban on the entry of trucks and on construction activities was lifted on Thursday by the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA), which also rolled back the hike in parking fees. EPCA member Usman Naseem, a researcher at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) told IANS that though these restrictions have been lifted the ban on diesel generator-sets would continue.
Stationary coach catches fire at Delhi Cantt station
New Delhi, Nov. 16 (IANS): A fire broke out in an empty stationary coach on Thursday at Delhi cantonment railway station here following which three fire tenders were rushed, officials said. The fire was doused within an hour and no one was injured. A fire official told IANS, “A fire call in an empty coach at Delhi cantonment station was received at 2.45 p.m. following which three fire tenders were rushed to the spot.” “The fire was doused at 3.30 p.m. No one was injured in the incident,” the fire official said. Northern Railway spokesperson Nitin Chowdhary told IANS, “No major damage to railway property has taken place in the overhead cable or other railway property except to the coach. The fire was controlled in time.” He said that first smoke from the camp coach, used for repair work, was detected by a few railway employees at the yard and they alerted fire officials. He said senior railway officials were at the spot to ascertain the reason for the fire.
SC refuses to stay Raj govt bill on OBC reservation
New Delhi, Nov. 16 (PTI): The Supreme Court has refused to stay the Rajasthan government bill on reservation for the Other Backward Castes but said the authorities should ensure no decision was taken that could result in crossing the total reservation beyond 50 per cent. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud set aside the November 9 order of the Rajasthan High Court by which it had stayed the OBC Reservation Bill, 2017. “In our considered opinion, the order passed by the high court staying the legislative process is totally uncalled for and, therefore, that part of the impugned order is stayed,” the bench said. It, however, “restrained” the state government from taking any action on the administrative side or in any manner conferring the benefit of reservation resulting in crossing the total reservation beyond 50 per cent. “As we intend to remit the matter to the high court, the said direction shall remain in force till the writ petition is finally disposed of,” it said in its order on Monday.
Kovind awards President’s Standard to two Air Force units
Jalandhar, Nov. 16 (PTI): President Ram Nath Kovind today presented the prestigious President’s Standard to the 223 Squadron and 117 Helicopter Unit of the Indian Air Force (IAF) during a ceremonial parade at the Adampur Air Force station. The president, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, presented the honour to 223 Squadron’s commanding officer Group Captain Prabhat Malik and 117 Helicopter Unit’s commanding officer Wing Commander N Batra. The operational outfits of the IAF become eligible to receive the President’s Standard on the completion of 18 years. The selection is based on their performance and achievements, both during peace and at times of hostilities. The honour is and acknowledgement of the meritorious service rendered by the selected units. The President’s Standard is a symbol of excellence and earned by the units through their dedication and worthy contribution both during peace and war. It also marks and epitomises the hard work, valour and sacrifice of all the personnel posted to these units.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday said that it has arrested four people from Kolkata and recovered Rs 9.1 lac. fake currency. The agency arrested all four from the vicinity of Howrah Railway Station in Kolkata on Tuesday night, the NIA said in a statement. The counter-terror probe agency said that it had received information on Tuesday regarding certain individuals in possession of fake Indian currency notes (FICN) with the intention of handing them over to certain persons for pushing into monetary system as genuine Indian currency. The arrested are all residents of West Bengal’s Malda district. A case was registered against them under various sections of criminal conspiracy for using forged or counterfeit currency notes or bank notes as genuine and possession of forged or counterfeit currency notes.
