Indian national tourists or students can reach out to an Indian bank which has a collaboration with the Russian Central Bank and can open their bank account, following conveniently obtain bank card to initiate financial transactions in Russia…reports Asian Lite News
The Russian government announced on Wednesday that it has decided to simplify norms for Indian nationals wishing to open their bank accounts in Russian banks while staying in India.
Taking to X, Russian Embassy in India shared about the move saying, “We’re excited to announce the decision of the Russian Government to introduce simplified norms for #India’n nationals seeking to open bank accounts with #Russia’n financial institutions. It is now possible to open bank accounts or deposit funds in Russian banks remotely.”
Under this move, Indian national tourists or students can reach out to an Indian bank which has a collaboration with the Russian Central Bank and can open their bank account, following conveniently obtain bank card to initiate financial transactions in Russia.
The Russian Embassy in India said in a post on X, “The process is straightforward: #India’n nationals wishing to open such a bank account are advised to approach an Indian bank that has a partnership agreement with the Central Bank of the #Russia’n Federation for guidance.”
🇷🇺🙏🇮🇳 We're excited to announce the decision of the Russian Government to introduce simplified norms for #India’n nationals seeking to open bank accounts with #Russia’n financial institutions. It is now possible to open bank accounts or deposit funds in Russian banks remotely. pic.twitter.com/aXugu4FnrC
It added, “Upon arrival in #Russia, it will be possible to quickly obtain a bank card in a partner Russian bank and initiate financial transactions. This feature is especially convenient for #India’n tourists and students.” (ANI)
Downing Street has denied Rishi Sunak had broken any rules by failing to mention his wife Akshata Murty’s shareholding in a childcare business…reports Asian Lite News
The Prime Minister did not declare Murty’s investment in Koru Kids when he was quizzed about his £4billion boost for the childcare sector at this month’s Budget.
She is listed as a shareholder in the London-based agency in Companies House documents as recently as March 6 this year.
Koru Kids is set to benefit from the major shake-up of the childcare sector by Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. The PM’s failure to notify MPs of his wife’s interest has led to demands for Sunak’s ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, to launch an investigation.
But No10 this afternoon dismissed any suggestion the PM had breached ministerial or parliamentary rules in neglecting to mention Murty’s shareholding.
The PM’s press secretary said, “The Ministerial Code sets out a process by which ministers declare their interests. “’They do that in writing, in this case to the Cabinet Secretary. That process was followed to the letter by the Prime Minister. He declared the interest in the usual way – he followed the process.”
The PM’s press secretary insisted Sunak was also happy he had abided by Parliamentary obligations on declaring financial interests when answering questions from fellow MPs.
Murty’s shareholding in Koru Kids emerged after the PM was yesterday quizzed by senior MPs on the Commons liaison committee about the Government’s new childcare package.
At the recent Budget, Hunt announced incentive payments of £600 for childminders joining the profession, a sum that doubles to £1,200 if they sign up through an agency.
Labour MP Catherine McKinnell on Tuesday questioned Sunak as to why the Budget was handing out a double bonus for childminders signing up through private agencies.
Asked by McKinnell if he had any interest to declare, Sunak replied, “No, all my disclosures are declared in the normal way. I think it’s a reflection of the fact that they are through intermediaries so there are additional costs. And, ultimately, we want to make sure the policy is effective in bringing additional people into the system.”
Sunak added he would ‘happily write back’ to the committee on ‘exactly what conversations were had and the rationale’. Koru Kids is one of six childminder agencies listed on the Government’s website.
The firm welcomed the Budget announcement on its website and hailed the ‘great’ new incentives open to childminders.
Sunak aware of security review at Indian mission
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is aware of India’s security concerns following violent clashes at its mission in London and a security review is underway, Downing Street said on Thursday.
The security review was announced by UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in a statement last week following windows being smashed and the tricolour being attacked by pro-Khalistan flag-waving protesters at India House.
The UK Foreign Office has since been leading on this review of the security at the diplomatic mission, along with the Metropolitan Police.
“Discussions are being led by the Foreign Office with our police in the UK and our Indian counterparts. The Prime Minister hasn’t been involved directly but he is aware of them [discussions],” Prime Minister Sunak’s spokesperson told PTI at a Downing Street briefing.
Asked if the issue is likely to impact the ongoing India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, which are now in their eighth round of talks, the spokesperson added: “The two issues are unconnected and the trade talks with India continue. Both sides want to see an enhanced relationship between our two countries.
“On security, we expressed our concerns about the scenes we saw outside the High Commission and a review is underway.” It came as the latest set of protests outside India House in London are expected over three days until Saturday, with a demonstration also planned outside the Indian Consulate in Birmingham on Sunday.
There has been a very visible Met Police presence around the Indian High Commission in London since the violent disorder on March 19, with protesters now confined behind barricades across the street from the mission premises.
During a planned demonstration there last Wednesday, protesters hurled coloured flares and water bottles towards the mission. They have since taken to social media to allege that the objects were hurled by the Indian mission instead, allegations which have been countered by India House.
India had registered a strong protest with the UK government and the issue was also raised in the House of Commons.
It followed UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly’s statement to condemn the “unacceptable” acts of violence and an assurance to conduct a security review.
“We will always take the security of the High Commission, and all foreign missions in the UK, extremely seriously, and prevent and robustly respond to incidents such as this,” said Cleverly.
Meanwhile, government ministers have also been holding talks with Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami to reiterate plans to review the security measures at India House.
Kupwara: People queue up outside a polling station to cast their votes for the seventh phase of District Development Council (DDC) elections, in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district on Dec 16, 2020. (Photo: IANS)
The Government of J&K shall frame various schemes to provide assistance to PWDs…reports Asian Lite News
Finally, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has framed the Jammu and Kashmir Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules 2021, in order to ensure smooth implementation of Central Laws aimed at promoting and protecting the rights and dignity of people with disabilities in various aspects of life. In the Rules, every aspect relating to rights and entitlements, limited guardianship, education and employment of persons with disabilities has been taken care of and timelines fixed so that they don’t face any sort of difficult.
In exercise of the powers conferred by Sub-Section 1 of Section 101 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the Lieutenant Governor of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has made the Rules notified on 15th March 2021 in order to ensure effective implementation of the Central Law and the same have been notified by the Social Welfare Department and the rules are now called as J&K Rights of PWDs Rules 2021. The highlights of the said rules are as under:
• As per the Rules, head of every establishment will ensure that provisions of the law are not misused to deny any right or benefit to persons with disabilities covered under the Act and initiate action on the receipt of complaint from an aggrieved person regarding discrimination on the ground of disability. • If the aggrieved person submits a complaint to the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, the same shall be disposed of within a period of 30 days. • Government shall frame a State Level committee for research on disability with members from Health, Education, Social Welfare and organisations working in the field of PWDs. • Chief Judicial Magistrates, after satisfaction as per prevaling laws, is competent to grant limited gaurdainship to a PWDs. • Moreover, every Government establishment will appoint an officer not below the rank of Gazetted Officer as Grievance Redressal Officer to look into the grievances of persons with disabilities.
• A nodal officer will be designated in each Chief Education Office of the Department of School Education, every urban local body and in both the Directorates of Social Welfare within three months to deal with all matters relating to admission of children with disabilities and the facilities to be provided to them in schools in accordance with the provisions of the Act. • Board of School Education will develop training courses and also facilitate training of teachers in basic Braille-sign language and special education within one year of the notification of the Rules and shall also take steps to developed syllabus and learning material in audio and visual formats. • As far as employment and vacancies for persons with benchmark disabilities are concerned, every establishment will publish equal opportunity policy for persons with disabilities within a period of six months from the notification of these Rules.
• Every Government establishment in order to give effect to the reservation provided to the persons with disability as provided in Section 34 of the Act will take into account four percent of the total number of vacancies in the cadre strength in each group of posts for the purpose of computation of vacancies for the persons with benchmark disabilities. • Moreover, while issuing advertisement to fill up vacancies, every Government establishment will indicate the number of vacancies reserved for each class of persons with benchmark disabilities in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The reservation for persons with disabilities in accordance with the provisions of the Act shall be horizontal and the vacancies for persons with benchmark disabilities will be maintained as a separate class. • As far as accessibility is concerned, every establishment will comply with the standards relating to physical environment, transport and information and communication technology.
• Every establishment shall publish equal opportunity policy for the PWDs within a period of six months from the date of notification of these rules. • Every establishment covered under sub rule 3 of rule 12, shall maintain all related record and shall provide the same to District Level Committe for PWDs for inspection and verification. • No person with disability shall be considered to be a subject of research except when the research involves physical impact on his body. • Government shall appoint Commissioner Disabilities for the redrassel of the issues related to PWDs.
• The Government shall develop norms for the recognition of Special Schools run by the Government or private organisation. • The Government of J&K shall frame various schemes to provide assistance to PWDs. • Moreover, the Government will create Union Territory Fund for Persons with Disabilities for providing financial assistance in the areas which are not specifically covered under any scheme and programme of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover, the fund will be utilized for such other purposes as may be decided by the governing body headed by Administrative Secretary of Department of Social Welfare.
Three Swedish nationals held in Assam for violating visa rules, to be deported on Thursday.
The Dibrugarh ASP further said that the three-day religious programme was started on October 25 and the trio attended the programme with a tourist Visa…reports Asian Lite News
Three persons from Sweden were detained for violating some sections of the Foreigners Act by attending a religious programme in the Dibrugarh district of Assam on Wednesday, police said.
The Dibrugarh district police have initiated a suo moto case against the trio for attending the prayer and peace meeting in an area under Namrup police station in the Dibrugarh district with a tourist visa.
“They came to Assam by using a tourist Visa, but they had attended a religious (prayer and peace) programme in an area under Namrup police station in Dibrugarh district,” Additional Superintendent of Police (Dibrugarh), Bitul Chetia told ANI.
The Dibrugarh ASP further said that the three-day religious programme was started on October 25 and the trio attended the programme with a tourist Visa.
“We have registered a suo moto case and produced them before the court and they were found guilty under the Foreigners Act,” Chetia added.
“Three Swedish nationals came to participate in a religious meeting at Namrup on the invitation of a friend. They also addressed the congregation. Since they came on tourist visas they were not supposed to participate in such activities”, DSP Namrup, Naba Kumar Borah said.
He added, “We detained them for flouting the visa norms. But since India and Sweden have a good relationship their embassy has sorted out the matter. We didn’t register a case against them. Tomorrow they will be deported back to their country.”
The police officer further said that as per the court’s direction the accused will have to pay a fine and they will be sent to Guwahati on Thursday and subsequently deported to Sweden. (ANI)
The new guidelines have been issued to check the spread of Covid-19 in the wake of the spread of the new variant of coronavirus, Omicron. The Centre has exempted its staff living in containment zones from coming to office, reports Asian Lite News
The central government on Monday issued new guidelines for its offices, restricting the number of people below the level of undersecretary. The decision has been taken in the wake of a rising number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases.
The Omicron variant has led to a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases across the country. The number of those affected by the new strain of coronavirus crossed the 1,700-mark on Monday.
The Centre has implemented a number of measures to check the spread of the infection and has even asked the state governments to tighten the curbs based on local conditions.
India logs 37,379 new Covid cases
In another significant single-day spike amid the ongoing resurgence, India logged 37,479 new Covid-19 cases in a span of 24 hours, taking the overall active infection tally to 1,71,830, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced on Tuesday.
The active caseload now accounts for 0.49 per cent of the country’s total positive cases, according to the Ministry.
Also in the same period, the country registered 124 new Covid fatalities, which increased the nationwide death toll to 4,82,017.
Meanwhile, the Omicron infection tally has climbed at 1,892, of which 766 have been discharged from hospitals.
So far, at least 23 states have reported Omicron cases, said the Ministry.
The recovery of 11,007 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally to 3,43,06,414. Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.13 per cent.
A total of 11,54,302 tests were conducted across the country in the past 24 hours, taking the overall number to over 68.24 crore.
Meanwhile, the weekly positivity rate has climbed to 2.05 per cent amid the sudden spike of cases, while the daily positivity rate stood at 3.24 per cent.
With the administration of 99,27,797 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s Covid inoculation coverage reached 146.70 crore as of Tuesday morning.
More than 19.69 crore balance and unutilized Covid vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs to be administered, according to the Ministry.
DDMA to impose weekend curfew in Delhi
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Tuesday decided to impose a weekend curfew in the capital city in the wake of the ongoing Covid-19 resurgence.
In a virtual meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, the Authority suggested for weekend curfew during which no non-essential movement will be allowed.
The meeting also discussed imposing more restrictions in the city in an effort to curb the unabated surge.
According to the DDMA order, all government offices, except those dealing with essential services, will work from home. A cap of 50 per cent occupancy has been imposed on private offices.
On Monday, Delhi reported 4,099 fresh Covid cases, the highest single-day spike after May 18, 2021 when the tally was also 4,482.
The new cases have pushed the infection tally to 14,58,220.
Meanwhile, an additional Covid fatality has increased the national capital’s death toll to 25,110.
The Covid infection in the city has climbed to 6.46 per cent, highest in the last seven months. According to the Delhi Health Department, the national capital had recorded 6.89 per cent positivity rate on May 18, 2021.
Of the cases being reported in the national capital, 81 per cent are that of the new Omicron variant, Health Minister Satyendra Jain had said in the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
The capital has, so far, detected 351 Omicron cases, of which 57 have been discharged from the hospital.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Tuesday announced the cancellation of doctors’ winter vacation amid rising Covid cases.
Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan visits the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to review the COVID-19 preparedness, in New Delhi (PIB)
In a notice issued on Monday, the AIIMS Delhi has directed all faculty members to join back their duty with immediate effect at the hospital.
“In continuation of the office memoranda of dated December 22 and 27, it is to inform that the Competent Authority has decided to cancel the remaining part of the winter vacation from 5th to 10th January due to ongoing Covid 19 and Omicron pandemic,” said the notice issued by the hospital administration with approval of AIIMS Director.
The same rules also apply to teenagers born before September 1, 2006, who reach Austria from the UK or any other country that is currently part of the virus variant list…reports Asian Lite News.
The Austrian Innsbruck Airport has denied entry to 110 nationals of the United Kingdom as they failed to meet the new travel rules imposed by the Austrian authorities on Saturday.
Previously, the authorities of Austria announced that the UK would be categorised as a virus variant area, thus, requiring everyone to undergo testing prior to their arrival.
The initial announcement said that the test would be accepted as long as it has been taken within 72 hours before entry.
Nonetheless, under the new rules that entered into force on December 25, it was explained that everyone must present a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours before arrival.
Since many travellers were unaware of the new changes in the testing requirement, the airport had to refuse entry to them.
According to the BBC, 70 UK nationals who reached Austria without valid testing proof were flown home immediately. On the other hand, 40 of them were quarantined in a hotel. Of them, 12 were permitted to undergo COVID-19 testing and continue with their holidays.
It is believed that those who were permitted to enter Austria after getting tested were all families with children, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
Based on the current rules that Austria has, except for the testing requirement, all travellers from the UK must also prove that they have been fully immunised against the COVID-19 disease. In addition, everyone must have received a booster shot in order to be permitted entry to Austrian territory.
“People who are fully vaccinated (double jabbed) AND have received the 3rd booster jab can enter Austria with a negative PCR test (valid 48 hours). Children under the age of 12 are exempt,” the statement of Austria’s official travel website reads.
The same rules also apply to teenagers born before September 1, 2006, who reach Austria from the UK or any other country that is currently part of the virus variant list.
Omicron
Apart from Austria, several other European Union countries have also tightened their entry rules for travellers from the UK as the latter has been registering increased Omicron variant infection rates.
Previously, SchengenVisaInfo.com reported that UK nationals are now subject to additional measures when entering Germany. Travellers from the UK need to provide a valid vaccination or recovery certificate as well as a negative test result that was taken before arrival in Germany.
The French authorities also announced that all non-essential travel from the UK is banned. Only persons who are reaching France for absolutely necessary reasons are permitted entry.
