NEW DELHI : The Centre has renamed the Shipping Ministry as the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an announcement to this effect.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat, maritime shipping and navigation, provision of education and training for the mercantile marine, lighthouses and lightships, administration of the ports, shipping and navigation — including carriage of passengers, and goods on inland and national waterways — will be under it.
The notification, signed by President Ram Nath Kovind, said the decision had been taken by exercising of the powers conferred by clause (3) of Article 77 of the Constitution and by amending the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961.
“In THE FIRST SCHEDULE,- (i) after the heading “26. Ministry of Planning (Yojana Mantralaya)”, the following heading shall be inserted, namely:- “26A. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (‘Pattan, Pot Parivahan aur Jalmarg Mantralaya’)”; (ii) the heading “32. Ministry of Shipping (‘Pot Parivahan Mantralaya’)” shall be omitted,” it said.
Other subjects that will come under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways include shipbuilding and ship-repair industry, ship-breaking, fishing vessels industry, floating craft industry among others.
Various autonomous bodies like the Port Trusts in Mumbai, Kolkata and others, the Inland Waterways Authority of India and the Shipping Corporation of India will also come under the ministry.
Modi had said on Sunday that the Shipping Ministry was being expanded and renamed as the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
“In developed economies, in most places, the Shipping Ministry also takes care of ports and waterways. In India, the shipping ministry does a lot of work related to ports and waterways. Clarity in name will also bring about clarity in work,” the prime minister had said. (AGENCIES)
Shipping Ministry renamed Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways
SC questions Maha Govt over Arnab case, says matter pertains to personal liberty
New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the Maharashtra government over the 2018 abetment to suicide case against journalist Arnab Goswami and said that it would be a travesty of justice if personal liberty of a person is curtailed like this.
A vacation bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and Indira Banerjee asked the state whether there was any need for custodial interrogation of Goswami as the issue pertains to “personal liberty”.
The bench observed that Indian democracy is “extraordinarily resilient” and the Maharashtra government must ignore all this (Arnab’s taunt on TV).
“Whatever be his ideology, least I don’t even watch his channel but if in this case constitutional court’s do not interfere today, we are travelling the path of destruction undeniably,” Justice Chandrachud said, adding, “the point is can you deny personal liberty of a person on these allegations”.
The top court is hearing Goswami’s plea seeking interim bail in the case of alleged abetment to suicide of an interior designer in 2018.
Goswami has challenged the Bombay High Court’s November 9 order refusing to grant him and two others interim bail in the case and asked them to move the trial court for relief. (AGENCIES)
Indian-American Kash Patel named Chief of staff to acting US Defence Secretary
WASHINGTON: Indian-American Kash Patel has been named as the Chief of Staff to the Acting US Defence Secretary Chris Miller, the Pentagon has announced.
The new appointment from the Pentagon comes a day after Donald Trump fired Defence Secretary Mark Esper and designated the National Counter Terrorism Center Director, Chris Miller, as the Acting Secretary of Defence.
Chris Miller took over the functions and responsibilities of the new role on Monday, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.
Kash Patel, currently on the National Security Council staff, has been named by Acting Secretary Chris Miller as his Chief of Staff, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday.
He replaces Jen Stewart, who resigned earlier in the day.
Acting Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Dr. James Anderson, Under Secretary of Defence for Intelligence and Security Joseph Kernan have submitted letters of resignation.
Kashyap Pramod Patel, popularly known as Kash Patel, had previously served as senior counsel for counter-terrorism at the House Permanent Select Committee.
In June 2019, Patel, 39, was appointed as senior director of Counter-terrorism Directorate of the National Security Council (NSC) in the White House.
New York-born Kash Patel has his roots in Gujarat. However, his parents are from East Africa mother from Tanzania and father from Uganda. They came to the US from Canada in 1970. The family moved to Queens in New York which is often called as Little India – in the late 70s.
After his schooling in New York and college in Richmond, Virginia, and law school in New York, Kash Patel went to Florida where he was a state public defender for four years and then federal public defender for another four years.
From Florida, he moved to Washington DC as a terrorism prosecutor at the Department of Justice. Here he was an international terrorism prosecutor for about three and a half years. During this period, he worked on cases all over the world, in America in East Africa as well as in Uganda and Kenya.
While still employed by the Department of Justice, he went as a civilian to join Special Operations Command at the Department of Defence.
At the Pentagon, he sat as the Department of Justice’s lawyer with Special Forces people and worked inter-agency collaborative targeting operations around the world.
After a year in this sensitive position, Congressman Davin Nunes, Chairman of the House Permanent Select on Intelligence Committee, pulled him as senior counsel on counter-terrorism. (Agency)
Govt needs to define COVID-19 vaccine distribution strategy: Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the Government will have to define a vaccine distribution strategy to ensure that every Indian gets the COVID-19 vaccine.
Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE have said that their vaccine candidate has been found to be more than 90 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19.
In a tweet, Gandhi said, “Even though Pfizer has created a promising vaccine, the logistics for making it available to every Indian need to be worked out”.
“Government of India (GOI) has to define a vaccine distribution strategy and how it will reach every Indian,” he said.
He attached a media report with his tweet, saying that no cold chain logistic company in India has the capability to transport the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19 to India which required a temperature of minus 70 degrees. (AGENCIES)
Govt employees can make purchases in family member’s name under LTC cash voucher plan
NEW DELHI: Central Government employees availing the LTC cash voucher scheme can purchase goods or services in the name of spouse or other family members eligible for LTC fare.
The second set of FAQ issued by the Department of Expenditure also clarified that an employee can claim reimbursement for the purchase of goods and services, attracting GST of 12 per cent or more, on or after October 12 even if he/she has not formally exercised the option of availing the scheme.
The government on October 12 announced the LTC cash voucher scheme under which employees can purchase any goods or services with a GST rate of 12 per cent or above to avail the benefit. The payments for such purchases have to be made via digital mode or cheque, demand draft, NEFT/RTGS.
So far employees had only Leave Travel Concession (LTC) benefits on travels made or forgo the amount.
To a query on whether purchase receipt can be in the name of any dependent, the FAQ said, “The invoices of the goods and services purchased as per the scheme may be in the name of spouse or any family member who are eligible for LTC fare as declared in the service records”.
The expenditure department, under the Finance Ministry, said the special cash package scheme in lieu of one LTC is to “compensate and incentivise consumption” by government employees and the benefits can be availed up to March 31, 2021.
The FAQ also clarified that purchase of goods or services on EMI is also permissible under the scheme provided they have been bought after October 12 and have a GST invoice.
With regard to a query on whether reimbursement would be available for items purchased after October 12, 2020, but before formally exercising the option of LTC cash voucher scheme, the FAQ said, “All eligible purchases on or after October 12, 2020, but before March 31, 2021, can be counted”. (AGENCIES)
Hunger and working on nitty gritties did it, say triumphant MI players
Dubai: An insatiable hunger to succeed, the willingness to put in the extra yards and extensive work on the nitty-gritties culminated in an unprecedented fifth IPL title for Mumbai Indians, the players responsible for the triumph said after a clinical demolition of Delhi Capitals in the final here.
Opener Quinton de Kock said after the final, “Mumbai have a great set up, so we’ve been able to move with the gym work and training and stuff. We’re reaping the rewards today for it. It’s a great feeling.”
“I think this year because there were so many questions around Mumbai in general, whether we can win back to back, we put in extra effort. You can see it’s paid off. We worked extra hard on the nitty gritties.”
If last year’s one-run win over Chennai Super Kings was an absolute cliffhanger, skipper Rohit Sharma’s fluent 68 made it a walk in the park this year for Mumbai as they chased down the target of 157 in 18.4 overs with five wickets in hand on Tuesday.
“It’s a great feeling. I’ve been here 11 years, fifth trophy. No one sees the planning and training, it’s pressure playing for a franchise like this,” MI veteran Kieron Pollard.
The West Indian swashbuckler added: “The amount of trophies, the amount of work, the amount of players who go on to play for their countries, I think we’ll have to say so (that this is the best T20 franchise).”
Elder of the Pandya brothers, Krunal pinned it on the hunger of the players.
“It’s the hunger. The way we went about the games, there was always 100 per cent. A lot of credit goes to how we prepared. One month before we came, everyone knew their roles.”
“Everyone was in good shape, just executing what they were doing in the nets.”
Another MI star, Suryakumar Yadav attributed the success to preparation and following the proces.
“Preparations, processes and routine is important. The team just said one thing – we’ll take care of this. You go and express yourself,” Suryakumar concluded.
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah said the title is more special because of the tough circumstances the tournament was played in given the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“…We have worked very hard, we started preparing much earlier before other teams, we worked through process, all of which has got us a lot of results. We wanted to break the jinx of winning every alternative years – the goal has been achieved now.
“It means a great deal (about playing the IPL), the pandemic has been such a shock, everyone have been stuck at home,” he said. (AGENCIES)
It was mentally tough in bio-bubble: Ganguly thanks players for commitment to IPL success
Dubai: BCCI president Sourav Ganguly on Wednesday acknowledged that it was mentally tough for players to be in the just-concluded Indian Premier League’s bio-bubble and thanked them for showing resolve to make the tournament a success.
The IPL came to an end on Tuesday with Mumbai Indians beating Delhi Capitals by five wickets here for a record fifth title. The tournament was held at three venues in the UAE sans crowds due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“@bcci.Along with the office bearers I personally thank all the players of each IPL team, for going thru the tuff bio bubble to make this tournament possible..It was tuff mentally, and ur commitment makes indian cricket what it is @JayShah @ThakurArunS,” Ganguly tweeted.
The event is usually held in April-May each year but had to be postponed after COVID-19 cases shot up in India.
Following months of deliberation, it was shifted to the UAE venues of Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi and was conducted in a bio-secure environment.
BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal echoed Ganguly’s sentiment and hoped that the world’s biggest T20 event will return to its full glory next year.
“Congrats to Team IPL under the dynamic leadership of @SGanguly99 & @JayShah for organising the most successful #Dream11IPL under such challenging times. A big thanks to all the cricket fans for their love and support. We truly missed u. Hopefully the roar will be back in IPL2021,” Dhumal tweeted.
The IPL largely passed off without any glitch here and 13 COVID cases in the Chennai Super Kings franchise before the tournament’s start was the only major hiccup that the organisers endured. (AGENCIES)
Maybe fatigue crept in, bowlers lost it in Powerplay: Iyer
Dubai: Delhi Capitals skipper Shreyas Iyer says his otherwise outstanding bowlers “lost it in powerplay” after a disastrous start prevented them from posting a challenging total in the IPL final against Mumbai Indians.
Losing three early wickets pegged the Capitals back as they could post only a modest 156 for seven.
MI skipper Rohit Sharma then led his side to a comfortable win with his magnificent half-century. They raced to 61 for 1 in the first six overs that set a strong foundation for an easy chase.
“It’s just the fatigue that crept in may be, bowlers just lost it in the Powerplay,” a disappointed Iyer said at the post match press conference.
DC captain said he does not regret his decision to bat first. After being reduced to 22 for 3, Iyer (65 off 50) and Rishabh Pant (56 off 38) stitched 96 runs for the fourth wicket to stabilise the innings.
“I thought it was very good decision (to bat first). When you enter the final, it’s very important to get off to a good start and that’s what we lacked in this game. Obviously, there was pressure of getting good score in the Powerplay. We had already lost three wickets so it was important that we scored runs and also save wickets at the same time,” he said.
“I think we reached to a very decent total in the Powerplay and after that we capitalised there onwards and got to a decent total until 15th over I guess but after that everything came down.”
Iyer was effusive in his praise for his bowling unit despite an off day in the summit clash. He picked purple cap winner Kagiso Rabada (30 wickets from 17 games) and veteran Ravichandran Ashwin.
“Well, they (bowlers) have been outstanding throughout. KG getting the purple cap, setting a great example for all the bowlers in the team. Also Ashwin, he has got a great mind and he knows the strategies pretty well.
“Lot of positives to take from this series and I am really happy with the overall performance in this league. Definitely lot to take away and comeback stronger in the next season,” he said.
Analysing DC’s performance this year, Iyer highlighted some grey areas where he feels the team needs to work on before the next season.
“We have been lacking in starts in majority of the games. We have lost pretty early wickets in majority of the games, so that’s an area we need to work on going forward.
“We also need to strategise our bowling plans because we have leaked a lot of runs in the Powerplay, especially in the second half of the season. It wasn’t the best of the bowling we did,” he said.
“But I am really happy with what we have achieved in the season. Obviously, majority of the things are going to be same in the next season.” (AGENCIES)
Execution was perfect from all bowlers: Rohit after IPL title win
Dubai: His fluent half century made the chase look effortless in the IPL final but Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma said it was his bowlers who set up the crushing win over Delhi Capitals, which fetched an unprecedented fifth title for the side.
New Zealand pacer Trent Boult snared the dangerous Marcus Stoinis and Ajinkya Rahane while off-spinner Jayant Yadav dismissed the in-form Shikhar Dhawan to leave Delhi Capitals reeling at 22 for three, early setbacks from which the team couldn’t quite recover.
“We got a wicket on the first ball and we got a couple more after that. We just wanted to keep the pressure, the execution was perfect from all the bowlers,” Rohit said at the post-match press conference.
Set a target of 157, Mumbai sailed home in 18.4 overs and with five wickets in hand. Rohit’s classy 68 off 51 balls was the highlight of the chase.
“We knew Stoinis and Dhawan are Delhi’s key batters, so we wanted to bowl our key bowlers at them, getting early wickets was the key, we wanted to take early wickets, when you have the best new ball bowler in your squad, why not go with that?” he said.
Rohit applauded each and every bowler for his contribution in the team’s success throughout the tournament. Boult (25) and Jasprit Bumrah (27) were at their lethal best the entire season.
“Boult has been fantastic for us this season and so has Bumrah. They are the ones who kept us in the game throughout. (James) Pattinson, (Nathan) Coulter-Nile, (Rahul) Chahar, and Krunal Pandya also did their job.”
Coulter-Nile was brilliant during the slog overs on Tuesday. He got rid of Rishabh Pant at a crucial juncture and also sent back Axar Patel, crushing Delhi’s hopes of posting an imposing total on the board.
The captain, who missed a few games due to a hamstring injury, led the chase with a master-class.
Asked if it was his strategy to attack off-spinner R Ashwin, Rohit said, “There was no strategy as such. I just wanted to be positive in my thought process.”
“Ashwin is their key bowler and I just wanted to put pressure on their key bowler. He is a quality bowler, it came off.
“When you are chasing a target like that, you want to get off to a good start, you want to make sure there is no pressure at the back end, we just wanted to capitalise on the first three-four overs,” he explained.
Young batsman Ishan Kishan (516 runs) and Suryakumar Yadav (480 runs) scored heavily in MI’s winning campaign. Rohit praised both of them heartily.
“Surya and Kishan have been superb with the bat, we saw the results on the ground, they played with a lot of freedom, they are very talented in shot-making.
“It was important for us to give them freedom, the owners also gave them real confidence to go out there and express themselves.”
The organisers pulled off a successful league amid a raging COVID-19 pandemic and MI skipper was pleased with the way it went off.
“Firstly we are very happy to be on the ground, everyone did a good job to get the tournament going, the safety of players was taken care of.
“I would like to congratulate all the franchises as well regarding no hiccups in terms of the bio-bubble created, all franchises were very disciplined in order to make IPL this year a huge success.
“I hope this championship we have won is something that brings joy to people back home,” he signed off. (AGENCIES)