Punjab Agriculture Minister Khuddian hands over job letters to 8 youth

Chandigarh, June 20, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

Punjab Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Animal Husband, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, on Thursday, handed over appointment letters to eight newly inducted recruits in the departments of Agriculture and Fishers, here at his office.

The job letters were distributed to three Lab Technicians and two clerks in the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare department. These two clerks have been inducted on compassionate ground. A Junior Scale Stenographer and two Steno Typists also got appointment letters in the Fisheries Department.

While congratulating to the newly recruited officials, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian implored them to give their best in dispensing services to the people as honesty, efficiency and transparency are the top priorities of the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s service delivery policy so that common man doesn’t face any hassle at government offices.

He further informed that over 42,000 youth had been recruited on the merit basis since the formation of CM Bhagwant Mann’s Government in the state.

Director Agriculture Jaswant Singh, Director Fisheries Jasvir Singh, Assistant Director Fisheries Brij Bhushan Goel and Satinder Kaur, Deputy Director Agriculture Gurmail Singh and other officials of both the departments were also present on the occasion.

Punjab approves implementation of Sixth Pay Commission for employees of Aided Institutions

Chandigarh, June 20, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday said that the Finance Department has given its in-principal approval regarding the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission on the employees of aided institutions of the state.

Revealing this in a press communiqué issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that this decision would benefit the employees of aided schools and colleges under the Departments of School Education, Technical Education & Industrial Training, non-teaching staff of these institutes under the Higher Education department, and retirees of aided schools.

“The concerned Administrative Departments have been directed to issue notification for implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission on these employees of aided institutions and retirees of the aided schools”, he added.

The Administrative Departments will examine the financial statements of the last three years of all the aided schools and colleges, so as to correctly assess the deficit analysis and to send a detailed proposal giving financial implications.

“After considering the Administrative Departments’ proposal, the Finance Department will give financial sanction to these institutions”, said the Finance Minister.

Cheema emphasized the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Man led Punjab Government’s commitment to improving education in the state. “The education sector will not face any dearth of funds,” said the Finance Minister, adding, “We’ve witnessed a revolution in education these past two years, and we’ll continue taking steps to ensure quality education for future generations.”

Chennaiyin FC sign Brazilian midfielder Lukas Brambilla

Chennai, June 20, 2024
Chennaiyin FC have announced the addition of Brazilian midfielder Lukas Brambilla to their roster ahead of the 2024-25 season.

The Brazilian brings a wealth of experience and skills to the club, having played in various leagues around the world. Brambilla has joined the Marina Machans from Cyprus’s top-tier club Othellos Athienou.

Joining Chennaiyin on a one-year deal, the midfielder’s arrival marks the club’s ninth signing for the 2024-25 season and their fourth foreign acquisition, following Elsinho Dias, Chima Chukwu and Wilmar Jordan Gil.

Head coach Owen Coyle expressed his excitement, stating, “Lukas Brambilla is such an exciting player and he adds to the exciting players that we were saying. The young Indian players, in particular, will benefit from his creative skills.

Again, can take men on, he scores goals, creates goals, plays set-play delivery, and is excited coming aboard. Obviously, another Brazilian. What a terrific joy at the club with the Brazilians that we have had.

It’s similar to my time working with Rafa and Brambilla falls into that mould. Just a wonderfully entertaining player, well-skilled and the Brazilian comes with a desire to do well for the football club. So we are excited.”

He added, “The fellas had to beat off a lot of competition for his signature. He was chased all over Europe because of his outstanding season last year in Cyprus and again playing a very good league. So we look forward to working with Lukas and hoping we can help him to shine and blossom and continue to improve as a player.”

Brambilla has excelled in various countries, playing for clubs all over the world. He has played a total of 134 matches in his senior club career and notched up 22 goals and 24 assists with his sublime skills.

Reflecting on his new journey with Chennaiyin FC, the 29-year-old expressed his excitement about joining the club, saying, “I am very happy and honoured to join this great club. The expectations are huge and I can’t wait to wear this shirt and do my best on the field”.

Brambilla joining Chennaiyin FC represents a major advancement for the club as they prepare for the upcoming season.(Agency)

Patna HC strikes down Bihar govt’s quota hike from 50 pc to 65 pc

New Delhi, June 20, 2024
In a major blow to the Bihar government, the Patna High Court on Thursday struck down the decision to increase the reservation from 50 per cent to 65 per cent for Backward Classes, Extremely Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the state, brought into effect last year. The quota hike was applicable in jobs and educational institutions in the state.

A division bench led by Chief Justice K. Vinod Chandran revoked the amendments passed by the Bihar Assembly in 2023, saying that they violated the equality clause under Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution.

The quota was raised by the Bihar government after it carried out a caste survey in the state. In a notification issued in November 2023, it sought to amend the existing reservation laws.

A petition was filed in the Patna High Court by petitioner Gaurav Kumar, challenging the decision of the Nitish government. The petitioner argued that as per the Supreme Court’s judgement, the reservation can’t extend beyond 50 per cent.

The Nitish government’s decision would have brought the quota to a total of 75 per cent in the state, which included 20 per cent for SCs, 2 per cent for STs, 25 per cent for Extremely Backward Classes, 18 per cent for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and 10 per cent for Economically Backward Classes.

Last year, the Punjab and Haryana High Court also nullified a legislation by the Haryana government, which sought to provide 75 per cent reservation in Haryana-based industries for state residents.(Agency)

Doctors may soon be able to detect, diagnose cancer using AI: Study

London, June 20, 2024
Doctors may soon be able to detect and diagnose cancer in patients using artificial intelligence (AI) that will allow for earlier treatment, a new study said on Thursday.

According to the study published in the journal Biology Methods and Protocols, the researchers from Cambridge University and Imperial College London trained an AI mode, using a combination of machine and deep learning, to look at the “DNA methylation” patterns and identify 13 different types of cancer, including breast, liver, lung, and prostate cancers — from non-cancerous tissue with 98.2 per cent accuracy.

“Genetic information is encoded in DNA by patterns of the four based — denoted by A, T, G and C — that make up its structure. Environmental changes outside the cell can cause some DNA bases to be modified by adding a methyl group. This process is called ‘DNA methylation’,” the researchers explained.

Each cell possesses millions of these DNA methylation marks. Researchers have observed changes to these marks in early cancer development; they could aid in early cancer diagnosis.

“Computational methods such as this model, through better training on more varied data and rigorous testing in the clinic, will eventually provide AI models that can help doctors with early detection and screening of cancers,” said the paper’s lead author, Shamith Samarajiwa.

“This will provide better patient outcomes,” he added.

In addition, the researchers mentioned that identifying these unusual methylation patterns (potentially from biopsies) would allow healthcare providers to detect cancer early.

This could potentially improve patient outcomes dramatically, as most cancers are treatable or curable if detected early enough, they added.(Agency)

SC issues notice on plea seeking directions to NBE on NEET (PG) exam question paper, answer key

New Delhi, June 20, 2024
The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice on a plea seeking directions to the National Board of Examinations (NBE) to release the question paper and answer key of the NEET (PG) examination.

Agreeing to examine the plea, a vacation bench presided over by Justice Vikram Nath sought a response from the NBE, Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and others.

“Issue notice returnable on 8th of July, 2024. In the meantime, respondents may file their counter affidavits,” ordered the Bench, also comprising Justice S.V.N. Bhatti.

During the hearing, the National Testing Agency (NTA) said it is not a necessary party to the litigation and may be deleted from the array of parties. “The PG (entrance exam) is conducted by the National Board of Examination,” submitted NTA’s counsel.

After hearing the submission, Justice Bhatti said, “You may put it on record. When we pass an order, we will use our discretion under Supreme Court rules and delete you from the array of parties.”

The plea filed directly before the apex court assailed the “arbitrary act and decision” of NBE of not releasing the question paper, answer key, and answer sheet for NEET-PG 2022 and not allowing any option to re-evaluate the score, even after knowing the fact that there were “serious discrepancies” in the scores of the candidates who appeared for the exam in recent past, i.e., for NEET-PG 2021 and NEET-PG 2022.

“There are no other competitive exams in India, with such lack of transparency and complete one-sided flow of information as NEET-PG,” said the plea filed through advocate Charu Mathur.

It added that the NEET-UG conducted by NTA gives an option to candidates to challenge the answer keys and several other prestigious exams, including IIT-JEE, CMAT, CLAT, and judicial services examinations, also give an option to challenge the answer keys.

However, the information bulletin published by NEET-PG 2024, following the trend of previous years, bars requests for accessing answer sheets and debars the petitioner from exercising her constitutional right and legitimate right to access her answer sheets even under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, the plea said.(Agency)

‘Spoke truth about bomb-making’, says Kerala woman after Left leaders ‘visit’ her parents

Thiruvananthapuram, June 20, 2024
For 39-year-old Seena, daughter of a retired Army officer in Kerala’s Kannur, standing up for a ’cause’ is now causing trouble to her family.

She made some startling revelations against the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Front in the state which has generated a lot of praise for her in the media, but her family is feeling the heat of ruffling the mighty.

It all started on Wednesday, a day after an 85-year-old man in the district died in a bomb blast. The man, a neighbour of Seena’s parents, died after he opened an abandoned tiffin box that contained a bomb in it on Tuesday.

Perturbed by this, Seena raised her voice and claimed that bomb-making by CPI(M) workers has been rampant in the region and people were not responding against it due to fear.

Seena’s statements upset the local CPI(M) leadership as she made the statements after speaking to the newly-elected Vadakara Lok Sabha MP, Shafi Parambil (Congress) who visited the area.

On Thursday morning, Seena said the local CPI(M) leaders had already reached her home and had spoken to her parents.

“All that I said was not for me, but for all those who live in that area under constant fear of country-made bombs. I knew the CPI(M) people would be after me and I have no problem with that.

What I am worried about is why they went to meet my parents. They never did anything. All that I said were bare facts, which none in the locality will speak, as they fear the party. I am not afraid and I am ready to face it too,” said Seena.

One reason why the local CPI(M) leaders are upset is Seena was seen on several TV channels on Wednesday night taking part in the news debates condemning the CPI(M).

A few CPI(M) leaders strongly defended the party and took on Seena for saying “baseless” things.

Meanwhile, social media is also buzzing with activity as pro-CPI(M) accounts have begun their defence and are trying to prove Seena wrong.

Seena, the daughter of a retired Army officer, took pride when she said, “Being the daughter of an Army officer, I felt I should speak up and I did that”.

Now all eyes are on the Congress and the BJP who also have taken up the issue of bomb menace in Kannur, which is considered a bastion of the CPI(M). Top leaders like Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, state party secretary M.V. Govindan and Left convenor E.P. Jayarajan hail from Kannur.(Agency)

RBI to be positioned as model for Global South: Shaktikanta Das

Mumbai, June 20, 2024
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das on Thursday said that “necessary policy actions” are on the anvil for positioning the Reserve Bank as a model central bank of the Global South.

“As the Reserve Bank approaches its centenary year, we have drawn up strategies that will gear it up to remain future-ready for India’s fast-growing economy,” Das said at the Global Conference on Financial Resilience.

“Our goal is to make the Reserve Bank’s supervision a global model, by building a ‘Through the Cycle’ Risk Assessment Framework with continuous Horizon Scanning and a Holistic Risk Assessment. It also envisages having a more customer-centric framework that protects and promotes customers’ interest by improving the conduct of supervised entities,” he said.

He said that the Reserve Bank has significantly strengthened its supervisory systems, transitioning beyond an entity-focused approach to a more thematic and activity-based approach.

“We now look at the sustainability of business models of banks and NBFCs. Root cause analysis of problems and vulnerabilities is undertaken. Advance action is initiated wherever we notice or smell a crisis,” he remarked.

Das further said that structural changes have been implemented within the Reserve Bank by creating a unified department of supervision to ensure a holistic assessment of the financial sector as well as to analyse the health of multiple entities within a group.

The idea is to enhance the agility and comprehensiveness of supervision. Unconventional methods are also being adopted now. Onsite supervision of Credit Information Companies has been made annual and intense.

As risks evolve and new challenges emerge, the Reserve Bank as a regulator and supervisor constantly focuses on being vigilant, adaptive and proactive with regard to the regulatory frameworks and supervisory systems to safeguard the stability of the financial system, the RBI Governor said.

Over the past few years, the Reserve Bank has undertaken a comprehensive review of regulations under the aegis of the Regulations Review Authority (RRA) 2.0 constituted by it. Apart from the withdrawal of many redundant instructions, the RRA has also made valuable recommendations to ease compliance and reduce the regulatory burden; streamline the reporting mechanism; and bring in more clarity in regulatory instructions, he added.

Das stated that in recent years, the Reserve Bank has also comprehensively restructured the regulatory architecture for banks, NBFCs, Housing Finance Companies (HFCs), Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs), Digital lenders, Micro-finance lenders and core investment companies.

Thus, the financial sector regulations are now not only in sync with the changing times but also forward-looking with the required readiness to take further proactive measures as may be necessary.

He also said that India’s domestic financial system is now in a much stronger position characterised by robust capital adequacy, low levels of nonperforming assets, and healthy profitability of banks and NBFCs.(Agency)

‘Suhaagan’ actor Akshay Kharodia likens his Vedant to Ranbir Kapoor’s role in ‘Animal’

Mumbai, June 20, 2024
Actor Akshay Kharodia has opened up about his return to television with ‘Suhaagan’ and shared that his character Vedant is very similar to Ranbir Kapoor’s role in ‘Animal’.

Akshay said: “My character’s name is Vedant, who has completed his studies abroad but still upholds family values. He is very obedient to his father and is as obsessed with him as Ranbir Kapoor’s character in the film ‘Animal’. Vedant can do anything for his father and shares a similar relationship with his sister.”

“Since his mother left him when he was young, his father has done everything for him, which is why he is so close to his father. Though Vedant is very modern, he possesses traditional Indian family values and wants to keep his family together.”

The actor said that his character supports his family wholeheartedly.

“Like many Indians who prioritise family over their own emotions, Vedant is the same — he supports his family wholeheartedly. He is also a fun-loving guy who enjoys dancing and having a good time. He desires a wife who is modern and not restricted by traditional mindsets.”

Akshay also talked about how it feels to return to television after his break from ‘Pandya Store’.

He shared, “It’s been 11 months since I left ‘Pandya Store’. That was a very tough time for me, but when I got this show, I felt very happy.”

“The bond I had with the ‘Pandya Store’ team is something I am trying to replicate here as well. We used to eat together on the ‘Pandya Store’ set, and I’ve told everyone here that they can come to my room anytime to eat or just sit together.”

When asked what attracted him to the role in ‘Suhaagan’ and what makes this character special or different from his previous roles, Akshay said: “This show is produced by Rashmi Sharma, who has a very good grasp on drama. All her shows have very compelling stories.”

The actor said that his character Dev in ‘Pandya Store’ was very calm and relaxed, but Vedant in ‘Suhaagan’ is quite different.

“He is outspoken and has the freedom to speak without restrictions,” Akshay said.

“However, since he is a person with values, he thinks before he speaks. While Dev was family-oriented, Vedant is modern, accountable, and responsible for everything he does.”(Agency)

Tech startups raise $4.1 billion in 1st half of 2024, India remains 4th-highest funded globally

Bengaluru, June 20, 2024
Indian tech startups raised $4.1 billion in the first half this year (January to June to date), a 4 per cent increase from $3.96 billion in the second half of 2023, a report showed on Thursday, as the country witnessed three unicorns along with 17 IPOs in this period.

India remains the fourth-highest funded country globally in the tech startup landscape. The US led in overall funding volumes, followed by the UK and China, according to Tracxn, a leading market intelligence platform.

The month of April saw the highest monthly funding ($862 million) in the first half of 2024.

Bengaluru led the space in terms of total funds raised, followed by Mumbai and Hyderabad.

Retail, enterprise applications and fintech were the top-performing sectors in H1 2024 in this space, the report mentioned.

“Despite four consecutive half-year periods of declining funding since H1 2022, we are now showing signs of stabilization, going upward. India’s robust performance as the fourth-highest funded country in the tech startup ecosystem is encouraging,” said Neha Singh, Co-Founder, Tracxn.

Seed-stage funding increased to $455 million, up by 6.5 per cent from H2 2023. Early-stage startups maintained a steady funding amount of $1.3 billion, consistent with H2 2023.

Late-stage funding rose to $2.4 billion, marking a 3.8 per cent increase from H2 2023.

The first half of 2024 witnessed eight funding rounds surpassing $100 million, such as Flipkart’s $350 million round led by Google; Apollo 24|7’s $297 million round and Meesho’s $275 million funding round.

Logistics company Porter was the third unicorn in the first half of this year, after AI startup Krutrim and B2B SaaS company Perfios.

Some of the top companies that went public were TBO, TGIF Agribusiness, Radiowalla and Trust Fintech.(Agency)