Tag: continue

Saudi Arabia: Permits for performing Umrah to continue post Ramzan

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Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed that the condition for obtaining a permit to perform Umrah “continues” after the month of Ramzan.
This came in response to an inquiry on the ministry’s Twitter account, asking if an Umrah permit is still required after Ramzan.
In response, the ministry of Hajj and Umrah stated that in order to perform the rituals of Umrah, a permit must be obtained from the Nusuk or Tawakkalna platforms, provided that the applicant is not infected with or has been in contact with a person infected with the COVID-19 virus.

The ministry also indicated that pilgrims and visitors can move between Makkah and Al-Madinah and all cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) during the period of their stay and the period of its validity.
It is worth noting that the ministry had set the tenth of Shawwal as the last date for domestic pilgrims to pay the third and final instalment of their Haj ritual reservation.
The final instalment is 40 percent of the set fee for packages approved during this pilgrimage season.
This year, the issuance of official permits will start on May 5, which is the 15th of Shawwal.

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#Saudi #Arabia #Permits #performing #Umrah #continue #post #Ramzan
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 25, 2023
Mali community continue to block Jaipur-Highway, demand more reservation in jobs, education

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Jaipur:Members of the Mali community in Rajasthan continued to block the Jaipur-Agra national highway for the fourth consecutive day on Monday demanding more reservation in jobs and higher education as rift surfaced among the protestors.
Convenor of Phule Aarakshan Sangarsh Samiti Murari Lal Saini, who was detained before the protest began on Friday, was released on Monday. He reached the protest site and suggested calling off the blockade to begin talks with the government.
However, the protestors, who were earlier demanding Saini’s release, termed down his suggestion to vacate the highway.

Besides Saini, 15 more people were released from police custody Monday.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has advocated and written to the prime minister to include the caste-based census in the main census.
“I appeal to the community that it is a big step for which our leader Rahul Gandhi has raised his voice,” Gehlot told reporters.
The Mali community is demanding a separate 12 per cent reservation for it in government jobs and educational institutions.
Saini suggested to vacate the highway and continue the dharna about 500 meters away from the site so that talks can be held with the government. However, the protestors revolted against his decision and refused to end the blockade.

“We are vacating the highway but the protest will continue. We will sit 500 meters away from the highway. A committee will be formed which will hold talks with the government,” Saini told reporters.
The protestors refused to vacate the highway till the talks with the government reach an amicable solution.
Later, the community formed a 21-member committee to hold talks with the government, but the authorities demanded that they first vacate the highway.
“We have done an agreement with the community leaders, which they had accepted. Protestors have not vacated the highway as some disputes have occurred in their leadership at the protest site. They are yet to reach an understanding. Our effort is that they vacate the highway,” Bharatpur District Collector Alok Ranjan said.
He said he has learnt that the protestors have formed a committee but nothing on record has been put before him.
The protestors, who are camping in tents, have blocked about one-kilometre stretch of the NH-21 near Arauda village by placing stones on the road.
For those commuting between Jaipur and Agra, traffic has been diverted on alternative routes to avoid congestion, officials said.
Members of the Mali community, which falls in the OBC category, are demanding a separate 12 per cent reservation, formation of a separate Luv Kush Welfare Board and hostel facilities for the children of the community among others.
Chief Minister Gehlot also belongs to the Mali community.
On Friday, the protesters had blocked the key Jaipur-Agra National Highway in Bharatpur and pelted stones at police personnel who retaliated by firing tear gas shells to control the mob.
Following this, the police had put up barricades on the national highway in Ballabgarh, Halaina, Vair, Arauda and Ramaspur villages.
Honouring social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, who belonged to the Mali community, the state government had recently formed the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Welfare Board and declared April 11 as a state holiday commemorating the late leader’s birth anniversary.
The Mali community held held a similar protest in June last year, which ended after assurances from authorities that their grievances will be listened to.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by Siasat staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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#Mali #community #continue #block #JaipurHighway #demand #reservation #jobs #education
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 25, 2023
Gujjars, Bakerwals continue annual migration to Kashmir’s upper reaches

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Umaisar Gull Ganie
Qazigund, Apr 24: Keeping their centuries old tradition alive and with rise in daily temperature, the bi-annual seasonal migration of Gujjars and Bakerwals from Jammu’s forest plains to Kashmir’s high pastures is in full swing.
Every year, lakhs of people from nomadic tribes, mainly the Gujjars and Bakerwals, migrate to the Valley when temperatures soar in the plains of Jammu in April-May before returning ahead of the onset of winter.
Liyakat Ali, a tribal on seasonal migration to Kashmir said that their family has started to shift towards highland pastures Kashmir which is their centuries old tradition.
He said that they used to face a lot of problems during their journey. The government has now provided them with transport facilities which he described as a positive measure for his community.
“We are thankful to LG Manoj Sinha-led administration for introducing transport services for tribal people which reduced 300 kilometers on-foot journey of four weeks to just 1-2 days”, he said.
The government introduced the transportation service for migratory tribal families, covering the journey on National Highway, Mughal Road and other major roads.
“More than 16,000 migratory tribal families benefitted last year after spending summer months in Kashmir pastures and being brought back in trucks to their destination in various districts of the Jammu division”, an official said.

He said the transportation system put in place by the Tribal Affairs Department has reduced the travel time from 20-30 days on foot to 1-2 days while it has also helped in smooth traffic management.
Speaking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Musheer Ahmed Mirza, Director, Tribal Affairs department said they kept vehicles available for nomadic community but tribal people prefer journey on foot as they have using pastures enroute for fodder of their animals.
He said it is an old traditional and seasonal practice and it takes them around one month to reach their respective places.
“We have been contacting J&K Road Transport Corporation to provide vehicles so as to take them from one place to another whosoever contacts us”, he said.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests for J&K, Mohit Gera told KNO that the forest department is the nodal department under forest right act for tribal communities.
“We have our forest for fodder programme under which fodder production is being increased besides that forest product and some medicinal plants are being gathered by tribal people,” he said.
Last year the government had sanctioned a policy for sustainable collection and utilization of non-timber forest products under which tribal people will get benefit, he said.
He said that the forest department along with other departments are working together for the welfare of tribal communities and their claims are being looked into by the Deputy Commissioner concerned and grass production is being increased in forests and routes used by tribal communities.
“We have been providing grass and seeds for non forest areas as well while units are being established in forests,” he said, adding that land is specially kept for grass where they are getting this grass,” he said—(KNO)
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#Gujjars #Bakerwals #continue #annual #migration #Kashmirs #upper #reaches
( With inputs from : roshankashmir.net )

April 24, 2023
Hyderabad: With a mix of fun and tradition, Melas continue to draw crowds

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Hyderabad: In this age of technology and dazzling malls, age-old concepts of entertainment still seem to be drawing the curiosity of the public. One of those things are ‘Melas’ or fairs, which are now drawing crowds.
Post Eid-ul-Fitr too, families often head to fun fairs with children enjoy joy rides there. Sitting on a hand-pulled ferris-wheel, eating ‘chat pata’ food and buying balloons and toys all sound like things that belong to a new generation ago. And the tradition continues even today, and it’s a mix of nostalgia for parents as well.
One such fun fair was organized at the Noori Palace function hall at Bandlaguda in Hyderabad, which seemed to attract quite a lot of people in spite of it being Eid on Sunday.

Joy rides, food stalls, horse and camels rides, games and cosmetic stalls were all part of it the set up here. The next few days after Eid, many families move out to relax after a strenuous month which keeps many awake for 16 to 18 hours.
“The routine schedule is disturbed as people wake up for Sehar and sleep late after offering Taraveeh namaz. Work for women particularly is tasking so for a break and relaxing many come out after festival,” said Zahooruddin, a resident of Chandrayangutta.
Other parts of Hyderabad where one can find such fairs are Parade Grounds in Secunderabad. On holidays, huge crowds are also seen in Necklace Road, Nehru Zoological Park and other picnic spots in the city.
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#Hyderabad #mix #fun #tradition #Melas #continue #draw #crowds

( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 24, 2023
Bihar: Second phase of caste-based census begins, to continue till May 15

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Patna: The second phase of the caste-based census has started in the State and will continue till May 15, said Dr Chandrashekhar Singh, DM, Patna.
The decision of a caste census was taken by the Bihar cabinet on June 2, last year, months after the Centre ruled out conducting such an exercise nationally.
The first phase of the caste-based census in Bihar began on January 7 and ended on January 21.

Informing about the involvement of people in the second phase of the caste-based census, DM Singh said, “All the families are sharing information positively”.
The second phase of the survey will involve gathering data on people from all castes, sub-castes, and socioeconomic conditions backgrounds.
The survey, in its second phase, would cover an estimated population of 12.70 crores across 2.58 crore households in 38 districts, further spread over 534 blocks and 261 urban local bodies. The survey would be completed by May 31, this year.
A caste-based headcount will be conducted across all 38 districts in two stages.

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#Bihar #phase #castebased #census #begins #continue
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 20, 2023
Rajnath asks Army to continue maintaining strong vigil along LAC

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New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday asked top Army commanders to maintain a strong vigil along the Line of Actual Control with China as the situation in the northern sector remained “tense” due to the deployment of PLA troops.
In his address at the Army Commanders’ Conference, Singh, referring to the eastern Ladakh border row, expressed full confidence in the Army to deal with any contingency while noting that the ongoing talks for peaceful resolution of the issue will continue.
He said disengagement and de-escalation is the “best way forward”, the defence ministry said.

Singh said a “whole of the government” approach is being followed to ensure the availability of best weapons, equipment and clothing to the troops defending the country’s territorial integrity while braving extreme weather and hostile forces, according to the ministry.
The defence minister reaffirmed the faith of the billion-plus citizens in the Indian Army as one of the most trusted and inspiring organisations in the country.
“The situation is tense due to deployment of PLA troops in the northern sector. Our armed forces, especially the Indian Army, will have to continuously keep their vigilance in order to maintain the security of the LAC,” he said, according to sources.
The defence minister said the security of the country is the “topmost priority” for the government.
In a statement, the ministry said Singh complimented Border Roads Organisation, saying its efforts have led to the incomparable improvement of road communication in the border areas.

The five-day Army Commanders’ Conference began on Monday. It is deliberating on India’s national security challenges along the borders with China and Pakistan and ways to boost combat capability of the force.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari also addressed the commanders.
Talking about the global geopolitical scenario, Singh said, “Unconventional and asymmetric warfare, including hybrid war will be part of the future conventional wars.”
“Cyber, information, communication, trade and finance have all become an inseparable part of future conflicts. This necessitates that Armed Forces will have to keep all these facets in consideration while planning and formulating strategies,” he said.
On the situation along the Western borders, he complimented the Army’s response to cross-border terrorism, adding the proxy war by the adversary continues.
“I compliment the excellent synergy between the Central Armed Police Forces/Police forces and the Army in tackling the menace of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
“The synergised operations in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir are contributing to increased stability and peace in the region and the same should continue, and for this I again compliment the Indian Army,” Singh said.
The defence minister commended the Army for the high standard of operational preparedness and capabilities which he said he has always been experiencing first hand during his visits to forward areas.
“In the North-Eastern states too, there has been a lot of improvement in the internal security scenario following operations carried out by the Indian Army,” Singh said.
The defence minister said there is a need to ensure the use of real-time intelligence more effectively so that “we can be fully prepared to face any such future challenges.”
The defence minister lauded the Army’s efforts to develop niche technologies in collaboration with civil industries.
He also stressed that as users the armed forces must put their faith in the Indian industries and technologies. The defence minister also complimented the Army for the execution of the ‘Agniveer’ scheme.
He also reviewed an equipment display focusing on niche technology, innovation, solutions for surveillance, artificial intelligence, training, robotics, virtual reality, operational logistics etc.
The defence minister released the second edition of Indian Army UN Journal titled ‘Blue Helmet Odyssey–Changing Contours of Peacekeeping Operations in the 20th Century’.
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#Rajnath #asks #Army #continue #maintaining #strong #vigil #LAC
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 19, 2023
‘Intermittent’ rain, thunderstorm to continue in J&K: MeT

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Srinagar, April 18: Weather department here on Tuesday said that intermittent rain and thunderstorms was very likely to continue in Jammu and Kashmir till April 21.
“During this wet spell of (18-19th) thunderstorms with strong gusty wind reaching (20-30KMPH) and hailstorm is also possible at some places of Jammu and Kashmir,” a meteorological department official said. From April 22-25, he said, the weather was likely to be “mainly dry.”
He said in last 24 hours till 0830 hours today, Srinagar received 6.9mm of rain, Qazigund 11.0mm, Pahalgam 22.4mm, Kupwara 15.7mm, Gulmarg 12.2mm, Jammu 6.2mm, Banihal 21.1mm, Katra 4.4mm and Bhaderwah 9.2mm.
Regarding temperature, the official said that Srinagar recorded a low of 11.0°C against 10.7°C on the previous night and it was 3.1°C below normal for the summer capital.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 9.8°C against 8.8°C on the previous night and it was 3.3°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 5.6°C against 5.5°C on the previous night and it was 2.2°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Kokernag recorded a low of 9.3°C against 8.7°C on the previous night and it was 2.8°C above normal for the place, the officials said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of 3.6°C against 3.5°C on the previous night and it was 1.3°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.

In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 8.6°C against 8.7°C on the previous night and it was 1.8°C above normal for the north Kashmir area.
Jammu recorded a low of 20.0°C against 25.9°C on the previous night. It was 0.1°C above normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.
Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 10.5°C (above normal by 2.1°C), Batote 12.6°C (above normal by 1.2°C), Katra 18.5°C (1.4°C above normal) and Bhadarwah 11.4°C (4.2°C below normal). Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of 5.0°C and Kargil 5.4°C, he said. (GNS)
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#Intermittent #rain #thunderstorm #continue #MeT
( With inputs from : roshankashmir.net )

April 18, 2023
Intermittent Rain, Thunderstorm To Continue In JK: MeT

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SRINAGAR: Weather department here on Tuesday said that intermittent rain and thunderstorms was very likely to continue in Jammu and Kashmir till April 21.
“During this wet spell of (18-19th) thunderstorms with strong gusty wind reaching (20-30KMPH) and hailstorm is also possible at some places of Jammu and Kashmir,” a meteorological department official said. From April 22-25, he said, the weather was likely to be “mainly dry.”
He said in last 24 hours till 0830 hours today, Srinagar received 6.9mm of rain, Qazigund 11.0mm, Pahalgam 22.4mm, Kupwara 15.7mm, Gulmarg 12.2mm, Jammu 6.2mm, Banihal 21.1mm, Katra 4.4mm and Bhaderwah 9.2mm.
Regarding temperature, the official said that Srinagar recorded a low of 11.0°C against 10.7°C on the previous night and it was 3.1°C below normal for the summer capital.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 9.8°C against 8.8°C on the previous night and it was 3.3°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 5.6°C against 5.5°C on the previous night and it was 2.2°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Kokernag recorded a low of 9.3°C against 8.7°C on the previous night and it was 2.8°C above normal for the place, the officials said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of 3.6°C against 3.5°C on the previous night and it was 1.3°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.

In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 8.6°C against 8.7°C on the previous night and it was 1.8°C above normal for the north Kashmir area.
Jammu recorded a low of 20.0°C against 25.9°C on the previous night. It was 0.1°C above normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.
Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 10.5°C (above normal by 2.1°C), Batote 12.6°C (above normal by 1.2°C), Katra 18.5°C (1.4°C above normal) and Bhadarwah 11.4°C (4.2°C below normal). Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of 5.0°C and Kargil 5.4°C, he said. (GNS)

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#Intermittent #Rain #Thunderstorm #Continue #MeT
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

April 18, 2023
‘Intermittent’ rain, thunderstorm to continue in J&K: MeT

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Srinagar, April 18 (GNS): Weather department here on Tuesday said that intermittent rain and thunderstorms was very likely to continue in Jammu and Kashmir till April 21.
“During this wet spell of (18-19th) thunderstorms with strong gusty wind reaching (20-30KMPH) and hailstorm is also possible at some places of Jammu and Kashmir,” a meteorological department official said. From April 22-25, he said, the weather was likely to be “mainly dry.”
He said in last 24 hours till 0830 hours today, Srinagar received 6.9mm of rain, Qazigund 11.0mm, Pahalgam 22.4mm, Kupwara 15.7mm, Gulmarg 12.2mm, Jammu 6.2mm, Banihal 21.1mm, Katra 4.4mm and Bhaderwah 9.2mm.
Regarding temperature, the official said that Srinagar recorded a low of 11.0°C against 10.7°C on the previous night and it was 3.1°C below normal for the summer capital.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 9.8°C against 8.8°C on the previous night and it was 3.3°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 5.6°C against 5.5°C on the previous night and it was 2.2°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Kokernag recorded a low of 9.3°C against 8.7°C on the previous night and it was 2.8°C above normal for the place, the officials said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of 3.6°C against 3.5°C on the previous night and it was 1.3°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.

In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 8.6°C against 8.7°C on the previous night and it was 1.8°C above normal for the north Kashmir area.
Jammu recorded a low of 20.0°C against 25.9°C on the previous night. It was 0.1°C above normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.
Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 10.5°C (above normal by 2.1°C), Batote 12.6°C (above normal by 1.2°C), Katra 18.5°C (1.4°C above normal) and Bhadarwah 11.4°C (4.2°C below normal). Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of 5.0°C and Kargil 5.4°C, he said. (GNS)
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#Intermittent #rain #thunderstorm #continue #MeT
( With inputs from : thegnskashmir.com )

April 18, 2023
Amid layoffs, tech firms continue to exploit H-1B visa programme: Study

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New York: Amid massive ongoing layoffs in the tech sector, the top 30 H-1B visa employers hired 34,000 new workers in 2022 and laid off at least 85,000 workers in 2022 and early 2023, an Economic Policy Institute (EPI) analysis found.
According to EPI researchers, tech and outsourcing companies are exploiting the highly-skilled H-1B visa program, created to fill labor shortages in professional fields, by laying-off a bevy of workers employed in firms like Meta, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, etc.
“Most employers hire H-1B workers because they can be underpaid and are de facto indentured to the employer,” the EPI research said.

Also, 13 of the top 30 H-1B visa employers were outsourcing firms that underpay migrant workers and offshore US jobs to countries where labor costs are much lower.
“Its implementation has been bungled by the US Departments of Labor and Homeland Security,” the analysis said, adding that since employers aren’t required to test the US labor market to see if any workers are available before hiring an H-1B worker or pay their H-1B workers a fair wage, employers have exploited the program.
ECI said, in 2022, 48,000 employers registered with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in hopes of hiring at least one H-1B worker, and nearly 30,000 employers ultimately hired at least one new H-1B worker.
Citing an example, the ECI research said Amazon was at the top of the list in terms of both new H-1B workers and layoffs. It hired 6,400 new H-1B workers in 2022, and hired the most new H-1B workers in 2021 as well, when it hired nearly 6,200 workers. The tech giant has either recently laid off or plans to lay off 27,150 of its employees — more than twice the number of H-1B workers it hired in 2021 and 2022 combined.
Google and Meta, both long-time top H-1B employers, together hired over 3,100 new H-1B workers last year.The duo laid off 33,000 employees, almost 11 times the number of new H-1B workers they hired in 2022.

The H-1B program is the largest US temporary work visa program, with a total of approximately 600,000 workers employed by 50,000 employers.
Most of these workers are employed in occupations like computer systems analysis and software development.
Visas for new workers are capped at 85,000 per year, but many employers are exempt from that annual cap, including universities and their affiliated nonprofit entities, nonprofit research organizations, and government research organizations.
The study urged President Joe Biden to “implement regulations and policy guidance to prevent misuse of the program, stop the exploitation of college-educated migrant workers, and ensure the program is consistent with congressional intent”.
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#layoffs #tech #firms #continue #exploit #H1B #visa #programme #Study
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 13, 2023