No respite in cold wave condition in northern India

Jan 5
There is no respite in the cold wave sweeping across northern India. The temperature has plunged to sub zero level in Rajasthan

In Rajasthan, most of the places recorded minimum temperature below 5 degree celsius. Mound Abu, the state's only hill station recorded minimum temperature of minus 1 degree celsius. In planes of the state mercury dipped freezing point at Fatehpur in Sikar district. People in Bikaner and Pilani shivered at 0.4 degree celsius while mercury in Karauli and Nagaru plummeted to 0.6 and 0.7 degree celsius.

In Uttar Pradesh the maximum and minimum temperature has gone between 5 to 10 degrees below normal in many districts. Foggy condition prevails in eastern districts with visibility down to 50 metres. Around 130 people have succumbed to severe cold in the state during past 20 days.
In the national capital the minimum temperature today settled at 2.9 degrees Celsius, four notches below normal. The Met office has forecast a clear day ahead and the maximum day temperature will hover around 15 degree Celsius.

3 day long International Buddhist Conference starts today in Patna

Jan 5 A three day long International Buddhist Conference begins today in Patna. Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama will inaugurate the. On the occasion Chief Minister Nitish kumar and his ministerial colleague will also be present. The meet is hosted jointly by state department of Art and Culture and Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee. Nearly 1500 delegates from various parts of the world are expected to attend the conference. J&K Govt taking up with Centre implementation of `cash transfer scheme' Jan 5 The Jammu and Kashmir Government has taken up with the Union Government the implementation of prestigious `cash transfer scheme' in the state in a phased manner. The Central Government has already identified five districts as the poorest districts in the State, which included Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Kupwara and Poonch. According to official sources J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and CAPD Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon have taken up the issue with the Finance Minister P Chidambaram for implementation of `cash transfer scheme' in the State.

TN CM forms panel to assess drought situation in delta districts of Cauvery

Jan 5 Tamilnadu Chief Minister Ms.Jayalalithaa has formed a committee to assess the drought situation in delta districts of Cauvery. In a press release, the Chief Minister stated that the committee formed under the chairmanship of the Finance Minister Mr. O. Panneerselvam would submit a report on the drought hit areas of the delta districts. The Committee has seven ministers, two commissioners and top officials of the related departments. The Chief Minister said that Karnataka continues to be adamant in not sharing cauvery river waters with Tamilnadu under the distress sharing formula. She said that water supply from Mettur has been stopped resulting in drought in 11 Lakh acres of land in delta districts. UP mulling to have 20% of total constabulary as women Jan 5 The Uttar Pradesh government is mulling to have 20 per cent of its total constabulary as women in the next few years. State Chief Secretary Jawed Usmani talking to reporters in Delhi on Friday said that there is already a government policy which stipulates 20 percent women constabulary. He expressed hope that the Centre would help the state to set up fast track courts. Chief Secretary Usmani was in Delhi on Friday to participate in a conference of country's top bureaucrats and police brass convened by the Union Home Ministry in the wake of the Delhi gang rape incident. 3 CRPF personnel suspended for ‘alleged’ involvement in Assam molestation Jan 5 In Assam, 3 CRPF personnel were suspended for their alleged involvement in molestation of a woman at Chouldhowa area in Lakhimpur district. The Superintendent of Police of the district said that, a Special Investigation Team, SIT has been formed to look into the matter. One CRPF Havildar Mohan Singh was arrested yesterday for allegedly molesting the woman. Meanwhile, people from various walks of life condemned the incident and demanded stringent action against the culprits. Protest rallies were also held in Guwahati.