Bangladesh to provide free COVID vaccine to all adults

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the investment of over Rs 5200 crore for 850 megawatt Ratle Hydro Electric (HE) Project located on Chenab river in Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir. This will be a new Joint Venture Company (JVC) of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Jammu with equity contribution of 51 per cent and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Ltd (JKSPDC) with 49 per cent.The Government is also supporting the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir by providing a grant of Rs 776.44 crore for Equity contribution of JKSPDC in the JVC to be set up for construction of Ratle HE Project.
The Ratle Hydro Electric Project shall be commissioned within 60 months. The Power generated from the Project will help in providing balancing of Grid and will improve the power supply position.

-Maharashtra government on Wednesday told the Supreme Court to hold a physical hearing in the case pertaining to providing reservation to the Maratha community. Chairman of the sub committee on Maratha reservation, Ashok Chavan said, virtual hearing should not be held in this case as it requires comprehensive hearing. Chavan said, physical or in person hearings have started in the Bombay High Court and on similar lines the hearing should take place on Maratha reservation.He said, the Supreme Court has decided to hear the matter on 5th of February. Stating that the matter should be transferred to the larger bench consisting of nine judges, he said, if the matter is transferred to the larger bench then it can help in giving justice to the Maratha community. Chavan said, Maharashtra Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to include the issue of Maratha reservation in the ninth schedule as it will provide legal protection. 

-National Disaster Response Force, NDRF celebrated its 16th Foundation Day on Wednesday. A special program was organized on this occasion in New Delhi with the Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai as the Chief Guest. Rai said, the day is an occasion to remember the high level of professionalism, strong determination and achievements of the personnel and officers of the NDRF.He said, it is a result of the efficient working of this Force that loss of life and property due to various disasters in the past years has been brought to a minimum level. He further added that the National Disaster Response Force included women who are playing an important role in every disaster, shoulder to shoulder with male colleagues, thereby realizing the vision of women empowerment.

-Joint exercise of Indian Air Force and Air and Space force of France Desert Night-21 commenced on Wednesday at Jodhpur Airforce station. On the first day, air commodores of both the forces had courtesy meeting and communicated about the daily schedule to each other. French Air Force has come with 4 Rafale fighter jet planes for 5 day long joint exercise. These Rafale aircrafts will cooperate with the customised Rafale aircraft handed over to India about war strategy. Along with these, Air bus A-330, Multirole tanker transport and A-400 M Tactical transport aircrafts are also participating in the joint exercise from French side. Apart from that, Indian Aircrafts participating in the joint exercise comprising of Jodhpur based Sukhoi-30, Ambala Airforce station based four Rafale fighter jets, Miraj-2000 and IL-78 flight refueling aircrafts. It is the first time that Rafale fighter jets are taking part in any war exercise in India. Through this exercise both the forces are aimed to exchange latest war techniques and  strategies.

-The vaccination programme in Bangladesh is scheduled to start from the first week of February. Government has made elaborate arrangements for carrying out the COVID-19 vaccination programme in the country. More than 7000 teams of health workers have been prepared to carry out the vaccination programme.Bangladesh has announced that it will provide free COVID-19 vaccination to all its citizens above the age of 18 free of cost gradually.