Priyanka Gandhi unveils party’s first Women’s Manifesto

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday instructed to complete vaccination expeditiously in the state to prevent the spread of Omicron virus infection. He was speaking while chairing the state cabinet meeting. According to the press release issued by the chief minister’s office, Maharashtra has so far administered 12,03,18,240 vaccine doses. Out of which 4,37,46,512 people have taken both doses of vaccine while 7,65,71,728 people have taken one dose. 76.69 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 44 have taken at least one dose while 85.25 per cent of people over the age of 45 have taken one dose. As the cases of Omicron variant of COVID 19 are increasing in the world, the Chief Minister said that care needs to be taken in Maharashtra as well and the health rules must be strictly followed. 

-Three terrorists have been killed by security forces in a gunfight that broke-out between terrorists and security forces in Check Cholan area of south Kashmir's Shopian district in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday morning. Police said that a joint team of J&K Police, Rashtriya Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a Cordon and Search Operation based on intelligence input about the presence of terrorists in the area. As the joint team of security forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired upon them, triggering a gunfight, which resulted in the killing of three terrorists.  The identity of the slain terrorists is being ascertained. Details are awaited.

-General MM Naravane and all ranks of the Indian Army have expressed their deepest grief and sorrow over the untimely demise of General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff, Mrs Madhulika Rawat, President DWWA and 11 other military personnel in an unfortunate air accident. Army in a condolence statement said, General Bipin Rawat, India's first CDS, was a visionary who initiated far-reaching reforms in the Indian military's higher defence organisation. He was instrumental in creating the foundation of India's joint theatre commands and giving impetus to the increased indigenisation of military equipment, a legacy which will be carried on and strengthened by successive generations. Mrs. Madhulika Rawat, also the former President AWWA was an epitome of grace whose presence will be missed by everyone. The deceased 11 military personnel accompanying the CDS and President DWWA on the way to Wellington will also be equally missed by everyone. Army said, they performed their duties as per the best traditions of the Armed Forces.

-Ahead of the upcoming Assembly Polls in Uttar Pradesh, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi unveiled the party’s first Women’s Manifesto today at a press conference held in Lucknow. The party will give 40 percent tickets to women candidates in the upcoming Assembly Elections in the state. Other announcements include 40 percent reservation for women in government jobs, smartphone to all 102 girl students, scooty to all graduate girls, free ride to women in buses, 25 percent jobs to girls in police, three free gas cylinders in a year to women, Fixed Deposit in the name of each newborn girl child.

-Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said that Arunachal has huge hydropower potential and the State Government is leaving no stone unturned to harness these resources by developing large and small hydroelectric projects, wherever feasible. Mein, who is also the Minister-in-charge of Hydropower, said this after dedicating the Namchik Phase-I Mini Hydro System (2 x 250 KW) and Phase-II Mini Hydro System (2x150 KW) to the people of Changlang district. Mein said that the power generated from this Micro-Hydel Project will benefit the people of two administrative headquarters, Manmao and Renuk and its nearby villages in the district. The Deputy Chief Minister added that the Centre and the State Government is aiming to transform the power supply system by upgrading and strengthening the Power Distribution System in the country for a modern and viable power supply. He informed that in this regard, he had attended a review meeting at Guwahati recently on Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme along with Power Ministers of North Eastern States convened by Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy R. K. Singh.