Latest news with #MHA
Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Straits Times
Forum: Lost in screens, blind to the threats around us
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox I refer to the article ' Fewer than 1 in 5 people noticed suspicious items during MHA's social experiments ' (July 30). Many of us have been taught by our parents to walk away from danger, to leave any action to be taken to the authorities – it's an apathetic response that must change as public safety becomes of paramount concern. In an era where we bury our heads in social media and are immersed in it with earphones drowning out ambient noise, we are not mindful of the environment and pay little heed to the hazards around us. How are we to identify potential threats when all our optical and aural gifts are focused on phone screens? Some people even miss an oncoming vehicle – let alone the subtle signs that could indicate a threat. We must be aware of not only what's happening in our immediate surroundings, but also around Singapore, the region and the world. Many young adults are unaware of broader risks. To heighten and train our senses, perhaps more exercises like the Ministry of Home Affairs' social experiments can be conducted. Children, with their wholesome sense of curiosity and unencumbered minds, pick out oddities far better than adults. They have a natural heightened sense of awareness and wonderment. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 'For one last time, let's go home': Tears, laughs as last scheduled Jetstar Asia flight touches down Singapore Over half of job applications by retrenched Jetstar Asia staff led to offers or interviews: CEO Singapore No entry: ICA to bar high-risk, undesirable travellers from boarding S'pore-bound ships, flights Singapore 5 foreign women suspected of trafficking 27kg of cocaine nabbed in Changi Airport Singapore Fallen tree branch damages two Yishun flats, showering one home owner in shattered glass Singapore Man accused of raping woman who hired him to fix lights in her flat claims she made first move Singapore 1 ticket wins $12.8 million Toto jackpot draw Singapore 'Switching careers just as I became a dad was risky, but I had to do it for my family' We should listen to them more. Schools can do more to nurture this innate awareness and help them develop it. Yik Keng Yeong (Dr)
India Today
12 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
All 7 Malegaon blast accused acquitted, BJP remands Congress' apology
This episode of India First examines the acquittal of all seven accused, including Lieutenant Colonel Shrikant Prasad Purohit and Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, citing lack of evidence by investigative agencies. The discussion highlights the political controversy over the 'Saffron Terror' narrative, with BJP demanding an apology from Congress, and features an interview with former MHA undersecretary RVS Mani, who alleges deliberate efforts to replace the Islamic terror narrative with a Hindu terror narrative. The origins of the term are explored, referencing the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and Samjhauta Express blast, alongside claims of investigative lapses by NIA and ATS, including allegations of deliberate delays. Additionally, the show delves into diplomatic tensions between India and the US over a 25% tariff imposed by the US President, and Rahul Gandhi's comments agreeing with Donald Trump's critical assessment of India's economy, sparking political debate and analysis of India's economic growth trajectory.
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Govt employees to get biometric cards for entry to CCS-3 building
The ministry of home affairs(MHA) has asked all central government employees who have shifted to the new CCS-3 building to get their biometric details for smart cards as part of the new security protocol for entry inside the building, according to an internal communication issued by the ministry. This will apply to all employees who enter the building, including those on contractual basis. Officials said that the old identity cards (without biometric) under the new security system will be invalid The new CCS-3 building, which houses at least 9 offices of different ministries and departments, is under the MHA's security cover. Officials aware of the development said that the old identity cards(without biometric) under the new security system will be invalid and that a new smart card along with biometric details will be issued to the employees soon. Dev Gupta, president of the Central Secretariat Service Forum, said, 'This is a new smart card system and is proposed to be in place. The Aadhar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) is installed inside the office buildings. This new smart card, which will replace the identity card will be used to authenticate Government officers entry inside the buildings, thereby is better for security purposes.' The biometric installed smart cards will be used to enter the tightly secured government offices, officials said. While biometric details of the central government employees working in the ministries were available with each department, it was used only for marking attendance and was placed inside their respective offices. The details were not used for authenticating the visitor's identity at the entry gates. The employees have now been asked to apply for smart cards, give biometrics, which will be synchronised to the smart card for entry. Gupta said that the seating space provided to CSS officers of various levels in the Central Vista are not in accordance with the prescribed norms of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. He urged the Government to take due cognisance of this issue and address it appropriately. An internal communication sent by the MHA to the ministries said, '..It is to inform that this ministry will issue smart cards to all employees whose Ministry/Department housed in the CCS-3 building to facilitate access to the CCS-3 building, which is under the security cover of the MHA….All officials/non officials/contractual employees, who are having identity cards under the old system are requested to switch to smart cards at the earliest.' The employees have been asked to fill an online form, submit photographs and report to an office of the MHA for biometric authentication. The 9 ministries/departments that have already been allotted space within the CCS- 3 building include Ministry of Home Affairs(North Block), Ministry of External Affairs(South BLock and Shastri Bhawan), Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor(Vigyan Bhawan Annexe), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas(Shastri Bhawan), Department of Personnel and Training(North Block), Ministry of Small& Medium Enterprises(Udyog Bhawan), Office of the Development Commissioner, MSME(Nirman Bhawan), Ministry of Rural Development(Krishi Bhawan) and Department of Land Resources(Nirman Bhawan).
Hans India
a day ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
Former VP Dhankhar Switched To Non-Bulletproof Innova After MHA Delayed Vehicle Replacement Request
Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar had been traveling in a non-bulletproof Toyota Innova since November 2024 after the Ministry of Home Affairs delayed his request for replacement bulletproof vehicles, according to exclusive information obtained by The Indian Express. In February 2024, the Vice President's Secretariat formally requested new high-security vehicles from the MHA, citing the deteriorating condition of Dhankhar's three official bulletproof BMW cars. The communication indicated that two vehicles had exceeded six years of service while the third was approaching the five-year replacement threshold within months. The February 28 letter from the VP's deputy secretary to the Additional Secretary of Police Modernisation Division emphasized the urgent need for vehicle replacement, requesting immediate initiation of the procurement process for three new bulletproof high-security automobiles to ensure continued protection during daily movements. Following initial confusion about procurement authority, with the VP's office first approaching Delhi Police's security division before being redirected to the MHA, the ministry responded in June 2024. An under-secretary informed the Vice President's Secretariat about forming an inspection board comprising six officers, including specialists from the National Security Guard and Central Reserve Police Force with technical expertise in bulletproof vehicle systems. However, by November 2024, the VP's office made an independent decision to replace the aging bulletproof vehicles with standard commercial models. Internal Delhi Police communications revealed that the secretariat had switched to an Innova as the primary vehicle and a Fortuner as backup, neither equipped with bulletproof protection, after determining the BMW fleet had exceeded its five-year operational lifespan. Despite the VP receiving Z-plus security coverage from Delhi Police, his office declined offers to obtain bulletproof vehicles from the police department when informed about the security limitations of the new fleet. The Officer on Special Duty and Secretary were specifically notified that the replacement vehicles lacked bulletproof capabilities, with alternative arrangements available upon request. This vehicle situation remained unchanged until Dhankhar's resignation announcement on July 22, when he stepped down from the Vice Presidential position citing health concerns. Queries sent to relevant authorities including the VP's Secretariat, MHA spokesperson, and Delhi Police officials did not receive responses regarding the delayed procurement process or security implications.
Singapore Law Watch
a day ago
- Health
- Singapore Law Watch
MHA to support HSA's crackdown on Kpod abusers and help in treatment of offenders: Shanmugam
MHA to support HSA's crackdown on Kpod abusers and help in treatment of offenders: Shanmugam Source: Straits Times Article Date: 31 Jul 2025 Author: Andrew Wong As an interim measure, the Ministry of Home Affairs will list etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, while it continues to support the Ministry of Health as it decides on further legislative actions to take against Kpod offenders. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will second its officers to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) to tackle the scourge of etomidate-laced vaporisers, also known as Kpods. On July 30, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said this comes after a request for assistance from the Ministry of Health (MOH). Speaking to the media on the sidelines of an SGSecure event, Mr Shanmugam said officers from his ministry will assist HSA with enforcement efforts, including the supervision, treatment and rehabilitation of etomidate abusers. Mr Shanmugam, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, said: 'The cases you hear about are distressing. The abusers of etomidate lose control of themselves, they put themselves in dangerous positions. They become vulnerable. They become zombies.' He said that as an interim measure, MHA will list etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA), while his ministry continues to support MOH as it decides on further legislative actions to take against Kpod offenders. This comes after Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on July 20 that MOH and MHA were working together to list etomidate under the MDA. Mr Ong had said the interim measure will be enacted in the coming weeks. Etomidate is classified as a poison and regulated under the Poisons Act. It has clinical use as an anaesthetic agent, and is permitted only in clinical settings and subject to strict conditions. Under this law, abusers face only a fine. Sellers face possible jail time of up to two years. If etomidate is listed as a Class C drug, users can be subjected to supervision and mandatory participation in a rehabilitation programme or committed to drug rehabilitation centres, like what drug abusers undergo. Those who reoffend or commit other serious offences can also be jailed for at least a year. Mr Shanmugam drew parallels between etomidate abuse and drug abuse, pointing to a report in The Sunday Times on July 27 of a mother lamenting her son's addiction to Kpods. Mr Shanmugam said: 'She feels helpless and feels there is no way for her to help her son. Now, this is the damage that vapes laced with etomidate have done within just a short period. This is not just one story. There are many such instances. 'For drugs, the consequences if we take a light approach will be multiplied several fold compared with what you are seeing with etomidate.' Mr Shanmugam said that many ambassadors, foreign ministers and activist groups have told him that Singapore's drug laws are harsh and that the Republic's approach is wrong. Tough measures But he defended Singapore's tough stance. He said: 'Whose streets are safer? Where do parents feel that they can bring up their children in safety? So I tell them, look, you look after yourselves. We (will) look after Singaporeans, and Singaporeans support our policies.' Mr Shanmugam said enforcement and awareness efforts surrounding Kpods may be similar to how MHA deals with hard drugs, adding that such efforts could start in schools and with parents, as vape users are starting the habit at a younger age. He said: 'Our public education on drugs also starts very young and this is something we will have to discuss with MOH, and MOH will have to decide how they want to bring it across and how they want to do the public education for young children.' Several teachers recently told ST how schools were grappling with vapes, with offenders starting the habit in primary schools. Both ministries had told ST on July 12 that they were considering enhancing laws around vaping, to tackle the scourge. Between January 2024 and March 2025, HSA had seized more than $41 million worth of vapes and their components. On July 20, Mr Ong, who is also Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, had said Kpods made up a third of more than 100 randomly tested seized vapes. He said several deaths here, including from traffic accidents and unnatural deaths, have been linked to etomidate. On July 25, HSA said two people involved in a fatal road accident in Punggol Road tested positive for etomidate in their blood samples. The pair were in a car that collided with a bus at about 2.50pm on May 13. They had 42 e-vaporisers and more than 1,200 pods in the vehicle, with some containing etomidate. The 30-year-old male driver is assisting with investigations. His passenger, a 28-year-old woman, died in hospital. The authorities have recently increased efforts to tackle the vaping crisis. On July 9, MOH and HSA issued a circular to public healthcare institutions, telling them to record all suspected and confirmed etomidate-linked vaping cases and to get patients to surrender their vapes. On July 16, HSA said it had taken down more than 600 Telegram groups advertising or selling vapes and Kpods to Singaporeans since April 2024. And on July 25, the Bin The Vape initiative was launched. Vape disposal bins were installed at 23 community clubs and one residents' network centre, where users can throw away the devices without fear of punishment. To report vaping-related offences, call the HSA reporting hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 9pm daily, including on public holidays. The public can do so online at If you have a story to share about vapes, e-mail us at [email protected] Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. 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