Latest news with #SDO
Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Power outage for four days running cripples Baltana market in Punjab
Following heavy rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday and Saturday nights, the electricity supply system in Baltana market in Zirakpur, Mohali, has been severely disrupted, causing significant inconvenience to residents and traders. Although a scheduled power cut was announced by the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) on Sunday, shopkeepers in the Baltana market area claim they have been without electricity for the past four days, resulting in major business losses. According to the traders, their operations have come to a standstill due to the prolonged outage. They allege that linemen are demanding bribes to restore electricity to their shops. Already struggling with low footfall due to the sweltering heat, the traders say they are now facing an added burden of corruption and poor service. Sixteen shopkeepers from the area reported that power has been cut off at their shops for four consecutive days. When they contacted the concerned linemen for resolution, they were allegedly asked to pay Rs 1,000 per shop to get the issue fixed. This demand has sparked outrage among the traders and local residents, who claim that corruption has worsened rather than declining under the current government. The traders further allege that even after paying the demanded amount, there has been no resolution to their problem. They added that the PSPCL officials, including the SDO and JE responsible for the area, have not been answering calls made to lodge complaints. This has added to their frustration, as they continue to face financial losses and operational difficulties. Dairy shop owners, in particular, reported heavy losses as perishable items like milk, curd, paneer, and other refrigerated products worth thousands of rupees are spoiling due to lack of electricity. Residents are also facing severe difficulties, with many forced to rely on candles and generators to meet basic needs. With temperatures soaring during the summer, the demand for electricity has increased significantly. As a result, power faults and strong winds are causing repeated disruptions, leaving people without electricity for hours. While the PSPCL is reportedly receiving a high volume of complaints daily, staff shortages are making it difficult to meet the growing demand. When The Indian Express tried to contact Surinder Singh Bains, the PSPCL Executive Engineer (XEN) of Zirakpur, for a comment, he did not respond to repeated phone calls and WhatsApp messages.
Hans India
24-05-2025
- Hans India
FIR filed against 23 for fraudulently availing old age pension
Davanagere: Authorities in Davangere district have launched action against individuals who allegedly provided false information and submitted fake documents to illegally receive old age pensions. Officials have confirmed that 23 individuals from Yelodahalli and Daginakatte villages in Channagiri taluk have been booked for fraud. The cases came to light during a verification drive conducted by revenue officials. These individuals were found to be drawing pensions meant for senior citizens without qualifying for the benefit. FIRs have been filed at the Basavapatna Police Station in March, with officials now investigating the extent of the scam. According to Honnali Sub-Divisional Officer V. Abhishek, the accused misused benefits from two schemes: the central government's Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme and the state-run Sandhya Suraksha Scheme. Together, these 23 ineligible beneficiaries allegedly received around Rs 1.11 lakh through both schemes. The SDO informed via telephone that the inquiry has recommended recovery of the misappropriated funds from the accused. He also confirmed that the accused exploited loopholes and furnished false data to access monthly pensions meant for the elderly and differently-abled. The fraud was uncovered after Davangere Deputy Commissioner G.M. Gangadhar Swamy ordered a field investigation. During the probe, SDO V. Abhishek visited homes of pension recipients in Yelodahalli and Daginakatte. It was found that in addition to the 23 ineligible recipients of old age pension, six others were unlawfully availing disability pensions. Following this, officials have suspended the pension disbursal to all ineligible recipients and are proceeding with legal and administrative action to prevent further misuse.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
672 students get seats in Ranchi pvt schools under RTE
Ranchi: The Ranchi district administration, led by Ranchi (Sadar) sub-divisional officer (SDO) Utkarsh Kumar, on Wednesday conducted an online lottery draw to admit 672 students in recognised private schools under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The RTE Act mandates that 25% of seats at the entry level in recognised private schools should be reserved for children belonging to the economically weaker sections (EWS) and disadvantaged groups. A total of 1,744 applications were received from parents seeking admission for their children against 1,217 seats in 121 private schools under the RTE quota. Out of the total applications received, 342 were rejected for discrepancies and 312 were found to be duplicates in an investigation, which led to the postponement of the earlier scheduled May 15 lottery draw date. Out of the total 1,057 candidates found eligible for the lottery draw, 672 were allotted seats in 92 schools, which the guardians and parents had opted for during the application process. The names of selected students have been uploaded on the school portal and the enrolment process is to be completed within 10 days. Ranchi district superintendent of education (DSE) Badal Raj said, "The lottery draw was held to ensure fair and equitable access to quality education for children from economically weaker backgrounds. We conducted a detailed re-verification of the applications received to maintain the integrity of the process."
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Solar storms are a national security threat: Why NASA warns the next threat could come from the sun
While solar storms tend to grab public headlines with stunning auroras and fleeting technology glitches, scientists and security analysts are ringing an underlying alarm. NASA sounded an uncommon warning after a major solar storm erupted on its way to Earth, prompting fears of disruptions to power grids, satellites, and communications networks occurrence can also present a resplendent upside: an aurora sighting of uncommon occurrence seen in areas far outside of its typical reach. A threat to strategic stability Solar storms on the surface could look like natural wonders. But beneath their splendor is a dangerous force threatening to blow up military activities and locking nations in communication darkness. NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued an alert that the Earth is headed into the most active part of Solar Cycle 25 , set to peak between 2024 and 2026. How will it go during this time? During this time, the possibility of coronal mass ejections, the huge bursts of solar plasma and magnetic fields, becomes very high. If it impacts directly on the Earth, the consequence may be a devastating geomagnetic storm powerful enough to disrupt the GPS system, power grid, and military communications . What role does NASA play in space weather defense? NASA operates several satellites, including the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and Parker Solar Probe. These special spacecraft help forecast space weather events, giving defense systems and utility providers crucial hours of warning. Satellite-based technologies are greatly relied on by contemporary defense systems and warfare for surveillance, targeting, navigation, and positioning. In addition to this, nuclear command and control systems are increasingly a source of concern where they greatly depend on high-frequency radio waves. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Will this become an international security issue? This is not particularly an American issue. A number of other space agencies, Russia and China among them, are indeed exploring space weather defense contrast to climate change or pandemics, there is no international treaty or regulatory framework for addressing large-scale space weather events. Added to this are the geopolitical risks. A solar storm-induced communications blackout might be misunderstood as a cyberattack or hostile act, triggering unintended escalation between competing powers.
NDTV
20-05-2025
- NDTV
6 Killed As Building Slab Crashes Through Four Floors In Maharashtra's Kalyan
Thane: Six people, including four women and a two-year-old child, were killed and four others were injured after a slab of the top floor of a four-storey building in Kalyan collapsed on the lower floors in a cascading effect on Tuesday afternoon, officials said. Kalyan Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Vishwas Gujar said the incident occurred during the flooring work at the fourth floor of the 30-year-old Shri Saptashringi building, which housed 52 families. The building is located in densely populated Mangalaragho Nagar, Kalyan East. "Initially, the slab of the fourth floor collapsed, taking with it slabs of all the subsequent lower floors in a cascading effect, trapping 11 residents in the rubble," the SDO told reporters. Following the collapse, the Fire Brigade, NDRF, and District Disaster Force teams rushed to the spot and launched rescue operations. Mr Gujar confirmed that six people were killed while five others were rescued from the debris; four of them sustained injuries. Those killed were identified as Namaswi Shrikant Shelar (2), Pramila Kalcharan Sahu (56), Sunita Neelanchal Sahu (38), Sushila Narayan Gujar (78), Venkat Bhima Chavan (42) and Sujata Manoj Wadi (38). The SDO said clearance work is currently underway at the site. Maharashtra Chief Minister announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the next of families of each of the victims. "Deeply pained by the news of the building collapse in Kalyan that claimed six lives. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims during this difficult time," Mr Fadnavis states on X. He assured that all necessary rescue and relief operations were being carried out on a war footing by the local authorities and disaster management teams. According to officials, the remains of the affected building will soon be demolished as the slab collapse has rendered it unsafe for habitation, and alternative arrangements are being made for the displaced families. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed urgent medical treatment for the injured and swift rescue operations. Mr Shinde said that if needed, families of the victims will get financial assistance from the District Disaster Relief Fund. He also instructed that the remaining residents of the building should be shifted to temporary shelters. KDMC Additional Municipal Commissioner Harshal Gaikwad told PTI that the building was around 30 years old, but it was not in the list of dangerous buildings. "Incidentally, a structural audit notice was issued to the building just a day earlier," he added. KDMC stated that 513 buildings in its limits have been declared as dangerous or the most dangerous. Police have registered a case and are investigating the cause of the collapse.
