Latest news with #SoP
New Indian Express
02-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Tambaram corporation staff crunch hits command centre success
Ward 38 councillor C Saranya, who belongs to the ruling DMK, criticised the civic body's inefficiency in addressing grievances. She said the civic body does not have the proper equipment to clear the silt from the UGD. 'How can they address the bigger issues that would affect residents,' she asked. AIADMK floor leader G Sankar told TNIE, 'Actually the corporation is struggling with a small number of staff to carry out even their regular duties. When this is the case, how can they address the grievances of residents.' Other councillors also echoed the same view and said that an acute staff shortage in all departments prevented the corporation from addressing the grievances of the public. However, in some cases, residents said the system helped fix accountability on officials and get issues resolved faster. Speaking to TNIE, Murali Deskian of Thiruchendurnagar 2nd Street, who raised a grievance on drainage overflow, said earlier it would take a few days to resolve such complaints but now it was addressed within five hours. 'I wish the same kind of response is maintained for all complaints across the corporation limits.' The officials said that according to the SoP, the grievance is first forwarded to field staff to attend, then to supervisor-level officers to ensure it is addressed, and finally it would be cross-checked by senior officials like assistant engineers. A senior TCMC official said the ICCC allows real-time tracking of civic issues and it helps in improving accountability across departments. 'By integrating service requests and responses, we aim to bring efficiency and transparency to urban governance. Public feedback helps us identify lapses and improve further,' the official said.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi HC closes contempt plea after govt ssues SOP for bomb threats
The Delhi high court on Monday closed a contempt petition against the city's chief secretary and police commissioner after the Directorate of Education (DoE) circulated a detailed 115‑point standard operating procedure (SoP) and checklist for handling bomb threats in schools. Justice Anish Dayal accepted DoE standing counsel Sameer Vashisht's submission that the SoP, issued Friday, 'has been sent to all stakeholders with directions that it should be complied with' and noted Delhi Police would issue an 'updated circular' to mirror the protocol at every police station. Additional director Shreya Singhal told the court a circular to all schools was already uploaded on the DoE website. 'In this view of the matter, the petition is disposed of,' the judge said. Advocate Arpit Bhargava had sought contempt action, arguing officials ignored the court's November 14 order that gave the government eight weeks to draft a bomb threat action plan. He said no mechanism was communicated even as hoax threats multiplied. Earlier this month the court summoned senior police and education officers, calling the scares 'serious' and disruptive. During Monday's hearing, justice Dayal declined Bhargava's plea to order curbs on dark-web or VPN (virtual private network) use in hoax threats: 'These are serious issues which have to be dealt with by the executive, and they know the concern. We cannot, at your behest, direct the executive to carry out this in a particular manner.' The new SOP mandates that schools must conduct regular mock drills, install CCTV, enforce strict access control and file a monthly safety checklist with district authorities. 'Heads of schools will lead emergency responses, coordinating with police, fire services, and disaster management teams. Further, teachers will receive training to guide evacuations, while students are supposed to follow safety protocols and report suspicious activities,' Mohinder Pal, additional director of education, stated in the order. Delhi Police must cordon areas, manage crowds and assess threats; fire services remain on standby; traffic officers clear evacuation routes. None of these agencies may handle explosives, it added. The SoP also covers government-aided, minority and recognised unaided private schools and sets out prevention, preparation, response and recovery measures. It further tasks Delhi Police with issuing an updated circular so field officers 'know their responsibilities', the court recorded.
India Gazette
09-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema praises army's response to Pakistan's failed drone attack
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], May 9 (ANI): On Pakistan's failed drone attack last night, Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, 'I salute all army officers for giving a fitting reply to Pakistan. We will not spare this enemy nation. I hope they have learned their lesson and won't attempt anything similar further.' He stated, 'All the people from civil administration, police administration, political groups, and intelligence are on our ground. The leaves of our government officials have been cancelled. Our health department has been strengthened. Schools have been shut down for those days.' Cheema added, 'No one needs to panic or be afraid. We have ensured all security arrangements. Stringent action will be taken against those involved in black marketing of ration.' The Indian Armed Forces successfully foiled a large-scale drone and missile attack launched by Pakistan targeting multiple military stations in Northern and Western India, including Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) said. The Indian military responded swiftly and decisively, neutralising the threat using both kinetic and non-kinetic means, following standard operating procedures (SoP). In a post on X, the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff said: 'Military Stations of Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur in proximity to the International Boundary, in Jammu & Kashmir targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones. No losses. Threat neutralised by #IndianArmedForces as per SoP with kinetic & non-kinetic means.' Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, addressing the Ministry of External Affairs' press briefing, confirmed that India's Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defence systems successfully countered the attacks. 'This morning, the Indian Armed Forces targeted Air Defence Radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan. Indian response has been in the same domain with same intensity as Pakistan. It has been reliably learnt that an Air Defence system at Lahore has been neutralised,' Colonel Qureshi said. She further detailed that during the night of May 7-8, Pakistan had attempted to strike military targets across a wide range of locations--Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj. However, India's robust air defence systems neutralised all attempted incursions, and debris from intercepted drones and missiles is being recovered from multiple sites, confirming the attack. The escalation followed India's launch of Operation Sindoor--a series of focused and precise strikes on nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. 'Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and the method of execution,' the Ministry of Defence had said on Wednesday. During Thursday's media briefing, Colonel Qureshi reminded that on May 7, India had clearly stated that any attack on Indian military assets would invite a 'suitable response. 'Following Operation Sindoor, the Union Government convened an all-party meeting on Thursday at the Parliament Annexe to brief political leaders on the security situation and India's calibrated military action. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the briefing, which was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, among others .Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh also addressed the press conference following the all-party meeting. (ANI)
India Gazette
09-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
All functions of Amritsar international airport suspended till further notice
Amritsar (Punjab) [India], March 9 (ANI): Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, security has been heightened outside Shri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar. All the functions of the airport are shut until further notice. ACP Airport, Amritsar, Yadwinder Singh said, 'There is adequate security at the airport. Only airport personnel are allowed inside. Police are continuously patrolling. The villagers have been made aware of protocols to be followed.' The Indian Army shot down more than 50 Pakistani drones during a large-scale counter-drone operation along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Borders (IB) on Thursday night, sources confirmed to ANI. The District Public Relations Officer (DPRO) in Amritsar has urged all residents to stay indoors, keep their lights turned off, and draw their curtains for safety. 'All citizens are requested to stay indoors and away from the windows, keep lights turned off, and draw the window curtains. There is no need to panic. A siren will blow now, and we will pass the message again once it is clear,' the Amritsar DPRO said. The DPRO also lauded the armed forces and appealed to the public to cooperate. 'Our armed forces are on the job, and we need to support them by staying indoors. There is no need to panic,' the official added. Earlier, defence sources said the Indian Army shot down two Pakistani drones in the Naushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The drones were intercepted during a heavy exchange of artillery fire between Indian and Pakistani forces. Meanwhile, according to the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, Pakistan also tried to target military stations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur, which are close to the International Border (IB). However, the Indian Armed Forces successfully responded to the attack, and no loss of life was reported. In a post on social media platform X, the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff stated, 'Military Stations of Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur in proximity to the International Boundary, in Jammu and Kashmir, targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones. No losses. Threat neutralised by Indian Armed Forces as per SoP with kinetic and non-kinetic means.' (ANI)
India Gazette
09-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Complete blackout enforced in Jammu after explosions near LoC
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 9 (ANI): A complete blackout has been enforced in Jammu after sirens were heard and explosions were reported near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch and Rajouri districts early on Friday morning, amid rising tensions in the region. Earlier, explosions were also heard near the LoC in the Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Further details are awaited. Meanwhile, the Border Security Forces (BSF) foiled a major infiltration attempt along the International Boundary in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. The attempt was made around 11 pm on May 8. In a post on X, BSF Jammu wrote, 'At around 2300 hours on 8 May 2025, BSF foiled a major infiltration bid at the International Boundary in Samba district, J&K.' Multiple sources also reported that a Pakistani Air Force jet was shot down by Indian Air Defence systems in the Pathankot sector of Punjab. However, official confirmation from the government is still awaited, with more details expected soon. Additionally, defence sources confirmed that the Indian Army shot down two Pakistani drones in the Naushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The drones were intercepted amid a heavy exchange of artillery fire between Indian and Pakistani forces. According to the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, Pakistan also tried to target military stations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur, all located near the International Border. The Indian Armed Forces responded strongly, and no loss of life was reported In a post on X, the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff stated: 'Military Stations of Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur in proximity to the International Boundary, in Jammu and Kashmir, targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones. No losses. Threat neutralised by Indian Armed Forces as per SoP with kinetic and non-kinetic means.' These developments come after India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7. During the operation, the Indian Armed Forces carried out missile strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). According to Indian officials, the strikes targeted infrastructure linked to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The operation was carried out in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 28 civilians. (ANI)
