English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

IAS officers transfer to Ladakh, Arunachal: Why are transfers to remote states seen as punishment?

IAS Sanjeev Khirwar and his dog became famous as a story was out in which it was revealed that Khirwar allegedly used to clear a stadium to walk his dog. Now, he has been transferred to Ladakh and his wife Rinku Dagga, who is also a bureaucrat has been transferred to Arunachal Pradesh.

Published

on

IAS officers Sanjeev Khirwar and Rinku Dagga

IAS Sanjeev Khirwar and his dog became famous as a story was out in which it was revealed that Khirwar allegedly used to clear a stadium to walk his dog. Now, he has been transferred to Ladakh and his wife Rinku Dagga, who is also a bureaucrat has been transferred to Arunachal Pradesh.

As the news reports of Khirwar vacating the stadium so that he could take his dog for a walk started circulating, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order of their posting.

After the order, the focus shifted to punishment posting and several people started discussing on Twitter why remote locations are considered to be punishment.

Not just IAS officers, even the judges consider remote locations as punishment posting. There have been several resignations in the past due to the posting in remote locations like Ladakh, and Arunachal Pradesh, among others. In 2019, Chief Justice of Madras High Court Vijaya Tahilramani resigned after she was transferred to the Meghalaya High Court and IAS officer, Kashish Mittal resigned because he was transferred from the corridors of powers at the Niti Aayog to Arunachal Pradesh. But the question is why is it considered punishment?

Read Also: IAS couple who walked dog in Thyagraj stadium transferred to Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh

For answering this, we need to take a dive into the historical background of punishment posting.

During the British empire, several officers were given the punishment of posting to colonies like Nigeria, India, British Malaya and other places. And other countries too did the same, like France, as they used to transfer their officials to North African colonies like Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco.

Now cut to 2022 and in India, the officials get posted to the far east or to the remote area but there is one benefit that they get when they are posted to the northeast region as they get 40 days of leaves in a year instead of 30 days.

The remote region is known to be punishment posting because of the conditions like remoteness, lack of facilities, lack of transport and disturbed conditions. However, since there is hardship and because of that all the northeastern states fall in category 1 section and there are a number of benefits like special allowance, retention of company leased accommodation in any city of choice and even an extra point during the promotion. A substantial section is devoted to benefits that will accrue in case of injury, disablement or death due to subversive or terrorist activity, as reported by The Print.

Read Also: Geetanjali Shree becomes first Hindi author to win International Booker for Daisy Rockwell translated novel

Getting back to the discussion that is going on about the punishment posting, several users raised questions. Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra also said why shame Arunachal by transferring errant Delhi bureaucrat there? Why pay lip service to North East and then treat the area as a dump for your rubbish, MHA?

Another user wrote that these are punishment postings because the regions are challenging as these locations are close to the Himalayas and the border. More importantly, the perks of being a bureaucrat posted in Delhi are way higher, as compared to these places.

Goodfellas star Ray Liotta known for playing Tommy Vercetti passes away at 67

Brahmastra makers drop Telugu version of Kesariya titled Kumkumala, leave fans cheering for Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor

Continue Reading

India News

Jammu & Kashmir: 5 soldiers killed after Army vehicle plunges into gorge in Poonch

“Today at around 17:40 hrs (5.40 pm), an Army vehicle of 11 Maratha Light Infantry, which was on its way from from Nilam headquarters to Balnoi Ghora Post along the LoC, met with an accident near Ghora Post,” said officials.

Published

on

Five soldiers lost their lives and several others were injured when an Army vehicle veered off the road and fell into a deep gorge in the Balnoi area of Mendhar, Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday, according to officials.

The incident occurred as the vehicle, part of the 11 Madras Light Infantry (11 MLI), was traveling from Nilam Headquarters to Balnoi Ghora Post. Reports indicate that the vehicle plunged approximately 350 feet into a steep gorge near its destination.

Upon learning of the accident, the Quick Reaction Team from 11 MLI rapidly mobilized to the scene to initiate rescue operations. The injured personnel received immediate medical attention, and efforts are currently underway to evacuate them for further treatment.

In a message on X, the White Knight Corps expressed their deep condolences for the tragic loss of five courageous soldiers, stating, “All ranks of #WhiteKnightCorps extend their deepest condolences on the tragic loss of five brave soldiers in a vehicle accident during operational duty in the #Poonch sector. Rescue operations are ongoing, and the injured personnel are receiving medical care.”

“Today at around 17:40 hrs (5.40 pm), an Army vehicle of 11 Maratha Light Infantry, which was on its way from from Nilam headquarters to Balnoi Ghora Post along the LoC, met with an accident near Ghora Post,” said officials.

This incident follows a similar accident last month, where one Army personnel died and another was injured when their vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir. This crash, which occurred on November 4 near Badog village in Kalakote, resulted in Naik Badri Lal and Sepoy Jai Prakash suffering critical injuries; Lal ultimately succumbed to his injuries while in treatment.

On November 2, another tragedy struck when a vehicle skidded off a hilly road in Reasi district, claiming the lives of a woman and her 10-month-old son, while three others sustained serious injuries.

Continue Reading

India News

Over 350 Himachal Pradesh roads shut amid snowfall, 4 dead

Meanwhile, post-monsoon rainfall from October 1 to December 24 has shown a deficit of 92% of the normal level of 70.4 mm.

Published

on

In Himachal Pradesh, a significant snowfall in the past 24 hours has resulted in four fatalities and the shutdown of approximately 700 electric transformers along with over 350 roads, including three national highways. This has left around 500 vehicles stranded, among which are more than 300 buses.

The snowfall, which began yesterday, has been recorded in various districts such as Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, as well as the higher elevations of Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Chamba, and Sirmaur.

On a positive note, the situation has attracted a large number of tourists heading to Shimla and nearby areas in hopes of enjoying a white Christmas. According to MK Seth, president of the Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders’ Association, hotel occupancy in the historic town has exceeded 70%, 30% higher than usual.

Tragically, four individuals lost their lives in accidents over the last day, with several others injured due to vehicles skidding in hazardous conditions. Key national highways connecting Attari to Leh, Sanj to Aut in Kullu, and Khab Sangam in Kinnaur to Gramphoo in Lahaul and Spiti are currently blocked.

Among the affected areas, Shimla has the highest number of closed roads, totaling 89, followed by Kinnaur with 44 and Mandi with 25. The State Emergency Operation Centre reported that 683 transformers are inactive, leaving some regions without electricity.

Authorities have urged tourists to follow the advice of district officials and police, heed local guidance, and avoid driving on snowy roads. Khadrala experienced the highest snowfall, receiving 24 cm, followed by Sangla with 16.5 cm, and Shillaro at 15.3 cm. Other areas such as Chopal and Jubbal recorded 15 cm each, while Kalpa received 13.7 cm, Nichar 10 cm, Shimla 7 cm, Pooh 6 cm, and Jot 5 cm.

Manali and Dalhousie suburbs also saw snowfall since Monday, with light rain experienced in parts of the mid and lower hills. An intense cold wave is affecting the lower hills of Mandi, while cold conditions are noted in Una and Chamba.

The Meteorological Office reported dense, moderate, and shallow fog in Bilaspur, Sundernagar, and Mandi. An ‘orange’ warning has been issued for severe cold in Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur, and Mandi, and a ‘yellow’ warning for dense fog in areas around the Bhakra dam reservoir and Balh Valley in Mandi until Thursday.

The coldest recorded temperature was in Kukumseri, Lahaul and Spiti, at minus 6.9 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, post-monsoon rainfall from October 1 to December 24 has shown a deficit of 92% of the normal level of 70.4 mm.

Continue Reading

India News

Delhi Pollution: GRAP 4 revoked in capital, NCR as air quality improves

The GRAP 4 measures were implemented in Delhi after the air quality index (AQI) hit alarming levels on 16th December 2024

Published

on

Delhi Pollution: GRAP 4 revoked in capital, NCR as air quality improves

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) today revoked Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). Nonetheless, measures under stages 1, 2, and 3 will remain in force to manage pollution levels. The GRAP 4 measures have been in effect in the entire NCR since December 16 after deterioration in air quality. 

This move follows after the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 401 at 8 AM. The AQI on Monday fell into the severe category, measuring 403 at 7 am. Reportedly, AQI in several areas of the national capital was also recorded as ‘severe.’

Reports said, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI at 439, 456 at Ashok Vihar, 473 at Bawana, 406 at CRRI Mathura Road and 430 at Narela. Notably, an AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor, and 401-500 is severe.

The GRAP 4 measures were implemented in Delhi after the air quality index (AQI) hit alarming levels on 16th December 2024. The Air Quality Index breached the 350 mark during the day, prompting the GRAP Sub-Committee to implement Stage-III measures. On the same day, by 10 PM, the AQI soared to 401, surpassing the severe plus category threshold. According to the Supreme Court instructions, Stage-IV measures were immediately introduced to tackle the crisis.

The apex court had earlier mandated precautionary measures, requiring Stage-III actions for AQI above 350 and Stage-IV for AQI exceeding 400. These directions were reiterated on 5th, 12th, and 19th December 2024, underlining the urgency to address Delhi’s air pollution.

As Delhi continues to battle hazardous air quality, the intensified measures under GRAP Stages I, II, and III will focus on curbing pollution sources and improving monitoring. Furthermore, residents are urged to remain cautious and adhere to guidelines issued by the authorities to mitigate the impact of air pollution on health and daily life.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com