Latest news with #Verma
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
DLSA Gurgaon sets up ‘Asha' team to tackle child marriages
Gurgaon: The district legal services authority (DLSA) has established a special unit named ASHA (awareness, support, help, and action) to prevent child marriages and rehabilitate victims. ASHA will focus on awareness campaigns, legal assistance, psychological support, rescue operations, and victim rehabilitation. It will also facilitate the enrolment of victims into foster care under Ministry of Women and Child Development's Mission Vatsalya, and will be headed by additional principal judge (family court). DLSA secretary, panel advocates, para-legal volunteers, members of child welfare committee, police liaison officers, officers from district child protection unit and representatives from the departments of education and health will also be a part of the unit. ASHA was formed following Supreme Court's directions in the case Society for Enlightenment and Voluntary Action & Anr vs Union of India. Under part IX of the judgment, SC directed NALSA to prepare a standard operating procedure (SOP) laying out detailed guidelines for legal aid and long-term rehabilitation of victims. This SOP was meant to serve as a reference guide for lawyers and law enforcement officers. In compliance with the court's directives, NALSA formulated "standard operating procedure for prevention, protection, and rehabilitation of child marriages". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like USDJPY đang đi lên không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo For an effective implementation of this SOP, DLSA came out with ASHA, said Rajat Verma, secretary, DLSA Gurgaon. The unit was disseminating information about child protection helplines and portals, said officials, adding that NGO Shakti Vahini was also extending full support to it. "The SOP and ASHA will work hand-in-hand to eliminate child marriage and ensure a dignified rehabilitation of victims," said Verma.
The Print
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
3 yrs after counter-FIR, Haryana cops move to close case against former IAS Ashok Khemka
A similar outcome is anticipated for the FIR against Verma—again, due to the Haryana government's refusal to allow prosecution. The FIR in question was lodged by IAS officer Sanjeev Verma against Khemka when they were locked in a tussle over an alleged corruption case. Khemka then lodged a counter-FIR against Verma. Both the FIRs were lodged on 20 April, 2022. Gurugram: Three years after an FIR was registered against now-retired IAS officer Ashok Khemka, Panchkula police have initiated the process for its cancellation, a month after Haryana government declined to grant ex-post facto approval for the same. 'The government's sanction is necessary to prosecute a public officer, but it has not been received in either of the two cases,' Rupesh Chaudhary, station house office (SHO) of Panchkula's Sector 5 police station confirmed to ThePrint. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the competent authority, has reportedly approved the denial of the sanctions. Known for his frequent transfers and whistle-blower stance, Khemka, a 1991-batch IAS officer, retired as additional chief secretary (transport) in April. Verma, a 2004-batch IAS officer, is currently director-general of the Haryana sports department, as well as the commissioner, Ambala division. Also Read: Punishment postings for civil servants have changed over time, but stigma remains the same How tussle unfolded The long-standing dispute between Verma and Khemka stems over recruitments at the Haryana State Warehousing Corporation (HSWC). Verma, on joining as managing director (MD) of the HSWC in April 2022, recommended a criminal case for alleged irregularities in the HSWC appointments made during Khemka's tenure more than a decade earlier. Based on the complaint of Ravinder Kumar, the police filed FIR No. 170 against Khemka and three other former HSWC officials under Section 420 of the erstwhile Indian Penal Code (IPC) about cheating and sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA). Later, Khemka, accompanied by the then home minister of Haryana, Anil Vij, met senior police officers in Panchkula. Subsequently, FIR No. 171 was registered on Khemka's complaint against Verma and Kumar for allegedly tampering with records and hatching a conspiracy with 'revenge and corrupt motive'. Additionally, Khemka accused Verma of leaking official documents to journalists and alleged 'material distortions and concealment' in the police complaint filed against him. Verma, however, denied the allegations. Refusal of sanction for prosecution Sanction for prosecution is a critical factor in cases registered under the Prevention of Corruption (Amended) Act, 2018. Section 17A mandates prior approval for any inquiry or investigation into offences committed by a public servant in discharge of official functions. Khemka had moved the Punjab & Haryana High Court to quash the FIR registered against him. The FIR, his lawyer contended, was 'legally null and void' as it was registered without the prior approval under Section 17A of the PCA. The Haryana government informed the court that it had not granted sanction to any FIR under Section 17A, leading to the disposal of the case against the retired IAS officer on 29 November, 2022. The court also told Khemka that a 10-day notice was required if further proceedings were initiated against him. Separately, the HC restrained the police from filing a challan in FIR No. 171 against Verma—without its permission—on 6 July 2022, with the matter still pending. Meanwhile, Verma expressed concerns about the addition of the PCA sections in FIR No. 171 and called for the handover of both the FIRs to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing perceived pressure on the police. With the cancellation of the FIR against Khemka and the strong likelihood of the same happening in Verma's case due to the lack of a government sanction, this high-profile bureaucratic saga appears to be drawing to its close without any formal prosecution (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also Read: SC upholds Khattar's downgrading of IAS Khemka's performance evaluation, says it's executive's domain
USA Today
2 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
'Razor blade throat': What to know about COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1
'Razor blade throat': What to know about COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1 Show Caption Hide Caption COVID variant brings 'razor blade throat' to California A new COVID variant is causing people to experience such severe sore throats that they say it feels like swallowing razor blades. Scripps News - KGTV San Diego A painful sore throat, often referred to as "razor blade throat", is just one of the symptoms of a new COVID-19 variant. This variant is currently being monitored by the World Health Organization. "Considering the available evidence, the additional public health risk posed by NB.1.8.1 is evaluated as low at the global level," the WHO stated in a report. "Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease." In May, the WHO released a report stating it was monitoring the variant, but the variant is spreading quickly, according to the university. The new COVID-19 variant was first detected in China in January. What is NB.1.8.1? NB.1.8.1 is one of the latest variants of COVID-19, a "slightly upgraded version" of the LP.8.1 variant that is prominent right now, said Subhash Verma, microbiology and immunology professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. Verma previously said NB.1.8.1 may be able to be transferred more easily than LP.8.1. Additionally, he said that NB.1.8.1 is able to evade antibodies created by vaccines or past infections more easily than LP.8.1. "NB.1.8.1 is likely to spread more rapidly and evade our immune defenses more easily than LP.8.1, which is why this variant requires careful monitoring," Verma said. USA TODAY has reached out to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on the variant. What is 'razor blade throat?' An extremely sore throat, or "razor blade throat", is a symptom that's currently being associated with the new variant. People with the variant are saying that it feels their throats are covered with razor blades, according to Los Angeles Times, Fox News, SF Gate, and other news outlets. Many people have also taken to social media to describe the "razor blade throat". It isn't the first time a symptom like this has been described. With other strains, people said their throats felt like they had shards of glass jutting out, due to the extreme pain of their sore throats. This symptom, however, is gaining more popularity as the COVID-19 variant spreads. What are the symptoms of NB.1.8.1? The CDC has not outlined symptoms that are specific to the NB.1.8.1. variant. Verma said that NB.1.8.1 symptoms appear similar to those of earlier COVID-19 variants. The CDC outlines the following as common COVID-19 symptoms: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Sore throat Congestion or a runny nose New loss of taste or smell Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache Nausea or vomiting The CDC advises seeking medical care if you experience any of the following symptoms: Trouble breathing Persistent pain or pressure in the chest New confusion Inability to wake or stay awake Depending on skin tone, lips, nail beds and skin may appear pale, gray or blue How can you protect yourself from NB.1.8.1 and other variants? The World Health Organization states that currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against the NB.1.8.1 variant. In a webpage dated Jan. 7, 2025, the CDC advises that everyone over the age of six months get the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine, specifically the 2024-2025 Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. It also suggests people who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine, are age 65 and older, are immunocompromised, live at a long-term care facility, are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, and/or want to avoid getting long COVID, should get the vaccine, especially. However, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently recommended changes to COVID vaccinations. On May 27, Kennedy said the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be included in the CDC's recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women. And on May 20, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it plans to require new clinical trials for approval of the annual COVID-19 boosters for healthy individuals under the age of 65. This could mean that some who still wish to receive the vaccine may have to pay out of pocket. What is a COVID-19 booster shot? Updated and annual COVID-19 vaccines are actually not "booster shots." Boosters are additional doses of the same vaccine that are needed to maintain immunity, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Updated vaccines protect against new variants of a virus, like NB.1.8.1. RFK Jr. says COVID-19 vaccine no longer recommended for some The COVID-19 vaccine is no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says. How to (still) get a COVID-19 test for free Increasing Community Access to Testing, Treatment and Response (ICATT), a federal program, continues to provide free COVID-19 testing to individuals without health insurance. According to the CDC, as of May 27, more than 19,000 locations across the country offer free testing. To find a location near you that offers free testing, visit Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'Razor blade throat': What to know about COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1
A painful sore throat, often referred to as "razor blade throat", is just one of the symptoms of a new COVID-19 variant. This variant is currently being monitored by the World Health Organization. "Considering the available evidence, the additional public health risk posed by NB.1.8.1 is evaluated as low at the global level," the WHO stated in a report. "Currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective to this variant against symptomatic and severe disease." In May, the WHO released a report stating it was monitoring the variant, but the variant is spreading quickly, according to the university. The new COVID-19 variant was first detected in China in January. NB.1.8.1 is one of the latest variants of COVID-19, a "slightly upgraded version" of the LP.8.1 variant that is prominent right now, said Subhash Verma, microbiology and immunology professor at the University of Nevada, Reno. Verma previously said NB.1.8.1 may be able to be transferred more easily than LP.8.1. Additionally, he said that NB.1.8.1 is able to evade antibodies created by vaccines or past infections more easily than LP.8.1. "NB.1.8.1 is likely to spread more rapidly and evade our immune defenses more easily than LP.8.1, which is why this variant requires careful monitoring," Verma said. USA TODAY has reached out to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on the variant. An extremely sore throat, or "razor blade throat", is a symptom that's currently being associated with the new variant. People with the variant are saying that it feels their throats are covered with razor blades, according to Los Angeles Times, Fox News, SF Gate, and other news outlets. Many people have also taken to social media to describe the "razor blade throat". It isn't the first time a symptom like this has been described. With other strains, people said their throats felt like they had shards of glass jutting out, due to the extreme pain of their sore throats. This symptom, however, is gaining more popularity as the COVID-19 variant spreads. The CDC has not outlined symptoms that are specific to the NB.1.8.1. variant. Verma said that NB.1.8.1 symptoms appear similar to those of earlier COVID-19 variants. The CDC outlines the following as common COVID-19 symptoms: Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Sore throat Congestion or a runny nose New loss of taste or smell Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache Nausea or vomiting The CDC advises seeking medical care if you experience any of the following symptoms: Trouble breathing Persistent pain or pressure in the chest New confusion Inability to wake or stay awake Depending on skin tone, lips, nail beds and skin may appear pale, gray or blue The World Health Organization states that currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against the NB.1.8.1 variant. In a webpage dated Jan. 7, 2025, the CDC advises that everyone over the age of six months get the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine, specifically the 2024-2025 Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine. It also suggests people who have never received a COVID-19 vaccine, are age 65 and older, are immunocompromised, live at a long-term care facility, are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, and/or want to avoid getting long COVID, should get the vaccine, especially. However, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently recommended changes to COVID vaccinations. On May 27, Kennedy said the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be included in the CDC's recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women. And on May 20, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it plans to require new clinical trials for approval of the annual COVID-19 boosters for healthy individuals under the age of 65. This could mean that some who still wish to receive the vaccine may have to pay out of pocket. Updated and annual COVID-19 vaccines are actually not "booster shots." Boosters are additional doses of the same vaccine that are needed to maintain immunity, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Updated vaccines protect against new variants of a virus, like NB.1.8.1. Increasing Community Access to Testing, Treatment and Response (ICATT), a federal program, continues to provide free COVID-19 testing to individuals without health insurance. According to the CDC, as of May 27, more than 19,000 locations across the country offer free testing. To find a location near you that offers free testing, visit Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@ Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is 'razor blade throat'? What to know about new COVID-19 variant
Hans India
2 days ago
- Climate
- Hans India
PWD completes only 60% desilting work
New Delhi: The Public Works Department (PWD) has completed only 60 per cent of the desilting work of drains un-der its jurisdiction, with the June 15 deadline now over, an official report said. Earlier this month, PWD Minister Parvesh Verma had set June 15 as the deadline to complete the de-silting of all PWD-managed drains ahead of the monsoon. The department has completed desilting for 1,294 km as of Tuesday, out of the total 2,140 km drain length under it, the latest status report said. Among the 17 PWD divisions, only the South West Region-2 (SWR-2) has completed 100 per cent de-silting, while the West Road-2 division has shown the poorest performance with only 31 per cent work completed. The deadline for completion of desilting work has now been extended to June 30, an official said. During an inspection of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department's control room on June 10, Verma had said the Delhi government had completed 90 per cent of desilting work for 76 drains under the (I&FC) and around 50 per cent of work on PWD drains
