New foreign secretary

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal Monday took exception over failure of the Ministry of Defence to submit report on a plea seeking scientific disposal of waste generated by weapons, hospitals and other establishments of the armed forces. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel summoned the concerned Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence and directed him to remain present with the status report on the next date. "Needless to say that order of this tribunal is executable under Section 25 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 read with Section 51 CPC by taking coercive measures including civil imprisonment or costs which aspect will be considered on the next date," the bench said. The matter is posted for next hearing on February 11, 2020. The NGT had in September directed the Secretary, Ministry of Defence to file a status report in the matter after ascertaining the relevant facts and status of compliance of environmental norms from different concerned … [Read more...] about NGT summons Defence Secretary over report on compliance of environmental norms by Armed Forces

     Next Rediff Business Desk & Agencies The Union Commerce Ministry announces the integrated Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) every five years. The policy aims at developing export potential, improving export performance, boosting foreign trade and earning valuable foreign exchange. Also known as Exim (Export-Import) Policy, it is updated every year and several modifications and new schemes come into effect from April 1 of every year. India needs to focus on exports to become a major player in world trade. The FTP takes into account measures to generate more exports and facilitate imports, which are vital for the economic development. India's FTP seeks to enhance its global trade, offer incentives to exporters, expand markets to diversify trade, and create more returns and employment. FTP assumes great significance this year as India's exports have been battered by the global recession. A fall in exports has led to the closure of several small- and medium-scale … [Read more...] about How Foreign Trade Policy will help boost exports

New Delhi: IPS Officer V K Johri, who is presently serving in the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has been appointed as the next Director General (DG) of country’s largest border guarding force, the BSF an official statement said on Sunday The order has been issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) that is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has Home Minister Amit Shah as its member. "V.K. Johri, IPS, who is presently working as Special Secretary, in the Cabinet Secretariat as Officer on Special Duty, has been appointed as Director General, Border Security Force (BSF)..," a Home Ministry statement said. Johri, a 1984-batch Indian Police Service officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, is  presently serving as the Special Secretary in the external intelligence agency RAW, under the Cabinet Secretariat. The 1984 Madhya Pradesh cadre officer will succeed R.K. Mishra, who retires on August 31. V.K. Johri, IPS to take charge as Director General of Border … [Read more...] about RAW Officer VK Johri To Be New Border Security Force Chief

Video PlayerClose WELLINGTON, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- One person was dead in a volcanic eruption in New Zealand's White Island in the Eastern Bay of Plenty of the North Island on Monday about 2:11 p.m. local time (0111 GMT), with more casualties likely, according to the police. The rescue operation is too dangerous to carry out now, the police said. Previously, police said one person was left in critical condition. "We are aware that people were on the island immediately before the eruption and we express our concern for their safety," GeoNet, the country's geological hazard information center, said on its website. Media reports quoted New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as saying that around 100 people, including foreigners, were on or around the island at the time of the eruption, and some of those are "unaccounted for." "A number of people are reportedly injured and are being transported to shore," she was quoted as saying. According to videos released by local media, a group of … [Read more...] about 1 dead in New Zealand volcanic eruption, with more casualties likely: police

Video PlayerClose WELLINGTON, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Five people were confirmed dead in a volcanic eruption in New Zealand's White Island in the Eastern Bay of Plenty of the North Island on Monday, with more casualties likely, the police said. The five victims were among those rescued earlier, the police said, adding that more than 10 people were missing on the tourist island. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has sent personnel, as well as a P-3K2 Orion aircraft, two NH90 helicopters and a Navy ship HMNZS Wellington to assist the rescue operation, NZDF said in a statement. Media reports quoted New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as saying that around 100 people, including foreigners, were on or around the island at the time of the eruption, and some of those are "unaccounted for." "A number of people are reportedly injured and are being transported to shore," she was quoted as saying. According to videos released by local media, a group of people were desperate to get off the … [Read more...] about 5 dead in New Zealand volcanic eruption, with more casualties likely: police