The crescent Moon that signals the end of the holy month of Ramadan was spotted in Saudi Arabia on Thursday evening, according to SPAAccording to the Saudi Supreme Court, tomorrow, Friday (April 21), is the first day of Eid Al Fitr for this year 1444 AH. This date also marks the first day of Islamic calendar month Shawwal.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has said that Eid Al Fitr holiday will begin from Friday, April 21. The holidays will be for a period of four days and regular working hours will commence from Tuesday, April 25. This applies to private and non-profit sectors in the Kingdom.

 
The Saudi moon-sighting committee had invited all Muslims to try and sight the moon on the evening of Ramadan 29 (Thursday). Islamic months last for 29 or 30 days, depending on when the Moon is sighted. With the Moon being spotted on Thursday, the holy month of Ramadan lasted for 29 days.
 

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



New Delhi (PTI): All central government employees have been mandated to complete competency-linked courses relevant to their role or level on a dedicated online platform annually, which will reflect in their annual performance appraisal reports, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.

The government has adopted a competency-based capacity building approach, focusing on role-based learning, continuous skill development, and alignment of training with role requirements, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in a written reply.

"The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has mandated all central government employees and officers of the all-India services to complete competency-linked courses mapped to their role/level and comprehensive assessments prescribed by their ministries/ departments/organisations (MDOs) or cadre controlling authorities (CCAs) on iGOT (integrated government online training) portal annually, which is to be also reflected in their annual performance appraisal reports (APARs)," he said.

ALSO READ:  FIR against Rajasthan MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati for threatening folk singer

The minister was responding to a query about the government's plans to incorporate competency-based scores for promotion and appraisal processes of its employees.

A framework of roles, activities and competencies (FRAC) aims to align all positions in government with clearly defined roles, activities, and required competencies (behavioural, functional, and domain), Singh added.

In a separate reply, the minister said that details of the engagement of consultants are maintained by respective ministries and departments.

The General Financial Rules (GFR), 2017, administered by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, provides for the fundamental principles applicable to all ministries or departments concerning the engagement of consultants and external professionals or consultancy firms for specific jobs, he said.

"As informed by the Department of Expenditure, data regarding engagement of consultants is maintained by respective ministries and departments," Singh said.

The minister was asked the year-wise number of consultants engaged by all the central ministries and departments during the last five years.