Cyclone alert issued for Andaman and Nicobar Islands: IMD
Port Blair (PTI): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a ‘Cyclone Alert’ for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands following the formation of a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal, which is likely to intensify from November 4, officials said.
A senior IMD official said a low-pressure area began forming over the east-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining Myanmar coast at 8.30 am on November 2.
"The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 5.8 km above mean sea level. It is likely to move north and then northwestwards along and off the Myanmar-Bangladesh coasts during the next 48 hours," the official said.
The department warned of squally weather with surface wind speeds reaching 55 kmph over the North Andaman Sea. "The system is likely to intensify from November 4 onwards, and the sea conditions will remain rough," the official added.
In view of the alert, the local administration has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off the North Andaman Sea. Boat operators, islanders, and tourists have also been urged to exercise extreme caution and avoid recreational activities at sea.
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Karnataka government employees demand return of Old Pension Scheme
Bengaluru: Government employees in Karnataka have urged the state government to scrap the New Pension Scheme (NPS) and bring back the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), The New Indian Express reported.
The demand was made by the Karnataka State Government Employees’ Association, whose leaders met senior IAS officer Uma Mahadevan on Monday and submitted a memorandum. The association asked the NPS Review Committee, headed by senior IAS officer Anjum Parvez, to recommend the reintroduction of OPS in the state.
Association president C.S. Shadakshari reportedly said the review committee has already visited Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana where NPS was revoked and OPS re-implemented. The committee is yet to submit its report, but has told the government it will do so soon.
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Shadakshari allegedly said NPS has been in force in Karnataka since 2006. He pointed out that West Bengal never adopted the scheme, while Andhra Pradesh and Telangana replaced NPS with a contributory pension model.
States including Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Jharkhand have already scrapped NPS through cabinet decisions or budget announcements.
“Under NPS, 10% of the employees’ basic salary and DA, and 14% contribution from the state is credited to the employees’ fund. It constitutes 24% of the total which is non-withdrawable. This is invested in the share market and the final amount depends on the ups and downs of the market,” TNIE quoted Shadakshar as saying.
As per the report, he said that by limiting its contribution to 14%, the government could save up to ₹1.87 lakh crore annually if all vacancies are filled, strengthening the case for bringing back the old pension system.
