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Scindia puts 6G, AI and telecom manufacturing at centre of India’s tech ambitions

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Scindia puts 6G, AI and telecom manufacturing at centre of India’s tech ambitions

New Delhi: Ahead of India Mobile Congress 2026, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has placed 6G, artificial intelligence (AI), indigenous telecom manufacturing, and affordable digital access at the centre of India’s technology policy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met members of the GSMA Board in New Delhi. In policy statements ahead of the event, Scindia outlined the Government’s ambitions for 6G leadership and the expansion of domestic telecom manufacturing.

According to Scindia, India has transformed itself from a country that once imported nearly 95 per cent of its mobile phones into a major manufacturing hub, with domestic mobile-phone production reaching approximately ₹6.27 lakh crore. India now has more than one billion broadband connections.

Describing India’s technological progress, Scindia said the country followed the world in 4G, matched it in 5G, and now aims to lead in 6G.

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Kashmir-born filmmaker Arfat Sheikh detained by ICE in US

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Kashmir-born filmmaker Arfat Sheikh detained by ICE in US

Washington, Oct 7: Kashmir-born filmmaker Arafat Sheikh has been detained by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on arrival at the Dulles International Airport here, an advocacy campaign seeking his release said.

Sheikh, a resident of Alexandria, Virginia, was detained by ICE on September 24, the campaign Free Arafat Sheikh said.

It claimed that Sheikh, who is a Kashmir-born filmmaker, is in the US on a student visa to pursue film studies at Georgia State University and has a pending immigration application.

Sheikh gained international recognition for his debut feature film, Saffron Kingdom, which screened in more than 100 theaters and was streamed in 175 countries, as per Anadolu news agency.

The production received honors including Best Feature Film at the Anatolian International Film Awards, Chicago Filmmakers Award, and Los Angeles Film and Documentary Awards, as well as an Emerging Filmmaker distinction at the Teaneck International Film Festival.

The campaign launched online said Sheikh was detained shortly after stepping off his flight. It alleged that ICE agents took him into custody even as he presented his immigration documents.

ICE, the US agency responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws, can detain non-citizens over suspected immigration violations or while their immigration status or applications are being reviewed. (With inputs from PTI)

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SC to examine plea for recall of split verdict on law governing appointment of CEC, ECs

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SC to examine plea for recall of split verdict on law governing appointment of CEC, ECs

New Delhi, Oct 07: The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to examine a plea seeking recall of its recent split verdict on whether challenges to the 2023 law governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners should be referred to a larger Constitution bench.

On September 23, a bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma gave split opinions on whether a batch of pleas challenging the validity of a 2023 law that excludes the Chief Justice of India from the panel for selecting the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs) should be referred to a larger Constitution bench.

It had said due to a difference of opinion, the matter be placed before CJI Surya Kant on the administrative side for constitution of a bench of appropriate strength for an effective and authoritative adjudication.

On Wednesday, a bench comprising the Chief Justice of India and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was told about the recall application by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan.

“We will examine and take a call,” the CJI said. Sankaranarayanan told the bench that the recall application had earlier been mentioned before a bench headed by Justice Datta, but the matter had subsequently been released from that bench and he was asked to mention it before the CJI.

“There is a split verdict on the Chief Election Commissioner issue. We have mentioned an application for recall of the judgment,” the senior advocate said.

When the CJI asked whether there was any other interlocutory application (IA), Sankaranarayanan said that a curative petition had also been filed, but added that the recall application was a separate plea.

“A curative petition has been filed. That, I think, will have to go in its own form. Whether it is maintainable, I don’t know. Ours is an IA seeking recall of the judgment. Curative often requires a review,” he said.

The development comes after a two-judge bench of Justices Datta and Sharma delivered split opinions on September 23 on the Centre’s plea seeking reference of the challenge to the 2023 law to a larger Constitution Bench.

Justice Datta declined the Centre’s request for such a reference, while Justice Sharma favoured placing the matter before a larger bench.

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Russian missile strike in Ukraine’s capital kills at least 2

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Russian missile strike in Ukraine’s capital kills at least 2

Kyiv, Oct 07: Russian attacked Ukraine’s capital with ballistic missiles overnight Wednesday, killing two people and damaging civilian infrastructure, according to Ukrainian officials.

Explosions were heard across central Kyiv at around 3 am.

A rocket struck a nonresidential building in the Podilskyi district, sparking a fire, a statement from the Kyiv City Military Administration said.

In the Darnytskyi district, a rocket strike caused a fire at a garage complex. The blaze was extinguished and the site sustained damage, officials said. Debris from the attack was also reported in an open area nearby.

The administration said two people were killed in the attack but did not immediately provide further details about the victims.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, said the broader Kyiv region was also subject to a combined attack involving drones and ballistic missiles.

In the Obukhiv district, three production and storage facilities were damaged, Tkachenko said. Fires broke out at the sites but had been contained. A truck and trailer were also damaged, he said.

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J&K govt orders major bureaucratic reshuffle, 49 officers transferred

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J&K govt orders major bureaucratic reshuffle, 49 officers transferred

Srinagar, Oct 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday ordered a major administrative reshuffle, transferring and posting 49 IAS and JKAS officers with immediate effect.

The orders were issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) under Government Order No. 1612-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated October 7.

Among the key changes, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra has been given the additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Revenue Department, relieving Kumar Rajeev Ranjan of the charge.

Dr Ashish Chandra Verma has been transferred from Tourism and posted as Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Agriculture Production Department.

M Raju, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department, has been relieved of the additional charge of Health and Medical Education Department and given additional charge of Hospitality and Protocol Department and Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Department.

R Alice Vaz has been transferred to the Transport Department as Commissioner/Secretary, while retaining charge of the Information Department. She will also hold additional charge of Civil Aviation Department and Commissioner, Civil Aviation.

Saugat Biswas has been posted as Commissioner/Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department.

Sarmad Hafeez has been transferred from Social Welfare and posted as Commissioner/Secretary, Youth Services and Sports Department.

Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, has been posted as Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, while retaining charge of Resident Commissioner, J&K Government, New Delhi.

Naveen S L has been transferred from Civil Aviation and posted as Commissioner of Enquiries, J&K.

Among other major changes, Avny Lavasa has been posted as Secretary, Tourism Department, while continuing as Administrative Secretary, Tribal Affairs Department. Anjali Sehrawat has been posted as Secretary, Public Grievances Department.

Vikas Kundal has been transferred from the J&K Services Selection Board and posted as Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, with additional charge of Additional CEO, Jammu Metropolitan Regional Development Authority.

Majid Khalil Ahmad Drabu has been posted as Inspector General of Registration, J&K.

Rahul Yadav has been posted as Administrative Secretary, Information Technology Department, while retaining additional charge of Managing Director, J&K Power Development Corporation Limited.

Owais Ahmed has been posted as Administrative Secretary, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department, with additional charge of Director, Skill Development J&K.

Sagar Doifode Dattatray has been transferred to the Social Welfare Department as Administrative Secretary.

Devansh Yadav has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, while Rakesh Minhas has been appointed CEO, State Health Agency, J&K, with additional charge of MD, Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission.

Shrikant Balasaheb Suse has been posted as Chairman, J&K Services Selection Board, while Akriti Sagar has been appointed Managing Director, J&K Tourism Development Corporation with additional charge of CEO, J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency.

Athar Aamir Ul Shafi Khan has been posted as Managing Director, National Health Mission, J&K.

Basharat Qayoom has been transferred from Pulwama and posted as Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, with additional charge of CEO, SPV for Srinagar City for implementation of the Smart City Project.

Ayushi Sudan has been posted as Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation.

The reshuffle also includes several Deputy Commissioners. Minga Sherpa has been transferred from Udhampur to Jammu, Abhishek Sharma from Rajouri to Kupwara, Rupesh Kumar to Samba, Jatin Kishore from Ganderbal to Budgam, Shreya Singhal from Ganderbal to the post of Deputy Commissioner, and Ananth Dwivedi from the State Health Agency to Udhampur.

Mamta Yadav has been posted as Director, Information, J&K.

At the district level, Mahima Madan has been posted as Additional District Development Commissioner, Anantnag, while Vidhu Shekhar has been posted as Vice Chairman, Jammu Development Authority.

Pranjal J Hazarika has been posted as Director, J&K Archives, Archaeology and Museums, while Vivek Agarwal has been appointed Director, Employment, J&K, with additional charge of CEO, Mission YUVA.

Vikas Ahlawat has been transferred from Anantnag and posted as Labour Commissioner, J&K.

The order also includes changes among JKAS officers. Kuldeep Krishan Sidha has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama; Charandeep Singh as Deputy Commissioner, Shopian; Rakesh Kumar as Special Secretary, Lok Bhawan; Sachin Jamwal as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kathua; and Sushil Kesar as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Reasi.

Irfan Bahadur has been posted as Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), Budgam, while Afroza Bano has been transferred and directed to await further posting orders in the General Administration Department.

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Rupee falls 10 paise to 96.45 against US dollar ahead of RBI monetary policy decision

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Rupee falls 10 paise to 96.45 against US dollar ahead of RBI monetary policy decision

Mumbai, Oct 07: The rupee depreciated 10 paise to 96.45 against the US dollar in early trade on Wednesday ahead of the Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy decision.

The rupee is under continuous pressure amid persistent outflows of foreign funds from domestic equities and strong US dollar holding near multi-month highs above 102 (DXY), forex traders said.

Moreover, investors are keenly awaiting the RBI’s monetary policy decision for further cues.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 96.37, then lost ground and fell to 96.45, down 10 paise from its previous close.

On Tuesday, the rupee settled at 96.35 against the US dollar.

“We have the RBI monetary policy meeting today, in which the RBI is expected to raise rates by 25 bps with an outside chance of a 50 bps raise. The RBI may also raise the CRR by 1 per cent to 4 per cent to absorb the excess liquidity.

“We await the RBI stance on the falling rupee which has lost more than 2 per cent in the last 1 month with oil demand and FPI demand for the US dollar keeping the rupee lower,” said Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director, Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP, said.

The Reserve Bank of India will announce its bi-monthly monetary policy decision at 1000 hrs on Wednesday, with several experts expecting a rate hike after nearly three-and-a-half years as inflation pressures rise due to the continuing West Asia conflict.

The RBI last hiked the repo rate in February 2023, raising it by 0.25 per cent to 6.50 per cent. It kept the rate unchanged through 2023-24 before beginning its rate-cut cycle in 2025.

The RBI’s policy repo rate currently stands at 5.25 per cent.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the strength of the greenback against a basket of six currencies, was trading at 102.02, higher by 0.19 per cent.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher by 0.91 per cent at USD 101.50 per barrel in futures trade.

On the domestic equity market front, Sensex fell 460 points to 72,599.05 in early trade, while the Nifty declined 164.80 points to 22,610.85.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 2,961.30 crore on a net basis on Tuesday, according to exchange data.

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Day after oppn march, Rahul, Priyanka booked for entering Akashvani Bhawan without permission

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Day after oppn march, Rahul, Priyanka booked for entering Akashvani Bhawan without permission

New Delhi, Oct 07: Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and their supporters for allegedly forcibly entering Akashvani Bhawan during the opposition’s march against the CEC on October 6, officials said on Wednesday.

The FIR was registered after police received a complaint alleging that Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, their supporters and other MPs accompanying them entered the Akashvani Bhawan premises without permission, the Delhi Police officials said.

On Tuesday, the two Congress leaders were among 260 people detained following an over eight-hour sit-in inside Akashvani Bhawan after an INDIA bloc march towards the Election Commission office was stopped by police.

The opposition MPs were protesting against alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission under Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, raising the issue of “vote chori”.

According to Delhi Police, the INDIA bloc parties had planned to march from the Parliament House to the Election Commission on Tuesday. No application seeking permission for the march was submitted to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, and no permission was granted, police had said.

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Government revokes suspension of GMC Jammu cardiology Associate Professor

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Government revokes suspension of GMC Jammu cardiology Associate Professor

Srinagar, Oct 6: The J&K Government today revoked the suspension of Dr Syed Maqbool Ahmad Shah, Associate Professor of Cardiology at Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu. The cardiologist, who faced a scathing media trial here has been reinstated with immediate effect to GMC Jammu.

The order comes nearly four months after Dr Shah was suspended amid allegations concerning cardiac procedures and reimbursement claims under the PMJAY-SEHAT health insurance scheme.

Dr Shah was placed under suspension on June 20, 2026, while he was deputed to GMC Anantnag. The suspension was made due to pending departmental inquiry into allegations related to cardiac procedures and claims submitted under “Golden Card”.

The case had received considerable media attention and vile allegations were made in sections of media, especially on social media portals. While the State Health Agency had sought clarity on 103 cases cardiac procedures that had been performed at GMC Anantnag. These procedures had allegedly been performed and uploaded under a different pacemaker package.

The media trials painted a different and vitriolic story.

In his defence, Dr Syed Maqbool Ahmad Shah had denied the allegations and maintained that the Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LBBAP) procedures were an advanced cardiac pacing technique being used internationally. These, he said, had been performed based on clinical indications. He disputed the suggestion that the procedures were unnecessary merely on the basis of patients’ test results, saying that decisions regarding cardiac interventions involve multiple clinical factors.

He had also denied bypassing the government supply chain, stating that the required material was procured through the government-run Amrit store. Dr Shah had further maintained that the procedures were conducted free of cost and under the cashless PMJAY-SEHAT scheme. Any exceptional patient expenditure relating to purchases made through the authorised system. He had said he had submitted documentary evidence in response to every allegation and expressed confidence that the matter would be decided on the basis of the complete record.

According to Government Order No. 737-JK(HME) of 2026, dated October 6, the decision was taken on the recommendations of the Suspension Review Committee. Dr Shah has been directed to report for duty forthwith at his original place of posting, Government Medical College, Jammu.

The government’s latest order revokes the suspension while the related administrative process is dealt with separately in accordance with the applicable service rules.

The order also states that the period of suspension will be decided separately after completion of the proceedings.

Dr Shah’s reinstatement allows him to resume his professional duties at GMC Jammu with immediate effect.

Greater Kashmir

3 injured, over half a dozen houses damaged in Anantnag fire

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3 injured, over half a dozen houses damaged in Anantnag fire

Anantnag, Oct 07: Over half a dozen residential houses were damaged after a fire broke out in Qazi Mohalla area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Reports said that the blaze erupted from one of the houses and soon engulfed others in the vicinity, causing significant damage to property.

Fire tenders were immediately rushed to the spot. The fire, which erupted at around 2:00 AM, was brought under control and prevented from spreading further. However, considerable damage had already been caused.

In the incident, two locals who were assisting the fire services and one firefighter sustained injuries. They were shifted for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, the cause of the fire was not immediately known. Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident.(GNS)

Greater Kashmir

Fire breaks out at two plastic granules manufacturing factories in Delhi

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Fire breaks out at two plastic granules manufacturing factories in Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 07: A fire broke out at two plastic granules manufacturing factories in the Bhorgarh industrial area here early Wednesday, Delhi Fire Service (DFS) officials said.

They said the fire later spread to the terraces of two adjacent factories.

The fire was reported around 4:30 am and 16 fire tenders were deployed. The blaze was doused by 6:15 am. Cooling operations are underway, the officials said.

Further details are awaited.

Greater Kashmir

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