NEWS

At a government school in Karnataka's Kolar district, around twenty students were allegedly given permission by the headmistress to offer namaz in the classroom every Friday. When a Hindu organisation got wind of this, they protested and put an end to the practice.

Following the protest, Kolar district collector Umesh Kumar has ordered an inquiry and a detailed report on the functioning of the Mulbagal Someswara Palaya Bale Changappa Government Kannada Model Higher Primary School.

Deputy Director of Public Instruction Revana Siddappa has been tasked with visiting the school, conducting an inquiry and filing a report on the same.

"We have been doing this since school reopened two months ago. Permission was given by the school headmistress," one student said.

Ahead of the rollout of the high-speed 5G network, the government is set to give a massive push to telecom infrastructure across the country with plans to add as many as eight lakh new mobile towers over the next two years — more than double the current strength — apart from ensuring that nearly three out of four are connected through optical fibre to increase their data-carrying capacity.

The plans have been discussed with the PMO as the government takes steps to ensure a vastly connected digital environment that can support new-age tech, such as those centred around internet of things, augmented and VR casts, autonomous driving and smart home solutions.

The Niti Aayog has prepared a draft policy for the Indian Railways to set up electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at railway stations across the country, in a bid to promote the use of such vehicles. The draft policy, which has been shared with the ministry of railways, also recommends supply of renewable energy to the charging facilities in line with Indian Railways’ aim to become net-zero carbon emitter by 2030.

The policy is under discussion with the ministry of railways, said Amitabh Kant, Niti Aayog’s chief executive officer. The apex public policy think tank has recommended that while the railways can plan to put in place EV charging facilities at all stations in a phased manner till 2030, the facility can be immediately provided at 123 redeveloped railway stations.

Amid rising Covid cases in state, the Kerala High Court has intervened in the conduction of CPM district party congress which is being held in Kasaragod. The court has limited the number of people who can take part in any public event to 50. The division bench's order will be valid for one week in Kasaragod district.

Kasaragod has recorded 563 covid-19 cases and one omicron case in the last 24 hours.

The court slammed the party and questioned what makes the party congress different at a time when even Republic Day celebration has severe restrictions.