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New Delhi, Jan 7 (IANS) A powerful earthquake of 7.1 magnitude struck Nepal on Tuesday morning, sending tremors across parts of North India, including Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim and Delhi-NCR.

The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported that the earthquake occurred at 6:35 AM (IST) with its epicentre at latitude 28.86 degrees North and longitude 87.51 degrees East, at a depth of 10 kilometres. The epicentre was located in Xizang (Tibet Autonomous Region), near the Nepal border.

“EQ of M: 7.1, On: 07/01/2025 06:35:18 IST, Lat: 28.86 N, Long: 87.51 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Xizang,” the NCS posted on X.

Two subsequent earthquakes were recorded in the region shortly after. A 4.7 magnitude tremor was reported at 7:02 AM (IST) with its epicentre at latitude 28.60 degrees North and longitude 87.68 degrees East, at a depth of 10 kilometres. Minutes later, at 7:07 AM (IST), another earthquake of magnitude 4.9 was registered at latitude 28.68 degrees North and longitude 87.54 degrees East, at a depth of 30 kilometres.

The tremors were strongly felt in parts of Bihar, prompting people to rush out of their homes and apartments in panic. However, no casualties or property damage have been reported so far.

Nepal is a seismically active region where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide. Due to tectonic activity in the Himalayas, the country frequently experiences earthquakes.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred 93 kilometres northeast of Lobuche, near the Nepal-Tibet border. Lobuche, located near the Khumbu Glacier, lies approximately 150 kilometres east of Kathmandu and 8.5 kilometres southwest of Everest Base Camp.

The seismic activity has heightened concerns in the region, which is no stranger to devastating earthquakes. Authorities in Nepal and the affected parts of India closely monitor the situation.

–IANS

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Bhopal, Jan 27 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will embark on a four-day (January 27 to February 1) foreign visit to Japan on Monday.

He will be visiting three prominent cities in Japan — Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe — and will interact with leading industrialists. During the one-to-one interaction with Japan’s leading industrialists, the Chief Minister will highlight the opportunities for investment in Madhya Pradesh. He will also invite industrialists to participate in the Global Investors Summit in Bhopal.

Chief Minister Yadav along with a group of senior officials will leave for Japan from New Delhi on Monday night. This visit is expected to enhance bilateral trade, open new avenues for investment, and strengthen Madhya Pradesh’s position as a global industrial hub.

During the visit on January 29, CM Yadav will engage in individual meetings with business executives at Tokyo’s Imperial Hotel. Later, he will visit the headquarters of prominent companies, including Bridgestone, and hold discussions with Japan’s major industry bodies, such as the Japan Business Federation and JETRO.

CM Yadav will visit Kyoto to explore the city’s industrial and cultural landmarks. He will hold G2G and B2G meetings to promote collaboration in key sectors. The Chief Minister will conclude his Japan tour and return to New Delhi on February 1. The visit aims to attract investments in key sectors, including agriculture, dairy and food processing, IT/ITeS, robotics, pharmaceuticals, electric vehicles, automobiles, urban infrastructure, aerospace, defence, and tourism. This is CM Mohan Yadav’s second foreign visit in a span of three months. His visit aims to showcase MP’s investment potential and further strengthen India-Japan trade relations.

Japan is a key trade and investment partner for MP. In the financial year 2023-24, India-Japan trade stood at $22.85 billion, with MP exporting aluminium, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and textiles.

In November 2024, the CM visited London and Germany (November 24 and 29) to attract investments for next year’s Global Investors’ Summit (GIS).

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Madhya Pradesh’s Global Investors Summit -2025 on February 24. It is the state’s 8th Global Investors Summit (GIS-2025) to be organised at the Indira Gandhi National Museum of Mankind campus in Bhopal.

Before it, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav-led MP government held seven Regional Industry Conclaves between March 2024 and January 2025 and received an investment of more than Rs 4 lakh crore, which is expected to generate more than 3 lakh employment opportunities.

–IANS

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Bengaluru, Jan 14 (IANS) The Karnataka Congress-led government convened an emergency Cabinet meeting on Wednesday in Bengaluru and decided to convene a special Legislature debate from January 22-31 on the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), (VB-G RAM G) Act to pressure the Centre.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil addressed a press conference at the conference hall of Vidhana Soudha and briefed the media about the decisions taken at a special emergency Cabinet meeting held earlier in the day.

“It was decided to convene the joint sitting on Thursday, January 22, at 11.00 am. The joint session will continue from January 22 to January 31. Appropriate steps to protect public and state interests,” he stated.

Minister Patil said, “The Cabinet took three key decisions. It was decided to convene the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council session on January 22. The Cabinet also decided to invite the Governor to address the joint session of the Legislature on the same day. Further, the Cabinet authorised the Chief Minister to approve the Governor’s address to the joint session.”

“Special discussion convened to create awareness on social and economic impact of VB-G RAM G Act. The Cabinet resolved to hold a special discussion during the joint session of the Legislature to create awareness among the public about the social and economic impact of the new Act on society and to take a resolution on the legislation,” he said.

The Minister said the government would take appropriate steps to protect public interest and the interests of the state. He said the government cannot remain silent if attempts are made to snatch away the rights of the people of the state under the federal system.

He said the government cannot avoid convening a legislative session and that efforts are being made to create awareness and exert pressure on the Centre for the restoration of the MNREGA Act.

Responding to a question on why other states had not raised objections, the Minister said the governments of Punjab and Tamil Nadu have voiced their concerns. He added that six to seven states have clearly expressed their opposition and dissatisfaction.

Under the MNREGA Act, it was not only mandatory to provide work, but beneficiaries were also entitled to seek unemployment allowance if work was not provided. Panchayats had the authority to decide on works.

Under the new Act, panchayats have been stripped of these powers and the decision on where works should be undertaken will rest entirely with the Centre. He said workers who were earlier engaged in creating rural assets are now being asked to work under contractors for road and tunnel construction.

By taking away people’s right to work, snatching decision-making powers from panchayats, and centralising authority, the new law strikes at the very concept of decentralisation, he said.

For all these reasons, the Cabinet has decided to create public awareness, hold a special discussion, and exert pressure on the Union government, he said. He added that the government has also decided to approach not only the people’s court but also the court of law.

Responding to allegations by BJP and JD(S) leaders who have challenged the government, the Minister said the purpose of audits in the state is to detect irregularities, and action has already been taken. He recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had strongly criticised MNREGA when he first assumed office, but went on to praise the same scheme over the next 12 years.

–IANS

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