Rain, snow likely in Himachal from April 13-15

Shimla: Rain and snowfall are likely in parts of Himachal Pradesh on April 13, 14 and 15, an official from the local meteorological centre said on Thursday. The weather office also issued an “orange” alert for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusty winds and hail at isolated places in seven districts on April 13 and 14. According to the state emergency operation centre, 132 roads, including three national highways, remain closed for traffic. Of the total, 127 roads were closed in the tribal Lahaul and Spiti district.Rain and snow are likely in parts of the state on April 13, 14 and 15, Director Meteorological Centre, Shimla, Surender Paul said. The MeT also predicted a wet spell in the state till April 17 with the possibility of heavy rain and snow at isolated places in Chamba, kanga, Kullu and Mandi districts on Sunday. Light rains lashed parts of Himachal and Bharmaur received 15 mm of rain in the past 24 hours followed by Chopal and Palampur 5 mm each, Chamba 4,5 mm, Narkanda and Baijnath 4 mm each, Sainj 3 mm, Nadaun 2.5 mm, Theoig and Jogindernagar 2 mm each, Khadrala 1 mm while Kukumseri and Shimla received traces. There was no significant change in the minimum temperatures. Keylong was coldest at night with a low of 0.2 degrees Celsius.

Congress will set a new direction for women's empowerment, says Selja

Chandigarh:  General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee Kumari Selja on Thursday said that in its manifesto, the party has made five major guarantees for the upliftment of women. Upon forming the government, the Mahalaxmi Scheme will be implemented, where one woman from each poor family will be provided with one lakh rupees annually without any conditions. The needy families will be identified as beneficiaries. This amount will be transferred to the bank account of the eldest woman in the family, or in her absence, to the eldest family member's account. She said that Congress's 'Half Population, Full Rights' scheme will ensure that 50 percent of all new recruitments in the central government are reserved for women, granting them equal rights in society. Under the 'Nari Shakti Samman Yojana' (Women's Power Respect Scheme), the contribution of the central government to the monthly wages of ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and mid-day meal cooks will be doubled. The 'Adhikar Maitri Yojana' will appoint a rights friend in every panchayat to inform women of their legal rights and help implement them. The 'Savitribai Phule Hostel Scheme' will ensure the central government opens at least one hostel in every district for working women. The principle of equal pay for equal work will be implemented to prevent wage discrimination against women, and the amount of institutional loans provided to women will also be increased.