Issue directions on use of anti-smog guns during construction: SC to govt
The Supreme Court Tuesday asked the Centre to consider issuing directions to ensure adequate use of anti-smog guns and make setting up of smog towers a mandatory requirement during construction of development projects involving government buildings, townships or other major private projects.
The apex court said that time has come to advance the intent behind improving air quality a mandatory feature for modern buildings and more particularly during the phase of construction of major projects in the cities most affected by air pollution.
The top court said this in its 2:1 majority verdict by which it paved way for the ambitious Central Vista Project, covering a three-km stretch from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate in Lutyens' Delhi. READ ON...
8:05 PM
Delhi riots: Prima facie Umar Khalid, others conspired together, says court
There was reasonable ground to prima facie show that former JNU student leader Umar Khalid, suspended AAP Councillor Tahir Hussain and others conspired on north-east Delhi riots last year, a court here said on Tuesday while taking cognisance of the supplementary charge sheet filed in the case.
Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Dinesh Kumar said there was sufficient material on record to proceed against Khalid in the case related to the communal violence in Khajuri Khas area in February last year.
The court said a witness statement was sufficient to show that during the relevant time, Khalid was allegedly in contact with Hussain, accused as the main conspirator who had funded the communal riots and instigated the mob from his house to rob the people and burn down properties. READ ON...
7:46 PM
PM-CARES Fund allocates over Rs 201 crore to boost medical oxygen availability across India
A sum of Rs 201.58 crore from the PM-CARES Fund is being allocated for installing 162 dedicated PSA medical oxygen generation plants in public health facilities across the country, the PMO said on Tuesday.
It stressed that adequate and uninterrupted supply of oxygen is an essential pre-requisite for managing moderate and severe cases of COVID -19, in addition to various other medical conditions where this need arises.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in March announced the creation of the PM's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES) where people can contribute to help in the government's fight against the coronavirus and similar "distressing situations".
7:12 PM
I-T dept questions Robert Vadra for second day in benami assets case
The Income Tax department questioned Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, for the second consecutive day on Tuesday in connection with its probe against him under the benami assets law, official sources said.
A team from the Chandigarh investigation unit of the department, that is handling the probe, was seen going inside Vadra's office in the Sukhdev Vihar area of the national capital around 3 PM.
Vadra is married to Congress leader and Sonia Gandhi's daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. After he was questioned on the first day on Monday, the 52-year-old had said the aim of the tax department's action was to "digress" from the "real issues" concerning the country like the farmers' agitation. READ ON...
6:14 PM
Despite government's nod, theatres remain shut in Kerala
Despite the Kerala government's nod for cinemas to reopen on Tuesday after being shut for months due to the COVID-19 induced lockdown, theatres remained closed as the film industry wanted the authorities to address its demands and concerns before resumption.
There are over 1,200 screens in traditional theatres and multiplexes in the southern state, which exhibit movies. Sources at the Kerala Film Chamber and Commerce (KFCC), an apex body of the associations ofproducers, distributors and exhibitors, said it would take a final decisionon reopening of the cinemas after its emergency meeting scheduled to be held in Kochi on January 6.
The industry players wanted the government to address a host of demands ranging from waiving entertainment tax to forego fixed electricity charges slapped on theatres even thoughit had remained shut for over 10 months.
5:46 PM
United Kingdom PM Boris Johnson cancels visit to India later this month
5:46 PM
Amid bird flu scare, alert sounded in Jammu and Kashmir
As neighbouring Himachal Pradesh reported cases of bird flu, Jammu and Kashmir has sounded an alert and started collecting samples to check the health of the winged guests flocking the Union territory during winters.
The joint teams of Animal Husbandry and Wildlife departments on Tuesday visited Gharana wetland in the outskirts of Jammu and collected 25 bird droppings for testing to ascertain whether any of the birds is infected with the dreaded avian influenza, the officials said.
The J&K government has sounded an alert following reports of bird flu cases in Himachal Pradesh and issued certain guidelines as a precautionary measure, Wildlife Warden, Jammu, Anil Atri told PTI.
5:22 PM
CCPA recommends Parliament's Budget session from Jan 29
The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) has recommended that the Budget session of Parliament commence from January 29 and conclude on April 8. According to the Committee's recommendation, while Part 1 of the Budget session would be held from January 29 to February 15, Part 2 would be from March 8 to April 8.
President Ram Nath Kovind would address the joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament on January 29, a Friday, and the Union Budget wold be presented on February 1, sources said citing the CCPA recommendations.
All COVID-related protocols would be followed during the session, PTI report said. The final decision on the commencement of the session will be taken by the Union Cabinet of Ministers.
5:02 PM
All Covid-related protocols to be followed during the Budget session of Parliament
All Covid-related protocols to be followed during the Budget session of Parliament, reports PTI.
4:51 PM
LIVE: Union Budget on Feb 1, Parliament session starts Jan 29, reports PTI
4:10 PM
Indo-Pacific region needs stability and democratic governance, that's why India important: US envoy Ken Juster
3:45 PM
I-T dept officials at Robert Vadra's home to record statement in 'benami' case
A team of Income Tax department sleuths on Tuesday arrived at the residence of Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra here for the second consecutive day to record his statement in connection with 'benami' properties case. According to I-T department sources, the team arrived around 2.45 p.m. at his Sukhdev Vihar residence here. The team would be questioning Vadra on his business dealings.
On Monday, the I-T team had recorded the statement of Vadra for over nine hours. The team is questioning Vadra as he was unable to join the probe during the Covid pandemic. Vadra is married to Sonia Gandhi's daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is General Secretary of the Congress.
Vadra on Monday had described the I-T department questioning as "vendetta politics" and said that he will be cooperating with any of the investigative agencies and truth will prevail. He is being probed by the I-T department in connection with the benami properties.
3:20 PM
Heavy rains lash Chennai, surplus from Chembarambakkam Reservoir to be released
3:08 PM
Income Tax Department officials reach Robert Vadra's residence
3:04 PM
Donald Trump says he'll 'fight like hell' to hold on to presidency
With mounting desperation, Donald Trump has declared he would "fight like hell" to hold on to the presidency and appealed to Republican lawmakers to reverse his election loss to Joe Biden when they convene this week to confirm the Electoral College vote.
Electoral voters won by President-elect Biden are "not gonna take this White House! he shouted as supporters cheered at an outdoor rally in Georgia on Monday night.
Trump's announced purpose for the trip was to boost Republican Senate candidates in Tuesday's runoff election, but he spent much of his speech complaining bitterly about his election loss which he insists he won by a lot. READ ON...
Latest live news updates: The Income Tax department questioned Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, for the second consecutive day on Tuesday in connection with its probe against him under the benami assets law.
In a significant development, the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) recommended today that the Budget session of Parliament commence from January 29 and conclude on April 8. According to the Committee's recommendation, while Part 1 of the Budget session would be held from January 29 to February 15, Part 2 would be from March 8 to April 8.
The Supreme Court, in a majority verdict, today allowed the Centre to go ahead with its ambitious Central Vista project. The Central Vista revamp, announced in September, 2019 envisages a new triangular Parliament building, with seating capacity for 900 to 1,200 MPs, that is to be constructed by August, 2022 when the country will be celebrating its 75th Independence Day.
 "LIVE: I-T dept questions Robert Vadra for second day in benami assets case")
