Live news: Army to issue notification on recruitment process for Agnipath

From rising coronavirus cases to Agnipath recruitment, and more, catch all the latest developments from across the globe here

6:37 PM

IAF says selection process under Agnipath scheme begins June 24

The selection process by the Indian Air Force for recruitment under the Agnipath scheme will start from June 24, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said on Friday. He said that raising the upper age limit to 23 for induction under the Agnipath scheme for the year 2022 would permit a larger section of youths to enrol under the new model of recruitment, PTI reported.

5:23 PM

Army to issue notification on recruitment process for Agnipath

Indian Army to issue by Monday notification on recruitment process for Agnipath scheme, which has sparked nationwide protests: PTI reports quoting government officials.

4:58 PM

Net direct tax collection grows 45% to over Rs 3.39 trn

Net direct tax collection grows 45 per cent to over Rs 3.39 trillion till mid-June, says Central Board of Direct Taxes.

4:36 PM

Agnipath row: Protestors block railway tracks in Bengal

Train services on the Sealdah-Bangaon route in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district were disrupted for a brief period on Friday morning as a group of students held a demonstration on railway tracks protesting against the Centre's newly introduced 'Agnipath' scheme for recruitment in defence services, officials said.

4:19 PM

CBI files case against Gehlot's elder brother and 14 others in fertiliser scam

The CBI has registered a case related to the alleged diversion of fertilisers meant for farmers against Agrasen Gehlot, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's elder brother, and 14 others, and carried out searches at his Jodhpur home and 16 other locations in three states, officials told PTI on Friday. The CBI has named 15 persons, including Agrasen Gehlot, and entities as accused in the FIR.

4:13 PM

One killed, trains torched as Agnipath protests spread across India

One person was killed in police firing in Secunderabad, the first casualty of protests against the Agnipath defence recruitment scheme that raged through several states for the third day on Friday with trains torched, public property vandalised and many thousands blocking tracks and highways. At least 200 trains were affected, 35 cancelled and 13 short-terminated, PTI reported quoting railway officials.

4:01 PM

Govt should revisit Agnipath scheme: Sharad Yadav

Former Union minister and RJD leader Sharad Yadav on Friday said the 'Agnipath' scheme is not a reform but an "attempt to damage" the existing system of recruitment in the armed forces and demanded that the Centre should "revisit" the initiative.  Yadav also expressed concern that after a four-year stint as a soldier, there are more chances of "misuse of the skill" acquired after coming out of the armed forces.

3:50 PM

FM Sitharaman to meet heads of state-owned banks on June 20

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will meet heads of public sector banks (PSBs) on Monday to review performance of the lenders and progress made by them on various schemes launched by the government for revival of the economy. This is the first review meeting after the presentation of Budget 2022-23.

3:27 PM

Agnipath: Protesters set empty bogey on fire in UP's Ballia

Youths protesting against the Centre's new scheme to recruit soldiers on Friday set a bogey of an empty train on fire and vandalised some other trains in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia, prompting the police to lathicharge them. The protests also compelled the Railways to cancel several trains and postpone some as a precautionary measure, PTI reported.

3:02 PM

UK govt approves US request to extradite Julian Assange

UK government approves US request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

12:08 PM

Gurmeet Ram Rahim gets parole for a month from Rohtak's Sunaria jail today

Rape convict Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim gets parole for a month from Rohtak's Sunaria jail today.

12:07 PM

Police chased away protesters who were agitating in Narnaul against Agnipath scheme

12:06 PM

We call upon our youth to avail this opportunity for joining the Indian Army as Agniveers: Army chief

The decision of the government has been received to grant a one-time waiver, increasing the entry age of recruitment to 23 years, for the recruitment cycle of 2022. This decision will provide an opportunity for many of our young, energetic and patriotic youth who, despite Covid pandemic, were preparing to join the recruitment rallies, which couldn't be completed in the last two years due to Covid restrictions. The schedule of the recruitment process will be announced shortly. We call upon our youth to avail this opportunity for joining the Indian Army as Agniveers: Army chief General Manoj Pande

12:03 PM

Agitators protested against Agnipath scheme, at Hajipur railway station today

11:11 AM

Loan recovery agents using harsh methods like calling up at odd hours, foul language unacceptable: RBI Guv

Loan recovery agents using harsh methods like calling up at odd hours, foul language unacceptable: RBI Governor

 

11:11 AM

RBI will soon be issuing guidelines to make digital lending ecosystem safe, sound: Governor Das

RBI will soon be issuing guidelines to make digital lending ecosystem safe, sound: Governor Das

 

11:11 AM

Agnipath Scheme protest: Residence of Bihar's Deputy CM Renu Devi attacked by agitators

The residence of Deputy CM Renu Devi, in Bettiah, attacked by agitators during their protest against Agnipath Scheme. Her son tells ANI, "Our residence in Bettiah was attacked. We suffered a lot of damage. She (Renu Devi) is in Patna."

10:43 AM

Efforts underway to douse fire at Secunderabad railway station by agitators protesting against Agnipath

10:42 AM

Mobile internet, SMS suspended in Faridabad's Ballabgarh as precautionary measure

Following violent protests in Palwal against the Agnipath scheme, Haryana government has suspended mobile internet and SMS services for 24 hours in Ballabhgarh area of Faridabad district as a precautionary measure.

 

The order, which was issued by the Home department and came into effect after 12 am on Friday, led to the suspension of mobile internet services, all SMS services, including bulk SMS (excluding banking and mobile recharge), and all dongle services provided on mobile networks to maintain law and order and prevent the spread of rumours, officials said.

9:49 AM

14th BRICS summit to be held on Jun 23 in Beijing: China

The 14th summit of BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - will be held in Beijing on June 23 via video link, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Friday. China is this year's chair of the BRICS. Chinese President Xi Jinping will chair the summit, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said. The summit will be held via video link. The theme of the summit.

9:37 AM

ED conducts raids in money laundering case against AAP's Satyendar Jain

The Enforcement Directorate is conducting raids at multiple locations in the national capital region in connection with a money laundering case against Delhi minister Satyendar Jain and his associates, officials said Friday morning.

 

9:20 AM

India logs 12,847 coronavirus cases in 24 hours

India logged 12,847 in 24 hours. 14 new deaths were reported.

8:26 AM

Egypt lifts all COVID-19-related entry restrictions

Egypt on Thursday lifted all COVID-19-related entry restrictions for all travelers, whether Egyptians or foreigners. The decision was made by Egypt's Supreme Committee for the Management of the Epidemiology and Health Pandemic Crisis according to the pandemic conditions in Egypt and abroad, said Nader Saad, a spokesperson of the Egyptian cabinet, in a statement.

8:24 AM

PM Modi to inaugurate and lay foundation stone of development projects worth Rs 21,000 cr in Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on June 17 and 18 where he will inaugurate and lay foundation stone of development projects worth Rs 21,000 crores.

 

At around 9:15 AM on 18th June, the Prime Minister will visit and inaugurate the redeveloped temple of Shree Kalika Mata at Pavagadh Hill, which will be followed by his visit to Virasat Van at around 11:30 AM, according to a release by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Thereafter, at around 12:30 PM, he will participate in Gujarat Gaurav Abhiyan at Vadodara, where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 21,000 crores.

8:23 AM

Nagaland well prepared to deal with any rise in Covid count: Official

The Nagaland government is monitoring the COVID-19 situation with the number of fresh cases maintaining a rising trend in several parts of the country, an official said on Thursday. The state is well prepared to deal with any sudden rise in the infection count, Health and Family Welfare department's Principal Director Dr K Vikato Kinimi told reporters.

8:21 AM

Bengal logs 198 new Covid cases

West Bengal on Thursday registered 198 new Covid-19 cases, 32 less than the previous day's count, taking the tally to 20,20,972, the health department said. 

The positivity rate, which was 2.95 per cent on Wednesday, improved a bit to 2.26 per cent, it said in a bulletin. The toll remained unchanged at 21,207 as there were no fresh deaths due to Covid-19.