News highlights: GST collection rises by 8.5% to Rs 1.82 trn in Nov, shows govt data

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GST collection increases by 8.5% to Rs 1.82 trillion in November, shows govt data.

  Cyclone Fengal that made landfall in the coasts of Puducherry and Tamil Nadu remains stationary for the last six hours close to the union territory nearly 30 kilometres north of Cuddalore and 40 kms east of Villupuram. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed that as of 5:30 am, the cyclone has not moved in the past six hours and remains stationary 120 kilometres south-southwest of Chennai. 

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has submitted its response in a court -- which had allowed a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid here -- seeking control and management of the Mughal-era mosque as it is a protected heritage structure. Representing the ASI, lawyer Vishnu Sharma said the agency submitted its counterargument in the court on Friday, stating that it faced resistance from the mosque's management committee and locals in conducting surveys of the site. 

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is on a two-day visit to Kerala after her maiden electoral win from the Wayanad hill constituency, will address joint public meetings with her brother and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in the district on Sunday. According to the schedule, Priyanka will address gatherings at Mananthavady at 10:30 am, Sulthan Bathery at 12:15 pm, and Kalpetta at 1:30 pm, party leaders said.  Flight operations at the Chennai International Airport resumed this morning after Cyclone Fengal crossed the North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts. The airport had temporarily suspended operations on Nov 30 due to strong winds and heavy rainfall caused by cyclones. Airlines had issued travel advisories and updated their flight schedules in response to the continuous downpours in Tamil Nadu. Several passengers experienced delays, with many stranded at the airport for 8 to 10 hours due to the sudden cancellation of flights. 

The joint military exercise between India and Malaysia, Harimau Shakti 2024, is scheduled to take place from December 2 to December 15 at the Bentong Camp in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army stated on Nov 30. The Army, via an official statement on X, stated that the exercise is expected to enhance interoperability between the Indian Army and the Malaysian Army in conducting sub-conventional operations under the United Nations mandate. This year, the bilateral military exercise is themed around the motto, "Two nations, one mission: Ensuring global peace."   

 

9:49 PM

AP Minister claims over Rs 48,000 crore illegal rice exports through Kakinada Port

Andhra Pradesh Minister N Manohar on Sunday alleged that illegal rice exports worth Rs 48,537 crore, amounting to over 1.3 crore MT, were routed through Kakinada Port under the erstwhile YSRCP regime.

Addressing a press conference, the Minister for Civil Supplies, Food and Consumer Affairs, accused the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government of bringing infamy to the port, located in Kakinada district, and turning it into a "smuggling den".

8:56 PM

Himachal hasn't received disaster relief funds due to Centre's step-motherly treatment: CM

The Union government has not given any funds for disaster relief since last year's monsoon, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Sunday, alleging "step-motherly treatment" towards opposition-ruled states.

Talking to the media persons on the sidelines of World AIDS Day programme here, he said accusing that the central government is discriminatory towards states ruled by opposition parties.

8:52 PM

DGP meet: PM Modi asks police to become strategic, meticulous, adaptable

DGP meet: PM Modi asks police to become strategic, meticulous, adaptable, reliable and transparent.

8:43 PM

DGP meet: Aspirational India to convert challenge into opportunity, says PM Modi

DGP meet: Harness double AI power of artificial intelligence, Aspirational India to convert challenge into opportunity, says PM Modi.

8:35 PM

DGP meet: PM Modi expresses worry over threats generated from digital frauds, cybercrimes

DGP meet: PM Modi expresses worry over threats generated from digital frauds, cybercrimes, potential of deepfake to disrupt relations. 

8:11 PM

NCP (SP) picks Jitendra Awhad as party group leader in Maharashtra assembly

The NCP (SP) on Sunday named party MLA Jitendra Awhad as its group leader in the Maharashtra legislative assembly.

Debutant MLA Rohit Patil has been appointed as the party's chief whip, said state NCP (SP) president Jayant Patil.

"We have named Jitendra Awhad as the legislature party leader since MLCs were not present at the party meeting of the newly-elected MLAs," he told reporters.

7:39 PM

BSF's Western Command seized 250 illegal drones this year, 242 of them in Punjab: Official

Additional Director General of BSF's Western Command Satish S Khandare said here on Sunday that this year's drone seizures along the International Border in Punjab have been the highest and added that the force is deploying anti-drone systems to neutralise illicit drones.

Pakistan is trying to "destabilise the security situation in the country" by sending armed militants into J&K, sending weapons and drugs into Punjab and Rajasthan, he said.

7:00 PM

Manipur situation will impact Assam: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday that the situation in neighbouring Manipur will have an impact on the state.

Additional police forces have been deployed in Barak Valley which shares a border with violence-hit Manipur to ensure no spill-over effects.

 

6:34 PM

Welfare pension fraud: LoP Satheesan sends letter to Kerala CM, FM

The opposition Congress on Wednesday urged the Kerala government to release the names of government employees found to have received social security pensions meant for the poor in the state. The opposition party warned that unless the names were disclosed, even honest officers would fall under suspicion.

6:30 PM

NGT sends notice to Assam's principal chief conservator over forest encroachment in Kamrup

The National Green Tribunal has sought a response from the principal chief conservator of forest, Assam, in a matter regarding alleged encroachment of forest land in the Kamrup metropolitan district of the state.

The NGT has taken suo motu cognisance of a newspaper report claiming that a substantial portion of the 16 reserved forests covering more than 35,329 hectares in the Kamrup metropolitan district had been encroached.

6:26 PM

GST collection rises by 8.5% to Rs 1.82 trn in Nov, shows govt data

GST collection rises by 8.5% to Rs 1.82 trillion in Nov, shows govt data.

 

6:06 PM

Ex-principal of RG Kar College helped two cartels procure hospital contracts: CBI chargesheet

Former principal of Kolkata's RG Kar College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh allegedly helped two cartels in procuring hospital contracts, the agency has said in its recently filed chargesheet.

The special court has taken the chargesheet on record but it is yet to take its cognisance because the West Bengal government has not provided sanction to prosecute Ghosh and other accused.

 

5:43 PM

T'gana govt to implement Rythu Bharosa' scheme after Sankranti festival

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said on Sunday his government is committed to implementing "Rythu Bharosa" (investment assistance to farmers), one of the Congress party's six poll guarantees, after the Sankranti festival. Addressing a press conference, Reddy stated that a committee of cabinet ministers has already been formed to submit a report on the modalities for implementing the scheme, and it will be discussed during the Assembly session this month.

5:23 PM

Maharashtra CM suspense: I'm doing good now...this govt will listen to people, says Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, said on Sunday that he has recovered from a fever and is in good health. Shinde, who had been suffering from a throat infection and fever for the past few days, mentioned that he had retreated to his native village in Satara district to take a break after a hectic election schedule.

4:47 PM

IMD issues red alert for four districts in Kerala; heavy rains expected on Dec 2

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a red alert for four districts in the state, predicting isolated heavy rains on December 2.

According to the latest update from the IMD, the northern districts of Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, and Kannur are expected to experience extremely heavy rainfall on Monday.