LIVE: 25 states/UTs reduced VAT on petrol and diesel so far, says Centre

Covaxin, a vaccine developed in India, was found to have a 77.8 per cent efficacy rate against symptomatic Covid-19, said The Lancet

5:29 PM

Govt sanctions extra borrowing of Rs 16,691 cr to seven states

Seven states namely, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Punjab, Rajasthan and Telangana have achieved the target set by the Ministry of Finance for the capital expenditure upto 2nd Quarter of 2021-22. As an incentive, these states have been granted permission by the Department of Expenditure on Friday to borrow an additional amount of Rs 16,691 crore. The additional open market borrowing permission issued is equivalent to 0.5% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). Additional financial resources thus made available will help the states in pushing their capital expenditure further.

To become eligible for incremental borrowing, States were required to achieve at least 15 percent of the target set for 2021-22 by the end of 1st quarter of 2021-22, 45 percent by the end of 2nd quarter, 70 percent by the end of 3rd quarter and 100 percent by 31st March 2022.

Read the release here

4:59 PM

Indian women's team to tour New Zealand ahead of 2022 ODI World Cup

The Indian women's cricket team will play five ODIs and one T20I in New Zealand next year as part of their preparations for the 50-over World Cup scheduled for March-April, IANS reported.

The six-match series will get underway with a one-off T20I on February 9 and end on February 24.

"The White Ferns will put the finishing touches on their preparations for the upcoming World Cup, to be hosted in New Zealand for the first time in 22 years, when they play India in a six-match series comprising a T20, and five ODIs," New Zealand Cricket announced on Friday.

4:58 PM

EAM meets US Congress delegation, discusses developments in Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday met a delegation of US Congress and exchanged views on the developments in Afghanistan as well as the situation in the Indo-Pacific, PTI reported.

The delegation, led by Senator John Cornyn, is on a visit to India.

"Pleased to meet US Congress Delegation led by Sen @JohnCornyn today in New Delhi. A productive exchange of views on bilateral cooperation and regional issues, including Indo-Pacific and Afghanistan," Jaishankar tweeted.

4:19 PM

Bomb hits mosque in Afghanistan, wounds at least 15

A Taliban provincial spokesman says a bomb exploded in a mosque during Friday prayers in a town near the eastern Afghanistan city of Jalalabad, wounding 15 people, AP reported

Qari Hanif, the government spokesman for Nangarhar Province, said the bomb appeared to have been planted in the mosque in the town of Traili.

The Islamic State group has been waging a campaign of violence in Nangarhar Province, where shootings and bombings against Taliban fighters take place frequently.

4:18 PM

IAF contingent set to perform at the Dubai Air Show

3:55 PM

UP to help govt's commitment to fulfilling needs of defence industry: Rajnath

The government is committed to fulfilling the needs of the defence industry, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday, exuding confidence that a strong defence manufacturing ecosystem will be developed in Uttar Pradesh, PTI reported.

Singh also praised the cooperation of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in the growth of the defence manufacturing ecosystem in the state and said this system will help in the realisation of the dream of India becoming self-reliant.

Speaking at a meeting in the state capital for the promotion of investment in the UP Defence Industrial Corridor, Singh said, The government is committed to meet the requirements of the defence industry."

3:55 PM

Suspected militant arrested in JK's Ganderbal district

Security forces have arrested an alleged militant from Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Friday, PTI reported.

The accused was arrested at a police check point erected near Khann in Ganderbal district on Thursday, the police spokesperson said.

The suspect, identified as Arshad Ahmad Mir, was booked under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and section 7/25 of the Arms Act as preliminary investigation revealed he was a close associate of terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba.

3:17 PM

Insolvency proceedings can be initiated against state-owned discoms: Power Min

Ministry of Power has affirmed that insolvency proceedings can be initiated against state-owned electricity distribution as well as generation firms in case of default of payment by the creditors, PTI reported.

The ministry clarified its stand in a letter written to Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, earlier this month.

The clarification came in reference to a case filed by Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company (TANGEDCO) against ClRP (Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process) proceedings initiated by South lndia Corporation Pvt Ltd in High Court of Madras.

3:13 PM

11 more women army officers to get PC in 10 days, Centre tells SC

2:54 PM

UP govt approves 735 drinking water supply schemes worth Rs 1,882 cr

The State Level Scheme Sanctioning Committee (SLSSC) of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday approved proposals submitted by the State worth Rs 1,882 Crore for making provision of tap water connections in rural areas, informed the Ministry of Jal Shakti on Friday, ANI reported.

As per the ministry, these schemes will cover a population of 39 lakh in 1,262 villages of 33 districts. In the said meeting, 735 schemes were approved by the committee. As per the approval, tap water connections to be provided to 4.03 lakh rural households of the State.

2:52 PM

AAP announces first list of candidates for Punjab polls

2:24 PM

Yogi govt to set up 5,000 health centres in rural areas

The Uttar Pradesh government will set up over 5,000 health and wellness centres (HWCs) to cater to the rural populace, IANS reported.

The decision is designed to provide comprehensive primary health care services to the communities closer to their homes.

According to the government spokesman, the Yogi Adityanath government has worked in a planned and phased manner to expand the healthcare facilities and improve the medical and health infrastructure in the state.

2:21 PM