LIVE: Maharashtra sees 26 more cases of Omicron; night curfew in Kerala

Telangana reports 12 new Omicron cases in the last 24 hours

5:09 PM

Delhi logs 331 news cases of Covid-19

Delhi reports 331 news cases of Covid-19 and one death from the disease in 24 hours, says the state government’s daily health bulleting, marking a 14% increase in daily infections since Sunday.

4:46 PM

Over 4.51 cr ITRs for FY'21 filed till Dec 26

More than 4.51 crore Income Tax returns for 2020-21 were filed till December 26, the I-T department said on Monday. This includes over 2.44 crore ITR-1 and over 1.12 crore ITR-4. ITR Form 1 (Sahaj) and ITR Form 4 (Sugam) are simpler forms that cater to a large number of small and medium taxpayers, PTI reported.

4:21 PM

AAP leader in Chandigarh municipal polls

New entrant Aam Aadmi Party came top in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation polls, winning 14 of 35 wards on Monday. The BJP, which enjoyed a majority in the previous MC House, came a close second registering win in 12 wards while the Congress bagged eight seats and the Shiromani Akali Dal one, PTI reported about parties that will clash in assembly elections next year. 

3:56 PM

More than 279 mn people infected by coronavirus: Reuters story

More than 279.07 million people have been reported to be infected by the coronavirus globally and 5,694,135 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.

3:47 PM

EC holds meeting of 5 states holding elections next year

The Election Commission on Monday assessed the Covid-19 situation in the five poll-bound states with the Union health secretary and asked the top brass of the Narcotics Control Bureau to check the influence of drugs in elections. PTI quoting sources said Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan briefed the commission for nearly an hour on the Covid situation in the country, especially the poll-bound Uttarakhand, Manipur, Goa, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

3:33 PM

Delhi records in 2021 most dengue deaths in 6 years

As many as 23 people died of dengue in Delhi this year: the highest number in the last six years, reports ANI quoting government data. The city recorded 9,545 cases in total this year.

3:15 PM

Maharashtra assembly passes resolution to defer local body polls

 

The Maharashtra Legislature on Monday unanimously passed a resolution on the postponement of local body elections in the state in the absence of 27 per cent reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar moved the resolution in the state Assembly that the upcoming local body elections be postponed until the OBC reservation is restored, PTI reported.

 

2:52 PM

Applications sought for Union Bank of India MD post

The Banks Board Bureau (BBB), which selects top executives for state-owned banks and financial institutions, has invited applications for the post of managing director and chief executive director of Union Bank of India for a three-year term. The post of MD and CEO would fall vacant at Mumbai-based Union Bank of India upon retirement of Rajkiran Rai G in May 2022.

2:35 PM

AAP leads Chandigarh municipal polls

2:12 PM

Russia logs 23,210 new coronavirus cases

Russia reports 23,210 new coronavirus cases and 937 deaths from the disease in past 24 hours, reports Reuters.

2:05 PM

Omicron likely three times more transmissible: Central govt advisory

"The country has witnessed an overall decline in active cases. However, the new variant, Omicron is reported to be at least three times more transmissible than the Delta VOC, and is posing a new challenge for the Covid containment measures," says Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla in advisory to states and union territories.

1:31 PM

Cloud is India's best bet to aid faster innovation at scale in 2022

What the world, and each one of us, experienced in the past two years, has taught us important life lessons. At the same time, it has demonstrated development and progress, which will have a long-term positive impact on society, industry and governance.

 

As a result of the ongoing economic and humanitarian crises, we have all been witness to a major shift to digital as organisations showed resilience and realignment in their businesses. Now, as the country advances its agenda of building a digitally knowledgeable economy, it must also look to create a self-sustaining model of development and progress.

1:27 PM

Pinarayi Vijayan to go to people with controversial K-Rail project

With both the principal Opposition parties Congress-led UDF and the BJP-led NDA vehemently opposing his pet dream project K-Rail, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has decided to reach out to the people to win their confidence.

 

If completed, the flagship railway project will set up a 529.45 km corridor connecting Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod covering the distance within four hours. The estimated cost is in excess of Rs 64,000 crore.

 

Vijayan, on Saturday, had publicly said that he will not be cowed down by the threats but he will explain to the people and win their confidence similar to what happened in the GAIL pipe line project.

1:23 PM

Kerala best state on health parameters, UP worst

Kerala has again emerged as the top ranking state in terms of overall health performance among larger states, while Uttar Pradesh is the worst, according to the fourth Health Index launched by Niti Aayog.

The fourth round of the Health Index took into account the period 2019-20 (reference year).

The report by the government think tank said Tamil Nadu and Telangana have emerged as the second and third best performers, respectively, on health parameters.

1:15 PM

PM Modi lays foundation of projects worth over Rs 28,000 crores in Mandi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attended the ground breaking ceremony for 287 investment projects worth over Rs 28,197 crores in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi to mark the fourth anniversary of the Jai Ram Thakur-led BJP government in the state.

The prime minister is also expected to address a rally at the Paddal ground in Mandi, the home district of Chief Minister Thakur.

Earlier, Modi, accompanied by Union minister Anurag Thakur, visited an exhibition put up by various departments of the state government.