LIVE: Shiv Sena decides to contest the West Bengal Assembly elections

Latest News LIVE: Kevadiya station is India's first railway station with a Green Building Certification. Stay tuned for Latest LIVE news updates

4:03 PM

Delhi's Transport department firming up 'rent a bike' scheme

Tourists in the national capital may soon enjoy rides on rented two-wheelers as the Delhi government's transport department is firming up a scheme to issue licences for 'rent a bike' services in the city, officials said.

 

A presentation of the draft scheme is likely to be made before the transport minister next week for further discussions, a senior transport department officer said.

 

"The presentation was scheduled earlier this month but it was postponed. Now it will be held next week. The draft proposal for bike rent service will require approval of the State Transport Authority (STA)," he said.

3:48 PM

Newsprint cost up 20 pc in 3 months

Cost of paper used to publish newspapers and magazines has jumped 20 per cent in the past three months due to demand-supply imbalance following the pandemic, prompting news publishers to rush to the government seeking waiver of 5 per cent import duty to help cut cost.

 

An industry that was facing headwinds from a slowing economy even before the pandemic, was hit hard when most readers stopped buying newspapers and magazines on fears of them being carriers of viruses.

 

While there are no medical studies that have established the virus transmission theories, sales did not pick up even after lockdown restrictions were relaxed, industry leaders said.

3:06 PM

President, PM express grief over Jalore bus tragedy

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their grief over the bus accident which took place in Rajasthan's Jalore district.

 

"I am deeply saddened to learn of the painful bus accident in Jalore, Rajasthan. My condolences to the bereaved families. I wish those injured to get well soon," tweeted President Kovind.

 

Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister's Office (PMO) tweeted: "The news of a bus accident in Jalore, Rajasthan, has caused immense grief. Many people have lost their lives in this accident. I express my condolences to the family members and wish the injured to get well soon."

2:47 PM

Demand to rationalise GST on food delivery biz to 5 per cent

The restaurants and food delivery sector has demanded that goods and services tax (GST) on home delivery of food be reduced to five per cent from 18 per cent now to boost the $3 billion segment, industry officials said.

 

Customers taking food delivery at their home or office are paying 13 per cent higher price on the same food and beverages compared to customers who are walking down to restaurants as the dine-in tax rate is 5 per cent, they claimed.

2:28 PM

Indian economy may contract 25 pc in current fiscal: Noted Economist

The Indian economy is not recovering as fast as the government claims and the country's economy may contract 25 per cent in the current financial year, noted economist Arun Kumar said on Sunday.

 

Kumar further said that due to a big decline in the GDP during the current financial year, the budget estimates have gone completely out of gear and, therefore, there is a need to correct the Budget.

 

"India's economic growth is not recovering as fast as the government is showing because the unorganised sector has not started recovering and some major components of the services sector have not recovered.

2:14 PM

Modi has been invited by the United Kingdom to attend G7 summit as a guest in June 2021

1:54 PM

Excise duty collection jump 48 per cent this fiscal

While the pandemic pummelled tax collection across the board, excise duty mop-up jumped 48 per cent in the current fiscal on the back of a record increase in taxes on petrol and diesel, that more than made up for the below normal fuel sales.

 

Excise duty collection during April-November 2020, was at Rs 1,96,342 crore, up from Rs 1,32,899 crore mop-up during the same period in 2019, according to data from the Controller General of Accounts (CGA).

 

This despite the fact that over 10 million tonnes less diesel - the most used fuel in the country - was sold during the eight months period.

 

Diesel sales during April-November 2020, stood at 44.9 million tonnes as compared to 55.4 million tonnes a year back, according to data from the oil ministry's Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC).

1:28 PM

Cold weather conditions prevail at many places in Haryana, Punjab

Cold weather conditions continued to persist at many places in Haryana and Punjab on Sunday, with temperatures hovering below the normal limits. According to Meteorological Department officials, Narnaul in Haryana reeled under intense cold, recording a low of 2.5 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal limits.

 

Hisar, too, experienced a cold night at 3.4 degrees Celsius, down four notches, while Sirsa, Bhiwani and Rohtak registered below normal minimums at 4 degrees Celsius, 4.7 degrees, and 5.6 degrees respectively.

 

In Punjab, Bathinda recorded below normal minimum at 3.4 degrees, while Faridkot and Gurdaspur, too, recorded below normal lows at 5.5 degrees and 7 degrees Celsius respectively.

1:19 PM

One lakh tourists will visit Kevadiya in Gujarat daily after improvement in connectivity: PM Modi

1:09 PM

Trains to Kevadiya in Gujarat will help improve lives of tribals: PM Narendra Modi

12:58 PM

Puducherry BJP MLA K G Shankar passes away due to cardiac arrest at 72

BJP's Puducherry unit Treasurer and MLA K G Shankar died of cardiac arrest at his residence early Sunday. The 70-year old leader, a nominated MLA of the Union Territory Assembly, is survived by wife, a son and a daughter. Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, Assembly Speaker V P Sivakolundhu, state BJP president V Saminathan and assembly Secretary R Munusamy were among those who paid their last respects to the departed leader.

 

Bedi placed a wreath on the body of Shankar and conveyed her condolences to the bereaved family.

 

Narayanasamy also consoled the family members of the BJP leader. Shankar was one of the three legislators nominated by the Union Home Ministry to the assembly and all of them were sworn-in at Raj Nivas on July 5, 2017 by Lt Governor Kiran Bedi.

12:36 PM

This connectivity will be beneficial for tourists coming to see Statue of Unity: PM Modi

12:26 PM

Two Chinese nationals held in money laundering case sent to 14-day ED remand

Two Chinese nationals, who were arrested in a money laundering case, have been sent to 14-day remand of the Enforcement Directorate, said ED officials on Sunday. Two Chinese nationals Charlie Peng and Carter Lee were produced to a court which sent them to 14-day remand, ED officials told ANI.

 

"They have been accused of allegedly running a hawala racket to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore. In August 2020, ED has registered a case of money laundering against a Chinese national after their premises were raided by the Income-tax department," they added.

 

42-year-old Peng has been allegedly holding a fake Indian passport and also accused of creating a web of sham companies which he used to launder hawala funds to and from China.

 

Peng had been arrested in 2018 by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police on charges of fraud and forgery. It may be recalled that in August 2020 the Income Tax Department conducted raids against some Chinese individuals and their local associates for allegedly indulging in a money-laundering racket involving Rs 1,000 crores using shell or dubious firms.

12:02 PM

PM Modi flags off 8 trains to boost connectivity to Statue of Unity

11:46 AM

Eight trains services started today up to Kevadiya in Gujarat: Indian Railways