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5:35 PM

RBI to extend trading hours to 3:30 pm from 2 pm starting November 9

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday said it will restore trading hours in the bond and currency markets in a graded manner, effective November 9.

 

The trading hour restrictions were put in place on April 7, in view of the national lockdown owing to the Covid crisis. The lockdown caused operational dislocations, preventing normal functioning of the markets.

 

"With the graded roll-back of the lockdown and easing of restrictions on movement of people and functioning of offices, it has been decided to restore trading hours for regulated markets in a phased manner,” the RBI said in a notification.

5:04 PM

Govt to focus on efforts like targeted RT-PCR testing in sensitive zones such as restaurants, markets, salons: MHA

5:03 PM

It is emphasised that Metro travel in Delhi should be carefully regulated, strictly in accordance with SOPs: MHA

4:57 PM

Election Commission to file reply at earliest, ECI on SC's stay on revoking Kamal Nath's star campaigner status

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will file a response at the earliest on the Supreme Court order staying its decision to revoke former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Congress leader Kamal Nath's star campaigner status, officials said on Monday.

 

"Hon'ble Supreme Court is supreme. EC has been given an opportunity to file a reply in the matter, which shall be filed at the earliest," ECI officials told ANI here.

 

Earlier today, the Supreme Court stayed the Election Commission's decision to revoke Kamal Nath's status as star campaigner due to alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct for his speeches.

 

The Congress leader had allegedly referred to BJP leader Imarti Devi contesting MP bypoll BJP from Sabra as an 'item' during a by-election rally, sparking a controversy. Nath had later expressed regret over his remarks and said he did not intend to insult anyone. However, he said there was no need for him to apologise. "Why should I apologise when I did not intend to insult anyone? If anyone felt insulted, I have already expressed regret," Nath had said.

4:50 PM

Surge in active cases in Delhi attributed to festival season with greater movement of people, laxity in adhering to safe Covid-19 behaviour: MHA

4:49 PM

Hospital bed situation reported to be comfortable with 57% of 15,789 dedicated Covid-19 beds being vacant: MHA

4:40 PM

With Covid-19 disruptions, Budget FY22 may base estimates on FY20 numbers

Covid-19 pandemic may change the baseline for the preparation of next year's budget with government likely to use 2019-20 numbers to give estimates for FY22. Highly placed government sources said that the pandemic has brought about extraordinary situation that needed extraordinary solutions.

 

Basing FY22 budget estimates on FY20 number would help in providing correct picture about the projections on taxes and expenditure as the pandemic completely turned the budget estimates of FY21 topsy turvy, the source said.

 

The change of the base year for making estimates would also prevent the government from taking up the fiscal deficit numbers further and restraining expenditure.

 

The concern over the changes is coming from the tax numbers that have come during the first half of current fiscal. Against the tax revenue target of Rs 16.36 lakh crore for FY21, in the first half period (April-September), total tax collections have been to the tune of only Rs 4.58 lakh crore or just about 28 per cent of the budget target.

4:37 PM

Delhi's economy mainly based on service industry; hi-tech, service industry to be provided space at cheaper rates: CM Kejriwal

4:37 PM

Manufacturing units, which cause pollution, will be given option to shift to service or hi-tech industry: Delhi CM Kejriwal

4:36 PM

Farm fire share in Delhi's pollution 40%, but Oppn in denial: Gopal Rai

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday targeted the BJP and the Congress on the issue of stubble burning, saying the share of farm fires in Delhi's pollution has soared to 40 per cent but the opposition parties are in denial.

 

According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality monitor, SAFAR, the share of stubble burning in Delhi's pollution rose to 40 per cent on Sunday, the maximum so far this season. It was 32 per cent on Saturday, 19 per cent on Friday and 36 per cent on Thursday, the second highest this season so far.

 

"We have been saying it again and again that stubble burning is a major reason behind severe levels of pollution in Delhi around Diwali, but the BJP and the Congress say the share of farm fires in Delhi's pollution was just 4 to 6 per cent, whereas statistics show it has increased to 40 per cent," Rai told reporters during the launch of "Red Light On, Gaadi Off" campaign in all 272 wards of Delhi to curb vehicular pollution. READ ON...

4:28 PM

Centre has okayed Delhi govt's proposal over new industrial areas and issued notification; this will be historic step: CM Kejriwal

4:16 PM

31% candidates in Bihar phase 3 polls have declared criminal cases against them: ADR

Out of 1,195 candidates contesting in phase-3 of the Bihar assembly elections later this week, 31 per cent have declared criminal cases against themselves, according to a report by poll rights group Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

 

About 282 or 24 per cent have declared serious criminal cases against themselves. Serious criminal cases are non-bailable offences attracting over five years of imprisonment, the report said. As many as 361 or 30 per cent of these candidates have stated their financial assets to be worth crores of rupees, the report said. Out of 1,195 candidates analyzed, 371 or 31 per cent have declared criminal cases against themselves, it said.

 

According to the report, 32 (73 per cent) out of 44 candidates analysed from the RJD have declared criminal cases against themselves and 22 (50 per cent) of them have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

4:04 PM

Sensex ends 144 points higher; financial stocks sparkle

Equity benchmark Sensex ended 144 points higher on Monday, tracking strong buying sentiment in financial stocks amid positive cues from global markets.

 

After gyrating 633.11 points in a choppy session, the 30-share BSE index settled 143.51 points or 0.36 per cent higher at 39,757.58. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty advanced 26.75 points or 0.23 per cent to 11,669.15.

 

IndusInd Bank was the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rallying around 7 per cent, followed by ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC, Bharti Airtel, SBI, Bajaj Finance and HDFC Bank.

3:59 PM

Delhi violence: HC sets aside trial court's order granting bail to private school owner

The Delhi High Court Monday set aside the trial court order granting bail to a private school owner in a case related to communal violence in north-east Delhi during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in February. Justice Suresh Kumar Kait said the trial court has granted bail to accused Faisal Farooq at a pre-mature stage while ignoring the relevant material on record.

 

The high court allowed the plea of Delhi Police challenging the trial court's June 20 order granting bail to Farooq. The accused was not released from jail as there was a stay on the bail order.

 

Farooq, owner of the Rajdhani School in Shiv Vihar locality was among the 18 arrested, for alleged involvement in burning and damaging property of the adjacent DRP Convent School. The police had challenged the trial court bail order saying the decision was ex-facie unwarranted. Delhi Police had on June 3 filed a charge sheet before the court against Farooq and 17 others in the incident in which the building of a private school was burnt down in north-east Delhi.

3:46 PM

Only 6.83% active coronavirus cases, recovery rate at 91.68%: Union Health Ministry

The Union Health on Monday informed that the active coronavirus cases comprise only 6.83 per cent of the total positive cases of the country and added that the overall recoveries have crossed 75 lakh. With 45,230 new infections in the last 24 hours, India's total COVID-19 tally reached 82,29,313 on Monday.

 

"53,285 recoveries have been registered in the last 24 hours in the country. The active cases have sustained on the downslide. The total active cases in India stand at 5,61,908. The Active Cases comprise only 6.83% of the total positive cases of the country," according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's release.

 

The ministry said that the percentage of active cases have reduced more than 3 times in a span of just two months. On September 3, the percentage active cases were 21.16 per cent, it said. At present, the national recovery rate is 91.68 per cent. The health ministry said that 10 States and Union Territories account for 82 per cent of fatalities in the past 24 hours.