Latest News LIVE: India, China may engage in diplomatic talks soon

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will pay a three-day visit to Russia beginning today to attend a grand military parade in Moscow amid coronavirus pandemic

7:06 PM

Cyclonic circulation over Odisha very likely to move northwestwards: IMD

A cyclonic circulation has been seen over north interior Odisha and neighbourhood, it is very likely to move northwestwards during next three days, said India Meteorological Department (IMD).

 

"A cyclonic circulation is seen over north interior Odisha & neighbourhood between 0.9 km & 7.6 km above mean sea level tilting southwards with height. It is very likely to move northwestwards during next 3 days," IMD tweeted.

 

"Due to these features, conditions are likely for further advance of monsoon into some more parts of MP, UP and Uttarakhand during next 24 hours and into entire Western Himalayan Region, Haryana, Chand. And Delhi, most parts of Punjab, remaining parts of Gujarat, MP and UP and some parts of Rajasthan during subs. 48 hours," IMD wrote in another tweet.

 

Fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall likely over south peninsular India during next four to five days, said IMD.

6:43 PM

Entire nation delighted over SC decision on Jagannath Rath Yatra: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the entire country is delighted over the Supreme Court decision on Jagannath Rath Yatra in Puri and stressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the initiative for consultations which ensured that the "great traditions of our land are observed".

 

In a series of tweets, Shah said that last evening, as per the instructions of the prime minister, "he spoke to Gajapati Maharaj (The King of Puri) and the respected Shankaracharya of Puri and sought their views on the Rath Yatra". Shah said this morning, on the prime minister's instructions, he spoke to the Solicitor General.

 

"Today is a special day for all of us, particularly our Odia sisters and brothers as well as devotees of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath Ji. The entire nation is delighted by the decision of the Honourable Supreme Court to ensure the Rath Yatra goes on," he said.

 

The home minister said he as well as crores of devotees across India were happy that the Prime Minister "not only understood the sentiment of the devotees but also initiated consultations which ensured that the great traditions of the country are observed".

 

"Considering the urgency and importance of the matter, it was placed in front of a vacation bench of the Supreme Court and the hearing took place this afternoon, which paved the way for the important decision by the SC. Congratulations to the people of Odisha," he said.

6:34 PM

Complete shutdown in Puri district of Odisha from 9 pm till Wednesday 2 pm

6:33 PM

Final decision on Mahakumbh Mela in February 2021: Uttarakhand CM

The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad has suggested that the state government should take the final decision on the Mahakumbh Mela in February 2021, said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Monday.

 

"Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the situation around us is changing continuously. Due to this, it is not possible to take any decision on the 'Mahakumbh Mela 2021' now. The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad has suggested that we should take the final decision on the Mela in February 2021," Rawat told ANI.

 

"Currently, no one is in any condition to take decisions at this time. The situation is changing due to Covid-19. We are continuously doing development work related to Kumbh Mela. We have conducted a meeting with the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad. Their suggestions are acknowledged and we will take decisions accordingly," he added.

 

CM Rawat had on Sunday held a meeting with members of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad over 'Mahakumbh Mela 2021', at his residence in Dehradun.

6:30 PM

An earthquake of magnitude 3.6 on the Richter scale occurred in Kasipur area of Rayagada district in Odisha

An earthquake of magnitude 3.6 on the Richter scale, occurred in Kasipur area of Rayagada district in Odisha at 16:40 hours today: National Centre for Seismology

6:26 PM

CBSE likely to inform Supreme Court on Tuesday about its decision on pending board exams

The Central Board of Secondary Education is likely to inform the Supreme Court on Tuesday about its decision on conducting the pending class 10 and 12 board exams, which were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, officials said.

 

The board last week told the court it will "very shortly" take a decision, after a plea by a group of parents sought quashing of the notification for conducting the remaining class 10 and 12 exams from July 1 to 15 and demanded that the students be awarded marks based on an internal assessment or in line with marks allotted for practical exams.

 

A similar request has been made by the Maharashtra, Delhi and Odisha governments to the HRD Ministry.

 

"The decision will be informed to the court on Tuesday and an official notification will accordingly be issued as per directions of the top court," a senior CBSE official said. The parents have said in the plea that students could be exposed to Covid-19 infection if they appear for exams amid an increase in the number of coronavirus cases.

6:05 PM

India receives permanent signatory status of Washington Accord for a further period of 6 years: HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank

5:52 PM

LIVE updates: After military talks, India and China may engage in diplomatic talks soon

India and China are holding military-level talks on Monday to defuse the border tensions. Along with military-level talks, both sides are planning to engage at diplomatic level soon, ANI reported.

 

Officials on both sides are working out a schedule for talks and a meeting may take place soon. Contours of talks are being chalked out and these can take place at multiple levels including Joint Secretary- level. There is still no official word on the proposed meet from both sides.

 

Meanwhile, foreign ministers S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi will be joining virtual RIC (Russia, India, China) meeting on Tuesday. Russia is hosting the meet and it will be on a multilateral agenda with a focus on Covid-19.

 

Diplomatic talks are being planned in the backdrop of a violent face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley. The clash on June 15 happened as a result of an attempt by the Chinese troops to unilaterally change the status quo during de-escalation in eastern Ladakh. India has said that the situation could have been avoided if the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side.

5:39 PM

LIVE updates: Gold slips Rs 85; silver rises Rs 144 per 10 gram

Gold prices in the national capital fell Rs 85 to Rs 48,811 per 10 gram on Monday amid rupee appreciation, according to HDFC Securities. In the previous trade, the precious metal had closed at Rs 48,896 per 10 gram. Silver, however, rose Rs 144 to Rs 49,880 per kg from Rs 49,736 per kg in the previous trade, PTI reported.

 

"Spot gold prices for 24 karat in Delhi were trading down by Rs 85 amid rupee appreciation," HDFC Securities Senior Analyst (Commodities) Tapan Patel said.

 

The rupee on Monday appreciated 17 paise to close at 76.03 (provisional) against the US dollar in line with positive equity markets amid sustained foreign fund inflows. Gold prices in the international market were trading higher at USD 1,746 per ounce and silver at USD 17.83 per ounce.

 

"Gold prices extended gains on Monday on worries over rising coronavirus cases and fear of slow economic recovery. The growing virus cases across the world has turned global investors cautious on riskier assets," he added.

5:36 PM

Indian smartphone makers feel anti-Chinese sentiments unlikely to work in their favour

Indian smartphone makers are not too hopeful over prospects of a reversal in fortunes due to the current anti-Chinese sentiments triggered by the Sino- India border tension, insisting that low-cost funding is the need of the hour to take on foreign rivals. There have been calls for boycott of Chinese products from several quarters following the Ladakh clash that left 20 Indian Army personnel dead.

 

"The early trends are exciting. But, Indian handset makers need low-cost funds to counter the deep-pocketed Chinese companies," Executive Director of the Jaina Group, which owns the 'Karbonn' brand, Abhishek Garg, told PTI. Proper intervention by the government can bring back the fortunes of Indian brands, he said.

 

Most Indian smartphone makers were relegated following the entry of Chinese companies in the last few years, while others turned into OEM suppliers for the overseas firms, industry experts said. Lava International Ltd, another Indian company, said the anger among people against China and its products will not translate into more business for the firm.

 

"It is more of a responsibility for the country. A responsibility to grow ourselves and build such skills and capabilities that could enable us to compete in the China market as well.

 

"These short-term emotions will die down quickly; finally we have to beat our competition by delivering products, which provide a much better proposition than our competitors," said Hari Om Rai, one of the founders and managing director of the company.

Garg said Indian handset makers suffered on several grounds like the inability to match huge marketing spends. Banks, too, tightened credit lines with sliding market share, he said. According to market reports, Karbonn Mobiles, Lava International and Micromax are set to launch new models.

5:20 PM

LIVE updates: SC allows annual Jagannath Rath Yatra to be held in Odisha's Puri with certain restrictions

The Supreme Court on Monday modified its earlier order and allowed the annual Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha's Puri to be held with the coordination of the Temple committee, State and Central government without compromising with the health issue pertaining to Covid-19, ANI reported.

 

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad Arvind Bobde said that the apex court is only considering conducting the yatra in Puri and not anywhere else in Odisha. SC had earlier stayed the annual Rath Yatra at Jagannath Temple in Puri, which is slated to be held on June 23, and all activities related to the gathering in view of the coronavirus pandemic this year.

 

The top court today pronounced the order after hearing a batch of intervention applications seeking modification of its earlier order of staying the annual Rath Yatra at Jagannath Temple in Odisha's Puri in view of Covid-19 pandemic. The apex court, while disposing of the pleas filed in the matter, noted that the State can stop the yatra or festivities if they feel it is going out of hand and added that it was aware of the situation and has passed the order accordingly.

 

Speaking to ANI, petitioner's lawyer Pranay Kumar Mohapatra had earlier said that the pleas sought directions to allows holding of Yatra only at Puri, subject to some restrictions. According to Mohapatra, the plea said that Rath Yatra should be allowed to be held in Puri on its scheduled time and the entire district should be shut down completely.

 

"People should not be allowed to participate in the Rath Yatra and the temple area should be barricaded around 3 kilometres. Odisha government has already conducted Covid-19 tests on 1,172 sevayats, which have come negative," he added.

 

Mohapatra said that if the Rath Yatra is conducted by sevayats, there are fewer chances of coronavirus spread during the religious programme.

5:17 PM

ACC-20 being conducted on 22-23 June to review operational situation on both Northern and Western Fronts: Indian Army

5:07 PM

Army chief General MM Naravane discussing security situation with top Army commanders in Delhi today

4:50 PM

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik will chair Rath Yatra preparatory meeting at 5 pm today

4:47 PM

Galwan Valley face-off: Traders hold protest in Delhi, burn Chinese goods

Traders' body CAIT on Monday burnt Chinese goods in Delhi's main market Karol Bagh to demonstrate their resentment and anger against the killing of 20 Indian soldiers in clashes with the Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley last week.

 

The protesting traders led by Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal were briefly detained by the police and taken to the Karol Bagh Police Station.

 

The trader's body claimed that Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has accepted its demand to cancel three MoUs signed by the Maharashtra government with Chinese companies recently. While complimenting Thackeray, Khandelwal said, "This step is in line with the sentiments of the people of the country and will be a lesson to China".