LIVE: Some constantly questioning India's democracy, says PM in Karnataka

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5:45 PM

Centre seeks action-taken report from Punjab over PM Modi's security breach

The Central government has sought a detailed action-taken report from the Punjab government over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security breach during his visit to the state on January 5 last year, government sources said on Sunday.

According to sources, a letter has been sent through the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to the Punjab government asking for a detailed action taken report against the erring officers.

It is learnt that Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla asked Punjab Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua to submit the action taken report, highlighting the delay by the Punjab government in acting against the erring officers.

5:40 PM

Some people are constantly questioning India's democracy: PM Modi

5:37 PM

PM Modi dedicates world's longest railway platform in Hubballi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday dedicated to the nation the "longest railway platform in the world" at Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji Hubballi Station near here.

The record has been recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records recently, officials said, adding that the 1,507 m long platform has been built at a cost of about Rs 20 crore.

Modi at an event here, also dedicated the electrification of Hosapete Hubballi Tinaighat section and the upgradation of Hosapete station, for boosting connectivity in the region.

5:35 PM

PM dedicates longest railway platform in the world in Hubballi-Dharwad

4:55 PM

PM Narendra Modi attends a public rally in Huballi-Dharwad district of Karnataka

4:45 PM

Centre opposes pleas for validation of same-sex marriage in SC

The Centre has opposed in the Supreme Court a batch of pleas seeking legal validation of same-sex marriage, saying it would cause a complete havoc with the delicate balance of personal laws and in accepted societal values.

It is submitted that despite the decriminalisation of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, the petitioners cannot claim a fundamental right for same-sex marriage to be recognised under the laws of the country, it said.

In its affidavit, filed before the Supreme Court which is scheduled to hear the matter on Monday, the Centre said the institution of marriage between two individuals of the same gender is neither recognised nor accepted in any uncodified personal laws or any codified statutory laws.

4:40 PM

PM Modi inaugurates permanent campus of Indian Institute of Technology Dharwad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the permanent campus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dharwad. The foundation stone for the institute was also laid by him in February 2019.

Developed at a cost of over Rs 850 crores, the institute currently offers 4-year B.Tech. programs, inter-disciplinary 5-year BS-MS program, M.Tech. and Ph.D. programs.

IIT Dharwad is an Institute of national importance established by the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India in 2016, under the mentorship of IIT Bombay.

4:02 PM

Tax mop-up likely to fall short of revised estimate: Official

The government may not achieve a revised tax collection target of Rs 30.43 lakh crore for the current financial year, a top official said. Revised estimate was raised steeply by over 10 per cent from the budget estimate in the FY24 Budget presented last month, the official said.

The revised estimates (RE) for the current fiscal pegged gross tax revenues at Rs 30.43 lakh crore, higher than the budget estimates of Rs 27.57 lakh crore.

On the direct tax side, the official said, "The RE was quite steep. we are expecting a shortfall. The net collections could be between Rs 15-15.5 lakh crore."

3:37 PM

G20 members to deliberate on Blue economy and responsible AI at 3-day meet

Blue economy and responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be deliberated at the three-day meeting of Supreme Audit Institutions-20 (SAI20) beginning Monday. The meeting is being hosted by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India here on Monday as part of the country's G20 presidency.

The delegates from G20 member countries, guest nations and other International Organizations would attend the SAI20 event.

In addition, the SAIs of Australia, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Oman, the Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Trkiye, and the UAE will also participate in the deliberations, said a release.

3:33 PM

Cough & cold cases up 40%, say NCR docs, as they prepare for H3N2

Cases of cough and cold here have increased by about 40 per cent in the last few months. The Noida Health Department conducted a study involving 3,500 patients in the last three weeks wherein 660 patients showed Covid-like symptoms. However, Covid-19 was not confirmed on antigen test in any of the patients.

Experts have linked it to the fast growing influenza H3N2. A person sick with influenza gets cured in around three days, but suffers from cold and cough till at least 3-4 weeks.

3:25 PM

Torrent Group to appeal against NCLAT order in Reliance Capital matter in SC

With the Committee of Creditors (CoC) for the bankrupt Reliance Capital Ltd set for the second round of Challenge Mechanism on March 20, the Torrent Group, one of the suitors, is likely to mention their plea in the apex court on Monday.

The Torrent group may request the Supreme Court to stay the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal's (NCLAT) order in favour of Reliance Capital lenders and allow another round of auction for the financial services company.

The lenders had approached NCLAT against an earlier order of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) restraining the CoC from extending the auction round to find higher value for the company.

3:08 PM

DA crisis: Bengal governor agrees to mediate, claim agitators

West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has agreed to mediate between the state government and agitating government employees to find out an amicable solution to the ongoing stir and fasting agitation over the demand of payment of dearness allowances.

A five-member delegation of the joint forum of state government employees, the umbrella organisation spearheading the movement in the matter, met the Bose at Governor House on Sunday morning.

 

2:46 PM

Indian Air Force dispenses over 25000 ltrs of water to contain Goa forest fire

The Indian Airforce has taken up all required initiatives to tackle the forestfire in Goa by deploying helicopters to despense water over the affected areas.

Augmenting its firefighting effort near Goa with Mi-17 helicopters, the Indian Airforce dispensed over 25000 ltrs of water over the affected areas on Saturday.

So far, 47000 litres of water have been dispensed by the IAF over the afflicted area, said officials.

2:26 PM

Centre files affidavit before Supreme Court, opposes the legal recognition of same-sex marriage

Centre files affidavit before Supreme Court, opposes the legal recognition of same-sex marriage, the ANI reported.

 

Centre tells SC that same-sex relationships & heterosexual relationships are clearly distinct classes which cannot be treated identically.

2:12 PM

Bank of Maharashtra cuts home loan rate to 8.4% from existing 8.6%

State-owned Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) on Sunday announced a reduction in the interest rate on home loans to 8.4 per cent from the existing 8.6 per cent.

The new rate is effective from March 13, 2023, BoM said in a statement.

The home loan at 8.4 per cent makes it one of the lowest in the banking sector.

Besides, it said, the bank has also a special rate of interest (ROI) for defence personnel, including paramilitary forces, benefiting salaried and pensioner categories for home loans.