LIVE: PM Modi takes out mega roadshow in poll-bound Karnataka
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 "narendra modi")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Ghazipur's MP MLA court convicts jailed mafia Mukhtar Ansari in a gangster case and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh.
Meanwhile, India saw a single-day rise of 7,171 new coronavirus cases, while the active cases have decreased to 51,314, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday. The death toll increased to 5,31,508 with 40 deaths, which included 15 reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.
In another development, the Gujarat High Court today said that it will resume hearing the appeal of Congress leader and former MP Rahul Gandhi against his conviction in a criminal defamation case on May 2.
Delhi Police to provide security to wrestlers-complainants, record their statement
Sources in Delhi Police on Saturday said it will extend security to wrestlers party to the case against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who was earlier booked under sections of outraging the modesty of a woman, stalking, and section 10 of POCSO Act in two FIRs.
The BJP MP has been accused of sexual harassment by seven women wrestlers, and a minor girl.
Police will now move to recording the statements of the seven complainants.
Twitter to allow publishers to charge users on a per article basis starting May
Twitter Inc CEO Elon Musk said on Saturday that the social media platform will allow media publishers to charge users on a per article basis with one click, calling it a win for both the public and media organizations.
The feature, to be rolled out in May, will enable users who do not "sign up for a monthly subscription to pay a higher per article price for when they want to read an occasional article," billionaire owner Musk tweeted.
On Friday, Musk had said that Twitter will take a 10% cut on content subscriptions after the first year, noting that the company will not take a cut for the first 12 months. These subscriptions include long-form text and hours-long video.
US conducts first evacuation of its citizens from Sudan war
Hundreds of Americans fleeing two weeks of deadly fighting in Sudan reached the east African nation's port on Saturday in the first US-run evacuation, completing a dangerous land journey under escort of armed drones.
American unmanned aircraft, which have been keeping an eye on overland evacuation routes for days, provided armed overwatch for a bus convoy carrying 200 to 300 Americans over 500 miles or 800 kilometers to Port Sudan, a place of relative safety, US officials said.
The US, which had none of its officials on the ground for the evacuation, has been criticised by families of trapped Americans in Sudan for initially ruling out any US-run evacuation for those among an estimated 16,000 Americans in Sudan who wish to leave.
Food conclave attracts Rs 7,000 crore investments to Telangana: Govt
The inaugural 'Food Conclave 2023' on Saturday concluded here on a strong note attracting investment of over Rs 7,000 crore that would lead to over 58,000 direct jobs, the state government said.
A press release from the state government said the one-day conclave, which boasts a reputation as one of the most prestigious and influential gatherings in the food-agri community, featured an array of new partnerships and investments, further cementing its position as a key platform for shaping the future of the industry.
Industries Minister K T Rama Rao, in his inaugural address, said Telangana identifies food processing as a core thrust area and during the past five years, the state has added more than Rs 7,000 crore worth fixed capital base to food processing capacities in order to boost the sector.
FM asks CBIC to begin automated GST return scrutiny by next week
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday directed the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) to introduce its automated GST return scrutiny by next week, and to implement an action plan to increase the taxpayer base through enhanced use of technology.
In a review meeting of the CBIC, she directed the board to intensify its drive against fake billing and input tax credit (ITC).
Sitharaman desired that the CBIC may undertake a comprehensive root cause analysis by studying the typology of cases already booked, and come up with recommendations on technology-based solutions to address the menace and prevent its occurrence.
Excise 'scam': Delhi court extends Manish Sisodia's judicial custody
A Delhi court on Saturday extended till May 8 the judicial custody of AAP leader Manish Sisodia in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise scam, a day after it denied him bail saying the evidence against him prima facie spoke "volumes" about his involvement in the alleged offence.
Sisodia, in jail for his alleged involvement in the case, was produced before Special Judge M K Nagpal. The Enforcement Directorate, which is probing the case of alleged money laundering, sought extension of his judicial remand which the court granted.
Amit Shah holds roadshow in Mangaluru
BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted a roadshow in the city on Saturday evening as part of the party's campaign for the May 10 Assembly elections.
Thousands of people including BJP workers gathered on the streets. Shah waved to the cheering crowd at all places on his way from Clock Tower to Govinda Pai circle in the city. Tight security was arranged for the roadshow.
Shah was accorded a rousing welcome in the city by party workers, who raised slogans in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah and state party leaders. He was welcomed with drum beats and tiger dance.
The Union Minister was accompanied by Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Mangaluru South MLA Vedavyas Kamath, BJP district president Sudarshan Moodbidri and other leaders.
Maharashtra sees 489 Covid-19 cases, one death, active tally at 4,079
Maharashtra on Saturday recorded 489 COVID-19 cases and one death, which took the state's tally to 81,65,466 and the toll to 1,48,514, a health official said.
On Friday, the state had seen 597 cases and two deaths, he pointed out.
The recovery count increased by 1,126 in the last 24 hours to touch 80,12,873, leaving the state with an active caseload of 4,079, he said.
Noted historian Ranajit Guha dies at 100
Noted historian Ranajit Guha has died due to old age-related ailments, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Saturday. Guha, who was 100 years old, died at his residence in Austria on Friday. He left behind his wife Mechthild.
Condoling his demise, Banerjee said Guha was instrumental in motivating young historians in pursuing studies on the subaltern society.
The CM said Guha had taught in many places across the world and has many disciples and admirers. She offered her deepest condolences to his near and dear ones.
Central Bank of India Q4 profit surges 84% to Rs 571 cr
Central Bank of India on Saturday reported 84.19 per cent jump in net profit at Rs 571 crore for the quarter ended March 2023 as bad loans fell.
The bank's net profit was Rs 310 crore in January-March 2021-22.
"Operating profit has shown a growth of 16.27 per cent on year-on-year basis to Rs 2,108 crore for Q4FY23 as against Rs 1,813 crore for Q4FY22," the bank said in a statement.
Sealed 11 illegal dairies, impounded 245 stray cattle this week: MCD
The MCD sealed over 10 illegal diaries and impounded 245 stray cattle across the national capital during the week, officials said on Saturday.
The action was carried out to ensure the safety of both the cattle and the general public, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) said in a statement.
"As part of the operation, 11 illegal dairies were also sealed in Sangam Vihar, Seelampur, Hastaal and Aya Nagar. These dairies were operating without the necessary permits and in violation of the law," the statement said.
J&K rail project: Country's first cable-stayed rail bridge in Reasi completed
The work on the country's first cable-stayed railway bridge at Anji Khad in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir has been completed, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.
The completion of the bridge drew praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is keenly monitoring the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL), which will provide rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country.
In 11 months, India's first cable-stayed rail bridge (Anji Khad) is ready..., Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw tweeted on Friday, sharing a video of the completed bridge. The total length of the cable strand used in the bridge is 653 km.
Reacting to Vaishnaw's tweet, the prime minister wrote excellent.
UP govt launches Bijli Mitra initiative to stop electricity theft
In a novel initiative to stop electricity theft in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government has launched Bijli Mitra. The Bijli Mitra link has been introduced on Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) website, which will enable people to report electricity thefts to the UPPCL without disclosing their identities so that the culprits could be brought to book.
It is notable that the state government is taking strict measures to stop electricity theft along with providing uninterrupted power supply to every family. Recently, the government has started a campaign to identify people with illegal electricity connections and give them legal connections and Bijli Mitra is part of this drive.
PM Modi takes out mega roadshow in Bengaluru
Ending a busy day of electioneering for the BJP in poll-bound Karnataka after back-to-back rallies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in a mega roadshow in north Bengaluru on Saturday drawing an enormous response from a huge crowd.
Modi, who flew into the city from Kudachi in Belagavi district in northern Karnataka around 5 pm after addressing his third public meeting in the state, rode in a specially designed vehicle.
Sporting a saffron cap, Modi was flanked by Bangalore North MP D V Sadananda Gowda and BJP MLC C Narayanaswamy. A large number of people thronged both sides of the road to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister and showered flowers on him.
Vote for double engine govt in Karnataka: Amit Shah
The people of Karnataka should choose a double engine government in the State by voting for BJP in the May 10 Assembly elections instead of a reverse gear' government of the Congress, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday.
Addressing a massive gathering here, he said the Central government led by Narendra Modi had brought various schemes worth Rs 2,26,418 crore during the last four years in Karnataka, whereas the previous UPA government provided only Rs 99,000 crore to the State during their rule.
"A reverse gear government by Congress will only turn Karnataka into their ATM state. The BJP has to come to power to ensure prosperity, development and peace," he said.
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First Published: Apr 29 2023 | 8:38 AM IST
