Latest News LIVE: 39.7 mn ITRs filed for FY20 till Dec 24, says I-T dept

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11:07 PM

Sabarimala temple income plunges to Rs 9 cr due to Covid restrictions

Sabarimala temple income drops from Rs 156.60 crore to Rs 9.09 crore due to Covid-19 restrictions. So far 71,706 devotees performed darshan till 39 days into Sabarimala pilgrimage season: Travancore Devasom Board

9:42 PM

Atal Rohtang tunnel to remain closed for 1 hour tomorrow

The Atal Tunnel Rohtang Tunnel will remain closed from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm tomorrow for maintenance work: Lahaul Spiti Police

9:19 PM

Cong expels former Assam minister amid speculation of jumping ship to BJP

Congress expels former Assam minister and sitting MLA from Golaghat Ajanta Neog for "indulging in anti-party activities" amid speculation that she may join BJP

8:18 PM

Forex reserves rise by $2.56 billion to record $581.131 billion

The country's foreign exchange reserves surged by USD 2.563 billion to touch a record high of USD 581.131 billion in the week to December 18, RBI data showed. In the previous week, the reserves had declined by USD 778 million to USD 578.568 billion. In the reporting week, the increase in reserves was due to a rise in foreign currency assets (FCAs), a major component of the overall reserves.

 

FCAs rose by USD 1.382 billion to USD 537.727 billion, the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) weekly data showed.

 

Expressed in dollar terms, the foreign currency assets include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US units like the euro, pound and yen held in the foreign exchange reserves. The gold reserves increased by USD 1.008billion in the reporting week to USD 37.020 billion in the week ended December 18, the data showed. READ MORE...

7:55 PM

Rajinikanth is stable and being monitored closely: Apollo Hospital

7:24 PM

Air quality improves to 'very poor' in Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Gurgaon

The average air quality improved from severe level and was recorded in very poor category in Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Faridabad and Gurgaon, according to a 24-hour data issued by a government agency on Friday. Presence of pollutant PM 2.5 and PM 10, though, remained high in the five immediate neighbours of Delhi, according to the air quality index (AQI) maintained by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

 

According to the index, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. The average 24-hour AQI at 4 pm onFriday was 391 in Ghaziabad, 376 in Greater Noida, 386 in Noida, 328 in Faridabad and 302 in Gurgaon, according to CPCB's Sameer app.

 

The average air quality in Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad was recorded in severe category for three days in a row till Thursday, according to the agency. The CPCB states that an AQI in the very poor category may cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure while severe affects even healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases.

7:03 PM

Reliance to buy out IMG Worldwide from sports management joint venture

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has agreed to buy out IMG Worldwide LLC from their sports management joint venture for Rs 52.08 crore. The nation's biggest company by market value, in a stock exchange filing, said it will buy IMG Worldwide's 50 per cent stake in IMG-Reliance Ltd (IMG-R) for no more than Rs 52.08 crore in cash.

 

RIL will rebrand the company after the closure of the deal. RIL had formed an equal joint venture with IMG Worldwide, an international sports marketing and management company, in 2010 to develop, market and manage sports and entertainment in India.

 

IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion, events and media, operating in more than 30 countries, and is a part of the Endeavor network. READ ON...

6:26 PM

User fee collection through FASTag crosses Rs 80 crore per day with record 50 lakh transactions: NHAI

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Friday said the electronic toll collection through FASTag has crossed Rs 80 crore a day with record 50 lakh transactions per day. Over 2.20 crore FASTag have been issued so far.

 

"The toll collection through FASTag first time crossed Rs 80 crore per day on December 24, 2020, with record 50 lakh FASTag transactions per day, a historical landmark," NHAI said in a statement.

 

With FASTag being mandatory for vehicles from January 1, 2021, the NHAI has made all necessary arrangements to provide seamless movement of vehicles at toll plazas, it said.

 

Adoption of FASTag has helped highway users save time and fuel at the toll plazas, NHAI said. It added that the digital transaction has got a push following the recent amendment in the Central Motor Vehicle Rules.

6:12 PM

Encounter underway between security forces and militants in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir

6:06 PM

Former CEO of BARC Partho Dasgupta sent in police custody in TRP scam

A magistrate's court on Friday remanded Partho Dasgupta, a former CEO of the rating agency Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), inpolice custody till December 28 in the alleged fake TRP scam. Dasgupta was arrested by the Mumbai crime branch from Pune district on Thursday and produced before the court on Friday.

 

The police sought his remand for further probe, saying his custodial interrogation was required to understand his role in the scam.

 

Dasgupta's lawyer Kamlesh Ghumre argued that the offences of cheating and criminal breach of trust for which he has been booked were not made out against him. The probe was harassment and a use of pressuring tactics by police, the lawyer alleged. After hearing both the sides, the court sent the accused in the custody of crime branch till December 28. Dasgupta is the fifteenth person to be arrested in the case related to alleged rigging of Television Rating Points (TRP) by some TV channels.

5:50 PM

Encounter between militants, security forces in Jammu and Kashmir

An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, police said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Kanigam area of Shopian in south Kashmir following information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said.

 

He said as the forces were conducting the searches, militants fired upon them. The forces retaliated, following which an encounter ensued. The exchange of fire was going on whe last reports came in, he said, adding, further details were awaited.

5:39 PM

NDTV promoters to appeal against Sebi order imposing fine of Rs 27 crore

Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Thursday imposed a penalty of Rs 27 crore on New Delhi Television's (NDTV) promoters- Prannoy Roy, Radhika Roy and RRPR Holding. The penalty was imposed for violating various securities norms, including Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices (PFUTP) regulations. The regulator imposed the penalty against NDTV promoters for by concealing information from shareholders regarding certain loan agreements.
 

RRPR is a part of NDTV's promoters' group and had a 29.18 per cent stake in the company as of September 2020.
 

The regulator in its order said the loan agreements had clauses that have an adversarial effect on NDTV shareholders. The said loan agreements include one with ICICI Bank and two with Vishvapradhan Commercial Private Ltd (VCPL). Sebi began its probe after receiving a complaint from Quantum Securities, a shareholder of NDTV, about the violation of rules by non-disclosure of material information to shareholders. READ ON...

 

5:29 PM

Journalist dies after being allegedly attacked for resisting molestation of female colleague in Rajasthan

4:55 PM

Latest News LIVE: 39.7 mn ITRs filed for FY20 till Dec 24, says I-T dept

As many as 3.97 crore taxpayers have already filed their income tax returns for assessment year (AY) 2020-21 (fiscal year 2019-20) till December 24, the Income Tax Department said on Friday.

 

"Over 3.97 crore Income Tax Returns have already been filed till 24th of December, 2020.Have you filed yours as yet? If not, please do it TODAY! File your Return of Income Tax & ....Relax!," the department tweeted.

 

This includes 2.27 crore taxpayers filing ITR-1, 85.20 lakh filing ITR-4, 46.78 lakh ITR-3 and 28.74 lakh filing ITR-2. The deadline to file I-T returns by individual taxpayers for the 2019-20 fiscal (AY 2020-21)ends on December 31, 2020, while the same for taxpayers whose accounts require to be audited is January 31, 2021. The due date has been extended from July 31and October 31, 2020, respectively in view of the COVID pandemic.

 

At the close of deadline for filing ITR without payment of late fee for FY 2018-19 (AY 2019-20), over 5.65 crore returns were filed by taxpayers. The deadline last year was extended till August 31, 2019. Giving a comparative analysis of the ITRs filed, the I-T department said 3.92 crore ITRs were filed till August 24, 2019, compared to 3.97 crore filed till December 24, 2020.

4:11 PM

Indian Oil Corporation to buy 15 hydrogen buses for Delhi

To give a fillip to India's push to usher in a hydrogen-based mobility solutions ecosystem, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) plans to buy 15 buses that can run on hydrogen fuel. The country's largest oil refiner and fuel retailer is also setting up a facility at its Faridabad research and development (R&D) centre to produce hydrogento run the buses, the company said in a statement.

 

Like all electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles use electricity to power an electric motor. In contrast to other electric vehicles, these vehicles produce electricity using a fuel cell powered by hydrogen, rather than drawing electricity from only a battery.

 

Fewer pollutants and less noise are among the advantages of electrically powered vehicles. IOC said ithas invited "bids to procure 15 polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell buses". This project is the first-ever attempt in the country to address all the aspects of hydrogen-based mobility as the ultimate green option.

3:37 PM

NIIT Srinagar signs MoU with IIT Delhi to collaborate on academic activities

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between National Institute of Technology in Srinagar and Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi to collaborate on different academic activities.

 

The scope of collaboration on academic and research activities in the MoU includes Academic and Research collaboration in the areas of mutual interest, exchange of students and faculty, exchange of academic information, scholarly information, materials and publications and admission of NIIT Srinagar students for direct PhD entry at IIT Delhi.

 

For research collaboration, proposals for collaborative research work under this Memorandum will be submitted with the prior approval of the Head of each institution or his/her nominee.

 

"Each institution will nominate one of its members as its representative in allergic to the cooperative programme. Individual programme of work under this Memorandum will be jointly planned and conducted by the nominees or both parties," read the MoU.

3:04 PM

Gurugram: Pubs, liquor shops fined for operating after midnight

A joint team of the Haryana Chief Minister's flying squad and excise officials conducted raids and issued challans to four pubs and an equal number of liquor vends for violating the excise rules and serving liquor beyond the prescribed time, on the intervening night of Thursday-Friday in Gurugram. As per the state excise policy, the operating time of these establishments is from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.

 

Inderjeet Yadav, Deputy Superintendent of Police, CM flying squad said the raids were conducted at 10 pubs and nine liquor vends in Sector-29, Sector-53, MG Road, Golf Course Road, Cyber Hub and DLF in Gurugram. Acting on a tip-off, both teams had conducted a raid and issued challans to the pubs.

 

"Out of 10 pubs, fines were issued to four pubs, and out of the nine liquor shops four were issued challans for running after the prescribed time, which is a violation of the Excise Act," Yadav said. READ MORE...

2:11 PM

Rs 96,000 crore transferred to farmers under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme: Agriculture Minister

1:57 PM

Rajinikanth hospitalised in Hyderabad due to fluctuating blood pressure

Southern superstar Rajinikanth has been admitted to Apollo Hospitals due to fluctuating blood pressure and exhaustion on Friday morning. According to a press release from the hospital, the 70-year-old actor does not have any symptoms of COVID-19 and has been admitted to the hospital for close monitoring of his blood pressure.

 

"Though he did not have any symptoms of COVID-19, his blood pressure showed severe fluctuations and needed further evaluation for which he has been admitted to the hospital," a statement from Apollo Hospitals read. "He will be investigated and monitored closely in the hospital till his blood pressure settles down before being discharged. Apart from fluctuating blood pressure and exhaustion he does not have any other symptoms and is hemodynamically stable," the statement further read.

 

The 'Kabali' actor had been shooting for 'Annaatthe' in Hyderabad for last few days. The shoot halted after crew members tested positive for COVID-19.

1:28 PM

Rajnikanth admitted after fluctuation in BP

1:03 PM

Aus vs Ind: Gill, Siraj to make debut in Boxing Day Test

Shubman Gill and Mohammad Siraj will be making their debuts in the second Test of the ongoing four-match between Australia and India beginning Saturday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Indian team on Friday announced their playing XI for the Boxing Day Test, making a host of changes to the line-up which featured in Adelaide. Right-handed batsman Gill, who had made 127 runs in the two warm-up games, will open the innings alongside Mayank Agarwal. Gill, who has played three ODIs, replaces Prithvi Shaw in the playing XI. Shaw had come under severe criticism following his failure in the pink-ball Test which India lost by eight wickets.

12:49 PM

Vajpayee's vision led to expansion of India's external engagements: Jaishankar

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had an intuitive understanding that the post Cold-war world required India to drastically rework its relationships and this vision led to a new beginning in ties with the United States, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday. Paying rich tribute to Vajpayee on his 96th birth anniversary, Jaishankar said the eminent leader warmly reached out to various regions and continents that laid ground for expansion of India's overall external engagements, particularly with Europe, Africa, Latin America and countries in the ASEAN region.

12:49 PM

Vajpayee's vision led to expansion of India's external engagements: Jaishankar

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had an intuitive understanding that the post Cold-war world required India to drastically rework its relationships and this vision led to a new beginning in ties with the United States, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday. Paying rich tribute to Vajpayee on his 96th birth anniversary, Jaishankar said the eminent leader warmly reached out to various regions and continents that laid ground for expansion of India's overall external engagements, particularly with Europe, Africa, Latin America and countries in the ASEAN region.

12:17 PM

Churning in Nepal

The rival faction led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal reach the Election Commission office to claim the name of the Nepal Communist Party and the election symbol. The vote of no confidence has been filed against CM of Bagmati Province, Dor Mani Paudel; three ministers resign from the cabinet of Province 3 in Nepal: Bagmati Province Parliament Secretariat

 

11:57 AM

Opposition misleading farmers: Amit Shah

PM Modi will release Rs 18,000 crore as the next instalment under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme to over 9 crore farmers today with a click of a button. He is the true well-wisher of farmers. The Opposition is misleading farmers regarding MSP. I want to make it clear that the MSP system will remain, says Amit Shah

11:57 AM

Era of good governance, welfare of poor started during Vajpayee's tenure as PM: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday paid tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth anniversary and said he had started the era of good governance and the welfare of poor in the country. In a series of tweets in Hindi, Shah also said Vajpayee's devotion to duty and service to the nation will always inspire everyone. "Paid floral tribute to Bharat Ratna Atal ji at his memorial on the occasion of his birth anniversary. Atal ji's thoughts and his dedication for the progress of the country will always give us strength for the service of the nation," he said. Shah also said Vajpayee had started the era of development, welfare of poor and good governance in India through a life of politics based on ideology.

 

11:40 AM

NDTV promoters to appeal against Sebi order

NDTV promoters, Prannoy and Radhika Roy, and promoter group company RRPR Holding Pvt Ltd will appeal against the Sebi order that imposed a total fine of Rs 27 crore on them for alleged non-disclosure of certain loan agreements. On Thursday, Sebi imposed the fine on them for violation of various securities norms by concealing information from shareholders regarding certain loan agreements. According to Sebi, certain loan agreements had clauses that have adversarial effect on NDTV shareholders.

11:34 AM

Tributes paid to Vajpayee in Parliament

11:18 AM

India to invite Afghanistan to next meet on Chabahar port

Afghanistan will be invited to the next meeting of India, Iran and Uzbekistan on joint use of strategically-located Chabahar port, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. The dates for the meeting, to be hosted by India, were being finalised, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said. Located in the Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich Iran's southern coast, the Chabahar port is being increasingly seen as a fulcrum of connectivity to Central Asia.

11:01 AM

This Christmas looks different for all of us: Obama