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2:03 AM

J&K: L-G chairs meeting on metro rail projects for Srinagar, Jammu

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday chaired a meeting to review the Rs 9,590 crore metro project for twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar, an official said.

 

The representatives of MAHA-Metro gave a presentation regarding the works related to the mega project, besides highlighting the key issues on the Jammu and Srinagar metro rail corridors, the official said.

 

Sinha stressed upon speedy implementation, directing that the project once approved should be completed within two years from the date of commencement.

 

He observed that the elevated metro rail system will not only facilitate the people but also have a positive impact on the economy and quality of life.

1:07 AM

Niti Aayog unveils 'Vision 2035' for public health surveillance

Amid Covid-19 crisis, the NITI Aayog on Monday released a white paper by the name of 'Vision 2035: Public Health Surveillance in India with the vision'.

 

Among many of its goals are to make India's public health surveillance system more responsive and predictive to enhance preparedness for action at all level.

 

The Citizen-friendly public health surveillance system will ensure individual privacy and confidentiality, enabled with a client feedback mechanism, believes the vision document.

1:05 AM

AIIMS nurses go on indefinite strike; patient care services hit

The AIIMS-Delhi Nurses' Union went on an indefinite strike from Monday over their long pending demands, including those with regard to the Sixth Central Pay Commission, following which the Union health ministry directed the institute's director to ensure no disruption of nursing functions.

 

The ministry also said non-compliance of the "code of conduct", laid down as per a Delhi High Court judgment, whereby no employee or staff or faculty member will cease work for any reason, will be treated as an offence under the Disaster Management Act.

 

From Monday afternoon, around 5,000 nurses went on strike, hampering patient care services at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here.

12:04 AM

Aerospace scientist Prof. Roddam Narasimha dies of brain hemorrhage at a hospital in Bengaluru at the age of 87

10:58 PM

You need to reform multilateralism, make it representative. Somebody needs to press refresh button on the United Nations: Jaishankar

10:57 PM

The problem we have today about the narrow representation at the leadership levels of the United Nations is a challenge to its credibility and effectiveness: Jaishankar

10:56 PM

Uber Eats' India engineering team leads innovations in Japan, Belgium

Ride hailing major Uber on Monday said its Uber Eats' engineering team in Hyderabad is leading innovations in the key global markets of Japan and Belgium to ensure integration of payment wallets into the app.

 

The first wallet to be added as a payment option in Japan was LINE Pay, which was soon followed by the integration of PayPay - now the largest wallet in Japan by volume of payments, a statement said.

 

The integration also allows eaters in Japan to place orders through Uber Eats directly from the PayPay app, making it the first time Uber Eats has been positioned as a mini app within another app.

10:54 PM

Gen Naravane's visit to Saudi Arabia will strengthen bilateral defence cooperation: Indian Army

10:43 PM

Free Covid vaccine in Kerala: State Election Commission seeks explanation from Pinarayi Vijayan regarding Model Code of Conduct violation

10:32 PM

Indian Bank raises Rs 560 cr by issuing bonds

Indian Bank on Monday said it has raised Rs 560 crore by issuing Basel III compliant bonds on private placement basis.

 

The bank on date has further raised tier 1 capital fund through private placement of Basel III compliant AT 1 (additional tier 1) perpetual bonds aggregating to Rs 560 crore, Indian Bank said in a regulatory filing.

 

The coupon on the bonds was 8.44 per cent per annum payable annually.

10:02 PM

Congress appoints Govindas Konthoujam as Manipur unit chief

9:42 PM

Just the beginning: Kejriwal on AAP scoring maiden win in Goa

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday hailed his party's maiden win in Goa Zilla Panchayat elections, which marked the first electoral history of the party in the coastal state.

 

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Goa has made big gains in the Zilla Panchayat elections, winning 32 out of 49 seats on offer, while the opposition Congress performed poorly, bagging just four.

9:29 PM

North India braces for further dip in mercury; Himachal's Keylong shivers at -11C

Several locations in Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh witnessed subzero minimum temperatures on Monday, while severe cold conditions prevailed in other northern states, as the region braced for still colder days with the IMD forecasting the mercury to slide further.

 

In the national capital, which was swept by cold winds, the minimum temperature dropped to single-digit to settle at 8.4 degrees Celsius, down from 11.5 degrees Celsius Sunday. The maximum temperature also dropped to 19.4 degrees Celsius, four notches below normal, and the lowest so far this month.

 

The India Meteorological Department in a bulletin said minimum temperatures over most parts of northwest India are expected to fall by three to five notches during the next four days, leading to colder weather conditions still.

9:02 PM

'Emergency should not have happened', says SC, agrees to examine proclamation of 1975

Emergency is something which should not have happened, the Supreme Court on Monday said as it agreed to hear a plea of a 94-year-old woman seeking to declare as wholly unconstitutional the proclamation made in 1975 during the tenure of the then Indira Gandhi led Congress government. The top court, which issued notice to the Centre, said that it would also examine whether it is feasible or desirable to make a simpliciter declaration of the proclamation after a lapse of 45 years.

 

We are having difficulty. Emergency is something which should not have happened, a bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul observed while pondering over what relief it can grant after passage of such a long time.

 

The bench also comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Hrishikesh Roy said that the court would be disinclined to open all such aspects as there may be some wrongs done to persons, but with the passage of almost 45 years, it would not be appropriate to reopen all such issues.

8:38 PM

Reliance Jio writes to TRAI, accuses Airtel, Vodafone of 'unethical' practices

Reliance Jio has written to the Telecom Regulator Authority of India (TRAI) seeking strict action against Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea for "unethical practices" and "unscrupulous violations" and to stop campaigns under which "false propaganda is being spread across the country to get some additional MNP port-ins" by "capitalising on the ongoing farmer protest in the northern parts of the country".

 

In a letter to Secretary, TRAI, Reliance Jio said its letter was in furtherance of its letter of September 28, 2020 "highlighting the unethical and anti-competitive MNP (mobile number portability) campaign being run by Airtel and VIL to capitalise on the ongoing farmer protests in northern parts of the country".

 

"We submit that despite the above submissions, these companies continue to remain directly/indirectly involved in supporting and furthering the insinuations and false and frivolous rumours of Reliance being an undue beneficiary of the farm laws, for unethical pecuniary benefits in the form of induced porting of RJIL customers," the letter said.

8:30 PM

Indian talent can achieve global fame in space sector as it did in IT: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that the decision to open up India's space sector has heralded a new age of public-private partnership and expressed confidence that Indian talent will achieve worldwide fame in this field in the same way it did in the IT sector. Interacting with key industries, start-ups and academia from the space sector via video conferencing to encourage their participation in space activities, Modi said professionalism and transparency in policies as well as the decision-making process of the government will prove beneficial for the companies joining the field.

 

In a statement, the PMO said Modi assured the participants of complete and wholehearted support of the government in their efforts.

 

The prime minister spoke of the space sector's significance in communication and navigation and told the participants that they will be co-passengers with ISRO in this age of space research, expressing hope that the country would soon become the manufacturing hub of space assets.

 

"He said the decision to unlock India's potential in the space sector has heralded a new age of public-private partnership in this sector," the PMO said, quoting Modi.

8:05 PM

Tata Sons among multiple bidders to buy national carrier Air India

Salt-to-software conglomerate Tata Group was among "multiple" entities that on Monday put in preliminary bids for buying the government's stake in loss-making carrier Air India.

 

"Multiple expressions of interest have been received for strategic disinvestment of Air India. The Transaction will now move to the second stage," Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey tweeted.

He, however, did not reveal either the identity of the bidders or the number of bids received for buying the national carrier. READ MORE...

7:47 PM

Tamil Nadu signs 18 MoUs, launches projects worth over Rs 24,000 crore

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for 18 projects and laid foundation stones, besides inaugurating other projects, for a total investment of Rs 24,458 crore. These projects are likely to create 54,218 jobs, the government said. Torrent Gas, Foxconn, Voltas and Ola are among the firms that will invest in gas supply, AC manufacturing and electric mobility, among others, according to a press release here.

 

The 18 MoUs, worth Rs 19,955 crore, were signed at an event presided over by Chief Minister K Palaniswami.

 

Torrent Gas Chennai Pvt Ltd is planning to establish City Gas Distribution network here and neighbouring Tiruvallur at a proposed investment of Rs 5,000 crore with an employment potential for 5,000 people, it said. Foxconn would set up a mega industrial housing project at Sipcot Vallam Vadagal, while US-based First Solar will establish a solar module manufacturing facility at a proposed investment of Rs 4,185 crore.

7:18 PM

Latest News LIVE: AIIMS nurses on indefinite strike against contract terms

Around 5,000 nurses of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) advanced their indefinite strike with immediate effect on Monday after the premier medical institute allegedly converted the terms of employment from permanent to contract basis. The strike was earlier scheduled to be observed from Wednesday.

 

The nurses union of AIIMS claimed that the hospital administration has introduced contract terms to their employment which forced them to pre-empt their strike. It said that the decision has come as shock to the whole fraternity.

 

"We had clearly stated in our demands that we don't want to be handed over to the private agencies which would keep us on contractual term of employment. Despite, the administration acted against it. This is why we have started our strike ahead of our schedule," said Harish Kumar, president, AIIMS nurses union, told IANS.

7:04 PM

AIIMS nurses at hospital premises after AIIMS Nurses Union announced an indefinite strike from today

7:03 PM

Daily Kolkata-Delhi direct flights allowed with immediate effect: West Bengal Government

6:59 PM

Centre releases Rs 42,000 crore to states to meet GST compensation shortfall

The Centre has so far borrowed Rs 42,000 crore since October and released the funds to states to meet GST compensation shortfall, the Finance Ministry said on Monday. The latest instalment of Rs 6,000 crore was released to the states on Monday, out of which Rs 5,516.60 crore has been released to 23 states and Rs 483.40 crore has been released to 3 Union Territories (UT) with legislative assemblies (Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry).

 

The remaining 5 states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim -- do not have a gap in revenue on account of Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

 

The Centre had set up a special borrowing window in October 2020 to meet the estimated shortfall of Rs 1.10 lakh crore in revenue arising on account of implementation of GST. The borrowings are being done through this window by the Government of India on behalf of the states and UTs.

6:26 PM

Retail inflation declines to 6.93% in Nov on softer food prices

Retail inflation declined to 6.93 per cent in November on softer food prices, though it remained above the comfort level of the Reserve Bank. Retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 7.61 per cent in October.

 

According to the CPI data released by the government on Monday, inflation in the food basket was 9.43 per cent in November, down from 11 per cent in the previous month.

 

The RBI, which mainly factors in retail inflation while arriving at key policy rates, has been mandated by the government to keep inflation at 4 per cent (+, - 2 per cent). The central bank had maintained status quo in the policy rate earlier this month due to high inflation.

5:51 PM

Consumer inflation at 6.93% in November 2020 against 7.61% last month: Govt of India

5:44 PM

RBI, DBS Bank to ask SC to move cases on LVB-DBS merger to one location

The Reserve Bank of India and DBS Bank are planning to ask the Supreme Court for a transfer of all the matters related to merger of Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) with DBS Bank India to one location. Currently petitions challenging the merger were filed in four different high courts in the country.

 

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi for DBS Bank informed the Madras High Court that RBI and DBS Bank have approached the Apex Court to transfer of all matters related to the LVB-DBS merger currently being heard by the High Courts of Madras, Bombay, Karnataka and Delhi to one location. He made this submission during the Madras High Court's hearing of a petition filed by bond holders of LVB challenging the banking regulator’s decision to extinguish tier-2 bonds worth Rs 320 crore.

After hearing the submission, a division bench of the Madras High Court, consisting of Justice Vineet Kothari and Justice M S Ramesh, said that it would wait for the Apex Court's decision, following which it will decide on taking the petitions forward. READ ON...

5:42 PM

SC warns of contempt action for non-compliance of order regarding re-grassing of mined areas

The Supreme Court on Monday took note of Jharkhand's government claim about non-compliance of its earlier direction regarding re-grassing of mined areas by lease holders after ceasing operations and warned that it might take contempt action against the concerned authority.

 

A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde told the Centre that no ground breaking after e-auction of coal blocks for commercial mining be done in Jharkhand without the apex court's nod. The apex court also said it might take action against concerned officials if the directions given by the top court was not complied with.

 

Don't break ground for mining in Jharkhand without our nod, the bench, also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, said. The apex court, while noting that mining results in complete elimination of grass, had on January 8 directed the government to impose the condition on lease holders that they will have to restore the mined area by re-grassing it after ceasing operations.

4:47 PM

Sensex rises 154.45 points to end at lifetime high of 46,253.46; Nifty advances 44.30 points to record 13,558.15

4:16 PM

SC adjourns to January plea seeking release of arrested Kerala journalist

The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned for the third week of January a plea seeking immediate release of a senior Kerala journalist Siddique Kappan, who was arrested along with some others by the Uttar Pradesh Police on October 5 while on their way to cover the Hathras incident. A bench, headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde, adjourned the matter after the senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ), sought time to file a reply to the additional affidavit filed by the Uttar Pradesh government.

 

Earlier, the bench had sought a response on the plea from the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government, and its police chief on the matter. An FIR had been registered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in the case. Kappan is lodged in the Mathura jail, the court was informed earlier.

 

The KUWJ had approached the Supreme Court with a habeas corpus plea to know the whereabouts of its Delhi unit secretary and senior journalist. But earlier the court refused to intervene while advising the union to move the Allahabad High Court instead. KUWJ has sought the fulfillment of Kappan's basic rights such as legal help and access to family.

3:48 PM

SC questions feasibility of examining declaration of 1975 Emergency

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine whether it would be feasible or desirable, after the passage of 45 years, if the declaration of Emergency in 1975 was unconstitutional or not.

 

A three-judge bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Dinesh Maheshwari and Hrishikesh Roy issued notice to the Centre and sought its response on the plea filed by a 94-year-old woman for the proclamation of Emergency in 1975 to be declared as unconstitutional.

 

During the hearing, the bench raised questions about hearing the issue after the passage of 45 years.

 

"This plea arises from the passage of time. It is Mr Salve's (senior advocate Harish Salve appearing for petitioner) submission that 'prayer A' survives and wrongs of history must be corrected. We asked Mr Salve whether the petitioner is seeking other reliefs too. Salve informs wrongs on the petitioner is not the main issue. We would be disinclined to reopen such aspects. After 45 years it may not be appropriate to reopen those issues," the bench said.

3:18 PM

Bengaluru's Central Crime Branch detains rowdy sheeter Ullal Kartik under Goonda Act