Live: Centre announces incentives as Agnipath protests continue in states

Live news updates: Catch the latest on Agnipath protests, the coronavirus, the war in Ukraine and other news.

8:36 PM

Delhi reports 1,543 new cases of Covid-19 in last 24 hours

8:30 PM

Ashok Gehlot govt passes resolution seeking withdrawal of Agnipath scheme

Rajasthan’s Congress government cabinet on Saturday passed a resolution demanding the withdrawal of the Centre's Agnipath scheme. The resolution was passed unanimously during a cabinet meeting of at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's residence in Jaipur, said a press statement. The Centre on Tuesday unveiled the scheme for recruitment of the youth aged between 17 and a half and 21 in the Army, Navy and the Air Force, largely on a four-year short-term contractual basis.

7:33 PM

Centre steps up security of BJP MLAs, deputy CMs in Bihar

Central government strengthens security of 10 BJP leaders in Bihar, including two deputy chief ministers and legislators. Paramilitary CRPF is taking over the security cover from after it received the Home Ministry's order on Friday: ANI reports quoting sources. The BJP governs Bihar in alliance with the Janata Dal (United).

7:06 PM

Govt ready for talks on Agnipath, make changes 'if required': I&B minister

Union minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday asked people protesting against the Agnipath scheme, asserting that the government is ready to look into their grievances with an "open mind" and make changes "if required". The Information and Broadcasting Minister said the Agnipath scheme is a "historic decision" taken by the Narendra Modi government towards making the country "more secured" in future and also provide "opportunities" to the country's youth.

6:39 PM

Army aspirants protest in Gujarat's Jamnagar over delay in written exam

Amid nationwide protests against the Centre's Agnipath scheme, Army aspirants protested outside the recruitment office in Gujarat's Jamnagar city demanding that their written exam, which has been pending since the last two years, be conducted at the earliest. There was heavy police deployment at the Army recruitment office in the city, as over 100 aspirants gathered to make representation to the authorities about their written exam deferred due to the pandemic, PTI reported quoting a government official.

5:41 PM

Shipping Ministry 6 service opportunities for Agniveers

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW)on Saturday announced six service avenues for smooth transition of Agniveers in various roles of the Merchant navy, post their stint with the Indian Navy. The scheme will enable Agniveers to acquire necessary training, with naval experience and professional certification to join the remunerative merchant navy across the world, PTI reported quoting a MoPSW statement.

5:19 PM

Railways cancelled 369 trains Saturday due to Agnipath protests

The Railways cancelled 369 trains on Saturday due to the agitation against the Centre's recently announced Agnipath scheme for recruitment of soldiers in the armed forces, PTI reported quoting officials. The railways' East Central zone, headquartered in Bihar's Hajipur, said 32 trains were cancelled in the state.

4:33 PM

Agnipath protesters in Rajasthan block Jaipur-Delhi Highway

Hundreds of young men protested against the Agnipath military recruitment scheme Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jhunjhunu and other places in Rajasthan. In Alwar, they blocked the Jaipur-Delhi Highway briefly and broke the windowpanes of a bus while being dispersed by the police.

4:21 PM

Bihar will suspend trains from 8 pm Saturday

Bihar will suspend trains from 8 pm Saturday due to violent protests against Agnipath military recruitment scheme, says NDTV.com. Trains were attacked during the protests.

3:46 PM

Many trains in Odisha cancelled due to Agnipath protests

The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has cancelled and short terminated several trains passing through Odisha due to nationwide protests against the 'Agnipath' military recruitment scheme. No train will be operated at Visakhapatnam station from 6 am to 2 pm on Saturday in view of the agitation, the ECoR said in a release. The cancelled trains include the Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam Intercity Express and Bhubaneswar-Secunderabad Visakha Express, PTI reported. 

 

3:44 PM

Railway station, police jeep torched, in anti-Agnipath protests in Bihar

A railway station was torched and policmen injured in Bihar on Saturday as mobs continued protests against the Agnipath military recruitment scheme for the fourth day. In Patna, protesters seeking to lock down the state capital forced shops to shut and hurled stones at commercial establishments.

3:33 PM

Farooq withdraws his name from consideration as Ppposition's presidential candidate

National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah Saturday withdrew his name for consideration as the joint opposition candidate for the presidential polls, saying he would like to contribute in navigating of Jammu and Kashmir which is "passing through a critical juncture". He, however, thanked the opposition leaders for proposing his name as their candidate for the polls next month, PTI reported.

3:00 PM

Police foils attempt by army aspirants to block highway in Kathua; Cong stages protest in Jammu

Police on Saturday foiled an attempt by Army aspirants to block Jammu-Pathankot highway in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, where youth Congress activists also staged a protest in the winter capital demanding immediate rollback of the new “Agnipath' scheme.

 

A group of youth, who have already cleared physical and medical tests and were waiting for their written examination to join the Army over the past couple of years, staged a demonstration against the new recruitment policy at Chadwal in Kathua district, officials said.

 

2:59 PM

Empowerment of women necessary for India's development: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said empowerment of women and their progress is necessary for the overall development of India in the 21st century.

 

Addressing a rally here after launching a nutritional programme for tribal women and multiple development projects, he said his government has removed all restrictions so that women can choose any career of their liking.

 

"Speedy development and empowerment of women is necessary for India's development in the 21st century,'' Modi said while addressing the 'Gujarat Gaurav Abhiyan' rally.

2:56 PM

Sonia Gandhi stable, recovering well: Hospital sources

Congress president Sonia Gandhi is stable and recovering well, sources at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here said on Saturday, nearly a week after she was admitted to the facility owing to post-Covid issues.

 

She was detected with a lower respiratory tract infection after her admission to the hospital, according to the Congress.

 

Hospital sources said Sonia Gandhi's "condition is currently stable" and she is "recovering well".

 

2:55 PM

5G deployment to begin in Aug-Sept; roll out to commence in 20-25 cities, towns by year-end: Vaishnaw

Telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said 5G deployment will commence in 20-25 cities and towns by the year-end, and indicated that India, with its current data prices significantly lower than global average, will continue to set rate benchmarks as new services are rolled out.

 

The 5G deployment will start from August-September, Vaishnaw said.

 

The minister said India is developing 4G and 5G stacks, and is set to bolster its position as a trusted source for the world, in digital networks.

 

2:26 PM

PM Modi to visit Bengaluru and Mysuru on June 20-21: Karnataka CM

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to the state during which he will be participating at various events in Bengaluru and Mysuru.

 

Laying the foundation stone for Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project, inauguration of Dr B R Ambedkar School of Economics (BASE), participating in the Yoga Day event and visit to Chamundi hills and Suttur Mutt, a prominent Lingayat seminary, are among the key highlights of his upcoming visit.

2:26 PM

Nawaz Sharif struck secret deal in London, will not return to Pakistan, claims former minister

Former Pakistan Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Friday claimed that former Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-N supremo Nawaz Sharif will not be returning to the country as part of a secret deal struck in London, local media reported.

 

He made this statement after several PML-N leaders said that Nawaz Sharif will be arriving "soon" in the country but none of them gave any specific date, Geo News reported citing The News.

 

Former Interior Minister said that the closure of markets and shops at 7 pm would be an "economic death knell" for shopkeepers, for which the current "imported" government would be responsible.

2:25 PM

Unanimous support on need to stand with Lanka in difficult time: Jaishankar after Parl panel meet

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday chaired a parliamentary consultative committee meeting on the situation in Sri Lanka and said there was "unanimous support" on the need to stand with the neighbouring country in this difficult time.

 

He also posted pictures with MPs who attended the meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on External Affairs. Ministers of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan, Meenakshi Lekhi and Rajkumar Ranjan Singh also attended the meeting.

 

"Chaired a Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting on the situation in Sri Lanka. A good discussion held in a positive atmosphere on various issues and India's role" Jaishankar said.

2:21 PM

India expresses 'deep concern' over attack on Gurudwara in Kabul, says monitoring situation

India on Saturday strongly condemned the "cowardly attack" on a Gurudwara in Kabul in which at least two persons are reportedly injured, and said it was closely monitoring the situation following the incident.

Several blasts were reported near the Gurdwara Karte Parwan on Saturday, in the latest targeted attack on a place of worship of a minority community in war-torn Afghanistan.

"The cowardly attack on Gurudwara Karte Parwan should be condemned in the strongest terms by all. We have been closely monitoring developments since the news of the attack was received. Our first and foremost concern is for the welfare of the community," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.

2:15 PM

Elaborate security check conducted in Jammu zone for upcoming Amarnath Yatra

With the annual Amarnath yatra less than a fortnight away, authorities Saturday checked the security and other arrangements along the 270-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway for the pilgrims, officials said.

Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Additional Director General of Police Mukesh Singh led a convoy of 20 security vehicles this morning from Jammu to Banihal -- the gateway to Kashmir -- as part of what official described was a "trial run" for the yatra's security.

The officials said all arrangements including security made by the Jammu, Udhampur and Ramban districts for the pilgrimage were checked personally by the two senior civil and police officers heading Jammu division.

2:14 PM

PM Modi inaugurates, lays foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 21,000 cr in Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth over Rs 21,000 crores in Gujarat on Saturday.

Beneficiaries of various government schemes participated in Gujarat Gaurav Abhiyan at Vadodara on Saturday.

The Prime Minister dedicated and laid the foundation stone of various Railway projects worth over Rs 16,000 crores. These include the inauguration of 357 Km long New Palanpur - Madar Section of Dedicated Freight Corridor; gauge conversion of 166 km long Ahmedabad-Botad section; electrification of 81 km long Palanpur - Mitha Section, among others.

Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Surat, Udhna, Somnath and Sabarmati Stations, along with the foundation stone of other initiatives in the railway sector.

Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, a total of 1.38 lakh houses have been by the Prime Minister, including houses worth around Rs 1,800 crore in urban areas and houses worth over Rs 1,530 crores in rural areas. In addition, Khat Muhurat of around 3,000 houses worth over Rs 310 crores will also be done.

2:13 PM

Agnipath scheme announced after wide-ranging consultations: Rajnath

As protests against the 'Agnipath' scheme widens, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday strongly defended the new military recruitment model saying it was announced after wide-ranging consultations including with the ex-servicemen and suggested a misunderstanding is being spread for political reasons.

He said the scheme will bring revolutionary changes in the enrolment process for soldiers, asserting that there will be no compromise on the quality of training to be imparted to the personnel to be recruited under the scheme.

"It is bringing revolutionary changes in the recruitment process in the armed forces. Some people are spreading misunderstanding about it. Maybe, there could be some confusion among the people as it is a new scheme," Singh said speaking at a conclave organised by the TV9 media group.

The defence minister said the scheme was announced after around two years of deliberations including with the ex-servicemen community and a decision was taken based on a consensus.

2:10 PM

Russian forces renew bid to advance south of Ukraine's Izium, Britain says

Russia has probably renewed its efforts to advance south of Ukraine's eastern city of Izium in the last 48 hours, Britain's defence ministry said on Saturday.

 

Its goal is to penetrate deeper into the Donetsk region and envelope the pocket around the embattled city of Sievierodonetsk from the north, it said on Twitter.

 

If trapped Ukrainian civilians do not take up an offer of leaving via a corridor, Russia is likely to claim justification in making less of a distinction between them and any Ukrainian military targets in the area, the ministry added.

2:03 PM

Anti-Agnipath agitations set off protests demanding army recruitment exam in Kerala

The ongoing anti-Agnipath agitations in various parts of the country on Saturday sparked another form of protest in Kerala as hundreds of youths took out huge protest rallies in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode demanding to conduct the pending written examination for the army recruitment at the earliest.

 

The protesting youths were those who had already cleared their physical and medical fitness tests and had been waiting for their army Common Entrance Examination (CEE) for the last two years.

 

1:54 PM

Sovcomflot fleet fully covered by Russian insurers, CEO says

Russia's state-run Sovcomflot has insured all its cargo ships with Russian insurers and the cover meets international rules, the chief executive said, after Western insurers withdrew cover.

 

Western insurers halted insurance cover for Russia's biggest shipping group when Sovcomflot was hit by sanctions after Moscow sent troops across the border into Ukraine.

 

Sources told Reuters this month that state-controlled Russian National Reinsurance Company had become the main 

 

reinsurer of Russian ships, including Sovcomflot's fleet.

 

1:50 PM

CEO of Rosneft says BP still remains major stakeholder

Igor Sechin, the head of Russian oil major Rosneft, said on Saturday that BP still remains its largest private shareholder despite having announced its departure in February after Moscow sent troops into Ukraine.

 

Speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Sechin, a long-standing ally of President Vladimir Putin, said BP also still owns stakes in large-scale Rosneft projects including Taas Yuriakh, Kharampurneftegaz and Yermak Neftegaz.

1:50 PM

Delhi court dismisses Satyendra Jain's bail plea

A court here Saturday dismissed the bail plea of Delhi minister Satyendra Jain, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case.

 

Special Judge Geetanjli Goel denied the relief to Jain, saying the stage was not fit for grant of bail to him.

"The Bail application is dismissed," the judge said.

 

The court had reserved order after hearing arguments from Jain as well the ED. The ED had arrested Jain in a money laundering case. He was taken into custody under criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

 

1:49 PM

Pakistan energy crisis: Karachi markets to shut at 9 pm to save electricity

The vibrant nightlife in Pakistan's biggest city Karachi has been hit with the Sindh province government directing all shopping malls, markets, wedding halls and restaurants to close down early to save fuel and energy.

 

The move by the provincial government on Friday was aimed to overcome the energy crisis in the country that has also affected Pakistan's economy.

 

“We are facing an ongoing energy crisis emergency and we need to take measures which might not be popular but necessary to control the situation,” Home Secretary Dr Saeed Ahmed Mangnejo said.

 

1:31 PM

Cong appoints Pawan Khera as chairman of media and publicity

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has appointed Pawan Khera as the chairman of media and publicity in the new communications department of the party.

 

Earlier, she had appointed Jairam Ramesh as the new AICC general secretary in-charge of communications, replacing Randeep Surjewala.