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11:21 PM

PM Modi prioritizing energy sector in Northeast,says Hardeep Puri

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always prioritised the energy sector of the North East, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said here on Monday.

 

The prime minister's priority is to put the region in the high growth trajectory and as such he is putting great emphasis on the energy sector, Puri said while participating at the run-up to the India Energy Week event here tonight.

 

11:12 PM

Warning letter to be sent to Odisha CM if ineligible people not removed from PMAY list: BJP

The opposition BJP in Odisha said on Monday that a a 'Chetavni Patra' (letter of warning) would soon be issued to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over the "irregularities" in the implementation of a central housing scheme.

 

Alleging that about three lakh ineligible people figure in the list of 9.5 lakh beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme, BJP state general secretary Prithivraj Harichandan said "political leanings were taken into account" while preparing it.

10:45 PM

EU widens Iran sanctions list in response to crackdown

The European Union on Monday imposed sanctions on dozens of Iranian officials and organizations, including a government minister, regional governors and lawmakers, suspected in the security crackdown on protestors, but did not add Iran's Revolutionary Guard to its terror group blacklist.

 

10:39 PM

Pakistan was scared of only one Indian leader - Balasaheb Thackeray: Maha CM

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday paid rich tributes to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, saying he was the only Indian leader that Pakistan feared and though the late politician espoused the cause of Hindutva, he never hated the Muslim community. Speaking at the inauguration of an oil portrait of Bal Thackeray in the central hall of Maharashtra legislative building in south Mumbai on the occasion of his 97th birth anniversary, he said the Sena founder never compromised on his values to gain power.

 

10:38 PM

Rajasthan govt signs agreements for investment worth Rs 1.36 trillion

The Rajasthan government on Monday signed agreements for investment worth Rs 1.36 trillion in the state.

 

The investment was committed under Invest Rajasthan, which was held in October last year.

10:37 PM

Counter-strategy being chalked out to tackle terror threat in Jammu region: Jitendra Singh

Following terror attacks in different parts of Jammu region that left seven people dead and several injured this month, Union minister Jitendra Singh on Monday said a counter-strategy is being worked out to tackle the threat.

 

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of BJP's state working committee meeting in Kathua district, Singh assured of decisive action against the perpetrators of the terror attacks.

10:30 PM

Congress appeals to Nagaland voters to elect its candidates in Assembly election

The Congress on Monday urged the people of Nagaland to elect its candidates in the February 27 state Assembly election by voting against the present "politically corrupt and opportunistic" government.

 

Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhavan here, AICC media coordinator Mahima Singh claimed that in 2007 when the Congress ruled the Centre, foundation stone had been laid for Nagaland's own high court building besides Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura.

10:25 PM

Nitin Gadkari inaugurates highway projects worth Rs 6,800 crore in MP

Union minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated highway projects worth Rs 6,800 crore in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh.

 

The 28 national highway projects has a total length of 550 km.

 

10:23 PM

Apple's handset exports from India reach USD 1 billion in December: IT Secretary

iPhone maker Apple is not only manufacturing mobile phones for India but it exported handsets worth USD 1 billion as of December, a senior government official said on Monday.

 

While speaking at The Business 20 (B20), the official G20 dialogue forum with the global business community, Electronics and IT Secretary Alkesh Kumar Sharma said that a number of schemes have been introduced to transform India from a service nation to a product nation.

 

 

10:20 PM

Modi govt has failed to fulfil promises made to people, says Sachin Pilot

Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Monday accused the Narendra Modi government of not fulfilling the promises it had made to people in the run-up to its election.

 

He said the Congress will make people aware about the government's failures by visiting villages and hamlets

 

10:13 PM

Jaishankar hails Vajpayee's handling of diplomatic situation post 1998 nuclear tests

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday lauded then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's handling of the diplomatic situation following the nuclear tests in 1998 and said that within a space of two years India had engaged all the major countries of the world.

 

Presiding over the third Atal Bihari Vajpayee memorial lecture that was delivered by former Singaporean diplomat Bilahari Kausikan here, Jaishankar also hailed Vajpayee's stint as an external affairs minister, and his role in strengthening India's ties with the US and Russia

10:10 PM

Emergency credit guarantee scheme helped save 14.6 lakh MSMEs: Report

The emergency credit line guarantee scheme (ECLGS), launched during Covid to help small businesses tide over losses due to lockdowns, has helped save at least 14.6 lakh MSMEs which benefited from Rs 2.2 lakh crore in additional credit, a report said on Monday.

 

According to an SBI Research analysis, this additional credit flow has saved around 12 per cent of the outstanding MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) credit from slipping into NPAs. In terms of people, it saved the livelihood of at least 6.6 crore people, the report said.

10:07 PM

No 'Mahabharat' between govt, judiciary as is being projected by some, no problem among us: Rijiju

There can be a difference of opinion between the government and the judiciary but that does not mean the two are attacking each other and a "Mahabharat" is going on as is being projected by some, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Monday, asserting there is "no problem among us".

9:57 PM

Uddhav targets BJP, says efforts on to take country towards dictatorship under guise of Hindutva

Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray on Monday targeted former ally BJP saying it is trying to take the country towards dictatorship through the "sham" Hindutva.

 

Without naming BJP, he said they want to have an "iron grip" on India and referred to China.

9:55 PM

Uddhav targets BJP, says efforts on to take country towards dictatorship under guise of Hindutva

Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray on Monday targeted former ally BJP saying it is trying to take the country towards dictatorship through the "sham" Hindutva.

 

Without naming BJP, he said they want to have an "iron grip" on India and referred to China.

9:49 PM

Large firms must take responsibility to handhold MSMEs, help them integrate into supply chain ecosystem: Goyal

Large companies should take responsibility to handhold MSMEs, and help them adapt best practices and integrate them into the supply chain ecosystem, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said here on Monday.

 

Goyal said that MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) flourish around a larger unit or anchor.

9:48 PM

UNDP India launches campaign to drive inclusive circular economy

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Monday launched a campaign to drive an inclusive circular economy as part of its initiative to promote sustainability.

 

The initiative focuses on end-to-end management of plastic waste by promoting the segregation of waste at source, collection of the segregated waste, and setting up Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) for recycling all kinds of plastic waste along the value chain, UNDP said in a statement.

8:22 PM

Road infra in MP would be developed like USA by 2024; Orchha to be beautified like Ayodhya: Nitin Gadkari

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday assured Ayodhya-like facelift for Orchha town in Madhya Pradesh associated with Lord Ram and said the road infrastructure in the state would be developed on par with the USA by 2024.

 

The Union minister has launched several road projects during his multiple visits to the state where the Assembly elections are due later this year.

8:12 PM

Existence of J'khand tribals to come under threat if BJP returns to power: Soren

Accusing the BJP of exploiting Jharkhand's resources, Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday claimed that the existence of tribals in the state will come under threat if the saffron party manages to return to power.

 

Addressing a rally in Simdega as part of the 'Khatiyani Johar Yatra' a programme to mark three years of the UPA government in the state Soren stated that the BJP has put Gujarat and Maharashtra on development path but "ruined the social fabric" of Jharkhand.

7:51 PM

Delhi Police issues traffic advisory ahead of 'Bharat Parva' from Jan 26-31

The Delhi Police on Monday issued traffic advisory for the 'Bharat Parva' scheduled to be held at Red Fort from January 26 to 31.

 

Food courts and handicraft stalls will be set up at 15 August Park and Madhav Das Park during the 'Bharat Parva' being organised by the Ministry of Tourism, it said.

7:31 PM

Congress distances itself from Digvijaya's remarks on surgical strikes

The Congress on Monday distanced itself from party leader Digvijaya Singh's remarks questioning the 2019 surgical strikes, saying the views do not reflect the position of the party which supports all military actions that are in national interest.

 

"The views expressed by senior leader Digvijaya Singh are his own and do not reflect the position of Congress. Surgical strikes were carried out before 2014 by UPA government. Congress has supported and will continue to support all military actions that are in the national interest," AICC general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh said on Twitter.

7:06 PM

Rajasthan assembly Budget session begins on stormy note; 3 RLP MLAs suspended, marshalled out

In his address, Governor Kalraj Mishra highlighted the achievements and progress made during the four years of the Congress government, including steps taken to curb incidents of paper leaks.

 

7:03 PM

PDP delegation joins Rahul Gandhi in Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu; highlights public issues

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegation on Monday joined Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra here and discussed various issues including the government's eviction drive as well as demands of Kashmiri Pandit employees with him, a party leader said.

 

The PDP delegation, comprising several senior leaders, joined the foot march at Kunjwani bypass, shortly after the marchers led by Gandhi entered Jammu from adjoining Samba district in the afternoon, the leader said.

6:58 PM

Key players will compete in IPL unless there are injury concerns: Dravid

Indian cricketers who are in the scheme of things for the ODI World Cup will compete in the IPL unless there are injury concerns and workload of seniors like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is being managed as one white-ball format takes precedence over the other, said head coach Rahul Dravid on Monday.

 

According to BCCI's new policy, the workloads of key players will be monitored during this year's IPL by the NCA and the franchisees considering the 50-over World Cup at home in October-November.

6:55 PM

Hindu religious texts to be taught in MP govt schools: Chouhan; says their insult won't be tolerated

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said Hindu religious scriptures will be taught to students in government schools and issued a warning to those trying to insult these revered texts, saying their acts will not be tolerated.

6:49 PM

Spotify lays off 600 employees globally, CEO takes full responsibility

The Swedish company's CEO Daniel Ek announced in a memo that he was too ambitious in investing ahead of their revenue growth.

 

"And for this reason, today, we are reducing our employee base by about 6 per cent across the company. I take full accountability for the moves that got us here," he said.

6:47 PM

Cities must identify revenue models based on infra created under Smart Cities Mission: Goa CM Sawant

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said all cities need to identify long-term revenue models based on the infrastructure, which is being created under the Smart Cities Mission.

 

Sawant was addressing the Smart Cities CEOs conference on data and technology, which is currently underway in the state.

6:24 PM

Crowd-funding 'misuse' case: Gujarat HC denies bail to TMC leader Saket Gokhale

The Gujarat High Court on Monday refused regular bail to Trinamool Congress (TMC) spokesperson Saket Gokhale in a case related to alleged misuse of money collected through crowd-funding.

 

High Court Justice Samir Dave asked Gokhale to approach the court only after a chargesheet is filed.

6:08 PM

Russia's Sergey Lavrov says West prevented negotiations to end Ukraine war

Moscow was willing to negotiate with Ukraine in the early months of the war but the US and other Western nations advised Kyiv against it, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday.

 

Lavrov's remarks on a visit to South Africa were similar to those made last year by Russian President Vladimir Putin that his country was for talks but Ukraine's Western allies prevented that from happening.

5:48 PM

Vistara turns profitable for first time in December 2022 quarter

Full service carrier Vistara on Monday said it reported a profit for the first time since inception in the three months ended December 2022.

 

Without disclosing the exact profit figure in the December quarter, the airline also said it crossed the USD 1 billion revenue mark and remained EBITDA positive in the current fiscal year.