Live news: Misuse of probe agencies erodes their credibility, says Congress

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11:07 PM

No question of handing over probe into post matric scholarship scam to central agency: Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said the state's investigating agencies were fully capable of investigating the alleged irregularities in the post matric scholarship scheme and there was no need to hand the over the probe to a central agency.

He also told leaders of the Valmiki community that services of 'safai sewaks' were being regularised and they soon will be taken off the contractual system.

On the alleged "multi-crore" post matric scholarship scam, Mann reiterated his government's commitment to ensure stern action against the culprits.

10:11 PM

Lumpy skin disease: Khattar directs officials to get cows, cattle vaccinated on priority

Amid the spread of lumpy skin disease in Haryana, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday directed the officials to work on a mission mode "just like the state did during Covid times".

He directed Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal to procure available vaccination and inoculate all cows and cattle on a war footing, besides monitoring the situation on a daily basis.

The minister also said he will speak with the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala and seek more vaccine doses to the state at the earliest.

9:03 PM

Protests against Siddaramaiah: CM Bommai assures him of security

Following incidents of eggs being hurled at Congress leader Siddaramaiah's car and black flags waved at him during his visit to Kodagu, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said he has personally spoken to the Leader of Opposition in the State and assured him of adequate security and a thorough probe.

Earlier in the day, alleging that those who pelted his car with eggs were from "an organisation which Mahatma Gandhi's killer Nathuram Godse belonged to", Siddaramaiah, who termed the incident as "State-sponsored", wondered whether such people would spare him.

8:27 PM

Centre restricted from participating in power exchanges without notice, says Telangana

Telangana power utilities on Friday accused the Centre of restricting them to participate in power purchases through exchanges citing overdues.

Power System Operation Corporation Ltd (POSOCO) on Thursday asked three power exchanges -- IEX, PXIL and HPX -- to restrict electricity trading by 27 discoms in 13 States, including Telangana, having outstanding dues towards gencos.

7:46 PM

Twin Tower demolition: 7,000 people to temporarily vacate their houses

As the date for the demolition of Noida Twin Towers nears, around 7,000 people living in and around the two buildings in Sector 93A will have to temporarily vacate their houses and shift to some other place.

Accordingly, people have booked studio apartments and hotels, while some others are thinking of moving to their relatives' places.

7:28 PM

Maharashtra reports 2,285 new Covid-19 cases, 5 deaths; active tally at 11,733

Maharashtra on Friday reported 2,285 new Covid-19 cases and five fresh deaths linked to the infection, while 2,237 more patients recovered in the state, said the health department.

With this, the overall tally of Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra jumped to 80,80,696, while the death toll increased to 1,48,191, said the department in a bulletin, as reported by the PTI.

7:20 PM

Centre extends the service of Union Home Secretary for one year

The Centre extends the service of Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla for a period of one year up to August 22, 2023, the ANI reported.

 

7:16 PM

Demolition teams race against time to rig Noida Twin Towers with 4 tonnes of explosives

Teams of experts are racing against time to install four tonnes of explosives into the stripped down skeleton of Noida's Twin Towers marked for demolition on August 28 in the most daring such exercise in India's history, IANS reported.

Engineers from South Africa and Mumbai are working non-stop for the precision demolition of Apex and Cayenne towers, comprising 915 flats, which took three years to build but were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court, signalling zero tolerance for dodgy builders.

6:57 PM

Deep depression to bring heavy rain in Odisha; no possibility of cyclone: IMD

As the depression in the Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression bringing rainfall in Odisha and West Bengal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday rejected the possibility of any cyclone now, the PTI reported.

Social media was flooded with posts on the possibility of a cyclone following the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center's (JTWC) warning on Thursday that the system has the potential to intensify into a cyclone.

6:46 PM

Doesn't take much effort to form govt but hard work needed to build country: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said it does not take much effort to form a government, but a lot of hard work goes into building a country as he took a veiled jibe at the Opposition for neglecting a key issue like water conservation, the PTI reported.

6:00 PM

India's smartwatch market grows highest ever at 312%, Fire-Boltt leads: Report

India's smartwatch market grew an impressive 312 per cent (on-year) in the June quarter, and homegrown company Fire-Boltt led the market for the first time with a 28 per cent share, a new report said on Friday, the IANS reported.

Noise was second with a 26 per cent share (best-selling brand in online channels) and boAt, together with its sub-brands, maintained the third place with a 19 per cent share, according to Counterpoint Research.

5:45 PM

IAF deploys Cheetal helicopter to rescue Italian mountaineer stranded in Kargil sector

The Indian Air Force has deployed Cheetal helicopter to rescue Italian mountaineer stranded in Kargil sector, the ANI reported.

 

5:36 PM

AstraZeneca India receives DCGI's nod to market drug treating breast cancer

Drug firm AstraZeneca India on Friday said it has received an approval from the Drugs Controller General of India to market its drug for the treatment of breast cancer, PTI reported.

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved Lynparza (Olaparib) as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with early breast cancer, who have previously been treated with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy.

5:29 PM

AIFF ban: Sports Ministry requests FIFA, AFC to allow Indian clubs play AFC tournaments

The Sports Ministry has requested the world football governing body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to allow Indian clubs -- Sree Gokulam Kerala FC and ATK Mohun Bagan -- compete in the tournaments as scheduled despite the ban on AIFF, the PTI reported.

With FIFA suspending the All India Football Federation (AIFF) late on Monday, there was chaos as Gokulam Kerala women's team had already reached Uzbekistan to participate in their second AFC Women's Club Championship.

5:22 PM

Despite directions, Delhi private schools didn't give admission to EWS children: NCPCR

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Friday said despite its directions, private schools in Delhi did not give admission to certain children under the economically weaker section (EWS) category, the PTI reported.

In a letter to the Delhi chief secretary, the NCPCR sought details of EWS admissions in private schools since the 2020-21 academic year.

It has been observed that despite strict directions to the officers and branches involved in ensuring admission of the candidates under EWS/DG and CWSN category, they have not been given admission till date.

5:15 PM

ICMR planning sero-survey among contacts of monkeypox patients: Report

The Indian Council of Medical Research may conduct a sero-survey among contacts of monkeypox patients to check for the presence of antibodies and find out how many of them were asymptomatic, official sources said Friday, the PTI reported.

As of now, it is not known what is the proportion of people who stay asymptomatic of the viral infection, they said.

5:13 PM

J-K Hawala operator Mohd Yaseen involved in funding LeT, Al-Badr arrested

A Jammu and Kashmir Hawala operator named Mohammad Yaseen who was allegedly involved in funding of LeT and Al-Badr terror outfits has been arrested, the ANI reported.

 

5:04 PM

They make big promises, but never work towards it: PM Modi to Opposition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, in a veiled attack on the Opposition parties in the country, said that "people who do not care about the country, stay indifferent to the problems faced by the nation", the ANI reported.

Lauding the efforts by the NDA government in the last eight years, he said that it is easy to form a government, but the BJP has "chosen the path of building the nation...which takes hard work."

4:56 PM

India needs to become superpower in IP, says PM's adviser Amit Khare

Amit Khare, adviser to the Prime Minister, has said people have to be creators of knowledge and not borrowers as the country aspires to become a superpower in Intellectual Property (IP), the PTI reported.

At the 72nd foundation day of IIT Kharagpur on Thursday, Khare stressed the need for linking our past knowledge with the future, saying institutions like IITs have a role to play in it.

4:50 PM

Rishi Sunak takes time out of campaigning, visits temple on Janmashtami

Britain's prime ministerial candidate, Rishi Sunak, took some time out of a hectic campaign schedule to make a visit to a Hare Krishna temple on the outskirts of London to celebrate Janmashtami, the PTI reported.

Sunak, 42, who swore his oath of allegiance on being elected member of Parliament in the House of Commons on the Bhagavad Gita', has often spoken about his Hindu faith giving him strength.

4:32 PM

AAP govt involved in liquor scam; 2 middlemen left India, alleges BJP

The Delhi BJP on Friday accused the city government of being involved in a liquor scam of hundreds of crores of rupees as CBI raided the residence of Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in connection with alleged irregularities in execution of Excise Policy 2021-22, the PTI reported.

West Delhi BJP MP Parvesh Verma accused Sisodia of corruption, and that two "middlemen" who used to collect cash from liquor licensees have left the country.

4:28 PM

4 Cong workers arrested for vandalizing in Rahul's Wayanand office: Police

4 Congress workers including MP Rahul Gandhi's staff arrested for vandalizing a picture of Mahatma Gandhi in his Wayanand office, said the Kalpetta police, as reported by ANI.

 

Congress had earlier alleged that it was SFI workers who vandalized the picture in Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's office in Wayanad.

 

4:19 PM

70 million piped water connection in three years, milestone achieved: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said his government provided piped water connection to seven crore rural families in the last three years under the Jal Jeevan Mission, which helped the country achieve the milestone of 10 crore such connections in villages so far, the PTI reported.

Describing water security as one of the biggest issues being faced globally, the PM said it could prove to be a major challenge for the country in its march towards 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India).

4:14 PM

Bhutia files nomination for AIFF president's post, Chaubey is front runner

The legendary Bhaichung Bhutia on Friday filed his nomination for the president's post in the upcoming All India Football Federation (AIFF) elections even as former player Kalyan Chaubey has emerged as the front runner in the race for the top job, the PTI reported.

4:03 PM

No action taken on mass corruption in liquor licence distribution: Congress

Entering the CBI versus Delhi government fray, the state Congress on Friday said it too had raised the matter of corruption in the distribution of liquor licences with the previous police commissioner but no action was taken, the PTI reported.

The Delhi Congress said it fought to prevent Delhi from becoming a drug capital and has pledged to send hardcore dishonest to jail.

3:56 PM

Ayodhya gears for new look; Ramayana Museum to be the highlight: Report

As Ayodhya gears up for a new look with the grand Ram temple as the epicentre, an international level 'Ramayana Museum and Cultural Centre' will be a major attraction, IANS reported.

The proposed museum is to be established on 10 acres of land at Ramasnehi Ghat between Ayodhya and Lucknow.

This will enable people to get 'grand and divine darshan of the entire life of Lord Ram in one location instead of visiting different cities.

3:49 PM

Joined Judo Academy to pass time, says CWG silver medallist Tulika Maan

Tulika Maan, the judoka who won a silver medal in women's 78kg category at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, revealed that the sport was initially just a way to pass her time when she was bored.

"I had no plans for Judo, but I am here because I used to get very bored alone at home. I was around six or seven years old when I told my mother that I have nothing to do when she goes to her office," said Tulika during a hyperlive segment -- India Ki Umeed on Glance and Roposo.

3:38 PM

14 aspirants caught using fake documents during Agniveer recruitment

Fourteen cases of aspirants allegedly using fake documents have been found during the Agniveer recruitment rally under the Agnipath scheme in Hisar, PTI reported.

The cases were detected on Friday, an official statement said here.

It has been alleged that the candidates have made attempts to enter the recruitment drive using fake or tampered admit cards.

 

3:33 PM

Pak PM Sharif expresses desire for peaceful ties with India: Media Report

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his desire for peaceful relations with India based on the principles of "equity, justice and mutual respect" and the resolution of the Kashmir issue, according to a media report on Friday.

Sharif also urged the international community to play a "facilitative role" to ensure durable peace and stability in South Asia, it said, amidst a chill in bilateral ties over the Kashmir issue and cross border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

3:28 PM

JD(U) to hold its national executive meeting on August 29

Janata Dal(United) to hold its national executive meeting on August 29, discussion will be held on the current political situation, ANI reported.