Highlights of the day: Govt hikes windfall tax on petroleum crude

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10:56 PM

Govt hikes windfall tax on petroleum crude to Rs 4,600 a metric ton from Rs 3,300 with effect from March 1

The Indian government hiked its windfall tax on petroleum crude to Rs 4,600 a metric ton from Rs 3,300 with effect from March 1, according to a government notification released on Thursday.

9:04 PM

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim should not be given parole without permission of the Court: HC

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim should not be given parole without permission of the Court, said High Court to Haryana Government. The Court directed the State of Haryana to furnish an affidavit as to how many persons having such criminal antecedents and sentenced in three cases have been granted this benefit

8:15 PM

NCP, SCP Chief Sharad Pawar extend invitation to Eknath Shinde, Deputy CMs for lunch on March 2

NCP, SCP Chief Sharad Pawar extend invitation to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis for lunch at his Baramati residence on March 2.
 

The letter reads. "After taking oath as CM of the state, the CM is coming to Baramati for the first time and I am very glad about his visit to attend the Namo Maharojgar Event in Baramati. Therefore I would like to extend the invitation for the meal at my residence after the event along with his other Cabinet colleagues."

7:28 PM

DRDO successfully flight tests Very Short Range Air Defence System

DRDO conducted two successful flight tests of Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile on 28th & 29th Feb 2024 from a ground based portable launcher off the coast of Odisha from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. These tests were carried out against high speed unmanned aerial targets under different interception scenarios. During all the test flights, the targets were intercepted and destroyed by the missiles, meeting the mission objectives: Defence Ministry

5:36 PM

Indian economy grows by 8.4% in October-December 2023 against 4.3% a year ago: Govt data

5:27 PM

20 Indians taken to Russia on the pretext of good jobs still trapped there, says government.

On Indians stuck in Russia, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "We have an understanding that 20-odd people are stuck. We are trying our level best for their early discharge. We have issued two statements which you saw. We've also told people not to venture into the war zone or get caught into situations which are difficult. It. We are in regular touch with Russian authorities both here in New Delhi and also in Moscow."

5:12 PM

News update: No parole without permission to Ram Rahim, says Haryana High Court

4:56 PM

Tamil Nadu government gets Supreme Court's approval on closure of Sterlite plant

The Supreme Cort on Thursday dismisseed Vedanta group's plea against shutting down of its copper smelting plant in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi. The plant has been closed since May 2018 after 13 people were killed as police opened fire to crack down a protest over alleged pollution caused by it.

A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said the health and welfare of residents of the area is a matter of "utmost concern" and the state government is responsible for protecting their concerns.

4:53 PM

Himacha Pradesh crisis: Failure has happened in Himachal Pradesh, says Congress observer Shivakumar

4:47 PM

India to auction 18 critical mineral blocks in second round

India will auction 18 critical mineral blocks as a part of its second round of mining auctions, news agency Reuters reported today.

4:35 PM

Two girls' bodies found in tree In UP's Kanpur, families allege rape: Police

In a spine-chilling incident, bodies of two minor girls were found hanging from a tree near the brick kiln they were working in Kanpur’s Ghatampur area, days after they were allegedly raped, Uttar Pradesh police said on Thursday, according to news agency PTI.

 

4:31 PM

Telcos need not deduct tax at source on profits to be made by their distributors, rules Supreme Court

The top court pronounced that telecom firms are not under a legal obligation to deduct tax at source on profits to be made by their distributors or franchisees by selling prepaid coupons and SIM cards to mobile phone users. A bench comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti delivered the landmark judgement on Wednesday on a batch of appeals and cross appeals filed by the Income Tax department and telecom operator Bharti Airtel Limited (BAL).

 

4:18 PM

News update: Himachal Pradesh cabinet meeting to take place at 5:00 PM

4:05 PM

LIVE news: Karnataka caste census report submitted to state government

The caste census of Karnataka state for 2014-15 was submitted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes to the state government today.The census report, titled, "Caste Census Survey Report for 2014-15", also called the Social and Education Status Survey-2015, has been overseen by the commission led by Jayaprakash Hegde.

3:59 PM

Mizoram not to collect biometric data of Myanmar, B'desh refugees: CM Lalduhoma

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma today stated that his government would not collect biometric details of Myanmar and Bangladesh refugees.

CM Lalduhoma said the central govt is currently providing assistance to the state government to provide relief to refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh and internally displaced people (IDP) from Manipur, who are taking shelter in the state.

2:47 PM

Mauritius an important partner of our 'Neighbourhood First' policy: PM Modi

"In the past 10 years, India-Mauritius ties have got unprecedented direction. We achieved new highs in this relationship. We gave a new form to scientific and historical connections. Development partnership has been the key pillar of our relationship. India has always respected the needs of Mauritius," PM Modi said.

2:45 PM

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann lodges FIR after taking legal advice on Shubhkaran Singh death case

"We have lodged an FIR after taking legal advice. Investigations will reveal who is responsible (for Shubkaran Singh's death). The cause of death will be known in post-mortem report. We have announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore and will provide government job to his younger sister," Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said today.

2:39 PM

BJP asks for dismissal of Karnataka govt over alleged 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans

The opposition BJP today sought the dismissal of the Congress government in the state following the alleged 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans raised inside the Vidhana Soudha.

2:06 PM

LIVE news update: DGCA slaps Rs 30 lakh fine on Air India for 80 year old's death

Aviation regulator DGCA has levied Rs 30 lakh fine on Air India for the wheelchair incident involving 80-year-old passenger at Mumbai airport.

1:49 PM

PM Modi, Mauritius PM Jugnauth unveil St James Jetty airstrip

1:34 PM

DMK allots two Lok Sabha seats each to CPI, CPI(M) in Tamil Nadu

With the Lok Sabha 2024 elections just months away, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Thursday allotted two Lok Sabha seats each to its two allies, CPI and CPI(M). In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the alliance led by the DMK, bagged a landslide win in Tamil Nadu, taking 38 of the 39 seats.

12:43 PM

News update: Court acquits 1993 Mumbai blast case accused Abdul Karim Tunda

The Terrorist and Anti-Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) court has acquitted Abdul Karim Tunda, the main accused in the 1993 serial bomb blasts case, for lack of evidence. Syed Abdul Karim, alias Tunda, was accused of being the brains behind more than 40 bombings in India. He was arrested by the authorities 2013 from the India-Nepal border at Banbasa.

12:13 PM

Deadline for 60% Kannada usage in signboard extended by 2 weeks in Karnataka

The Karnataka government today said that the deadline for installation of 60 per cent Kannada signage in all commercial establishments has been moved further by two weeks. The earlier deadline was February 28. The Karnataka government has mandated the use of 60 per cent Kannada on signage boards in commercial establishments.

12:05 PM

There can't be automatic vacation of stay orders of trial courts, HCs, says Supreme Court

 The top court today ruled that there cannot be an automatic vacation of stay orders granted by a lower court or high court in civil and criminal cases after six months. A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud disagreed with its 2018 judgment which stated there should be automatic vacation of stay orders of the courts below unless they are extended specifically.

11:40 AM

Have to dispense justice: Himachal Assembly speaker on disqualification of MLAs

MLAs are going against the mandate , Himachal Assembly speaker said today after disqualifying six Congress legisators who went against the party whip to vote in favour of government on the Financial Bill. 

11:26 AM

Himachal Assembly speaker disqualifies 6 rebel Congress MLAs

Six Congress MLAs, who defied the party whip to vote in favour of government on the Financial Bill, were disqualified by Himachal Assembly speaker on Thursday. 

11:23 AM

Did such good work but in return, my own house has been razed, says Uttarkashi rat miner

The home of one of the rat miners, who were part of Uttarkashi tunnel rescue operation, has been razed during an anti-encroachment drive by DDA.

10:38 AM

Pandemonium in Karnataka Assembly over alleged video of pro-Pakistan slogans

The Vidhana Soudha witnessed chaotic scenes this morning as Karnataka BJP MLAs raised slogans against the State Government over an alleged video of pro-Pakistan slogans the supporters of Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain. LoP R Ashoka demands the arrest of the person who allegedly raised the slogan.

10:33 AM

PM Modi to unveil two Northern Coalfields projects worth Rs 1,394 crore today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil two first mile connectivity projects (FMC) of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited on Thursday. The Jayant OCP CHP-SILO has a capacity of 15 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and has been developed with an investment of Rs 723.50 crore. The Dudhichua OCP CHP-SILO, with a capacity of 10 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), has been constructed with an investment of Rs 670.19 crore.

 

9:47 AM

Doing everything to improve H-1B Visa process, says US

US President Joe Biden is doing everything he can to improve the H-1B visa process, 'green card' backlog and other issues related to the country's legal immigration system, the White House has stated. The H-1B visa is a type visa that permits US firms to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require technical expertise.