Highlights of the day Mizoram CM to present state budget on Feb 27

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11:23 PM

Mizoram CM to present state budget on Feb 27

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma will present the first budget of the new Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) government on February 27, a senior official said on Sunday.

 

The budget session of the assembly commences on February 19.

 

Assembly Commissioner and Secretary Vanlalthantlingi said during a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) held last week, it was decided that the session will last till March 13.

 

Lalduhoma, who also holds the finance portfolio, will table the state budget for 2024-25 and supplementary demand for the fiscal 2023-24 on February 27, she said.

 

Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati will deliver the customary gubernatorial address to the House on the first day, the official said.

11:06 PM

PTI-backed Waseem Qadir jumps ship, joins PML-N after victory in Lahore

Waseem Qadir, the candidate backed by Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who emerged victorious in Lahore's NA-121 constituency, has officially joined Nawaz Sharif's party Pakistan Muslim League (N), Geo News reported. In a video shared by the party, Qadir, standing alongside PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz, declared, "I have come back to my home." "Waseem Qadir, the successful independent candidate from National Assembly Constituency NA-121 Lahore, officially announced his joining of Pakistan Muslim League (N)," said PML-N in a post on X. Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had announced in a post saying Qadir is a PTI-backed candidate.

9:04 PM

Farmers' protest: Delhi Traffic Police issue advisory ahead of planned march, borders fortified

9:01 PM

Farmers' protest march: Delhi Police blocks roads, steps up security

Ahead of farmers' 'Delhi Chalo March', the Delhi Police has intensified security arrangements at Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri borders and installed nails along with barricades to prevent vehicles carrying protesters from entering the city, officials said on Sunday.

 

Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora visited different borders of Haryana-Delhi and Uttar Pradesh-Delhi with police officials to check security arrangements.

 

Police have deployed more than 5,000 security personnel while cranes and earthmovers carrying large containers to block the road were also at work.

 

Multiple security barricades have already been installed at the borders to stop the farmers from entering the national capital. Nails have been erected on roads so that if the protesting farmers try to enter the city on vehicles, their tyres can be punctured, the officials said.

 

Several teams have been formed to keep strict vigil on bus stands, metro stations, railway stations and roads to ensure that farmers do not enter the city using any other mode of conveyance.

8:40 PM

'Enough' of 132 remaining Israeli hostages alive to warrant Gaza war, Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview aired on Sunday on ABC's "This Week" program that "enough" of the 132 remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza are alive to justify Israel's ongoing war in the region.

8:34 PM

Passport cancellation, strict legal action: Haryana police warn Delhi Chalo farmers; video breaks internet

The farmers from Punjab and Haryana are preparing for the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on 13 February to demand a law guaranteeing a minimum support price (MSP) for their crops. The fresh protests by the farmers is an extension of almost a year-long 2021 farmers protest against three farm laws, which were later repealed by the Union Government. The police making elaborate provisions anticipating a huge number of protesters while Opposition parties are targeting the BJP government calling it an undeclared Emergency.
 

Indian National Lokdal leader Abhay Singh Chautala on Saturday shared a video on social media in which police can be seen threatening the residents on loudspeaker and asking them to not participate in the 13 February protests. In the video, which is reported to be from Haryana, the police personnel can be heard saying that the cases will lodged against those who will participate in the farmer's protest.

7:33 PM

NCP names minister Munde as star campaigner for LS polls

Maharashtra agriculture minister Dhananjay Munde was on Sunday appointed as the star campaigner of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

 

His name as star campaigner was announced in a party function by NCP state unit chief Sunil Tatkare.

 

"Munde's popularity among youth and his oratory skills will be useful for the party in the Lok Sabha elections. Munde has worked as star campaigner for NCP's various social outreach programmes earlier," a party functionary said.

7:31 PM

Do not create border 'between Punjab and India': Mann on barbed wire, nails laid by Haryana govt

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday accused the Haryana government of creating a border "between Punjab and India", referring to the concrete blocks, nails and barbed wire placed on some roads to scuttle the farmers' proposed 'Delhi Chalo' march.

 

He said the Manohar Khattar-led Haryana government has placed as much barbed wire at the state's borders with Punjab as there is at the country's border with Pakistan.

 

Khattar, however, justified the steps taken by his government to seal the state's borders and stop Punjab farmers from marching towards the national capital, saying the arrangements are aimed at maintaining law and order.

 

Haryana authorities have sealed the state's border with Punjab at Shambhu near Ambala district, placing concrete blocks, sandbags, barbed wire and anti-riot vehicles on the roads going towards Delhi. Elaborate arrangements have been made at the state's borders with Punjab in Jind and Fatehabad districts as well.

7:31 PM

Mithun Chakraborty 'quite stable': Hospital official

The health condition of veteran actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty has improved and he is "quite stable", an official said on Sunday.

 

Chakraborty, 73, was admitted to a private hospital here on Saturday, after he complained of severe chest pain.

 

"He is recuperating well, is fully conscious, well-oriented, active, and has consumed a soft diet. He will undergo certain investigations before his discharge," the official of the medical facility said.

 

The popular actor has already undergone an MRI, along with other medical tests at the hospital.

 

Chakraborty, who has been honoured with Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in the country, has acted in around 350 films in Hindi, Bengali, Odia, Bhojpuri and Tamil.

6:49 PM

Delhi Police Commissioner inspects security arrangements at Tikri border

More than 200 farmers’ unions will march to the national capital on February 13 to press the Centre for accepting their demands, including enactment of a law to guarantee a minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

6:48 PM

Hamas armed-wing says Israeli strikes on Gaza over past 96 hours

Israeli strikes on the Gaza strip during the past 96 hours have killed two Israeli hostages and seriously injured eight others, Hamas' armed-wing Al Qassam Brigades announced on Sunday over the group's Telegram channel.

6:48 PM

NIA raids 21 locations in Tamil Nadu

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday raided a total of 21 locations across Tamil Nadu in the 2022 ISIS-inspired Coimbatore Car Bomb blast case and the Tamil Nadu ISIS radicalisation and recruitment case: NIA

 

In the raids, the anti-terror agency arrested four persons in connection with the radicalisation and recruitment case. Searches at the locations also led to the seizure of a large number of electronic devices, material objects and documents. These included 6 laptops, 25 mobile phones, 34 SIM cards, six SD cards and three hard discs: NIA

4:41 PM

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on speculations about SAD joining NDA

On speculations about SAD joining NDA, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal says, "I am currently doing 'Punjab Bachao Yatra', our alliance is with BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party)...They (Congress and AAP) are thieves and have ruined Punjab..."

4:41 PM

Not allowing 'Ghar Ghar Ration scheme', says Atishi accusing Centre and Delhi's Lt Guv

Delhi Minister Atishi addressed a press conference in the city and accused the Centre and Lt. Governor of not allowing the 'Ghar Ghar Ration Scheme."

 

"The central government and its representative, Lieutenant Governor (of Delhi), are not allowing the 'Ghar Ghar Ration' scheme to be implemented in Delhi. Yesterday, Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann (Punjab CM) launched this scheme in Punjab. Under this scheme, more than 70 lakh beneficiaries will get the ration at their homes," she said.

4:40 PM

Section 144 imposed in northeast Delhi; Haryana-Punjab border sealed, internet services suspended in 7 dists

Farmers’ Protest Live Updates: Ahead of the farmers’ proposed Delhi Chalo march, prohibitory orders under section 144 have been imposed in the northwest part of the national capital banning large gatherings to avoid a breach of the law and order situation. The order was issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey on Sunday. Earlier on Saturday, the Haryana government sealed the state’s border with Punjab in Ambala and ordered the suspension of mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts beginning 6 am on February 11, which will end at 23:59 pm on February 13. More than 200 farmers’ unions will march to the national capital on February 13 to press the Centre for accepting their demands, including enactment of a law to guarantee a minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

4:39 PM

J&K's GDP reaches Rs 2.64 trn, says LG Manoj Sinha

Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha at a press conference in Jammu, says, "In terms of GDP (of Jammu and Kashmir), the reforms done in the last 4-5 years have resulted in it to grow from Rs 1.6 trillion in 2018-2019 to Rs 2.64 lakh crore, today."

4:22 PM

Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann to visit Ayodhya on Monday

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Punjab counterpart Bhagwant Mann will visit Ayodhya on Monday to pay obeisance at the Ram temple, AAP sources said.

 

The Aam Aadmi convener was invited to the January 22 consecration ceremony at the temple but had said that he wanted to visit the temple later with his parents, wife and children.

 

"Kejriwal and Mann will be going to Ayodhya tomorrow. They will be accompanied by their families also," a source said.

3:13 PM

PM Modi sounds poll bugle in Madhya Pradesh: 'BJP alone will cross 370 seats in Lok Sabha elections'

PM Modi said he heard that NDA will cross 400 in the coming Lok Sabha election but BJP alone should cross 370.

3:09 PM

PM Modi has worked to secure respect for India's cultural heritage on world stage, says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with securing respect for India's cultural heritage on the world stage, citing the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the promotion of other key pilgrimage centres as examples.
 

Speaking at 'Sutturu Jathra' (fair) event, he lauded Modi for promoting the preservation of Yoga, Ayurveda, and Indian languages, along with making the country secure and prosperous.
 

"Narendra Modi has worked to gain respect for the country's cultural heritage on the world stage. Modiji has worked for the revival of several of our cultural centres such as Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Kashi, Mahakal Corridor (Mahakal Lok Corridor in Ujjain), and resurrection of Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham," Shah said.

3:03 PM

They (BJP) suspended three farm laws but the notification to repeal them has not come yet: Cong Prez Kharge

"They suspended the laws to end the protest...Yeh Modi ki chaal hai," Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said today in Punjab alleging that the governemnt suspended three farm laws but the 'notification to repeal them has not come yet'.

3:00 PM

Pakistan elections: Imran Khan's party-backed independents lead in final tally

Pakistan's election commission today declared the final result of Thursday's general elections in which independent candidates backed by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's party got the biggest piece of the cake by winning 101 seats. The unusual delay in the announcement of results vitiated the atmosphere as several parties cried foul play and some even resorted to nationwide protests. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced the results of 264 out of 265 contested seats.

 

2:08 PM

PM Modi holds roadshow in Madhya Pradesh's Jhabua, commissions developmental projects worth Rs 7,500 cr

With Lok Sabha elections just a few months away, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a road show in Madhya Pradesh's Jhabua today. People gathered on both sides of the road showered petals on the PM and chanted slogans as he greeted them on his way to the venue of his public rally in Jhabua. Before holding the roadshow, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various developmental projects worth Rs 7,500 crore at Jhabua.

1:56 PM

Pakistan elections: Parties intensify efforts for formation of coalition government

Pakistan general elections: Political parties on Sunday intensified their efforts for the formation of a coalition government after it became clear that the cash-strapped country faced a hung Parliament after general elections have been delayed indefinetely. The general elections were held on Thursday, but the unusual delay in the announcement of results vitiated the atmosphere as several parties cried foul play and some resorted to protests.

 

1:04 PM

PM Modi inaugurates, lays foundation stone of various developmental projects worth Rs 7,500 cr at Jhabua, MP

12:55 PM

CAPF constable exam to be conducted in 13 regional languages for first time

For the first time, the constable recruitment examination in the Central Armed Police Forces such as the CRPF, BSF and CISF is going to be conducted in 13 regional languages apart from Hindi and English. The examinations will begin from February 10 till March 7. Around 4.8 million candidates are appearing in 128 cities across the country.

12:25 PM

Women of this country are progressing, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed in the Lok Sabha: PM Modi

12:18 PM

PM Modi arrives in Madhya Pradesh, to address Jhabua's tribal communities shortly

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Madhya Pradesh where he is set to address a conference of tribal communities in state's Jhabua district. The PM will inaugurate and lay foundation stones of Rs 7,550 crore development projects for the state.

11:50 AM

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf holds nationwide protest amid delay in election results: Reports

Pakistan general elections: Amid delay in election results, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has given a call for a nationwide protest today to protect the sanctity of the vote as independent candidates are in the lead with 100 seats, reports say.

According to the report, the decision comes after the party's core committee meeting was held and it announced to hold 'peaceful protests' across the Pakistan today at 2:00 pm. The meeting also deliberated on election results and the future course of action. The core committee also discussed matters related to affiliation with specific political parties.

11:21 AM

Farmers' protest: Shambhu border sealed on Punjab-Haryana border

Shambhu border on Punjab-Haryana border has been sealed ahead of farmers' protest. BSF and RAF personnel have also been deployed on the border. 'When they (farmers) come here, we will request them not to go beyond this because they do not have permission for it. We want them to end the movement peacefully,' says DCP Arshdeep Singh.

11:19 AM

President Murmu witnesses Change-over of ceremonial Army guard battalion between 5 Sikh & 1/5 GR