India Archives - Page 309 of 326

07 Apr

Govt Raises Excise Duty on Petrol, Diesel by Rs 2; Retail Prices Unchanged

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaDiesel, Petrol

New Delhi (National Times): In a notable fiscal move, the central government has increased the excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 2 per litre each, even as global crude prices hit a four-year low. The hike comes at a time when Brent crude oil has dipped below $55 per barrel, driven by a slowdown in global demand and oversupply concerns. According to a notification issued by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, the revised excise rates will come into effect from April 8, 2025. Despite the duty increase, the retail prices of petrol and diesel will remain…

06 Apr

Canara Bank Officer Caught Stealing Over ₹10 Lakh from Vrindavan Temple Donation Boxes

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAbhinav Saxena, Banke Bihari Temple, Canara Bank, Donation Theft

Vrindavan, April 6, 2025 — A Canara Bank officer was arrested Saturday after being caught on CCTV allegedly stealing around ₹10 lakh from donation boxes at the revered Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh.The accused, Abhinav Saxena, a resident of Rampur currently living in Mathura, was nabbed during the monthly donation count. Footage showed him stuffing bundles of ₹500 and ₹200 notes into his clothes.Police Circle Officer Sandeep Kumar confirmed Saxena was caught red-handed on temple premises. “He was found with ₹1,28,600 during a frisk in front of witnesses. On interrogation, he confessed to stealing ₹8,55,300 over the previous…

06 Apr

Modi, Lankan President Launch Key Railway Projects Built with Indian Aid

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia-Sri Lanka Partnership, Narendra Modi, Railway Projects, Sri Lanka

Anuradhapura, April 6, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake jointly inaugurated two major railway projects in Sri Lanka on Sunday, marking a milestone in India-Sri Lanka development ties.The leaders unveiled the refurbished 128-km Maho-Omanthai railway line, upgraded with Indian assistance of USD 91.27 million. They also launched the construction of an advanced signaling system from Maho to Anuradhapura, funded by an Indian grant of USD 14.89 million.“These landmark railway modernization projects represent a major step in strengthening north-south rail connectivity in Sri Lanka,” officials said.The upgraded infrastructure is expected to enable faster and…

06 Apr

Nadda Clarifies Waqf Law Intent, Emphasizes BJP’s Growth on Foundation Day

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBJP Foundation Day, JP Nadda, Waqf Amendment Act 2025

New Delhi, April 6, 2025 — BJP President JP Nadda clarified on Sunday that the central government does not seek control over Waqf Boards but only aims to ensure lawful management that benefits the Muslim community through education, healthcare, and employment.Speaking at the BJP headquarters in Delhi during the party’s 46th foundation day celebrations, Nadda addressed concerns arising from the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. He emphasized that the new law demands accountability and adherence to rules from those overseeing Waqf properties.“We do not seek to control the Waqf Board,” Nadda said. “We only ask that those operating it…

05 Apr

BookMyShow Delists Kunal Kamra Amid Shiv Sena Pressure, Comedian Yet to Respond to Police Notices

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBookMyShow, Eknath Shinde, Kunal Kamra, Rahool Kanal, Shiv Sena

Mumbai, April 5, 2025 — In a controversial move, ticketing giant BookMyShow has reportedly removed stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra from its listings following pressure from the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Shiv Sena functionary Rahool Kanal confirmed the action and publicly thanked BookMyShow CEO Ashish Hemrajani for what he described as “keeping the portal clean.”While BookMyShow has not officially commented, Kanal released a letter praising the platform for removing Kamra not only from ticket sales and promotions but also from the site’s search history. "Thank you for respecting our emotions and maintaining peace," Kanal wrote.He…

05 Apr

Tejashwi Vows to Scrap Waqf Bill if RJD Wins Bihar, Slams JD(U) Over Support

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBihar politics, JD(U), Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav, Waqf Amendment Bill

Patna, April 5, 2025 — RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday fiercely opposed the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, promising to "toss it into the dustbin" if his party comes to power in Bihar. Yadav also confirmed that his party has moved the Supreme Court against the bill, calling it an attack on the rights of minorities.He ridiculed Nitish Kumar's JD(U) for backing the legislation and accused the party of scrambling to justify the bill’s supposed benefits for Muslims. "They’re trying hard, but without success, to prove that the Bill will benefit Muslims," he said, slamming a JD(U) press conference…

05 Apr

President Murmu Extends Ram Navami Wishes, Nation Gears Up for Grand Celebrations

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaPresident Droupadi Murmu, Ram Navami 2025, Shri Ram

New Delhi, April 5, 2025 — President Droupadi Murmu extended warm greetings to citizens on the eve of Ram Navami, calling the festival a time to embrace the values of truth, dharma, and selfless service inspired by Lord Ram’s life. “On the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to all fellow citizens,” she said in a message on Saturday. Referring to Bhagwan Shri Ram as Maryada Purushottam, the President said his epic journey teaches the importance of truth, sacrifice, and commitment to one’s word. She urged everyone to draw inspiration from Ram’s ideals…

05 Apr

Modi Gets Historic Welcome in Sri Lanka, Talks Focus on Defence and Economic Ties

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndependence Square, Narendra Modi, Sri Lanka visit

Colombo, April 5, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a grand ceremonial welcome at Sri Lanka’s historic Independence Square on Saturday — the first time any foreign leader has received such an honour at the iconic venue. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake personally welcomed Modi, marking a new high in bilateral ties.Modi arrived in Colombo on Friday evening after attending the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok. The ceremonial reception was followed by high-level delegation talks between the two leaders.India and Sri Lanka are expected to unveil nearly 10 major agreements, with a landmark defence cooperation pact likely to…

04 Apr

Naxal IED Blast Kills One, Injures Another in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBastar, Chhattisgarh, IED blast, Naxal attack

Narayanpur, April 4, 2025 — A man was killed and another injured after an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Naxalites exploded in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district on Friday, police said. The blast occurred in the afternoon on a dirt track between Jadda and Markud villages when the victims were gathering sticks to make brooms.Rajesh Usendi and Ramlal Korram, both 25 and residents of Kanagoan, triggered the pressure IED, causing an explosion that killed Usendi on the spot. Korram was rushed to Narayanpur district hospital, where he is receiving treatment.Police officials said such incidents are increasing in the Bastar region, as…

04 Apr

Waqf Bill Faces Legal Challenge as Owaisi, Congress MP Move Supreme Court

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAsaduddin Owaisi, Mohammad Jawed, Parliament, Supreme Court, Waqf Bill

New Delhi, April 4, 2025 — Hours after Parliament passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi moved the Supreme Court, calling it unconstitutional. They argued that the law undermines religious autonomy and discriminates against the Muslim community.The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill early Friday with 128 votes in favor and 95 against, following its approval in the Lok Sabha with a 288-232 margin. The Bill now awaits President Droupadi Murmu’s assent to become law. It mandates that only self-owned properties can be declared as Waqf after verifying ownership and ensuring inheritance rights…