India Archives - Page 299 of 317

08 Apr

Centre Files Supreme Court Caveat as Opposition Mounts Against Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCaveat, Supreme Court, Waqf Amendment Act 2025

NEW DELHI, April 9, 2025 — The Centre on Tuesday filed a caveat in the Supreme Court seeking to be heard before any stay is granted on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, following a flurry of petitions challenging its constitutional validity. The move comes amid mounting opposition from political parties and Muslim organisations, who claim the law infringes on religious freedom.By filing the caveat, the government aims to prevent the possibility of an ex-parte interim stay. The Supreme Court is expected to take up the matter on April 15, as per the computer-generated listing.On Monday, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv…

07 Apr

Jaishankar, Rubio Push for Swift India-US Trade Deal Amid Rising Tariff Tensions

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaIndia-US trade deal, Jaishankar, Marco Rubio, Trump tariffs

New Delhi, April 7, 2025: India and the United States are speeding up efforts to finalise a long-awaited bilateral trade agreement, even as new American tariffs rattle global markets.On Monday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the deal’s progress. Jaishankar later confirmed that both sides stressed the importance of wrapping up the agreement quickly. “Agreed on the importance of the early conclusion of the Bilateral Trade Agreement,” he posted online, though he didn’t share further details.This conversation follows US Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch’s visit to India last week, where key…

07 Apr

India’s Mi-17V5 Choppers to Get Indigenous Combat Upgrades in ₹2,385 Crore Defence Deal

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBharat Electronics Limited, electronic warfare, Mi-17V5 upgrade

National Times Bureau, April 7, 2025: India has signed a ₹2,385 crore deal to upgrade its Mi-17V5 helicopters with cutting-edge electronic warfare systems. The Ministry of Defence sealed the contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bengaluru, marking a major boost to indigenous defence manufacturing.These Russian-origin helicopters, numbering 151, are the backbone of Indian Air Force operations in the Himalayas. Acquired between 2008 and 2013, they’ll now be fitted with modern EW suites to increase their survivability in hostile zones.The new systems will be built largely with Indian components. That means local firms — including small and medium-sized ones —…

07 Apr

Supreme Court to Consider Urgent Hearing on Pleas Against Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaJamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Religious Freedom, Supreme Court, Waqf Amendment Act 2025

New Delhi, April 7, 2025 — The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider urgent listing of multiple petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which received presidential assent from Droupadi Murmu on April 5.Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud responded after senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, mentioned the matter for immediate hearing. “All the matters will be placed before me in the afternoon,” said CJI Chandrachud, advising lawyers to follow listing procedures already in place.Nearly a dozen petitions have been filed so far, with more expected as backlash intensifies. Among the petitioners are the All…

07 Apr

LPG Gets Costlier by ₹50 from April 8: Here’s What You’ll Pay Now

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaLPG

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Starting tomorrow, April 8, cooking gas is going to be a bit more expensive across the country. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has announced a ₹50 hike per LPG cylinder, and yes—it applies to everyone, whether you're getting subsidised gas under the Ujjwala Yojana or not. So, what does that mean for you? If you're an Ujjwala beneficiary, your cylinder will now cost ₹550 If you're a non-Ujjwala consumer, the price rises to ₹853 This increase follows the government’s recent hike in fuel excise duties and is likely aimed at easing pressure on oil marketing companies…

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…