Govt to look into “unfair practices” of Ola and Uber

As voices of dissent grow among the public against India's two biggest ride-hailing apps Ola and Uber over a few alleged unfair practices, the government announced today that it is all set to meet the cab aggregators and quiz them over the issues. Demand for the apps is growing everyday as more and more people shift to working from office in Bengaluru. However, a range of different issues is hitting supply from back end.

Minor girl abducted, sold off for ₹50,000; rescued from Madhya Pradesh

A 14-year-old girl was kidnapped and sold for Rs 50,000 to a 22-year-old man from Madhya Pradesh. Pune police have arrested two people in the case. The girl was rescued from Gyara village in Datia district of Madhya Pradesh and the accused have been booked on charges of kidnapping, trafficking and rape.

NCP opposes tree cutting for riverfront development project, PMC says will plant 65,000 new trees

NCP protested against the Pune Municipal Corporation's decision to cut 6,000 trees for the riverfront development project, with NCP city unit president Prashant Jagtap claiming it was to please BJP leaders. PMC responded with a plan to plant 65,000 trees as compensation, which was approved through legal procedure.

Chinese transgressions remain the potential trigger for escalations: Army Chief

Lt Gen Manoj Pandey stated that the Indian Army is firm and resolute in dealing with the PLA Army and is ready to deal with any contingency. He further said that the Sino-American rivalry has been driven by China's global aspirations and the relevance of hard power has been reaffirmed. Talks are continuing under the current engagement mechanisms to ensure stability along the LAC.

Meeting fails to find solution over Khed-Shivapur toll plaza, protest on April 2

Members of the Toll Naka Sangharsh Samiti, NHAI, Pune district administration and police met to discuss the removal of the Khed-Shivapur toll plaza. The samiti is determined to create a stir on April 2, and the district administration must take a strategic decision. The Pune district collector will hold a meeting in the next two days to resolve this issue.

Rajasthan doctors hold massive rally against Right to Health Act

Thousands of doctors and medical professionals in Rajasthan's Jaipur took part in a rally to protest the recently passed Right to Health Act, threatening to not be part of any healthcare scheme by the state in future. The Act gives rights to residents to avail free of cost treatment and ?emergency treatment? without prepayment. Healthcare professionals have raised concerns over the lack of clarity in the Act and the reimbursement of expenses to private hospitals. Government hospitals across the state have been impacted by the boycott.

SPPU forms complaint redressal committee to solve student issues

SPPU has formed a 7-member 'Complaint Redressal Committee' to address issues concerning students, colleges, and faculties. It will be chaired by retired district judge Madhav Godbole, and include dean Parag Kalkar, management council member Ravindra Shinganpurkar, senate member Sunil Lokhande, non-teaching staff member Sanjay Kirtane, deputy registrar B D Udhane, and SPPU registrar Prafulla Pawar. The committee will help resolve issues involving students, faculty, non-teaching staff and affiliated colleges with SPPU.

Pune: AAI to hold meeting with cabbies to solve Aero Mall issues

AAI Pune has called a meeting with cab aggregator companies and their executives to address the issues of long waiting times, traffic congestion, and other difficulties faced by flyers at the Aero Mall. Passengers have complained about the chaotic situation and lack of visibility of cars.

Autopsy of Mauritius national in Delhi reveals ‘compression of neck’

Mauritian tourist Bagwat Lutchmee, whose body was found on a pavement in east Delhi on March 18, may have died of compression of the neck according to a medical board. A faintly visible ligature mark was found on his neck indicating strangulation. Police are seeking opinion from medical and forensic experts from AIIMS and other medical institutes for the exact cause of death. CCTV footage shows a man taking away the dead man's phone and currency.

Delhi police to scrutinise footage of protest at India mission in UK

Delhi Police has registered a case in connection with the pro-Khalistan protest outside the Indian High Commission in London on March 19, and has begun a probe to identify the people involved. The FIR includes provisions of the Indian Penal Code, UAPA and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. Police are reviewing photos and videos of the protest and gathering more details. They plan to alert intelligence officers and take legal action against the agitators.

Soon, IMD forecasts to include ‘real feel’ factor

IMD is planning to issue Heat Index (HI) and colour-coded forecasts for weather stations across India, including Delhi, this summer. HI is a measure of discomfort caused by humidity and temperature, and the colour-based warning will list precautions people can take. IMD is also analysing the impact of wind speed, cloud cover and heatwaves to calculate HI. The report released by the Centre for Policy Research found that most states had not factored in humid heat spells when it came to policy-making.

Restore roads before May 31: Chandrakant Patil to PMC

Pune District Guardian Minister Chandrakant Patil has directed the Pune Municipal Corporation to reinstate all city roads by May 31 before the monsoon. Rs300 crores has been approved for the task, and Patil has reviewed progress on the Metro, riverfront development, river rejuvenation (JICA project) and 24x7 water supply project. The CM and Deputy CM have announced a 40% rebate on property tax, and the proposal will soon go to the finance department.

Pune sees drop in H3N2 cases as mercury surges

The rise in temperature in Pune has resulted in a decline in H3N2 cases, with only 24 cases registered in the last nine days. Health experts cite that high temperature reduces influenza viral replication, while changes in temperature, rainfall, and humidity can have profound effects on spread of the infectious disease. Physicians report that children are taking longer to recover, but are recovering well.

Licence renewal of meat shops violating norms put on hold by PMC

PMC has put on hold the renewal of licenses of meat shops in Pune city due to the sale of 'uninspected' meat of small animals such as goats and sheep, posing a health hazard for the public. All meat offered for sale must be inspected and slaughtered at slaughterhouses. PMC is now decentralizing the work for renewal, registration and inspection of the meat shops to ensure safe meat is sold to consumers.

Four booked for land purchase by forging documents in Patiala

Four accused have been booked for allegedly forging documents to sell a residential plot of a Patiala resident. The accused are related to a former DSP and an AAP leader. The complainant claims the land was sold multiple times and government officials are involved. The accused have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Mamata Banerjee urges President Murmu to protect constitutional rights of people

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged President Droupadi Murmu to protect the constitutional rights of poor citizens and save the country from disaster during her visit to Kolkata. The President praised the people of Bengal for maintaining their connection with their soil and increasing India's glory. The event included an adivasi dance performance in which the Chief Minister participated, while wearing a tribal attire. The President's visit also includes attending the annual convocation of Visva-Bharati University and visiting Belur Math.