Working professionals to share real-life experience with students of vocational courses at Punjab govt schools

{National Skills Qualification Framework} In a bid to provide relevant exposure to the students receiving vocational training under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), experienced professionals will be invited to deliver lectures at government schools across the state. Under the NSQF program, vocational training is available at 989 government schools across the state.

RPF writes to police regarding traffic chaos outside Pune railway station

The Pune Railway Protection Force has written to the traffic police department to address traffic congestion outside Pune railway station, as it is causing passengers to pull the alarm chain unnecessarily and delaying train operations. A railway official also said that the traffic situation is causing passengers to miss their trains.

4 killed, 11 injured in accident on Pune-Ahmednagar road

Four people, including a minor, from Pune district died and 11 were injured in an accident on Pune-Ahmednagar road on Wednesday. The victims were returning from religious places when an overspeeding truck rammed their tempo, causing a traffic jam. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital.

Overworked HBT clinic doctors face salary delays for months

Doctors at Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray (HBT) clinics in Mumbai have not been paid their salaries and incentives for months, despite an average of 50-60 patients daily. The BMC has instructed ward officers to release salaries immediately, with a budget passed to ensure on-time payments from April.

30th witness turns hostile in 2008 Malegaon blast case

A real estate agent was declared hostile after refusing to support the prosecution case in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case. The witness denied giving any statement to the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad and identified Lt Col Prasad Purohit as a prime accused. He claimed to have been recruited by Purohit for military intelligence and to have attended a meeting of Abhinav Bharat in Pune.

HC relief for Raj Thackeray in 2008 Sangli protest case

Bombay HC quashed an order by a sessions court refusing discharge to MNS chief Raj Thackeray in a 2008 case arising from an agitation demanding preference for Maharashtrian youth in railway jobs. The court directed the sessions court to hear the discharge plea afresh and consider the non-bailable warrant if Thackeray seeks a stay.

Mumbai to get a grand fest similar to Dubai Shopping Festival

Maharashtra government announced plans to organise a Mumbai Festival in November this year, similar to the Dubai Shopping Festival. The event is expected to attract 10 million people and offer attractive discounts. The state also proposed to set up the Mumbai Eye observation wheel in Bandra Reclamation and granted tourist spot status to Kanheri Caves and Vajreshwari Temple.

Rahul case: Bihar Assembly witnesses uproarious scenes

During the Bihar Legislative Assembly debate on budgetary demands, Congress and RJD leaders raised the issue of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's sentencing in a 2019 criminal defamation case, which was later granted bail. BJP leaders questioned the remarks on the court order, with the Speaker intervening to calm the situation. The budgetary demands for the building construction, transport and mines & geology departments were passed.

Difficult to say we are in Amritkaal or Apatkaal: Soren

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren lashed out at the BJP and the Central government, accusing them of targeting non-BJP governments and suppressing dissenting voices. He criticized their misuse of institutions and their 'dictatorial regime'. Congress and BJP legislators protested in the assembly and Congress workers staged a protest march in response to the court verdict on Rahul Gandhi.

203 castes in Bihar to choose from as 2nd leg of survey begins April 15

Bihar's caste-based survey to cover 13 crore people in 3 crore households, providing insight into socio-economic parameters and why some are still backward. 203 castes in total, 196 in reserved category, 7 forward castes; 50% current quota.

Samrat Chaudhary is new Bihar BJP chief

BJP appoints Samrat Chaudhary, leader of opposition in Bihar Legislative Council, as new state unit president. Chaudhary vows to form the first BJP government in state and win all 40 Lok Sabha seats in 2024. He is a vocal critic of CM Nitish Kumar and a Koeri (Kushwaha) by caste, aiming to make a dent in Nitish's 'Luv-Kush' base. JD-U state president Umesh Kushwaha denies any split in Luv-Kush equation, maintaining it is solidly behind Nitish Kumar.

Power tariff up by 24.1% in Bihar, industry demands subsidy hike

Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) approved a 24.10% hike in power tariff for all categories of consumers, doubling the fixed charge. The new tariff will be effective from April 1 and will continue till March 31 next year. The hike is due to increase in power purchase cost from NTPC and the government's per unit subsidy to consumers. The Bihar Industries Association expressed concern over the hike and asked the government to increase subsidy component.

603,193 cases pending in Pune district court

Over 600,000 civil and criminal cases are pending before the Pune district court, according to the National Judicial Data Grid. Factors like lack of basic amenities, shortage of judges, transfer of public prosecutors and time taken to submit chargesheets have caused an increase in pendency. The pandemic has further hampered the judicial process, with only important cases being heard. Technology must be used to reduce pendency, and police and prosecutors must provide assistance to expedite trials.

Tobacco trader’s staff threatened with koyta, robbed of ₹47 lakh

Two persons on bike robbed an employee of a tobacco trader of ?47 lakh by brandishing a koyta in Nana Peth on Thursday. The employee was on his way to deposit cash in a bank when the duo intercepted him. A case has been registered at Samarth police station and teams have been formed to nab the accused.

Four minors rescued from beggary, sent to govt shelter homes

AHTU and Childline Lucknow rescued four minors from beggary on Thursday and relocated them to government shelter homes. During the rescue, a Childline worker sustained a minor injury. The children were tested for Covid and then presented before the Child Welfare Committee. The commission for protection of child rights called for more steps to be taken to ensure the children don't fall back to beggary.

BJP makes fresh minority outreach with rallies, Mann ki Baat’s Urdu book & Sneh Milan in U.P.

BJP has started a renewed outreach to minority communities in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This includes holding rallies for Pasmanda Muslims and distributing Urdu versions of PM Narendra Modi's 'Mann ki Baat' in madrasas during Ramzan. The party also plans 'Sneh Milan' events to highlight the RSS view of Hindus and Muslims sharing the same ancestry.