In Delhi, auto and taxi fares increased over rising CNG prices | Check details

Commuters will have to spend more bucks for auto rides in the national capital as the Delhi government on Friday notified revised auto-rickshaw fares. Under the revised rates, the meter down charge (minimum fare) for the initial 1.5 kilometre for auto-rickshaws has been increased from ₹25 to ₹30, while the per kilometre charge after meter down has been hiked from ₹9.50 to ₹11.

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.

RS member urges Centre to start DigiClaim project in Punjab

AAP MP Vikramjit Sahney has requested Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar to include Punjab in the DigiClaim pilot project, which allows farmers to get claims for crop damage electronically. He applauded the state government's Fasal Bima Yojana, saying it will help farmers get more disposable income.

Ops Akraman-V: Over 1,300 persons arrested as part of drive against criminals in Haryana

The Haryana Police conducted a series of coordinated raids across the state, arresting 1,334 people in 24 hours. 80 illegal firearms, 52.704kg of ganja, 2.488 kg of charas and 1,366 litres of lahan were seized, along with ?2,30,870 in cash. 5 most-wanted offenders and 39 bail jumpers were also arrested.

Arif’s gesture will be considered in violation of Wildlife Act case, say forest officials

After rescuing an injured sarus bird, Mohd Arif was served a legal notice by the state forest department. Senior officials said his gesture of saving the bird will be taken into account while evaluating the case. The bird will be released in a sanctuary if it is healthy enough, and Arif has defended himself saying he never confined the bird.

Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau arrests ASI for graft in Yamunanagar

The ACB on Sunday arrested an assistant sub-inspector of the Kheri Lakha Singh police post for accepting a bribe of ?8,000 to settle a car sale-purchase dispute. This is the third arrest this month by the state agency in the district. Two other employees of the DFSC department were also nabbed for taking a bribe of ?20,000.

Seeking job regularisation sanitation workers launch stir across Haryana

Sanitation workers in Haryana have started a stir demanding regularisation of services and an end to the contractual employment system. They have announced a protest till April 4, including a relay hunger strike in Rohtak. The workers are also demanding compensation for families of those who lost their lives during the pandemic and risk allowance with safety equipment.

Yogi welcomes SC decision on ULB polls, says govt committed to OBC reservation

CM Yogi Adityanath welcomed the Supreme Court decision to allow the U.P. government to issue a notification for ULB elections with OBC reservation within two days. The BJP and Opposition parties have reacted to the SC order, with the BJP claiming the decision dealt a blow to the Opposition's plans to obstruct the reservation for OBCs. The Allahabad High Court had earlier directed the government to hold the civic body elections without OBC reservation.

Elderly duped of ₹7.8 lakh by cyber fraud posing as Indonesian woman

A 70-year-old man was allegedly duped of Rs 7.8 lakh by a cyber fraud gang posing as an Indonesian woman. The man transferred the money to an alleged advocate and another local man as instructed by the fraudsters. An FIR has been filed and the accused will be arrested soon, according to the Lucknow Cyber Cell.

Inclement weather fall-out: Punjab to seek relaxation in wheat grain quality

The Punjab government has decided to move a case before the Centre seeking relaxation in quality of wheat arriving in the state mandis for procurement. This is due to the 40% crop damage caused by rainfall, hailstorm and high-velocity winds, and the state is pushing for expediting the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to insure the crop. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has frozen the repayment of loan taken by the farmers from Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies.

2016 Faridkot incident: 6 years on, four get 10-year RI for abetting Dalit family’s suicide

Four accused of abetting a Dalit family's suicide in Faridkot have been sentenced to 10-year rigorous imprisonment. Two others were acquitted due to lack of evidence. The family of four had jumped into a canal in 2016, citing harassment and a fight with one of the accused. The suicide note also named a local political leader.