Be proactive, review ease on international travel: PM Modi amid omicron scare

PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting, which lasted almost two hours, to review the public health preparedness and vaccination-related situation for Covid-19 in the country.

PM Modi to hold high-level review meeting today on Covid situation, preparedness

PM Narendra Modi will hold a high-level meeting today to review India's public health preparedness as Covid-19 cases rise. 1,134 fresh infections have been reported, with active cases rising to 7,026 and the death toll at 5,30,813. The Union health ministry has written to 6 states with rising cases, urging them to take pre-emptive action to control the spread of infection.

SC to form special bench to hear Bilkis Bano’s plea against release of convicts

Supreme Court agrees to form special bench to hear plea against remission of sentence of 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case from 2002 Gujarat riots. Petitioner seeks urgent hearing, review of apex court's May 13, 2022 order. 11 convicts were granted remission by Gujarat govt and released on August 15, 2020.

Sisodia requests court to allow him carry these books in judicial custody

Former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was sent to 14-day judicial custody on Wednesday in connection with a money laundering probe related to alleged irregularities in excise policy 2021-2022. Sisodia is already in judicial custody in a CBI case, which the agency has 36 days to file a chargesheet for. His lawyers argue there is no evidence of him receiving kickbacks, while the CBI's SPP opposes the bail plea, saying Sisodia could influence witnesses and destroy evidence.

Indian economy is in a low-risk low-reward position if there is a global slowdown

The world economy has been struggling with one crisis after another in the past few years, most notably the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. Now, interest rate hikes to tackle inflation have started to take a toll on banks in the US. India is not expected to lose much from global economic uncertainties, however, it will not be satisfied with its economic performance. Investment and exports have been low and growth has been slow even before the pandemic hit.

PM Modi inaugurates ITU Area Office: ‘India’s internet users…'

PM Modi inaugurated the new International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area Office and Innovation Centre in India, unveiling the Bharat 6G Vision Document. He said internet users in India have increased from 25 crore in 2014 to 85 crore, with rural India having more users than urban areas. The 6G R&D Test Bed was also launched and JAM (JanDhan, Aadhaar & Mobile) was touted as a case study for the world. The new office will serve India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Afghanistan and Iran.

In India’s tit-for-tat move, barricades for security outside UK mission removed

India began reducing security outside the British high commission and the envoy’s residence in retaliation for a violent pro-Khalistan protest outside the Indian mission in London. India lodged a strong protest with the UK and US over the incidents, demanding stringent measures to prevent recurrence. UK high commissioner Alex Ellis had denounced the incident.

Afternoon brief: No decision on national level NRC, Centre informs parliament and all the latest news

Government informs Parliament that no decision has been taken yet on a National Register of Indian Citizens (NRC) at the national level, while the first phase of Census 2021 was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bike on which Amritpal Singh fled found; Cong 'dumbstruck' at police ‘failure’

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Raja Warring has written to the DGP questioning the failure of the Punjab Police to arrest radical Sikh leader Amritpal Singh who managed to evade them by changing vehicles and clothes. He has asked why the area was not cordoned off and why chase routes were not blocked. Congress's Pratap Singh Bajwa said Amritpal could have been arrested from his village in Amritsar.

Watch: Doctors deliver baby amid strong tremors in Kashmir's Anantnag

Amidst a 6.5 magnitude earthquake, doctors at a hospital in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir successfully delivered a baby through lower-segment cesarean section. The incident was shared by the Chief Medical Officer of Anantnag on Twitter, along with a video of the medical staff carrying out their jobs during the tremors. 11 people died in Afghanistan and Pakistan due to the earthquake.

Decline of 1.95% in total number of teachers last year: Govt informs Parliament

The Ministry of Education told Parliament that there has been a decline of 1.95% in the total number of teachers last year, with government-aided schools seeing a decrease of 1.45%, government schools 0.9% and private schools 2.94%. Government schools saw a decrease of 48 lakh teachers, and private schools 35 lakh teachers. The Centre requested the states to fill the vacant posts of teachers in a timely manner.

Deadline to link voter ID with Aadhaar card extended. Details here

The Government has extended the last date to link Voter ID with Aadhaar to March 31, 2024. This process is not mandatory, but helps in identification of registration of the same person in more than one constituency. Linking of Aadhaar with Voter ID was authorised following the passing of Election Laws (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha in December 2021. The process of linking Aadhaar card with Voter ID can be done online.

'People of Bihar are making incomparable contribution,' PM Modi wish on state day

On March 22, Bihar Diwas is celebrated to commemorate the day in 1912 when Bihar was separated from the Bengal Presidency. PM Modi offered his warmest wishes to the people of Bihar, lauding them for their diligence and hard work. He mentioned the state's rich history, vibrant culture and its contribution in every field for the development of the country.

Delhi Budget to be presented at 11am after much drama

Delhi's annual Budget presentation was delayed after Union Home Ministry refused to approve it, citing procedural concerns. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused the Union government of "interfering" with the Budget. The impasse was resolved after President gave approval, and Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot is set to present the Budget on Wednesday.

Worrying? Tuesday's earthquake was 6th temblor to jolt India in March

At least nine people were killed and 44 injured in Pakistan by a magnitude 6.5 earthquake that struck Afghanistan late on Tuesday. The quake was felt in Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. India experienced its sixth jolt this month, with the epicentre of the quake in the Hindu Kush mountains, in Badakhshan.

India records 1,134 new Covid cases, active tally crosses 7,000 mark

India recorded 1,134 new Covid cases on Wednesday, taking the total tally to 4.46 crore with active cases surpassing 7,000. The death toll rose to 5,30,813 with five deaths reported. 92.05 crore Covid-19 tests have been conducted and 220.65 crore vaccine doses administered. Symptoms of viral influenza similar to Covid-19 are being reported.