'No slip of tongue': Kiren Rijiju on Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury remark on President

Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday slammed the Congress's Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury amid controversy over his comments on President Droupadi Murmu. The Congress leader has drawn wide criticism for his remark on India's first tribal woman president, Murmu. BJP leaders have been protesting the remark since Thursday, in parliament and outside. Amid huge uproar, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Thursday said her party colleague had apologised.

'What were 80,000 cops doing?': HC slams Punjab as Amritpal Singh still at large

Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday questioned how Khalistani sympathiser Amritpal Singh evaded arrest despite 80,000 police officials deployed in the state. The court also demanded a status report of the manhunt launched on Saturday to arrest Singh and asked why National Security Act was imposed. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann asserted that strict action will be taken against those trying to disrupt peace and harmony. Mobile internet services will be resumed in many cities of Punjab after 12 pm on Tuesday.

MHA approves Delhi Budget, likely to be presented tomorrow

MHA has approved Delhi Budget for 2023-24 after a delay due to queries raised by LG. The Budget was scheduled to be presented on Tuesday, but was postponed. CM Arvind Kejriwal blamed the Union government for the delay, which was denied by MHA. Queries related to inadequate spending, subsidy, central schemes and info & publicity department's budget were raised.

CPI MP writes to PM Modi, urges him to help farmers affected by untimely rains

CPI lawmaker Binoy Viswam has urged PM Modi to provide financial assistance to farmers who have suffered losses due to unseasonal rains and hailstorms in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana. Viswam requested the Centre to announce relief packages and provide ?15,000 per acre to help farmers recover their losses. He also asked the government to take up the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) scheme on priority.

Places of religious tourism earned ₹1,34,543 crore in 2022, reveals govt data

The Ministry of Tourism released data showing that religious tourism revenue in India increased to ?1,34,543 crore in 2022 from ?65,070 crore in 2021. Domestic tourists visiting pilgrimage sites rose to 1,433 million in 2022, while 6.64 million foreign tourists visited India. The Ministry of Tourism has approved 45 projects under its PRASHAD Scheme for an amount of ?1586.10 crore to develop and identify pilgrimage sites across India.

'Want to congratulate Mann...': Kejriwal's praise amid op to nab Amritpal Singh

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal praised Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann for maintaining law and order in the state as police hunt for Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh. Kejriwal said Mann's government showed that "if intentions are right, law and order can be maintained very well." Kejriwal also criticized PM Modi and the BJP over the budget for Delhi, urging the Centre to pass it.

Not just production, self-reliance should cover design, development: IAF chief

Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari stressed on Tuesday that Atmanirbharta should encompass design and development, and called for building offensive and defensive space capabilities, developing directed energy weapons and stakeholder collaboration to achieve self-reliance. He said that technology needs to be complemented with combat sustenance, and the government has taken measures to promote self-reliance. Chaudhari said that the race to weaponise space has already started, and India needs to capitalise on space successes and develop directed energy weapons.

'Worried that Rahul Gandhi might…: Congress hits back at BJP over Adani issue

Congress party called BJP's uproar over Rahul Gandhi's speech in London a "drama" to avoid questions on Adani Group. They defended Gandhi's remarks saying criticism of the government is not equivalent to criticism of the nation. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra called Gandhi a "present-day Mir Jafar" and accused him of seeking help from foreign forces to become a "nawab" in India. Congress said Patra will soon receive a strong answer and action will be taken on his statement.

Uttarakhand Police tightens vigil on fugitive Pro-Khalistan Leader Amritpal

Amid the ongoing crackdown against 'Wris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh by the Punjab Police, the police in Uttarakhand is also on full alert. Strict vigil is being kept by the police and intelligence department, and close monitoring of social media for any support for Amritpal Singh. 114 people have been arrested since the crackdown began, and security has been enhanced across the state.

Afternoon brief: K Kavitha shows phones after ED claimed she destroyed them, and all the latest news

Today's top news includes K Kavitha showing mobile phones after ED claimed she destroyed them, AR Rahman and Mani Ratnam working on Ponniyin Selvan 2 music, Barack Obama and Angela Merkel's AI-generated pics, 2023 Hyundai Verna launch, Alanna Panday's fashion for Haldi and Shoaib Akhtar's statement about Virat Kohli. Chaitra Navratri fasting tips for pregnant women also discussed.

Opposition parties protest inside Parliament amid Adani row, demand JPC probe

Opposition parties staged a protest inside Parliament on Tuesday, demanding a JPC to investigate the Adani Group's alleged financial irregularities. This is the first time members have protested inside the complex. The government has not agreed to the demand, leading to heated exchanges between the opposition and government in both houses of Parliament. Congress leaders also protested that their LoP was not allowed to speak in Rajya Sabha.

Meghalaya CM stakes claim on Assam border village, with proof

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has asserted that Mukroh village, the site of a violent clash that claimed six lives last year, is part of his state. He said residents are beneficiaries of government schemes and elections took place in the village during the recent assembly polls. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier claimed the village is part of his state.

How 11th-hour drama over Delhi Budget unfolded

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has refused to approve the 2023-24 Delhi Budget, prompting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to accuse the chief secretary of delaying the process. The MHA sought clarifications, which were not received until Monday. After the requisite approval from the President routed through the MHA failed to arrive, the Budget presentation was postponed. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has accused the Union government of "blocking" the elected government from presenting the Budget, which must be done before the end of the financial year.

'We want JPC…': Oppn MPs launch protest from Parliament amid Adani row | VIDEO

Opposition lawmakers gathered Tuesday to protest against the government's alleged favouring of the Adani Group, demanding a JPC probe into stock manipulation and financial fraud. They cited claims of offshore shell companies and funds to inflate stock valuations, as well as improper influence to obtain concessions and contracts. Parliament has been deadlocked since the Budget session began, leading to all-party meetings to attempt to resolve the impasse.

US shared intel with India to repel Chinese troops? White House says…

White House refuses to confirm US News report that US military shared intelligence with India for repelling Chinese incursion along LAC in Tawang sector. Indian and Chinese troops clashed, leading to injuries on both sides. US News reported US provided real-time details of Chinese positions and force strength, enraging Beijing. Indian troops were waiting to retaliate.

K Kavitha shows mobile phones after ED claimed she destroyed them. Watch

Kavitha, daughter of Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao, showed mobile phones to media outside her father's residence before heading to ED office for third round of questioning in money laundering case linked to Delhi excise policy. ED has so far arrested 12 people, including former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia.