Month: April 2022

Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) on Wednesday increased the price of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Delhi by Rs 2.5 per kilogram, taking the total increase to Rs 6.6 in five days.

With this revision, the CNG will cost Rs 2.5 per Kg with effect from today. For Ghaziabad, Noida and Greater Noida, the CNG price has been hiked to Rs 69.18 per kg, while in Gurugram, it will cost Rs 74.94 per kg.

Meanwhile, fuel prices have gone up by another 80 paise a litre today. Petrol and diesel in the past 16 days and after 14 hikes have become dearer by Rs 10 a litre.

Petrol in the national capital crossed the Rs 105 mark today, whereas, in Mumbai, it has surpassed Rs 120.

With the latest hike in prices, petrol now costs Rs 105.41 per litre in Delhi, whereas diesel is priced at Rs 96.67 per litre.

In Mumbai, petrol costs Rs 120.51 per litre after an increase of 84 paise and diesel is selling at Rs 104.77 a litre, increased by 85 paise.

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday defended the Central government over the issue of fuel price hike, comparing it with that of other countries, saying that India has merely seen a change of “only 5 per cent”.

“Fuel prices hiked in India are 1/10th of the change of prices in other countries. Comparing gasoline (petrol) prices between April 2021 and March 2022, the prices in the United States of America (USA) have increased by 51 per cent, Canada by 52 per cent, Germany by 55 per cent, the United Kingdom (UK) by 55 per cent, France by 50 per cent, Spain 58 per cent but in India only 5 per cent,” said Puri in Lok Sabha.

However, the Opposition has been stepping up pressure on the government with demand for the rollback of the fuel price hike. (ANI)

Actor Ileana D’Cruz has been featured in a new music video titled ‘Ooo Ooo’.

Composed and sung by Qaran with lyrics by Qaran and Siddhesh Patole, the urban and contemporary song has been conceptualized and created by Vidit Chitroda and directed by Avinash Jai Singh.

Elated to be a part of the peppy track, Ileana said, “When I heard ‘Ooo Ooo’ I couldn’t stop grooving to the track, it was right up my alley. Qaran and I had a blast filming the song and I can’t wait for everyone to listen to it.”

Qaran, too, talked about the song.

“Ooo Ooo is a song that I’ve always wanted to make. Something which puts a smile on peoples faces and gives them a feeling of positivity and happiness. In my opinion, this song and the energy it brings is the perfect way to usher the world back into a state of a relative normalcy after 2 years of uncertainty. I want this song to be remembered as a moment of celebration for the same. I can’t think of anyone better suited to bring out this emotion on screen with me than the gorgeous, Ileana,” he expressed.

‘Ooo Ooo’ is currently streaming on Vinod Bhanushali’s Hitz Music channel. (ANI)

Amidst the unprecedented economic crisis in Sri Lanka, Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando on Wednesday informed Parliament that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will not resign and will face the current issues.

“As a responsible government, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will not resign under any circumstances,” Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said.

Fernando said that the President will not resign as he was elected to office, reported Colombo Gazette.

Meanwhile, the Government also defended the President’s decision to enforce a State of Emergency and later revoke it.

Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that the State of Emergency was declared after attempts were made to attack the President’s Office and other public property, reported Colombo Gazette.

He said that the Government defends the decision to enforce the State of Emergency.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday revoked the gazette enforcing emergency regulations.

The regulations have been revoked with effect from 5th April.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had on Tuesday issued a notification revoking the proclamation issued declaring the State of Emergency, as the island nation continues to stare at the countrywide protests over the severe economic crisis.

Earlier, Rajapaksa had announced an emergency in the country to ensure “public security and maintenance of public order.”

Anti-government protests continue to take place in the island nation, demanding solutions to the current economic crisis. An emergency health situation has been declared in Sri Lanka today, due to a severe shortage of medicines in the country.

Sri Lanka is battling a severe economic crisis with food and fuel scarcity affecting a large number of the people in the island nation. The economy has been in a free-fall since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sri Lanka is also facing a foreign exchange shortage, which has, incidentally, affected its capacity to import food and fuel, leading to the power cuts in the country. The shortage of essential goods forced Sri Lanka to seek assistance from friendly countries.

On Sunday, 26 Sri Lankan Cabinet Ministers resigned en masse from their positions amid rising public anger against the government over the economic crisis. All 26 of them signed a general letter, Daily Mirror reported. (ANI)

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday accused the former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya of financial bungling, alleging that while he had collected about Rs 50 crore from the people as part of a campaign to save the INS Vikrant but the fund wasn’t submitted to the state exchequer.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, the Shiv Sena leader demanded a probe by the Maharashtra government against Somaiya while also claiming that it’s a fit case to be probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Income Tax (IT) and Enforcement Directorate (ED).

“In the 1971 war against Pakistan, the Indian Navy played a key role, including the INS Vikrant. When the situation of the INS Vikrant got bad and it got difficult to maintain, there were campaigns for turning it into a museum,” Raut said.

He said about Rs 200 crore was required for the purpose, and the Central or state governments couldn’t provide the financial support.

“There were campaigns across the country for saving the INS Vikrant. All party leaders from Maharashtra used to come to Delhi and meet the then Defence Minister AK Antony or the Prime Minister. Kirit Somaiya used to be part of the campaign,” added Rout.

The Shiv Sena leader alleged that Kirit Somaiya started a campaign to raise funds for the INS Vikrant.

“Somaiya appealed to the people with the help of his volunteers to collect money to ‘Save Vikrant’ by wearing the t-shirts and jerseys and going to Mumbai airport and railway stations. Many people back then in the name of the INS Vikrant donated lakhs and crores of money. Three-four people called me yesterday and said that they had donated Rs 5,000 and 10,000 rupees in Navy Nagar, Church gate and Chembur,” he added.

Raut alleged that more than Rs 50 crore was collected for the INS Vikrant but the information from Raj Bhawan said that not a single paise was submitted.

“As per the information, more than Rs 50 crore was collected officially. People thought that all this money will go into saving INS Vikrant. Somaiya then said in all the newspapers that they will submit the money to Raj Bhavan’s account by opening a separate independent account. We got the information from Rajya Bhawan that no such amount had been submitted,” alleged Rout.

The Shiv Sena leader stated that “while the amount may be less than the Bofors, Agusta Westlands or Rafale scams, it’s connected with the nation’s security”.

“The Maharashtra government will investigate this matter. But it is also the responsibility of the central government. I appeal to Income Tax, and the CBI to hold an inquiry. It is directly a case of treason,” alleged Rout. (ANI)

Wednesday turned out to be a great day for Ranbir Kapoor’s fans as his mother and veteran star Neetu Kapoor shared an adorable picture with the ‘Rockstar’ actor.

Taking to Instagram, Neetu posted the image in which she can be seen sharing smiles with Ranbir from one of the shooting sets.

“Ad shoot with my “jaane Jigar” ( heartbeat),” she captioned the post.

The mother-son duo’s image has left netizens in awe of them.

“God bless you both,” a social media user commented.

“Mamma’s Choco Boy,” another one wrote.

Meanwhile, Ranbir is currently in news for his rumoured wedding with actor Alia Bhatt on April 17. If reports are to be believed, the couple will tie the knot in an intimate ceremony at RK house in Chembur, Mumbai, just like late star Rishi Kapoor and Neetu’s wedding ceremonies took place in 1980. (ANI)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday proposed the fifth package of sanctions against Russia which include an import ban on Russian coal and a ban on Russian and Russian-operated vessels from accessing the European Union (EU) ports.

Taking to her Twitter, the European Commission President said, “Russia is waging a cruel, ruthless war, also against Ukraine’s civilian population. We need to sustain utmost pressure at this critical point. So today we are proposing the 5th package of sanctions.”

The sanctions include an import ban on coal from Russia, worth 4 billion euros per year, aimed at cutting an important revenue source for Russia. Further, it includes a full transaction ban on four key Russian banks, including Russia’s largest bank, VTB.

The sanctions also comprise a ban on Russian and Russian operated vessels from accessing EU ports and a ban on Russian and Belarusian road transport operators. They also include export bans, worth 10 billion euros, in crucial areas like advanced semiconductors, machinery and transport equipment.

Specific new import bans worth 5.5 billion euros and targeted measures such as a ban on participation of Russian companies in public procurement and exclusion of all financial support from EU or national to Russian public bodies are also included in the sanctions.

The European Commission President further said that the EU is also proposing further listings of individuals and working on additional sanctions, including on oil imports, and reflecting on some of the ideas of the Member States, like taxes or specific payment channels such as an escrow account.

“Today over 40 countries apply sanctions like these. To take a clear stand is crucial for the whole world. A clear stand against Putin’s war of choice. Against the massacre of civilians. Against the violation of the fundamental principles of the world order. Slava Ukrainje,” she tweeted.

Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognized Ukraine’s breakaway regions – Donetsk and Luhansk – as independent entities.

Several countries including the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union have condemned Russia’s military operations in Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Moscow. These countries have also promised to help Ukraine with military aid to fight Russia. (ANI)

Bharatiya Janata Party has invited diplomats of foreign nations on Wednesday on the occasion of the party’s foundation day in a bid to establish better relations and dialogues with other countries.

The event named ‘To Know BJP’ will take place at the party headquarters in New Delhi which will be attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, national president JP Nadda, party spokespersons Sudhanshu Trivedi, Jay Panda along with officials of the External Affairs Ministry.

“So far envoy of France Emmanuel Lenain, European Union’s Ugo Astuto, Portugal’s Carlos Pereira Marques, Switzerland’s Ralf Heckner Poland’s Adam Burakowski, Romania’s Daniela Sezonov Tane, Bangladesh’s Muhammad Imran, Singapore’s Simon Wong Wie Kuen, Slovakia’s Robert Maxiam, Italy’s Vincenzo De Luca, Hungary’s Andras Laszlo Kiraly, Vietnams’ Pham Sanh Chau and Norway’s Hans Jacob Frydenlund have confirmed their presence to the event,” read the BJP’s official release.

Mostly, envoys of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) nations, along with some Asian and European nations have been invited to the event.

According to BJP Foreign Affairs In-Charge Vijay Chauthaiwale, the party aims to foster friendly relations with foreign country envoys.

The event will begin with JP Nadda briefing the envoys about the activities that the BJP is undertaking. It will be followed by a short documentary on the party, individual interaction with envoys and a tour of the entire party headquarters.

“We aspire to start a similar dialogue with other countries too. This is our first such interaction programme. We will go ahead and have a similar one to one interaction with the political parties of friendly nations,” said Chauthaiwale.

Chauthaiwale added that different leaders from BJP will be engaged from time to time in these discussions.

“We have also prepared a coffee table book which consists of the work undertaken by the party starting from the days of Jan Sangh till COVID-19. That book will be presented to the foreign ambassadors who will be present at the event,” Chauthaiwale added.

Stressing the importance of interactions with foreign envoys, BJP leaders quoted the visit of Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba to the party headquarters which helped them clear many misconceptions about the party and initiatives of BJP led state governments.

“PM Deuba visited BJP Hq here in Delhi and then went to Uttar Pradesh. The delegation raised the misconception they had about the Nepali temple in Varanasi. The rumours were spread that the Nepali temple was removed during the construction of the Varanasi corridor. The Nepali delegation raised the issue and UP CM Yogi Adityanath clarified to them that an encroachment near the temple has been removed, and the temple in safe and secure. They were happy and satisfied with our explanation and they also tweeted about it,” said Chauthaiwale.

BJP is aiming to rectify any such rumours around the party with such interactions with foreign delegations.

The BJP will organise various programmes from April 6 till April 20 to celebrate the party’s foundation day. (ANI)

The Parliament on Tuesday passed a bill to merge three municipal corporations of Delhi into a single entity.

The Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was passed in the Rajya Sabha with a voice vote after a reply by Home Minister Amit Shah. The bill was earlier passed by Lok Sabha.

Amit Shah said that the bill seeks to unify the three municipal corporations into “a single, integrated and well-equipped entity” to ensure a robust mechanism for synergised and strategic planning and optimal utilisation of resources.

Shah also accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi of “step-motherly” treatment of three municipal corporations of the national capital–North Delhi Municipal Corporation, South Delhi Municipal Corporation, and East Delhi Municipal Corporation.

“All the three municipal corporations of Delhi are not functioning properly due to the step-motherly behaviour of the AAP party,” Shah said.

The Home Minister said it is necessary to unify the three municipal corporations into one entity so that these can work in a proper manner.

Shah said AAP’s “step-motherly attitude towards these municipal corporations have resulted into dissatisfaction into their employees, and the three units are functioning in different ways despite being part of one city”.

The bill proposes to appoint “Special officer” who will essentially discharge the functions of the elected wing of councillors as in the interim till the first meeting of the new corporation is held.

The Bill aims to merge three municipal corporations of Delhi into a single entity by seeking an amendment to the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957. The Act was amended in 2011 by Delhi Legislative Assembly to trifurcate the erstwhile Municipal Corporation of Delhi into North, South, and East Delhi Municipal Corporation. The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha on March 30.

The bill proposes to completely omit the section on directors, local bodies in the amended act that governs the functioning of the MCDs. (ANI)

More than 7.1 million people have been internally displaced by the ongoing war in Ukraine with over half of them women, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Taking to Twitter, IOM wrote, “More than 7.1 million people have been internally displaced by the ongoing war in #Ukraine, over half of them are women. The main needs include cash, medicines & health services. We continue to deliver humanitarian aid to the people in #Ukraine, whenever and wherever possible.”

Moreover, IOM Director General Antonio Vitorino said, Humanitarian corridors are urgently needed to allow the safe evacuation of civilians and ensure the transportation and delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid.

More than 50 per cent of displaced households have children, 57 per cent include elderly members and 30 per cent have people with chronic illnesses, according to the survey. More than one-third of displaced households indicated that they have had no income in the last month, the IOM added, reported CNN News.

With more than 4.2 million people refugees having left Ukraine for neighbouring countries, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, a total of at least 11.3 million people have been displaced since the Russian invasion began in late February. (ANI)

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, utilizing the emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021, has issued orders for blocking 22 YouTube-based news channels, three Twitter accounts, one Facebook account, and one news website for spreading disinformation related to India’s national security and foreign relations.

A statement issued by the ministry said, “The blocked YouTube channels had a cumulative viewership of over 260 crore, and were used to spread fake news, and coordinated disinformation over social media on subjects sensitive from the perspective of national security, India’s foreign relations, and public order.”

As per the ministry, this is the first time action has been taken on the Indian YouTube-based news publishers since the notification of the IT Rules, 2021 in February last year. Through the recent blocking order, 18 Indian and four Pakistan based YouTube news channels have been blocked, said the ministry.

The ministry stated that multiple YouTube channels were used to post fake news on various subjects such as the Indian Armed Forces, Jammu and Kashmir, etc. The content ordered to be blocked also included certain anti-India content posted from multiple social media accounts operated in a coordinated manner from Pakistan.

It was observed that a significant amount of false content published by these Indian YouTube-based channels related to the ongoing situation in Ukraine, and aimed at jeopardizing India’s foreign relations with other countries, stated the ministry.

The blocked Indian YouTube channels were using templates and logos of certain TV news channels, including images of their news anchors to mislead the viewers to believe that the news was authentic. False thumbnails were used, and the title and thumbnail of the videos were frequently altered to increase the virality of content on social media. In certain cases, it was also observed that systematic anti-India fake news was originating from Pakistan.

With this action, since December 2021, the Ministry has issued directions for blocking of 78 YouTube-based news channels and several other social media accounts on grounds related to national security, sovereignty and integrity of India, public order, etc.

“The Government of India remains committed to ensuring an authentic, trustworthy, and safe online news media environment, and thwart any attempts at undermining India’s sovereignty and integrity, national security, foreign relations, and public order,” added the ministry. (ANI)