- Agitating farmers misguided: Prakash Javadekar: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar alleged that “some” farmers protesting against the recently enacted central laws were misguided by their “political masters” and that they were painting a picture as if farmers across the country were with them. Ryots in India are happy with the farm laws and other pro-farmer initiatives such as the PM Kisan scheme, the minister for environment and information said.
- Dry run for Covid vaccine rollout in 4 states next week: The central government is gearing up for the rollout of the vaccine for Covid-19 across the country. A dry run has been planned in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Punjab considering the geographical locations. The detailed checklist has been prepared by the Union health ministry and shared with the four states to guide them in the dry run.
- PM to flag off India’s first driverless train: The PM on Monday will flag off the country’s first-ever fully automated driverless train service on Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line. He will also launch the fully operational National Common Mobility Card for travel on the Airport Express line on the same day.
- Strong growth for auto industry in 2021-22 likely: The Indian auto industry is expected to see stronger growth in 2021-22, after recovering from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with electric vehicle sales, especially two-wheelers, also likely to see positive movements, according to Nomura Research Institute Consulting & Solutions India.
- E-human resource management will be effective tool for all ministries: Union home secretary A.K. Bhalla on Friday said the electronic-human resource management system (e-HRMS) will become a good and effective tool for all ministries in times to come. Releasing a progress report of the system, he said that application of artificial intelligence tools will greatly help in policy making and in handling matters related to personnel.
- Reliance to buy out IMG Worldwide LLG: Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd has agreed to buy out IMG Worldwide LLC from their sports management joint venture for Rs 52.08 crore.The nation’s biggest company by market value, in a stock exchange, said it will buy IMG Worldwide’s 50 per cent stake in IMG-Reliance Ltd (IMG-R).
- No illegal immigration into India, claims Bangladesh: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Friday claimed that no illegal immigration is taking place into India from the neighbouring country, but expressed concern over rising incidents of smuggling across the border. BGB was addressing a joint press conference with the Border Security Force (BSF).
- Six JD(U) MLAs switch to BJP in Arunachal Pradesh: Six of seven legislators of Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal United (JDU) in Arunachal Pradesh have defected to the BJP. The JDU now has just one MLA in the 60-member Arunachal Assembly. Along with an MLA of the People’s Party of Arunachal, the BJP now has 48 members.
- Two with drugs worth Rs 1 cr arrested in B’luru: Byappanahalli police on Tuesday arrested two Nigerians from behind Bagmane Tech Park, where they had come to allegedly sell MDMA tablets and powder to their customers. Police seized 3,300 pills and 600grams of powder, all worth Rs 1 crore.
- Sivagiri fete to begin of Friday, virtually: For the first time in the history of the Sivagiri Mutt, the 88th annual Sivagiri pilgrimage is taking place on a virtual platform due to the pandemic. The three-day annual pilgrimage, will however, be stretched into eight days this time starting Friday. Experts from various fields will speak in the virtual meet that will be telecast on Sivagiri TV in eight official languages.