Breaking News Highlights | Power Ministry Puts Regional, State Control Room Executives On High Alert Ahead Of Bharat Bandh

Breaking News LIVE: Follow this page for all the updates and Breaking News from India around the world.

Background

Breaking News LIVE: Hello and welcome to the ABP News LIVE Blog. Follow this space to get the latest developments and Breaking News from India and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which entered its 32nd day on Sunday.Air raid sirens were heard on Saturday afternoon in the western city of Lviv, and Ukrainian authorities claimed that three powerful explosions took place near Lviv without giving details of what was hit. Footage shot by The Associated Press showed thick plumes of smoke rising above the city.Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "butcher" after meeting refugees in Warsaw, Poland, in an intense criticism of the Russian leader's actions in Ukraine that have seen millions of refugees flee to the neighbouring countries, CNN reported.After a coronavirus pandemic-induced hiatus of over two years, regular international flights are set to resume from Sunday with airports and airlines getting ready for normal overseas operations.Battered by the pandemic, the airline industry is slowly coming back to normalcy and the resumption of normal overseas flights is expected to provide a fillip to the sector.Over 3,200 departures per week will be operated from India per week during this year's summer schedule which commence from today. According to aviation regulator DGCA, 1,466 departures per week have been approved for Indian carriers. On the other hand, 1,783 departures per week will be operated by foreign airlines.Two back-to-back explosions created panic in J&K's Rajouri district on Saturday. Police sources said the two explosions took place in the main market of Kotranka town in Rajouri district on Saturday evening.India reported 1,660 fresh Covid-19 infections in the past 24 hours, a marginal decline from 1,685 cases reported on the previous day, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday.Meanwhile, following a continuous downward trend, the country's active caseload has further declined to 16,741 this morning, constituting 0.04 per cent of the country's total positive cases.

27/03/2022 22:36:46

Power Ministry puts regional, state control room executives on high alert ahead of Bharat Bandh

The Ministry of Power on Sunday issued an advisory to all the state government and electricity authorities to prepare themselves to ensure maintenance and reliability of the electricity grid during the strike called by the National Convention of Workers from March 28 to March 30, ANI reported.

27/03/2022 21:27:59

Aam Aadmi Party Dissolves All Units In Rajasthan Ahead Of Polls

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday dissolved its all units in Rajasthan to restructure the party organisation to prepare for the state assembly polls. The party has started expanding its base in Congress-ruled Rajasthan after it formed the government in Punjab.

27/03/2022 20:45:44

Mukesh Sahani sacked from Nitish Kumar cabinet: PTI

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday sacked Mukesh Sahani, the minister for fisheries and animal husbandry, from his cabinet, highly placed sources told PTI.

As per PTI, the recommendation to this effect has been sent to the Governor following a written submission from ally BJP which had contended that Sahani, who is the founding chief of Vikassheel Insaan Party, was no longer a part of the NDA".

27/03/2022 20:09:09

S Jaishankar formally hands over Coastal Radar System to Maldives

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday formally handed over the Coastal Radar System to the Maldives Chief of Defence Force Maj Gen Abdulla Shamaal

"Handed over the expanded Coastal Radar System in Maldives to Chief of Defence Force, @CDFofMNDF. Product of MEA-Navy partnership for regional security. A fine example of our SAGAR and Neighbourhood First policies. A strong statement of our Special Partnership," Jaishankar tweeted.

27/03/2022 18:45:29

India, UAE trade pact may come into force from May 1: Goyal

The free trade agreement between India and the UAE is likely to come into effect from May 1 this year, under which domestic exporters of as many as 6,090 goods from various sectors would get duty-free access to the UAE market, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Sunday.

27/03/2022 18:44:34

No 'hijab' during board exam: K'taka Minister

"After the High Court order, we've not allowed that (hijab). We've given clarification that they (students with hijab) can come into the campus wearing the hijab but they cannot put it on in the classroom. The same condition will apply during the 10th standard examination of the State board," Nagesh told PTI. The exam starts from Monday and ends on April 11.

27/03/2022 16:07:49

Amaranth Yatra to start from June 30th, 2022

Amaranth Yatra to start from June 30th, 2022, with all covid protocols in place & culminate, as per the tradition, on the day of Raksha Bandhan. The Amarnath Yatra will last for 43 days this year: Office of Lt. Governor of Jammu & Kashmir.

27/03/2022 15:47:53

Himachal CM thanks PM Modi for extending PM-GKAY till September 2022

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Sunday expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for extending the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY) for another six months.

Thakur said that this would cover nearly 80 crore beneficiaries across India and like before would be fully funded by the Government of India.

27/03/2022 15:39:38

Tika Lal Taploo was a symbol of Kashmir's culture, says Union Minister Jitendra Singh

Today, a school has been named after Tika Lal Taploo. He was honorable for us not only because he was a BJP president but also because he was a symbol of Kashmir's culture...: Union Minister Jitendra Singh was quoted as saying by ANI.

27/03/2022 14:52:25

Chittoor bus accident: President Ram Nath Kovind offers condolences

President Ram Nath Kovind offers condolences to bereaved families of those who lost their lives in a road accident in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. A total of 7 people were killed and 45 people were injured in the bus accident in Chittoor, last night.

27/03/2022 14:40:38

PM Modi expresses grief over loss of lives in Chittoor bus accident, announces ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a bus accident in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor, and announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased. Ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 has also been announced to those who were injured in the accident from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

The Prime Minister's Office in a tweet said, "Pained by the loss of lives in a tragic bus accident in Chittoor, AP. Condolences to the bereaved families. I hope the injured recover soon." "The next of kin of the deceased would be given Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF and Rs 50,000 would be given to the injured: PM Narendra Modi," PMO added.

As per Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan eight people were killed while several others sustained injuries in the accident.

The Andhra Pradesh Raj Bhavan said that the district officials briefed the Governor that the accident took place when a private bus carrying 63 persons of a marriage party, proceeding from Dharmavaram in Anantapuram district to Tirupati, lost control while taking a turn on the ghat road and fell into a gorge. According to the Tirupati Superintendent of Police (SP), the driver's negligence is believed to be the cause of the accident.

"The accident took place as the bus fell off the cliff due to driver's negligence in Bakrapeta, 25 kms away from Tirupati," he said. The victims were shifted to a nearby hospital. (ANI)

27/03/2022 14:16:07

CBI's forensic team inspects the epicentre of violence in Birbhum district for the second day

CBI's forensic team inspects the epicentre of arson and violence in Bagtui village in Rampurhat, Birbhum district for the second day. They collected samples of charred debris from the spot for further investigation, ANI reported. 

27/03/2022 13:45:37

WB: Crude bombs recovered by police near a football ground in Sikandarpur village of Birbhum district

27/03/2022 13:44:40

Power Ministry issues advisory to States ahead of strike called by National Convention of Workers

Power Ministry issues advisory to States, CEA, All RPCs, CPSUs, NLDC, RLDCs to ensure maintaining and reliability of electricity grid during the strike called by National Convention of Workers from 28th to 30th March, ANI reported.

27/03/2022 13:05:02

Chandigarh is one of the most developed cities in the country: Amit Shah

27/03/2022 12:25:25

Amit Shah inaugurates Integrated Command and Control Centre in Chandigarh

27/03/2022 12:13:59

India successfully test fires Medium Range Surface to Air Missile air defence system

India today successfully carried out the test firing of the Medium Range Surface to Air Missile air defence system off the coast of Balasore, Odisha, ANI reported DRDO officials as saying.

The system is part of the Indian Army. In the test, the missile secured a direct hit at the target at a very far-off distance, they added.

27/03/2022 11:52:27

Policy of 'India First' and 'Neighbourhood First' the very fulcrum of India-Maldives relationship: EAM Jaishankar

Policy of 'India First' and 'Neighbourhood First' the very fulcrum of India-Maldives relationship: EAM Jaishankar at the inauguration of National College for Policing & Law Enforcement in Maldives.

27/03/2022 10:42:28

CBI team sets up temporary camp for investigation in Birbhum violence case

27/03/2022 10:41:08

BJP responsible for what Mehbooba Mufti is saying: Sanjay Raut

BJP responsible for whatever Mehbooba Mufti is saying: Sanjay Raut

27/03/2022 10:37:30

Mayawati's review meeting with BSP's office bearers

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has called a review meeting with the party's office-bearers on the party's performance in the recently concluded Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

27/03/2022 10:36:09

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurates SpiceJet's Gorakhpur-Varanasi flight, via video conferencing

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurates SpiceJet's Gorakhpur-Varanasi flight, via video conferencing

27/03/2022 09:21:58

Chhattisgarh Chief Electoral Officer's Twitter account briefly hacked

Chhattisgarh Chief Electoral Officer's Twitter account was briefly hacked today morning. The social media account is being restored. Cyber Cell of police has been informed about the incident: Additional Chief Electoral Officer Shikha Rajput Tiwari, Chhattisgarh 

27/03/2022 08:35:34

Second black box of crashed China Eastern plane recovered

Second black box of crashed China Eastern plane recovered, AFP reports state media as informing.

27/03/2022 08:23:16

Breaking News LIVE | Imran Khan's Big Rally In Pak Capital Today Ahead Of No-Confidence Vote

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Faisal Javed Khan has said that the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the public rally at around 4 PM on Sunday, reported local media.

Faisal Javed Khan in his tweet said that the public gathering at Islamabad's Parade Avenue will begin at 3 pm and PM Imran Khan is expected to address the historical gathering around 4 pm, reported ARY News.

With an aim to maintain security, the Islamabad police shared the traffic plan from its Twitter handle with a spokesman saying that general traffic was barred to play in the red zone. Moreover, the traffic would not be allowed to enter Kashmir Chowk to Rawal Dam Chowk and the metro bus service to remain suspended. The Metro Bus service in twin cities, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, to remain suspended for an indefinite period.

According to the notification, the Metro Bus service will remain closed in Islamabad and Rawalpindi as a precautionary measure amid the scheduled power shows of the political parties, reported the news channel.

Notably, the local administration has issued NOCs to ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the opposition party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) for holding power shows on different venues in the federal capital on March 27 and 28.

Some media commentators speculated that Imran Khan could announce the administrative decision in his public meeting in the federal capital on March 27.

The no-confidence motion against Imran Khan was submitted by opposition parties on March 8 after the PPP's long march in Islamabad. The Opposition is confident that its motion would be carried as many PTI lawmakers have come out in the open against PM Imran Khan.

As the crucial no-confidence motion session inches closer and uncertainty continues to shroud political alliances, at least 50 ministers belonging to the ruling party have gone 'missing' from the political front, Express Tribune said on Friday citing sources. (ANI)

27/03/2022 08:12:45

Andhra Pradesh | 7 people killed and 45 injured in a bus accident last night in Chittoor

 7 people killed and 45 injured in a bus accident in Chittoor last night.

27/03/2022 07:21:27

Breaking News LIVE | Regular Int'l Flights To Resume From Today After 2 Years Of Pandemic-Induced Hiatus

Nearly after two years of the pandemic, India is all set to resume regular international flights from Sunday, according to an order issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

The order said that Scheduled Foreign Carriers have applied for approval of their international schedule. The Summer Schedule 2022 is effective from March 27, 2022, till October 29 this year. 

A total of 60 foreign airlines of 40 countries including Mauritius, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, the United States of America, Iraq and others have been given the approval to operate 1783 frequencies to/from India during Summer Schedule 2022. However, there are a few new airlines which include India Salam Air, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Qantas and American airline, to begin airline operations with India. Notably, India had suspended the international flights since March 2020, due to the COVID pandemic. (ANI)

27/03/2022 07:18:18

Petrol price hiked 50 paise, diesel up 55 paise

Petrol price on Sunday was hiked by 50 paise a litre and diesel by 55 paise, taking the total increase in rates since resumption of daily price revision less than a week back to Rs 3.70-3.75 per litre.

Petrol in Delhi will now cost Rs 99.11 per litre as against Rs 98.61 previously while diesel rates have gone up from Rs 89.87 per litre to Rs 90.42, according to a price notification of state fuel retailers.

Rates have been increased across the country and vary from state to state depending upon the incidence of local taxation.

This is the fifth increase in prices since the ending of a four-and-half-month long hiatus in rate revision on March 22. On all the previous four occasions, prices had been increased by 80 paise a litre - the steepest single-day rise since the daily price revision was introduced in June 2017.

In all, petrol prices have gone up by Rs 3.70 per litre and diesel by Rs 3.75 in six days.

Prices had been on a freeze since November 4 ahead of the assembly elections in states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab -- a period during which the cost of raw material (crude oil) soared by about USD 30 per barrel.

The rate revision was expected soon after counting of votes on March 10 but it was put off by a couple of weeks apparently to not give opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi a handle to say that they had rightly predicted that prices will go up after elections.

Congress and other opposition parties have criticised the government for the price rise saying it has added to the burden on common man reeling under general commodity price rise.

The increase in retail price warranted from crude oil prices rising during the 137 day hiatus from around USD 82 per barrel to USD 120 is huge but state-owned fuel retailers Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) are passing on the required increase in stages.

Moody's Investors Services last week stated that state retailers together lost around USD 2.25 billion (Rs 19,000 crore) in revenue for keeping petrol and diesel prices on hold during the election period.

Oil companies "will need to raise diesel prices by Rs 13.1-24.9 per litre and Rs 10.6-22.3 a litre on gasoline (petrol) at an underlying crude price of USD 100-120 per barrel," according to Kotak Institutional Equities.

CRISIL Research said a Rs 9-12 per litre increase in retail price will be required for a full pass-through of an average USD 100 per barrel crude oil and Rs 15-20 a litre hike if the average crude oil price rises to USD 110-120.

India is 85 per cent dependent on imports for meeting its oil needs and so retail rates adjust accordingly to the global movement.