NEWS AN LIVE

At least seven people, including four children and two women, lost their lives in a gas cylinder explosion in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district. The incident occurred in a house in Dholaghat village around 9 pm. Another woman sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital. Authorities believe firecrackers stored in the house ignited, causing the explosion.

Shashi Tharoor praises PM Modi for India's vaccine diplomacy contrasting with past criticism from Congress leaders like Rahul and Sonia Gandhi. Tharoor's remarks have embarrassed his party, giving BJP an opportunity to mock Congress. BJP welcomes these acknowledgments of Modi's successful global initiatives.

Security forces in Jammu continued their operation in Kathua district's Sufain forest after a deadly gunfight with Pakistani terrorists. The confrontation resulted in the deaths of four policemen and two attackers. Authorities have urged vigilance as some terrorists may still be escaping through mountainous terrain.

The team has commenced site reconnaissance for establishing the Field Hospital and is currently undergoing orientation of the Area of Operations, the Indian Army said.

The Congress party protested in Jammu against the Central government’s handling of terrorism and the delay in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The march was sparked by the recent killing of four police officers in an encounter with Pakistani terrorists. Party leaders called for immediate action to ensure peace and job opportunities in the region.

The critically-acclaimed film 'Santosh,' which addresses serious social issues in rural north India, will not be released in India due to censorship demands by the Central Board of Film Certification. The filmmakers decided against making significant edits that would compromise the film's essence.

The Cabinet is expected to approve a new 120-km greenfield highway from Patna to Sasaram, costing around Rs 3,700 crore. The project will improve connectivity and will be built in a public-private partnership mode, with completion targeted in three years.

The Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar introduced a new initiative to train over 1 lakh booth level officers (BLOs) nationwide to improve voter enrolment processes and rectify electoral rolls. This initiative, involving states such as Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam, aims to create a well-trained network to ensure the accuracy of voter lists ahead of upcoming elections.

The parliamentary panel on transport has urged for CAG audits of highway project consultants' work, especially under the Bharatmala Pariyojna, to enhance accountability. It highlighted irregularities in the project reports and contractors' poor performances. The panel recommended stricter financial screening of contractors due to issues of financial capacity leading to stalled infrastructure projects.

India's DGCA plans to rank flying training organisations (FTOs) based on factors like CPL completion time to promote transparency and competition. High costs, delays, and quality issues have led many students to seek training abroad. This initiative aims to help prospective students make informed choices.

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah dismissed speculation about his closeness to BJP, affirming his commitment to his objectives. During his speech in the J&K Assembly, Abdullah emphasized adaptability and addressed accusations regarding Article 370 and other issues. He reiterated his readiness to face tough questions and challenged allegations against his party regarding Maharaja Hari Singh.

India's Election Commission is hosting nationwide all-party meetings led by state, district, and electoral registration officers until March 31, 2025, to address poll-related issues. Additionally, the EC is offering training for political party representatives on electoral laws and seeking suggestions to enhance poll conduct by April 30, 2025, focusing on better voter participation and seamless electoral processes.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar assured some women MPs that he will address their concerns regarding facilities in the new Parliament building, including clean toilets, availability of refreshments, seating arrangements, transportation, and an interactive space for members from both Houses. He promised that most issues would be resolved within 72 hours.

Satish Salian, father of Disha Salian, has petitioned the Bombay high court for a fresh investigation into her June 2020 death, alleging she was raped and murdered. He seeks an FIR against Aaditya Thackeray and a CBI probe, citing a politically-motivated cover-up.

In 2024, the Border Security Force (BSF) seized 294 drones in Punjab, as stated by junior home minister Nityanand Rai. In efforts to curb narco-smuggling via drones along the Indo-Pakistan border, anti-drone systems have been deployed. Information sharing and close coordination with various security agencies have been reinforced to track and intercept these devices.

Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy has requested an appointment with PM Narendra Modi to discuss two bills proposing 42% reservation for backward classes in education, employment, and local bodies. Reddy seeks support from leaders of various political parties, all of whom backed the proposal in the assembly debate.

Opposition parties in Maharashtra have criticized the state government for failing to maintain law and order after violence erupted in Nagpur. They accuse the administration and ministers of inciting tensions with provocative speeches to divert attention from key issues like inflation and farmers' distress.

The decomposed bodies of two Kashmiri brothers were found in a river in Kulgam, J&K, after being missing since February 13. Police suspect suicide based on forensic evidence, but locals demand a judicial probe, questioning the low water level. Mukhtar Ahmad Awan, who went missing with the brothers, is still untraceable.

In West Godavari district, a Santro car travelling from Hyderabad to Mandapeta collided with a stationary vehicle on the National Highway, resulting in the deaths of Bhogella Venkata Satya Suresh, his wife Navya, and their daughter Vasavi. A severely injured woman, Uppuluri Sri Ramya, was hospitalized. Police registered a case and are investigating the accident.

Bathinda Police arrested six individuals, including two Indian Army personnel, following a brief encounter. They were involved in a gunpoint robbery using an AK-47 stolen from an army unit. The incident occurred at Green Hotel near Bathinda, where Rs 7000 was snatched from the owner. Police are verifying the claims of stolen weapon and contact with army authorities is ongoing.

In West Godavari district, a Santro car travelling from Hyderabad to Mandapeta collided with a stationary vehicle on the National Highway, resulting in the deaths of Bhogella Venkata Satya Suresh, his wife Navya, and their daughter Vasavi. A severely injured woman, Uppuluri Sri Ramya, was hospitalized. Police registered a case and are investigating the accident.

Ludhiana's deputy commissioner Jitendra Jorwal has urged officials to complete the upgrading of Civil Hospital by Sunday. Enhancements include new roads, signage, landscaping, and an RO system. Other completed works feature modern operating theatres, new departments, better sewage systems, and more. Jorwal emphasized the need for quality and timely execution of these projects.

India opens mineral and rare earth elements exploration to the private sector with 13 acreages up for auction, aiming to unlock untapped resources. The new policy encourages private investment, offering incentives like cost reimbursements and long-term mining leases. Around 25 companies showed interest, and the government hopes to create a thriving mineral exploration ecosystem.

The ministry of home affairs has returned a proposal to prosecute three IAS officers in the Jammu and Kashmir arms licences scam due to missing documents. They must resubmit the full documentation within a week. CBI is investigating irregularities in granting over 278,000 arms licences between 2012 and 2016, implicating several IAS officers for issuing licences in exchange for money.

The Karnataka government withdrew the CID probe into police involvement in the Ranya Rao gold smuggling case. A Bengaluru court reserved its bail plea verdict for March 14, with allegations of procedural lapses during her arrest, while the DRI disputed such claims. Gold worth ₹12.56 crore was seized from her.

The Shaheed Bhagat Singh Front and Vishwa Hindu Parishad have launched a campaign urging the Delhi government to ban the sale of tobacco products within 100 meters of temples, gurudwaras, and other religious sites. They have also recommended setting up a monitoring cell to ensure implementation and curb ongoing violations around religious sites to safeguard public health.

NHAI will implement a variable UPI payment system at toll plazas to eliminate cash transactions and ensure accurate fee collection. The trial has begun at Kherki Dhaula toll plaza in Haryana and will expand nationwide. This system aims to enhance convenience, reduce transaction time, and prevent fraud, addressing issues of unauthorized fund transfer via parallel software.

Union minister Jitendra Singh condemned the killing of three family members in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district as a terrorist attack. Their bodies were discovered after an extensive search. Lt governor Manoj Sinha ordered an investigation, sparking protests in Billawer town. If confirmed, it would be the deadliest civilian strike in Jammu since 2024.

The Indian Ports Bill, 2025, proposes significant changes to the 118-year-old Indian Ports Act. It mandates all ports to report incidents threatening pollution and defines 23 violations as criminal offences, including non-payment of port fees, and safety violations. It also introduces significant penalties and requires data integration with central systems.

The US State Department issued a travel advisory warning against travel to areas near the India-Pakistan border, the Line of Control, and the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to terrorism and potential for armed conflict. Americans are specifically advised to avoid these regions because of frequent terrorist attacks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized previous governments for neglecting the poor and using the 'Garibi Hatao' slogan as a mere electoral gimmick. He highlighted the BJP-led NDA government's efforts in lifting 25 crore people out of poverty through various welfare schemes and reforms, including cleaning up the bogus ration card system.

CM Omar Abdullah presented a Rs 1.12-lakh crore budget for J&K, marking the first in seven years by an elected government. The budget emphasized economic growth, highlighted infrastructure improvements, and introduced benefits for disadvantaged groups, such as free bus rides for women and increased pensions for seniors.

Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri criticizes Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin for urging couples to have more children, disputing the claim that states with higher birth rates will benefit in the delimitation exercise. Amid concern over fair representation, Stalin warns that Tamil Nadu's political influence could diminish.

J&K CM Omar Abdullah questions the Centre's focus on reclaiming PoK while ignoring Chinese-controlled areas, urging action on both fronts. He also calls for the return of statehood, contending that it is vital for realizing J&K's interests and criticizes BJP's stance.

Road transport minister Nitin Gadkari criticized engineers, consultants, and contractors for neglecting road safety, citing faulty planning and poor signage as primary causes of accidents. He urged collaboration between the industry and government to improve infrastructure, enforcement, and education. Experts highlighted the aim of achieving zero fatalities through improved road design and management.