News highlights: Rahul Gandhi writes to PM over vaccine shortage

Track Deccan Herald's latest updates of news in India and across the world.

Govt releases Rs 4,000 crore for Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Castes

The Centre has released funds to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore for the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Castes, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Rattan Lal Kataria said on Friday.

In a statement, he said Uttar Pradesh was allocated the highest funds at Rs 892.36 crore followed by Maharashtra at Rs 558 crore and Andhra Pradesh at Rs 450 crore.

The government had completely revamped the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Castes to provide universal access to the youth of the community for higher education.

The funding pattern under the scheme was changed from the committed liability formula to a fixed sharing pattern of 60:40 between the Centre and states (90:10 for north eastern states), thus increasing the commitment of the government in the scheme by almost four times, the minister said. (PTI)

"Jammu & Kashmiris an integral part of India and we are capable of solving our problem. No other country for that matter has any business to interfere or make comments on the internal affairs of another country. We believe in democracy and civilization," Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said during an address in Jammu.

The Central Bureau of Investigation recorded the statement of Mahesh Shetty, a bar owner close to Sachin Waze, in connection with the extortion allegations against former Maharashtra minister Anil Deshmukh (ANI)

Sports Authority of India (SAI) has announcedthree-week "summer vacation" at its National Centres of Excellence in view of rising Covid-19 cases. (PTI)

The government held a high-level meeting with fertiliser manufacturers and decided that no price rise will occur for fertilisers,Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed. (ANI)

Our approach towards global challenges like climate change, terrorism, pandemic have similarities: Modi during virtual summit with Dutch PM

Setting up of fast track mechanism for investment promotion will give momentum to economic cooperation: Modi at virtual summit with Dutch PM

Forex reserves drop by $2.415 bn to $576.869 bn

The country's foreign exchange reserves declined by $2.415 billion to stand at $576.869 billion in the week ended April 2, RBI data showed on Friday.

In the previous week ended March 26, the reserves had decreased by $2.986 billion to $579.285 billion. The forex kitty had touched a record high of $590.185 billion in the week ended January 29, 2021. (PTI)

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah says he has tested positive for Covid-19

"India is not facing vaccine starvation but Rahul Gandhi is facing an attention starvation," Union Minister R S Prasad said. "Why has he not yet taken the vaccine? Is it an oversight or he doesn't want it or has he already taken one in many of his undisclosed trips to foreign locations but doesn't want to disclose?" the minister asked. (ANI)

Central Bureau of Investigation arrested two Inspectors working at Investigation Unit of Income Tax Department, Ballard Pier, Mumbai for accepting a bribe of Rs 15 lakhs (ANI)

Supreme Court asks Italy to deposit an amount of Rs 10 crore as compensation, with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and after which, a decision would be taken to pay these amount to the families of two Kerala fishermen killed by the Italian Marines.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today once again recorded the statement of suspended Mumbai Police officer Sachin Waze

This is in connection with the investigation on allegations of former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh against former Maharashtra Home Minister

Rahul Gandhi writes to Pm Modi on vaccine shortage, suggests export moratorium, other steps

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials arrive at NIA office.

CBI is investigating corruption allegations by former Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh against former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh

All the public religious services in Churches, Chapels & institutions of Bengaluru Urban & Bengaluru Rural districts of our Archdiocese will be suspended from 7th to 20th April.

However, Churches/Chapels maybe kept open for private visits and adoration: Archdiocese of Bangalore

Shopian encounter: Three terrorists killed. Two more terrorists firing from inside the mosque. Encounter is still going on.

Election Commission of India issues notice to CM & TMC leader Mamata Banerjee asking her to explain her stand by 10th April, regarding her statements against Central Forces on 28th March & 7th April

This is the second notice issued to her by Election Commission

An Air India Express flight made a precautionary landing at Kozhikode today after pilots detected fire alarm from cargo

With 17 passengers onboard, the flight was scheduled for Calicut-Kuwait: Air India Express spokesperson tells ANI

Uttarakhand: A total of 90 students have tested positive for COVID-19 at IIT Roorkee in the last few days, says IIT Roorkee media cell in-charge Sonika Srivastava | ANI