LIVE News Updates: Bill giving relief to Covid-19 hit industries, traders passed in Maha Assembly

PTI reported that a bill that aims to provide relief to traders and industries hit by the Covid-19 pandemic was passed in the Maharashtra Assembly on Monday.

The 'Maharashtra Settlement of Arrears of Tax, Interest, Penalty or Late Fee Bill, 2022' will cover taxes which the state's sales tax department imposed before the goods and services tax (GST) was introduced in 2017. The scheme will be in effect from April 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022.

ANI reported that the Rajasthan High Court allowed the transfer petition of actor Salman Khan in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.

PTI reported that BJP's central observers for Uttarakhand, Rajnath Singh and Meenakshi Lekhi, and state’s poll affairs in-charge Pralhad Joshi reached Dehradun to attend the meeting of party's newly-elected MLAs to decide the next CM.

According to the poll rights group Association for Democratic Reforms, 7 out of 11 newly sworn-in ministers in Punjab have declared criminal cases against themselves, with 4 of them facing serious charges, reported PTI.

Zelensky has called on Europe to halt all trade with Russia, reported AFP.

ANI reported that N Biren Singh took the oath as the Chief Minister of Manipur in Imphal.

PTI quoted Foreign Secretary Harsh Varshan Shringla as saying that both Modi and Morrison emphasised on the need for cessation of hostilities and violence in Ukraine.

The UN chief has said that the world is 'sleepwalking' to a climate catastrophe, reported AFP.

Kremlin has warned that the European embargo on Russian oil 'will hit everyone', reported AFP.

AFP reported that EU's High Representative Josep Borrell Fontelles said that the Russian assault on Mariupol is 'massive war crime'.

ANI reported that Congress president Sonia Gandhi will meet the party leaders from Himachal Pradesh tomorrow at her residence in Delhi.

AFP reported that a plane carrying 133 passengers crashed in China. Casualties are unknown.

ANI reported that the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice’s division bench instructed the Centre to inform the court of the security measures for the Chief Minister within the next 2 weeks. The division bench also directed the state to give the information in the next hearing on April 25th.

ANI reported that the Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm. The Budget session of the Parliament is currently going on.

PTI quoted PM Modi as saying, "Early conclusion of talks for Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement key for economic ties," regarding his virtual summit with Australian PM Scott Morrison.

News agency quoted JS Gangwar, ADG HQ, Patna, as saying, "Of 4 deaths in suspicious circumstances in Bhagalpur, post mortem of 2 done, FSL reports awaited to confirm death cause. Other 2 died due to ailment as per kin. 1 more person receiving treatment." His comments came after deaths were reported allegedly due to consumption of illicit liquor.

ANI reported that Assam opposition MLAs walked out of the state Assembly alleging BJP using unfair means to influence opposition leaders. "We demanded the speaker to take action on it but nothing was done, so we walked out of the Assembly," said Debabrata Saikia, leader of Congress Legislature Party.

At least six people died in overnight bombing in Ukraine's Kyiv, reported AFP.

ANI reported that Uttarakhand's newly-elected MLAs had their swearing-in ceremony as members of the Legislative Assembly in Dehradun today. MLAs administered the oath of office and secrecy by protem speaker, Bansidhar Bhagat.

ANI reported that TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee arrived at the ED office in Delhi in connection with an alleged coal scam.

ANI reported that Flight QR579 from Delhi to Doha on 21 March had to be diverted to Karachi having declared an emergency due to indication of smoke detected in the cargo hold. The aircraft landed safely in Karachi where it was met by emergency services & passengers disembarked, said Qatar Airways. The incident is currently under investigation and a relief flight is being arranged to transport passengers onwards to Doha.

ANI reported that Aam Aadmi Party will nominate cricketer Harbhajan Singh, Delhi MLA Raghav Chadha and Dr. Sandeep Pathak to the Rajya Sabha from Punjab.

PTI reported that the Rupee fell 24 paise to 76.08 against the US dollar in early trade today.

PTI quoted government sources as saying that 29 antiquities have been repatriated to India by Australia.

ANI reported that Congress MP Manickam Tagore gave an Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha, to discuss the shutdown of fireworks industries in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu.

PTI reported that the Sensex jumped 264.02 points to 58,127.95 in today's opening trade, while Nifty climbed 66.3 points to 17,353.35.

Hong Kong will lift its ban on flights from nine countries in April, reported AFP.

According to ANI, India reported 1,549 new Covid cases and 31 deaths in the last 24 hours. The active caseload stands at 25,106, while the total vaccination stands at 1,81,24,97,303.

According to the White House, US President Joe Biden will travel to Poland on Friday to discuss the Ukraine crisis, reported AFP.