LIVE news updates: Ayushman Bharat a channel to transfer public money into private hands say Doctors at AIIMS

Public health experts, including doctors from the AIIMS, questioned the healthcare scheme, Ayushman Bharat, claiming it was an “official channel” through which public money go to the private hands

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20 Mar 2019, 8:24 PM

Ayushman Bharat a channel to transfer public money into private hands say Doctors at AIIMS

Public health experts, including doctors from the AIIMS, Wednesday questioned the potential of government's flagship healthcare scheme, Ayushman Bharat, claiming it was an "official channel" through which public money will go to the private sector.

Referring to implementation of such healthcare schemes in the past, sector experts pressed for urgent need to strengthen publicly funded hospitals to offer universal health care, while speaking at a panel discussion on 'Ayushman Bharat: Fact and Fiction', organised by AIIMS Front for Social Consciousness in the campus of country's premiere medical institution here.

The Ayushman Bharat scheme was nothing but an old wine in a new bottle, said Dr Vikas Bajpai, professor at the Centre for Social Medicine and Community Health of Jawaharlal Nehru University.

He stressed on the need to analyse the "failures" of the various publicly-funded health insurance schemes, including the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana or RSBY, to ensure that "inadequacies" in their implementation were not repeated.

20 Mar 2019, 8:18 PM

Afghanistan presidential election delayed until Sept 28: officials

20 Mar 2019, 8:09 PM

Mamata Banerjee refuses to credit Modi government for Nirav Modi’s arrest

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday refused to give any credit to the Modi government for the arrest of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi in London and termed it a "got-up match".

"This is a ploy of the BJP. The credit must go to the London journalist who exposed Nirav Modi. It is a got-up match. No credit goes to the BJP government," Banerjee told reporters


20 Mar 2019, 8:03 PM

India’s loses 7 spots in global list of happiest nations, ranks 140th United Nations

Indians are not as happy in 2019 as they were in 2018 and the country figures at 140th place, seven spots down from last year, on this year's UN World Happiness Report released Wednesday which is topped by Finland for the second year in a row.

The report was released by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations on March 20 which has was declared as World Happiness Day by the UN General Assembly in 2012.

The report ranks countries on six key variables that support well-being: income, freedom, trust, healthy life expectancy, social support and generosity.

20 Mar 2019, 6:59 PM

Dharwad death toll rises to 7 as two more bodies were recovered


20 Mar 2019, 6:54 PM

Fire doused at Jaipur restro-bar

A fire broke out in a restaurant-cum-bar here on Wednesday, but it was doused on time, police said.

No loss of life was reported, but two security personnel, who fell unconscious, at the outlet were rescued, Chief Fire Officer Jagdish Prasad Phulwari said.

The fire apparently broke out due to a short circuit, the officer added.

A case was registered against the owner of the building in which the outlet is situated, police said

20 Mar 2019, 6:52 PM

CBI arrests AAI Executive Director for taking bribe

The CBI on Wednesday arrested an Executive Director of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) for accepting Rs 4 lakh as bribe from Bright Shine Services, a Chennai-based airport ground handling firm.

Ravichandran, who was caught red-handed here, has been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act for demanding bribe for awarding a contract floated by the AAI for ground handling at Group D airports.


20 Mar 2019, 6:46 PM

Pakistani agencies are harassing Indian diplomats in Islamabad: India

India has issued another Note Verbale to Pakistan Foreign Ministry saying that Pakistani agencies are continuing to harass and tail Indian diplomats in Islamabad including the Indian Naval adviser. India has also urged Pakistan to investigate the matter

20 Mar 2019, 6:17 PM

1971 war hero who set up Bangladesh Navy dies

The 1971 India-Pakistan war hero, Captain M.N. Samant of the Indian Navy, who helped set up the foundation of the Bangladesh Navy, passed away here on Wednesday following cardiac arrest, an official said.

Capt. Samant, 89, who breathed his last at the Bharatiya Arogya Nidhi Hospital in Juhu. He is survived by his wife Nirmala and daughters Ujjwala, Natasha and Meghna


20 Mar 2019, 6:16 PM

Tokayev sworn in as new President of Kazakhstan

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Wednesday was sworn in as the President of Kazakhstan, following resignation of Nursultan Nazarbayev, 78, after almost 30-year rule on Tuesday

20 Mar 2019, 6:14 PM

Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan wished the Hindu community "a happy l Holi"

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday wished the Hindu community in Pakistan "a very happy and peaceful Holi".

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also took to Twitter to wish "happy Holi" to the Hindu community.


20 Mar 2019, 6:12 PM

Britain has requested Brexit delay until June 30 says PM Theresa May

Britain has asked EU leaders to delay Brexit until June 30, Prime Minister Theresa May told parliament on Wednesday, on eve of an EU summit in Brussels.

May said she had written to EU President Donald Tusk "informing him that the UK seeks an extension to the Article 50 period to June 30".

"I don't want a long extension," she said, warning that a longer delay would mean Britain having to hold European Parliament elections at the end of May.

"As prime minister, I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than June 30," she said.

20 Mar 2019, 5:52 PM

Nirav Modi to be presented in Court on March 29

PNB Scam Case: Nirav Modi gets arrested in London. Next hearing in the case in Westminster court to be held on March 29 before the Chief Magistrate

Nirav Modi, the fugitive jeweller wanted in the 13,000-crore Punjab National Bank scam

Nirav Modi applies for bail says he has a wealth of proof in his defence. Offers 500,000 pounds security for bail.

Substantial grounds to believe Nirav Modi would fail to surrender if granted bail, says UK judge.


20 Mar 2019, 5:52 PM

Samjhauta Blast Case: All 4 accused acquitted by Special NIA Court

All four accused in Samjhauta Blast case have been -Aseemanand, Lokesh Sharma, Kamal Chauhan and Rajinder Chaudhary have been acquitted by Special NIA Court in Panchkula

The blast in Samjhauta Express occurred near Panipat in Haryana on February 18, 2007.

20 Mar 2019, 5:52 PM

SBI Chief Rajnish Kumar stated that it was in the interest of the lenders to keep Jet Airways, flying and dragging the debt-ridden firm under bankruptcy proceedings

Lenders led by the SBI are trying to revive debt-laden Jet Airways by change in management as they feel collapse of the airline will not be good for consumers and competition, a source said after the SBI chief met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Wednesday.

With Jet flying just about a third of its fleet, defaulting on interest payments and delaying salaries to pilot, State Bank of India Chairman Rajnish Kumar along with Aviation Secretary Pradip Singh Kharola and Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Nripendra Misra met Jaitley Wednesday afternoon.

Kumar said the meeting was to apprise the government, which is an important stakeholder, about the happenings.

He, however, emphatically stated that it was in the interest of the lenders to keep Jet Airways, which was once India's second-biggest airline, flying and dragging the debt-ridden firm under bankruptcy proceedings is the last option.


20 Mar 2019, 5:25 PM

Protests in Bangladesh as student dies in accident

Students in parts of Bangladesh capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country on Wednesday took to the streets in protest against a student's death in an incident of rash driving .

20 Mar 2019, 5:12 PM

Transgender activist Gauri Sawant appointed as EC's ambassador

Transgender activist Gauri Sawant has been appointed as one of the goodwill ambassadors of the Election Commission in Maharashtra.

This is for the first time a transgender has been appointed as a goodwill ambassador.

Till 2014, there was no separate classification of transgenders as voters. In 2014, transgenders were first enrolled as voters along with males and females. While 918 voters had enrolled themselves as transgenders in Maharashtra in 2014, the number has now gone up to 2,086.


20 Mar 2019, 4:04 PM

Ghulam Nabi Azad: BJP helped Nirav Modi flee, is bringing him back for elections

“They (BJP) had only helped him flee the country, now they are bringing him back. They are bringing him back for the elections, they will send him back after elections,” said Ghulam Nabi Azad.

20 Mar 2019, 3:47 PM

Nirav Modi was arrested on behalf of the Indian Authorities

Statement released by Scotland Yard: Nirav Deepak Modi was arrested on behalf of the Indian Authorities this afternoon (Tuesday, 19 March) in Holborn. He will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow (Wednesday, 20 March)


20 Mar 2019, 3:32 PM

According to MEA sources Nirav Modi's arrest bailable but conditions have been imposed

“It's bailable but conditions will be imposed and he has to remain in London till the final outcome of the matter. Bail is right but compliance is very strict there,” said MEA sources regarding Nirav Modi’s arrest.

20 Mar 2019, 3:04 PM

Nirav Modi arrested in London, says Enforcement Directorate

Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi arrested in London, to be produced in court later on Wednesday, says ED.


20 Mar 2019, 1:37 PM

Death toll in Dharwad building collapse touches 5

The death toll in the building collapse at Dharwad in north Karnataka touched five on Wednesday

20 Mar 2019, 12:59 PM

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant wins floor test

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant wins floor test after 20 MLAs voted in his favor in the state assembly. 20 MLAs voted for the motion (11 BJP, 3 Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, 3 Goa Forward Party, and 3 Independents) and 15 MLAs voted against the motion (14 Congress and 1 NCP) in the Goa assembly.


20 Mar 2019, 12:54 PM

Shiv Sena slams BJP over midnight political drama in Goa

In a scathing attack on the political drama between the BJP and its allies in Goa over the leadership issue, the Shiv Sena on Wednesday dubbed it as a "terrible state of democracy", saying they did not even wait for late chief minister Manohar Parrikar's ashes to cool down.

The "shameless game of power" started even before Parrikar's ashes could merge with the land of Gomantak, the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

It claimed that had the BJP waited till Tuesday, its government in Goa would have fallen and one of the two deputy chief ministers would have joined the Congress and got the desired post, it claimed.

20 Mar 2019, 12:41 PM

SSC exam papers leaked in Maha, probe underway

Question papers of three subjects of the Maharashtra State Board's Class 10 examination have been allegedly leaked in Thane district of Maharashtra, police said on Wednesday.

A case was registered in this connection, a police spokesperson said. The state board's secondary school certificate (SSC) examinations began on March 1.

No arrest was made so far, the police said, adding that a probe was underway.


20 Mar 2019, 12:32 PM

Special SIT Court sentences convict Yakub Pataliya to life imprisonment in 2002 Godhra train burning case

A Special SIT Court in Ahmedabad sentences convict Yakub Pataliya to life imprisonment in the 2002 Godhra train burning case.

20 Mar 2019, 12:21 PM

Earthquake measuring 6.4 magnitude strikes western Turkey


20 Mar 2019, 11:51 AM

Civilian injured in LoC firing dies in Srinagar

A civilian injured in firing across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri sector, on March 10, succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday.

Hospital sources said, Riyaz Ahmad, 32, a resident of Kamalkote, was admitted in the super specialty Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar on March 10.

"He succumbed to his injuries today," hospital sources said.

Riyaz Ahmad and three others were injured in shelling from Pakistan in Kamalkote area on March 10. The other injured persons are stable, police said.

20 Mar 2019, 11:38 AM

Karnataka Revenue Minister RV Deshpande: 1 SDRF team and 2 teams of NDRF conducting rescue operations at the Dharwad building collapse

Karnataka Revenue Minister RV Deshpande on Dharwad building collapse said, “It is a shocking incident. A total of 3 people have lost their lives. An inquiry will be ordered. Those injured will be treated free of cost. 1 SDRF team and 2 teams of NDRF conducting rescue operations.”


20 Mar 2019, 11:11 AM

Priyanka Gandhi enters Varanasi by road

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi enters Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency Varanasi by road.

20 Mar 2019, 11:05 AM

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant: We have 100% confidence that we will win

Goa Chief Minister and BJP leader Pramod Sawant ahead of the Floor Test said, “We have 100% confidence that we will win.”


20 Mar 2019, 10:33 AM

Three farmers die after entering a manhole in Aurangabad

3 farmers died due to poisonous gas after entering in a manhole in Aurangabad on Tuesday. Raju Shinde, Councillor says, "3 dead due to gas in a manhole, 1 person missing. Search operation underway."

20 Mar 2019, 9:06 AM

Goa’s BJP-led coalition government faces floor test

Newly appointed Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who heads a BJP-led coalition government, will face a floor test to prove his dispensation's majority in the 36-member state legislative assembly on Wednesday.

While Sawant told reporters on Tuesday that he is "100 per cent confident" of winning the floor test, the Congress has refused to divulge its floor plan for the crucial one-day session of the state assembly, which was summoned by Goa Governor Mridula Sinha on Tuesday.

The one-point agenda of the session, which is scheduled to begin at 11.30 a.m., is to facilitate the trust vote that will be overseen by Acting Speaker and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Michael Lobo.


20 Mar 2019, 10:01 AM

Toll in Karnataka building crash rises to 3

With the death of one more person in a building collapse in Karnataka's Dharwad, the toll has touched three, police said on Wednesday.

About 10 others were still suspected to be trapped under tonnes of cement and mortar.

The multi-storey commercial under-construction building collapsed on Tuesday injuring at least 46 others. State unit Congress leader Vinay Kulkarni's kin was one of the owners of the building.

"Three people have been killed in the tragedy when the building collapsed at about 4 p.m. A total of 46 people who have been rescued so far, received injuries," Police Inspector LK Talwar said from Dharwad, about 400 km from Bengaluru.

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