The finance ministry has clarified that its letter to state chief secretaries, urging them to align their bonus policy to promote pulses, oilseeds, and millets, was an advisory and not a directive. This clarification comes in response to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin's criticism, who called the advisory a 'treacherous act against farmers'.
The family of a warehousing corporation official who allegedly committed suicide after accusing former minister Laljit Singh Bhullar of harassment has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Punjab government to arrest him.
Gold and silver prices saw a significant decline in the national capital, with silver falling by Rs 7,800 to Rs 2.43 lakh per kilogram and gold by Rs 1,500 to Rs 1.54 lakh per 10 grams, as investors booked profits amid persistent doubts over the durability of the West Asia ceasefire.
An India-flagged LPG tanker, Jag Vikram, has successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz following a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran, marking a significant development for India's energy security.
A Delhi court has denied bail to a 26-year-old man accused of repeated sexual assault, harassment, and threats against his former partner, citing the severity of the allegations, corroborating evidence, and the risk of evidence tampering.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo announced that the Census 2027 will be a fully digital and paperless exercise, utilising mobile technology, AI, and cloud computing for accuracy and efficiency, marking a shift towards data-driven governance.
The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau has registered a case against a former tehsil supply officer and others for alleged misappropriation of government ration and funds in the Reasi district.
Punjab Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar resigned following allegations related to the suicide of a Warehouse Corporation district manager. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has ordered a probe into the matter.
The Indian government has doubled the daily quota of market-priced 5-kg LPG cylinders for migrant workers to ensure stable fuel supplies amidst global disruptions. This move prioritises household cooking gas and addresses the needs of migrant workers who often lack regular connections.
Both sides have now revealed a preference for escalation over strategic defeat, and each new provocation narrows the space for the next pause. The Touska seizure, Iran's refusal to negotiate under blockade, Israel's strikes on Iranian oil infrastructure -- all of these add up to an increasingly untenable situation. This makes the wild card -- Trump and his motormouth -- more consequential than ever, notes Prem Panicker in his must read blog on the Iran War.
The Haryana government is taking strict measures to combat the black marketing of cooking gas cylinders, registering FIRs and seizing hundreds of cylinders. Officials assure citizens of sufficient LPG supply despite global concerns.
A new research collaboration between India and Sweden is using artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery of peptide-based therapeutics for pneumonia, aiming to shorten drug development timelines and combat drug-resistant infections.
India continues to face LPG supply challenges for the third consecutive week due to disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict, though panic buying is showing signs of easing. The government is prioritising domestic household supplies and encouraging alternative fuel sources.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has assured the Vidhan Sabha that discrepancies in electricity bills following smart meter installations will be addressed. The government also plans to amend regulations to curb excessive fees charged by private schools.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a meeting with senior ministers to assess the impact of the evolving situation in West Asia on India's crude oil, gas, petroleum, power, and fertiliser sectors, focusing on ensuring uninterrupted supply and stable logistics.
Police in Ahmedabad exhume the body of an infant as part of an investigation into the suspected food poisoning deaths of two sisters, allegedly linked to ready-made dossa batter.
Police in Ambala, India, have launched an investigation into the death of a 33-year-old woman after her brother alleged foul play. The woman reportedly died after consuming tea at her home.
The death toll in the suspected hooch tragedy in Bihar's East Champaran district has risen to four after three more people died allegedly due to consumption of spurious liquor. An investigation is underway, and several arrests have been made.
Bharat PET Ltd, an integrated packaging solutions provider, has filed draft papers with SEBI to raise Rs 760 crore through an IPO, including a fresh issue and an offer for sale by promoters.
India restricts subsidised LPG connections for households with piped natural gas (PNG) to ensure equitable distribution and address global energy supply concerns, pushing for faster PNG adoption.
Petrol diesel price today March 20, 2026: IOCL & HPCL hike premium petrol (XP95, Speed, Power) by 2/litre and industrial diesel by 22/litre. Regular petrol in Delhi 94.77, diesel 87.67 unchanged. Full city-wise rates inside.
Indian consumers are entering the festive season with renewed confidence and financial optimism, outpacing global benchmarks, according to Deloitte India's latest Consumer Signals: India Chapter. "With inflationary pressures easing and the recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) revisions enhancing purchasing power and festive cheer among consumers, this brings a new wave of consumption.
Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices have more than doubled to a record high, impacting airlines and consumers, while commercial LPG rates also see a significant increase.
A foreign brokerage warns that sustained crude oil prices above USD 100 per barrel could push India's inflation above the RBI's tolerance level, potentially triggering interest rate hikes.
A 78-year-old woman in Mumbai was defrauded of over 25 lakh after a scammer gained access to her mobile phone under the guise of updating her electricity bill details.
Goldman Sachs has materially lowered its earnings growth forecast for Indian companies by a cumulative 9 percentage points over the next two years.
A new report indicates that India's textile recycling market is projected to reach USD 3.5 billion by 2030, potentially creating one lakh green jobs. The report highlights the current state of textile waste management and opportunities for circularity in the Indian textile industry.
Petrol diesel price today March 20, 2026: IOCL & HPCL hike premium petrol (XP95, Speed, Power) by 2/litre and industrial diesel by 22/litre. Regular petrol in Delhi 94.77, diesel 87.67 unchanged. Full city-wise rates inside.
Delhi Police have arrested a 54-year-old woman in connection with the alleged murder of her two daughters in Malviya Nagar. The woman, who reportedly attempted suicide, was arrested after medical evaluation.
Uttar Pradesh authorities have launched a statewide crackdown on black marketing of LPG and other essential commodities, resulting in FIRs against distributors and arrests.
An elderly couple was found dead in their home in Guna, Madhya Pradesh, with police suspecting a case of suicide. The investigation is ongoing to determine the exact circumstances.
Fourteen individuals have been arrested in Varanasi for allegedly defiling a place of worship and hurting religious sentiments after a video surfaced showing them consuming chicken biryani during an Iftar party on a boat in the Ganga river.
The idea that mixing fruits with milk causes acidity, toxins or skin issues is a traditional belief and not a medically proven fact, says rediffGURU Komal Jethmalani.
The idea that mixing fruits with milk causes acidity, toxins or skin issues is a traditional belief and not a medically proven fact, says rediffGURU Komal Jethmalani.
A 52-year-old man in Odisha, India, allegedly died by suicide after killing his wife, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter following a domestic dispute. He was found hiding atop a water tank and consumed poison during a rescue attempt.
A highly decomposed body of a man was discovered in a field in the Bawana area of Outer-North Delhi. Police have identified the deceased as Pradeep and have launched a murder investigation, suspecting the involvement of his associates.
The Punjab BJP staged a protest in Amritsar against the AAP government, demanding a CBI probe into the suicide of a warehousing corporation official and justice for his family.
India's services sector growth slowed in March, reaching a 14-month low, according to the HSBC India Services PMI. The slowdown reflects weaker new business intakes and rising input costs, particularly in fuel, transport, and logistics.
As the rupee has been on a downward slide and crossed 90 a dollar, consumer electronics firms are looking to raise prices of products ranging from air conditioners (ACs) to television panels up to 10 per cent.
A 26-year-old man and a minor girl, who had gone missing in Muzaffarnagar district, allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison in a hotel room in Saharanpur. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
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