THE HEADLINES:-
- Filing of nominations begins today for Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Assembly elections.
- Election Commission removes Officers-in-Charge of 170 police stations in West Bengal.
- Prime Minister and Senior BJP leader Narendra Modi to address party workers of Assam and Puducherry today.
- Government allows distribution of Superior Kerosene Oil under Public Distribution System in 21 States and Union Territories.
- Two more Indian tankers carrying 94 thousand tonnes of LPG cross Strait of Hormuz.
- And, Indian boxers begin their campaign at Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia today.
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Filing of nominations will begin today for Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and first phase of Assembly polls in West Bengal with the issuance of notifications.
All 234 Assembly Constituencies of Tamil Nadu will go to polls on 23rd of April in a single phase. The nominations for Tamil Nadu will close on 6th of April, while scrutiny of nominations will be taken up the next day. The last date of withdrawal of candidature is 9th April. More from our correspondent:
“This time it will be a five cornered contest in Tamilnadu. The NDA front led by AIADMK, Secular democratic Alliance under DMK, the debut of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam led by actor politician Vijay, the Naam Tamilar Katchi led by actor politician Seeman and the alliance between PMK founder Dr. Ramdoss and former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s confidante and first time debutant Sasikala will be in the fray for the Assembly election. JOY, AKASHVANI NEWS, CHENNAI.”
In West Bengal, 152 Assembly constituencies will go to polls on the 23rd of April in the first phase.
“The notification for the first phase of the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal will be issued today. Along with this, the process of filing nominations will also begin. Candidates can submit their nominations till 6th April. The submitted nomination papers will be scrutinized the following day. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is 9th April. In this phase, voting will take place on 23 April across 152 constituencies. In the second phase, elections will be held in 142 constituencies on 29th April. The notification for this phase will be issued on 2nd April. The counting of votes will take place on 4th May. Sandipon Dasgupta, AKASHVANI NEWS, Kolkata.”
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In a major administrative overhaul in West Bengal, the Election Commission has removed the Officers-in-Charge of 170 police stations across the state, including high-profile Assembly constituencies like Bhowanipore and Nandigram.
Based on recommendations from the Chief Electoral Officer’s department, the Commission has approved the transfer and realignment of a total of 184 police officials, including 11 high-ranking officers.
The Election Commission has issued a clear directive that no laxity will be tolerated in the conduct of free and fair elections.
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Keralam will go to polls on April 9 to elect a new Assembly. In our series of constituency profiles, today we take a look at Vattiyurkavu Assembly seat in Thiruvananthapuram district.
“Vattiyurkavu Assembly constituency is having eight candidates in the fray. Sitting MLA and CPM leader V K Prasanth is the ruling LDF candidate. BJP leader and sitting councilor of Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation R. Sreelekha is the NDA candidate. Former State President of Congress K. Muraleedharan is the UDF candidate at Vattirukavu. M. Murali of BSP, B S Emil of SUCI Communist and three Independents are also contesting in this constituency at the Capital district. In the 2021 Assembly elections, V K Prasanth defeated V V Rajesh of BJP, while Veena S Nair of Congress was in the third position. Smithy M Palluruthy, Akashvani News, Thiruvananthapuram.”
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Prime Minister and Senior BJP Leader Narendra Modi will address the party workers of Assam and Puducherry under Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot Samvaad via Namo App today. In a social media post, Mr Modi said that Assam’s progress in the last decade is for everyone to see, and the state is known for its developmental strides across sectors. He further noted that due to the development work, people are all set for five more years of the double-engine NDA government.
In another post, Mr Modi noted that the double-engine NDA Government has fulfilled the aspirations of the people of Puducherry over the last 5 years. He expressed his excitement to interact with the party workers of Puducherry.
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The Lok Sabha will today take up the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, for further discussion. The Bill aims to further amend the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016. It seeks to address procedural delays and interpretational issues among companies and individuals. The house is also scheduled to raise a discussion on efforts to free the country from left-wing extremism.
Rajya Sabha is scheduled to take up the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, for consideration and passing.
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The Government has issued a gazette notification allowing the distribution of Superior Kerosene Oil under the Public Distribution System to 21 States and Union Territories, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, citing the prevailing geo-political situation affecting energy supplies worldwide. Our correspondent reports that the move is aimed at supporting cooking and lighting needs in areas where kerosene had been phased out under normal conditions.
“The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has allowed designated fuel stations in kerosene-free States and Union Territories to store and distribute Superior Kerosene Oil for household use. In a notification issued by the Ministry, up to two fuel stations per district, preferably company-owned outlets of public sector oil firms, can store up to five thousand litres of kerosene. Dealers and transporters have also been exempted from certain licensing requirements to enable faster distribution, while safety and monitoring norms will continue to remain in force. The notification has come into effect immediately and will remain valid for 60 days or until further orders. With Aman Yadav, Saumya Sharan for Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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Two more Indian-flagged tankers, carrying 94 thousand tonnes of LPG have crossed the war-affected Strait of Hormuz. The carriers – BW TYR and BW ELM – are expected to reach the Indian shores in the next couple of days.
While BW TYR is expected to arrive in Mumbai tomorrow, BW ELM is en route to New Mangalore with an estimated arrival date of April 1.
The US and Israel attacks on Iran and Tehran’s sweeping retaliation have all but halted shipping through the strait of Hormuz – the narrow shipping lane that is a conduit for oil and gas exports from Gulf countries to the world.
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Israeli military operations across Lebanon have intensified in the latest escalation, with Israel expanding its buffer zone in southern Lebanon and launching fresh strikes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the expansion, saying the move is aimed at preventing Hezbollah infiltration and strengthening security along Israel’s northern frontier.
In Lebanon, death toll has crossed 1189 in the ongoing fighting since early March with thousands more injured. Displacement is also rising rapidly, with over one million people forced from their homes. Hundreds of mourners gathered at a cemetery south of Beirut yesterday to attend the funeral of journalists Ali Shoeib, Fatima Ftouni, and Mohammed Ftouni, who were killed in an Israeli strike.
“In the latest military development, Israeli forces carried out a rare operation linked to Mount Hermon, conducting cross-border activity from the Syrian side into southern Lebanon. The Israeli military says the move is aimed at preventing Hezbollah entrenchment and targeting militant infrastructure in the mountainous frontier region. Mount Hermon is a strategic high ground where the borders of Lebanon, Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights converge, making it a critical surveillance and military position. Lebanese officials say rescue teams, journalists and emergency responders have increasingly come under fire in follow-up strikes, raising international concerns. This is Vinod Kumar for Akashvani News from Dubai.”
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Indian boxers will begin their campaign at the Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia today. Women boxers Nikhat Zareen, Lovlina Borgohain, Jaismine Lamboria, Ankushita Boro, Arundhati Choudhary, and Alfiya Patahan will advance with byes, Boxing Federation of India said.
The Championships mark the first major event of the season ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and World Boxing Cup Finals.
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India’s Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat clinched one gold and two silver medals at the Spanish Para Badminton International- Level 1 in Toledo. Bhagat, along with Manisha Ramdass, won gold in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 category, defeating fellow Indians Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan 21-15, 24-22.
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In IPL cricket, Mumbai Indians defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets in the second match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai last night. Put into bat first, Kolkata Knight Riders posted a massive total of 220 for 4 with the help of captain Ajinkya Rahane’s 67 runs.
In reply, Mumbai Indians overhauled the target for the loss of four wickets in 19.1 overs riding on Rohit Sharma’s 78 and Ryan Rickelton’s 81 runs.
Mumbai Indians bowler Shardul Thakur was named Player of the Match after picking up three wickets.
Today, Rajasthan Royals will take on Chennai Super Kings at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati at 7:30 PM.
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The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange color warning for thunderstorm accompanied by hailstorm over Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, East Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Maharashtra, Punjab and Uttarakhand during the day. Similar conditions will also prevail over Marathwada and West Madhya Pradesh today.
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In our bilingual live phone-in programme “Public Speak” at 9.30 tonight, we will bring an insightful discussion on “Census 2027: First Census with Digital Tools and Self Enumeration” with Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India.
During the programme, listeners can ask questions on the subject.
To participate, simply dial the telephone numbers 011-23717117, and 011-23314444, from 9:30 PM onwards tonight.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES :-
- Tehran, Tel aviv stepping up rhetoric with the West Asia conflict entering its 30th day has been making news in all the dailies. Hindustan Times on its top front page headline writes “Iran warns US on ground war as regional diplomats huddle.” While The Asian Age says ” Prime Minister Modi cautions against rumours, bats for unity in ‘Mann ki Baat’.
- The OPED in The Tribune under the headline “How oil shock has put economy under pressure” cites only a quick end to the war can stabilise markets. Until then, uncertainty will dominate the economy. Some energy pundits believe that energy prices which have gone up, will stay at the current levels even if the war ends to compensate the damage to key refineries in the gulf which may take years to fix. So, even if crude supplies return to normal, the international price of petrol and diesel will remain high.
- A headline in The Pioneer states “Airlines to offer sixty percent seats free from April 20.”
- “In Census, ‘stable’ live-in couple to be counted as married ” says a headline in The Times of india.
- There is a gradual shift in demand for office leasing in tier 2 cities as cost advantage is a key attraction point reports BUSINESS STANDARD with Coimbatore, Kochi, jaipur, Indore, Ahmedabad are preffered choices for realtors today.
- “Banks, NPCI to run UPI cleanup” as Government seeks stronger digital payments system states The Economic Times.
- And finally, Braving relentless rain and morning chill, Jammu burst into motion as thousands of runners hit the streets for the city’s first ever International Marathon, turning grit glamour and sporting into landmark celebration, reports The Statesman as peace has made the Union Territory a destination for world-class events.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- Filing of nominations begins today for Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Assembly elections.
- Election Commission removes Officers-in-Charge of 170 police stations in West Bengal.
- Prime Minister and Senior BJP leader Narendra Modi to address party workers of Assam and Puducherry today.
- Government allows distribution of Superior Kerosene Oil under Public Distribution System in 21 States and Union Territories.
- Two more Indian tankers carrying 94 thousand tonnes of LPG cross Strait of Hormuz.
- And, Indian boxers begin their campaign at Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia today.
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