The RBI on Wednesday raised its key lending rate by 40 basis points to 4.40 per cent with immediate effect. The central bank also hiked the cash reserve ratio by 50 basis points. The decision was taken by the monetary policy committee (MPC) in an off-cycle meeting with the central board held May 2-4. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the decision was taken in view of rising inflation, geo-political tensions, high crude oil prices and shortage of commodities globally, which have impacted Indian economy. The RBI cautioned that the economy faces global spillovers risks from geopolitical tensions,

India reported 3,205 new coronavirus infections in a day, pushing the number of active cases to 19,509 and the overall tally to 4,30,88,118, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. The data released at 8 am also showed that 31 fatalities - 29 of them from Kerala alone - were reported in a 24-hour span, taking the cumulative death toll to 5,23,920. One death each was recorded from Maharashtra and Delhi, the data showed. Patiala's National Law University becomes Covid hotspot with 46 more positive cases. As many as 60 positive cases of covid have been reported at the un

The Punjab government on Wednesday launched an anti-corruption action helpline number on the occasion of Shaheed Diwas. The WhatsApp helpline number is +91 95012 00200. After Bhagwant Mann had sworn in as chief minister on March 16, he had announced that the government will launch a helpline to curb corruption in the state. He said that WhatsApp number will be his personal number and people can send videos or audios and lodge complaints as he will personally look into every corruption case. Meanwhile, the Punjab CM visited Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, and paid

Kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambia was shot dead during a kabaddi tournament at Mallian Khurd village, in Nakodar. Shooting happened while a match was being played on Monday evening. Media reports suggest Sandeep had come to attend the tournament and some people were taking selfies with him when some assailants arrived in a car. Two assailants shot the kabaddi player dead and fled. Police are trying to track down the killers. Sandeep was a popular kabaddi player and belonged to Nangal Ambia village, near Shahkot.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Brian Lara, Adam Gilchrist and others mourned the demise of Australian spinner Shane Warne on Friday.The iconic spinner passed away in Thailand of a suspected heart attack, his management company said in a statement to Fox Sports."It's a sad day for world cricket. First the news of Rodney Marsh & now Shane Warne Heartbreaking! I have fond memories of playing with Warne. He was the king of spin & a legend of the game who's gone way before his time. RIP. You will be missed my condolences to his family," Yuvraj Singh tweeted."Numb. The hig

A partially consumed bottle of liquor was recovered from the ill-fated car of Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu, who died in a road accident on Tuesday near Sonipat in Haryana. An FIR has been registered for rash and negligent driving against the driver of the truck with which the actor's car collided. Viscera samples of the actor have been collected. "We retrieved a partially consumed liquor bottle from Deep Sidhu's car. It is a case of rash and negligent driving. An FIR has been registered. The driver has been identified and police teams are trying to nab him. Viscera sample has been collected and fu

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has condoled the death of Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu, who died in a road accident on Tuesday near Sonipat in Haryana.Deep Sidhu had been granted bail in April this year in a case related to the violence on Republic Day. Two FIRs had been registered against Sidhu in connection with the violence on Republic Day last year.In a tweet Channi conveyed his condolences to Sidhu's family members. "Deeply saddened to learn about the unfortunate demise of renowned actor and social activist, Deep Sidhu. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family and fan

Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu passed away in a road accident near Sonipat in Haryana on Tuesday.According to Haryana Police, the accident took place on Western Peripheral Expressway near Pipli Toll plaza.Sidhu, who was arrested in February last year in the Red Fort violence case, was granted bail in April. Police said the actor rammed his car into a standing truck near Pipli toll on Kundli-Manesar-Palwal.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued Rs 1.62 lakh crore income tax refunds to over 1.79 crore taxpayers till January 24, 2022 of the current financial year, official data showed on Thursday."CBDT issues refunds of over Rs 1,62,448 crore to more than 1.79 crore taxpayers from 1st April 2021 to 24th January 2022," Income Tax Department said in a tweet..Income tax refunds of Rs 57,754 crore have been issued in 1,77,35,899 cases and corporate tax refunds of Rs 1,04,694 crore have been issued in 2,23,952 cases, it said.This includes 1.41 crore refunds of Assessment Year 2021-22 amoun