EC freezes Lok Janshakti Party poll symbol

Unique Identification Authority of India, UIDAI has opened 55 Aadhaar Seva Kendras as part of its plan to open 166 stand-alone Aadhaar Enrolment and Update Centres in 122 cities across the country. These are in addition to about 52,000 Aadhaar Enrolment Centres run by Banks, Post Offices and State Governments.These Aadhaaar Seva Kendras which are open on all days of the week, have so far catered to over 70 Lakh residents including Divyang persons.These centres have a capacity to handle up to 1,000 enrolments and requests per day for Model-A ASKs, upto 500 enrolments and requests per day for Model-B ASKs and upto 250 enrolments and requests per day for Model-C ASKs. These ASKs are operational from 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.They are closed only on public holidays. While Aadhaar Enrolment is free, a nominal charge of 50 rupees is payable for Demographic Updates and 100 rupees for Biometric Updates with or without Demographics.

-India has crossed the landmark of 90 crore COVID vaccinations. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed this in a tweet. A total of 24 thousand 354 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours. Active cases account for less than one per cent of total cases and are currently at 0.81 per cent.India’s active caseload stands at two lakh 73 thousand 889 which is lowest in 197 days. Recovery Rate currently stands at 97.86 per cent which is the highest since March last year. Over 25,400 recoveries were recorded in the last 24 hours increasing total recoveries to over three crore 30 lakh 68 thousand. A total of 57.19 crore tests have been conducted across the country so far.

-The Election Commission has freezed Lok Janshakti Party LJP poll symbol till dispute between Chirag Paswan and Pashupati Paras factions is resolved. In its order,the Commission has barred both factions from using the name of LJP or its symbol bungalow till the dispute between the rival groups is settled by the poll-body. It said, both the groups will be allotted different symbols and they may choose from the list of free symbols notified by the poll panel for the purposes of the current bye-elections in two Assembly Constituencies in Bihar.  The Commission said, both the groups shall be known by such names by as they may choose for their respective groups, including, if they so desire, linkage with their parent party Lok Janshakti Party.

-Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has expressed anguish at the tragic death of four Navy personnel who were part of the Indian Navy mountaineering expedition to Mt. Trishul. In a tweet, Singh said, the nation has not only lost precious young lives but also courageous soldiers in this tragedy. The Defence Minister said, his heart goes out to the bereaved families of Lieutenant commander Rajnikant Yadav, Lieutenant commander Yogesh Tiwari, Lieutenant commander Anant Kukreti and MCPO II Hari Om. Singh said, his thoughts are with their families in this hour of tragedy. He prayed for early locating of the remaining team members.

-The procurement of paddy in Haryana and Punjab will start from Sunday. Under Secretary in Ministry of Food and Public Distribution has written a letter to Punjab Additional Chief Secretary for Food and Civil Supplies and Principal Secretary Food and Civil Supplies of Haryana in this regard. The letter said, Paddy should be procured as per the Fair Average Quality FAQ norms pescribed for Kharif Marketing Season 2021-22.