Breaking News February 21 | Highlights

A major fire broke out at the grid substation of Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd in Dhenkanal district on Sunday, officials said. There was no report of any casualty in the incident in which a 315-MVA transformer caught fire.

At least 10 fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames.

"About 6,000 litres of foam and 1 lakh litres of water were used to douse the blaze," they said.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

The Chhattisgarh Assembly's budget session will begin on Monday and will have 24 sittings till March 26, an official said. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who holds the finance portfolio, will present the state budget on March 1.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday announced that in view of the rising COVID-19 cases, all political, religious and social gatherings will be prohibited in the state from Monday.

The British government announced Sunday that it aims to give every adult in the country a first dose of coronavirus vaccine by July 31, a month earlier than its previous target.

The new target also aims for everyone over 50 or with an underlying health condition to get a vaccine shot by April 15, rather than the previous target of May 1.

Serbia has received a first shipment of 150,000 AstraZeneca vaccines, adding to the three other vaccines already in use.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani tests negative for COVID-19. She was diagnosed with the disease on February 15.

Members of the Panchamasali (Lingayat) community hold a rally in Bengaluru's Palace Grounds for inclusion in the 2A reservation category. "If Yediyurappa-government doesn't respond today, we'll begin satyagraha and head to Vidhan Sabha," said J Mruthyunjaya Swami, rally's leading member.

Due to continuous heavy rainfall, all private and government schools will remain closed on 22nd February for students of classes 1 to 9.

Pune administration on Sunday announced night curfew in the city, in the wake of rising cases of the novel coronavirus. The night curfew will be imposed from 11 pm to 6 am, during which no public movement will be allowed, Pune Divisional Commissioner said.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will hold a meeting with farmer leaders from Uttar Pradesh today at the Vidhan Sabha. Farm laws and other issues related to the farmers to be taken up in the meeting. Ministers Kailash Gehlot and Rajendra Pal Gautam will also attend the meeting. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates a meeting of the BJP national office bearers at the NDMC convention center in Delhi. The meeting will be chaired by party president JP Nadda. PM will also address the BJP national office bearers.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launches the Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine drive, and administers vaccine drops to children in Lucknow. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the NDMC convention centre, Delhi, to address BJP's national functionaries today.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates the 26th 'Hunar Haat' organised by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs from February 20 to March 1, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi.

The tenth round of Corps commander-level talks between India and China lasted for 16 hours, and ended at Moldo on the Chinese side of LAC around 2 am today. Both sides discussed disengagement from friction points including Gogra heights, Hot Springs, and Depsang plains. 

767 autorickshaw drivers booked on February 19 and 20 in Maharashtra for violating social distancing norms and carrying more than two passengers in the autorickshaw. More than Rs 3,80,000 collected in fines from the offenders. 

Jammu and Kashmir Police and Army bust hideout in Anantnag forest after the arrest of conspirator of Krishna Dhaba attack. Three AK-56 rifles, two Chinese pistols, two Chinese grenades, one telescope, six AK magazines, two pistol mag, and other items recovered. 

Former Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu writes to PM Narendra Modi, requesting to stop the privatization of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL), commonly known as Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a meeting of BJP's national functionaries today.

Odisha Minister Pratap Jena inaugurated 17th India International Mega Trade Fair at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar.