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#Covid19: Omicron figures touch 415, states on alert

New Delhi:  A total of 415 cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus have been detected in India so far, out of which 115 have recovered or migrated, according to the Union Health Ministry's data updated on Saturday. Maharashtra has recorded a maximum of 108 Omicron cases, followed by Delhi at 79, Gujarat 43, Telangana 38, Kerala 37, Tamil Nadu 34 and Karnataka 31. India's Covid tally rose to 3,47,79,815 with 7,189 fresh cases in the last 24 hours, while the active cases have declined to 77,032, according to the data updated at 8 am.

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#Uttarakhand: Pre-poll rumbles, as party-hoppers make noise

New Delhi: Uttarakhand minister Harak Singh Rawat left a cabinet meeting in a huff on Friday night, triggering speculation that he might resign as a minister. Sources said Rawat left the meeting as he was angry that a proposal for a medical college in Kotdwar -- his constituency -- was not being cleared by the cabinet.

However, talking to a television news channel, state BJP chief Madan Kaushik dismissed reports of Rawat's resignation as a "rumour". There was also talk about the resignation of BJP MLA Umesh Sharma Kau. However, his son Gaurav Sharma denied it, saying they were surprised when the news was flashed by some television channels.

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#LudhianaBlast: Man killed in blast carrying explosive, Pak hand being probed

New Delhi: The man killed in the Ludhiana district court blast was carrying the explosion, Punjab DGP Siddharth Chattopadhyaya said on Saturday, adding that they suspect Pakistan’s role but cannot conclude anything as the investigation is underway. However, the accused was in “touch with other conspirators in jail and outside".

“The deceased person, former policeman Gagandeep Singh, was carrying the explosion. He was dismissed from service in 2019 and spent two years in jail following his arrest in a drug-trafficking case," Chattopadhyaya said.

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#Covaxin: People Criticised Covaxin Because It Was Developed in India, Says CJI NV Ramana

Speaking at the Rameneini foundation event in Hyderabad on Thursday, Chief justice of India, NV Ramana, praised Bharat Biotech MDs Dr Krishna M. Ella and Joint MD Suchitra M. Ella for their contribution to the development of pharmaceutical sciences.

Bharat Biotech received the 2021 Vishishta Puraskaar Award from the USA-based Rameneini foundation, with the CJI as the guest of honor at the event.

"I want to tell you one thing about vaccines. Various studies say that Covaxin is effective and even work on new variants also... but many criticised it because it is made in India. Some even complained to WHO against it. While MNCs like Pfizer worked against the Indian vaccine, many in the country, too, tried to stop World recognition of the vaccine.

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#UP-Polls: Rs 150 Crore Seized From Office of UP Businessman; BJP, SP Trade Charges

Goods and Services Tax (GST) authorities have marked their biggest cash recovery so far with Rs 150 crore seized from multiple locations in Kanpur allegedly linked to Piyush Jain, a businessman who deals in pan masala and perfumes, officials said.

With UP polls looming, the seizure has triggered a political blame game with the ruling BJP and Opposition SP accusing each other of having dubious links with Jain.

According to an official statement, the Directorate General of GST Intelligence in Ahmedabad received a tipoff based on which the search was conducted on Wednesday. Officials searched the factory premises of Trimurti Fragrance Pvt Ltd, which manufactures Shikhar Pan Masala and tobacco products, and the office and godowns of Ganpati Road Carriers, in Kanpur, the statement said.