Former Indian Police Sservice officer Julio Ribeiro on Sunday rejected Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar's suggestion that he probe ex-Mumbai police chief Param Bir Singh's claim that Home Minister Anil Deshmukh asked suspended police officer Sachin Waze to collect Rs 100 crore every month.

"I am not available. Nobody (in state government) has contacted me. And in any case even if they contact me, I am unavailable," Ribeiro told PTI when asked about Pawar's suggestion.

"I am 92 years old. Nobody goes around doing this work at the age of 92. If the inquiry is against the home minister of Maharashtra, then Mr Pawar should make it because he is the head of the (ruling) party," Ribeiro said.

Ribeiro is a former Mumbai police commissioner, who eventually became the chief of Gujarat and Punjab police and was later named India's ambassador to Romania.

"Why should a retired police officer be asked to do this," he said.

Earlier in the day, Pawar told reporters in Delhi that he would suggest Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to seek Ribeiro's help to investigate the claims made by Singh.  -- PTI

India, Pakistan, China and other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will hold a joint anti-terrorism exercise this year, the eight-member bloc said.

The decision to hold the joint exercise 'Pabbi-Antiterror-2021' was announced during the 36th meeting of the Council of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on March 18.

At the meeting, representatives of the SCO member states also approved the draft program of cooperation for 2022-2024 to counter-terrorism, separatism and extremism.

"Decisions have been made to improve cooperation between the competent authorities of the SCO member states in identifying and suppressing channels that finance terrorist activities," China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported, quoting a RATS statement.

Delegations of the competent authorities of India, Kazakhstan, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and the RATS Executive Committee attended the meeting, Xinhua reported.

RATS, headquartered in Tashkent, is a permanent organ of the SCO which serves to promote cooperation of member states against terrorism, separatism and extremism.

The SCO is an economic and security bloc in which India and Pakistan were admitted as full members in 2017.

Its founding members included China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The next meeting of the Council of the RATS SCO is scheduled to be held in September in Uzbekistan.   -- PTI

Mansukh Hiran's death case has been solved, claims Deputy Inspector General of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad Shivdeep Lande.

Suspended Mumbai Police constable Vinayak Shinde and Naresh Dhare, a bookie were arrested in connection with the death earlier today.

More details awaited.  -- ANI

A meeting is underway at the residence of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar in New Delhi.

Party leaders Praful Patel, Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil and Supriya Sule are present.

More details awaited.  -- ANI

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narayan Rane on Sunday alleged that arrested Mumbai police assistant inspector Sachin Waze lived for the last few months in Malabar Hill-based Varsha, the official residence of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Talking to reporters, Rane, a former Shiv Sena CM, demanded the resignation of Thackeray for the poor law and order situation in Maharashtra.

"Uddhav Thackeray should quit. For the last few months, Waze lived in Varsha and sometimes in a five star hotel in south Mumbai. What was he doing there? Wasn't the CM aware that Waze lived in his official residence?" Rane asked.

Rane further alleged Thackeray tried his best to ensure Waze was not arrested.

Waze has been arrested in connection with the NIA probe into the recovery of an explosives-laden vehicle near industrialist Mukesh Ambani's home.  -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra  Modi said on Sunday that anticipating defeat in the West Bengal assembly elections, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee has already started questioning the functioning of EVMs which had brought her to power 10 years ago.

Asserting that 'asol parivartan' (real change) is coming to Bengal for the development of the state and to fulfil the dreams of the youth, Modi said 'bhrastachar-er khela cholbe na' (game of corruption will not continue).    

"Anticipating defeat, Didi has already started questioning the EVMs (electronic voting machine) which had brought her to power 10 years ago," Modi said addressing awell-attended election rally in Bankura.

Banerjee has been calling on party workers to keep an eye on EVM machines fearing tampering of the machines.

He claimed that wall posters put up by TMC displayed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee kicking at his head.

West Bengal has a long tradition of cartoons and grafitti for political messages.

"I always bow my head in the service of 130 crore people of the country, Didi can put her leg on my head and kick it but I will not allow her to kick the dreams of Bengal's people," he said.

Modi claimed that since scams could not be done in Ayushman Bharat, PM -Kisan and direct benefit transfer schemes of the Centre, the TMC government here did not implement these in West Bengal.

"The BJP runs on schemes, the TMC runs on scams," he said.

Modi said that Mamata Banerjee has played with the lives of Bengal's people for 10 years, but now her 'khela' (game) will be over and 'vikas' (development) will start.  -- PTI

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses an election campaign rally for Assam Assembly polls, at Bokakhat in Golaghat district, on Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo

Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveils Bharatiya Janata Party's election manifesto 'Sonar Bangla Sankalpa Patra' for West Bengal.

The manifesto emphasises on women's safety, infra development, health, industry.

The BJP has promised 33 per cent reservation for women in state government jobs.

"Women to be given 33 per cent reservation in state government jobs. We have also decided to provide free education to women from KG to PG," Shah said in Kolkata.

Promising to implement Citizenship Amendment Act, Shah said, "We have decided that no infiltrators to be allowed in Bengal and border fencing will be strengthened. CAA will be implemented in the first cabinet and refugees who have been staying here for 70 years will be given citizenship."

"Each refugee family will get Rs 10,000 per year for 5 years," he said.  -- ANI

The Gujarat government on Sunday said permission won't be granted for Holi celebrations due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in the state though the religious ritual of 'Holika Dahan' associated with the festival can take place with crowd restrictions.

Holi falls on March 29 and Holika Dahan on its eve on March 28.

The government will only allow 'Holika Dahan', a pyre lighting ritual symbolising the victory of good over evil on the eve of Holi, that too with a limited number of people in housing societies and villages, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said.

Patel, who also holds the health portfolio, said people won't be allowed to form crowds to throw colour at each other, a prime part of the boisterous celebrations associated with Holi.

"No permission is granted for celebration of Holi. Action will be taken against violators. However, I believe the people of Gujarat will follow rules and will not play Holi," Patel said.

Gujarat reported 1,565 coronavirus positive cases on Saturday, the addition being the highest in four months, taking the state's tally to 2,85,429.

The active caseload in the state is 6,7373 as on Saturday.  -- PTI

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Sunday hinted he will receive the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine as soon as he recovers from his eye surgery.

Earlier this month, the 78-year-old actor had opened up about his first eye surgery and said that the recovery is 'slow and difficult'.

Last week, Bachchan underwent a successful surgery for his other eye.

Taking to his blog, the screen icon voiced concerns around rising COVID-19 cases and the box office performance of his upcoming film Chehre.

'There is now the fear of another strain, getting free box office results and that is unnerving... The vaccination has become mandatory and soon there shall be the conditioning for yours truly to be one such in queue.

'Well as soon as the work in progress eyes get settled... till then it's a wild world ain't it,' Bachchan wrote.

Recently, cinema veterans Sharmila Tagore, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Mohanlal, Nagarjuna, Paresh Rawal, Satish Shah, Jeetendra, Kamal Haasan, Anupam Kher, Rakesh Roshan and Johnny Lever received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Bachchan also shared pictures from a dubbing, adding that other work can be produced and executed 'without hesitation'.

On Friday, the Gulabo Sitabo actor was honoured with the FIAF Award for his dedication and contribution to the preservation of the world's film heritage by the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF).

He thanked his fans, whom he calls his 'extended family', for their congratulatory messages.

In the post, the actor also marvelled at the technological advancement which made it possible for the event to be held virtually amid the pandemic.

During the virtual event, Hollywood filmmakers Martin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan hailed Bachchan as a 'celebrated actor' and 'living legend'.

Bachchan is the first Indian film personality to be honoured with the award.   -- PTI

Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Sunday said the second wave of coronavirus has begun and sought people's cooperation to contain the disease.

"We are at the beginning of the second wave of coronavirus. Let us all join hands to control it because the next three months are crucial for us," Sudhakar told reporters in Bengaluru as the coronavirus cases started shooting up.

He said he would discuss with Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa about the COVID-19 situation and measures to be taken.

He said the state Technical Advisory Committee on coronavirus has given clear guidelines to the government stating that people would be in for a trouble if certain activities were not controlled.

"We all will be responsible for the aftermath if the government and people do not respond to experts' report," Sudhakar said.

To a question whether election-related activities would be among those needed to be under check, Sudhakar sought to know, "Can any activity be an excuse for coronavirus? Will it spare VIPs, political parties or religious congregations?"

The minister underlined the need for an all-party meeting in view of the coronavirus situation since the byelections were round the corner and all the political parties would take part in it.

Sudhakar's warning came as the cases in Karnataka shot upto 1,798 with seven deaths and Bengaluru urban district alone contributed 1,186 cases, including five deaths, on Saturday.

The chief minister too had appealed to the people to exercise caution as coronavirus was on the rise at an alarming proportion.   -- PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday assured voters that Bengal will be freed of infiltrators in five years and no one will stop residents from performing Saraswati and Durga puja when Bharatiya Janata Party comes to power.

Campaigning for the BJP in Egra Assembly constituency of East Midnapore, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asked the voters to go out and cast their votes fearlessly.

"Didi gave slogan of 'Maa, Maati, Manush', but did change come? Infiltration was there earlier and even now it is there. Do you want freedom from infiltrators? Can Didi give you freedom from infiltrators? We will make Bengal free of infiltrators in five years. If we are voted to power no one can stop you from performing Saraswati and Durga puja," he said at the rally.

Shah assured people that Trinamool Congress (TMC) 'goons' are going to have a hard time and assured people that the electorate will not be stopped from voting this time.

"Don't be afraid. Goons of Mamata Banerjee will have a hard time. TMC goons won't be able to stop you from voting," he said.

Shah was accompanied by former TMC Member of Parliament (MP) Sisir Adhikari, father of Suvendu Adhikari, who is contesting against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from Nandigram.

The former BJP national President also mentioned the alleged killing of 130 BJP workers by the TMC.

"Our 130 cadres were killed. TMC goons should not think they will be spared. We will find them even in hell. We will take action when our government will come to power on May 2," said the Union home minister.

Levelling allegations of corruption against Chief Minister, Shah further said the 'cut money' taken by the nephew is routed to Didi.

"This government is epitome of corruption. Nephew's cut money goes to Didi. Should this be stopped? Mamata Didi says what is the problem in giving Rs 500. Your money won't go in cut money if we are voted to power," he added.

Shah pointed out that while Mamata wanted to make her nephew the chief minister, on the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to make Bengal into 'Sonar Bangla'.

He also promised direct cash transfers to fisherman and farmers along with the health benefit scheme Ayushman Bharat to the poor.   -- ANI

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla tested positive for COVID19 on March 19, says All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

He was admitted to AIIMS COVID Centre for observation on March 20. He is stable, the hospital said.   -- ANI

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar speaks on former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh's letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray:

"The allegations against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh are serious. The Maharashtra CM has the full authority to take a decision regarding an inquiry on these allegations against the home minister," Pawar says.

Pawar said it was Param Bir Singh who decided to reinstate Sachin Waze in police force last year.

"Param Bir Singh making wild allegations because he was removed as Mumbai police commissioner. I would suggest Uddhav Thackeray to seek former IPS officer Julio Ribeiro's help for looking into claims by Param
Bir Singh," Pawar said.     -- ANI/PTI

Ending weeks of speculation, disgruntled Trinamool Congress MP Sisir Adhikari chanted 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party at Home Minister Amit Shah's rally in Bengal.

Following in the footsteps of his two sons Suvendu and Soumendu, Adhikari said he will put up a formidable fight against the Mamata Banerjee camp to 'save the honour of Midnapore'.

The patriarch of the Adhikari family -- which wields considerable influence in Bengal's Purba Medinipur district -- said that he was forced to switch camp, as the leaders of the ruling party left him with no option.

Earlier, too, the TMC MP had accused the ruling party of 'humiliating' him and son Suvendu, who is locked in a fierce battle with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the district's Nandigram constituency.

"They (TMC leaders) forced me to join the BJP. Let them (TMC) do what they want, and I will do what I can," Adhikari told reporters in Kanthi before leaving for Egra, the venue of Shah's rally.

He asserted that Suvendu will bag the Nandigram seat by a comfortable margin.

"Suvendu will win the polls by a huge margin. The TMC will be wiped out of East Midnapore," the Lok Sabha MP added.

Sources in the BJP said his other son Dibyendu, a TMC MP from Tamluk, may also follow suit.   -- PTI

"The letter (Param Bir Singh's letter to CM) is a reaction after Maharashtra Chief Minister and Home Minister decided to take a tough stand. There is no question of replacing Maharashtra Home Minister," Patil told the media.

Earlier, Maharashtra's Leader of Opposition and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis had demanded Home Minister Anil Deshmukh's resignation over former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh allegations against him.

"We demand Home Minister's resignation. If he doesn't then CM must remove him. An impartial probe must be conducted.... The letter also states that CM was intimated about this earlier so why didn't he act on it?," Fadnavis had said.

On Saturday, former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray alleging that Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had indulged in 'malpractices' and asked suspended API Sachin Waze to collect Rs 100 crore every month.

The allegations were made a day after Deshmukh had said that Param Bir Singh was moved out as Mumbai Police Commissioner so that cases pertaining to Waze were probed without obstruction.

After Param Bir Singh's allegations, Deshmukh on Saturday had said he is filing a defamation suit against the former Mumbai Police Commissioner. -- ANI

Actor Ashish Vidyarthi says he is 'relieved' after testing negative for coronavirus.

The 58-year-old actor was admitted to a hospital in New Delhi after he tested positive on March 11.

Vidyarthi, best known for his work in films like Drohkaal, 1942: A Love Story and Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin, took to Twitter on Saturday to share the update with fans.

In a 30-second video, the actor thanked well wishers for their prayers.

'I tested positive on March 11, I'm now negative. This is the tenth day, I am so relieved. Thank you for your love, affection and prayers. My sugar levels are fluctuating a bit, but they will stabilise in one or two days,' Vidyarthi said.

In the caption of the post, the actor wrote that it was the time to 'spread hope and cheer'.

'Let this be the season of hope,' he added.

Delhi reported over 800 coronavirus cases for the first time this year on Saturday.

The 813 new infections pushed the tally to 6,47,161, with 6.32 lakh patients having recovered from the virus.   -- PTI

People in Bhopal, Indore and Jabalpur woke up to a quieter outdoor and deserted streets on Sunday as the coronavirus-triggered lockdown came into force in these three cities of Madhya Pradesh.

In view of the spurt in coronavirus cases, the state government had on March 19 announced lockdown in these three cities every Sunday till further orders.

Accordingly, the lockdown came into force at 10 pm on Saturday and will remain in force till 6 am on Monday.

A night curfew was already in place in Bhopal and Indore districts between 10 pm and 6 am since Wednesday.

Due to the lockdown, the kiosks selling packaged milk as well as petrol pumps remained closed in Bhopal on Sunday.

Only the local vendors were allowed make home delivery of milk till 10 am.

However, chemist shops and hospitals were open.

This is after 196 days that a complete lockdown is in place in Bhopal again.

But it is for the first time in the state capital that even petrol pumps, grocery shops, milk booths and vegetable markets are shut during the lockdown.

Last year, all these establishments and outlets used to operate during the lockdown.

However, the Bhopal City Link Limited (BCLL) buses plied on the streets exclusively to ferry the candidates appearing for the MP Public Service Commission examination at five centres in the state capital.

On Saturday, 345 infection cases were reported in Bhopal, which took its caseload to 46,728, while Indore saw 317 cases, where the tally rose to 63,827.

A total of 116 fresh virus cases were reported in Jabalpur, which pushed the total count to 17,464 last evening.

Madhya Pradesh on Saturday reported1,308 COVID-19 cases, taking its tally to 2,74,405, while two deaths increased the toll to 3,903.   -- PTI

IMAGE: Deserted roads during a lockdown to check the spread of novel coronavirus cases, in Bhopal, Sunday. Photograph: PTI Photo

Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday said a 'serious probe' should be conducted into the allegations of extortion against Anil Deshmukh raised by Maharashtra's former police commissioner and said the letter by the senior police officer to the chief minister of the state shows the levels of corruption in the western state.

"These allegations show the level of corruption in Mumbai and in the entire state of Maharashtra under this Aghadi government," said Thakur.

"It raises a very serious question when a senior cop and former Mumbai Police Commissioner has written a letter to CMO of Maharashtra and alleging the home minister of Maharashtra," he added.

The Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs was in Thiruvananthapuram for campaigning for the Aprils 6 Lok Sabha elections in Kerala.Thakur claimed that a 'serious probe' is needed in the matter.

"I think a serious probe into this and how many instalments have been given since the appointment of the former police chief of Mumbai, how many people are involved in that, was the chief minister aware of this from day one. And what action he has taken so far," said Thakur.

"The CM must come out and speak and tell the country that action he has taken," he added.

Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh on Saturday wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray alleging that Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had indulged in 'malpractices' and asked suspended API Sachin Waze to collect Rs 100 crore every month.   -- ANI

Three people, including a local Bharatiya Janata Party leader, have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 74-year-old man in West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district, police said on Sunday.

The trio was arrested on Friday and produced before a local court on Saturday, which remanded them to 10 days in police custody, an officer said.

The elderly man was shot dead inside his house in Post Office Para in Raina police station area on March 9.

Looting money seems to have been the motive behind the murder as the elderly man had withdrawn cash from his bank account on the day of the incident, he said.

However, the accused persons claimed that one of them had accidentally fired a shot at the man and as he fell on the ground, they got scared and fled the spot without taking the money, the officer said.

The trio was nabbed by tracking their mobile phone locations, he said.

The BJP leader, a 'Shakti Kendra Pramukh' of Bardhaman Uttar assembly seat, alleged that he was framed in the case.   -- PTI

Against the backdrop of former Mumbai police chief Param Bir Singh's allegations against Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, state Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and NCP's state unit president Jayant Patil are scheduled to meet party supremo Sharad Pawar in Delhi on Sunday.

Patil gave this information, but said that the meeting was planned three days ago and it is aimed at discussing issues related to the Pandharpur assembly bypoll scheduled next month.

Param Bir Singh, in his letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday, has alleged that Anil Deshmukh wanted police officers to collect Rs 100 crore every month from bars and hotels, a charge the minister has denied.

Deshmukh belongs to the NCP.

Jayant Patil, who is also the state water resources minister, said that the Delhi visit was planned three days ago.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to launch Bharatiya Janata Party's manifesto in West Bengal today. The manifesto is to be released almost a week after the Trinamool Congress released theirs.

Amit Shah will begin his election campaign in Bengal today at 12 pm by holding a public meeting at Pallighai School ground, Egra.

Then at 1:30 pm, Shah will hold an organisational meeting with district and Mandal Office Bearers at Mecheda.

At 4 pm, Shah will release the party manifesto for Bengal polls at EZCC, Kolkata.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a public meeting in Bankura on Sunday. The event is scheduled for 1 pm at Tilabedya Maidan (Near Bankura University, Bankura).

India on Sunday recorded 43,846 fresh infections of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), pushing the cumulative tally past 11,599,130, data by the Union health ministry said. This is the highest daily spike in the Covid-19 cases recorded this year.

The active cases in the country crossed the 3 lakh-mark after 20693 new active cases were added to the count, which accounts for 2.5% of the cases.

Witnessing a surge in the last 10 days, India's death toll rose to 159,755 after 197 fatalities were recorded in the last 24 hours, showed health ministry's data updated at 8 am.

A total of 11,130,288 people have recovered from the viral contagion, with 22,956 recoveries recorded in the last 24 hours, lodging the country's recovery rate at 95.9%.

The sharp rise in Covid-19 cases has been recorded in the month of March, which experts point out is an evident second wave based on the increasing positivity rate and active cases.

Veteran Trinamool Congress MP Sisir Adhikari, the father of Suvendu Adhikari who has been pitted by the BJP against Mamata Banerjee, met saffron party leader Mansukh Mandviya on Saturday, raising speculation about him attending Amit Shah's rally at Egra in Purba Medinipur on Sunday.

Mandviya visited Adhikari's residence to invite the veteran politician to Shah's Egra rally and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's March 24 public meeting at Kanthi in Purba Medinipur, a top BJP source said.

Confirming the invitation from BJP top brass, Adhikari's son and TMC MP Dibyendu Adhikari told reporters, "We have spoken to the BJP leadership. We will take the final decision about whether to attend or not tomorrow morning."

Dibyendu's elder brother Suvendu Adhikari, the protege-turned political foe of Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, joined the BJP at a rally of Shah in December last year. His other younger brother Soumendu left TMC to join the BJP shortly afterwards.

Septuagenarian Sisir Adhikari had earlier been removed as chairman of the prestigious Digha-Shankarpur Development Council and president of the Trinamool's district unit.

On March 13, BJP MP from Hooghly and the party's assembly poll candidate from Chunchura Locket Chatterjee had visited the Adhikari residence and had lunch with him.

Both sides however did not confirm at that time if Sisir Adhikari and his son Dibyendu will join the BJP and attend Shah and Modi's rally. 

Joginder Singh Ugrahan, 75, is the first farmer union leader to test positive for coronavirus ever since the protest against agri laws started in Punjab. He is president of BKU (Ugrahan), the largest farmer union of Punjab.

Ugrahan, who regularly used to lead dharnas from Tikri border, had been in Punjab since March 12 and had been participating in various protest dharnas. He had been unwell for the past three-four days and got himself admitted to a private hospital in Bathinda where he tested positive.

The farmer leader in a video message said he is fine and will soon join the stir against the farm laws. I fell sick a few days ago. Then I tested positive for coronavirus. I am fine. I will join you (protesting farmers) in a couple of days. There is no need to worry, said Ugrahan in a video clip.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will release the Bharatiya Janata Partys manifesto for the upcoming West Bengal assembly election 2021 on Sunday.

According to BJP's national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, the Union Home Minister will hold a public meeting at Pallighai Scholl ground in Egra in Purba Medinipur district in the afternoon during his day-long visit.  Later, he will hold a meeting with district and divisional office bearers of the party at Mecheda.

Shah will release the manifesto during a programme at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre in the evening. "BJP manifesto for West Bengal Assembly elections will be released by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 21 in Kolkata," Vijayvargiya had said on Friday. 

On Saturday, Shah had promised that the manifesto will give prominent space to the central schemes that will be implemented in the state when BJP comes to power after the elections.

The Election Commission of India had earlier announced that the West Bengal election will be held in eight phases. The first phase will be held on March 27 and the final phase will be conducted on April 29. The poll panel will announce the West Bengal election results 2021 on May 2.

Mumbaikars who are eligible to get inoculated will not have to wait for their scheduled date for vaccination, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has said so that the vaccination drive of the city gains pace. However, they will have to first register at cowin.gov.in.

"The vaccine has now been made available to help prevent Covid-19 and it is necessary to speed up the vaccination drive. In this regard, the government has made arrangements to vaccinate senior citizens above 60 years of age and those with co-morbidities in the age group of 45-59 years. Citizens in the above-mentioned age groups are thereby appealed to register successfully on the Co-WIN portal and visit their nearest vaccination centre to get vaccinated without waiting for the date of the scheduled appointment," the civic body said in a statement.

Amid surge, BMC to conduct random tests at public places without consent

Mumbai on Saturday reported 2,982 new infections, slightly lower than its previous day's infection tally. The civic authorities have made it clear that there will be no lockdown in the city. Instead, the authorities are working towards tightening surveillance and covering the maximum people under vaccination.

After Param Bir Singh alleged that he was indulged in "malpractices" and asked suspended API Sachin Waze to collect Rs 100 crore every month, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said he is filing a defamation suit against former Mumbai Police Commissioner.

"Param Bir Singh should prove his allegations. I am filing a defamation suit against him," Deshmukh said. Former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray alleging that Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had indulged in "malpractices" and asked suspended API Sachin Waze to collect Rs 100 crore every month.

The allegations were made a day after Deshmukh had said that Param Bir Singh was moved out as Mumbai Police Commissioner so that cases pertaining to Waze were probed without obstruction.

In the letter, Param Bir Singh, who has now been posted as Commandant General of Home Guards, said that he has been "made a scapegoat to divert attention from the actual wrongdoers".

He alleged that Sachin Vaze, who was heading the Crime Intelligence Unit of the Crime Branch of the Mumbai Police, was called by Deshmukh to his official residence several times in the last few months and "repeatedly instructed to assist in the collection of funds".

"In and around mid-February and thereafter, the Home Minister had called Vaze to his official residence. At that time, one or two staff members of the Home Minister including his personal secretary Palande, were also present. The Home Minister expressed to Vaze that he had a target to accumulate Rs 100 crores a month. For achieving the target, the Home Minister told Vaze that there are about 1,750 bars, restaurants, and other establishments in Mumbai and if a sum of Rs. 2-3 lakhs each was collected from each of them, a monthly collection of Rs. 40-50 crores were achievable," the letter said.

According to the Chief Minister's Office, Maharashtra, letter from Param Bir Singh was received at 4:37 pm today (Saturday) via a different email address, not his official one, and was without his signature. The new email address needs to be checked. The Home Ministry is trying to contact him for the same, CMO said.

Waze, Assistant Police Inspector in the Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU), who was transferred to the Citizen Facilitation Centre at Mumbai Police Headquarters after his name came up in Mansukh Hiren death case, has been sent to NIA custody till March 25, in connection with his alleged role and involvement in placing an explosives-laden vehicle.