The government on Monday imposed agriculture and infrastructure development cess at the rate of Rs 2.5 per litre on petrol and Rs 4 per litre on diesel to mobilise additional resources required for massive investment required in these two key segments of the economy that hold the key to bringing back the country on the path of growth.
Strongly critising the Union Budget 2021, the Congress on Monday said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's speech was oblivious to the declining GDP and the budget was a case of "wrong diagnosis and prescription". Taking to Twitter, senior Congress leader and Deputy Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma said, "The FM could have been brave but chose to be timid. The nation needed a bold budget and more direct transfers to the weaker sections to revive demand, restart job creation."
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday extends the temporary suspension of internet at Delhi borders - Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri borders, till February 2, 11 pm, in the wake of farmers' protest. On January 30, the MHA had announced the suspension of internet services at the three borders, along with some adjoining areas, where farmers have been protesting against the new agri laws. The internet was earlier suspended till 11 pm of January 31. 
Commuters faced heavy traffic jams as Delhi's borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh remained closed at several points on Monday due to the farmers' agitation. The farmers have continued to camp at the Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri borders amid heavy security deployment for over two months now. Taking to Twitter, the Delhi Traffic Police have alerted commuters about the traffic affected areas and have suggested alternative routes.
With 11,427 new coronavirus cases being reported in a day, India's COVID-19 tally has increased to 1,07,57,610, while the number of people who have recuperated from the disease has surged to 1,04,34,983, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday. The national recovery rate surged to 97 per cent.
India on Monday expressed "deep concern" over the military coup in Myanmar which has been placed under a state of emergency for one year, urging the neighbouring country to uphold the rule of law and the democratic process. A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi said that the government was monitoring the situation closely.
The minimum temperature in Delhi rose to 5.3 degrees Celsius on Monday, still three notches below normal, the India Meteorological Department said. A cold wave had swept Delhi on Sunday morning, with the minimum temperature dipping to 3.1 degrees Celsius. Cold-wave conditions had prevailed last Tuesday, Thursday and Friday also due to the cold and dry northwesterly winds barrelling through the plains, the IMD said.Republic Day 2024 : As India's 75th Republic Day Parade kicked off in the national capital, a 30-member band contingent and a marching c...
