Cabinet Okays 8% Hike in Sugarcane Price, Move To Benefit 5 Crore Farmers: Live Breaking News Headlines & Updates, February 21, 2024

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved an 8 per cent increase in the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane to Rs 340 per quintal for the sugar season 2024-25. The revised prices will be applicable with effect from Oct 1, 2024, according to an official statement issued after the CCEA meeting.

The Indian Navy deployed in the Gulf of Aden rendered medical assistance to an Iranian fishing vessel (FV) with 18 Pakistani crew members on board, an official said on Wednesday. Responding swiftly to an alert of a medical emergency by FV Al Arifi, carrying 18 Pakistani crew, the INS Shivalik Mission provided specialist medical advise and critical medicines to the distressed crew, the official said.

Farmers on Wednesday announced to suspend the 'Delhi Chalo' march for two days, and will decide their next course of action on Friday evening. The decision was announced by farmers' leader Sarwan Singh Pandher while addressing the media.

According to reports, the Central Bureau of Investigation has scheduled a meeting early next week with BRS leader K Kavitha, who is the daughter of Telangana's former Chief Minister KCR, over the Delhi liquor policy issue. The central agency has called the Telangana lawmaker in question twice now. The CBI had already questioned her in December.

CBI Summons BRS Leader K Kavitha

According to Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) President Dr Abhijit Helge, the association is set to go on a statewide indefinite strike from 5 pm tomorrow, i.e. on Thursday, February 21, 2024. Emergency services will remain operational to ensure the provision of essential medical care to the people during the strike. Around 8,000 resident doctors across the state will be on strike, demanding better hostel accommodation, a hike in stipend, and clearance of arrears.

Maharashtra Resident Doctors Announce Statewide Indefinite Strike

On Wednesday, February 21, 2024, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognizance of media reports on unabated human rights violations due to continued violence in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal.

NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance on Sandeshkhali Violence

At the ninth Raisina Dialogue in Delhi, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, “Elections here in India, convincingly challenge any flawed notion that significant scale is a barrier to democracy. You are an example to the world.” An example which should be celebrated is a demonstration of how democracy can deliver stronger economic growth, he added.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis Hails Elections and Democracy in India

Congress Uttar Pradesh in-charge Avinash Pande, on Wednesday, February 21, said that in Uttar Pradesh, INC will contest 17 seats and the remaining 63 seats will have candidates of INDIA Alliance - from SP and other parties.

West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar vowed to continue the saffron party’s protest against the state government over Sandeshkhali violence. “From 26th February, our 3-day protest will begin, from 11pm to 6pm. We will hold the protest in Kolkata, we have applied for permission. Why is Shahjahan Sheikh not yet arrested? Where is he hiding? Mamata Banerjee will have to answer”, he said while in conversation with news agency ANI on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.

Sukanta Majumdar Vows to Continue Protest Over Sandeshkhali Violence

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil has announced statewide 'Rasta Roko' on March 3 to demand implementation of 'Sage Soyare' (relatives from the family tree) ordinance notification in Maharashtra.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, on Wednesday, February 21, said that there will be an alliance between his party and Congress for Lok Sabha polls. "Yes (there will be an alliance), and everything will be cleared soon," he added.

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Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis, on Wednesday, February 21, said that they view India as one of the main pillars of stability and security in the wider region of Indo-Pacific. "The world today is facing unprecedented challenges that require immediate and efficient action from the ongoing war in Ukraine to the situation in the Middle East - from climate change to food, energy security," he added.

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on Wednesday, February 21, said that the BJP is indulging in "adharm". "Those who are with Lord Ram are with country and "dharm" will finally prevail," he said. Arvind Kejriwal also said that the Chandigarh mayoral poll incident shows BJP does not win elections, it steals verdicts.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will address a "Maha Kisan Rally" in Chhattisgarh's Raipur district on March 3. This will be an important rally where the Defence Minister will interact with the farmers. More than 1 lakh farmers are expected to attend the rally.

AAP leader and Delhi minister Gopal Rai, on Wednesday, February 21, said that the way BJP leaders humiliated an IPS officer on duty in West Bengal by calling him Khalistani is not acceptable. "In the entire country whoever believes in the unity of the country also believes that to strengthen this country no one should be humiliated on caste, religion, region or linguistic ground," he said.

Union Minister Nityanand Rai, on Wednesday, February 21, spoke about RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's "Jan Vishwas Yatra". Nityanand Rai said that the people of Bihar will continue to bless PM Modi because they want justice and development and they have seen 15 years of RJD rule. "He will not get any benefit from this yatra because people are with NDA and PM Modi," he added.

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Following the departure of Baba Siddique from the Congress to NCP, the party swiftly reacted by relieving his son, Zeeshan Siddique, of his duties as the President of the Mumbai Youth Congress. The party announced that Akhilesh Yadav would be stepping into the role.

In Jalna, Maharashtra, Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil persists in his hunger strike, demanding the implementation of ‘Sage Soyare’. This comes even as the Maratha Reservation Bill, which calls for reservation in education and jobs, was passed by the Maharashtra Assembly and Legislative Council yesterday.

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In a tragic incident, nine people lost their lives in a collision between an auto and a truck near Biharora, Ramgarh Chowk in Lakhisarai, Bihar. The accident occurred on the main road at around 1:30 am last night. Five other individuals sustained injuries in the collision and have been transported to the hospital for treatment, according to Lakhisarai Police.

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Renowned jurist and Senior Advocate, Fali S Nariman, passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 95.