In 2022-23, 'fruits and vegetables' accounted for 28% of India's crop value, surpassing cereals at 27%. The value of 'fruits and vegetables' output rose from Rs 2,87,000 crore in 2011-12 to Rs 4,34,000 crore in 2022-23, reflecting changing consumer preferences, market demands, and trends in agriculture.
The India-UAE leg of the IMEE-EC project will start with a digital platform for streamlined logistics and cargo movement. The initiative aims to connect ports of both countries and enhance trade efficiency. The project focuses on customs connectivity, regulatory agencies, and seamless cargo movement from Hajipur in Bihar to Haifa in Israel via UAE, Jordan, and Israel ports.
Throughout the day, a vacation bench of Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain heard the heated arguments between the councils of the probe agency and the Aam Aadmi Party chief and reserved its order. For now, the high court has put an interim stay on Rouse Avenue court's bail decision and Kejriwal will have to stay in jail. The high court said it was reserving the order for 2-3 days as it wanted to go through the entire records.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) failed to furnish direct evidence linking Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to the proceeds of crime in the money laundering case against him, a Delhi court has said while ordering his release on bail. The order passed on Thursday has, however, been stayed by the Delhi High Court on an appeal by the ED. The trial court order was made available to the media on Friday.
Bhartruhari Mahtab, a seasoned parliamentarian from the BJP, was appointed to the position on June 20 by President Droupadi Murmu. The Congress voiced its disapproval, highlighting that its party MP Kodikunnil Suresh is an eight-term Lok Sabha member.
Just five months after inauguration, cracks have appeared on the Atal Setu in Mumbai leading to an exchange of allegations between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress. Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole, who inspected the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri-Nhava Seva Atal Setu in Navi Mumbai on Friday alleged corruption in the construction. He also raised concerns over people's safety.
In response to allegations from the BJP linking him to paper leak cases in Bihar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Friday called Chief Minister Nitish Kumar the «mastermind» behind the leaks. Tejashwi, countering the BJP, suggested the government should probe his PS or PA instead of diverting the issue from the main culprit. He urged authorities to investigate parties closely associated with the chief conspirator rather than misdirecting the investigation.
The Congress convened a demonstration on Friday at the Collectorate Circle, demanding justice for students impacted by alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Party leaders and workers called on the central government to address the issue, citing arrests by police in Gujarat and Bihar related to a purported paper leak. The protest focused on urging the Centre to acknowledge and resolve the alleged examination discrepancies.
Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Friday that artificial intelligence (AI) will be utilized to enhance policing and traffic management in the state. Fadnavis made this statement after a home department meeting, which he heads. IIM Nagpur, in collaboration with the government, has prepared a report detailing how AI could contribute to effective and efficient policing, crime detection, and «predictive situations.»
On the 10th International Yoga Day, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel participated in a mass yoga session at Raj Bhavan in Lucknow. The event took place on Friday and highlighted the significance of yoga. During the event, CM Yogi stated, «Yoga paves the way for the welfare of all humanity, transcending the limitations of country, society, and time.»
A UP police team faced resistance from Bengal Police in West Bengal while trying to arrest Makhan Lal Meena for a gold theft. The suspect, identified through CCTV footage, was detained by Bengal Police near Asansol in connection with a robbery case due to the lack of proper coordination with Bengal Police.
The Election Commission received 11 applications from defeated candidates in recent elections, seeking verification of EVMs in 8 parliamentary and 3 assembly constituencies. The requests cover closely contested seats with thin victory margins and those with margins exceeding 2 lakh votes. The verification process will start within four weeks of confirmation of election petition status.
China is urging India to restart direct passenger flights, which have been suspended for four years due to a border dispute. Tensions rose following a deadly military clash in June 2020, leading India to restrict Chinese investments, ban apps, and halt flights, though cargo flights continue. Despite economic benefits for both countries, especially China's slow recovery in international travel post-COVID-19 compared to India's booming aviation sector, India remains hesitant. A senior Indian official emphasized that border peace is a prerequisite for resuming flights.
Monsoon onset in Kerala, early arrival in north-east, deficit rainfall situation in June. North-west parts of India, including Delhi-NCR, too spared from heat wave conditions for now due to Western Disturbance even as monsoon is still more than a week away from the region.
PM Modi is scheduled to attend the 10th International Day of Yoga event at SKICC in Srinagar on June 21.
