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PUC centres in Delhi to be shut from July 15 Petrol pump owners

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 Petrol pump owners said PUC centres will be shut from Monday onwards, expressing their dissatisfaction over the recent proposed hike in rates of pollution certificates by the city government.

The operation of the pollution under control (PUC) centres is unviable, they said in a statement issued on Sunday.

Delhi government on Thursday increased the PUC certificate charges for petrol, CNG and diesel vehicles after a gap of about 13 years. The hike ranges between Rs 20 and Rs 40.

The new rates will be effective as soon as it is notified by the Delhi government, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot had said.

In a statement issued, the Delhi Petrol Dealers’ Association (DPDA) said, “Since the operation of PUC centres is unviable, many PUC centres have surrendered their licenses in the last few months. The managing committee of the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association has thus resolved to close PUC centres at their retail outlets across Delhi from July 15 in light of arbitrary and grossly insufficient hike in PUC certification rates, which will not in any way mitigate the losses of the dealers in operating the PUC centres,” the statement said.

The Delhi Petrol Dealers’ Association, after eight years of writing letters to the transport department and the transport minister had earlier called for a closure of the PUC centres from July 1 due to its unviability, it said.

The association said PUC rates were last revised in 2011 after a gap of six years and the percentage increase then was more than 70 per cent.

“The rate hike announced by the Delhi government now after 13 years is merely 35 per cent whereas all our expenses in the operation of a PUC centre have increased multiple times with just the wages having increased three times from 2011 to 2024,” the statement said.

Oil marketing companies have also been charging heavy rents from the PUC centres — 10-15 per cent of the total revenue — which was not the case earlier, the statement said.

“Various other operational costs of the PUC centre have drastically increased over the last 13 years. The expense to the customer earlier was four times the current cost as the frequency of PUC certification was once a quarter, which has now come down to once a year due to changes in certification norms for BS-IV and above vehicles. This also has led to a reduction of revenue by 75 per cent,” it said.

“The Hon’ble Minister of Transport, Govt. of NCT of Delhi in a meeting with Delhi Petrol Dealers Association had called our demands legitimate. The Delhi govt proposed a 75 per cent hike based on the inflation index with simple interest calculation, after which we deferred our strike on June 30.

“While we were trying to convince our dealers to agree on the 75 per cent hike in pollution checking rates, we were informed by the press of a hike of Rs. 20, Rs. 30 and Rs. 40 in the above mentioned segments, which is merely a 35 per cent average hike. We have also come to know that there is no basis or justification for the calculation, and the figure is arrived at arbitrarily,” the statement said.

Puri Jagannath temple Ratna Bhandar reopened after 46 years

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 Ratna Bhandar, the revered treasury of the 12th-century Jagannath temple in Puri, was reopened on Sunday after 46 years for an inventory of valuables and the repair of its structure, officials said.

The members of a committee set up by the state government for the purpose entered the temple around 12 pm, and after performing rituals, the treasury was reopened at 1.28 pm, the auspicious moment which was decided at a meeting in the morning, they said.

Work for preparing the inventory did not start on Sunday and it will take time.

The reopening of the Ratna Bhandar was a major political issue during the recently held assembly elections.

Targeting the then-ruling BJD over missing keys of the treasury, the BJP had promised that it would make efforts to reopen it if the party won the polls.

“On the wish of Lord Jagannath, the Odia community, with the identity of ‘Odia Asmita’, has started making efforts to move forward,” the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said in a post on X in Odia.

“On your wish, the four gates of the Jagannath temples were earlier opened. Today, on your wish, the Ratna Bhandar was opened after 46 years for a greater purpose,” it said in the post.

Among the 11 people present when the treasury was reopened were former Orissa HC judge Biswanath Rath, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Arabinda Padhee, ASI Superintendent DB Gadanayak and a representative of Puri’s titular king ‘Gajapati Maharaja’, officials said.

Also among them were four servitors who took care of the rituals.

They came out of the Ratna Bhandar, which has an inner and an outer chamber, around 5.20 pm.

“We carried out all the works as per SOP. We first opened the outer chamber of the Ratna Bhandar and shifted all ornaments and valuables kept there to the temporary strong room inside the temple. We have sealed the strong room,” Padhee told reporters.

“Then, the authorised persons entered the inner chamber of the treasury. Three locks were there. No lock could be opened with the key available with the district administration. So, as per the SOP, we broke the three locks in the presence of a magistrate, and then, we entered the inner chamber. We inspected the valuables kept in the almirahs and the chests,” he said.

Padhee said the committee decided not to shift the valuables from the inner chamber immediately.

“The process of shifting the valuables has to be done at once. It was not possible today. We will fix a date to shift the ornaments after the completion of the Bahuda Yatra and ‘Suna Vesha’ rituals,” he said.

The idols of the sibling deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra are at present in the Gundicha temple where they were taken during Rath Yatra on July 7. They would be brought back to the 12th-century shrine during the Bahuda Yatra on Monday.

“After shifting the ornaments from the outer chamber, the temporary strong room has been locked and the keys have been given to three authorised persons as daily use ornaments are also there,” Justice Rath said.

New locks were used to secure the doors of the inner chamber and the keys were handed over to the Puri collector, he said, adding that the entire process was videographed.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the custodian of the temple, also inspected the condition of the inner chamber, officials said.

Before entering the temple, Padhee said the priority was to ensure the safety of the structure of the treasury, which is located in the basement of the temple.

“The inventory work will not start today. It will be done after getting approval of the government on the engagement of valuers, goldsmiths and other experts. After the completion of the repair works, the valuables will be brought back and then, the process for inventory will be carried out,” he added.

Six wooden chests with brass interiors were brought to the temple for moving the valuables.

The chests, made of teak, were 4.5 feet in length, 2.5 feet in height and 2.5 feet in breadth, an official said.

“The temple authority on July 12 had asked us to build 15 such chests. After working for 48 hours, we have completed six chests,” said one of the workers who made them.

The treasury was last opened in 1978, and at that time, it took 70 days to prepare the inventory of the valuables, which have been donated to the temple by devotees over centuries, officials said.

An attempt was made in 2018 as well to reopen the Ratna Bhandar on the direction of the Orissa High Court but the original keys could not be found, and eventually, the plan was abandoned.

Padhee said Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been formulated for the entire process.

“Three SOPs have been formulated. One is related to the reopening of the Ratna Bhandar, the second one is for the management of the temporary Ratna Bhandar, and the third is related to inventory of the valuables,” he said.

The government has decided to prepare a digital catalogue of the valuables in the Ratna Bhandar that will have details such as their weight, another official said.

As it was apprehended that inside the treasury there were snakes, believed by devotees to be guarding the valuables, snake catchers were called. However, no snake was found there, officials said.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in a post on X, said the BJP government has fulfilled the promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people of Odisha.

Alcaraz tops Djokovic in second consecutive Wimbledon final for fourth Grand Slam title

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London Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4) in the Wimbledon men’s final here on Sunday to collect his fourth Grand Slam title at the age of 21.

It was a rematch of last year’s championship match on the grass of the All England Club, which Alcaraz won in five sets.

This one — played in front of a Centre Court crowd that included Kate, the Princess of Wales, in a rare public appearance since announcing she has cancer — was much easier for Alcaraz, at least until he stumbled while holding three match points as he served for the victory at 5-4 in the third set.

Still, Alcaraz regrouped and eventually picked up a second major trophy in a row after last month’s triumph on the clay at the French Open.

The Spaniard won his first Slam title at the 2022 U.S. Open as a teenager, and no man ever has collected more Slam hardware before turning 22 than he has.

He improved to 4-0 in major finals.

The 37-year-old Djokovic, wearing a gray sleeve on his surgically repaired right knee, was denied in his bid for an eighth Wimbledon title and record 25th major overall. He tore his meniscus at Roland Garros on June 3 and had an operation in Paris two days later.

Less than six weeks later, Djokovic was hardly at his best on Sunday — and Alcaraz certainly had something to do with that.

“Especially in the first couple of sets, the level of tennis wasn’t really up to par on my side,” said Djokovic, whose two children were in his guest box. “He had it all today. I tried to push him. … It wasn’t meant to be.”

Alcaraz was up 5-4, 40-love in the third set when the occasion got the better of him. He frittered away his first championship point with a double-fault, beginning a run of five mistakes by him that donated points — and that game — to Djokovic. There was a backhand that went awry. A forehand volley. A forehand. Another forehand. That was the only time all match that Djokovic broke Alcaraz.

Suddenly, it was 5-all. Suddenly, Alcaraz appeared rattled. Suddenly, Djokovic could hope.

But in the ensuing tiebreaker, Alcaraz earned his fourth match point and stayed cool as can be this time. Soon he was climbing through the stands to hug his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and others.

Just under 2 1/2 hours earlier, at the outset, the opening game appeared to portend an engrossing, back-and forth contest — and a long one, perhaps worrying some folks about getting to a pub or a couch in time to see England face Spain in the men’s soccer European Championship final in Germany on Sunday night. Alcaraz, of course, had a rooting interest.

All told, that game consisted of seven deuces and 20 points across a hair shy of 14 minutes, containing brilliant moments by both men. Sprinting, sliding, stretching defense by Djokovic. Return winners by Alcaraz. When he slapped a strong reply to a 125 mph (202 kph) serve and drew a wide forehand from Djokovic, Alcaraz cashed in his fifth break chance.

That, it turned out, was the most competitive portion of the proceedings until the third set.

Not to say there weren’t hints of brilliance the rest of the way. Just the outcome never really seemed in dispute.

Djokovic double-faulted to hand over a two-break, 5-1 lead in the first set. He put a volley into the net to fall behind by a break to begin the second, then double-faulted to end that one.

This was not the body-contorting, get-to-everything Djokovic everyone is accustomed to seeing, mind you. There’s his age, first of all, and the matter of his knee, which raised serious questions about whether it would be possible to even participate at Wimbledon.

By his account, Djokovic felt free of pain and able to move with his usual verve by only his third or fourth match of the fortnight. On this partly cloudy afternoon, with the temperature at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius), Djokovic occasionally hopped awkwardly when he landed after serving or stepped gingerly — as if barefoot on a beach’s hot sand — between points or watched some of Alcaraz’s big groundstrokes fly past without giving chase.

Djokovic missed volleys he usually makes and won just 27 of 53 points when he went forward.

After netting a volley to close one early 11-stroke exchange, Djokovic sighed and walked to his sideline seat to grab a purple-and-green towel for dabbing at sweat. His facial expression was giving: “Come on, Carlitos, pick on someone your own age.”

Alcaraz was outstanding in pretty much every way, from the basic to the sorts of shots no one else would even try, much less pull off. Once, he leaped and wrapped his racket all the way around his back to get the ball over the net, although Djokovic did put an overhead away to get that point. Alcaraz ran wide of the doubles alley for forehand winners. Claimed points via drop shots. Smacked serves at up to 136 mph (219 kph). Accumulated 14 break points, converting five, while facing just three, despite going up against Djokovic, considered many the greatest returner there’s been.

Two days before the final, Djokovic paid Alcaraz quite a compliment, saying: “I see a lot of similarities between me and him, in terms of ability to adapt and adjust to the surface. That’s probably his biggest trait. … He’s got skills to play equally well on any surface and to adapt to a given opponent that particular day. So he’s a very all-around player, very complete player.”

PM Modi’s followers on X reach 100-million milestone

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The number of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s followers on his X handle crossed the 100-million mark on Sunday, registering an impressive growth of nearly 30 million in the past three years, officials said.

He is already the most followed head of government on the social media platform globally.

Officials noted that his followers are quite a few times more in number in comparison to most followed opposition leaders like AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal and Congress’ Rahul Gandhi who have 27.5 million and 26.4 million followers respectively.

Among other heads of government with a large following are US President Joe Biden (38.1 million) and Turkiye’s Recep Tayyip Eedogen (21.5 million).

In a post, Prime Minister Modi said, “A hundred million on @X! Happy to be on this vibrant medium and cherish the discussion, debate, insights, people’s blessings, constructive criticism and more. Looking forward to an equally engaging time in the future as well.”

An official said, “PM Modi has more followers even compared to active global athletes like Virat Kohli (64.1 million), Brazilian footballer Neymar Jr (63.6 million) and American basketball player LeBron James (52.9 million).”

“He is ahead of even celebrities like Taylor Swift (95.3 million), Lady Gaga (83.1 million), and Kim Kardashian (75.2 million),” the official said.

He said world leaders often eagerly engage with Modi on social media because connecting with him significantly boosts their own follower base, engagements, views and reposts. This was seen recently in Italy as well as Austria, the official added.

Prime Minister Modi is also an influential presence on YouTube and Instagram with nearly 25 million subscribers and more than 91 million followers respectively.

Since joining X, formerly known as Twitter, in 2009, he has consistently used it for constructive engagement, officials noted, highlighting that he has never blocked anyone.

“He maintains an active and engaging persona, follows numerous common citizens, interacts with them, replies to their messages, and has never blocked anyone. PM Modi has always used this platform organically, without ever resorting to paid promotions or bots,” an official said, adding that it reflects his ability to resonate with a diverse and dynamic audience.

In a post on X, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, “Prime Minister @narendramodi crossing 100 million followers on X is a testimony to how he has revolutionized direct communication. Congratulate PM Modi on reaching this milestone. Confident that his vision will reach many more in the times ahead.”

KC Venugopal accuses Modi govt of targeting his phone with ‘malicious spyware’

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KC Venugopal accuses Modi govt of targeting his phone with 'malicious spyware'
Congress leader KC Venugopal addresses a press conference at AICC Headquarters

New Delhi: Congress general secretary K C Venugopal on Saturday accused the Modi government of targeting his phone with a “malicious spyware” and asserted that “we will oppose this blatantly unconstitutional act” and breach of privacy.

Venugopal shared the screenshot of a message purportedly from Apple which said that “you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack that is trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple ID”.

In a post on X, Venugopal said, “Thank you PM Modi ji for sending your favourite malicious spyware on my phone also! Apple has been kind enough to intimate me about this special present of yours!”

“Let’s be clear, the Modi government is acting in a criminal and unconstitutional manner, going after political opponents and invading their privacy in this manner,” the Congress general secretary, in-charge organisation, said.

The message of the Lok Sabha elections was that the people reject any attack on the Constitution and the “BJP’s fascist agenda”, he said.

“We will oppose this blatantly unconstitutional act and breach of our privacy tooth and nail,” Venugopal said.

The message purportedly from Apple, whose screenshot Venugopal shared, stated that Apple had previously sent him a notification on October 30, 2023 but this was not a repeat notice and was to inform him that another attack against his device had been detected.

“Apple detected that you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack that is trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple ID’¦This attack is likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do. Although it’s never possible to achieve absolute certainty when detecting such attacks, Apple has high confidence in this warning ‘“ please take it seriously,” the message read.

“These attacks cost millions of dollars and are individually deployed against a very small number of people, but the targeting is ongoing and global. Since 2021, we have sent Apple threat notifications like this one multiple times a year as we detect mercenary spyware attacks,” it said.

“Today’s notification is being sent to targeted users in 98 countries, and to date we have notified users in over 150 countries in total,” it further said.

15 injured as drunk man goes on rampage with SUV in Assam’s Silchar

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Silchar: Fifteen persons were injured in Silchar town in Assam as an allegedly drunk man went on a rampage with his SUV, hitting people and vehicles — whatever came in its way, before coming to a halt because of a bad road, police said on Saturday.

The incident happened on Friday night, triggering panic in the town, they said.

The SUV first hit three people near the municipal office, and while trying to flee, it injured another three persons at Capital Point. After that, it struck three motorbikes and some e-rickshaws at Trunk Road near the radio station, police said.

As the rampage went on, people started following the SUV on their two-wheelers. The vehicle came to a stop at the Tennis Club Point as it could not move forward due to the bad condition of the road, they said.

Police rushed to the spot and took the car along with the driver into custody, they added.

Several bottles of liquor were found in the car, a police officer said.

“A total of 15 people were injured in the incident,” he said.

Israeli attack targeting the Hamas military commander kills at least 71 in southern Gaza

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Israeli attack targeting the Hamas military commander kills at least 71 in southern Gaza
Palestinians evacuate a body from a site hit by an Israeli bombardment on Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip

Khan Younus: Israel said it targeted Hamas’ shadowy military commander in a massive strike Saturday in the crowded southern Gaza Strip that killed at least 71 people, according to local health officials.

Hamas immediately rejected the claim that Mohammed Deif was in the area.

Israeli officials confirmed that Deif and a second Hamas commander, Rafa Salama, were the targets. It was not immediately known whether Deif was among the dead.

A military official later said they were “still checking and verifying the result of the strike,” and did not deny it took place in an area the Israeli military had designated as safe for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

Deif and Hamas’ top official in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, are believed by Israel to be the chief architects of the October 7 attack that killed some 1,200 people in southern Israel and triggered the Israel-Hamas war.

Not seen in public for years, Deif has long topped Israel’s most-wanted list and is believed to have escaped multiple Israeli assassination attempts. On October 7, Hamas issued a rare voice recording of Deif announcing the “Al Aqsa Flood” operation.

Congress retains Uttarakhand’s Badrinath seat in assembly bypolls

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Congress retains Uttarakhand's Badrinath seat in assembly bypolls
Congress candidate from Badrinath Assembly constituency Lakhpat Singh Butola receives the victory certificate

Gopeshwar: Congress’s Lakhpat Singh Butola won the Badrinath assembly by-election on Saturday, defeating his nearest rival former minister and MLA BJP’s Rajendra Singh Bhandari by 5,224 votes.

In the poll held on July 10, a total of 54,228 votes were cast, out of which, 28,161 votes went to the Congress, while the BJP got 22,937 votes.

Bhandari got 10,000 less votes this time than he did in the 2022 assembly elections.

Independent candidate Naval Kishor Khali finished third, with 1,813 votes.

Himmat Singh of Sainik Samaj Party got 494 votes.

Delhi Capitals remove Ponting from head coach’s post Ganguly could assume new role

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Delhi Capitals remove Ponting from head coach's post, Ganguly could assume new role
Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting and mentor Sourav Ganguly

New Delhi: Delhi Capitals on Saturday parted ways with head coach Ricky Ponting after seven unsuccessful years in their quest for an elusive IPL silverware, the franchise announced on social media.

While it is still early days, there is every possibility that Sourav Ganguly, the current Team Director of DC, could double up as the head coach next season.

“As you move on as our head coach, we are finding it incredibly difficult to put it down in words. The four things that you told us about in every huddle — care, commitment, attitude and effort, they sum up our seven years together,” DC posted on their official ‘X’ handle.

While the franchise waxed eloquent in that emotional post about their long association with the Australian, it is learnt that Ponting was told in no uncertain terms that his performance hasn’t pleased the management after being given seven years — unheard of at franchise level without results.

Ponting, a two-time World Cup winning captain of Australia, came on board in 2019 and while the team reached its maiden final in 2021, the performance in the following years have not matched that early promise.

“The top brass of Delhi Capitals has intimated Ricky that they aren’t happy that the team didn’t win a championship in seven years and they are trying to look at rejigging the support staff. He won’t be continuing next year,” a source close to DC management told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

It is understood that those who are in charge wanted Ponting to be more involved in the auction process and team building, rather than joining a couple of weeks before the start of IPL.

It remains to be seen whether DC will hire a new head coach or ask Ganguly to take up the gaffer’s role.

Praveen Amre, the hardworking assistant coach, is set to continue.

The DC co-owners – JSW and GMR group – are scheduled to have a meeting either at the end of this month or early next month to discuss the road ahead.

The players’ retention is another issue that will be up for discussion and if the number stays at four, then DC will have to let go either Australia’s Jake-Fraser McGurk or South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs with only one overseas slot available.

As far as the Indian core is concerned, the retention choices are pretty straight forward as skipper Rishabh Pant, all-rounder Axar Patel and wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav lead that chart.

A mega auction is on cards ahead of the IPL 2025, and there is every possibility that a few retainable stars from each franchise would want to enter the auction pool to check their real market rates.

UP bride calls off wedding after guests argue over sitting in front of cooler

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Ballia (UP): A wedding was called off, and four people, including the groom, were arrested after an argument broke out over sitting in front of a desert cooler here, police said on Saturday.

The incident occurred on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday in a village, they said.

According to police, an argument broke out between the attendees of the wedding over the seating arrangement in front of a desert cooler during the function.

Questioning the behaviour of the groom’s relatives, the bride refused to marry the groom, SHO Pankaj Jaiswal said.

A case was registered under section 126 (wrongful restraint) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, IJaiswal said.

The groom, Hukum Chand Jaiswal, his relative Pankaj, the bride’s father, Nand Ji Gupta and his brother Rajesh Gupta were arrested in the case.

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