In a shocking incident, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Gourinath Chowdary was brutally murdered, allegedly by YSRCP activists, in Veldurthi Mandal, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh. The attack occurred on Sunday, June 9, in broad daylight in Bommirreddipalle village, resulting in Chowdary’s death.

Police have registered a case and initiated search operations to apprehend the suspects.

Following the incident, security forces were deployed to maintain law and order. The Superintendent of Police (SP) of Kurnool visited the village to reassure residents of enhanced security measures. Additionally, a police picket has been established in the village to prevent further incidents.

The murder is perceived as a politically motivated attack, given Gourinath Chowdary’s prominence as a TDP leader in the area.

The rivalry is speculated to stem from political tensions, with allegations pointing to YSRCP (Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party) workers as the perpetrators of the brutal killing.

Pathikonda DSP Srinivas reported that, following the incident, the circle inspector and sub-inspector have been reassigned to vacancy reserve (VR) positions.

TDP leader Pattabhi Ram Kommareddy has accused the YSR Congress party of instigating the violence.

Ram Kommareddy alleged that the violence initiated by the YSR Congress party five years ago has persisted. He noted the public’s anger, which resulted in a significant decline in YSRCP’s seats from 151 to 11, without even securing opposition status.

“They did not even get the opposition status. Yesterday, in the Kurnool district, our TDP leader was brutally murdered in front of the public. Even after receiving such a bitter defeat, they have not learned their lesson,” he said, adding, “TDP never encourages violence. We believe in a peaceful atmosphere…”

New Delhi: Indian Highways Management Co. Ltd (IHMCL), a subsidiary of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), has issued a call for expressions of interest (EOI) to develop and implement a global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-based electronic toll collection (ETC) system.

According to the ministry of road transport and highways, this initiative aims to enhance tolling efficiency and transparency for National Highway users.

Initially, NHAI plans to integrate the GNSS-based ETC system with the existing FASTag ecosystem through a hybrid model, where both RFID-based and GNSS-based ETC will operate simultaneously.

Eventually, dedicated GNSS lanes will be introduced at toll plazas, allowing vehicles equipped with GNSS-based ETC to pass freely. All lanes will eventually convert to GNSS lanes, the statement said.

Through the EOI, the government aims to leverage advanced satellite technology and identify experienced, innovative companies capable of delivering a robust, scalable, and efficient toll collection software for the successful implementation of the GNSS-based ETC.

The invitation includes a detailed implementation plan, and suggestions will be accepted until July 22, according to the ministry.

A GNSS-based ETC system is expected to streamline vehicle movement on National Highways, offering benefits such as barrier-free tolling, a hassle-free riding experience, and distance-based charges, where users pay only for the stretch they travel on. This system aims to reduce toll collection inefficiencies, prevent leakages, and curb toll evasion.

“GNSS-based Electronic Toll Collection in India will further help to provide smoother and seamless journeys for commuters on national highways,” the statement added.

On Friday, the Delhi Police declared the national capital a no-flying zone and issued prohibitory orders against flying certain objects in the NCT for two days, up to June 10, 2024. Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi is set to take oath for a third term on June 9, 2024, following the NDA’s recent victory in the Lok Sabha elections.

“There are reports that certain criminal, anti-social elements, or terrorists hostile to India might threaten the safety of the general public, dignitaries, and vital installations,” said Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora.

Using the microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), the Delhi Police announced, “From June 9, 2024, the flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms such as para-gliders, para-motors, hang-gliders, UAVs, UAS, microlight aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small-sized powered aircraft, quadcopters, or para-jumping from aircraft, etc., will be prohibited over the NCT of Delhi in view of the swearing-in ceremony.”

The prohibitory orders will be in effect on June 9 and 10, with violations punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, the police added.

As it is not feasible to individually notify all concerned parties, the order has been issued ex parte.

Earlier today, PM Narendra Modi met President Droupadi Murmu to confirm he had sufficient seats to form the government, after which the President invited him to do so. The PM indicated June 9 as the date for the swearing-in, following his selection as the leader of the NDA by consensus during a meeting of all MPs and senior leaders of the constituent parties.

Broking platforms have suggested the possibility of a glitch in the mutual fund system of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) on the day of the national elections, causing orders to process the next day after the market had already recovered. BSE has denied any fault, according to an ANI report.

Numerous users on X (formerly Twitter) reported that they purchased mutual funds through online apps on June 4, but the Net Asset Value (NAV) reflected the date of June 5, ANI reported.

Several investors using apps like Zerodha, Groww, Upstox, and Angel One expressed their frustration on social media about their inability to settle their positions in equities or futures and options (F&O).

The Indian stock market experienced its largest drop in four years on June 4, the day the 2024 Lok Sabha election results were announced, revealing that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had won fewer seats than predicted by exit polls.

The significant decline in share prices prompted many investors to place purchase orders to capitalize on the low prices. However, many of these orders were executed the next day, when the market had already rebounded by 3%, the report indicated.

“There was no technical glitch at the exchange end on June 4. However, there was some lag in receiving payments from the UPI channel for a few customers,” a BSE spokesperson stated.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) declined to comment on the issue during the monetary policy press conference but mentioned efforts to reduce downtime for UPI transactions.

With daily UPI transactions amounting to between Rs. 40 to 45 crore, the RBI acknowledged significant pressure on the system. They added that there is no delay from the NPCI’s end, but there may be some delays at the banking end, which the central bank is working to resolve in coordination with specific banks.