Airlines hike fares for Australia with India entering semis
New Delhi:With the defending champions India set to take on Australia in the second semi-final of the 2015 ICC World Cup at Sydney on Thursday, airlines have hiked their fares substantially for Down Under. The fares for Sydney and Melbourne have already shot up by 15-20 per cent in the last one week and the airlines could make a killing off the left over seats if Men in Blue beat the Kangaroos and enter the World Cup final, travel industry executives said today. “There is definitely a 15-20 per cent surge in economy class fares for Australia after India entered the semi-finals. These fares may rise further if India reaches final as well,” travel portal Yatra.com President Sharat Dhall told PTI. Dhall said that economy class fares from metro airports to the two Australian cities of Sydney and Melbourne were averaging over Rs 60,000 at present as against Rs 50,000 last week, adding, “destination from south have seen a higher jump than the northern or western markets.” (PTI)
Liquor seizure surged
Delhi:Liquor seizures by Delhi Police went up during the recent Delhi Assembly polls as compared to the previous election that was held merely 14 months earlier even though the amount of cash seized saw a steep fall. As per the information revealed in an RTI query filed by a Mumbai-based activist, Anil Galgali, Delhi cops seized Rs 1.76 crore meant to be distributed among voters in December, 2013. But the size of the seizure came down to around Rs 33 lakh in February, 2015, a decline of 78 per cent. As to the liquor haul in 2013, Delhi Police had seized as many as 1,16,044 quarters, 4,038 half and 8,654 full bottles along with 630 bottles of beer and 2,407 litres of liquor. The liquor seizure surged significantly in the high-stake electoral battle in February, 2015. In the polls this year, liquor bottles in various sizes –1,47,613 quarters, 7,235 half, and 6,929 full sized bottles — were seized along with 1,055 beer bottles and 10 litres of liquor. This figure also includes seizure of 8,000 bottles of liquor allegedly from AAP candidate Naresh Balyan. However, Balyan has denied police charges and the case is still under investigation. Galgali also sought to know the details of action taken against the “accused candidates” or their “henchmen”. His plea has been transferred to the PIO of the Crime Branch of Delhi Police. (PTI)
Three more die of swine flu
Jaipur: Three more persons have died due to the H1N1 virus in last 48 hours in parts of Rajasthan, raising the death toll to 400 this year, an official said today. Of the 6,409 persons found positive for H1N1 virus in the state, 400 people have died so far since January this year, the official of the state Medical and Health Department said. Seventy-eight deaths were recorded in Jaipur which was the maximum in the state, followed by Ajmer 43, Jodhpur 33, Nagaur 30, Barmer 23, Kota 18, Udaipur 15, Chittorgarh 14, Sikar and Pali 12 each, Tonk and Bhilwara 11 each, Jhunjhunu 9, Churu 8, Bikaner 7, Bharatpur, Dausa, and Banswara 6 each, and one to five at other places in the state. (PTI)
Tariq Anwar asks govt to hold exam
Patna: Observing that reports of mass copying in matriculation examination has brought disrepute to Bihar, senior NCP leader Tariq Anwar today asked the state government to conduct the ongoing examination in fair manner to safeguard future of lakhs of examinees. “The state government cannot run away from responsibility to hold the matriculation examination in fair manner and safeguard future of lakhs of examinees who have worked hard for months to prepare for the crucial examination which will be a launch pad for bright career prospects ahead,” Anwar told reporters. Stating that media reports of mass copying in the ongoing matriculation examination has dented Bihar’s image, Anwar, an MP from Katihar, said the chief minister’s intervention had shown desired results as hundreds of students and their guardians had been arrested. (PTI)
Prices of vegetables double due to highway closure in Jammu
Srinagar: The prices of almost all essentials, particularly fresh vegetables, was still more than double though the national highway, connecting the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country was through for one-way traffic.Despite arrival of fresh stock of vegetables after the highway was reopened for one-way traffic for the past few days after remaining closed for majority days since March 2, vegetables were still being sold at higher prices in the valley, particularly in the summer capital, Srinagar.Tomato which was being sold at Rs 20 before the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu highway, now cost Rs 40 to Rs 50 per kg while peas Rs 50 per kg against Rs 20 earlier.Similarly cauliflower costs Rs 40 to Rs 50 per kg against Rs 20 earlier, peas Rs 50 per kg now against Rs 20 earlier, onion Rs 30 to Rs 40 against Rs 20, beans Rs 80 per kg now against Rs 30 earlier, carrot Rs 40 against Rs 20, radish Rs 40 to Rs 50 against Rs 20 and local Kashmiri hak Rs 50 to Rs 60 against earlier Rs 25 per kg. Shimla mirch costs Rs 100 per kg while lady finger Rs 100, bitter guard Rs 50 and capsicum Rs 80 per kg.There was also shortage of vegetables in the market as retailers said they are getting vegetables on very higher prices in the mandi.There was also shortage of meat in the valley and some meat sellers were selling chicken. However, the cost of chicken has not increased much after there were rumours that swine flu spreads through chicken. The prices of eggs has also increased due to suspension of traffic on highway. (PTI)