Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 29 (PTI) The free of cost travel scheme for women in Delhi public buses began on Tuesday with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia saying it will ensure their safety and increase their role in the national capital's economy.

Women will be given pink tickets in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses to avail the free-ride scheme, which started on Bhai Dhooj.

The Delhi government will reimburse transporters based on the number of pink tickets issued.

New Delhi, Oct 29 (PTI) Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde was on Tuesday appointed as the 47th Chief Justice of India, sources in the government said.

Justice Bobde, 63, will take oath as the CJI on November 18, a day after incumbent Ranjan Gogoi demits office.

He will have a tenure of 17 months and would demit office on April 23, 2021.

His Warrant of Appointment have been signed by President Ram Nath Kovind and a formal notification is expected shortly, the sources said.

New Delhi, Oct 28; GANASHAKTI: India has taken up Pakistan's denial of use of its airspace to the prime minister's flight with the International Civil Aviation Organisation, government sources said on Monday ahead of Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia on a bilateral visit.

India sought overflight clearance from Pakistan for the prime minister's aircraft to go to Saudi Arabia on Monday, but Islamabad cited alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir to deny the request.

New Delhi, Oct 27 (PTI) A layer of haze blanketed the national capital and its air quality dipped to "very poor" category with revellers continuing to defy with impunity the Supreme Court-enforced two-hour limit for bursting crackers on Diwali on Sunday.

Ear-deafening booms, toxic smoke and ash from firecrackers filled the air as the overall air quality index crossed the "severe" mark at many places.

New Delhi, Oct 28 (PTI) A delegation of over 25 European Union MPs on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval ahead of their planned visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, sources have said.

The delegation was briefed about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and cross-border terrorism emanating from across the border, they said.

The delegation of EU members of parliament will meet Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday evening.

New Delhi, Oct 26; GANASHAKTI - CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Saturday termed as "preposterous", Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claim that the turnout in the recently held Block Development Council (BDC) elections in Jammu and Kashmir was an indication of the region's faith in democracy.

Yechury said this is no sign of "normalcy" and the prime minister is resorting to "falsehoods and propaganda".

Srinagar, Oct 26 (PTI) National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, who is currently in detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA) has been greeted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 82nd birthday, NC sources said on Saturday.

The sources said Abdullah, who turned 82 on October 21, received a letter from the Prime Minister greeting him on his birthday.

New Delhi, Oct 25 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Friday sought the Centre's response by November 5 on a plea seeking entry of Muslim women in mosques across the country and claiming that such restriction was "unconstitutional" and violative of fundamental rights to life, equality and gender justice.

New Delhi, Oct 25 (PTI) German Chancellor Angela Merkel will pay a day-long visit to India on November 1 during which she will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a focus on strengthening ties in key sectors such as trade, energy and defence.

Prime Minister Modi and the German chancellor will co-chair the Fifth Biennial Inter Governmental Consultations (IGC) during the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

New Delhi, Oct 25 (PTI) Five Independent MLAs, along with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and BJP's Haryana in-charge Anil Jain, met the party's working president, J P Nadda, at his residence here on Friday to finalise the modalities of government formation, sources said.

The five Independent legislators -- Dharampal Gondan, Nayanpal Rawat, Sombir Sangwan, Rakesh Daulatabad and Randheer Golan -- met Nadda and extended their support to the saffron party, BJP leader Jawahar Yadav said.