The move by the excise department has come in the wake of lifting of certain coronavirus-induced curbs, which included allowing reopening of liquor shops. As the demand for alcohol has increased in Maharashtra, there is a possibility of liquor smuggling by inter-state organised syndicates, the official said.

Early detection will bring down the mortality rate, the minister said, adding that the government plans to increase institutional quarantine facilities.

Social stigma and low testing are the key reasons for the high mortality rate among COVID-19 patients in West Bengal, where the disease, like elsewhere in the country, is still an urban phenomenon, experts say. The state's Trinamool Congress government has been drawing consistent criticism from the Centre and opposition parties over the way it has tackled the pandemic, and has been accused of under-reporting data about the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths.

Thackeray said he was in constant touch with the Centre over the issue of running more trains to ferry migrant labourers, stranded due to the coronavirus-enforced lockdown, to their native places.

The Tamil Nadu voter may not be in the mood to test new talent, not when the state and the people are going through unprecedented and unanticipated crises, of which coronavirus is only the first. All of it boils down to an election between the ruling AIADMK and the Opposition DMK next year, with small-timers, had-been parties and promised parties left on the sidelines, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

Senior state BJP leaders Eknath Khadse and Pankaja Munde don't find a place in the list, which instead has lesser-known faces like Gopichand Padalkar, Praveen Datke and Ajit Gopchhade.

Chilling details emerged about the tragedy involving a group of migrant workers who were on their way to native places in Madhya Pradesh on foot from Maharashtra and had taken a break to rest on rail tracks out of sheer fatigue.

The SC asked special judge to control the proceedings in accordance with law so that inordinate delay that is beyond the time-frame is no longer breached.

Praveen Pardeshi was replaced by Iqbal Chahal in a major shake-up in the agency that is in charge of the city's COVID-19 response.

While class 12 exams will be conducted across the country, the class 10 exams are only pending in North East Delhi where they were affected due to the law and order situation.

An IAF spokesperson said the MiG-29 aircraft was on a training mission. "The aircraft had developed a technical snag and the pilot ejected safely as he was unable to control the aircraft," he said.

'In Mumbai the mortality rate was reaching a percentage of almost 8 plus in about April.' 'But now over last one month, we have come down.' 'We have drastically controlled mortality.' 'We are now about 3.9.'

'Every morning, when I had to step out, my wife would cry.' 'I would tell her that if I don't do it, many people will suffer; many people would die.'

The migrant workers were walking along the rail tracks apparently to escape the attention of police. A video clip from the scene of the tragedy shows the bodies of migrant workers lying on the tracks and nearby with their meagre personal belongings scattered around.

They said stranded Indians in central Asia as well as in various European countries will be brought back home in the second phase of evacuation beginning May 15.

The state broadcasters have started the practice, but private news channels may follow suit, a ministry source said.

The INS Jalashwa, the Navy's amphibious warship, reached Male on Thursday to undertake the massive repatriation mission named 'Operation Samudra Setu' (Sea Bridge).

"The mortal remains of the 16 migrant labourers, who died after they were run over by a freight train near Aurangabad yesterday, were sent to Madhya Pradesh on a special train -- carrying migrant labourers to the state -- on Friday night," said an official.

Indian agencies have been engaged in countering Pakistani cyber-attacks on social media platforms for a very long time. But just like the fight against the coronavirus, only through the active participation of ordinary citizens that this war on fake news can be won, suggets Colonel S Dinny (retd).

Shah said not allowing trains to reach West Bengal is "injustice" to the migrant workers from the state.

Official figures say 1.8 lakh workers have returned home to Bihar. Unofficially, however, that figure is said to have crossed 3 lakhs. Can Bihar cope?

This upgrade will allow air operations by military and civil aircraft even in poor visibility and adverse weather conditions.

Till Friday, the number of COVID-19 patients in Dharavi reached 808 while the death toll was at 26

Aseem Chhabra introduces you to the Irrfan you never knew.

Sukanya Verma raises a toast (he'd like that very much) to the magnificent Rishi Kapoor and his 25 essential performances.

'With his going, my relationship with the Kapoor family has ended.'

Lockdown life has forced everybody to stay indoors. But Bollywood celebrities are health conscious as ever ensuring they receive their daily dose of Vitamin D.

Irrfan was hoping he would get a role as one of the kids in Salaam Bombay!, and when that didn't happen, heartbreak and tears followed.

Bollywood stars, clearly missing their summer holidays, have been posting throwback pix from vacations past.

'Different people resonated with different films of his, but beneath all of that was his unique ability to capture the human spirit in an intimate and honest way.'

Some exciting news shows, some gripping sequels coming up.

Sukanya Verma quizzes you to find out just how much you know.

'You always knew that you were special, that you had something that must be cherished, nourished and not fritted away.' 'That's what you gave us, in each of your roles.'

Sukanya Verma salutes most beloved Rishi Kapoor melodies.

What are the stars thinkking about?

Sukanya Verma feels wonderment for Dil Se's fabulous, flawless frames, and she tells us why.

Joginder Tuteja looks at the new release schedule for male actors for the next year.

Not directly connected to the stars, who have their own security, they are part of the unregulated work force that keeps the engines running smoothly in the showbiz industry.

Showbiz folk are doing their best to keep their spirits high in these trying times, posting revealing thoughts on Instapix.

'I thought I'd be Chintu's ghost voice, just like Mukeshsaab for Rajsaab.' 'Chintu believed in my voice. He would always recommend me.' 'I sang two songs for him in his second film, Zehreela Insaan.' 'I was supposed to sing Oh Hanseeni, which became the biggest hit of the film.' 'Before I knew it, the song was taken away from me and given to Kishore Kumarsaab.'

Time to look at intriguing flashback pix, posted by Bollywood folk.

Ranbir Kapoor and his father -- the late Rishi Kapoor -- shared a turbulent relationship.

'I can sense that because we have shared a room for 20 years of our lives.'