EC directs probe into ‘fake news’ of LS polls schedule

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Thursday directed the Delhi chief electoral officer (CEO) to ask the city police to investigate the “fake news” of Lok Sabha poll schedule being circulated on social media. The CEO has also been asked to seek action against unnamed persons and entities under relevant laws to prevent rumour-mongering, official sources in the poll panel said. TNS

1 student killed, 18 hurt as school bus overturns 

Jaipur: One student was killed and 18 others were injured when their school bus overturned at Bhagora-Piyau, Sriyari town, in Pali district on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Surendra Singh, 16. While 17 injured students were admitted to Pali’s Bangar Hospital and the one, critically injured, was referred to Jodhpur’s trauma hospital, the police said. The mishap occurred at 9 am. The bus driver escaped unhurt and fled. oc

Govt nod to space tech in border management

New Delhi: Space technology will be put into use to further strengthen border security, island development and communication and navigation as recommended by a task force. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday approved a report of the task force constituted to secure border management. The panel also recommended the use of space technology for Geographical Information System, Operations Planning System and Border Infrastructure Development. TNS

Mumbai-Nagpur e-way to be funded by PSBs

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Government has roped in a consortium of public sector banks (PSBs) to fund the Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway after its efforts to obtain funding from various international bodies petered out. According to government officials, a clutch of nationalised banks led by the SBI, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of Maharashtra and LIC has agreed to lend around Rs 22,000 crore for the project. Another Rs 4,000 crore remains to be tied up and more PSBs may be roped for the project. tns