Here are the top 5 news updates of June 1, 2021:
1. 'Inept and incompetent': P Chidambaram hits out at BJP-led govt over state of Indian economy
India's economy contracted by 7.3% during FY21, weighed down by a nationwide lockdown that pummeled consumption and halted most economic activities. This is the first full-year contraction in the Indian economy in the last four decades since 1979-80, when GDP had shrunk by 5.2 per cent. And while COVID-19 is believed to be the primary reason behind the same, Congress leader and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram has held the Centre responsible. "The GDP in 2020-21 is lower than the GDP in 2018-19. 2020-21 has been the darkest year of the economy in four decades. The performance in the four quarters of 2020-21 tells the story," he said. The "ineptitude and incompetent economic management" of the BJP-led NDA government was responsible, he added.
Even as a private jet from Qatar landed in Dominica with documents related to fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, wanted in the PNB loan fraud case, IANS sources on Tuesday said members of the Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate and Ministry of External Affairs are camping in the island nation. According to informed sources, an eight member team from India reached Dominica on Saturday afternoon in a private jet that left from New Delhi on Friday evening. The sources said that two members each from MEA, CBI and ED along with two CRPF commandos were in Dominica for the hearing in the Choksi extradition matter scheduled on June 2.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut today quipped that NCP president Sharad Pawar may have advised former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on how to be a "good opposition leader" during their meeting a day ago. Talking to reporters, Raut dismissed prospects of any new political arithmetic emerging in the state. "Forget about 'Operation Lotus' in Maharashtra. It will not happen here, not in West Bengal. Why to bring political angle into every meeting?" he said. Fadnavis, who is the leader of opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, called on Pawar on Monday and later termed it as a "courtesy meeting".
4. Mumbai: 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' actor Karan Mehra arrested for assaulting wife Nisha Rawal
Television actor Karan Mehra, who shot to fame with the show 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' was arrested late on Monday night after his wife, actress and model Nisha Rawal, approached police for being assaulted by her husband. According to police, Mehra allegedly pushed Rawal against the wall following a heated domestic brawl in their Goregaon home. The actor was subsequently booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for assault. The actor was, however, granted bail today morning.
5. Sensex, Nifty end marginally lower on profit-booking
Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty ended marginally lower after range-bound trade today as investors booked profits at higher levels amid largely positive cues from global markets. The 30-share BSE Sensex ended 2.56 points lower at 51,934.88, while the broader NSE Nifty slipped 7.95 points or 0.05 per cent to 15,574.85. ICICI Bank was the top loser in the Sensex pack, shedding nearly 2 per cent, followed by UltraTech Cement, Asian Paints, ITC, Kotak Bank, Axis Bank and PowerGrid. On the other hand, ONGC, Bajaj Finance, SBI, Bajaj Auto and HDFC were among the gainers.