Argus News - News Headlines, April 2

LPG Supply To Be Restricted
Odisha will make PNG connections mandatory in urban areas within three months, Minister Krushna Chandra Patra said after a meeting in Bhubaneswar. Households opting for PNG cannot use LPG, while rural supply will continue. LPG users will undergo e-KYC, and even tenants can apply for a PNG connection.

Results Coming Soon
The evaluation process for the annual matriculation examinations has been completed and the results are expected to be announced on May 1 or May 2. This was informed by Odisha Board of Secondary Education President Srikanta Tarai.

Angul Road Expansion
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has sought the personal intervention of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to strengthen road infrastructure in Angul district. Pradhan, in a letter, urged CM Majhi to widen SH-63 and Chhendipada–Jarapada road, citing Angul’s coal reserves, industrial growth, and urgent need for safer, efficient transport infrastructure.

Rath Yatra Prep Deadline Set
With three months to go, Odisha set strict deadlines for Rath Yatra preparations in Puri. Chief Secretary Anu Garg asked departments to finish work two months early. Road widening on Grand Road and connecting routes is prioritised, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said.

SC Orders Protection For Officers
Seven judicial officers were gheraoed for nine hours in West Bengal's Malda during protests over voter roll revision. The Supreme Court termed it pre-planned, ordered central forces for protection, and asked the Election Commission to consider an NIA or CBI probe into the incident.

AAP's Rajya Sabha Role Reshuffle
AAP has named Punjab MP Ashok Mittal as its new Deputy Leader in Rajya Sabha, replacing Raghav Chadha. The party has written to the Secretariat for approval. Sanjay Singh continues as leader and parliamentary party chairperson in the Upper House.

Critical Petrochemical Products
The Union Government has decided to provide full Customs Duty exemption on critical petrochemical products till 30th June, 2026. The Ministry of Finance has said that this measure has been taken as a temporary and targeted relief to ensure the continued availability of critical petrochemical inputs for the domestic industry.

Russian Deputy PM in Delhi
First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Denis Manturov, arrived in New Delhi. Manturov is scheduled to hold separate talks with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

NASA Moon Mission
NASA's Artemis II Moon mission lifted off from the US state of Florida, carrying four astronauts on the first crewed flight around the Moon in more than 50 years. The Space Launch System rocket, with the Orion spacecraft on top, launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 6:35 pm (Eastern Time) on Wednesday.

Iran Warns Of Escalated Attacks
Iran’s military warned of “stronger and more destructive” attacks against US and Israeli forces, rejecting Donald Trump’s claim of weakening its capabilities. Spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari said the war will continue until the US faces “lasting humiliation and surrender.”