New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 6.15 pm: NATION DEL18 MEA-VENEZUELA-LD INDIA (3.29 PM)

India voices 'deep concern' over developments in Venezuela; calls for peaceful resolution of issues New Delhi: India on Sunday voiced "deep concern" over the US capturing Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in a military operation, and said it is closely monitoring the unfolding situation in the oil-rich South American country.

DEL25 VENEZUELA-US-CONG (5.27 PM)

Settled principles of international law can't be violated unilaterally: Cong on US action in Venezuela New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday expressed "grave concern" over the US action in Venezuela and said settled principles of international law cannot be violated unilaterally.

MDS12 AP-TELUGU-MAURITIUS-LD PREZ (4.29 PM)

Telugu language reflects living civilisation, spiritual legacy: Mauritius President Guntur (Andhra Pradesh): President of Mauritius Dharam Gokhool on Sunday said Telugu is not merely a language but a living civilisation with deep spiritual legacy.

Addressing the Third World Telugu Conference here in Guntur district, Gokhool described it as a landmark event uniting Telugu diaspora from around the world.

DEL21 DEF-ARMYCHIEF-UAE (3.52 PM)

Army Chief Gen Dwivedi embarks on 2-day visit to UAE New Delhi: Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday left for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on a two-day visit to explore ways to strengthen bilateral military cooperation.

DEL22 VENEZUELA-LEFT (4.17 PM)

US attack on Venezuela violation of UN charter: Left parties New Delhi: The US attack on Venezuela is a blatant violation of the UN Charter, the Left parties said on Sunday, while raising concerns over statements from President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

DEL24 ITAX-CBDT CHAIRMAN-NEW ACT (5.17 PM)

CBDT chief asks officials to be ready for transition to new I-T Act New Delhi: CBDT Chairman Ravi Agrawal has asked the Income Tax Department to be ready and active for the new direct tax law that will be implemented this year from April 1, saying he expects tax officials to work with clarity and purpose.

BOM13 MP-WATER CONTAMINATION-LD EXPERT (5.33 PM)

'Waterman of India' slams Indore water tragedy as 'system-created disaster' fuelled by corruption Indore: Renowned water conservationist Rajendra Singh on Sunday termed the recent death of several residents due to contaminated drinking water in Indore a "system-created disaster," alleging that deep-rooted corruption is to blame for the tragedy. By Harshwardhan Prakash

DEL15 AS-CONG-LD PRIYANKA (2.27 PM)

Priyanka Gandhi to head Congress screening panel for Assam polls Guwahati/New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been appointed chairperson of the screening committee for selection of candidates for the upcoming Assam assembly elections.

DEL26 CONG-MGNREGA BACHAO (5.48 PM)

Maken to be convenor of Cong coordination panel to monitor 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' New Delhi: The Congress set up a coordination committee on Sunday to oversee and monitor the "MGNREGA Bachao Sangram", a 45-day agitational plan of the opposition party beginning January 10, with Ajay Maken as its convenor.

CAL21 JH-BJP-LD PESA (5.39 PM)

Jharkhand govt diluted core spirit of PESA Act, claims BJP Ranchi: The BJP on Sunday alleged that the JMM-led government in Jharkhand has diluted the core spirit of the PESA Act, 1996, as the exact definition of 'gram sabhas' in the legislation has been "sidelined" in the notified rules.

LEGAL LGM1 TN-HC-VEDANTA (R) (12.56 PM)

Open to Vedanta to file plea before authorities over green copper plant: Madras HC Chennai: Vedanta's Sterlite Copper unit may file a fresh application before the competent authorities in Tamil Nadu in connection with its green copper plant proposal, the Madras High Court has said.

BUSINESS DEL13 BIZ-INDIA-VENEZUELA-OIL (2.05 PM)

US control of Venezuelan oil may unlock $1 bn stuck dues for India, lift output New Delhi: A US-led takeover or restructuring of Venezuela's oil sector could deliver a direct benefit to India, potentially unlocking close to USD 1 billion in long-pending dues while accelerating the revival of crude production from fields it operates in the sanctions-hit Latin American nation, analysts and industry sources said. By Ammar Zaidi

FOREIGN FGN22 BANGLA-HINDU-ARREST (2.20 PM)

Three arrested in connection with death of Hindu businessman in Bangladesh Dhaka: Three persons were arrested on Sunday in the case of hacking and burning to death a Hindu businessman in Shariatpur district of Bangladesh, local media reports said.

FGN24 BANGLA-BNP-INDIA (3.59 PM)

Bangladesh’s BNP thanks PM Modi for condolence message on Zia’s demise Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's condolence message on former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s demise while recalling her contribution to India-Bangladesh ties.

PTI SHS

Income tax transition to new direct tax law effective April 1; officials asked to prepare for implementation and compliance. CBDT instructed income tax officials to be administratively prepared for implementation of a new direct tax law from April 1, directing clarity of purpose and operational readiness to transition tax administration processes to the revised legal framework.