New Delhi, Jan 19 (PTI) Following are the top stories at 1 pm: NATION DEL9 VBGRAMG-CHOUHAN-CONG (12.03 pm)

Congress spreading 'lies' about VB-G RAM G: Govt New Delhi: Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday accused Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi of spreading misinformation about the VB-G RAM G scheme, and asserted that the new Act will strengthen the Right to Work.

DEL11 CONG-RJ-SIR (12.42 pm)

BJP conspiring to 'fraudulently' remove voters from electoral rolls in Rajasthan: Cong New Delhi: The Congress on Monday alleged that the BJP in Rajasthan was conspiring to "fraudulently" remove from the electoral rolls the names of voters who support the opposition party, and said it will not allow "murder of democracy" in the state.

DEL2 SHAH-NDRF (9.18 am)

NDRF pillar of trust the nation relies on during calamities: Amit Shah New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday praised the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), saying it has become "the pillar of trust the nation relies on during calamities."

DEL7 UP-RAHUL GANDHI-VISIT (11.40 am)

Rahul Gandhi to visit Raebareli on Monday Raebareli (UP): Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will arrive in his parliamentary constituency of Raebareli on Monday for a two-day visit, a Congress official said.

BOM3 MH-CIVIC POLLS-RAUT (12.14 pm)

Why Shiv Sena corporators shifted to hotel; who's afraid of whom? asks Raut Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday questioned the shifting of corporators-elect from ruling ally Shiv Sena to hotels, asserting that no party could easily stake claim to the BMC mayor’s post, going by the mandate in the recent civic polls.

LEGAL LGD5 DL-HC-SENGAR (12.38 pm)

Unnao rape: HC to pass order on plea by Kuldeep Sengar in death case of survivor's father New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday will pass an order on a plea by expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar seeking the suspension of his sentence in the case of the death of the Unnao rape survivor's father while in custody.

LGD4 SC-PIL-JUDICIAL REFORMS (12.29 pm)

SC junks PIL on judicial reforms, terms it 'publicity interest litigation' New Delhi: Taking strong note of a PIL seeking sweeping judicial reforms, the Supreme Court on Monday expressed displeasure over what it termed a "publicity interest litigation" and junked the plea, saying the court should not be used as a platform to address cameras stationed outside.

BUSINESS DCM16 BIZ-FUTURES-LD SILVER (12.23 pm)

Silver futures soar past Rs 3 lakh/kg; gold scale record high on global rally New Delhi: Silver prices surged on Monday to cross the Rs 3 lakh-per-kg milestone in futures trade for the first time, supported by strong investor demand and global sentiment in precious metals.

DCM12 BIZ-INDIA-EU TRADE-GTRI (11.43 am)

EU's dense web of non-tariff barriers often blunt impact of tariff cuts; FTA should fix this: GTRI New Delhi: India should press the European Union (EU) to clear the "dense web" of non-tariff barriers for domestic products, especially in the agri and pharma sectors, under the proposed free trade agreement, as such restrictions often "blunt" the benefits of tariff reductions, think tank GTRI said on Monday.

FOREIGN FGN25 CHINA-2NDLD ECONOMY (12.38 pm)

Exports power Chinese economy to 5% growth, USD 20 trillion GDP Beijing: China’s economy grew by five per cent last year to USD 20.01 trillion, riding high on the robust exports despite US tariffs while domestic consumption, its bugbear, remained sluggish. By K J M Varma.

FGN19 NEPAL-POLITICS (9.09 am)

Nepal polls: New-gen candidates challenge old guard Oli for top post Kathmandu: Election campaign is heating up in Nepal despite the winter chill in the Himalayan nation, with three political parties projecting their prime ministerial candidates for the March 5 general elections. By Shirish B Pradhan.

PTI AKY AKY

Unnao custodial death suspension plea set for decision; a judicial reform PIL was dismissed as publicity-driven. A petition for suspension of sentence in the death-in-custody matter linked to the Unnao rape survivor's family is set for an order, seeking temporary relief from sentence; separately, a public interest writ for broad judicial reforms was dismissed as publicity-driven rather than a bona fide legal claim.