Browsing: India

Bhubaneswar: A political slugfest has erupted between BJP and BJD over Odisha securing fifth position in NITI Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index, with both parties staking claim to the achievement.While the BJP govt has been celebrating the ranking as a validation of its industrial and investment policies, the BJD on Friday alleged that the feat was the outcome of reforms and fiscal discipline established during former chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s 24-year tenure.Addressing the media, former minister and BJD MLA Dibya Shankar Mishra and party spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said Odisha’s emergence as one of the country’s most investment-friendly and fiscally disciplined states…

CHENNAI: PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Friday urged Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay not to hold bilateral talks with his Karnataka counterpart, D K Shivakumar, over the proposed Mekedatu dam.Speaking to reporters, Anbumani said such talks could seriously harm Tamil Nadu’s interests as the lower-riparian state. “Tamil Nadu CM should not go to Karnataka. We should wage both a legal and political battle,” he said. Anbumani called on the chief minister to convene an all-party meeting to decide the future course of action. The chief minister should also lead a delegation of political party leaders, MLAs and MPs…

Agartala: Tripura Police on Friday said West Tripura superintendent of police Namit Pathak will lead the investigation into the death of director general of police Anurag Dhankar.The probe relates to an unnatural death case registered at West Agartala Police Station on July 20. Dhankar was found hanging in the restroom of his office, and the circumstances are being treated as suspicious.As per the order, Pathak will be assisted by additional SP (urban) Dhruba Nath and sub-inspector Subhojit Deb, the investigating officer.Pathak has been authorised to requisition officers from the Tripura Police crime branch or other units, if required. The cybercrime…

Chandru Iyer, British deputy high commissioner for Karnataka, addresses media in Mangaluru on Friday Mangaluru: Karnataka is expected to be among the biggest beneficiaries of the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), said British deputy high commissioner to Karnataka and South India Chandru Iyer.Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru on Thursday, Iyer said the trade agreement would open new avenues for businesses in Karnataka to access the United Kingdom (UK) market.Karnataka will take the most advantage of this deal because of the wide range of products and services it offers from across different regions, he said.Whether it is Mysore Sandal…

Shivamogga/Mandya: Following violent clashes and counterattacks between political workers in Shivamogga, police have registered separate suo motu cases against leaders and supporters of both BJP and Congress at two different police stations.The violence broke out on Thursday over NEET issues, when a group allegedly vandalised the BJP district office on Deendayal Road, leading sub-inspector Manjunath NK of the Doddapet police station to register an FIR against Congress leaders for rioting, damaging public property and obstructing govt officials on duty.Sub-inspector KN Halli of the Jayanagara police station booked BJP leaders on charges of targeting the Congress office on Indira Gandhi Road,…

Pune: Questioning the “neutrality” of High Court-appointed Administrator, Justice (Retd) Gita Mittal, All India Tennis Association’s (AITA) interim president Chintan Parikh has termed her handling of the federation’s compliance process as “unacceptable”.An expert on Mittal’s panel responded by saying the interim committee wasted an opportunity to put across their views by refusing to meaningfully participate in a meeting called for the very purpose.The AITA will be holding a meeting of the interim executive committee on Saturday and an Extraordinary General Meeting on Sunday in New Delhi to discuss and ratify the amended constitution drafted by Mittal, as mandated by the…

Valpoi: Continuous heavy rain caused a wall of Keshav Harwalkar’s house to collapse onto Mahadev Paryekar’s neighbouring residence at Budruk Karmali in the Savordem panchayat of Sattari on Thursday evening, damaging both properties. No injuries were reported.The wall gave way around 6.50pm near the Govt Primary School after being weakened by sustained moisture, residents said. Losses were estimated to be about Rs 50,000 to Harwalkar’s property and around Rs 2 lakh to Paryekar’s house.Two rooms and a kitchen were badly affected, with items such as a television, cupboard, furniture, clothes and kitchen utensils damaged or destroyed.Valpoi fire station personnel reached…

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh high court has warned that the education secretary would have to appear in person if the state govt failed to provide a definite timeline for depositing the long-pending Rs 30.03 crore required for constructing the Central University’s north campus at Dharamshala.A division bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi observed that despite repeated directions, the amount sought under Section 2(ii) of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, has not yet been released.The court noted that the state govt’s communication dated July 21 revealed that a proposal seeking Rs 30.03 crore had been…

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Science (UPSIFS) on Friday concluded the fifth batch of its 42-day Crime Scene Management course, with 94 police personnel, from constables to inspectors, completing specialised training aimed at strengthening scientific crime investigation across the state.Prashant Kumar, chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission and former Director General of Police, said forensic science is vital for strengthening criminal investigations and ensuring effective delivery of justice. He emphasised that scientific analysis of DNA, fingerprints and other physical evidence plays a crucial role in identifying offenders and securing convictions. He urged trainees to…

BIA receives support from Centre Patna: Union coal and mines minister Satish Chandra Dubey on Friday assured Bihar’s industrialists of the Centre’s support for investment, infrastructure development and industrial expansion in the state.Addressing an interactive session organised by the Bihar Industries Association (BIA), Dubey said the Centre was committed to strengthening energy security, ensuring the sustainable utilisation of mineral resources and promoting industrial growth. He urged industry leaders to work with the government to accelerate investment and create employment opportunities.BIA representatives said Bihar’s improving infrastructure, expanding logistics network, better power availability and investor-friendly policies had enhanced the state’s investment climate.…