Mysuru (Karnataka), Sep 13 (IANS) Responding to BJP’s claims of encouraging religious conversion by categorisation of castes within the Christian community in the caste census, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked on Saturday that if there was equality and equal opportunities in society, would religious conversions happen.Speaking to the media on Saturday at Mysuru Airport, CM Siddaramaiah made the statement while answering a question in this regard.In response to the BJP’s allegation t…

New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday launched the city’s first hotline maintenance van that will repair live electricity cables without disconnecting power supply to homes and shops nearby. Launching a pilot project on the hi-tech vans in Shalimar Bagh Assembly constituency, the CM said, “Such vans will soon be deputed in all constituencies in the city. This is the first time in the country that such a van is being introduced in the city today.”The first van, cos…

New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) With August inflation print a tad higher than the 2 per cent mark, a rate cut in October is unlikely, according to a report by SBI Research, adding that even a rate cut in December looks a little difficult if growth numbers for Q1 and estimated Q2 data are taken into consideration.As the Goods and Service Tax (GST) rate on around 295 essential items has been reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent or NIL, the consumer price index (CPI) inflation in this category may come …

Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) The Met office has forecast light to moderate rain in south Bengal districts including Kolkata in the next few days. At the same time, heavy rain will occur in north Bengal districts from Sunday onwards. According to a met department official, a low pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal which, however, will not have a direct impact on the weather in West Bengal.”The low pressure area has formed in the west-central and northwest Bay of Bengal. It is located near t…

New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to attend the centenary celebrations of Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika in Guwahati on Saturday evening, the Congress launched a sharp critique, urging him to grasp the true meaning of Hazarika’s songs and questioning the intent behind his visit. The Prime Minister is scheduled to join the commemorative event at around 5 P.M. and will address the gathering.Reacting to the announcement, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera told IANS, “I…

New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi on Saturday ceremonially flagged off the Indian Navy car rally, as part of the Navy’s outreach initiative aimed at strengthening the bond between maritime forces and people. Comprising 34 participants, including serving naval personnel and members of the Navy Welfare and Wellness Association (NWWA), the rally will cover a 1,700-kilometre route over eight days, traversing the cities of Agra, Lucknow, Varanasi, and Kanpur…

Varanasi, Sep 13 (IANS) A Romanian student pursuing a PhD in Indian Philosophy at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her rented accommodation in Varanasi, police said on Saturday.The deceased was identified as 27-year-old Philip Francisca, who had been residing in a room under the Chowk police station area.According to officials, when Francisca failed to respond to repeated knocks on her door late Friday night, her landlord alerted the police.Officers…

Indore, Sep 13 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Saturday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reformed the country’s legal system and replacing the century-old rules with three criminal laws (such as Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) is an evidence of it. Chief Minister Yadav claimed that Madhya Pradesh has secured top position for the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) across the state.He said that regular monitoring are progressive steps which are being impleme…

Mandsaur, Sep 13 (IANS) A potentially serious accident was narrowly avoided on Saturday morning during Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s hot air balloon ride at the Gandhi Sagar Forest Retreat.Strong winds prevented the balloon from taking off, and in a sudden turn of events, its lower section caught fire while the Chief Minister was still aboard.The security personnel swiftly responded, and the fire was quickly extinguished. They safely evacuated Chief Minister Yadav.No injuries were …

Aizawl, Sep 13 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that the government is consistently taking steps to boost Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business.“The next-generation GST reforms have recently been introduced and it means lower taxes on many products, making life easier for families,” he said.Inaugurating the ambitious 51.38-km Bairabi-Sairang railway project in Mizoram, flagging off three new trains connecting Aizawl with Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati and laying the foun…