Kolkata, Aug 14 (IANS) The West Bengal government on Thursday approached a single-judge Bench of Calcutta High Court seeking permission to register an FIR against Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, over the latter’s participation in the ‘Nabanna Avijan (march to state secretariat)’ on August 9 that was marred by violence, on the first anniversary of the rape and murder of a woman doctor at R.G. Kar Hospital. However, the plea was shot down by the court.Th…

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) As many as 54 personnel from Left Wing Extremism-affected areas are among 233 awardees of Medals for Gallantry announced on the Independence Day, the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Thursday. These awardees are part of a list of 1,090 Personnel of Police, Fire, Home Guard and Civil Defence (HG&CD) and Correctional Services selected for Gallantry and Service Medals on the occasion, the Ministry said in a statement.While 233 personnel have been awarded the Medal for G…

Chennai, Aug 14 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi on Thursday urged the people of the state to remain vigilant against forces attempting to weaken India’s unity, cautioning that such elements — often aided by hostile external actors — were working to erode the nation’s self-confidence and determination.Delivering the keynote address at the “Partition Horrors Remembrance Day” event at IIT Madras, the Governor said these groups operated under various guises, using lies and deception t…

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) India remains among the best-performing economies in the world, and “we expect growth dynamics to continue in the medium term”, with GDP increasing 6.8 per cent annually over the next three years, S&P Global said on Thursday.India is prioritising fiscal consolidation, demonstrating the government’s political commitment to deliver sustainable public finances, while maintaining its strong infrastructure drive.”We forecast India’s real GDP growth at 6.5 per cent this ye…

Amaravati, Aug 14 (IANS) People of Pulivendula and Ontimitta have chosen progress over backwardness, said Andhra Pradesh Minister and TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh. The minister for Human Resources Development and Information Technology took to ‘X’ to react to the Telugu Desam Party’s victory in by-elections to Pulivendula and Ontimitta Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs) in YSR Kadapa district.”For the first time in 30 years, Pulivendula has taken part in a truly democratic el…

New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to examine a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging that Bengali-speaking migrant workers are being detained across several states of the country on suspicion of being Bangladeshi nationals. Issuing notice, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi sought responses of the Centre and the governments of Odisha, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, and West Bengal in the matter. Advocate…

Vaishali (Bihar), Aug 14 (IANS) Central government schemes are proving to be a lifeline for the people of Bihar’s Vaishali district, with the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) giving families a secure roof over their heads and the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) empowering farmers to cultivate their land without financial stress. In Kushiyari Panchayat under Bidupur block, Jaikishun Thakur, a PMAY beneficiary, shared how the scheme has transformed his family’s life.”Earli…

Shimla, Aug 14 (IANS) Three cloudbursts and flash floods, two landslides and one drowning incident were reported in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday, resulting in damage to eight bridges and 12 vehicles and blocking of multiple roads, including a national highway, the State Emergency Operation Centre said here.The natural calamities were reported in Shimla, Sirmaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, and Kinnaur districts. Fortunately, no human casualty was reported, though one person is missing, who is suspected…

Guwahati, Aug 14 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday launched an online portal for Arms License Services at Lok Sewa Bhawan, emphasising that while the state will facilitate the licensing process, it will not provide arms.The initiative, he said, is aimed at bolstering the sense of security among vulnerable sections, particularly indigenous communities who face threats arising from ethnic or communal tensions and demographic shifts in the state.”This scheme is politically…

Patna, Aug 14 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has served notices to Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP, Veena Devi and her husband, JD(U) MLC Dinesh Singh, over allegations of holding dual voter identity cards, on Thursday.Both have been asked to submit their replies by 5 P.M. on August 16.The controversy, which has stirred Bihar’s political scene, erupted after RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the couple’s names are registered in voter lists of two separate Assembly cons…