New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) Travel companies have refunded Rs 1,454 crore to consumers for cancelled flights due to the Covid-19 lockdown, following orders issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), the Parliament was informed on Tuesday.The CCPA has also mandated that these companies update their websites with clear instructions and status updates on refund claims related to cancelled tickets, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution B.L. Verma said in…

New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, handing over a message and invitation from President Xi Jinping to the PM for the SCO Summit being held in Tianjin, later this month. Wang Yi, a Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party, also shared his positive assessment of bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and 24th Meeting of the Special Representatives, which he co-chaired with Nati…

Mumbai, Aug 19 (IANS) Amid heavy and incessant rains and floods across Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday instructed all agencies to be on alert mode to control the situation. “The district collectors have been asked to provide immediate assistance in case of loss of life, livestock and damage to houses. Panchnamas should also be done immediately for the damage to agriculture, and action has been taken to provide compensation as per the norms of NDRF,” he told reporters…

New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) In a significant step towards strengthening economic ties between India and Sri Lanka, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) and the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing bilateral trade and fostering deeper economic collaboration between the two neighbouring countries.The partnership establishes a structured framework to enhance trade linkage. It aims to foster stronger networki…

Bhopal, Aug 19 (IANS) In a long-awaited relief for workers of the defunct Morena Division Cooperative Sugar Factory, the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet has approved a package to clear pending salaries and dues. The decision, taken on August 19, 2025, marks a significant step toward resolving years of financial stagnation at the Kailaras-based unit, which has remained closed since 2008-09. The funds, to be routed through the MSME Department, will also cover payments to sugarcane farmers and other credito…

New Delhi, Aug 18 (IANS) In a move aimed at stabilising domestic cotton prices and supporting the textile industry, the government has waived all customs duties on the import of raw cotton with effect from August 19 until September 30, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Textiles on Tuesday.This exemption includes the removal of both the 5 per cent Basic Customs Duty (BCD), the 5 per cent Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC), and a 10 per cent Social Welfare Surc…

Patna, Aug 19 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav over their ongoing Voter Rights Yatra, accusing them of insulting the Constitution and misleading the people of Bihar. Rai strongly objected to the language used by Rahul Gandhi during the Yatra, saying, “Rahul Gandhi’s language is against the democracy of the country.”He dismissed Tejashwi Yadav’s declaration of Rahul Gandhi as the Opposition’s p…

Chennai, Aug 19(IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin on Tuesday extended his congratulations to former Supreme Court judge B. Sudarshan Reddy, who has been announced as the INDIA Bloc’s candidate for the upcoming Vice-Presidential election. In a social media post, Stalin lauded Justice Reddy as a leader of integrity who has always upheld the Constitution and championed social justice.He said the former judge had consistently safeguarded citizens’ rights and had earne…

Srinagar, Aug 19 (IANS) Addressing the daylong educational stakeholders meet on NEP 2020 on Tuesday, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasised the need to uplift government schools to a standard where parents consider enrolling their children in them as the best choice for their future. Addressing the gathering of educationists, Principals, Chief Education officers, Lecturers, Masters, Teachers and students, the Chief Minister said that education and health sectors form the core for the de…

Mumbai, Aug 19 (IANS) The commuters who were stuck inside the Mumbai Monorail near Mysore Colony station between Chembur and Bhakti Park on Tuesday, due to a power supply issue, are now being rescued by the Mumbai fire brigade. Moreover, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officer said that around 200 passengers are being rescued.According to BMC, the monorail service between Chembur and Bhakti Park was halted due to a technical glitch around 6:15 p.m. Passengers on the monorail contacted…