Bengaluru, Aug 13 (IANS) Karnataka Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar on Wednesday said that ‘Akka Force’ will be deployed across the state to address issues concerning women, particularly to prevent rape, child pregnancies, and child marriages. Akka translates to elder sister in the Kannada language.Hebbalkar announced this in the Legislative Assembly while responding to a question from JD(S) floor leader, MLA C.B. Suresh Babu, regarding the rising number of child pregnancies, chi…

Gandhinagar, Aug 13 (IANS) The Gujarat government on Wednesday relaunched nine upgraded websites under the Education Department.The initiative was led by Higher and Technical Education Minister Rushikesh Patel, with Minister of State for Primary, Secondary and Adult Education Praful Pansheriya gracing the occasion.Developed at a cost of Rs 50.11 lakh, the revamped websites are designed to provide citizens and students with swift and convenient digital access to key information such as education-…

Amaravati, Aug 13 (IANS) Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday said that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was in touch with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi through a ‘hotline’.Questioning the silence of Rahul Gandhi on the ‘vote chori’ issue raised by YSRCP after last year’s elections, he alleged that Chandrababu Naidu was in touch with Rahul Gandhi through Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.“Why didn’t you join us when we r…

Bhopal, Aug 13 (IANS) Even though the Madhya Pradesh government has not issued any notification on banning meat sales during the upcoming Independence Day and Krishna Janmashtami celebrations, several civic bodies across the country have ordered such restrictions — a move welcomed by ruling BJP leaders.BJP MLA from Bhopal’s Huzur constituency, Rameshwar Sharma, said decisions by civic bodies in places such as Hyderabad and Kalyan in Maharashtra should be appreciated rather than turned into a …

New Delhi, Aug 13 (IANS) The India-Singapore relationship is evolving into a deepening partnership, in which New Delhi is re-crafting its diplomacy to serve a clear economic and strategic purpose in today’s uncertain world.In the time of fragile supply chains, volatile trade policies, and climate challenges, India is focusing on strengthening its foreign economic policy with trusted, capable, and strategically placed partners—and Singapore is central to this strategy, according to an article…

Kolkata, Aug 13 (IANS) Kolkata and its adjoining areas are all set to witness another round of rallies and a protest march on August 14 midnight to demand justice for the RG Kar rape and murder victim.Various platforms, including doctors’ forums and social groups have given a call for candlelight vigils and meetings under the ‘Raat Dokhol’ (Reclaim the Night) protest.Last year, thousands of people took to the streets of Kolkata on August 14 midnight and held a candlelight vigil to condemn the gh…

Mumbai, Aug 13 (IANS) A Bangladeshi minor girl, subjected to brutal sexual abuse and violation for three months across Maharashtra, was rescued by the Maharashtra police and at least 12 persons with direct involvement in the flesh trade racket were apprehended. The racket, operating from Naigaon near Vasai, about 50 km from Mumbai, sent shockwaves across the city as shocking details emerged about her sexual exploitation and torture for over three months, reportedly by more than 200 men.The prost…

Kolkata, Aug 13 (IANS) Trinamool Congress General Secretary and the leader of the party in the Lok Sabha, Abhishek Banerjee, has dared the BJP-led Central government to immediately dissolve the Lok Sabha and conduct Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by the Election Commission of India (ECI) across the country and not selectively in poll-bound states.Using his social media handle, Banerjee said people of the country have been betrayed after the Election Commission claimed the voters’ list in vario…

Thrissur, Aug 13 (IANS) Senior BJP leader and former Kerala state president K. Surendran on Wednesday ridiculed both the CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-led UDF over their allegations of large-scale voter list manipulation in Thrissur, where Union Minister Suresh Gopi is the MP. Speaking to reporters in Thrissur, Surendran questioned how the state’s two dominant political fronts remained silent if, as alleged, a party without even a single MLA in Kerala managed to add 60,000 “illegal” votes.”If you …

New Delhi, Aug 13 (IANS) The State Bank of India (SBI) will revise Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) charges for retail customers from August 15, introducing nominal fees for certain online high-value transactions while keeping small-value transfers free.All customers will continue to receive free online IMPS transfers up to Rs 25,000 under the new arrangement.According to media reports, charges will apply, though, for amounts over Rs 25,000: Rs 2 + GST for transactions over Rs 25,000 and up to R…