Mumbai, Aug 19 (IANS) Markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has alleged that Dhenu Buildcon Infra Limited used a network of connected entities to repeatedly circulate a base amount of Rs 25 crore, creating the appearance that the company had received Rs 1,000 crore in genuine unsecured loans.The allegations were made in an interim order passed by SEBI Whole Time Member Kamlesh Chandra Varshney. According to the regulator, the alleged arrangement was orchestrated by Sure…

Gandhinagar, Aug 19 (IANS) The Gujarat government has raised the annual family income ceiling for unreserved category students seeking financial assistance to pursue higher education abroad from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, bringing more middle-income families within the eligibility criteria of the state’s study-abroad loan scheme. The decision, announced by the state government on Wednesday, will be implemented through the Gujarat Unreserved Educational and Economic Development Corporation (GUEED…

Amaravati, Aug 19 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Wednesday approved the Andhra Pradesh Omnibus (Speed of Doing Business) Bill-2026, aimed at simplifying regulations, easing approval procedures, and creating a more investor-friendly industrial ecosystem. Minister for Law and Minority Affairs NMD Farooq introduced the Bill on the third day of the monsoon session.Minister Farooq explained its primary objective and the simplified procedures it would facilitate. He stated that the gove…

Chennai, Aug 19 (IANS) A political debate has erupted in Tamil Nadu after the state government announced that it would extend the maternity leave period from 12 weeks to 365 days for women government employees having their third child.Under the existing provisions, married women employed in the government sector who have fewer than two children are entitled to 365 days, or one year, of maternity leave. However, women who already have two or more children are currently eligible for up to 12 weeks…

New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju hit out at Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for criticising his praise of the Delhi Police over their handling of the recent Jantar Mantar student protests, claiming no one was harmed, and alleged that exercises conducted to quell movements under previous Congress‑led governments had led to several deaths. “Life and security of the citizens should be the top priority for the government. No life was lo…

Mumbai, Aug 19 (IANS) Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Wednesday announced that auto‑rickshaw and taxi drivers in Maharashtra will now be strictly required to know basic conversational Marathi, with non‑compliance leading to the suspension or cancellation of their badges and permits. Minister Sarnaik told reporters that the enforcement drive, beginning August 20, builds on existing regulations established in 1989 and legal provisions updated on August 12, 2026. Drivers found lacking basi…

Bengaluru, Aug 19 (IANS) The Karnataka Revenue Department on Wednesday issued an order to continue pensions for eligible beneficiaries under the Social Security Pension Scheme whose annual income, after verification, falls between Rs 32,000 and Rs 1,20,000. Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara, while providing details on the decision, said that various social security pensions, including old‑age pension, widow pension and disability pension, had an annual income limit of …

Patna, Aug 19 (IANS) The political controversy over Tejashwi Yadav’s tribute to Mountain Man Dashrath Manjhi on his death anniversary has intensified, with Imamganj MLA Deepa Manjhi launching a sharp attack on her sister Rohini Acharya. Addressing Rohini Acharya as “sister,” Deepa Manjhi questioned why she was defending Tejashwi Yadav despite her own previous public allegations concerning disagreements within the Yadav family and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).She referred to Rohini’s ea…

Shillong, Aug 19 (IANS) Amid reports of growing differences within the United Democratic Party (UDP) in Meghalaya, senior party leader and West Shillong legislator Paul Lyngdoh on Wednesday sought an early meeting of the party’s parliamentary wing to address grievances raised by its legislators. Lyngdoh, however, played down reports of serious internal discord, saying differences and internal discussions are a common feature of political parties.He told reporters after a special meeting of the…

Patna, Aug 19 (IANS) The Bihar Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, approved 13 proposals during its meeting at the Cabinet Hall of the Main Secretariat in Patna on Wednesday. The decisions cover infrastructure, irrigation, agriculture, animal husbandry, renewable energy, employment and technology.The Cabinet approved the construction of the proposed 336-km Buxar-Bhagalpur Greenfield Expressway. It connects Buxar and Bhagalpur through Arwal, Jehanabad, Nalanda, Jamui and other di…