Today's highlights: Tax burden on people will reduce further, says PM Modi

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9:56 PM

BJP govt constantly 'deceiving' farmers: Cong leader Hooda

Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday accused the BJP government of consistently deceiving farmers alleging that even after announcing the commencement of paddy procurement, the process has not begun yet. Although the government announced the commencement of paddy procurement on September 22, farmers have been waiting for procurement agencies in the mandis for several days, yet the process has not begun.

 

8:50 PM

CESC to pay ₹5 lakh aid to families of those who died in Kolkata deluge

Power utility CESC Ltd on Thursday announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each to families of those who died in the Kolkata deluge, two days after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked the company to extend financial support to victims of electrocution and other rain-related incidents. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives in our city due to the unprecedented natural calamity. In deference to the chief minister's wishes, on humanitarian considerations, we have decided to provide Rs 5 lakh as financial assistance to each of the bereaved families," CESC managing director Vineet Sikka said

 

7:59 PM

Delhi govt seeks reports on rain-related issues in 2025; aims to curb flooding next monsoon

Taking note of the waterlogging and flooding witnessed in parts of the capital during this year's monsoon, the Delhi government has directed district magistrates to prepare comprehensive reports on impacted areas, officials said on Thursday. The reports will not only identify specific locations that faced flooding but will also analyse the underlying causes, recurring problem areas, and the agencies responsible for each case, they added

 

7:06 PM

Make in India 2.0 to focus on sectors that will shape global economy over next 25 yrs: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday that the Centre's Make in India 2.0' initiative will focus on emerging sectors that will be a big part of the global economy in the next 25 years. Speaking at the Financial Express Best Banks Awards event in Mumbai, he said global economy analysts have been acknowledging India's growth story.

 

6:10 PM

Azim Premji declines CM Siddaramaiah's request for limited vehicular movement' through Wipro campus

Wipro founder chairman Azim Premji has declined Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's request to allow limited vehicular movement through the company's campus in Bengaluru, saying that it is an exclusive private property owned by a listed company, not meant for public thoroughfare. He also said that allowing public vehicular movement through Wipro's Sarjapur campus will cause "significant legal, governance, and statutory challenges".

 

4:36 PM

BJP names Pradhan as poll in-charge for Bihar, Bhupender Yadav for Bengal

The BJP on Thursday named Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Bhupender Yadav, both key OBC faces and most seasoned poll managers of the party, as its in-charge for the Assembly elections in Bihar and Bengal, respectively. Making some important appointments for three poll-bound states, including for next year, the BJP named Baijayant 'Jay' Panda, one of its vice-presidents, its in-charge for the Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu where it is a junior partner to the AIADMK.

3:18 PM

Crisis is BJP govt's own creation: Congress on Ladakh violence

A day after violent clashes in Ladakh, the Congress on Thursday said the crisis is of the BJP government's own creation and asserted that Ladakh's demand for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, for dignity and for the protection of their identity is both legitimate and just. The statehood for Ladakh movement descended into violence, arson and street clashes in Leh on Wednesday, leaving four people dead and at least 80 injured, including 40 police personnel, officials said

3:11 PM

Rahul Gandhi vows full rights for EBCs, Dalits, tribals and minorities

A day after launching the 'Ati Pichhda Nyay Sankalp', Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said the Mahagathbandhan would ensure full rights for the extremely backward, Dalit, tribal, minority, and backward communities. Gandhi asserted that no matter how many “lies and distractions” the BJP may spread, the opposition alliance remained determined to protect marginalised groups. On Wednesday, he reached out to Bihar’s numerically significant extremely backward classes (EBCs), promising, among other measures, a law to protect them from atrocities on the lines of the SC/ST Act if the INDIA bloc came to power in the state.

2:34 PM

Paris court to rule on Sarkozy's alleged illegal campaign financing by Libya's Gadhafi government

A Paris court is to deliver its verdict Thursday over former French President Nicolas Sarkozy's alleged illegal financing of his 2007 presidential campaign by the government of then-Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. If convicted, the 70-year-old Sarkozy would be the first former French president found guilty of accepting illegal foreign funds to win office.

2:12 PM

Delhi court grants bail to Lalit Modi's cousin accused of rape

A Delhi court on Thursday granted bail to Samir Modi -- a relative of fugitive businessman Lalit Modi -- who was arrested in a rape case. Additional sessions judge Vipin Kharb granted him bail on a bond of Rs 5 lakh and other conditions during the in-camera proceedings.

1:19 PM

US lawmaker in China says there's 'a lot of work to do' to resolve trade conflict

The head of a US congressional delegation visiting China said Thursday that much need to be done to resolve the US-China trade conflict, which he said is creating difficulties for companies on both sides of the Pacific. His biggest takeaway was that a lot of business is going on between the two economies despite the trade war, Rep Adam Smith, a Democrat from Washington state, said on the final day of a five-day trip.

12:41 PM

Kimmel is back on ABC to big ratings, but some affiliates still refuse to air his show

Jimmy Kimmel is back on his ABC late-night show, but it's still a mystery when -- or if -- viewers in cities such as Washington, Seattle and St. Louis will be able to see him again on their televisions. ABC stations owned by the Nexstar and Sinclair corporations took Kimmel off the air last week on the same day the network suspended him for comments that angered supporters of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

12:39 PM

CBI probing FCRA violation by activist Sonam Wangchuk's institution: Official

The Central Bureau of Investigation has begun an inquiry into alleged violation of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act against an institution founded by Ladakh-based educationist and activist Sonam Wangchuk, officials said on Thursday. There has been an inquiry going on for some time but no FIR has been registered yet, they said.

11:48 AM

PM Modi calls for increasing investment in research, innovation to make country self-reliant

Country must become self-reliant, every product that can be made in India should be made here, says PM Modi

11:28 AM

Structural reforms in GST are set to give new wings to India's growth story: PM Modi

Govt is focusing on Make In India, aims to make 'chips to ships' in country, says PM Modi.