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West Bengal election: What voters want; a ground report from Kolkata

Campaigning for the West Bengal Assembly elections has intensified with the poll date inching closer. Voting is slated to be held from March 27 to April 29 in 8 phases. The counting will take place on May 2nd. Business Standard's Sukanya Roy went around the streets of Kolkata to find out what people think about the upcoming State election. Watch the video to know more

Commenting on Rahul Gandhi's opinion is 'worthless': Javadekar on India's democracy remark

New Delhi, Mar 17 (ANI): Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar lambasted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his India's democracy remark and called his opinion 'worthless'. "Giving comment on Rahul Gandhi's opinion is worthless. Comparing India's democracy with Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein is an insult to the 80 crore voters. Only during the year of emergency, we witnessed a time like that of Gaddafi and Saddam," said Javadekar.

TN polls: 'DMK will win not less than 200 seats,' claims MDMK Chief

Chennai, Mar 17 (ANI): Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief Vaiko claimed that DMK will win not less than 200 seats. While speaking to ANI, Vaiko appreciated DMK's manifesto and said that they have given very good promises to all sections of society from students, fishermen to labourers. On the promises made in the manifesto to provide jobs to the people of Tamil Nadu, Vaiko said, "Other states have given importance only to their students, unemployed youth but in Tamil Nadu students from other states come and they fetch their job, it affects our rights, our youngsters, our unemployed graduate. Their rights are encroached upon.

TN elections: MDMK releases poll-manifesto

Chennai (TN), Mar 17 (ANI): Ahead of state assembly elections, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam released their manifesto on March 17 at their party headquarters in Chennai. MDMK is contesting 6 seats on the DMK's rising sun symbol as part of the DMK-led front for the first time. Elections in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 06, while the counting of votes will be done on May 02.

TN polls: 'Our secular progressive front will fight 'Hindutva' forces,' says MDMK Chief

Chennai (TN), Mar 17 (ANI): Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief Vaiko, after releasing his party manifesto for the upcoming state assembly elections, said that his secular progressive front will fight and protect Tamil Nadu from the invasion of 'Hindutva' forces and will win. Calling AIADMK the "most corrupt government", Vaiko said that their alliance will be thrashed out. MDMK chief Vaiko said, "Tamil Nadu is in the custody of the social justice and secularism. Now, there is a grave threat from BJP circles, Hindutva forces to destroy secularism and social justice. So it is our foremost duty to protect Tamil Nadu, from the invasion of Hindutva forces. And AIADMK government is the most corrupt government ever seen in Tamil Nadu is fully supporting the Hindutva forces. Therefore their alliance has to be thrashed out. For that purpose we have forced our front, and this is our secular progressive front to fight these forces. We will win".

After recovering from critical car accident, Shripad Naik back in Parliament

New Delhi, Mar 17 (ANI): Union Minister Shripad Naik arrived at the Parliament on March 17. He was injured in car accident in Karnataka on Jan 11. The mishap took place near a village in Ankola Taluk of Uttara Kannada district. His wife and personal assistance unfortunately died in the accident.

CM Chouhan announces night curfew in Bhopal, Indore amid rising COVID cases

Bhopal (MP), Mar 17 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan informed that positivity rate of COVID in state has increased to 4.3 per cent due to which state government has decided to impose night curfew in Bhopal and Indore as both the cities account to have 54 per cent of the total infections. "Night curfew in Bhopal and Indore from tonight 10 pm till morning, only essential services and commodities will be allowed," CM added.

Nagpur lockdown: Locals turn away eyes from COVID protocols at bus stand

Nagpur (Maharashtra), Mar 17 (ANI): Amid surge in COVID-19 infections, Maharashtra government had announced week-long lockdown in Nagpur. Neglecting the seriousness of the situation, several people were seen violating COVID norms at city's bus stand area. People boarded busses without ensuring social distancing norms. Locals questioned the management for poor management of busses and on-ground implementation of the lockdown. Week-long lockdown is likely to end on March 21 if cases get under control.

Tejashwi Yadav again attacks Ram Surat Rai over alleged recovery of illicit liquor

Patna (Bihar), Mar 17 (ANI): RJD leader and Leader of Opposition, Tejashwi Yadav during a press conference on March 17 once again targeted Bihar Minister Ram Surat Rai over the alleged recovery of illicit liquor from school run by Rai's brother. Not only did Tejashwi questioned that why Rai's brother has not been arrested but also accused the minister of lying about his relation with his brother. Yadav said, "Minister said that he has no contact with his brother for past 10 years. But after our press conference, he confessed that his brother owns the school. It has been 5 months since the incident, why is his brother not arrested?"

Coronavirus cases continue to rise unabated across country

New Delhi, Mar 17 (ANI): India reported 28,903 fresh COVID-19 cases in last 24 hours taking the COVID-19 overall tally to 11,438,464. 188 deaths were reported due to the deadly virus, death toll jumped to 1,59,044. According to the Health Ministry 17,741 patients were discharged and total recoveries in India stood at 1,10,45,28. Currently, there are 2,34,406 active cases in India. Maharashtra reported 17,864 new coronavirus cases witnessing around 2,000 fresh infections in comparison to March 15. Maharashtra is followed by Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, so far 22,92,49,784 samples have been tested for COVID-19 till March 16. A total of 9,69,021 samples were tested on March 16 itself. COVID-19 cases seem to be increasing relentlessly across globe. US remains the worst-hit country with 3,01,90,886 infections.

Farmers' agitation will end if govt gives legal recognition on MSP: Governor Satya Pal Malik

Jhunjhunu (Rajasthan), Mar 17 (ANI): Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik pitched for the settlement between farmers and Central government over 3 farm laws issue and said that if government agrees on giving legal recognition on MSP then the agitation will end. "To help the Prime Minister in some way, so that the farmers' issue gets over, for this both sides have to show nobility. If they (Central Government) agree on MSP and give legal recognition then the agitation will end," said Governor Malik.

'BJP will register big win in Assam polls': Fadnavis on Sharad Pawar's poll prediction

Guwahati (Assam), Mar 17 (ANI): Reacting on Nationalist Congress Party Chief Sharad Pawar's prediction on upcoming elections, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Devendra Fadnavis said that he don't agree with Sharad Pawar's prediction totally but he agreed that BJP will win big in Assam polls. "Even our adversaries have accepted that BJP will win in Assam. Although I don't agree with Sharad Pawar ji's whole statement, but if he also believes that BJP will win in Assam, it goes on to show that we will register a big win," said Fadnavis.

CM Mamata hurling accusations at Home Minister to win elections: Giriraj Singh

New Delhi, Mar 17 (ANI): Ahead of West Bengal Assembly elections, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Giriraj Singh said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is only hurling accusations at Home Minister in her attempt to win the elections. "Mamata Banerjee is frustrated as she's going to lose elections. In attempt to win, she's hurling accusations at Home Minister. Has she forgotten when several BJP workers were killed? She indulges in hooliganism daily. Who else would we go to if not EC?," said Giriraj Singh.

'Our mother, daughter are smuggled into Bengal,' alleges Adhir Ranjan

Murshidabad (West Bengal), Mar 17 (ANI): Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in West Bengal alleged that mothers and daughters are smuggled into the state. "Besides coal smuggling, Bengal is also known to be a notorious place for cow smuggling. Our mother and daughter are also smuggled into Bengal. The ruling party (of Bengal) and bureaucracy do this together hence no one gets caught," said Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

India-Finland started tech hub for startups, entrepreneurs: MEA

New Delhi, Mar 16 (ANI): Joint Secretary of Central Europe Division in MEA, Neeta Bhushan highlighted key elements that were discussed during India-Finland virtual summit. She said, "The two Prime Ministers exchanged views on the COVID-19 pandemic including vaccine solidarity and emphasised the unprecedented global efforts in speeding up the development and scaling up of manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines and to put equitable access to all countries. Both sides (India and Finland) noted the growing importance of Africa and referred to their efforts to enhance corporation in Africa." She further said, "Startup Indian and business Finland have started India-Finland tech hub, a virtual platform for startups and entrepreneurs to network with their mentors, incubators and investors. It has been recently launched."

FM Sitharaman assures protection of interests of privatized bank employees

New Delhi, Mar 16 (ANI): Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on March 16 cleared air around Union Cabinet's decision of privatization of banks in the country. She said, "Today, we have quite a few numbers of banks, some are performing really well, some are good...Not all banks are going to be privatized. Even for those banks which are likely to be privatized, we have to ensure that the privatized institutions too will continue to function after the privatization; we'll also ensure the interests of the staff will be protected. The interests of workers of banks which are likely to be privatized will absolutely be protected - whether their salaries or scale or pension, all will be taken care of."

Cabinet approves formation of Development Finance Institution: FM Sitharaman

New Delhi, Mar 16 (ANI): Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on March 16 announced that cabinet has approved formation of Development Finance Institution (DFI) for development and financial objectives. "During Budget, we had mentioned that we will be setting up a national bank to fund infrastructure and developmental activities. The past attempts to have alternative investment funds were taken up, but for various reasons, we ended up with no bank which could take up long-term risk, which is very high and fund development." She further said, "Union Cabinet has already cleared the setting up of a Development Finance Institution (DFI), in acknowledgement of the realization that both development and financial objectives will matter for setting up a DFI. It will help raise long-term funds; Budget 2021 will provide initial amount. The Capital infusion will be of about Rs 20,000 crore this year; initial grant will be Rs. 5,000 crore, additional increments of grant will be made within li

WB polls: BJP will get clear majority, says Rajnath Singh

Onboard, Mar 16 (ANI): Ahead of West Bengal Assembly elections, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on March 16 said he is confident that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will get a clear majority. "No. Ours is a democratic party. The elected MLAs will choose their leader," said Singh when asked if going to West Bengal Elections 2021without a CM face, cause a loss to BJP.

Watch: Huge crowd gathers at Mumbai's Dadar Market, social distancing goes for toss

Mumbai, Mar 16 (ANI): Despite rising COVID-19 cases, huge crowd was witnessed at Dadar Market in Mumbai on March 16. Scores of people were seen at Mumbai's famous market. Social distancing norms went for a toss and many were also seen without masks. Maharashtra has recorded over 16,000 of fresh Covid-19 cases on March 15, which included Mumbai's 1,712 new cases of Covid.

Sanyukt Kisan Morcha workers stage protest against fuel price hike in Aligarh

Aligarh (UP), Mar 16 (ANI): Workers of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha staged a unique protest against the fuel price hike on March 15. Workers took out the march and dragged a car tied with rope against the BJP-led government. Protestors demanded that government must roll back the hike. Kisan Morcha workers were also holding placard written "roll back 3 farm laws".