PMO not a party to Rafale deal: Former Defence Secretary

Thiruvananthapuram (IANS) Giving a clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office, former Defence Secretary G. Mohankumar -- during whose tenure the Rafale deal was finalised -- said on Friday that the deal was a clean one and the Prime Minister's…

People's demands today more than their contribution: Bibek Debroy

New Delhi (IANS) Expectations of citizens today are disproportionate to what they contribute to the government coffers, as it collects just as much tax to GDP as the government used to in the time of Chandragupta Maurya, more than 2000 years…

Gujjars begin quota stir, block Delhi-Mumbai rail route

Jaipur (IANS) Blocking the tracks on the Delhi-Mumbai rail route, the Gujjar community on Friday began its agitation for five per cent reservation in state jobs and educational institutions.

Members of the Gujjar Sangharsh Samiti…

BJP plans its own 'Diwali' for government scheme beneficiaries on Feb 26

Panaji (IANS) Goa BJP president Vinay Tendulkar on Friday urged the beneficiaries of central and state government schemes, including One Rank One Pension, to light lamps outside their homes on February 26 to celebrate Kamal Jyoti Utsav, a pre-poll…

Air Marshal Sinha, who headed Rafale negotiating team, dismisses 'leaked note'

New Delhi (IANS) Air Marshal (retd.) S.B.P. Sinha, who headed the Indian Negotiating Team that finalized the Rafale contract, on Friday dismissed a controversial leaked note, claiming interference by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in the deal,…

Modi to flag off Train 18 on Feb 15

New Delhi (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the indigenously built Train 18, called the Vande Bharat Express, on February 15 from here, a Railway Ministry official said.

Train 18, the country's first engine-less…

Uttar Pradesh wakes up in heavy rains

Lucknow (IANS) Most parts of Uttar Pradesh woke up to heavy rains on Thursday morning, while the weather office announced that more heavy showers were in store.

The present weather conditions would continue till the weekend and it…

Robert Vadra at ED for 2nd day of questioning

New Delhi (IANS) Robert Vadra, brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) here for questioning in a money laundering case for the second consecutive day.

Vadra, who was questioned…

Major fire at Noida's Metro Hospital, patients trapped

Noida (IANS) A massive fire broke out on Thursday at the Metro Hospital in Sector 12 here, police said.

According to informed sources, the fire broke out on the second floor of the hospital. Many patients are said to be trapped and…

RBI raises collateral-free farm loan limit to Rs 1.6 lakh

Mumbai (IANS) In a major relief to farmers, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) here on Thursday raised the collateral-free agriculture loans' limit to Rs 1.6 lakh from Rs 1 lakh.

"Keeping in view the overall inflation and rise in agriculture…