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2:19 PM

TV, mobile to be cheaper; Gold, cigarette, imported cars to be dearer

Mobile phones and TV sets manufactured in India would become cheaper with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announcing cuts in Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on import of their components but smokers would have to pay more as the government has increased taxes.

2:16 PM

Govt has taken steps for betterment of urban and rural women working as domestic help: PM

Govt has taken steps for betterment of urban and rural women working as domestic help, says PM Modi

2:02 PM

Security of nation can neither be outsourced nor be dependent on largesse of others: Army chief General Pande

Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande on Wednesday said no country is willing to share the latest, "state-of-the-art" technologies and it implies that security of the nation can neither be outsourced nor be dependent on the largesse of others.

 

He was speaking at the foundation day of the Army Institute of Technology in Maharashtra's Pune city.

 

1:52 PM

Govt doubles deposit limit for Senior Citizen Savings Scheme to Rs 30 lakh

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday proposed to double the deposit limit for Senior Citizen Savings Scheme to Rs 30 lakh and Monthly Income Account Scheme to Rs 9 lakh.

 

In her Budget Speech, the minister also announced a new small savings scheme for women.

1:46 PM

India's electricity consumption grows nearly 13% to 126.16 billion units in Jan

India's power consumption logged a double-digit year-on-year growth of nearly 13 per cent to 126.16 billion units in January 2023, according to government data.

 

The robust growth of power consumption indicates sustained momentum of economic activities in January.

1:31 PM

Not just a budget but a gazette of country's inclusive development, says Abbas Naqvi

Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Wednesday hailed the Union budget, saying it has beaten the global economic slowdown and the "Bharat bashing brigade's propaganda".

 

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the last full Budget of the second term of the BJP-led NDA government.

1:19 PM

Bajaj Auto total vehicle sales fall to 2,85,995 units in January

Bajaj Auto Ltd total vehicle sales fell 21 per cent at 2,85,995 units in January.

 

The company's vehicle sales stood at 3,63,443 units in the year-ago period.

1:11 PM

India logs 111 Covid infections in a day, active cases increase to 1,783

India's Covid-19 tally rose by 111 in a day while active cases have increased to 1,783, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.

 

The death toll stands at 5,30,740 while the tally of Covid cases was recorded at 4.46 crore, the data updated at 8 am stated.

12:59 PM

Jharkhand HC takes cognizance of Dhanbad fire accident, matter to be heard on Feb 2

After 14 people lost their lives in a tragic fire accident in Jharkhand's Dhanbad, the High Court has now taken cognizance of the matter and the matter will be heard tomorrow, reports ANI

12:55 PM

K'taka CM thanks PM Modi for announcing Rs 5,300 cr funds for Upper Bhadra project

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for announcing Rs 5,300 crore funds for the Upper Bhadra project of the state in the Union Budget 2023.

 

CM Bommai said that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has given priority for the drought prone regions of the state in the 2023-24 Budget. "The Central government has announced Rs 5,300 crore for one of the major projects of the state," he said.

12:52 PM

66% hike in Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana outlay to Rs 79,000 crore

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday announced a 66 per cent hike in the Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana (PMAY) outlay to Rs 79,000 crore.

 

Presenting the Union Budget 2023-24, she said states and cities will be encouraged to take up urban planning.

12:45 PM

Myanmar resistance steadfast against army rule 2 years later

The prospects for peace in Myanmar, much less a return to democracy, seem dimmer than ever two years after the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, experts say.

 

On Wednesday, legions of opponents of military rule heeded a call by protest organisers to stay home in what they call a silent strike to show their strength and solidarity.

 

12:06 PM

Highest-ever capital outlay of Rs 2.40 trillion for railways in budget

The capital outlay for the railways has been increased to the highest-ever Rs 2.40 lakh crore in the Union Budget for 2023-24, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Wednesday.

 

Presenting the budget in Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said the outlay for the railways is nine times the amount provided in 2013-2014.

11:58 AM

India's G-20 presidency unique opportunity to strengthen its role in world economic order: Sitharaman

India's ongoing presidency of the G-20 grouping is a unique opportunity to strengthen the country's role in the world economic order when countries across the globe are facing various challenges, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Wednesday.

 

Presenting the Budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 in Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said India is steering an ambitious people-centric agenda to address global challenges and to facilitate sustainable economic development.

11:48 AM

Top Indian-American politician Nikki Haley planning to launch 2024 White House bid on Feb. 15

Prominent Indian-American Republican Party leader Nikki Haley is poised to launch her 2024 White House bid on February 15 -- positioning herself to be the first challenger to former US president Donald Trump.

 

Haley, 51, is the two-term Governor of South Carolina and the former US Ambassador to the United Nations.

 

When she enters the race, Haley will be the first contender to join the contest against her former boss, who is currently the sole Republican seeking his party's 2024 nomination.