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LIVE: Appetite of states for capex has gone up, says FM Sitharaman

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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

The Union Budget 2023-24 has been prepared keeping growth in focus and also external economic challenges such as fuel prices, Finance Minister Niramala Sitharaman said on Thursday. In an interactive session on the Budget, she said the focus was on the common man and weaker sections and to ensure that their businesses are supported, their education is supported, the opportunities which are available for them to skill themselves are also given enough provision. "The priority is to keep the growth momentum as it is and also to make sure that the further support measures for sustaining growth...And be conscious of the fact that challenges which are extraneous to India. External challenges will have to be kept in mind. We should be ready for any unpredictable events from outside of our border," she said when asked what the priorities were when the budget was given a final shape. Sitharaman said the budget was prepared keeping in view every section of the society including SC, ST, OBC and other backward classes.

More than 69.96 per cent voters cast their votes till 3 pm on Thursday in the Tripura Assembly polls which is in progress in all the 60 constituencies amid heavy security, election officials said.

Several incidents of violence, attacks and counter attacks were reported in the poll-bound bordering northeastern state.

At least 60 opposition party workers were injured when the ruling party workers attacked them in south, Gomati, Sepahijala and West Tripura districts.

The Income Tax department's 'survey' at the BBC office here continued for the third straight day on Thursday as officials gathered financial data from select staffers and made copies of electronic and paper data of the news organisation.

Voting for the 60-member Assembly in Tripura began at 7 am on Thursday amid tight security, said Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Gitte Kirankumar Dinakarrao. Altogether 28.13 voters are scheduled to exercise their franchise during the day in 3,337 polling stations of the northeastern state to determine the fate of 259 candidates, he said.

The Allahabad High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against Congress leader and former Union minister Salman Khurshid for his remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on Wednesday wrote to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and asked him to "cooperate" with the Centre in its "efforts" in increasing air connectivity by establishing airports in various parts of the state.

10:03 PM

"Whom are you laughing upon, the people..." Union FM slams KCR for calling USD 5 trillion economy aim a "joke"

10:00 PM

Russia expels Austrian diplomats in tit-for-tat move

Moscow said Thursday it was expelling four Austrian diplomats after Vienna expelled four employees of Russia's foreign missions in Austria, with tensions soaring over the Ukraine conflict.The foreign ministry said the expulsion of its diplomats had been an "unfriendly and unjustified step" that "causes serious damage to bilateral relations, which are already in crisis due to the actions of the Austrian side".Austria and other EU nations have expelled dozens of Russian diplomats since Moscow launched a military campaign in Ukraine, with Russia reciprocating the measures.
 
9:51 PM

Jharkhand ATS conducted a mock drill at a private hotel in Ranchi ahead of G20 Summit

8:23 PM

EC says Tripura polls 'largely violence-free', Bru voters cast vote after several years

The Election Commission on Thursday said the Tripura assembly polls remained "largely violence-free", with Bru migrant voters being able to exercise their franchise for the first time in many years. The tentative voter turnout was recorded at around 80 per cent. Final turnout figures will be known by Friday, it said.No complaints have been received so far by the EC demanding repolling, EC officials said."There have been no reports of any major violence or attack on candidates or (polling) agents, intimidation of voters, throwing of bombs, repoll (or) damage to EVMs. As against 168 repolls in the state in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, today's polls in 60 assembly seats in Tripura have been largely peaceful with no (demand for) repoll reported so far," the poll panel said.
 
8:21 PM

How can you tell that aim of 5 trillion economy is a joke? Every state should contribute towards it: FM

8:19 PM

Black Hawk helicopter crashes in Alabama, killing 2 crew

A Black Hawk helicopter from the Tennessee National Guard crashed Wednesday in Alabama, killing two crew members, the Tennessee National Guard said. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of two Tennessee National Guardsmen, and our prayers are with their families during this heartbreaking tragedy," Brig. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessee's Adjutant General, said in a statement. "We ask Tennesseans to join us in supporting their families during this time of unthinkable grief."According to Ross, two members of the Tennessee National Guard were killed during a flight- training mission. The helicopter crashed around 3 p.m. local time and caught fire.
 
7:33 PM

CM Kejriwal approves proposal to provide tents, basic amenities to those affected

7:32 PM

BJP broke alliance in Meghalaya to contest all seats, become stronger party: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the BJP broke its alliance with the NPP before the elections in Meghalaya so that it can contest all 60 assembly seats and emerge stronger. Addressing an election rally in the North Tura constituency, he appealed to the people to vote for the BJP, promising to end corruption in the state."Due to mismanagement and corruption in the state, in 2022-23, the deficit was Rs 1849 crore. It's a huge amount for a small state like Meghalaya. As per an RBI report, Meghalaya is developing at the slowest pace in the country," he said.
 
6:47 PM

12 Cheetahs to be brought from South Africa through Indian Air Force plane on 18th February

6:36 PM

Over 81% voter turnout recorded till 4 pm amid sporadic incidents of violence

Approximately 81 per cent of 2,813,000 voters exercised their franchise in the Tripura assembly elections till 4 pm on Thursday, with polling largely being peaceful amid sporadic incidents of violence, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Gitte Kirankumar Dinakarrao said. At least three people, including a CPI(M) leader and two polling agents of the Left party, were injured in separate incidents of violence during the polling. The exercise began at 7 am and continued till 4 pm.
6:28 PM

Unique non-cytotoxic nanocomposite coatings developed to prevent post-surgical infections

6:27 PM

Fire broke out at Vellaram Para Police Dumping Yard in Kannur, fire tenders at the spot

5:43 PM

We will show a big change in the Yamuna in six months: Delhi LG VK Saxena

5:42 PM

Tamil Nadu: Several fishermen allegedly attacked by Sri Lankan boats

Several fishermen were allegedly attacked by people in Sri Lankan boats while they were fishing last night near Kodiyakarai in Nagapattinam district. They were brought to the hospital during the early hours today. Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai writes to EAM S Jaishankar for the intervention into the matter where several fishermen were allegedly attacked by "perpetrators travelling in Sri Lankan boats."
 
2:56 PM

Gujarat court issues arrest warrant against Hardik Patel for failure to appear before it in 2017 case

A court in Gujarat's Surendranagar district has issued an arrest warrant against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Hardik Patel for failing to appear before it in a 2017 case in which he is accused of violating a government order.

Patel had made a political speech in violation of a government order at a village in the district ahead of the 2017 Gujarat Assembly elections.

Additional chief judicial magistrate D D Shah at Dhrangadhra issued the arrest warrant against Patel for failure to appear the court. Through its order dated February 2, the court directed the Dhrangadhra taluka police station officer in Surendranagar district to arrest Patel and produce him before the court without fail.

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First Published: Feb 16 2023 | 7:56 AM IST