Highlights of the day: Bengal transferring money to 2.1 mn MGNREGA workers

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5:14 PM

Kerala HC declines to stay SFIO probe against KSIDC, CMRL, CM's daughter's firm

The Kerala High Court rejected a request to halt the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) inquiry into the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter's firm, and the Kochi-based mines company CMRL. Justice Devan Ramachandran declined to stay the SFIO investigation into the three companies, as per the plea filed by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), confirmed senior central government counsel (SCGC) R V Sreejith.

5:06 PM

PMLA court extends ED custody of former CM Hemant Soren by 5 days

A special PMLA court extended the Enforcement Directorate (ED) remand of former chief minister Hemant Soren by five days in connection with a money laundering case related to an alleged land scam. Soren, who serves as the executive president of JMM, was initially remanded to five days' ED custody on February 2 by the special PMLA court. This custody period ended on Wednesday.

4:53 PM

Andhra Pradesh govt tables interim budget of Rs 2.86 trn for FY 2024-25

Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister B Rajendranath presented a vote-on-account budget of Rs 2.86 trn for fiscal 2024-25 in the Legislative Assembly. The budget includes a revenue expenditure of Rs 2.30 trn. Capital expenditure for fiscal 2024-25 is estimated at Rs 30,530 crore, with a projected revenue deficit of Rs 24,758 crore.

4:42 PM

Tata Consumer Products Q3 net profit at Rs 279 crore

Q3 Consolidated Net Profit: Rs 279 crore, LSEG IBES Profit Estimate is at Rs 357 crore. Q3 Consolidated Revenue from Operations is at Rs 3,804 crore

LSEG IBES Estimate is Rs 3,816 crore. Year Ago Q3 Consolidated Net Profit was at Rs 352 crore. Year Ago Q3 Revenue was Rs 3,475 crore.

4:35 PM

Excise policy case: Court asks CM Kejriwal to appear on Feb 17 on ED's plea

A Delhi court issued a summons for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to appear on February 17 in response to a complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The complaint pertains to Kejriwal's alleged non-compliance with summons in a money-laundering case associated with the now-repealed excise policy for the national capital. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra acknowledged the complaint and ordered the issuance of the summons.

3:38 PM

Congress, allies had difficulty in giving greater participation to SC, ST, OBC: PM Modi

Congress and its allies have always had difficulty in giving greater participation to SC/ST and OBC. They left no stone unturned to destroy Baba Saheb's ideas: PM Modi

3:36 PM

Cong has made start-up for their 'Yuvraaj', but he is non-starter: PM Modi attacks Rahul Gandhi in Rajya Sabha

They have made a start-up for their 'Yuvraj'. But he is a non-starter, he neither lifts nor launches: PM Modi on Rahul Gandhi

3:34 PM

We will be able to develop nation only through development of states: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

"My mantra was the same at that time (as the then Gujarat CM) and even today - Desh ke vikas ke liye rajya ka vikas...We should all follow that path. We will be able to develop the nation only through the development of the states, there can be no dispute about it. I assure you that if the state walks one step, it gives the strength (to the country) to walk two steps," PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

3:29 PM

Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: Small traders destroyed because of GST, demonetisation, says Rahul Gandhi in Odisha

3:28 PM

If Cong was not inspired from British, then why did they wait for me to change Rajpath to Kartavya Path: Modi

3:26 PM

Ambedkar got Bharat Ratna only when a government with BJP support was formed at Centre: PM Modi in RS

3:24 PM

SCs, STs, OBCs got their rights in Jammu and Kashmir only after removal of Article 370: PM Modi in Parliament

3:17 PM

Parliament Budget Session LIVE: Congress won't even get 40, PM Modi cites Mamata to mock Congress and Kharge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address in Rajya Sabha. This comes after President Droupadi Murmu addressed the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on January 31, marking the beginning of the Budget Session. In his reply to the Motion of Thanks in Lok Sabha on Monday, PM Modi expressed confidence in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) winning 400 seats in the next term, with the Bharatiya Janata Party securing 370 seats individually. 

2:39 PM

6 workers die after portion of building collapses near Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Six construction workers died when a portion of the building they were working under collapsed in Lovedale near Ooty in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. The deceased have been identified as Sakila (30), Sangeeta (35), Bhagya (36), Uma (35), Muthulakshmi (36) and Radha (38)."Two workers with serious injuries were taken to Ooty General Hospital while one worker is still trapped in the debris," said Ooty Police said. Rescue and rescue operations are underway.

2:36 PM

A day before general elections Pakistan jolted by deadly blasts, over 25 killed

At least 26 people have been killed and multiple others were injured after two back-to-back blasts rocked Balochistan, the Dawn has reported. As per the reports, the first blast happened outside the election office of independent candidate Asfandyar Kakar in Pishin a little after noon.