The stage is set for counting of votes for assembly polls in Haryana and Maharashtra on Thursday with stakes high for Congress, which could not do well in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year and also for the BJP, which is incumbent in the two states.

Along with the two states, results will also be declared for assembly bypolls on 51 seats across 17 states and will have political implications for the parties in power.

The results of bypolls to Satara and Samastipur Lok Sabha seats will also be declared on Thursday.

The assembly poll results will also be crucial for the NCP in Maharashtra, which is an ally of Congress, as also for parties such as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, AIMIM and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi.

In Haryana also, the battle is crucial for regional parties such as the Indian National Lok Dal and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP).&nbsp;

The BSP has also fielded candidates in the two states.&nbsp;

The exit polls have predicted the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena alliance getting elected in Maharashtra but have differed in their projection of a number of seats.

Most exit polls have also predicted a clear victory for BJP in Haryana. One exit poll, however, has said that the two parties are in a close race in the state and none of them would get a majority. The BJP will create history if it again wins Haryana and returns to power with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra.

The assembly elections are the first after the BJP-led government`s decisions to repeal Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and a verdict in its favour will give a boost to the party ahead of the winter session of Parliament next month.

A victory will also keep the political momentum with the BJP after its emphatic victory in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;

The polls are crucial for Congress which has faced desertions after its second successive debacle in the Lok Sabha polls. A strong performance will help the party in its process of electoral revival.

The BJP has already declared that incumbent chief ministers - Manohar Lal Khattar and Devendra Fadnavis - will continue to lead the governments if the party is voted to power. The voting took place in the two states and in the bypoll seats on Monday.

The stage is set for counting of votes for assembly polls in Haryana and Maharashtra on Thursday with stakes high for Congress, which could not do well in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year and also for the BJP, which is incumbent in the two states.

The stage is set for counting of votes for assembly polls in Haryana and Maharashtra on Thursday with stakes high for Congress, which could not do well in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year and also for the BJP, which is incumbent in the two states. Along with the two states, results will also be declared for assembly bypolls on 51 seats across 17 states and will have political implications for the parties in power. The results of bypolls to Satara and Samastipur Lok Sabha seats will also be declared on Thursday. The assembly poll results will also be crucial for the NCP in Maharashtra, which is an ally of Congress, as also for parties such as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, AIMIM and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi. In Haryana also, the battle is crucial for regional parties such as the Indian National Lok Dal and the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP). The BSP has also fielded candidates in the two states. The exit polls have predicted the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena alliance getting elected in Maharashtra but have differed in their projection of a number of seats. Most exit polls have also predicted a clear victory for BJP in Haryana. One exit poll, however, has said that the two parties are in a close race in the state and none of them would get a majority. The BJP will create history if it again wins Haryana and returns to power with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. The assembly elections are the first after the BJP-led government`s decisions to repeal Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and a verdict in its favour will give a boost to the party ahead of the winter session of Parliament next month. A victory will also keep the political momentum with the BJP after its emphatic victory in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The polls are crucial for Congress which has faced desertions after its second successive debacle in the Lok Sabha polls. A strong performance will help the party in its process of electoral revival. The BJP has already declared that incumbent chief ministers - Manohar Lal Khattar and Devendra Fadnavis - will continue to lead the governments if the party is voted to power. The voting took place in the two states and in the bypoll seats on Monday.

Counting of votes on Thursday in Haryana, Maharashtra; stakes high for Congress, BJP  

Two of the prime accused in Kamlesh Tiwari murder case believed that killing of the Hindu Samaj Party leader was "justified as per Sharia", a Gujarat police official said on Wednesday.

The accused Ashfaq Hussain Jakir Hussain Shaikh (34) and Moinuddin Khurshid Pathan (27) were arrested by Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) from the Gujarat-Rajasthan border on Tuesday.&nbsp;

"Upon interrogation, we came to know that they contacted many maulvis. One of the maulvis was Mohsin. They were told and were convinced that the murder is justified as per the Sharia law," said BH Chavda, Deputy SP, Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).

An Ahmedabad court on Wednesday granted 72 hours transit remand for Ashfaq and Moinuddin who are being taken to Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

Kamlesh Tiwari was shot in the naka area of Lucknow on October 18 and succumbed to his injuries at a hospital during treatment.

A total of five persons have been arrested so far. Other accused -- Rashid Pathan, Faizan Sheikh, and Maulana Mohsin Sheikh - were on Tuesday sent to police custody for four days in connection with the case.&nbsp;

Two of the prime accused in Kamlesh Tiwari murder case believed that killing of the Hindu Samaj Party leader was "justified as per Sharia", a Gujarat police official said on Wednesday.

Two of the prime accused in Kamlesh Tiwari murder case believed that killing of the Hindu Samaj Party leader was "justified as per Sharia", a Gujarat police official said on Wednesday. The accused Ashfaq Hussain Jakir Hussain Shaikh (34) and Moinuddin Khurshid Pathan (27) were arrested by Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) from the Gujarat-Rajasthan border on Tuesday. "Upon interrogation, we came to know that they contacted many maulvis. One of the maulvis was Mohsin. They were told and were convinced that the murder is justified as per the Sharia law," said BH Chavda, Deputy SP, Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). An Ahmedabad court on Wednesday granted 72 hours transit remand for Ashfaq and Moinuddin who are being taken to Uttar Pradesh. Kamlesh Tiwari was shot in the naka area of Lucknow on October 18 and succumbed to his injuries at a hospital during treatment. A total of five persons have been arrested so far. Other accused -- Rashid Pathan, Faizan Sheikh, and Maulana Mohsin Sheikh - were on Tuesday sent to police custody for four days in connection with the case.

Two accused in Kamlesh Tiwari murder case believed their action justified: Gujarat Police

Two missile shells fired by Pakistani forces were destroyed by the Indian Army in a forward village near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch on Tuesday.

Pakistan had on Monday violated ceasefire in Qasba and Kirni sectors in Poonch.

Indian Army had on Sunday used artillery guns to target terrorist camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which have been actively trying to push terrorists into the Indian territory.&nbsp;

Two missile shells fired by Pakistani forces were destroyed by the Indian Army in a forward village near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch on Tuesday. Pakistan had on Monday violated ceasefire in Qasba and Kirni sectors in Poonch.

Two missile shells fired by Pakistani forces were destroyed by the Indian Army in a forward village near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch on Tuesday. Pakistan had on Monday violated ceasefire in Qasba and Kirni sectors in Poonch. Indian Army had on Sunday used artillery guns to target terrorist camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which have been actively trying to push terrorists into the Indian territory.

J&K: Indian Army destroys two missile shells fired by Pakistani forces in Poonch

The union cabinet on Wednesday took five major decisions including ownership rights to 40 lakh people living in unauthorised colonies in Delhi, reform in petroleum sector, cadre review of ITBP officers, merger of MTNL with BSNL and increase in MSP of rabi crops.

Briefing reporters after meeting of union cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said that increase in minimum support price (MSP) of cereals, pulses and oilseeds of rabi crops will give a big boost to farmers.

"The MSP for wheat and barley has been increased by Rs 85, gram by Rs 255, masur (lentil) by Rs 325 and mustard by Rs 225. This has been done to double the income of farmers and give them justice," Javadekar said.

He said the allowance under PM-Kisan Yojna has reached eight crore farmers.

He said a decision has been taken to conduct cadre review of ITBP and it will lead to creation of 60 new posts of A category.

"The last cadre review was done in 2001 when there were 32,000 personnel in the ITBP. Now there are 88,000," he said.

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Communications and Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad were also present at the press conference.&nbsp;

Javadekar said that decisions on "a big reform" had been taken in the petroleum sector in the meeting.

"New companies can now open retail petrol outlets in the country. This will increase investment and give the consumers more options and also increase competitiveness in the market," Javadekar said.The minister said the cabinet has approved merger of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The union cabinet on Wednesday took five major decisions including ownership rights to 40 lakh people living in unauthorised colonies in Delhi, reform in petroleum sector, cadre review of ITBP officers, merger of MTNL with BSNL and increase in MSP of rabi crops.

The union cabinet on Wednesday took five major decisions including ownership rights to 40 lakh people living in unauthorised colonies in Delhi, reform in petroleum sector, cadre review of ITBP officers, merger of MTNL with BSNL and increase in MSP of rabi crops. Briefing reporters after meeting of union cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said that increase in minimum support price (MSP) of cereals, pulses and oilseeds of rabi crops will give a big boost to farmers. "The MSP for wheat and barley has been increased by Rs 85, gram by Rs 255, masur (lentil) by Rs 325 and mustard by Rs 225. This has been done to double the income of farmers and give them justice," Javadekar said. He said the allowance under PM-Kisan Yojna has reached eight crore farmers. He said a decision has been taken to conduct cadre review of ITBP and it will lead to creation of 60 new posts of A category. "The last cadre review was done in 2001 when there were 32,000 personnel in the ITBP. Now there are 88,000," he said. Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Communications and Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad were also present at the press conference. Javadekar said that decisions on "a big reform" had been taken in the petroleum sector in the meeting. "New companies can now open retail petrol outlets in the country. This will increase investment and give the consumers more options and also increase competitiveness in the market," Javadekar said.The minister said the cabinet has approved merger of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

Increase in MSP, merger of MTNL with BSNL among major decisions of cabinet

Indian shares closed a tick higher on Wednesday, led by gains in auto and IT stocks, as investors paused to study trends from corporate results before placing fresh bets.

The broader Nifty ended 0.14 per cent&nbsp;higher at 11,604.10, while the benchmark BSE Sensex finished up 0.24 per cent&nbsp;at 39,058.83.

Shares of Infosys Ltd reversed losses to settle over 1 per cent&nbsp;higher. The IT services major is investigating whistleblower claims accusing its top two executives of "unethical practices".

HCL Technologies Ltd was the top percentage gainer on the Nifty. The IT firm is due to post quarterly results later in the day.

Eicher Motors Ltd and Maruti Suzuki India Ltd were among the top three gainers on NSE, adding 2.71 per cent&nbsp;and 2.54 per cent, respectively.

Maruti Suzuki India will report its quarterly results on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd fell the most on the bluechip index, tumbling over 6 per cent. 
&nbsp;

Indian shares closed a tick higher on Wednesday, led by gains in auto and IT stocks, as investors paused to study trends from corporate results before placing fresh bets.

Indian shares closed a tick higher on Wednesday, led by gains in auto and IT stocks, as investors paused to study trends from corporate results before placing fresh bets. The broader Nifty ended 0.14 per cent higher at 11,604.10, while the benchmark BSE Sensex finished up 0.24 per cent at 39,058.83. Shares of Infosys Ltd reversed losses to settle over 1 per cent higher. The IT services major is investigating whistleblower claims accusing its top two executives of "unethical practices". HCL Technologies Ltd was the top percentage gainer on the Nifty. The IT firm is due to post quarterly results later in the day. Eicher Motors Ltd and Maruti Suzuki India Ltd were among the top three gainers on NSE, adding 2.71 per cent and 2.54 per cent, respectively. Maruti Suzuki India will report its quarterly results on Thursday. Meanwhile, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd fell the most on the bluechip index, tumbling over 6 per cent.

Sensex, Nifty eke out gains; Infosys recovers to end higher

Religious persecution and violence against women are some of the most <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistani-man-jailed-for-blasphemous-facebook-post-256785">salient features of Pakistan</a>, said Sindhi-American Human Rights activist Fatima Gul at the United States House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on `Human Rights in South Asia` here on Tuesday (local time).

"Religious persecution remains a salient feature of Pakistan. Hindus, Christians, Ahmedis, Shias, Balochs continued to be victimised by religious extremists who operate with the government impunity. Pakistan is the only country in the world that legislated against its own citizens," Gul informed the US House panel over incidents related to violence committed by Pakistan against the ethnic minorities in its own soil."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hindu-temples-houses-attacked-in-pakistan-after-alleged-blasphemy-by-a-school-principal-249918">Hindu temples, houses attacked in Pakistan after alleged blasphemy by a school principal</a>

Pakistan ranks as Sixth most dangerous country for women in regards to violence and rape.&nbsp;

According to Human Rights Watch, child sexual abuse remains disturbingly common in Pakistan. Around 141 cases have been reported just in Lahore in Punjab province of Pakistan.&nbsp;

In the first half of 2018, according to the police reports, more than 1,000 Hindu girls have been abducted and converted to Islam. Nearly, 33 per cent rise in child abuse cases have been witnessed in the country," the activist added.

Elaborating on more facts of victimising minorities in Pakistan, Gul said that on September 15 this year, religious extremists attacked temples, houses, schools, and Hindus in Ghotki town of Sindh province in Pakistan.&nbsp;

She said that the mob left chaos and terror across neighbourhoods as the attacks were carried out on the pretext that a Sindhi Hindu professor named Notan Lal had committed blasphemy. Despite a lack of evidence he was taken into police custody, she said.

"These attacks which lasted for over a week were completely blacked out by Pakistani media," Gul said while stressing on the seriousness of the human rights situation in Pakistan who is rather flagging baseless arguments over the atrocities in Kashmir.

The activist also noted that since the 1990s, some 70 people have been killed for blasphemy; around 40 people are currently serving life sentences while the others are facing death row.

She said based on eyewitnesses, Pakistani military supports terrorists who have carried out massacres of Hazaras- a community whose population today hardly reaches five million mostly concentrate in Quetta, Balochistan.

"For the last four years, Hazaras have been terrified to do even simple tasks like going to their jobs and sending their kids to schools," Gul noted.

In order to second her remarks, Gul also recalled that a bipartisan group of 10 influential American lawmakers in July this year had asked US President Donald Trump to raise the issue of human rights abuses in the Sindh province in his meeting with the visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Concluding her statement, the activist recommended that Pakistan should pass legislation that criminalises forced conversions of the young girls of whom a majority are minors.&nbsp;

"The country should allow journalists and other human rights organisations to take into account the full review of the human rights situation there," she added.

Meanwhile, responding to other panellists during the discussion over the human rights situation in Kashmir, senior Indian journalist from Kashmir, Aarti Tikoo Singh, outlined the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir and said, "The very assumption that I keep hearing in this panel is Kashmir is a `state`. But I want to correct that it is a `union territory` which is now divided into Jammu and Kashmir -- with a Hindu majority in Jammu and Muslim majority in the Valley."

The health care and other emergency services are all in place in Kashmir, noted the journalist while adding that this is not the first time when Kashmir is in lockdown.

"Back in 2016, Kashmir was put under lockdown by militants and separatists backed by Pakistan for at least six months. So, the hospitals and other necessary services in Kashmir are used to such contingencies and have functioned smoothly in previous lockdowns as well. So to say that this particular lockdown was different is wrong," Tikoo asserted.&nbsp;

Religious persecution and violence against women are some of the most salient features of Pakistan, said Sindhi-American Human Rights activist Fatima Gul at the United States House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on `Human Rights in South Asia` here on Tuesday (local time).

Religious persecution and violence against women are some of the most salient features of Pakistan, said Sindhi-American Human Rights activist Fatima Gul at the United States House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on `Human Rights in South Asia` here on Tuesday (local time). "Religious persecution remains a salient feature of Pakistan. Hindus, Christians, Ahmedis, Shias, Balochs continued to be victimised by religious extremists who operate with the government impunity. Pakistan is the only country in the world that legislated against its own citizens," Gul informed the US House panel over incidents related to violence committed by Pakistan against the ethnic minorities in its own soil." Also read: Hindu temples, houses attacked in Pakistan after alleged blasphemy by a school principal Pakistan ranks as Sixth most dangerous country for women in regards to violence and rape. According to Human Rights Watch, child sexual abuse remains disturbingly common in Pakistan. Around 141 cases have been reported just in Lahore in Punjab province of Pakistan. In the first half of 2018, according to the police reports, more than 1,000 Hindu girls have been abducted and converted to Islam. Nearly, 33 per cent rise in child abuse cases have been witnessed in the country," the activist added. Elaborating on more facts of victimising minorities in Pakistan, Gul said that on September 15 this year, religious extremists attacked temples, houses, schools, and Hindus in Ghotki town of Sindh province in Pakistan. She said that the mob left chaos and terror across neighbourhoods as the attacks were carried out on the pretext that a Sindhi Hindu professor named Notan Lal had committed blasphemy. Despite a lack of evidence he was taken into police custody, she said. "These attacks which lasted for over a week were completely blacked out by Pakistani media," Gul said while stressing on the seriousness of the human rights situation in Pakistan who is rather flagging baseless arguments over the atrocities in Kashmir. The activist also noted that since the 1990s, some 70 people have been killed for blasphemy; around 40 people are currently serving life sentences while the others are facing death row. She said based on eyewitnesses, Pakistani military supports terrorists who have carried out massacres of Hazaras- a community whose population today hardly reaches five million mostly concentrate in Quetta, Balochistan. "For the last four years, Hazaras have been terrified to do even simple tasks like going to their jobs and sending their kids to schools," Gul noted. In order to second her remarks, Gul also recalled that a bipartisan group of 10 influential American lawmakers in July this year had asked US President Donald Trump to raise the issue of human rights abuses in the Sindh province in his meeting with the visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Concluding her statement, the activist recommended that Pakistan should pass legislation that criminalises forced conversions of the young girls of whom a majority are minors. "The country should allow journalists and other human rights organisations to take into account the full review of the human rights situation there," she added. Meanwhile, responding to other panellists during the discussion over the human rights situation in Kashmir, senior Indian journalist from Kashmir, Aarti Tikoo Singh, outlined the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir and said, "The very assumption that I keep hearing in this panel is Kashmir is a `state`. But I want to correct that it is a `union territory` which is now divided into Jammu and Kashmir -- with a Hindu majority in Jammu and Muslim majority in the Valley." The health care and other emergency services are all in place in Kashmir, noted the journalist while adding that this is not the first time when Kashmir is in lockdown. "Back in 2016, Kashmir was put under lockdown by militants and separatists backed by Pakistan for at least six months. So, the hospitals and other necessary services in Kashmir are used to such contingencies and have functioned smoothly in previous lockdowns as well. So to say that this particular lockdown was different is wrong," Tikoo asserted.

Religious persecution, violence against women salient features of Pakistan: Sindhi-American activist

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing Kamlesh Tiwari murder case, on Tuesday said that the fourth accused Sayyed Asim Ali arrested from Nagpur was brought to Lucknow and was also interrogated here.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, the Uttar Pradesh Police had produced Ali in the murder case in a Nagpur court and obtained his transit remand, Maharashtra ATS had said.

In a press note, the SIT said that plenty of evidence related to the case have been collected and the statements of the accused have been recorded.

The SIT said that the evidence will be sent to the laboratory for examination. As of now, at least 200 people have been questioned in connection with the case, the SIT further said.&nbsp;

The SIT said that different teams are working to nab the two absconding suspects.

Yesterday, the Uttar Pradesh police also released the photographs of the two suspects Ashfaq and Moinuddin.

On Saturday, Maulana Mohsin Sheikh (24), Khurshid Ahmed Pathan (23) and Faizan (21) -- three accused -- were arrested from Surat by a joint team of the Gujarat Police and the Uttar Pradesh Police for allegedly murdering Tiwari.&nbsp;

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing Kamlesh Tiwari murder case, on Tuesday said that the fourth accused Sayyed Asim Ali arrested from Nagpur was brought to Lucknow and was also interrogated here.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing Kamlesh Tiwari murder case, on Tuesday said that the fourth accused Sayyed Asim Ali arrested from Nagpur was brought to Lucknow and was also interrogated here. On Tuesday, the Uttar Pradesh Police had produced Ali in the murder case in a Nagpur court and obtained his transit remand, Maharashtra ATS had said. In a press note, the SIT said that plenty of evidence related to the case have been collected and the statements of the accused have been recorded. The SIT said that the evidence will be sent to the laboratory for examination. As of now, at least 200 people have been questioned in connection with the case, the SIT further said. The SIT said that different teams are working to nab the two absconding suspects. Yesterday, the Uttar Pradesh police also released the photographs of the two suspects Ashfaq and Moinuddin. On Saturday, Maulana Mohsin Sheikh (24), Khurshid Ahmed Pathan (23) and Faizan (21) -- three accused -- were arrested from Surat by a joint team of the Gujarat Police and the Uttar Pradesh Police for allegedly murdering Tiwari.

Kamlesh Tiwari murder case: Accused arrested from Nagpur brought to Lucknow, says SIT

Doda police on Tuesday announced a bounty of Rs 15 lakh on heads of two most wanted militants of district Doda.

Police have asked the general public to provide information to security forces about these militants.

In this regard, two posters have been put up outside SBI main branch and ICICI branch in Doda town and these posters have become the talk of the town.

The two militants are -- Haroon Abbas Wani, an MBA-turned militant from Ghat village who had joined the militant ranks in September 2018, and Masood Ahmad from Manjmi area, who had joined militant ranks in June this year.

"Putting up of posters is part of the operation and since these militants have joined militant ranks, the process of getting hold of them or eliminating them has started," said a police officer.

A source said that it is for the first time that police has announced a bounty on the head of these militants.

The Doda district was declared free of militancy in 2011 but after that, last year Haroon joined the militant ranks. It has been more than a year since he became active. Security forces believe that Haroon is trying to recruit more youth into militant ranks and security forces want to stop it.&nbsp;

Doda police on Tuesday announced a bounty of Rs 15 lakh on heads of two most wanted militants of district Doda. Police have asked the general public to provide information to security forces about these militants.

Doda police on Tuesday announced a bounty of Rs 15 lakh on heads of two most wanted militants of district Doda. Police have asked the general public to provide information to security forces about these militants. In this regard, two posters have been put up outside SBI main branch and ICICI branch in Doda town and these posters have become the talk of the town. The two militants are -- Haroon Abbas Wani, an MBA-turned militant from Ghat village who had joined the militant ranks in September 2018, and Masood Ahmad from Manjmi area, who had joined militant ranks in June this year. "Putting up of posters is part of the operation and since these militants have joined militant ranks, the process of getting hold of them or eliminating them has started," said a police officer. A source said that it is for the first time that police has announced a bounty on the head of these militants. The Doda district was declared free of militancy in 2011 but after that, last year Haroon joined the militant ranks. It has been more than a year since he became active. Security forces believe that Haroon is trying to recruit more youth into militant ranks and security forces want to stop it.

J&K: Doda Police announces bounty of Rs 15 lakh on heads of two most wanted militants

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital on Tuesday and discussed various issues related to Andhra Pradesh, including the demand for granting special category status to the state, in a meeting which lasted close to 45 minutes.

Asserting that the bifurcation of the state had adversely affected industrial and service sectors in Andhra Pradesh, Reddy appealed to Shah to give special category status to the state in order for it to face the stiff competition it is facing from nearby Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru among others.&nbsp;

He emphasised that the special category status is needed for the development of the industries in Andhra.&nbsp;

Reddy also appealed to the Union Home Minister to direct the finance ministry for hasty clearance of the revenue deficit of Andhra Pradesh for the year 2014-15 which has been pending since long.

The demand for the construction of a steel plant at Kadapa district and seaport at Ramayapatnam in Prakasam district apart from providing funds for completion of the Visakhapatnam Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC) and Kakinada Petro Chemical Complex projects was made by the chief minister.&nbsp;

Apart from demanding money for backward districts, Reddy also requested the Home Minister`s nod for the revised estimates of Rs 55 thousand crore for the Polavaram project.&nbsp;

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital on Tuesday and discussed various issues related to Andhra Pradesh, including the demand for granting special category status to the state, in a meeting which lasted close to 45 minutes.

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital on Tuesday and discussed various issues related to Andhra Pradesh, including the demand for granting special category status to the state, in a meeting which lasted close to 45 minutes. Asserting that the bifurcation of the state had adversely affected industrial and service sectors in Andhra Pradesh, Reddy appealed to Shah to give special category status to the state in order for it to face the stiff competition it is facing from nearby Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru among others. He emphasised that the special category status is needed for the development of the industries in Andhra. Reddy also appealed to the Union Home Minister to direct the finance ministry for hasty clearance of the revenue deficit of Andhra Pradesh for the year 2014-15 which has been pending since long. The demand for the construction of a steel plant at Kadapa district and seaport at Ramayapatnam in Prakasam district apart from providing funds for completion of the Visakhapatnam Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC) and Kakinada Petro Chemical Complex projects was made by the chief minister. Apart from demanding money for backward districts, Reddy also requested the Home Minister`s nod for the revised estimates of Rs 55 thousand crore for the Polavaram project.

Delhi: Jagan Mohan Reddy meets Amit Shah, raises demand for special category status for Andhra Pradesh

Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) Chief, HD Deve Gowda on Tuesday stated that his party will be contesting alone in the upcoming election for local bodies in Karnataka.

Gowda while speaking to ANI said, "We are going to contest on our own. There is no question of any alliance with anybody in the coming local body elections in the state."

Further speaking on the Supreme Court`s hearing on the petition filed by 17 rebel Karnataka Congress-JD (S) MLAs, Gowda stated, "We are going to wait for Supreme Court`s verdict and if there will be elections for 15 constituencies, we are going to contest."

Gowda also asserted that as per the surveys conducted by various agencies, Shiv Sena and BJP alliance might get the majority.

"I am not going to bother about the election results of Haryana and Maharashtra but as per the survey conducted by various agencies, Congress and NCP may not get the majority and Shiv Sena and BJP might get the majority," said Gowda.

Gowda further mentioned about the damage caused across various parts of North Karnataka due to heavy rains.

"I know that severe damage has occurred in various parts of North Karnataka due to heavy rains so it is up to the state government to take all necessary steps. We can only demand the state government to take necessary measures. I have written two letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue," said Gowda.&nbsp;

Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) Chief, HD Deve Gowda on Tuesday stated that his party will be contesting alone in the upcoming election for local bodies in Karnataka.

Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) Chief, HD Deve Gowda on Tuesday stated that his party will be contesting alone in the upcoming election for local bodies in Karnataka. Gowda while speaking to ANI said, "We are going to contest on our own. There is no question of any alliance with anybody in the coming local body elections in the state." Further speaking on the Supreme Court`s hearing on the petition filed by 17 rebel Karnataka Congress-JD (S) MLAs, Gowda stated, "We are going to wait for Supreme Court`s verdict and if there will be elections for 15 constituencies, we are going to contest." Gowda also asserted that as per the surveys conducted by various agencies, Shiv Sena and BJP alliance might get the majority. "I am not going to bother about the election results of Haryana and Maharashtra but as per the survey conducted by various agencies, Congress and NCP may not get the majority and Shiv Sena and BJP might get the majority," said Gowda. Gowda further mentioned about the damage caused across various parts of North Karnataka due to heavy rains. "I know that severe damage has occurred in various parts of North Karnataka due to heavy rains so it is up to the state government to take all necessary steps. We can only demand the state government to take necessary measures. I have written two letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue," said Gowda.

We are going to contest on our own in local body elections, no question of alliance: Deve Gowda

Britain said Tuesday it was ending a nearly four-year suspension of flights to Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh that followed the bombing of a Russian airliner claimed by the Islamic State group.

"The UK has been clear that flights to Sharm el-Sheikh should resume when the security situation allows," British minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Andrew Murrison, said in a statement released by the embassy.

"I am pleased that today we can announce the lifting of the current restrictions."

Britain said Tuesday it was ending a nearly four-year suspension of flights to Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh that followed the bombing of a Russian airliner claimed by the Islamic State group.

Britain said Tuesday it was ending a nearly four-year suspension of flights to Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh that followed the bombing of a Russian airliner claimed by the Islamic State group. "The UK has been clear that flights to Sharm el-Sheikh should resume when the security situation allows," British minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Andrew Murrison, said in a statement released by the embassy. "I am pleased that today we can announce the lifting of the current restrictions."

UK lifts flight ban to Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh: Embassy

India's Axis Bank Ltd reported a surprise loss for the second quarter on Tuesday, hurt by a one-off tax expense of 21.38 billion rupees.

Net loss came in at 1.12 billion rupees&nbsp;for the three months to September&nbsp;30, compared with a profit of 7.90 billion rupees last year, the Mumbai-based private-sector lender said in a filing to the exchanges.

Nineteen analysts, on average, had expected a profit of 11.51 billion rupees, according to Refinitiv data.

Adjusted for the tax charge, Axis Bank would have reported a profit of 20.26 billion rupees for the quarter, up 157 per cent&nbsp;from a year ago, the bank said.

Gross bad loans as a percentage of total loans, a measure of asset quality, eased to 5.03 per cent&nbsp;by the end of September, compared with 5.25 per cent&nbsp;in the previous quarter, and 5.96 per cent&nbsp;during the same period last year.

India's Axis Bank Ltd reported a surprise loss for the second quarter on Tuesday, hurt by a one-off tax expense of 21.38 billion rupees. Net loss came in at 1.12 billion rupees for the three months to September 30, compared with a profit of 7.

India's Axis Bank Ltd reported a surprise loss for the second quarter on Tuesday, hurt by a one-off tax expense of 21.38 billion rupees. Net loss came in at 1.12 billion rupees for the three months to September 30, compared with a profit of 7.90 billion rupees last year, the Mumbai-based private-sector lender said in a filing to the exchanges. Nineteen analysts, on average, had expected a profit of 11.51 billion rupees, according to Refinitiv data. Adjusted for the tax charge, Axis Bank would have reported a profit of 20.26 billion rupees for the quarter, up 157 per cent from a year ago, the bank said. Gross bad loans as a percentage of total loans, a measure of asset quality, eased to 5.03 per cent by the end of September, compared with 5.25 per cent in the previous quarter, and 5.96 per cent during the same period last year.

Axis Bank posts surprise quarterly loss on tax charge

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Punitipandey

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