India

New Delhi, Apr 19: The provident fund withdrawal issue, which has been in the spotlight since the Union Budget in February, has found some support from the government. On Monday, the labour ministry curbed the planned restriction, and said withdrawal can be allowed for housing, major medical treatment for self and family members, medical, dental and engineering education of children, and for their

Hyderabad, Apr 19: A Dalit scholar in the English and Foreign Languages University (Eflu) has alleged that he was forcibly removed from the campus at the behest of the varsity’s proctor. Dalit research scholar Koonal Doogal, a native of Punjab, has filed a complaint against Prakash Kona Reddy, the proctor, here. Osmania University Police said Doogal alleged that he was prevented from entering the

New Delhi, Apr 19: The Supreme Court on Monday said it would not tolerate any gender discrimination in the name of religious custom and practices, as amicus curiae Raju Ramachandran submitted that restriction of a particular age group (women) to Sabarimala temple is a facile argument. "The gender equality is a constitutional message and any ban on entry of women in the temple cannot be claimed as

New Delhi, Apr 18: The Centre on Monday told the Supreme Court that India should not claim 'Kohinoor' diamond as it was neither stolen nor forcibly taken away. Solicitor General told the apex court 'Kohinoor' was handed over by Maharaja Ranjit Singh to the East India Company. Therefore, as per Culture ministry, it was neither stolen nor forcibly taken away. Subsequently, Chief Justice asked the

Ahmedabad, Apr 18: The state-wide bandh call given by the Patel community in Gujarat over the quota issue had little impact today except in for some pockets dominated by the community members in different cities of the state. The curfew imposed yesterday in Mehasana town was lifted this morning, where as the bandh call given by Sardar Patel Group after yesterday's violence in Mehasana town largely

Lucknow, Apr 18: Equating the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) with the Jinnah-led Muslim League, senior Congress leader and a permanent invitee to the Congress Working Committee Mohsina Kidwai on Sunday accused the RSS of spreading communal hatred and indulging in divisive politics. Addressing a meeting of party workers at the culmination of the Bhim Jyoti Yatra, Kidwai, who is also a Rajya

London/Washington, Apr 18: Beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya got a pay package of over Rs 1.7 crore last year from his US-based brewery firm that itself is struggling for funds. The firm has been served “default” notices by lenders.More than half of Mallya’s total package for 2015 has been paid by California-based Mendocino Brewing Company (MBC) Inc to him for “promoting” the company’s beer

Mehsana, Apr 17: A massive rally of the Patel community at Mehsana town in Gujarat demanding reservation and release of their jailed leaders today turned violent as police used lathicharge and fired teargas shells on the agitators who allegedly engaged in stone-pelting. Patel protesters had gathered at Modhera crossroad as part of the 'Jail Bharo' agitation announced by the Sardar Patel Group (SPG

Kolkata, Apr 17: Voting for 56 seats in the second phase of West Bengal Assembly polls began this morning amidst tight security. Over 1.2 crore electorate will decide the political fates of 383 candidates, including 33 women, in six north Bengal districts of Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda and Birbhum in south Bengal. In Birbhum district, a total seven

Hyderabad/chennai/Lucknow, Apr 16: Severe heat wave conditions prevailing in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have so far claimed over 150 lives in the past few days. Temperature ranging from 40 to 45 degrees, which is almost 5 degrees more than seasonal average, has affected normal life in almost all 10 districts in Telangana and 13 districts in AP. Hot weather along with severe dry winds have turned