Indian Sub-continent

SRINAGAR, India (Reuters) - Shops and offices were shut in Indian Kashmir on Thursday and the streets largely deserted as federal authorities formally revoked the restive state’s constitutional autonomy and split it into two federal territories.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision in August to change Kashmir’s status and tighten its grip over a region has stoked anger and resentment while a three-decade armed revolt rages.

New Delhi, October 30; GANASHAKTI: The CPI (M) Delhi State Committee welcomes the announcement of the AAP Government fixing monthly minimum wage of unskilled workers at Rs. 14,842. It also welcomes enhancement in wages of semi-skilled and skilled workers.

This is the result of prolonged struggles by the Left trade unions and workers of Delhi as well as the successful legal fight waged by them in the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court. The CPI (M) heartily congratulates the workers of Delhi for this victory. 

Srinagar, Oct 31 (PTI) Kashmir observed a shutdown on Thursday as two Union territories carved out of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir came into existence, with some valley residents accusing the government of robbing them of their special status and identity.

While the National Conference termed the move as "unconstitutional", the BJP welcomed the move, saying it will usher in peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Normal life remained affected across the Kashmir valley as a complete shutdown was observed, officials said.

New Delhi, Oct 31 (PTI) The government is not considering any gold amnesty scheme as part of efforts to unearth unaccounted wealth stashed in the form of yellow metal, official sources said on Thursday.

The clarification comes amidst media report indicating the government move to launch amnesty scheme that will allow individuals and entities to declare their unaccounted gold holding without risk of being prosecuted.

There is no such gold amnesty scheme under consideration of Income Tax Department as being reported in media, the sources said.

Allahabad, Oct 30 (PTI) The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday fixed November 8 to hear the bail plea of former Union minister and BJP leader Swami Chinmayanand, arrested in a case of sexual exploitation of a law student from Saharanpur.

A bench of Justice Rahul Chaturvedi slated November 8 for hearing Chinmayanand bail plea after it came up for hearing before it.

The bench asked the prosecution to file its reply to the bail plea by November 4 and the defence counsel to file his counter reply by November 7.

New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) Opposition parties on Wednesday stepped up their attack against the government over EU MPs' Kashmir trip with the Congress describing it as the "biggest diplomatic blunder" and others asking the Centre how these foreign lawmakers were allowed to visit the Valley while Indian leaders were denied permission.

Banda (UP), Oct 30 (PTI) A nine-year-old girl, who was alone at home, was allegedly raped by a man in Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur district, police said on Wednesday.

The girl was alone at her house as her family members had gone to work in the agricultural fields when the 20-year-old accused, a resident of the same village, took her to a place falling under Khaga Kotwali police station area and allegedly raped her on Tuesday evening, they said.

Later, when the family members went to the accused's house to confront him, they were manhandled and beaten up, police said.

New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) Air India is looking to raise USD 819 million (over Rs 5,800 crore) to refinance existing bridge loans availed for six Boeing 787 and one Boeing 777 aircraft.

The national carrier is yet to have long term financing facility for six B787 and B777-300ER, according to a tender document.

Bids have been invited from banks, financial institutions for refinancing existing bridge loan facility worth USD 819 million.

At current exchange rate, the amount will be more than Rs 5,800 crore.

Mumbai, Oct 30 (PTI) Depositors of the PMC Bank on Wednesday protested in the financial capital, seeking an immediate payback of their dues from the troubled cooperative.

The protest, which came a day after a similar agitation, also exposed cracks within the depositors, where two groups of leaders seem to have emerged.

The Wednesday's protest at the Azad Maidan, the designated protest ground in the financial capital saw the presence of Congress leader and the party's spokesperson Charan Singh Sapra.

Mumbai, Oct 30 (PTI) An Uzbek woman, who was allegedly raped by a police officer, met senior officials on Wednesday seeking action against the accused.

Alleging that the Chembur police were favouring the accused inspector Bhanudas Jadhav, the victim also demanded that the probe be handed over to the crime branch.

"The victim and her lawyer met Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) and others at the Police Commissioner Office in South Mumbai," an official said.