India

New Delhi, Jan 31 (PTI) Indian economy contracted by 6.6 per cent in 2020-21 as against the earlier estimate of 7.3 per cent decline, showing that the COVID-19 pandemic hit economy did not perform as badly as was initially worked out.

As per the provisional estimates released in May 2021, the GDP had contracted by 7.3 per cent during 2020-21 on account of the outbreak of COVID-19 and subsequent nationwide lockdown to contain the pandemic.

New Delhi, Jan 31 (PTI) India and Russia on Monday agreed to deepen cooperation at the UN Security Council after the two sides held wide-ranging talks on issues before the global body.

Russia is set to assume the presidency of the UN Security Council in February.

The two sides held bilateral consultations on UN-related issues at a meeting in Delhi, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Indore, Jan 31 (PTI) Activists of the Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha were booked on Monday for raising slogans in support of Gandhiji's assassin Nathuram Godse a day earlier on the death anniversary of the Mahatma, which is observed nationwide as Martyrs Day.

These activists had gathered at Veer Savarkar Square despite prohibitory orders banning such gatherings without permission being in place, said Tukoganj police station in charge Kamlesh Sharma.

They have been charged under section 188 of IPC for showing disobedience to order issued by authorities.

Mangaluru, Feb 1 (PTI) A student of the girl's pre-university college in Udupi district has moved the Karnataka High Court with a prayer to allow the right to wear a hijab' (headscarf) inside the classroom.

The writ petition was filed on behalf of the student Resham Farooq, represented by her brother Mubarak Farooq.

The petitioner states that the students' right to wear a hijab is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 14 and 25 of the Constitution and is an essential practice of Islam.

New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday approved the Budget 2022-23, sources said.

The Budget will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a short while from now in the Lok Sabha.

The Budget documents usually include the finance minister's speech in Parliament, highlights, annual financial statement, finance bill containing tax proposals, memorandum explaining the provisions in the financial bill, and macroeconomic framework statement.

New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) The government is committed to reduce imports and promote self-reliance in the defence sector, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday.

She said that 68 per cent of capital for the defence sector would be earmarked for the local industry.

Sitharaman also said that 5 per cent of Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund would be provided for R&D and technology upgradation.

New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) The Congress on Tuesday accused Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Prime Minister Minister Narendra Modi of betraying the country's salaried and middle classes by not announcing any relief measures for them in the Union Budget.

Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the salaried and the middle classes have been affected due to pay cuts and high inflation.

New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday questioned the government on the purpose of Union Budget 2022 and asked why the wealthy have not been taxed further.

The budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, does not tinker with personal income tax rates. It also does not raise standard deduction, which was widely anticipated in view of elevated inflation levels and impact of the pandemic on the middle class.

New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) Belying expectations, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman did not tinker with the personal income tax rates in the Budget for 2022-23.

The minister also did not raise standard deduction, which was widely anticipated in view of elevated inflation levels and impact of the pandemic on the middle class.

The standard deduction currently stands at Rs 50,000.

There was no change income tax slabs in the personal income tax category in the Budget unveiled on Tuesday.

Kanpur: As many as six people were killed and many others injured after an electric bus mowed down several bystanders.

The bus after losing its control, near Tat Mill crossroad here on Sunday lost its direction.

According to available news reports, police said that a group of 15 people were present at the site when the fateful incident came up.

The health condition of the injured people in the accident, reported happened at around 11:30 pm, is said to be serious, according to the news.