Author: TheStateLine

New Delhi, July 4 (IANS) Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, said on Friday that self-reliance in electricity is crucial for a self-reliant India and solar energy is playing a significant role in this.The minister highlighted that in accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, Indian Oil Corp Ltd has expanded this strength of India by fully solarizing its over 36,000 retail outlets, where most operations are powered by solar energy.This commendable effort not only saves on electricity bills but also makes an invaluable contribution to building a 'Green India,' the minister observed in a post on X social media platform.He said, “New India is moving forward on the mantra of complementary aspects of Economy and Environment. Whether it's the roof of a home, an...

New Delhi, July 4 (IANS) The demand in the Indian cement sector is expected to rebound to 7-8 per cent in FY26 and to grow by 6 per cent CAGR over FY26-29 on structural factors, a report showed on Friday.While prices have recovered sharply YTD (year to date) across regions and have been resilient despite early monsoons, price stability at the current levels is key to FY26 profitability, said the report by BNP Paribas India.“At the same time, we expect pricing power to improve, driven by industry players increasingly prioritising profitability and continued industry consolidation,” said Nirransh Jain, India analyst-consumer durables.India’s cement sector has grown to be the world’s second largest, by production, but scale does not change its inherent cyclicality.Although recent years have b...

Prayagraj, July 4 (IANS) The Allahabad High Court on Friday rejected a plea seeking to declare the Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura as a disputed structure in the ongoing case related to the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah complex.The petition was filed by Mahendra Pratap Singh, President of the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Nyas.The matter was heard by Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra, who had reserved the verdict after hearing arguments from both sides. The judgment was then delivered as scheduled on Friday.According to the petitioner, the site where the Shahi Idgah mosque currently stands was originally the location of a Hindu temple.He claimed that the mosque structure bears symbols of Hindu deities on its walls and argued that the Muslim side has not provided any documentary eviden...

New Delhi, July 4 (IANS) Two sharpshooters of a gang headed by UK-based don Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu and Vanktesh Garg were arrested from the Rohini area on Friday after an encounter during which the criminals fired at least five rounds at investigators, a Delhi Police official said.The two accused Sombir alias Chinu and Vijay were overpowered after the accused sustained gun-shot injuries in their legs in the exchange of fire near Sector-34, Rohini, close to Munak Canal, said the policeTwo country-made pistols, seven live cartridges, one misfired round and four fired cartridges were seized after the operation conducted by a team of the Crime Branch, NR-I, under the supervision of DCP Harsh Indora.“On the basis of credible input regarding the movement of two, the team laid a strategic trap...

Thiruvananthapuram, July 4 (IANS) At a time when the Kerala healthcare sector is being projected as one of the leading states in the country by the ruling Left government, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is scheduled to leave for the US as part of his medical treatment and follow-up.He will be on a week-long trip, flying first to Dubai and then to the US.But his departure comes at a time when the heat is on the state Health Minister, Veena George, with the Congress and the BJP demanding her immediate resignation after her "failure" in multiple events that took place in the past few days.Incidentally, social media is flush with activity after CM Vijayan slammed Urologist Dr Harris Chirackal, who exposed the serious shortage of equipment and medical supplies in the Thiruvananthapuram Medical...