Author: TheStateLine

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 10 (IANS) The Kerala government, on Wednesday, issued a new directive requiring that Ministers be addressed as "Bahumanapetta" (Honourable) in all official responses to complaints and applications, officials said. The Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department released the circular on August 30, making it mandatory for Ministers' names to be prefixed with the honorific even in communications arising from grievance redressal.The circular, signed by an Under Secretary, has been forwarded to all government departments, district collectors, and heads of offices with instructions to ensure compliance.Officials replying to complaints or applications received by Ministers must also strictly follow the rule, it said.The move has triggered sharp criticism, with question...

Kolkata, Sep 10 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday directed the state administration to immediately arrange Aadhaar cards for those lacking the documentary identity evidence. She gave the direction considering the Supreme Court's recent directive to include AADHAAR as documentary identity evidence in case of the special intensive revision (SIR) throughout the country.The SIR of electoral rolls has already been completed in Bihar, which is going to the polls this year."I am asking the district magistrates to take special initiative in the matter so that AADHAAR cards can be arranged immediately for those who are yet to arrange the same for themselves," while addressing an administrative meeting at Jalpaiguri district.Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister a...

Hazaribagh, Sep 10 (IANS) The Hazaribagh Police arrested three members of a criminal gang on Wednesday while they were preparing to loot a petrol pump, officials said.Weapons, cartridges, mobile phones, and a part of the previously looted money were recovered from their possession.According to police, Superintendent of Police (SP) Manoj Ratan Chothe had received intelligence inputs about the gang’s plan to target a petrol pump in the town.Acting swiftly, a special team was formed under the Sadar Sub-Divisional Police Officer. The team launched a vehicle checking operation near the Mazar on Mission Road.During the drive, police intercepted an Activa scooter without a number plate. On spotting the police, the two riders tried to flee but were overpowered. A search led to the recovery of a 7....

Raebareli, Sep 10 (IANS) Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday mounted fresh attack on the BJP during his two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Raebareli. He alleged that BJP leaders are "disturbed and panicked" following the exposure of what he described as large-scale "vote theft" in recent elections.Addressing supporters, Gandhi said the Congress slogan "Vote chor, gaddi chhod" (vote thieves, give up power) is resonating across the country."The truth of vote theft has now come to light. BJP leaders are rattled, and in the days to come, this will be proved even more dramatically through Congress protests," he said.Speaking at a conference of the Prajapati Samaj, Gandhi also targeted the RSS and the BJP on issues of caste and representation."Ninety pe...

New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Independent Charge), Dr Jitendra Singh, chaired the 14th Pension Adalat at Vigyan Bhawan here on Wednesday, which took up for redressal as many as 894 long-pending grievances relating to family pension matters from 21 Departments and Ministries.Singh lauded the initiative for its unique “whole of government approach” by bringing together all the concerned Departments, ministries, and agencies on one platform.He highlighted that the Adalat has expedited grievance redressal and reduced procedural delays. It has provided timely justice to pensioners who had been waiting for their rightful dues for years. It has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to pensioners, recognising them not just as benef...

Ahmedabad, Sep 10 (IANS) In light of the ongoing unrest and violent incidents reported from Kathmandu and other parts of Nepal, the Ahmedabad district administration, on Wednesday, announced a dedicated helpline for citizens, officials said. Officials have urged that if any residents of Ahmedabad district are currently in Nepal, or if their family members are aware of such travel, they should immediately inform the administration through the helpline number 079-27560511.The advisory also noted that Indian nationals stranded or residing in Kathmandu may directly contact the Indian Embassy in Nepal for assistance.The Embassy has set up dedicated helplines at +977-9808602881 and +977-9810326134.Additionally, support is available at the State Disaster Management Centre in Gandhinagar through ...

New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday expressed its appreciation for the smooth and orderly conduct of the 17th Vice Presidential election, held in the Parliament House, and praised the coordinated efforts of officials, security forces and observers involved in the exercise.In a statement, the Commission noted that the poll for electing the 15th Vice President of India was held as scheduled on September 9, 2025, in Room No. F-101, Vasudha, First Floor, Parliament House, New Delhi.Out of 781 eligible electors, 767 exercised their franchise. Of these, 15 ballot papers were declared invalid during counting.The Returning Officer for the election, Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha, declared NDA nominee and Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan elected...