SPECIAL

Jul132026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Kumaraswamy warns K’taka govt, police as farmers resist Bidadi survey

Bengaluru, July 13 (IANS) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday warned the Karnataka government and the police against what he termed the "misuse" of law enforcement to suppress the ongoing agitation against the proposed Bidadi Township project, even as government officials faced stiff resistance from farmers and women protesters during a land survey attempt in Mandalahalli village of Bidadi taluk.The incident occurred when officials arrived to conduct a Joint Measurement Survey (JMC), a preliminary step in the proposed land acquisition process. Farmers, who have been protesting the township project for nearly 500 days, refused to allow the survey and alleged that the government had suddenly initiated the exercise despite sustained opposition.As officia...

Jul132026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

India’s headline CPI inflation in line with forecast, monsoon progress is key: Economists

INDIA, SPECIAL, TOP STORIES

New Delhi, July 13 (IANS) Economists on Monday said India's headline CPI inflation at 4.38 per cent for June is in line with their forecast, adding that over the next two quarters, inflation is likely to remain range bound at 4-4.5 per cent, with food as the key swing factor amid uneven monsoon progress and El Nino-linked rainfall variability.The commodities that posted the highest inflation during the month were silver jewellery which saw a 133.21 per cent jump in prices and gold jewellery which clocked a 36.82 per cent increase in prices. Overall food inflation in June stood at 5.32 per cent.According to Madan Sabnavis, Chief Economist, Bank of Baroda, in the non-food category, the pass-through of higher crude oil prices to retail fuel prices contributed to higher transport inflation at ...

Jul132026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Rural Government School in Bijoor-Udupi Goes Digital with New Computer Lab

INDIA, SPECIAL, STATE'S

Udupi: After transforming the lives of dozens of underprivileged families through housing initiatives, businessman and philanthropist Dr. Govinda Babu Poojary has turned his attention to education by establishing a state-of-the-art computer laboratory at a government school in Karnataka's Udupi district.The new computer lab, set up at the Bijoor Government Higher Primary School near Byndoor, has been developed in collaboration with Microsoft Corporation India and the Uppunda Varalakshmi Charitable Trust. The initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and provide students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds access to modern technology and digital learning.The facility was inaugurated on Saturday by Byndoor MLA Gururaj Gantihole, who lauded the initiative as a si...

Jul132026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Banks expect NRI fund inflows to accelerate further amid FM Sitharaman’s call to intensify outreach

INDIA, SPECIAL, TOP STORIES

New Delhi, July 13 (IANS) The chiefs of public sector banks (PSBs) and financial institutions informed Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday that there was a strong response from NRIs to the higher interests rates and incentives that have been announced across foreign currency non-resident bank deposits FCNR (B) deposits, External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) and Overseas Foreign Currency Borrowings (OFCBs) swap initiatives.The banks expect funds flowing in from NRIs to pick up further momentum as they have stepped up their outreach to the Indian diaspora. The Finance Minister called upon banks to further intensify their outreach to the NRI diaspora, introduce innovative deposit products and sustain the momentum of mobilisation during the remaining period of the schemes.The managi...

Jul132026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Govt has hijacked SIR process, cancel Permanent Resident Certificates: Karnataka BJP

INDIA, SPECIAL, STATE'S, TOP STORIES

Chamarajanagar (Karnataka), July 13 (IANS) Senior BJP leader R. Ashoka, on Monday alleged that the Karnataka government was hijacking the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process by issuing Permanent Resident Certificates."This is endangering the country's security, and this process should be stopped immediately," Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, R. Ashoka claimed.Speaking at a press conference, he said that the SIR process is meant to give voting rights only to Indian citizens and alleged that the state government was hijacking the SIR process."Even after so many years since Independence, they are now issuing Permanent Resident Certificates. One has to ask — were all of us living here insecurely until now? There are approximately 2 crore Bangladeshi citizens in the country. If ...

Apr122026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Inter-state drug syndicate busted in Delhi, 6 held with ganja

INDIA, SPECIAL, TOP STORIES

New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) In a major crackdown on illicit substances, the Anti-Narcotics Squad (ANS) of Delhi's East District Police has busted an inter-state drug syndicate operating between Delhi-NCR and Bihar, arresting six traffickers and recovering 58.7 kg of ganja along with Rs 5.31 lakh in cash, officials said on Sunday.According to police, two accused were apprehended earlier in the case, while four others were arrested during subsequent investigation, leading to the identification of key suppliers and distribution links across states.The case pertains to FIR No. 90/2026 registered on April 2 at Pandav Nagar police station under relevant sections of the NDPS Act. Initially, two accused — Nadeem and Monu alias Abhishek, both residents of Delhi — were arrested with 45.760 kg of ganj...

Apr122026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

PM Modi captures bustling excitement at Siliguri rally, says ‘BJP in hearts and minds of people’

INDIA, SPECIAL, STATE'S, TOP STORIES

Siliguri, April 12 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a video on Sunday from his rally in West Bengal's Siliguri, showcasing the large and enthusiastic crowd chanting "Modi Modi," cheering loudly, and waving BJP flags.In the video, the Prime Minister can be seen capturing the lively atmosphere with his phone, smiling as he waves back to the massive gathering.Sharing the video on Instagram, PM Modi wrote, "To see the mood in West Bengal, come to Siliguri. There's only one party in the hearts and minds of the people -- BJP!"A large crowd gathered at the rally venue in Siliguri to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister and listen to his address. The attendees expressed their happiness and enthusiasm about meeting him. Chants of "Modi, Modi" and "BJP Zindabad" echoed throughout the cr...

Apr122026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

IndianOil conducts over 10,600 inspections, takes strict action against erring persons

INDIA, SPECIAL, STATE'S, TOP STORIES

New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) The Indian Oil Corporation has conducted over 10,600 inspections, and strict actions have been taken against erring persons and agencies, including show-cause notices and suspensions, it said in a statement.Additionally, in coordination with state governments, over 1.2 lakh raids and more than 990 FIRs have been done nationwide, across the industry to safeguard fair distribution, IndianOil said in a post on X. “Indane distributorships remain under continuous surveillance to uphold service standards and ensure LPG reaches every genuine customer,” it added.IndianOil said it is prioritising LPG supplies for domestic consumers, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and uninterrupted distribution across the country.Strict monitoring and enforcement measures are in place ...

Mar92026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

India processing Russian oil is pragmatic decision: US

SOUTH ASIA, SPECIAL, TOP STORIES, WORLD

Washington, March 9 (IANS) Indian refineries processing Russian crude was a "pragmatic decision" taken to stabilise global energy markets and speed up supplies in Asia, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said. Speaking on Fox News on Sunday (local time), Wright said the policy does not represent any shift in Washington's sanctions stance toward Moscow but reflects the realities of oil supply chains in Asia amid geopolitical disruption."Russia's oil remains sanctioned. There's no change in policy towards Russia," Wright asserted.He explained that large volumes of Russian crude were currently stranded in Asian waters as supply routes adjusted to sanctions and market shifts."But there's just a lot of tankers stacked up," Wright said. "China doesn't treat its discount gas station suppliers very ...

Mar92026 by TheStateLineNo Comments

Trump’s war strategy criticised by former NSA, says goals remain unclear

SOUTH ASIA, SPECIAL, TOP STORIES, WORLD

Washington, March 9 (IANS) Former US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that the Trump administration’s war with Iran risks drifting without a clear strategic objective, even as American military operations demonstrate significant tactical success.Speaking on CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS, Sullivan said the US military’s operational performance had been “remarkable” but questioned the clarity of the war’s ultimate goals.“On the encouraging side, the US military is just simply remarkable,” Sullivan said. “It's remarkable at being able to achieve tactical objectives, to execute operations with skill, professionalism, and courage.”But he cautioned that the strategic purpose of the war remains unclear.“The discouraging part is we are asking the US military to put itself in harm's way, and...