India

NEW DELHI, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government has ordered extending the ongoing suspension of Internet services for two days at the borders around the national capital New Delhi amid farmers' protests, officials said Monday.

According to officials, the Internet services have been suspended in areas of Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri, the epicenters where thousands of farmers have been occupying roads for over two months in protest over the federal government's controversial three farm laws.

Unnao (UP), Feb 1 (PTI) A teenager has been booked for alleged rape in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district after a 15-year-old girl gave birth to a child, police said on Monday.

According to a complaint by the girl's grandfather, the boy, who lives in the neighbourhood, allegedly raped the girl when she was alone in the House. The complainant said he did not lodge an FIR earlier due to social stigma.

The boy, around 16 years old, was held on Friday by the police and produced before the Juvenile Justice Board and sent to a juvenile home, an officer said.

New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) The government on Monday said definition of small companies will be revised by raising capital base to Rs 2 crore from the current limit of Rs 50 lakh.

In the Union Budget for 2021-22, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed setting up of investor charter across financial products.

She said an asset reconstruction and management company will be set up for stressed assets of banks, while also stating that the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) framework will be strengthened.

New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said the government will borrow about Rs 12 lakh crore in 2021-22.

Presenting the Union Budget for 2021-22, she said expenditure for the next fiscal year has been pegged at Rs 34.83 lakh crore, which includes Rs 5.54 lakh crore of capital spending.

Sitharaman also said states will get 41 per cent share of taxes as per the 15th Finance Commission recommendation and the government has accepted the recommendation.

Amroha (UP), Jan 1 (PTI) A police woman was allegedly shot dead here by another constable who is said to be a jilted lover, according to police.

The woman was shot on Sunday evening by Manoj who was posted at Syed Nagli. She died at a hospital late in the night, Gajraula police station incharge Ram Prasad Sharma said.

The condition of Manoj who also shot himself is stable. He apparently took the step after his feelings towards her were not reciprocated. A murder case has been registered and he is under police custody in hospital, the officer said.

New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) Following are the highlights of the 2021-22 Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament on Monday:

Fiscal position and health outlay:

* Spending on healthcare hiked by 137 pc to over Rs 2.23 lakh crore

* Rs 35,000 cr outlay for COVID vaccine in fiscal beginning April 1

* Today India has 2 vaccines available, 2 more vaccines are expected soon

* Sharp increase in capital expenditure for next fiscal to Rs 5.54 lakh cr, up from Rs 4.39 lakh cr of last fiscal

New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) The TMC lashed out at the Centre over the Union Budget on Monday, saying it was 100 per cent "visionless" and its theme was "sell India."

The remarks came after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman read out the Union Budget speech in the Lok Sabha.

"India's first paperless budget is also a 100% visionless budget. Theme of the fake budget is Sell India!" TMC spokesperson Derek O'Brien said. "Railways: sold, Airports: sold, Ports: sold, Insurance: sold PSUs: 23 sold!"

New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) The defence budget, including outlay for payment of pensions, was increased to Rs 4.78 lakh crore for 2021-22 as against last year's Rs 4.71 lakh crore.

Excluding the pension outgo, the allocation in the Union Budget for the armed forces stands at Rs 3.62 lakh crore.

Kolkata, Jan 31 (PTI) The Citizens Commission on Elections (CCE), a civil society group of retired judges, former civil servants and activists, has called upon the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure foolproof counting of votes.

The CCE released its first report on making proper and effective tamper-proof use of EVMs at the Kolkata Press Club on Saturday.

"With elections in the offing, voters confidence in the electoral process needs to be secured and EVM voting should abide by principles of democracy.

New Delhi, Jan 31 (PTI) Media bodies on Sunday condemned the police action against two journalists who were picked up during the farmers' protests at Delhi's Singhu border for allegedly misbehaving with police personnel.

They said such crackdowns impinge on the media's right to report freely and interferes with its right to freedom of expression.

Freelance journalist Mandeep Punia and Dharmender Singh (with Online News India) were detained by Delhi Police last evening for allegedly misbehaving with personnel on duty.