India

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — An alliance of political parties opposed to India’s policies in Kashmir has won a majority of seats in local elections, the first since New Delhi revoked the disputed region’s semiautonomous status and took direct control last year.

The alliance, which is pro-India but favors self-governance in Kashmir, won 112 out of a total of 280 seats in District Development Council elections, which were held in a staggered eight-phase process from Nov. 28 through Dec. 19.

New Delhi, Dec 22 (PTI) Social commerce in the country is poised to touch up to USD 7 billion (around Rs 51,703 cr) in GMV by 2025 as the number of online shoppers - especially from tier II cities and beyond - continues to rise, a report by RedSeer Consulting said on Tuesday.

Social commerce refers to e-commerce transactions where buyers and sellers have more direct connection with each other before concluding a purchase, compared to a traditional e-commerce where buyers are choosing by searching or browsing from a digital catalogue.

New Delhi, Dec 22 (PTI) Protesting farmer unions on Tuesday said that a decision on the central government's offer for fresh talks has been deferred to Wednesday, even as they remained adamant on the demand to repeal the three farm laws.

Addressing a press conference at Delhi's Singhu Border, farmer leader Kulwant Singh Sandhu said that 32 farmer unions from Punjab held a meeting and discussed the next course of action.

New Delhi, Dec 22 (PTI) Asserting that the new farm reform laws will herald a new era in Indian farming, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Tuesday said the government is still willing to continue talks with protesting unions on all contentious issues.

The minister said the agriculture sector is the backbone of the Indian economy and the Narendra Modi government is focusing on doubling farmer's income by 2022.

New Delhi, Dec 22 (PTI) India stopping flights to and from Britain after a new strain of COVID-19 with high transmissibility was reported in the UK has upset plans of many who were to come back home before the New Year or return to universities there for pending research work.

The flight suspension till the end of this year was announced on Monday in view of detection of a new rapid-spreading strain of the coronavirus in parts of England. Besides India, other countries like Canada have also stopped flights from the UK.

New Delhi, Dec 22 (PTI) "Swad aa gaya, jinde raho" (I really like it, god bless you), murmured 65-year-old farmer Ranjit Singh as he received a champi (head massage) at a makeshift parlour set up at the anti-farm laws protest site at Singhu border.

Reclined on a chair and soaking in the winter sun, the farmer, who is part of the ongoing protests at the national capital's border points against the three agri laws, said a champi (traditional Indian head massage with oil) helps in keeping a cool head .

Mumbai, Dec 22 (PTI) The Maharashtra government has decided to provide financial assistance to innovative startups which wish to file for patents, state Minister Nawab Malik said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference here, the Skill Development, Employment and Entrepreneurship Minister said in the first phase of the scheme, 125 to 150 startups will be supported with financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

Mumbai, Dec 23 (PTI) The Maharashtra government has allowed water sports as well as activities like boating and entertainment/amusement parks to resume as part of phase-wise easing of lockdown restrictions in the state.

A government circular, dated December 21, said all norms of social distancing and precautions to check the spread of COVID-19 will have to be followed during these activities.

It said water sports and other activities like boating will be allowed outside the COVID-19 containment zones.

Contai (WB), Dec 23 (PTI) Several persons were injured in a clash between Trinamool Congress and BJP activists at Ramnagar in West Bengal Wednesday ahead of TMC's rally in Contai, the stronghold of Suvendu Adhikari who joined the saffron party recently.

Police said the clash broke out when a procession by BJP activists was passing near a TMC party office on Ramnagar Road in Purba Medinipur district.

Several persons were injured in the clash, which took place when one group attacked another and the subsequent retaliation, police said.

Ballia (UP), Dec 23 (PTI) An 18-year-old statue of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar was found damaged on Wednesday in Sikanderpur area of the district, police said.

The hand of the statue installed in Sikiya village park was found broken this morning, Sikandarpur SHO Balendu Bhushan Mishra said.

The statue was installed over 18 years ago, he said, adding it would be repaired.

The situation in the village is under control and a probe is on in the matter, he said.