Indian Sub-continent

Mumbai, Dec 5 (PTI) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Wednesday expectedly kept interest rates unchanged but held out a promise to cut them if the upside risks to the inflation do not materialise.

It also coaxed banks to lend more in order to support the slowing economy.

With all the six member of the monetary policy committee (MPC) voting for a hold on rates, the RBI kept benchmark repurchase (repo) rate at 6.5 per cent.

Having raised rates twice this year, the central bank retained its 'calibrated tightening' policy stance.

Raipur (CG), Dec 5 (PTI) A contractor engaged in mining-related work was killed by Naxals who slit his throat Wednesday before torching his SUV in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, the police said.

The incident occurred at around 11 AM near Kamaloor railway station under Bhansi police station limits, around 450 kms from here, Dantewada superintendent of police Abhishek Pallava told PTI.

The officer said the deceased Ganesh Naidu was engaged by Jindal company for carrying out a prospective survey work for iron ore mining in Pandewar area near Kamaloor.

Kannur, Dec 5 (PTI) Five people have been arrested in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old school girl by several people over different days at various places in Kannur district after enticing her through social media, the police said Wednesday.

The tenth standard girl was taken to a lodge at Parasinikadavu, a temple town on the banks of Valapattnam river in the district and allegedly sexually assaulted by four of the accused on November 19.

New Delhi, Dec 5 (PTI) The Election Commission Wednesday ordered the removal of returning officer of Khurai assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh after some electronic voting machines and paper trail machines reached the strong room 48 hours after the elections were held.

These machines were meant as reserves and were not used in polling.

Assistant returning officer of Khurai Rajesh Mehra has already been placed under suspension.

New Delhi, Dec 5 (PTI) A six-year-old girl was reportedly sexually assaulted by a relative at her house in outer Delhi's Karan Vihar, police said Wednesday.

The incident took place on Tuesday, they said.

The victim was sexually assaulted when her parents were out for work. When her parents returned home, the minor girl narrated the incident to her mother following which they approached the police, a senior police officer said.

New Delhi, Dec 5 (PTI) India is the fourth highest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world, accounting for 7 per cent of global emissions in 2017, a study said Wednesday.

The top four emitters in 2017, which covered 58 per cent of global emissions, were China (27 per cent), the US (15 per cent), the European Union (10 per cent) and India (7 per cent), according to the projection by the Global Carbon Project.

The rest of the world contributed 41 per cent last year, it said.

KANPUR: In pursuance of the directives the common effluent treatment plant in Jajmau has been repaired, which has now got approval from a two-member panel.

KANPUR: A joint team of the RPF and the GRP caught four thieves of an inter-state gang at Central station outer area on Monday late night. On Tuesday they were sent to jail.

Cash, jewellery and mobile have been recovered from their possession.

It was learnt that they had been involved in theft cases in other states.GRP inspector told that two golden pendants, mobiles and intoxicating powder were recovered. 

KANPUR: In his inspection, the divisional commissioner Subhash Chandra Sharma noticed the below standard work in ongoing construction work at Boat Club near Ganga Barrage here. Taking strong cognizance of the matter, he apprised the KDA secretary of this irregularity.

In view of the seriousness of this complaint, the KDA secretary KP Singh asked the IIT Kanpur to initiate an enquiry into the use of the sub-standard materials.

Lucknow, Dec 4 (PTI): A leader of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) was stabbed to death allegedly by some unidentified persons in Mahanagar area here, police said Tuesday.

Pratyush Mani Tripahti (40) was stabbed to death on Monday night near Badshahnagar, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kalanidhi Naithi said.

Tripathi was rushed to the trauma centre of King George's Medical University (KGMU), where he was declared brought dead by doctors.

An FIR was registered in the matter and a probe was underway, the SSP said.