Press Trust of India

Emphasising on the need for regaining the growth momentum, a business chamber has urged the central government to bring down the corporate tax rate to the global average of 25 percent and remove levies like surcharge and education cess to generate more investible surplus with the corporates.

In a meeting with senior union finance ministry officials ahead of the central budget, a delegation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Kolkata, also strongly objected to the proposed GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rule) rules.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Wednesday issued notice to the Himachal Pradesh government over the drowning of 24 students in the Beas river.

“The National Human Rights Commission issued notices to the chief secretary, Government of Himachal Pradesh and to the deputy commissioner, Mandi, calling for a report in the matter within two weeks,” a statement said here.

A wall of water washed away 24 engineering students and a tour operator Sunday evening after water was released into the river without a warning from a nearby hydropower project.

Chinese Ambassador Wei Wei Wednesday termed the Panchsheel as “the fundamentals of International Law” and said its five principles of peaceful co-existence have “significantly contributed to peace, stability and development in Asia and world at large”.

Despite a drop in the percentage, Facebook continues to be the preferred social networking playground for teenagers in India’s metros and other big cities, according to a survey.

Seventy-six percent of teenagers spread across 14 Indian cities had a Facebook account in 2014, though the figure was 86 percent in 2012, said the survey conducted by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

The GDA is initiating steps to sign an MoU with the DMRC soon following the Uttar Pradesh cabinet’s nod Wednesday for extension of the Metro line from Dilshad Garden till the New Bus Stand here.

“We expect the construction work of the Metro line to start in the last week of June,” Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) vice chairman Santosh Yadav told a press conference here Wednesday.

The Delhi High Court Wednesday issued notice to the CBI and asked it to file a status report on the parole plea of suspended police officer S.S. Rathi, serving a life term along with nine other policemen for killing two businessmen after mistaking them to be gangsters.

The case is about the broad daylight killing of two businessmen who were mistaken for gangsters and shot dead in Connaught Place in Delhi 17 years ago.

Three people, including two policemen, were injured after Delhi MP Parvesh Verma’s car collided head-on with union minister Uma Bharti’s escort vehicle here Wednesday, police said.

Both the minister and the MP were not travelling when the incident occurred in Vijay Chowk, the square in front of Rashtrapati Bhavan in central Delhi.

Police said Verma’s car was on the wrong side.

“Verma’s car driver along with head constable Suresh Kumar and constable Trilok Chandra of Bharti’s escort vehicle received minor injuries,” said a police officer.

*The government would leave no stone unturned to fulfil the promises made by it.

*Providing houses for all by 2022 should be a movement and everyone should pitch in for this.

*Focus of the government would be on developing entrepreneurial skill among the youth.

*The country should accomplish cleanliness drive by 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

*Proper management of agriculture products through modern technology can help control food inflation.

*Politicians should stop commenting on rape incidents and stop the psychological analysis of such incidents.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday sought the opposition Congress’ support in parliament, saying that despite the government’s numbers there was nothing wrong in seeking support from the opposition.

“We have got the people’s support, but if we do not get your support it will be a waste. We want to take you along, and if needed, we would also seek your guidance,” Modi said in the Rajya Sabha, where former prime minister Manmohan Singh sat in the opposition benches.

Use of modern technology in farming and proper management with the help of real-time data will help curb food inflation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Wednesday.

In his reply in the Lok Sabha to the debate on motion of thanks on the president’s address, Modi said there is adequate availability of food products in the country.

“There is enough food in the country. What is required is proper management,” Modi said in his maiden speech in the parliament.