Tripura gives land deeds to tribals

AGARTALA - Tripura has become the first state in eastern India to hand over ownership rights of forest land to tribal people.

Iran to pay for Indian tea in euro now

KOLKATA - Iran has decided to pay India in euros instead of US dollars for the tea it imports from this country, Tea Board of India chief Basudeb Banerjee said after returning from a three-day visit to Iran.

Angry teacher inserts pin in Class 2 girl’s eye

RAIPUR - A schoolteacher in Chhattisgarh is on the run after he brutally punished a Class 2 student by inserting a pin in her right eye for failing to answer his question, police said Thursday. It left the girl blind in the eye.

Sri Lanka outlaws LTTE with immediate effect

COLOMBO - The Sri Lankan government Wednesday banned the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), terming it a terrorist organisation.

Oil sector strike starts, refineries closed

NEW DELHI - Several refineries, processing plants and installations remained closed Wednesday, the first day of the indefinite strike called by officers of public sector oil firms, even as the Delhi government arrested an employee under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA).

Rs.10-bn loss feared daily following truckers’ strike: Exporters

NEW DELHI - The Indian economy could lose Rs.10 billion (Rs.1,000 crore) daily on account of the indefinite nationwide truckers’ strike, a premier organisation of exporters said here Tuesday.

Goa tourism minister’s wife files bigamy complaint

PANAJI - A bigamy complaint has been filed against high profile Goa Tourism Minister Francisco Pacheco by his estranged wife, who has provided documents to back her charge that her husband married another woman.

I’m comfortable in army quarters: Anushka Sharma (Interview)

MUMBAI - She has been catapulted to star status with her debut in ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’. But Anushka Sharma says she is a simple girl just like her character in the movie and has no plans to move into a plush home as she is enjoying her stay in the army quarters here.

Consumers in Gujarat get toll free number for complaints

AHMEDABAD - With Dec 24 being celebrated as National Consumer Day, Gujarat will get a toll free number, 1800 233 0222, to help consumers get free advice on all consumer-related issues.