India's forex reserves drop below USD 700 bn
Mumbai (PTI): India's forex reserves fell by USD 276 million to USD 699.96 billion during the week ended October 3, according to RBI data.
In the previous reporting week, India's forex reserves had dropped by USD 2.334 billion to USD 700.236 billion.
For the week ended October 3, foreign currency assets, a major component of the reserves, decreased by USD 4.049 billion to USD 577.708 billion, the data released on Friday showed.
Expressed in dollar terms, the foreign currency assets include the effect of appreciation or depreciation of non-US units like the euro, pound and yen held in the foreign exchange reserves.
Value of the gold reserves increased by USD 3.753 billion to USD 98.77 billion during the week, the RBI said.
The Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) were up by USD 25 million to USD 18.814 billion, the central bank said.
India's reserve position with the IMF declined by USD 4 million to USD 4.6669 billion in the reporting week, the apex bank data showed.
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Congress leaders meet Pune top cop, seek strict action in spokesperson assault case
Pune (PTI): A delegation of Congress leaders on Tuesday met Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, a day after a party spokesperson was allegedly assaulted by right-wing activists, and demanded strict action.
On Monday, Pune Congress spokesperson Hanumant Pawar accused a TV debate participant, Tushar Damgude and his five aides of assaulting him outside a Marathi news channel's office in the Swargate area, following a dispute during the discussion.
Pawar alleged that Damgude threatened him by showing a revolver strapped to his waist.
Police have registered an FIR against Damgude and five others under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.
During a meeting with the police commissioner, Congress leaders also cited the recent violent confrontation involving BJP and Congress workers outside the Congress Bhavan and urged the police chief to convene an all-party meeting to ensure such incidents don’t recur.
"We submitted a memorandum to the police commissioner and sought strict action against those involved in attacking Pawar. Instead of arresting Damgude and others, police let them off after serving a notice," said Congress leader Prashant Jagtap.
He alleged that the recent incident outside Congress Bhavan and the attack on Pawar reflect the BJP's "increasing high-handedness" in the city and the harassment of the opposition.
Meanwhile, Damgude told reporters that Pawar had used abusive language against him during a recent TV debate.
"Yesterday, after the debate, he used objectionable words. When I sought an explanation, he reiterated the same, which led to the incident," he said.
Damgude acknowledged that he possesses a licensed firearm but refuted Pawar's allegation that he threatened him with the weapon.
