1.15 lakh vacant posts in state police forces are lying vacant across the country. This has posed a serious question over providing effective security to citizens in these states.

New Delhi, Oct. 10 : Former Karnataka Chief Minister and head of the Congress party''s media cell, Veerappa Moily, on Friday told a press conference here that the party is in favour of banning the right-wing Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

"The Bajrang Dal deserves to be banned... They have earned this image for themselves. The terrorists hide and do it, they (Bajrang Dal) do it openly," Moily said.

New Delhi, Oct 8 : The Union Cabinet will meet here today to discuss the recent spate of attacks on Christians in Orissa and Karnataka.

The Cabinet is expected to mull over the "growing demand" for the dismissal of the BJD-BJP Government in Orissa in the wake of communal violence in Kandamal district.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had recently sought a report on attacks on Christians in Orissa, Karnataka and other states from the Home Ministry.

Aaress Iron & Steel Ltd (AISL), the unit of Baldota Group, is setting up a new Rs 4,700-crore steel plant at Koppal, in northern Karnataka to cater the needs of the automobile industry and other high-value added engineering segments.

The project will be executed in two phases and the company aims to start production by mid-2010 with an initial capacity of 1.2 million tones annually. The total capacity of the plant is expected to be around 5 metric tones. 

Bangalore, Oct 5 : Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has asked the Karnataka Government to set up a new force on the lines of Indo-Tibetan border force for coastal region to fight terrorism in the State.

Addressing a late night press conference in Bangalore on Saturday, after reviewing the law and order situation, the Union Home Minister said the centre would extend all possible assistance to the State.

Patil was in Bangalore to review the law and order situation and earlier in the day he had gone to Puttaparti to take the blessings of the Sai Baba.