(HT) In an effort to curb pollution in the Gangotri region, the local civic body has intensified efforts to collect clothes discarded by pilgrims into the Ganga (Bhagirathi) river, officials from the Gangotri Nagar Panchayat said on Monday. They added that since the beginning of the Char Dham Yatra season, over two tonnes of clothing thrown into the river at various ghats near the Gangotri shrine have been retrieved. Umesh Suyal, executive officer of the Gangotri Nagar Panchayat, said, “So far, we have collected more than two tonnes of clothes discarded by devotees at the ghats of the holy river.…
Author: Aruna Sharma
(HT) The number of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration is set to rise after the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) asked officials to relax scrutiny for such businesses, according to two people aware of the development. MSMEs contribute around 30% of India’s GDP. CBIC’s move comes after MSMEs raised concerns about excess and non-uniform scrutiny in the registration process during stakeholder consultations with the MSME ministry and CBIC, the people said. After the meeting, CBIC asked registration officials to reduce physical verification and complete the process in seven days if…
(HT) Indian shares advanced on Monday, extending gains from the previous session, on easing global trade tensions and the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) record dividend transfer, which ended up reaffirming prospects of sustained fiscal consolidation. The Nifty 50 closed 0.6% higher at 25,001.15. Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex traded 0.56% higher to close at 82,176.45. US President Donald Trump had also backed off on his threat to impose 50% tariffs on imports from the European Union (EU). This had the effect of easing trade concerns and also potentially hinting “that the US may reduce its aggression in the trade war,…
(HT) India’s central bank is taking another step to internationalise the rupee, seeking approval to allow domestic banks to lend the currency to overseas borrowers for the first time, two people aware of the matter said. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked the federal government to allow domestic banks and their foreign branches to lend Indian rupees to overseas borrowers to enhance the use and acceptability of the local currency in trade. The proposal, sent to the finance ministry last month, suggests lending in rupees to non-residents can begin in neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and…
(HT) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said nine terrorist hideouts were destroyed in just 22 minutes in India’s airstrikes during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, calling it a decisive action. Speaking at a rally in Gandhinagar, he stressed that the entire action was recorded on camera to silence any calls for proof. “This is a land of the brave. Until now, what we used to call a proxy war, after the scenes witnessed post-May 6, we can no longer make the mistake of calling it a proxy war. The reason is that when nine terrorist hideouts were identified and destroyed…
(BS) The Ministry of Science on Monday launched the Bharat Forecast System (BFS), saying it is the world’s most precise indigenously developed weather forecasting model. The system has become operational after three years of testing since its launch in 2022. Let’s understand in detail what the Bharat Forecast System is and how it is more accurate, fast, and effective than the previously used models. What is Bharat Forecast System? Bharat Forecast System, developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune, is a weather forecasting and monitoring system which uses high-end computer systems and satellite imagery. The use…
(BS) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the “execution model” to implement a mega project to indigenously develop a fifth generation deep penetration advanced medium combat aircraft for the Indian Air force. India has been working on the ambitious AMCA project to develop the medium weight deep penetration fighter jet with advanced stealth features to bolster its air power capability. The defence ministry said on Tuesday that Singh has approved the “Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model.” “In a significant push towards enhancing India’s indigenous defence capabilities and fostering a robust domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem, Defence Minister Rajnath…
(BS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 11-year reign will be written in golden letters in history. Speaking at the 150th anniversary of Madhavbagh Laxminarayan temple here, Shah, who spoke in Gujarati, said that those who didn’t know the value of “ek chutki sindoor” were informed about it through ‘Operation Sindoor’. “Modi has completed 11 years as the prime minister. The son of Gujarat is committed to the nation’s development, economic growth and national security. Those who violated the national security have been taught a lesson,” he said. PM Modi has made people…
(FE) The Supreme Court on Monday ordered a status quo on the liquidation proceedings of Bhushan Power and Steel (BPSL) at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), offering a temporary reprieve to JSW Steel. The apex court’s directive means the NCLT is expected to defer its hearing on the liquidation until a review petition by JSW is filed and considered. A bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma directed JSW Steel to submit its review petition before the expiry of the statutory limitation period, ending June 2. The court made it clear that it was not taking a position…
(FE) AM Green on Monday said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Port of Rotterdam Authority to focus on building a green energy supply chain between India and northwestern Europe via Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The partnership will support the development of strategic port infrastructure for safe distribution of hydrogen-based fuels and products, and link India’s net-zero industrial clusters to Europe, enabling exports of up to 1,000,000 tonne annually. The envisaged supply chain can enable trade of green fuels up to $1 billion between the two economies, the company said. The agreement includes the supply of bunker fuel and…