India's economic engine is revving up, but navigating the global headwinds requires sharp strategy. The rupee's recent volatility against the dollar underscores the complexities facing Indian businesses, impacting everything from import-export trade to domestic inflation. This week alone, we've seen significant shifts in the IT sector, with major players announcing restructuring and a renewed focus on AI-driven solutions. Meanwhile, the burgeoning startup ecosystem continues to attract substantial funding, despite a cautious global investor sentiment. The government's recent policy announcements on infrastructure development and digitalization are poised to further shape the business landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs and established corporations alike. Understanding these market dynamics is crucial for success in today's rapidly evolving Indian economy. Stay informed with Abtak.com for the latest insights and analysis on key sectors including finance, manufacturing, and technology – empowering your business decisions in a dynamic market. Explore the complete business news section now to stay ahead of the curve.
CHENNAI: In a letter addressed to the Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, Chirag Paswan, Member of Parliament from Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Kanimozhi Karunanidhi has highlighted the problems faced by mango farmers in the country, especially in Tamil Nadu. She underlined the decrease in demand for mango produce by the beverage manufacturing companies and to cut down GST charges. The letter explained that the mango farmers have been facing consistent losses over the past few years due to a significant reduction in the quantity of mango pulp used by beverage manufacturers. According to the data shared in the letter, the use of mango pulp content has dropped to 11 % in 2024 compared to 20% in the year 2022. This drastic decline is largely attributed to the current GST structure. Under the existing tax regime, fruit juices containing more than 10% real fruit content attract a 28% GST, equivalent to the rate imposed on carbonated drinks. Whereas, beverages with less than 10% fruit content fall under an 18% GST slab or even lower, depending on the product's classification. To avoid paying higher tax, manufacturers have opted to reduce the quantity of mango pulp in their drinks. Kanimozhi also pointed out that the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2016 mandate a minimum of 10% fruit content to label a product as 'Fruit Juice.' However, beverage companies have begun to get around these standards by labelling their products as 'Fruit-Based Beverages' or 'Fruit Drink.' These categories are governed by more lenient regulations, which require only 5-10% fruit pulp, depending on the fruit type. This shift in labelling and manufacturing has significantly impacted mango farmers, who are now facing lower demand for their produce. The MP has requested the Union Minister to intervene and take necessary steps to direct beverage manufacturers to restore the mango pulp content to the earlier level of 20%. Additionally, she has urged stricter enforcement of FSSAI norms to prevent the misuse of product labelling that allows companies to dodge regulatory and taxation guidelines.
New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha on Thursday backed the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' bill, stating that party supremo Nitish Kumar has always supported simultaneous Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections. He added that the party had previously voiced its support for the bill and had approached the relevant committee. Jha remarked, "Our party welcomes this. We had approached this committee, and I was also part of the delegation. Nitish Kumar has always advocated for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha. We conveyed to the committee that ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 13 (ANI): Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Friday slammed the 'One Nation, One Election' being passed by the Union Cabinet, calling it an "attack on federalism." "The Congress party has already cleared its stand as One Nation One Election is an attack on federalism and there should be a discussion on the election process in the parliament," he said. The 'One Nation One Election' bill was approved by the Union Cabinet on Thursday paving the way for its introduction in Parliament. However, before its introduction in the Parliament, the bill initiated debate between the r ...Read More >
PATNA,: Union minister Chirag Paswan on Tuesday expressed willingness to take "strong steps" to ensure that concerns of students protesting alleged irregularities in a recent BPSC exam were squarely addressed by the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar. The Hajipur MP had a free-wheeling interaction with the media here on the sidelines of a feast organised by his Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) on the occasion of the Makar Sankranti festival. Asked about the Bihar Public Service Commission exam row, Paswan said, "I have said it in the past and wish to reiterate that Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party MP Ashok Kumar Mittal on Thursday hailed the all-party delegation's visit to several countries worldwide and noted that the members had briefed External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar about their visits. On meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, member of the all-party delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi, AAP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal told ANI, 'After returning today, we met External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. He wanted to know the response in the five countries we visited. We told him about it. Wherever we went, the countries appr ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party MP Ashok Kumar Mittal on Thursday hailed the all-party delegation's visit to several countries worldwide and noted that the members had briefed External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar about their visits. On meeting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, member of the all-party delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi, AAP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal told ANI, 'After returning today, we met External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. He wanted to know the response in the five countries we visited. We told him about it. Wherever we went, the countries appr ...Read More >
Kolkata, Jun 5 (PTI) Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Thursday confirmed her marriage to former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) parliamentarian Pinaki Mishra, thanking well-wishers for their love and blessings. There was speculation about their wedding which, according to media reports, took place in a private ceremony in Germany. "Thank you everyone for the love and good wishes!! So grateful," Moitra said in a post on X, sharing a photograph of the couple cutting a cake. TMC MP and actor-politician Saayoni Ghosh congratulated the couple. "Congratulations Mm & Pm... @MahuaMoitra @OfPinaki wishi ...Read More >
Pointing to the increase in the country's stature in the world forum, he asked how, under these circumstances, the promises made to farmers cannot be fulfilled. "Policy-making is not on right track," he added.. Jagdeep Dhankhar's comments come amid a spike in farmer protests. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar took up the farmers' issue and questioned the government on their behalf today, directing most of his queries at the Union agriculture minister. Pointing to the increase in the country's sta ...Read More >
Lalu Yadav was reacting to Nitish Kumar's plans to launch the Mahila Samwad Yatra, an initiative aimed at directly engaging with women in Bihar. RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday stoked controversy after passing a sexist remark at Nitish Kumar's upcoming women's rally, saying that the Bihar Chief Minister was attending it to "ogle at women." Yadav was reacting to Kumar's plans to launch the Mahila Samwad Yatra, an initiative aimed at directly engaging with women in Bihar. "Nain sekne ja ra ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has demanded that the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' bill be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, asserting that the bill undermines democracy. "The bill will be presented in Parliament, and we want it to be referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which will hold discussions on it. The Indian National Congress's position was clarified last year by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who sent a four-page letter to former President Ram Nath Kovind's committee on One Nation, One Election, stating that we oppose the b ...Read More >
TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai described the passing of Elangovan as "a huge loss". Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister E V K S Elangovan died due to age-related ailments at a private hospital here on Saturday, the hospital said. He was 75. The legislator from Erode East constituency has not been keeping well for over a month. He was admitted to a hospital here on November 11. "He passed away today despite the best efforts of the medical staff," the hospital said. TNCC preside ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 18 (ANI): Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Wednesday lashed out at Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar, saying that he can't "bulldoze" Ambedkar's legacy which remains a voice for the oppressed communities. "Yesterday, Amit Shah who believes in Manuwaad and who is a follower of Savarkar has expressed his anti-mindset of Ambedkar (anti-Ambedkar mindset)...We will try to say to him 'Ambedkar Jai'...because he can't just bulldoze Ambedkar's legacy. Ambedkar legacy means voice for those oppressed communities of OBCs, SCs and STs, and all othe ...Read More >
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 7 (ANI): Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan arrived at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj on Friday and said that the 'Sanatana' culture embodies the oneness of being and that all the differences dissolve in it. Speaking to the media here, Arif Khan highlighted the Indian culture of seeing divinity in humanity, asserting that "manav" (humans) are a reflection of "Madhav" (God). Khan also noted that India's heritage, values, and ideals continue to be celebrated at the Mahakumbh, fostering unity among people beyond personal familiarity. "We should always not ...Read More >
CHENNAI: Senior BJP leader H Raja has been sentenced to six months imprisonment in two separate cases relating to his derogatory comments against DMK MP Kanimozhi and threatening to raze down the statues of rationalist leader Periyar (EV Ramasamy). Additional special court for cases relating to MP/MLAs G Jayavel pronounced the orders convicting and sentencing him in the cases registered by the Erode district police based on complaints lodged by DMK and Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (TPDK) following his derogatory comments made in against Periyar and Kanimozhi in 2018 through his Twitter ...Read More >
The Supreme Court overturned a Madras High Court decision. The high court had refused to dismiss defamation charges against Union minister L Murugan. Murugan faced these charges over statements made in 2020. The Supreme Court accepted Murugan's argument. He said he did not intend to defame the Murasoli Trust. The case is now closed.The Supreme Court on Thursday quashed criminal defamation proceedings against Union minister L Murugan on a complaint filed by the Chennai-based Murasoli Trust for his ...Read More >
New Delhi: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee submitted a written apology and issued a verbal apology in the Lok Sabha on Thursday following his controversial remarks about Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla described the incident as unfortunate, emphasizing that no personal remarks should be made against fellow members. Speaker's Intervention As proceedings began, ruling alliance members raised concerns about Banerjee's remarks. Speaker Birla intervened, stating, "Whatever happened yesterday was unfortunate. No member should make personal remarks, parti ...Read More >
New Delhi: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has directed that no new lawsuits related to places of worship (temples, mosques, or shrines) can be filed until further notice. This decision was made during the ongoing hearing of petitions challenging the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. The ruling prohibits the lower courts from issuing any survey orders or interim orders that might alter the status or nature of any religious site. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Sanjay Kumar, and Justice K.V. Vishwanathan, issued this order while hearing sev ...Read More >
New Delhi: Chaos erupted in political circles after Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar informed the house on Friday that a bundle of cash was found on a seat allotted to senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi. "I hereby inform the members that during the routine anti-sabotage check of the chamber after the adjournment of the House yesterday. Apparently, a wad of currency notes was recovered by the security officials from seat number 222 which is presently allotted to Abhishek Manu Singhvi, elected from the state of Telangana..The matter was brought to my notice, and I made sure an in ...Read More >
The Sena UBT chief spokesperson was reacting to Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad's comment that West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee should be allowed to lead the INDIA bloc. Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said that his party was open to discuss if someone outside of the Congress party should lead the Opposition INDIA bloc. Speaking in New Delhi Delhi, Raut said that all the constituents of the INDIA bloc are willing to have a discuss ...Read More >
Panchkula (Haryana) [India], December 17 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini on Tuesday welcomed the 'One Nation, One Election' bill stating that One Nation One Election will create a balance between speed of work and finances. He also dismissed opposition protests over the bill saying that Congress opposes every good initiative, that's their only agenda. Speaking to mediapersons, the Haryana Chief Minister said, "Continuous elections cost a lot and slow down development and progress. One Nation One Election will create a balance between speed of work and finances. This bill should be ...Read More >
Mumbai: Former Union minister Sharad Pawar on Tuesday rubbished Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks that the BJP's victory in the Maharashtra assembly polls ended the politics of betrayal and treachery started by him in 1978. "I was the chief minister in 1978. I am not aware about his whereabouts then," Pawar told reporters in Mumbai. "When I was the chief minister, there were people like Uttamrao Patil from Jan Sangh in my ministry," Pawar added. The decorum of the post of home minister should be maintained, the NCP (SP) chief said, bemoaning the lack of communication between present pol ...Read More >
Bhopal, Jan 17 (VOICE) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Madhya Pradesh minister Vishvas Sarang on Friday accused the Congress of using Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's name for its "survival" in politics.Sarang, who is the Sports and Youth Welfare Minister in Chief Minister Mohan Yadav-led Cabinet, said history reveals that the Congress has shown respect neither towards Dr. Ambedkar nor the Constitution framed under his leadership. "Jawaharlal Nehru even tried to stop Dr. Ambedkar's entry into the Parliamentary and for that, he conspired to defeat him in the general elections. Nehru insulted Dr. Am ...Read More >
As part of the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy inaugurated the 'Grand Indian Pavilion' alongside Union Ministers Chirag Paswan and Jayant Sinha, as well as Kerala Minister P. Rajeev. Several senior officials and prominent figures from various states were also present at the event. During the inauguration, Telangana IT Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu extended an invitation to global investors, encouraging them to invest in Telangana. He highlighted the state's focus on key sectors such as Information Technology, Biotechnology, Agro-Processin ...Read More >
Kanpur: A freight train rammed into a stationary goods train in Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur district on Tuesday, February 4, leaving a loco pilot injured and causing the derailment of the guard coach and engine. The incident took place around 6 am in the dedicated freight corridor near Pambhirpur, Khaga in Fatehpur district. The loco pilot, who sustained injuries, had allegedly fallen asleep at the wheel, Prem Kumar Gautam, IG, Prayagraj range, said. Rescue operations are underway to clear the corridor, the IG added. A total of 29 train accidents took place in the current financial year up to ...Read More >
Kolkata, Dec 12 (VOICE) BJP leader Rahul Sinha on Thursday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of not genuinely wanting the INDIA bloc to succeed, amid ongoing speculations about her leadership aspirations within the Opposition alliance. Sinha's remarks came after Mamata Banerjee expressed her willingness to lead the INDIA bloc, receiving backing from some alliance leaders. Following this, Mamata thanked her 'supporters', stating that she is "indebted" to their faith in her and wishes for the alliance's success. Reacting to her statements, Sinha accused Mamata of harbouring pe ...Read More >
Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) [India], December 13 (ANI): Samajwadi Party (SP) leader ST Hasan on Friday said that the 'One Nation, One Election' rule was not possible in the country with the various cultures and laws present. "The One Nation, One Election rule is not possible in our country. Our country has a lot of different cultures and religious laws. There is a huge conspiracy behind it... Indirectly, only the centre will rule. They are trying to change the Constitution. They are talking about a common civil court, saying One Nation One Constitution... tomorrow you'll say One Nation One Cult ...Read More >
CHENNAI: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has issued a whip ordering its party MPs to attend the Lok Sabha sessions on December 13 and 14 (today and tomorrow), as some important legislative business is likely to be discussed, said a Daily Thanthi report. They have been asked to be present in the lower House ahead of the rare Constitution debate which is all set to take place in the Lok Sabha on December 13 and 14, and in the Rajya Sabha on December 16 and 17. The discussion is being held to commemorate the 75th anniversary of adoption of India's Constitution. The Bharatiya Janata Party (B ...Read More >
Patna: BJP's West Bengal in charge and Bihar's health and law minister Mangal Pandey on Wednesday claimed that a three-member committee appointed by the Calcutta High Court had exposed the Mamata Banerjee govt and implicated Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders in the Murshidabad violence, in which three people, including a father-son duo, were brutally killed during protests against the waqf law last month.The committee, tasked with probing the Murshidabad incident, highlighted serious lapses by the ...Read More >
INDIA bloc MPs, donning black jackets with slogans like "Modi Adani Ek Hai", protested at Parliament demanding a joint probe into the Adani issue. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused PM Modi of evading discussion on the "Adani mega scam" while defending Adani's alleged corruption. Rahul Gandhi asserted that Modi won't investigate Adani as it would be like investigating himself.Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Thursday said the country's people want the "Adani mega scam" to be discussed in Parliame ...Read More >
NDIA bloc leaders, who submitted a notice of no-confidence motion against the Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday, blamed the chair for not allowing them to speak in the Rajya Sabha. The leaders held a joint press conference labelling several charges against the chairman. "His behaviour (RS chairman) has damaged the dignity of the country. He has brought such a situation in the history of parliamentary democracy that we had to bring this notice for the resolution (of no confidence ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 15 (ANI): A friendly cricket match between Parliamentarians under Rajya Sabha Chairman XI and Lok Sabha Speaker XI is being played at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Sunday. BJP MP Anurag Thakur captained Lok Sabha Speaker XI while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju led Rajya Sabha Chairman XI. The friendly affair has been named 'TB Mukt Bharat awareness cricket match'. Speaking to ANI, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju says, "Several of our MP colleagues have come here. With the mantra of fitness...this event has been scheduled to fill people with vigour through sports. ...Read More >