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.
Bhubaneswar: The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday raised sharp concerns over the BJP-led Odisha government's labour reforms, warning that the measures could compromise workers' rights and women's safety if implemented without adequate safeguards. The criticism came a day after the state Cabinet approved amendments to key labour laws, including the Factories Act, 1948, and the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956. The reforms seek to extend daily working hours from 9 to 10 while capping the weekly limit at 48 hours, permit women to work night shifts, and increase overtime wages, with the stated goal of attracting investment and boosting industrial growth. Addressing a press conference at the party's state headquarters, BJD trade union leader and Cuttack Mayor Subhas Singh said the reforms risk tilting the balance against workers. "If these changes are pushed through without strong riders, labourers will lose the ability to resist exploitative practices and may be forced into longer hours. Women working at night will also face serious safety concerns," he cautioned. While acknowledging the government's intention to accelerate economic activity, Singh insisted that reforms must not come "at the expense of dignity and rights, particularly for contract and casual workers." He stressed that overtime should remain strictly voluntary and pointed to gaps in enforcement and monitoring mechanisms. "Who will ensure compliance across thousands of establishments?" he asked, calling for a better-funded inspectorate with digital wage tracking and surprise audit powers. On the provision allowing women to work night shifts, Singh demanded the publication of detailed safety guidelines and accountability mechanisms. Echoing his concerns, BJD's chief whip Pramila Mallik questioned the government's assurances: "What does written consent from women employees really mean? The government must guarantee their complete safety -- both at the workplace and during travel." The BJD reiterated that reforms in labour laws must empower farmers and workers, not weaken their protections.
BJP member Manas Dutta blamed the previous BJD government and held it responsible for not extending their service agreement which ended in April, 2024. As hundreds of women working as support staff under the Mission Shakti department staged a demonstration outside the Assembly over different issues, the opposition BJD on Monday demanded immediate release of their salaries. While the agitating women were shouting slogans at the Mahatma Gandhi Road leading to the Assembly, the issue was raised in ...Read More >
Guwahati, Jun 5 (PTI) The Assam Congress on Thursday demanded a CBI inquiry into alleged illegal stone mining in Karbi Anglong district in violation of a Supreme Court order. Addressing a press conference here, former Rajya Sabha member Ripun Bora also alleged that Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang was allowing illegal activities in the district in nexus with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. "Large-scale illegal stone mining is taking place in the hills of Karbi Anglong in violation of the Supreme Court order. The SC had banned mining in and around K ...Read More >
Balasore (Odisha) [India], July 16 (ANI): Biju Janata Dal on Wednesday took to the streets, calling for 'Balasore Bandh' in protest against the Odisha government after a 20-year-old girl self-immolated herself because of alleged sexual harassment by her teacher. The BJD workers burned tyres on the roads in Balasore expressing anger over the "inaction" of government that led the girl to self-immolate herself in protest of the sexual harassment. Also Read | Mumbai Horror: 2 Teenage Male Friends Forced To Indulge in Unnatural Sex Over Money Dispute; Accused Filmed Act and Threatened Victims, Ar ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Commuters, patients and examinees faced a tough time on Thursday as the Congress-led statewide bandh disrupted vehicular movement and train services. The dawn-to-dusk bandh, supported by Left parties, was called demanding justice for the 20-year-old Balasore student who died by suicide over alleged sexual harassment by a faculty member and the apparent inaction by college authorities to her complaint.Three-year-old Raju Munda, from Dhenkanal district's Kankadahad block, died after th ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Opposition BJD and Congress MLAs Tuesday staged a walkout from the Odisha assembly, accusing the ruling BJP of failing to control prices of essential commodities and resolve the potato crisis in the state. The issues were debated in the House over the admissibility of an adjournment motion moved by the Opposition on price rise of vegetables, pulses, edible oil and fuel. The opposition members took exception to comments made by Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister K C Patra that adverse climate conditions, rates in international and domestic markets, and less production by ...Read More >
Puri: Biju Janata Dal President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Sunday made a scathing attack on the BJP-led Odisha government for the deadly stampede at Saradhabali in Puri during this year's Rath Yatra. The tragic incident claimed three lives and left several others injured, further intensifying public outrage over the administration's handling of the grand festival. "Today's stampede, occurring just a day after the abysmal failure of crowd management during the RathYatra that left hundreds injured, exposes the government's glaring incompetence in ensuring a peaceful festival fo ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], June 29 (ANI): Biju Janata Dal chief and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday extended his condolences to the victims of the 'devastating incident' that took place early this morning during the Jagannath Rath Yatra near the Gundicha Temple in Puri. Talking to 'X', Patnaik prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the stampede. 'I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the three devotees who have lost their lives in the tragic stampede at Saradhabali, Puri and I pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannatha for the swift recovery of the devo ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, Jul 10 (PTI) Members of the Biju Mahila Janata Dal on Thursday staged a protest here demanding the arrest of BJP MLA Santosh Khatua for allegedly making "derogatory" remarks against senior BJD leader and general secretary Lekhasri Samantsinghar. Led by BJD's chief whip and senior vice-president Pramila Mallik, members of the women's wing of the party took part in a 'Swabhiman' (pride) rally from Rajmahal Square to Master Canteen Square, where they also burnt an effigy of the BJP legislator. Also Read | Gay Dating App Racket in Hyderabad: 65-Year-Old Man Trapped, Filmed and Extor ...Read More >
MUMBAI: The Indian equity indices opened lower on Friday as heavyweights like Axis Bank and Bharti Airtel were among the top losers in the BSE benchmark. At 9.25 am, Sensex was down 171 points or 0.21 per cent at 82, 087 and Nifty was down 35 points or 0.14 per cent at 25, 075. In the Sensex pack, M&M, Tata Steel, Power Grid, L&T, UltraTech Cement, Infosys, Tata Motors, BEL, NTPC, TCS, Trent and Maruti Suzuki were top gainers. Axis Bank, Bharti Airtel, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Tech Mahindra , HDFC Bank, Eternal (Zomato), HUL, Sun Pharma, Bajaj Finance, ICICI Bank, Titan and Bajaj Finserv ...Read More >
Hyderabad, July 18 (UNI) In view of the ongoing heavy rains in Hyderabad, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed all concerned departments to stay on high alert and ensure swift response to public grievances. The Chief Minister instructed officials from GHMC, HMDA, Water Works, Electricity, and Police departments to work in close coordination to prevent any rain-related disruptions. He also emphasised the need for immediate action in areas facing waterlogging, power outages, or other rain-induced issues. CM Revanth Reddy further directed the deployment of SDRF, NDRF, Hydra teams, and ot ...Read More >
Bhubaneshwar (Odisha) [India], July 19 (ANI): Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Chief and former CM Naveen Patnaik has severely criticised the ruling BJP government in the state after a young girl was allegedly set on fire by miscreant in Puri district. In a post on X, Patnaik said, Deeply anguished to know that a young girl was set on fire in Balanga area of Puri District. This attempt to kill her happened in broad daylight. I strongly condemn this horrible act. It has happened just within a week of the terrible incident of a young girl setting herself ablaze in FM College after she was denied justice-- ...Read More >
Puri: At least three persons, including two women, were killed and around 50 others injured in a stampede near Shree Gundicha Temple during Odisha's Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra on Sunday morning, June 29, officials said. The incident took place around 4 am when hundreds of devotees gathered near the temple to witness Rath Yatra festivities, Puri District Collector Siddharth S Swain said. The injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital, and the condition of six people is critical, he said. "Out of the 50 injured, six people are still unconscious and their condition is very serious," an off ...Read More >
Srinagar- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said foreign countries were told clearly during the post-Operation Sindoor diplomatic outreach that in case of a fresh provocation, India would repeat its action. Speaking at a discussion at the Ahmedabad Management Association, Tharoor said Indian delegations which visited foreign countries in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor managed to convey that India acted with restraint and responsibility. "In other places, we actually were able to get some very high-placed people to say not only that they respected and supported India's right of self- ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], July 11 (ANI): Congress MP Rahul Gandhi Friday accused Election Commission of India of hatching a conspiracy for chunav chori (election theft) in Bihar, referring to poll-body decision to revise electoral rolls in the state ahead of assembly election there. Addressing Samvidhan Bachao Samavesh in Bhubaneswar, Rahul Gandhi said that ECI is working as a BJP wing and alleged that similar attempts to steal election are being made in Bihar just like they were made in Maharashtra. BJP is attacking the constitution. Yesterday I was in Bihar. Just like chunav chori was ...Read More >
SRINAGAR: A defiant Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday scaled the gates of the Naqshband Sahib graveyard to pay tributes to the 22 people killed by the Dogra army on July 13, 1931. The dramatic scene unfolded a day after Abdullah and several leaders of the National Conference and opposition parties were put under house arrest to prevent them from going to the graveyard to mark Martyrs' Day. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah took an autorickshaw from the Khanyar crossing to the martyrs memorial while Minister for Education Sakina Ittoo surprised everyone by r ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, Jul 14 (PTI) As a 20-year-old college student fights for her life in AIIMS Bhubaneswar following self-immolation bid over an alleged incident of 'sexual harassment', political tensions in Odisha have reached a boiling point, with opposition parties staging demonstrations and holding press conferences. Alleging that women are not safe in BJP-ruled Odisha, both the opposition BJD and Congress held multiple demonstrations in Bhubaneswar and Balasore. Odisha Mahila Congress president Meenakshi Bahinipati, along with party MLA Sofia Firdous, held a press conference in Delhi to highli ...Read More >
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], July 16 (ANI): Following the tragic road accident in the Muwani area of Pithoragarh district on Tuesday that claimed eight lives, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the state government would provide Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. This would be in addition to the ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF), announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which would be given to the next of kin of the deceased. Also Read | Weather Forecast Today, July 16: Check ...Read More >
Medak: Telangana State BJP President N. Ramchander Rao on Friday appealed to the people to give the committed party an opportunity to meet the aspirations of the poor and downtrodden. Addressing a large gathering of party workers in Medak, the BJP chief remarked that citizens have experienced the rule of the BRS and the Congress party and have had bitter experiences with the deceitful practices of both. He urged people to support the BJP wholeheartedly in the upcoming local body elections as a way to teach the ruling Congress party a lesson for its unfulfilled promises. Rao emphasized that t ...Read More >
Bengaluru, Jun 7 (PTI) A 26-year-old man allegedly beheaded his wife following a heated argument on the outskirts of Bengaluru after he suspected her of having an extra-marital affair, police said on Saturday. After killing Manasa, Shankar travelled with her severed head on his scooter to the nearest police station and confessed to the crime, they said. The man was later arrested, police said, adding that the incident occurred at Heelalige village, near Chandapura, Anekal taluk late on Friday. According to the police, the couple were married for over five years and have a four-year-old daug ...Read More >
Digha: A day after Rath Yatra, the festive fervour continues in Digha as the seaside town is now gearing up to host Ulta Rath or the return journey of the deities from the 'Masir Bari' or the old Jagannath temple. On July 5 -- the Ulta Rath day -- hotels are hoping for fresh tourist influx. Though the deities are currently in Masir Bari, a large queue of devotees visited the newly-constructed Jagannath temple on Saturday. They offered prayers to the stone idol permanently installed there. It is the wooden idols of Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra that have taken the chairot rides. Bipradash Cha ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, July 12 (UNI) The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today held the Odisha government, Fakir Mohan (FM) College authorities, local police and BJP MP from Balasore, Pratap Sarangi, accountable for the attempted self-immolation of a girl student in Balasore. Addressing a press conference, BJD spokesperson Ipsita Sahu alleged that the second-year B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan Autonomous College had submitted a written complaint on July 1, accusing an Assistant Professor of demanding sexual favours. However, the college administration allegedly failed to act on the complaint, she alleged. Sahu ...Read More >
Balasore (Odisha), Jul 12 (PTI) A woman student of a college in Odisha's Balasore district, who had lodged a sexual harassment complaint against a teacher, on Saturday allegedly set herself on fire on the institute's campus and sustained 90 per cent burn injuries, police said. Another male student, who attempted to save her, also suffered injuries and both were rushed to the district headquarters hospital here. Later, she was referred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment. A 12-member doctors' team has been formed to take care of the injured woman student, police said. The incident to ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, July 13 (UNI) The self-immolation bid by undergraduate girl student after her complaint of prolonged sexual harassment by a teacher was not addressed to in a government-run autonomous college in Odisha's Balasore district has triggered a massive political controversy, even though the accused teacher has been arrested and government has constituted a probe committee. The unsavory episode, which brought to the fore unsafe campus environs for girl students in higher educational institutions, severely damaged the government's image keeping in view the fact the State has witnessed spu ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The BJP MP, Aparajita Sarangi, on Thursday criticised the Opposition for calling a Statewide bandh in Odisha, terming it an attempt to create political disturbance rather than providing constructive solutions in the wake of the self-immolation case. Speaking to the media, BJP national spokesperson Sarangi said, "The death of a young student from FM (Autonomous) College on July 14 has deeply shocked us all. The government has responded to the situation within its constitutional and administrative framework. But instead of helping restore calm or suggesting positive solutions, the ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Wednesday approved 'Samrudha Sahar', a new scheme aimed at promoting planned urbanisation and balanced regional development across the State. The State Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, approved the scheme. The Cabinet has also approved another 12 proposals during the meeting, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja said. With a total outlay of Rs 4,879.30 crore, the initiative marks a significant step toward realising Odisha's goal of becoming a developed State by 2036, Ahuja said. The scheme will not only improve infrastructure and urba ...Read More >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...Read More >
Bhubaneshwar (Odisha) [India], July 13 (ANI): Biju Janata Dal chief Naveen Patnaik on Sunday voiced his concern over the attempted self-immolation of a college student in Balasore, stating that the tragic incident revealed the stark reality of how she was denied justice by the administration despite repeatedly raising grievances. In a post on X, the former Odisha CM said that she posted her grievance on social media but as no action was taken she tragically resorted to self-immolation to end her suffering. For months, she lived in fear and anguish. On July 1, in a desperate plea for help, sh ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan has flagged the "perceived reluctance" among several senior central government officials to give appointments to people, saying such interactions can give insights into ground realities, and clarify misunderstandings about government policies or intentions. In a letter to the secretaries of all central government ministries and departments, the country's top bureaucrat also said that such meetings should be held in offices and not clubs or hotels. Also Read | India Raises Pahalgam Terror Attack at SCO Meeting: EAM S Jaishankar Calls fo ...Read More >
Jammu- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday reviewed the ongoing restoration work of the historic Mubarak Mandi complex, which was the power centre of the Dogra kings in Jammu, and stressed on enhancing its heritage appeal. The Mubarak Mandi Complex is one of Jammu's most significant architectural heritage sites and is envisioned as a comprehensive cultural centre, housing museums, conference venues and heritage hospitality services. Accompanied by Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and MLA Yudhvir Sethi during the visit, the chief minister was briefed in detail on the multi-phas ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, Jul 3 (PTI) Ruling BJP MLA Santosh Khatua on Thursday courted controversy after allegedly making 'derogatory' remarks against a prominent woman BJD leader, prompting a strong backlash and a demand for an apology from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the saffron party. BJD's senior general secretary and spokesperson Lekhashree Samantasinghar has also drawn the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by tagging a letter in her X post. Khatua, a lawmaker from Nilgiri assembly constituency in Balasore district, in a statement to certain television channels allegedly made "der ...Read More >