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New Delhi, Feb 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) While a top Chinese court has made it mandatory for employers and workers to contribute to social insurance schemes for workers, in practice, only around one-third of companies in the country are following the order, according to a media report. The reason for the social welfare measure not taking off is that the companies see such payments as leading to an increase in costs that reduces their profit margins, while workers say that they do not have enough money to make their contribution, the report on The Japan Times news portal said. From September 2025, the court made it illegal for workers and employers to avoid social insurance payments, setting the stage for a long-term redistribution of resources from producers to consumers via the welfare system. Economists see the Supreme People's Court ruling as a pivotal test of Beijing's efforts to improve household finances and rebalance an export-reliant growth model that causes trade tensions and fuels disinflationary pressures, the article stated. However, six months on, workers, employers, and economists say compliance remains partial, raising questions over China's ability to pursue structural economic shifts, it pointed out. "Interviews with over a dozen workers and factory owners show firms responded to the ruling mostly in ways that minimise their own payments, in some cases even by lowering wages," the article said Most make payments based on a lower base wage rather than the full salary, having restructured the balance as bonuses or other benefits. Some workers and one factory owner said they still don't pay at all because they cannot afford the contributions, the article points out. Such examples "encapsulate the policy dilemma facing China's leaders: Can you accept short-term pain for long-term gain? The answer, in this instance, seems to be no," said Nick Marro, an Asia analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit. "This could be instructive when thinking about other difficult market-based reforms." By making the contributions mandatory -- roughly 25 per cent of income for employers and about a tenth for employees -- the ruling aims to bolster the social safety net, a key step toward encouraging workers to spend more now, rather than save on their own for rainy days. But it also raises labour costs. Avoiding such contributions historically has strengthened China's competitiveness, turning exports into a major growth driver, the article observed.
New Delhi, Aug 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Easing inflation and favourable monsoon boosted rural demand in India in the April-June period this year, outpacing urban consumption once again, according to a new report. According to the report by global research firm NielsenIQ, rural markets and small manufacturers propelled the packaged consumer goods sector in Q2 2025. Rural markets grew twice as fast as cities, as urban areas showed signs of recovery, particularly in smaller towns. According to the report, e-commerce also rose significantly, led by increased shopper penetration and spending, especia ...Read More >
India CPI Inflation Data: India's consumer price index (CPI) inflation, also known as retail inflation, increased in August 2025 to 2.07% against 1.61% in July 2025, according to the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) data released Friday evening. The surge in retail inflation was driven by higher vegetable, meat and fish, prices. Food inflation moderated during the month, but record gold prices rally in August impacted the core inflation. Food inflation continued to remain in the negative territory, but showed some improvement. Retail Inflation In Rural, Urban Areas ...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 >
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season has barely begun, but it has already delivered its first major controversy. Following Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) six-wicket defeat to Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium, a pointed remark from captain Ajinkya Rahane has triggered a wider debate - forcing Cricket Australia (CA) to step in with a clarification. At the centre of the storm is Cameron Green, KKR's high-profile signing worth INR 25.20 crore, who did not bowl a single over despite MI's dominant chase of 220. KKR seemed in control after posting a commanding 220/4, but the script ...Read More >
New Delhi: Even as the Lok Sabha passed the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 -- a bill that aims to end the decades-long state monopoly on nuclear power and enables the sector's privatization -- the Opposition Member of Parliaments (MPs) have not just staged a walkout from the lower house but also raised serious concerns about 'loopholes'. 'Nuclear bill or unclear bill?' "The SHANTI Bill is a milestone Mr. minister but for the wrong reasons....it is heavy on discretion and largely indifferent to public welfare. I am not sure ...Read More >
MADURAI: Likening the custodial murder of Ajith Kumar in Tiruppuvanam to an 'organised crime by police where the state kills its own citizens,' Madras high court lambasted the Tamil Nadu police and said the action against the perpetrators should be more stringent than in normal murder cases.A division bench of Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice A D Maria Clete pointed to 44 external injuries on the person of Ajith Kumar and said no part of the body was spared by the delinquent cops. "Even an ordinary murderer would not have inflicted such kind of injuries," the bench said on Tuesday.The natur ...Read More >
Jorhat: The Tea Association of India (TAI) has urged the Assam government to address critical concerns related to land, wages, and imports before proceeding with key policy decisions impacting the tea sector, cautioning that unresolved issues could affect the industry's long-term sustainability. Addressing the 37th Biennial General Meeting of TAI's Assam Branch in Jorhat, the Association's president, Shailja Mehta, said the proposed land patta distribution to tea garden workers, though well-intentioned, requires careful evaluation. "While we appreciate the intent of the state government to p ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram: Ravada A Chandrasekhar took charge as the new State Police Chief on Tuesday. He succeeds Shaik Darvesh Saheb, who retired on June 30. His tenure will run until July 1, 2027. A 1991-batch IPS officer currently serving as Special Director with the Intelligence Bureau, Chandrasekhar is on central deputation. He was selected over Nitin Agarwal, who topped the official list of probables. The appointment order, issued by Kerala Chief Secretary Dr A Jayathilak on behalf of the Governor, was released soon after a cabinet meeting held on Monday. Hailing from Andhra Pradesh's Godav ...Read More >
Bareilly (UP), Jul 17 (PTI) A teacher from Bahedi district, who went viral recently after reciting a poem mentioning Kanwar Yatra, approached the police on Thursday stating a threat to his life from anti-social elements. A case has been registered at Bahedi police station based on a complaint from Dr Rajneesh Kumar Gangwar, a teacher at MGM Inter College in the district. According to Circle Officer Arun Kumar Singh, Gangwar's complaint says that ever since his recitation of the poem 'Tum Kanwad Lene Mat Jana, Gyaan Ka Deepak Jalaana' (You don't go get Kavad, light the lamp of knowledge inste ...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 >
Kolkata: The rupee, already the weakest Asian currency this year in a back-loaded retreat against the US dollar, Tuesday breached the 91 mark for the first time on unabated outflows from local assets by overseas investors. The currency, which Tuesday touched a fresh all-time low of 91.08, has depreciated over 6% this year against the US dollar, the world's reserve currency in which both traded and investable assets are priced across geographies. 'Pace of Decline to Slow' Nearly half of that depreciation took place in less than a month, between November 19 and December 16, when the rupee ret ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], April 6 (ANI): India's services sector growth moderated in March, with the HSBC India Services PMI falling to 57.5 from 58.1 in February, signalling the slowest expansion in 14 months, according to a report released on Monday. "Falling from 58.1 in February to 57.5 in March... indicated the weakest rate of expansion for 14 months," the report noted, while adding that the index remained above its long-run average of 54.4, highlighting continued overall growth. The report attributed the softer expansion to a slowdown in new business inflows, even as international demand rema ...Read More >
Meta description - India's service sector growth slowed to a 14-month low in March 2026. It gives the right sign, eases the demand, and moderates financial momentum overall. India's services sector lost steam for the second straight month in March. It is recording its slowest growth in over a year as demand weakened and inflationary pressures have strengthened amid the constant Iran conflict. The HSBC India Services Purchasing Managers' Index, collected by S&P Global, fell to 57.5 last month from 58.1 in February. However, the reading stays more than 50 marks, which divides growth from contr ...Read More >
Saturday, 28 June 2025 () India is set to maintain strong economic growth, surpassing G7 nations. This growth is driven by domestic demand and favorable demographics. India's share in global GDP is increasing. Merchandise trade with G7 countries has grown significantly. India is leading global initiatives in clean energy and digital governance. Strategic cooperation with G7 nations will shape future growth. ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) In the 123rd episode of his monthly radio address, 'Mann Ki Baat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed a new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) that shows a major rise in India's social security coverage. Speaking on this incredible achievement, Economist Pankaj Jaiswal told IANS from Mumbai, that this major achievement should be "celebrated" as it reflects PM Modi's grand success in ensuring that the poor and marginalised are not left behind. Citing ILO data, he stated that this reflects a significant 45 per cent rise in socia ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emplaned for Namibia -- the final stop of his five-nation visit -- after wrapping up his State Visit to Brasilia where he met Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and also attended the 17th BRICS Summit in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. Taking to X, the PMO wrote: "PM @narendramodi has boarded for Namibia, the final destination of his tour" Also, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randir Jaiswal wrote on X: "PM @narendramodi concludes a productive visit to Brazil and emplanes for Namibia. A memorable visit t ...Read More >
Chennai: Madras high court has clarified that private self-financing medical colleges are required to pay only a stipend, and not a full salary, to in-service govt doctors pursuing postgraduate or super-specialty courses under the govt quota.A division bench of Justice R Subramanian and Justice K Surender passed the order while partly allowing a batch of appeals moved by Karpaga Vinayaga Medical College and others. They challenged a single judge's order that directed private colleges to pay salaries to in-service doctors studying in their institutions.The appeals were moved based on a GO dated ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram: Union Minister Suresh Gopi stirred controversy on Tuesday by claiming that those elected by "corpses" are now serving the state. Speaking at a neighbourhood meet called "Kalungu" in Idukki district, he alleged that cadavers from 25 years ago had cast votes in Kerala elections. Media reports have previously highlighted incidents of deceased voters being listed as active in Kerala's voter list, he said, while indirectly referring to the accusations of "scientific rigging " against the Left parties. The minister was responding to allegations of voter fraud in Thrissur consti ...Read More >
Mumbai: Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, once distant cousins, are coming together to challenge the Maharashtra government's choice to implement Hindi as a compulsory language for Classes 1 to 5 according to the National Education Policy (NEP). They perceive this action as an infringement on local identity and language variety. Uddhav's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are set to conduct a unified protest march on July 5, representing their first joint endeavour in twenty years. Sanjay Raut, spokesperson for Shiv Sena (UBT), affirmed the collective position through a post o ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) The upcoming Kerala local body elections, to be held in two phases on December 9 and 11, are shaping up as a battle between anti-incumbency and incumbency, a test of whether public discontent over controversies will outweigh the Left government's claims of welfare-driven governance. For the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), which controls five of the six corporations and a majority of local bodies, the elections are a bid to reaffirm its political dominance and validate Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's narrative of continuity and social welfare. ...Read More >
Lucknow, Mar 31 (PTI) BSP chief Mayawati on Tuesday said effective implementation of reservation policies for Dalits, tribals and backward classes is not possible without a "Bahujan government", while accusing ruling governments of weakening these provisions. Addressing a meeting of party office-bearers at the BSP state office here, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister alleged that both central and state governments were making reservation "ineffective and inactive". "Without a government of the Bahujan Samaj, it is impossible to implement reservation with the right intent and policy," sh ...Read More >
New Delhi, Oct 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) India's trade deficit is likely to remain manageable, as exports to other Asian partners such as China, Hong Kong and South Korea have been higher than last year, both in terms of growth as well as a proportion of total exports, according to a new report. Similarly, exports to European countries such as Spain and Germany too have shown significant traction this year. This is a huge positive and should support exports growth in the rest of the year as well, according to Aditi Gupta, Economist, Bank of Baroda (BoB). In terms of invisibles, the position is exp ...Read More >
MUMBAI: BJP politicians and the writer of a congratulatory tome titled 'Modi's Mission' outdid one another in heaping fulsome praise on PM Narendra Modi at the book's release at Raj Bhavan on Friday. Maharashtra governor Acharya Devvrat's statement -- that Modi became prime minister of India "out of a divine arrangement" -- was the most lavish but the other attendees were not far behind. The book release was attended by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Dy CM Eknath Shinde and Ram Shinde, chairpe ...Read More >
Lucknow: Senior Samajwadi Party leader and former minister Gayatri Prajapati was attacked by a fellow inmate inside Lucknow Jail on Tuesday. The scuffle took place within the jail premises, after which prison authorities launched an internal inquiry. According to a statement issued by Dr Ramdhani, DIG Prisons, Lucknow Range, the incident occurred after Prajapati allegedly used abusive language towards another inmate, Vishwas Rajput. In response, Vishwas attacked Prajapati using a sharp object inside the cell. DIG Prisons clarified that the incident was not premeditated and dismissed any spec ...Read More >
CHANDIGARH: A portion of the frontal section of Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira's house in Bholath, Kapurthala, was demolished on Monday by the office of the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO). Khaira, a strong critic of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, condemned the move, calling it the dangerous introduction of "bulldozer (Pila-Panja) politics" in Punjab by Mann under directions from AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, aimed at silencing criticism and democratic dissent. As the demolition began, Khaira went live on social media, criticising the state government. Anticipating the ...Read More >
Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) [India], June 7 (ANI): Following the completion of one month of Operation Sindoor, people living near the Indo-Pak border in Rajasthan expressed happiness. A resident in Barmer said that there was too much enthusiasm among the people during Operation Sindoor, and nobody living near the border vacated their village. A resident, Raghuvir Singh, said, "My village is just 2 km away from the Indo-Pak border. We have seen Operation Sindoor very closely. Nobody living near the border vacated their village; they supported the Indian Army and BSF. The Indian Air Force destroyed t ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 14 (PTI) The AIIMS-Bhubaneswar has been able to win the trust of the public, not only in Odisha but also in West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, President Droupadi Murmu said on Monday. She was addressing the 5th Annual Convocation Ceremony of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bhubaneswar. Murmu said that over the last 12 years, the institution has grown significantly and hailed former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who laid its foundation in 2003, as a visionary. "Over the last one year, more than 10 lakh outdoor patients have received treatment ...Read More >
New Delhi, Sep 12: The consumer price index-based (CPI) inflation, which stood under the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) tolerance level of 2-6 per cent in August amid an unfavourable geo-political situation, will maintain price stability, industry experts said on Friday. PHDCCI Highlights Food Price Impact CPI inflation stood at 2.07 per cent for the month despite unfavourable geopolitical situations. "Year-on-year CPI inflation for August stood within RBI's tolerance limit, despite international policy uncertainties," said Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI. The year-on-year inflation rate, bas ...Read More >
New Delhi: In a setback to Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez, Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed her plea to end criminal proceedings in a Rs 200-crore money laundering case involving Sukesh Chandrasekhar, currently imprisoned for fraud.Justice Anish Dayal dismissed the plea that also sought to quash the chargesheet by the Enforcement Directorate and proceedings pending before the special court under the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against her and others.A copy of the detailed judgment is awaited.Fernandez had challenged ED's case against her over allegations she ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu, graced the fifth convocation ceremony of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, at Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on Monday, according to a President Secretariat statement. Speaking on the occasion, the President was pleased to note that AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, has grown significantly over the last 12 years. She said that, whether it be patient care, medical research, or social welfare activities, this Institute has earned many accolades and has won the hearts of the people of Odisha and neighbouring states, such as West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and others. ...Read More >