Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 15 (ANI): <keyword id="19906966" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ashok-Leyland" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Ashok Leyland" meta.hostid="265" meta.entityid="Ashok Leyland">Ashok Leyland</keyword> has announced that the company has secured the single largest fully built bus order from the <keyword id="20577309" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra-State-Road-Transport-Corporation" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation" meta.hostid="265" meta.entityid="Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation">Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation</keyword> (<keyword id="20276774" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="MSRTC" source="keywords">MSRTC</keyword>) for 2,104 units of Viking passenger buses. According to a press release, the total consideration for this order is approximately Rs 981.45 Crores. The execution period for this contract spans from August 2024 to August 2025. MSRTC operates a fleet of over 15,000 buses. With this substantial order, Ashok Leyland buses will now dominate its fleet. These modern, fully built buses will comply with the latest Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) standards and feature AIS 153 compliant bodies. The order, awarded by the domestic entity MSRTC, is for the supply of BSVI OBD II Diesel Fuel Type Fully Built Passenger Buses. MSRTC, one of India's largest state transport undertakings, operates a fleet of over 15,000 buses. With this substantial order, Ashok Leyland buses will now dominate its fleet. These modern, fully built buses will comply with the latest Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) standards and feature AIS 153 compliant bodies. They will also be equipped with the proven iGEN6 BS VI OBD II technology, boasting a 197 HP H-Series Engine and Rear Air Suspension, among other advanced features. The buses will be manufactured at Ashok Leyland's exclusive bus body plants using state-of-the-art technology, ensuring enhanced safety, improved comfort, and a lower total cost of ownership for MSRTC. Shenu Agarwal, Managing Director and CEO of Ashok Leyland, expressed his excitement about the continued partnership with MSRTC. He stated, "We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). This new order underscores our dedication to producing highly efficient and technologically advanced products, driving the growth of public transportation in the country." He added, "Our deep understanding of our customers and our ability to quickly respond to their needs is what sets us apart." Echoing this sentiment, Sanjeev Kumar, President of Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (M&amp;HCV) at Ashok Leyland, remarked, "We are thrilled to have received this order from MSRTC. The order win emphasizes the confidence and trust our customers have in our products. Specifically tailored to meet the unique requirements of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, our buses stand as a testament to the reliability, durability, and robustness of our products." He added, " We are proud to offer MSRTC and the people of Maharashtra a modern fleet that ensures superior comfort and the highest standards of safety. This order reflects the trust that our customers place on Ashok Leyland." As one of the top five largest bus manufacturers globally, Ashok Leyland's recent order further consolidates its position in both the Indian and global bus markets.

Ashok Leyland bags single largest order of 2,104 fully built buses from Maharashtra government

Terming the state budget as "revolutionary," Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath <keyword id="20040955" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shinde" source="keywords">Shinde</keyword> said that this budget in a true sense empowers women, youth, and farmers through various schemes worth Rs 1 lakh crore. He said that this budget is revolutionary and would make the future of weaker sections, farmers, and youth bright. Stating that the budget was a resolve to give a new direction to Maharashtra, <keyword id="20062947" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CM-Shinde" source="keywords">CM Shinde</keyword> said that this budget has an "unending chant of the <keyword id="22227448" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="development-of-Maharashtra" source="keywords">development of Maharashtra</keyword>". Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister <keyword id="19941791" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ajit-Pawar" source="keywords">Ajit Pawar</keyword> on Saturday presented the additional budget for the year 2024-25 in the state assembly. The Finance Minister had presented the interim budget in February. Stating that the budget has important provisions to help women and unemployed youth to stand on their own feet, the Chief Minister said that "Chief Minister Majhi Laadki Baheen scheme, free vocational education to girl students, Chief Minister Annapoorna scheme which gives 3 cylinders per year to eligible families, project worth Rs 15 thousand crores for providing free electricity to farmers during day time, Chief Minister Baliraja electricity concession scheme which provides free power to farmers using agricultural pumps, training to 50 thousand youth every year to convey government schemes to masses and resolve to remove poverty of the weaker sections of the society have made this budget special." He said that provisions like free education to girl students for engineering, pharmacy, and medical education along with degree and diploma courses along with Rs. 1500 per month to every woman prove that the government has expressed its responsibility towards women of the state. Stating that the budget proves that it stands behind the farmers, Chief Minister Shinde said that the issue of food-grain storage would be resolved through schemes like Godown per village. He said that the lives of farmers would be transformed through various provisions in the budget which include financial assistance to cotton and soybean growers, special campaigns to complete irrigation projects, and solar pumps on demand. Pointing out that the decision to celebrate the coronation of <keyword id="19966480" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chhatrapati-Shivaji-Maharaj" source="keywords">Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj</keyword> through a ceremony every year at Fort Raigad is important, the Chief Minister said that other decisions include recommending the annual Pandharpur pilgrimage for the UNESCO World Heritage along with the rock sculptures in Konkan, Dahi Handi celebration are efforts towards the preservation of history and culture of the state. He said that the budget provides Rs 20,000 to every Dindi (the troops participating in the annual Pandharpur pilgrimage) and it has made the announcement of making arrangements for medical treatment of pilgrims through the Chief minister's medical relief cell and provision for Nirmal Waari show commitment towards the annual pilgrim and Warkari sect. He said that a separate Warkari Mahamandal or separate Corporation for the annual pilgrims would be set up. Stating that massive investment would be made in priority sectors and the <keyword id="21313056" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-hydrogen-sector" source="keywords">green hydrogen sector</keyword>, he said that it would generate employment in a big way. He said that the chief minister's youth training scheme would impart training to ten lakh youngsters every year and a centre of excellence would be established in ITI's which would benefit the youngsters. Stating that the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar scheme and Shrawan Bal seva state pension scheme assistance would be raised are strong steps CM Shinde said that providing for housing of various sections of society, Anand Dighe housing scheme for differently abled amply proves that the state government is taking strong steps towards removing the poverty in the state. The chief minister said that Metro routes worth 449 Kms in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur along with 23 thousand kilometer road stretch works under Chief Minister Gram Sadak scheme, construction of buildings of village Panchayats under Balasaheb Thackeray memorial Matoshree Gram Panchayat scheme, PM e-bus scheme in municipal corporation areas and other infrastructure works would be undertaken in a big way which would result in speedy development of the state. The monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly began on Thursday (June 28) and will go on till July 12. This is the last legislative session before the state assembly polls, in the next four months.

Budget resolves to give new direction to Maharashtra: CM Shinde

In a significant move aimed at recognising mothers' vital roles in upbringing, the Maharashtra cabinet has mandated the inclusion of mothers' names in government documents. Effective May 1, 2024, the format for government documents will require the document-holder’s first name to be followed by the mother’s first name and then the father’s first name and surname. Individuals born on or after May 1, 2014, are required to adhere to this format for all government documents, including birth certificates, property documents, Aadhar cards and PAN cards, as well as school and revenue documents, examination certificates and salary slips, as stated in the government’s press note. The state's public health department has been tasked with consulting the Centre regarding the inclusion of the mother’s name in birth and death registrations. For married women, the prevailing practice of listing the woman’s name followed by her husband’s first name and surname will remain unchanged. Orphans will be exempt from including the mother’s name. In alignment with this decision, Maharashtra Chief Minister <keyword id="19913631" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="eknath-shinde" source="keywords">Eknath Shinde</keyword> had a new nameplate installed outside his office chamber at the state secretariat in south Mumbai. The updated nameplate now includes his mother's name before that of his father, reading 'Eknath Gangubai Sambhaji Shinde'. Shinde posted a picture of the same on his X, with part of the caption reading: “The state government has taken a historic decision to give credit to Mauli, who plays a lion's share in raising us right from giving birth to us.” <div type="twitter" handle="mieknathshinde" handlename="mieknathshinde" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1767428216350753121"></div> Historically, government documents have predominantly featured the father's name. However, acknowledging that mothers are equally instrumental in a child's upbringing, the <keyword id="20822121" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="women-and-child-development-department" source="keywords">Women and Child Development Department</keyword> emphasised the necessity of granting mothers the recognition they deserve. Meanwhile, critics have questioned whether this move is a pre-election strategy to appeal to women voters before the Lok Sabha polls' code of conduct is enforced. Overall, experts feel that the move could provide an opportunity for revisiting the archaic practices of a patriarchal presence throughout an individual’s life.

Why should fathers have all the mentions? Maharashtra govt mandates inclusion of mothers’ names in documents as recognition of their vital role

New Delhi: Life Insurance Corporation of India (<keyword id="19903588" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="LIC" source="keywords">LIC</keyword>) has increased its stake in <keyword id="19984004" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bank-of-Maharashtra" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Bank of Maharashtra" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Bank of Maharashtra">Bank of Maharashtra</keyword>, the company informed the exchange in a filing. In an official statement on Saturday, LIC announced that it has raised its shareholding in the bank from 4.05 per cent to 7.10 per cent following a <keyword id="19984002" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Qualified-Institutional-Placement" source="keywords">Qualified Institutional Placement</keyword> (<keyword id="19984001" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="QIP" source="keywords">QIP</keyword>). "..the Life Insurance Corporation of India ("the Corporation") has increased its shareholding in Bank of Maharashtra ("Company") from 4.05 per cent (pre-allotment) to 7.10 per cent (post allotment)" said LIC. The increased shareholding comes after LIC was allotted 25.96 crore equity shares as part of the QIP issued by the Bank of Maharashtra. Prior to this allotment, LIC held a 4.05 per cent stake in the bank. With the new shares, LIC now owns a 7.10 per cent stake, marking a significant rise in its ownership. The allotment was made under the guidelines of Regulation 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations. LIC noted that it has complied with the regulatory requirements, including the details stipulated under the SEBI circular issued in July 2023, which governs disclosure obligations for listed entities. A Qualified Institutional Placement is a way for listed companies to raise capital by issuing equity shares to institutional investors, and this transaction indicates LIC's confidence in the growth potential of Bank of Maharashtra. Bank of Maharashtra is one of the public sector banks, and this infusion of capital through QIP will help strengthen its balance sheet and support its expansion plans.

LIC increases stake in Bank of Maharashtra from 4.05 percent to 7.1 percent through QIP

In a massive move for the country’s growing climate woes, India is aiming to control weather phenomena like rainfall, lightning, and hail within five years. Dubbed "<keyword id="23131560" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mission-Mausam" source="keywords">Mission Mausam</keyword>," this government-backed initiative includes the development of <keyword id="23148975" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mausam-GPT" source="keywords">Mausam GPT</keyword>, a weather AI model designed to enhance prediction accuracy and even manipulate the weather. This would make India one of the first countries to experiment with <keyword id="21369368" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="weather-modification" source="keywords">weather modification</keyword> on a significant scale. <h2>Mission Mausam</h2>India’s "Mission Mausam" aims to reshape the future of weather management by using technology to control rain. Over the next 18 months, the government will start with lab simulations to either enhance or suppress rainfall. The ultimate goal, as outlined by Earth Sciences Secretary M. Ravichandran, is to roll out full-scale weather modification within five years. He stated that the initiative could even target events like Independence Day, where “one can think about suppressing rain.” By deploying <keyword id="20644540" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cloud-seeding" source="keywords">cloud seeding</keyword> techniques alongside AI-driven weather prediction tools like "Mausam GPT," the mission seeks to significantly improve India’s ability to manage extreme weather conditions. A key aspect of the plan involves building a robust system of advanced radars, supercomputers, satellites with high-performance sensors, and GIS-based decision support systems. This cutting-edge tech is expected to boost India’s short- and medium-range weather forecasting accuracy by 5-10%, ensuring no event — such as cloudbursts — goes undetected. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113251187" title="India braces for an intensely harsh winter as La Niña takes hold" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>India is not new to weather manipulation efforts. The government has been running pilot projects, such as the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX) in Maharashtra, to study cloud properties and enhance rainfall. <h2>Why is weather manipulation necessary and is it safe?</h2>Extreme weather events in India, like deadly floods, droughts, and hailstorms, have noticeably increased in frequency due to <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword>. Mission Mausam could potentially give India an edge in combating these disasters. For example, imagine preventing a flood by suppressing rain or creating artificial rain during a drought. India’s investment of Rs 2,000 crore over two years certainly reflects the seriousness of the mission, which is expected to expand further as research progresses. However, weather modification, including cloud seeding, is not without controversy. Globally, cloud seeding has had limited success, with countries like the US, Russia, and China also experimenting with these methods but facing inconsistent results. Even former MoES Secretary Madhavan Rajeevan has noted that “the technology is complex” and still in its developmental stages. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112825937" title="Shivaji Maharaj Statue collapse: Identifying 5 reasons behind the accident" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Further, the potential downsides can't be ignored. While controlling the weather could save lives, meddling with natural processes is risky. Weather manipulation might have unintended ecological consequences, like shifting rainfall patterns that could harm ecosystems and agriculture. It may also pose geopolitical risks, as neighbouring countries could accuse India of altering weather systems that affect their own climates. Ultimately, while the idea of managing the weather may seem appealing, it opens up a Pandora’s box of environmental and ethical challenges that need careful consideration.

The Indian government is taking steps to control rainfall and weather within five years — is it too risky of a move?

The just-announced <keyword id="22906567" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Unified-Pension-Scheme" source="keywords">Unified Pension Scheme</keyword> for central <keyword id="19933272" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="government-employees" source="keywords">government employees</keyword> will be available only for those who are currently subscribers of the New Pension Scheme (NPS), including retirees. The new scheme guarantees employees 50% of their average basic pay over the last 12 months before retirement, as a pension for a minimum qualifying service of 25 years against a market returns linked payout under the NPS. According to the scheme approved by the Union Cabinet, the pension will be proportionate for a lesser service period of up to a minimum of 10 years. Also, assured pension of Rs 10,000 per month on superannuation after a minimum of 10 years of service will be provided. The scheme has been brought out to address the concerns of government employees over NPS, which came into effect from January 1, 2004. Under the <keyword id="3246232" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Old-Pension-Scheme" source="Orion">old pension scheme</keyword> (OPS), effective before January 2004, employees got 50 % of their last drawn basic pay as pension. Unlike the old pension scheme, UPS is contributory in nature, wherein employees will be required to contribute 10% of their basic salary and dearness allowance while the employer's contribution (the central government) will be 18.5%. Under the NPS, the employer contribution is 14%, and the employee contribution is 10%. However, the eventual payout depends on the market returns on that corpus, mostly invested in government debt. Employees, under the OPS, were not required to make any contribution. They, however, contributed to the General Provident Fund (GPF). The accumulated amount, along with interest, was paid to the employee at the time of retirement. As the NPS was less attractive than the OPS, several non-BJP-ruled states decided to go back to the old pension scheme, which offered a DA-linked benefit. This prompted the Centre to constitute a committee in April 2023, under former Finance Secretary and now Cabinet Secretary-designate TV Somanathan to suggest improvement in the NPS architecture. Fulfilling the long pending demands of government employees ahead of assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Cabinet on August 24 approved the UPS, which will provide assured pension to 23 lakh eligible central government employees. Those opting for the UPS will not be able to switch back. The UPS will put an additional burden of Rs 6,250 crore on the exchequer per year. The expenditure will vary every year according to variations in the number of employees. In addition, there will be an arrear of Rs 800 crore that has to be paid under the National Pension System (NPS) to employees retiring before March 31, 2025. If these retirees opt for UPS, they will receive arrears. "UPS is being implemented by the Central Government, benefitting 23 lakh central government employees," Information &amp; Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on X on Sunday. If states also adopt the UPS architecture, a total of over 90 lakh government employees, who are presently on NPS, would be benefitted, he added. On Sunday, Maharashtra, where assembly elections are due later in the year, became the first state to announce the adoption of the UPS for its employees. RSS-affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) said though the government has attempted to overcome the shortcomings of the NPS, there are still some issues compared to OPS. BMS will decide its future course of action only after a detailed study of the UPS after it is notified. All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) said it is nothing but an extension of the existing NPS. The trade union expressed apprehensions that UPS will have a lot of aberrations once implemented. AITUC reiterated that it will continue to fight for the restoration of the non-contributory OPS. ICRA Chief Economist Aditi Nayar said assured pensions will add to the government's committed expenditure in the future while reducing the uncertainty for employees. "This will have to be built into the fiscal consolidation roadmap going ahead," Nayar added. The UPS reflects a thoughtful approach to long-term social security, addressing concerns about the adequacy and sustainability of pension benefits in a rapidly changing economic landscape, said Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas &amp; Co Partner Dorothy Thomas. "This move signals the government's commitment to providing robust support for its workforce, enhancing financial stability for millions of government employees across the country," Thomas said.

Over 23 lakh govt employees under NPS get option to choose unified pension scheme

Union Finance Minister Nirmala <keyword id="19916494" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sitharaman" source="keywords">Sitharaman</keyword> on Friday urged officers of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (<keyword id="19908147" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CBIC" source="keywords">CBIC</keyword>) to proactively address <keyword id="20283921" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="doubts" source="keywords">doubts</keyword> and concerns raised by the public and business community regarding taxes before they escalate into grievances. Speaking at the inauguration of the new <keyword id="22890667" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="GST-Bhawan" source="keywords">GST Bhawan</keyword> in Udaipur, Rajasthan, Sitharaman emphasized the importance of a preventive approach in handling tax-related issues. She highlighted that government officials should prioritize solving problems at the stage where they are mere doubts, rather than allowing them to develop into full-blown grievances. "Before addressing a grievance, if we spend time through outreach to clear the doubts and suspicions in their minds, those doubts won't escalate into grievances" said Finance Minister Sitharaman. Sitharaman also highlighted the significance of effective information sharing in this process. She suggested that by engaging in sector-wise outreach and addressing any doubts that arise, officials could prevent potential issues from turning into grievances. "I request that before grievances arise, we should definitely carry out outreach sector by sector. If there are any doubts in their minds after this and some changes need to be made accordingly, we can make those changes as well. So, more than anything else, we need to focus on information sharing" added Sithraman. The Finance Minister's remarks emphasized a shift towards a more communicative and responsive approach in tax administration, aiming to foster better relationships between the government and the business community while minimizing conflicts and misunderstandings. Union Minister Sitharaman is on a two-day visit to Udaipur, On Thursday the minister chaired a meeting to review the performance of nine Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) of the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. The minister asked Regional rural banks (RRBs) to ensure easy credit to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). She asked the RRBs to become more customer-friendly and leverage their local connections to further improve performance. "All RRBs have devised customised MSME products aligning with cluster activities. However, they need to regularly review their credit portfolio in that segment", she said. She also highlighted that Sponsor Banks and RRBs must recognise the challenges that lie ahead, especially maintaining asset quality, expanding digital services, and ensuring robust corporate governance are the areas that require continued focus. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/2024-tvs-jupiter-vs-honda-activa-6g-which-110cc-scooter-should-you-buy/slidelist/112730069.cms">2024 TVS Jupiter vs Honda Activa 6G – which 110cc scooter should you buy?</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/how-to/how-to-add-music-to-instagram-profile/articleshow/112732934.cms">You can now add music to your Instagram profile – here's how</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/audi-q8-facelift-launched-in-india-with-a-1-17-crore-price-tag/slidelist/112707701.cms">Audi Q8 facelift launched in India with a ₹1.17 crore price tag</a>

Sitharaman urges tax officials to prevent doubts from escalating into grievances

The tallies for each constituency are in, and the arithmetic for the next government is being worked out. If the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (<keyword id="19894848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP" source="keywords">BJP</keyword>) manages to hold onto their alliances, the stage will be set for Modi 3.0. However, if the Congress-led INDIA bloc somehow lures major parties like JD(U) and TDP, they might have a chance, though it is a long shot at the moment. However, with the results out for all 543 constituencies, much has been revealed about the general attitude of the country’s voters. For instance, despite the almost-unshakable belief that the BJP will sweep almost all 80 <keyword id="19894922" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttar-Pradesh" source="keywords">Uttar Pradesh</keyword> seats — especially after the Ram Mandir inauguration — the party shockingly only managed to win only 33. Some experts speculate that this outcome came from the party failing to address core issues such as employment and economic anxiety, and instead choosing to focus on religious divide to win ballots. Expert institutions, such as Bernstein and Citi Research, have now noted that new spendings may now thus become focused on the poor, women, farmers and rural areas, especially considering how rapidly BJP’s <a href="https://bfsi.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/bias-of-markets-expected-rural-agriculture-to-be-the-new-focus-areas-reports/110728041">vote share has dropped in the rural seats</a>. For context, rural constituencies make up 60% of the total constituencies in India, according to The Economic Times. However, this is not to say that the party has clear favourites among the more developed and richer states either. Many of the richest Indian states have expressed mixed to lukewarm reactions towards BJP this election cycle, and even delivered unexpected shockers. For instance, the NDA lost a lot of ground in Uttar Pradesh, <keyword id="19897316" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra" source="keywords">Maharashtra</keyword> and Rajasthan — some states with the biggest economies in the country. As for the current scenario, the party favourite remains mixed. Considering that the country has delayed the National Survey by four years, we have to rely on independent sources to come up with more current state-wide economic statistics. Therefore, as per the India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra), <keyword id="19896017" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Karnataka" source="keywords">Karnataka</keyword>, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat formed the five largest state economies in India in the 2023 Financial Year. Let’s take a look at how India’s wealthiest states voted in <keyword id="20886626" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha-2024" source="keywords">Lok Sabha 2024</keyword>. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Karnataka" comment="subhead" text="Karnataka">Karnataka</cmsannotation> Despite struggles with making headway in the South, the BJP had made a clean sweep in Karnataka, bagging 25 seats in the 2019 general elections. While the BJP-JD(S) alliance has managed to retain a majority in the southern state with 17 seats, <keyword id="19895371" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Congress" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Congress">Congress</keyword> made an impressive comeback this year, winning 9 seats compared to the 1 in the last election cycle. JD(S) managed to capture the remaining two seats. As for the four Bengaluru constituencies, BJP managed to cling onto all of them as well, with Tejasvi Surya in Bengaluru South, Shobha Karandlaje in Bengaluru North, P. C. Mohan in Bengaluru Central and C. N. Manjunath in Bengaluru Rural. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Uttar Pradesh" comment="subhead" text="Uttar Pradesh">Uttar Pradesh</cmsannotation> As mentioned earlier, the biggest controversies came out of Uttar Pradesh. Housing prominent figures such as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state has been widely considered as a stronghold for the saffron party, who had won a whopping 62 seats in 2019. However, resident voters were determined to take to the booths to voice their dissent this year. Of the 80 UP constituencies — by far the state with the largest number of seats — 37 were won by the Samajwadi Party. Meanwhile, the BJP held onto 33 seats, and the INC 6. The difference is stark: BJP lost 27 of the seats it won in the previous election cycle. Many prominent figures were dethroned this year, including Smriti Irani in Amethi, Union Minister Ajay Kumar Mishra in Kheri and Maneka Gandhi in Sultanpur. However, perhaps the biggest shocker came from the fact that the BJP also lost the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat, which housed the contentious Ram Temple. Awadesh Prasad of the Samajwadi Party will be chairing the constituency for the next five years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, contested for the Varanasi seat, beating INC’s Ajay Rai by a margin of 2.5 lakh votes. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Maharashtra" comment="subhead" text="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</cmsannotation> Another of the biggest losses for the BJP also saw a resurgence for Congress in the state with the highest <keyword id="35050" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gdp" source="Orion">GDP</keyword>. While the NDA had clinched 41 out of the 48 seats in the previous 2019 elections, it managed to bag a paltry 9 this time around. While this is a monumental loss for the ruling party, they managed to hold firmly onto most of the coastal Konkan belt. Headed by the Mahayuti alliance, the BJP won 7 of the 12 coastal seats, including in Palghar, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg and Mumbai North. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena (UBT) maintained its hold on half of the six Mumbai constituencies. Of the four Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) seats, NCP (SP) won Bhiwandi, Shinde-led Shiv Sena won Thane and Kalyan and BJP won Palghar. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Tamil Nadu" comment="subhead" text="Tamil Nadu">Tamil Nadu</cmsannotation> Of all the economic powerhouses, Tamil Nadu was the only state untouched by the BJP this year. Out of the 39 seats in the state, the MK Stalin-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) came out victorious in 22, the INC won 9, while a coalition of other parties bagged the remaining seats. This was a massive win for the DMK, especially considering the two major opposition parties, the AIADMK and BJP, had come together to contest this year. Considered by many as BJP's most promising candidate, K Annamalai, too lost to DMK’s Ganapathi P Rajkumar in Coimbatore. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Gujarat" comment="subhead" text="Gujarat">Gujarat</cmsannotation> While most of the other states endured major plot-twists, the story has remained almost the same for Narendra Modi’s home state, Gujarat. As per final polls, the BJP won 25 of the total 26 seats in the state, falling short of a full clean sweep due to INC clutching the final one. However, the INC win in the Banaskantha Lok Sabha seat was no small victory, considering this was the first time in a decade that the party had made ground in the western state. Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah contested and won from state capital Gandhinagar by a massive margin of nearly 7.5 lakh votes.

Lok Sabha 2024: How BJP, Congress and other parties have performed in states with largest economies in India

<keyword id="20459350" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-stock-markets" source="keywords">Indian stock markets</keyword> are experiencing robust growth as the number of <keyword id="19900618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investors" source="keywords">investors</keyword> rapidly increases. However, despite this surge, the number of active participants remains relatively low compared to the total registered users, though it has been rising steadily since March. According to a report by the National Stock Exchange (NSE), out of the 9.7 crore <keyword id="22721559" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="registered-investors" source="keywords">registered investors</keyword>, only 1.5 crore are active. The report highlights that active investors on the NSE surged by 13.9 % month-on-month, reaching 1.5 crore in June. This marks the third consecutive month of growth in active market users. The NSE report shows that the number of individuals trading at least once a month grew by 13.1% in June, compared to May, reflecting a strong trend in <keyword id="21427519" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="market-participation" source="keywords">market participation</keyword>. "The number of individual investors who traded at least once in June increased across regions. This individual investor base rose by 13.9 % month-on-month to reach 1.5 crore in June 2024," the report noted. It also points out that there has been a steady rise in active domestic investors after a decline earlier in the year, particularly in March. As of June, the number of active domestic market investors on the NSE from the top 10 states--Maharashtra, Gujarat, <keyword id="19894922" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="uttar-pradesh" source="keywords">Uttar Pradesh</keyword>, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana--stood at 1.2 crore. Maharashtra led the increase in June, significantly contributing to the new and active investor base in the stock markets. "Following a decline in March 2024, the count of individuals who traded at least once has been on a steady rise, increasing by 13.1% month-on-month to 1.2 crore for the top 10 states in June 2024," the NSE report stated. The report also noted a year-on-year growth in the number of registered investors. The total number of registered users reached 9.7 crore at the end of June, up from approximately 7.6 crore the previous year. "The total number of registered investors stood at 9.7 crore at the end of June, up from around 7.6 crore at the same time last year," the report added. Region-wise, Southern and Eastern India saw significant increases, with active investor bases rising by 16.8 % month-on-month to 29.1 lakh and 15.6 % month-on-month to 16.7 lakh, respectively. The Northern and Western regions also experienced growth, with investor bases reaching 55 lakh and 56 lakh, respectively, in June 2024. <h2>Nifty on the rise</h2>The <keyword id="20641216" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nifty-50" source="keywords">Nifty 50</keyword> index began on April 22, 1996, with a starting value of 1136.28 points and has recently crossed 25,000 points, marking a growth of nearly 22 times. In less than four years from its inception, the index climbed to 1592.90 points, showcasing early signs of its potential. By December 2, 2004, just before the start of 2005, the Nifty 50 achieved a historic milestone by crossing the 2000-point mark, setting the stage for further growth amid challenges. The global financial crisis of 2008 tested the resilience of the Indian stock market. At the start of the year, the Nifty 50 was trading around 6,300 points, but by the end of 2008, it had plummeted to 2,500 points, reflecting the global economic turmoil. Despite this setback, India's <keyword id="20172097" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-sector" source="keywords">financial sector</keyword> demonstrated remarkable strength. By December 31, 2009, less than a year after the crisis, the Nifty 50 had rebounded to 5,200 points. In September 2010, the Nifty index again reached the 6,000-point mark after a gap of over two years, marking a significant recovery. As 2014 began, the index was around 6,300 points, but by the end of the year, it had surged past 8,000 points, fuelled by optimism surrounding the new single-party majority government at the centre. A major milestone was achieved on July 25, 2017, when the Nifty 50 hit the 10,000-point mark, coinciding with the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), a landmark reform in the Indian indirect tax structure. The market faced another significant challenge with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. The Nifty 50, which had been trading around 12,000 points in January 2020, fell dramatically to about 7,500 points by March 2020. This sharp decline was one of the most significant losses for the index in a short span. Nevertheless, the resilience of the Indian stock market was evident, as the Nifty 50 began its recovery as the pandemic subsided. The recovery was swift and robust. By 2021, the Nifty 50 surpassed the 15,000-point mark, and the rally continued unabated. On August 1, 2024, the index achieved a new milestone, reaching 25,000 points. The Nifty 50 hit the 20,000-point mark for the first time on September 11, 2023, and took 221 trading days from that level to reach 25,000 points on August 1, 2024. This journey from the early days of 1136.28 points to the recent milestone of 25,000 points underscores the evolution of the Indian financial sector and its integral role in the country's economic development. Commenting on the Nifty's journey, Ajay Bagga, Banking and Market Expert, stated that "the journey of the Nifty reflects the growth of the Indian economy and various sectors. When the Nifty was created in the mid-1990s, the top companies were very different, from very different sectors. In these three years, IT, Pharma, Real Estate, Autoancillaries, and Telecom have emerged as new sectors with significant shares in the Nifty market cap. Going ahead, in the decades to come, there will again be a sectoral rotation as e-commerce, artificial intelligence, fintech and health tech companies rise to prominence."

Markets hit new milestones, robust surge in active traders as investor numbers soar

New Delhi, The <keyword id="6354977" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="supreme-court" source="Orion">Supreme Court</keyword> Thursday held the Maharashtra governor was not justified in calling upon then chief minister <keyword id="53973" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="uddhav-thackeray" source="Orion">Uddhav Thackeray</keyword> to prove majority in the Assembly on June 30 last year but refused to order status quo ante, saying he did not face the floor test and resigned. It, however, said since Thackeray had resigned without facing the floor test, the governor was justified in inviting Shinde to form government at the behest of the BJP which was the largest political party in the House. In a unanimous verdict on a batch of pleas related to the political crisis that led to the fall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Thackeray following a revolt by the <keyword id="193503" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="eknath-shinde" source="Orion">Eknath Shinde</keyword> faction, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud held that House speaker's decision to appoint Bharat Gogawale of the Shinde faction as the whip of Shiv Sena was "illegal". "The governor was not justified in calling upon Thackeray to prove his majority on the floor of the House because he did not have reasons based on objective material before him to reach the conclusion that Thackeray had lost the confidence of the House," said the bench which also comprised Justices M R Shah, Krishna Murari, Hima Kohli and P S Narasimha. "However, the status quo ante can't be restored because Thackeray did not face the floor test and tendered his resignation. The governor was, therefore, justified in inviting Shinde to form the government at the behest of the BJP which was the largest political party in the house," it said. The top court also referred the 2016 Nabam Rebia verdict by a five-judge constitution bench, which relates to the power of speaker on disqualification of MLAs, to a larger bench of seven judges.

Thackeray resigned without facing floor test, can't be restored as CM: SC

New Delhi, The number of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations that are operating in the country has gone up to 12,146 as of February 2 this year, Minister of State for Heavy Industries, <keyword id="20219727" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="krishan-pal-gurjar" source="keywords">Krishan Pal Gurjar</keyword>, said in a written reply in the <keyword id="19895394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="keywords">Lok Sabha</keyword> on Tuesday. The data provided by the minister shows that Maharashtra leads with 3,079 EV charging stations followed by Delhi with 1,886, while Karnataka is at the third spot with 1,041 charging stations. The top three states are followed by: <keyword id="19896018" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kerala" source="keywords">Kerala</keyword> (852), <keyword id="19896558" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tamil-nadu" source="keywords">Tamil Nadu</keyword> (643), Uttar Pradesh (582), <keyword id="19898913" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rajasthan" source="keywords">Rajasthan</keyword> (500), Telangana (481), Gujarat (476) and Madhya Pradesh (341), making up the top 10 list. The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has been making consistent efforts for facilitating the promotion of EVs in India. The FAME-II scheme inter-alia included financial support in the form of subsidy for setting up of public charging infrastructure to instill confidence among the EV users, the minister said. Further, the Ministry of Power has taken several initiatives to accelerate the deployment of public EV charging infrastructure in the country. The government has issued guidelines and standards for charging infrastructure, which enable the owners of EVs to charge their vehicles at their residence/office using their existing electricity connections. A revenue sharing model for provision of land at promotional rates for public charging stations has also been introduced and provision has been made for providing electricity connection to Public Charging Station (PCS) within stipulated timelines. The government has also prescribed the single part EV tariff for public charging stations, This amount cannot exceed Average Cost of Supply (ACoS) till 31.03.2025. The guidelines specify a ceiling of Rs 2.50 per unit and Rs 3.50 per unit of electricity used for slow AC charging of EVs at PCS during the solar and non-solar hours, respectively. Additionally, a ceiling limit of Rs 10 per unit and Rs 12 per unit of electricity used for DC fast charging of EVs at PCS during the solar and non-solar hours, respectively, has also been specified. Average cost of supply (ACoS) by DISCOMs to PCSs during solar hours shall have a rebate of 20 per cent and a surcharge of 20 per cent during all other times. The Green Energy Open Access Rules, 2022, has been notified with the objective of further accelerating renewable energy adoption, ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and green energy for all, the minister added.

You Searched For "maharashtra new government" and got 11 results

Ashok Leyland bags single largest order of 2,104 fully built buses from Maharashtra government

ANI

Budget resolves to give new direction to Maharashtra: CM Shinde

ANI

Why should fathers have all the mentions? Maharashtra govt mandates inclusion of mothers’ names in documents as recognition of their vital role

Kunal Kambli

LIC increases stake in Bank of Maharashtra from 4.05 percent to 7.1 percent through QIP

ANI

The Indian government is taking steps to control rainfall and weather within five years — is it too risky of a move?

Ankush Banerjee

Over 23 lakh govt employees under NPS get option to choose unified pension scheme

PTI

Sitharaman urges tax officials to prevent doubts from escalating into grievances

ANI

Lok Sabha 2024: How BJP, Congress and other parties have performed in states with largest economies in India

Ankush Banerjee

Markets hit new milestones, robust surge in active traders as investor numbers soar

Ira Alok Puranik

Thackeray resigned without facing floor test, can't be restored as CM: SC

PTI

India has 12,146 EV charging stations, Maharashtra leads, Delhi second

IANS

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides