Business

High-level review held to fast-track infrastructure projects worth Rs 36,296 crore in Gujarat and Rajasthan

High-level review held to fast-track infrastructure projects worth Rs 36,296 crore in Gujarat and Rajasthan

New Delhi (National Times): A high-level meeting was convened on 03.07.2025 to review key issues impacting major infrastructure projects in Gujarat and Rajasthan, with a focus on resolving bottlenecks through the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) mechanism. A total of 22 issues related to 18 critical projects—collectively valued at over ₹36,296 crore—were taken up for discussion. Among the major initiatives discussed was the Transmission System Strengthening Scheme for evacuation of power from solar energy zones in Rajasthan and Gujarat, with a projected investment of ₹14,147 crore. The scheme aims to facilitate seamless integration of renewable energy into the national grid by…
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Chandigarh State Cooperative Bank Announces 85% Job Quota for Chandigarh Residents

Chandigarh State Cooperative Bank Announces 85% Job Quota for Chandigarh Residents

Chandigarh (National Times): The Chandigarh State Cooperative Bank Limited has taken a significant decision to benefit the youth of Chandigarh. A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Sh. Satinderpal Singh Sidhu, Chairman, Chandigarh State Cooperative Bank. Present during the meeting were Smt. Anuradha Chagti, Managing Director of The Chandigarh State Cooperative Bank Limited, Chandigarh; Sh. Naveen Rattu, SDM Central; and other senior officials. During the meeting it was decided that the Board of Directors resolved to reserve 85% of jobs in the bank for Chandigarh residents.Out of this 85% quota, 15% of posts will be specifically earmarked for the…
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Domestic Gold Prices May Touch ₹1 Lakh Mark in H2 2025: ICICI Bank Report

Domestic Gold Prices May Touch ₹1 Lakh Mark in H2 2025: ICICI Bank Report

New Delhi, July 5 — Local gold prices in India are expected to maintain an upward bias in the second half of 2025, potentially breaching the psychologically significant ₹1,00,000 per 10 grams mark, according to a report released by ICICI Bank Global Markets.Domestic prices, which currently hover in the range of ₹96,500–₹98,500 per 10 grams, rose 0.6 per cent in June despite a broader global trend of stable prices. The uptick was attributed in part to a modest depreciation of the Indian rupee by 0.2 per cent during the month.“Local gold prices are expected to continue trading with an upside…
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Nehal Modi Arrested in US, Extradition to India Underway in Rs 13,000 Crore PNB Scam Case

Nehal Modi Arrested in US, Extradition to India Underway in Rs 13,000 Crore PNB Scam Case

New Delhi/Washington (National Times): In a major development in the ongoing probe into the Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, Nehal Modi, brother of fugitive businessman Nirav Modi, has been arrested in the United States following an extradition request by Indian authorities. The arrest, confirmed by officials from India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), was carried out after U.S. law enforcement authorities accepted India’s formal request seeking his custody in connection with money laundering and conspiracy charges. Nehal Modi has long been accused of playing a key role in helping Nirav Modi escape India…
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Cab Fares May Double in Peak Hours Under New Govt Rules; Stricter Safety Norms for Aggregators

Cab Fares May Double in Peak Hours Under New Govt Rules; Stricter Safety Norms for Aggregators

New Delhi, July 2: Passengers booking cabs through apps like Uber, Ola and Rapido could soon pay up to twice the base fare during rush hours, as the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has unveiled new guidelines allowing higher dynamic pricing and stricter safety measures for aggregators.The “Motor Vehicles Aggregator Guidelines 2025,” released by the ministry, permit aggregators to charge between half and twice the base fare, a shift from the current ceiling of 1.5 times. The base fare itself will apply for a minimum of three kilometres to account for “dead mileage”—the distance drivers travel without passengers and…
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Punjab to Borrow Rs 8,500 Crore in July-September Quarter; State’s Debt May Cross Rs 4 Lakh Crore by FY 2025-26

Punjab to Borrow Rs 8,500 Crore in July-September Quarter; State’s Debt May Cross Rs 4 Lakh Crore by FY 2025-26

Chandigarh (National Times): The Punjab government plans to borrow a total of Rs 8,500 crore over the next three months, from July to September 2025, following approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The move comes amid concerns over the state’s mounting debt, which has already reached Rs 3.82 lakh crore as of March 31, 2025, amounting to more than 44% of the state's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Officials estimate that by March 31, 2026, the total debt burden could exceed Rs 4 lakh crore, which translates to a debt of over Rs 1.25 lakh per person in Punjab.…
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Commercial LPG Cylinder Price Cut by Rs 58.50 from July 1; No Change in Domestic Rates

Commercial LPG Cylinder Price Cut by Rs 58.50 from July 1; No Change in Domestic Rates

New Delhi (National Times): In a welcome move for the commercial sector, oil marketing companies have reduced the price of 19-kg commercial LPG gas cylinders by Rs 58.50 with effect from Tuesday, July 1. The revision offers relief to hotels, restaurants, and businesses that rely on commercial gas cylinders for daily operations. With the latest price cut, the retail price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder in Delhi now stands at Rs 1,665, down from Rs 1,723.50. The revised rates vary across other major cities, with prices now at Rs 1,616 in Mumbai, Rs 1,769 in Kolkata, and Rs 1,823.50…
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Indian Economy Stays Robust Amid Global Uncertainty, Says RBI

Indian Economy Stays Robust Amid Global Uncertainty, Says RBI

New Delhi, June 30, 2025 — The Indian economy continues to stand out as a key driver of global growth, buoyed by strong macroeconomic fundamentals and prudent policy measures, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stated on Monday in its bi-annual Financial Stability Report (FSR).Despite heightened global economic and trade policy uncertainties, which have put the resilience of the world economy and financial systems to the test, India’s financial sector remains stable, the central bank said.“Financial markets remain volatile, especially core government bond markets, driven by shifting policy and geopolitical environment. Alongside, existing vulnerabilities such as soaring public debt levels…
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Trump Terminates Trade Talks With Canada Over Digital Services Tax, Slams 400% Dairy Tariffs

Trump Terminates Trade Talks With Canada Over Digital Services Tax, Slams 400% Dairy Tariffs

Washington DC (National Times): In a fiery social media post on Friday, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced the immediate termination of all trade discussions with Canada, accusing the country of imposing a “Digital Services Tax” on American technology firms and unfair tariffs on U.S. farmers. Taking to his platform Truth Social, President Trump called Canada “a very difficult Country to TRADE with” and alleged that Canadian policies have long targeted American producers, specifically pointing to 400% tariffs on dairy products. Trump’s remarks came after reports that Canada had introduced a new tax targeting digital services, a move similar to…
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Trump Slams Indian-Origin Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani as “100% Communist Lunatic” After Primary Win

Trump Slams Indian-Origin Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani as “100% Communist Lunatic” After Primary Win

New York (National Times): Former U.S. President Donald Trump has lashed out at Zohran Mamdani, the Indian-origin leftist who recently clinched the Democratic primary for New York City’s mayoral race, calling him a “100% Communist Lunatic” in a fiery post on his Truth Social platform. Trump’s comments came after Mamdani, a self-proclaimed socialist, defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in a surprising upset that has energized the city’s progressive base. With 43.5% of the vote and 90% ballots counted, Mamdani is now poised to become the first Muslim mayor of New York City—if he wins the general election. “This…
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