India Archives - Page 78 of 267

01 Feb

New Rules, New Rates: Key Financial and Regulatory Changes Take Effect Nationwide

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, IndiaAadhaar property registration, cigarette prices, Fastag rules, GST changes, LPG price hike

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Several financial, regulatory and pricing revisions came into force across India on Sunday, bringing a combination of relief and added burden for consumers, businesses and commuters. While some measures are expected to ease costs for motorists and air travelers, others will tighten household and commercial budgets through higher taxes and price increases. One of the most noticeable changes is the steep rise in cigarette and tobacco prices. As per the revised tax framework notified earlier, products such as pan masala, gutkha and khaini are now taxed at a flat 40 per cent under the Goods and…

01 Feb

Union Budget 2026 to Be Tabled Today as Government Eyes Growth and Fiscal Balance

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, IndiaEconomic Survey, fiscal deficit target, Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Budget 2026

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget 2026 in Parliament on Sunday, February 1, becoming only the second finance minister in India’s history to deliver the budget on a Sunday. The last such instance was in 1999, when Yashwant Sinha presented the budget under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government. The presentation also marks Sitharaman’s ninth consecutive budget under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The budget is being unveiled amid a relatively strong economic outlook. The Economic Survey 2026, presented in Parliament on Thursday, has projected India’s economy to grow by 7.4 per…

31 Jan

Gautam Adani, Nephew Agree to Accept SEC Legal Notice in US Civil Fraud Case

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, World NewsAdani Green Energy, bribery allegations, Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani, SEC lawsuit, US civil fraud case

New Delhi/New York (Rajeev Sharma): Billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani have agreed to accept service of a legal notice issued by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in a civil fraud lawsuit, according to a court filing in the United States. The move, described as procedural in nature, is subject to approval by the court. In a joint filing submitted to a federal court in Brooklyn, New York, the SEC and US-based lawyers representing the Adanis confirmed that the defendants’ counsel has agreed to receive the regulator’s legal papers. This agreement removes the need for…

31 Jan

India Dismisses Reference to PM Modi in Jeffrey Epstein Files as Baseless

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaExternal Affairs Ministry, India, Jeffrey Epstein files, Narendra Modi, Randhir Jaiswal

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): India on Saturday firmly rejected a reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi contained in investigative documents linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling it unfounded and contemptible. Responding to reports about the mention, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government had taken note of an email cited in the recently released “Epstein files,” which alluded to the Prime Minister’s visit to Israel. “We have seen reports of an email message from the so-called Epstein files that makes a reference to the Prime Minister and his visit to Israel,” Jaiswal said in an official…

31 Jan

Sunetra Pawar Sworn In as Maharashtra’s First Woman Deputy Chief Minister

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAjit Pawar, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Mahayuti government, NCP, Sunetra Pawar

Mumbai (Rajeev Sharma): Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar was sworn in on Saturday as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister, marking a landmark moment in the state’s political history. The oath-taking ceremony was held in Mumbai, just days after the tragic death of her husband, senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash near Baramati. Following Ajit Pawar’s death on January 28, the NCP — a key ally in the BJP-led Mahayuti government — unanimously chose Sunetra Pawar to lead its legislature wing. The party’s decision was formally conveyed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who forwarded…

31 Jan

IMD Forecasts Fresh Spell of Rain and Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh From February 1

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaHimachal Pradesh weather, IMD forecast, rain prediction, snowfall alert, western disturbance

Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast another round of rain and snowfall across Himachal Pradesh starting February 1, with temperatures expected to fall sharply over the coming days. The Meteorological Centre in Shimla reported that the state witnessed dry weather during the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. Minimum temperatures largely hovered around normal levels, while maximum temperatures in several areas were recorded 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average. Among the recorded extremes, Tabo in Lahaul and Spiti was the coldest location with a minimum temperature of minus 10.2 degrees Celsius,…

30 Jan

Chandigarh-Shimla Helicopter Service Launched, Travel Time Cut to 30 Minutes

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaChandigarh, Shimla

National Times Bureau :- Chandigarh and nearby areas are now connected to Shimla through a new helicopter taxi service, offering travelers a faster alternative to the usual 4–5 hour road or train journey. The initiative, launched following high demand, charges ₹3,169 per passenger and will also cover routes from Shimla to Kullu and Sanjoli-Reckong Peo. The daily service departs from Chandigarh Airport at 9:15 a.m., landing at Shimla’s Sanjoli helipad by 9:45 a.m., and returns from Shimla at 9:50 a.m., reaching Chandigarh by 10:20 a.m. The service will operate three days a week—Friday, Saturday, and Monday—and may expand depending on…

30 Jan

Punjab to conduct Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls ahead of Assembly elections 2027

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia, PunjabPunjab

National Times Bureau :- Ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections 2027, the Election Commission will carry out a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across the state to correct errors and improve voter data accuracy. The revision exercise in Punjab is scheduled to begin during February–March, officials confirmed. Preparations for the SIR have already started, with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Punjab issuing directions to district election authorities to address discrepancies in voter lists before the formal revision begins. According to official sources, the decision was discussed during a virtual meeting held by the Election Commission of India…

30 Jan

India reports 2 Nipah virus cases; WHO dismisses need for travel and trade curbs | Symptoms to watch for

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaNipah Virus

National Times Bureau :- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday stated that the current Nipah virus situation in India carries a low risk of wider spread, and there is no requirement for travel or trade restrictions, even as two confirmed cases have raised regional alert levels. The WHO’s assessment comes amid reports that several Asian nations have increased health screening for travellers arriving from affected areas, following concerns over the virus’s high fatality rate. WHO assessment on Nipah virus risk In a situation update released on its official platform, the global health body said there is no evidence of…

30 Jan

Lok Sabha Sets Three-Day Debate on Union Budget 2026–27 from February 9

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Lok Sabha is set to take up an extensive discussion on the Union Budget for 2026–27 starting February 9, days after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the budget on February 1. The debate in the lower House will span three days, continuing on February 10 and February 11. As per the schedule approved by the Lok Sabha’s Business Advisory Committee, 18 hours have been earmarked for the Budget discussion. The time allocation is intended to allow members to closely scrutinise key fiscal proposals, spending plans and revenue-related measures outlined for the upcoming financial year. Prior…