India

Hyderabad, April 6 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had lunch on Sunday with a beneficiary family of the state government’s free fine rice distribution scheme.

The Chief Minister dined with B. Srinivas’s family at their residence in Sarapaka in the Burgampadu mandal of Bhadradri Kothagudem district.

Revanth Reddy was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao, P. Srinivas Reddy, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari and other officials.

The Chief Minister enquired about the welfare of the family. He also asked the woman member of the family, Tulasamma, about the quality of fine rice received by them.

The woman told him that they were not even using coarse rice hitherto being supplied through ration shops. Expressing her happiness over the fine rice distribution, she said the family was now cooking and eating this rice.

The Chief Minister also enquired from the family if they were availing the schemes like 200 units of free electricity and a gas cylinder for Rs 500.

Tulasamma told the Chief Minister that free travel in Road Transport Corporation buses is immensely benefiting them.

The Chief Minister launched a free fine rice distribution scheme on March 30 in the Huzurnagar constituency.

Under the scheme rolled out from April 1 across the state, every eligible person gets 6 kg of fine rice per month. The government will distribute 30 lakh metric tonnes of rice every year at a cost of Rs 13,000 crore.

Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy said the scheme would benefit 3.10 crore people – around 85 per cent of Telangana’s population.

At a video conference to review the implementation of the scheme on April 4, the minister termed the free distribution of fine rice through the Public Distribution System a game-changer.

Calling it the largest food security initiative in India’s history, he claimed that the scheme is receiving a huge response from the people.

The Civil Supplies Minister will have dinner with a beneficiary family in Suryapet. He asked MLAs, MLCs, and MPs to join the distribution process and also eat meals with beneficiaries to build trust.

The government was earlier distributing coarse rice, which was not liked by the poor. Though the government was spending Rs 10,665 crore every year on it, the rice remained unused.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said most of it was diverted and sold in the black market. Rice worth Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 crore was misused annually.

--IANS

ms/dan

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) Online food and grocery delivery platform Swiggy is facing fresh tax troubles after receiving two assessment orders related to the financial year 2021-22.

The total tax demand stands at over Rs 165 crore. In a regulatory filing on Saturday, Swiggy said it received an order from the Office of the Profession Tax Officer in Pune, demanding Rs 7.59 crore.

The order alleges that the company failed to properly deduct profession tax from employees' salaries, which is required under the Maharashtra State Tax on Professions, Trades, Callings & Employments Act, 1975.

Swiggy, however, maintained that it has strong grounds to challenge the order and is planning to file a review or appeal.

"The Company believes that it has strong arguments against the Order and is taking necessary steps to protect its interest through review/appeal," Swiggy stated in its filing.

The company also clarified that the issue will not have a significant impact on its finances or operations.

This development comes just days after Swiggy was served another assessment order by the Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Central Circle 1(1), Bangalore.

This order demands an additional tax of over Rs 158 crore, also for the April 2021 to March 2022 period.

The larger tax demand is linked to issues such as cancellation charges paid to merchants, which the authorities have disallowed under Section 37 of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

It also includes interest income from income tax refunds, which the authorities claim was not properly declared.

"The Company has received an assessment order for the period April 2021 to March 2022 where an addition of Rs 158,25,80,987 (one hundred and fifty-eight crores, twenty-five lakhs, eighty thousand nine hundred and eighty seven, only) has been made," Swiggy said in a regulatory filing.

Swiggy said it is confident in its legal position and is taking necessary steps to appeal the tax order. Just like in the profession tax matter, the company said this order too will not cause any major adverse effect on its financials or day-to-day operations.

--IANS

pk/dan

Chennai, April 6 (IANS) In a disturbing incident that has once again highlighted the rising threat of stray cattle on city roads, a retired army man was seriously injured by a stray cow in Ambattur on Sunday.

The retired army man, who was walking along a street, was attacked by an aggressive cow and suffered severe injuries. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and is currently undergoing treatment.

The incident comes a few days after another stray cattle attack was reported from Balaji Nagar, Kolathur. A woman and her child were walking down the street when a cow, accompanied by its calf, turned aggressive and charged at them.

The woman tried to shield her child but was gored by the cow’s horns, sustaining serious injuries. Locals quickly intervened, chased the cow away, and called for an ambulance. Civic body workers later arrived, captured the cow, and took it away.

Authorities have launched an investigation to identify the owner of the animal.

These incidents have sparked public outrage and raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the Greater Chennai Corporation’s (GCC) efforts to manage the stray cattle issue.

Residents have voiced concern over the growing menace and the lack of stringent action against negligent cattle owners.

In August last year, an elderly man in Korukkupet suffered a fractured leg after being gored by a bull.

In another alarming incident in June 2024, a 34-year-old woman, V. Madhumathi from Tiruvottiyur, sustained grievous injuries after being tossed and dragged for several metres by a stray buffalo.

The police later arrested two individuals - Kotteeshwara Rao and his son Vengalasai - for letting the buffalo loose.

In response to mounting incidents, the GCC has announced a series of measures aimed at curbing the stray cattle problem.

The civic body plans to construct new cow sheds in areas such as Shenoy Nagar, Tondiarpet, Madhavaram, and Sholinganallur, while renovating existing ones in Nolambur and Kodungaiyur.

Cattle owners will be required to pay a fee of Rs 10 per day for each cow housed in the sheds.

To ensure better regulation, the corporation also intends to register all cow sheds, establish new Animal Birth Control Centres, and recruit temporary workers to manage stray cattle on the roads.

There are also plans to set up designated cattle yards - authorised enclosures for housing domesticated animals.

The GCC has earmarked a budget of Rs 12 crore for the construction and renovation of cow sheds.

Cattle housed in these facilities will not be allowed to roam outside unless in emergencies or for medical reasons.

With the number of stray cattle incidents on the rise, citizens are urging authorities to accelerate the implementation of these initiatives and enforce stricter penalties on negligent owners to prevent further harm.

--IANS

aal/dan

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) McCain India, the maker of frozen snacks like French fries and aloo tikki, reported a sharp 29 per cent decline in its net profit for the financial year 2023-24 (FY24), hit by rising costs and higher spending on advertising and management fees.

As per the company’s filings with the Registrar of Companies, net profit fell to Rs 89 crore in FY24 from Rs 126 crore in the previous year, even though the company recorded a modest growth in revenue.

The drop in profits comes amid a steep 63 per cent increase in advertising expenditure, which rose to Rs 88 crore.

Management fees and other operational costs also saw an upward trend, impacting the company’s margins.

Overall expenses climbed to Rs 1,125 crore in FY24 from Rs 1,020 crore in FY23. Material procurement remained the largest cost component for McCain India, rising to Rs 493 crore and accounting for nearly 44 per cent of total spending.

Employee costs also went up by 19 per cent, while additional expenses on fuel, freight, storage, and contract labour added to the pressure on the bottom line.

Despite these challenges, the company managed to grow its revenue by 3 per cent. Revenue from operations increased to Rs 1,214 crore in FY24 from Rs 1,172 crore in FY23.

Including income from interest on deposits and other sources, total revenue stood at Rs 1,245 crore, up from Rs 1,189 crore in the previous financial year.

McCain, which entered the Indian market in 1998, has become a major player in the frozen snacks segment.

It sells its products through retail outlets, restaurants, and quick-commerce platforms like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto.

However, the company is facing increasing competition and evolving consumer preferences, particularly with the growing shift towards healthy eating.

According to reports, while the love for fried snacks in India remains strong, McCain’s long-term success may depend on expanding its reach into smaller towns and improving its cold chain logistics infrastructure.

Even with a return on capital employed (ROCE) of 15.28 per cent and an EBITDA margin of 4.58 per cent, the sharp fall in profit signals a need for McCain to better manage rising costs, as per reports.

--IANS

pk/dan

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) The Indian Navy came as a saviour for an injured Pakistani crew member in the Arabian Sea.

The Navy's mission deployed stealth frigate INS Trikand, operating in the Central Arabian Sea, provided the urgent critical medical assistance to the Pakistani crew. The naval medical team performed a surgical procedure here to save the injured person.

The Paklistani crew was a part of a fishing vessel operating approximately 350 nautical miles east of the Oman coast.

The crew suffered severe injury involving multiple fractures and blood loss.

The Indian Navy informed on Sunday that INS Trikand, on the morning of April 4, intercepted a distress call from an Iranian dhow, Al Omeedi. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that a crew member of the dhow had sustained severe injuries to his fingers while working on the engine. He was in critical condition and had been transferred to another dhow named 'Fishing Vessel Abdul Rehman Hanzia', which was en route to Iran.

Indian Navy’s Trikand immediately altered its course to provide medical assistance to the injured crew member.

The Navy officials said the crew of Fishing Vessel Abdul Rehman Hanzia consisted of 11 Pakistani (nine Baloch and two Sindhi) and five Iranian personnel.

According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the injured individual, a Pakistani (Baloch) national, had suffered multiple fractures and severe hand injuries, resulting in heavy blood loss. The Medical Officer of INS Trikand, along with a team comprising MARCOS (Marine Commandos) and the Ship's Boarding Team, boarded the FV to administer aid.

After providing local anesthesia, the Ship's Medical Team performed suturing and splinting on the injured fingers. The surgical procedure, which lasted for over three hours, was successfully completed, and bleeding was controlled in time, thereby preventing potential permanent loss of the injured fingers due to gangrene, officials added.

The MoD said that additionally, medical supplies, including antibiotics, were provided to the FV to ensure the crew's well-being until they reached Iran. The entire crew expressed their deep gratitude to the Indian Navy for the timely assistance in saving their crewmate's life.

--IANS

gcb/dpb

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) The extensive and rigorous debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha last week came as not just another defining moment of the Parliamentary journey, but it also set a new benchmark by scripting new record of having longest discussion in the history of the Upper House.

The debate on the Waqf Bill 2025 in Rajya Sabha saw unprecedented debate and fiery exchanges too, and proceeded at a stretch for more than 17 hours, surpassing the last longest debate in 1981.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju took to social media on Sunday to share glimpses of the ‘facilitators’ of the longest ever discussion in Rajya Sabha.

Taking to X, Rijiju shared pictures and wrote: “With MoS Arjun Ram Meghwal, Murugan, Secretary, Adl. Secretary & JS in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. Discussion on Waqf Amendment Bill for 17 hours, 2 minutes in Rajya Sabha broke the earlier record time discussion on ESMA (16 hours 55 Minutes) created in 1981!”

April 3, the penultimate day of Budget Session, saw Rajya Sabha witnessing its longest-ever sitting in the history of the House, lasting from 11:00 a.m. on Thursday to 4:02 a.m. the following day.

After the passage of the Waqf Bill from both houses of Parliament, Rijiju spoke to newsmen on Friday and called it a new record in Parliamentary proceedings and a testament to dramatic discussion without disruption.

A day ago, Lok Sabha cleared the Bill after a 12-hour-long marathon debate.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar also hailed the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as a “historic legislation” and called it a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through dialogue and shared purpose.

Dhankhar congratulated the Upper House members for joining the “unprecedented” sitting and said, “The Rajya Sabha etched its name in the annals of legislative history."

"The sitting began at 11 a.m. on April 3 and continued till 4.02 a.m. the next that is, this day. The longest in its history,” he said, complementing members for their 17-hour initiative to debate the legislation.

“This would send a very great message to people at large and enhance belief in this great institution. The Rajya Sabha has, once again, set the democratic standards worth emulation by others,” he said.

Overall, the Rajya Sabha functioned for a total of 159 hours in the Budget Session, with productivity standing at 119 per cent.

--IANS

mr/dan

Bhubaneswar, April 6 (IANS) Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday extended greetings on the 46th foundation day of the ruling BJP, saying that the party has turned into a movement across the country.

He urged the party workers to come together and work towards further strengthening the pledge to build a 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Viksit Odisha'.

“Heartfelt wishes and greetings to all on the occasion of the Foundation Day of Bharatiya Janata Party, the largest political party in the world. The BJP has turned into a movement across the country with the dedicated efforts of all the members of the Party, from workers to leaders,” the Chief Minister wrote on X.

“Let us work in unison, remembering the unparalleled contributions by all the workers for the party as well as the strong determination and sacrifices of great men. Let us further strengthen our pledge to make a Viksit Bharat and Viksit Odisha,” he added.

Meanwhile, the 46th foundation day of the BJP was celebrated on Sunday at the state party office.

BJP state unit President Manmohan Samal hoisted the flag.

The Chief Minister and Odisha BJP in-charge Vijay Pal Singh Tomar were also present.

“Today marks the 46th foundation day of the BJP, and it coincides with the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. There is great enthusiasm among our karyakartas. Over the years, the party has gone through many struggles, and today, we are in power under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the third time, just as we were once led by the great Atal Bihari Vajpayee,” said state unit President Manmohan Samal.

Samal added that the party is blessed that the people of India have given it the mandate to serve them for the third time in the country and first time in Odisha.

The state BJP president asserted that the BJP now represents every section of the society.

“From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from Dibrugarh to Gujarat, the party organisation has spread across the nation. We stand committed to the hopes and aspirations of the people. In Odisha too, the people have placed their trust in us. We are fully committed to building a Viksit Odisha and contributing to the vision of a Viksit Bharat. We will work tirelessly to fulfill this dream,” said Samal.

--IANS

gyan/dan

Chennai, April 6 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, inaugurated the New Pamban Railway Bridge at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district, marking a significant milestone in India’s infrastructure development.

The Prime Minister operated the vertical lift span of the bridge using a remote device, allowing a Coast Guard ship to pass beneath.

The newly inaugurated structure is the country’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge, showcasing a major leap in indigenous engineering.

PM Modi also flagged off a new train service between Rameswaram and Tambaram in Chennai, further enhancing regional connectivity and facilitating smoother travel for commuters and pilgrims.

Although Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was absent from the function due to prior engagements in the Nilgiris, the event saw the presence of several prominent leaders and officials. These included Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, state Minister Thangam Thennarasu, and BJP leaders K. Annamalai, Sudhakar Reddy, H. Raja, and Nainar Nagenthiran, along with Ramanathapuram District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon.

Taking to social media platform X, the Prime Minister shared a spiritual moment from his journey, saying: “On the way back from Sri Lanka a short while ago, was blessed to have a Darshan of the Ram Setu. And, as a divine coincidence, it happened at the same time as the Surya Tilak was taking place in Ayodhya. Blessed to have the Darshan of both. Prabhu Shri Ram is a uniting force for all of us. May His blessings always remain upon us.”

The 2.08-kilometre-long bridge, built for Rs 550 crore, features 99 spans and a 72.5-metre vertical lift section capable of rising to 17 metres. Designed with provisions for dual rail tracks, the bridge is equipped to meet future transportation demands.

The most striking aspect of the bridge is its vertical lift span, weighing 660 metric tons. This lift system was developed entirely with Indian technology and allows large vessels to pass beneath without interrupting rail operations. This engineering feat is expected to transform connectivity to Rameswaram, a major pilgrimage destination, making travel more convenient for thousands of devotees and tourists each year.

Preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit had been in full swing for weeks, including a thorough inspection of key sites in Rameswaram and Pamban. Critical infrastructure and logistics were reviewed at important locations, such as the Ramanathaswamy Temple premises, the Mandapam camp helipad, Kunthukal, the Mandapam railway station, and the Pamban road bridge. A comprehensive security review involving top officials from the railways, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies was also conducted to ensure the smooth execution of the inauguration.

In a statement issued on April 5, Indian Railways said, “Bridging the past, lifting the new, Pamban stands tall with a breathtaking view. This Ram Navami, witness the unveiling of India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge.”

The bridge not only connects Rameswaram to the mainland but also stands as a shining example of Indian innovation and excellence on the global stage.

--IANS

aal/dpb

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) Reacting to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s proposed visit to Bihar, BJP state chief Dilip Jaiswal strongly criticised the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, claiming that he has sunk the entire Congress ship and the same will be repeated in Bihar as well.

“Rahul Gandhi has drowned the entire Congress ship. He will do the same in Bihar too. Wherever he goes, Congress sinks. Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Delhi are some examples. I thank Rahul Gandhi for sinking the Congress ship and wasting his youth in doing so. He has turned into a 55-year-old youth now. He will sink Congress in Bihar too,” the state chief told IANS.

In the poll-bound Bihar, Rahul Gandhi is likely to visit the state for the third time this year on April 7 to take part in a seminar titled ‘Safeguarding the Constitution’ in Patna.

Dilip Jaiswal also spoke about the recent passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was approved by both Houses of Parliament.

The Bill, which aims to reform the Waqf properties and address issues related to their management, was passed following extensive consultations, discussions and debates.

“The Waqf Bill Amendment Act, passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA alliance, was brought in through a very democratic process,” said Jaiswal.

He also claimed that the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) sought opinions from millions of people before the bill was debated and passed.

He noted that the debate in Parliament was exhaustive, with members from different political parties, including JDU, LJP, and other allied partners, providing significant suggestions.

He further claimed that these suggestions were incorporated to benefit Muslim communities and ensure better management of Waqf properties.

“We are hopeful that this law will contribute to the better future of the Waqf board, and we thank the President for giving his assent to this important piece of legislation,” he said.

--IANS

rs/dan

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) Eternal Limited, the company formerly known as Zomato, has announced that Rinshul Chandra, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of its food ordering and delivery business, has resigned.

Chandra, a key part of the company’s senior leadership, submitted his resignation on April 5 and will officially step down from his role on April 7.

In a filing to the stock exchanges, the company said that Chandra is leaving to explore new opportunities and passions that match his personal and professional goals.

"It has been an incredibly fulfilling journey over the past seven years, and I am truly grateful for the trust, support, and opportunities I’ve received during my time here. I wish our world-class teams at Eternal the very best," he wrote.

Chandra had joined the company in 2018 as Assistant Vice President of Product. Over the years, he held several important roles, including Vice President and Head of Business, before becoming the Chief Operating Officer of the food delivery division.

However, Eternal Limited has not yet announced who will take over his responsibilities.

This development comes at a time when the company is facing internal changes. Recently, Zomato was in the news for laying off around 600 customer support staff members within a year of hiring them, as per media reports.

The company has also seen multiple high-level exits over the past year. Hemal Jain, the Global Head of Finance and CFO of Hyperpure, resigned.

Co-founder and Chief People Officer Akriti Chopra also stepped down. In October last year, Independent Director Gunjan Soni resigned from her position.

Zomato recently rebranded itself as Eternal, which now includes four major business units -- Zomato, Blinkit, District, and Hyperpure -- as part of its new structure.

Informing shareholders, the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Deepinder Goyal clarified that the name change would apply only to the company and not to the Zomato brand or its app.

--IANS

pk/dan