India

Mumbai, March 30 (IANS) The combined market valuation of eight out of the top ten most-valued Indian companies has increased by Rs 88,085.89 crore this week.

HDFC Bank saw the highest gains, reflecting the positive trend in the domestic stock market.

During the week, the BSE benchmark index rose by 509.41 points, or 0.66 per cent, boosting the market capitalisation of several companies.

Among the top ten firms, HDFC Bank, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India (SBI), Bajaj Finance, Hindustan Unilever, and ITC witnessed an increase in their valuations.

However, Reliance Industries and Infosys saw a decline. HDFC Bank's market capitalisation surged by Rs 44,933.62 crore, taking its total valuation to Rs 13,99,208.73 crore.

State Bank of India (SBI) also saw a strong rise of Rs 16,599.79 crore, pushing its valuation to Rs 6,88,623.68 crore.

TCS added Rs 9,063.31 crore to reach Rs 13,04,121.56 crore, while ICICI Bank's valuation grew by Rs 5,140.15 crore, reaching Rs 9,52,768.61 crore.

ITC and Hindustan Unilever also recorded gains, with their market capitalisations rising by Rs 5,032.59 crore and Rs 2,796.01 crore, respectively.

Bharti Airtel's valuation increased by Rs 2,651.48 crore to Rs 9,87,005.92 crore, while Bajaj Finance added Rs 1,868.94 crore, bringing its total valuation to Rs 5,54,715.12 crore.

On the other hand, Infosys faced a decline of Rs 9,135.89 crore, bringing its market value down to Rs 6,52,228.49 crore.

Reliance Industries also saw a slight drop of Rs 1,962.2 crore in market capitalisation to Rs 17,25,377.54 crore.

Despite the fluctuations, the most valued firms include HDFC Bank, TCS, Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank, SBI, and more.

Meanwhile, both the domestic benchmark indices recorded gains for the full financial year (FY25).

The Sensex gained more than 5.11 per cent while the Nifty gained 5.34 per cent this fiscal. Indian stock markets will remain closed on Monday (March 31), due to Eid festivities, and trading will resume on Tuesday (April 1).

--IANS

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Lucknow, March 30 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Power Yesso Naik on Sunday highlighted the need for measures to help power utilities of states to improve their financial viability.

Addressing the states’ group of ministers meeting here, Minister Naik highlighted the need for designing a mechanism for financial restructuring of liabilities of distribution utilities, lowering the interest burden, development of storage solutions, facilitating daytime power supply for agriculture to lower the overall power purchase costs and reducing subsidy burdens, according to a statement issued after the meeting.

The Minister also emphasised the need for implementing AI and digital innovations and the need for ensuring cost-reflective tariffs for the financial viability of the power sector. He added that implementing these measures would help utilities improve their financial sustainability. He also underscored the need for a scheme similar to the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY), a financial turnaround and revival package for electricity distribution companies (DISCOMS) in India.

The Energy Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and senior officials from the Central and State governments, State Power Utilities of Member States, Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Ltd and REC Ltd attended the meeting. TATA Power Distribution, Odisha, as a special invitee, shared the best practices adopted and their journey toward making their DISCOMs profitable.

The member States actively participated in the meeting and presented the overview of State DISCOMs. They gave valuable suggestions for improving the financial condition of DISCOMs. The states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu made presentations on the subject.

The contours of the Action plan identifying the ways to reduce the outstanding debts and losses of the distribution utilities and the means to bring them into profits, were discussed in detail.

Emphasis was placed on the need for a review of regulators' performance for determining tariffs. The support from the Government of India for Privatisation initiatives by the state was suggested. The need for regulators to adapt to the latest developments in the sector, including the current levels of RE integration, the requirements of capacity building and operation and maintenance (O&M) costs while finalising the tariff, was also discussed.

The issue of delays in payment of government department dues and subsidies is forcing DISCOMs to resort to working capital loans, which are not being passed on in tariffs. There are also delays in passing on of Fuel and Power Purchase Cost Adjustments in tariffs, thus creating the need for working capital, which is not considered in the Annual Revenue Requirements of the Utilities. To avoid future tariff shocks, it was suggested to link tariffs to annual inflation-linked tariff hikes.

The Group of Ministers reiterated its commitment and expressed resolve to take necessary measures for improving the financial viability of DISCOMs.

Minister Naik also emphasized the need for states to demonstrate greater political will and determination to make the power sector viable and urged the member states to work on the ideas that have emerged during the meeting.

It was also unanimously decided to hold the next meeting of the Group of Ministers in Andhra Pradesh in April.

--IANS

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Chennai, March 30 (IANS) Police in Tirunelveli and surrounding districts are on high alert following Tamil Nadu state intelligence inputs about potential caste-based violence. The alert follows the brutal attack on a Dalit student, allegedly by members of an intermediary caste, triggering fears of retaliation.

According to Tamil Nadu state police sources, the attack on 17-year-old Devendran, a Class 11 student, took place on March 10. Devendran, the son of daily-wage worker Thanga Ganesh, was en route to his school in Palayamkottai to write an exam when he was dragged out of a bus and assaulted by a group of unidentified assailants. Shockingly, his fingers were chopped off during the attack. Three minors have been detained in connection with the incident.

Devendran’s family believes the attack was in retaliation for a recent Kabaddi match in which he played a crucial role in defeating a team largely comprising members of a dominant caste.

Known as a talented Kabaddi player, Devendran’s performance is said to have sparked animosity. Police sources confirmed that men from an intermediary caste were involved in the attack and noted that caste tensions in the region have previously flared over seemingly minor disputes. Such incidents have often escalated into major clashes, including murders and retaliatory killings.

Despite Tamil Nadu’s long history of progressive social reform inspired by leaders like E.V.R. Periyar, who advocated for the annihilation of caste, certain southern districts remain prone to caste-based violence.

The contrast between this progressive legacy and current realities is stark. In 2024, the districts of Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanyakumari, and Tenkasi collectively recorded 176 murders -- slightly down from 179 in 2023. During the same year, 204 cases were registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in these four districts.

As tensions rise following the assault on Devendran, authorities are monitoring the situation closely to prevent any escalation.

--IANS

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Kolkata, March 30 (IANS) Tension continued in Mothabari in West Bengal's Malda district, where communal attacks took place last week. The state police have claimed to have made 57 arrests in this connection so far.

While the state police continued to make claims, even at the Calcutta High Court, that the situation in Mothabari was more or less under control, the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, refuted the claims.

According to him, if the situation had been under control, there would not have been restrictions on the entry of opposition party leaders and media personnel to troubled spots by placing barricades far away from the hotspots of tension.

Adhikari wrote a letter to Governor C.V. Ananda Bose last week and requested him to direct the state government to deploy Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) at Mothabari till the situation comes under control.

Meanwhile, amid the continuing tension, the BJP’s state president in West Bengal and the Union Minister of State, Sukanta Majumdar, is scheduled to visit Mothabari in the day and speak to the members of the affected Hindu families.

Already, a huge police contingent has been deployed around the tension hotspots and barricades have been raised, probably to prevent Majumdar and his associates from going to the troubled zone.

District police officers said the security arrangements have been made to prevent fresh igniting of tension in the areas.

Meanwhile, the BJP leadership in West Bengal has started preparations to approach the Calcutta High Court this week, seeking a National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation into the matter.

A division bench of Calcutta High Court has already sought reports from the Malda district magistrate and district police superintendent on how the tension flared up at Mothabari. The deadline for submission of those reports to the Calcutta High Court is April 3.

On Saturday evening, two officers of the West Bengal Police issued a caution of possible attempts to disturb the peace in the state targeting the forthcoming auspicious occasion of Ram Navami.

Additional Director General (south Bengal) Supratim Sarkar claimed that the police have got specific intelligence inputs on some vested interests trying to instigate violence in the coming days.

"There are plans to instigate people through different posters or posts. The police are on alert. There might be attempts to instigate tension among people from different communities, especially focusing on the occasion of Ram Navami. We requested people not to get instigated. There is no need to worry. But at the same time we also request people to be alert and inform the local police in case they notice any suspicious activities in their respective areas,” said Sarkar.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday encouraged children to engage in constructive and productive activities during their upcoming summer vacations, emphasising the government's efforts to provide new learning opportunities.

Addressing the 120th episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', he urged students to pick up new hobbies and develop their skills during the long summer days.

"During exams, I interact with young friends in Pariksha Pe Charcha. Now, exams are over. Many schools have started preparations for fresh classes. Summer vacation is about to start after this. Children eagerly wait for this time of the year," he said.

Recalling his childhood, the Prime Minister shared, "I remember my childhood days when my friends and I used to indulge in all sorts of mischief, but at the same time, we always did something constructive and learned new things. The days of summer are long, giving children ample time to do various activities. This is the time to adopt a new hobby and further develop one's skills. Today, there is no dearth of platforms where children can learn a lot."

He highlighted technological camps that teach app development and open-source software, as well as courses on the environment, theatre, and leadership.

Encouraging participation in volunteer activities, he added, "Apart from this, you also have the opportunity to join volunteer services going on at many places during these holidays. I have a special request regarding such programmes. If any organisation, school, social institution, or science centre is organising such activities, share it with the hashtag 'My Holidays'. This will enable children and their parents across the country to access this information."

PM Modi also mentioned the 'My Bharat' special calendar, which has been prepared by the government for summer vacation.

He highlighted initiatives such as the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme, ELP at Jan Aushadhi Kendras, and the Ambedkar Jayanti Padyatra.

Urging children and parents to share their experiences using the hashtag 'Holiday Memories', he said, "I will try to include your experiences in the upcoming Mann Ki Baat."

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday emphasised how the multiple festivals celebrated across India reflect the nation's deep-rooted diversity.

Addressing the 120th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, he extended heartfelt wishes to the citizens on the occasion of Chaitra Navratri and various other festivals, including Eid.

During the broadcast, PM Modi shared messages he received from people across the country, who sent their best wishes for Navratri, Gudi Padwa, Vishu, and the Hindu New Year.

Highlighting the significance of these festivities, he said, "Today and in the next few days, the New Year is starting in different states of our country, and all these messages are about the wishes for the New Year and various festivals. Hence, people have sent me best wishes in different languages."

Explaining the regional significance of the festivals, the Prime Minister noted, "Today, Ugadi is being celebrated with great pomp in Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Today itself Gudi Padwa is being celebrated in Maharashtra. In different states of our diverse country, Rongali Bihu in Assam, Poila Baisakh in Bengal, and Navreh in Kashmir will be celebrated."

He further mentioned the upcoming festive season, stating, "Between April 13-15, there will be grand celebrations of festivals in different parts of the country. There is an atmosphere of excitement about this too, and the festival of Eid is also coming. This whole month is filled with festivals. I extend my greetings to the people of the country on these festivals."

Stressing India's cultural unity despite its vast diversity, PM Modi remarked, "These festivals of ours may be in different regions, but they show how unity is woven into the diversity of India. We have to continue strengthening this feeling of unity."

--IANS

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Patna, March 30 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah will meet Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and NDA leaders on Sunday to discuss the strategy for the upcoming 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.

His two-day visit also includes inaugurating several development projects and addressing a mega rally in Gopalganj.

The Union Home Minister will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate schemes worth Rs 823 crore for four departments.

He will also distribute micro ATMs to 100 cooperative societies, address 7,000 cooperative societies and inaugurate Mithila's Makhana processing centre at an event at Bapu Auditorium in Patna.

The Union Home Minister will address a public meeting in Gopalganj, marking his first rally there in 10 years. BJP leaders are expecting over one lakh people from Chapra, Siwan, Motihari, Bettiah, and Gopalganj to attend the leader's rally.

This rally holds political significance as Gopalganj is the home district of RJD President Lalu Prasad and former CM Rabri Devi.

After the Gopalganj rally, Union Minister Shah will return to Patna and hold a closed-door meeting with CM Nitish and NDA leaders.

Union Minister and LJP(Ram Vilas) National President Chirag Paswan and Union Minister and HAM(S) founder Jitan Ram Manjhi are also expected to attend this meeting.

The agenda remains undisclosed, but discussions are likely to focus on seat-sharing and election strategy.

On Saturday evening, Union Minister Shah held a closed-door meeting at the BJP office in Patna with senior party leaders.

BJP has already set a target of winning 225 seats in the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025.

According to a senior leader of the BJP, Union Minister Shah has instructed party leaders to prepare a six-month action plan leading up to the elections.

Leaders were asked to gather grassroots-level data and select potential candidates based on their performance and popularity.

He reportedly instructed the BJP leaders to focus on avoiding internal conflicts among NDA allies.

Seat-sharing talks will be held soon with all NDA partners, including CM Nitish's JD(U).

--IANS

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Guwahati, March 30 (IANS) The Assam government has decided to grant childcare leave to single fathers working in state government departments, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday.

Taking to X, CM Sarma wrote, “Sometimes life may take unexpected turns and a man may have to be the sole caregiver for a child. If such a scenario ever arises for our State Govt employees, we've got you covered.”

“From now on, we will grant Child Care Leave to single fathers to take care of their little ones,” he added.

Child Care Leave (CCL) is an important provision granted to employees to ensure they can take care of their children without worrying about salary deductions or job security.

In Assam, like other states in India, women government employees benefit from this leave to look after their children during crucial periods such as illness, examinations, or other essential needs.

Child Care Leave in Assam was primarily granted to female government employees. However, according to the latest government directive, male government employees who are single parents (widowers, divorcees, or unmarried fathers) have also become eligible for this leave.

The key eligibility criteria include that the employee must be a government servant under the Assam government. The leave is applicable for children up to 18 years of age and the leave can be availed for biological, adopted, or legally dependent children.

Now, single fathers can avail of CCL. As per the amendment, eligible employees will now be able to take CCL for a maximum of two years (730 days). Additionally, government employees who have custody of disabled children will also benefit from the revised policy. It can be taken in multiple phases but not more than three times in a calendar year.

According to a senior government official, the first 365 days are granted with full salary, while the remaining 365 days come with a reduced salary of 80 per cent. “The leave must be taken for a minimum of 15 days at a time. However, the leave is subject to prior approval by the competent authority, ensuring that it does not disrupt essential government functions,” he added.

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, March 30 (IANS) Kerala BJP State President and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has announced that he will not be watching the recently released Malayalam film 'Empuraan', starring superstar Mohanlal.

Directed by actor-filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran, 'Empuraan' is the much-anticipated sequel to 'Lucifer', a 2019 blockbuster.

However, the film has been mired in controversy, prompting the leader to take a stand.

Taking to social media platform X, Chandrasekhar expressed his disappointment after learning about significant changes made to the movie.

He revealed that the filmmakers had agreed to 17 cuts following public outrage, which led to a re-censorship process.

"I had watched Lucifer and liked it. I was looking forward to watching Empuraan as it was a sequel. But now I've come to know that the makers themselves have implemented 17 edits and that the movie is undergoing re-censorship," he wrote.

Chandrasekhar criticised the alleged distortion of facts in the film, saying, "A movie should be watched as a movie. It can't be seen as history. Any film that tries to build a story by distorting the truth is doomed to fail."

"So, will I watch this sequel to Lucifer? No. Am I disappointed by this type of moviemaking? Yes," he said.

The controversy erupted after the film's release on Friday, with viewers raising objections to certain scenes that reportedly depicted the 2002 Gujarat violence.

Senior RSS national leaders, J. Nandkumar and A. Jayakumar, voiced their disapproval on social media.

Various RSS-affiliated organisations in Kerala also criticised the film, intensifying the backlash.

According to sources close to the production, the film is now undergoing re-censorship with 17 cuts.

The name of the antagonist, Baba Bajrangi, will be changed. The film also reportedly portrays central investigative agencies like the NIA, IB, and ED in a negative light. These scenes are also expected to be removed as part of the re-censorship process.

Meanwhile, RSS sympathisers have turned their ire toward the regional censor board members, accusing them of negligence.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday, extended his heartfelt greetings to people across the country on the occasion of multiple regional and cultural festivals, including Gudi Padwa, Chaitra Navratri, Ugadi, Cheiraoba, Cheti Chand, and Sajibu.

Taking to the social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "Best wishes to everyone celebrating Gudi Padwa, Chaitra Navratri, Ugadi, Cheiraoba, Cheti Chand, and Sajibu! May this auspicious occasion bring joy and happiness into your lives and fill your homes with peace and prosperity."

These festivals, marking the beginning of the New Year for various communities in different parts of India, hold deep cultural significance. They symbolise the spirit of unity, as people across regions welcome prosperity and good fortune with traditional festivities.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also conveyed his best wishes on the occasion of Chaitra Navratri. In a message shared on X, he stated, "Hearty greetings to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of 'Chaitra Navratri', the great festival of worship of Adishakti, Maa Durga. It is hoped that this holy festival brings happiness, peace, prosperity, and well-being in everyone's life, and the blessings of Mother Bhagwati remain on everyone."

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also extended her greetings, acknowledging the cultural diversity reflected in these celebrations.

"Today is a day of festivals across the country. Warm wishes to all of you on the auspicious Chaitra Navratri, Nav Samvatsara Vikram Samvat 2082, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti-Chand, Navroz, and Sajibu-Cheroba. All these festivals celebrated on the arrival of spring and the New Year are symbols of India's cultural diversity. On this auspicious occasion, I wish happiness, peace, and prosperity for all the countrymen," she wrote in a post on X.

These festivals, celebrated at the onset of spring, highlight India’s rich cultural heritage and serve as a reminder of the nation's pluralistic traditions. From Maharashtra’s Gudi Padwa to Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka’s Ugadi, from the Sindhi community’s Cheti Chand to the Manipuri festival of Sajibu Cheiraoba and Kashmir's Navreh, each celebration adds to the vibrant mosaic of India's traditions.

--IANS

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