Business

Digi Yatra, Udan Cafe Among 6 New Passenger Facilities Launched at Jammu and Srinagar Airports Civil Aviation Minister Unveils Passenger-Centric Initiatives to Enhance Travel Experience Jammu/Srinagar, March 29 Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has inaugurated six new passenger-focused initiatives at Jammu and Srinagar airports, aimed at improving convenience, accessibility, affordability, and overall travel experience.The newly introduced facilities include Digi Yatra, Udan Yatri Cafe, Flybrary, AVSAR retail spaces, a dedicated kids play area, and free high-speed Wi-Fi, according to an official statement.Digi Yatra Introduces Seamless Facial Recognition Travel A key highlight of the launch is Digi Yatra, a...

Gold, Silver Prices Seen in Corrective Phase Next Week Amid West Asia Tensions and Key Global Data New Delhi, March 29 Precious metal prices are likely to remain in a corrective phase in the coming week as investors closely monitor geopolitical developments in West Asia and a series of key macroeconomic indicators from major global economies.Focus on Fed Signals and Global Economic Data Market participants are expected to track comments from US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Monday, along with speeches from other Fed officials later in the week. These cues are anticipated to provide direction on monetary policy, which could significantly influence bullion demand.According to Pranav Mer, Vice President, Commodity and Currency...

Himachal Fuel Dealers Oppose Petrol, Diesel Cess, Warn of Sales Decline Bilaspur (HP), March 29: The Himachal Pradesh Petroleum Dealers Association has strongly opposed the state government’s decision to impose a cess on petrol and diesel, calling the move “unjustified” and cautioning that it could further reduce fuel sales across the state.Sales Drop Raises Industry Concerns During a meeting held on Saturday evening, Association President Sukumar Singh Chande highlighted a significant decline in fuel sales over recent years. He stated that when Himachal Pradesh maintained a lower Value Added Tax (VAT) compared to neighbouring states, total fuel sales stood at 1.2 million kilolitres. However, by 2025, this figure had dropped sharply...

DGCA Mandates 60% Free Seat Selection on Flights from April 20 New Rule Aims to Improve Passenger Access and Transparency New Delhi, March 29 Airlines in India will be required to offer at least 60 percent of seats on every flight free of charge starting April 20, following new directives issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).The move comes after the Ministry of Civil Aviation, on March 18, directed the regulator to ensure fair access to seat selection for passengers. In response, the DGCA issued an amended Air Transport Circular on March 20, which will take effect 30 days from its issuance date.Mandatory Free Seat Allocation Expanded Significantly Under the revised rules, airlines must ensure that a minimum of...

Bitcoin Drops Below Key Technical Levels, Holds Near USD 66,000 Amid Fragile Sentiment Bitcoin Breaks 200-Day Average, Signals Near-Term Pressure New Delhi, March 29 Bitcoin weakened to around USD 66,000 after slipping below its 200-day moving average and year-to-date average, both considered critical indicators of market strength by traders.The breach of these technical support levels points to near-term downside pressure, driven primarily by risk-off sentiment and tighter global liquidity conditions. Despite this, the decline has remained orderly, with no signs of panic selling, as prices stabilized in the mid-USD 60,000 range.Market at Critical Juncture With Rebound Expectations Analysts indicate that Bitcoin is currently at a...

SJM Raises Concern Over Panic Fuel Buying, Urges Shift Towards Renewable Energy Surge in LPG Bookings and Fuel Demand Triggers Alarm New Delhi, March 29: The RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) on Sunday flagged concerns over rising panic buying of fuel and a sharp increase in LPG cylinder bookings amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. The organisation cautioned that such behaviour is creating artificial shortages despite stable supply conditions.In a statement, SJM national co-convenor Ashwani Mahajan highlighted a sudden spike in LPG demand. Daily bookings, which typically ranged between 5.5 million and 6 million, have surged significantly to between 7.5 million and 8.8 million. A similar upward trend has been observed in...

Government May Announce More Relief Measures for MSMEs Amid West Asia Crisis Fresh Support Likely as Inflation Risks Rise New Delhi, March 29: The government is considering additional relief measures for vulnerable sections of the economy, including the MSME sector, as the ongoing West Asia crisis continues to exert pressure on inflation and supply chains, according to sources.Officials indicated that the Centre has already taken multiple steps to shield consumers and businesses and remains prepared to introduce further support if the situation persists.Fuel Duty Cuts and Export Controls to Stabilise Domestic Market As part of its recent interventions, the government reduced excise duty on petrol to ₹3 per litre and fully exempted...

Indian LPG Carriers Safely Transit Gulf, Head Towards Mumbai and Mangalore BW TYR and BW ELM Carry 94,000 Metric Tonnes of LPG to India New Delhi, March 29: Two Indian LPG carriers, BW TYR and BW ELM, have safely navigated the Gulf region and are currently en route to Indian ports, carrying a combined cargo of approximately 94,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas.According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on Sunday, BW TYR is heading towards Mumbai and is expected to arrive on March 31. BW ELM is bound for New Mangalore, with its arrival scheduled for April 1.No Incidents Reported, Seafarers Safe in Gulf Region The government confirmed that all necessary measures have been implemented to...

India-US Economic Partnership Poised for Expansion, Says US Ambassador Sergio Gor Strategic Alignment in Infrastructure, Energy, and Technology New Delhi, March 29: Highlighting the growing convergence between India and the United States, US Ambassador Sergio Gor said the two nations are well-positioned to expand their strategic economic partnership in a mutually beneficial manner.He noted that India’s expanding economy and large-scale infrastructure requirements align closely with American strengths in energy, advanced manufacturing, aviation, and digital infrastructure. According to Gor, this alignment creates a strong foundation for investment-led growth that benefits both countries.Focus on Supply Chains and ‘Pax Silica’...

Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) may occasionally face ex parte income tax assessment orders in India, often without prior knowledge. Such situations typically arise when notices from the Income Tax Department are not received, leading to assessments being completed without the taxpayer’s participation. Here is a clear breakdown of what this means and the remedies available.What Is an Ex Parte Tax Order? An ex parte order is generally passed under Section 144 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, also known as a best judgment assessment. This happens when the assessing officer proceeds without the taxpayer’s response, often due to non-compliance or non-receipt of notices.In many NRI cases, this occurs because the Permanent Account Number (PAN)...

Can Banks Debit Money Without Permission? Here’s What the Rules Allow Many account holders assume that money deposited in a bank account cannot be accessed without their explicit approval. In most situations, that understanding holds true. However, there are specific scenarios where banks are permitted to debit money without seeking fresh consent each time. Understanding these rules can help customers avoid confusion and manage their finances more effectively.When Prior Consent Has Already Been Given A significant portion of automatic deductions happens because customers have already authorized them. These include loan EMIs, insurance premiums, systematic investment plans, and subscription payments.Once a standing instruction or...

New Delhi, Sunday, March 29, 2026 — The Government of India on Sunday issued a comprehensive status update across energy, logistics, and citizen safety amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, asserting that petrol and diesel supplies remain adequate nationwide, while detailing a series of calibrated interventions to maintain stability across critical sectors. The update comes as geopolitical disruptions, including the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, raise concerns over global energy supply chains. Authorities emphasized that all refineries are operating at high capacity, with sufficient crude inventories and enhanced LPG production to meet domestic demand. Fuel Availability Stable; Panic Buying Addressed The government confirmed...

Government Explores Tax Relief Measures as West Asia Conflict Drives Up Airline Costs New Delhi, March 29: The Ministry of Civil Aviation is evaluating multiple measures to cushion Indian airlines from the financial strain caused by the ongoing West Asia conflict, with a key focus on reducing taxes on aviation turbine fuel.Talks Underway to Reduce Jet Fuel Taxes According to sources, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu has initiated discussions with chief ministers and state governments to explore the possibility of lowering Value Added Tax on jet fuel. Since VAT on Aviation Turbine Fuel varies significantly across states, the move is being considered as a way to bring immediate relief to airlines facing rising expenses.For...

Anil Agarwal Claims Bid Win Was Reversed Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Group, stated that the company was initially declared the highest bidder for acquiring Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL) through the insolvency process, but the decision was later reversed.In a social media post, Agarwal said Vedanta had received written confirmation of winning the bid, calling the process transparent, but added that “the decision was changed” later without elaborating on specifics.Adani Group Emerges as Winning Bidder The rival bidder, Gautam Adani’s group, ultimately secured approval for its resolution plan. The Committee of Creditors (CoC) selected the bid by Adani Enterprises and approached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), which...

Delhi-NCR Housing Sales Drop 17% QoQ in Q1 2026 Amid West Asia Conflict Impact: Anarock Quarterly Decline Reflects Weak Sentiment Housing sales in the Delhi-NCR region declined 17 per cent quarter-on-quarter to 15,985 units in the January to March period, as buyer sentiment weakened amid geopolitical tensions in West Asia, according to data released by real estate consultancy Anarock.The region had recorded sales of 19,250 units in the previous quarter, indicating a notable slowdown in momentum during the first quarter of 2026.Annual Demand Remains Strong on Low Base Effect Despite the sequential decline, housing demand in Delhi-NCR rose sharply by 44 per cent on a year-on-year basis. Sales stood at 11,120 units in the same period...

Tea Association of India Urges Assam Government on Housing Land Transfers Concerns Over Housing Line Land Transfer The Tea Association of India (TAI) has requested the Assam government to address industry concerns regarding the transfer of housing line land to tea garden workers under a newly amended law. While appreciating the government’s intent to provide land deeds, TAI emphasized the need for clear administrative guidelines to prevent financial and legal complications.TAI President Shailja Mehta highlighted that many tea garden lands are mortgaged with banks, and transferring these properties without proper regulation could create challenges. She also noted that the Land Ceiling Act applies only to land, not to company-built...

India’s Supply Chains Remain Stable Amid West Asia Tensions, Says CAIT Adequate Stock of Essentials, No Cause for Concern New Delhi, March 29: India’s supply chain ecosystem continues to remain stable and resilient despite rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said on Sunday.CAIT Secretary General and Delhi MP Praveen Khandelwal stated that the government has confirmed sufficient availability of essential commodities across the country, assuring that there is no concern regarding supply or distribution.Strong Monitoring and Coordination Ensure Continuity Khandelwal highlighted that proactive monitoring systems and effective coordination between central and state authorities have...

Jio Financial Services Targets 2026 Insurance Launch, Focuses on Secured Lending Strategy Mumbai, March 29: Jio Financial Services (JFS) is preparing to expand its financial ecosystem with plans to launch both general and life insurance businesses in 2026, subject to regulatory approvals, according to a senior company official.Insurance Expansion Plans with Global Partnerships Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Hitesh Sethia stated that the company aims to begin insurance manufacturing operations this year, pending necessary clearances. JFS, which has already stepped into the reinsurance segment, will collaborate with its joint venture partner Allianz and a French company to roll out its general and life insurance...

New Delhi, March 29: The combined market valuation of seven out of India’s top 10 most valued companies declined by Rs 1.75 lakh crore in the week leading up to the holiday, reflecting a broader weakness in equity markets. Reliance Industries recorded the steepest fall during the period.Benchmark Indices End Lower Amid Volatility The downturn aligned with a negative trend in benchmark indices. The BSE Sensex dropped 949.74 points, or 1.27 percent, while the NSE Nifty declined by 294.9 points, also down 1.27 percent for the week.Market sentiment remained under pressure due to global uncertainties and geopolitical tensions. According to Ajit Mishra, SVP Research at Religare Broking Ltd, the week was marked by heightened volatility...

RBI Mandates Two Factor Authentication for Digital Payments from April 1, 2026 New Delhi, March 29: Digital payments in India are set for a major security upgrade from April 1, 2026, as the Reserve Bank of India introduces stricter authentication norms aimed at curbing rising online fraud.Two Layer Verification Becomes Mandatory Under the new rules, two factor authentication will be compulsory for all digital transactions, including those made via UPI, debit cards, credit cards, and mobile wallets. This marks a shift from existing systems where OTP based verification was often sufficient.Users will now need to complete at least two authentication steps. These may include a combination of OTP, PIN, password, biometric verification...