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Congress on Saturday listed the Narendra Modi government's «failures» on environmental issues, claiming that its «global talk is not backed by local walk» and when the INDIA bloc «takes over in June», the regressive steps of the current regime will be rolled back. The party's general secretary and former Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh alleged that the last 10 years of the Modi government have been a disaster, not just for India's people and democracy, but also for the environment and those who depend on it. «The prime minister, who famously said that the 'climate is not changing, we are changing', has systematically destroyed protections for the environment in India,» he alleged. Ramesh claimed that the key patterns are to strip local communities of any power over their forests and make it easier to hand forest land over to the Modi government's «crony corporate friends».

Stock market and mutual fund investors whose KYC documents do not match as per the officially valid documents need to update them by March 31, 2024. If this is not done, then their KYC status will be treated as invalid. However, not all investors are required to update their KYC records. If your KYC records are verified using the prescribed officially valid documents (OVDs) and your mobile number and email ID are also verified, then there is no need to undergo this process. «Individuals must note two aspects. First is if they have verified their mobile number and email ID and second whether the address proof document given by them is on the list of officially valid documents (OVD) as of date. As per the circular dated March 28, 2024, by CDSL Ventures, if an individual has verified their mobile number and email ID and the document used for address proof is as per OVD then the KYC status will be verified. There is no need for re-KYC,» says Vinay Dalmia, AVP, Choice Equity Broking Private Limited, a stockbroker. Also read: Government servants and their family members cannot buy or sell stocks 'frequently' without doing this.

Indian office market continues its positive trajectory, registering a net absorption of 11.5 mn sft across top 8 cities in Q1-24, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s Q1 office data. This is the third-highest level recorded in the last five years, demonstrating a robust appetite for office space among businesses. Net absorption is a barometer of real demand or expansion of occupied space in the market. While this quarter’s net absorption was 38% lower than the exceptional Q4-2023, it was a 44% increase over Q1 2023, indicating continued space occupation by businesses. Bengaluru and Mumbai emerged as the leading markets, absorbing 3.6 mn sft and 2.5 mn sft of space, respectively. They were followed by Hyderabad at 1.6 mn sft, Delhi-NCR at 1.5 mn sft Pune at 1.3 mnsf, Ahmedabad and Kolkata at 1 mn sft, and Chennai at .8 mn sft.

residential real estate market in India recorded robust growth in the first quarter of 2024, propelled by persistent high demand. The high-end and luxury segments made a substantial contribution to this growth, while the mid-segment retained its leadership position in terms of the sheer number of launches or shares, mentioned Cushman & Wakefield's Residential Marketbeat Report for Q1. The report indicates that the top 8 cities recorded a total of 69,000 unit launches, with Mumbai and Pune being the top contributors with 28% and 16% respectively. Hyderabad and Bangalore followed with 16% and 13%. Although the total launches declined by 7% from Q4 2023 at 74,344 units and 15% from Q1 2023 at 81,167 units, it still surpassed the average quarterly launches observed in 2022 at 67,960 units, indicating yet another positive year for the sector.

Stocks to buy now: After witnessing an impressive trend reversal in the last session of the financial year 2023-24, stock market investors are busy finding out the value picks for their portfolio in the new fiscal. As most of the Indian indices are at record high levels, investors are looking at the IT segment as the segment has remained under the sell-off heat for a long time. So, it would be prudent to know whether one should accumulate IT stocks in the new financial year 2024-25.

Read more here In a recent discussion with Bill Gates, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India's strides in technology, focusing on digital empowerment, women's inclusion, and AI challenges. He explained how India has embraced technology to prevent monopolies and ensure it is accessible to all citizens. PM Modi conveyed that India has democratized technology to avoid monopolies, asserting it as a people-centric endeavor.

(This story originally appeared in on Mar 30, 2024)

Investors who had not used an officially valid document, such as Aadhaar, passport or a voter ID card, for their KYC (know your client) verification at the depositary are in for partial relief. CDSL Ventures said on March 28 that investors whose KYC record meets the PAN — Aadhaar seeding validation and whose email and mobile number are validated by KRA will be allowed to continue transactions in the securities market with their existing intermediary.

OpenAI offered a tool that allowed people to create digital images simply by describing what they wanted to see. Then, it built similar technology that generated full-motion video like something from a Hollywood movie. Now, it has unveiled technology that can re-create someone's voice.

RCB skipper is also currently at the top of the Orange cap holder contendars in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). He surpassed Hyderabad’s hard-hitting wicket-keeper Heinrich Klaasen, becoming the leading run-scorer in IPL 2024.

T Raja Singh for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of communities with his hate speech during a rally on Mira Road on February 25, said MIRA Bhayandar Vasai Virar (MBVV) police on Wednesday. The BJP leader was booked under sections 153(A) and 295(A) of the Indian Penal Code which deals with dividing communities by hurting their religious sentiments, Indian Express reported. In addition, event organizer Naresh Nile had also been booked in the case, said the police officer, adding that both accused will soon receive notices regarding this.

gold loans can repay the debt and reclaim family jewellery in the event of the borrower's death. A key element of the plan involves asking borrowers to provide a letter authorising who can do so in the event of their death, said people with knowledge of the matter. Current practices vary in such situations and often give rise to various legal challenges, which meant the lender would auction off the pledged gold, they said.

Maryland Motor Truck Association President & CEO Louis Campion discusses the impact of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on truck and shipping routes on The Bottom Line.

Electric two-wheeler registrations in India are set for a record high in March, topping 100,000 units for the second time in less than a year, as the rush to buy before a possible price increases. Vehicle registration count is a proxy for retail sales. It touched 111,964 units for electric two-wheelers on March 29 — the highest for any month — according to data from Vahan, the government's repository of all vehicle registrations in India. The previous monthly high was 105,389 units in May 2023, when consumers had brought forward their purchase plans to avoid paying more due to a reduction in government subsidy from June.

Easter baskets this year. Chocolate eggs and bunnies are more expensive than ever as changing climate patterns eat into global cocoa supplies and the earnings of farmers in West Africa. About three-quarters of the world's cocoa — the main ingredient in chocolate — are produced on cacao trees in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Cameroon. But dusty seasonal winds from the Sahara were severe in recent months, blocking out the sunlight needed for bean pods to grow. The season prior, heavy rainfall spread a rotting disease. With exports from the Ivory Coast, the world's top producer, down by a third in recent months, the global price of cocoa has risen sharply. Cocoa futures have already doubled this year, trading at a record high of more than $10,000 per metric ton in New York on Tuesday after rising more than 60% the previous year. Farmers who harvest cacao beans say the increases aren't enough to cover their lower yields and higher production costs.

ALSO READ: RCB vs KKR IPL 2024 Live Score With this, he went past Hyderabad’s hard-hitting wicket-keeper Heinrich Klaasen, becoming the leading run-scorer in IPL 2024. In 2016, Kohli won the Orange Cap and this time too, he will be aiming to repeat the feat this season.

bridge collapse that closed the Port of Baltimore has raised concerns about the disaster's potential impact on the global supply chain. Authorities have warned that extensive work is needed before the major port can reopen following Tuesday's catastrophic cargo ship collision, which has blocked the harbour's entrance.

BSE PSU index, a barometer of public sector enterprises' performance, zoomed from 9,497 points to 18,274 points, translating into a stellar gain of 92.4%. The government's accelerated capex spending, coupled with sector-specific reasons, has helped PSU stocks achieve record gains in FY24. In the recent interim budget (FY24-25), the government raised the capital outlay by 11.1% to ₹11,11,111 crore, equivalent to 3.4% of GDP.

Lok Sabha MPs analysed, 225(44%) MPs declared criminal cases against themselves. As many as 149 (29%) sitting MPs declared serious criminal cases against them. Some of these serious cases are related to murder, attempt to murder, communal disharmony, kidnapping and crimes against women.

BJP in the Alipurduars Lok Sabha seat, so far considered a saffron citadel, the TMC seems to be banking on the saffron disarray to secure its second victory in the constituency after a decade. Riding on the promise of CAA implementation and RSS groundwork among local tribals, the BJP swept the region by winning this ST-reserved seat in 2019 and bagged all seven assembly constituencies under its fold in 2021, including two MLA seats from adjacent districts. Much seems to have changed in the meanwhile, with internal bickerings gaining momentum within the BJP's local unit after the party decided to replace its sitting MP and Union minister John Barla, with its local MLA and chief whip in the West Bengal assembly, Manoj Tigga, as candidate for the seat.

insurance policies in electronic format. Very similar to how investors hold shares in a demat account. In a notification «Protection of Policyholders’ Interests, Operations and Allied Matters of Insurers Regulations, 2024» dated March 20, 2024, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) said, «Every insurer shall have in place a Board approved policy for insurance policies issued in electronic form...» «Irrespective of whether the proposal is received in electronic form or otherwise, every insurer shall issue insurance policies only in the electronic form,» the regulator said. To issue policies in the electronic format, the insurers must fulfill two conditions: a) Provided that the authority, on being satisfied that it is in the interest of policyholders and for orderly growth of the insurance industry, allow such exemptions to this requirement; b) Provided further that the insurer shall mandatorily seek the choice of the prospect in the proposal form for availing physical policy document, IRDAI said.