WhatsApp Financial News

Food and Consumer Affairs Ministry said on Friday. The ministry prescribes monthly stock holding limits for white/refined sugar to prevent hoarding and control price increases. For April, the stock holding limit is set at 23.5 lakh tonnes. In a directive issued to mills, the ministry said it has found repeated violations by some group and individual sugar mills despite previous warnings, prompting the issuance of new, stricter guidelines. Key penalties include: for first-time violations, 100 per cent of excess sugar sold will be deducted from the subsequent month's release quota. Subsequent violations will see progressively higher deductions: 115 per cent for the second, 130 per cent for the third, and 150 per cent for the fourth violation. Mills dispatching less than 90 per cent of quota without intimation will have restricted future allocations.

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) signed an agreement with the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) to develop T800 — a high-strength carbon fibre for space launch vehicles — a parliamentary committee has criticised the failed and abandoned project. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) noted the shift in policy on critical raw materials, from focusing on indigenous development due to embargo concerns in 2006, to abandoning the project in 2019 after ISRO was removed from the restricted list. The PAC has called on the Department of Space to reassess India's requirements for strategic materials and formulate policies to ensure the indigenous development of critical materials and technologies.

Manipur, security forces nabbed four militants belonging to different proscribed outfits from three districts of Manipur. The arrest was made in Bishnupur, Imphal East and Thoubal districts on Thursday. A militant belonging to the Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG) was nabbed from Maibam Chingmang in Bishnupur district. The insurgent, identified as Leishangthem Hiran Singh. A member of KCP-PSC (Politburo Standing Committee), identified as Likmabam Amujao Meitei was apprehended from Sawombung Pourabi area in Imphal East district. Two militants of the KCP (Taibanganba) group were nabbed from Langthabal Khunou area in Thoubal district. They were identified as Loitongbam Boyai Singh and Khumanthem Dhanabir Singh. Security forces also seized 12 firearms and cartridges during search operations in Jiribam, Imphal West and Bishnupur districts.

ATM interchange fee that banks pay each other, raising it to Rs 19. In a circular, the RBI stated, “Beyond the free transactions, a customer may be charged a maximum fee of Rs 23 per transaction.” Applicable taxes will also need to be paid by the customer. As per RBI guidelines, customers are allowed five free ATM transactions per month at their own bank's ATMs. Additionally, customers are entitled to a fixed number of free transactions at other banks' ATMs: three in metro centers and five in non-metro centers. These transactions can be either financial or non-financial.

The budgetary requirement for the Kharif season will be Rs 37,216.15 crore, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told reporters here. The minister said the government has ensured that the retail prices of DAP (Di-ammonium phosphate) remain at the present level.

Adani Cement has made several changes to its top leadership to reflect its growth plans, the company said on Friday. Current chief executive officer, Ajay Kapur, has been elevated to the level of managing director for a period of two years, while Vinod Bahety, who is currently serving as the chief financial officer of the business, will be the chief executive officer and wholetime director for three years with effect from April 1. “In alignment with Adani Group’s internal leadership transitions and planning to continue fostering sustainable growth and an evolving leadership development consistent with the broader group and Company objectives, a leadership transition is proposed,” the company said in an exchange filing on Friday.

foreign exchange reserves rose by $4.529 billion in the week to March 21, with the Reserve Bank of India being buying dollars at regular intervals to rebuild the forex stockpile. The reserves stood at $658.8 billion at the end of March 21, the central bank data showed. Traders in the forex exchange market said that large state-owned banks were seen buying dollars on the behest of RBI last week with the rupee appreciating from its lows. The forex reserves rose to an all-time high of $705 billion at the end of September last year. RBI had sold dollars from the cofer to support the rupee while it was under severe pressure. Meanwhile, the central bank said that valuation gains amounted to $3.1 billion in April to December 2024, down from $11.1 billion in the same period in preceding year.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday. «Shri Sanjay Malhotra, Governor, Reserve Bank of India, called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan,» the President of India posted on X. Earlier on March 26, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra raised concerns over threats from money laundering and terror financing to the national and global financial systems, which are continuously evolving and becoming more sophisticated. The RBI Governor noted that technological advancements have given strength to money laundering and terror financing activities. «The threats from money laundering and terror financing to the national and global financial systems are continuously evolving and becoming more sophisticated,» RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said, speaking at the Private Sector Collaborative Forum of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

«India's express logistics market is going through a major shift, driven by growing digital adoption and consumers becoming more comfortable with e-commerce,» said Mrigank Gutgutia, Partner at Redseer Strategy Consultants. Gutgutia further noted that express logistics players need to realign their strategies to stay ahead and make the most of the fast growing e-commerce and hyperlocal opportunity landscape.

ONGC NTPC Green Pvt Ltd (ONGPL) has completed acquisition of 100 per cent equity stake in Ayana Renewable Power for Rs 6,248.50 crore. ONGPL is a 50:50 joint venture of NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) and ONGC Green Ltd. The acquisition was completed on March 27 for a cash consideration of Rs 6,248.50 crore at Rs 23.22 per share, NGEL said in an exchange filing. The Competition Commission of India had given its approval for the acquisition on March 11, 2025.

Benchmark NSE Nifty index rose 50.35 points to 23642.3 amid buying in frontline bluechip stocks.

Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.(up 1.8 per cent), Canara Bank(up 1.27 per cent), Punjab National Bank(up 0.81 per cent), ICICI Bank Ltd.(up 0.68 per cent) and State Bank of India(up 0.59 per cent) were among the top gainers.

Sensex and Nifty50 traded lower on Friday led by losses in M&M and Infosys. However, markets may see intraday fluctuations amid foreign inflows and optimism over a domestic growth rebound. The BSE Sensex was trading 117 points, or 0.15%, lower at 77,489. The Nifty50 was up 25 points, or 0.11%, trading at 23,566 around 9:29 am.

Two members of the banned People’s Liberation Army were apprehended from Dingku Road area in Imphal West on Wednesday while two members of the outlawed PREPAK (Pro) were held from Top Makha Leikai in Imphal East on Tuesday. An active cadre of Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup organisation was nabbed from Takhel Mamang Leikai area of Imphal East on Wednesday. Sharing the information on X, the Manipur Police said, “On March 26, 2025, Manipur Police arrested one active member of KYKL organisation from Takhel Mamang Leikai near the foothill under Lamlai-PS, Imphal East District, namely, Naorem Naren Meitei. The following items were seized from his possession: one mobile handset, one black wallet containing Rs 500 and one Aadhaar Card and one two-wheeler.” The police further said, “On March 26, 2025, Manipur Police arrested two active members of RPF/PLA organisation, Thangam Surankumar Singh and Chingakham Langol Singh from Dinku Road under Lamphel-PS, Imphal West District. The arrested persons are directly involved in extortion activities in and around Imphal areas. From their possession, the following items were seized: two two-wheelers, four mobile handsets, two wallets and a sum of Rs 3,500.” Manipur is currently under President’s rule. In Manipur, at least 258 people have been killed and over a thousand people injured in the ethnic violence between the tribal Kuki-Zo and the non-tribal Meitei people since May 3, 2023. More than 60,000 people have been displaced from their homes and villages who are staying in relief camps in different districts.

Force Motors surged 7.5% to their intraday high of Rs 9,444.85 on BSE on Friday after the company announced that it has won a major contract to supply 2,978 Force Gurkha light vehicles to the Indian Defence Forces. “We are pleased to inform you that the company has signed a landmark contract for an order of 2,978 vehicles from the Indian Defence Forces, specifically from the Directorate General of Capb, Devp (CD-13/14) General Staff Branch, IHQ of MoD (Army), New Delhi,” the company said in its press release.

Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The explosive batsman achieved this feat with a dazzling 70 off just 26 balls during his side's dominant victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Pooran's swashbuckling knock dismantled Sunrisers' 190-run defense and left the crowd at their home ground stunned. His blistering innings was key to breaking the back of Hyderabad’s total, as he unleashed a series of powerful strokes before eventually being dismissed by SRH captain Pat Cummins. By the time Pooran made his way back to the dressing room, he had accumulated 1002 runs in just 31 matches for LSG, positioning him as the second-highest run-scorer in the franchise's history. His impressive tally places him just behind former captain KL Rahul, who holds the record with 1410 runs in 38 matches. Pooran's remarkable achievement comes at an average of 45.54 and a strike rate of 184.53. Known for his effortless power-hitting, Pooran has become synonymous with fast-paced innings in the IPL. He has crossed the fifty-run mark in fewer than 20 deliveries on four occasions, setting a record for the fastest half-century by any player in the competition. Australia’s Travis Head and Jake Fraser-McGurk are tied for second, having achieved the same feat three times each. Notably, Pooran reached his fifty in just 18 balls during this game, marking the second-fastest fifty for LSG, only behind his own 15-ball effort against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2023.

Donald Trump revealed his intentions to reshape the Smithsonian Institution with an executive order on Thursday that targets funding to programmes with "divisive narratives" and "improper ideology". Trump said there has been a «concerted and widespread» effort over the past decade to rewrite American history by replacing «objective facts» with a «distorted narrative driven by ideology rather than truth». He signed an executive order putting Vice President J D Vance in charge of an effort to «remove improper ideology» from the Smithsonian Institution, including its museums, education and research centres and the National Zoo. Trump's order specifically names the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Women's History Museum, which is in development. «Museums in our nation's capital should be places where individuals go to learn — not to be subjected to ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives that distort our shared history,» the order said. Representatives for the Smithsonian did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

The company operates in two primary segments: Infrastructure and the Construction of Commercial Projects. Within the Infrastructure segment, its focus includes the construction of roads, bridges, flyovers, water supply systems, irrigation projects, and other related infrastructure developments.

automakers tracked losses of their Wall Street counterparts following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of trade tariffs. As of 0017 GMT, the Nikkei was down 1.5% at 37,222.21.

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Susan Collins said on Thursday that Trump administration tariffs will drive up inflation in the U.S. but it is unclear how persistent that upward pressure will be. «It looks inevitable that tariffs are going to increase inflation in the near term» and it seems more likely than not the jump will be short lived, she said in an appearance in Boston.

Lakshmi Mittal is weighing the possibility of leaving the UK following the government’s decision to end tax benefits for non-domiciled residents. If he proceeds with this move, he will be among the wealthiest entrepreneurs to leave due to tax reforms. According to a Financial Times report, Mittal, who has lived in the UK for nearly 30 years, is assessing his options in response to the Labour government's decision to abolish the «non-dom» tax regime. This policy allowed certain UK residents to avoid taxes on foreign income and gains. “He is exploring his options and will take a final decision over the course of this year,” said a close associate. “There is a good chance he will cease to be a UK tax resident.” The billionaire and his family ranked seventh on the Sunday Times list of Britain's wealthiest individuals last year, with an estimated fortune of £14.9 billion. He owns multiple properties across Europe, the US, and Asia, including a chalet in St Moritz, Switzerland, and has recently been investing in Dubai real estate.