Highlights: Key infra sectors' growth slows to eight-month low of 0.5% in April
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During the month under review, production of crude oil, refinery products and fertiliser recorded a negative growth.
The output of eight key infrastructure sectors slowed down to an eight-month low of 0.5 per cent in April, as against 6.9 per cent growth registered a year ago, according to official data released on Tuesday. In March, output of these sectors grew by 4.6 per cent. During the month under review, production of crude oil, refinery products and fertiliser recorded a negative growth.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first phase of the Indore Metro Rail project along with Datia and Satna airports via video conferencing during his Bhopal visit on May 31, a senior Madhya Pradesh cabinet member said on Tuesday.
After torrential rains brought the state capital to a standstill, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the city recorded 104 mm of rainfall yesterday, which was more than expected.
Heavy rainfall lashed several parts of Bengaluru on Sunday, causing severe waterlogging and flooding in residential areas.
Following this development, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will conduct a city-wide inspection on May 21.
The Chief Minister stated that the heavy downpour led to the collapse of a wall, in which one person lost their life.
"It rained yesterday. The rainfall was more than expected. 104 mm of rain was recorded...On 21st May, DK Shivakumar and I will go around the city throughout the day, along with all the MLAs of Bengaluru...Today, one person died due to a wall collapse. We will provide a compensation of Rs 5 lakhs to their family," CM Siddaramaiah said.
Madhya Pradesh Police constituted a three-member SIT late on Monday night to probe state minister Vijay Shah's remarks against Col Sofiya Qureshi in compliance with a Supreme Court order, an official said.
The Special Investigation Team comprises Inspector General of Police Pramod Verma, Deputy Inspector General Kalyan Chakravarty and Superintendent of Police Vahini Singh.
The Supreme Court on Monday chided Shah for his "crass" remarks on Col Qureshi and constituted a three-member special investigation team to probe the FIR lodged against him.
4:19 PM
"And as I have mentioned to you we are very eager in pushing forward this policy as soon as possible, so that now they (TRAI) are done with their task, the onus is on us to take it forward," he said.
He emphasised that satellite technology is complementary to the current bouquet of terrestrial telecom services.
India's satcom roll-out will likely be fastest globally: Telecom Minister Scindia
India appears poised to see the fastest roll-out of the satcom network, with its market expected to surge nearly tenfold to USD 20 billion by 2028, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Tuesday.
Scindia noted regulator TRAI has given its views on norms for satcom spectrum, and that it is now for the government to vet the recommendations and push forward the policy.
"And as I have mentioned to you we are very eager in pushing forward this policy as soon as possible, so that now they (TRAI) are done with their task, the onus is on us to take it forward," he said.
He emphasised that satellite technology is complementary to the current bouquet of terrestrial telecom services.
4:10 PM
Senior officials, including Environment Secretary Jayshree Bhoj and revenue department representatives, were present.
Reduce approval time for sand and mining permits: Bawankule to environment dept
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Tuesday asked the environment department to expedite the approval process for sand cluster and mining block proposals, and to reduce the duration of green clearances wherever possible.
In a meeting held at the office of Environment and Climate Change Minister Pankaja Munde, Bawankule emphasised the need for swift and coordinated approvals to
implement the new sand extraction policy.
implement the new sand extraction policy.
Senior officials, including Environment Secretary Jayshree Bhoj and revenue department representatives, were present.
3:43 PM
It’s meant to defuse the onslaught of criticism by Musk and Trump — who’ve spread the conspiracy theory that there’s a genocide against White people in Africa’s most-industrialized nation — before Ramaphosa’s visit to the White House on Wednesday, said the people, who asked not to be identified as they’re not authorized to discuss the matter.
“The deal is that all races should be treated equally and there should be no preference,” said Musk when asked about the matter in an interview at the Bloomberg Economic Forum on Tuesday. “I am in a situation where I was born in South Africa, but cannot get a license to operate Starlink because I am not Black.”
South Africa to offer Musk Starlink deal before Trump meet
South Africa’s government plans to offer Elon Musk a workaround of local Black-ownership laws for his Starlink internet service to operate in the country, aiming to ease tensions with both the billionaire and US President Donald Trump, Bloomberg reported.
The offer will come at a last-minute meeting planned for Tuesday night between Musk or his representatives and a delegation of South African officials traveling with President Cyril Ramaphosa, according to three people familiar with the discussions.
It’s meant to defuse the onslaught of criticism by Musk and Trump — who’ve spread the conspiracy theory that there’s a genocide against White people in Africa’s most-industrialized nation — before Ramaphosa’s visit to the White House on Wednesday, said the people, who asked not to be identified as they’re not authorized to discuss the matter.
“The deal is that all races should be treated equally and there should be no preference,” said Musk when asked about the matter in an interview at the Bloomberg Economic Forum on Tuesday. “I am in a situation where I was born in South Africa, but cannot get a license to operate Starlink because I am not Black.”
3:12 PM
The top court was hearing a batch of pleas related to the elections of district bar associations of Karnal and Rohtak in Haryana.
The pleas were filed after allegations over the fairness and transparency in conducting elections in various district bar associations in Punjab and Haryana were raised.
SC seeks Haryana advocates body stand on appointment of ex-judge in poll tribunal
The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Haryana Bar Council to inform its stand on the appointment of a retired judge in the poll tribunal to oversee elections in the state.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh said it had sought the views of the state bar council but got no response.
The top court was hearing a batch of pleas related to the elections of district bar associations of Karnal and Rohtak in Haryana.
The pleas were filed after allegations over the fairness and transparency in conducting elections in various district bar associations in Punjab and Haryana were raised.
2:50 PM
"SAP combines the world's most powerful suite of business applications with uniquely rich data and the latest AI innovations to create a flywheel of customer value," he said at the annual SAP Sapphire conference here.
SAP unveils series of AI innovations aimed at driving business productivity up to 30%
German IT firm SAP on Tuesday announced a slew of business Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovations and partnerships in a bid to revolutionise the way work gets done and significantly improve productivity.
From a virtually omnipresent Joule assistant to an expanded network of Joule Agents that work across systems and lines of business, SAP heralds a new era that democratizes access to Business AI and can drive productivity gains of up to 30 per cent, the company's SAP CEO Christian Klein said.
"SAP combines the world's most powerful suite of business applications with uniquely rich data and the latest AI innovations to create a flywheel of customer value," he said at the annual SAP Sapphire conference here.
2:19 PM
The state-run PTV reported that the cabinet took the important decision to “promote General Asim Munir as Field Marshal” of the country.
The decision was taken for his "exemplary role" in the conflict with India, it added.
Pakistan govt promotes Army Chief General Asim Munir as Field Marshal
Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir was on Tuesday promoted as the Field Marshal for "successfully" leading the armed forces in the recent conflict with India, state-run TV reported.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The state-run PTV reported that the cabinet took the important decision to “promote General Asim Munir as Field Marshal” of the country.
The decision was taken for his "exemplary role" in the conflict with India, it added.
1:11 PM
For the financial year ending March 31, 2025, the profit grew to Rs 1,443.78 crore, as compared to Rs 1,081.24 crore registered in the year-ago period.
The standalone total income during the quarter under review rose to Rs 13,137.14 crore, from Rs 10,510.98 crore recorded in the year-ago period.
For the financial year ending March 31, 2025, the total income stood at Rs 49,543.58 crore, as compared to Rs 41,740.56 crore in the previous financial year, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.
Redington Ltd records Q4 standalone profit at ₹209.45 cr
Integrated technology solutions provider Redington Ltd on Tuesday reported a standalone profit of Rs 209.45 crore for the January–March 2025 quarter, the company said.
The city-headquartered firm had registered a profit of Rs 160.57 crore during the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year.
For the financial year ending March 31, 2025, the profit grew to Rs 1,443.78 crore, as compared to Rs 1,081.24 crore registered in the year-ago period.
The standalone total income during the quarter under review rose to Rs 13,137.14 crore, from Rs 10,510.98 crore recorded in the year-ago period.
For the financial year ending March 31, 2025, the total income stood at Rs 49,543.58 crore, as compared to Rs 41,740.56 crore in the previous financial year, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.
12:20 PM
Whirlpool of India Q4 results: Net profit climbs 50% to ₹119.47 cr
onsumer durables maker Whirlpool of India Ltd on Tuesday reported a 50.4 per cent jump in consolidated net profit at Rs 119.47 crore in the fourth quarter ended March 2025 on the back of higher revenue and an exceptional item gain.
The company had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 79.45 crore in the fourth quarter of preceding fiscal, Whirlpool of India Ltd said in a regulatory filing.
Consolidated revenue from operations in the latest fourth quarter stood at Rs 2,004.67 crore as against Rs 1,733.99 crore in the corresponding period a year ago, it added.
11:58 AM
Delhi Cabinet approves ₹30,000 subsidy for 3 KW solar panel installation on rooftops: Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
Delhi Cabinet approves ₹30,000 subsidy for 3 KW solar panel installation on rooftops, said Manjinder Singh Sirsa. He added that the Delhi Cabinet has approved procurement of 70 mechanical sweepers, litter machines, water sprinklers to combat pollution.
11:22 AM
Rahul Gandhi's 'khata-khat' economics crushing under its own weight in Karnataka: BJP
Rahul Gandhi's “khata-khat economics” is crashing under its own weight in Karnataka, the BJP said on Tuesday, alleging that the Congress' poll promises of cash doles in the state have turned out to be “hollow and false” when it comes to delivery. This came after Gandhi alleged that the BJP follows a model under which select rich people get all the money and resources, whereas in the Congress model, money is put into the bank accounts and the pockets of the poor.
11:20 AM
MP cabinet meeting held at Holkars' royal palace in Indore
In a first, a meeting of the Madhya Pradesh cabinet was on Tuesday held at the Rajbada, a palace built by the erstwhile Holkar rulers of Indore, officials said.
Notably, minister Vijay Shah, facing the heat over remarks against Col Sofiya Qureshi, was absent from the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
The venue was chosen to mark the conclusion of the 300th birth anniversary year of Ahilyabai Holkar, the renowned 18th century ruler of the Indore state.
10:56 AM
PM Modi chairs meeting to review progress of work in tourism sector
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a meeting here to review the progress of work in the country's tourism sector, officials said. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, his deputy in the Tourism Ministry Suresh Gopi, Union Tourism Secretary V Vidyavathi and other senior officials attended the meeting.
10:09 AM
Visa applications for Turkiye, Azerbaijan drop by 42%
Visa processing platform Atlys on Tuesday said there is a 42 per cent decline in visa applications to Turkiye and Azerbaijan, following recent developments that shifted Indian traveller sentiment. Both countries had publicly expressed their support for Pakistan after India launched Operation Sindoor. Indian travellers responded swiftly by deciding to avoid travelling to Turkiye and Azerbaijan, Atlys added.
9:51 AM
News update: Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Tapan Kumar Deka gets one year extension
9:41 AM
Andhra Cabinet forms sub-committee to monitor agriculture, prices
The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday formed a sub-committee comprising six ministers to monitor agricultural produce, ensure remunerative prices for farmers, and track the prices of essential commodities, PTI reported. The Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, deliberated for about 45 minutes on agriculture, farmers' issues, and marketing strategies.
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First Published: May 20 2025 | 9:27 AM IST
