Highlights of the day: Bengal transferring money to 2.1 mn MGNREGA workers

Catch all the latest updates from across the globe here

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her government has initiated the process of transferring money to the bank accounts of 21 lakh individuals who participated in the 100 days' work scheme but did not receive payments from the central government. The Chief Minister asserted that West Bengal has been at the forefront of implementing various central government-run initiatives such as the 100 days' work scheme, MSME, Awas Yojana, and Gramin Sadak.

A day after the Election Commission (EC) recognised the faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, as the real NCP, giving it control over the party name and ‘clock’ symbol, the Sharad Pawar camp has been given the name ‘Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar’.

In Rajya Sabha, PM Narendra Modi replied to the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address on Wednesday. He said, "My mantra was the same at that time (as the then Gujarat CM) and even today - Desh ke vikas ke liye rajya ka vikas...We should all follow that path. We will be able to develop the nation only through the development of the states, there can be no dispute about it. I assure you that if the state walks one step, it gives the strength (to the country) to walk two steps." Modi further said that the Congress party has "outsourced" its work and expressed his sympathies over its downfall. "The Congress' thought has become outdated and it has outsourced its work. We are not happy at such a downfall of the party and we express our sympathies," he said.

Parliament Budget Session: Prime Minister Narendra Modi replied to the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address in Rajya Sabha today. This comes after President Droupadi Murmu addressed the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on January 31, marking the beginning of the Budget Session. In his reply to the Motion of Thanks in Lok Sabha on Monday, the prime minister expressed confidence in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) winning 400 seats in the next term, with the BJP securing 370 seats individually.

11:12 PM

West Bengal govt starts transferring money to 2.1 mn MGNREGA workers

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her government has initiated the process of transferring money to the bank accounts of 21 lakh individuals who participated in the 100 days' work scheme but did not receive payments from the central government. The Chief Minister asserted that West Bengal has been at the forefront of implementing various central government-run initiatives such as the 100 days' work scheme, MSME, Awas Yojana, and Gramin Sadak. Mamata Banerjee claimed that due to West Bengal's leading role in implementing these schemes, the central government halted the release of funds to the state. In response to this, her government has taken steps to ensure that those who participated in the 100 days' work scheme receive their rightful payments, aiming to address the concerns of the affected individuals in the state.

10:29 PM

Cummins Q3 results: Profit rises 20% to Rs 499 crore on demand recovery

Cummins India announced a notable 20.6% increase in its third-quarter profit, marking a significant recovery in demand for its engines and power generator sets subsequent to the impact of new emissions regulations. The Indian division of Cummins, a U.S.-based truck engine manufacturer, recorded a consolidated profit after tax of Rs 499 crore ($60.2 million) for the quarter concluding on December 31. This marked a rise from Rs 414 crore reported during the same period in the previous year.

9:51 PM

No delay in disbursal of sops under PLI scheme for white goods: DPIIT

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) stated on Wednesday that applications from certain companies for claiming incentives under the production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for white goods (AC and LED lights) are currently under examination. The statement emphasized that there is no delay in disbursement of incentives. Under the PLI scheme, investors were provided with the flexibility to select one of two gestation periods: up to March 2022 (one year) or up to March 2023 (two years). This initiative aims to encourage investment and production in the white goods sector, particularly in air conditioners (AC) and LED lights.

9:14 PM

Himachal factory fire: Probe on to see if there was negligence, violations, says CM

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Wednesday that an investigation will be carried out to determine whether there was any negligence or violation of norms at the Baddi perfume manufacturing unit, where a fire tragically claimed five lives last week. Additionally, he emphasized that industrial laws would be amended if deemed necessary to prevent such accidents from occurring in the future.

9:06 PM

SJVN gets LoI for 200 MW solar project form Gujarat Urja Vias Nigam

SJVN Ltd, a state-owned company, announced on Wednesday that it has been awarded a letter of intent from Gujarat Urja Vias Nigam Ltd to establish a 200 megawatt (MW) solar power project. Geeta Kapur, the CMD of SJVN, mentioned in a company statement that the tentative cost for constructing and developing this project is Rs 1,100 crore.

8:49 PM

SJVN bags order for 200 MW solar project form Gujarat Urja Vias Nigam

SJVN Ltd announced on Wednesday that it has been awarded a letter of intent from Gujarat Urja Vias Nigam Ltd to establish a 200 megawatt (MW) solar power project. According to SJVN CMD Geeta Kapur, the tentative cost for constructing and developing this project amounts to Rs 1,100 crore, as stated in the company's release. The statement further mentioned, "SJVN has received the Letter of Intent (LOI) from Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) for 200 MW Solar Power Project in GUVNL Phase XXII."

8:29 PM

Terrorists kill Amritsar man, injure another in Srinagar

Terrorists opened fire in the Shaheed Gunj area of Srinagar on Wednesday, resulting in the death of a man from Amritsar and leaving another person critically wounded. The area has been sealed off, and authorities are conducting an investigation into the incident. Kashmir Zone Police released a statement on 'X', stating, "Terrorists fired upon a non-local identified as Amritpal Singh, a resident of Amritsar, at Shaheed Gunj Srinagar, who succumbed to the injuries. One more person is grievously injured and evacuated for medical attention. The area has been cordoned off."

8:01 PM

Punjab Man Shot Dead By Terrorists In Srinagar, 1 Injured: J&K Police

Man shot dead by terrorists in Srinagar, 1 injured, say J&K Police

7:53 PM

Merchandise exports set to moderate to $435 billion in FY24: Exim Bank

India's merchandise exports are anticipated to decrease to $435.3 billion in FY24 from the previous fiscal year's $447.46 billion, as per Exim Bank's announcement on Wednesday. However, there is a positive outlook for the March quarter, with merchandise exports expected to increase by nearly 3 per cent to $118.2 billion compared to the same period last year. It is worth noting that merchandise exports faced declines during the initial two quarters of the ongoing 2023-24 period.

7:44 PM

Nitish Kumar meets PM Modi, says will never leave NDA again

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, marking their first encounter since the Janata Dal (United) president departed from the opposition INDIA bloc to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) last month. Kumar reaffirmed his commitment to remain within the NDA. Following his meeting with Modi, Kumar also met with Home Minister Amit Shah and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president J P Nadda. It is believed that they discussed various governance and political matters concerning Bihar.

7:05 PM

Redington Q3 results: Profit rises to Rs 153 cr, income at Rs 111 cr

Redington Ltd, an information technology solutions provider, announced a standalone net profit of Rs 153.58 crore for the October-December 2023 quarter, as reported on Wednesday. In comparison, the company had recorded standalone net profits of Rs 141.38 crore during the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year.

6:37 PM

Niti report bats for incentives to promote LNG as transportation fuel

NITI Aayog has advocated for offering fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to encourage the adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a transportation fuel for medium and heavy commercial vehicles. According to a report titled "LNG as a Transportation Fuel in Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle," NITI Aayog proposed the establishment of a demand aggregator company to procure LNG trucks, akin to Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) in the electric vehicle sector.

 

 

 

 

 

6:23 PM

PM to address programme to mark 150th birth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a program commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada at the Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, on Thursday. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced on Wednesday that Modi will also unveil a commemorative stamp and a coin in honor of the spiritual guru during the event.

5:46 PM

Nitish Kumar meets PM Modi days after return to NDA fold

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, marking their first encounter since the JD(U) chief transitioned to the NDA and established a government in the state alongside the BJP. The meeting occurred five days prior to the scheduled trust vote in the Assembly on February 12, which the Kumar-led government is set to face.

5:29 PM

Kalpataru Projects Q3 results: Profit rises over 32% to Rs 144 crore

Engineering major Kalpataru Projects International (KPIL) posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 144 crore in the December quarter, reflecting a growth of over 32% compared to the corresponding period last year. The company's profit for the same quarter ending December 31, 2022, was Rs 109 crore, according to a regulatory filing. Total income surged to Rs 4,910 crore in the December quarter from Rs 4,006 crore recorded in the corresponding period a year ago.