New Delhi: The domestic cigarette industry is bracing for a 6-8 per cent volume contraction in the next fiscal, following the imposition of additional excise duties and an increase in GST rates from February 1, Crisil Ratings said on Wednesday. Currently, cigarettes are charged 28 per cent goods and services tax (GST), along with a…
Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday described the death of his fellow Deputy CM Ajit Pawar as sad and unfortunate and said the aircraft accident that claimed his life will be probed. Speaking to reporters, Shinde said that with Pawar’s demise, he has lost his “elder brother” who not only served as…
In moments of national tragedy, politics is expected to pause. Facts must be allowed to surface, institutions must be allowed to work, and grief must be allowed its dignity. Yet, in the aftermath of the tragic aircraft crash that claimed the life of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the familiar reflexes of India’s Opposition…
New York: India came out on “top” in the trade deal with the European Union and is going to have a heyday with this, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in the first reaction from the Trump administration on the free trade agreement. Greer was responding to a question on the trade agreement, billed as…
New Delhi: The Union government is committed to social justice in the country, President Droupadi Murmu said, addressing a joint sitting of Parliament on Wednesday. As the President started her address, there was an uproar from the Opposition benches. Murmu said social security benefits are now available to nearly 95 crore citizens of the country. “My…
Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday to enquire about the plane crash in which Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed. Pawar, 66, and four other persons were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed near his hometown, Baramati, in Pune…
Mumbai: The ill-fated aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar appeared “a bit unstable in the air” and exploded the moment it crashed on the ground near Baramati in Pune district on Wednesday morning, according to a woman eyewitness. Another person who witnessed the incident said that after the crash, the aircraft burst into…
Vadodara: Delhi Capitals’ skipper Jemimah Rodrigues has been fined Rs 12 lakh for maintaining slow over-rate during their Women’s Premier League clash against Gujarat Giants. Delhi Capitals lost the game by three runs here at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium on Tuesday to slip to the fourth spot in the points table. “Jemimah Rodrigues, Captain…
New York: India’s tourism and cultural destinations were showcased at a leading travel show here, offering thousands of visitors an insight into the rich heritage and culinary experiences the country has to offer. The Consulate General of India in New York participated in the Travel & Adventure Show 2026 held at the sprawling Jacob Javits…
Mumbai: Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty surged in early trade on Wednesday, extending their previous day’s rally, on optimism over the India-EU FTA. The 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 646.49 points to 82,503.97 during initial trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty surged 196.7 points to 25,372.10. From the 30-Sensex firms, Axis Bank, Reliance Industries, NTPC, Bharat…
