Over 200 cooperative and regional rural banks faced outages due to a ransomware attack on their core banking provider, C-Edge Technologies. NPCI temporarily isolated C-Edge from its payment system to mitigate the impact. Restoration efforts are ongoing, with security reviews and forensic audits being conducted to ensure a swift resolution.
Infosys faced scrutiny from the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) for allegedly evading Rs 32,400 crore in GST on services imported from its overseas branches between July 2017 and March 2022. DGGI argued that these expenses should attract Integrated GST under the reverse charge mechanism. Infosys contested the allegations citing compliance with current regulations and recent guidelines.
The Federal Reserve indicated progress towards its 2% inflation target and hinted at a potential rate cut. Despite the rise in unemployment and moderated job gains, the benchmark interest rate was kept unchanged. This decision came amid pressure from various quarters, including political figures. Financial markets had anticipated a rate cut announcement next month.
India's recent budget decision to increase customs duty on laboratory chemicals from 10% to 150% has impacted research centres and labs, significantly straining their financial resources. Academic institutes have seen a surge in costs, prompting calls for exemption from the new tax to avoid jeopardizing the country's research environment.
Ola Electric's Rs 6,146-crore IPO, the largest this year, opened on Aug 2 and closed on Aug 6. The company sought to raise Rs 5,500 crore through a fresh share issuance, with the rest coming from existing shareholders. Despite a lower-than-expected valuation of $4 billion, founder Bhavish Aggarwal remains optimistic about the EV market's growth.
The digital era significantly altered the financial sector job landscape. Automation and AI-fueled digital channels have displaced mid-tier jobs, creating HR challenges. RBI highlighted the need for reskilling staff as AI skills gain importance. Despite increased digitalisation aiding affordable banking, there's concern over rising data breach costs and high turnover in private banks.
Kumar Mangalam Birla cemented his position as India's top building materials maker by acquiring N Srinivasan's cement business for Rs 3,954 crore. UltraTech Cement's move includes a 33% stake in India Cements. This deal, pending regulatory approval, aims to expand UltraTech's reach in southern India, especially Tamil Nadu, enhancing its capacity and market presence.
The government monitored top 20 insolvency cases under Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC) due to slow action taken by banks. Following the intervention, movements in Jaiprakash Associates and Amtek Auto were observed. Bankers were found discussing loan settlements despite ongoing IBC issues. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reviewed multiple cases to expedite the process and improve debt recovery mechanisms.
UltraTech Cement has agreed to acquire a 32.72% stake in India Cements for Rs 3,954 crore. This move, raising UltraTech's total stake to over 55%, aims to boost its market presence in southern India. The acquisition supports UltraTech’s broader strategy of dominating the Indian cement market. Completion is pending regulatory approvals and is expected within six months.
The Reserve Bank of India has fined Visa Worldwide, Ola Financial Services, and Manappuram Finance for failing to comply with regulatory requirements. Penalties included Rs 2.4 crore for Visa, Rs 41.5 lakh for Manappuram Finance, and Rs 87.55 lakh for Ola Financial Services. The breaches involved non-compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC) norms and other regulatory provisions.
India's foreign exchange reserves surged by $4 billion to reach $670.857 billion for the week ending on July 19, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday. This rise follows an earlier jump of $9.699 billion, bringing the reserves to an all-time high of $666.854 billion for the week concluding on July 12.
The effect of 2024's Lok Sabha election results was writ large on the first Budget of Modi 3.0, with employment creation given pride of place and keeping allies happy too very much in focus. The fact that the Budget comes at a time when the govt’s finances are relatively comfortable meant that finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman could afford to address these concerns with targeted schemes while keeping the fiscal deficit under a tight leash relative to recent years.
Sweeping changes in direct taxes gave the urban middle class plenty of reason to cheer, but also hit the wallets of others. The clear plus is in the form of an increase in standard deduction under the new regime for salaried employees from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000, which saves Rs 7,500 a year for those with annual incomes of Rs 10 lakh or more.
Sitharaman's Budget balances spending, tax cuts, and fiscal path. Rs 2 lakh crore dividend aids solar scheme; funds needed for PM Modi's housing subsidy, Aayushman Bharat expansion. Modi 3.0 seeks job creation, private sector investment. BJP allies demand focus on women, farmers. Addresses leaks. 2047 target set, sector hand-holding stressed.
The current fiscal year's tax-laden budget and the Supreme Court's ruling on reserved seats have shifted the focus of politics to the economy, further posing doubts over Pakistan's ability to meet the new International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions for a USD 7 billion loan, reported Dawn.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, the sixth-largest generic pharmaceutical manufacturer in the world, had questioned NPPA's demand notice of 2005 for payment of Rs 4.6 crore "to recover the higher price charged in relation to Roscilox, a brand of a Cloxacillin-based drug formulation, than that fixed by the govt under Drugs (Price Control) Order (DPCO)".
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