Business Bureau

The Reserve Bank of India’s latest monetary policy decision has broadly aligned with market expectations, with economists indicating limited room for further rate reductions amid emerging inflationary risks. Reacting to the policy announcement, Upasna Bhardwaj, Chief Economist at Kotak Mahindra Bank, said the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) delivered decisions “completely in line with expectations” in terms of both the policy rate and overall stance. Bhardwaj noted that the inflation outlook for the first half of FY27 has been revised marginally upward, reflecting concerns over external price pressures and currency movements. She highlighted that uncertainty persists regarding growth and inflation projections…

Kotak Mahindra Bank has announced that it has become the first custodian in India to enable Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) registration and account opening through electronic signatures, marking a significant step in the digitisation of India’s capital markets. The bank has already issued the first two FPI licences based entirely on digitally signed documentation, aligning the initiative with SEBI’s broader digital-transformation agenda under the FPI framework. The new system allows execution of all onboarding and account-opening processes without physical paperwork, eliminating wet signatures, reducing operational risk and enabling faster access for global investors seeking entry into Indian markets. Kotak said…

The Maharashtra Department of Agriculture has ordered a statewide crackdown on the illegal sale of mosquito agarbattis marketed under the brand names “Comfort” and “Sleep Well,” directing insecticide inspectors to initiate raids, seizures, and prosecution of violators under the Insecticides Act, 1968, and the Insecticides Rules, 1971. Retailers and distributors across the state have been instructed to immediately stop stocking and selling the products, with authorities mandated to report enforcement actions to the Commissionerate of Agriculture. The action follows earlier investigations that detected unapproved insecticides in the two products through laboratory testing in Andhra Pradesh and Mumbai, prompting regulatory scrutiny.…

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Organic India, part of Tata Consumer Products Limited, has introduced a curated range of wellness-themed gifting hampers designed to promote mindful living and meaningful celebrations. The special “Valentine’s Day Gifting Edit” features a selection of gift boxes that combine organic pantry essentials, herbal teas and wellness products, targeting consumers seeking healthier and thoughtful gifting alternatives. Among the offerings, the Savoury Sweetheart Gift Box priced at ₹1,999 includes certified organic staples such as Himalayan multifloral honey, cow ghee, quinoa, brown rice, chia and flax seeds, jaggery powder, nuts, raisins and the brand’s Tulsi detox kahwa, aimed at…

Strengthening the commercial refrigeration workforce in Eastern India, Elanpro has successfully completed the West Bengal phase of its “Cool Skills, Bright Future” initiative, certifying 37 service technicians after a six-week specialised training programme. The certification ceremony was held today at the Ramakrishna Mission Industrial Training Centre in Kolkata. Conducted in collaboration with the non-profit organisation Sarthak, the programme trained young aspirants from several districts across West Bengal in installation, servicing, and maintenance of commercial refrigeration equipment such as chest freezers and visi coolers. The training combined classroom sessions, practical demonstrations, and performance assessments, preparing participants for employment opportunities in the…

The MATECIA Exhibition—Materials & Products for Construction, Interiors & Architecture—held alongside the Surfaces Reporter Architecture Event, concluded a successful three-day run at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan here on February 1. The event brought together architects, interior designers, developers, and building material manufacturers, creating a platform for networking, product showcases, and industry interaction focused on East and Northeast India. The exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of industry leaders and senior architects, with Ashish Vidyarthi, National Award–winning actor and Founder of Ashish Vidyarthi & Associates, attending as chief guest. Day two featured a keynote address by Keshav Bhajanka, Executive Director of…

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) celebrated the fifth anniversary of its Safety Driving Education Centre (SDEC) in Guwahati, reaffirming its commitment to promoting safer road habits across the country. The event was attended by District Transport Officer Gautam Das and other dignitaries, who acknowledged the centre’s role in strengthening awareness of safe riding practices. Established in February 2021 in association with the Assam Transport Department, the Guwahati SDEC has trained more than 1,00,000 individuals, including school students, college youth and working professionals, through classroom sessions and hands-on riding modules. The anniversary programme included a ceremonial cake-cutting and special safety…

ITC Ltd.’s Sunrise Spices has launched Sunrise Til Chicken Masala in Assam, introducing what the company describes as a first-of-its-kind spice blend designed to simplify the preparation of the state’s popular festive dish, Til Chicken, while preserving its authentic regional taste. The new product is part of Sunrise’s strategy to develop region-focused spice blends tailored to local culinary traditions. Known for Assam-specific offerings such as Haah Salkumra (Duck Curry with Ashgourd) masala and other traditional meat blends, the brand said the latest launch reflects its continued emphasis on regional consumer insights and local food heritage. Til Chicken, a winter favourite…

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IPE Global Limited to strengthen a gender-responsive and future-ready skilling ecosystem for young women across the country. The collaboration aims to improve programme design, raise women’s participation in aspirational job roles, and create stronger linkages between skill training, employability and inclusive economic growth. The partnership will focus on addressing structural barriers faced by women, aligning training programmes with industry demand, and strengthening placement pathways through enhanced private sector engagement. Speaking on the occasion, MSDE Secretary Debashree Mukherjee said…

Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited has announced the launch of Season 3 of the ‘MASSEY DYNASTAR Contest 2026 – #SabseBadeAllrounder Ki Talaash’, expanding its national search for innovative ideas that can transform agriculture and rural enterprises across India. Building on the success of the previous two editions, the third season has been positioned as the biggest yet, inviting farmers, entrepreneurs, students, startups, academicians and rural innovators to showcase original, practical ideas using Massey Ferguson tractors. This season widens its scope by allowing innovations powered by any Massey Ferguson tractor across agriculture, allied activities and rural businesses. Shortlisted participants will gain…