Blog - The Purbottar

06 Jun

SDF Urges ECI to Extend Sikkim Voter Revision Deadline

Sonakshi SarkarSikkim

The opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to extend the deadline for submission of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) enumeration forms in Sikkim by one month, citing practical difficulties faced by voters and election officials during the ongoing revision exercise.According to a press release issued by SDF senior vice-president Shakti Singh Chaudhary on June 5, the party submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission through email and forwarded a copy to the Chief Electoral Officer of Sikkim. The SIR process began on May 31 and is currently scheduled to continue until June 28. The…

06 Jun

Cabinet Boosts MLA Development Grants, Eases Fund Use Rules

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Cabinet has approved a significant increase in the MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) fund, enhancing the financial resources available to legislators for development works in their constituencies. The decision was taken during the first Cabinet meeting held after the recent expansion of the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led state ministry.Under the revised arrangement, every Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) will receive an annual allocation of Rs 1.5 crore under the MLALAD scheme during the financial year 2026-27. The allocation will be further increased to Rs 2 crore per year from the financial year 2027-28 onwards.The state government said the…

06 Jun

Vi-Meta partnership signals growing demand for secure digital authentication

Business BureauBusiness

Vodafone Idea (Vi) and Meta have launched Silent Mobile Verification (SMV) capabilities for Vi users across WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram, a move that reflects the increasing focus on secure digital authentication and fraud prevention in India’s expanding digital economy. The network-based authentication technology enables users to verify their mobile numbers in the background without manually entering OTPs, switching applications or waiting for verification messages. The solution supports key user journeys such as new user registration, mobile number validation, login and re-login, account recovery, and authentication during security checks. Market participants view the launch as a significant development in India's digital…

06 Jun

Dibrugarh Gets State Capital Region, ₹500 Crore Development Push

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The Assam Cabinet has approved the creation of a State Capital Region in Dibrugarh and decided to set up a dedicated development authority to oversee its future growth and infrastructure planning. The decision was taken during the first Cabinet meeting held after the recent expansion of the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led ministry. The move is aimed at supporting Dibrugarh's growing role as Assam's second capital and ensuring planned urban development in and around the city. The government believes that a structured development framework will be necessary as administrative activities and public infrastructure continue to expand in the region. According to the…

05 Jun

Centre May Scrap Capital Gains Tax on Govt Securities to Retain FPI Amid West Asia Crisis

Preeti SinghBusiness

Due to the crisis arising in Western Asia, the Central Government might take a major decision to prevent foreign capital from moving out of the Indian market. According to a source, if Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) invest in government securities or bonds, the government is planning to completely waive or withdraw the capital gains tax on the returns earned from them.On Wednesday, an ordinance was approved in the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make necessary amendments to the income tax law. This conditional formal notification could be issued within this week itself.Currently, foreign investors holding…

05 Jun

Woman Killed, Another Critically Injured as Train Hits SUV in Dhemaji

Paromita EditorAssam

A woman was killed and another sustained critical injuries after a passenger train collided with a four-wheeler at an unmanned railway crossing in Dekapam under Jonai subdivision of Assam's Dhemaji district on Friday. According to reports, the accident occurred when the driver attempted to cross the railway track as the Ledo–Murkongselek passenger train was approaching. The vehicle was hit by the train and dragged along the tracks for some distance, leaving it severely damaged. The deceased has been identified as a woman from Arunachal Pradesh. Another occupant of the vehicle suffered serious injuries and was rushed to Dibrugarh for advanced…

05 Jun

Sonowal meets Bengal CM, discusses Rs19,209 cr maritime growth agenda

Paromita EditorNews

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal met Chief Minister of West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday to discuss possibility of transforming West Bengal as eastern India’s maritime hub with a proposed maritime investment pipeline of Rs 19,209 crore by 2031.The projects expected to generate more than 62,500 employment opportunities — both direct and indirect — while positioning the state as a major maritime and logistics hub for eastern India.The investment roadmap was reviewed during Sonowal's meeting with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, where both leaders discussed the future development of ports, inland waterways, shipbuilding, logistics and port-led industrialisation…

05 Jun

Viral Appeal by 8-Year-Old Student Prompts CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to Install Fans in Baksa School

Paromita EditorAssam

An eight-year-old girl's heartfelt appeal to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for ceiling fans in her school has resulted in swift action from the state administration. Nikita Basumatary, a student of Bodoland Academy in Baksa district, recently posted a video on social media requesting the Chief Minister to install ceiling fans in her school to provide relief from the intense summer heat. In the video, recorded while she was returning home on a bicycle with her father, Nikita affectionately addressed the Chief Minister as "Himanta Mama" and appealed for help. Her innocent and sincere request quickly went viral across…

05 Jun

ABD Maestro expands premium spirits portfolio to Odisha

Business BureauBusiness

ABD Maestro Pvt. Ltd., the super-premium and luxury spirits subsidiary of Allied Blenders & Distillers (ABD), has entered the Odisha market with the launch of four premium brands — AODH Irish Whiskey, WOODBURNS Contemporary Indian Malt Whisky, YELLO Designer Whisky and RANGEELA Contemporary Indian Vodka. The launch, held in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, marks a key milestone in the company’s expansion strategy as it seeks to strengthen its presence in high-potential markets across India. ABD Maestro said the move aligns with its vision of building a future-focused portfolio of premium spirits tailored to evolving consumer preferences. The company, which counts Bollywood…

05 Jun

121 Finance crosses Rs 10 crore milestone in GeM Sahay lending

Business BureauBusiness

Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC)-Factor 121 Finance has crossed ₹10 crore in cumulative disbursements through GeM Sahay, the credit facility integrated with the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), marking a significant milestone in expanding digital credit access for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The company said it has disbursed more than 2,600 loans to over 400 MSMEs across 173 cities in 27 states, helping small suppliers secure working capital against confirmed government purchase orders. Built on the Open Credit Enablement Network (OCEN), GeM Sahay allows eligible MSMEs to access collateral-free, short-term financing within minutes using transaction data linked to government procurement orders.…