Blog - The Purbottar

12 Feb

Bharat Bandh Impacts Bus and Transport Services Across Assam

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

The nationwide Bharat bandh called by trade unions significantly disrupted public transport services in Guwahati and Assam, causing considerable inconvenience for commuters. In Guwahati, the public bus service operated by the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) struggled to accommodate rush hour demand, as private buses and app-based cabs were off the roads. Trade union activists enforced the bandh in various areas, particularly at Khanapara. Normal operations at public sector undertakings, including banks and oil installations, were also negatively impacted. Hundreds of workers from the Digboi Refinery protested outside the facility, warning of escalated agitation if their demands were not met.…

12 Feb

SEBI chief launches multilingual comic series to boost investor awareness

Business BureauBusiness

The CDSL Investor Protection Fund (CDSL IPF), in collaboration with Amar Chitra Katha, has launched a new investor education comic series aimed at simplifying financial concepts and strengthening awareness among investors. The series was unveiled by SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey at CDSL’s 3rd Annual Symposium, Reimagine: Securities Market through Data Synergy. Developed under the guidance of SEBI, the initiative translates complex financial topics into engaging story-based narratives designed to encourage informed participation in India’s capital markets. The comics will be available in both digital and print formats and distributed through investor protection programmes in 12 languages, including English, Hindi,…

12 Feb

Defamation Case Filed by Assam CM: Congress Leaders Summoned to Court on March 9

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Senior Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi, Bhupesh Baghel, and Jitendra Singh have been summoned to appear before the court on March 9 due to a Rs 500 crore defamation lawsuit initiated by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The Chief Minister's legal action follows public assertions made by the three leaders alleging his illegal ownership of 12,000 bighas of land, which he contends is unfounded. During a media conference, Sarma emphasized that his defamation suit arises from what he characterizes as “false, malicious and defamatory” claims made by the Congress leaders. The controversial allegations first appeared in a newspaper article on…

12 Feb

IIT Guwahati Ties Up with Skyroot Aerospace to Boost Space Research and Innovation

Sonakshi SarkarGuwahati

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati has partnered Skyroot Aerospace, a leading Indian space launch service provider, with an aim to promote space technology research and innovation. The partnership will open new avenues for the students in the field of advanced aerospace innovation focused on satellite launch collaboration, internships, joint projects, academic course development, facility sharing, and industry-focused training programmes. To formalise the collaboration, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof. Sumana Dutta, Dean, Alumni and External Relations, IIT Guwahati, and Ashwin Mahavadi, Senior Vice President, Skyroot Aerospace. The event took place in the presence of Prof. Devendra Jalihal,…

12 Feb

RBI Clears ICICI AMC to Raise Stake in HDFC Bank Up to 9.95%

editorFinance

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted approval to ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company (ICICI AMC) and other ICICI Group entities to increase their stake in HDFC Bank up to 9.95%, according to a regulatory filing by HDFC Bank on Wednesday.As of February 6, ICICI Group entities collectively held a 4.07% stake in HDFC Bank, India’s largest bank by market capitalization, currently valued at around $157 billion. The approval follows an application submitted by ICICI AMC and will remain valid for a period of one year.Under the RBI’s conditions, ICICI and its group entities must ensure that their combined…

12 Feb

Kotak Mahindra Bank expands CSR healthcare push with ‘Sehat Ka Safar 4.0’ across key transport corridors

Business BureauBusiness

Kotak Mahindra Bank has launched the fourth edition of its flagship CSR initiative, ‘Sehat Ka Safar 4.0,’ reinforcing its focus on preventive healthcare for India’s transport workforce. The programme, running from December 18, 2025, to March 31, 2026, will organise 45+ health and eye check-up camps across major logistics corridors, targeting nearly 4,500 truck drivers, transporters, and their families. Market observers note that the initiative highlights the growing role of corporate-led healthcare outreach in strengthening workforce productivity within India’s logistics ecosystem. The latest edition introduces key enhancements such as Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) card issuance, expanded laboratory diagnostics, and…

12 Feb

India hosts first BRICS Sherpa/Sous-Sherpa Meeting in New Delhi under its Chairship

Business BureauBusiness

India hosted the first BRICS Sherpa/Sous-Sherpa Meeting in New Delhi under its current chairship, marking an important step toward shaping the grouping’s priorities for the year. The three-day meeting, which began on February 9 and concludes on February 11, has brought together senior representatives from BRICS member and partner countries to deliberate on coordination, cooperation, and key global issues. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India’s BRICS Sherpa and Secretary (Economic Relations) Sudhakar Dalela participated in the discussions, which were also attended by China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu and Belarus Ambassador M. Kasko. Ambassador Kasko expressed appreciation to…

12 Feb

Amazon, IIT Roorkee partner to develop eco-friendly packaging from agricultural waste

Business BureauBusiness

Amazon India has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee to develop innovative packaging materials made from agricultural waste, aiming to reduce dependence on virgin wood pulp while tackling the issue of stubble burning in the country. Under the collaboration, researchers will work on converting crop residues such as wheat straw and bagasse into high-quality pulp to produce strong, lightweight paper mailers that are recyclable and home-compostable. The research, led by IIT Roorkee’s Department of Paper and Packaging Technology, will begin with laboratory-scale testing over a 15-month period. If successful, the project will move to industrial trials and…

12 Feb

Centre–State Talks Strengthen Push for Pulses as Assam Prepares to Implement Rs 11,440-Crore Mission

Sonakshi SarkarAssam

Assam’s agriculture sector is expected to receive a major boost with the implementation of the Rashtriya Dalhan Aatmanirbharta Mission, a central government initiative aimed at increasing the production of pulses across the country. State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora said the programme will help farmers improve their income, strengthen local production, and create better market opportunities for pulse growers in the state. Speaking after discussions with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during his recent visit to Guwahati, Bora expressed confidence that the mission would bring practical benefits to farmers. He said detailed talks were held on how the scheme would…

12 Feb

J Infratech secures highway maintenance contract for NH-37 stretch in Assam

Business BureauBusiness

J Infratech Limited has secured a contract from a Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) for the repair, maintenance, and improvement of riding quality on selected stretches of NH-37 (Old) in Assam. The project was awarded following the company’s successful bid, with the CPSU issuing a formal Letter of Acceptance under FY 2025–26 (2nd Call). The identified highway stretch plays a key role in facilitating daily commuter movement and ensuring smooth transportation of goods across the region. Officials noted that improving riding quality is essential for enhancing traffic reliability, reducing vehicle operating stress, and strengthening overall transport efficiency. The project forms…