Blog - The Purbottar

03 Aug

Cigarette Stocks Rally as Investors Bet on Price Hikes to Offset Tax Burden

anuprova EditorBusiness

Shares of major tobacco manufacturers, including ITC Limited and Godfrey Phillips India, gained up to 5% as investors rallied behind expectations that the companies will successfully navigate higher government taxation through strategic price hikes. The surge comes despite widespread market concerns over recent excise duty increases, which initially raised fears of squeezed operating margins and declining sales volumes across the sector. Market sentiment turned sharply optimistic following channel checks and industry reports indicating that key players have begun implementing price revisions across their premium and value product lines. Analysts highlight that cigarette consumption in India historically demonstrates strong demand inelasticity,…

03 Aug

Health Dept Reshuffles Specialists to Strengthen Medical Services

Sonakshi SarkarArunachal Pradesh

The Arunachal Pradesh government has transferred nine specialist doctors to hospitals and health centres across the state with immediate effect as part of its efforts to strengthen healthcare services and improve the availability of specialist medical care in different districts. The transfer order, issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare on July 27, was approved by the competent authority and implemented in the interest of public service. According to the department, the doctors belong to the specialties of Paediatrics, General Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Pathology. The reshuffle has been carried out to ensure a more balanced distribution…

03 Aug

Transgender Persons Amendment Bill, 2026 Passed by Both Houses of Parliament

Banasree SarkarNational

The Transgender Persons Amendment Bill 2026 been passed by Parliament, altering the definition of transgender categories by removing self-perceived gender identity and excluding certain socio-cultural identities, focusing on a biological definition. Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar emphasized the government's commitment to empowering the transgender community. However, Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury criticized the bill for violating individual privacy and self-identification rights, arguing it undermines constitutional principles of equality and dignity. Chowdhury criticized the bill for lacking consultation with transgender community, claiming it violates the 2014 NALSA judgment on gender self-identification. DMK MP Tiruchi Shiva argued it is unconstitutional, infringing on Articles 14,…

03 Aug

Aadhar Housing Finance posts 19% profit growth in Q1, AUM rises 18%

Business BureauBusiness

Aadhar Housing Finance Ltd reported a 19% year-on-year increase in profit after tax (PAT) to ₹282 crore for the first quarter of FY27, driven by strong growth in assets under management (AUM), steady disbursements and stable asset quality. The company's AUM rose 18% to ₹31,364 crore as of June 30, 2026, compared with ₹26,524 crore a year earlier, while its net worth increased 19% to ₹7,853 crore. The affordable housing financier said it serviced more than 3.40 lakh loan accounts during the quarter. Gross non-performing assets remained stable at 1.31% of AUM, reflecting resilient portfolio quality. Return on assets stood…

03 Aug

Tata Motors posts 37% jump in July commercial vehicle sales

Business BureauBusiness

Tata Motors Ltd. reported a 37 per cent year-on-year increase in its total commercial vehicle sales for July 2026, driven by strong domestic demand and a sharp surge in international business. The company sold 39,641 commercial vehicle units across domestic and overseas markets during the month, compared with 28,956 units in July 2025. In the domestic market, Tata Motors recorded sales of 33,876 units, up 28 per cent from 26,432 units a year earlier. International business emerged as the strongest growth driver, with sales soaring 128 per cent to 5,765 units from 2,524 units in the corresponding month last year.…

02 Aug

Aakash Expands In Northeast: New Shillong Centre + 100% Fee Waiver For Families Of Martyred Assam Rifles Personnel

Preeti SinghMeghalaya

Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), one of India’s leading test preparation and educational services organisations, has opened its first centre in Meghalaya and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Assam Rifles to strengthen educational support for its personnel and their families. The new Aakash Institute centre in Shillong marks the organisation’s first physical presence in Meghalaya and becomes its 10th centre in the Northeast. Located at Holding No. 383, Don Bosco Square, Upland Road, opposite St Margaret’s H.S. School in Nongkynrih, Laitumkhrah, the 7,000-square-foot centre has six classrooms with a combined capacity of more than 300 students. The centre…

01 Aug

Jaisalmer Road Tragedy: Army Major Dies, 2 Officers Critical After Safari Overturns

Preeti SinghIndia, Latest

A new life’s dream was left incomplete. Indian Army Major Hamza Arif had tied the knot just a month ago. But while returning to the military camp after completing his duty, a horrific road accident took his life. Major Hamza died in this accident in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer. Two lieutenants travelling with him were seriously injured. The accident occurred on Thursday night around 12:30 AM in a military area at Thaiyat, about 18 km from Jaisalmer district headquarters. According to reports, Major Hamza Arif, Lieutenant Abhinav Rathore and Lieutenant Ayushman were returning to the military camp after finishing duty. Major Hamza…

01 Aug

Bharat Bhushan Dev Choudhury Takes Charge As Assam Chief Information Commissioner

Preeti SinghAssam

In recognition of his long administrative experience, retired IAS officer Bharat Bhushan Dev Choudhury has been appointed as Assam's Chief Information Commissioner. The state government made the appointment recently. Prior to this, Bharat Bhushan Dev Choudhury served as the Chairman of the Assam Public Service Commission for two years. He is currently also working as a Guest Professor at Gauhati University. A son of Patacharkuchi in Bajali district, Dev Choudhury's appointment has been met with great enthusiasm by the people of the area. Various groups and organizations, including the Patacharkuchi Press Club and Pragjyoti Club, have extended their heartfelt congratulations…

01 Aug

Assam Police Seize 50,000 Yaba Tablets, Heroin Worth Crores; Three From Manipur Arrested

Paromita EditorAssam

Assam Police have seized a major consignment of narcotics, including 50,000 Yaba tablets and heroin, from a vehicle in Amingaon under Kamrup district and arrested three persons from Manipur, officials said on August 1. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, police intercepted a Tata Nexon bearing registration number AS 11-AA-6800 in Amingaon. The operation was led by Kalyan Kumar Pathak, Additional Superintendent of Police (Headquarters), Kamrup. The arrested persons have been identified as Kh Tabish (24) and Thekcham Avinash Singh (41), both from Thoubal district, and Nongmaithem Biswajit (38) from Imphal West district. During a detailed search of the vehicle, police…

01 Aug

Bajaj Finserv Joins India’s Growing Private Reinsurance Landscape

nanika EditorBusiness

Bajaj Finserv has announced its entry into India’s reinsurance sector, with its board approving the move subject to approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). The development makes Bajaj Finserv the third private-sector player in nearly a year to announce plans to enter the domestic reinsurance market, which has traditionally been dominated by state-owned General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re). The move comes amid growing interest in India’s reinsurance industry, driven by rising insurance demand, regulatory reforms, economic expansion and efforts to strengthen domestic risk management capacity. In March 2025, Valueattics Re became the first…