Business Standard's opinion pages this week focused on advanced GDP estimates, onboard unruliness, Kochhargate, and much more

BS Views of the week: Advanced GDP estimates, on-board unruliness, Kochhargate, and more

Multi-conglomerate ITC on Thursday said it will acquire Sresta Natural Bioproducts, engaged in the manufacturing and sale of organic packaged food products under the 24 Mantra Organic brand, for about Rs 472.50 crore.
It has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire a 100 per cent stake in Sresta Natural Bioproducts Private Limited (SNBPL), ITC said in a regulatory filing.
The acquisition is "in line with the strategy to augment the company's future-ready portfolio, the transaction will fortify ITC's presence and market standing in the high growth organic products segment in both Indian and overseas markets," it added.
SNBPL's portfolio comprises a wide range of over 100 organic products, spanning branded grocery staples, spices and condiments, edible oils, and beverages, among others. Besides, it has a strong international presence with a deep connection with the Indian diaspora.
"The share acquisition is expected to be completed in Q1 of FY 2025-26 or such later date as may be

It has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire a 100 per cent stake in Sresta Natural Bioproducts Private Limited (SNBPL), ITC said in a regulatory filing

Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund (MF) on Thursday acquired additional shares of IT firm Coforge worth Rs 231 crore through an open market transaction.
According to the bulk deal data available on the NSE, Motilal Oswal MF purchased 3.5 lakh shares or 0.52 per cent stake in Greater Noida-based Coforge.
The shares were acquired at an average price of Rs 6,605.13 apiece, taking the transaction value to Rs 231.18 crore.
After the latest transaction, Motilal Oswal MF's equity stake in Coforge rose to 8.58 per cent from 8.06 per cent.
Details of the seller(s) of Coforge's shares could not be ascertained on the National Stock Exchange (NSE).
The scrip of Coforge on Thursday climbed 3.78 per cent to close at Rs 6,650 per piece on the NSE.
On Thursday, Coforge said its wholly-owned subsidiary Coforge Technologies Australia has completed the acquisition of TMLabs from its shareholders in accordance with the share sale agreement.

According to the bulk deal data available on the NSE, Motilal Oswal MF purchased 3.5 lakh shares or 0.52 per cent stake in Greater Noida-based Coforge

The move is expected to attract investments of ₹10,000 crore into Tamil Nadu's space sector, creating at least 10,000 high-value jobs in the sector for talented youth

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday chargesheeted five more people in the ISIS-inspired Coimbatore car bomb explosion case of 2022, an official statement said.
In its fourth supplementary chargesheet in the case, the NIA has charged Sheikh Hidayathullah, Umar Faaruq, Pavas Rahman, Sharan Mariappan and Aboo Hanifa for their involvement in terror financing and other activities linked with the terror attack that had targeted a Hindu temple, Arulmigu Kottai Sangameshwarar Thirukovil, in Coimbatore, it said.
With this, a total of 17 accused have been chargesheeted in the case so far, it said.
In its latest chargesheet, the NIA has filed a fresh set of terror financing charges against Sheikh Hidayathullah and Umar Faaruq. The duo was chargesheeted earlier for other offences in the case, said the statement issued by the probe agency.
The two orchestrated a fake Covid vaccine certificate scam in 2021-2022 and used the funds to procure materials for explosives and other ...

The NIA has filed a fresh set of terror financing charges against Sheikh Hidayathullah and Umar Faaruq

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate India Steel 2025 event which starts April 24 in Mumbai, an official statement said on Thursday.
As per the Ministry of Steel, the three-day event will see a participation of more than 12,000 business visitors, 250 exhibitors, and 1,200 conference delegates representing various sectors, government departments, state governments, country delegations, and domestic and international buyers from India and abroad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the flagship event of steel industry on April 24, the ministry said.
He will address the gathering through video conferencing in the presence of Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy, and Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries Shri Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Vishnu Deo Sai will also attend the event.
This 6th edition of the biennial international exhibition and conference will br

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the flagship event of steel industry on April 24, the ministry said

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Friday presented a Rs 40,187 crore-budget for the megapolis.
Infrastructure spends across projects have been pegged at Rs 35,151 crore or 87 per cent of the overall expenditure, as per an official statement. The revenues have been estimated at Rs 36,939 crore, and the body chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will be borrowing Rs 22,000 crore.
This will result in a budget deficit of Rs 3,249 crore, which the body plans to bridge through land sales, issuance of bonds, financial assistance from the government, and loans from financial institutions, the statement said.
The ongoing metro line projects have been earmarked Rs 10,969 crore of expenditure in the new fiscal, which is a fourth of the overall expenditure..
Over Rs 5,697 crore have been allotted for multiple tunnel projects which are going across the megapolis, with Rs 2,684 crore earmarked for the four-lane road running under the Sanjay Gandhi National 

Infrastructure spends across projects have been pegged at Rs 35,151 crore or 87 per cent of the overall expenditure, as per an official statement

The Rajya Sabha on Thursday returned the Finance Bill 2025 to the Lok Sabha, along with 35 government amendments, including one that abolishes a 6 per cent digital tax on online advertisements, thus completing the 2025-26 budgetary exercise that started on February 1.
The House also returned the Appropriation Bill (3) with a voice vote.
Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had moved the two bills in the House.
The Lok Sabha had passed the Finance Bill on March 25 and passed the Appropriation Bill on March 21.
Replying to the debate later in the evening, she said the tendency of the finance ministry would be to exercise caution and not let go of revenues.
"But, here we wanted to use this opportunity to show our respect for Indian taxpayer. We have moved towards setting Rs 12 lakh as threshold up to which no one will have to pay any tax," Sitharaman said.
The Union Budget 2025-26 envisages a total expenditure of Rs 50.65 lakh crore, an increase of 7.4 per cent ov

The Union Budget 2025-26 envisages a total expenditure of Rs 50.65 trillion, an increase of 7.4 per cent over the current fiscal

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BS Views of the week: Advanced GDP estimates, on-board unruliness, Kochhargate, and more

Business Standard's opinion pages this week focused on advanced GDP estimates, onboard unruliness, Kochhargate, and much more

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