New Delhi, March 18: The Government of India has implemented a series of policy measures aimed at expanding institutional credit to the agriculture sector, with particular emphasis on underserved segments such as small and marginal farmers and allied activities including dairy, fisheries, and animal husbandry. The initiatives are designed to improve access to affordable credit, strengthen rural financial institutions, and enhance agricultural productivity through increased financial…
RBI Tightens Oversight on Digital Lending; Govt Steps Up Action Against Illegal Loan Apps
New Delhi, March 18: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has strengthened its regulatory oversight of digital lending platforms as part of broader efforts by the government and financial regulators to curb the proliferation of illegal mobile loan applications and enhance consumer protection in India’s fast-growing digital lending ecosystem. The central bank had earlier constituted a working group to examine issues related to digital lending, including…
Government Pushes Crop Diversification, MSP Procurement and Faster Insurance to Strengthen Farmers’ Incomes
New Delhi, March 17: India’s Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has outlined a series of policy measures aimed at strengthening farmers’ incomes and risk protection, including crop diversification, record procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP), reforms in crop insurance, and stricter monitoring of agricultural schemes. Responding to questions from Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, Chouhan…
Cabinet Approves Rs.11,440 Crore ‘Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses’ to Boost Domestic Production
New Delhi, March 17: The Union Cabinet has approved a centrally sponsored scheme titled Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses aimed at increasing domestic production of pulses and achieving self-sufficiency in the sector. The mission will be implemented over a six-year period from 2025–26 to 2030–31 with a total financial outlay of ₹11,440 crore. The mission focuses on strengthening the pulses value chain by expanding cultivation,…
Over 2.12 Lakh Startups Recognised Under Startup India; Over 1 Lakh Have Women Directors
New Delhi, March 17: A total of 2,12,283 entities have been recognised as startups under the Government of India’s flagship Startup India initiative as of January 31, 2026, reflecting the rapid expansion of India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem over the past decade. Launched on January 16, 2016, the initiative aims to build a strong ecosystem that nurtures innovation, promotes entrepreneurship, and encourages investment across sectors in the…
IHCL Announces a SeleQtions Hotel in Digha, West Bengal
Chandigarh, March 17: Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today announced the signing of a SeleQtions hotel in Digha, West Bengal. The upcoming property will be developed as a greenfield project. Commenting on the development, Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL, said: “Digha is one of Eastern India’s most frequented beach destinations, and its growing relevance in spiritual…
TEX-AURA EXPO 2026 Inaugurated in Cuttack, Showcasing Surat’s Textile Excellence
Cuttack: TEX-AURA EXPO 2026 was inaugurated today in Cuttack, bringing the vibrant essence of Surat’s renowned textile industry to Odisha. The two-day exhibition is being held at Windsor Palace and has drawn significant interest from industry stakeholders, traders and fashion enthusiasts. The event was formally inaugurated by the Mayor of Cuttack, Shri Subhash Singh, who highlighted the importance of such platforms in strengthening trade linkages…
With 25 Years of Hospitality Experience, Gaurav Lavania to Head Culinary Operations at ITC Maurya
New Delhi: ITC Hotels has announced the appointment of Gaurav Lavania as Executive Chef at ITC Maurya, its flagship luxury property in the capital. With more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Chef Lavania will lead the hotel’s culinary operations, overseeing its portfolio of award-winning restaurants as well as large-scale banquet services, further strengthening the property’s reputation for exceptional dining experiences. A…
Kumar Corp Unveils ‘Kumar Plumeria’ – A Premium Luxury Residential Development near KIADB Aerospace Park, Bengaluru
Bengaluru, March 17: Kumar Corp has announced the launch of its new residential project, Kumar Plumeria, located near the KIADB Aerospace Park in Bengaluru. The premium residential development is thoughtfully designed to blend contemporary architecture with expansive landscaped living spaces, offering residents a harmonious balance of open green environments, recreation, and refined urban comfort. Each residence at Kumar Plumeria is designed to maximise natural…
Sunlight-Driven “Schottky” Catalyst Quickly Removes Fulvic Acid a Tough Drinking-Water Pollutant Precursor
New York, NY Mar 17th: The Mount Sinai Health System today announced a collaboration with Midstream Health, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered proactive financial action platform, to implement real-time intelligence that enhances financial operations and improves workflow efficiency, ensuring better services and care for patients. Mount Sinai will first deploy the AI-driven platform within its supply chain system to prioritize and manage existing opportunities for cost…