Author: Liton Paul

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann moved the resolution days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the central service rules will apply to employees of the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday moved a resolution in the state Assembly seeking immediate transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab. In the past, the House has passed a number of resolutions urging the Central government to transfer Chandigarh to Punjab, he said.  “For maintaining harmony and taking the sentiments of people into account, this House once again recommends to the state government to raise the matter with the Central…

Fintech startup OneCode has raised $13Mn in Series A funding led by General Catalyst. The startup will use the fresh capital for hiring across functions and accelerating product and tech development.  The recent round saw participation from existing investors such as Sequoia Capital India’s Surge, Nexus Venture Partners, and Waterbridge Ventures. In addition, angels also participated in the round.  The startup said within the next three years, it plans to expand its presence to 100 additional cities and increase the size of its agent network by 500%. In July 2021, it raised $5 Mn in funding led by Sequoia Capital…

Russia is offering India steep discounts on the direct sale of oil As mounting international pressure lowers the appetite for its barrels elsewhere following the invasion of Ukraine, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The sanctions-hit nation is offering its flagship Urals grade to India at discounts of as much as $35 a barrel on prices before the war to lure India to lift more shipments, the people said, asking not to be identified as discussing confidential deliberations. Headline Brent prices have risen about $10 since then, implying an even larger reduction from current prices. Russia wants India…

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the nation later tonight ahead of the no-trust votes against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government, said federal minister Fawad Chaudhry. https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry/status/1509441040469483521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1509441040469483521%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpakobserver.net%2Fprime-minister-imran-khan-to-address-nation-tonight%2F The development comes at a time when the Pakistan National Assembly is all set to take up discussion on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government in the Lower House session, which is scheduled for 4 pm today. The National Assembly secretariat issued the order on Wednesday night for the discussion on the no-trust motion on today’s (Thursday) agenda, Pakistan’s Geo TV reported. Earlier on Monday, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N)…

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on Thursday, spoke to Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to review their shared efforts to promote a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. “Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar today to review regional priorities, including the worsening humanitarian situation in Ukraine and our shared efforts to promote a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, in which the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states are respected,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement. India and the United States are scheduled to hold…

Microsoft announced the inauguration of its Microsoft for Businesses Founders Hub in India, with the goal of empowering startups’ vision and fueling innovation to create economic and societal development in India and beyond. The Microsoft for Startups Entrepreneurs Hub is a new digital and completely inclusive forum for Indian business founders. Beyond access to technology, the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub will empower entrepreneurs to innovate and grow by connecting them with mentors who will provide them with industry, business, and technical support to guide them through their next business milestones. Microsoft is also partnering with innovative companies like OpenAI,…

Software as a service (SaaS)-based food supply platform FarMart has raised $32 million in a Series B funding round led by General Catalyst, with participation from existing investors, Matrix Partners India and Omidyar Network India. SaaS has been one of the hot themes for investments since last year. According to a report by consultancy firm Bain and Co, consumer technology, fintech, and software as a service (SaaS) accounted for more than 75 percent of the VC investments in terms of overall deal value. Further, food supply platforms have also been gaining traction. Tiger Global-backed seafood marketplace Captain Fresh raised $50…

In a strategic move, Chalo, a leading public transport technology company, on March 28 announced that it has acquired Vogo, a tech-enabled shared mobility startup. Vogo will augment Chalo’s bus technology services by powering first and last mile rides at major bus stops and other public places. This is expected to enable bus users to easily travel to and from bus stops, and further boost bus ridership as it becomes more convenient to take a bus. Prior to COVID-19, Vogo was present in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, fulfilling about 50,000 rides daily. Users could access petrol-powered two-wheelers through an app. As…

US Deputy National Security Adviser for International Economics Daleep Singh’s trip coincides with the visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov who is likely to arrive in India either on Thursday evening or Friday morning after concluding a two-day visit to China. Top Indian-American US adviser and a key architect of Washington’s punitive economic sanctions against Moscow, Daleep Singh, will arrive in India for a 2-day visit today to discuss the “consequences” of Russia’s “unjustified war” against Ukraine and the development of an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, the White House has announced. Mr Singh’s trip coincides with the visit of Russian…

The Assam government on Monday formally took over the assets of Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited’s (HPCL) two closed paper mill units at Jagiroad in Morigaon district and Panchgram in Hailakandi district. The Nagaon Paper Mill has been non-operational since October 2017 and Cachar Paper Mill since March 2015 and were under liquidation proceedings on account of non-clearance of dues of financial and operational creditors according to the order of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). Assam Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) had participated in the e-auction process of all the assets, plant, technical area, township area of Nagaon and Cachar paper mills…