Kalki

In a recent dialogue with Tarun Nangia and industry experts,  S Ravi, former Chairman of BSE , delved into the discussion surrounding the proposed increase in the GST arrest threshold from 2 crore to 3 crore. Shedding light on the implications for taxpayers, Ravi emphasized the industry’s persistent demand for a higher threshold owing to concerns over potential arrests and pressures on the finance ministry to address the issue. Sethurathnam Ravi - Former BSE Chairman While the proposed increase appears modest,  Sethurathnam Ravi  noted that industry stakeholders are advocating for more significant adjustments. However, he acknowledged the government’s dilemma regarding the balance between supporting honest taxpayers and combatting fraudulent tax practices, which have been a significant concern given their widespread prevalence. According to Ravi, the calibrated approach to raising the threshold reflects the government’s cautious stance, particularly in light of the challe...

In a recent development, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed card networks Visa and Mastercard to suspend card-based commercial payments through payment service providers and companies. While the central bank has not officially disclosed the reasons behind the directive, reports suggest concerns regarding unauthorized transactions at outlets not sanctioned to accept such payments.  The regulatory action comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny in the fintech sector, following recent regulatory measures against leading payment platform Paytm. The RBI’s move underscores its commitment to maintaining the integrity and security of digital transactions while ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. On January 31, the RBI barred Paytm from offering all its core services — including accounts and wallets — from March, effectively crippling the company’s business citing many KYC and other issues. Fintech companies operating in the segment have reportedly facilitated transactions...

In a recent address, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das emphasized the critical need for banks to maintain a vigilant stance against potential risks looming within the banking system. The call for heightened awareness comes amidst discussions on various challenges and opportunities facing the financial sector. The Governor stressed that customer grievance redressal mechanism and protection of customers’ interests are of paramount importance for the safety and stability of the financial system and that of individual financial institutions Governor Das conducted meetings with Managing Directors and CEOs of both public sector and select private sector banks, underscoring the importance of continuous dialogue between the RBI and the banking industry’s leadership. While acknowledging the improved financial performance of banks and the overall sector, Governor Das stressed the absence of room for complacency. He emphasized the necessity for banks to remain vigilant and proactive in identifying and...

In a delightful reunion, Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, and Alia Bhatt have come together once again, this time for a side-splitting advertisement. Following their previous collaborations where they portrayed iconic characters from movies like “Student of The Year,” “Barfi,” and “Jawan,” the trio has graced screens anew, this time bringing back characters from “Gangubai Kathiawadi,” “Rockstar,” and “Raees” for a rib-tickling commercial promoting TMT bars. Stills from the new ad featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. The ad unfolds with a housewarming celebration, with Ranbir’s character Jordan from “Rockstar” and Alia’s Gangubai Kathiawadi hosting the event. However, the party takes an unexpected turn when Shah Rukh’s Raees barges in, causing chaos and damaging the roof in the process. Alia’s character humorously remarks, “Seedha ghar mein ghuse hai Raees bhai,” to which SRK responds with his classic wit, “Ammi jaan kehti thi, koi bhi party choti ya bad...

Pa Ranjith’s upcoming venture, “Thangalaan,” starring Vikram in the lead role, promises to be a cinematic journey delving into the depths of colonial exploitation set against the backdrop of the 19th-century Kolar Gold Fields. The film, much anticipated by Tamil cinema enthusiasts, marks yet another socially relevant narrative from the acclaimed director. Vikram in Thangalaan poster In a departure from commercial renditions of the Kolar Gold Fields, notably seen in Yash’s blockbuster “KGF,” Pa Ranjith’s “Thangalaan” offers a starkly realistic portrayal of historical events. The movie sheds light on the exploitation of both the region and its inhabitants by the British colonial forces, bringing to the forefront the struggles faced by indigenous tribes amidst the rampant mining operations. Initially slated for release in January, the film’s launch was deferred to April due to post-production requirements, particularly in the realm of visual effects. Despite the teaser release, director P...

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has taken a significant step towards resolving the long-standing salary dispute of 96 employees at the Hardayal Municipal Public Library. After enduring a wait of five months without pay since 2021, the employees finally received their overdue salaries following directives from Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. While addressing the employees of the Hardayal Municipal Public Library on Wednesday, Kejriwal expressed happiness at the release of their salary. The library staff had been staging a dharna for the past 35 months, grappling with financial instability exacerbated by the lack of salary payments. The situation had reached a critical point, with the library facing a severe shortage of funds resulting in a four-month-long period without electricity, adversely affecting students’ ability to study. In a statement to the press, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) acknowledged the release of salaries for the five-month period in 2021 as a significant develop...

The Greater Chennai Traffic Police (GCTP) has taken a proactive step towards enhancing road safety with the release of a series of short films under the initiative titled ‘Neenga Road Raja Va?’ (Are you the King of the Road). Directed by Vignesh Shivan, these films shed light on various traffic violations prevalent on Chennai roads, including wrong-side driving, dangerous maneuvers, and disregard for pedestrian crossings. As part of the initiative, short films directed by Vignesh Shivan were released. The initiative encourages commuters to actively participate in promoting road safety by capturing instances of traffic violations and sharing them on social media platforms like X with the tag @RoadRaja. This collective effort aims to empower citizens to play a pivotal role in enforcing traffic rules and regulations. According to statements released by the police department, Chennai has witnessed a notable decline in fatal accidents within GCTP limits. This positive trend is attributed to...