New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) Indians are increasingly taking charge of their financial journeys through digital content, communities, and creators, as 81 per cent of consumers use Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp during the discovery phase of financial products, a report said on Thursday. “Financial advice is no longer confined to expert columns or in-branch consultations – it’s happening on Reels, in WhatsApp groups, and through Instagram creators demystifying jargon in under 60 seconds,” accord…

Bhubaneswar, Aug 7 (IANS) Odisha opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday demanded a Crime Branch probe into the self-immolation death of a girl at Kathiapada village under Pattamundai Rural police station limits in Kendrapara district. Senior BJD leader Pratap Keshari Deb, during a press conference on Thursday, alleged that the Pattamundai incident exposed the negligence and incompetence of the district police administration. “We came to know that the victim’s father had lodged a compla…

New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) The government has issued 34,900 digitally-signed Certificates of Practice to the newly-appointed Notaries of various States and Union Territories using the new Notary Portal till July 31, the Rajya Sabha was told on Thursday.Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, in a written reply, shared the data while highlighting the features of the dedicated platform for providing online services for the works related to the Notaries Act, 1952 …

New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) The Centre’s Department of Food and Public Distribution has notified an amendment to the Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (Regulation) Order, 2011, which was originally issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, following the repeal of earlier regulations by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.The amendment enhances transparency, facilitates better market intelligence, and supports evidence-based policymaking. This will enable closer monito…

Mumbai, Aug 7 (IANS) Congress MLA Amit Deshmukh, son of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, on Thursday expressed concern over the US decision to impose an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, bringing the total tariff to 50 per cent, terming it a serious indicator of India’s weakening foreign policy and urged the Centre to take immediate and effective steps. Talking to IANS, Amit Deshmukh said: “I feel our foreign policy has failed. If the US has imposed such tariffs,…

Chandigarh, Aug 7 (IANS) The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved an increase in the strength of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) from 162,000 to 220,000 personnel to support the economic rise of the country, Ministry officials said on Thursday. Sharing information, CISF unit Commander Lalit Pawar, who heads the security of Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh, said this will also generate new employment opportunities, particularly through upcoming recruitment dr…

New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) Demand for office spaces in India’s top six cities reached a record high as vacancy levels dropped to 13.9 per cent as of March 2025, a report said on Thursday.The demand is driven by the leasing needs of Global Capability Centres (GCCs), banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) institutions, flex-space operators, and domestic Information Technology Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO) firms.Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MM…

Chandigarh, Aug 7 (IANS) In a major push towards clean and sustainable energy, Haryana has set a target of installing 2.2 lakh rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY) in 2026-27. Reinforcing its leadership in green energy adoption, the state aims to solarise all government buildings by December 31, without availing any central financial assistance.Surveys have already been conducted on 4,523 government buildings, identifying a cumulative solar potential of 12…

Patna, Aug 7 (IANS) Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, left for Delhi on Thursday, stating that he will attend a crucial meeting of the INDIA bloc scheduled in the national capital.Speaking to reporters before his departure, Tejashwi also mentioned that he would meet his sister (who resides in Delhi) on the occasion of Rakshabandhan.“A major meeting of the INDIA bloc is being held in Delhi today, and I will be participating in it. Also, since it’s Rakshabandhan and my si…

Hyderabad, Aug 7 (IANS) As the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre appears in no mood to give assent to Telangana Bills to enhance reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) to 42 per cent, the ruling Congress party is exploring alternate options to implement the quota in the upcoming local body elections. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday stated this during an informal chat with media persons in New Delhi, where he is campaigning with his Cabinet, party MPs and state legislators for thre…