Latest news with #RajeevChandrasekhar
United News of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Over 28 lakh farmers in Kerala get Rs 6000 annually: BJP
Thiruvananthapuram, May 31 (UNI) Over 28 lakh farmers in Kerala receive Rs 6,000 annually in three installments as direct income support under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar has said. "So far, each eligible farmer has received a total of Rs 38,000 through regular installments, providing them with crucial financial assistance," the BJP state chief said in a message. While the Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala turned its back on farmers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood with them, delivering consistent, direct support to empower our small-scale farmers, he claimed. "Both the LDF and UDF ran misleading campaigns to block the benefits of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme from reaching our farmers. But thanks to the transparency of direct benefit transfers, farmers received their rightful support without any room for misappropriation," he added. UNI DS ARN
United News of India
7 days ago
- Business
- United News of India
Over 42000 MSMEs shutdown past 9 years under CPI(M) rule in Kerala: BJP
Thiruvananthapuram, May 28 (UNI) Nine years of misgovernance by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government have severely damaged Kerala's industrial landscape, with over 42,000 MSMEs forced to shut down, State BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar has alleged. An increasingly hostile business environment has forced major companies such as Hindustan Unilever and Kitex to exit the state under the CPI(M) rule, the BJP chief said in a message. "The tragic death of NRI entrepreneur Sajan underscores the growing sense of despair within the business community," he said. "Outdated communist ideologies like 'Nokku Kooli' and business-unfriendly practices continue to repel private investment, leaving the state's youth with dwindling job opportunities and an uncertain future," he blamed. UNI DS ARN
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
BJP targets wins in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Kollam local body polls with new strategy
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Determined to make an impact in the local body polls later this year, the state BJP, under a new leadership, is gearing up with major strategies and organisational rework. Going by initial plans, the party will target victory in three city corporations: Thiruvananthappuram, Thrissur and Kollam. Sensing winning possibilities in certain strategically crucial pockets, it will try to capture seats that are currently with the UDF, by concentrating on Congress, NSS and Christian strongholds. With less than a year remaining for the state assembly election, the BJP wants to make its presence felt in the local body polls. The party is in the process of finalising an elaborate strategic framework for panchayats. Retaining existing seats would be priority. The saffron party also wants to make its presence felt--either by winning seats or playing a crucial role--in regions where it's organisationally strong. The BJP-led National Democratic Front (NDA) now controls two municipalities--Palakkad and Pandalam--in addition to 19 grama panchayats in the state. Currently, the front has close to 1,600 ward members across the state -- which it would want to increase, too. Contrary to its normal pattern, the party has come up with a new organisational mechanism for the panchayat elections, a senior leader said. State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar is very much part of the micro-level planning. The party has formulated five-member core teams in each ward to prepare for the election.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India's supplements wild west; Payments firms' SaaS play
India's supplements wild west; Payments firms' SaaS play Want this newsletter delivered to your inbox? Also in the letter: Pills, promotions and a dose of doubt: Influencers, VC money fuel India's booming supplements market Growing concern: Most supplements are sold directly to consumers via ecommerce websites and quick-commerce apps. They're available over the counter – no prescription, no pharmacist, and often, no evidence that they work. Multiple experts and industry executives told us this supplement boom is driven by post-Covid-19 health consciousness, amplified by influencer marketing, and backed by venture capital (VC). Tell me more: The sector attracted over $500 million in funding between 2020 and May 2025, according to data firm Venture Intelligence. Brands like Plix, Kapiva, Fast&Up, and The Good Bug are leaning into influencer-led marketing, with some partnering with doctors and wellness experts to add a veneer of credibility. Industry analysts say brands spend anywhere between 15-30% of their budgets on influencer marketing. What about regulation? In India, most supplements are regulated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, not the drug regulator. This means weaker scrutiny and lighter penalties. Online pay aggregators focus on anti-fraud tech to up revenues Tell me more: Quote, unquote: Zoom out: Sponsor ETtech Top 5 & Morning Dispatch! Why it matters: The opportunity: Reach a highly engaged audience of decision-makers. Boost your brand's visibility among the tech-savvy community. Custom sponsorship options to align with your brand's goals. What's next: IT's Q1 headcount growth likely to stay flat despite improved macro Driving the news: Hiring demand for new IT joinees continues to hover around 55,000, well below the brief peak of 80,000 seen earlier in 2025, according to staffing firm Xpheno. There are currently 60,000 open roles in the IT services segment. Job scenario: AI-led hiring: Quote, unquote: Other Top Stories By Our Reporters Tatas rope in Intel veteran Tim McIntosh to steer Assam chip assembly plant: Spacetech gets an opening as India seeks more eyes in the sky: Info Edge's shareholders clear Rs 1,000 crore VC fund play: Byju's app taken down from Google Play Store: Apple's India bet reflects global confidence: Rajeev Chandrasekhar | Global Pick We Are Reading Happy Monday! As over-the-counter health supplements are increasingly available online, concerns arise about their efficacy and regulation. This and more in the latest edition of ETtech's Morning Dispatch.■ Tepid IT job demand■ Top Tata Electronics' hire■ Info Edge readies VC fundFrom collagen powders and gut health liquids to magnesium tablets and hormone-balancing pills, wellness supplements have become lifestyle staples in post-pandemic India. However, as demand surges, so do questions around efficacy and oversight Payment companies are transforming their in-house fraud detection tools into software-as-a-service (SaaS) products for banks and fintechs, unlocking a new source of recurring revenue Payment aggregators (PAs) like PayU, Razorpay, and PhonePe have developed fraud detection systems to safeguard their platforms. Now, they are pitching these tools to lenders, promising improved transaction rates and enhanced customer security.'While we already work with large banks to address their payment fraud needs, many mid- and small-sized financial institutions need strong technology solutions to fight payment fraud. We are also targeting this segment, and the opportunity is significant,' said Anirban Mukherjee, chief executive officer, competition intensifies and regulatory caps squeeze margins, payment firms are eyeing SaaS as a more stable, margin-friendly revenue stream beyond their core payment Top 5 and Morning Dispatch are must-reads for India's tech and business leaders, including startup founders, investors, policy makers, industry insiders and Reach out to us at spotlightpartner@ to explore sponsorship growth in the IT sector is expected to remain flat , experts say, even as a pause on US President Donald Trump's 'reciprocal' tariffs lifts some clouds of 88% of active demand is concentrated in technology and engineering roles. The remaining 12% spans consulting, project management, business development, analysts, and other support functions, Xpheno firms prioritising quality over volume, demand is shifting towards 'future-ready' specialised roles in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, cloud, and cybersecurity. These segments are reported to grow by 30-75%, depending on the area, according to another staffing firm, Teamlease.'Although there is long-term optimism, companies remain cautious in the short term, reflecting a careful approach to hiring amid ongoing global uncertainties,' said Neeti Sharma, CEO, Teamlease Electronics has appointed Tim McIntosh as vice president and head of operations and manufacturing for Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test (TSAT), marking the latest leadership hire of an Intel veteran at the India currently has around 10–11 defence satellites operated by ISRO, "revisit times are long" and there's an urgent need for more satellites , Lt Gen AK Bhatt (Retd), DG of the Indian Space Association (ISpA), told Noida-based firm will invest up to Rs 1,000 crore in Info Edge Ventures Fund III , paving the way for increased startup Byju's app has been removed from the Google Play Store due to payment disruptions for its services, while other apps remain available on the ongoing expansion of its iPhone manufacturing operations in India indicates increasing global confidence in the country's electronics manufacturing ecosystem, said former IT minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar.■ India's richest man can't crack e-commerce, even with Shein ( Rest Of World ■ Gemini in Chrome feels like a small step toward Google's agentic era ( The Verge ■ founder plots potential deal to buy failed company ( FT
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP's induction of elderly woman sparks controversy in Idukki
Mariakutty, who had begged in protest against govt. delay in pension disbursal, joins BJP. Move leaves Congress, which had built a house for her, perplexed. The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) induction of 87-year-old Mariakutty, who made news by begging in protest against the delay in social welfare pension disbursal, has triggered a political controversy in Idukki. Mariakutty, a resident of Adimaly, received her membership from BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar during the 'Vikasita Keralam' convention organised by the party at Thodupuzha on Friday. After receiving the membership, the elderly woman criticised the Congress leadership. She claimed that local Congress leaders had ignored her, adding that BJP leaders and cadre had consistently supported her. Active in Congress In July 2024, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) built a house for the woman at 200 Acres, Adimaly, and its key was handed over to her by K. Sudhakaran, the then president of the KPCC. She had been active in the Congress since then, staging protests against the State government. Her sudden decision to join the BJP has left the local Congress leaders too perplexed. During a visit to Thodupuzha on Saturday, KPCC president Sunny Joseph mocked her decision. Mr. Joseph also said that the Congress's wish was that every homeless got houses. Ms. Mariakutty told the media that the Congress local leadership never contacted her after handing over the key to the house. 'BJP MP Suresh Gopi still provides a pension, and the BJP leaders and workers are supportive,' she said. Ms. Mariakutty, along with Annamma Ouseph, 80, had staged a 'begging' protest by holding earthen pots at Adimaly on November 8, 2023, citing delay in disbursal of welfare pensions. The protest had grabbed widespread attention. Meanwhile, former Idukki District Congress Committee general secretary Benny Peruvanthanam joined the BJP on Saturday. He received his membership from Mr. Chandrasekhar during a 'Vikasita Keralam' event at Kattappana. In April, Mr. Peruvanthanam resigned from the Congress in protest against the party's stance on the Waqf Act.
