Latest news with #ShobhaKarandlaje
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Over 37 lakh new MSMEs registered in Gujarat in last 5 years: Union Minister in Rajya Sabha
In the last five years, Gujarat has witnessed registration of 37,56,390 new Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) whereas, in the same period, 8,779 MSMEs have closed down in the state. The information was provided by Union Minister of State for MSMEs, Shobha Karandlaje, in Rajya Sabha on Monday, while replying to an unstarred question raised by Parliamentarian Parimal Nathwani. In his question, among other things, Nathwani had sought to know whether the government has assessed the impact of the global economic slowdown on MSMEs and whether there is any report of some of them closing down in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. He also sought to know the measures taken or proposed to be taken by the government to support such enterprises in mitigating the effects of reduced global demand. In her written reply to the question, the minister stated, 'As per data from Udyam Registration Portal, a total number of 8,779 MSMEs have closed in Gujarat and a total of 2,892 MSMEs have closed in Andhra Pradesh from 01.07.2020 till 15.07.2025, whereas in the same period, the number of new registration of MSMEs in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh is 37,56,390 and 33,78,109 respectively.' The minister's reply also highlighted a number of initiatives taken by the government to support the MSME sector in the country.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
EPFO disposed of over 98.5% applications for pension on higher wages: government
The retirement fund body Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has processed and disposed of 98.5% of the 15,24,150 applications for pension on higher wages (PoHW) as of July 16, Parliament was informed on Monday (July 21, 2025). According to a written reply in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Labour & Employment Shobha Karandlaje, 4,00,573 demand letters were issued to applicants eligible for PoHW and 11,01,582 were rejected, while 21,995 are pending. 'EPFO has processed and disposed of applications for pension on higher wages as per the directions of the Supreme Court in its judgement dated November 4, 2022. As on July 16, 2025, more than 98.5 per cent applications have been disposed of by EPFO,' the Minister said in her written reply on Monday. The cases of PoHW are being processed on the basis of the decision of the Supreme Court on November 4, 2022. Earlier in November 2022, the court had upheld the Employees' Pension (Amendment) Scheme 2014. The Employees' Pension Scheme amendment of August 22, 2014, had raised the pensionable salary cap to ₹15,000 a month from ₹6,500 a month, and allowed members, along with their employers, to contribute 8.33% on their actual salaries (if it exceeded the cap) towards the EPS. It had given all EPS members, as on September 1, 2014, six months to opt for the amended scheme. Later, the EPFO had also extended the deadline for members as well as employers to submit documents many times.
News18
2 days ago
- Business
- News18
EPFO disposed of over 98.5 pc applications for pension on higher wages: Govt
Agency: New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) Retirement fund body EPFO has processed and disposed of 98.5 per cent of the 15,24,150 applications for pension on higher wages (PoHW) as of July 16, 2025, Parliament was informed on Monday. According to a written reply in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Labour & Employment Shobha Karandlaje, 4,00,573 demand letters were issued to applicants eligible for PoHW and 11,01,582 were rejected while 21,995 are pending. 'EPFO has processed and disposed of applications for pension on higher wages as per the directions of the Supreme Court in its judgement dated November 4, 2022. As on July 16, 2025, more than 98.5 per cent applications have been disposed off by EPFO," the minister said in his written reply on Monday. The cases of PoHW are being processed on the basis of the decision of the Supreme Court on November 4, 2022. Earlier in November 2022, the Supreme Court had upheld Employees' Pension (Amendment) Scheme 2014. The Employees' Pension Scheme amendment of August 22, 2014 had raised the pensionable salary cap to Rs 15,000 a month from Rs 6,500 a month, and allowed members, along with their employers, to contribute 8.33 per cent on their actual salaries (if it exceeded the cap) towards the EPS. It had given all EPS members, as on September 1, 2014, six months to opt for the amended scheme. Later, the EPFO had also extended the deadline for members as well as employers to submit documents many times. PTI KKS TRB view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 18:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Govt reduced land allotted to Metro for real estate lobby: Min
Bengaluru: Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje has accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of reducing the land allotted to the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) from 46 acres to just 9 acres in the prime Hebbal area in Bengaluru to 'benefit' the real estate lobby and illegal immigrants. The area falls under the Bengaluru North Lok Sabha constituency, which MoS Karandlaje represents. Speaking to reporters after inspecting the site, where a proposed multimodal transport hub was to be developed, MoS Karandlaje said, 'We are in the Hebbal area of Bengaluru. In 2000, under the leadership of then CM late S.M. Krishna, 51 acres of land in the Hebbal-Amanikere area were acquired. After encroachments, 48 acres remain today. Just a month ago, the current government decided to hand over this land to BMRCL for the development of a multimodal transport hub.' 'However, very recently, the allotment was reduced to just 9 acres. Why was this done? Why did the government backtrack from its original decision to allocate 48 acres and now grant only 9? Who is behind this decision? Which real estate mafia is influencing this move? Let us not forget - this land is situated en route to the Bengaluru International Airport,' she said. Emphasising the strategic importance of the location, she said, 'This is going to be a major junction. A Metro station, BMTC depot, Ring Road connection, and NHAI roads are all planned here. The area is ideal for a multimodal transport hub that can significantly ease traffic congestion on the airport road.' 'But now, the government and the minister in charge have colluded to override the previous decision. How much money exchanged hands? How much was given to Randeep Singh Surjewala? These questions need answers,' she said. She added that local farmers, who had given up their land for development, are now demanding it back if it is going to be handed over to private parties. 'People from various states have settled here. There are Bengalis, Rohingyas. Anti-national activities are reportedly taking place. Garbage and bottles from across Bengaluru are dumped here. No one knows who these people are. Many claim to be from Kolkata and possess Aadhaar cards, some of which are fake, along with fake voter ID cards. They claim to have lived here for 10 to 15 years,' MoS Karandlaje said.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Hans India
Union Minister Karandlaje walks up the steps for Ashada Friday darshan
Mysuru: Devotion and tradition took centrestage on Chamundi Hill on Friday as Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje joined thousands of devotees for the auspicious fourth Ashada Friday rituals, offering prayers to the presiding deity Chamundeshwari Devi with customary reverence. Following her yearly tradition, Minister Karandlaje ascended the sacred steps leading to the temple atop Chamundi Hill early this morning. Despite her hectic ministerial duties, she ensured that she reached Mysuru to take part in this significant ritual, a testament to her deep faith in the goddess revered as the guardian deity of the region. She climbed the steps along with other devotees and offered a special puja, seeking blessings for the well-being of the state and its people. On this final Ashada Friday, the Chamundeshwari temple, perched atop the misty hills of Mysuru, was transformed into a vibrant hub of spiritual energy and devotional fervor. As per tradition, the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari was adorned in the grand 'Simhavahini' alankara, symbolising the deity riding a lion—a powerful representation of courage and protection. The utsava murti (processional idol) was decorated with exquisite flowers and strings of peacock feathers, enhancing the sanctity and grandeur of the occasion. Temple authorities made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of rituals, which began as early as 4:30 am with special pujas and homas performed by the temple priests. As the morning progressed, long queues of devotees, some climbing the steep steps barefoot, slowly wound their way to the sanctum to catch a glimpse of the goddess and offer their prayers. In anticipation of the massive crowd, the district administration imposed a ban on private vehicles to Chamundi Hill today. KSRTC arranged special shuttle services from the foothills to the temple entrance to ensure hassle-free darshan for devotees. Volunteers and police personnel were deployed in large numbers to manage the crowd and maintain order, ensuring the pilgrimage remained peaceful and spiritually fulfilling. The Ashadha month is considered highly sacred in Karnataka, with all Fridays during this period dedicated to special prayers and offerings to Goddess Chamundeshwari. Many devotees, irrespective of age, undertake the arduous climb up the 1,000-plus steps, believing it to be an act of penance and devotion that brings them the goddess's blessings.
