Latest news with #VI
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
40 industrial plots up for grab off freight corridors in Noida
Noida: In a bid to boost industrial growth and employment in the region, the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has launched a new scheme to allot 40 industrial plots through e-auction. The plots, ranging from 450 sqm to 8,000 sqm, are expected to generate revenue of around Rs 400 crore from their reserve price alone. Officials estimate that once allotted, these plots could attract investments of up to Rs 800 crore and generate nearly 10,000 job opportunities. Spread across several industrial sectors, the scheme's largest share, 27 plots, is located in Ecotech XI, which offers plot sizes from 1,000 sqm to 8,000 sqm. Reserve prices here range from Rs 28,000 to Rs 34,000 per sqm. Ecotech-I Extension features seven plots, catering primarily to mid-sized enterprises. Two plots each are available in Ecotech VI and Ecotech X, while Ecotech III has one plot on offer. The scheme will see the allotment of nearly 40 acres of industrial land. According to GNIDA officials, the scheme offers several key advantages, including proximity to the upcoming Noida International Airport, and connectivity to both the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors. All plots come with ready-to-move infrastructure in a smart, sustainable industrial zone. Participants can opt for dynamic bidding, where a single earnest money deposit (EMD) makes them eligible to bid for multiple plots, provided the EMD covers the combined reserve values. Alternatively, they can choose single bidding for individual plots. All plots are free of encumbrances, with possession promised within 30 days of allotment on an "as is where is" basis. Allottees will have three years to complete their industrial projects. They can either pay the entire land cost within 90 days to avail a 2% rebate or choose a deferred payment plan: 40% within two months, and the rest over four years in eight half-yearly instalments, with applicable interest.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Ageing truck fleet rekindle commercial vehicle makers' revival hopes
After several sluggish years, India's truck market remains in a challenging phase, with the average fleet age now at a historic high of 9 – 9.5 years — up from the earlier 7–7.5 years. This rise reflects a broader concern — weakening cyclical demand that has delayed fleet renewal across the industry. However, a turnaround may be on the horizon. Industry experts predict mid-single-digit growth in the Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle (MHCV) segment in FY26, driven by an expected uptick in replacement demand. Tempering optimism, truck owners, however, strike a note of caution. The transition from BS IV to BS VI standards led to a 50 per cent increase in truck EMIs, along with additional operational expenses and a persistent shortage of skilled drivers in the sector. 'We anticipate growth on the trucks this year, especially after two softer years. The fleet age is at its peak now, which should spur replacements,' said KM Balaji, CFO of Ashok Leyland. He pointed to a robust rebound in the bus segment, where sales rose from 53,000 to 64,000 units in just a year, and projected a similar mid-single-digit growth trajectory for MHCVs. Tata Motors echoes this sentiment. 'We expect single-digit growth across segments, with HCVs and buses slightly outperforming ILMCV and SCV pickups,' said Girish Wagh, executive director and head of commercial vehicles, during the company's Q4 earnings call. Despite the cautious optimism, truck owners remain wary. The transition from BS IV to BS VI norms has substantially raised costs —monthly truck EMIs have surged by 50 per cent, alongside additional operational and maintenance expenses. 'We now pay ₹90,000 in EMI for a 12-wheel truck, up from ₹60,000 before BS VI,' said K Arul, secretary of the Namakkal Taluk Lorry Owners Association. Namakkal is a key logistics hub in South India. The BS VI upgrade requires sophisticated emission control systems, including Diesel Particulate Filters and Selective Catalytic Reduction units — adding to both purchase and running costs. Meanwhile, a shortage of skilled drivers, despite salaries averaging ₹ 40,000 per month, continues to weigh on fleet operations. Another factor holding back demand is the post-Covid slowdown in freight movement. 'Freight hasn't recovered fully, and without that, there's no incentive to buy expensive new trucks,' Arul explained. The policy shifts may offer a glimmer of hope. The Vehicle Scrappage Policy, in effect since April 2022, mandates emissions and fitness tests for commercial vehicles over 15 years old. Non-compliant vehicles face scrapping, nudging operators toward new purchases. 'The average fleet age rose to 9.5 years due to extended use of vehicles by second owners who couldn't afford replacements,' noted Ravi Bhatia, President of JATO Dynamics. 'But this trend may reverse as policy and market pressures drive renewals.' Yet, fleet owners argue that incentives remain insufficient. 'Scrapping only gives us ₹3–4 lakh, while a new truck costs around ₹50 lakh. How can we bridge that gap?' Arul added.
New York Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump admin accuses Columbia University of violating Jewish students' rights
Columbia University violated civil rights law by 'acting with deliberate indifference towards student-on-student harassment of Jewish students' since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, the Trump administration alleged on Thursday. 'The findings carefully document the hostile environment Jewish students at Columbia University have had to endure for over 19 months, disrupting their education, safety, and well-being,' Anthony Archeval, Acting Director of the Office for Civil Rights at HHS, announced. Columbia is accused of failing to protect Jewish students against discrimination based on race, color, or national origin from Oct. 7, 2023, through the present — violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the investigation found. Advertisement 3 A group of protesters in support of Palestinians march away from Columbia University on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in New York. AP The findings included that Columbia allegedly failed to 'investigate or punish vandalism in its classrooms, which include the repeated drawing of swastikas and other universally recognized hate images,' and did not 'establish effective reporting and remediation mechanisms for antisemitism until the summer of 2024.' 'We encourage Columbia University to work with us to come to an agreement that reflects meaningful changes that will truly protect Jewish students,' Archeval said. Advertisement The Post has reached out to Columbia for comment. Columbia told Axios on Thursday that it is 'committed to combating antisemitism' in response to the investigation. 'We understand this finding is part of our ongoing discussions with the government,' a spokesperson told the outlet. 3 Graduates yell as acting Columbia University president Claire Shipman delivers a commencement address during Columbia Universitys commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. James Keivom-Pool/New York Post Advertisement 'Columbia is deeply committed to combatting antisemitism and all forms of harassment and discrimination on our campus. We take these issues seriously and will work with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education to address them.' The HHS's finding did not include any new actions against the university. In March, the Trump administration announced that it canceled $400 million in federal grants over the Ivy League school's 'failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment.' 3 A masked protester breaks the windows of the front door of the building in order to secure a chain around it to prevent authorities from entering on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in New York City. Getty Images Advertisement The funding cancellation comes after more than a year of incidents that included large-scale protests, antisemitic harassment following the attack on Israel, and the outbreak of the war in Gaza. Demonstrators descended on Columbia and set up a tent city toward the end of the spring semester in 2024 and later occupied the historic Hamilton Hall building before being driven out by the NYPD. In response, Columbia announced it would cooperate with the order, instituting numerous policy changes in direct accordance with a list of reforms requested by a joint task force composed of the Department of Education, the General Services Administration, and Health and Human Services. Among the changes, the university banned all face coverings on campus worn 'for the purpose of concealing one's identity in the commission of violations of university policies or state, municipal or federal laws.'
Middle East Eye
6 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Trump administration blocks Harvard University from enrolling foreign students
The Trump administration will block Harvard University from enrolling international students in retaliation for the Ivy League school's failure to capitulate to its demands. The administration notified Harvard by letter that the university's student and exchange visitor programme certification was "revoked" after a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) investigation, according to sources with knowledge of the situation, The New York Times reported on Thursday. The revocation means that the prestigious university can no longer enrol international students, and existing foreign students must transfer to another college or lose their legal status, the DHS said. In April, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem asked the institution for the records of foreign student visa holders' "illegal and violent" activities. Noem accused Harvard of fostering antisemitism and liaising with the Communist Party of China. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "This administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus. "It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enrol foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments.' Harvard says the administration's move threatened both the institution and the country. "We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University – and this nation – immeasurably,' a Harvard spokesperson said in a statement. 'We are working quickly to provide guidance and support to members of our community. This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country and undermines Harvard's academic and research mission." Harvard also said that the move from DHS was "unlawful". Escalating punishment The Trump administration's decision follows a series of measures to restrict the university's academic freedom. At the end of March, the Trump administration announced it was reviewing $9bn in federal funds and grants to Harvard. It said it would review more than $255.6m in current contracts and $8.7bn in grants spread over multiple years. The administration accused the university of failing to adequately protect Jewish students on campus from antisemitic discrimination and harassment, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. On 3 April, the Trump administration sent an initial list of demands to 'right these wrongs', as part of its crackdown on what it calls antisemitism on campuses across the US, referring to the widespread campus protests against Israel's war on Gaza. Then, on 11 April, the Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism sent Harvard an expanded list of demands. Harvard and more than 150 universities fight back against Trump administration Read More » In response to the expanded list of demands, the institution took a stand against the Trump administration, saying in a letter, issued by Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP and King & Spalding LLP, that 'The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights'. Harvard rejected the government's demands, including reporting foreign students for code violations, reforming its governance and leadership, discontinuing its diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes, and changing its hiring and admission policies, especially for international students. In response, the Trump administration hit Harvard with a $2.3bn federal funding freeze, which represents 35.9 percent of Harvard's $6.4bn operating expenses. Then, the US Department of Health and Human Services said that it was terminating $60m in federal grants to the university, saying it failed to address antisemitic harassment and ethnic discrimination on campus. The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based institution has said it 'cannot absorb the entire cost' of the frozen grants, and that it was working with researchers to help them find alternative funding. It is also suing the Trump administration over its decision to cut grants. The Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism is made up of four government agencies, including the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and the US General Services Administration. The task force was set up in February following Trump's executive order, Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism, signed at the end of January.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Time of India
School denies admission to child over religion, 2 booked
Nagpur: An aided school's secretary and admission in-charge have been charged with hurting religious sentiments after allegedly refusing admission to a student from a particular religion in Standard VI. The offence was registered at Jaripatka police station on Thursday. School secretary Rajesh Lalwani and admission in-charge Simran Gyanchandani have been named as accused in the case under Section 299 of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) by the Jaripatka police following a complaint from school headmistress Geeta Harwani. The TOI is in possession of the FIR. Sources said the complainant has also presented a voice recording to the police in which the boy from a particular religion was denied admission. Police will now send the voice sample for forensic analysis and examination. Senior inspector of Jaripatka police station Arun Kshirsagar said the accused are facing charges of hurting religious sentiments. "The concerned school is an aided institution and receives grants from the govt. In such a scenario, there cannot be any religious discrimination," said Kshirsagar, adding the section invoked was a cognizable one. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 장대한 콤보, 강력한 업그레이드, 끝없는 모험 레이드 섀도우 레전드 설치하기 Undo "We will issue notices in the case to the accused," said Kshirsagar. The complainants have also approached the Minority Commission. Panel chairperson Pyare Khan expressed shock at the manner in which the student was denied admission based on religion. "I too enquired into the case before taking the step. Two officials were sent to the school for verification, following which the offence was registered," said Khan, adding he intends to probe deeper. District child protection officer Mushtak Pathan, and child welfare committee member P Gaikwad also visited the school and inquired with the parents of the student who was denied admission on the basis of religion.
