Category: News

New Delhi, July 5 (UDN): The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced a series of reforms aimed at simplifying and expediting provident fund (PF) claim settlements, with eligible claims now set to be processed within three days under an enhanced auto-settlement mechanism.

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The move is intended to improve service delivery and provide faster access to provident fund savings for millions of subscribers across the country.

Under the revised system, eligible advance claims meeting prescribed conditions will be processed automatically without manual intervention, significantly reducing the settlement time from the earlier processing period. The reforms are expected to benefit subscribers seeking withdrawals for medical treatment, education, housing, marriage and other approved purposes.

EPFO has also expanded the scope of auto-claim settlement by easing verification requirements and leveraging digital services to minimise delays. Officials said the initiative is part of the organisation’s ongoing efforts to make PF-related services more transparent, efficient and user-friendly.

The organisation has advised subscribers to ensure that their Universal Account Number (UAN) is activated and linked with Aadhaar, PAN and bank account details to facilitate seamless claim processing. Members have also been encouraged to keep their KYC details updated to avoid delays or rejection of claims.

According to EPFO, the digital reforms are expected to reduce paperwork, improve claim disposal efficiency and enhance the overall experience for more than seven crore provident fund subscribers across the country.

Officials said the latest measures form part of the government’s broader push towards digital governance and time-bound delivery of citizen-centric services.

Subscribers can file and track their claims through the EPFO’s online member portal and the UMANG mobile application.

Gurugram, July 4, 2026: Swaranjali Delhi, in association with Eternal Oasis Gurugram, will present Baithaki 2026, an evening dedicated to Indian classical music, on August 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The event will be held at Prakriti Hall, 1st Floor, Eternal Oasis, 591A, Sector 42 Main Road, Gurugram, Haryana.

The musical evening will feature acclaimed Hindustani vocalist Dr. Veena Kedar Sawale and renowned Carnatic vocalist Smt. Sudha Raghuraman, offering audiences a unique opportunity to experience two of India’s rich classical music traditions on a single मंच.

The performances will be accompanied by distinguished co-artists Shri G. Raghuraman, Shri Jitendra Swain, Shri M.V. Chander Shekar, and Kshitij Singh, who will add depth and excellence to the concert through their instrumental accompaniment.

Baithaki 2026 aims to celebrate India’s classical music heritage while providing a platform for connoisseurs and music enthusiasts to enjoy soulful performances in an intimate concert setting. Organizers have extended a cordial invitation to music lovers, patrons of the arts, and the general public to attend the event.

Those interested in attending may register or seek further information by visiting www.swaranjali.org or www.eternaloasis.org, or by contacting +91-9910300319 or +91-9773565708.

Shreyas Webmedia Solutions is the Digital Media Partner for the event.

July 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport, marking a significant step in strengthening aviation infrastructure and enhancing regional connectivity in Rajasthan.

The project has been developed at a total cost of ₹480 crore and spans more than 23,000 square metres. The modern terminal is designed to handle up to 20 lakh passengers annually, significantly increasing the airport’s capacity to manage growing air traffic in the region.

The newly built terminal combines contemporary infrastructure with architectural elements inspired by Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage. It has been equipped with modern passenger facilities to ensure a seamless, efficient, and comfortable travel experience.

Officials stated that the upgraded infrastructure is expected to boost tourism, trade, and employment generation in Jodhpur and surrounding areas. The expansion is also aligned with efforts to improve last-mile connectivity and support economic development through enhanced air transport facilities.

The airport currently handles over 10 lakh passengers annually, with traffic witnessing steady growth over the years. The new terminal is expected to further strengthen operational efficiency and support future expansion in passenger movement.

During the event, the Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of improving aviation infrastructure to meet rising travel demand and support India’s economic growth.

The inauguration of the new terminal marks a key milestone in Jodhpur’s aviation development and reinforces the government’s focus on modern, sustainable, and passenger-friendly airport infrastructure.

July 4: Tamil Nadu has announced an ambitious plan to develop a 200 MW rooftop solar power project across 200 government buildings, marking a significant step toward expanding renewable energy adoption and improving energy efficiency in the public sector.

The initiative aims to harness rooftop solar potential in government offices, institutions, and public buildings to generate clean electricity, reduce dependency on conventional power sources, and lower long-term energy costs for the state. The project is expected to contribute meaningfully to Tamil Nadu’s broader clean energy and carbon reduction goals.

Under the proposed plan, solar installations will be deployed across selected government offices, with each facility contributing to decentralized power generation. The distributed nature of rooftop solar systems is expected to enhance energy resilience while optimizing unused rooftop space in public infrastructure.

Officials indicated that the project will be implemented in phases, with a focus on ensuring technical feasibility, grid integration, and efficient energy management. The generated solar power is expected to support daytime electricity needs of government buildings, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing operational expenses.

The initiative aligns with India’s national renewable energy targets and supports Tamil Nadu’s position as one of the leading states in solar energy adoption. It also reflects the government’s continued emphasis on sustainable development, green infrastructure, and climate-conscious policymaking.

Experts believe the project will not only reduce carbon emissions but also serve as a model for large-scale rooftop solar deployment in the public sector. It is expected to encourage wider adoption of clean energy solutions across other states and institutions.

Once completed, the 200 MW rooftop solar network will represent one of the largest government-led rooftop solar initiatives in the country, reinforcing Tamil Nadu’s commitment to advancing renewable energy and achieving long-term energy sustainability goals.

July 4: A massive gas removal and safety containment operation is currently underway at a seafood processing unit in Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, following an ammonia gas leak that triggered an immediate emergency response from district authorities and specialized disaster management teams.

Soon after the leak was detected, emergency personnel including fire and rescue services, hazardous materials handling experts, and local administrative officials rushed to the site and initiated swift containment measures. The facility was promptly secured to prevent further exposure, and access to the surrounding area was restricted as a precautionary step to ensure public safety.

The ongoing operation involves the use of advanced gas evacuation equipment and established industrial safety protocols to safely extract and neutralize residual ammonia from the premises. Authorities are closely supervising the process to ensure that the site is fully stabilized before any resumption of operations is permitted.

As part of precautionary measures, nearby workers and residents were advised to avoid the vicinity while containment and decontamination efforts continued. Medical support teams were placed on standby to respond to any potential health impacts, while continuous monitoring of air quality was carried out in and around the affected area.

An inquiry has been launched to determine the cause of the leak and to assess adherence to mandatory industrial safety standards at the facility. Officials stated that appropriate corrective actions will be taken based on the findings to prevent similar incidents in the future and strengthen safety compliance across similar industrial units.

Authorities emphasized that the primary focus remains on ensuring complete safety at the site, minimizing environmental impact, and restoring normal operations only after thorough verification and clearance.

The incident underscores the critical importance of stringent safety protocols in industrial facilities handling hazardous chemicals and highlights the need for continued vigilance and preparedness to manage such emergencies effectively.

July 4: India’s aviation industry is witnessing a steady revival in international passenger traffic as easing global tensions and improving travel conditions encourage more people to fly overseas. The recovery signals renewed confidence among travelers and airlines, reflecting stronger demand for both business and leisure travel.

International airlines and Indian carriers have reported a noticeable increase in bookings on overseas routes, supported by improved connectivity, expanding flight schedules, and growing demand from tourists, business travelers, and the Indian diaspora. The restoration of key international routes and the addition of new destinations have further strengthened the sector’s recovery.

The increase in international passenger traffic has also boosted activity at airports across the country, with higher passenger volumes and aircraft movements contributing to the aviation ecosystem’s overall growth. The resurgence is expected to generate positive spillover effects for tourism, hospitality, retail, and other travel-related industries, supporting employment and economic activity.

The easing of geopolitical uncertainties has played a significant role in restoring traveler confidence, allowing airlines to gradually expand operations and optimize capacity on major international routes. Combined with India’s strong economic growth, rising disposable incomes, and increasing preference for air travel, these factors are creating a favourable environment for sustained expansion in the aviation sector.

India continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets through ongoing investments in airport infrastructure, improved connectivity, and supportive government initiatives. These developments are enhancing the country’s ability to cater to rising passenger demand while reinforcing its role as a key global aviation hub.

Looking ahead, industry experts expect international passenger traffic to maintain its upward momentum, driven by robust travel demand, expanded airline networks, and improving global conditions. While external uncertainties remain, the sector’s continued recovery reflects the resilience of India’s aviation industry and its readiness to capitalize on emerging growth opportunities.

The renewed growth in international travel highlights the sector’s strong fundamentals and reinforces confidence in India’s long-term aviation growth story.

July 4: India’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market recorded a significant upswing, with total deal value rising 31% to USD 86.9 billion, underscoring strong investor confidence and sustained corporate expansion across key sectors. The sharp increase reflects a growing appetite among domestic and international companies to pursue strategic acquisitions, strengthen market presence, and unlock long-term growth opportunities.

The robust performance was driven by several high-value transactions spanning industries such as financial services, technology, healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and consumer goods. Companies continued to leverage mergers and acquisitions as a strategic tool to enhance operational efficiencies, expand product portfolios, access new markets, and accelerate digital transformation initiatives.

India’s resilient economic growth, favourable demographic profile, improving regulatory environment, and expanding consumer market have continued to make the country an attractive destination for both strategic and financial investors. Strong participation from private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, and global corporations further contributed to the rise in deal activity during the period.

Cross-border transactions also remained an important component of the M&A landscape, reflecting increasing global interest in India’s growth story. International investors continued to view India as a preferred investment destination, supported by stable macroeconomic fundamentals, ongoing infrastructure development, and government-led reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business.

Industry experts believe the continued momentum in mergers and acquisitions demonstrates the confidence of businesses in India’s long-term economic prospects. As companies focus on scaling operations, enhancing competitiveness, and responding to evolving market dynamics, M&A activity is expected to remain a key driver of corporate growth.

Looking ahead, the deal-making environment is expected to remain favourable, supported by healthy corporate balance sheets, ample liquidity, increasing digital adoption, and sustained investor interest. While global economic uncertainties may influence transaction timelines, India’s strong economic fundamentals are likely to continue attracting strategic investments and supporting robust M&A activity in the months ahead.

The rise in deal value highlights the growing maturity of India’s corporate ecosystem and reinforces the country’s position as one of the world’s most dynamic and attractive markets for mergers and acquisitions.

New Delhi, July 5 (UDN): The Central Government has directed technology giants Apple and Google to remove seven mobile applications that allegedly facilitate the unauthorised operation of e-rickshaws and violate existing transport regulations.

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According to official sources, the action was initiated following complaints that the apps were enabling unregistered and non-compliant e-rickshaw services, posing concerns over passenger safety, regulatory compliance and fair competition in the urban transport sector.

The Ministry concerned has asked both app store operators to delist the applications from their respective platforms pending further examination. Authorities said the apps were found to be operating without adhering to mandatory licensing and other statutory requirements prescribed under the Motor Vehicles Act and related rules.

The government has also directed enforcement agencies to investigate the operations of the platforms and examine whether they were facilitating transport services in violation of applicable laws. Appropriate legal action will be taken against entities found guilty of flouting regulatory norms, officials said.

The move is part of the Centre’s broader efforts to streamline the operation of app-based transport services, strengthen passenger safety and ensure that digital platforms function within the legal framework governing public transport.

Officials reiterated that while technology-driven mobility solutions are being encouraged, all operators must comply with licensing, registration and safety standards to safeguard the interests of commuters and maintain an orderly transport ecosystem.

Further details regarding the names of the applications and the timeline for their removal are awaited.

Bhubaneswar, July 4 (UDN): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed ten senior IAS officers as Electoral Roll Observers to supervise the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-2026 of electoral rolls in Odisha, with an aim to ensure a transparent, inclusive and error-free voter registration exercise across the State.

The observers have been assigned responsibility for different clusters of districts and will oversee the implementation of the revision process, monitor field-level activities and coordinate with district election authorities to ensure strict adherence to the Election Commission’s guidelines.

According to the Chief Electoral Officer’s office, each observer has been directed to undertake at least three visits to the districts under his or her charge during the revision period. Besides reviewing progress at district headquarters, the officers will inspect polling stations in selected Assembly constituencies and hold meetings with Members of Parliament, MLAs and representatives of recognised political parties to assess the implementation of the exercise.

The observers will also be accessible to members of the public to receive complaints and representations relating to voter enrolment, deletion of names and correction of electoral roll entries. They have been tasked with examining constituencies where additions or deletions of electors exceed the prescribed limits and reviewing reports submitted by District Election Officers before submitting their findings to the Chief Electoral Officer.

As per the district-wise allocation, Rajesh Pravakar Patil will oversee Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Jajpur districts; Aravind Agrawal will monitor Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj; Balwant Singh has been assigned Kalahandi, Balangir and Nuapada; B. Parameswaran will supervise Subarnapur, Boudh and Kandhamal; and Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya will oversee Deogarh, Sambalpur and Bargarh.

Similarly, D. Prasantha Kumar Reddy has been assigned Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada; Sudhansu Mohan Samal will supervise Cuttack, Dhenkanal and Angul; Rashmita Panda will oversee Puri, Khordha, Nayagarh and Bhubaneswar; Mohammed Sadique Alam has been assigned Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri; while Sangram Keshari Mohapatra will monitor Keonjhar, Sundargarh and Jharsuguda districts.

The draft electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision-2026 will be published on July 5, while claims and objections can be filed between July 5 and August 4. Eligible citizens can apply for inclusion of their names through Form 6, seek deletion through Form 7, and request corrections in electoral details using Form 8.

The Special Intensive Revision is being carried out with July 1, 2026 as the qualifying date to ensure that the electoral rolls remain updated, accurate and comprehensive ahead of future elections.

Baripada, July 5 (UDN): Two persons were killed and five others, including three television camerapersons, sustained grievous injuries after a speeding dumper truck rammed into a group of rescuers and media personnel at an accident site in the Palbani area of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district late Friday night.

According to police, the tragedy unfolded after a timber-laden truck overturned on the roadside near Palbani, prompting local residents, police personnel, forest officials and journalists to rush to the spot to assist in the rescue operation and regulate traffic.

While the rescue work was in progress, a dumper truck, allegedly travelling at high speed, lost control, mounted the overturned vehicle and crashed into the gathering, causing panic and leaving several people trapped under the vehicle.

Two persons died on the spot, while five others suffered serious injuries. Three of the injured are television camerapersons covering the incident. One of them, identified as Lalit Barik, sustained critical injuries and was initially admitted to Pandit Raghunath Murmu (PRM) Medical College and Hospital in Baripada before being shifted to a hospital in Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment. The remaining injured are undergoing treatment at the Baripada medical college.

The identities of the deceased were yet to be officially confirmed till the filing of this report.

Police have seized the dumper involved in the incident and launched an investigation to ascertain the circumstances that led to the crash. Senior district officials visited the accident site and reviewed the rescue and relief measures.

The incident has sent shockwaves across the district, particularly among the media fraternity, as journalists covering the earlier accident became victims of the second mishap. Authorities are investigating whether overspeeding, negligence or poor visibility contributed to the fatal collision.