NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PM Modi inaugurates Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment & Infrastructure Summit 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment & Infrastructure Summit 2025 in Guwahati, Assam.The Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025 in Guwahati, is being held from 25th to 26th February. It includes an inaugural Session, seven ministerial sessions and 14 thematic sessions. It also includes a comprehensive exhibition illustrating the state’s economic landscape, with a focus on its industrial evolution, global trade partnerships, booming industries, and the vibrant MSME sector, featuring over 240 exhibitors.
2. CBDT introduces self-help tool to provide instant answers to I-T bill 2025: The Income Tax Department has introduced an online self-help tool to assist taxpayers in understanding the changes proposed in the Income Tax Bill 2025.This tool, available on the official income tax department’s website, allows taxpayers to compare the provisions of the new bill with those of the Income Tax Act, 1961.The comparison tool enables taxpayers to choose a specific section from the current Income Tax Act using a dropdown menu. Upon selection, the corresponding clause from the new Income Tax Bill will be displayed on the right-hand side. To enhance clarity, the mapping can also be presented in a table format.The New Income Tax Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on February 13, 2025, with the objective of simplifying the complex Income Tax Act of 1961. Over the years, the Act has undergone numerous modifications, with annual updates through the Union Budget.
3. SECI signs MoU with Government of MP for 200 MW Solar Project at Dhar: Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), a Navratna CPSU under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, has signed an MoU with the Government of Madhya Pradesh for setting up 200 MW Solar Project in Dhar under the CPSU Scheme and a 1000 MWh Battery Storage Project in the state.The 200 MW Solar Project is part of a 500 MW Agreement which was executed in 2023 with MP Power Management Company Limited (MPPMCL) for a period of 25 years under which SECI will supply the electricity to the state.
4. TRIFED signs MoU with Rooftop to facilitate skill enhancements of tribal artisans and facilitating their businesses: In a significant move to transcend from business-to-consumer (B2C) to business-to-business (B2B) approach for tribal marketing, Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd (TRIFED), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has entered into a strategic partnership with Rooftop to facilitate tribal businesses.The MoU was signed in the presence of Managing Director of TRIFED Ashish Chatterjee during the ongoing flagship event ‘Aadi Mahotsav’, held at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in the New Delhi.Rooftop MoU was signed and exchanged between TRIFED Deputy General Manager Preeti Tolia and Rooftop Founder and CEO Kartik Gaggar. The principal objective of the MoU is to aid the skill enhancements of the tribal artisans.
5. SWAYATT initiative on GeM celebrates 6 years of transformative impact: The Government e Marketplace (GeM) commemorated six years of Startups, Women, and Youth Advantage through eTransactions (SWAYATT) initiative at its New Delhi headquarters (HQ).Launched on 19 February 2019, SWAYATT was conceptualised with the clear objective of invigorating the participation of women-led enterprises and youth in public procurement.Rooted in GeM’s foundational pillar of social inclusion, SWAYATT is the portal’s commitment to enhancing the ease of doing business and establishing direct market linkages to annual public procurement for startups, women entrepreneurs, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and youth, especially those from backward sections of society.
6. Haryana launches witness protection scheme: The Nayab Singh Saini-led BJP government rolled out the “Haryana Witness Protection Scheme, 2025” to ensure the protection of the witnesses as the state gears up to implement the three new criminal laws.The scheme will be applicable to the witnesses of those offences which are punishable with death or life imprisonment, or imprisonment up to seven years and above.It will also cover punishments under sections 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as under Sections 8, 10, 12, 14 and 15 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.A government spokesperson said that under the scheme, there will be three categories of witnesses based on the threat perception.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India poised to host the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific in Jaipur: India will host the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Asia and the Pacific. The Forum will take place at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur on 3-5 March 2025.The event will centre on the theme of “Realizing Circular Societies Towards Achieving SDGs and Carbon Neutrality in Asia-Pacific”.The Forum will host an international ‘3R trade and technology exhibition’, providing a platform for over 40 Indian and Japanese businesses and start-ups to showcase best practices, ideas and solutions that support circularity and 3R principles while encouraging cross-learning.Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal informed that ‘Waste-to-wealth initiatives by NGOs and Self-help Groups across India will also be showcased at the Forum promoting sustainability-driven entrepreneurship and community engagement.
2. Unilever CEO Schumacher to step down: Unilever CEO Hein Schumacher is stepping down after less than two years in the job, with current CFO Fernando Fernandez set to take his place leading the company.Schumacher — who took the reins in July 2023 and was tasked with leading the overhaul of the consumer goods giant — will stand down as CEO and board director in March and will leave the company on May 31.Fernandez’ new role will take effect on March 1.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Ministry of Defence inks contract worth Rs 1220.12 cr with Bharat Electronics Limited: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru for the procurement of 149 Software Defined Radios for the Indian Coast Guard at a total cost of Rs 1220.12 crore under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.These state-of-the-art radios will enable secure and reliable information sharing, collaboration, and situational awareness through high-speed data and secure voice communication.This will strengthen the Indian Coast Guard’s capability to fulfil its core responsibilities, including maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, fisheries protection, and marine environment protection. Additionally, these radios will enhance interoperability for joint operations with the Indian Navy.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. SEBI slaps Rs 10 lakh penalty on Axis Securities for violating stock rules: Capital markets regulator SEBI has slapped penalties totalling Rs 50 lakh on three foreign portfolio investors for exceeding the prescribed limits on short-term investments in debt securities.In three separate orders, the regulator slapped a fine of Rs 20 lakh each on Nexpact Ltd and AIRD Investment Commercial LLC, while it imposed a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on Aviator Global Investment Fund.The orders came after Sebi had carried out inspections of the custodian, Orbis Financial Corporation, for FY22.The regulator observed that investments made by Aviator Global Investment Fund, Nexpact Ltd and AIRD Investment Commercial LLC were not in line with the permissible limits (related to residual maturity) for investment in debt securities applicable for FPIs as on March 31, 2022.
2. IndusInd Bank partners with PGTI as its Official Banking Partner: IndusInd Bank has partnered with the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) as its official Banking Partner.This collaboration underscores the bank’s commitment to providing a superlative experience to its Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNIs) & High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs) under the umbrella of PIONEER banking.This partnership is an extension of various initiatives taken by IndusInd Bank over the years that not only caters to the diverse banking requirements of UHNIs and HNIs, but also provides value-added premium experience aligned to their lifestyle and way of living, especially in the field of sports.Under the leadership of Kapil Dev, President – PGTI and cricketing legend Amandeep Johl, CEO – PGTI, the tour features more than 20 tournaments across the year. Under this partnership, IndusInd Bank’s PIONEER customers stand a chance to participate in various engagement activities across the tournament cities
3. SEBI imposes Rs 5.05 crore penalty on Indian Clearing Corporation: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) imposed a total penalty of Rs 5.05 crore on Indian Clearing Corporation (ICCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of BSE, for alleged violations of cyber security and system audit-related norms.The market regulator conducted an inspection between December 2022 and July 2023, following which it sent the show-cause notice in October.Sebi’s findings showed that ICCL had submitted the network auditor report to the regulator without any management or board comments.The norms prescribe that the audit report, along with the management’s comments, be placed before the governing board of the market infrastructure institutions. The same, along with the board’s comments, must be submitted to Sebi within one month from the completion of the audit.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Rajnath Singh confers 32 medals on Indian Coast Guard personnel: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has conferred gallantry, distinguished service and meritorious service medals to personnel of the Indian Coast Guard at an investiture ceremony in New Delhi.A total of 32 medals were presented including six President’s Tatrakshak Medals for Distinguished Service, 11 Tatrakshak Medals for Gallantry and 15 Tatrakshak Medals for Meritorious Service.
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