Union Cabinet approves doubling of gratuity payment
The Union cabinet on Tuesday approved two worker-friendly proposals. While one entails extra compensation to central government employees, the other proposes to extend gratuity payment norms, available at present to government employees, to staffers in the private sector companies as well as public sector firms. Accordingly, the gratuity withdrawal limits for staff in private companies and public-sector units have been doubled to Rs20 lakh. At present, even if a worker accumulates more than Rs10 lakh as gratuity contribution, the withdrawal is capped at Rs10 lakh and the rest is paid out after deduction of taxes.
Govt approves BSNL’s plan to spin off mobile tower business
The union cabinet approved a proposal to separate Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd’s (BSNL) mobile tower assets into a new unit, a move that will potentially generate revenues and improve finances of the state-run telecom firm. “This approval authorizes BSNL to monetize its telecom tower infrastructure,” the government said in a statement on Tuesday. BSNL owns more than 66,000 mobile towers in India, almost 15% of the around 442,000 mobile towers in the country.
Tata Sons to raise stake in Tata Global Beverages, Tata Chemicals
Tata Sons Ltd, the holding firm of the Tata group, on Tuesday said it would raise its shareholding in Tata Global Beverages Ltd and Tata Chemicals Ltd by up to 6.84% and 4.39%, respectively. The move is part of a larger strategy adopted by Tata Sons’ chairman N. Chandrasekaran to disentangle cross-holdings of group companies and simplify structures.
Apple iPhone X launched with $1000 price tag
Apple Inc. on Tuesday rolled out its much-anticipated iPhone X, a glass and stainless steel device with an edge-to-edge display that chief executive Tim Cook called “the biggest leap forward since the original iPhone”. The launch contained few surprises, with leaked details on the phone and other products including an updated Apple Watch proving largely accurate. But the iPhone X’s $999 price still raised eyebrows, and its 3 November ship date prompted questions about possible supply constraints ahead of the holiday season.
Rs 100 coin is coming; it will be introduced to commemorate birth centenary of MG Ramachandran
In a major development, Finance Ministry on Tuesday issued a notification about the introduction of Rs 100 coin. According to news agency ANI, the Rs 100 coin will be introduced to commemorate the birth centenary of Dr MG Ramachandran. News agency PTI reports that along with Rs 100, Rs 5 coin will also be issued by the government. As per the report, the coins will bear MGR’s portrait in the centre along with the inscription ‘DR M G Ramachandran Birth Centenary’ on the lower periphery.
Flipkart introduces ‘anti-theft’ packaging
E-commerce major Flipkart on Tuesday said it has developed India’s first “anti-theft” packaging to secure goods from in-transit theft and tampering. “Designed specifically for high-net products like mobiles, tablets, and watches, this unique and exclusive pilferage protection box, which is currently awaiting patent grant, incorporates special security features in shipment,” Flipkart said in a statement. This pilferage protection packaging box comes with many protective features to ensure that customers do not receive stolen or damaged shipments, it added.
Ryan school murder: Doctor says no sign of sexual abuse on victim’s body, he could not shout as his wind pipe was slit
An autopsy into the murder of an eight-year-old student of Ryan International School didn’t establish sodomy but other forms of sexual assault cannot be ruled out, the doctor who conducted the procedure said on Tuesday. A 42-year-old bus conductor, Ashok Kumar, was arrested after publicly confessing to slitting the throat of the Class 2 student who he allegedly tried to sexually abuse inside the private school’s toilet on Friday.
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