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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Vodafone Idea shares up 3% in trade; what is driving investor interest?
Vodafone Idea (Vi) shares advanced 3.3 per cent in trade on Wednesday, logging an intraday high at ₹7.1 per share on BSE. At 10:36 AM, Vodafone Idea share price was trading 2.91 per cent higher at ₹7.07 per share on the BSE. In comparison, the BSE Sensex was up 0.7 per cent at 82,630.49. The company's market capitalisation stood at ₹ 76,598.53 crore. Its 52-week high was at ₹19.15 per share and 52-week low was at ₹6.3 per share. Vodafone Idea's clarification The company has informed investors that a report about the government considering relief on ₹84,000 crore dues of Vi was doing rounds. In reference to this, the company clarified through its exchange filing that it has not received any communication from the government. "We have not received any communication from the Government in relation to the above-reported matter. As and when there is any development which requires disclosure, we will do the needful," the filing read. The Supreme Court (SC) recently, dismissed petitions by Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and Tata Teleservices seeking waivers on interest, penalties, and interest on penalties related to adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues. A bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan described the petitions as "misconceived" and criticised the companies for approaching the court. The ruling came a day after Vodafone Idea filed a plea seeking relief from AGR liabilities exceeding ₹45,000 crore, citing financial distress. Reports had suggested that Vodafone Idea had warned that it may not be able to sustain operations beyond FY26 without additional state assistance. ALSO READ | Brokerage view on Vodafone Idea Share: Post the rejection, domestic brokerage Motilal Oswal reiterated its 'Sell' rating for a target of ₹6.5 per share. The brokerage had noted that Vi continued to lose market share to peers due to lower Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) translation, given its inferior subscriber mix and elevated subscriber analysts at Motilal believed the company's network investments remain contingent on debt raise, which, in turn, is dependent on continued support/AGR relief from government (₹20,000 crore+ annual cash shortfall over FY26-31E.
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
15K pocket money, domestic help: SC pact saves marriage
In a world where courts often witness the bitter end of marriage, the Supreme Court of India recently recorded something rather extraordinary -- a broken marriage salvaged not by grand gestures but by a pragmatic checklist that included ₹15,000 monthly pocket money for the wife, a full-time domestic help and a solemn promise from in-laws to give the couple space. What returned to court a few months later surprised everyone. Instead of a joint plea to dissolve their marriage, the couple, their lawyers and the mediator submitted an agreement was anything but conventional. As per the agreement, the husband would deposit ₹15,000 every month as pocket money into his wife's account, credited directly to her bank account via UPI. He would also engage a house-help to take care of domestic chores such as cleaning and assisting in the kitchen. Both husband and wife agreed to treat each other and their families with respect, to forgive and forget past grievances, and to work sincerely towards a happy marriage. Crucially, both sets of parents agreed to give the young couple 'enough space to spend time with each other' and rebuild their relationship without interference. The couple were referred to the Supreme Court mediation centre where at least five mediation sessions were held between February and May 2025, following which the two decided to reunite, albeit the stipulations. Beyond the practicalities, the agreement also reflected a renewed emotional commitment. Both partners pledged to 'forgive and forget past differences' and to treat each other and their families with respect. They also agreed to resume living together and 'fulfil all matrimonial obligations' with dignity. As part of the settlement, the couple agreed to withdraw all pending litigation between them. This included a domestic violence complaint filed by the woman, an FIR lodged at a Mumbai police station, and a divorce petition filed by the husband in a Jaunpur court. A joint application under Article 142 of the Constitution (invoking extraordinary powers) was also agreed to be filed in the Supreme Court, seeking quashing of all the proceedings pending across different courts. 'We are happy to note that the parties have been able to resolve all their disputes. The parties have decided to save their marriage and lead a happy marital life,' said the order recently passed by a bench of justices Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, while formally disposing the case and noting that all civil and criminal proceedings between the two stood terminated.
Business Standard
30-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Embed Code : SC rejects Vodafone, Airtel, Tata pleas for AGR dues waiver on interest
The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed petitions by Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and Tata Teleservices seeking waivers on interest, penalties, and interest on penalties related to adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues. A Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan described the petitions as "misconceived" and criticised the companies for approaching the court. Red Fort and Jama Masjid received bomb threat call. According to Delhi Police, nothing suspicious was found during the check and the call was declared as hoax: Delhi Police — ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2025 'We are really shocked by these petitions which have come before us. It is not expected of a multinational company. We will dismiss it,' the Bench told senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for Vodafone. The court also declined to intervene in the Centre's decision to support the telecom companies. The ruling came a day after Vodafone Idea filed a plea seeking relief from AGR liabilities exceeding ₹45,000 crore, citing financial distress. Networks as a discontinuing operation, valued at Rs 7.9 crore. The Mumbai-headquartered company's revenue from operations rose marginally by 0.7 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 2,184.1 crore in Q4FY25. The modest growth was largely due to a sharp 24.56 per cent decline in advertising revenue, which fell to Rs 837.5 crore. 'Domestic advertising revenue declined by 27 per cent YoY for the quarter due to a slowdown in the macro advertising environment, postponement of the Zee Cine Awards, a busy sports calendar and a higher base in Q4FY24,' the company stated in its investor presentation. In contrast, subscription revenue rose by around 4 per cent YoY to Rs 986.5 crore during the quarter, driven by both linear TV subscriptions and growth on ZEE5, the company's digital streaming platform. ZEEL's other sales and services revenue—which includes the distribution business—tripled to Rs 360.1 crore in Q4FY25. The rise was attributed to a higher number of film releases and increased syndication revenue. In the quarter, 16 shows and movies were released, including four ZEE5 originals. However, profit before interest, depreciation and tax (PBIDT) remained flat, dipping marginally by 0.1 per cent to Rs 98.2 crore for the quarter. 'There is not much meat left in us to cut,' a company executive said during the earnings call, referencing ZEEL's cost-cutting measures, particularly in its digital business, ZEE5. The executive added that future growth would now rely on increasing revenue as the scope for further cost reductions has been exhausted. Connect with us on WhatsApp More From This Section North Korea fired missiles off west coast, says South Korea amid US drills Govt nod to over ₹7,500 crore ropeway projects for Kedarnath, weather today Narendra Modi PM Modi to launch Mission Weather Forecast to make India more weather-ready war Macron unveils $112.5 bn AI investment to boost France's tech ambitions US commerce dept expands list of Chinese firms subject to export controls Topics : KL Rahul Rahul Gandhi Ratan Tata1 Iran Israel conflict By Shruti Srivastava and Sudhi Ranjan Sen The interim deal will likely cover areas including market access for industrial goods, some farm products and addressing some non-tariff barriers, such as quality control requirements, the people said, asking not to be identified because the discussions are private. The talks are still ongoing and there's no clarity if the Trump administration has agreed to a three-stage process for a trade deal. India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is currently in Washington on a four-day trip that ends Tuesday, where he's expected to meet US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to advance the negotiations.
New Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Bridging the digital gap: Supreme Court's vision for an accessible India
Is the all-encompassing onslaught of technology creating a huge social divide that ignores large sections of the population, especially persons with disabilities (PwDs), acid attack survivors, visually impaired and rural poor? It seems so as the Supreme Court in a far-reaching order on April 30 said that the right to digital access is a fundamental right and that the right to life under Article 21 should be reinterpreted from a technological viewpoint. In an age where digitisation drives governance, service delivery, and economic transactions, the promise of digital India can only be fulfilled if access is inclusive. While digital tools have streamlined identification, verification, and access to essential services, they have simultaneously left out large sections of the population—especially persons with disabilities (PwDs), including acid attack survivors and the visually impaired—who face systemic barriers in using these platforms. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan were hearing a batch of writ petitions challenging the inaccessibility of digital KYC and e-KYC processes and seeking redress under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and Article 21 of the Constitution. The petitioners had sought alternative KYC mechanisms that uphold their right to dignity and inclusion. Citing its 2024 verdict in Rajive Raturi vs Union of India, the Supreme Court reiterated that lack of digital accessibility violates Article 21, and ruled that accessibility is a constitutional imperative. The court concluded that bridging the digital divide is a Constitutional imperative, not a policy choice. Seeking a ray of hope The petitioners' grievances centred on the fact that the current KYC verification processes — including live photo capture, facial recognition, and blinking detection — are not designed keeping in mind the disabled. They argued that these methods are exclusionary and violate their right to equal access. Specific directions sought included issuing alternative methods for completing digital KYC, such as using voice recognition or facial feature movements in place of eye-blinking; amending the Reserve Bank of India's KYC Master Directions to reflect inclusive practices for acid attack survivors and the visually impaired; allowing physical KYC or alternative verification for those unable to fulfill visual prompts; sensitising public and private establishments to accommodate persons with disabilities and ensuring accessibility audits and user testing with visually impaired individuals before launching digital platforms. The exclusion of persons with disabilities and marginalised groups has had real-world consequences: petitioners were unable to open bank accounts or procure SIM cards because they couldn't blink to complete facial verification protocols. For those with 100% blindness, such hurdles extend to nearly every digital touchpoint — banking, government schemes, telecom services—thereby obstructing their participation in everyday life. Systemic barriers in current KYC methods The RBI's 2016 Master Direction on KYC, now adopted across banking, finance, telecom, and even governmental schemes, has made digital verification processes indispensable. However, the following methods mandated or commonly used in e-KYC—clicking selfies, signing on screens, OTP verification, reading on-screen prompts, and document scanning — pose substantial hurdles to persons with visual or motor impairments. Face recognition tools lack screen reader compatibility or voice instructions. Signature capturing often requires precise motor control. CAPTCHAs and visual cues, such as blinking or aligning one's face, are impossible for many. The result: people with disabilities often depend on a third person to complete processes, which undermines their autonomy and violates their rights to dignity and privacy. The petitioners argued that under Section 12 of the RPwD Act, public and private players are obligated to provide 'reasonable accommodation' to ensure full participation of disabled persons in all spheres of life. Precedents such as Vikash Kumar v. UPSC, Rajive Raturi v. Union of India, and Disabled Rights Group v. UoI have affirmed the state's duty to facilitate full integration and economic empowerment of PwDs. Digital accessibility in detail The issue of digital accessibility has come to the forefront through several cases, including those of acid attack victims and individuals with visual impairments. These individuals face significant barriers in completing digital KYC processes, which are mandatory for accessing essential services like banking, telecommunications, and government schemes. The digital KYC process, as it stands, excludes persons with disabilities, violating their fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The process requires tasks like clicking selfies, face recognition, and signing documents, which are not accessible to individuals with visual impairments or facial disfigurements. For instance, acid attack victims with permanent eye disfigurement struggle to complete the KYC process due to the requirement of blinking or capturing a live photograph. Similarly, individuals with visual impairments face difficulties in accessing digital platforms, navigating through complex interfaces, and completing tasks independently. Legal and Constitutional context As per the Supreme Court's observations, KYC processes are vital for verifying identities, preventing fraud, and fulfilling obligations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). However, if such procedures are inherently exclusionary, they undermine the constitutional guarantee of the right to life and dignity under Article 21. The court noted that current digital ecosystems — both public and private — often ignore the tenets of universal design and accessibility. Government websites are frequently incompatible with assistive technologies, and many digital services fail to meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These oversights violate the RPwD Act, 2016, and the principles enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which India is a signatory. Top court shows the way ahead Compliance with accessibility standards: All public and private entities must follow prescribed accessibility norms. Each department must appoint a nodal officer to ensure digital accessibility. Regular accessibility audits: These must be conducted by certified professionals, with the inclusion of persons with visual disabilities during testing phases. Alternative verification methods: The RBI must revise its KYC Master Directions to allow non-visual cues—like voice, facial movements, or other biometric alternatives—to confirm identity and liveness. Customer Due Diligence guidance: The RBI must issue further clarifications mandating regulated entities to offer inclusive processes for verifying customer identities. Inclusive digital transformation The verdict has far-reaching implications beyond just banking or telecom sectors. As the state and private sectors increasingly rely on digital mechanisms for delivering services, they must internalise inclusivity as a design principle rather than an afterthought. Digital exclusion is not merely a matter of inconvenience—it is a denial of basic human rights. Going forward, accessibility must not be siloed as a 'disability issue' but embraced as a mainstream concern. Only then can the true vision of Digital India—where no one is left behind—be realised.
Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
NEET PG 2025: Application final correction window opens at natboard.edu.in
NEET PG 2025: The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has opened the edit window for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Post Graduate (NEET PG) 2025 application forms. Registered candidates can now access the edit facility by logging in with their user ID and password through the official website, As per the official notification, applicants are permitted to modify specific details in their application forms, including uploaded images, signature photographs, and thumb impressions. The window for making these corrections will remain open until May 26, 2025. However, candidates must note that certain particulars, such as name, nationality, mobile number, email address, and test city, cannot be changed at this stage. Moving forward, NBEMS will release the city intimation slip for NEET PG 2025 on June 2, while the admit card download link will be activated on June 11. The results for NEET PG 2025 are scheduled to be declared on July 15, and the cut-off date for internship completion to meet exam eligibility is July 31, 2025. Candidates are advised to carefully review their application forms within the given time frame and ensure all permissible details are accurate. For more updates and detailed information, aspirants should regularly visit the official NBEMS website. Meanwhile, expressing concern over widespread seat blocking in postgraduate medical admissions, the Supreme Court has mandated pre-counselling fee disclosure by all private and deemed universities for NEET-PG. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan said the malpractice of seat blocking distorted the actual availability of seats, fostered inequity among aspirants, and often reduced the process to the one governed more by chance than merit. 'Seat blocking is not merely an isolated wrongdoing – it reflects deeper systemic flaws rooted in fragmented governance, lack of transparency, and weak policy enforcement. Although regulatory bodies have introduced disincentives and technical controls, the core challenges of synchronisation, real-time visibility, and uniform enforcement remain largely unaddressed,' the bench's April 29 order said. The verdict added, 'Achieving a truly fair and efficient system will require more than policy tweaks; it demands structural coordination, technological modernisation, and robust regulatory accountability at both state and Central levels.' The top court, as a result, directed implementation of a nationally synchronised counselling calendar to align All India Quota and state rounds and prevent seat blocking across systems.
