Latest news with #Rs5
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Time of India
Tadoba Safari Gets Pricier; Core Zone to Close from July 1 for Monsoon
Chandrapur: Planning a tiger safari at Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR)? Be prepared to pay more, as the reserve—famous for its thrilling tiger sightings—has hiked its safari charges by Rs1,000 per gypsy. The revised rates came into effect just two days ago, catching many tourists off guard. As per the new structure, a single safari in the core zone will now cost Rs8,800 on weekdays and Rs12,800 on weekends and public holidays if the booking is made 60 to 120 days in advance. Similarly, if booked between 9 and 60 days before the safari, the trip will cost Rs5,800 on weekdays and Rs6,800 on weekends. These rates will be effective from the new season, as core safaris reopen for tourists on October 1. Safaris in the buffer zone have also become costlier, with charges rising to Rs6,000 on weekdays and Rs7,000 on weekends and holidays. Tourists who had booked their trips in advance will not be affected by the hike, but those who made bookings in the past couple of days are already feeling the pinch. Resort owners and guides have expressed concern over the sudden increase, especially as basic infrastructure in the buffer areas remains underdeveloped. Meanwhile, Tadoba's core safari gates will close for the monsoon season and reopen on October 1, according to field director Prabhu Nath Shukla. "Some buffer gates will remain open during the monsoon period. The buffer zones significantly decongest core areas, support community-based tourism, and ensure wider access to wildlife sightings," he said. He added that as the monsoon approaches, it becomes crucial to regulate tourism activities to ensure the safety of tourists and allow nature to rejuvenate. Consequently, core gates remain closed during this period, while a few buffer gates stay open. Tourists, safari enthusiasts, and stakeholders are advised to check availability and book safaris only through the official website: The forest department clarified that the annual closure is necessary to prevent damage to the reserve's ecosystem and to ensure visitor safety, as muddy and unpaved roads become risky during heavy rains. Though the monsoon arrived earlier this year, safari bookings had already been made until June 30, making it difficult for the authorities to shut the zone before the usual July 1 timeline.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Gold price per tola falls Rs5,000 in Pakistan
Gold prices in Pakistan decreased on Friday in line with their rise in the international market. In the local market, gold price per tola reached Rs351,000 after a loss of Rs5,000 during the day. As per the rates shared by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), 10-gram gold was sold at Rs300,925 after a fall of Rs4,287. On Thursday, gold price per tola reached Rs356,000 after a gain of Rs1,335. The international rate of gold also decreased today. The rate was at $3,290 per ounce (with a premium of $20), after it lost $53, as per APGJSA. Meanwhile, silver price per tola decreased by Rs68 to reach Rs3,782.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Gold price per tola falls Rs5,000 in Pakista
Gold prices in Pakistan decreased on Friday in line with their rise in the international market. In the local market, gold price per tola reached Rs351,000 after a loss of Rs5,000 during the day. As per the rates shared by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), 10-gram gold was sold at Rs300,925 after a fall of Rs4,287. On Thursday, gold price per tola reached Rs356,000 after a gain of Rs1,335. The international rate of gold also decreased today. The rate was at $3,290 per ounce (with a premium of $20), after it lost $53, as per APGJSA. Meanwhile, silver price per tola decreased by Rs68 to reach Rs3,782.
Hans India
a day ago
- Hans India
Man wrongly jailed in missing wife's 'murder case' seeks Rs 5 cr compensation
A Mysuru man falsely accused of murdering his wife, who was later found alive, has approached the High Court seeking Rs 5 crore as compensation for wrongful imprisonment and loss of reputation. The petitioner, Suresh—a member of a tribal community—was arrested and jailed for 18 months after his wife Mallige went missing from Basavanahalli in Kushalnagar, under the jurisdiction of Madikeri Rural Police. The case dates back to 2020, when he filed a missing person complaint regarding his wife from Basavanahalli in Kushalnagar, Madikeri. Based on skeletal remains later recovered in the area, Bettadapura police registered a case and charged Suresh under Sections 498A (cruelty), 302 (murder), and 201 (destruction of evidence) of the Indian Penal Code, accusing him of mentally and physically harassing his wife and killing her on October 19, 2020. Despite forensic reports showing no genetic match between the bones and Mallige, police proceeded with charges. A chargesheet was filed, and Suresh was imprisoned. The trial court later acquitted Suresh in April 2025 after Mallige was found alive and seen dining at a restaurant in Madikeri with another man. Despite the trial court clearing him of all charges, Suresh argues that the court failed to formally recognize him as a 'victim' in its ruling. Following the acquittal, the trial court had directed the Home Department to pay Suresh Rs one lakh as compensation and asked the Bettadapura police to remove his name from the FIR. The court also recommended departmental inquiry against officers involved in the faulty investigation—Inspector B.G. Prakash, DYSP Jitendra Kumar, and Inspectors Prakash Yattimani and B.G. Mahesh—for tampering with records and fabricating evidence. In his High Court petition, Suresh contended that the Rs1 lakh compensation was insufficient. 'I have lost 1.5 years of my life behind bars for a crime I never committed. I suffered severe social stigma and loss of dignity. The government must pay Rs5 crore in damages and take action against the erring officers,' he said. Suresh has also sought that official records reflect his status as a victim rather than an accused. The High Court is expected to take up the case for hearing shortly. His petition argues that despite having clear evidence of his innocence — including DNA reports disproving the police's claims — he was wrongfully incarcerated, causing irreparable damage to his social standing and mental health. The High Court is expected to take up the petition for detailed hearing in the coming days. The case raises critical questions about police accountability, misuse of power, and the mechanisms in place for compensating individuals who are wrongfully imprisoned due to flawed investigations. If admitted, this petition could set a significant precedent for wrongful arrest compensation cases in Karnataka and across India.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt plans new housing scheme
Listen to article With Pakistan's mortgage-to-GDP ratio abysmally low — below 1% — owing to the absence of a proper mortgage system, the federal government intends to launch a new subsidised housing finance scheme in the upcoming fiscal year. The initiative aims to spur demand in the real estate and construction sectors while making homeownership more accessible to middle- and lower-income groups. However, the scheme, loosely modelled after the earlier Mera Pakistan Mera Ghar programme, may face significant challenges, including a lack of clarity on eligibility and structure, persistently high land and construction costs, and limited affordability among target beneficiaries. Despite a Rs5 billion subsidy proposed in the 2025-26 federal budget, concerns remain over banks' willingness to lend aggressively, given Pakistan's mortgage-to-GDP ratio is still languishing below 1%. Experts caution that unless the scheme is backed by strong institutional coordination, tax reforms, and public awareness, it may fall short of its objectives — much like the previous attempt, where only Rs235 billion was approved out of Rs514 billion in financing requests. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will oversee the rollout of the new scheme. While the proposed housing finance will subsidise a portion of the markup rate to make it affordable for beneficiaries, the eligibility criteria, categories, name, and structure may differ from the previous initiative. Ibrahim Amin, a real estate valuation and engineering expert, noted that the government is considering the launch of the housing finance scheme due to favourable conditions following a gradual reduction in the policy rate, which may decline further in the coming months if macroeconomic indicators improve. "The housing finance scheme will help revitalise economic activities in real estate, construction, and allied sectors, attracting local and foreign investments from residents and overseas Pakistanis while generating jobs across the entire ecosystem," said Amin, who is also the CEO of TriStar International, a real estate valuation company. He added that the scheme could improve sales of hundreds of unsold or undersold housing units in private residential societies across major cities, which have struggled due to rising inflation and declining purchasing power among target buyers. The government has also announced tax relief on property transactions, which may further stimulate the market in the coming months, Amin noted. The previous subsidised housing finance scheme, introduced in 2019 by the central bank, was discontinued by mid-2022 due to high interest rates. Despite overwhelming public responsewith participating banks receiving financing requests worth Rs514 billiononly Rs235 billion was approved across thousands of applications. "The banking regulator, alongside commercial banks, played a crucial role in facilitating the public through awareness campaigns, dedicated facilitation desks, and revised scheme conditions," Amin said. "The initiative also boosted economic activity in real estate and construction while providing long-term consumer financing opportunities for banks." He emphasised that Pakistan's banking system now has a well-tested and researched framework for housing finance, with stakeholders fully prepared to execute their roles. "It is high time for the government to announce the policy to benefit the masses," he remarked. Pakistan currently faces an estimated shortage of 1.2 million housing units relative to its population, while its mortgage-to-GDP ratio remains below 1%the lowest in the region. "Reviving affordable housing finance could play a crucial role in addressing both housing needs and broader economic recovery," said Karachi-based realtor Maaz Liaquat. He pointed out that high land and construction costs have dampened bookings for small and mid-sized apartments in major cities in recent years. The new subsidised financing scheme could support builders and developers of ready and under-construction vertical housing projects, attracting overseas Pakistanis and middle-income buyers. Liaquat suggested that the government collaborate with district authorities to streamline real estate regulations while reducing the tax burden on scheme beneficiaries to make homeownership more affordable for first-time buyers.
