Karnataka government-owned Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) has announced that it has secured an export order worth USD 36.38 million (around Rs 336 crore) from the Middle East. The order is for supplying heavy earth moving equipment, the company said in a regulatory filing on Monday, reported IANS. The equipment will be used for infrastructure development projects in the region. Strengthening global order book With this new contract, BEML said its international order book has increased to USD 106.95 million (around Rs 996 crore), further strengthening its global presence. The company added that the fresh order supports its ongoing push into international markets across multiple infrastructure segments, as per the news agency. Earlier, on March 18, BEML had received a Letter of Intent for an overseas order worth about USD 60 million from the African region. This order involves the design, manufacture, supply, testing and commissioning of standard gauge metro rolling stock. It was also the company’s first international order in the metro segment. Stock performance after announcement Following the announcement, BEML shares traded in positive territory. The stock rose nearly 1 per cent during intra-day trade to hit Rs 1,635.80 on the NSE before giving up some gains and closing slightly higher at Rs 1,623.10, up 0.12 per cent. A market update noted that the stock has fallen 12.44 per cent so far this year and is down 46.34 per cent over the past one year. Despite strong order wins, the company reported weak financial results in the December 2025 quarter. BEML posted a consolidated loss of Rs 22.38 crore, compared to a profit of Rs 24.41 crore in the same period last year. On a standalone basis, the company recorded a loss of Rs 23 crore in Q3 FY26, slightly better than the Rs 25 crore loss in the year-ago quarter. However, revenue increased during the period. Consolidated income rose to Rs 1,087.13 crore from Rs 880.28 crore a year earlier. At the same time, expenses also climbed sharply to Rs 1,112.54 crore from Rs 850.70 crore, which affected profitability. Corporate update In a separate development earlier this year, the company informed that Bipin Kumar Gupta ceased to be an Independent Director on the board from February 10 after completing his tenure. (With IANS Inputs)
13 April,2026 06:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPolitical leaders cutting across party lines have expressed strong support for proposed amendments to the Women’s Reservation Act following outreach by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The proposed changes aim to expedite the implementation of the legislation, widely known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, ahead of the 2029 general elections, reported IANS. The Prime Minister recently wrote to leaders of various political parties seeking their backing for an amendment Bill, triggering a wave of endorsements from across the political spectrum. Broad Political Consensus Emerges Senior leaders from multiple parties welcomed the move, describing it as a long-awaited step toward enhancing women’s representation in legislative bodies. NCP(SP) MP Supriya Sule confirmed receiving the Prime Minister’s letter and reiterated her party’s consistent support for the Women’s Reservation Bill. She stated that her party has backed the legislation in the past and will continue to do so, while also urging the government to provide clarity on its implementation framework, reported IANS. ‘Need of the Hour,’ Say Leaders Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC emphasised that the legislation is long overdue, noting that women in India have waited nearly three decades for such a reform. She highlighted that increased electoral opportunities for women would enable them to demonstrate their capabilities and contribute more effectively to governance, reported IANS. Her remarks reflect a broader sentiment among leaders that the Bill is not just symbolic, but a necessary structural reform to ensure gender parity in politics. Historic Step Towards Gender Representation Sanjay Jha, National Working President of JD(U), described the development as a “historic moment,” pointing out that the proposed framework ensures one-third reservation for women in both the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, reported IANS. He added that the implementation is expected to take effect from 2029, marking a significant shift in India’s political landscape by institutionalising women’s participation in law-making bodies, reported IANS. Debate Over Implementation Timeline The Women’s Reservation Act, passed in 2023, provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative bodies. However, its rollout has been linked to the completion of the next Census and subsequent delimitation exercise. The proposed amendment seeks to delink its implementation from the 2027 Census and instead base it on the 2011 Census. This adjustment is aimed at ensuring that the reservation comes into force in time for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. Special Parliament Session to Deliberate Bill The government has convened a Special Session of Parliament from April 16 to 18 to deliberate on the Women’s Reservation (Amendment) Bill. The session is expected to witness detailed discussions on the proposed changes and their implications. Meanwhile, BJP Bihar President Sanjay Saraogi credited the Prime Minister’s leadership for pushing forward the legislation, stating that it reflects a strong commitment to ensuring equal participation of women in governance, reported IANS. (With inputs from IANS)
13 April,2026 06:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIT sector employees’ body NITES on Monday approached the Ministry of Labour and Employment, seeking a detailed audit of POSH compliance in Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and advocating for a wider state-level audit across tech and ITES companies, especially large multinational organisations in Maharashtra, PTI reported. NITES seeks audit of POSH compliance The letter to the labour ministry comes in the backdrop of charges of sexual harassment and allegations of forced religious conversion by eight female employees at TCS’ office in Nashik, an incident that has drawn sharp scrutiny and raised serious concerns. According to the news agency, NITES urged the ministry to take “immediate and decisive action” by directing a comprehensive and time-bound audit and inspection. TCS reiterates zero-tolerance policy India’s largest IT services company said on Sunday that it has long maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form, confirming the suspension of employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at its Nashik office. Call for detailed review of internal mechanisms The Nascent Information Technology Employees Senate (NITES), in a letter to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, has called for a detailed audit of POSH, Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the workplace, compliance in TCS across all its establishments, including the constitution, independence, and functioning of internal committees. The IT employees’ body has also demanded an examination of all complaints of sexual harassment received, pending, or disposed of within the organisation over the past several years, along with the action taken. It has also called for an assessment of the role and accountability of Human Resources personnel and senior management in handling complaints and ensuring a safe workplace, PTI reported. It further demanded “verification of whether employees were discouraged from reporting complaints or subjected to retaliation.” Demand for wider state-level audit NITES also highlighted the need for “a wider state-level audit of POSH compliance across IT and ITES companies operating in Maharashtra, especially large multinational organisations.” It called for the issuance of strict directions to fix accountability on employers and management for failure to ensure a safe, lawful, and dignified workplace. Employees deserve safe workplaces: NITES “The employees of this country contribute immensely to the growth of the IT sector and to the economy at large. They deserve workplaces that are safe, respectful, and compliant with the law,” NITES said, PTI reported. It added, “We, therefore, request the ministry to treat this matter with utmost urgency and seriousness, not only to address the present case but also to ensure that such incidents do not recur anywhere in the country.” SIT probe and arrests in Nashik case Last week, police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe complaints lodged by eight employees, who alleged that senior colleagues mentally and sexually harassed them and that the Human Resources department turned a deaf ear to their complaints. Police have since arrested seven people, including the company’s female HR manager. Company suspends accused, cooperates with probe According to PTI, the company said, “TCS has a long-standing zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form. We have always ensured the highest standards of safety and well-being of our employees at the workplace. As soon as we were made aware of the matter in Nashik, we took swift action.” The employees under investigation have been suspended pending inquiry, the company spokesperson said, adding that the firm is cooperating with local law enforcement authorities and that any further action will be based on the outcome of the investigation. (With PTI inputs)
13 April,2026 05:57 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentEight workers were injured on Monday following a sudden hot steam leak at the Koradi Thermal Power Station (KTPS) in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district, the State Power Generation Company (MahaGenco) said. The incident occurred at around 10:20 am when maintenance work was underway at Unit No. 10 of the plant. The unit was already shut down at the time of the accident. Workers were engaged in removing clinker, a hard residue formed during coal burning, from a floor located about 13 metres above ground level. During the process, steam suddenly escaped through a small opening known as a “peephole” in the boiler. The unexpected release of hot steam struck workers standing nearby, causing injuries, according to a statement issued by MahaGenco. Among the eight injured, four are employees of Mahanirmiti, while the remaining four are contract workers. Mahanirmiti is a state-owned electricity generation company. All the injured were immediately rushed to hospitals in Nagpur for treatment. Hospital sources said three individuals have been discharged after initial treatment, while four others are still undergoing treatment. Officials added that emergency response teams acted swiftly, and the situation was brought under control soon after the incident. The Safety Department has launched an internal audit to determine the exact cause. Initial findings suggest there was no violation of safety rules. MahaGenco has assured that all medical expenses of the injured will be fully covered by the company. One injured after massive fire breaks out at mattress foam factory in Maharashtra's Palghar Earlier in March, a person was injured after a massive fire broke out at a mattress foam manufacturing factory in Maharashtra's Palghar district, police said, reported the PTI. The blaze started at around 5:30 am in the Wada area and quickly spread across the premises, where large quantities of foam were stored. Flames were visible from a considerable distance as thick smoke covered the surrounding locality, causing concern among residents. Worker suffers burn injuries The injured was identified as a worker at the factory who sustained burn injuries in the incident and was admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment, according to Wada police inspector Datta Kindre. Two fire engines were rushed to the site, which managed to bring the blaze under control within about two hours. (With PTI inputs)
13 April,2026 05:56 PM IST | Nagpur | mid-day online correspondentRajeev Shrivastava assumed charge as the new General Manager of Central Railway, officials said on Monday. According to an official statement, Shrivastava is an officer of the Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE), belonging to the 1990 batch. He holds a Master of Technology degree in Structural Engineering. Over three decades of experience Shrivastava brings more than 34 years of experience in Indian Railways, with a career spanning multiple zones and public sector units. He has served in key roles across Northern Railway, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, North Central Railway, North Western Railway and South Eastern Railway, officials said. Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) at North Western Railway Before taking over as General Manager, Central Railway, he served as Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) at North Western Railway, they said.
13 April,2026 05:16 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarAn elderly man died after falling into a lift shaft at a residential society in Gujarat's Valsad district, police officials said, adding that his body was recovered two days later, reported the IANS. The incident took place at Nirmal Society, where a suspected technical fault led to the lift door opening even though the cabin was not present on that floor. According to officials, the man was standing near the lift on the third floor when the door unexpectedly opened. Believing the lift had arrived, he stepped forward and fell directly into the shaft. Initial findings suggest poor visibility and a malfunction in the lift system contributed to the accident. Probe underway According to the IANS, District Superintendent of Police Yuvrajsinh Jadeja said the body was recovered and sent for post-mortem. Speaking to IANS, district SP Yuvrajsinh Jadeja, “The body of the elderly man was recovered this morning. As part of the procedure, the body was sent for post-mortem. The local police are handling the case with a thorough investigation underway.” Police have registered a case of accidental death and launched a detailed investigation. CCTV footage from the building has confirmed the sequence of events, while lift maintenance records are also being examined. Victim identified as society gardener Police said that the victim worked as a gardener in the society and had approached the lift after completing his duties, as per the PTI. The incident went unnoticed initially, and residents only raised concerns after a foul smell spread through the building the following day. Safety Concerns Raised The incident has sparked concern among residents over the functioning of lift safety systems, particularly interlock mechanisms designed to prevent doors from opening when the cabin is not in place. Officials suspect lack of maintenance or a technical fault may have caused the failure, the IANS reported. Similar incident According to the IANS, the case comes shortly after another lift-related incident in the same district, where a resident narrowly escaped injury when a lift began moving with its doors still open. The earlier incident, captured on CCTV, had already raised questions about safety standards in residential buildings, the news agency reported. (with IANS inputs)
13 April,2026 04:45 PM IST | Valsad | mid-day online correspondentCongress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said that the party will convene an all-party meeting on April 15 to discuss the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act, reported the PTI. He said the move comes amid concerns that the Centre has not initiated a comprehensive consultation process involving all political stakeholders. Kharge stated that while the Congress supports the legislation, broader discussions are necessary due to its national importance. He criticised the Centre for not organising an inclusive all-party meeting, the news agency reported. He added that the party had responded to communication from Kiren Rijiju and Narendra Modi, expressing willingness to participate in discussions if all parties are invited, according to the PTI. The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha asserted that the Congress has consistently backed women's reservation and dismissed suggestions of opposing the legislation. "Apart from that, none of us are opposed to Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam or women's reservation Act. We have already supported it, and it is an Act that was passed unanimously. They are simply trying to take political advantage of this," he claimed, the news agency reported. Support for women’s reservation The Congress chief emphasised that the party has consistently supported the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, also known as the Women’s Reservation Act. He dismissed claims that the party opposes the law, stating that it was passed unanimously and has long been part of the Congress agenda. Kharge also highlighted that Sonia Gandhi had advocated for one-third reservation for women much earlier, and that similar policies have already been implemented in local governance bodies such as panchayats and municipal corporations. Call for collective decision-making According to Kharge, decisions of such scale require collective deliberation among all political parties. He stressed that since the law has already been passed, the focus should now be on how it will be implemented, as per the PTI. He said the outcome of the April 15 meeting will be communicated after discussions among participating parties. Parliament session The development comes as Parliament’s Budget session 2026 has been extended, with a special three-day sitting scheduled from April 16 to 18. During this period, amendments related to the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act—expected to come into effect in 2029—are likely to be discussed.
13 April,2026 04:21 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAmid the concerns around the global oil and LPG crisis, two supertankers carrying Iranian crude have arrived at Indian ports on both the east and west coasts, news agency PTI reported. This marked the first such deliveries in nearly seven years, according to ship-tracking data. Felicity, a large crude carrier operated by the National Iranian Tanker Company, anchored off Sikka on Gujarat’s coast late on Sunday, carrying about 2 million barrels loaded at Kharg Island in mid-March. However, the buyers of the cargoes reaching Indian coasts have not been formally disclosed. A second tanker named Jaya was moored near Paradip on Odisha's coast around the same time. As per reports, the tanker is transporting a similar volume of crude, lifted from Kharg Island in late February, before the US and Israel launched military strikes against Iran, followed by Tehran's retaliation. Furthermore, the shipments are the first Iranian crude cargoes to reach Indian shores in nearly seven years, following a sanctions waiver issued by the US last month. US-Iran peace talk failure disrupts global supply chain The one-month exemption permitted the sale of Iranian oil already in transit, aimed at easing global supply disruptions and containing prices. However, after peace talks collapsed over the weekend, Washington announced a blockade of Iranian ports, seeking to curb Tehran's oil export revenues. Paradip Port is primarily operated by Indian Oil Corporation, which has confirmed purchasing at least one Iranian shipment under the waiver. Sikka, meanwhile, is a key crude handling hub for Reliance Industries and Bharat Petroleum Corporation, both of which maintain infrastructure in the region. Late last month, the tanker Ping Shun, carrying about 6 lakh barrels of Iranian crude, was initially bound for Vadinar in Gujarat but diverted to China mid-voyage due to payment issues. Had it reached Vadinar, the oil on Ping Shun would have been the first Iranian barrels to reach Indian shores in seven years. Iran and India’s oil trade history Historically, India was a major buyer of Iranian crude, importing significant volumes of Iranian light and heavy grades due to strong refinery compatibility and favourable commercial terms. Following sanctions tightening in 2018, imports ceased from May 2019, with volumes replaced by Middle Eastern, US and other grades. At its peak, Iranian crude accounted for 11.5 per cent of India's total imports. Earlier, before the sanctions were imposed, India used to buy 5.18 lakh barrels per day of Iranian oil in 2018, which slowed to 2.68 lakh bpd between January and May 2019, when the US granted waivers to a few buyers. There have been no imports since. (With inputs from PTI)
13 April,2026 04:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFour youths drowned in two separate incidents near the Vaitarna dam in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, police said on Monday. According to police, four students from a local college entered the water at Zarwad Bet (an island) in the Vaitarna dam area on Sunday. Two of them, identified as Aditya Pramod Vanare (20) and Veerendra Nandan Patil (20), drowned, and their bodies were fished out on Monday. Vanare was a resident of Buldhana district, while Patil hailed from Jalgaon, an official from Ghoti police station said. In another incident, two Nashik residents, Atharva Sunil Gosavi (21) and Manish Dilip Chavan (21), drowned at the Dugarwadi waterfall near the dam on Sunday evening, he said. Rescue operations were launched immediately but were halted at night due to poor visibility. The bodies were retrieved on Monday, the official added. The Ghoti police have registered two cases of accidental death, he said. 10-year-old boy drowns while swimming in lake in Thane In a similar incident earlier in April, a 10-year-old boy lost his life after drowning while he was swimming with his friends in a lake in Thane city of Maharashtra, police said, reported the PTI. The incident took place earlier on April 2, at a lake in the Mogarpada locality, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Kasarwadavali Police Station. According to police, the boy had gone to the lake with his friends and entered the water for a swim, during which he drowned. Rescue efforts launched His friends raised an alarm after the incident, prompting police and fire brigade personnel to rush to the scene. After a search operation, the boy’s body was later recovered from the lake, as per the PTI. Authorities have registered a case of accidental death, and further formalities are being carried out. Two children drown in Bhandara In an another incident, two children drowned in a pond in Maharashtra's Bhandara district, police said on Wednesday, reported the PTI. The tragic incident took place at Rongha village in Tumsar taluka in Bhandara, police said. According to the officials, the children were identified as Chandrapal Rupchand Kumbhare (7) and Sarthak Sanjay Uike (6). Both went missing while playing on Tuesday afternoon. Their bodies were seen floating in the nearby pond on Wednesday morning which were later pulled out and shifted to a hospital. Gobarwahi Police was conducting further probe in the matter, the officials said. Two drown in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh canal Meanwhile, two men allegedly drowned in a canal in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh on Wednesday while immersing 'puja' materials, the police said, according to the PTI. The incident occurred in the Sadul Branch canal in the Hanumangarh Junction area when Mohit Swami (20) slipped while immersing 'puja' materials, and Aman Bajigar (19) and Mohit Thalod (19) jumped in to rescue him, Additional SP Arvind Vishnoi said, as per the PTI. A disaster management team rushed to the spot and later pulled them out and rushed them to the district hospital, police said. Swami and Bajigar lost their lives, while Thalod is reported to be in stable condition and was getting medical treatment, the SP said. (With PTI inputs)
13 April,2026 04:14 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondentThe Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from the Centre, the Election Commission, and others on a plea proposing the implementation of a finger and iris biometric identification system at polling stations to prevent duplicate voting. Supreme Court agrees to examine plea While agreeing to hear the plea, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi made it clear that the prayer sought in the petition cannot be considered for the ongoing state Assembly elections in some states. “However, whether such a recourse deserves to be followed before the next parliamentary election and/or state Assembly elections needs to be examined. Issue notice,” the bench said, PTI reported. Notices issued to Centre, EC, states The top court issued notice to the Centre, the poll panel, and several states, seeking their responses to the plea filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. Upadhyay, who appeared in person, told the bench that the measures sought in the plea would help prevent bribery and proxy voting, the news agency reported. The bench observed that implementing such a system would require major changes to existing rules and could entail a significant financial burden. Plea seeks biometric voter authentication The plea stated that the poll panel, by using its plenary powers under Article 324, may implement finger and iris-based biometric authentication to strengthen voter identification and eliminate bribery, undue influence, impersonation, duplicate voting, and ghost voting. During the hearing, Upadhyay clarified that his plea was not related to the ongoing Assembly elections in five states. ‘One Citizen, One Vote’ argument The petition argued that adopting finger and iris biometric verification at polling booths would ensure that only genuine and duly registered electors are allowed to cast their votes. “The injury to citizens is extremely large, as bribery, undue influence, impersonation, duplicate voting, and ghost voting still affect the purity and integrity of the electoral process,” it submitted, PTI reported. “Therefore, to uphold the constitutional mandate of free and fair elections, the Election Commission of India may consider implementing finger and iris biometric authentication at polling booths in upcoming Assembly elections,” the plea said. Concerns over current voter ID system It further claimed that voter identification currently relies on voter ID cards and manual verification, which are susceptible to misuse due to outdated photographs, clerical errors, and the lack of real-time validation. “This creates scope for impersonation and multiple voting by the same individual or by unauthorised persons. Finger and iris biometric authentication, being unique to each individual, would eliminate duplication and ghost voting and ensure strict compliance with ‘One Citizen, One Vote',” it said. Migratory population and data gaps The plea also highlighted that a significant portion of the population is migratory, often leading to inconsistencies in electoral rolls across constituencies. It added that biometric identification enables real-time authentication, creating a verifiable digital record of voter verification at polling booths. The plea noted that the Aadhaar system, implemented by the Unique Identification Authority of India, has successfully established a robust biometric identity framework in the country. “Its use in sectors such as banking and welfare scheme delivery has significantly reduced fraud and ensured accurate identification. Extending similar biometric verification to elections would be a logical and effective step,” it said. (With PTI inputs)
13 April,2026 04:06 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentOver 62,000 personnel have been deployed for the Census 2027 exercise in Chhattisgarh, set to be conducted in two phases from May 1 to February next year, officials said on Monday, PTI reported. Two-phase exercise from May 1 Addressing a press conference, state Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Manoj Kumar Pingua said the first phase, covering house listing and the housing census, will be carried out from May 1 to May 30 this year. The second phase, related to population enumeration, will take place in February 2027. First-ever digital Census with self-enumeration option The upcoming Census will be conducted digitally for the first time in the country, with an optional self-enumeration facility, Pingua said. “The self-enumeration window for the first phase will be open from April 16 to April 30, during which residents can submit their details online. A unique self-enumeration ID will be generated, which must be shared with enumerators during their household visits between May 1 and May 30 for verification,” he said, the news agency reported. He clarified that self-enumeration is optional, and enumerators will visit households to collect data if it is not completed online. Door-to-door survey via mobile app Enumerators will collect information through a mobile application by visiting every household and recording responses to 33 notified questions related to housing conditions, amenities, and assets, Pingua added. Over 62,500 personnel roped in “Around 62,500 personnel have been roped in for the exercise, including 47 principal census officers, 250 district-level officers, 472 charge officers, 1,160 master and field trainers, 51,300 enumerators, and 9,000 supervisors,” he said, noting that the Census of India is one of the largest administrative and statistical exercises globally, PTI reported. Census history and legal framework The first Census in India was conducted in 1872, while the first synchronous nationwide Census was held in 1881, he said, adding that Census 2027 will be the 16th in the series and the eighth after Independence. The exercise is conducted under the Census Act, 1948, and the Census Rules, 1990. All personal information collected is kept strictly confidential and is not shared with any individual or agency, he said. “The data cannot be used for taxation, police, or investigative purposes, nor can it be used as evidence in any proceedings. It is used solely for formulating development plans for the state and the country,” the official added, PTI reported. Coverage and helpline details Chhattisgarh Director of Census Operations and Director of Civil Registration Kartikeya Goyal said the exercise will cover 33 districts, 195 urban bodies, 252 tehsils, and 19,978 villages across the state. “For implementation, 251 rural and 221 urban charge units have been created, comprising around 49,000 house listing blocks where enumerators will carry out door-to-door surveys. A toll-free number (1855) has also been set up to assist citizens and will become operational in the state from April 16,” Goyal said. (With PTI inputs)
13 April,2026 04:06 PM IST | Raipur | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1776083152805_d.png?tr=w-436,h-271 "BEML secures new infrastructure equipment deal in Middle East. PIC/BEML")
