The post 9 Dead, 22 Injured as Bus Overturns on Ghat Road in Andhra Pradesh appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>According to police, the bus was travelling from Chittoor to Bhadrachalam in neighbouring Telangana with 37 passengers, including the driver and cleaner. While six passengers escaped unhurt, several others sustained serious injuries.
Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar said the mishap occurred around 4:30 am near a Durga temple on the ghat road.
“The bus toppled after slipping off the curve. It did not plunge deep into the valley, but overturned and got stuck along the slope. Unfortunately, nine lives were lost, and 22 passengers have been injured. Four of them are in critical condition,” Bardar said.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the bus driver may have missed a sharp curve due to dense fog, which drastically reduced visibility. The incident falls under the jurisdiction of the Mothugudem police station.
The passengers were reportedly on a pilgrimage to the Sri Rama temple in Bhadrachalam when the accident took place.
Police teams, with the help of locals, carried out rescue operations and shifted the injured to nearby hospitals. Further investigation is underway.
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]]>The post IndiGo Announces Full Refunds and Free Rescheduling After Aviation Ministry Directive appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>The decision came after the civil aviation ministry instructed the airline to complete the refund process by Sunday, 8 PM, amid growing passenger complaints over delays and service disruptions. The ministry further directed IndiGo to ensure that any baggage separated from travellers reaches them within the next two days.
In a statement, IndiGo said, “In response to recent events, all refunds for your cancellations will be processed automatically to your original mode of payment. We will offer full waiver on all cancellations/reschedule requests of your bookings for travel between 5 December 2025 and 15 December 2025. We are deeply sorry for the hardships caused.”
The airline clarified that passengers do not need to raise separate refund requests, as the amount will be credited automatically to the original payment method. This move aims to reduce passenger inconvenience and restore trust after a series of operational challenges.
Government Monitors IndiGo Refund and Baggage Delivery Process
The Ministry of Civil Aviation stated that it is closely monitoring the implementation of the directives to ensure passengers receive timely refunds and delayed baggage is delivered without further inconvenience.
Aviation experts believe this step sets a stronger precedent for passenger rights and accountability in the Indian aviation sector, especially during large-scale disruptions
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]]>The post India Will Not Rush Trade Deals, Says Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>“We are engaged in active discussions with the European Union (EU) and the United States, but India never enters into agreements hastily or under coercion,” Goyal stated. “We do not finalize deals with a gun to our head. Every agreement must be carefully considered and beneficial for the country in the long run,” he added.
The minister highlighted that India is exploring new global markets to manage the challenges posed by high import tariffs and to diversify its trade portfolio. When asked whether India was receiving fair and sustainable trade offers, Goyal said, “India’s partnerships are always driven by national interest. No external power can dictate whom we choose to collaborate with. If someone says we can’t work with the EU or Kenya, that’s simply not acceptable.”
He also emphasized that global trade decisions, such as the purchase of particular commodities, should be made based on collective reasoning and mutual benefit. His comments come amid reports of US pressure on India to reduce or halt crude oil imports from Russia, highlighting the growing complexity of international trade relations.
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]]>The post GST Reforms Spark Record Festive Sales, 10X Rise in Digital Payments appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>New Delhi | India’s latest GST reforms, implemented on September 22, have significantly impacted consumer spending, with festive sales soaring and digital transactions multiplying overnight. According to government data, of 54 essential items being monitored for price reductions, 30 became cheaper than expected, while 24 showed less-than-anticipated relief.
The tax cuts—ranging from 28% to 18% on five items and a drop to 5% on 43 others—have played a major role in this festive shopping surge. Six products have even become completely tax-free under the revised GST framework.
Shopping Up 25%, Business to Cross ₹7 Lakh Crore
The ongoing festive and wedding season has recorded a 25% increase in consumer spending compared to last year. Officials estimate the total business activity to surpass ₹7 lakh crore, making this one of the biggest consumer spending seasons in decades.
The government projects that by the end of FY 2025–26, India’s consumption could grow by an additional ₹20 lakh crore, marking a record 10% year-on-year increase.
Digital Payments Surge Overnight
Driven by the rush to benefit from GST cuts, digital payments experienced an extraordinary rise: from ₹1.18 lakh crore on September 21 to ₹11.31 lakh crore on September 22—a nearly tenfold increase overnight.
Products with Higher-Than-Expected Price Drops
Among the goods that saw significant price relief:
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Condensed milk
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Cheese
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Dry fruits
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Bottled water
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Soya milk
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Tomato ketchup
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Jam
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Shampoo
The expected price drop for these items was around 6.25%, but actual reductions ranged from 6.28% to 12.36%.
Items That Offered Less Price Relief
Some goods failed to meet expectations in price reductions:
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Ghee
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Butter
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Packed milk
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Chocolate
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Biscuits
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Corn flakes
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Toilet soap
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Ice cream
For example, chocolate, expected to be cheaper by over 11%, saw only a 4.04% decrease.
The government compared projected price drops based on revised GST rates to actual retail pricing to measure effectiveness.
Auto and Electronics Break Sales Records
The festive season also brought a boom in automobile and consumer electronics sales:
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Maruti Suzuki doubled its sales over last year, selling 1.65 lakh cars in just 8 days, breaking a 35-year record.
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Mahindra’s SUV sales surged by 60%.
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Tata Motors sold over 50,000 vehicles at retail level.
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Hyundai SUVs (Creta, Venue) accounted for 72% of the brand’s total SUV sales.
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Two-wheeler giants Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj Auto saw customer traffic double.
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Consumer durable sales rose by 40–45%, with Reliance Retail reporting a 25% year-on-year growth.
Electronics brand Haier witnessed an 85% sales jump.
Government Backs Reforms with Positive Economic Signals
At the “GST Savings Festival” in Delhi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw jointly addressed the media.
Sitharaman confirmed that the government is monitoring 54 essential items to ensure price reductions are being passed to consumers. She stated that prices of 375 products have come down, including toothpaste, shampoo, TVs, and cars, noting that 99% of daily-use items are now more affordable.
Piyush Goyal reported that GST reforms and infrastructure investments have accelerated India’s economic momentum. In the first half of FY 2025–26, total exports rose 5% to $413.3 billion, while merchandise exports grew 3% to $220.12 billion.
Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted a 20–25% increase in electronics sales, adding that the electronics manufacturing sector now directly employs 2.5 million people.
“These figures clearly show that the Indian economy is moving in the right direction,” said Vaishnaw.
Conclusion
The recent GST reforms have not only brought price relief but have also injected fresh momentum into India’s economy. From booming digital payments to record-breaking auto and electronics sales, the impact is visible across sectors. With continued monitoring and implementation, the government expects long-term gains in both domestic consumption and exports.
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]]>The post Rubicon Research Shares Debut 29% Higher on Stock Exchanges After Strong IPO Response appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>On the BSE, the stock opened at Rs 620.10, a rise of 27.85% from the issue price, and during the day it surged as high as Rs 639, up 31.75%. It eventually settled at Rs 627.45, marking a 29.37% gain.
At the NSE, the shares opened at Rs 62, registering a 27.83% increase, and closed at Rs 628.20, up 29.52*. The company’s market capitalization stood at Rs 10,337.26 crore at the end of the trading session.
The stellar debut follows the company’s highly successful Initial Public Offering (IPO), which was subscribed 103.9 times when bidding closed on Monday. The Rs 1,377.5-crore IPO was priced in the range of Rs 461–485 per share.
The offering included a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 500 crore and an Offer-for-Sale (OFS) of Rs 877.5 crore by the promoter, General Atlantic Singapore RR Pte Ltd.
According to the company, proceeds from the fresh issue — amounting to Rs 310 crore — will primarily be used for debt repayment, and part of the funds will go toward acquisitions, strategic initiatives, and general corporate purposes.
Rubicon Research, known for its strong focus on R&D and pharmaceutical innovation, develops specialty formulations and drug-device combination products for regulated markets, especially the United States.
In June, the company acquired Alkem Laboratories’ formulations facility in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, in an all-cash deal worth Rs 149 crore, further strengthening its manufacturing base.
Rubicon currently operates two US FDA-approved R&D centers — one in India and another in Canada — along with two manufacturing facilities in India certified by USFDA, Maharashtra FDA (WHO-GMP), and Health Canada.
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]]>The post Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Tensions Escalate as Taliban Destroys ‘Friendship Gate’; Pakistan Seeks Mediation from Saudi Arabia and Qatar appeared first on The Edge Media.
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According to the Pakistan Army, Afghan Taliban forces destroyed the “Friendship Gate” — a key trade crossing connecting Chaman and Spin Boldak — severely disrupting cross-border commerce. The Afghan side, however, alleged that Pakistan had opened fire first, prompting retaliation.
Amid escalating hostilities, Afghan official Abdul Haq Hamad claimed that Pakistan has requested mediation from Qatar and Saudi Arabia to ease tensions. Later in the evening, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a 48-hour temporary ceasefire agreed upon by both sides.Security analysts have warned that the situation remains highly volatile. They say that unless trust is quickly restored, the conflict could threaten the stability of the broader region.
Background: The Real Cause of the Conflict — TTP
1. What is the dispute between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban?
Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of sheltering the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — a militant group responsible for carrying out attacks inside Pakistan from Afghan territory. Islamabad claims that this is the core reason behind the ongoing tensions.
2. What has TTP done so far?
Over the past 15 years, the TTP has carried out hundreds of terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including the 2014 Peshawar Army Public School massacre, which killed 132 children.
3. What is TTP’s objective?
The group aims to establish a Taliban-style Islamic regime in Pakistan, similar to the one currently ruling Afghanistan.
4. Where is TTP most active?
The group operates mainly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and its adjoining tribal border regions.
5. Why did tensions escalate now?
In recent weeks, TTP attacks in Pakistan have surged, prompting Pakistan to launch airstrikes inside Afghan territory, further straining relations between the two neighbors.
Political analyst Mian Gul Samakni observed that the Pakistani military’s dominance over the civilian government often hampers diplomatic efforts. “Whenever the government tries to improve ties, the army’s hostile actions undo the progress,” he said.
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]]>The post Karnataka Minister Santosh Lad Respects Sudha Murty’s Decision to Skip Socio-Economic Survey appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>Speaking to the media, Lad said, “Whatever she has said is her way of expression. It’s her choice. As a government, we cannot compel anyone to participate in this. Whether someone is influential or not is subjective and debatable. I don’t think her decision will have any major impact on society. If she has taken her stand, I respect it.”
The minister’s remarks come after Sudha Murty and her husband, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, declined to participate in the survey.
In a self-attested letter addressed to the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission, the Murty family stated that they do not identify as belonging to a backward community and therefore chose not to participate.
The letter further mentioned, “We and our family will not participate in the census, and we are confirming it through this letter.”
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that government schools will remain closed from October 8 to October 18 to allow teachers participating in the ongoing socio-economic and educational survey to complete their assigned work.
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]]>The post Supreme Court Urges Election Commission to Address Errors in Bihar’s Final Electoral Roll appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said the Election Commission, as a responsible constitutional authority, must take corrective action and ensure the accuracy of the electoral roll. The court will next hear the legal matters related to the SIR process on November 4
During the hearing, the ECI informed the court that since the publication of the final electoral roll on September 30, not a single voter has filed an appeal against the deletion of their name.
However, advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), contested the Commission’s statement. He said that details of a voter whose name was allegedly omitted from the final list — earlier dismissed as “fake” by the EC during the October 7 hearing — were, in fact, genuine.
Bhushan urged the ECI to disclose the total number of voters deleted and the reasons behind such revisions to ensure full transparency in the process.
The bench noted that voter lists will be frozen on October 17 for constituencies voting in the first phase and on October 20 for those voting in the second phase of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
Earlier, on October 7, the Supreme Court had asked the Election Commission to submit details of 3.66 lakh voters who were included in the draft list but excluded from the final one after the SIR exercise, citing “confusion” surrounding the matter.
According to the ECI, Bihar’s final electoral roll, published on September 30, recorded a reduction of about 47 lakh voters, bringing the total number down from 7.89 crore to 7.42 crore. However, the final figure still showed an increase of 17.87 lakh voters compared to the 7.24 crore electors listed in the draft roll issued on August 1.
The Commission explained that 65 lakh names were removed from the original list due to reasons such as death, migration, or duplication, while 21.53 lakh new voters were added. After removing 3.66 lakh names, the net gain stood at 17.87 lakh voters.
The Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled for November 6 in 121 constituencies, with the remaining 122 seats going to polls on November 11. The counting of votes will take place on November 14.
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]]>The post Haryana IPS Officer Suicide Case Deepens: ASI Sandeep Kumar Dies by Suicide, Alleges Corruption in Video and Note appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>Before taking his life, Sandeep Kumar recorded a six-minute video and left behind a four-page suicide note accusing IG Poonan Kumar of corruption and abuse of power.
According to police sources, the ASI’s body was found in a tube well room located in the fields near Lavit village in Rohtak. “Sandeep was known to be an honest and hardworking officer,” said SP S. M. Bhoria, adding that it is too early to comment on the contents of the video and note.
Sandeep was posted in the Cyber Cell and had played a key role in the arrest of Sushil Kumar, the gunman of IG Poonan, on corruption charges. A liquor contractor had accused Sushil of demanding ₹2.5 lakh per month in the officer’s name. The following day, on October 7, IG Poonan reportedly shot himself at his residence in Chandigarh.
In his suicide note, Poonan had accused DGP Shatrujeet Kapoor and SP Narendra Bijarnia, along with 12 other officers, of caste discrimination and workplace harassment. Following this, the Haryana government sent DGP Kapoor on leave, and SP Bijarnia was transferred.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) approached court seeking permission for IG Poonan’s post-mortem, which has been delayed for eight days due to the family’s refusal. The court has issued a notice to Poonan’s wife, IAS officer Amneet P. Kumar, directing her to respond by Wednesday. The court stated that if no reply is received, it will decide the matter on merit.
Key Excerpts from Sandeep Kumar’s Video Message:
In his final message, Sandeep said, “The price of truth is very high. Bhagat Singh sacrificed his life, and the nation awakened. IG Poonan was a corrupt officer. He took bribes in murder cases and made deals worth crores. Honest officers like SP Narendra Bijarnia tried to stand up to him.”
He further alleged that IG Poonan discriminated among employees based on caste and replaced honest staff with corrupt associates who extorted money from others. “They created such an environment that anyone visiting the office was asked for money by Poonan’s gunman,” Sandeep claimed.
The ASI also alleged that Poonan’s family was involved in corruption and that his wife feared exposure. He called for a thorough investigation into the alleged bribery network.
Sandeep’s family has reportedly refused to allow his post-mortem until a formal FIR is registered in the case.
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]]>The post Engineering Student in Kolkata Arrested for Allegedly Drugging and Raping Classmate appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>The incident came to light after the victim, who had moved to West Bengal to pursue her studies, filed a formal complaint at the Anandapur Police Station. In her statement, she alleged that the accused visited her rented apartment in Anandapur, mixed drugs into her drink, and assaulted her after she lost consciousness.
Police sources stated that the accused went into hiding following the incident but was tracked down and arrested upon returning to his residence in the Anandapur area.
“The student claimed that her classmate came to her flat and offered her a drink laced with drugs. After consuming it, she fainted and was subsequently raped,” said a senior police officer.
This case emerged just days after another shocking incident in West Bengal’s Durgapur, where a medical student was reportedly gang-raped outside her campus.
The accused was presented before a city court and has been remanded to police custody until October 22, pending further investigation.
“We are continuing the investigation, and additional details will be disclosed as the inquiry progresses,” the officer added.
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