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Normalcy returns but companies on guard

Normalcy returns but companies on guard

Time of India15-05-2025

MUMBAI: Following an understanding reached between India and Pakistan over the weekend on the stoppage of military action, a semblance of normalcy seems to be setting in the border towns.
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Businesses are largely resuming full operations, and employees are returning to offices in these areas. Companies with a wider coverage of manufacturing and other processes, however, are treading with caution, ready to maintain operational flexibility and precautionary measures if the need arises. They are tracking directives from the local authorities and the situation on the ground.
As of Monday night, there were drone intrusions in some border areas, resulting in blackouts in places like Amritsar despite the ceasefire, TOI reported.
Mother Dairy stated that it is fully operational as of now but continues to be watchful.
'We have operations in procurement, processing, and sales in select markets of the bordering states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. Following the unfortunate incident last month and the situation thereafter, we promptly issued advisories to our teams, prioritising their safety and compliance with directives from local authorities.
While the situation continues to evolve, we are monitoring the developments closely and remain hopeful (for things to get better),' Manish Bandlish, managing director at Mother Dairy, told TOI.
In the case of manufacturing units, businesses typically operate in three shifts. Last week, after tensions escalated between the two countries, some FMCG companies discontinued night shifts at their factories. Dabur, which suspended the night shift for its Jammu factory, said that all the shifts are operational now and its outstation employees have also returned.
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'…we discontinued night operations and updated the office time so that people could leave early and get home before dark.
It was a matter of a few days, and everything is back to normal now,' said Deepshikha Thakur, Chief People Officer at Bikaji Foods International.
LT Foods, maker of brands like Daawat, has two manufacturing units in Punjab's Bhikhiwind and Varpal, both of which are fully functional, said CEO and MD Ashwani Arora. 'People in general are still a bit scared, but operations are quite normal now. In terms of business, we are a bit shielded given that 65% of our business comes from exports,' Arora said.

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Solar Projects A Ray Of Hope To Curb Electricity Budgets
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Time of India

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  • Time of India

Solar Projects A Ray Of Hope To Curb Electricity Budgets

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The 10-flat residential building was recently recognized and felicitated by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) as the first fully solar-powered residential apartment in the entire district. The society had initially installed an 11-kW solar system two years ago to power common amenities. Encouraged by the savings and efficiency, residents decided to extend solar power usage to all individual flats. Accordingly, in Jan this year, they added another 19-kW system, including -1-kW system for four flats, 2-kW for three flats and 3-kW for the remaining three flats, making the entire building solar powered. Mandar Deshmukh, a resident here, said, "Earlier, the monthly electricity bill for my individual flat was around Rs2,000. Since switching to solar, it has dropped to zero." The building now has a total of 30-kW rooftop solar capacity, which meets the entire electricity demand of all 10 flats and common areas, making it a model for sustainable residential living. Solar agencies confirmed that they are getting increased inquiries from housing societies — but added that many hesitate to install it due to shortage of funds. On average, it costs around Rs25 lakh to install a 50-kW solar project. "However, housing societies can also opt for OPEX (operating expense model), under which the third-party vendor owns, installs, operates and maintains the solar system, and the housing society only pays for their consumption, with fixed and reduced rates compared to normal electricity charges charged by MSEDCL," a solar agency operator said, adding that the vendor and societies make an agreement for a fixed period after which the complete set-up is given to the housing society for free. The operator said, "If societies want to fund the project on their own, agencies also help them get a subsidy of Rs18,000 per kW from state govt." There has been a surge in demand from residential properties for solar system installation in the last one-and-a-half years, particularly after govt launched the 'PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana', said SunGet Solar Infra owner Dipak Kotkar. Under this scheme, consumers with individual flats or houses are provided financial assistance of Rs30,000 per kW project (which for society complexes is Rs18,000 per kW). "We had to increase our manpower after this scheme was launched as it has received a very good response. There is a need to simplify the process so that more people can apply for it," Kotkar told TOI. "For instance, the govt online portal keeps getting upgraded, so data of earlier applications is lost and needs to be constantly refilled. Further, there are no dedicated offline govt centres for troubleshooting glitches, only call centres," he elaborated. Confirming the reaction to the scheme, Sunil Kakde, chief engineer of MSEDCL Pune zone, said, "There has been a good response to the PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana from housing societies as well as individual households. Residents are widely utilizing the scheme mainly to power common facilities, such as water pumps and lifts, using solar energy. Govt provides 18,000 per kW subsidy to projects at housing societies up to 500-kW capacity. "

Wheels Of Grit: How Specially Abled Women Are Redefining Delivery Jobs
Wheels Of Grit: How Specially Abled Women Are Redefining Delivery Jobs

Time of India

timea day ago

  • Time of India

Wheels Of Grit: How Specially Abled Women Are Redefining Delivery Jobs

1 2 Nagpur: On any given day, if you spot a food delivery executive zipping past you on an electric bike, look closer — you might witness a quiet revolution in motion. Wearing the uniform of a leading food delivery aggregator, five women aren't just beating traffic; they're beating the odds. Each one lives with over 80% disability. Earning a steady income of Rs25,000 a month, these women are scripting a new narrative of dignity and independence. TOI spoke to a few specially abled women who are currently working as food delivery executives to learn about what drove them to the job. Manjusha Dhanorkar, who was widowed two years back after a long illness of her husband, wanted to take care of her two children — studying in 10th and 12th — and her mother-in-law and her husband's grandmother. "Even before the death of my husband when he was suffering from a deadly disease, the responsibility of my family came over me. I had two options: either let my disability stop me or do something for my family. I chose the latter," said Dhanorkar. She then started driving children to school in her e-rickshaw and used to earn around Rs15,000 per month. "Around four months back, I got the opportunity to work as a food delivery executive. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Now I am working both jobs and earning a modest living," said Dhanorkar. Dhanorkar was among five other women and 10 men who got to work with the food delivery aggregator after they were approached by an organisation, Youth4Job, which works for people with disabilities. Trupti Lonare, who too has to take care of her widowed sister and a mother suffering from paralysis, said that she got a call from the organisation. "They told me that they will be providing us training and a vehicle to make deliveries. They told me that we have to pay Rs3,000. Earlier I was hesitant but later agreed to it and paid the money on the day of training. We were provided with vehicles and training about how to deal with customers. Since then, 15 of us, including five women, have joined the food aggregator and are earning steadily," said Lonare, adding that the job has made her financially independent. The specially abled food delivery executives have to do orders in a 4-kilometre radius from their residence and carry out around 10 deliveries every day, earning Rs80 per delivery. "I am a graduate and live with my old parents. I work for around 6 hours daily till the battery of my vehicle sustains. I also do sewing work side by side. This work has given me renewed dignity that I too can live with respect," said Suruchi Shahu, another food delivery executive. The women claimed that 95% of their experience while working is good. "When we tell customers that we are handicapped, they come down from the building and even look at us with awe and respect. What else do we need," said Shahu.

Premiumisation drives growth for alcobev companies
Premiumisation drives growth for alcobev companies

Time of India

timea day ago

  • Time of India

Premiumisation drives growth for alcobev companies

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