The Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed acquisition of shareholding in Vastu Housing Finance Corporation Limited, APAC Financial Services Limited, and Quantiphi, Inc by Multiples Plenty Private Equity GIFT Fund.
The proposed combination envisages the acquisition by Multiples Plenty Private Equity GIFT Fund (Multiples GIFT Fund/Acquirer) of certain shareholding in: (i) Vastu Housing Finance Corporation Limited (Vastu) currently held by Plenty Private Equity Fund I Limited (Plenty), Multiples Private Equity Fund II LLP (Multiples Fund II), and Plenty CI Fund I Limited (Plenty CI); (ii) APAC Financial Services Limited (APAC) currently held by Plenty and Multiples Fund II; and (iii) Quantiphi, Inc (Quantiphi) currently held by Plenty and Multiples Fund II.
Multiples GIFT Fund is a newly incorporated trust, formed under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 and registered with International Financial Services Centres Authority as a Restricted Scheme. It is managed by Multiples Asset Management IFSC LLP, a limited liability partnership incorporated under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008. Plenty, Multiples Fund II, and Plenty CI, and the Acquirer are all funds belonging to the Multiples Group.
Vastu is a housing finance company, and is engaged in the provisions of retail loans, namely, home loans and loans to small and medium enterprises (MSME). Vastu is also present in the segments of provision of auto loans and loans against property through its wholly owned subsidiary, Vastu Finserve India Private Limited.
APAC is a Nonbanking Financial Company – Middle Layer registered with the Reserve Bank of India since February 2018. APAC is engaged in the provision of retail loans to MSMEs.
Quantiphi is incorporated in the United States, and is engaged in, inter alia, the provision of various artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions, and data analytics. Quantiphi is present in India through its subsidiary, Quantiphi Analytics Solutions Private Limited.
In a significant move towards accelerating India’s skilling goal, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF), deliberated on the “India Skills Accelerator” initiative during a high-level roundtable at Kaushal Bhawan in New Delhi.
The India Skills Accelerator will function as a national public-private collaboration platform designed to enable cross-sectoral efforts in unlocking innovative ideas and driving systemic progress on complex challenges that demand a multi-stakeholder approach. At its core, the Accelerator aims to catalyze change across three critical levels: i) by improving awareness and shifting mindsets around future skills needs, ii) increasing collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders, and iii) committing to upgrade institutional structures and policy frameworks to support a more adaptive and responsive skilling ecosystem.
As India navigates rapid technological and economic change, skill gaps – cited by 65% of organisations as a major barrier – threaten to slow progress. The Accelerator aims to close these gaps through inclusive upskilling and reskilling, mobilizing investment in lifelong learning, and fostering government-industry collaboration. By enabling agile career transitions, promoting scalable training, and aligning education with industry need – especially in high-growth sectors like AI, robotics, and energy – the initiative will empower India’s youth and drive future-ready workforce development.
The initiative’s governance structure includes key stakeholders from public and private sectors, led and co-chaired by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education and co-chaired by Dr Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education and Development of North-Eastern Region. It will also have two private co-chairs – Ms Shobana Kamineni, Executive Chairperson of Apollo HealthCo; and Shri Sanjiv Bajaj, Chairman and Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv.
In his opening remarks, Shri Jayant Chaudhary underscored the need for collective ambition and structural reform in skilling to meet the aspirations of a young, dynamic nation. He emphasized that India’s demographic potential can only be realized if skilling systems remain agile, inclusive, and closely aligned with global opportunities and national priorities. “India today stands at the confluence of three powerful forces – demographic advantage, digital transformation, and a deep developmental commitment. With the world’s largest youth population and a vibrant skilling ecosystem, we are uniquely positioned to become the Skill Capital of the World,” Shri Chaudhary added. He noted that the Accelerator is not just a platform for dialogue, but a catalyst for systemic transformation, anchored in shared accountability, innovation, and targeted solutions. “This is a chance to engage in candid assessments and meaningful dialogue – anchored in data and focused on results,” said the Minister.
Shri Jayant Chaudhary further highlighted the importance of sectoral focus, mapping our current standing through surveys and evidence, and prioritizing emerging areas such as GCCs, advanced manufacturing, and the formalization of the informal workforce.
Co-chair Dr. Sukanta Majumdararticulated India’s strategic opportunity to position itself as the global epicenter of next-generation talent. He underscored the need to embed competitiveness in India’s skills architecture—particularly in fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud computing—so that India is not only skilling for its domestic economy but for the world. The Accelerator, he added, will play a critical role in translating this global ambition into measurable outcomes.“Through the National Education Policy, we have initiated transformative changes—promoting flexibility, vocational pathways, and digital skilling. Our federal model of implementation, involving both Centre and States, can serve as a valuable learning for global platforms like the WEF as well,” he said.
Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director, World Economic Forum (WEF), said, “In the face of rapid technological and labour market changes, India’s launch of the Skills Accelerator reflects a strong commitment to equipping its workforce with the skills needed for the future. By strengthening alignment across the skills ecosystem, this initiative will help close critical skills gaps, support the growth of India’s digital and innovation-driven economy, and enable more people to thrive in a rapidly evolving world of work. We are pleased to support this important step and look forward to the impact it will deliver at scale.”
During the roundtable, the experts underscored the significance of a comprehensive analysis of India’s skilling ecosystem and identifying a set of 10 to 12 high-impact priorities with clear and measurable outcomes. They also emphasized establish dedicated working groups to guide implementation and ensure progress is tracked through WEF’s Global Learning Network – enabling peer learning and global benchmarking. Equally emphasized was the importance of thematic working groups, drawing on the expertise of diverse stakeholders, to translate strategy into coordinated action. The participants also deliberated on aligning the newly launched initiative with insights from the World Economic Forum’sFuture of Jobs 2025report.
The session saw active participation from senior leadership of the World Economic Forum, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), Directorate General of Training (DGT), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), as well as key representatives from the Ministry of Education, University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation,Shri Amit Shah chairs a high-level security review meeting in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar today Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India is committed to establishing lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir and completely eradicating terrorism
Union Home Minister lauds the efforts of security agencies for significant reduction in terror-related incidents, infiltration and recruitment of youth into terrorist organisations
Due to sustained and coordinated efforts of the Modi Government, the entire terror eco-system nurtured by elements against our country in Jammu and Kashmir has been crippled
Home Minister directed all security agencies to continue efforts with a coordinated approach to eliminate terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir
Implementation of Area Domination Plan and Zero Terror Plan must be ensured in mission mode
All agencies should continue to work in a coordinated manner so that the gains made after the abrogation of Article 370 in the Union Territory can be sustained
Posted On: 08 APR 2025 7:43PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar today. The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, Union Home Secretary, Director (IB), Chief of Army Staff, GOC-in-C (Northern Command), Chief Secretary &DGP of Jammu and Kashmir, heads of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other senior officials attended the meeting.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India is committed to establishing lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir and completely eradicating terrorism. During the meeting, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah lauded the efforts of security agencies for significant reduction in terror-related incidents, infiltration and recruitment of youth in terrorist organisations. He reiterated the zero tolerance policy against terrorism under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Shri Shah said that Due to sustained and coordinated efforts of the Modi Government, the entire terror eco-system nurtured by elements inimical to our country in Jammu and Kashmir has been crippled.
Shri Amit Shah directed all security agencies to continue efforts with a coordinated approach to eliminate terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. He also directed that the implementation of Area Domination Plan and Zero Terror Plan must be ensured in mission mode. Home Minister said that all agencies should continue to work in a coordinated manner so that the gains made after the abrogation of Article 370 in the Union Territory can be sustained and the goal of ‘terror free J&K’ can be achieved at the earliest. Home Minister said that the Modi Government is providing all resources necessary to achieve this goal.
Union Home Minister also reviewed the preparedness of Shri Amarnathji Yatra which is scheduled from 3rdJuly to 9thAugust this year and directed concerned agencies to take all necessary action for conducting holy yatra peacefully.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chairs a review meeting on development projects in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar today The Modi government is working with an unwavering resolve towards building a developed Jammu and Kashmir
The tireless efforts of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi are ushering in a new era of prosperity for every citizen through development and welfare initiatives
Untiring efforts of the Modi Government to accelerate the pace of development in Jammu and Kashmir have resulted in comprehensive changes in all sectors in the Union Territory
During the review meeting, the achievements of the Union Territory in the fields of power, connectivity, industry, tourism, agriculture etc. were presented before the Union Home Minister
All- inclusive development in every aspect of public welfare underlines the commitment of the Modi Government to transform Jammu and Kashmir
Posted On: 08 APR 2025 7:34PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah chaired a review meeting on development projects in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar today. The meeting was attended by Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah, Union Home Secretary and senior officials of the Central and Jammu and Kashmir Governments.
Union Home Minister said that the Modi government is working with an unwavering resolve towards building a developed Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the tireless efforts of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi are ushering in a new era of prosperity for every citizen through development and welfare initiatives. Shri Shah said that Jammu and Kashmir is accelerating on the path of growth in every sector.
Untiring efforts of the Modi Government to accelerate the pace of development in Jammu and Kashmir have resulted in comprehensive changes in all sectors in the Union Territory. During the review meeting, the achievements of the Union Territory in the fields of power, connectivity, industry, tourism, agriculture etc. were presented to the Union Home Minister. Apart from this, the financial assistance given to Jammu and Kashmir so far by the Union Home Ministry and the financial assistance allocated to the Union Territory under various heads in the financial year 2024-25 was also mentioned in the presentation. The Home Minister directed to take all necessary steps to further accelerate the pace of development in Jammu and Kashmir so that the full potential of the Union Territory can be utilized.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Government of India is fully committed to establishing new dimensions of development in Jammu and Kashmir and paving the way for prosperity for the local people. The all- inclusive development in every aspect of public welfare underlines the Modi government’s commitment to transform Jammu and Kashmir through positive reforms.
MeitY and the Government of Himachal Pradesh organized a Cyber Security iCAST-25 Workshop to enhance the cyber security posture of state government departments State Cyber Security workshop as a part of NeGD’s Capacity Building Project, to manage and mitigate cyber risks effectively
Posted On: 08 APR 2025 7:32PM by PIB Delhi
The National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the Department of Digital Technology & Governance, Himachal Pradesh and CID, Department of Police, Government of Himachal Pradesh, organised a two-day Cyber Security Workshop iCAST-25 (Integrated Cyber Advanced Security Techniques-2025) for State Police Leaders of the Himachal Pradesh Government at Police Head Quaters, Shimla, from April 3 – 4, 2025. The workshop brought together over 45 physical & 100 online participants from various units of state police departments.
Dr. Atul Verma, IPS, DGP, Government of Himachal Pradesh, inaugurated the workshop and in his address, emphasized the importance of cyber security in protecting digital infrastructure and e-governance services within the state. He highlighted the need to build capacities among government officers to address the evolving cyber threats faced by their departments. Attendees included Shri Ajay Kumar Yadav, IPS, ADGP (Crime); Shri Gyaneshwar Singh, IPS, ADGP, CID, Himachal Pradesh; Ms. Rakhi Kahloon, IAS, Secretary, Department of Digital Technologies & Governance, Himachal Pradesh; Shri Mohit Chawla, IPS DIG, Cyber Crime State CID Himachal Pradesh, Dr. Nipun Jindal, IAS, Director, Department of Digital Technologies & Governance, Himachal Pradesh and Shri Vipan Kumar DSP, CID (Cyber Crime) Himachal Pradesh, SeMT HP alongside other senior officers.
Dr. Nipun Jindal shared the state’s preparedness in the areas of cyber hygiene and the establishment of an Incident Response Team. He emphasized that the state has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Digital Literacy Campaign. This initiative aims to promote digital literacy, empower individuals, and bridge the digital divide across Himachal Pradesh.
The State leadership has vowed to take this workshop (iCAST-25) to the state and regional levels next year onwards.
NeGD, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has launched a comprehensive series of state capacity-building workshops nationwide. These workshops are crafted to empower state-level leadership, CISOs, and officials by providing hands-on training and best practices in managing cyber threats, adopting secure IT frameworks, and reinforcing digital governance. This initiative aligns with the Government of India’s mission to create a cyber-resilient public sector, ensuring a robust digital infrastructure and resilient e-governance services across states. Through this program, NeGD aims to enable states with customised, practical approaches to strengthen their cyber defence mechanisms, ultimately enhancing the collective cyber security posture of India’s digital ecosystem.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:
The concert at Kai Tak Stadium of the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) is scheduled to end later tonight (April 8). As a large number of spectators is expected to disperse at the same time, the Transport Department (TD) urges those leaving the venue to take the MTR if possible. The TD has been steering public transport service arrangements and the overall traffic conditions have mostly been smooth so far:
MTR:
The interval between trains of the Tuen Ma Line will be further enhanced to about 2.5 minutes and the service level of the northbound East Rail Line (ERL) will also be enhanced accordingly;
Of note, for cross-boundary travellers, the last train to Lo Wu Station on the ERL via interchanging at Tai Wai Station will depart from Sung Wong Toi Station at 10.59pm and Kai Tak Station at 11.01pm;
Special bus routes:
Eleven special bus routes have been arranged at the Sung Wong Toi Road Pick-up/Drop-off Area departing for ports and major districts across the territory;
Cross-boundary travellers may take route No. SP12 to Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) Public Transport Interchange and transfer to the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) to Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port; or route No. A25S to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port and transfer to the HZMB shuttle bus (Gold Bus) to Macao and Zhuhai; and
Taxis:
In view of an outflux of spectators, the waiting time is anticipated to be longer. Patience is appreciated. The TD has made all-out efforts with the taxi trade to mobilise more taxis for picking up passengers, including disseminating to the trade directly real-time information on passengers queuing. The KTSP has also mobilised taxis via the instant messaging platform.
Spectators are advised to take heed of the real-time information via the on-site broadcast and the “Easy Leave” platform (easyleave.police.gov.hk) as well as the latest traffic news through the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk), the “HKeMobility” mobile application and radio and television broadcasts.
Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki will depart for Beijing tomorrow morning to attend a welcome ceremony on the return of the search and rescue team members of China, including those from Hong Kong, from Myanmar to the motherland.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung will accompany Mr Chan to Beijing.
The three officials, together with members of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region search and rescue team, will return to Hong Kong on the same day and are expected to arrive at night.
The Hong Kong SAR Government will organise a welcome ceremony for the team members at Hong Kong International Airport.
During Mr Chan and Mr Tang’s absence, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing and Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk will be acting secretaries respectively.
A new batch of 18 strategic enterprises, in the presence of Financial Secretary Paul Chan, committed to establishing global headquarters, regional headquarters or research and development centres in Hong Kong during a ceremony today held by the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES).
These firms come from high-tech industries such as advanced manufacturing and new energy technology, artificial intelligence and data science, fintech, and life and health technology.
In his speech, Mr Chan said that Hong Kong treasures not only the investments, jobs and expertise that the strategic enterprises bring to the city, but also their products and solutions that will transform people’s way of life and inspire new innovation.
Their presence supports Hong Kong’s vision of becoming an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre, he stressed.
“Amid rising tides of unilateralism and protectionism, Hong Kong remains steadfast in our commitment to upholding our free-port status and free trade policy; ensuring the free flow of capital, goods, information and people; maintaining our simple and low tax system; and building a dynamic and vibrant I&T ecosystem with a full range of funding support.
“Coupled with the best connectivity and seamless access to the Mainland and Asia markets, here is the best launch pad for realising your ambition.”
The Financial Secretary added that going forward, OASES will broaden its scope to attract cultural and creative enterprises that can fuse I&T with artistry. He also remarked that through Hong Kong’s platform, these firms can expand their businesses to various new markets.
Together with the 66 companies previously attracted to the city, the strategic enterprises will invest about $50 billion in total in the years to come, creating over 20,000 jobs. OASES, in collaboration with government departments, provides them with comprehensive services to facilitate their business set-up and operations, thereby promoting growth in the I&T sector and contributing to Hong Kong’s economic development.
Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan and Shenzhen Vice Mayor Zhang Hua, and leading officials from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government respectively, held the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Working Group on Environmental Protection meeting in Hong Kong today.
Highlighting that the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China announced a resolution on “building a beautiful China”, Mr Tse said: “As part of our country and the Greater Bay Area, the Hong Kong SAR Government will definitely work hand in hand with Shenzhen in this direction to make positive contributions to ecological civilization construction.”
Presenting Hong Kong’s work progress on environmental protection, the Environment & Ecology Bureau said that eight more hectares of landfill were restored and greened in the North East New Territories Landfill last year, and the number of odour complaints dropped by more than 90% compared to the peak period.
In terms of water quality improvement, the total phosphorus level in the Shenzhen River in 2024 reached the national surface water quality Class III standard.
As for marine ecological protection, the Hong Kong SAR Government has established a number of marine parks in recent years, increasing the area of protected sea areas from 3,400 hectares to more than 8,500 hectares. It also subsidised local universities to conduct research on various coral restoration technologies.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong SAR Government has been working hard to expand the city’s community recycling network as well as strengthen waste reduction and recycling measures. To maximise the utilisation of recyclables, it actively assists the industry in developing local resource recycling facilities.
Furthermore, Hong Kong vigorously promotes discussions with major Greater Bay Area cities on the construction of a “Zero Waste Bay Area” and regional recycling.
A symposium on safeguarding national security for Hong Kong’s social welfare sector, jointly organised by the Labour & Welfare Bureau, the Social Welfare Department and Connecting Hearts, was held today.
Officiated by Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki, the symposium attracted over 8,000 participants from the local social welfare sector who took part both online and offline.
Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun and Director-General of the Social Work Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Liu Songlin also attended the symposium.
While addressing the forum, Mr Chan highlighted that the Government has achieved fruitful results in safeguarding national security and promoting patriotic education over the past year or so.
Such achievements include the completion of the legislation on Article 23 of the Basic Law that ensures the smooth implementation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance as well as the amendments to the Social Workers Registration Ordinance which foster a better environment for social welfare professionals to leverage their expertise.
Mr Chan said that the social welfare sector is charged with the important and long-term responsibilities in serving the community and caring for the public. It is also their mission and duty to safeguard national security.
He urged the sector to continue collaborating with the Government to sustain efforts in safeguarding national security, thereby ensuring the healthy development of welfare services in Hong Kong and enhanced safeguards for public well-being.
A sharing session was held at the symposium where Mr Sun was joined by representatives from the social welfare sector, including professors from education institutions, management of social welfare organisations and professional social workers, to explore how the sector can fulfil its responsibility of safeguarding national security and promote patriotic education.
Mr Sun said that the Labour & Welfare Bureau and the Social Welfare Department have been working closely with social welfare organisations in the previous year to promote national security education within the sector through organising symposiums, seminars and visits with a view to enhancing the sector’s understanding of national affairs.
He added that a dedicated fund of $500 million was rolled out last year, in which $100 million was allocated to non-governmental organisations operating subvented welfare services to arrange Mainland exchange tours and national studies programmes for their staff.