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Vijay govt scraps Parandur airport project, to identify alternative site

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Chennai, Aug 24: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday announced that the state government would abandon the proposed greenfield airport project at Parandur and identify an alternative site that would cause minimal disruption to farmers and residents.

Making a statement in the Legislative Assembly, CM Vijay said the decision was taken following concerns about the project’s potential impact on agricultural lands, waterbodies and residential settlements in Parandur and surrounding villages.

The Chief Minister acknowledged that Chennai required a second airport because of the rapid expansion of the metropolitan region, rising passenger traffic and increasing demand for cargo transportation. However, he said such a major infrastructure project should not come at the cost of farmers’ livelihoods or result in the large-scale displacement of residents.

The existing Chennai airport at Meenambakkam, operated by the Airports Authority of India, can currently handle about 30 million passengers annually.

CM Vijay accused the previous government of attempting to proceed with the Parandur project despite sustained opposition from residents. He recalled visiting Ekanapuram and nearby villages on January 20, 2025, to meet people protesting against the acquisition of their land for the airport. The Chief Minister said he had publicly opposed the project during a meeting at Vikravandi in October 2024.

While reiterating his government’s support for industrial growth and improved aviation infrastructure, he maintained that Parandur was unsuitable for the airport.

CM Vijay said the government arrived at its decision after consulting senior officials, aviation specialists, academicians and other experts. Technical feasibility studies will now be conducted at alternative locations before the new airport site is finalised.

“As promised, the measures initiated to establish the new airport at Parandur will be abandoned by this government,” he told the Assembly.

Meanwhile, the state government will work with the Airports Authority of India to expand the Meenambakkam airport.

A new Terminal 5 has been proposed in the airport’s northwestern section, along with additional roads and flyovers to improve connectivity. The ongoing construction of Terminal 3 is expected to increase the airport’s annual passenger-handling capacity to 35 million. Terminal 5, once operational, could add another 20 million passengers, taking the overall capacity to 55 million annually.

CM Vijay said the expansion would help Chennai manage its growing aviation requirements until the proposed second airport becomes operational at a suitable alternative location.

Business

Income Tax Dept nudges taxpayers owning undeclared properties in UAE

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The Income Tax Department has recently nudged select taxpayers who have invested in residential and commercial properties in the UAE to avail of the Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers – Disclosure Scheme, 2026 (FAST-DS), offering a one-time opportunity to declare these overseas assets which have been undisclosed so far, according to Finance Ministry sources.

The scheme provides a time-bound window to regularise eligible disclosures by paying 30 per cent tax on the fair market value and an equal amount of penalty in addition to tax. A crucial feature of the scheme is that it is fully online, trust-based, and self-declaratory.

A valid declaration brings immunity from further assessment, penalty and prosecution under the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015 (Black Money Act). The scheme further provides an opportunity to taxpayers to report unaccounted assets and income on payment of a Rs 1 lakh fee to avoid a penalty of Rs 10 lakh each year prescribed in the Black Money Act.

Till now, approximately 1,100 taxpayers have filed applications under the scheme, which is open till December 31, 2026, sources said.

The Central government has launched the Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers – Disclosure Scheme, 2026 (FAST-DS), offering a one-time opportunity to disclose foreign assets and income that have been undisclosed so far.

To facilitate taxpayers, the Department has created a facility in the e-filing portal where a taxpayer can see information with respect to assets reported on their PANs by the foreign jurisdictions under Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI), popularly known as CRS/FATCA. Taxpayers can log in to the e-filing portal and download this information for the three-year period 2022-2024.

Sources informed that the information received under AEOI from the signatories of CRS/FATCA frameworks has only been displayed in the e-filing portal. Department receives information under other multilateral frameworks which has not been displayed in the portal due to various risk factors or non-disclosure commitments. Further, the Income Tax Department collects information from other sources as well. The Department decided, in a high-level meeting on October 23, that such information may also be shared with relevant taxpayers, wherever possible, to enable them to take advantage of the scheme.

The Income Tax Department has also planned outreach programmes to create awareness among taxpayers, corporates as employers, educational institutes, professional bodies and industry associations. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), which is the apex body that heads the Income Tax Department, has also made a Committee in each region under the Principal Chief Commissioner to help taxpayers resolve their queries and concerns.

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Tesla India posts Rs 247 crore revenue in first fiscal of vehicle sales

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The Indian unit of Elon Musk-backed electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla — Tesla India Motors and Energy — has reported revenue of Rs 247.31 crore and a net profit of Rs 5.16 crore for FY26.

According to regulatory filing, revenue from operations surged nearly 12-fold from Rs 20.83 crore in FY25.

The carmaker’s net profit increased from Rs 55.49 lakh as the company expanded its presence in the Indian market following the launch of its first showroom in Mumbai in 2025. However, FY26 was the first year in which vehicle sales contributed to Tesla India’s reported revenue.

In the previous financial year, the company’s turnover had come entirely from services-related operations.

Vehicle sales generated Rs 214.69 crore during FY26, accounting for nearly 87 per cent of total revenue, while services contributed Rs 32.40 crore.

The performance came despite a relatively small sales base as the company recorded 346 vehicle registrations in India between September 2025 and March 2026.

Meanwhile, registrations accelerated to 650 units during April-September FY27, surpassing the entire previous year’s tally within the first six months of the fiscal year.

Average monthly registrations rose from around 49 units during the initial launch phase to about 108 units.

Apart from that, the company strengthened its balance sheet through fresh capital infusion.

Filings showed Tesla injected about Rs 86 crore into its Indian subsidiary during FY26.

In addition, cash expenditure on property, plant and equipment and capital work-in-progress climbed to Rs 62.54 crore in FY26 which was higher than Rs 1.16 crore in the previous year.

Earlier in October, CEO Musk showcased a new version of its Roadster sports car — a prototype that briefly lifted off the ground during a demonstration at a SpaceX facility in Texas.

He highlighted that the vehicle navigated an elevated curved track before becoming airborne for a short distance and landing safely, drawing comparisons to the concept of a flying car.

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Shriram Finance shares fall over 6 pc, hit 11-month low on growth cut

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Shares of non-banking financial company Shriram Finance on Monday traded more than 6 per cent lower, hitting an 11-month low and emerged as the top Nifty loser.

The NBFC stock declined as much as 6.55 per cent to 810.20, recording an intraday low on the BSE in morning trade.

It was trading at Rs 829.20, a decrease of 4.36 per cent by 10:57 am.

The selling pressure in the stock came after the NBFC firm cut its loan growth forecast and flagged higher credit costs, overshadowing better-than-expected Q2 profit.

Moreover, the company cut its assets under management (AUM) growth guidance for FY27 to 15-17 per cent from 18 per cent, citing weak monsoon and geopolitical uncertainty and pressure on borrowers in drought-hit regions.

Meanwhile, analysts flagged asset quality concerns with reducing share price targets.

Analysts at global brokerage Jefferies said credit costs could stay elevated for one to two more quarters due to stress in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana.

According to domestic brokerage Motilal Oswal, higher slippages and write-offs reflected drought-like conditions in several states, though overall asset quality remained broadly stable.

“SHFL delivered a mixed quarter, with PPoP beating estimates on higher NIM and lower opex, while earnings were in line due to higher credit costs. AUM growth at 17 per cent YoY was stronger than estimated,” it said.

Similarly, JM Financial said rising early delinquencies and rural stress remain key concerns. The brokerage also stated, “Deteriorating asset quality indicators amid drought-like conditions remain a concern.” However, the stock has corrected 14 per cent over the past month. Recent equity infusion and rating upgrades to AAA should cushion margins.

On the aforesaid exchange, the NBFC stock has recorded a 52-week high of Rs 1,153.65 and a 52-week low of Rs 710.40.

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