India's manufacturing sector activity witnesses slight recovery in January: PMI
New Delhi (PTI): India's manufacturing sector activity witnessed a slight recovery in January, amid faster increase in new orders, even as business confidence slipped to its lowest level in three-and-a-half years, a monthly survey said on Monday.
The seasonally adjusted HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), rose from a two-year low of 55 in December to 55.4 in January.
In the PMI parlance, a print above 50 means expansion, while a score below 50 denotes contraction.
"Indian manufacturing firms saw a rebound in January, driven by increased new orders, output, and employment. Input costs rose moderately, while the pace of growth in factory-gate prices eased, resulting in slight margin pressure for manufacturers," said Pranjul Bhandari, Chief India Economist at HSBC.
Survey participants mentioned that demand buoyancy, new business growth and tech investment supported production.
The main impetus to overall sales came from the domestic market. However, new export business increased, but at a weaker pace. Firms that experienced an uptick cited greater demand from Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe and the Middle East.
On the job front, goods producers continued to hire extra staff. But the pace of job creation was 'slight', the quickest in three months.
Meanwhile, business confidence slipped to its lowest level in three-and-a-half years during January, as only 15 per cent of companies foresee output growth in the year ahead and 83 per cent forecast no change.
"Despite faster growth in new orders, business confidence remains muted, and expectations for future output have declined to their lowest level since July 2022," Bhandari added.
On the price front, the survey noted that input prices rose to the greatest extent in four months, but output charge inflation retreated to a 22-month low.
"Although output charges rose, the rate of inflation was modest and the weakest in nearly two years. Many firms suggested that improved efficiency, better cost management and market rivalry prevented them from increasing their fees," the survey said.
The HSBC India Manufacturing PMI is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to purchasing managers in a panel of around 400 manufacturers. The panel is stratified by detailed sector and company workforce size, based on contributions to GDP.
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Guv Gehlot wants hate speech and hate crimes bill shelved, says Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday alleged that Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has referred the Hate Speech and Hate Crime (Prevention) Bill to the President Droupadi Murmu to dump it in cold storage.
According to the Bill, any expression which is made, published or circulated in words, either spoken or written or by signs or by visible representations or through electronic communication or otherwise, in public view, with an intention to cause injury, disharmony or feelings of enmity or hatred or ill-will against person alive or dead, class or group of persons or community, to meet any prejudicial interest, is hate speech.
The bill seeks at least seven years jail term and a maximum penalty of Rs one lakh.
The bill was passed by both the Houses during the winter session in Belagavi and was sent to Gehlot towards the end of December 2025.
Speaking to reporters here, Parameshwara said the Governor has questioned 28 points in bill and has referred it to the President.
"If the President sends back to us with her observations, then we will do something and send it again (for gubernatorial assent)," he said.
The minister explained that the bill was brought consciously and not just like that.
"We have freedom of speech, but that does not mean that one can say anything. We have to see how it impacts our society. Hence, the bill was introduced," he sought to know.
According to him, there were instances of hate speech, which made the government think of bringing a law.
Targeting the BJP, he said, "If you (BJP) still say that this is not proper, then what are your motives? Should it mean that anyone can abuse anyone? Should we allow any disturbance in society?"
He alleged that the Governor wants this bill is never implemented.
"In my opinion, the Governor has intentionally referred it to the President, so that it does not come into effect. He wants it to be shelved forever," Parameshwara said.
When reporters asked him that the same is happening in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, he said, "Let's see what happens in the coming days. I think things will improve."
