The Karnataka cabinet has approved a significant piece of legislation that makes child engagements illegal, a move aimed at addressing the rising incidence of child marriages in the state. The new law, titled the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2025, aims to strengthen protections for minors and ensure they are not subjected to early marriage planning.

Key Provisions of the New Law

The newly approved Bill goes beyond simply prohibiting child marriages; it explicitly makes it illegal to engage minors to be married in the future. This means that any attempts to arrange a marriage for a boy or girl under the legal age could result in serious legal consequences.

The legislation includes specific provisions that outline the punishments for those involved in arranging child engagements or marriages. Under the new Section 9A, individuals attempting to facilitate a child marriage or engagement can face penalties including:

– Imprisonment for up to two years
– A fine of up to ₹1 lakh
– A combination of both imprisonment and fines

Additionally, Section 12A states that any engagement of a minor will be considered null and void, meaning it will not hold legal validity. Courts will also have the authority to intervene before an engagement takes place. Under Section 13A, if a judge receives credible information that a child is about to be engaged, they can issue an injunction to prevent the engagement from occurring. This injunction can be directed at any parties involved, including family members and event organizers.

The law has also been amended to hold accountable those who assist in the preparation of child marriages, not just those who perform or attend the ceremonies.

Addressing the Child Marriage Crisis

The urgency of this legislation follows alarming statistics, with nearly 700 child marriages reported in Karnataka between 2023 and 2024. This figure highlights the ongoing challenge the state faces in protecting children from early marriages. In response to this crisis, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah convened a high-level meeting with Deputy Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Panchayats to emphasize the need for robust action against child marriages.

HK Patil, the Law Minister, expressed the significance of the new Bill, stating, “Not just child marriage, but even betrothing minors is not acceptable.” He noted that previous legislation allowed many individuals to evade consequences, but the new law aims to create accountability.

The enactment of this Bill is a crucial step towards safeguarding the rights of children, particularly girls, who are often disproportionately affected by the practice of early marriage. By criminalizing the engagement of minors, the Karnataka government sends a clear message that children must be allowed to grow, learn, and make their own choices regarding their futures when they reach adulthood.

This legal reform reflects a commitment to protecting vulnerable populations and enhancing the prospects for children across Karnataka.

Bajaj Finance announced a significant milestone on July 24, revealing a microfinance loan portfolio of Rs 1,556 crore for the first quarter of the financial year 2026 (Q1FY26). This marks the company’s inaugural report of microfinance loans as a distinct business segment, following its decision to separate the microfinance operations from its Rural B2C Loans category.

Previously, Bajaj Finance included its microfinance activities within the broader Rural B2C Loans division. The company has now established a dedicated microfinance business, which is primarily sourced through its network of microfinance institutions (MFIs). As detailed in its investor presentation, Bajaj Finance operates a total of 337 MFI branches and has recently expanded its footprint by adding four new standalone branches during the reporting quarter.

In a strategic move to venture into the microfinance arena, Sanjiv Bajaj, Chairman and Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv, outlined plans to enter this segment by 2025 during his address at the All India Management Association’s 8th National Leadership Conclave in 2023.

On the asset quality front, the company reported a gross non-performing asset (NPA) figure of Rs 17 crore as of June 30, 2025, with a net NPA of Rs 5 crore. The provision coverage ratio for MFI loans stood at 73 percent, reflecting the company’s commitment to maintaining a strong balance sheet.

Challenges in the Microfinance Sector

The microfinance industry has faced significant challenges in recent quarters, including rising NPAs and decreased collection efficiencies. In response to these issues, a self-regulatory organization (SRO) for microfinance institutions has implemented measures aimed at stabilizing the sector. Furthermore, earlier this year, the Karnataka government approved the Karnataka Microfinance (Prevention of Coercive Actions) Ordinance, 2025, which seeks to mitigate coercive lending practices within the state.

As Bajaj Finance navigates the evolving landscape of microfinance, its recent separation of this business segment from Rural B2C Loans signals a strategic pivot that may provide greater clarity and focus in managing its microfinance operations. The company’s proactive measures and commitment to transparency could enhance its resilience in a sector currently grappling with regulatory and operational challenges.

Ajmera Realty & Infra India Ltd announced a consolidated net profit of ₹3.83 crore for the quarter ending June 30, 2025. This figure marks a significant increase of 21.9% compared to ₹3.14 crore reported during the same quarter in the previous year. The company also saw a boost in its revenue from operations, which rose to ₹25.85 crore, up from ₹19.37 crore year-on-year.

Financial Performance Overview

The financial results reveal a positive trajectory for Ajmera Realty. The consolidated total income from operations for the quarter was ₹25.96 crore, a rise from ₹19.62 crore in the corresponding quarter of 2024. On a standalone basis, the company reported a net profit of ₹3.36 crore, up from ₹2.35 crore in the previous year. Standalone revenue from operations also improved, reaching ₹16.28 crore compared to ₹14.01 crore a year earlier.

The detailed metrics for Q1 FY26 illustrate robust growth. The consolidated net profit increased by 51.4% from the previous quarter’s net profit of ₹2.53 crore. Revenue figures also showed substantial gains, with a 70.7% increase from the previous quarter’s ₹15.14 crore.

Operational Highlights and Corporate Governance

Ajmera Realty operates primarily in the construction sector, focusing on real estate development. The Board of Directors addressed a compliance issue regarding a delay in appointing a qualified company secretary, stating that the delay was unintentional. The Board has committed to ensuring timely compliance in the future.

Additionally, the Board recommended a dividend on May 14, 2025, which, if approved at the upcoming Annual General Meeting, is expected to be disbursed before October 8, 2025. This move underscores the company’s commitment to returning value to its shareholders while navigating the complexities of corporate governance.

Overall, Ajmera Realty’s strong performance in Q1 FY26 reflects a positive outlook for the company as it continues to drive growth in the competitive real estate market.

Shares of Balkrishna Industries are currently trading at Rs 2,733.10, reflecting a marginal decline of 0.27% during Thursday’s trading session. Despite this slight drop, the stock has attracted substantial trading activity, characterized by unusually high volume. This surge in trading interest comes as the company remains part of the NIFTY MIDCAP 150 index, highlighting its significance in the market.

The increase in trading volume suggests heightened investor interest in Balkrishna Industries, which specializes in manufacturing off-highway tires. Investors are closely monitoring the stock, especially given its historical performance and recent corporate actions.

Recent Corporate Actions

In recent announcements, Balkrishna Industries has declared several dividends that are noteworthy for shareholders. The first interim dividend is set to take effect on July 31, 2025. Additionally, the company has declared a final dividend of Rs 4.00 per share, amounting to 200% of the face value, which will be effective from July 11, 2025. These dividends reflect the company’s commitment to returning value to its shareholders and signal a positive financial outlook.

The company also has a history of stock bonus issues, one of the most notable being a 1:1 bonus issued on December 21, 2017. Furthermore, Balkrishna Industries underwent a stock split on December 20, 2010, changing its face value from Rs 10 to Rs 2. These actions indicate a proactive approach to share management and shareholder engagement.

As Balkrishna Industries continues to navigate the complexities of the market, the current trading activity and upcoming dividends may serve to bolster investor confidence. The slight decline in share price, juxtaposed with high trading volume, presents an intriguing scenario for market watchers and investors alike.