BYJU’s has paid January salaries to its employees after reports suggested the ed-tech firm would delay payments for the month. In an email thanking his employees for not giving up, founder Byju Raveendran said he had to “move mountains” to make the payroll.

Founded in 2011, the company is facing lawsuits from lenders and allegations of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violations, which has led to an acute financial crisis in the company that was once valued at $22 billion.

Mr Raveendran informed his employees that the January salaries have been paid despite being told they may have to wait till Monday.

“I know you were told that you will get your salaries by Monday. Many of you wrote to me that you wouldn’t mind waiting even more because you know what I am going through. But you did not have to wait even till Monday,” he said.

BYJU’s spends nearly Rs 70 crore per month towards payroll expenses, according to Moneycontrol.

“I have been moving mountains for months to make payroll, and this time, the struggle was even bigger to ensure that you receive what you rightfully deserve,” he added.

He also thanked his employees who did not give up and continued working for the company despite the hardships.

“Everybody has made sacrifices, everybody has grappled with decisions they never desired to make, and everybody is a little bit weary in this battle, but nobody has chosen to give up. This is because we are proud of what we have built. When we have self-respect, we have enough,” Mr Raveendran said.

BYJU’s failed payment deadlines has prompted lawsuits by overseas lenders. Its Alpha unit had even declared bankruptcy after the lenders filed an insolvency petition in an US court. It is also facing raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over allegations of FEMA violation, which has led to several resignations from the company.

Its latest valuation has dropped to $250 million from its peak worth of $22 billion in 2022, with the company seeking $200 million in exchange of new stocks.

Earlier this month, BYJU’s pushed back against a resolution by its shareholders to oust its founders from board, saying the investors don’t have voting rights to bring changes in the top leadership.

The Telangana cabinet headed by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has decided to change its official abbreviation and adopt a new state anthem. Telangana Talli, the symbolic mother goddess of the state, will also be reimagined in a new look.

Andre Sri’s ‘Jaya Jaya Ho Telangana’ will be made the state anthem while the state’s abbreviation will be changed to TG from TS. The ruling dispensation has accused the former regime to have chosen ‘TS’ to match their party name. Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) was earlier known as Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), which was changed to reflect their national aspirations.

The cabinet also decided to hold a caste census in the state – in line with the Congress’s promise to hold it across the nation after coming to power. Mr Reddy had last month said that caste census will be taken up in the state soon.

These were among the decisions announced ahead of the Telangana budget session that begins Thursday.

Chief Minister Reddy has also challenged his predecessor K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), his son KT Rama Rao (KTR) and nephew Harish Rao for a debate on the floor of the assembly on irrigation projects. BRS has accepted the challenge.

The Congress and the BRS have been locked in a war of words, accusing the other side of letting down the interests of the state and the farmers.

The state government will also implement gas and power guarantees during the session – the Chief Minister will make the announcements in the assembly.

The cabinet has also issued orders to allocate 100 acres for a new high court complex in Rajendranagar district.

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren arrived in assembly today amid tight security as Champai Soren – who stepped into his shoes after his arrest – faced a trust vote to prove his government’s majority.

Addressing the assembly, Mr Soren alleged that even Raj Bhavan had a role to play in his arrest. “On the night of January 31, for the first time in the country, a chief minister was arrested…and I believe that Raj Bhavan was also involved in this incident,” he said.

“The day will be remembered as a black chapter in India’s history,” Mr Soren said.

He said Champen Soren has full support of the ruling alliance in Jharkhand.

A special court in Ranchi had allowed Hemant Soren, also the Executive President of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) to take part in the trust vote – a litmus test for the Champai Soren-led government.

Mr Soren pleaded before the court that he is a member of the assembly and has a right to participate in the special session which is crucial for his party.

Champai Soren, veteran leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, took oath as the new Chief Minister of Jharkhand on Friday, days after Hemant Soren was arrested.

The Enforcement Directorate has alleged that Hemant Soren is involved in a Rs 600-crore land scam and the laundering of its proceeds.

The land scam involves a “huge racket” to change of ownership of government land and selling it to builders, the agency has alleged.

The agency has so far arrested 14 people in the case, including 2011-batch IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan who served as the director of the state Social Welfare Department and deputy commissioner of Ranchi.

Mr Soren has claimed that he is the target of a huge conspiracy.