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India's food security is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of national security, impacting economic stability, public health, and social harmony. Despite being a leading food producer, the country grapples with significant malnutrition, affecting 16.3% of its population, particularly children. This malnutrition undermines productivity and healthcare, threatening long-term growth. With over 70% of Indians reliant on agriculture, effective food security policies are vital for stabilizing markets and boosting farmers' incomes, which in turn enhances rural consumption and economic predictability. The National Food Security Act of 2013 and various initiatives aim to bolster production and ensure access to affordable food. However, challenges such as poor infrastructure, climate change, and post-harvest losses persist. To address these issues, India must invest in resilient agricultural practices, modern storage solutions, and efficient supply chains, as food security is integral to the nation's overall stability and security. 
Published: Dec 14 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) has proposed a comprehensive investment strategy ahead of the Union Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27, set to be presented on February 1. CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee emphasized the budget's dual role as a stabiliser and growth enabler, highlighting the need to promote investments. The proposal outlines six key pillars, starting with a 12% increase in central capital expenditure and a 10% rise in state support, focusing on high-multiplier sectors like transport and energy. It also calls for a ₹150 lakh crore National Infrastructure Pipeline 2.0 to ensure multi-year investment certainty. Other recommendations include tax incentives for private investment, the establishment of an NRI Investment Promotion Fund, strengthening the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, simplifying external commercial borrowing processes, and creating an India Global Economic Forum for structured dialogues with investors. Banerjee concluded that a robust investment strategy is crucial for India's future development.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 240 million loan as the second tranche of the Chennai Metro Rail Investment Project, aimed at enhancing urban transport in the Chennai Metropolitan Area. This funding is part of a larger USD 780 million financing facility initiated in 2022, which includes an earlier USD 350 million loan. The new tranche will support the construction of key sections of metro lines 3, 4, and 5, covering 20 kilometers and adding 18 new stations with universal access and disaster-resilient features. ADB Country Director for India, Mio Oka, emphasized that the project will improve daily travel safety and efficiency while promoting low-carbon development. Additionally, the initiative aims to enhance station inclusivity, improve safety for vulnerable users, and generate non-fare revenues for the metro's long-term sustainability, with construction expected to be completed by mid-2028.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA high-level US trade delegation visited India last week, intensifying calls for access to American soya and corn amid ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade pact. This push comes as US farmers face a significant crisis, characterized by a production surplus and financial strain, exacerbated by trade tensions with China. Despite the US's aggressive lobbying, India remains firm in its stance against genetically modified (GM) crops, which are banned in the country. New Delhi has expressed challenges in sourcing even non-GM varieties due to segregation issues. The discussions, led by Deputy US Trade Representative Rick Switzer, included key topics such as access to agricultural products, but no trade truce emerged from a recent phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump. India's strict GM crop policy, which only permits Bt cotton, reflects concerns over health, environmental risks, and potential impacts on exports to markets like the EU.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 1 pmeznews.inSakthi Aircraft Industry Pvt Ltd (SAIPL), based in Coimbatore, is establishing India's first private-sector trainer aircraft manufacturing facility in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, with production set to commence in January 2026 and deliveries anticipated by February or March. The Sakthi Group is investing ₹750 crore in this project, which aims to reduce India's reliance on imported training aircraft, currently a necessity for Flying Training Organisations (FTOs). The facility will produce the DA40 NG trainer aircraft, supported by technology transfer from Austria's Diamond Aircraft, the world's third-largest general aviation manufacturer. With India's aviation market projected to grow significantly, SAIPL plans to deliver 40 aircraft in 2026 and achieve an annual capacity of 100 by 2027. The company is also collaborating with the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi to establish maintenance and testing facilities, positioning itself as a key player in enhancing India's aviation training ecosystem.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe Indian Primary Copper Producers Association (IPCPA) has raised alarms over the detrimental impact of cheap copper imports under various free trade agreements (FTAs) on the domestic manufacturing sector, urging the government to impose a safeguard duty and quantitative restrictions. The IPCPA highlighted that a surge in zero-duty imports is undermining India's smelting and downstream manufacturing capabilities, despite significant investments aimed at achieving self-sufficiency. Concerns were particularly directed at the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which is set to reduce customs duties on copper wire rods to zero by FY27. The IPCPA also criticized an inflated Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) that has led to a 340% increase in imports from the UAE. With the global copper smelting industry facing severe economic challenges, the IPCPA is calling for urgent government intervention to protect domestic producers from the adverse effects of FTAs.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe global silver market, already under strain, faces additional pressure as China implements new export restrictions set to take effect in January 2026. The policy mandates that only large, state-approved firms producing a minimum of 80 tonnes annually can obtain export licenses, effectively sidelining smaller exporters. This move aims to safeguard national resources and could bolster global silver prices, as China, the world's second-largest silver miner, supplies 60-70% of the market. Concurrently, India has seen a surge in silver imports, bringing in over 2,600 tonnes from September to October, with the UK and Hong Kong emerging as major suppliers. JP Morgan has also significantly increased its physical silver holdings, closing short positions and accumulating 750 million ounces. With a projected annual supply shortfall of over 5,000 tonnes, the tightening market could further elevate prices, which have already risen sharply this year amid high demand and geopolitical tensions.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe Income Tax Department has identified over 140,000 taxpayers with suspicious claims totaling ₹4,100 crore, prompting them to amend their Income Tax Returns. Data analytics revealed more than 200,000 taxpayers had made dubious deductions under Section 80GGC, amounting to nearly ₹5,500 crore linked to questionable Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) and fraudulent charitable organizations. So far, 54,000 taxpayers have corrected their filings, withdrawing ineligible claims worth approximately ₹1,400 crore. Investigations have uncovered a syndicate promoting guaranteed refunds through non-genuine donations, with enforcement actions revealing misuse of CSR-linked trusts for cash-back schemes. The Election Commission of India has begun delisting 808 non-compliant RUPPs, while the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has compiled a report detailing these findings to enhance coordinated enforcement efforts. The crackdown aims to uphold corporate governance and political funding regulations amid rising concerns over tax evasion.
Published: Dec 13 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Income Tax Department has launched the NUDGE (Non-intrusive Usage of Data to Guide and Enable) campaign to combat fraudulent donation claims made to political parties and trusts. This initiative aims to encourage taxpayers to amend their Income Tax Returns (ITRs) if they have claimed bogus deductions, particularly through donations to Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs). The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) announced that advisories will be sent via SMS and email to affected taxpayers from December 12, 2025, with a deadline for revised returns for Assessment Year 2025-26 set for December 31, 2025. The CBDT has identified a network of intermediaries filing returns with false claims and has gathered evidence of misuse of RUPPs for illicit financial activities. Taxpayers are urged to ensure their contact details are accurate to receive important communications regarding their filings.
Published: Dec 13 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIndia's imports of Russian crude oil are set to rise further in December, following a significant increase in November, driven by discounts on Urals crude and assurances from President Vladimir Putin regarding uninterrupted supplies. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) reported that India imported crude worth approximately $3 billion last month, with imports reaching around 1.83 million barrels per day, a 13% month-on-month increase. State-owned refineries notably boosted their Russian crude volumes by 22%, capitalizing on the heavy discounts, which averaged $6.66 per barrel below Brent. Despite the challenges posed by US and EU sanctions, Russian suppliers are adapting by utilizing shadow tankers, with sanctioned vessels carrying the majority of exports. Meanwhile, Indian refiners continue to export petroleum products processed from Russian crude, although at a slower pace, highlighting the complex dynamics of global oil trade amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Published: Dec 13 2025, 4 pm
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