eznews.inAhead of the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) hosted a workshop in New Delhi focused on "Artificial Intelligence, Competition & Governance." The discussions highlighted the challenges posed by AI deployment, the necessity for coordinated regulatory responses, and the need to maintain competitive markets while fostering innovation. CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur emphasized that AI is rapidly transforming market structures, outpacing current regulatory frameworks, and called for enhanced collaboration among regulators. Key speakers included Abhishek Singh from the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Dipti Gaur Mukherjee from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and Nidhi Khare from the Department of Consumer Affairs. The workshop concluded with a call for collaborative, risk-based regulatory approaches to ensure that AI innovation aligns with competition principles, consumer welfare, and public interest, reinforcing India's commitment to effective AI governance. 
Published: Dec 19 2025, 8 pmeznews.inAkasa Air is set to expand its fleet to 45 Boeing 737 Max aircraft by December 2025, according to CEO Vinay Dube, who addressed staff in a recent town hall meeting. Currently operating 31 aircraft, the airline anticipates receiving 1-2 new planes each month as Boeing improves production. Additionally, Akasa plans to establish its own maintenance repair and overhaul unit and flight simulators in Delhi, Navi Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The airline resumed pilot hiring six weeks ago and has successfully implemented revised flight duty norms without disruption, operating around 150 flights daily. Dube emphasized that Akasa's disciplined focus on safety, employee well-being, service excellence, and cost leadership has positioned it as a balanced airline, ensuring full compliance with regulations while enhancing customer experience.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 8 pmeznews.inVishwaprasad Alva, Managing Director of Skanray Technologies, is advocating for the launch of Skanjet Aviation, a regional airline aimed at addressing the connectivity gap faced by Mysuru, which has seen a reduction in flights despite strong demand. Alva highlights the city's emergence as a technology and education hub, necessitating reliable air links to major cities. Currently, IndiGo operates limited services from Mysuru, often cutting routes during operational disruptions, leaving passengers with few options. Skanjet plans to begin operations by April 2026, pending regulatory approvals, with plans to lease three ATR-72 aircraft for short-haul routes. Alva emphasizes the potential for profitability with an 80% load factor and aims to raise ₹150 crore to fund the venture, with aspirations to expand the fleet shortly after launch. He believes air travel offers a more efficient alternative to congested road and rail options in the region.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIRDAI Chairman Ajay Seth emphasized the importance of timely and effective grievance resolution as a cornerstone of policyholder protection and regulatory oversight during the inauguration of a workshop on the ‘Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System’ on Friday. He highlighted that an efficient grievance redressal mechanism is vital for fostering public trust in the insurance sector. Seth noted that when citizens voice grievances, they are signaling a need for the system to respond, and how authorities react to these signals can significantly influence trust in both insurance and broader institutions. The workshop, co-organized by the IRDAI and the Department of Financial Services, aimed to enhance grievance redressal processes within the insurance industry. Seth urged stakeholders to view grievances as early warnings and to ensure that every resolution not only addresses the issue but also strengthens trust in the system.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 8 pmeznews.inSales of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) have seen a decline this month, with figures dropping to 4.22 lakh tonnes from 4.76 lakh tonnes in the same period last year, despite increased availability. In contrast, urea sales surged by 20% to 21.55 lakh tonnes, while complex fertiliser sales rose by 2% to 5.45 lakh tonnes. The government reported a comfortable supply of various fertilisers, including 66.56 lakh tonnes of urea and 20.67 lakh tonnes of DAP, sufficient to meet December's demand, which is historically high during the Rabi sowing season. Amid concerns over urea shortages in Uttar Pradesh, officials were instructed to ensure adequate supplies at sales centres. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman dismissed claims of urea shortages, attributing increased demand to favourable monsoon conditions and anticipating a strong crop yield. The government is also planning significant expenditure on fertiliser subsidies this financial year.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has appointed Niraj Shirgaokar as its new President and Madhav Banshidhar Shriram as Vice President for the 2025-26 term, following its annual general meeting. Shirgaokar, previously the senior vice president and associated with Ugar Sugar Mills in Karnataka, succeeds Gautam Goel, while Shriram, managing director of DCM Shriram Industries, takes over Shirgaokar's former role. The leadership change underscores ISMA's commitment to continuity and progressive governance, with a focus on collaboration with government and stakeholders. Union food secretary Sanjeev Chopra commended Goel's contributions and expressed confidence in Shirgaokar's ability to guide ISMA in addressing industry challenges. Shirgaokar emphasized the importance of engaging with policymakers to foster a resilient sugar and bio-energy sector, while Shriram highlighted the need to strengthen the ethanol ecosystem and promote sustainability and innovation within the industry.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 6 pmeznews.inMaharashtra's raisin exports have significantly declined this year due to unseasonal rains disrupting grape cultivation in key regions. Official data reveals that the state exported only 6,309 tonnes of raisins between April and November 2025, highlighting the severe impact of weather-related crop losses, particularly in Nashik and Sangli. Farmers reported delayed harvesting and deteriorating fruit quality following heavy monsoon rains and intense showers in September and October, crucial for grape maturation. Despite these challenges, Maharashtra continued to export raisins to various international markets, including Morocco and Russia, although erratic weather has limited the availability of export-grade raisins. Industry representatives anticipate a decline in overall grape availability, affecting both fresh consumption and raisin processing. However, growers remain cautiously optimistic about domestic price increases due to tightening supply and steady demand, underscoring the sector's vulnerability to climate variability.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 7 pmeznews.inNavi Mumbai International Airport is set to commence operations on December 25, following significant delays, with an initial schedule of 30 flights in its first month. Jeet Adani, director of Adani Airports, outlined plans for the airport, which was originally slated to open in August, projecting passenger traffic of 12 million for FY27 and a full capacity of 20 million by FY28. The airport will also feature a mixed-use development on 240 acres, including commercial and entertainment facilities. Additionally, plans for cargo operations are underway, with FedEx as a key partner. Adani Group is investing ₹1 lakh crore in airport development over five years and is considering an IPO or demerger for Adani Airport Holdings Limited between 2027 and 2030. The group also aims to expand its pilot training capabilities, increasing simulator availability from 15 to up to 60 across India in the next few years.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIndian coffee growers will soon benefit from two new high-yielding arabica varieties, Selection 14 and Selection 15, developed by the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) in Chikmagalur. Set for commercial release on Saturday as part of CCRI's centenary celebrations, Selection 14 is notable for its tolerance to the coffee white stem borer (CWSB) and leaf rust, yielding between 1,200-1,400 kg per hectare with a cup quality score of 72-77. Selection 15, a rust-tolerant F1 hybrid, offers even higher yields of 1,600-1,800 kg/ha and a cup quality score of 79-80. This release comes amid increasing challenges for domestic growers, including climate change and pest infestations, which have adversely affected arabica yields. India ranks as the seventh largest coffee producer globally, with Karnataka leading in output, and the Coffee Board forecasts a production of 4.03 lakh tonnes for the 2025-26 season.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn South Asia, developments in genetically modified (GM) crops have been largely stagnant this year, with Pakistan being the notable exception. The USDA reports no progress in biotechnology policy in Bangladesh, where the approval process for GM crops, including the long-awaited Golden Rice, remains stalled. India faces regulatory confusion between the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), with only Bt cotton approved for cultivation. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has directed the government to establish a national policy on GM crops. In contrast, Pakistan has advanced its GM crop agenda, permitting the commercial cultivation of GM sugarcane and cotton, and approving imports of genetically engineered canola and soybeans. The USDA highlights the potential benefits for U.S. farmers, noting significant trade in agricultural products, particularly from India and Pakistan, as the region navigates its complex regulatory landscape.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 5 pm
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