eznews.inSince 2020, the Indian government has auctioned 136 coal blocks, generating an anticipated revenue of Rs 43,000 crore and creating employment for 500,000 people, as reported by Minister of State for Coal Satish Chandra Dubey in the Rajya Sabha. The auctions, conducted in line with Niti Aayog's recommendations, have seen participation from 44 new companies, including public sector undertakings (PSUs) like Coal India. Dubey also addressed a proposal from the Telangana government regarding the Tadicherla coal block, stating that a formal request outlining its unique attributes is necessary for consideration. He emphasized that previous allotments to the Singareni Collieries had not been fully utilized, with only one block currently operational. The government aims to continue a participative bidding process for future allocations, ensuring that all coal blocks are auctioned for commercial purposes, as per the recommendations of a High-Level Committee established in 2019. 
Published: Feb 02 2026, 6 pmeznews.inUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a significant initiative to enhance the state's agricultural sector through large-scale sugarcane-based intercropping with oilseeds and pulses, including mustard, lentil, urad, and moong. In a recent high-level meeting, Adityanath emphasized that this approach could substantially increase the income of sugarcane farmers, potentially multiplying their earnings. He highlighted the benefits of intercropping, which include additional production, reduced costs, and stable year-round income, thereby bolstering farmers' economic conditions. With sugarcane currently cultivated over 29.50 lakh hectares in the state, the chief minister aims to implement this plan in mission mode from 2026 to 2031, contributing to self-reliance in oilseeds and pulses. Adityanath stressed that this model not only promises higher yields and income but also aims to transform the broader agricultural landscape of Uttar Pradesh, ultimately supporting the state's goal of achieving a trillion-dollar economy.
Published: Feb 02 2026, 6 pmeznews.inUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met with Rene Piil Pedersen, Managing Director of AP Moller-Maersk, to explore opportunities for expanding the logistics company's investments in the state. The discussions highlighted Uttar Pradesh's rapid growth and the government's commitment to creating a secure, transparent environment for investors through a single-window system, timely approvals, and robust law enforcement. Adityanath emphasized the state's extensive infrastructure, including expressways and logistics hubs, making it an attractive investment destination. Vivek Sharma, Head of Business Development for the region, noted the company's positive experiences in Uttar Pradesh over the past 20 years, citing the state's corruption-free environment and strong government support. He expressed interest in further investment opportunities, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the meeting. The state government assured the availability of necessary resources to facilitate Maersk's expansion plans.
Published: Feb 02 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe Indian manufacturing sector showed signs of recovery in January, with the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rising to 55.4 from December's 55, indicating expansion. This growth was fueled by increased domestic demand, new orders, and a slight uptick in employment, although business confidence fell to a three-and-a-half-year low, with only 15% of firms anticipating output growth. Input prices rose moderately, while factory-gate inflation eased to a 22-month low, leading to slight margin pressure for manufacturers. Despite a boost in new export business, growth was slower, primarily driven by demand from Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East. The report highlighted that suppliers managed to meet rising input demand efficiently, resulting in increased input inventories, while finished goods stocks continued to decline for the third consecutive month. Overall, the sector's outlook remains cautious amid muted business confidence.
Published: Feb 02 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has renewed its call for a production-linked incentive to bolster aerospace manufacturing in India. This comes after the Union Finance Minister announced customs duty waivers on parts and components for civil and training aircraft, as well as on raw materials for defence sector maintenance, repair, and overhaul units. Notable collaborations include the Adani Group and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited partnering with Embraer and United Aircraft Corporation, respectively, to manufacture aircraft domestically, while Safran Group is establishing a maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility for M88 engines used in the Indian Air Force's Rafale jets. Jurgen Westermeier, chair of FICCI’s national civil aviation committee, emphasized that the 2026 budget supports a manufacturing-led growth strategy and urged the government to implement production-linked incentives to integrate Indian firms into the global aerospace supply chain.
Published: Feb 02 2026, 6 pmeznews.inAgriculture stakeholders have expressed mixed reactions to India's Union Budget 2026-27, highlighting both opportunities and concerns. The Solvent Extractors’ Association criticized the lack of measures to reduce the country's reliance on edible oil imports, emphasizing the need for urgent policy intervention. Conversely, the Indian Rice Exporters Federation welcomed initiatives aimed at strengthening MSMEs and enhancing technology in agriculture, which could bolster the rice sector's competitiveness. The budget also focused on labour-intensive sectors like textiles, with plans for skill development and infrastructure improvements. However, farmers' organizations raised alarms over the neglect of small farmers, citing high GST on agricultural machinery and insufficient support for natural farming practices. Critics argue that the budget fails to address the pressing needs of the agricultural sector, which employs a significant portion of the population, leaving many stakeholders feeling overlooked.
Published: Feb 02 2026, 5 pmeznews.inThe Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) has expressed strong support for the Indian government's focus on public capital expenditure and infrastructure development in the recent Union Budget. The substantial increase in public capital expenditure to ₹12.2 lakh crore is seen as a significant boost for long-term demand in the tyre sector, which is closely tied to transport and infrastructure growth. ATMA Chairman Arun Mammen highlighted that the government's commitment to enhancing infrastructure, including roads and urban mobility networks, will drive demand for tyres across all vehicle segments. He noted that investments in transport initiatives, particularly in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, are expected to stimulate consumption and create new opportunities for both replacement and original equipment tyres. However, Mammen pointed out that the unresolved issue of the inverted duty structure affecting tyre manufacturing remains a concern, urging the government to address it to support the Make in India initiative.
Published: Feb 02 2026, 4 pmeznews.inFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Monday that the government plans to introduce the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025 during the second half of the Budget session starting March 9. This follows the submission of a report by a parliamentary committee, which aims to enhance the timelines and effectiveness of insolvency proceedings while aligning India's insolvency framework with global best practices. Sitharaman, who also oversees the Corporate Affairs Ministry, indicated that the upcoming bill will incorporate the committee's suggestions. This marks the seventh amendment to the IBC, originally enacted in 2016, which has undergone six previous legislative changes, the last being in 2021. The IBC has significantly altered the debtor-creditor relationship, instilling a sense of urgency among companies regarding insolvency risks. The proposed amendments also include measures to expedite the admission of insolvency resolution applications.
Published: Feb 02 2026, 4 pmeznews.inFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has defended the new taxation rules for Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) and the increased Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on futures and options, emphasizing their intent to protect investors. In a recent interview, she clarified that long-term holders of SGBs will retain tax-free benefits if held until maturity, while those trading in the secondary market will face capital gains taxes. The proposed taxation scenarios include various conditions for tax applicability based on the purchase and redemption timing of SGBs. Sitharaman also justified the STT hike, which raises the tax on futures by 150% and on options by 50%, stating it aims to deter speculative trading that often leads to financial losses for less affluent investors. She reassured that the government is not broadly increasing STT but is focused on protecting vulnerable market participants.
Published: Feb 02 2026, 4 pmeznews.inCochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) is set to become India's first airport to operate hydrogen-powered buses, following a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed between the Kerala Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster (HVIC) Foundation and CIAL. The agreement was exchanged by Kerala Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty and Industries Minister P. Rajeeve, and involves the procurement of three hydrogen fuel cell electric buses as part of the Kerala Hydrogen Valley initiative under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The K-HVIC Foundation will provide financial support of up to ₹2.90 crore per bus, with a total project budget of ₹8.7 crore. The buses are expected to be operational within 12 months, enhancing passenger convenience while significantly reducing emissions. CIAL will manage the operational aspects, with a green hydrogen plant, developed in collaboration with BPCL, ensuring fuel supply for the buses.
Published: Feb 02 2026, 4 pm
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