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The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has initiated action against 27 restaurants for unlawfully imposing a mandatory 10 per cent service charge, contravening the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and CCPA guidelines. Following a Delhi High Court ruling in March 2025, which deemed such practices illegal, the CCPA has imposed penalties of up to ₹50,000 on some establishments, including Café Blue Bottle in Patna and China Gate Restaurant in Mumbai. Both restaurants have been ordered to refund the service charges to customers and to cease the automatic levy of these charges. The CCPA's actions stem from complaints lodged through the National Consumer Helpline, and it has pledged to continue monitoring and enforcing compliance to protect consumer rights and prevent unfair trade practices. 
Published: Jan 10 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's sugar sector is facing a significant crisis in the 2025-26 season, marked by record production of approximately 119 lakh tonnes—up 25% from the previous year—amid stagnating demand and low global prices. While Maharashtra led production increases, domestic consumption is estimated at only 28-28.5 million tonnes, influenced by rising health concerns over sugar intake. Additionally, reduced ethanol diversion, with only 34 lakh tonnes allocated from sugar feedstocks, exacerbates the surplus. Ex-mill prices have dropped to ₹3,600-3,720 per quintal, below production costs, leading to delayed farmer payments and potential factory shutdowns due to storage shortages. Industry bodies are calling for urgent policy changes, including higher ethanol prices and an increase in the minimum support price for sugar, to stabilize the sector. As the season progresses, the balance between public health initiatives and farmer livelihoods remains critical for the future of millions dependent on sugarcane.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 10 ameznews.inIndia's agricultural transformation hinges on aligning national policy with the realities faced by farmers, who grapple with climate volatility, pest pressures, and market fragmentation. The Union Budget 2026 must address these complexities by creating a comprehensive reform strategy that strengthens the agricultural value chain, moving beyond isolated schemes. A pivotal aspect of this strategy involves redefining subsidies to promote resource-efficient farming, ensuring farmers have access to essential technologies like quality seeds and digital advisories. Additionally, integrated resilience against climate challenges requires investment in advanced crop protection and farmer education. To enhance farmers' risk profiles, policies should focus on establishing digital land records and modernizing credit access. As India aims to boost its global agricultural exports, robust supply chains with traceability and sustainable practices are crucial. Ultimately, the 2026 budget presents an opportunity to build a climate-secure, data-driven agricultural framework centered on the farmer's needs.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 9 ameznews.inIndia's fertilizer sector, crucial for agriculture, is shifting from a subsidy-driven model to one that operates with less price support, coinciding with significant technological advancements and new business models in farming. Recent reforms, such as reduced GST on fertilizer raw materials and streamlined regulatory processes, have begun to enhance the sector's structure and compliance. However, experts argue that further reforms are essential to foster entrepreneurship and local manufacturing. A proposed "3D Reform" of the Fertilizer Control Order emphasizes the need for digitisation, decriminalisation, and deregulation. Digitisation is critical for managing supply chain disruptions, while decriminalisation would differentiate between product deficiencies and fraud, promoting a healthier business environment. Deregulation aims to bolster domestic manufacturers, enabling them to compete effectively against international suppliers. These strategic changes are vital for ensuring India's food security and reducing reliance on imports.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 9 ameznews.inA small aircraft operated by IndiaOne Air made a forced landing in an open area near Rourkela, Odisha, on January 10, 2026, after the crew declared a "Mayday" to air traffic control. The Cessna Grand C208B, carrying four passengers and two crew members, departed from Bhubaneswar at 12:25 IST and landed safely at 13:20 IST, with all on board reported unharmed. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the passengers and crew were taken to a local hospital for precautionary checks. The Odisha state government stated that the district administration promptly responded to the incident, ensuring medical assistance was provided. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will conduct a thorough investigation, while IndiaOne Air, which has been providing regional connectivity since 2022, is required to report the incident details to the DGCA and AAIB as per regulations.
Published: Jan 10 2026, 5 pmeznews.inNegotiations between India and the European Union (EU) for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) remain stalled over key issues, including India's concerns regarding the EU's carbon tax and steel import quotas, as well as the bloc's demands for greater market access for automobiles and dairy products. Following two days of intensive talks in Brussels, Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič expressed optimism about the progress made, although significant hurdles remain. Both sides aim to finalize the agreement ahead of the upcoming visit of EU leaders to India for Republic Day celebrations on January 26. In 2024-25, the EU was India's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $136.53 billion. Despite the challenges, both parties are committed to achieving a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement, with hopes for a resolution during the leaders' visit later this month.
Published: Jan 10 2026, 5 pmeznews.inThe Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey announced that the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the National Stock Exchange's (NSE) long-awaited listing could be issued within a month, paving the way for an initial public offering (IPO) anticipated in 2026. The NSE, expected to be valued at ₹5-6 lakh crore, has garnered significant investor interest. Pandey also addressed the ongoing review of a Conflict of Interest report by a High-Level Committee, emphasizing the need for careful deliberation on public disclosures in line with the Data Protection and Digital Privacy (DPDP) Act. He highlighted SEBI's commitment to enhancing retail investor participation through multilingual outreach and the regulation of financial influencers, noting over 100,000 actions taken against transgressions in the past 18 months. Additionally, SEBI plans to simplify IPO documentation and introduce performance-linked expense ratios for mutual funds.
Published: Jan 10 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe Tamil Nadu Finance Department has announced the implementation of the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS), set to take effect on January 1, 2026. This new pension scheme will be mandatory for all eligible government employees entering service from that date. Current employees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) who retire after January 1, 2026, will also be included in TAPS, subject to forthcoming government notifications detailing rules and eligibility. Employees who were in service prior to this date will have the option to choose between TAPS benefits or those equivalent to CPS at retirement. Under TAPS, employees will receive an assured pension of 50% of their last-drawn basic pay and dearness allowance, with a mandatory contribution of 10% of their basic pay to the pension fund. The Tamil Nadu government will cover any additional funding required to support the assured pension.
Published: Jan 10 2026, 7 pmeznews.inFarmer unions in India are divided over the recently enacted Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, which replaces the long-standing MGNREGA framework. While some unions welcome provisions like breaks in public works during peak agricultural seasons, others advocate for a more comprehensive approach. They propose that agricultural operations be classified as job work under the new law, enabling MGNREGA-style employment to enhance farm productivity. Abhimanyu Kohar, a leader of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, highlighted the rising costs of manual harvesting, which have surged due to labour shortages, and argued that linking agricultural work to the new framework could alleviate these issues. However, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has called for a complete rollback of the new legislation, urging the government to restore MGNREGA. As the debate intensifies, the divide among farmer organisations reflects differing priorities regarding agricultural economics and wage security for rural labour.
Published: Jan 09 2026, 9 pmeznews.inElitecon International Ltd has announced plans to merge its subsidiaries—Golden Cryo Pvt Ltd, Sunbridge Agro Pvt Ltd, and Landsmill Agro Pvt Ltd—into a single entity, pending necessary regulatory approvals. This strategic move aims to streamline the company's diverse business operations, enhancing efficiency, governance, and compliance management while fostering better integration of resources. To facilitate this process, Elitecon has engaged Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP as its professional advisor, tasked with overseeing the merger's evaluation, structuring, and regulatory compliance. Managing Director Vipin Sharma emphasized that this consolidation is a crucial step in strengthening the company's institutional frameworks and ensuring transparency and accountability. The initiative reflects Elitecon's commitment to robust governance and disciplined execution of its corporate strategies, positioning the company for sustained growth in the competitive FMCG sector.
Published: Jan 09 2026, 9 pm
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