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Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran has highlighted a positive trend in private sector investment, with gross fixed capital formation as a ratio of GDP hovering around 30-31%. In an interview following the Economic Survey's presentation in Parliament, he emphasized the need to transform global challenges into opportunities, advocating for free trade agreements and increased private sector innovation. Nageswaran acknowledged that while private investments have not fully aligned with public capital expenditure, recent corporate data suggests significant growth in FY25. He stressed the importance of indigenization, not as a means to erect import barriers, but to enhance export capacities and resilience. Addressing the performance of lagging sectors, he noted that the government is actively pursuing measures to boost exports through various free trade agreements. On currency stability, he underscored the necessity of fostering competitive manufacturing and exports to strengthen the rupee over time. 
Published: Jan 30 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe turnover of farmer producer organisations (FPOs) has surged significantly in B2B transactions since the government initiated weekly webinars last year, facilitating connections between farmers and corporates. To date, FPOs have transacted ₹1,100 crore under B2B arrangements, with ₹662 crore earned through the NCDEX futures trading platform. In contrast, online sales via the government’s GeM portal and ONDC platform have reached only ₹5 crore, while FPOs have minimal presence on major e-commerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart. Currently, 1,131 of the 10,000 FPOs established under the Centre’s equity scheme boast turnovers exceeding ₹1 crore, prompting the government to aim for 5,000 such 'crorepati' FPOs by the next fiscal year. Biprojyoti Bhowmik, MD of New Agriverse FPO, highlighted the potential for increased exports, contingent on government support for necessary certifications, while also noting the prohibitive commissions on larger e-commerce platforms.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe Central government's total expenditure reached ₹33.8 lakh crore by December 2025, accounting for 66.7% of the budget estimates for the fiscal year 2025-26. The fiscal deficit stood at ₹8.55 lakh crore, or 54.5% of budget estimates, a slight improvement from 56.7% in the previous year. Government revenue totaled ₹25.25 lakh crore, comprising ₹19.39 lakh crore in tax revenue and ₹5.39 lakh crore in non-tax revenue. Experts suggest that the fiscal deficit target of ₹15.69 lakh crore, or 4.4% of GDP, is achievable without significant cuts in revenue expenditure, despite a projected nominal GDP growth of only 8%. Additionally, inflows from small savings schemes surged by 32% to ₹2.3 lakh crore, raising concerns about potential overshooting of fiscal targets. Analysts remain optimistic that higher non-tax revenues and expenditure savings will help maintain fiscal discipline.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 9 pmeznews.inGG Tronics India Private Ltd (GGT), a subsidiary of CG Power and Industrial Solutions Ltd, has been awarded a ₹433 crore contract by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works for the supply and deployment of Kavach, India's indigenous train collision avoidance system. The order encompasses the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of on-board Kavach locomotive equipment, adhering to RDSO specifications, with a one-year execution timeline. Additionally, an annual maintenance contract (AMC) will be in place for 11 years, commencing from the fifth year at a rate of 3% per annum. The contract also includes comprehensive wiring, harnessing, cabling, and integration with the Kavach system. GGT is nearing final RDSO clearance for Kavach 4.0, having completed all essential safety tests, including those for signal passing at danger and collision prevention, with an independent safety assessment set to begin in February.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian government is reportedly considering a budgetary allocation exceeding ₹1,000 crore for its new Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) 2.0 scheme, aimed at fostering a self-sustaining drone ecosystem. This initiative, which has transitioned from the Civil Aviation Ministry to the Finance Ministry, is expected to be unveiled in the upcoming Union Budget for FY27. Building on the previous PLI 1.0 launched in 2021, the new scheme will incentivize domestic manufacturing of drones and their components, as well as related services like leasing and software sales. Currently, about 50-60% of drone parts in India are imported, but the PLI 2.0 aims to boost local production to 30% of total drone value. With around 300 manufacturers in the country, the initiative is poised to meet growing demand across sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and security, while reducing reliance on foreign imports.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 8 pmeznews.inUnseasonal rains in January have disrupted the robusta coffee harvest in Karnataka's key-producing districts, including Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, and Hassan, raising concerns for the upcoming 2026-27 crop. The Indian Meteorological Department reported Chikkamagaluru received 730% more rain than usual, while Kodagu and Wayanad also saw significant surpluses. Growers, already grappling with labor shortages, face challenges as the rains have delayed harvesting and drying processes, leading to uneven flowering and potential crop losses. Experts estimate that 10-20% of the current robusta crop may be lost, with up to 30% of next year's yield at risk. The Coffee Board's initial estimates for the 2025-26 season suggest a total crop of 4.03 lakh tonnes, but growers anticipate lower figures, particularly for robusta. The situation has left many hesitant to implement necessary irrigation measures, fearing further complications in crop development.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 8 pmeznews.inJammu and Kashmir, responsible for over 75% of India's apple production with an annual output of 20-22 lakh tonnes, faces potential challenges from a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union. The FTA would allow apple imports from the EU at a minimum price of ₹80 per kg and a 20% import duty, increasing from an initial cap of 50,000 tonnes to 100,000 tonnes over a decade. Local growers fear that these cheaper imports, expected to land at around ₹96 per kg, could undercut domestic prices, threatening their livelihoods. The apple economy in the region generates approximately ₹12,000 crore and supports over seven lakh families. Industry representatives highlight the competitive advantage of mechanised European farming, while domestic growers struggle with rising costs. Calls for a review of import policies have intensified, as stakeholders warn that unchecked imports could devastate the local apple industry and rural economy.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 8 pmeznews.inBlue Dart Express Ltd. reported a profit after tax of ₹70 crore for the quarter ending December 31, 2025, with operational revenue reaching ₹1,616 crore, as announced on Friday. Managing Director Balfour Manuel attributed the strong performance to stable domestic demand and effective cost management, particularly highlighting contributions from Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets and robust SME shipment activity. The company also launched its Green Integrated Ground Hub in Pataudi, Haryana, aimed at improving service reliability in North India, alongside a new Digital Account Opening platform for quicker, paperless customer onboarding. Manuel expressed optimism for the logistics sector, citing ongoing supply-chain formalisation and infrastructure development. Blue Dart, part of DHL Group’s DHL eCommerce division, serves over 56,400 locations in India and is committed to sustainability initiatives. Shares of Blue Dart closed at ₹5,515 on the NSE, reflecting a 1.90% increase.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 7 pmeznews.inThe Indian Vegetable Oil Producers Association (IVPA) has urged the government to increase the budget for the National Mission on Oilseeds from ₹21,000 crore to ₹30,000 crore in the upcoming Budget. IVPA President Sudhakar Desai emphasized that this increase is crucial for overcoming structural challenges in domestic oilseed production and achieving a self-sufficiency target of 45% by 2030-32. The proposed funds would focus on high-yield seeds, technology upgrades, modern irrigation, and improved market linkages. Desai also called for extending the financial outlay deadlines for the National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm to 2030-31 to address project delays. Additionally, he highlighted the need for low-cost credit facilities to alleviate liquidity issues faced by processors and urged the establishment of domestic commodity exchanges for better price discovery. The IVPA also seeks the withdrawal of restrictions on inverted duty refunds to support the struggling edible oil sector.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 6 pmeznews.inIndia is set to become a key player in the global seaweed economy, driven by increasing domestic consumption and evolving industrial applications, according to experts at the Global Seaweed Summit held at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. Stevan Hermans, a seaweed industry analyst, highlighted India's potential as both a consumer and processor of seaweed products, particularly carrageenan, which is projected to see significant demand growth, outpacing mature markets in Europe and the US. With an anticipated addition of 600 million people to its middle class over the next 25 years, India’s demand for seaweed-derived products is expected to rise sharply. The country’s coastline and supportive policies under the Blue Economy framework could facilitate commercial seaweed production, which is projected to require up to 1.16 million tonnes by 2030. The summit also underscored the role of seaweed in climate mitigation and its applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and sustainable alternatives to plastics.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 6 pm
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