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State-owned Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL) is set to launch a major tender next month for the procurement of 10,900 electric buses, aimed at enhancing sustainable public transport in major Indian cities, including Hyderabad, Surat, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Bengaluru. Scheduled for November 6, 2025, this initiative is part of the National Electric Bus Programme (NEBP) and has attracted interest from numerous domestic and international manufacturers. The tender will provide a mix of AC and non-AC buses across various models, with Bengaluru receiving the largest share of 4,500 buses. Successful bidders will be required to establish local charging depots and employ local drivers, promoting gender diversity in the workforce. The project is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions, with an estimated annual reduction of over 4 million tonnes of CO₂. CESL's procurement model aims to ensure efficiency and affordability, minimizing financial burdens on city administrations while accelerating the transition to electric mobility. 
Published: Oct 26 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIn his latest episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted a notable increase in the purchase of 'swadeshi' goods during the festive season, coinciding with the 'GST Bachat Utsav'. He expressed gratitude for the public's positive response to his Diwali appeal for a 10% reduction in edible oil consumption. Modi also commemorated the 150th anniversary of the national song 'Vande Mataram', emphasizing its role in fostering patriotism and unity among Indians. He encouraged participation in Chhath Puja, celebrating its cultural significance, particularly for communities in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Purvanchal, as elections in Bihar approach. Additionally, he praised Koraput coffee from Odisha for its exceptional taste and its positive impact on local women's livelihoods, calling it a source of pride for the state. The Prime Minister's remarks reflect a blend of cultural pride and economic encouragement as India approaches significant festivities and elections.
Published: Oct 26 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe Finance Ministry has authorized the use of municipal bonds as collateral for repo and reverse repo transactions, enabling municipal bodies to secure funding for infrastructure projects. This move allows banks, mutual funds, insurers, and companies to invest in these bonds, potentially creating a new asset class and expanding the investor base. Currently, municipal bonds are largely illiquid, primarily held by long-term investors like pension funds. The government’s decision aims to enhance demand and liquidity in the market, with over ₹3,300 crore raised through municipal bonds as of September 30. However, experts caution about the higher default risk associated with these securities. A report by ICRA anticipates that more than 10 issuances in FY25/FY26 could raise over ₹1,500 crore, but challenges such as credit quality and lack of transparency remain significant barriers to a robust municipal bond market in India.
Published: Oct 26 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn the September quarter, major FMCG companies operating in India, including Unilever, Reckitt, Heineken, PepsiCo, and Coca-Cola, reported sales disruptions due to the implementation of GST reforms and unusually heavy monsoon rains. Unilever's CEO, Fernando Fernandez, noted that while the GST had short-term impacts, it would benefit 40% of their portfolio with price reductions. Reckitt experienced a slight revenue decline but saw growth in its Dettol brand. Heineken reported a mid-single-digit decline in beer volume due to the rains, although its organic net revenue grew, supported by price hikes. Both PepsiCo and Coca-Cola acknowledged weather-related challenges affecting their sales, with Coca-Cola's CEO highlighting India's long-term growth potential despite current competitive pressures. Meanwhile, Pernod Ricard's sales rose 3%, though they were affected by excise policy changes in Maharashtra. Overall, companies remain optimistic about future growth driven by favorable macroeconomic conditions.
Published: Oct 26 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia is set to host the Asia-Pacific region's aircraft accident investigators' meeting for the first time in New Delhi from October 28-31, with around 90 participants expected from various countries. Organized by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on behalf of the Civil Aviation Ministry, the meeting will include representatives from ICAO member states and international organizations. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu will inaugurate the event, which aims to enhance cooperation and share expertise in aircraft accident investigations. A workshop on October 28 and 29 will address key topics, followed by discussions among ICAO representatives and AAIB officials on October 30 and 31. The AAIB, responsible for classifying safety occurrences in Indian airspace, is currently investigating 25 cases, including the tragic Air India crash that claimed 260 lives in June.
Published: Oct 26 2025, 12 pmeznews.inAir India Express, a subsidiary of the Tata Group, is set to enhance its operational efficiency and capacity through a new cabin retrofit programme aimed at standardising its Boeing 737-8 fleet. The initiative will add approximately 650 seats, equivalent to four new aircraft, by converting the current mixed seating layout into a uniform all-economy configuration of 189 seats per aircraft. This change is expected to reduce unit operating costs by nearly 15% and streamline operations, particularly important for the airline's model of quick turnarounds, as it currently operates over 500 daily flights across 41 domestic and 17 international airports. The retrofit will also simplify maintenance and crew training, aligning with practices of successful low-cost carriers globally. Despite the temporary grounding of aircraft during the transition, executives believe the long-term benefits will significantly enhance passenger experience and operational flexibility, reinforcing Air India Express's growth strategy since its integration into the Tata Group.
Published: Oct 26 2025, 1 pmeznews.inA new low-pressure area is expected to form over the southeast Bay of Bengal by Saturday, November 1, according to the EC-AIFS model, potentially shifting towards the West Bengal coast. This follows the intensification of a depression into a deep depression located approximately 610 km west of Port Blair and 790 km east-southeast of Chennai. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that this system may evolve into a tropical cyclone, named _Montha_, by Monday morning, with sustained winds of 90-100 km/h, gusting to 110 km/h, as it approaches the Andhra Pradesh coast. Meanwhile, another depression in the east-central Arabian Sea is expected to move westward, away from the West Coast. Rainfall in the South Peninsula is anticipated to be below normal this week, as moisture is redirected towards northern and central India, with a return to normal conditions expected by November 3.
Published: Oct 26 2025, 11 ameznews.inConcerns over the ecological impact of expanding oil palm cultivation in India's North-Eastern states have been raised by environmental groups and scientists, particularly regarding unregulated expansion that could threaten fragile ecosystems. However, the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) prohibits the conversion of forest land for plantations, advocating instead for the replacement of low-yield crops and the use of fallow lands. Currently, oil palm cultivation occupies less than 0.1% of the region's land, with only 35,000–40,000 hectares under cultivation, far below the potential 962,000 hectares identified by NMEO-OP. While oil palm can yield significantly more oil per hectare than traditional crops, its expansion must be managed carefully to avoid deforestation, requiring strict adherence to environmental safeguards and effective land-use planning. Sustainable development in the region hinges on collaboration among government and industry stakeholders to ensure responsible cultivation practices.
Published: Oct 26 2025, 10 ameznews.inSmallholder farmers, who constitute about 86% of India's agricultural sector, face significant challenges in adopting agricultural insurance, crucial for safeguarding their livelihoods against erratic weather patterns. The Indian government is responding with a nationwide parametric insurance program, which promises a more transparent and efficient alternative to traditional indemnity-based models. This new approach, triggered by specific climatic thresholds, aims to address barriers such as high premiums, complex claims processes, and low settlement rates that have historically deterred farmers. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), launched in 2016, has made strides but still encounters issues like limited reach and delayed payouts. By leveraging satellite data and AI, the parametric model enhances risk assessment and accelerates claims, making insurance more accessible, particularly for marginalized communities. This holistic strategy, supported by farmer education and local partnerships, seeks to bolster climate resilience and provide financial stability for farmers facing environmental shocks.
Published: Oct 26 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe Odisha government has launched the 'B-MAAN' scheme, allocating ₹14,182 crore to establish the state as a premier aviation hub in eastern India. Approved by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the Cabinet, the Building and Management of Aviation Assets and Network (B-MAAN) initiative aims to consolidate various aspects of the aviation sector under a unified framework, promoting the vision of "Aviation for All." Key components include infrastructure development, enhanced air connectivity, and the establishment of a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) ecosystem. The scheme also emphasizes the adoption of innovative technologies such as drones, seaplanes, and e-VTOL aircraft, positioning Odisha at the forefront of modern aviation and green mobility. Additionally, the initiative will focus on strengthening air cargo infrastructure and fostering skill development within the sector, according to Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja.
Published: Oct 26 2025, 9 am
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