eznews.in
The Cochin Oil Merchants Association (COMA) has urged the Indian government to lift restrictions on importing copra and coconuts due to a significant shortage impacting the coconut oil industry. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, COMA highlighted the severe decline in domestic coconut production, which has led to soaring prices—₹387 per litre for coconut oil and ₹257 per kg for copra—affecting consumers in Kerala, the only state that uses coconut oil for edible purposes. Association president Thalath Mahmood also called for a temporary halt on exports of coconut products to safeguard local oil mills, which have seen over 100,000 job losses. Furthermore, COMA emphasized the need for government support to boost coconut production, as existing farms are either unproductive or abandoned due to high labor costs and lack of profitability. 
Published: Jul 09 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia has become the first country globally to mandate corporate social responsibility (CSR) registration for universities, hospitals, and large charitable organizations seeking tax exemptions under the Income Tax Act. The Corporate Affairs Ministry has introduced a new CSR-1 e-form, effective from July 14, to streamline this registration process for entities conducting CSR activities on behalf of companies. Under Section 135 of the Companies Act, firms with a net worth exceeding ₹500 crore or a turnover over ₹1,000 crore must allocate at least 2% of their average net profits from the last three financial years to CSR. The updated regulations require these entities to ensure that supported NGOs and trusts are registered, enhancing transparency and regulatory oversight. This move follows recommendations from the Standing Committee on Finance, which called for improved monitoring of CSR spending and accountability for unspent funds, reflecting ongoing efforts to strengthen governance in CSR initiatives.
Published: Jul 09 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced a new ranking system for pilot training schools in India, set to begin in October. Schools will be evaluated based on safety, compliance, and performance, with rankings published biannually. Institutions scoring above 85% will receive an A++ rank, while those between 70% and 85% will earn an A rank. Schools with scores below 50% will be assigned a B rank and required to conduct a self-analysis. The DGCA aims to enhance transparency and accountability, assisting aspiring pilots and their families in selecting credible flying training organizations (FTOs) based on quality rather than cost. However, some training schools have expressed concerns, suggesting that the DGCA should prioritize regulatory implementation over rankings and advocate for third-party evaluations instead. Currently, there are 38 flying training schools operating across 56 locations in the country.
Published: Jul 09 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndia is set to streamline its fragmented incentive schemes into a cohesive framework aimed at securing critical minerals and rare earth magnets, vital for electric vehicles, clean energy, and defence systems, amid increasing supply disruptions from China, the world's largest supplier. The initiative, currently under inter-ministerial coordination, will enable companies to combine subsidies from various ministries for different project components, with a planned outlay of nearly ₹4,000 crore. The National Critical Minerals Mission, already approved by the Cabinet, includes provisions for stockpiling and processing incentives, while the Ministry of Heavy Industries is developing additional projects to reduce magnet production costs. As Indian automakers face shortages due to China's tightened supply, companies like Midwest Advanced Materials are preparing to launch rare earth magnet production, highlighting the urgency of establishing domestic supply chains. The move aims to attract more investment and bolster India's position in the critical minerals sector.
Published: Jul 09 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts has reported that heavy rainfall is expected to continue across northern India for the next week, lasting until July 16, while the interior and southern peninsular regions may remain largely unaffected. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) anticipates widespread rainfall across Central India, the West Coast, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with a notable deficit in rainfall observed in the South Peninsula and East and North-East India. Current models do not predict a break in the monsoon, although a low-pressure area may develop over Bangladesh and Myanmar by July 20, potentially impacting rainfall in the eastern regions. The IMD has warned of extremely heavy rainfall in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, and Chhattisgarh, raising concerns of flood-like conditions, while isolated heavy rain is also expected in West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha over the coming days.
Published: Jul 09 2025, 7 pmeznews.inUnion Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers JP Nadda has pledged the Centre's full support to tackle the fertiliser shortage in Telangana, following an appeal from Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. During a meeting in Delhi, Reddy highlighted the urgent need for a consistent supply of urea for the months of July and August. In response, Nadda instructed officials to ensure adequate urea distribution across the state, emphasizing that stocks should not be diverted for non-agricultural purposes. He expressed concern over a significant rise in urea consumption, noting a 21% increase in sales during the Rabi (Yasangi) season for 2024-25 compared to the previous year. The Union Minister's commitment aims to alleviate the challenges faced by farmers in Telangana amid rising demand for fertilisers.
Published: Jul 09 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Soy Food Promotion and Welfare Association (SFPWA) is set to host a high-level national consultation in New Delhi on July 12, focusing on its white paper titled ‘Improving Food and Nutrition Security by Mainstreaming Soybean-Based Food Products.’ The SFPWA advocates for declaring 2026 as the ‘Year of Soya’ to harness the crop's potential in enhancing food security and nutrition. The consultation aims to unite stakeholders across the soybean value chain, including government bodies and research institutions, to promote soya in mass feeding programs and public health initiatives. The white paper highlights that 90% of Indians are protein deficient, with soya being a cost-effective protein source. It also emphasizes the environmental benefits of soya farming and its role in boosting farmer incomes and entrepreneurship. Final recommendations will be submitted to key ministries to inform future policy and investment strategies.
Published: Jul 09 2025, 5 pmeznews.inWest Bengal is poised to surpass its record paddy production of 256 lakh tonnes achieved in the 2024-25 crop year, with expectations for the 2025-26 season to exceed this figure. The state government has set a sowing target of 42 lakh hectares for the kharif season, slightly up from 41.5 lakh hectares last year. As of early July, farmers have already sown paddy across approximately 3 lakh hectares, with Minister Pradip Mazumdar expressing confidence in meeting the full target due to favorable early rains. The kharif sowing period typically extends until mid-September, with the process commencing around late June. Notably, India’s cumulative rainfall has been 15% above the Long Period Average, aiding the early start of kharif sowing, which has increased by 11.1% year-on-year, driven by significant rises in food grain, pulses, and cereals, according to CareEdge Ratings.
Published: Jul 09 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for textiles is reshaping India's manufacturing landscape by offering financial incentives over five years to boost production in Manmade Fibre (MMF) apparel, fabrics, and technical textiles. Recently, the Textiles Ministry expanded the scheme's scope by adding more eligible products and approved early disbursement of ₹54 crore. With a total budget of ₹10,683 crore, the scheme has already attracted investments of ₹7,343 crore, generating a turnover of ₹4,648 crore and exports worth ₹538 crore. Beneficiaries like Madura Industrial Textiles and Global IGN highlight the scheme's role in facilitating technology transfer, innovation, and employment generation. Technical textiles, comprising 57% of the selected applications, are a key focus, enhancing India's competitiveness against established exporters like China and Vietnam. The initiative aims to position India as a global textiles hub by promoting high-tech products essential for various industries.
Published: Jul 09 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA Jaguar fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in an agricultural field near Bhanoda village in Churu district, Rajasthan, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, around 1:25 PM. Official sources confirmed that both pilots tragically lost their lives in the incident, with human remains discovered at the crash site. Local residents quickly arrived to witness the burning debris, prompting a swift response from police, fire brigade, and ambulance services from nearby Rajaldesar and Ratangarh. The IAF later issued a statement expressing deep regret over the loss of life, confirming that the aircraft was on a routine training mission at the time of the accident. Fortunately, no damage to civilian property has been reported. The area has been secured as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.
Published: Jul 09 2025, 3 pm
For the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
India
World
Economy
Science
Health
Showbiz
Contact