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Circular economy to increase dairy farmers' income by 20%

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has expressed optimism that the adoption of a circular economy model in the dairy sector could boost farmers' incomes by 20% over the next five years. Speaking at an event in Gujarat's Vav-Tharad district, Shah highlighted the successful initiatives of Banas Dairy, which include converting cattle dung into biogas and bio-fertiliser, thereby generating additional income for farmers. He announced that a concrete plan for nationwide implementation of this model would be developed during a meeting with MPs in Banaskantha. Shah emphasized the potential for dairy farmers to diversify their income through global demand for various dairy products not currently produced in India. He also praised women dairy farmers for their significant contributions and assured that the government is committed to providing the necessary finance and technology to support this initiative, aligning with Prime Minister Modi's 'White Revolution 2.0' goals. sources

Published:
Dec 06 2025, 4 pm

India, US trade talks begin December 10, sources say

India and the United States are set to begin three days of discussions on December 10 regarding the initial phase of their proposed bilateral trade agreement, with talks concluding on December 12. This meeting, led by USTR Deputy Rick Switzer, marks the US officials' second visit since the imposition of a 25% tariff on Indian goods linked to Russian crude oil purchases. The Indian delegation is headed by Joint Secretary Darpan Jain, while Assistant USTR Brendan Lynch represents the US. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal expressed optimism about finalizing a framework trade deal this year to address tariff issues affecting Indian exporters. The negotiations aim to double bilateral trade to ₹500 billion by 2030, with the US remaining India's largest trading partner. However, Indian merchandise exports to the US have recently declined, highlighting the urgency of the agreement amid ongoing tariff challenges. sources

Published:
Dec 06 2025, 5 pm

India's fundamentals ensure 7% growth amid global risks, says FM

India's economy has outperformed expectations, growing by 8.2% in the fiscal second quarter ending September, driven by strong consumer spending and increased production ahead of local festivals, despite challenges from US tariffs. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the economy is projected to maintain a growth rate of at least 7% for the year, bolstered by low inflation and recent tax cuts. The Reserve Bank of India has also revised its GDP growth forecast for the fiscal year to 7.3%, while lowering its inflation estimate to 2%. Amidst global economic pressures, the Indian government is implementing reforms to enhance domestic growth, including tax reductions and regulatory changes. Sitharaman noted that the depreciation of the rupee is benefiting exporters, and she expressed confidence in the resilience of the economy's fundamentals, which is reflected in increased retail participation in stock markets and home loan demand. sources

Published:
Dec 06 2025, 4 pm

Air India caps economy fares, considers increasing capacity

Air India has taken proactive measures to cap economy class fares on non-stop domestic flights, effective Thursday, in response to soaring airfares amid widespread flight cancellations by IndiGo due to pilot shortages. The airline announced its fare cap to mitigate the impact of demand and supply fluctuations, acknowledging the challenges posed by various flight permutations on third-party platforms. Air India is also working to increase capacity to assist stranded passengers and their baggage. Other airlines, including SpiceJet and regional carrier Fly91, are following suit by adding extra flights to accommodate affected travelers. SpiceJet Chairman Ajay Singh expressed concern over the situation, emphasizing the government's efforts to resolve the ongoing issues swiftly. The airline industry is currently facing significant disruptions, leading to considerable inconvenience for passengers across the country. sources

Published:
Dec 06 2025, 4 pm

Indigo cancels 104 flights in Bengaluru on Saturday

IndiGo Airlines faced significant operational disruptions over the weekend, cancelling over 1,000 flights on Friday and more than 400 on Saturday due to a pilot shortage. The chaos particularly affected Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, where 104 flights were cancelled, including 61 arrivals and 63 departures. Major airports in Delhi and Mumbai also saw substantial cancellations, with 109 flights grounded in Mumbai and 106 in Delhi. Following the crisis, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers issued a video apology after three days of silence, acknowledging the inconvenience caused to passengers. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) provided temporary relief by relaxing flight duty and rest period regulations for pilots, allowing for a return to fewer than 1,000 flights on Saturday. The airline is grappling with the implications of new court-mandated regulations while attempting to restore normalcy in its operations. sources

Published:
Dec 06 2025, 3 pm

Customs simplification to be major reform, says Finance Minister

Ahead of the Budget 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced plans to simplify customs regulations, marking it as a key reform agenda for the government. Speaking at the HT Leadership Summit, she emphasized the need for a comprehensive overhaul to enhance transparency and ease compliance, drawing parallels with recent income tax and Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms aimed at boosting consumer spending. Sitharaman indicated that proposed customs reforms, including duty rate rationalisation, could be unveiled in the upcoming Budget on February 1. She noted a steady reduction in customs duties over the past two years and highlighted the elimination of additional tariff rates on industrial goods. On the depreciating rupee, which recently hit a record low against the dollar, she expressed confidence that it would find its natural level. Meanwhile, India's economy is projected to grow by 7% or more this financial year, bolstered by strong factory production and a robust services sector. sources

Published:
Dec 06 2025, 3 pm

DEA Secretary: Digital Shift Created Transparent Fiscal System

Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur has highlighted India's enhanced fiscal discipline under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) framework, alongside the expansion of the formal tax base and increased transparency in fiscal systems at both Union and State levels. Speaking at a seminar on public financial management (PFM) for Global South countries, Thakur noted that innovations such as paperless budget preparation and electronic fund releases have fostered a transparent fiscal ecosystem. She emphasized the transformative impact of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the integration of budgetary workflows through systems like the Public Financial Management System (PFMS). Controller General of Accounts TCA Kalyani echoed these sentiments, underscoring India's commitment to custodial integrity in public finance. The seminar served as a platform for knowledge exchange, with participants discussing India's digital solutions and their applicability to treasury reforms in developing economies. sources

Published:
Dec 06 2025, 1 pm

ICRA anticipates prolonged policy rate pause unless growth slows

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%, marking what rating agency ICRA believes is the final reduction in the current easing cycle. ICRA anticipates an extended pause on policy rates unless India's economic growth significantly underperforms projections. The RBI has revised its inflation forecast for 2025-26 down to 2.0% from earlier estimates, attributing some of the decline to tax policy changes, particularly GST rate cuts, which have cooled core-CPI inflation. Additionally, the RBI plans to inject durable liquidity through open market operations, amounting to Rs. 1 trillion, which is expected to positively impact G-sec yields. Governor Sanjay Malhotra described the current economic climate as a "rare goldilocks period," highlighting robust growth alongside low inflation, as the central bank aims to support and accelerate economic progress into the new year. sources

Published:
Dec 06 2025, 1 pm

Centre caps airfares amid IndiGo flight disruptions and price hikes

Air travel in India has faced significant disruption this week as IndiGo cancelled over 1,000 flights, prompting the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to impose fare caps to prevent opportunistic pricing. The ministry's directive aims to protect passengers, particularly vulnerable groups such as senior citizens and students, from financial strain during this period of operational irregularities. MoCA will monitor fare levels closely and enforce compliance, with corrective actions for any violations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted IndiGo a temporary exemption to address severe rostering issues linked to new Flight Duty Time Limitations. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu expressed optimism that flight schedules would stabilise within three days, while IndiGo's CEO Pieter Elbers noted that operational disruptions were expected to improve, with cancellations anticipated to drop below 1,000 by Saturday and a return to normalcy projected between December 10 and 15. sources

Published:
Dec 06 2025, 1 pm

India's Exports to Russia Could Reach $35 Billion by 2030

India could significantly boost its merchandise exports to Russia from approximately $5 billion to nearly $35 billion by 2030, according to a GTRI report coinciding with President Vladimir Putin's visit to Delhi. Despite bilateral trade reaching $70 billion, India's exports remain low, primarily due to a heavy reliance on crude oil imports from Russia, which totaled $63.8 billion in FY2025, resulting in a trade deficit of $58.9 billion. The report highlights that India captures only 2.4% of Russia's $202.6 billion import market, with substantial opportunities in food, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. However, challenges such as payment delays due to limited access to SWIFT for Russian banks hinder progress. The GTRI suggests establishing a modern rupee-rouble settlement system and enhancing institutional support to diversify India's trade with Russia beyond energy, tapping into a broader range of goods. sources

Published:
Dec 06 2025, 11 am

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