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In a significant shift within Indian agriculture, commodity financing is revolutionising how rural farmers access credit, moving away from reliance on informal moneylenders. This short-term, secured loan system allows farmers to use stored commodities as collateral, enabling them to wait for better market prices rather than resorting to distress selling immediately after harvest. With the rise of digital financial inclusion initiatives like the Kisan Credit Card scheme, rural credit is booming, evidenced by a 15% year-on-year growth in agricultural credit as of October 2024. Commodity financing not only provides liquidity but also empowers farmers with greater control over their sales, potentially increasing their income by 20-30%. However, challenges such as awareness and infrastructure remain. As farmers begin to view their crops as financial assets, the potential for a more resilient rural economy grows, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts to enhance access to this transformative financial tool. 
Published: Jun 15 2025, 10 ameznews.inA proposal to establish a maritime university in Mangaluru is gaining traction among local stakeholders, aiming to harness the region's maritime strengths to create a hub for education and innovation. MP Capt Brijesh Chowta highlighted the significance of the initiative, coinciding with the 500th birth anniversary of Rani Abbakka and the 50th anniversary of New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA). NMPA Chairman AV Ramana expressed readiness to collaborate with Chowta and the Shipping Ministry, emphasizing the port's potential to support the university's development. The initiative aims to address the lack of structured maritime education in Mangaluru, providing local youth with affordable access to training and fostering a skilled workforce. The university is expected to stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation in maritime services, while also facilitating partnerships with existing educational institutions to enhance job-oriented programs and research opportunities, ultimately benefiting the regional economy.
Published: Jun 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndiGo has halted bookings for its Delhi-Baku flights due to the closure of Iranian airspace, which has nearly doubled flight durations. The airline previously suspended its Almaty and Tashkent routes following Pakistan's airspace closure but continues to operate flights to Baku and Tbilisi. Although tickets for the Baku route were unavailable from Sunday afternoon, IndiGo has not officially announced a suspension of operations. A recent Delhi-Baku flight took over nine and a half hours, including a technical stop in Doha, compared to just over five hours before the airspace closures. The flight path now crosses Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey. Additionally, Azerbaijan has seen a decline in popularity among Indian tourists due to its support for Pakistan following recent conflicts, prompting calls for a boycott on social media and a halt in bookings by travel firms.
Published: Jun 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's logistics sector, projected to nearly double to $428 billion by 2033, is at a pivotal moment as it grapples with its significant environmental impact. Currently responsible for nearly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of India's diesel consumption, the sector contributes 13.5% of the country's total emissions, with trucks—just 3% of the vehicle population—accounting for over a third of transportation-related carbon dioxide emissions. A report by Amicus Growth Advisors emphasizes that transitioning to green logistics is essential, advocating for a comprehensive overhaul of operations that includes adopting electric and LNG trucks, utilizing AI for route optimization, and constructing sustainable warehouses. Sanjeev Jain, Managing Partner at Amicus, highlights that this transformation requires a cultural shift towards sustainability in decision-making. As India aims for Net Zero and Viksit Bharat 2047, the logistics sector is seen as crucial for fostering inclusive and sustainable growth.
Published: Jun 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Income Tax Department has announced new compulsory scrutiny guidelines for the fiscal year 2026, significantly impacting unrecognised political parties, educational institutions, and scientific bodies. The threshold for additions in taxable income that trigger compulsory scrutiny has been doubled, now set at ₹50 lakh for major metropolitan areas and ₹20 lakh for other regions. This change aims to address concerns over unrecognised political parties, which reportedly received over ₹10,000 crore in electoral donations from 2022 to 2024, with suspicions of slush funds being funneled through complex financial networks. The guidelines specify that cases lacking registration or approval under various sections of the Income Tax Act will be scrutinised, particularly if they claim tax exemptions in their returns. Additionally, cases subjected to surveys under section 133A since April 2023 will also be included in the scrutiny process, with notices to be served by June 30 for returns filed in FY25.
Published: Jun 15 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndia's agricultural exports to Afghanistan, which have continued despite the Taliban's unrecognized government, are projected to decline further this fiscal year due to the closure of the Pakistan route and potential disruptions via Iran. Exports fell over 20% to $82.6 million in FY25, with oilmeals and tobacco leading the way at $27.37 million and $15.91 million, respectively. However, exports of spices, sugar, and processed fruits saw significant drops. A sugar exporter noted that while Afghanistan remains a viable market for Indian sugar, geopolitical tensions have complicated shipping routes. As of May 31, 2025, 72,833 tonnes of sugar had been exported to Afghanistan out of a total of 516,782 tonnes. Conversely, imports from Afghanistan surged to a record $688 million, primarily consisting of dry fruits and other agricultural products, although trade has been hampered by the closure of the Pakistan land route.
Published: Jun 15 2025, 8 pmeznews.inQatar Airways Cargo, IAG Cargo, and MAB Kargo Sdn Bhd (MASkargo) are set to launch a global cargo business by late 2025, following an initial announcement in April. This partnership aims to enhance operational agility and connectivity in the air freight market, providing new routing options across the Asia-Pacific, West Asia, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Europe, and the Americas. The collaboration will allow customers to access previously unavailable routes through a single booking, with a focus on key cargo markets and potential expansion pending regulatory approvals. The carriers will optimize their combined networks for freighter and belly hold capacity, ensuring flexibility and coordinated ground handling. In a separate development, BIMCO is working on a standard clause to address uncertainties related to the U.S. Trade Representative's plans to impose fees on Chinese-built ships, which could significantly increase costs for seaborne trade and complicate contracts in the shipping industry.
Published: Jun 15 2025, 8 pmeznews.inGlobal airlines are grappling with a staggering backlog of 17,000 aircraft deliveries, translating to a 14-year wait, exacerbated by ongoing supply chain disruptions and US trade tensions. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts a record 4.99 billion passengers in 2025, boosting airline revenues, yet uncertainty from US tariffs is dampening travel demand. Airlines are increasingly leveraging data analytics to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce operational costs, with initiatives like IndiGo's new pilot app and Air India's sustainable practices, including the use of recycled materials in uniforms. However, IATA warns that while sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production is set to double by 2025, it will only meet 0.7% of fuel needs, urging governments to establish supportive policies. As airlines face economic pressures and changing consumer behavior, the industry calls for urgent action to address supply chain issues and facilitate fleet modernization.
Published: Jun 15 2025, 8 pmeznews.inUnion Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at his residence in Undavalli on June 15, 2025, to discuss pressing agricultural issues. Naidu urged Goyal to reconsider a proposed 10% reduction in import duty on crude palm oil, warning it could undermine farmers' earnings from Fresh Fruit Bunches and hinder the National Mission on Edible Oils. The Chief Minister also sought ₹150 crore to assist in procuring Burley tobacco, as a surplus crop has left farmers in financial distress. He highlighted the need for the Tobacco Board to take a more active role in tobacco marketing and production. Additionally, Naidu called for a reduction in the 27% US tariff on aqua products and requested a decrease in GST on mango pulp from 12% to 5%, aligning it with the lower rate for mango jelly.
Published: Jun 15 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia is seeking an extension of the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs in ongoing bilateral trade agreement (BTA) negotiations with the US, which are proving challenging. The US is demanding significant tariff cuts across various sectors, including automobiles and agriculture, while also pushing for broader inclusions such as digital trade and government procurement. Indian officials are cautious, considering a "wait and watch" approach to assess outcomes from other countries negotiating with the US, fearing that a premature agreement could leave India at a disadvantage. The US has not clarified the conditions under which it would lift the reciprocal tariff threat or roll back the existing 10% baseline tariffs, which are impacting Indian businesses. Additionally, steep sector-specific tariffs on steel and aluminum, now at 50%, are further complicating trade dynamics, with no new orders being placed for affected engineering goods.
Published: Jun 15 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has initiated a comprehensive national civil aviation safety plan aimed at overhauling existing standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the wake of recent aviation incidents, including the tragic crash of an Air India flight from Ahmedabad to Gatwick. This plan will scrutinize all safety aspects, from airport design to passenger procedures, in response to the sector's rapid growth in passenger numbers and infrastructure. A high-level multidisciplinary committee, led by the Union Home Secretary, has been established to investigate the Ahmedabad crash and will incorporate insights from aviation experts and stakeholders. The plan will address critical issues such as manpower for aircraft inspections and future operational needs, ensuring that India's aviation regulations remain robust and effective. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu emphasized the importance of this initiative in positioning India as a leader in global aviation safety. The committee is set to convene on June 16, 2025.
Published: Jun 15 2025, 6 pm
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