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Air passengers in India may soon benefit from a proposed 'Look-in option' by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), allowing them to cancel or amend their tickets without incurring additional charges within 48 hours of booking. This initiative aims to address ongoing concerns regarding ticket refunds. The DGCA has also stated that if tickets are purchased through travel agents, the responsibility for refunds will rest with the airlines, which must complete the refund process within 21 working days. Additionally, passengers will not face extra fees for correcting name errors within 24 hours of booking directly through an airline's website. However, this 'Look-in option' will not apply to flights departing within five days for domestic travel and 15 days for international flights. The DGCA is inviting stakeholder feedback on these draft Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) changes until November 30. 
Published: Nov 04 2025, 12 pmeznews.inChennai-based drone and defense technology firm Zuppa has partnered with 3D printer manufacturer Divide By Zero Technologies (DBZ) to create mobile rapid fabrication units designed for on-site drone production at the frontlines. These containerized systems will enable the 3D printing and assembly of drones, allowing for quick repairs and mission-specific customizations within hours, thereby reducing dependence on centralized production and logistics. Venkatesh Sai, Co-Founder and Technical Director at Zuppa, emphasized that this collaboration marks a significant advancement towards self-reliance in frontline technology, providing defense forces with enhanced autonomy and adaptability. Swapnil Sansare, Founder and CEO of DBZ, echoed this sentiment, stating that the partnership transforms the vision of mobile, rapid manufacturing into a practical solution, effectively bringing high-speed 3D printing capabilities from factory settings to the battlefield.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has officially included Ammonium Sulphate in its nutrient-based subsidy scheme for the Rabi season of 2025-26, promoting it as a balanced and environmentally friendly alternative to urea. The subsidy will be set at ₹9,479 per tonne for the AS 20.5-0-0-23 variety, which contains 20.5% nitrogen and 23% sulphur, with the retail price expected to drop to around ₹700 per 50 kg bag from the current ₹1,100-1,200. Agriculture experts highlight that Ammonium Sulphate releases nitrogen more slowly than urea, potentially benefiting soil health amid concerns over urea's excessive use. Despite a reported surplus of urea, there have been complaints of shortages during the Kharif season, prompting state officials to seek additional supplies. The fertiliser ministry's claims of stock levels have been met with skepticism due to a lack of accessible data on sales and availability.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 4 pmeznews.inMaize prices in India are currently trending below the minimum support price (MSP) of ₹2,400 per quintal, with modal prices ranging from ₹1,300 to ₹2,100 as harvests increase amid expectations of a record crop. Farmers have expanded maize cultivation by approximately one million hectares this kharif season, despite some crop damage from excess rains. In response to falling prices, Telangana has initiated procurement at MSP, aiming to buy 8 lakh tonnes of maize. The easing demand from ethanol producers, who are now utilizing alternative feedstocks like rice and sugarcane, has further pressured prices. The Telangana government has urged the Union government to include maize in the Price Support Scheme to assist struggling farmers. Overall, India's maize output for 2024-25 is projected at 422.81 lakh tonnes, up from 376.65 lakh tonnes the previous year, despite challenges posed by Cyclone Montha and flooding.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 2 pmeznews.inFarmers in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region are urging the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to relax its procurement standards due to heavy rainfall that has increased cotton moisture levels to between 12% and 20%, complicating their ability to sell under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme. Currently, CCI only accepts cotton with moisture content below 12%, a guideline that has left many farmers unable to sell their crops at the government-fixed MSP of ₹7,710 per quintal for medium staple cotton. In contrast, open market prices are significantly lower, ranging from ₹3 to ₹5.60 per kilogram. Leaders of the Shetkari Sanghatana have called for an increase in the moisture limit and the removal of a cap on the quantity of cotton that can be sold per acre. They warn that without immediate action from CCI, farmers could face severe financial losses and be forced into distress sales.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 2 pmeznews.inS Sankarasubramanian has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI), succeeding Shailesh C Mehta. Sankarasubramanian, who is also the Managing Director and CEO of Coromandel International, brings over 30 years of experience in the fertiliser industry, particularly in the phosphatic and potassic sectors. Siba Prasad Mohanty, previously one of the Co-Chairmen, will now serve as the sole Co-Chairman. Established 70 years ago, the FAI represents a wide array of stakeholders in the fertiliser sector, including manufacturers, distributors, and research institutes. In his statement, Sankarasubramanian emphasized the association's commitment to aligning industry objectives with national agricultural priorities, promoting innovation, sustainability, and resource efficiency, while collaborating with policymakers to achieve self-reliance in the fertiliser sector.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA consortium led by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has welcomed Dynamatic Technologies Ltd (DTL) as its exclusive partner in the development of India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. The partnership aims to enhance India's domestic manufacturing capabilities for advanced aerospace platforms, combining DTL's expertise in aerostructures with L&T's engineering prowess and BEL's advanced electronics systems. Arun Ramchandani of L&T emphasized that this collaboration not only focuses on creating a next-gen fighter jet but also aims to transform the Indian aerospace industrial landscape. DTL's CEO, Udayant Malhoutra, highlighted the company's three-decade legacy in supersonic aircraft structures. The AMCA programme is crucial for the Indian Air Force and Navy, with the first prototype expected by 2028-29 and series production slated for the early 2030s. The consortium's formation follows an Expression of Interest issued by the Aeronautical Development Agency.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 2 pmeznews.inUnion Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has launched the third round of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for speciality steel, named 'PLI 1.2', aimed at boosting domestic production and reducing imports. The initiative, unveiled at a recent event, is part of a broader government strategy to position India as a global hub for high-value steel production. Initially approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2021 with a budget of ₹6,322 crore, the scheme has already attracted ₹43,874 crore in committed investments and created over 13,000 jobs across its first two rounds. The PLI scheme covers 22 product sub-categories, including stainless steel and titanium alloys, offering incentive rates between 4% and 15% for five years starting in 2025-26. The base year for pricing has been updated to 2024-25 to align with current market trends, further enhancing the scheme's effectiveness.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's aviation safety regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has initiated quarterly review meetings with domestic airlines to enhance safety standards and operational efficiency. The first meeting, held on November 4, 2025, focused on critical areas such as safety performance, compliance with Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), and adherence to On-Time Performance (OTP) standards. Representatives from major airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, participated in discussions that also addressed customer grievances, operational readiness, and preparations for winter fog conditions. An industry insider noted that these meetings have proven beneficial in improving the overall safety ecosystem within the aviation sector. The DGCA aims to ensure that airlines maintain high safety and performance standards through these regular assessments, which are expected to continue over the coming months.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIn a notable development for Kerala's logistics sector, the Avigna Group has inaugurated a new Industrial and Logistics Park in Angamaly, near Kochi, with an investment of ₹150 crore. This facility, spanning 21.35 acres and featuring a built-up area of 5 lakh sq ft, is the Chennai-based company's first venture in the state, aimed at enhancing the local logistics ecosystem. State Industries Minister P. Rajeeve emphasized the government's commitment to supporting local skill development initiatives, particularly for groups like Kudumbashree, to foster community employment. Additionally, the government has amended regulations to allow up to 50% of residential properties to be utilized for business, and vacant houses can be fully repurposed for enterprise. Avigna's Managing Director, S. Rajasekharan, highlighted that the park is expected to create over 1,500 direct and 250 indirect jobs, aligning with the vision of sustainable economic growth.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's Power Ministry is contemplating the cancellation of green power projects totaling 42 gigawatts, which represent a significant portion of the country's renewable capacity, due to difficulties in securing offtake agreements with state utilities. This decision, aimed at alleviating grid congestion amid a rapid expansion of renewable energy, poses a substantial challenge to India's green energy goals, particularly as the nation strives to double its clean power capacity to 500 gigawatts by 2030. Financially strained utilities have been hesitant to purchase renewable electricity, which is often inconsistent without adequate energy storage solutions. Additionally, the government is phasing out transmission subsidies that previously facilitated the renewables boom, further complicating the situation for developers. As new projects face increasing transmission costs, the future of India's renewable energy ambitions hangs in the balance.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 1 pm
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