eznews.inTobacco Board Chairman Yashwanth Kumar Chidipothu has raised concerns over the challenges facing Indian tobacco farmers amid fierce competition from countries like Zimbabwe and Tanzania, coupled with an influx of cheap, smuggled cigarettes. Farmers are urging the Union Government to reduce high taxes, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and excise duties, which have inflated cigarette prices by up to 75%. Chidipothu, who empathizes with the farmers, plans to present their demands to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, highlighting that steep tax increases could drive consumers to illicit alternatives, undermining public health and national revenue. He noted that the reintroduction of excise duties has caused significant hardship, with legal cigarette packs costing around ₹340 compared to smuggled ones at ₹50. Additionally, he warned that high domestic prices could diminish India's export competitiveness in the global market. 
Published: Jan 13 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIn a significant advancement for India's logistics sector, GMR Aero Cargo & Logistics has launched the country's first airside reefer truck at Hyderabad Airport. This innovative vehicle, designed with a 10-tonne payload capacity, ensures the integrity of the cold chain during the critical transfer of temperature-sensitive cargo between the cargo terminal and aircraft. It maintains a temperature range of +2°C to +25°C, accommodating a variety of products, including pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, seafood, and dairy. This initiative addresses the longstanding challenge of temperature exposure during ramp transfers, enhancing the transportation of perishables and pharmaceuticals. Pradeep Panicker, CEO of GHIAL, emphasized that this development sets new standards in logistics and underscores India's growing prominence as a global hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and perishable goods.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has announced the establishment of a high-level committee to formulate guidelines for assured payouts under the National Pension System (NPS). Headed by M S Sahoo, former Chairperson of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India, the committee aims to enhance retirement income security for subscribers, aligning with the PFRDA Act and the vision of a financially independent India by 2047. Its responsibilities include defining key terms such as lock-in periods, withdrawal limits, and pricing mechanisms, while also ensuring a smooth transition from the accumulation to the payout phase. The committee will explore innovative settlement concepts, establish risk management protocols, and develop standardized disclosure frameworks to prevent mis-selling and manage subscriber expectations regarding market-based guarantees. This initiative marks a significant step towards improving the NPS framework and ensuring financial dignity for citizens in their retirement years.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe Securities Transaction Tax (STT), introduced in 2004 to curb tax evasion on capital gains, is facing a significant shortfall in collections, with figures reaching approximately ₹44,500 crore as of January 11. Analysts warn that if current trends continue, the revenue may fall short of the Budget's target of over ₹33,400 crore within the remaining 79 days, a situation not seen since FY20. Factors contributing to this decline include regulatory tightening in Futures and Options (F&O) trading and a cautious investor sentiment amid global economic volatility. Experts note that the recent STT rate hike and stricter regulations have dampened trading volumes, while geopolitical tensions have shifted investor focus towards safer assets like gold and silver. As a result, the ambitious budgetary targets, based on previous strong STT collections, may require reassessment in the upcoming Budget to address the widening gap in expected versus actual revenues.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 6 pmeznews.inSoymeal processors are experiencing a rise in demand from poultry feed manufacturers, despite ongoing concerns regarding the increasing use of cheaper Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS), a by-product of ethanol production. According to the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA), soymeal offtake from the feed sector remained stable at 5 lakh tonnes in December, although total offtake for the October-December period of the 2025-26 oil year decreased to 16 lakh tonnes from 17 lakh tonnes the previous year. Production also fell slightly to 23.67 lakh tonnes, with market arrivals down to 43 lakh tonnes. Exports during this period were marginally lower at 5.07 lakh tonnes, with European countries like France and Germany leading demand. SOPA has projected soybean production for the 2025-26 oil year at 105.36 lakh tonnes.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 5 pmeznews.inIndia and the European Union (EU) are in the final stages of negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which, if finalised, will mark India's 19th trade deal. This agreement aims to enhance India's exports to the 27-nation bloc, particularly in sectors like textiles, pharmaceuticals, and technology, by reducing or eliminating tariffs that currently hinder competitiveness. The FTA is seen as a strategic move to diversify India's export markets and lessen reliance on China, especially in light of high tariffs imposed by the US. Bilateral trade between India and the EU reached $136.53 billion in 2024-25, with the EU accounting for 17% of India's total exports. The negotiations, which began in 2007 but faced multiple setbacks, were revitalised in 2022, focusing on trade, investment protection, and geographical indications. The EU, with a GDP of $19.5 trillion, remains a significant global trade partner for India, which exported $437 billion in goods in 2024-25.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 3 pmeznews.inThe Matsya Mela in Kavaratti has concluded with a strong call for the establishment of an integrated fisheries hub in Lakshadweep, aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of local fishing communities. This proposed hub will serve as a single-window platform to streamline fish marketing, improve the fisheries value chain, and bolster income security. Experts emphasized the need for organized marketing, cold storage facilities, and export facilitation to maximize the potential of the region's tuna fisheries and mariculture sectors. Recommendations included regular scientific data collection for sustainable fisheries management and identifying suitable sites for cage fish farming, considering environmental factors. The event also highlighted the importance of citizen science initiatives to strengthen ties between fishing communities and scientific institutions. Organised by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Lakshadweep in collaboration with the Fisheries Department, the Mela underscored the necessity of coordinated efforts among various stakeholders for effective fisheries management.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 3 pmeznews.inUnion Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that India's electronics exports have surpassed Rs 4 lakh crore in 2025, with further growth anticipated as four semiconductor plants commence production this year. Official estimates indicate that electronic production reached approximately Rs 11.3 crore, with exports at Rs 3.3 lakh crore in 2024-25. The mobile phone sector remains the cornerstone of this growth, employing over 25 lakh individuals. Notably, iPhone exports from India soared to Rs 2.03 lakh crore in 2025, nearly doubling the Rs 1.1 lakh crore recorded in 2024. The India Cellular and Electronics Association projects mobile phone production to hit USD 75 billion, with exports exceeding USD 30 billion by the fiscal year's end. Market analysts highlight Apple's significant role in this surge, with the company achieving record domestic supplies and leading both premium and super-premium smartphone segments, further bolstering India's position in the global electronics market.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 1 pmeznews.inThe Tamil Nadu government has unveiled its Warehousing Policy 2026, aimed at bolstering the state's logistics ecosystem through the promotion of large-scale, sustainable, and commodity-specific warehousing. Announced by Chief Minister MK Stalin, the policy aligns with Tamil Nadu's ambition of achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2030 and complements the Tamil Nadu Logistics Policy. It focuses on enhancing warehousing in delta and C category districts, as well as Tier II and III cities, while streamlining regulatory requirements to benefit trade bodies and developers. The policy introduces various fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, including subsidies for green initiatives and technical training for warehouse employees. Additionally, it emphasizes the integration of warehousing with Multi-Modal Logistics Parks and aims to improve rail linkages to warehousing clusters. The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation will oversee the implementation of this five-year policy, which seeks to expand the state's warehousing infrastructure and support agricultural and industrial growth.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 1 pmeznews.inIndia's palm oil imports, including refined and crude varieties, fell to 11.39 lakh tonnes (lt) in the first two months of the 2025-26 oil year, down from 13.44 lt in the same period the previous year, according to the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA). Overall edible oil imports decreased by 11.6%, totaling 25.13 lt compared to 28.43 lt in November-December 2024-25. The share of refined oils plummeted to 0.14% of total imports, while crude oils surged to 99.86%. Notably, only 3,500 tonnes of refined oil were imported, a significant drop from 5.17 lt last year. Meanwhile, soybean oil imports remained steady at 8.75 lt, with a notable increase in December. Sunflower oil imports also declined to 4.92 lt, although December saw a rise to 3.50 lt. In agricultural news, rabi crop sowing increased to 99.30 lakh hectares, supported by favorable weather conditions.
Published: Jan 13 2026, 1 pm
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