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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed new regulations aimed at enhancing food safety by restricting the manufacturing of certain high-risk products, including infant food, sweetened condensed milk, and packaged drinking water, to operators holding state or central licenses. Currently, manufacturers can operate under FSSAI registration, which entails fewer compliance obligations. However, the FSSAI's consultation paper suggests transitioning existing registered companies to mandatory licensing to ensure better safety standards. This move follows the government's 2024 decision to eliminate the requirement for Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for these products. The FSSAI plans to prohibit new registrations and renewals for the specified products, allowing a six-month transition period for over 11,000 affected food business operators to comply with the new licensing requirements. Stakeholder feedback is being sought on this proposal, which aims to strengthen the compliance ecosystem in the food industry. 
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May 02 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIn a significant policy shift, the Department of Pension and Pensionary Welfare has announced that central government employees absorbed into Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) will forfeit their retirement benefits if dismissed for misconduct. Effective from May 23, 2025, this change alters the previous rule, which allowed employees to retain their retirement benefits despite such dismissals. The new regulations will also affect provisions related to pension, family pension, and compassionate allowances, emphasizing the importance of future good conduct for pension eligibility. Employees who joined before January 1, 2004, may continue under the old pension scheme if they resign with proper permission. The revised rules stipulate that any government servant dismissed for serious misconduct will lose their pension and gratuity, although a compassionate allowance may be granted in exceptional cases. This move aims to reinforce accountability within the public sector workforce.
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May 25 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) has called for the establishment of a Centralized Oversight Mechanism for the country's tribunals, advocating for legislative amendments to the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021. This proposed body would oversee performance monitoring, data tracking, and grievance redressal, aiming to enhance the efficiency of India's justice delivery system. Currently, over 16 central tribunals operate under various ministries, significantly impacting economic governance and the ease of doing business. CII highlighted the staggering ₹6.7 trillion pending at the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, underscoring the urgent need for reform. The industry body referenced Supreme Court judgments and the Law Commission's recommendations, which have long supported a centralized authority to address inefficiencies stemming from fragmented administrative control. The lack of real-time performance data for tribunals further complicates reform efforts, contrasting sharply with the comprehensive statistics available for the court system.
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May 25 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA Liberian container vessel, MSC Elsa III, carrying marine fuel, sank off the coast of Kerala on Sunday, May 25, 2025, after developing a critical 26-degree list the previous day. The ship, located nearly 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi, lost several containers into the sea before the Indian Navy's INS Sujata successfully rescued the remaining three crew members. Fortunately, all 24 crew members were saved, with no reported loss of life or environmental damage, despite concerns about potential oil spills. The Indian Coast Guard has deployed the ship Saksham for air surveillance and pollution control, while a NavArea warning has been issued to passing vessels regarding floating containers. The cause of the incident is still under investigation, with initial assessments suggesting weather-related factors, including strong winds and high waves, may have contributed to the vessel's instability.
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May 25 2025, 2 pmeznews.inProfessor Ana Mijic from Imperial College London's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering has highlighted the need for careful planning in large-scale water transfer projects aimed at supporting agriculture, particularly in the context of the Indo-Gangetic plains. In an interview, she noted that while such transfers could alleviate water shortages during dry spells, they have yet to be implemented. Mijic, who led the CHANSE project, emphasized the importance of accurate weather predictions and proactive planning to manage the complexities of the monsoon cycle, which is increasingly disrupted by climate change. This unpredictability poses significant challenges to water availability, affecting both agricultural practices and infrastructure. Unsustainable practices, such as excessive groundwater pumping and fertilizer use, exacerbate these issues, leading to conflicts with urban development and ecological conservation. Mijic advocates for farmers to adopt more sustainable techniques, including drip irrigation and crop selection that minimizes water use and environmental impact.
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May 25 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe Indian Navy is assessing how to assist the Liberian-registered feeder ship MSC Elsa III, which began listing mid-sea off Kochi, resulting in the loss of several containers. The vessel, measuring 183.91 meters, is currently stable, with no further listing observed, as efforts are made to prevent environmental damage. Three crew members remained on board and were later rescued by the Coast Guard vessel INS Sujata, while 21 others had been evacuated earlier. A second MSC ship has arrived to aid in the operation, with Coast Guard and Indian Navy vessels monitoring the situation. Kerala Port Minister VN Vasavan stated that the cause of the incident, which saw eight containers fall into the sea, is still under investigation, with potential factors including weather conditions or stability issues. Concerns have been raised about the floating containers posing risks to local fishing boats and passing vessels.
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May 25 2025, 10 ameznews.inIndia has achieved a groundbreaking milestone with the approval of the world's first genome-edited rice varieties, a move expected to enhance sustainable rice production and bolster its competitiveness in global markets. This innovation, which includes improved versions of popular rice types like Sambha Mahsuri, aims to address food security, particularly for the impoverished. However, the development has sparked debates on the safety of genome editing, necessitating clear communication to the public to counter misinformation and foster understanding. The CRISPR-Cas technology, likened to tailoring, allows precise genetic modifications without introducing foreign DNA, ensuring the integrity of the rice genome. As India plays a crucial role in the global rice trade, projected to contribute significantly to a record 24 million tonnes by 2025-26, ethical considerations and regulatory oversight remain vital to ensure the responsible application of this transformative technology.
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May 25 2025, 9 ameznews.inPre-monsoon rains across Maharashtra since early May have raised concerns for onion farmers, already grappling with declining prices for the essential vegetable. Thousands of acres of onion crops have suffered damage, with the full extent of losses yet to be determined as assessments are ongoing. Regions including Nashik, Pune, and Kolhapur have experienced heavy unseasonal rainfall, exacerbating the situation. As of May 20, onion prices in the Lasalgaon market had dropped to an average of Rs 1,150 per quintal. Farmers who harvested before March reported good yields, while those harvesting in April and May faced challenges from both heat and rain. Despite the difficulties, Maharashtra remains the leading onion-producing state, with significant export revenues. Farmers are calling for clearer government guidelines on annual output to better plan their production and mitigate the impact of fluctuating prices.
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May 25 2025, 9 ameznews.inNew Delhi experienced severe weather on Sunday, May 25, 2025, as heavy rainfall and thunderstorms led to significant disruptions, including a collapsed electric pole and extensive waterlogging in areas such as Moti Bagh and near Delhi Airport Terminal 1. The Delhi Airport issued a passenger advisory at 06:50 am, urging travelers to check flight statuses due to weather-related impacts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had previously issued a red alert, forecasting strong thunderstorms and high winds, with gusts reaching up to 60 km/h. Residents were advised to avoid open spaces and unstable structures. The storm caused traffic congestion, particularly at Dhaula Kuan, and necessitated clearance work on Akbar Road due to fallen trees. Authorities warned of potential damage to crops and infrastructure, urging the public to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions amid ongoing adverse weather conditions.
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May 25 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe Indian government is set to engage with IndiGo regarding its codeshare and aircraft-leasing agreements with Turkish Airlines, as announced by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu. This discussion, prompted by national security concerns, follows IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers' assertion that the airline complies with all regulations. The scrutiny comes amid public backlash against Turkey for its support of Pakistan during 'Operation Sindhoor,' leading to calls for the cancellation of civil aviation ties. IndiGo currently operates two damp-leased Boeing 777s on the Delhi-Istanbul and Mumbai-Istanbul routes, and is reportedly preparing a contingency plan should these aircraft be returned. The airline has defended its partnership with Turkish Airlines, highlighting benefits for Indian travelers and the economy, including increased seat availability and affordable international travel options. The codeshare agreement operates under the Air Services Agreement between India and Turkey, allowing for 56 flights weekly.
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May 24 2025, 9 pmeznews.inUnion Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, announced significant investment interests of ₹4.3 lakh crore at the Investors Summit 2025, emphasizing a new institutional framework comprising eight sectoral verticals led by Chief Ministers to facilitate the implementation of signed MoUs. During the summit, which Scindia described as the start of a "New Economic Revolution" for the Northeast, several major agreements were inked, including a ₹4,000 crore deal between the Meghalaya government and Agri-Bio Fuels Global Ltd, and a ₹250-300 crore partnership between Sikkim and SM Hotels and Resorts. The summit generated a total of 803 investment intents, with roadshows and public-private proposals contributing around ₹1 lakh crore. Scindia highlighted the government's commitment to the region, noting that the Cabinet has visited the Northeast 730 times in the past 11 years, and the event attracted delegations from over 80 countries.
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May 24 2025, 7 pm
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