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On Thursday, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued a weather advisory warning of dense fog affecting Northern India, leading to low visibility and potential flight delays at several airports. The Ministry of Civil Aviation subsequently cautioned that airport operations nationwide could be impacted due to the cold weather. Passengers were urged to stay in touch with their airlines for updates and to allow extra travel time. IndiGo also issued a travel advisory, noting that early-morning fog was disrupting flight operations in Delhi and surrounding areas. The Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport confirmed operations were under CAT III conditions, which allow for landings in near-zero visibility. As the national capital faced poor air quality, with an Air Quality Index of 387 classified as 'very poor,' authorities emphasized the importance of checking flight statuses and planning journeys accordingly to mitigate delays. 
Published: Dec 19 2025, 11 ameznews.inIndia's exports to China have seen a significant decline, dropping from $23 billion in 2021 to $15.2 billion in 2022, and remaining low at $14.5 billion in 2023 before a slight increase to $15.1 billion in 2024. Despite a projected rise in exports to $17.5 billion in 2025, this remains well below previous levels, according to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). In contrast, imports from China surged from $87.7 billion in 2021 to an estimated $123.5 billion in 2025, leading to a trade deficit expected to reach $106 billion. The deficit is largely attributed to imports of raw materials and capital goods, particularly in electronics and machinery. An Inter-Ministerial Committee has been established to address these trends, as nearly 80% of imports are concentrated in four key product groups. Notably, exports saw a 90% increase in November 2025, driven by naphtha and electronics.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIn a promising start to the Ethanol Supply Year 2025-26, India's oil marketing companies (OMCs) received 45.5 crore litres of ethanol last month, contributing to a total storage of 77.8 crore litres. The blending percentage of ethanol with petrol reached 20% in November, up from 19.97% in October, as the government aims for a cumulative 20% blending target by October 2026, advanced from 2030. OMCs have invited bids for 1,050 crore litres of ethanol for the current supply year, with prices for FCI rice-based ethanol rising to ₹60.32 per litre. The government has allocated 52 lakh tonnes of surplus rice and 40 lakh tonnes of sugar for ethanol production to support this initiative. The supply schedule includes 100 crore litres in November and 200 crore litres in December and January, with further allocations planned through October 2026.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 12 pmeznews.inData released by the Income Tax Department reveals a mixed performance in advance tax collections for the current fiscal year. Corporate assesses saw an 8% increase in advance tax payments, totaling over ₹6.07 lakh crore, while collections from non-corporate tax (NCT) assesses, which include individuals and various entities, fell by 6.5% to over ₹1.81 lakh crore. Overall, advance tax collection recorded a modest growth of just over 4%, a significant drop from last year's 21%. From April 1 to December 17, net direct tax collections reached over ₹17.04 lakh crore, marking an 8% increase compared to ₹15.78 lakh crore during the same period last fiscal year. Looking ahead, the Budget Estimate for FY 2025-26 projects corporation tax at ₹10.82 lakh crore, reflecting a 10.4% growth, while income taxes are estimated at ₹13.60 lakh crore, indicating a 13.1% increase.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe Adani Group, through its subsidiary Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL), is poised to solidify its dominance in India's aviation sector, controlling approximately 23% of passenger traffic and 33% of cargo traffic nationwide. The group plans to invest ₹1 lakh crore in its airport operations over the next five years, anticipating a robust annual growth rate of 15-16% in the industry. The upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, set to commence operations on December 25, will enhance capacity in the region, addressing constraints at the existing Mumbai airport. With a 74% stake in the new airport, Adani aims to expand its portfolio, which already includes six other airports across India. The group is also preparing to bid aggressively for 11 additional airports identified for privatisation, reflecting its commitment to long-term growth in the aviation sector, which is expected to thrive for the next decade.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 12 pmeznews.inArgentine soybean oil prices have surged as the country meets its sales commitments to China, leading to tighter availability. This has resulted in the cancellation or delay of over 100,000 tons of soybean oil shipments intended for India, the world's largest buyer, as local prices remain significantly lower than international offers. Aashish Acharya from Patanjali Foods noted that this situation accounts for about 20% of India's average monthly imports, with inbound shipments rising nearly 25% year-on-year. The price gap, estimated at $40 to $50 per ton, has made imports less viable, prompting traders to shift to longer-term contracts. Meanwhile, India is also receiving soybean oil from China, where prices are approximately $10–$15 per ton cheaper than South American offers, making it an attractive option for Indian importers despite expected delays in delivery.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 10 ameznews.inIndia's Ministry of Commerce has announced the imposition of anti-dumping duties on cold-rolled steel imports from China, aimed at safeguarding the domestic steel industry. The duties, which will be effective for five years, range from $223.8 to $414.9 per tonne, depending on the grade of steel. This decision reflects India's ongoing efforts to protect local manufacturers from unfair competition and market distortions caused by cheaper imports. The announcement comes amid a backdrop of fluctuating market conditions, with the SENSEX closing at 84,481.81, down by 77.84 points, while crude oil prices dipped slightly to 5,080.00, and gold and silver also saw declines. The measures underscore India's commitment to bolster its manufacturing sector in the face of global trade challenges.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 8 ameznews.inThe Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has introduced the draft Seeds Bill, 2025, aimed at modernizing seed regulations while addressing concerns from various stakeholders, including farmers' organizations. Union Minister Ramnath Thakur emphasized that the Bill safeguards farmers' rights to grow, save, and sell seeds, aligning with the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001. Key provisions include mandatory registration of seed varieties and producers, regulation of seed prices during emergencies, and the establishment of a Seed Traceability portal. However, some stakeholders have raised concerns about clauses perceived as encroaching on state powers, self-certification by seed companies, and the lack of a compensation mechanism for farmers affected by substandard seeds. Industry representatives have called for greater focus on horticultural crops and clarity in the registration process to ensure a diverse range of seed varieties is available to farmers. The draft is currently undergoing public consultation.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe Indian government has announced a significant simplification of the disposal process for coal washery rejects, eliminating the need for prior permission from the Coal Controller Organisation (CCO) for various productive uses, including energy extraction, construction material replacement, land reclamation, and brick making. This move, aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business, is expected to expedite the disposal process, optimize domestic coal resources, and bolster energy security while aligning with the Viksit Bharat initiative for a sustainable energy system. The CCO will still oversee the disposal of washery rejects intended for environmentally friendly dumping in mine voids or low-lying areas, retaining its authority to inspect washery operations and verify the quality of rejects. The coal ministry emphasized that these changes will facilitate quicker and more efficient disposal, ultimately supporting a more robust energy framework in India.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 7 ameznews.inA Technical Report from IIT Bombay has raised concerns over a proposal by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to shift to monthly data collection for the housing index, suggesting it would impose unnecessary costs on both the government and respondents without enhancing informational value. The proposal is part of MoSPI's effort to revise the Consumer Price Index (CPI) base from 2012 to 2024, which is crucial for the Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy. The report's authors, Praggya Das and Ashish Das, argue that collecting rent data monthly from over 25,000 dwellings, rather than the current six-month panel survey of about 4,000, would significantly increase costs and workload while risking data quality. They advocate for maintaining the existing methodology, which they deem robust and effective, emphasizing that the proposed changes could be counterproductive.
Published: Dec 18 2025, 10 pm
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