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The Ministry of Labour and Employment is reviewing a proposal to revise and standardise wage ceilings for the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) in response to a recent Supreme Court directive and persistent demands from labour unions. Currently, the EPFO ceiling is set at ₹15,000 per month, while the ESIC threshold is ₹21,000. The proposed revision aims to establish a uniform ceiling between ₹25,000 and ₹30,000, addressing inflation and rising minimum wages that have eroded social security coverage over the past decade. This change could significantly expand the number of beneficiaries, as EPFO currently serves 8.5 crore members and ESIC covers 3.25 crore insured individuals, with total beneficiaries reaching approximately 14 crore. The Supreme Court has mandated a decision within four months, highlighting the need for alignment with current economic realities. 
Published: Jan 12 2026, 1 pmeznews.inAurionpro Solutions Limited has secured a significant contract worth approximately ₹150 crore from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC) to implement Automated Fare Collection (AFC) systems for metro projects in Bhopal and Indore. The Mumbai-based firm will provide, implement, and maintain open-loop EMV card and QR-code-based AFC solutions, with a comprehensive maintenance and support service over a five-year period. This initiative aims to standardize AFC systems, enhancing commuter convenience and operational efficiency in Madhya Pradesh's metro networks. Sanjay Bali, President of Aurionpro’s Tech Innovation Group, noted the company's growing presence in India's metro rail ecosystem, leveraging in-house design and manufacturing capabilities. Aurionpro, a global enterprise technology company with over 3,000 employees, focuses on AI innovation and scalable technology products across various sectors. Meanwhile, shares of Aurionpro were trading at ₹1,031.70, down by 2.25% on the NSE.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 2 pmeznews.inUS Ambassador to India Sergio Gor emphasized the ongoing commitment to finalize a bilateral trade deal between India and the United States, highlighting the complexity of negotiations given India's status as the world's largest nation. Speaking to the media after assuming his role in New Delhi, Gor noted that discussions are set to continue, with a trade call scheduled for the following day. His remarks come amid uncertainty regarding the trade agreement, which was reportedly stalled last year due to a lack of direct communication between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick attributed the delay to Modi's reluctance to reach out to Trump, a claim that India's Ministry of External Affairs disputed, asserting that Modi had communicated with Trump multiple times in 2025. With the US imposing significant tariffs on India, securing a trade pact has become increasingly urgent for New Delhi.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 12 pmeznews.inRains in select growing regions of Nilgiris have provided temporary relief to tea gardens, which are currently grappling with frost conditions due to dropping nighttime temperatures. This weather change coincides with a surge in demand for dust grades at Coonoor Tea auctions, where 94% of the offered quantity was sold. Traders noted that north Indian buyers are increasingly sourcing tea from the South due to quality issues affecting their own end-season sales, a trend expected to persist as winter impacts production in northern regions. In the latest auction, 369,124 kg of dust grades were offered, with high-priced teas selling for ₹3 to ₹4 more, while CTC leaf prices saw a slight decline. Overall, the market displayed fair demand, with primary orthodox dust grades generally lower by ₹8 to ₹10, while secondary and finer grades remained stable or increased slightly.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 11 ameznews.inThe International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its 2025 Global Passenger Survey, revealing significant shifts in passenger travel preferences, particularly the growing reliance on mobile technology and the swift adoption of biometric systems. Based on over 10,000 responses from more than 200 countries, the survey indicates that 85% of passengers who have used biometrics express satisfaction with the process. Additionally, there is a notable increase in the use of mobile channels for booking and payments, with nearly 78% of travellers desiring a smartphone that integrates digital wallets, passports, and loyalty cards. The findings also highlight gender differences in decision-making, with women prioritising airline reputation and past experiences, while men are quicker to adopt airline apps. Younger travellers, however, report lower satisfaction levels, indicating a challenge for airlines in meeting their expectations.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 6 ameznews.inIndia's aviation sector may soon see the launch of three new airlines: Shankh Air, Al Hind Air, and FlyExpress, following a recent meeting between Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and their promoters. The Indian government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been actively promoting airline startups through initiatives like the UDAN scheme, which has already facilitated regional connectivity for smaller carriers. However, these new entrants face significant hurdles, including delays in securing aircraft and regulatory approvals. Shankh Air aims to commence operations in early 2026 but lacks the necessary air operator certificate, while Al Hind Air is grappling with staff layoffs due to approval delays. Experts warn that startups need robust business plans and substantial funding—estimated at nearly $1 billion for national-level operations—to attract lessors and ensure viability in a competitive market. The future of these airlines remains uncertain as they navigate these challenges.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 6 ameznews.inIndia's logistics sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics, as highlighted in the 'State of India’s Digital Economy Report 2024'. The country ranks as the third most digitalised economy globally, with the government's Digital India initiative enhancing service delivery and fostering growth. Mahindra Logistics is at the forefront of this evolution, employing technology to create an integrated ecosystem that ensures real-time visibility and efficient coordination across supply chains. By leveraging cloud-based platforms, predictive maintenance, and AI-powered insights, the company optimises operations, reduces costs, and improves customer experiences. This shift from fragmented systems to cohesive networks is essential for India’s ambition of becoming a $5 trillion digital economy, positioning the logistics sector as a key driver of economic progress and global trade leadership. As India embraces this digital-first approach, it is redefining the future of logistics and commerce.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 6 ameznews.inSyama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP) in Kolkata is set to exceed its cargo handling target for the fiscal year, anticipating around 68 million tonnes (MT) of cargo, surpassing the goal of 67.2 MT. The port, which includes the Kolkata Dock System and Haldia Dock Complex, has a total capacity of 87.6 MT annually. Deputy Chairman Samrat Rahi highlighted the port's significance as a logistics hub for eastern and northeastern India, facilitating trade with landlocked nations like Nepal and Bhutan. Following the successful launch of a direct weekly service from China, SMP Kolkata is considering expanding direct services to other East Asian countries. Plans are underway to increase cargo capacity to approximately 125.84 MT by 2029-30 through public-private partnerships. The port primarily handles petroleum, chemicals, and bulk cargo, and has introduced a direct rail link, Port-Link Express, to enhance connectivity between its dock systems.
Published: Jan 12 2026, 6 ameznews.inThe National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has set four Guinness World Records during the construction of the Bengaluru-Kadapa-Vijayawada Economic Corridor on NH-544G. On January 6, NHAI achieved records for the longest continuous laying of bituminous concrete, covering 28.89 lane km, and for the highest quantity of 10,655 metric tonnes laid in 24 hours. Building on this success, two additional records were established on January 11, including the continuous laying of 57,500 metric tonnes of bituminous concrete and paving 156 lane km, surpassing the previous record of 84.4 lane km. The 343 km corridor, designed for high-speed travel, features 17 interchanges, 10 wayside amenities, and a 5.3 km tunnel, with a section passing through a forest area, enhancing both safety and scenic appeal for users.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 11 pmeznews.inQuikJet Airlines has launched three weekly flights on the Delhi-Guwahati-Hanoi route, enhancing Amazon's delivery capabilities in the North East region of India. CEO Captain Preetham Philip reported that the service, which commenced this month, is already seeing full inbound flights carrying over 20 tonnes of cargo. QuikJet, which began operations in January 2023 with two Boeing 737 freighters dedicated to Amazon, is exploring export opportunities for perishables from Guwahati. This makes QuikJet the second cargo airline to serve Guwahati, following Blue Dart, which initiated its own services in January 2024. Guwahati International Airport has experienced a 13% year-on-year increase in cargo handling, with a record monthly volume of 1,362 metric tonnes in December. The Adani Group, which operates the airport, is investing ₹5,000 crore in overall development, including a new integrated cargo terminal to bolster regional trade and logistics.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 8 pm
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