eznews.inIndia's expansion of commercial coal mining is driving a significant increase in coal supply jobs, with an anticipated growth of 74,000 positions in 2024, a trend expected to persist into 2025. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that the majority of global coal jobs are concentrated in the Asia Pacific, with India and China accounting for approximately 75% of this workforce. Despite a 20% decline in advanced economies, global coal employment has risen by 8% since 2019, bolstered by new projects and the reopening of mines. Since 2020, India has auctioned 133 coal blocks, primarily to the private sector, which are projected to generate substantial revenue and employment. The Ministry of Coal aims for a domestic production target of 1.5 billion tonnes by FY30, although challenges remain for workers, particularly in informal sectors, as they face difficulties in retraining and finding comparable jobs. 
Published: Dec 09 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) has warned that proposed US tariffs on rice imports from India are likely to increase costs for American consumers, given the staple's significance in the US market. While the US remains a key destination for Indian rice, the Federation emphasized that India's exports are well-diversified globally, with ongoing efforts to forge new trade partnerships. Experts suggest that recent tariff threats from US President Donald Trump are more politically motivated than indicative of a substantial policy change, particularly as they coincide with a new US farm relief package. The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) noted that even if tariffs rise, demand for Indian rice, especially Basmati, remains strong due to its unique qualities, making it irreplaceable in dishes like biryani. Despite existing tariffs, Indian exporters have managed to maintain stable returns, passing most cost increases onto consumers.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has mandated IndiGo to cut its flight schedule by 5% across various sectors, particularly on high-demand routes, following significant operational disruptions. The airline is required to submit a revised schedule by 5 p.m. on December 10, 2025. The DGCA's decision comes after a review of IndiGo's 'Winter Schedule 2025', which approved 15,014 weekly departures but saw only 59,438 flights operated in November, alongside 951 cancellations. Despite an increase in aircraft allocation, IndiGo struggled to manage its enhanced schedule effectively. The airline has expressed regret over the disruptions, attributing them to a combination of factors, including technical issues and adverse weather, while requesting additional time for a thorough root cause analysis. The DGCA has issued a 'Show Cause Notice' to IndiGo's CEO and COO, with a panel set to investigate the crisis further.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndiGo announced a significant operational recovery on Monday, revealing plans to operate over 1,800 flights, a notable increase from around 1,650 the previous day, following a period of widespread disruptions. The airline confirmed it has restored connectivity across its network and improved its on-time performance to 90%, up from nearly 75%. All cancellations for Monday were communicated in advance to facilitate smoother travel for passengers. As part of its recovery efforts, IndiGo has processed refunds totaling Rs 827 crores for cancellations up to December 15 and arranged over 9,500 hotel rooms and nearly 10,000 transport services for stranded travelers. The airline is currently assisting over 200,000 customers daily and has reunited more than 4,500 delayed bags with their owners. IndiGo reassured passengers of its compliance with safety regulations and thanked them for their patience during this challenging period.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation has initiated a special inspection drive at major airports, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, amid significant disruptions caused by operational issues at IndiGo Airlines. Senior officials, including Deputy Secretaries and Directors, are set to conduct on-ground assessments to evaluate the challenges faced by passengers. This move follows a high-level review meeting aimed at addressing the ongoing crisis, which has been monitored since December 3. Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu clarified that the disruptions stem from IndiGo's internal crew rostering and operational planning, rather than maintenance issues. He assured that safety remains a priority, with stringent Civil Aviation Requirements in place to protect passengers from delays and cancellations. Additionally, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued show cause notices to IndiGo's CEO and COO in response to the situation.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 12 pmeznews.inAs the December 11 deadline for feedback on the draft Seed Bill 2025 approaches, experts are voicing serious concerns over its provisions, which they argue could undermine local agricultural ecosystems. Aldas Janaiah from the Prof. Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University warns that allowing seed imports without local testing could introduce diseases, while also criticizing the bill's encroachment on state powers to regulate seed issues. He advocates for a statutory compensation mechanism for farmers affected by substandard seeds. G V Ramanjaneyulu, CEO of the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, highlights the bill's weakening of state authority over seed pricing, which could exacerbate issues like soaring BT cottonseed prices. The National Seed Association of India calls for stricter controls to combat substandard seeds, while Ram Kaundinya from the Federation of Seed Industry of India emphasizes the need for clarity in the registration system and greater focus on horticultural crops and new technologies.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 12 pmeznews.inTea offerings at Coonoor auctions have seen a notable decline as winter sets in across growing regions, with a reported 10% drop in quantities compared to previous auctions. Traders anticipate this trend will continue, leading to firmer prices in upcoming sales. Despite a rise in unsold quantities due to quality issues, support from blenders and exporters helped lift tea prices in sale 49, where approximately 15% of the 1,356,512 kg of leaf tea offered remained unsold. The auction recorded an 84% sales rate for leaf tea and 85% for dust. High-priced and better-quality teas saw slight increases of ₹2 to ₹3, while primary whole leaf grades generally fell by ₹5 to ₹6. In CTC dust, prices for high-quality teas remained stable, but primary orthodox dust grades dropped by ₹6 to ₹8, reflecting ongoing market fluctuations.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia's aviation sector is experiencing a modest recovery in demand, with domestic air traffic rising 4% year-on-year in Q3 FY26, rebounding from a previous contraction. However, a new report by J.P. Morgan highlights significant challenges ahead, primarily due to rising aviation turbine fuel prices and a weakening rupee, which threaten airline profitability. While domestic airfares have remained largely flat, international fares have surged by 13% year-on-year, driven by strong demand. IndiGo, the largest airline, holds a dominant 65.6% market share. Despite the positive demand trends, the report warns that low yield growth may not offset increasing costs, with a 1% rise in fuel prices potentially eroding profits by 3%. The outlook remains uncertain as airlines face cost inflation and currency pressures, which could hinder profitability even as they seek to expand capacity.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia's aviation regulator has granted IndiGo a one-time exemption from new pilot night-duty regulations and rescinded a rule preventing airlines from counting pilot leave as part of their weekly rest. This decision follows a series of flight cancellations by IndiGo, which holds a 65% share of the domestic aviation market, resulting in over 2,000 cancellations this month alone. The head of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA), Captain Ron Hay, expressed concern over the exemption, emphasizing that it undermines safety by potentially increasing pilot fatigue. He noted that the change was attributed to staffing issues, which could worsen pilot retention. IFALPA is advocating for a global standard to address pilot fatigue uniformly, as disparities exist in regulations across regions, with more stringent measures in Europe and the US. The Indian Civil Aviation Ministry has not yet commented on the matter.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced a 5% reduction in IndiGo's flight schedule due to significant disruptions that have occurred since December 1, 2025. The cuts will affect various sectors, particularly on high-demand routes, as part of the regulator's efforts to enhance operational reliability. IndiGo has been instructed to submit a revised flight schedule by 5 pm on Wednesday. This decision follows comments from the Civil Aviation Minister, who indicated that the government would be scaling back the number of routes IndiGo operates during the current winter schedule. Currently, the airline is managing over 2,200 flights daily as part of its Winter 2025-26 operations. The DGCA's intervention underscores ongoing concerns regarding the airline's performance amid increasing passenger demand.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 11 am
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