eznews.inSanjay Malhotra, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), stated on Thursday that the central bank does not aim for a specific value of the Indian Rupee (INR), attributing its recent depreciation to increased demand for dollars. Speaking at the VKRV Rao Memorial Lecture in Delhi, he emphasized that the RBI possesses robust foreign exchange reserves, alleviating concerns over the rupee's decline. The INR fell by 23 paise to close at 88.71 against the US dollar, influenced by a strengthening dollar and reduced expectations of a US Federal Reserve rate cut. Malhotra expressed optimism about a forthcoming "good trade deal" with the US, which he believes could ease pressure on India's current account balance. He also highlighted the potential for Indian banks to rank among the world's top 100 lenders, reaffirming the RBI's commitment to financial stability and regulatory simplification. 
Published: Nov 20 2025, 6 pmeznews.inRamesh Chand, Member Secretary of Niti Aayog, has urged private sector leaders to contribute suggestions for improving participation in foodgrain storage, addressing concerns raised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry regarding the need for comprehensive policy reforms. Speaking at a conference in New Delhi, Chand highlighted a committee led by former Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, established by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to identify barriers to private investment in warehousing. A recent study projects a significant storage deficit of 69 million tonnes by 2030, with the warehousing market expected to grow from ₹37,336 crore in 2025-26 to ₹43,953 crore by 2030-31. Chand emphasized the importance of enhancing warehouse infrastructure and noted that while food losses are lower than perceived, there remains a substantial opportunity for investment. He also pointed out that regulatory reforms are crucial for attracting private investment in the sector.
Published: Nov 20 2025, 6 pmeznews.inFormer Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has highlighted the potential for Indian Railways to generate substantial revenue through the monetisation of its vast non-classified data, suggesting it could yield "tens of thousands of crores." Speaking at the Railway Conclave 2.0 in New Delhi, Prabhu urged the national transporter to adopt a comprehensive, long-term strategy for reform, emphasizing the need for diversified income streams beyond traditional freight and passenger fares. He pointed out that the Railways' extensive datasets could unlock significant financial opportunities, particularly given the daily footfall of 8.5 million passengers. Prabhu also stressed the importance of capacity augmentation to facilitate private sector participation and advocated for a shift in management practices, including greater delegation of authority to enhance operational efficiency. He concluded that effective reform requires a clear diagnosis of issues and a structured approach to implementation, which he believes led to improvements during his tenure.
Published: Nov 20 2025, 5 pmeznews.inOil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in India are grappling with significant financial strain due to LPG under-recoveries, which currently amount to ₹53,700 crore, according to a report by Nuvama Research. The government is set to provide a subsidy of ₹300 billion in 12 tranches, starting November 2025, but this will only cover about 56% of the cumulative losses, which are projected to reach approximately ₹537 billion by the end of September 2025. The report warns that under-recoveries may increase further, particularly during the winter months when LPG prices typically rise. Additionally, OMCs are expected to face elevated capital expenditure due to long-term infrastructure projects, impacting their return ratios. The report also expresses caution regarding ONGC's production targets and GAIL's performance amid weak demand and volatile marketing earnings, highlighting ongoing challenges in the oil and gas sector.
Published: Nov 20 2025, 5 pmeznews.inA national workshop on "Traceable Trade – From Source to Shipment," co-hosted by Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), highlighted the critical role of digital traceability in enhancing India's agri-food supply chains for global markets. Inaugurated by A. Manickavasagan from the University of Guelph, the event showcased emerging technologies like blockchain and AI, emphasizing their necessity for market access focused on safety and sustainability. Speakers, including Mani Chellappan and Man Prakash Vijay, discussed how digital traceability empowers farmers and strengthens compliance across export commodities. The workshop featured insights from farmer representatives and startup founders, illustrating how digital tools improve transparency and buyer confidence. Technical sessions explored advancements in traceability platforms, while a drone demonstration showcased innovative monitoring solutions. The initiative aims to equip stakeholders with the knowledge and tools needed for a competitive, technology-driven food supply chain.
Published: Nov 20 2025, 5 pmeznews.inMaharashtra's sugarcane crushing season for 2025-26 is gaining momentum, with 147 mills processing 117.27 lakh tonnes of cane as of November 19, according to the state sugar commissioner. The Kolhapur division leads the state, with 30 factories crushing 29.61 lakh tonnes and producing 25.32 lakh quintals of sugar, achieving a recovery rate of 8.55%. Following Kolhapur, the Pune division has 23 mills crushing 27.57 lakh tonnes and producing 21.94 lakh quintals, with a recovery of 7.96%. Solapur and Ahilyanagar divisions report lower outputs and recovery rates. Overall, the state has produced 8.68 lakh tonnes of sugar, with a recovery rate of 7.4%. The current season is progressing faster than last year, when only 91 mills were operational. Additionally, the industry is advocating for a revision of the minimum selling price of sugar, which has remained at ₹31 per kg since February 2019, to help offset rising production costs.
Published: Nov 20 2025, 5 pmeznews.inFormer Railway Board Member M. Jamshed has firmly opposed the privatisation of Indian Railways, asserting its strategic importance as a government department. Speaking at the Railway Conclave 2.0, he highlighted that successive ministers have reiterated in Parliament that privatisation is not on the agenda, despite ongoing debates. Jamshed clarified the distinction between privatisation and private sector participation, which has been welcomed in areas like station redevelopment and services. He noted that Indian Railways carries significant public service obligations, incurring annual passenger losses of ₹60,000 crores, offset by freight revenue. Over the past decade, budgetary support has surged to ₹2.5 lakh crore, with capital expenditure rising dramatically. While discussions on restructuring and private trains have persisted for decades, concerns over national security and social responsibilities have hindered full privatisation, leading the government to favour controlled private participation in select areas instead.
Published: Nov 20 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's solar module manufacturing sector is poised for significant consolidation over the next three to five years, driven by overcapacity and rapid technological advancements, according to ICRA analysts. The country has approved around 110 gigawatts (GW) of module capacity, but only 70-75% can adapt to emerging technologies like ToPCon and bifacial modules. While production capacity is projected to rise to 165 GW, solar project installations are expected to reach only 45-50 GW, creating a potential surplus. The Indian government aims to encourage cell manufacturers to integrate backward into wafer and ingot production by 2028, further intensifying the need for substantial investment. As module prices decline amid global oversupply and China's market dominance, players with outdated technologies are likely to exit, while those with comprehensive production capabilities will thrive, analysts suggest. Additionally, India's module exports to the U.S. may face challenges due to investigations into Chinese content and increased tariffs.
Published: Nov 20 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn a significant move to ease the operational challenges faced by Indian sailors, the Union Home Ministry has abolished long-standing immigration procedures that have burdened crew members of Indian-flag vessels. The scrapping of the coastal sign-on and sign-off system, along with the Shore Leave Pass (SLP) requirement, eliminates a cumbersome paperwork process that previously mirrored international immigration protocols, despite the vessels operating solely within Indian waters. Sailors had been required to renew their SLP every ten days by visiting immigration offices, a task that detracted from their primary responsibilities. Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal hailed the decision as a step towards empowering seafarers, emphasizing the government's commitment to supporting them. The new framework allows for simplified regulations, with port authorities now tasked with maintaining crew records and conducting inspections, thereby streamlining operations for Indian maritime workers.
Published: Nov 20 2025, 4 pmeznews.inOn October 18, 2025, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, alongside Nirmala Sitharaman and Ashwini Vaishnaw, addressed a press conference in New Delhi, highlighting significant investment opportunities for Israeli businesses in India. Goyal emphasized potential collaboration in sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, fintech, agri-tech, and pharmaceuticals. Leading a 60-member business delegation to Israel, Goyal aims to enhance bilateral trade and investment, marking the first visit by an Indian commerce minister to the country. He outlined ten key factors, including India's democratic framework and rapid development, that make it an attractive investment destination. Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat echoed this sentiment, describing India as a promising market and referencing the India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a strategic initiative to bolster cooperation. Despite a decline in trade between the two nations in 2024-25, Goyal remains optimistic about future prospects.
Published: Nov 20 2025, 3 pm
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