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A severe heat wave is set to impact Central and East Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and parts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, as forecasted by the European Centre for Medium-Term Weather Forecasts. Following the Holi festival, which signifies the transition from winter to spring, intense heat has already gripped West and Central India earlier than usual. The heat wave, which has already affected regions like Saurashtra and Kutch, is expected to persist for several days across various states, including Odisha and Jharkhand. This heating is crucial for the upcoming monsoon, as it establishes the necessary temperature and pressure gradients to facilitate moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Despite a weak La Niña event, January and February 2025 have recorded unprecedented warmth in India, with the India Meteorological Department predicting above-normal temperatures across most of the country through May, except in certain southern and northeastern regions. 
Published: Mar 14 2025, 4 pmeznews.inForeign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have ramped up their investments in Indian debt markets, pouring ₹23,703 crore into the sector in the first half of March 2025, a significant increase from ₹10,517 crore in February and ₹571 crore in January. This surge is attributed to India's inclusion in the Bloomberg Index and a recent rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). However, FPIs remain aggressive net sellers of Indian equities, offloading ₹30,015 crore so far this month, although the pace of selling appears to be easing as valuations improve. Experts caution against interpreting the debt market inflows as a trend reversal, citing a stronger US dollar and rising US bond yields as factors that may dampen future interest in Indian assets. Chief Investment Officer Mahendra Jajoo noted that while the Indian economic story remains robust, significant FPI flows are unlikely this year due to more attractive opportunities abroad.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndia's Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has announced a revamped version of the Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme, aimed at enhancing regional air connectivity. Unveiled in the Union Budget 2025-26 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the proposal seeks to connect 120 new destinations and transport four crore passengers over the next decade. Naidu emphasized that this initiative is crucial for bolstering the civil aviation sector, facilitating the development of new airports, water aerodromes, and helipads, particularly in underserved areas. Since its inception, the original UDAN scheme has successfully transported approximately 1.5 crore passengers across over 2.8 lakh flights and operationalized 619 routes, doubling the number of airports from 74 in 2014 to over 157 in 2024. The modified scheme will undergo scrutiny by the Expenditure Finance Committee before final approval by the Union Cabinet, with a launch anticipated in the latter half of FY26.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe recently introduced Income Tax Bill 2025 in India has sparked controversy by granting tax officials the authority to inspect the emails and social media accounts of individuals suspected of tax evasion. Legal experts warn that this provision could infringe on the fundamental right to privacy, potentially facing significant legal challenges. Currently, the Income-Tax Act allows officials to seize physical assets during searches, but the new Bill extends this power into the digital realm, raising concerns about unchecked government surveillance. Experts emphasize the need for safeguards, such as judicial oversight and limited access, to protect citizens' rights. The timing of the Bill, coinciding with Apple’s refusal to grant access to a political figure's encrypted data, has led to speculation that it may be a response to tech companies resisting government demands. Critics argue that without clear boundaries, the Bill could lead to aggressive enforcement tactics in tax investigations.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 6 pmeznews.inFarmers in Nizamabad, Telangana, have staged protests as turmeric prices plummet below ₹10,000 per quintal, a significant drop from last year's peak of over ₹20,000. The decline, ranging from 17-27% depending on quality, has forced many farmers into distress sales, with costs of cultivation far exceeding returns. Telangana Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao has urged the Union Agriculture Minister to implement the Market Intervention Scheme to stabilize prices, suggesting a minimum support price of ₹15,000 per quintal. Meanwhile, prices in Tamil Nadu remain higher, between ₹11,511-₹13,999. India, the world's largest turmeric producer, has seen a decrease in exports, with 1.62 lakh tonnes shipped in 2023-24. Former MP Kalvakunta Kavitha criticized both state and central governments for failing to support farmers, highlighting unfulfilled election promises for better pricing. The situation underscores the challenges faced by farmers in a crucial agricultural sector.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe European Union has seen a significant rise in the rejection of Indian non-basmati rice shipments due to excessive pesticide residues, escalating from three cases in 2020 to 37 in 2024. In stark contrast, Pakistan's rejections have plummeted from 54 to just two during the same period. This trend raises concerns, especially as the Indian government reported no aflatoxin-related rejections from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Despite a decline in non-basmati rice exports to the EU, which fell to 47,888 tonnes worth $29.7 million in the current fiscal year, Pakistan is aggressively maintaining its market share, exporting 5.25 million tonnes overall. The Indian Directorate-General of Foreign Trade has mandated a "Certificate of Inspection" for rice exports to ensure compliance with EU pesticide limits, yet issues with customs awareness and certification credibility persist. The government is also enhancing agricultural practices to meet stringent EU standards.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn a landmark move for India's mining sector, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the country's first auction of exploration licences on March 14, 2025, in Goa. The auction encompasses 13 blocks aimed at tapping into critical minerals, including Rare Earth Elements, Zinc, and Platinum Group Elements. This initiative, described by the Ministry of Mines as a transparent online bidding process, seeks to enhance private sector involvement, reduce import dependency, and foster a self-reliant mineral ecosystem aligned with India's clean energy goals. Reddy emphasized the auction's role in accelerating mineral discovery and boosting investor confidence, while Sawant highlighted Goa's commitment to responsible mining practices. The event also featured a hackathon focused on using AI to identify new mineral-rich zones, showcasing the integration of technology in mineral exploration. The Ministry aims to operationalize these blocks promptly to meet the rising demand for critical minerals.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26, the state government announced plans to explore a Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) across three routes, inspired by the Semi High-Speed Railway model between New Delhi and Meerut. The Chennai Metro Rail Corporation will conduct feasibility studies for a high-speed system connecting Chennai to Chengalpattu, Tindivanam, and Villupuram, among other routes. The ongoing Phase II of the Chennai Metro, the largest in India, is set to be completed by mid-2026. Additionally, a new airport will be developed in Rameshwaram to boost tourism, while efforts to reduce air pollution include converting 700 diesel buses to CNG and deploying 1,125 electric buses across major cities. The budget allocates ₹12,964 crore for the Transport Department, with significant funds earmarked for new buses, multimodal transport terminals, and performance incentives for state transport undertakings.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has sanctioned the procurement of over 32 lakh tonnes of pulses at minimum support price (MSP) for the rabi 2025 marketing season, with 21.64 lakh tonnes of gram (chana) and 9.4 lakh tonnes of lentils (masur) among the key crops. Procurement has commenced in Telangana, with 1,055.25 tonnes of chana collected as of March 12. Madhya Pradesh, the largest chana producer, aims to procure over 7.28 lakh tonnes, while Maharashtra and Gujarat are targeting 7.08 lakh tonnes and 2.66 lakh tonnes, respectively. Chana production is projected at 115.35 lakh tonnes, a 4.49% increase from last year, but domestic prices are under pressure due to high imports and duty-free access for chana until March 31, 2025. The government also plans to procure 7.79 lakh tonnes of masur, with production expected to rise slightly to 18.17 lakh tonnes this season.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's demand for Cold Rolled Grain Oriented (CRGO) steel is projected to rise by 10-12% annually, fueled by the expanding power sector and the ambitious goal of integrating 500 GW of renewable energy into the grid by 2030. However, supply chain challenges, including a 30% shortfall in CRGO steel and limited availability of High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems, are hindering the growth of the country's power evacuation infrastructure. A report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy highlighted that the Ministry of Power faced difficulties in meeting transmission targets for FY25, achieving only 54% of the planned circuit kilometers. Additionally, the expansion of thermal power plants is stymied by a lack of engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contractors, with only a few bidders participating in recent tenders. The Central Electricity Authority noted that only 2,840 MW of thermal power capacity was added in FY25, significantly below the target.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 1 pm
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