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At the 'Wings India 2026' exhibition, Asia's largest biennial civil aviation event held at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad, Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu visited various stalls, highlighting the significance of the event. During the exhibition, Heritage Aviation announced a contract for an Airbus H130 helicopter, aimed at enhancing heli-pilgrimage and regional connectivity under the UDAN scheme. Rohit Mathur, Founder and CEO of Heritage Aviation, noted that the Indian helicopter industry is experiencing robust growth due to supportive government policies and increasing demand. The new H130, set for delivery in September 2026, features a spacious cabin for a pilot and up to seven passengers, equipped with advanced avionics and systems, making it ideal for operations in challenging terrains, particularly in the largely untapped North East India region. 
Published: Jan 30 2026, 5 pmeznews.inThe Indian Vegetable Oil Producers Association (IVPA) has urged the government to increase the budget for the National Mission on Oilseeds from ₹21,000 crore to ₹30,000 crore in the upcoming Budget. IVPA President Sudhakar Desai emphasized that this increase is crucial for overcoming structural challenges in domestic oilseed production and achieving a self-sufficiency target of 45% by 2030-32. The proposed funds would focus on high-yield seeds, technology upgrades, modern irrigation, and improved market linkages. Desai also called for extending the financial outlay deadlines for the National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm to 2030-31 to address project delays. Additionally, he highlighted the need for low-cost credit facilities to alleviate liquidity issues faced by processors and urged the establishment of domestic commodity exchanges for better price discovery. The IVPA also seeks the withdrawal of restrictions on inverted duty refunds to support the struggling edible oil sector.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 6 pmeznews.inIndia is set to become a key player in the global seaweed economy, driven by increasing domestic consumption and evolving industrial applications, according to experts at the Global Seaweed Summit held at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. Stevan Hermans, a seaweed industry analyst, highlighted India's potential as both a consumer and processor of seaweed products, particularly carrageenan, which is projected to see significant demand growth, outpacing mature markets in Europe and the US. With an anticipated addition of 600 million people to its middle class over the next 25 years, India’s demand for seaweed-derived products is expected to rise sharply. The country’s coastline and supportive policies under the Blue Economy framework could facilitate commercial seaweed production, which is projected to require up to 1.16 million tonnes by 2030. The summit also underscored the role of seaweed in climate mitigation and its applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and sustainable alternatives to plastics.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 6 pmeznews.inIndia's engineering exports experienced a modest growth of 1.28% year-on-year in December 2025, reaching $10.98 billion, according to EEPC India. Despite facing punitive tariffs, shipments to the US remained stable, increasing by 1% to $1.66 billion. Exports to the EU saw a notable rise of 7.5%, amounting to $1.99 billion, highlighting resilience amid growing protectionism. Pankaj Chadha, Chairman of EEPC India, noted that the anticipated India-EU Free Trade Agreement could further enhance these figures. While December's performance was the second highest of the fiscal year, it was tempered by a high base from the previous year. Notably, exports to China surged by 42% to $357.9 million, and shipments to Singapore more than doubled, although exports to the UAE and Saudi Arabia declined. Overall, engineering exports accounted for 28.5% of total merchandise exports in December 2025.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 6 pmeznews.inShyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping, has highlighted India's ascent as a global leader in the Blue Economy, driven by initiatives in ports, shipbuilding, logistics, and renewable energy. Speaking at Comarsem 2026 in Kochi, he underscored the maritime sector's vital role in India's economic transformation, with over 90% of trade by volume conducted via sea routes. The government aims to elevate India to a top 10 position in global shipbuilding and repair, increasing capacity significantly while ensuring over 60% renewable energy use at major ports. Jagannathan outlined the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, targeting a top five global ranking in shipbuilding and leadership in ship recycling, with India currently handling 30-35% of global ship recycling tonnage. He also noted recent policy reforms, including five key mercantile marine legislations enacted in 2025, designed to modernize regulations and enhance the ease of doing business in the maritime sector.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's fiscal deficit for the period of April to December 2025 reached ₹8.6 lakh crore, accounting for 54.5% of the total estimate for the financial year ending March 31, 2026, according to government data released on Friday. Net tax receipts rose to ₹19.4 trillion, an increase from ₹18.4 trillion during the same period last year, while non-tax revenue also saw a boost, climbing to ₹5.4 trillion from ₹4.5 trillion. Total government expenditure increased to ₹33.8 trillion, up from ₹32.3 trillion a year earlier. Notably, capital expenditure, which focuses on infrastructure development, rose to ₹7.9 trillion compared to ₹6.9 trillion in the previous year. These figures reflect the government's ongoing efforts to manage fiscal health while investing in critical infrastructure.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 4 pmeznews.inIn the previous Union Budget, patient assistance programmes (PAPs) for 13 medicines from 10 multinational pharmaceutical companies were exempted from basic customs duty if provided free to patients. This initiative aimed to enhance access to essential treatments for conditions like cancer and multiple sclerosis. However, as Budget 2026 approaches, there is little evidence of significant progress in expanding these programmes. Experts, including Dr. Kumar Prabhash from Tata Memorial Hospital, express concerns over the complexity and limited reach of PAPs, which often exclude patients with insurance. KM Gopakumar from Third World Network highlights the lack of transparency and accountability in these programmes, urging the government to take more concrete measures to ensure affordable medicine access. While Pfizer reported running assistance programmes that have improved access, responses from other companies remain pending, raising questions about the overall effectiveness of these initiatives.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 3 pmeznews.inUnion Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget on February 1, 2026, marking a historic milestone as the longest-serving finance minister in India. Since assuming office on May 31, 2019, she has navigated the economy through significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and global geopolitical tensions, positioning India as the fastest-growing major economy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised her achievement, noting its significance in India's parliamentary history. While former Prime Minister Morarji Desai presented the Budget ten times and P. Chidambaram nine times, neither did so consecutively. Sitharaman's tenure surpasses that of previous finance ministers, including C.D. Deshmukh and Manmohan Singh, who served in non-consecutive terms. As she approaches this record-setting Budget, her leadership continues to shape India's economic landscape.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 3 pmeznews.inArrobot, a subsidiary of Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group, has launched autonomous ground tugs for aircraft and helicopters at India Wings 2026, aimed at improving airside efficiency, safety, and turnaround times. Founder and Managing Director Vamsi Vikas emphasized that the development signifies a shift in India's aerospace sector towards owning complete systems and their lifecycle in both defence and civil aviation. CEO Ravi Achanta highlighted the focus on creating reliable autonomous platforms that ensure safety and precision while integrating seamlessly with existing operations. At the event, Arrobot is also showcasing a range of indigenous unmanned and autonomous platforms, emphasizing deployment readiness, scalability, and long-term sustainability. The innovations reflect a commitment to advancing India's aerospace capabilities and enhancing operational efficiency in the aviation sector.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 3 pmeznews.inIn the latest Kochi tea auctions, strong demand for orthodox leaf teas has driven prices up by Rs5 per kg, with Sale 4 offering 1,95,948 kg and achieving a 90 per cent sales rate. The market for whole leaf teas remained firm, while brokens showed steady to firm pricing. Auctioneers Forbes, Ewart & Figgis noted active interest from CIS and Middle Eastern buyers. In the CTC dust category, good liquoring teas held steady, although those priced above Rs200 faced resistance, leading to irregular sales. A total of 5,66,642 kg was offered, with blenders purchasing 75 per cent of the CTC quantity. Anil George, president of the Tea Trade Association of Cochin, highlighted a shift towards a firmer market structure due to tightening supplies and sustained domestic demand, exacerbated by seasonal production declines from winter conditions in high-altitude regions. Global supply concerns, particularly from Kenya, have further bolstered prices.
Published: Jan 30 2026, 2 pm
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