eznews.inThe Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has urged the government to consider significant reforms in the agricultural sector ahead of the 2026-27 Budget, including the repeal of outdated agricultural land ceiling laws. CII argues that these laws, while historically beneficial for land redistribution, now hinder farmers' income growth by restricting land ownership and leasing opportunities. The industry body advocates for a shift from reliance on minimum support prices (MSP) to market-driven pricing to promote crop diversification and sustainability. It also calls for the revision of current policies that create market distortions, such as stock limits and export bans, to enhance competitiveness. Additionally, CII recommends establishing a National Grid for market intelligence and a unified "One India Food Grid" to streamline food supply across states. Emphasizing the need for private investment in innovation and research, CII highlights the importance of a robust agricultural ecosystem to ensure food security and global competitiveness. 
Published: Jan 06 2026, 9 pmeznews.inUttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi has proposed that the Fertiliser Ministry set a more accessible price for urea, suggesting a rate of ₹300 per bag during the recent Rabi conference. This recommendation comes amid ongoing discussions at a day-long introspection camp led by Fertiliser Minister J P Nadda, where key issues included the improper tagging of products with subsidised fertilisers and sales above the prescribed prices. Nadda emphasized the need for collaboration between officials and the industry to address these concerns. The camp also focused on various thematic areas, including freight subsidy policies, improving soil health, and enhancing the fertiliser distribution network. While some industry officials expressed skepticism about the government's commitment to reform, Nadda highlighted the importance of farmer-friendly policies, noting that the Department of Fertilizers has successfully met farmers' needs despite challenges.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 9 pmeznews.inIndia has urged the World Trade Organization (WTO) to direct its Secretariat to bolster the efforts of the Working Group on Trade and Transfer of Technology, particularly in light of challenges faced by developing countries and least-developed countries (LDCs) in accessing advanced technologies. In a draft ministerial declaration submitted ahead of the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference in March 2026, New Delhi emphasized the need for developed nations to expedite the transfer of environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) to enhance trade flows. The submission highlights the WTO's recognition of technology transfer as a critical component of its agreements, including the TRIPS pact, which mandates developed countries to incentivize technology sharing with LDCs. India’s proposal also calls for the Working Group's agenda to be institutionalized within the General Council to ensure ongoing engagement and progress in technology transfer discussions.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 8 pmeznews.inThe Finance Ministry has unveiled a three-year public-private partnership (PPP) project pipeline, featuring 852 projects across Central Infrastructure Ministries and States/Union Territories, with a total estimated cost exceeding ₹17 lakh crore. This initiative, announced on Tuesday, aligns with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's FY26 Budget commitment to encourage infrastructure ministries and states to develop PPP projects, supported by the India Infrastructure Project Development Fund (IIPDF). Of the 232 projects from Central Ministries, the Road Ministry leads with 108 projects valued at over ₹8.76 lakh crore, followed by the Power Ministry and Ports, Shipping & Waterways. Additionally, 620 projects from States/Union Territories are projected at around ₹3.86 lakh crore, with Andhra Pradesh contributing the most. The Ministry emphasized that this pipeline will enhance visibility for investors and stakeholders, facilitating informed planning and investment decisions in India's extensive PPP landscape, which has seen significant growth over the past decade.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 8 pmeznews.inBangladesh is contemplating imposing a duty on yarn imports, potentially around 10 to 20 percent, to protect its domestic producers, following the end of a duty exemption on raw cotton imports on December 31. This move could significantly impact the Indian yarn market, as Bangladesh is the largest buyer of Indian cotton yarn, accounting for about 30 percent of India's total yarn production. The recent cessation of the duty exemption has already led to a 5 percent increase in raw cotton prices, with current rates hovering around Rs 8,000 per quintal, still below the minimum support price of Rs 8,100. The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has procured over 68 lakh bales at MSP and is expected to announce prices for the 2025-26 crop soon, as market participants are eager for clarity amid rising prices and dwindling stocks.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 8 pmeznews.inUrea imports in India have surged by 120% to 7.17 million tonnes (mt) during the April-November period of the 2025-26 fiscal year, driven by increased demand and a decline in domestic production, according to the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI). National Fertilizers (NFL) recently conducted a tender to import 1.5 mt of urea, receiving the lowest bids of $424.80 per tonne for delivery at various ports in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. The highest bid came from Suvarnabhoomi Enterprises at $523 per tonne. This surge in imports comes amid complaints from farmers about shortages and black market activities, as the government supplies urea at a heavily subsidized rate of Rs 267 for a 45-kg bag, compared to the current market rate of Rs 38,232 per tonne. FAI's Director-General emphasized the need for a balanced approach to nutrient supply, focusing on both imports and domestic production.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's mobility sector concluded 2025 on a robust note, with December data from the Shriram Mobility Bulletin highlighting sustained freight momentum despite seasonal challenges and weather disruptions. Truck rentals surged to record levels across major trunk routes, particularly in the Delhi-Mumbai corridor, where rates for 18-tonne payload vehicles rose by 12% year-on-year. The demand for BS-VI compliant trucks remained strong in the NCR region due to restrictions on older vehicles. However, adverse weather, including fog and snowfall in the upper Himalayan regions, hindered trucking activities towards the end of the month. Overall, 2025 marked a landmark year for vehicle sales in India, with passenger car sales increasing by 10% and two-wheeler sales approaching 2 crore, the highest ever. Sudarshan Holla of Shriram Finance noted that while demand for trucks drove rental increases, rising input costs may lead to higher vehicle prices in January, potentially impacting new sales.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 7 pmeznews.inThe VOC Port in Thoothukudi is set to develop a 9-hole golf course, including a driving range, at a cost of approximately ₹24 crore, as the coastal district attracts significant investments, notably from Vietnam's VinFast and Hyundai's planned shipyard. The project, spanning 15-20 acres, aims to foster networking opportunities for global shipping professionals and enhance the region's social infrastructure, which is deemed essential for attracting foreign investors. Industry experts believe the golf course will not only provide recreational facilities but also draw higher management talent to the area. However, concerns have been raised regarding the course's size, as experts suggest that a standard 9-hole course typically requires at least 55 acres. The initiative is seen as a potential magnet for foreign direct investment, particularly appealing to the expatriate community in Tamil Nadu.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 7 pmeznews.inAuri Grow India has launched CarbonKrishi, an AI-driven carbon credit platform, marking its entry into the burgeoning carbon credit and ESG market. The initiative aims to onboard 100,000 farmers, potentially generating carbon credits valued between ₹16-50 crore annually. By utilizing AI analytics, satellite imagery, and crop data, CarbonKrishi will assess farm-level carbon impacts, with a projected revenue share of 20-30% translating to ₹3-10 crore in annual earnings from carbon credits. Pratik Kumar Patel, Director of Auri Grow India, emphasized that the platform seeks to empower farmers through sustainable practices while creating a scalable revenue stream for the company. He noted that by integrating Indian agriculture into the global carbon credit ecosystem, Auri Grow is positioned for long-term ESG-driven value creation for farmers, partners, and shareholders. The initiative reflects a significant shift towards technology and sustainability in agriculture.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) has called on Air India Express to establish a code of conduct for its crew rostering staff amid rising complaints of inappropriate behavior. In a letter to the airline's board, ALPA President Captain Sam Thomas emphasized the importance of a rostering system that prioritizes empathy and safety, particularly as pilots are vital to the airline's operations. This appeal follows troubling incidents, including a rostering manager's social media post suggesting retaliation against pilots who refuse roster changes for personal reasons, and rostering staff neglecting pilot hotline calls in favor of social media engagement. Thomas warned that mismanaged rosters and a culture of fear could lead to significant operational disruptions, as seen with IndiGo in December. The association is also advocating for mandatory training on human factors and a comparative audit of rostering practices between Air India and Air India Express.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 6 pm
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