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India targets 86 million tonne maize output by 2047

India has the potential to more than double its maize production to 86 million tonnes by 2047, up from the current 42.3 million tonnes, according to Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Speaking at the 11th maize summit organized by FICCI, he emphasized the need for developing high-yielding seed varieties with increased starch content, while maintaining a non-GMO approach. Currently, India's average maize productivity is 3.7 tonnes per hectare, with states like West Bengal and Bihar outperforming the national average. Chouhan highlighted the Indian Council of Agricultural Research's development of 265 maize varieties but stressed the need for further innovation. He also urged states like Punjab and Haryana to diversify from paddy to maize cultivation. Addressing concerns over rising maize feed prices, he assured poultry industry representatives that farmers would benefit from higher prices, while calling for stricter regulations against substandard agricultural inputs. sources

Published:
Jul 07 2025, 1 pm

GMR Aero Technic signs maintenance deal with Akasa Air

GMR Aero Technic has entered into a three-year agreement with Akasa Air to provide base maintenance support for its Boeing 737 MAX fleet. The maintenance checks will be conducted at GMR Aero Technic's facility within the GMR Aerospace & Industrial Park in Hyderabad. Ashok Gopinath, President & Accountable Manager of GMR Aero Technic, emphasized that the partnership underscores their reputation as a reliable MRO provider and their ability to adapt to the evolving aviation sector. Meanwhile, Belson Coutinho, Co-Founder and COO of Akasa Air, highlighted that this collaboration aligns with their commitment to uphold high technical standards as the airline expands, while also supporting the burgeoning MRO ecosystem in India. The agreement marks a significant step in enhancing operational efficiency for Akasa Air as it scales its operations. sources

Published:
Jul 07 2025, 3 pm

Experts advocate for dedicated lanes for two-wheelers

Experts at a road safety seminar on Monday advocated for dedicated lanes for two-wheelers and stricter law enforcement to reduce accidents in India, which has the highest road fatalities globally. Rohit Baluja, President of the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE), emphasized the need for separate lanes to enhance rider safety, as two-wheelers are among the most vulnerable road users. He called for India to develop its own vehicular safety systems rather than imitating foreign models. Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), highlighted the lack of comprehensive enforcement and consumer awareness regarding safety features, despite advancements in passenger vehicle safety. K K Kapila, former president of the International Road Federation, underscored the importance of implementing safety technologies like ABS brakes and mandatory airbags for two-wheelers, which make up 74% of the country's traffic yet remain overlooked in infrastructure planning. sources

Published:
Jul 07 2025, 4 pm

Urban professionals seek better pay as living costs rise

As the cost of living escalates, urban professionals in India face a pressing dilemma: remain in their current roles or seek better-paying opportunities. A recent report by ACCA reveals that 65% of employees are dissatisfied with their compensation, with nearly half believing that leaving their job is the only way to secure a pay increase. This trend spans various sectors, including finance and technology, where wage stagnation has prompted many to explore positions in fintech and global capability centers. The pressure is felt across the workforce, with 35-40% of exit interviews citing cost-of-living challenges as a primary reason for attrition. As companies adapt to these dynamics, salary transparency is becoming crucial, with job postings including pay information doubling in recent years. Looking ahead, average salary increments are projected at 8.8% for 2025, with the most competitive hikes anticipated in energy and infrastructure sectors. sources

Published:
Jul 07 2025, 4 pm

Delhi High Court Denies Airport Security Clearance to Celebi

The Delhi High Court has rejected a plea from Turkey-based Celebi Airport Services India to overturn the revocation of its security clearance, a decision made by the Indian government citing national security concerns. The clearance was cancelled following Turkey's support for Pakistan during a military conflict with India in May, which angered many in India. Celebi argued that the cancellation would jeopardize 3,791 jobs and undermine investor confidence, claiming the decision was made without prior warning. However, the court upheld the government's stance, emphasizing that national security can take precedence over procedural fairness. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta highlighted the sensitive nature of airport ground operations, which involve access to critical infrastructure and passenger information. Celebi has not yet commented on the court's ruling, and further details from the proceedings are anticipated. sources

Published:
Jul 07 2025, 3 pm

India's EV Sales Doubled in June 2025, 5% Market Share

In June 2025, the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) reported a significant surge in the Electric Vehicle (EV) market, with sales nearly doubling year-on-year, as 5 out of every 100 passenger vehicles sold were EVs, up from 2 the previous year. Despite this growth, overall vehicle sales saw a decline due to financing challenges and supply shortages, although demand was bolstered by seasonal festivities. The two-wheeler EV segment also experienced a rise, increasing from 6.07% to 7.28% month-on-month. FADA remains cautiously optimistic about the auto retail sector, anticipating a boost from increased government capital expenditure focused on infrastructure and green energy projects. While overall sales volumes fell by 9.44% month-on-month, the Construction Equipment segment soared by nearly 55% year-on-year, indicating strong demand driven by early deliveries and a favorable monsoon forecast, which is expected to enhance rural liquidity and stimulate further growth in the sector. sources

Published:
Jul 07 2025, 2 pm

GMR Aero Technic and Akasa Air sign three-year deal

GMR Aero Technic, a leading airframe Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organization in India, has announced a three-year agreement with Akasa Air for base maintenance support of its Boeing 737 MAX fleet. The partnership will see GMR Aero Technic conduct scheduled maintenance checks at its advanced MRO facility within the GMR Aerospace & Industrial Park. This collaboration highlights Akasa Air's commitment to maintaining a modern and reliable fleet, while also reinforcing GMR Aero Technic's reputation as a trusted partner for India's airlines amid a growing MRO ecosystem. Ashok Gopinath, President of GMR Aero Technic, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the confidence airlines place in their technical expertise. Meanwhile, Akasa Air's COO, Belson Coutinho, noted that the collaboration aligns with their focus on safety and reliability as they expand, further supporting the development of India's MRO sector. sources

Published:
Jul 07 2025, 2 pm

Tanker explosion off Kandla coast; all 21 crew safe

A tanker vessel, MV Fulda, reported an explosion shortly after discharging methanol at Deendayal Port in Kandla, Gujarat, prompting a rapid response from port and Coast Guard authorities. Fortunately, no fire or smoke was detected during the incident, and all 21 crew members onboard were safely evacuated. Om Prakash Dadlani, a Public Relations Officer for the port, confirmed that the Coast Guard was alerted and teams were dispatched to the scene. This incident follows a recent high-risk firefighting operation by the Indian Navy on June 29, 2025, when INS Tabar responded to a Mayday call from the Palau-flagged tanker MT Yi Cheng 6, which was experiencing a major fire in its engine room. The Navy successfully evacuated seven crew members and contained the fire, underscoring India's commitment to maritime safety and its role as a first responder in the Indian Ocean Region. sources

Published:
Jul 07 2025, 2 pm

Cochin Shipyard, HD Hyundai team up for shipbuilding expansion

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), India's largest state-owned shipbuilder, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Korea's HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) to enhance their global presence and bolster India's shipbuilding capabilities. This strategic partnership will focus on ship design support, equipment supply, technical collaboration, and workforce training. Based in Kerala, CSL has delivered 70 vessels over the past five years, including merchant ships and aircraft carriers. The collaboration aims to improve CSL's competitiveness and productivity while creating opportunities for vessel orders domestically and internationally. An HD KSOE official emphasized the importance of this partnership in strengthening their influence in India's burgeoning market. This initiative aligns with India's maritime policies, including the Maritime India Vision 2030, and follows the announcement of a ₹250 billion (USD 2.92 billion) Maritime Development Fund to enhance port infrastructure and shipbuilding. sources

Published:
Jul 07 2025, 1 pm

Kharif 2025: Karnataka's maize, cotton expand; pulses lag behind

In Karnataka, maize has emerged as the standout crop this kharif season, with acreage increasing by 14.6% to reach 13.98 lakh hectares (lh), significantly surpassing last year's 12.20 lh and 68% above the normal for this period. Overall, 50.57 lh has been sown across various kharif crops, accounting for 61% of the targeted 82.50 lh, aided by a 4% surplus in rainfall. However, the area under pulses has declined by 13%, with tur sowing down 21% to 9.88 lh, despite being 47% above the normal. Farmers are shifting towards more profitable crops like maize and cotton, which has seen its acreage rise to 6.11 lh. Oilseed sowing is also lagging behind last year, with groundnut and soybean areas down, while sugarcane and tobacco have seen slight increases. The trends reflect changing agricultural priorities amid fluctuating market conditions. sources

Published:
Jul 07 2025, 1 pm

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