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Texprocil urges RBI to extend relief to suppliers

The Reserve Bank of India's recent trade relief measures, aimed primarily at exporters, should be extended to the entire value chain, including raw material suppliers, according to Siddhartha Rajagopal, Executive Director of the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (Texprocil). He highlighted that the textile sector operates as an integrated system, where reduced demand for finished goods due to high US tariffs adversely affects yarn and fabric manufacturers. While the RBI's measures include a moratorium on term loans and an extended credit period for exporters, suppliers remain subject to standard income recognition and provisioning norms, potentially leading to financial strain. Meanwhile, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) welcomed the RBI's initiatives as timely, noting their importance for the diamond and jewellery sectors, which face challenges from delayed payments and rising costs. The measures are expected to alleviate cash-flow pressures and enhance operational flexibility for these capital-intensive industries. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 8 pm

Mumbai's New Year airfares cheaper than Navi Mumbai's

As Navi Mumbai airport prepares to commence commercial operations on December 25, there are currently no flights scheduled to Goa on December 31. While airlines are working to stimulate travel demand, a recent check revealed that one-way economy tickets for December 25 to cities like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Delhi are generally cheaper from Mumbai, whereas flights to Kochi, Lucknow, and Mangalore are more affordable from Navi Mumbai. This trend continues into New Year’s Eve travel, with similar pricing patterns observed. The first month will see 23 daily departures, primarily operated by Akasa Air and IndiGo, with plans to increase to 34 by February. Experts suggest that ticket prices may be influenced by a higher user development fee at Navi Mumbai, and demand is expected to rise as the opening date approaches. Overall, the pricing landscape remains fluid as both airports adapt to increased demand. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 9 pm

SEA and FOSFA Sign MoU to Boost Oil and Seed Trade

The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) and the Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Associations (FOSFA) International have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance global collaboration and trade within the oils and fats sector. The agreement, signed by SEA President Sanjeev Asthana and FOSFA President Santiago Visca, aims to create a structured framework for cooperation, focusing on bilateral trade, market intelligence exchange, and the promotion of best practices. The partnership will also advance training and capacity-building initiatives through specialized education and joint research efforts. To facilitate the MoU's implementation, a joint working group will be established, meeting biannually to monitor progress and identify priorities. This strategic alliance is expected to provide stakeholders with improved market access, enhanced technical expertise, and greater networking opportunities, ultimately fostering sustainable development within the industry. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 9 pm

Centre enforces one-year stabilization rule for Himalayan roads

In a bid to mitigate landslide risks in mountainous regions, the Indian government has introduced a mandatory one-year stabilisation period for all new and widening road projects in hilly terrain. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has outlined a staged construction approach, requiring initial completion of slope protection works before further development can proceed, ensuring stability through at least one monsoon cycle. This directive follows numerous slope failures in the Himalayas, underscoring the need for enhanced geotechnical safeguards. New guidelines mandate the integration of landslide-monitoring tools in Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and require third-party verification for slope protection works. Additionally, the revised framework includes stricter design-validation procedures and the necessity for comprehensive surveys to assess landslide susceptibility. These measures aim to foster responsible infrastructure development while reducing long-term maintenance costs and enhancing climate resilience in India's hill states. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 7 pm

HDFC Bank tops Kantar's BrandZ most valued India brands

HDFC Bank has been named the most valuable Indian brand, with a valuation of nearly $45 billion, according to the Kantar BrandZ rankings. Since the inaugural BrandZ India Report in 2014, HDFC's brand value has surged by 377%, reflecting an 18% increase from the previous year, driven by innovation and technology investments. Tata Consultancy Services and Airtel follow closely, valued at $44.2 billion and $41.1 billion, respectively. The combined value of the Top 100 Most Valuable Indian Brands reached $523.5 billion in 2025, representing about 13% of India's GDP. Notably, Zomato emerged as the fastest-growing brand, nearly doubling its value to $6 billion. The report highlights that while overall brand value growth has slowed to 6%, the top 10 fastest-growing brands expanded by an average of 42%, underscoring the importance of consumer understanding in driving brand resilience and growth. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 7 pm

Govt to release ₹1,100 crore in exporters' arrears

In a significant move to support exporters facing challenges from US tariffs and a global demand slowdown, the Indian government has approved the release of over ₹1,100 crore in pending payments for the interest equalisation scheme (IES) and market access initiative (MAI). These payments, which have been outstanding for over a year, are part of the broader export promotion mission (EPM) package. The IES, which subsidised interest on export credit, lapsed on December 31, 2024, amid protests from exporters about rising costs affecting their competitiveness. The Commerce Department previously lacked the funds to clear dues, estimated at ₹800-850 crore for IES and ₹300 crore for MAI. The EPM, recently approved by the Cabinet, will subsume both schemes and is set for implementation from FY26 to FY31. However, uncertainty remains regarding interest subvention for the last quarter of FY25, as the IES was suspended at the end of 2024. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 8 pm

CAG Establishes Financial Audit Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for financial audit in Hyderabad, aimed at enhancing innovation and professional development in the field. Deputy CAG AM Bajaj highlighted that the centre will incubate global best practices, cultivate advanced skills, and standardise high-quality audit methodologies, reinforcing the CAG's role as a leading audit institution. This initiative, unveiled during the 32nd Accountants General Conference, signifies a strategic shift towards leveraging data and artificial intelligence to revolutionise audit practices. Bajaj emphasized the importance of integrating audit and accounts functions to utilise comprehensive financial data effectively. The CAG is also developing an indigenously built Large Language Model to enhance audit precision and impact, alongside a renewed commitment to incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into audits, reflecting a forward-looking approach to sustainability. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 7 pm

PM disburses ₹18,000 crore to 9 crore farmers' PM-KISAN

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the South India Natural Farming Summit-2025 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, where he announced the release of over ₹18,000 crore as the 21st instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme, benefiting around 9 crore farmers nationwide. Highlighting the transformative changes in agriculture over the past 11 years, Modi noted that agricultural exports have nearly doubled and emphasized the importance of modernizing farming practices. He pointed out that the Kisan Credit Card scheme has provided over ₹10 lakh crore in assistance this year alone. Modi advocated for natural farming as a sustainable solution to combat climate change and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers, urging farmers to adopt practices like "one acre, one season." He called for a collaborative effort to integrate natural farming into agricultural education, aiming to establish India as a global hub for sustainable agriculture. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 7 pm

Gujarat buys ₹1,177 cr groundnut crop in 11 days

The Gujarat government announced on Wednesday that it has purchased ₹1,177 crore worth of groundnut from approximately 70,000 farmers over the past 11 days, utilizing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi revealed that 1.62 lakh tonnes of groundnut have been procured so far, with over 9.31 lakh farmers registered to sell their Kharif produce at MSP, which began on November 9. The state plans to buy ₹15,000 crore of various Kharif crops this season, including groundnut priced at ₹7,263 per quintal. Farmers have faced challenges due to unseasonal rains affecting their crops, prompting the government to announce two assistance packages. More than 10 lakh farmers have registered for aid under a ₹10,000 crore package, while an additional 1.25 lakh farmers have sought support from a ₹1,138 crore compensation package for losses incurred during September 2025. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 7 pm

IMD issues depression watch for Monday

A projected depression is set to impact the coasts of Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu by Monday morning, according to forecasts from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD has issued a watch for a developing depression over the south Bay of Bengal, which is expected to intensify as it moves west-northwest towards the Tamil Nadu-south Andhra Pradesh coast. Meanwhile, a low-pressure area has brought heavy rainfall to parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Kerala, with significant rainfall recorded in various locations, including Oothu in Tamil Nadu, which saw 23 cm. The Climate Prediction Centre of the US has raised the likelihood of a storm forming in the south-west Bay to 40-50%, as satellite imagery reveals increased thunderstorm activity in the region. Residents are advised to remain vigilant as conditions evolve. sources

Published:
Nov 19 2025, 7 pm

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