Trending Economy

Listen as Radio

India's factory output hits 13-month low at 0.4%

Factory output in India experienced a significant slowdown in October, with the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) reporting a mere 0.4% growth, the lowest in 13 months, down from 4.6% in September. The decline was largely attributed to fewer working days due to major festivals such as Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhath, according to the Statistics Ministry. Sector-wise, manufacturing growth fell to 1.8%, while mining and power production contracted by 1.8% and 6.9%, respectively. For the April-October period of FY26, industrial production growth slowed to 2.7%, down from 4% the previous year. Experts noted that while infrastructure and capital goods showed resilience, the overall slowdown highlighted sectoral imbalances. Economists advised caution in drawing conclusions, suggesting that a more comprehensive assessment should wait until November's data is available, particularly in light of recent GST rate cuts and external economic pressures. sources

Published:
Dec 01 2025, 5 pm

Solapur farmers export bananas to Dubai

Surachita Agro Producer Company Ltd (SAPCL), based in Maharashtra's Solapur district, has successfully exported its first consignment of 20 tonnes of bananas to Dubai, marking a significant milestone under the state's SMART project. Established in 2019, SAPCL initially focused on dry raisins but pivoted to banana cultivation after assessing market demands. With 350 shareholders and daily harvests of 8-10 tonnes, the company developed a pack-house facility to support its operations. CEO Ratnadeep More highlighted the crucial role of Palladium in securing market linkages and navigating export requirements, which facilitated this shipment in collaboration with Pure Planet India Pvt Ltd. Looking ahead, SAPCL plans to process lower-grade bananas into value-added products like banana powder and vacuum-fried chips, aiming to reduce post-harvest losses and expand its network from 6,000 to 40,000 farmers in the coming years, thereby establishing a robust banana value chain in the region. sources

Published:
Dec 01 2025, 5 pm

Viswanathan appointed chairperson, retains ChPA vice chair role

S. Viswanathan has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Chennai Port Authority (ChPA), effective Monday, following the departure of Sunil Paliwal. Paliwal stepped down from his role as Chairperson on November 30 to take on the position of Chairman at the Inland Waterways Authority of India, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways. The announcement was made in a release from the ChPA. Viswanathan, who previously served as the Deputy Chairperson, will now lead the authority as it navigates the challenges and opportunities in the maritime sector. This transition marks a significant shift in leadership for the ChPA, which plays a crucial role in managing one of India's busiest ports. sources

Published:
Dec 01 2025, 4 pm

India's October industrial output increases by 0.4%

India's industrial output experienced a modest growth of 0.4% year-on-year in October, a significant slowdown from a revised 4.6% increase in September, according to government data released on Monday. Manufacturing output rose by 1.8% in October, down from a revised 5.6% the previous month, while electricity generation plummeted by 6.9%, contrasting with a 3.1% rise in September. Mining activity also declined by 1.8%, compared to a 0.4% drop in the prior month. Notably, consumer durables, including cars and phones, saw a 0.5% decrease, following a robust 10% growth in September. Consumer non-durables fell by 4.4%, while capital goods output increased by 2.4%. The overall industrial output for the April-October period grew by 2.7%, down from 4% a year earlier, reflecting the impact of fewer working days due to major festivals and reduced electricity demand from the extended monsoon. sources

Published:
Dec 01 2025, 4 pm

Coonoor tea auction prices stable amid steady demand

Prices at the Coonoor tea auctions remained stable, bolstered by robust participation from blenders, upcountry buyers, and exporters. Traders noted strong demand from North India, attributed to reduced production due to winter conditions, while concerns over a potential decline in southern tea crops were raised, linked to the impacts of La Niña. Global Tea Auctioneers reported that 94% of the 1,535,140 kg of leaf grades offered were sold, alongside an 82% sale rate for 401,027 kg of dust varieties. High-priced teas and premium liquoring leaf grades saw slight declines of ₹2-3, although some lots fetched higher prices based on quality. In the CTC dust category, high-priced teas remained steady to slightly higher, while medium and plainer sorts experienced minor fluctuations. Overall, primary orthodox dust grades fell by ₹8-10, with notable withdrawals towards the end of the sale. sources

Published:
Dec 01 2025, 4 pm

GST Collection Reaches ₹1.7 Lakh Crore

In the latest market update, the SENSEX closed at 85,631.60, down by 75.07 points, while the NIFTY fell by 30.45 points to settle at 26,172.50. In commodities, crude oil prices rose by ₹40 to reach ₹5,364.00, while gold and silver saw significant increases, with gold up by ₹1,238.00 at ₹128,121.00 and silver rising by ₹2,372.00 to ₹174,009.00. Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry reported that GST collections for November reached over ₹1.7 lakh crore, reflecting a modest growth of 0.7% compared to the previous year, influenced by the recent GST rate cut effective from September 22. Domestic collections were over ₹1.24 lakh crore, down by more than 2% year-on-year, although imports saw a nearly 10% increase, contributing around ₹46,000 crore to the total. sources

Published:
Dec 01 2025, 3 pm

West Bengal issues new tender for Tajpur deep sea port

The West Bengal government has issued a new Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development of the Tajpur deep-sea port in East Medinipur, effectively terminating its previous tender process that had awarded the project to Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ). Initially, a provisional Letter of Intent was granted to APSEZ in October 2022 after it was selected as the top bidder. However, the state cabinet decided to pursue a fresh tender earlier this year, ending a four-year association with the Adani Group. The new RFP invites bids for the port's development on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis, with a 99-year concession period and state support for rail and road linkages. The project, which aims to attract investments of ₹25,000 crore, was first approved in 2016, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently confirmed its readiness for tender during the Bengal Global Business Summit. sources

Published:
Dec 01 2025, 3 pm

Govt requests Parliament approval for ₹41,500 crore spending

On the opening day of the Winter Session of Parliament in New Delhi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla oversaw proceedings as the Government sought approval for a substantial cash outlay exceeding ₹41,500 crore. This request is part of the first Supplementary Demands for Grants (SDG), which entails a total additional expenditure of over ₹1.32 lakh crore, with the bulk of the fresh cash aimed at fertilizer subsidies and compensating oil marketing companies for LPG under-recoveries. Notably, the overall fiscal deficit is projected to remain stable at 4.4% of GDP. The SDG document specifies that over ₹18,500 crore will be allocated for fertilizers, while ₹9,400 crore is earmarked for oil marketing companies. Additionally, over ₹2,500 crore is designated for Ladakh and ₹2,100 crore for Manipur as part of a development package. The SDG outlines necessary expenditures beyond the initial budget for the financial year. sources

Published:
Dec 01 2025, 2 pm

Bills to Keep High Tobacco, Pan Masala Taxes Introduced

In a bid to sustain high taxation on tobacco products, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced two significant bills in the Lok Sabha on December 1, 2025. The "Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025" aims to impose a new cess on pan masala, while the "Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025" seeks to levy additional taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco items. Currently, these products are subject to a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 28% alongside a compensation cess, which is set to expire as the government nears the repayment of loans taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the cessation of the compensation cess, the new legislation will ensure that tobacco products continue to be taxed at the higher GST rate, maintaining the financial burden on consumers. The changes come as part of a broader rationalization of GST rates across various sectors. sources

Published:
Dec 01 2025, 12 pm

Aviation Fuel Prices Rise 5.4%, LPG Rates Decrease

In a recent price revision, Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) in Delhi saw a significant increase of ₹5,133.75 per kilolitre, bringing the total to ₹99,676.77 per kl, marking the third consecutive monthly hike. This 5.4% rise follows earlier increases of 1% and 3.3% in November and October, respectively, and is expected to exert additional pressure on airlines, which allocate nearly 40% of their operating costs to fuel. Meanwhile, the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder was reduced by ₹10 to ₹1,580.50 in Delhi, continuing a trend of price cuts that have collectively lowered costs by ₹223 since April. Domestic LPG prices remain stable at ₹853 for a 14.2-kg cylinder. Fuel prices vary across cities due to local taxes, while petrol and diesel prices remain unchanged after a reduction last year. The revisions are conducted monthly by major state-owned oil companies based on international benchmarks. sources

Published:
Dec 01 2025, 1 pm

For the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews

End of news stories. Come back in an hour!