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India's steel imports reached 9.5 million tonnes in FY25, prompting the government to impose a five-year anti-dumping duty of $121.55 per tonne on hot-rolled flat steel imports from Vietnam. This measure aims to curb the influx of inexpensive Chinese steel, as industry analysts believe Vietnamese steel often acts as a conduit for Chinese shipments. Following a detailed investigation by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies, the duty targets hot-rolled flat steel, both alloy and non-alloy, with specific dimensions, while Hoa Phat Dung Quat Steel JSC is exempt due to a low dumping margin. Early data for FY26 indicates a significant decline in finished steel imports, with a 27.6% year-on-year drop and a 47.7% fall in Chinese imports during April-May 2025. Despite the government's push for self-reliance under the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" initiative, experts warn that the impact on Chinese steel imports may be limited, given the small share of Vietnamese steel in the overall market. 
Published: Nov 16 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry in India experienced a mixed performance in the September quarter, with some companies reporting strong same-store sales growth while others struggled due to weak dine-in recovery, margin pressures, and declining urban demand. Jubilant FoodWorks stood out with a 9.1% year-on-year growth for Domino’s India, primarily driven by its delivery channel. However, overall trends were subdued, with the pizza category seeing a 1.5% decline in same-store sales growth, and other segments like fried chicken facing negative growth. Experts, including Karan Taurani from Elara Capital, noted that despite a global recovery in QSRs, Indian brands lagged due to various challenges. Management from Sapphire Foods highlighted the impact of competitive intensity and constrained consumer spending, while Restaurant Brands Asia's CEO expressed optimism for future growth, citing government GST cuts as a potential boost for consumer discretionary spending.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 8 pmeznews.inFarmer leader Rampal Jat has called on the Indian government to implement a Maize Control Order, which would mandate ethanol distilleries to purchase maize from farmers at the minimum support price (MSP). Speaking in New Delhi, Jat highlighted that current market prices for maize are significantly lower than the MSP of ₹2,400 per quintal, with farmers often receiving as little as ₹1,100 per quintal. He criticized the government for prioritizing distilleries over farmers, despite promises made in 2014 to enhance farmers' incomes through increased ethanol blending. Jat noted that while the target for 20% ethanol blending was achieved ahead of schedule in 2025, no similar target has been set for ensuring MSP for maize. He also pointed to a recent decline in maize prices linked to potential imports from the US, arguing that farmers lack the protections afforded to sugarcane producers under the Essential Commodities Act.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAhead of a scheduled bilateral meeting in December, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to assess progress towards achieving a $100 billion trade target by 2030 and discuss a potential free trade agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Recent talks have focused on establishing a "time-bound" strategy for key sectors, including pharmaceuticals, machinery, and automobiles, amid India's growing trade deficit with Russia, which reached approximately $59 billion in FY25. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal has been actively engaging with Russian officials to advance FTA negotiations, emphasizing the need for quarterly regulatory meetings to tackle certification and non-tariff issues. With U.S. tariffs complicating exports, India is looking to diversify its markets through enhanced trade with Russia and the EAEU, which includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Department of Consumer Affairs has reported significant success for its e-jagriti consumer grievance portal, which has registered nearly 275,000 users since its launch on January 1. As of November 13, the portal has facilitated 130,550 case filings and ensured the disposal of 127,058 cases, showcasing its effectiveness in enhancing consumer protection nationwide. The platform integrates various legacy systems into a single interface, allowing users, including NRIs, to file complaints, make payments, and participate in virtual hearings without needing to be physically present in India. High adoption rates have been noted in states like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The portal's automated workflows and real-time updates have led to disposal rates exceeding 100% in ten states. Additionally, it has sent over 200,000 SMS alerts and 1.2 million email notifications to keep users informed about their cases.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Statistics Ministry of India is set to conduct its first comprehensive survey on migration in nearly two decades, aiming to address the political, social, and economic challenges faced by migrants. Scheduled from July 2024 to June 2027, the survey will gather data on migration rates, reasons for migration, and the impact on housing, education, and healthcare. It will include new questions targeting individuals aged 15 and above, focusing on the types of problems encountered in their current locations. Notably, the survey will introduce a 'permanent' category for migration and will consider households that migrate as a unit. Previous data indicated a higher migration rate in urban areas (35%) compared to rural areas (26%). The last comprehensive survey was conducted between July 2007 and June 2008, highlighting the need for updated insights into migration trends across the country.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 4 pmeznews.inDuring a joint press statement at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on April 1, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India and Chile will hold the next round of negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement in December. This agreement aims to enhance India's access to critical minerals essential for its electronics, automotive, and solar sectors. Following the conclusion of the third round of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations in Santiago on October 30, officials highlighted India's strategic focus on strengthening ties with Latin America. The CEPA seeks to expand upon the existing 2006 preferential trade agreement, covering sectors such as digital services, investment, and micro, small, and medium enterprises. Despite a modest bilateral trade of USD 3.75 billion in 2024-25, with a notable increase in imports from Chile, the partnership is poised for growth, particularly in critical minerals and other sectors.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 4 pmeznews.inOn Audit Day, Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) K Sanjay Murthy announced a revitalization of the audit of Urban Local Governments, highlighting the need for improved urban living conditions as over half of India's population is expected to reside in cities by 2047. The audit will focus on infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and local economic growth in 101 major cities, aiming to provide actionable insights for over 400 million urban residents. Additionally, Murthy outlined plans for a comprehensive audit of India's multi-modal transport and logistics systems, particularly the Indian Railways, to reduce logistics costs from 13-14% to single digits, enhancing competitiveness for exporters. The C&AG also introduced the CAG-Connect Portal for real-time connectivity with audit entities and announced a pan-India audit of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) to support educational progress. Other initiatives include audits on Ease of Doing Business for MSMEs, focusing on user-friendly processes and grievance redressal.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Indian government is promoting the use of nano fertilizers during the Rabi sowing season to mitigate the supply issues of conventional fertilizers, as demand surges alongside an increase in cultivated land. Sales data from early November indicate significant rises in urea, DAP, MOP, and complex fertilizers compared to last year, with the area under cultivation expanding by 27% to over 130 lakh hectares. Despite government efforts, including a meeting led by Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi, farmers remain hesitant to adopt nano technology, contrasting with its acceptance in countries like the US. Fertilizer cooperative IFFCO, which developed nano technology, is encouraging farmers to treat seeds with nano fertilizers, citing potential benefits. However, skepticism persists, with some farmers opting for cautious trials. IFFCO aims to boost nano fertilizer sales significantly, asserting that these products could revolutionize India's agricultural practices by enhancing efficiency and sustainability.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) has urged the Railway Board to supply additional wagons for its truck-on-train (ToT) service, which facilitates the transport of trucks and milk tankers on specially designed wagons. Launched on September 18, 2023, along the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, the service operates between Rewari in Haryana and Palanpur in Gujarat, significantly cutting transportation costs, time, and air pollution. Currently, 30 trucks, primarily milk tankers from an Amul dairy, are transported daily, reducing travel time from 30 hours to just 12. DFCCIL officials noted that while the service is currently using Bogie Rail Wagons, a specially designed Flat Multi-Purpose (FMP) wagon is in production, with deliveries expected next year. The ToT model is seen as a transformative solution for logistics, addressing challenges like road congestion and enhancing drivers' working conditions while reducing carbon emissions.
Published: Nov 16 2025, 3 pm
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