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India's sugar production has surged by 22% to 15.9 million tonnes by mid-January 2026, driven by increased cane supplies and improved yields, according to the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA). This marks a rise from 13 million tonnes during the same period last year, with 518 operational mills compared to 500 a year prior. Notably, Maharashtra's output soared by 51% to 6.45 million tonnes, while Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka also reported increases. Despite this growth, ISMA cautioned that escalating cane prices and declining sugar realisations are straining mill finances, leading to delayed payments to farmers. Ex-mill sugar prices in Maharashtra and Karnataka have fallen to approximately Rs 3,550 per quintal, well below production costs. To address these challenges, ISMA has urged an early revision of the minimum selling price to ensure the industry's viability and timely farmer payments. 
Published: Jan 20 2026, 3 pmeznews.inJammu and Kashmir is facing a severe rainfall deficit of 96% this winter, raising alarms over water availability, agriculture, and hydropower generation. Official data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicates that the region received only 1.4 mm of rainfall from January 1 to January 14, far below the normal 33.3 mm. Key agricultural districts, including Srinagar and Budgam, reported zero precipitation, while others like Anantnag and Baramulla experienced deficits of up to 99%. This prolonged dry spell threatens the apple harvest, crucial for the local economy, with farmers warning of potential irrigation crises in summer. The Jammu region also recorded significant deficits, with some districts showing a complete lack of rainfall. Hydropower generation has plummeted by over 70%, with current output at just 277 megawatts. However, a strong Western Disturbance is expected to bring much-needed precipitation from January 22 to 25, according to IMD officials.
Published: Jan 20 2026, 4 pmeznews.inThe Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is set to extend quality certification fee concessions for small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by three years, beyond the mid-2026 deadline, to bolster India's manufacturing sector. The proposed extension offers significant fee reductions—80% for micro units, 50% for small enterprises, and 20% for medium-sized firms. Despite BIS's alignment with global standards, challenges in testing infrastructure and implementation persist, particularly affecting the 80% of licensees that are MSMEs. The government aims to shift towards a culture-driven quality approach, emphasizing that quality is essential for market access. Currently, BIS has issued 55,000 certification licenses, with a notable number obtained voluntarily, reflecting a growing commitment to quality. However, gaps in testing facilities remain, particularly in sectors lacking mandatory standards, prompting calls for industry collaboration to identify and address these deficiencies.
Published: Jan 20 2026, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's largest airline, IndiGo, experienced significant operational disruptions in December due to inadequate pilot roster planning, prompting intervention from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). In a bid to restore stability, IndiGo assured the regulator that it would ensure sufficient flight crew availability starting in February. To facilitate this, the DGCA has temporarily relaxed two provisions concerning night duty for IndiGo pilots until February 10, a decision that has drawn criticism from pilot unions and safety advocates. Earlier this month, the airline faced a $2.45 million fine, received warnings for senior executives, and was instructed to remove its head of operations control following the disruptions. An IndiGo spokesperson has yet to comment on the situation.
Published: Jan 20 2026, 3 pmeznews.inThe Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) has urged the Indian government to include forest-based products in the upcoming bilateral trade agreement with the European Union (EU), emphasizing the benefits for tribal communities and the Indian industry. In a memorandum to Darpan Jain, Chief Negotiator for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, SEA President Sanjeev Asthana highlighted the importance of excluding forestry products from the agricultural sector, as they are vital for tribal livelihoods and not classified as agricultural goods. He pointed out India's potential in producing various tree-borne oilseeds and the need for tariff relief on specific products, such as sal-based cocoa butter and shea stearin, to protect the industry from foreign competition. Asthana argued that reducing tariffs would enhance trade flows, support innovation, and strengthen economic ties between India and the EU, ultimately benefiting both economies and creating jobs.
Published: Jan 20 2026, 2 pmeznews.inThe National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has rated 56 consultants on a 100-point scale for their work in preparing detailed project reports (DPR) for national highways, with scores ranging from 80.75 to 23.33. Chaitanya Project Consultancy, Pentacle Consultant, and L&T Infrastructure Engineering topped the rankings, which are provisional and may be revised if consultants provide supporting documentation to contest their scores. This initiative aims to enhance the quality and transparency of DPRs, which are crucial for road construction projects. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has expressed concerns over the poor quality of DPRs and indicated that penalties will be imposed on consultants failing to meet standards. The ratings are expected to influence future contract awards, ensuring that only the best consultants are selected for national highway projects.
Published: Jan 19 2026, 10 pmeznews.inIndia has approved the export of 500,000 tons of wheat flour and related products, marking a significant easing of restrictions that have been in place since May 2022. This decision, announced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade on January 16, comes amid expectations of a strong harvest that is likely to bolster domestic supplies. While the one-off quota allows for some exports, broader measures prohibiting wheat shipments remain in effect. The move aligns with ongoing trade discussions between India and the US, where Washington is urging New Delhi to open its agricultural sector to enhance market access for American goods. The recent monsoon, the best in five years, has enabled India to consider this temporary relaxation, responding to local industry calls to capitalize on international demand. This partial resumption of exports could alleviate pressures on global supply chains and provide relief to nations in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East reliant on wheat imports.
Published: Jan 20 2026, 10 ameznews.inNet collections from direct taxes in India have risen by 8.82% to over ₹18.38 lakh crore as of January 11, 2026, although this growth falls short of expectations outlined in the Budget Estimate for Fiscal Year 2025-26. The Income Tax Gazetted Officers’ Association and Employees Federation have criticized the tax targets as "irrational and unrealistic," citing severe infrastructure shortages and high work pressure. They have requested a meeting with the Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to address these concerns. Despite ongoing discussions, progress on resolving these issues has been minimal. Additionally, complaints regarding delayed income tax refunds have surged, with less than 15% of grievances resolved in early January. The CBDT is also grappling with a significant staff shortage, with over 26,000 vacancies out of a sanctioned strength of 77,700, highlighting the challenges faced by the tax body amid rising collection targets.
Published: Jan 20 2026, 11 ameznews.inThe Lakshadweep Islands are poised to become a significant player in marine fisheries, particularly for tunas and other species, according to Grinson George, Director of the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. However, he cautioned that the lack of a robust post-harvest ecosystem is a critical barrier to realizing this potential. Speaking at the Matsya Mela in Kavaratti, George called for the establishment of modern cold storage and processing facilities across the islands to ensure the quality of sashimi-grade tuna for international markets. He also highlighted the need to strengthen the value chain for other commercially important fish species to diversify income sources. Mohammed Althaf Hussain P P, President of the Androth Island Fishermen Cooperative Society, emphasized the urgent need for a mother vessel to enhance fish collection and processing at sea. Additionally, opportunities in marine ornamental fish culture and seaweed cultivation were identified as promising sectors for sustainable economic growth. Entrepreneurs are advocating for improved infrastructure and policy support to unlock the region's blue economy potential.
Published: Jan 20 2026, 11 ameznews.inFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget for 2026-27 on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 11 AM in the Lok Sabha, marking the first time the budget will be delivered on a Sunday since India's Independence. The decision to maintain the February 1 date, established in 2017 for enhanced parliamentary discussion and implementation, comes despite it falling on a weekend. The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) will hold special trading sessions that day, allowing investors to respond to budget announcements in real-time, following a similar precedent from 2020. The Budget Session of Parliament will run from January 28 to April 2, 2026, with a recess from February 14 to March 8. Additionally, the traditional Halwa ceremony, which finalizes the budget preparations, will take place shortly before the presentation, marking the start of a lock-in period for officials involved.
Published: Jan 20 2026, 1 pm
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