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The Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) has established a drafting committee to revise the state's Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) policy, originally formulated in 2008. This initiative follows the introduction of a national IPR policy in 2016, which urged states to develop their own frameworks. The committee includes notable members such as RS Praveen Raj, Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-NIIST, and legal experts from various institutions. The newly designated IPR Rights Information Centre-Kerala will serve as the nodal agency for IPR matters, advising on policy formulation. The revision aims to broaden the scope of the original policy, which primarily focused on protecting traditional knowledge, to align with national standards. Raj has proposed incorporating IPR education into school curricula and establishing an IPR academy, alongside initiatives like a Traditional Knowledge Docketing System and the Kerala Traditional Knowledge Authority. 
Published: Apr 21 2025, 10 ameznews.inCentral and state GST officers have uncovered 25,009 fake firms involved in fraudulent input tax credit (ITC) claims amounting to ₹61,545 crore during the 2024-25 fiscal year, leading to the recovery of ₹1,924 crore and the arrest of 168 individuals. Over the past two years, a total of 42,140 fake firms have been identified, generating ITC fraud exceeding ₹1.01 lakh crore, with ₹3,107 crore recovered and 316 arrests made. To combat this issue, the GST registration process has been tightened, requiring physical verification and Aadhaar authentication for high-risk applicants. The GST Act imposes penalties for fraudulent ITC claims, including the suspension of registrations and blocking of ITC in electronic ledgers. Officials have emphasized the importance of intelligence sharing and data analytics in detecting fraudulent activities, with two national conferences held to enhance enforcement efforts while maintaining business facilitation.
Published: Apr 21 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) reported a net addition of 1.61 million members in February 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 3.99% in payroll additions compared to February 2024. The surge in new subscribers, totaling approximately 739,000, is attributed to increased employment opportunities and heightened awareness of employee benefits, particularly among the youth. Notably, individuals aged 18-25 accounted for 57.71% of new subscribers, with a net payroll addition of 678,000 in this age group. Additionally, around 1.32 million former members rejoined EPFO, marking an 11.85% increase from the previous year. Female participation also rose, with 208,000 new female subscribers and a 9.23% increase in net female payroll additions. Maharashtra led the states in net payroll growth, contributing 20.90% of the total, while expert services accounted for 41.72% of the overall net payroll addition.
Published: Apr 21 2025, 3 pmeznews.inThe Third World Network (TWN) has criticized the recently drafted Pandemic Agreement, stating it fails to adequately address the health inequities highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Following three years of negotiations, the agreement is set for consideration at the World Health Assembly in May, but TWN argues it lacks essential details, particularly regarding the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) instrument, which is intended to be an annex to the agreement. The organization emphasizes the need for binding commitments to ensure equitable access to vaccines and therapeutics during public health emergencies, warning that without specific obligations, the disparities seen during past outbreaks may persist. TWN also calls for legally binding provisions on technology transfer and the establishment of a fair global supply chain for health resources. The agreement's development follows 13 rounds of negotiations by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), which was formed to enhance pandemic preparedness and response.
Published: Apr 21 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's leather and non-leather footwear exports surged by approximately 25% year-on-year, reaching $5.7 billion in 2024-25, with projections suggesting they could exceed $6.5 billion in the current fiscal year, according to the Council for Leather Exports (CLE). Executive Director R Selvam noted that the sector has surpassed its export target by $1 billion, driven by robust demand from both developed and developing nations, particularly the US and UK. Despite a 10% tariff increase prompting exporters to offer discounts, there have been no order cancellations. CLE Chairman Rajendra Kumar Jalan highlighted a positive outlook, with strong order books and significant interest from Chinese investors in collaborating with Indian manufacturers. The leather industry, which employs around 4.2 million people and has a total turnover of $19 billion, aims to achieve a turnover of $39 billion by 2030, including $13.7 billion from exports.
Published: Apr 21 2025, 2 pmeznews.inPineapple prices in Kerala have plummeted by 50% compared to last year, with wholesale rates currently at ₹32 for green and ₹41 for ripe varieties, according to Baby John, president of the Pineapple Growers Association Keralam. This decline is attributed to heavy summer rains that have boosted production by 30%, resulting in a market glut, with daily output reaching 1,600 tonnes and projected to hit six lakh tonnes by the financial year's end. Traditionally, prices peak in March and April, but the early rains have disrupted this trend. However, traders are optimistic about increased demand from upcountry markets and the upcoming wedding season in New Delhi, where pineapples are a popular choice. They anticipate a price rebound by June as mango demand decreases, aided by growing consumer awareness of the fruit's quality and safety.
Published: Apr 21 2025, 1 pmeznews.inGujarat has emerged as a leader in renewable energy investments, attracting over ₹1.17 lakh crore, which constitutes nearly one-third of India's total investments in the sector from 2020 to 2024. The state boasts an installed renewable energy sources (RES) capacity of 32,924 megawatts (MW) as of February 2025. Alongside Rajasthan, which has a capacity of 33,468 MW and attracted ₹96,191 crore, both states collectively account for over 53.5% of the ₹3.99 lakh crore invested in RES nationwide during this period. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka follow, with investments of ₹39,431 crore, ₹26,526 crore, and ₹23,104 crore, respectively. Solar power has been the standout performer, with investments reaching ₹2.64 lakh crore, representing 66% of total RES investments. India's solar capacity surged to 100.33 GW by January 2025, reflecting a remarkable growth trajectory in the sector.
Published: Apr 21 2025, 1 pmeznews.inTea prices for fair average quality surged at Coonoor auctions last week, driven by increased demand from upcountry buyers, although interest in higher-quality teas remained subdued. According to Global Tea Auctioneers, the quantity of leaf grades offered was 1,176,851 kg, achieving a sales rate of 91%, while dust grades saw an 84% sales rate from 395,579 kg. In the CTC leaf category, high-priced and better liquoring teas fell by ₹5 to ₹6, with medium sorts remaining stable or easing slightly. Conversely, orthodox leaf grades saw a price increase of ₹4 to ₹5, although some lots sold for less. In the CTC dust segment, high-priced teas rose by ₹5 to ₹6, while better liquoring types dipped by ₹1 to ₹2. Orthodox dust grades experienced a decline of ₹6 to ₹8, with some withdrawals noted.
Published: Apr 21 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) has called on the Commerce Ministry to prioritize the revival of organic non-GMO soyabean and soyabean meal exports to the US amid ongoing bilateral trade agreement negotiations. SEA President Sanjeev Asthana noted that India previously exported 1.5-2 lakh tonnes of these products annually, but US domestic opposition led to safeguard duties that halted imports. He emphasized the importance of these exports for economic growth. Additionally, Asthana highlighted a positive monsoon forecast, predicting rainfall at 105% of the long-term average, which is vital for the kharif crop. He also addressed the detrimental impact of a July 2023 export ban on de-oiled rice bran, which has severely reduced capacity utilization among SEA members. Furthermore, he urged China to ease restrictions on rapeseed meal imports, presenting an opportunity for India to regain market share, and called for regulatory measures on refined oil imports from Nepal to protect domestic refiners.
Published: Apr 21 2025, 1 pmeznews.inMumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) is set to construct a common hangar and additional parking bays for airlines following the eviction of business jets from its premises. In a proposal to the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority, MIAL highlighted the need for 155 parking stands, up from the current 114, as demand from airlines for new flights from Mumbai increases. The plan includes six bays for Airbus A320/Boeing 737 aircraft and fourteen for smaller jets and turboprops, aimed at enhancing passenger capacity to 65 million annually. However, business jet owners have expressed concerns over the eviction process, arguing it lacks proper consultation and could disrupt operations. The Business Aircraft Operators Association has called for the relocation of general aviation operators to Navi Mumbai International Airport to be funded by the airport operator, while also seeking parity in charges between the two airports to minimize operational disruptions. MIAL also plans to expand the general aviation terminal to accommodate rising charter flight movements.
Published: Apr 21 2025, 12 pmeznews.inPallipalayam, a small town near Erode in Tamil Nadu, is facing significant challenges due to the ongoing US-China trade war, which has led to an influx of cheaper viscose spun yarn (VSY) from China. With over 60 spinning mills dedicated to VSY production, the local textile industry, which consumes around 2,000 tonnes of viscose staple fibre (VSF) daily, is struggling as Chinese manufacturers are reportedly dumping yarn at prices as low as ₹185 per kg, undercutting local production costs of ₹205 per kg. Ramesh Natrajan, Executive Director of AGT Mills, has called for government intervention to impose anti-dumping duties on Chinese imports. The Tamil Nadu Spinning Mills Association has also urged the Textile and Commerce Ministries to act swiftly to protect the local industry from these unfair trade practices. The situation is critical, as unchecked imports could severely impact the livelihoods of those in this vital textile hub.
Published: Apr 21 2025, 12 pm
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