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Execution of key infrastructure projects in Tamil Nadu is being hindered by delays in land acquisition, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha on Friday. Notably, the Rameshwaram-Dhanushkodi New Line, sanctioned at ₹734 crore, has yet to commence due to the Tamil Nadu government's failure to acquire necessary land. Over the past three financial years, 28 surveys covering 2,493 km have been sanctioned in the state, but only 24% of the required 4,326 hectares has been acquired. Major projects, including a 71-km new line from Tindivanam to Tiruvannamalai, are similarly stalled. While budget allocations for railway projects in Tamil Nadu have surged from ₹879 crore annually between 2009-14 to ₹6,626 crore in 2025-26, the minister emphasized that progress relies on state government cooperation. Additionally, a survey for a new doubling line in the region has been sanctioned to enhance connectivity. 
Published: Dec 05 2025, 8 pmeznews.inUnion Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan announced in Parliament that the Ministry has completed stakeholder consultations on the draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill 2023. This legislation aims to regulate traditional broadcasters and emerging digital platforms, including OTT services and online content creators. The draft Bill was made public on November 10, 2023, with an extended comment period now set to close on October 15, 2024, to accommodate feedback from various stakeholders, including media associations. The proposed Bill seeks to replace the outdated Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act of 1995 and establish a unified regulatory framework for broadcasting services. Concerns had previously been raised by digital publishers and broadcasters regarding potential overreach of government regulatory powers and compliance burdens on smaller entities. Following significant pushback, the Ministry had paused the draft legislation last August for further consultations.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 8 pmeznews.inRussia's Uralchem JSC has signed a significant agreement with India's Indian Potash (IPL), Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF), and National Fertilisers (NFL) to establish a urea plant in Russia with a capacity of 2 million tonnes per annum, backed by an investment of approximately $1.2 billion. The deal was formalized in New Delhi, witnessed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Uralchem will hold a 50% stake in the joint venture, while IPL and RCF will each take 22.5%, and NFL will hold 5%. The plant is expected to commence operations by 2027-28, with India securing the first right to purchase at least 50% of the output. Uralchem's CEO emphasized India's strategic importance as a major agricultural player and consumer of fertilizers, as both nations aim to enhance cooperation in this sector amid rising domestic urea demand in India.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 8 pmeznews.inDuring a recent summit in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a new economic cooperation programme aimed at boosting bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, up from $68.7 billion in FY25. The leaders emphasized the need for a balanced trade approach, with a focus on increasing Indian exports in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and textiles, to address a significant trade deficit. Putin assured a steady supply of crude oil to India despite Western sanctions on Russian oil companies. While no major defence deals were finalized, discussions included agreements on shipbuilding and civil nuclear energy. Modi also introduced new e-visa schemes for Russian tourists and highlighted the importance of diversifying trade and investment. Both leaders expressed commitment to enhancing cooperation in high-tech sectors, military technology, and the ongoing Free Trade Agreement negotiations with the Eurasian Economic Union.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 8 pmeznews.inAn operational disruption in IndiGo's services has left numerous Sabarimala pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh stranded at Cochin International Airport (CIAL) due to a lack of return flights. Chaos erupted on Thursday as pilgrims from Hyderabad were forced to wait at the terminal for up to 12 hours. In response, IndiGo arranged special road transport for around 40 pilgrims on Friday, according to airport officials. CIAL noted that nearly 500 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu transit through the airport daily for Sabarimala. To assist these travelers, a dedicated facilitation centre has been established. During a review meeting, IndiGo indicated that its international operations from Kochi would stabilise by midnight. However, hundreds of other passengers faced significant delays and cancellations, particularly those heading to major cities like Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Chennai. CIAL urged passengers to check flight information with their airlines as the situation continues to evolve.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 7 pmeznews.inUnion Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the need for increased funding for technology-driven warfare during a debate on the ‘Health Security se National Security Cess Bill’ on Friday. The proposed legislation seeks to impose a 40% cess on Pan Masala, necessitated by the absence of cess provisions in the GST framework and the impending end of the Compensation Cess Act. Sitharaman highlighted the importance of maintaining robust national defense, recalling past instances where lack of resources left Indian soldiers inadequately equipped. She noted that modern warfare relies on advanced technology, as demonstrated by Operation Sindoor, which showcased seamless coordination among armed forces. The Minister warned that a reduction in the effective tax rate on Pan Masala, currently at 88%, could undermine public health initiatives and government revenue. The GST Council has approved the increase, which will take effect once the Compensation Cess period concludes.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Chennai Division of Southern Railway has inaugurated the second Gati-Shakti Multi Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) at Anuppampattu Village, Ponneri, aimed at bolstering freight infrastructure and enhancing regional connectivity. Developed by Sical Multimodal and Rail Transport Ltd, the terminal is designed to handle a variety of commodities, including containers, food grains, cement, and iron and steel. The inaugural run featured a 45-BLCA wagon rake that traveled 1,389 km, generating freight earnings of ₹15 lakh for the Green Field Private Freight Terminal in South Eastern Railway. With an initial capacity to manage 21 rakes per month, the terminal is set to significantly enhance the Chennai Division's logistics capabilities, reinforcing its position as a crucial logistics hub in the region.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) recent decision to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points is expected to bolster consumption and investment while reducing corporate funding costs, according to senior banking officials. State Bank of India Chairman CS Setty emphasized that this move not only cushions the economy against potential shocks but also supports a sustained growth trajectory in investment and credit. Indian Overseas Bank's MD Ajay Kumar Srivastava noted that the rate cut will ease borrowing costs, particularly benefiting housing, real estate, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Additionally, the RBI's liquidity measures, including ₹1 lakh crore in open market operations and a three-year USD/INR swap, are designed to enhance monetary transmission and support domestic investment. Overall, the rate cut is seen as a strategic effort to maintain economic momentum while ensuring financial stability, with anticipated benefits for sectors reliant on financing.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 7 pmeznews.inAVPL International has joined forces with the Uttar Pradesh Government to launch the Drone Planet Suvidha Kendra initiative, aimed at fostering drone entrepreneurship at the village level across the northern state. This initiative, part of the CM Yuva Udhami Yojana, will provide selected candidates with training, drones, and structured business plans, empowering rural youth and women to establish drone-based enterprises in agricultural services and digital advisory. With operations already in 16 states and 70 Centres of Excellence, AVPL's expansion into Uttar Pradesh is set to enhance opportunities for thousands of rural entrepreneurs through precision agriculture and sustainable income avenues. The scalable model of the Drone Planet Suvidha Kendra will offer services such as drone spraying, training, and digital agronomy, ultimately helping farmers adopt modern practices and improve productivity. "We want every village in India to have at least one drone entrepreneur," said Preet Sandhu, Co-founder and Managing Director of AVPL International.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIn a significant agricultural initiative, the Indian government has sent local monsoon onset forecasts via SMS to over 38 million farmers across 13 states, utilizing the M-Kisan portal. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reported in the Rajya Sabha that nearly half of the recipients adjusted their planting strategies for the kharif 2025 season based on these AI-generated forecasts. The pilot project, developed in collaboration with the India Meteorological Department, employed a sophisticated open-source AI model using 125 years of historical rainfall data. Additionally, the government has introduced the 'Kisan e-Mitra' chatbot to assist farmers with queries related to various agricultural schemes, handling over 8,000 inquiries daily. In related updates, India's natural rubber production rose by 22.37% over five years, while meat exports saw a slight decline in volume but an increase in value, highlighting ongoing trends in the agricultural sector.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 6 pm
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