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The Indian Micro-Fertilizers Manufacturers Association has called on the government to extend the 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) to all fertilizers listed under the Fertiliser Control Order, expedite refunds for excess GST credits, and implement a unified licensing system ahead of the Union Budget. While praising the reduction of GST from 12% to 5% on certain items as a significant reform, the association highlighted the challenges posed by an inverted duty structure, where raw materials incur higher GST than finished products, leading to excess input tax credit and locked working capital. President Rahul Mirchandani emphasized the need for a clear mechanism for quick refunds to alleviate financial stress and enhance investment in quality and outreach. The association also advocated for a 'One Nation, One Licence' system to streamline licensing processes, reduce compliance costs, and improve access to quality fertilizers for farmers. 
Published: Jan 11 2026, 11 ameznews.inChennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has marked a significant achievement in its Phase-2 Corridor-4 (C4) project with the successful trial run of a train from Porur Junction to Vadapalani, covering a distance of 5.5 km. This trial is part of CMRL's extensive 118.9 km Phase-2 initiative, which includes three corridors. The recent run confirms the completion of the viaduct, track laying, and electrification from Porur Junction to Kodambakkam Power House. Following this, up-line trial runs are set to commence shortly. CMRL previously completed trial runs from Poonamallee Bypass to Porur Junction in June 2025. To enhance commuter access, CMRL has prioritized the double-decker stretch of the C4 line, allowing direct services from Porur to Vadapalani without intermediate stops, while remaining stations will be commissioned as they are completed, aiming for full operational readiness by June 2026.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 7 pmeznews.inThe 'Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)' was a key topic during recent pre-budget discussions between the Centre and States/UTs. States are advocating for increased funding, with Uttar Pradesh leading the allocation at over ₹52,000 crore, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Bihar with more than ₹36,000 crore each, and Maharashtra and Assam with over ₹23,000 crore. The Union Budget for 2025-26 allocated ₹1.5 lakh crore for 50-year interest-free loans to support capital expenditure and reform incentives, with approximately ₹83,600 crore disbursed by January 4, 2026. The scheme, initiated in FY21, has seen its outlay rise significantly, reflecting positive responses from state governments. It encompasses ten parts, including untied funding for state-chosen projects and reform-centric allocations, aimed at enhancing economic growth through capital investment and asset creation.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe Indian government is set to introduce the Seeds Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha during the upcoming Budget session, which begins on January 28. Initially planned for the last parliamentary session, the Bill aims to regulate seed quality, ensure farmers access to affordable seeds, and curb the sale of spurious products. The existing Seeds Act, 1966, has not been significantly updated since 1972, despite previous attempts to enact a new law facing political and farmer opposition. Key provisions of the draft include mandatory registration for seed manufacturers and penalties for selling spurious seeds, although critics argue this could disadvantage small operators. The Bill also proposes to ease import restrictions and decriminalise minor offences to promote business. However, farmers' unions, such as the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, have raised concerns over the lack of provisions for affordable seeds and the acceptance of self-certified foreign imports without quality testing.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 6 pmeznews.inGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to embark on a two-day visit to India starting Monday, aimed at advancing the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and enhancing bilateral trade relations. As Germany's largest trading partner within the EU, both nations are keen to resolve outstanding issues ahead of the upcoming India-EU Summit in New Delhi. Merz will be accompanied by a delegation of 25 CEOs and will visit Ahmedabad and Bengaluru, focusing on defence deals, skill development, and technology cooperation. Key discussions will include the potential finalisation of a $5.2 billion agreement for six advanced stealth submarines for the Indian Navy and streamlining visa processes for Indian professionals in healthcare and IT. The visit also aims to bolster trade ties, with bilateral trade reaching $51.23 billion in 2024-25, amidst challenges posed by US tariffs.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 6 pmeznews.inRetail inflation in India, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), is projected to rise to between 1.6% and 1.7% in December, up from 0.71% in November, according to forecasts ahead of the official data release by the Statistics Ministry on Monday. Despite this increase, the inflation rate remains below the targeted range of 2% to 4%. Analysts suggest that food prices, particularly tomatoes, have driven this uptick, with a month-on-month increase of 12.7% attributed to seasonal demand and supply disruptions. While food inflation is expected to remain negative year-on-year, it has shown sequential growth. Reports indicate that the Monetary Policy Committee may consider further rate cuts in early 2026, with HDFC Bank projecting an overall inflation forecast of 1.8% for the fiscal year, aided by potential GST rate cuts and robust agricultural output.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 2 pmeznews.inIndia's electric vehicle (EV) market achieved a significant milestone in 2025, with sales reaching 2.3 million units, representing 8% of all new vehicle registrations, according to the India Energy Storage Alliance's Annual Report. The overall automobile market saw 28.2 million registrations, with two-wheelers dominating at over 20 million units. Electric two-wheelers led EV sales with 1.28 million units, while electric three-wheelers accounted for 0.8 million units. Uttar Pradesh emerged as the largest EV market, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka, collectively contributing over 40% of national sales. The report highlighted a robust festive surge in Q4, aided by GST benefits. Notably, the year also saw the completion of India's largest electric bus tender under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, reinforcing the government's commitment to green public transport. The focus on electrifying heavy commercial vehicles and developing charging infrastructure is expected to bolster India's EV ecosystem beyond 2025.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 1 pmeznews.inThe Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) has advocated for a strategic approach to accelerate the privatisation of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) in non-strategic sectors, proposing disinvestment as a temporary measure in its recommendations for the Union Budget 2026-27. Notably, the term "disinvestment" has been replaced in budget documents with "Miscellaneous Capital Receipts," which includes proceeds from equity management. CII estimates that reducing government stakes to 51% in 78 listed PSEs could unlock nearly ₹10 lakh crore. The proposed four-pronged strategy includes gauging investor interest before selecting PSEs for privatisation, announcing a three-year privatisation pipeline, establishing a dedicated oversight body, and implementing a phased disinvestment approach. CII's Director General, Chandrajit Banerjee, emphasized that this calibrated reduction balances strategic control with value creation, potentially mobilising significant resources for infrastructure development and fiscal consolidation.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 1 pmeznews.inBy 2026, food systems will face a pivotal transformation as geopolitical tensions, climate volatility, and regulatory pressures converge into a permanent reality. Agri-food enterprises must adapt by prioritizing resilience through intelligence rather than scale. Key shifts include the recognition of geopolitics as a core risk, prompting companies to diversify sourcing strategies and adopt risk-adjusted procurement practices. Compliance with regulations will evolve from mere reporting to operational necessities, with traceability becoming essential for market access. Artificial intelligence will transition from predictive tools to decision-grade intelligence, guiding critical operational choices. Additionally, dynamic planning models will replace static annual plans, enabling real-time adjustments to changing conditions. Automation will enhance efficiency, while regenerative agriculture will gain traction as measurable and financeable practices. Ultimately, the successful enterprises of 2026 will integrate decision-grade intelligence, agentic planning, autonomous execution, and audit-ready compliance to ensure resilient and sustainable food systems.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 11 ameznews.inStarting April 1, 2026, the Income Tax Act, 2025, will replace the outdated 1961 tax law, marking a significant overhaul of India's direct tax framework. The new legislation, which is revenue neutral and maintains existing tax rates, aims to simplify tax regulations by reducing the volume of text and sections by approximately 50%. It eliminates the distinction between assessment and previous years, introducing a unified 'tax year' concept, and allows taxpayers to claim TDS refunds even if income tax returns are filed late, without penalties. Approved by Parliament in August 2025, the new Act reflects the need for modernization in response to technological advancements and changing socio-economic conditions. Any amendments to tax rates announced in the 2026-27 Budget will be integrated into this new law, with implementation rules expected to be finalized following the Budget presentation.
Published: Jan 11 2026, 11 am
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