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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a post-budget webinar on March 4, 2025, urged Indian states to foster competition in attracting investments by enhancing their ease of doing business. He emphasized that over the past decade, India has demonstrated a commitment to reforms, financial discipline, and inclusive growth, which has instilled confidence in the industry. Modi highlighted the importance of stable policies and a conducive business environment, referencing the Jan Vishwas Act that has streamlined over 40,000 compliances. He portrayed India as a global growth engine, capable of meeting international demand for reliable, high-quality products, especially in light of global supply chain disruptions. Modi also underscored the transformative role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), noting their growth to over 6 crore and increased access to loans, which have surged from ₹12 lakh crore to ₹30 lakh crore, thereby creating significant employment opportunities. 
Published: Mar 04 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe Competition Commission of India (CCI) has dismissed an antitrust complaint against Microsoft, which alleged that the company's bundling of Microsoft Defender antivirus with its Windows operating systems constituted an abuse of market dominance. The complaint, filed under Section 19(1)(a) of the Competition Act, 2002, was closed after the CCI found no prima facie evidence of anti-competitive behavior. The informant claimed that Microsoft's practices sidelined third-party antivirus providers and restricted market access. However, the CCI ruled that Defender is integrated as a security feature rather than a standalone product, and users are free to install alternative antivirus solutions. The commission noted that major cybersecurity firms continue to thrive, and participation in Microsoft's Virus Initiative program is voluntary. Ultimately, the CCI found no violation of Section 4 of the Competition Act, reinforcing Microsoft's position in India's software market and setting a precedent for the integration of security features in operating systems.
Published: Mar 04 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn response to ongoing farmers' protests demanding a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP), a coalition of farmer organizations, led by V M Singh and Raju Shetty under the "MSP Guarantee Kisan Morcha," is advocating for an expansion of the crops covered by this legal framework. Currently, the Indian government sets MSPs for 22 crops and a fair and remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane, but these are voluntary for buyers. Singh emphasized the need for both a legal MSP and its extension to include horticultural products like milk, fruits, and vegetables, arguing that this would help stabilize prices and address issues such as stray cattle damaging crops. He also suggested that MSP should serve as the reserve price in agricultural auctions. As discussions with the government continue, Singh called for transparency in future meetings, expressing concern over the government's lack of engagement with farmers' grievances.
Published: Mar 04 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and NGO Sustain Plus have launched a significant circular dairy programme aimed at installing 10,000 biogas digesters across 15 Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. Announced at a workshop in New Delhi, the initiative is expected to generate 300,000 tonnes of organic slurry annually, enhancing soil health and reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers. Additionally, the biogas plants will produce over 7 million cubic meters of biogas each year, providing clean cooking fuel to 10,000 rural households and generating nearly 60,000 tonnes of Phosphate Rich Organic Manure. This partnership aims to empower dairy farmers, particularly women, by improving manure management and renewable energy adoption, while also creating new income opportunities through organic fertilizers and carbon credits. Ganesh Neelam of Sustain Plus emphasized the project's potential to make India's dairy sector not only the largest but also one of the most sustainable globally.
Published: Mar 04 2025, 5 pmeznews.inNepal is set to begin exporting _chakki atta_, a traditional whole wheat flour, to China to cater to the growing demand from the Indian and Nepali diaspora, according to a local miller. This move comes after Nepal's reliance on Indian wheat imports was disrupted in 2023 when India banned exports. Currently, Nepal imports wheat primarily from Ukraine and Australia, with a 5% duty on Indian imports compared to 10% on those from other countries. Despite India allowing limited wheat exports in January, traders deemed the quantity insufficient. As of February, 72.7% of Nepal's wheat imports came from Ukraine. The country, which produces 21.5 million tonnes of wheat annually, has seen Japan emerge as its largest market for flour products, raising questions about India's ability to export wheat products despite Nepal's dependence on imports.
Published: Mar 04 2025, 3 pmeznews.inBrussels Airport is actively negotiating with Air India and IndiGo to restore direct flights between India and Belgium, aiming to enhance travel and trade between the two nations. The discussions are part of a Belgian economic mission to India, led by Princess Astrid, which includes federal ministers and business representatives. In 2024, approximately 150,000 passengers traveled between the countries, highlighting India's status as Belgium's largest unserved Asian market. A spokesperson for Brussels Airport emphasized that new flights would significantly boost business, tourism, and family visits. Historically, Jet Airways and Brussels Airlines have operated routes to India, but connectivity has been limited since 2019. Air India, the largest carrier on India-Europe routes, and IndiGo, which is expanding its European operations, are seen as key players in revitalizing this air link, particularly for cargo transport, including pharmaceuticals, which are vital to the Belgian market.
Published: Mar 04 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe Indian Poultry Alliance (IPA), a subsidiary of the Allana Group, has acquired Belgaum-based Kwality Animal Feeds Pvt Ltd for ₹300 crore, marking a significant consolidation in the Indian poultry sector. This acquisition, announced on March 4, 2025, will be bolstered by an additional ₹200 crore investment aimed at expanding Kwality's operations. Established in 1983, Kwality is a fully integrated player in the poultry industry, with a strong presence in West and South India, and partnerships with major food service providers. IPA's Managing Director, Moiz Chunawalla, emphasized the acquisition's role in enhancing supply chain efficiency and driving innovation in poultry nutrition. Over the next three years, IPA plans to invest ₹2,000 crore to scale up manufacturing, integrate advanced technologies, and expand into metropolitan markets, while also pursuing three more acquisitions this year to meet rising consumer demand for high-protein poultry products.
Published: Mar 04 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia's ambitious plan to install 25 crore smart meters by March 2026 is facing significant hurdles, with less than 10% of the project completed as of February 2025. Currently, 2.18 crore smart meters have been installed against 22.24 crore sanctioned and 13.80 crore awarded. Challenges include complex tendering processes, logistical issues, outdated billing systems, and consumer protests over higher bills. Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik acknowledged these delays, attributing them to the novelty of smart meters and issues with data validation and testing. Experts emphasize that merely installing smart meters won't reduce losses; improvements in processes and systems are essential. However, there is optimism about the future, with potential benefits for the sector, including enhanced efficiency and reduced financial losses, as seen in Assam, where smart meters have led to significant consumer savings and improved rankings in Discom performance.
Published: Mar 04 2025, 12 pmeznews.inHeavy rainfall has been recorded in parts of South Peninsula and Central India during the first three days of the pre-monsoon season, with significant surpluses noted in regions like Lakshadweep and Tamil Nadu. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts rising temperatures in the West Coast and interior South Peninsula, while a western disturbance is expected to bring cooler conditions to North and North-West India. Thunderstorms, known locally as nor’westers or Kal Baisakhi, are anticipated in East and North-East India, posing risks of high winds and hail. The IMD reported a rainfall surplus of 241% in the South Peninsula and 48% in North-West India, while Central India faced a stark deficit of 99%. As the weather pattern evolves, temperatures in Rajasthan are expected to drop by 2-3°C, with further changes anticipated as the disturbance moves eastward.
Published: Mar 04 2025, 12 pmeznews.inSince the onset of the US-China trade war during Donald Trump's first term, China has strategically reduced its reliance on American agricultural imports to enhance its food security. In retaliation to US tariffs, Beijing halted purchases of US farm goods and later signed the "Phase 1" trade deal, which it ultimately failed to uphold. Over the years, China diversified its agricultural suppliers, ramped up domestic production of genetically modified crops, and enacted its first food security law in 2024, aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in staple grains. Recent measures include imposing additional tariffs on US agricultural products, increasing local grain production, and promoting smart farming technologies. By the end of 2024, China's agricultural imports from the US had dropped by 14%, while its total grain production reached a record 706.5 million metric tons, underscoring its commitment to food security amid ongoing trade tensions.
Published: Mar 04 2025, 12 pm
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