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Ethanol's lower energy density results in a slight mileage reduction for vehicles using E20 fuel, with a drop of 1-2% in E10-designed four-wheelers and 3-6% in others. However, industry representatives, including the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI), have dismissed concerns about E20's impact on vehicle performance as misinformation. They assured consumers that warranties will remain intact, even for older vehicles, and emphasized that no breakdowns have been reported due to E20 usage. The government has mandated that all new vehicles be E20 compliant since April, with plans for future blends like E27 or E30 to be introduced gradually. Ethanol production is increasingly sourced from various agricultural residues, contributing to energy security and supporting the rural economy, with over ₹40,000 crore paid to farmers in 2025 alone. 
Published: Aug 30 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndia's sugar industry is facing a potential supply crunch, with the Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) projecting a closing stock of approximately 46 lakh tonnes (lt) by the end of September 2024, significantly lower than previous estimates. The government has allocated 23.5 lt for domestic sales this month, coinciding with the early celebration of Dussehra and Diwali, which may lead to a complete exhaustion of this quota. The anticipated sugar production for the 2025-26 season is expected to rise by 18% to 349.01 lt, providing some optimism for supply stability despite current tight carry-forward stocks. Historically, the lowest closing stock was 39.41 lt in 2017-18, and since then, stocks have typically remained above 50 lt. As the industry braces for the upcoming season, experts suggest that fresh production will be crucial to meet domestic consumption needs.
Published: Aug 30 2025, 9 pmeznews.inITC Chairman Sanjiv Puri has emphasized the need for India to enhance its focus on resilient supply chains and boost investments in research and development to foster strong domestic brands and seize new market opportunities. In a statement on social media, Puri highlighted India's impressive GDP growth of 7.8% in the June quarter, noting that this achievement is particularly commendable given global economic challenges. He described India as an "inspiring icon of resilience" on its path to becoming the world's third-largest economy, supported by progressive policies and reforms. Puri called for a concerted effort towards building robust supply chains and creating innovative products, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. He also expressed confidence in India's potential as a global manufacturing hub and a leader in NextGen agriculture, reaffirming ITC Group's commitment to investing in its diverse business sectors to enhance economic value.
Published: Aug 30 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIn a recent social media post, Siddhartha Lal, Chairman of Royal Enfield and Eicher Motors Ltd, urged Indian policymakers to implement a uniform Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 18% on all two-wheelers to maintain India's leadership in the global motorcycle market. He expressed concern over proposed tax changes that could increase GST on motorcycles above 350cc from 28% to around 40%, while potentially lowering rates for those below 350cc. Lal emphasized that motorcycles over 350cc represent only 1% of the market but are essential for efficient transportation, not luxury. He warned that a split tax regime would hinder investment and growth in this segment, ultimately undermining India's competitive edge. He called for a cohesive tax strategy to bolster the domestic motorcycle industry and position India as a leader in electric two-wheelers, crucial for the future of mobility.
Published: Aug 30 2025, 8 pmeznews.inAs the Indian government contemplates a significant overhaul of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), nearly 1,000 handloom houses, weavers, and artisan groups have called on the Finance Minister to abolish GST on handwoven textiles and handicrafts. Since its introduction in 2017, the 5% GST on handlooms and up to 28% on handicrafts has adversely affected this vital sector, which supports millions of rural artisans. Advocates argue that eliminating GST would stimulate employment and boost the domestic economy, as many producers do not fall under the GST category yet incur costs that are passed on to consumers. They contend that the negligible GST revenue from this sector means the government would not suffer a loss, and a zero-GST policy could enhance demand for handmade products. Experts also highlight the low government support for the sector, despite substantial annual investments in raw materials.
Published: Aug 30 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's textile industry has received significant support as the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has extended the Export Obligation (EO) period under the Advance Authorisation scheme from six months to 18 months for products subject to Quality Control Orders (QCOs). This extension, announced on August 28, aligns with a previous measure by the Ministry of Textiles and aims to enhance compliance timelines and boost export competitiveness, particularly for man-made fibres and technical textiles. The textile sector, which accounts for nearly 18% of all advance authorisations, will benefit from increased flexibility in sourcing and production cycles. Additionally, the government has waived import duties on cotton until December 31, 2025, further easing input costs and ensuring raw material availability. These initiatives, alongside existing schemes like the Production Linked Incentive and National Technical Textiles Mission, are expected to strengthen India's position in the global textile market.
Published: Aug 30 2025, 7 pmeznews.inPrime Minister Narendra Modi visited Japan on August 30, 2025, where he met with Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba and other dignitaries during a lunch in Sendai. Prior to his trip to China, Modi toured Tokyo Electron Miyagi Ltd, a leading semiconductor company, to discuss ongoing collaborations and the potential for deeper ties in the semiconductor supply chain. The visit highlighted the synergy between India's growing semiconductor ecosystem and Japan's advanced technology. Modi also engaged with governors from 16 Japanese prefectures, urging them to enhance cooperation with Indian states through the State–Prefecture Partnership Initiative. He announced an action plan for youth and skills exchange, aiming to involve 500,000 individuals over five years, including 50,000 skilled Indian professionals in Japan. Modi emphasized the importance of transforming partnerships into tangible benefits, particularly in technology, manufacturing, and innovation.
Published: Aug 30 2025, 7 pmeznews.inEconomic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur announced on Saturday that India's economy demonstrated resilience, with a reported 7.8% real growth rate for the April-June quarter of FY26, the highest in five quarters, driven by robust performance in manufacturing and services. Thakur emphasized the economy's strengthening momentum, supported by strong macroeconomic fundamentals and significant growth in agriculture, aided by favorable rainfall and harvests. The government projects India's GDP will reach ₹4.26 lakh crore ($5 trillion) by 2027, surpassing Germany by 2028, and becoming the world's third-largest economy by 2030, with a GDP of $7.3 trillion. Additionally, the Labour Force Participation Rate has risen significantly, particularly among women, reflecting the government's youth-centric policies. The upcoming second-generation reforms of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), set for October, aim to reduce taxes on essentials and enhance compliance for MSMEs, promoting a more inclusive tax system.
Published: Aug 30 2025, 7 pmeznews.inUnion Minister for Civil Aviation K. Rammohan Naidu announced plans to boost real estate development near new and upcoming airports, aiming for a 15% growth in the sector. Speaking at the 2nd International Conference and Exhibition on Aerospace Manufacturing in Visakhapatnam, he emphasized the need to learn from global airport hubs like New York, London, and Hong Kong, which successfully integrate economic activities and real estate around their facilities. The government has operationalized 88 airports recently and plans to add hundreds more, with a focus on creating convention centers and hotels to maximize economic benefits. Naidu also urged real estate developers to contribute to the development of Amravati, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, while Kuldip Narayan from the Ministry of Housing called for a significant increase in housing construction to support national GDP. The two-day NAREDCO convention gathered industry leaders to discuss growth in real estate and infrastructure.
Published: Aug 30 2025, 5 pmeznews.inBilateral trade between India and China has been expanding, yet the trade deficit remains heavily skewed in favor of Beijing, raising concerns in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the need for collaboration to stabilize the global economic order, advocating for a strategic partnership based on mutual respect. In the first four months of the 2025-26 fiscal year, India's exports to China rose nearly 20% to $5.75 billion, while imports surged over 13% to $40.65 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $99.2 billion for 2024-25. This deficit is particularly alarming as China dominates India's imports across various sectors, including pharmaceuticals and electronics. Experts warn that this dependency could give China leverage over India during political tensions. In response, India is implementing production-linked incentives and stricter quality controls to bolster domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on Chinese imports.
Published: Aug 30 2025, 3 pm
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