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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the South India Natural Farming Summit-2025 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, where he announced the release of over ₹18,000 crore as the 21st instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme, benefiting around 9 crore farmers nationwide. Highlighting the transformative changes in agriculture over the past 11 years, Modi noted that agricultural exports have nearly doubled and emphasized the importance of modernizing farming practices. He pointed out that the Kisan Credit Card scheme has provided over ₹10 lakh crore in assistance this year alone. Modi advocated for natural farming as a sustainable solution to combat climate change and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers, urging farmers to adopt practices like "one acre, one season." He called for a collaborative effort to integrate natural farming into agricultural education, aiming to establish India as a global hub for sustainable agriculture. 
Published: Nov 19 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIn a bid to mitigate landslide risks in mountainous regions, the Indian government has introduced a mandatory one-year stabilisation period for all new and widening road projects in hilly terrain. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has outlined a staged construction approach, requiring initial completion of slope protection works before further development can proceed, ensuring stability through at least one monsoon cycle. This directive follows numerous slope failures in the Himalayas, underscoring the need for enhanced geotechnical safeguards. New guidelines mandate the integration of landslide-monitoring tools in Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and require third-party verification for slope protection works. Additionally, the revised framework includes stricter design-validation procedures and the necessity for comprehensive surveys to assess landslide susceptibility. These measures aim to foster responsible infrastructure development while reducing long-term maintenance costs and enhancing climate resilience in India's hill states.
Published: Nov 19 2025, 7 pmeznews.inHDFC Bank has been named the most valuable Indian brand, with a valuation of nearly $45 billion, according to the Kantar BrandZ rankings. Since the inaugural BrandZ India Report in 2014, HDFC's brand value has surged by 377%, reflecting an 18% increase from the previous year, driven by innovation and technology investments. Tata Consultancy Services and Airtel follow closely, valued at $44.2 billion and $41.1 billion, respectively. The combined value of the Top 100 Most Valuable Indian Brands reached $523.5 billion in 2025, representing about 13% of India's GDP. Notably, Zomato emerged as the fastest-growing brand, nearly doubling its value to $6 billion. The report highlights that while overall brand value growth has slowed to 6%, the top 10 fastest-growing brands expanded by an average of 42%, underscoring the importance of consumer understanding in driving brand resilience and growth.
Published: Nov 19 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIn a significant move to support exporters facing challenges from US tariffs and a global demand slowdown, the Indian government has approved the release of over ₹1,100 crore in pending payments for the interest equalisation scheme (IES) and market access initiative (MAI). These payments, which have been outstanding for over a year, are part of the broader export promotion mission (EPM) package. The IES, which subsidised interest on export credit, lapsed on December 31, 2024, amid protests from exporters about rising costs affecting their competitiveness. The Commerce Department previously lacked the funds to clear dues, estimated at ₹800-850 crore for IES and ₹300 crore for MAI. The EPM, recently approved by the Cabinet, will subsume both schemes and is set for implementation from FY26 to FY31. However, uncertainty remains regarding interest subvention for the last quarter of FY25, as the IES was suspended at the end of 2024.
Published: Nov 19 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for financial audit in Hyderabad, aimed at enhancing innovation and professional development in the field. Deputy CAG AM Bajaj highlighted that the centre will incubate global best practices, cultivate advanced skills, and standardise high-quality audit methodologies, reinforcing the CAG's role as a leading audit institution. This initiative, unveiled during the 32nd Accountants General Conference, signifies a strategic shift towards leveraging data and artificial intelligence to revolutionise audit practices. Bajaj emphasized the importance of integrating audit and accounts functions to utilise comprehensive financial data effectively. The CAG is also developing an indigenously built Large Language Model to enhance audit precision and impact, alongside a renewed commitment to incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into audits, reflecting a forward-looking approach to sustainability.
Published: Nov 19 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Gujarat government announced on Wednesday that it has purchased ₹1,177 crore worth of groundnut from approximately 70,000 farmers over the past 11 days, utilizing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi revealed that 1.62 lakh tonnes of groundnut have been procured so far, with over 9.31 lakh farmers registered to sell their Kharif produce at MSP, which began on November 9. The state plans to buy ₹15,000 crore of various Kharif crops this season, including groundnut priced at ₹7,263 per quintal. Farmers have faced challenges due to unseasonal rains affecting their crops, prompting the government to announce two assistance packages. More than 10 lakh farmers have registered for aid under a ₹10,000 crore package, while an additional 1.25 lakh farmers have sought support from a ₹1,138 crore compensation package for losses incurred during September 2025.
Published: Nov 19 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA projected depression is set to impact the coasts of Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu by Monday morning, according to forecasts from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD has issued a watch for a developing depression over the south Bay of Bengal, which is expected to intensify as it moves west-northwest towards the Tamil Nadu-south Andhra Pradesh coast. Meanwhile, a low-pressure area has brought heavy rainfall to parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Kerala, with significant rainfall recorded in various locations, including Oothu in Tamil Nadu, which saw 23 cm. The Climate Prediction Centre of the US has raised the likelihood of a storm forming in the south-west Bay to 40-50%, as satellite imagery reveals increased thunderstorm activity in the region. Residents are advised to remain vigilant as conditions evolve.
Published: Nov 19 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Tropical Bio Summit (TBS) 2025 has opened at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, focusing on the conservation of wetlands and sustainable management of tropical ecosystems. In her inaugural address, B. Meenakumari, former Chairperson of the National Biodiversity Authority, emphasized the necessity of public participation in wetland protection. KUFOS Vice Chancellor A. Biju Kumar highlighted the importance of community-oriented governance and stakeholder involvement for effective restoration efforts. The summit aims to assess the pressures on coastal and wetland habitats and develop a bio-financing model for ecological restoration, integrating biodiversity values into financial systems. Discussions led by experts covered themes such as wetland health, climate adaptation, and community engagement. The proposed model will adapt global best practices to India's unique wetland landscapes, particularly in coastal and island regions, fostering partnerships among industry, local communities, and scientific institutions to create sustainable funding pathways for conservation.
Published: Nov 19 2025, 7 pmeznews.inSahyadri Farms, based in Nashik, has emerged as India’s largest integrated platform for fruits and vegetables, redefining agricultural economics amid Maharashtra's ongoing farmer distress. Over 14 years, the cooperative has reversed the typical financial flow, contributing ₹218 crore to the government against just ₹55.49 crore in subsidies. In FY25, Sahyadri reported a turnover of ₹1,955 crore, with a net profit of ₹99.7 crore, showcasing its success as a leading agri-business model. The cooperative procured 3.82 lakh tonnes of produce, including grapes and tomatoes, and has expanded its workforce to over 7,000, with 30% being women. Sahyadri’s inclusive model emphasizes fair compensation for small-holding farmers, enabling them to thrive as entrepreneurs. With products reaching 42 countries, it exemplifies how collective enterprise can foster agricultural prosperity, according to Chairman Vilas Shinde.
Published: Nov 19 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to conduct a market study aimed at establishing qualitative and quantitative thresholds for systemically significant digital enterprises (SSDE) as part of the ongoing efforts to redraft the Digital Competition Bill (DCB). Following the withdrawal of the initial draft last year due to significant opposition from stakeholders, including major tech firms, the MCA seeks an evidence-based approach to inform ex-ante regulations. The study will evaluate proposed thresholds, assess the implications of the DCB on core digital services and their stakeholders, and consider the impact on smaller players like start-ups and MSMEs. The RFP outlines a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan, targeting at least 30 big tech firms and 30 start-ups, alongside input from experts and civil society. This initiative follows extensive consultations with over 100 stakeholders, highlighting concerns over the draft's regulatory framework and thresholds.
Published: Nov 19 2025, 6 pm
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