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As retailers prepare for the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on September 22, businesses in tier 2 and tier 3 cities are offering discounts of up to 5% on televisions and air conditioners to stimulate sales. Major retailers like Croma and Reliance Digital are providing discounts of up to 10% on consumer durables, alongside incentives such as early booking and exchange offers, to clear existing inventory. However, sales have been sluggish, with a reported 20% decline in demand as consumers await the new GST rates. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are also experiencing a slowdown but continue to launch new products, anticipating a 15% growth during the festive season. Retailers expect that once the GST cuts take effect, demand will rebound, particularly for large-sized televisions, which saw a notable increase in sales during the Onam festival. 
Published: Sep 17 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is set to begin milk supply to the Assam Rifles by October, as announced by NDDB Chairman Meenesh Shah during a launch event in Imphal, where a new brand identity for the Manipur Milk Producers’ Cooperative Union Ltd was unveiled. This initiative, which follows the NDDB's management takeover in April 2025, aims to provide a stable market for local farmers. The NDDB has invested ₹8 crore in financial support to enhance operations and clear farmer dues. New milk variants and value-added products, including Cow Special Milk and Probiotic Curd, were also introduced to meet consumer demands. Additionally, the Governor of Manipur inaugurated a Bulk Milk Chilling Centre and five all-women Dairy Cooperative Societies to empower rural women and promote entrepreneurship. With favorable conditions for dairying, the NDDB plans to expand its retail presence through 'Milk & More' booths across the region.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIndia's Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched a National Policy on Geothermal Energy, aiming to tap into the country's estimated 10 gigawatts (GW) geothermal capacity. The policy seeks to promote exploration and development of this renewable energy source, which is particularly suited for applications like heat pumps, cooling, and agriculture. To enhance viability, the MNRE is considering financial incentives such as tax breaks, long-term concessional loans, and viability gap funding. The initiative aligns with India's Net Zero target for 2070 and includes plans for research and development of advanced geothermal technologies. Five pilot projects have been sanctioned, focusing on harnessing geothermal energy in Arunachal Pradesh and integrating it with solar energy. The policy also encourages partnerships between government and industry to leverage existing oil and gas infrastructure for geothermal development, while addressing the high costs associated with geothermal energy production.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 9 pmeznews.inPunjab's rice production is expected to decline this year following severe floods that devastated approximately 200,000 hectares of paddy crops, according to state officials. Last year, the state produced 14.36 million tonnes (mt) of rice, including Basmati, but the impact of the floods has primarily affected non-Basmati crops grown near rivers. The state has requested central assistance to prepare fields for the upcoming rabi season, as there is no prospect for a harvest this year. Punjab is crucial to India's rice procurement, contributing significantly to the Centre's target of 46.35 mt from the current kharif season. Despite government efforts to promote crop diversification due to groundwater depletion, farmers remain committed to paddy cultivation, drawn by the guaranteed minimum support price. As of September 1, the Food Corporation of India reported rice stocks of 36.91 mt, exceeding annual requirements.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndiGo has signed an 11-year strategic maintenance agreement with French aerospace firm Thales to support its fleet of 430 Airbus A320 aircraft and an additional order of over 800 A32X aircraft. The deal includes Thales's 'Avionics-By-The-Hour' (ABTH) programme for avionics component repairs and the 'Repair-By-The-Hour' (RBTH) service, ensuring timely maintenance. Repairs will be conducted at Thales's new advanced avionics MRO facility in Gurugram, designed to meet the rising demand for avionics support and enhance fleet availability. IndiGo's Senior Vice-president of Engineering, Parichay Datta, emphasized that the partnership aims to provide a safe and hassle-free flying experience while maintaining operational excellence. Thomas Got, Vice President of Aviation Global Services at Thales, noted that the new facility strengthens their capacity to deliver reliable services to the evolving Indian aviation market. The announcement was made on September 17, 2025.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a recent notification by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), school bags, ballpoint pens, and fountain pens will now attract an 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST), effective September 22. This decision follows recommendations from the GST Council's meeting on September 3, which outlined a new rate chart for approximately 1,200 goods. While the GST on various writing instruments remains at 18%, the tax on pencils and similar items has been reduced to zero from 12%. However, concerns have arisen regarding printed books, as uncoated paper used for them will also incur the 18% GST, potentially increasing book prices. Experts emphasize the need for industries to adapt their systems and supply chains to ensure smooth implementation of these changes, highlighting the importance of transparency and timely execution in the new tax regime.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIce-cream manufacturers in India have announced a price reduction of 7-10% following a significant cut in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on ice-creams from 18% to 5%. Sudhir Shah, president of The Indian Ice-Cream Manufacturers’ Association (IICMA), confirmed that the new maximum retail prices (MRPs) will take effect from September 22, with some brands opting for a 10% reduction. Mother Dairy led the charge, becoming the first major brand to announce a price cut, with reductions ranging from 9-16% on various products, including a 10% drop on ice-candies and a 16% decrease on certain cones. While IICMA considered increasing product sizes without changing prices, the plan was abandoned due to existing packaging constraints. Notably, other large brands like Amul and Vadilal have yet to officially announce similar price cuts.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inNavi Mumbai's new airport, set to open on September 30, will feature fully digital operations from its first day, as part of Adani Airports Holdings Ltd's (AAHL) initiative to enhance passenger experience and operational efficiency. Among the proposed features is the ability for travellers to pre-book security check slots, alongside existing lounge reservations. AAHL has introduced a collaborative platform, aviio, to provide data insights to stakeholders, including airlines and security forces, to better manage operational disruptions. The airport will also implement video analytics to monitor queues and is developing systems for improved aircraft turnaround and bag drop facilities for Digital Yatra-enabled passengers. Additionally, a consolidated customer contact centre will be launched, supporting multiple languages and linked to social media for effective grievance resolution. The "Airport in a Box" model aims to future-proof infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration of new technologies and capacity expansions.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia is contemplating significant changes to its iron ore mining auction system, where current premiums have surged between 110-200%. A proposed cap of 50% on these premiums aims to alleviate financial pressure on steelmakers, who argue that the existing competitive bidding process, established in 2015, has become prohibitively expensive. While this cap could create a more equitable environment, concerns have been raised about its potential impact on state revenues, particularly in mineral-rich Odisha, which generates approximately ₹45,000 crore annually from these premiums. Additionally, the shift to an upfront payment model may favor larger corporations, potentially sidelining smaller players and disrupting production. Despite the challenges, the current auction framework has successfully allocated over 550 blocks, promoting transparency and resource distribution. Stakeholders suggest enhancing the system by auctioning more greenfield blocks and expediting the permitting process rather than overhauling it entirely.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) is set to launch a new digital portal by November, aimed at providing nearly 1 million auditee entities with a unified interface for responding to audit queries and reports. This initiative marks a significant shift towards remote and hybrid audits, enhancing audit coverage and efficiency while leveraging risk-based planning and secure access to government platforms. Deputy C&AG K S Subramanian highlighted the success of pilot studies in various audit domains, particularly in receipts audits, which are progressing rapidly due to automation and standardized data. The CAG-Connect portal will ensure transparency and accessibility for all stakeholders, facilitating quicker resolution of audit observations. Additionally, an AI initiative, the CAG-LLM, is being developed to improve audit analysis by harnessing institutional knowledge. The upcoming Annual Conference of State Finance Secretaries will address key issues in public finance and governance, with participation from senior officials across various sectors.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 7 pm
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