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The Tamil Nadu government has successfully procured 6,453 metric tonnes of ragi from farmers since the 2022-23 financial year, disbursing ₹26.48 crore to the agricultural community, as announced by Minister for Food and Civil Supplies R Sakkarapani. Initially part of a 'decentralised procurement scheme' covering Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts, the initiative has since expanded to include Salem and Erode. For the current financial year, the procurement price has been set at ₹48,860 per metric tonne, an increase from last year's ₹42,900. The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation has received approvals to directly procure 6,000 metric tonnes of ragi from farmers in these four districts between November 1 and January 31, 2026. The minister urged local farmers to take advantage of this opportunity by visiting the designated procurement centres in their areas. 
Published: Nov 09 2025, 1 pmeznews.inAir travel in the United States faced significant disruptions over the weekend, with New York City's three major airports—Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, and John F. Kennedy International—experiencing hours-long delays. According to CNN, over 1,700 flights were cancelled nationwide, with more than 6,600 delays reported on Saturday alone, as staffing shortages among air traffic controllers were exacerbated by the ongoing government shutdown. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a ground stop for Newark after arrival delays exceeded four hours, while LaGuardia and JFK saw delays of up to 75 minutes and over two hours, respectively. Major airports across the country, including those in Atlanta, Washington, Chicago, and Los Angeles, also reported significant disruptions. The FAA has mandated a 4% reduction in domestic flights at 40 busy airports, with potential increases to 10% by next week if the budget impasse continues, raising concerns about the impact on holiday travel. 
Published: Nov 09 2025, 3 pmeznews.inCredit card spending in India surged by 23% year-on-year to ₹2.17 lakh crore in September, driven by festive offers, GST rate cuts, and increased card issuances, according to a CareEdge report. Month-on-month, spending rose 13%, reflecting strong consumer sentiment, although this was lower than the 24% growth seen a year prior. The number of outstanding credit cards reached 11.3 crore, a 7% increase year-on-year. Private sector banks (PVBs) led this growth through strategic initiatives, while public sector banks (PSBs) saw a slight decline in market share to 74.2%. Per-card spending averaged ₹19,144, boosted by festive demand and e-commerce, with PVB customers spending ₹20,011 and PSB customers seeing a 30% increase to ₹16,927. Outstanding credit card balances stood at ₹2.82 lakh crore, down from August but up 3.7% year-on-year, indicating healthy repayment trends amid strong credit demand. 
Published: Nov 09 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe Haryana government is launching new initiatives to promote the cultivation of horticultural crops among farmers, according to a spokesperson from the Horticulture Department. The scheme encourages the growth of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and spices, with provisions for establishing new orchards and integrated vegetable farming. Farmers can receive subsidies ranging from ₹8,000 to ₹1,40,000 per acre, depending on the type of crop, with specific amounts allocated for Scheduled Caste farmers. The subsidies will be directly transferred to farmers' bank accounts, with a maximum limit of five acres eligible for assistance. Interested farmers can register for the scheme and access application details through the Meri Fasal-Mera Byora and Hortnet portals. To apply, they must provide necessary documentation, including personal details, family ID, bank account information, and a Scheduled Caste certificate if applicable. 
Published: Nov 09 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIn a bid to harness India's extensive marine resources, the government has introduced new regulations for deep-sea fishing within the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), effective November 4. These rules, part of the Budget 2025-26 initiative, aim to empower local fishermen and cooperatives while prohibiting foreign vessels from Indian waters. The framework prioritises Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) for deep-sea operations, introducing a mother-and-child vessel concept for mid-sea transhipment. To safeguard marine ecosystems, harmful practices like LED light fishing are banned, and minimum legal sizes for fish will be established. The ReALCRaft portal will streamline access for mechanised vessels, while traditional fishers remain exempt. The initiative also integrates digital systems for traceability and compliance, enhancing India's seafood export potential, particularly in high-value tuna, as the country seeks to bolster its position in the global seafood market. 
Published: Nov 09 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has called on the government to establish a professionally managed India Development and Strategic Fund (IDSF) to bolster the nation's long-term growth and secure vital economic interests abroad. The proposed fund aims to mobilize patient capital, potentially reaching a corpus of $1.3 to $2.6 trillion by 2047, comparable to leading sovereign investors. CII suggests an initial budget allocation, followed by systematic funding from asset monetization, and the transfer of government equity in select public sector enterprises to the fund. The IDSF would have two arms: a developmental investment arm focusing on domestic priorities like infrastructure and clean energy, and a strategic investment arm for acquiring critical overseas assets. CII emphasizes that this initiative is about better capital structuring rather than increased borrowing, aiming to transform public sector enterprises into instruments for global economic strategy. 
Published: Nov 09 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIndia has reclaimed its title as the world's largest Scotch whisky export market by volume, surpassing France, according to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). With 192 million bottles exported, India is expected to become the leading market in both value and volume in the coming years, driven by economic growth and a trend towards premiumisation, SWA Chief Executive Mark Kent stated. He highlighted the rise of Indian single malt whisky, which has garnered international acclaim, and expressed interest in partnerships to enhance exports to the UK and other global markets. The anticipated free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the UK, which aims to reduce tariffs on Scotch whisky, is expected to further boost imports and investment in both countries. Kent emphasized the importance of collaboration to optimize regulatory frameworks, ultimately benefiting both the Indian and Scottish whisky industries. 
Published: Nov 09 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIndia is positioning itself as a global leader in the deeptech sector, particularly in robotics, with production costs for humanoid robots approximately 73% lower than in the US. This cost advantage stems from efficient local integration, low labour costs, and optimized sourcing. A report by Redseer Strategy Consultants forecasts that India's deeptech market could reach $30 billion by 2030, driven by a doubling of the national defence budget to $80 billion over the past decade, outpacing growth in the US and China. The global robotics market, currently valued at $60 billion, is expected to expand to nearly $230 billion by 2030, with humanoid robots representing a significant $10 billion opportunity. Immediate prospects include advancements in autonomous systems, AI training, and energy propulsion technologies. The report emphasizes that deeptech is not just a future prospect but a vital economic engine for India, creating predictable investment returns. 
Published: Nov 09 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) has forecasted an 18.5% increase in net sugar output for the 2025-26 season, projecting production to reach 30.95 million tonnes. In response to the anticipated surplus, the Indian government has approved the export of 15 lakh tonnes of sugar and removed a 50% export duty on molasses, measures aimed at stabilizing domestic prices. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi noted that these steps are crucial for the sugar industry, which had requested permission to export 20 lakh tonnes. The decision follows a previous allowance of 10 lakh tonnes in January, which helped raise ex-mill prices in Karnataka from ₹3,370 to between ₹3,700 and ₹3,930 per quintal. Additionally, the government is promoting ethanol production from excess sugarcane, significantly increasing ethanol supply and improving liquidity for sugar mills, while ensuring timely cane payments to farmers. 
Published: Nov 08 2025, 7 pmeznews.inCommerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with Australian counterpart Don Farrell on Saturday to review the ongoing negotiations for the second tranche of their Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). Both ministers expressed their commitment to achieving a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement, building on the first part of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which took effect in December 2022. Their discussions encompassed various sectors, including trade in goods and services, investment, and cooperative initiatives. Notably, bilateral merchandise trade between India and Australia reached $24.1 billion in 2024-25, with India's exports experiencing a 14% increase in 2023-24 and an additional 8% in 2024-25. The meeting underscored the importance of enhancing economic ties between the two nations as they work towards finalizing the CECA. 
Published: Nov 08 2025, 7 pm
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