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The Tea Board has revised pan India auction rules in accordance with the Ramaseshan Committee's recommendations, introducing key changes to sampling norms under the Bharat Auction model, effective July 1 for South India’s registered tea auction centres. However, these changes will not apply to North India until further notice. The amendments aim to enhance price discovery and market structure within the tea industry, particularly benefiting bought leaf tea manufacturers. Notable reforms include standardising lots and allowing sellers to determine the eligibility for free or paid trade samples, a long-sought change by industry stakeholders. Dhananjayan Krishnamurthy, president of the Nilgiris Bought Leaf Tea Manufacturers Association, emphasized that this shift empowers sellers to better protect their commercial interests. The implementation of third-party services for sample collection will be considered in future consultations with the industry, as outlined in the Tea Board's circular. 
Published: Jun 16 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts has indicated that most of India will experience dry conditions until July 30, with the exception of the West Coast, parts of East India, and the Himalayan foothills. A fresh low-pressure area is expected to develop over the Bay of Bengal around July 25, potentially bringing increased rainfall to East and Central India in the latter part of the month. Currently, a depression over south-east Uttar Pradesh is exacerbating flooding in the region, while a western disturbance is enhancing rainfall across North-West India. The India Meteorological Department has issued warnings for extremely heavy rainfall in Kerala, coastal Karnataka, and parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Despite these localized downpours, significant rainfall deficits persist in East and North-East India, as well as the South Peninsula, with the country overall reporting a 9% surplus above normal rainfall as of mid-July.
Published: Jul 17 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Indian government is set to implement stricter quality control measures for public infrastructure projects following a series of failures, including bridge collapses and road erosion during monsoon seasons. In response, several Ministries have been instructed to submit comprehensive reports on ongoing and completed projects, focusing on durability, materials, and post-construction inspections. A high-level review meeting convened by the Prime Minister’s Office emphasized the urgent need for reforms, including third-party audits and real-time project tracking, to enhance accountability and safety. Experts have highlighted the necessity of prioritizing quality over cost in project execution, advocating for a shift from the lowest bidder model to value-based selection. New guidelines are expected to be finalized soon, applying to all major projects executed by Central public sector enterprises and under public-private partnerships, with a potential panel to investigate deeper lapses in construction standards.
Published: Jul 17 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIndia's stock market faced a downturn on July 17, 2025, with the SENSEX closing at 82,259.24, down 375.24 points, and the NIFTY falling to 25,111.45, a decrease of 100.60 points. In commodities, crude oil prices rose by 30.00 to reach 5,743.00, while gold and silver saw declines, with gold priced at 97,262.00, down 526.00, and silver at 111,379.00, down 256.00. Meanwhile, a report from ratings firm CRISIL indicated that India's goods exports may face challenges in fiscal 2026 due to reciprocal tariffs from the US, which is projected to see its growth slow to 1.7% from 2.8%. The World Trade Organisation anticipates a 0.2% decline in global merchandise trade volume in 2025, although India's current account deficit is expected to remain manageable at 1.3% of GDP, supported by a surplus in services trade and strong remittances.
Published: Jul 17 2025, 4 pmeznews.inUnion Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Puri, expressed confidence that India can secure its energy needs from alternative sources amid potential disruptions to Russian supplies due to US sanctions. Speaking at the Urja Varta annual conference, Puri noted India's diversification of supply sources, expanding from 27 to 40 countries, and highlighted new suppliers like Guyana, alongside increased output from Brazil and Canada. His remarks follow US President Donald Trump's warning that nations purchasing Russian energy could face sanctions, as Congress considers the bipartisan Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, which proposes steep tariffs on countries, including India, that continue such purchases. Puri reassured that India is prepared to manage any supply disruptions, stating, “I’m not worried at all.” He also indicated that if crude oil prices stabilize, there may be room for fuel price reductions in India, which currently relies on Russia for about 35% of its oil imports.
Published: Jul 17 2025, 4 pmeznews.inAdvanta Seeds, a global seed company under the UPL Group, has appointed Rajan Gajaria as its new Vice-Chairman. Gajaria, who has been a board member of UPL SAS and Advanta for the past two years, brings over three decades of experience in the agriculture sector, including a notable tenure at Corteva Agriscience. His extensive background includes collaboration with CEOs, venture capitalists, and private equity investors, enhancing his understanding of global business dynamics. In his new role, Gajaria will focus on strategic leadership, driving shareholder value through disciplined investments, and pursuing growth via targeted mergers and acquisitions. He will also continue to serve on Advanta's Board of Directors. UPL Chairman Jai Shroff expressed confidence that Gajaria's expertise will be crucial in advancing the company's strategic initiatives and enhancing stakeholder value. The announcement was made on July 17, 2025.
Published: Jul 17 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's rapeseed meal exports rose to 5.31 lakh tonnes (lt) in the first quarter of FY 2025-26, up from 5.23 lt in the same period last year, despite a slight overall decline in oilmeal exports. The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) reported total oilmeal exports at 10.94 lt, down from 11.02 lt in the previous fiscal year. Notably, China emerged as a significant market, importing approximately 1.80 lt of rapeseed meal, a dramatic increase from just 7,000 tonnes a year earlier, driven by competitive pricing. In May 2025, Indian rapeseed meal was priced at $201 per tonne, significantly lower than Hamburg's $313. Meanwhile, India's kharif sowing benefited from above-average monsoon rainfall, although total acreage for oilseeds slightly decreased. Groundnut planting increased, while soyabean acreage fell due to market volatility.
Published: Jul 17 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIndia's Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, expressed confidence on Thursday that the country can secure its oil needs from alternative sources amid potential disruptions to Russian supplies due to secondary sanctions. This statement follows US President Donald Trump's warning that nations purchasing Russian oil could face penalties if a peace agreement with Ukraine is not reached within 50 days. Puri highlighted India's efforts to diversify its oil supply, noting an increase in suppliers from 27 to 40 countries, including emerging markets like Guyana and established producers such as Brazil and Canada. Despite a slight rise in Russian oil imports in the first half of the year, with private refiners Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy accounting for half of these purchases, Puri reassured that India is prepared to revert to pre-crisis supply strategies if necessary, as Russian oil currently constitutes about 35% of India's total imports.
Published: Jul 17 2025, 2 pmeznews.inAegean Airlines is set to launch non-stop flights between India and Greece starting in March 2023, utilizing two newly acquired Airbus A321XLR aircraft. The Greek airline will operate five weekly flights to Delhi and three weekly flights to Mumbai, with the latter commencing in May. This expansion aligns with the strengthening of diplomatic ties between India and Greece, which were elevated to a strategic partnership in 2023, focusing on economic and maritime collaboration. The A321XLR aircraft, which facilitates long-haul routes, is expected to enhance Aegean's service offerings. Despite the growing interest in travel to Greece, with over 90,000 passengers flying between the two countries in FY 2025, industry sources have noted challenges, particularly regarding visa processing delays. Meanwhile, IndiGo has also expressed intentions to initiate flights to Athens, although no specific timeline has been announced.
Published: Jul 17 2025, 12 pmeznews.inUS President Donald Trump has reiterated that a trade deal with India is on the horizon, although he hinted at the possibility of imposing additional tariffs. Speaking to reporters, Trump emphasized the importance of negotiations, suggesting that a letter outlining tariff rates could signify a deal. India is seeking a "mini trade deal" to avoid Trump's proposed 26% reciprocal tariffs, aiming instead to maintain tariffs at or below the current 10% level. If additional tariffs are imposed on August 1, India plans to negotiate for their full withdrawal while seeking greater market access for key sectors, including electronics and textiles. Trump has indicated that the US will impose 20% tariffs on Vietnam and 19% on Indonesia, which have agreed to provide tariff-free access to American goods. However, India is cautious, insisting on protecting its interests and pursuing a mutually beneficial agreement amid significant US demands.
Published: Jul 17 2025, 11 ameznews.inAir India announced on Wednesday the successful completion of precautionary inspections on the Fuel Control Switch (FCS) locking mechanism across its Boeing 787-8 fleet, with no issues reported. The inspections, initiated by the airline's Engineering team over the weekend, were conducted in response to a directive from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued on July 14. Air India confirmed that all Boeing 787-8 aircraft have also received Throttle Control Module (TCM) replacements as part of Boeing's maintenance schedule, noting that the FCS is integrated within the TCM. In a communication to pilots, the airline stressed the importance of vigilance, encouraging crew members to report any anomalies through the Technical Log or the Coruson safety reporting tool. Air India expressed gratitude to its flight and engineering teams for their dedication to operational safety, reinforcing the commitment to maintaining high safety standards.
Published: Jul 17 2025, 10 am
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