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In anticipation of a Union Council of Ministers reshuffle, political dynamics in New Delhi are shifting, particularly with the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections and recent Maharashtra State poll results. The ruling BJP must consider its alliances with the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), as both parties seek greater representation in the Cabinet. Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel from the NCP is a leading candidate for elevation, although negotiations have stalled over the proposed Minister of State position, which the NCP views as a demotion. To accommodate Patel, the government may need to drop an existing minister, adhering to the 91st amendment, which limits the Council of Ministers to 15% of Lok Sabha members. Additionally, fresh faces from Bihar are expected to be included to reflect the state's caste dynamics ahead of the elections, with current representation comprising eight ministers from various parties. 
Published: Dec 30 2024, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's traditional retail sector is raising alarms over the rapid rise of quick commerce platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart, which are accused of disrupting the market through aggressive pricing strategies backed by foreign investment. The All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF), representing 450,000 distributors and 13 million kirana stores, has approached the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce, seeking urgent legislative intervention. They allege that these platforms operate dark stores and evade regulatory scrutiny, leading to significant revenue declines for traditional retailers. Additionally, concerns about labor exploitation among delivery personnel and the exploitative nature of franchise models have been highlighted. The AICPDF is advocating for social security protections and comprehensive franchise laws. The committee has requested a response from the Ministry of Commerce by January 6, 2025, as the debate intensifies over balancing innovation with the protection of traditional retail interests.
Published: Jan 02 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Competition Commission of India (CCI) has significantly enhanced its regulatory efficiency in handling merger and acquisition (M&A) filings, achieving an average clearance time of just 16 days in its FY 2023-24 report. The introduction of the Green Channel Scheme in August 2019 has been pivotal, allowing automatic approvals for eligible combinations, although its usage slightly declined from 27% to 22% over the past two fiscal years. The CCI also offers voluntary pre-filing consultations to help businesses navigate regulatory complexities. The recent Competition Amendment Act 2023 introduces a deal value threshold aimed at capturing high-value transactions, particularly in digital markets. While the CCI's streamlined processes have bolstered confidence in M&A activities, challenges remain, especially with the increasing complexity of filings. Overall, the CCI's commitment to balancing competitive oversight with a business-friendly approach positions it as a crucial player in India's economic growth.
Published: Jan 02 2025, 7 pmeznews.inUnion Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal is set to convene a meeting on January 3 with key stakeholders from the electric vehicle (EV) sector to address critical issues surrounding battery charging and swapping infrastructure in India. Senior officials from major EV original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Ola Electric are expected to attend, alongside representatives from the Ministry of Heavy Industries, the Power Ministry, and Niti Aayog. The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has been tasked with inviting industry experts and battery manufacturers to the discussion. This meeting follows the Ministry of Heavy Industries' recent release of draft guidelines for the Prime Minister Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme, which aims to establish extensive public charging infrastructure, including over 22,000 chargers for electric four-wheelers and 1,800 for e-buses, to enhance EV adoption across the country.
Published: Jan 02 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndian airlines and airports have experienced a significant decline in global punctuality rankings, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. In 2023, IndiGo boasted an on-time arrival rate of 82%, ranking fourth in the Asia Pacific, but this dropped to 69.69% in 2024. Similarly, Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports, which ranked second and third globally for on-time departures last year, failed to make the list this year. Other Indian carriers, including Air India and Vistara, reported on-time performance rates of 63.69% and 62.28%, respectively, while Air India Express and SpiceJet fell below 60%. The decline is attributed to increased domestic flights and congestion in Mumbai, although Cirium did not specify exact reasons. Despite these challenges, IndiGo has reclaimed the top position in India's OTP rankings, emphasizing its commitment to operational excellence amid infrastructural hurdles and adverse weather conditions.
Published: Jan 02 2025, 7 pmeznews.inAs of January 2, 2025, over 21,800 track kilometers (TKM) of Indian Railways are now equipped to operate semi-high-speed trains at 130 km/h, comparable to the Vande Bharat Express, according to an internal Ministry report. This enhancement includes nearly 14,000 km of fencing to mitigate cattle-related incidents, facilitating safer and faster train movements. The report highlights that 13 out of 16 railway zones have tracks suitable for these speeds, with the South Central Railway leading at 3,516 TKM. Additionally, 54,337 km of tracks are rated for speeds of 110 km/h, with a target to upgrade 5,000 km in FY25. Financially, the railway's capital expenditure has risen by over 5% to ₹1,97,000 crore, while revenue increased by 4% to ₹1,93,255 crore, driven by a 4% rise in freight operations and an 8% increase in passenger earnings.
Published: Jan 02 2025, 7 pmeznews.inChennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has reported a significant 15% increase in ridership for 2024, with 11 crore passengers using the service, up from 9 crore in 2023. Since its launch on June 29, 2015, the metro has served a total of 36 crore passengers, establishing itself as a vital transportation option for the city. To further boost patronage, CMRL is offering a 20% discount on all ticketing options, including Metro Travel Cards, QR code tickets, and group passes. Passengers can conveniently book tickets through various platforms, including WhatsApp and Paytm, enhancing accessibility. This initiative aims to encourage more residents to utilize the metro system, reinforcing its role as a key component of Chennai's urban infrastructure.
Published: Jan 02 2025, 6 pmeznews.inMangaluru is set to host a two-day fair dedicated to tubers, turnips, and green leafy vegetables on January 4 and 5, 2025, organized by the Savayava Krishika Grahakara Balaga (R). The event aims to raise awareness about the health benefits of these crops, showcasing nearly 350 varieties of tubers and turnips, alongside 150 varieties of green leafy vegetables. GR Prasad, a representative of the organizing committee, noted that 16 farmers from Maharashtra, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, along with around 100 farmers from Karnataka, will participate. He emphasized that many of these crops can thrive in drought conditions, making them viable for both rural and urban cultivation, including terrace gardens. The fair will also feature dishes made from these nutritious ingredients, highlighting their potential to enhance daily diets and provide income opportunities for farmers during challenging agricultural conditions.
Published: Jan 02 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn a promising sign for the Indian job market, the Naukri JobSpeak report revealed a 9% year-on-year increase in white-collar hiring for December 2024, reaching an index of 2,651 points. This growth was largely driven by high-skill roles in sectors such as AI/ML, which saw a remarkable 36% rise, alongside significant contributions from Oil and Gas, FMCG, and Healthcare. Notably, fresher hiring also rebounded with a 6% increase, particularly in creative and lifestyle sectors, with Architecture and Interior Design leading at 39%. Major cities like Chennai and Bangalore continued to show strong performance, while Coimbatore experienced a notable 14% growth, bolstered by foreign MNC hiring. Naukri.com’s Chief Business Officer, Pawan Goyal, emphasized that the job market is evolving, blending fresh talent with strategic expertise, particularly in traditional sectors adapting to new demands.
Published: Jan 02 2025, 5 pmeznews.inAs the New Year unfolds, North-West India is experiencing a shift in weather patterns due to back-to-back western disturbances originating from Iran and Pakistan. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that these systems are expected to raise minimum night temperatures by 1-2°C in regions like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and parts of Gujarat, which had recently faced frigid conditions. The disturbances will bring moisture-laden winds, resulting in light to scattered rain and snow across the Himalayan region from Thursday, with heavier precipitation anticipated in Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh on Sunday and Monday. Additionally, isolated thunderstorms are likely in Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. While temperatures in Central India have dropped by 2-4°C, a gradual rise of 2-3°C is expected in North-West India over the next five days, although no significant changes are forecasted for Central and East India during this period.
Published: Jan 02 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn a recent update from New Delhi, the Indian agriculture ministry has reported a record Kharif rice production of 119.93 million tonnes for the 2024-25 season, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. Despite this overall growth, procurement in key states like Punjab and Haryana fell short of targets, with Punjab achieving 116.30 lakh tonnes—6.5% lower than last year—and Haryana at 35.99 lakh tonnes, down from 39.49 lakh tonnes. In contrast, states such as Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh saw significant increases in procurement, with Madhya Pradesh reporting a 43.5% surge. The Food Corporation of India has managed to procure 313.13 lakh tonnes of rice from October to December 2024, a 4.3% rise from the same period last year. Experts suggest that while initial procurement trends are lower in Punjab and Haryana, overall government targets may still be met.
Published: Jan 02 2025, 3 pm
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