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Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait has warned that India's proposed trade deal with the US poses significant risks to Indian farmers, likening the situation to the economic liberalization of 1992. Speaking alongside MPs from the RJD and AAP, Tikait announced plans for a nationwide protest, urging farmers to symbolically burn copies of the joint statement on November 12, coinciding with a planned strike by trade unions. He criticized the government for failing to consult stakeholders and accused it of misleading farmers about the deal's implications, which he claims will allow subsidized US goods to flood the market, undermining local produce. AAP MP Sanjay Singh echoed these concerns, highlighting the disparity in tariffs—18% for Indian agricultural exports compared to zero for US imports. The opposition has united against the deal, with calls to review related legislation, including the controversial Seeds Bill, which critics argue will disadvantage farmers further. 
Published: Feb 10 2026, 7 pmeznews.inTobacco Board Chairman Yashwanth Kumar Chidipothu has urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to reconsider the steep duty rates imposed on tobacco products, which have surged by 60% following a December 31 notification. Chidipothu highlighted the detrimental effects of this tax hike on the tobacco industry, farmers, and workers reliant on this sector for their livelihoods. He warned that the increased excise duties could exacerbate the illicit cigarette trade, which poses a significant global challenge. Farmers have expressed concerns that past tax increases have led to substantial price declines, and with current input costs rising, they fear prices could drop by ₹60 to ₹70 per kg. Chidipothu emphasized that high taxes create incentives for smuggling, particularly in the face of weak enforcement and oversight, potentially leading to job losses and increased exposure to unregulated products.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 8 pmeznews.inForeign direct investment (FDI) in India's banking sector has seen a significant decline, dropping to $115 million at the end of FY25 from $898 million in FY23, according to the Finance Ministry. Minister of State Pankaj Chaudhary emphasized the importance of FDI as a non-debt financial resource that supports economic development, technology transfer, and job creation. He noted that total FDI inflow encompasses various components, including equity inflow and re-invested earnings. Additionally, he highlighted that acquiring 5% or more of a bank's paid-up capital requires prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). In related news, since the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, over 56.31 crore loan accounts have been disbursed, amounting to ₹37.31 lakh crore. Chaudhary also addressed investor complaints received by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), which has taken action against unregistered investment advisory services, recovering ₹665.26 crore for affected investors.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 8 pmeznews.inSalil Gupte, President of Boeing India and South Asia, has highlighted the potential of a new India-US trade framework to significantly boost the aviation sector by reducing tariffs on aircraft components and enhancing supply chains. Following the interim trade agreement reached on January 7, which allows for improved access to the US market, Gupte emphasized that the removal of tariffs on certain aircraft parts could position India as a global aerospace hub. He described the agreement as a testament to the strengthening economic ties between the two nations, advocating for a zero-for-zero tariff approach to foster industrial growth and national security. Gupte also noted that recent domestic policy measures, including the exemption of basic customs duty on aircraft components, will lower maintenance costs and enhance the competitiveness of Indian maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers. He underscored the long-term potential of India's civil aviation sector, driven by strong demand and infrastructure investment.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Statistics Ministry on Tuesday revealed a decline in the unemployment rate across both urban and rural areas for the October-December quarter of Fiscal Year 2025-26. The unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 and above in rural areas fell to 4% from 4.4%, while urban unemployment decreased to 6.7% from 6.9%. The survey, which sampled 5.61 lakh individuals, indicated an increase in employment, with the number of employed rising to 57.4 crore, attributed to a rise in formalisation and the number of registered companies. The self-employment rate in rural areas also increased to 63.2%. The report highlighted that the majority of rural workers remained in agriculture, while urban workers were predominantly engaged in the tertiary sector. Additionally, the Female Labour Force Participation Rate rose to 34.9%, and the Worker Population Ratio improved to 53.1%.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 7 pmeznews.inIn December 2025, Indian companies raised over $4 billion through external commercial borrowing (ECB), marking a significant increase of 85% from November's $2.4 billion, likely influenced by a recent US Federal Reserve rate cut. Despite this surge, total ECB mobilization for the first nine months of FY26 fell 41% to $25.57 billion compared to $43.32 billion in the same period last year, as the average monthly fundraising decreased from $4.81 billion to $3.06 billion. Chief Economist Madan Sabnavis noted that the uptick in December was primarily due to the Fed's rate cut, while the rupee's volatility posed challenges. Major beneficiaries of the December fundraising included non-banking finance companies and airlines, with notable amounts raised by Power Finance Corporation and Interglobe Aviation. Experts advise that companies should consider currency fluctuations alongside low overseas interest rates when pursuing ECBs.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 7 pmeznews.inGujarat Pipavav Port Ltd has reported a 9% year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit, reaching ₹107.9 crore for the third quarter of FY26, despite a decline in container traffic. The port's revenue from operations rose 11% to ₹292 crore for the quarter ending December 31, 2025. While container volumes fell by 1.7% to 1.74 lakh TEUs, the port saw a significant surge in RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) volumes, which jumped 41% to 62,000 units. Additionally, dry bulk cargo volumes increased by 21% to 0.87 million tonnes, and liquid cargo volumes rose by 2.6% to 0.4 million tonnes. The profit was achieved despite a ₹4.32 crore impact from gratuity-related past service costs due to a change in law, which was classified as an exceptional item in the financial statement. The results were published on February 10, 2026.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 6 pmeznews.inIndia's transition towards more nutritious, non-staple crops is hindered by inadequate market infrastructure and high costs, according to Prabhu Pingali, Director of the Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition. Speaking at the combined convocation of Telangana Agricultural University, where he received an Honorary Doctorate, Pingali emphasized the need for urgent investments in cold storage and transport to lower transaction costs for smallholders. He criticized the country's ongoing focus on staple grain production through price supports, which limits farmers' incentives to diversify into other crops, including meat and dairy. Pingali called for a shift in food policy to correct the bias towards staple crops, advocating for a crop-neutral approach and a balanced portfolio of foods in strategic reserves. He urged a reevaluation of food security policies, stressing the importance of access to a balanced diet over mere self-sufficiency in staple grains.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 6 pmeznews.inIndia is set to enhance its domestic manufacturing of sintered rare earth permanent magnets, crucial for electric vehicles and other high-tech applications, as part of a strategic initiative to bolster its electric mobility and clean manufacturing sectors while reducing import reliance. Union Heavy Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy announced the approval of the ₹7,280 crore Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM) scheme during the 5th Global Electric Mobility Summit, emphasizing its role in strengthening domestic capabilities. The government is also implementing budget measures, including customs duty exemptions for critical minerals manufacturing and the establishment of industrial corridors in several states. With electric vehicle registrations nearing 2 million in 2024-25, India’s electric mobility market has seen over 60% annual growth. Kumaraswamy highlighted the importance of battery manufacturing for energy security and the potential economic benefits of electric mobility, aiming for India to transition from adoption to global leadership in this sector.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 4 pmeznews.inIndia's External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) reached $44.36 billion in December 2025, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), highlighting a robust trend in overseas funding for corporate expansion and modernization. The funds were primarily allocated for importing capital goods, executing new projects, and on-lending by financial institutions, with significant contributions from the manufacturing, financial services, infrastructure, and transportation sectors. Notably, Air India emerged as a major borrower, securing $2.75 billion through multiple ECB tranches to support its fleet modernization and expansion efforts. Similarly, InterGlobe Aviation, which operates IndiGo, raised approximately $4.56 billion across four borrowings, also aimed at aircraft imports. These developments underscore the aviation sector's pivotal role in driving foreign currency borrowings in India, as airlines prepare for increasing passenger demand and international traffic growth.
Published: Feb 10 2026, 5 pm
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