Food safety authority FSSAI on Wednesday urged plant-based food manufacturers to adopt QR codes on product labels, saying existing labels are too small for consumers to read, as the regulator seeks to build trust in a rapidly growing sector.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Chief Executive Officer Rajit Punhani, speaking at the 4th Plant-Based Foods Summit, said the authority was not looking to make QR codes mandatory, but wanted companies to voluntarily adopt the technology so younger consumers could scan and verify ingredient lists and nutritional content.
"The label is too small, it's difficult to read and difficult to comprehend," Punhani said, adding that Gen Z consumers in particular could benefit from being able to scan codes to check daily nutritional requirements.
Punhani acknowledged that the regulator faced conflicting pressures from the food industry and the medical community over the health merits of plant-based diets, and said misinformation on soci

FSSAI

FSSAI has already introduced a dedicated vegan logo and regulatory framework for plant-based products, offering compliance pathways for businesses and clearer identification for consumers

Press Trust of India

Orissa High Court asks the Ministry of Home Affairs to frame a uniform national policy and SOP for freezing bank accounts during criminal investigations

justice, court

Business Standard

Indraprastha Gas advises commercial and industrial users to limit gas drawal to 80 per cent of recent usage after the government regulated supply amid disruption in LNG shipments

Drivers linked to Ola, Uber and Rapido warn LPG and CNG shortages could hurt earnings as long queues at fuel stations and rising costs threaten ride availability

Uber, Uber Bike, Moto rebrand, two-wheelers, bike taxis, Rapido, Ola, Bengaluru regulations, Karnataka High Court, Uber Courier, gig economy, traffic congestion

Bombay High Court quashes ₹1 crore cash seizure by GST officers, holding that the CGST Act allows seizure of goods and documents but does not authorise authorities to seize cash

Bombay High Court

State-owned fuel retailers Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) absorbing the impact of elevated global energy prices will lead to heightened margin and cash-flow volatility, Moody's Ratings said on Wednesday.
"Domestic retail prices of fuels have remained largely steady since April 2022, despite swings in global oil and gas prices and the country's high dependence on imports," Moody's said in a note.
"The companies will bear rising input costs from higher energy prices without corresponding increases in selling prices because the government's influence over retail pricing prevents timely cost pass-throughs."
The three firms control nearly 90 per cent of retail fuel outlets in the country.
Global benchmark Brent crude rose sharply and hit a high of USD 119 per barrel on March 9 before settling just under USD 90 the following day, reflecting a heightened geopolitical risk premium.
However, retail pump r

Russian Oil, crude oil, oil, oil prices

Global benchmark Brent crude rose sharply and hit a high of $ 119 per barrel on March 9 before settling just under $ 90 the following day, reflecting a heightened geopolitical risk premium

Fitch says Indian oil marketing companies and GAIL could face cash flow pressure if disruptions linked to the Iran conflict persist, though government support may cushion credit profiles

Gail India

Renault names India a key global production and growth hub in its futuREady strategy, with plans to launch four new models in the country by 2030 as part of a global rollout of 36 vehicles

Renault futuREady, Renault India strategy, Renault global roadmap, Renault new models India, François Provost, Renault electric vehicles

Auto component makers warn Red Sea shipping disruptions and LPG/PNG supply concerns are raising costs, delaying exports and threatening production across the supply chain

President Vikrampati Singhania said that shipments to key markets were already being affected due to vessel rerouting, port congestion, and rising freight costs linked to the Red Sea shipping disruptions

Siam asks MoPNG to give clarity on availability

SUVs, automobile industry, cars

Hyundai Motor India on Monday launched the updated Verna sedan with over 25 upgrades across design, tech, comfort and safety. Prices start at ₹10.98 lakh for the 1.5-litre MPi petrol variant

Hyundai Verna

Compared with last year's Budget, the Union Budget 2026-27 builds on the credit framework while moving decisively towards equity funding, market-linked liquidity, and structured compliance support

MSMEs

TNC Rajagopalan answers SME queries related to GST, export and import matters

export

Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy unveiled third round of speciality steel PLI scheme with relaxed thresholds, updated pricing benchmarks, and wider MSME participation to boost steel manufacturing

H D Kumaraswamy (Photo: X/@hd_kumaraswamy)

Base year revised, thresholds relaxed to reflect current market trends

Trade expert cites FTP Para 1.08 and CBIC circulars requiring that export consignments not be detained beyond three days, and clarifies documentation norms under the Advance Authorisation scheme

trade

RBI revises counterparty credit risk framework to align with Basel norms, refining capital treatment for derivatives exposures and clarifying rules for clearing members

RBI, Reserve Bank of India

Profitability in the banking sector is expected to remain healthy, supported by stronger core earnings

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data also suggest a sharp pickup in corporate credit growth, with credit to industry growing 9.6 per cent as of November 2025, compared with 8.3 per cent in the corresponding fortnight of last year

RBI says banks can declare dividends based on capital adequacy levels, with payouts capped at 75 per cent of profit after tax and subject to CET1 buffers and supervisory conditions

RBI, Reserve bank

About 72 crore Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts (BSBDA), including those under the PM Jan Dhan scheme, are not subject to any penal charges for non-maintenance of minimum balance, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, she said banks offer zero-balance savings accounts facility in Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts (BSBDAs), including the accounts opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), to ensure universal access to banking facilities, particularly for unbanked, vulnerable and small depositors, and to promote financial inclusion.
These accounts do not require maintenance of any minimum balance, and the account holders are provided basic banking services such as deposits, withdrawals and ATM access free of charge, without levy of any penal charges.
"Approximately 72 crore BSBDAs, including PMJDY accounts, are not subject to any penal charges for non-maintenance of minimum balance," Sitharaman said.


Nirmala Sitharaman

During FY 202223 to FY 202425, Public Sector Banks (PSBs) have collected ₹8,092.83 crore from current account and savings account holders on account of non-maintenance of MAB

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