Page 51 - Industry News
Tobacco Institute urges review of tax hike on cigarettes, tobacco products
The Tobacco Institute of India calls on the government to reconsider the steep excise and GST hike on tobacco, warning of hardships for farmers, MSMEs, retailers and a surge in illicit trade
 "Tobacco Institute urges review of tax hike on cigarettes, tobacco products")
Labour Code draft rules clarify doubts, concerns still remain
Draft rules under India's four Labour Codes clarify wages and gratuity calculations, extend social security, but smaller firms still face implementation concerns
 "Labour Code draft rules clarify doubts, concerns still remain")
New Year's Eve frenzy: Grapes, biryani, pizzas among most-ordered items
The surge in sales activity, across different platforms, came even as gig worker unions had called a nationwide strike
 "New Year's Eve frenzy: Grapes, biryani, pizzas among most-ordered items")
Excise duty on tobacco, health cess on pan masala from February 1
From February 2026, India replaces GST compensation cess with excise and health cess on tobacco and pan masala, introducing capacity-based duties and higher cigarette taxes
 "Excise duty on tobacco, health cess on pan masala from February 1")
Centrally funded infra projects saw cost overruns swell to 22% in Nov
Cost overruns in centrally funded infrastructure projects widened to 22.2% in November, pushing revised project costs to ₹29.55 trillion, Mospi data showed
 "Centrally funded infra projects saw cost overruns swell to 22% in Nov")
Switch to LNG may save $1 billion spent on oil imports, says PNGRB
Regulator's study is based on a scenario where 10% of diesel vehicle owners opt for LNG
 "Switch to LNG may save $1 billion spent on oil imports, says PNGRB")
Coal India posts 4.6% output growth in December, but offtake drops 5.2%
Coal India on Thursday reported a 4.6 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) growth in production and a 5.2 per cent fall in offtake in December.
 "Coal India posts 4.6% output growth in December, but offtake drops 5.2%")
Power consumption rises 7% to 138.39 billion units in Dec amid cold wave
The peak power demand had touched an all-time high of about 250 GW in May 2024. The previous all-time high peak power demand of 243.27 GW was recorded in September 2023
 "Power consumption rises 7% to 138.39 billion units in Dec amid cold wave")
ATF prices cut 7.3% in January, commercial LPG cylinder hiked ₹111
ATF price in Delhi was cut by Rs 7,353.75 per kilolitre, or 7.3 per cent, to ₹92,323.02 per kl, according to state-owned fuel retailers
 "ATF prices cut 7.3% in January, commercial LPG cylinder hiked ₹111")
Datanomics: House demolitions double in 7 years; rehab remains scarce
In 2023, Delhi accounted for the highest share of evictions at 53 per cent, followed by Gujarat at 30 per cent and Assam at 4 per cent
 "Datanomics: House demolitions double in 7 years; rehab remains scarce")
MCA eases KYC compliance for directors, shifts filing to once in 3 years
MCA has relaxed KYC norms for company directors, cutting the filing frequency to once every three years while mandating updates within 30 days of any change in personal details
 "MCA eases KYC compliance for directors, shifts filing to once in 3 years")
In an AI world, BPM industry embraces AI to rethink the BPO future
Explaining the rationale behind the acquisition, Capgemini chief executive officer Aiman Ezzat said the BPM industry remains one of the fastest-growing segments
 "In an AI world, BPM industry embraces AI to rethink the BPO future")
India's lab-grown diamond market shines brighter with investor backing
Rising funding, rapid store expansion and Titan's entry are pushing lab-grown diamonds from niche to mainstream, as Indian consumers embrace affordable, sustainable fine jewellery
 "India's lab-grown diamond market shines brighter with investor backing")
A silent attrition of women doctors ails India's healthcare system
A silent attrition is hollowing out India's healthcare workforce, with implications for patient care and equity
 "A silent attrition of women doctors ails India's healthcare system")
Gig workers aren't exploited: Deepinder Goyal as Zomato, Blinkit hit record
In a post on X, Goyal said concerns around quick deliveries often stem from a misunderstanding of how the system works
 "Gig workers aren't exploited: Deepinder Goyal as Zomato, Blinkit hit record")
RBI flags high-cost distribution pressures in insurance sector growth model
Total premium income grew to ₹11.9 lakh crore in 2024-25 from ₹8.3 lakh crore in 2020-21, reflecting consistent market expansion and stable financial intermediation capacity
 "RBI flags high-cost distribution pressures in insurance sector growth model")
Bharat Taxi to roll out by January-end after successful pilot in Delhi
The digital platform, operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd, was introduced in the capital on a pilot basis on December 2, 2024
 "Bharat Taxi to roll out by January-end after successful pilot in Delhi")
Explained: How tax regime on tobacco has changed in India since 2014
As the Centre scraps the GST compensation cess, here is how India's tobacco tax structure has evolved over the past decade
 "Explained: How tax regime on tobacco has changed in India since 2014")
Chhattisgarh Auto Expo from Jan 20 with 50% road tax rebate to boost sales
The concession will be applicable at the time of vehicle registration following purchase at the Expo, providing a one-time 50 per cent relief in motor vehicle tax
 "Chhattisgarh Auto Expo from Jan 20 with 50% road tax rebate to boost sales")
NMDC sees 15% growth in December iron ore output, sales grow 19%
The miner produced 5.40 million tonnes (MT) of iron ore in December 2025, higher than 4.71 MT in the same month in 2024
 "NMDC sees 15% growth in December iron ore output, sales grow 19%")