Page 8 - Industry News

Power ministry pushes insurance surety bonds as bank guarantee alternative

Centre asks states to accept insurance surety bonds in power procurement to ease liquidity constraints, reduce credit exposure, and boost participation across energy projects

Mahindra and Swaraj hike tractor prices amid rising input costs

Mahindra and Swaraj Tractors raise prices across domestic range citing commodity cost pressures, with hikes varying by model and region

Retail leasing drops to 1.95 msf in Q1 amid supply constraints: Report

Leasing declines sequentially amid lack of new mall supply, but demand remains firm, led by malls and key metro markets, says Cushman & Wakefield

Iran war hits Uttarakhand industries as costs rise: Industry group chief

On the input side, costs have increased, while exports to West Asia--particularly in sectors like pharmaceuticals, food processing, and handicrafts--have been disrupted, with no new orders coming in

The long reach of West Asia war: Sheffield of the East waits and watches

Furnaces cool faster than they should as Howrah's foundry belt sputters, with West Asia tensions choking fuel lines, snarling cargo routes, and stretching workdays thinner

CDs emerge as key Q4 funding source for banks despite elevated rates

Q4FY26 CD issuances hit Rs 5.27 trillion; FY26 at Rs 14 trillion, outstanding near Rs 7 trillion

West Asia war has evolved into 'systemic tremor': FM Nirmala Sitharaman

FM Nirmala Sitharaman says current year even 'more challenging' but India has enough fiscal space

India Inc pay hikes pegged at 9.1% in FY26, says Deloitte report

Deloitte survey shows marginal rise in salary increments, alongside higher promotions, stable attrition trends, and continued moderation in hiring across sectors

The economics of global disorder: Resilience to trump efficiency, growth

There have, no doubt, been admirable efforts by the government to cushion the energy shock emanating from the Gulf, but there is only so much it can do in such global circumstances

SME Forum seeks govt support as fuel costs hit MSME clusters hard

Industry body flags rising fuel costs, shipping disruptions and labour stress in key clusters; proposes relief measures including subsidies, liquidity support and worker welfare schemes

GeM records ₹18.4 trillion GMV since inception; MSMEs dominate FY26

Government e-Marketplace records strong procurement growth, with MSMEs leading participation and AI-driven tools enhancing transparency, efficiency, and monitoring across transactions

India's wind energy addition surges 46% to record 6.05 GW in FY26

Wind capacity addition rises 46 per cent year-on-year to a record high, driven by policy clarity, transmission readiness, and a strong pipeline of hybrid projects

Milk producers receiving ₹34.18 crore monthly benefit, highest ever

Milk-producing farmers in the state are now receiving an average benefit of Rs 34.18 crore per month -- the highest ever -- as the state milk federation procures approximately 2.70 lakh litres of milk per day from the farmers. This is a significant increase compared to the average procurement of 1.57 lakh litres per day during the financial year 2024-25, a government spokesperson said in a statement here on Saturday. The federation is ensuring doorstep milk collection, particularly benefiting marginal milk producers living in remote areas of the state. This initiative is helping improve their socio-economic conditions by providing them with direct financial support. He said that the government has consistently increased milk procurement prices over the last three years. In the 2026-27 budget, provision has been made to procure cow milk at Rs 61 per litre and buffalo milk at Rs 71 per litre. Reforms made in the dairy sector have encouraged more people to participate in village dair

Comm Secy asks pharma sector to reduce dependence on imported raw materials

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal on Saturday asked the pharmaceutical industry to reduce its dependence on critical imported raw materials and diversify export supply chains to better navigate global uncertainties. Addressing an event in Hyderabad on the sector, he said while India exports to around 200 countries, there remains significant scope for expansion and resilience-building through a stronger market presence. Emphasising the need to navigate an increasingly uncertain and geopolitically volatile global environment, he stressed: "the importance of ensuring greater self-reliance by meeting 80-90 per cent (or higher) of domestic pharmaceutical requirements through indigenous production, while reducing critical import dependencies in APIs, bulk drugs, and intermediates". The Commerce Secretary also underscored the need for a strategic repositioning of India as a global hub for both quality and cost-effective pharmaceuticals, stating that quality will remain the decisive factor

India extends duty-free yellow peas import window until March 2027

All other terms and ​conditions ‌governing such imports would remain ​unchanged, the government said

Odisha Mining Corporation FY26 mineral production hits record 44.82 MT

State-run miner achieves highest-ever mineral production and revenue in FY26, driven by strong iron ore output, improved efficiency and rising demand in domestic and global markets

The Net-Zero Mine: B. Prabhakaran on Electrification, Retrofitting, and Carbon-Smart Mining Models

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MSMEs' working capital drawdowns on the rise amid West Asia conflict

MSMEs see higher working capital drawdowns as West Asia conflict strains cash flows, with delayed receivables and rising costs expected to impact portfolios in coming quarters

MSMEs: From survival to scale

To grow, micro, small and medium enterprises need finance that aligns with cash flows

Govt order to offer 60% flight seats without additional charges put on hold

The government on Thursday "put in abeyance" its earlier direction to airlines to offer at least 60 per cent of seats in a flight without levying any additional charge from April 20, according to sources. On March 18, the civil aviation ministry announced that directions have been issued to the DGCA to direct airlines to allocate a minimum of 60 per cent of seats for selection on any flight free of any additional charges to ensure fair access for passengers. "The matter has been reviewed in light of representations received from the Federation of Indian Airlines and Akasa Air, highlighting operational and commercial implications of the above provision, including its potential impact on fare structures and consistency with the prevailing deregulated tariff regime. "In view of the above, and pending a comprehensive examination of the issue, it has been decided that the provision relating to offering at least 60 per cent of seats free of charge shall be kept in abeyance till further ..