Business

Government Pushes Mission-Mode Expansion of PNG Network, Targets 50 Lakh New Connections New Delhi, March 28: Union Minister Manohar Lal on Saturday outlined a comprehensive roadmap to accelerate the expansion of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) infrastructure across urban India, with a strong focus on institutional reforms and coordinated implementation.Addressing a high-level review meeting, the minister emphasized the need to institutionalize single-window approval systems, integrate PNG infrastructure into urban planning frameworks, and ensure last-mile connectivity. He described cities as key drivers of economic growth and called for mission-mode execution to fast-track PNG rollout.Target of 50 Lakh PNG Connections Highlighted According...

Haveus Aerotech to Invest Rs 450 Crore in State-of-the-Art ATR MRO FacilityNew MRO Facility Planned in India Mumbai, March 28 – Haveus Aerotech, a leading aviation MRO services provider, announced on Saturday that it has signed an initial agreement to set up a state-of-the-art MRO facility for ATR aircraft in the state, with an investment of Rs 450 crore.Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the state government, Haveus Aerotech will receive support in obtaining necessary permissions, registrations, and incentives from relevant departments, in line with prevailing policies.Comprehensive ATR Services The proposed component MRO facility, with a five-year investment plan of Rs 450 crore, will offer ATR repair...

Rising Feed Costs in China Amid Iran Conflict Push Hog Producers into LossesEscalating Feed Prices Hit Hog Farmers New Delhi, March 28 – Escalating grain and input prices triggered by the Iran war are driving up animal feed costs in China, intensifying pressure on hog producers already grappling with weak pork demand and 16-year-low prices, according to a recent report.In March, spot soymeal prices surged by 7% (over 200 yuan per tonne), while corn climbed 4% (around 100 yuan per tonne), reflecting the impact on key livestock feed ingredients.China’s Dependence on Soymeal and Corn China, the world’s largest pig market, depends heavily on soymeal and corn for hog feed. Futures for both commodities on the Dalian Exchange hit...

Adani Defence Delivers First 2,000 Prahar LMGs to Indian Armed Forces Milestone for ‘Make in India’ Initiative Gwalior, March 28 – Adani Defence and Aerospace on Saturday delivered the first batch of 2,000 Prahar Light Machine Guns to the Indian Armed Forces, marking a significant milestone for the government’s Make in India campaign.The 7.62 mm-calibre LMGs were manufactured at Adani Defence and Aerospace’s Small Arms Complex on the outskirts of Gwalior.Accelerated Production Timeline CEO Ashish Rajvanshi stated that while the original contract allows seven years to deliver 41,000 LMGs, the company aims to complete deliveries in less than three years.“With the first 2,000 LMGs delivered, we are confident of producing 1,000 units...

CBIC Launches Duty Deferment Scheme to Boost Manufacturing and Expedite Clearances Hybrid Outreach Program Introduced for Manufacturer Importers New Delhi, March 28 – The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) conducted a hybrid outreach program to promote the Duty Deferment Scheme for eligible manufacturer importers, the Ministry of Finance said on Saturday. The program aimed to expedite cargo clearances and improve liquidity for domestic manufacturers.How the Duty Deferment Scheme Works The scheme allows eligible manufacturer importers to clear imported goods without making upfront duty payments, instead enabling monthly duty settlement. This facility aligns with the government’s Make in India campaign, designed to...

Gujarat to Add 50,000 PNG Connections in 10 Days Following PM Modi’s Appeal State Launches Major Push for Piped Natural Gas Connections Gandhinagar, March 28 – Gujarat plans to provide over 50,000 new piped natural gas (PNG) connections across the state within the next 10 days, responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal to expand such services, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said on Saturday.In the past 10 days, more than 12,000 new residential PNG connections and over 300 commercial PNG connections have already been installed.High-Level Meeting Reviews Supply of Essential Commodities Following PM Modi’s video conference with state leaders on petrol, diesel, gas, fertilizers, and food grain supplies amid global...

Info Edge to Invest ₹250 Crore in Deep-Tech AIF, Exits Shopkirana via Share Swap Deal Investment in A88 Fund I to Back Early-Stage Deep-Tech Startups New Delhi, March 28 Info Edge (India) Ltd has announced plans to invest up to ₹250 crore in an alternative investment fund aimed at supporting early-stage deep-tech companies in India.According to a regulatory filing, the company has entered into a contribution agreement with A88 Fund I, a scheme launched by A88 Trust, which is registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund.The filing stated that the investment commitment of up to ₹250 crore will be made either directly or through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Smartweb...

India Monitors Strait of Hormuz Tensions as Oil Tankers Transit Key Route Indian Ships Continue Transit Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty New Delhi, March 28 – Two more merchant vessels carrying petroleum products for India are likely transiting the Strait of Hormuz, even as rising geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt movement through the critical global shipping route.The situation remains volatile following Iran’s claim of “full control” over the strategic waterway amid recent hostilities involving the United States and Israel.Indian Navy on Alert to Ensure Safe Passage According to sources, the Indian Navy has deployed warships near key ports to assist vessels and ensure safe passage. Additional ships are expected to arrive from...

India Warns WTO Against Misuse of Transparency Rules at MC14 India Opposes Use of Transparency for Trade Retaliation New Delhi, March 28 – India has cautioned members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) against using “transparency” provisions to justify trade retaliation or challenge legitimate domestic policies.The government emphasized that transparency measures must be supported by sustained capacity-building to ensure all countries—especially developing economies—can meet their obligations fairly and effectively.What Transparency Means in WTO Framework Transparency is a key pillar of the WTO’s Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement. It requires member nations to regularly disclose information on trade policies, subsidies...

Cyber Attacks on Critical Infrastructure Pose Direct Threat to Human Lives: Expert Cyber Threat Landscape Expands Beyond Data Theft New Delhi, March 28 – As cyber attacks increasingly target critical infrastructure such as healthcare systems and power grids, the global threat landscape is evolving from data breaches to direct risks to human lives, according to a senior cybersecurity expert.Gaurav Shukla, Partner and Leader – Cyber at Deloitte South Asia, highlighted that cyber risks are no longer confined to information systems but now impact real-world safety and operations.IT-OT Convergence Increases Vulnerability Shukla noted that the convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) has significantly...

India’s SEZ Exports Surge 32% to ₹11.7 Lakh Crore in FY26, Boosting Investment and Jobs SEZ Exports Record Strong Growth in 2025-26 New Delhi, March 28 – India’s exports from operational Special Economic Zones (SEZs) crossed ₹11.70 lakh crore in 2025-26 (up to December 2025), registering a robust 32.02% growth compared to the previous year, according to an official government statement.This surge highlights the growing importance of SEZs in driving India’s export performance and strengthening its global trade position.India Has 368 Notified SEZs with ₹7.86 Lakh Crore Investment As of February 2026, India has 368 notified SEZs, with total investments reaching ₹7.86 lakh crore. These zones continue to attract significant domestic and...

PM Narendra Modi Calls for Unity Amid Global Crisis, Inaugurates Noida International Airport Modi Urges Citizens to Prioritize National Interest and Unity Noida, March 28 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called on citizens to work with dedication and unity to tackle global challenges, emphasizing that India must prioritize its national interests during times of crisis.Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of the Noida International Airport, he urged people to remain calm and united amid ongoing global uncertainties.“This is a global crisis, but we must prioritize India’s interests. That is our greatest strength,” he said.West Asia Conflict Raises Concerns Over Energy Security Referring to the ongoing conflict in...

Noida International Airport to Boost Greater Noida Real Estate, Drive Housing Growth: Report Jewar Airport Inauguration Expected to Transform NCR Property Market New Delhi, March 28 – The inauguration of the Noida International Airport at Jewar by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to significantly boost developer confidence and accelerate residential real estate growth in Greater Noida, according to a report by Knight Frank India.The airport, positioned as the second major aviation hub for the Delhi-NCR region, is expected to reshape the region’s urban and economic landscape.Greater Noida Gains Stronger Position in NCR Housing Market According to the Knight Frank India report, Greater Noida has emerged as a key residential hub...

India Pushes for Consensus-Based WTO Reforms at MC14, Highlights Global Trade Imbalances India Advocates Consensus-Driven Decision Making at WTO New Delhi, March 28 – Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized the importance of consensus-based decision-making during the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Cameroon.Leading the Indian delegation, Goyal stated that consensus is fundamental to the WTO’s legitimacy. He cautioned against undermining the sovereign rights of member nations, asserting that no country should be obligated to accept rules without its consent.Rebuilding Trust Key to WTO Reform Addressing WTO reform and past mandates, Goyal highlighted the urgent need to...

Mumbai, March 28 An IndiGo flight from Visakhapatnam to Delhi, carrying 160 passengers, made an emergency landing at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday due to a malfunctioning engine, according to sources."A full emergency was declared at Indira Gandhi International Airport at 10:39 for IndiGo's Visakhapatnam-Delhi flight 6E 579 due to a single engine failure," a source said.The Boeing 737 aircraft was carrying 160 passengers, the source added.The flight landed at 10:59 am, as per flight tracking website flightradar24.com.Further details are awaited.

New Delhi, March 28 Rentomojo Ltd, an online platform for renting and subscribing to home furniture and appliances, has filed preliminary documents with the capital markets regulator, Sebi, to raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO).The proposed IPO involves the issuance of up to Rs 150 crore in new equity shares, as well as an offer-for-sale (OFS) of up to 2,83,99,567 equity shares by existing shareholders, according to the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) filed on Friday.The company intends to use the proceeds from the new issuance for paying off debt, lease rentals, or license fees for its warehouses and experience stores, and for general corporate purposes.Founded by Geetansh Bamania, the company operates a...

New Delhi, March 28 Gold prices rose by 5.77 per cent during the week, amid sustained geopolitical tensions and a decline in crude oil prices.On Friday, MCX gold April futures increased by 0.15 per cent while MCX silver May futures declined by 0.09 per cent. Currently, gold futures are at Rs 1,44,500, while silver futures are at Rs 2,27,750 per kg.The price of 10 grams of 24-carat gold was at Rs 1,42,942 on Friday, up from the Rs 1,35,141 seen at the market opening on Monday, according to data published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA).Gold spot prices dipped slightly on the last day of trading as a strong US dollar weighed on the market.MCX gold in India showed a steady recovery from a weekly low of Rs...

New Delhi, March 28 Thermax announced on Saturday that its subsidiary, Thermax Babcock & Wilcox Energy Solutions (TBWES), has secured a boiler package supply order worth approximately ₹1,600 crore for an ultra-supercritical thermal power project.According to a company statement, TBWES has secured the ₹1,600 crore boiler package supply order from a leading thermal power project company in Central India for a 1x800 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power plant.The scope of work includes manufacturing, supply, commissioning, and performance testing of the boiler package, the statement said."This order represents a significant achievement for Thermax and reinforces our proven capabilities in large-scale energy solutions. We thank our...

DGCA Issues Safety Guidelines for VVIP Flights After Fatal Crash Concerns New Rules Target Non-Scheduled Operators Carrying Top Dignitaries Mumbai/New Delhi, March 27: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday issued fresh safety guidelines for aircraft operators flying VVIPs, including chief ministers, central ministers, and governors.The new directives apply specifically to non-scheduled aircraft and helicopter operators involved in transporting high-profile dignitaries, aiming to strengthen operational safety standards.Move Comes Amid Safety Concerns After January Crash The guidelines come in the backdrop of a fatal plane crash in January that resulted in the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar...

RBI Mandates LEI and UTI for Financial Market Transactions to Boost Transparency LEI to Be Mandatory for OTC Market Participants Mumbai, March 27: The Reserve Bank of India on Friday directed the mandatory use of Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) for participants in financial market transactions, aiming to enhance transparency and standardisation across markets.The LEI is a 20-character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies entities involved in financial transactions. According to the central bank, the requirement will apply to all over-the-counter transactions undertaken by entities other than individuals across government securities, money market instruments, foreign exchange instruments, and derivatives.However, for...