Economy & Policy News
Rise in industrial diesel price hits sugar mills and mining sector
Sharp rise in industrial diesel prices raises transport and input costs, putting pressure on sugar mills' cash flows and mining operations across sectors
 "Rise in industrial diesel price hits sugar mills and mining sector")
Fuel crisis shuts aluminium extrusion plants amid West Asia conflict
LPG supply dries up, PNG cuts and rising input costs disrupt operations, forcing plant shutdowns and slashing output as firms struggle to service loans
 "Fuel crisis shuts aluminium extrusion plants amid West Asia conflict")
30-day US waiver: Indian refiners upbeat on buying Iranian crude oil
Awaiting clarity on payment mechanisms
 "30-day US waiver: Indian refiners upbeat on buying Iranian crude oil")
New Income-Tax rules: Registration to become simpler for charitable trusts
New Income-tax Rules, 2026 introduce a single registration form and cut record retention to six years, reducing compliance burden for charitable trusts and non-profits
 "New Income-Tax rules: Registration to become simpler for charitable trusts")
StatsGuru: Crude reality of India's import dependence to meet fuel demand
In each of the past 12 years, there has been a drop in domestic crude production
 "StatsGuru: Crude reality of India's import dependence to meet fuel demand")
Capex pours into 3 states, yet efficiency blooms elsewhere: Report
UP, Maharashtra, and Gujarat dominate capital expenditure, while Karnataka and Telangana lead in capital efficiency, highlighting divergence in investment patterns across states
 "Capex pours into 3 states, yet efficiency blooms elsewhere: Report")
Govt raises commercial LPG allocation to 50% as gas crisis hits sectors
The total LPG allocation increases to 50 per cent for commercial users with the latest additional 20 per cent allocation
 "Govt raises commercial LPG allocation to 50% as gas crisis hits sectors")
Govt raises commercial LPG allocation to 50% as domestic output improves
Later, a fifth of their supplies were restored, and the government offered an additional 10 per cent, subject to states expediting piped gas projects
 "Govt raises commercial LPG allocation to 50% as domestic output improves")
West Asia crisis hits rice exports from MP's Raisen, Balaghat districts
Basmati rice from Raisen and boiled non-basmati rice from Balaghat have a distinct identity and are exported to many foreign countries, including the Gulf
 "West Asia crisis hits rice exports from MP's Raisen, Balaghat districts")
Super-rich tax may address inequality, says former CEA Kaushik Basu
Kaushik Basu says progressive taxation on very high incomes can reduce inequality without weakening enterprise, while experts stress restoring trust through jobs and welfare systems
 "Super-rich tax may address inequality, says former CEA Kaushik Basu")
West Asia conflict: Stranded vessels running out of fresh water, food
DG Shipping warns of supply shortages on stranded vessels, rising freight and insurance costs, and potential disruptions to India's trade and energy security
 "West Asia conflict: Stranded vessels running out of fresh water, food")
New I-T rules notified; new Act to ease compliance, cut litigation, says FM
New rules expand HRA benefits to more cities, clarify EV taxation, tighten reporting norms and streamline transfer pricing and foreign tax credit processes
 "New I-T rules notified; new Act to ease compliance, cut litigation, says FM")
How distorted West Asia crude pricing hurts India as war lifts import costs
System adds hundreds of millions of dollars to India's fuel import bill; ministry aware
 "How distorted West Asia crude pricing hurts India as war lifts import costs")
New I-T Act to ease compliance for small taxpayers: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
Finance Minister says expanded presumptive taxation and simplified provisions under the new law will reduce compliance burden and litigation for small businesses and professionals
 "New I-T Act to ease compliance for small taxpayers: FM Nirmala Sitharaman")
India's forex reserves fall $7 billion to $709.76 billion, shows RBI data
India's forex reserves dropped USD 7.052 billion to USD 709.759 billion during the week ended March 13, the RBI said on Friday.
 "India's forex reserves fall $7 billion to $709.76 billion, shows RBI data")
Iran conflict threatens fresh food-price surge across developing world
Developing countries were gaining after pandemic and Ukraine shocks, but the Iran conflict now threatens food, fuel and finance gains and could leave households struggling
 "Iran conflict threatens fresh food-price surge across developing world")
Oil surges to $108 per barrel amid West Asia war; India denounces strikes
To secure supplies, 13 tankers carrying around 3.5 lakh tonnes of LPG are currently headed from the US to India
 "Oil surges to $108 per barrel amid West Asia war; India denounces strikes")
India-UK FTA likely to be implemented by early May; EU by year-end
According to officials, the EU has indicated November as the timeline for the ratification of the trade pact with India, and its implementation is expected this year
 "India-UK FTA likely to be implemented by early May; EU by year-end")
Fertiliser stocks enough for kharif season; govt reaches out to nations
Warns against needless speculation
 "Fertiliser stocks enough for kharif season; govt reaches out to nations")
₹10,000 crore container scheme under appraisal: Sarbananda Sonowal
Government's Rs 10,000 crore container manufacturing scheme is under appraisal, aiming to boost domestic capacity, cut import dependence and strengthen supply chains
 "₹10,000 crore container scheme under appraisal: Sarbananda Sonowal")