Business

The ministry of road transport and highways has proposed assigning an Aadhaar-like unique identification number to electric vehicle (EV) batteries to ensure end-to-end traceability and improve recycling efficiency, according to draft guidelines issued by the ministry.Under the proposed framework, battery producers or importers will be required to assign a 21-character Battery Pack Aadhaar Number (BPAN)…

The Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF) has called on the Union government to announce focused fiscal and policy measures in the Union Budget 2026 to strengthen India’s rice export ecosystem, covering both basmati and non-basmati varieties.In a representation to finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the federation underlined the importance of rice exports for the economy, rural…

The US commerce department is preparing to ease the steep tariffs planned on Italian pasta imports, reducing the duties proposed earlier this year. Italian pasta had been facing one of the highest tariff burdens among European food products entering the United States. While most European Union goods are already subject to duties of at least…

Cigarettes are set to become cost more from next month! The jump in cigarette prices comes after government’s decision to impose an additional excise duty under a revised tax structure, pushing up the tax burden across all categories. The finance ministry notified amendments to the Central Excise Act, introducing an additional excise duty ranging from…

The Sindhudurg Airport in the Konkan region of Maharashtra has received aviation safety regulator DGCA’s approval for round-the-clock operations, including during low visibility and adverse weather conditions, a statement by IRB Infrastructure Developers said. The airport, operated by IRB Infrastructure, started commercial operations in October 2021. “The approval for 24×7 all-weather operations significantly enhances the…

What began as a platform for last-minute grocery runs is rapidly turning into a serious marketplace for beauty. On quick commerce apps, a bottle of anti-ageing serum now reaches consumers faster than many products can promise visible results, marking a clear shift in how beauty and personal care (BPC) products are being bought in India.The…

MUMBAI/KOLKATA: Several brokerages downgraded ITC and cut their target price for its stock by up to 26% on the back of a proposed sharp hike in taxes on tobacco products. These cuts came even as analysts and brokers awaited the finer details of the govt’s proposed tax changes, effective Feb 1.Analysts at brokerage houses expect…

MUMBAI: The rupee weakened on Friday, slipping below the 90-per-dollar mark amid importer dollar demand and thin liquidity, while markets assessed the RBI’s intervention stance and global risk cues. The currency closed 23 paise lower at 90.20 per dollar from Thursday’s close of 89.97. It opened around 89.95 and moved between an intraday high of…

India foreign trade (Image for representation) NEW DELHI: Govt is pushing Russia to lower barriers for export of Indian electronics, engineering goods, food products and fisheries as part of its efforts to get Moscow to use the $50-55 billion equivalent of roubles lying in bank accounts due to the oil-induced trade balance. For electronics, software…

US President Donald Trump on Friday ordered the unraveling of a $2.9 million computer chips deal that he concluded threatened US security interests if the current owner, HieFo Corp, remained in control of the technology. The executive order cast a spotlight on a business deal that drew scant attention when it was announced in May…