Assam includes tea plantation land in Farmers’ Registry, boosts support for small tea growers

Guwahati, June 27: The Government of Assam has officially included tea plantation and small tea garden land holdings in the state Farmers’ Registry Portal, marking a major reform aimed at strengthening the livelihood of small tea growers across the state.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma termed the decision a “historic step,” stating that it will bring lakhs of small tea growers into the formal agricultural system and ensure they receive direct access to government welfare schemes and financial support.

With this integration, small tea growers will now be eligible for a Farmer ID, enabling smoother access to subsidies, crop insurance, institutional credit, and various agricultural development programmes.

Officials said the move is part of Assam’s broader digital agriculture initiative aimed at improving transparency, reducing middlemen, and strengthening direct benefit transfer systems for farmers.

The decision is expected to significantly benefit Assam’s small tea sector, which contributes a large share of the state’s tea production and supports rural livelihoods across multiple districts.

FSAI Unveils Six-Pillar Electrical Safety Roadmap; Industry Discusses NBCS 2026 in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, June 27: With nearly 60 per cent of reported fire incidents in India linked to electrical faults, the Fire & Security Association of India (FSAI), Hyderabad Chapter, unveiled a comprehensive Six-Pillar Approach aimed at improving electrical safety practices, strengthening compliance, and reducing fire risks across the country. The roadmap was announced during the seminar “Electrical Safety Excellence  Beyond Compliance”, organised by FSAI Hyderabad Chapter in association with the International Copper Association India (ICA India) in Hyderabad.

As India witnesses rapid urbanisation, expanding infrastructure investments and the growing adoption of technologies such as electric vehicle charging systems and solar power installations, speakers highlighted the need for a proactive approach that complements regulatory compliance with stronger risk management, training and preventive measures. The seminar brought together regulators, policymakers, consultants, engineers, safety professionals and industry leaders to deliberate on best practices required to support India’s rapidly expanding built environment.

A key highlight of the event was the discussion on critical electrical safety provisions under the National Building Construction Standards (NBCS) 2026, a significant development for India’s building, electrical safety and fire protection ecosystem. The sessions provided stakeholders with insights into the framework’s impact on building design, construction practices and electrical safety management.

Addressing the gathering, K. Nanda Kumar, Chief Electrical Inspector to the Government and Ex-Officio Chairperson of the Telangana Electrical Licensing Board said,

“As India’s infrastructure ecosystem grows in scale and complexity, stakeholders must focus on adopting robust safety practices, quality installations, and regular audits to minimise risks and protect lives. Platforms such as this seminar play an important role in building awareness and strengthening industry-wide safety culture.”

Meanwhile, Vikram Singh Mann, IPS, Director General of Telangana Fire, Disaster Response, Emergency and Civil Defence said,

“It is true that a significant number of fire incidents continue to occur due to electrical faults and unsafe installations. Preventing such incidents requires greater collaboration between regulators, industry, designers, installers, and end users. This forum will reinforce the need to integrate electrical safety, fire protection, and risk management as part of a comprehensive approach to safeguarding people and property.”

Shri Linga Reddy, Chief Engineer, Electrical R&B Department, Telangana, said,

“The discussions on NBCS 2026 provided valuable insights into the future direction of electrical safety and building standards in India. The updated framework presents an opportunity for the industry to adopt safer design practices, strengthen infrastructure resilience, and ensure that safety considerations are embedded from the planning stage through execution and operation.”

Speaking on the occasion, Manoj Wahi, President, FSAI Hyderabad Chapter, outlined FSAI’s newly launched Six-Pillar Approach aimed at driving a nationwide culture of electrical safety. The initiative focuses on capacity building for professionals involved in electrical system design, installation and maintenance; large-scale residential safety inspections through the Ghar Suraksha Audit programme; electrical safety education for schoolchildren; awareness around the safe deployment of EV charging infrastructure and other emerging technologies; public outreach through digital platforms; and improving compliance among MSMEs while developing a national database on electrical accidents.

The day-long programme featured expert-led technical sessions covering key aspects of compliance, risk management and infrastructure safety. Hemant Sali, Technical Advisor, ICA India, led sessions on navigating NBCS 2026, Indian electrical statutes and the implementation of IS 18732 standards, while Amol Kalsekar of ICA India presented a case study on cable selection and installation practices. Dr. Janaki Raman discussed earthing and lightning protection requirements under NBCS 2026, and Hemant Kumar of ICA India addressed the safe integration of EV charging infrastructure and solar photovoltaic systems into existing buildings.

Additional sessions by Thiyagarajan and Gopalakrishnan of Chola MS Risk Services covered arc flash hazards, hazardous area classification, static electricity and earthing systems. Sreenivas Valluri spoke on electrical asset integrity, while Gopalakrishnan and Subbarao shared global best practices based on NFPA standards and international benchmarks. The programme concluded with a session on fire protection systems for electrical installations in line with NBCS 2026, NFPA and Indian standards.

The event was organised under the leadership of Manoj Wahi, President, FSAI Hyderabad Chapter; Huzefa Hussain, Secretary, FSAI Hyderabad Chapter; Shivaramakrishnan V., Regional Director – South, FSAI; and Valluri Srinivas, Immediate Past National President, FSAI.

India–UK CETA to Deepen Economic and Tech Partnership

London / New Delhi, June 27: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will play a key role in deepening investments, accelerating technology partnerships, and strengthening resilient global supply chains.

Pic Credit: https://x.com/PiyushGoyal 

During his visit to London, the Minister held discussions with leading business and financial sector representatives, including a delegation led by Nicola Grady-Smith, Chief Transformation Officer at Rolls-Royce. The talks focused on India’s growing position as a global hub for advanced manufacturing and engineering, and the opportunities emerging from the trade agreement to enhance bilateral economic cooperation.

Goyal highlighted that the India–UK CETA is expected to create an enabling environment for businesses in both countries to expand operations, access new markets, and strengthen long-term collaboration in key sectors.

He also met Vivek Ramachandran, Head of Global Trade Solutions at HSBC, where discussions centered on the role of financial institutions in facilitating cross-border trade and investment flows under the new agreement. The Minister emphasized the importance of stronger trade finance mechanisms and enhanced banking solutions to support businesses in navigating international markets.

According to Goyal, banks and financial institutions will play a crucial role in ensuring smooth implementation of the agreement by enabling efficient capital movement and supporting global trade expansion.

The engagements underscore India’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with the United Kingdom and positioning itself as a key partner in global manufacturing, technology, and financial ecosystems.

India Opens Dumping Investigation into Steel Imports

New Delhi, June 27: The Government of India has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of certain steel products from China, Japan, and Russia, responding to concerns that low-priced shipments may be impacting the domestic steel industry.

The investigation seeks to determine whether imported steel is being sold in the Indian market at unfairly low prices, potentially causing material injury to local manufacturers. If evidence of dumping is established, the government may consider imposing anti-dumping duties to ensure fair competition and protect domestic producers.

The move comes as Indian steelmakers have raised concerns over rising imports, arguing that an influx of cheaper steel has placed pressure on prices, production, and profitability. The investigation will assess the extent of the alleged dumping, its impact on the domestic industry, and whether remedial measures are warranted under international trade rules.

Industry experts believe the probe reflects India’s commitment to maintaining a level playing field for domestic manufacturers while continuing to uphold fair and transparent trade practices. At the same time, the government aims to balance the interests of producers, downstream industries, and consumers.

The outcome of the investigation could have significant implications for India’s steel sector, trade relations, and future import policies, particularly as the country continues to invest heavily in infrastructure and manufacturing under its industrial growth agenda.

India Marks Milestone in Nuclear-Powered Hydrogen Production

New Delhi, June 27: The Government of India has identified the integration of nuclear energy with hydrogen production as a significant milestone in the country’s transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

The initiative demonstrates India’s commitment to leveraging advanced nuclear technology to produce low-carbon hydrogen, a fuel expected to play a vital role in decarbonizing industries, transportation, and other hard-to-abate sectors. By combining reliable nuclear power with hydrogen generation, the country aims to ensure a steady supply of clean energy while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Government officials emphasized that nuclear-powered hydrogen production can complement renewable energy sources by providing continuous, round-the-clock electricity for hydrogen generation. This approach is expected to strengthen India’s energy security, lower carbon emissions, and support the nation’s long-term climate goals.

The development aligns with India’s broader clean energy strategy, which focuses on expanding low-carbon technologies, promoting innovation, and accelerating the adoption of green hydrogen across key industrial sectors. It also reinforces the country’s vision of becoming a global hub for sustainable energy solutions.

Experts believe the successful integration of nuclear energy with hydrogen production could unlock new opportunities for industrial growth, technological advancement, and energy independence, positioning India as a leader in next-generation clean energy technologies.