Centre slashes customs duty on sugar export

In a major boost to India's agricultural exports, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry facilitated the first export consignment of 25 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Joha rice from Assam to the United Kingdom and Italy on March 12, 2026, in collaboration with the Assam Agriculture Department.

The textile industry in Bhilwara, a city renowned for its extensive fabric production, is currently facing significant challenges as the ongoing crisis in the Middle East casts uncertainty over exports and operations. The situation has escalated as the crisis in the Middle East has begun to impact local businesses. "Textile industries are facing some trouble due to the war, and if the war continues in the near future, exports from here could be affected," Jain noted. He emphasised the current predicament, saying, "Currently, export orders are on hold. They are either stalled locally or at the port, or have been put on hold by other parties."

West Bengal police strongly refuted allegations made by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari that police personnel's postal ballots were being collected through a so-called welfare organisation, asserting that the process of voting for police personnel on election duty follows strict Election Commission procedures and leaves no scope for manipulation.

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Sandosh Kumar on Sunday said that it was the duty of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to recieve President Droupadi Murmu during her state visit for the 9th International Santal Conference in Darjeeling.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has announced a facilitation measure for exporters by extending the Export Obligation (EO) period for certain export promotion schemes, the release said.

According to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Change of Guard ceremony is a longstanding military tradition whose origins date back to ancient times. Historically, guards and sentries stationed at palaces, forts, and defence establishments were replaced at regular intervals to allow a fresh group of troops to assume duty.

According to an 'X' post by Manipur Police on Wednesday, an SUV was stopped at the Tengnoupal-PS Naka. During the search, security personnel recovered and seized 2.33 kg of WY tablets, 0.592 kg of brown sugar, one mobile phone, one Aadhaar card, and the registration certificate of the vehicle.

According to temple authorities, the eclipse will commence at 3:21 PM and continue until 6:47 PM. As per established religious customs followed by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the temple will be closed from 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM.

Temples across India closed their gates on Tuesday as the 'Sutak Kaal' (inauspicious period) began ahead of the first lunar eclipse of the year, with priests saying the doors will reopen after the eclipse ends in the evening.

Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora on Monday flagged off the first export of GI-tagged Karbi Anglong Ginger to London during a programme held at Krishi Bhawan, Khanapara in Guwahati.