Nitin Gadkari pitches for increasing exports

BJP MLA and West Bengal Assembly Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday expressed confidence that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) would be defeated in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections.

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."

Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Thursday sought a parliamentary debate on the reported shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, questioning the import dependence and lack of storage facilities.

According to the sources, the leaders discussed more than a hundred seats for the candidate list. They also discussed election strategy, campaigning, roadmap, slogans, and other aspects of the upcoming polls.