Business
Bioplastics can become Maharashtra’s next Rs 25,000 crore growth engine
Mumbai, July 3: In a major push to tackle plastic pollution and position Maharashtra as a green manufacturing hub, the MahaYuti government has approved the Maharashtra Bioplastics Policy 2026, aimed at promoting bioplastics manufacturing through a comprehensive package of incentives and dedicated funding.
The policy, which will remain in force from 2026 to 2031, seeks to transform Maharashtra into a national hub for bioplastics manufacturing, research, innovation and exports. The government expects the initiative to attract investments worth Rs 25,000 crore, create 1.31 lakh direct and indirect jobs, and generate an estimated Rs 30,039 crore in revenue.
The policy also targets the creation of 2 lakh tonnes per annum (TPA) of PLA and biopolymer production capacity, reducing the state’s dependence on imported PLA by 50 per cent
Additionally, Maharashtra aims to replace 30 per cent of single-use plastics in selected sectors with compostable alternatives, achieve $1 billion in exports, and integrate 1 lakh farmers into the bioplastics value chain.
The state Cabinet has approved a total outlay of Rs 10,892 crore, including Rs 782 crore during the first five years and Rs 10,110 crore over the subsequent 20 years. A provision of Rs 50 crore has been made for 2026-27 under the Package Scheme of Incentives.
Government sources said rising concerns over conventional plastic waste, microplastics, marine pollution and greenhouse gas emissions have necessitated policy intervention to promote bio-based and biodegradable alternatives. While the global bioplastics market is expanding rapidly, India currently accounts for just 0.46 per cent of global output. It remains heavily dependent on imports of key biopolymers such as Polylactic Acid (PLA).
Maharashtra enjoys several competitive advantages, including its leadership in sugarcane, sugar and ethanol production, which provides abundant feedstock such as corn, bagasse and molasses. Coupled with a strong chemicals industry, premier research institutions and logistics infrastructure anchored by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), the state is well positioned to develop a robust bioplastics ecosystem. The urgency of the shift is underscored by the generation of nearly 3.96 lakh tonnes of plastic waste in the state during 2022-23.
The policy covers the entire value chain, from raw material processing and production of PLA, PHA, PBS and other biopolymers to compounding, end-product manufacturing, testing facilities, composting and certification services. All eligible units will be required to obtain BIS/ISO 17088 certification or equivalent standards recognised by the Central Pollution Control Board.
Key focus areas include standards and certification, cluster-based industrial parks, common facility centres, research and centres of excellence, skill development, support for MSMEs and startups, increased participation of women and rural youth, and promotion of foreign investment and exports. The government also plans to establish two Centres of Excellence to foster innovation and technology development. Only Greenfield (new) investments and dedicated Brownfield expansions for bioplastics will be eligible.
To attract large-scale investments, Maharashtra will offer a tiered incentive framework, including special benefits for the first two anchor projects involving investments of Rs 3,000 crore or more. These projects will be eligible for capital subsidies of up to 30 per cent of fixed capital investment over 10 years, 100 per cent SGST reimbursement for 12 years, full electricity duty waivers and stamp duty exemptions, among other incentives.
Additional benefits include export incentives, reimbursement of employers’ provident fund contributions, and support for adoption of green technologies. Similar incentives will be available to the first 10 eligible large, mega and MSME units. Standalone R&D facilities will receive financial assistance of up to 50 per cent, subject to a ceiling of Rs 25 lakh.
The policy also provides an additional “green incentive” for units adopting zero liquid discharge systems, renewable energy and circular economy practices, reinforcing Maharashtra’s ambition to emerge as a leading sustainable manufacturing destination.
Business
Bank strike: Customers urged to finish key transactions before 3-day nationwide protest

New Delhi, Sep 26: Customers of several public sector and old-generation private sector banks have been advised to complete important banking transactions in advance as bank employees’ unions prepare for a three-day nationwide strike starting September 28. The proposed strike is expected to disrupt branch operations across many banks and coincides with the sector’s crucial half-yearly closing period.
The strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), which claims to represent nearly 90 per cent of the country’s banking workforce.
The unions are pressing for the implementation of a five-day banking week, along with pension-related reforms and other employee welfare measures.
In a bid to reduce inconvenience to customers, the government has directed public sector banks to remain open on Sunday, September 27, enabling customers to complete urgent transactions before the strike begins.
State Bank of India (SBI) has issued an advisory stating that while it will make efforts to maintain essential services at branches and offices, some banking operations could be affected during the strike period.
The bank has urged customers to complete critical transactions ahead of time and make use of digital banking channels, including YONO, internet banking, mobile banking, UPI, ATMs and cash deposit machines, wherever possible.
Bank of India has also alerted customers about the planned strike and advised them to rely on the bank’s round-the-clock digital platforms such as internet banking, mobile banking, ATMs, business correspondent points and UPI services for their banking requirements.
Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) are also expected to participate in the agitation, potentially widening the impact on banking services across the country.
However, new-generation private sector banks such as ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and IndusInd Bank are expected to continue normal operations, offering customers an alternative for routine banking services during the strike period.
Earlier this week, the Finance Ministry appealed to bank employees’ unions to avoid the strike and resolve pending issues through dialogue. The ministry maintained that a majority of the concerns raised by the unions have already been substantially addressed.
Business
Nifty, Sensex dip for 7th week amid high crude prices, bond yields

Mumbai, Sep 26: The Indian equity benchmarks posted notable losses for the seventh consecutive week, as crude prices stayed elevated and US bond yields surged.
Nifty declined 0.88 per cent during the week and added 0.34 per cent on the last trading day to reach 23,140. At close, Sensex was up 315 points, or 0.43 per cent, at 73,895. It lost 0.54 per cent during the week.
Markets came under heavy selling pressure midweek as benchmarks slid over 1.6 per cent on Thursday before a modest rebound on Friday driven by value buying.
Brent crude stayed above the $105-per-barrel mark for most of the week, while WTI crude also remained elevated above $90 per barrel amid continued geopolitical uncertainty and concerns over global oil supplies.
However, oil prices moderated toward the end of the week, and eased global risk sentiment, concerns of pressure on the import bill, inflation expectations, the rupee and corporate input costs.
Analysts said that the global bond market continued to add pressure, with the US 10-year Treasury yield moving above 5.10 per cent during the week. Elevated yields continue to tighten global financial conditions and can reduce the relative attractiveness of emerging market assets, they added.
Foreign institutional selling has intensified significantly compared with previous weeks and has become a major headwind for domestic equities.
Meanwhile, Iran has submitted a new seven-day proposal to the United States to end the ongoing conflict and reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz if Washington lifts its naval blockade, waives oil sanctions and agrees to a broader ceasefire.
The 23,000 zone remains the immediate support area for Nifty, while the 23,200 region remains the immediate resistance zone, said analysts.
Market participants are also keen on the trajectory of rupee, with persistent oil-related demand for dollars and continued FII outflows potentially keeping the currency under pressure, although RBI intervention has helped contain excessive volatility.
Business
LG Electronics India gets notice to pay up Rs 153.58 crore as customs duty

New Delhi, Sep 25: LG Electronics India Ltd has received a show cause notice from the Customs authorities for the recovery of Rs 153.58 crore as customs duty for allegedly not including royalty payments in the assessable value of certain imported goods, the company has stated in a stock exchange filing.
The show cause notice has been issued following an investigation carried out by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), alleging non-inclusion of royalty payments in the assessable value of certain imported goods.
The notice, dated September 22, was issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Customs, Nhava Sheva Port in Navi Mumbai, and was received by the company on September 24.
Meanwhile, LG Electronics, along with arch rival and compatriot Samsung, are also facing an investigation for alleged wrong claims of concessional 5 per cent customs duty on imported OLED glass screens. The DRI authorities have expressed the view that the concessional rate is meant for the older LCD and LEDs used in products sold in the mass market. For OLED parts, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence is of the opinion that both Samsung and LG should have paid a 15 per cent customs duty, according to a Reuters report.
LG Electronics is reported to have sent responses to written questions by the authorities on its OLED imports and has voluntarily deposited the money to pay for the difference in customs duty as estimated by officials.
Meanwhile, LG Electronics India reported a 27.2 per cent year-on-year surge in net profit to Rs 653 crore for the first quarter of financial year 2026-27compared with the corresponding figure of Rs 513 crore in the same quarter of 2025-26, driven by strong summer demand and premium product sales.
The company’s revenue rose 15.5 per cent during the April-June quarter to Rs 7,233 crore compared with the corresponding figure of Rs 6,262 crore in the same quarter of the previous financial year.
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