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Ex-mill sugar prices fall 20 per cent, retail prices too start declining: Govt

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New Delhi, Aug 28: Ex-mill sugar prices in India have declined by around 20 per cent, while retail sugar prices have also started coming down, and given the normal transmission of changes through the supply chain, retail prices are expected to follow the downward movement in prices shortly, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution said on Friday.

The government has been closely monitoring sugar prices, stocks and movement across the country and has taken a series of proactive measures to ensure that the benefit of adequate availability reaches consumers. The downward trend in ex-mill and retail prices reflects that the sharp spike in prices witnessed recently was primarily on account of hoarding and speculation, although the country carries adequate stocks of sugar, the ministry statement said.

A nationwide drive for physical verification of sugar stocks at mills has reaffirmed the comfortable availability position. In several cases, sugar mills were found to be holding stocks higher than those declared in their monthly returns submitted to the government. The verification exercise has established that there is no shortage of sugar in the country and there is no justification for panic buying or excessive stocking, it said.

In some cases, sugar mills were also found to be resorting to “short selling”, which means selling less sugar than the quantity allocated to them under the monthly quota. Such practices tend to unnecessarily constrain market supplies despite adequate physical stocks, the statement said.

The government has also observed that, in certain cases, sugar sold by mills at the beginning of the month was being dispatched or lifted by buyers only towards the end of the month. This practice contributed to artificial scarcity in the market. To address such issues and ensure that sugar reaches the market in a timely manner, the government has decided to introduce a fortnightly sugar allocation system from September, replacing the existing monthly quota system. Under the fortnightly quota, mills will be required to sell at least 40 per cent of the allocation in the first week and the remaining quantity in the succeeding week.

Sugar mills have already been directed to ensure that sugar sold is dispatched from the mill within seven days of sale. The combination of fortnightly quota allocation and mandatory dispatch within seven days will significantly improve the movement of sugar through the supply chain. It will ensure that sugar moves quickly from mills to dealers and ultimately to consumers, while discouraging unnecessary accumulation and speculative holding of stocks. Bulk consumers of sugar have also been advised not to accumulate stocks in excess of their operational requirements.

Sugarcane crushing for the new season will also commence from October 15, and it is expected that more than 10 LMT of sugar will be produced during the month. The government has also permitted sugar mills to sell sugar produced during October without restriction, ensuring that new-season production becomes available in the domestic market at the earliest. Sugar production is expected to be around 45 LMT in November, providing substantial additional supplies for domestic consumption, the statement added.

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Indian Railways throws open 3,584 jobs for young graduates

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New Delhi, Oct 11: Indian Railways has announced 3,548 graduate-level vacancies for jobs under the Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC–Graduate), which provide opportunities for graduates to work across different functional areas of railway operations and administration, according to an official statement issued on Sunday.

The recruitment through Centralised Employment Notification issued by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) covers four categories of posts, including Chief Commercial Cum Ticket Supervisor, Goods Train Manager, Junior Accounts Assistant Cum Typist, and Senior Clerk Cum Typist. These positions offer career opportunities across commercial services, train operations, accounts and administration, supporting the efficient functioning of railway services across the country, the statement said.

Of the total 3,548 vacancies, as many as 2,750 are for Goods Train Manager, followed by 371 for Senior Clerk Cum Typist, 300 for Junior Accounts Assistant Cum Typist, and 127 for Chief Commercial Cum Ticket Supervisor.

The posts offer initial basic pay under the Seventh Central Pay Commission. Chief Commercial Cum Ticket Supervisor carries an initial basic pay of Rs 35,400 per month at Pay Level 6, while the other three categories carry an initial basic pay of Rs 29,200 per month at Pay Level 5. Applicable allowances and service conditions will be governed by the relevant rules.

The online application process commenced on October 8, and eligible candidates can submit their applications until 11:59 p.m. on November 6. The last date for payment of the examination fee is November 8, while the application modification window is scheduled from November 9 to 18 November.

Candidates must possess a degree from a recognised university or its equivalent and fulfil the prescribed post-specific eligibility conditions. The notified age limit is 18-33 years as on January 1, 2027, with applicable age relaxations for eligible categories under the prescribed rules.

The selection process comprises a first-stage Computer-Based Test (CBT), a second-stage CBT, followed by document verification and medical examination, as applicable. The recruitment framework also provides applicable reservation and age-relaxation benefits, along with scribe assistance and compensatory time for eligible candidates with disabilities, in accordance with the prescribed provisions.

Another provision under CEN No. 06/2026 is the dispensation of the Computer-Based Typing Skill Test (CBTST) for the posts of Junior Accounts Assistant Cum Typist and Senior Clerk Cum Typist. Candidates are nevertheless expected to possess basic computer and typing proficiency, which will be assessed after joining, as specified in the notification, the statement said.

Candidates can access the detailed notification, vacancy distribution, eligibility criteria and recruitment updates through the official Railway Recruitment Boards website:https://rrb.indianrailways.gov.in

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BMC to crack down on illegal debris disposal, impose Rs 25,000 fine for tracking violations

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Mumbai, Oct 11: As air quality concerns begin to resurface following the withdrawal of the monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is reportedly set to tighten enforcement of construction and demolition (C&D) waste management rules across the city.

Starting Monday, the civic body will levy a penalty of Rs 25,000 on every vehicle found transporting construction debris or excavation material without an active and authorised Vehicle Tracking and Monitoring System (VTMS).

Construction sites that fail to register on the BMC’s Mumbai Debris Control and Tracking System (MDCTS) portal will also face a fine of Rs 25,000 for each violation.

The move comes amid growing concerns over illegal dumping of construction waste and its impact on Mumbai’s environment and air quality. In a circular issued to all 26 municipal wards, the BMC has directed officials to begin inspections and enforcement drives immediately.

Mumbai generates more than 8,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste every day, significantly exceeding the city’s treatment capacity.

The two processing facilities at Dahisar and Shilphata can collectively handle only around 1,200 tonnes of debris daily, creating a large gap that has led to rampant illegal dumping.

Civic officials said debris is frequently discarded along roadsides, vacant plots, drains, creeks, water bodies and mangrove areas, as per the report.

To improve monitoring and accountability, the BMC launched the MDCTS portal on August 24. The digital platform is designed to track C&D waste from its point of generation to authorised disposal or processing facilities.

It also allows civic authorities to monitor debris-carrying vehicles in real time, detect route deviations and identify suspected cases of illegal dumping.

The civic body has made registration on the portal mandatory for contractors, government agencies and private developers undertaking construction activities.

Registered entities are required to submit detailed waste management plans, while vehicles transporting debris must be fitted with GPS-enabled VTMS devices and follow approved transportation routes.

According to BMC data, the MDCTS portal recorded 220 registrations between August 24 and October 9. These included 109 builders and developers, 44 transporters, 19 BMC contractors, 17 external buyers of debris and soil, 15 corporate entities and four government agencies. No registrations were received from individual citizens during the period.

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Crude oil, inflation data among top factors to drive stock market next week

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New Delhi, Oct 11: Crude oil prices above $100 a barrel, key inflation data in India and the US, movements in the rupee, global bond yields and a pickup in corporate earnings are likely to determine the trajectory of Indian equities in the coming week, as investors assess whether the recent rebound can sustain after eight consecutive weeks of losses.

Domestic benchmark indices staged a sharp recovery on Friday, with buying across information technology (IT), fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), automobile and financial stocks lifting market sentiment. The Nifty rose 288.65 points, or 1.30 per cent, to close at 22,520.45, while the Sensex advanced 879.09 points, or 1.23 per cent, to settle at 72,472.33.

The gains helped both benchmark indices break their eight-week losing streak. However, persistent foreign investor outflows, elevated crude oil prices, a weakening rupee and concerns over tighter monetary policy continue to pose challenges for the market.

With important macroeconomic indicators due in India and the US, alongside a busy corporate earnings calendar, investors will closely track developments across domestic and global markets to gauge the sustainability of the recovery.

One of the biggest factors likely to influence Dalal Street will be crude oil prices. Brent crude is trading above the $100-per-barrel mark, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) remains above $90. Uncertainty surrounding Iran, the Strait of Hormuz and regional energy infrastructure has heightened concerns over possible supply disruptions.

Inflation data and movements in US bond yields will also be closely watched. In the US, the September Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, scheduled for release on Wednesday, will provide fresh insight into price pressures and help investors assess the Federal Reserve’s next policy move. US retail sales data will also be in focus, as stronger-than-expected readings could keep Treasury yields and the dollar elevated, potentially weighing on emerging-market equities.

In India, September CPI and wholesale price index (WPI) inflation figures will offer important clues about domestic price trends and their implications for monetary policy. Any indication of persistent inflation could influence expectations around interest rates and investor sentiment, while movements in the rupee will remain an important indicator of pressure from elevated oil prices and foreign capital outflows.

Corporate earnings will be another key driver as the results season gathers pace. Investors will assess companies’ revenue growth, profit margins, management commentary and demand outlook to determine whether earnings can support market valuations amid a challenging economic environment. Results from Indian companies, alongside major corporate announcements in the US, could influence sector-specific movements and broader market direction.

Global monetary policy expectations and bond-market movements will remain important throughout the week.

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