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Extension of benefit under RoDTEP to tobacco sector will boost exports

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The Indian Tobacco Association has said that the extension of benefit under RoDTEP to the tobacco sector is eminently aligned to the objectives of the Foreign Trade Policy and also to have a level playing field to our products in the international market.

Export is a pre-requisite for the growth of any country. The Association said India has got advantage of wide range of soils and climatic conditions to produce different styles of tobaccos which can cater to the needs of different overseas markets.

There are several countries in the world whose economy is based on Tobacco like – Brazil, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Thailand, etc. India is, thus, well positioned to become a major player in the global tobacco market if it can harness the emerging opportunities through price competitiveness. However, steep increases in cost of cultivation, transportation and logistics has adversely impacted the price competitiveness of Indian tobacco.

The Association had said, “we had the opportunity to digitally participate in the Prime Minister’s interactive session. We were pleased to learn that the government is focusing on exports, with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry setting a target of a 30 per cent growth in Indian tobacco exports. In this regard, we also met with the Commerce Minister and the Secretary of the Commerce Ministry, and made our representations and workings through the Tobacco Board. Whereas, tobacco is not included in RoDTEP benefits, despite several appeals.”

The tobacco sector’s exports mainly include value-added products, such as flue-cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco (approximately 72 per cent of the country’s FCV production for export) and tobacco products, which bring the country US$ 900 million in foreign exchange each year. As there is no level playing field in the international market, India’s exports of unprocessed tobacco have fallen sharply.

Indian Unmanufactured exports in 2013-14 was worth Rs 4,850 cr with volume of 236 M Kg compared to Rs 3,780 cr with a substantially low volume of 169 M Kg in 2020-21, clearly indicates India’s fall in global markets. It is loss to entire FCV tobacco stake holder community as well as revenue loss to the Indian Government.

The global competitiveness of the Indian tobacco industry has also been severely affected due to factors like (i) Subsidies provided to tobacco in countries like Zimbabwe, Tanzania, EU, and the USA;(ii) A duty free regime in the EU for imports from least developed countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Malawi and so on; (iii) The prevalence of a Tariff Rate Quota in USA whereby the US market is accessible at a concessional import duty rate by countries like Argentina, Brazil, Thailand, etc while non-quota imports from countries like India are taxed at an ad-valorem rate of 350 per cent.

Consequently, the Indian tobacco sector is denied a level-playing field when competing globally with some of the major tobacco growing countries like USA, Argentina, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

The stated objective of the Foreign Trade Policy in general, include enhancement of India’s export competitiveness by offsetting infrastructural inefficiencies and associated costs involved in export of goods and products, which are produced in India, especially those having high export intensity and employment potential.

Due to reasons stated above, extension of benefit under RoDTEP to the tobacco sector is eminently aligned to the objectives of the Foreign Trade Policy and also to have a level playing field to our products in the international market – Export incentive will boost the Forex and income generation to farmers.

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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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