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Prices of pulses substantially stabilised due to pre-emptive measures: Centre

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The retail prices of pulses have substantially stabilised in the past five months and till date, the prices of gram, tur, urad and moong have either declined or remained stable in comparison to 2020, the government claimed on Thursday.

The Consumer Price Index inflation for pulses has also seen a consistent decline during the last five months, from 10.01 per cent in June to 5.42 per cent in October.

The pulses inflation rate was as high as 18.34 per cent in October 2020. Similarly, the Wholesale Price Index inflation for pulses has declined from 11.56 per cent in June to 5.36 per cent in October.

“Stability in the retail prices of pulses has been achieved on account of pre-emptive and proactive measures taken by the government such as taking import of tur, urad and moong from ‘restricted to free category’ with effect from May 15, in order to ensure smooth and seamless imports,” the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said in a release.

The free regime with respect to tur and urad has been extended; the last date for the bill of lading is December 31, and for customs clearance, it is January 31, 2022.

This policy measure has been supported with facilitation measures and close monitoring of its implementation by the concerned departments or organisations. The import policy measures have resulted in substantial increase in the import of tur, urad and moong as compared to the corresponding period for the past two years.

As per government data, the April to November import for tur was 3,37,360 metric tonne (MT) in 2019-20; 1,71,125 MT in 2020-21 and 4,27,796 MT in 2021-22.

Similarly, the data for April to November import of urad was 1,92,166 MT in 2019-20; 2,25,548 MT in 2020-21 and 3,56,178 MT in 2021-22. For moong, the same was 67,541 MT, 22,051 MT and 1,36,007 MT, respectively, for the same three years.

The data further showed that masur imports between April and November were 6,88,817 MT in 2019-20; 8,33,315 MT in 2020-21 and 4,59,839 MT in 2021-22, while chana imports were 2,45,651 MT, 1,35,874 MT and 1,31,327 MT for the same three years, respectively.

In order to control price escalation on account of hoarding and resultant artificial scarcity of pulses, the government imposed a stock limit on all pulses except moong under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, on July 2, 2021.

“The stock limit order has had a salutary effect in terms of softening of prices, as such no further extension beyond October 31 was required. However, as a measure of caution, monitoring of stocks through web portal continues,” the release added.

Among the major pulses, India’s import dependence on masur is high and domestic availability and prices are vulnerable to overseas production. In order to soften the impact of higher international prices on domestic consumers, the government reduced the basic import duty on masur to zero and Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC) to 10 per cent from July 27, 2021.

As a measure of market intervention, masur from the buffer stock has been made available to the states/Union Territories at a discounted price for supplies through retail outlets, in order to ensure availability to the consumers at an affordable price. This step has been further augmented with the release of masur stocks in the open market to soften the prices.

Now the protocol for fumigation of pulses at port of arrival has also been streamlined, with penalty charges waived till March 31, 2022. This would have a further positive impact on cooling retail prices of masur.

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15th Rozgar Mela: EPFO hands over job letters to 976 new recruits

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New Delhi, April 26: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) on Saturday handed over appointment letters to 976 new recruits as part of the 15th edition of the Rozgar Mela.

The Rozgar Mela was held across 47 locations nationwide. The event, addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via videoconferencing, saw the distribution of over 51,000 appointment letters to newly inducted youth in various government departments, including EPFO.

“As part of this significant recruitment drive, EPFO welcomes new recruits to strengthen its workforce, ensuring efficient delivery of social security services to millions of subscribers across India,” said the Labour Ministry.

Appointment letters to 345 Accounts Officers/Enforcement Officers and 631 Social Security Assistants were issued as part of the drive.

The newly-appointed personnel will contribute to EPFO’s mission of providing provident fund, pension, and insurance benefits, supporting the government’s vision of a robust and inclusive economy.

EPFO has established recruitment vertical in head office to ensure regular recruitments and developed a recruitment calendar complying with directions of Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya.

“During last one year, EPFO has recruited 159 Assistant Provident Fund Commissioners, 84 Junior Translation Officers, 28 Stenographers, 2674 SSAs among others. Further recruitment of APFCs, EO/AO, PAs and ASOs are underway,” according to the ministry.

The Rozgar Mela aligns with the Prime Minister’s commitment to prioritizing employment generation and empowering youth for nation-building.

EPFO’s participation underscores its dedication to transparent and merit-based recruitment, leveraging modernized processes to enhance service delivery. The new recruits will have access to training through the iGOT Karmayogi platform, besides formal training enabling them to upskill and excel in their roles.

EPFO said it extends its congratulations to all appointees and reaffirms its resolve to foster a future-ready workforce that drives India’s social security framework towards greater heights.

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Steel backbone of our economy, coal and mines strong foundation: G Kishan Reddy

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Mumbai, April 26: Steel serves as the backbone of India’s economic progress and a vital enabler of the national vision for ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy, said on Saturday.

Addressing the 6th edition of ‘Steel India 2025’ here, the minister highlighted how India is setting new global benchmarks in infrastructure development, from the Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, the world’s highest railway bridge, to the historic Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu — all made possible by the growing strength of the steel sector.

Every milestone in the nation’s infrastructure journey, he remarked, is forged in steel — reflecting the momentum and aspirations of a Nation on the move.

Reddy further stated that India’s steel sector has grown at an impressive pace in recent years, positioning the country as the second-largest steel producer globally.

Citing the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the minister referred to steel as India’s “Sunrise Sector” — a key driver of domestic consumption, industrial expansion and self-reliance through the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan.

Reddy expressed confidence that through close collaboration between the Centre, state governments and industry stakeholders, India will not only meet its raw material requirements domestically but also emerge as a global leader in sustainable, self-reliant steel production.

He urged all participants at the conference to contribute actively to shaping policies that will secure a greener and more resilient future for the nation’s steel ecosystem.

The Union Minister emphasised that if steel forms the backbone of India’s economy, the coal and mining sector represents the strong foundation on which it rests.

He highlighted the importance of raw material security, especially in the context of the current session on Raw Material Strategy and the Shift in Raw Material Mix.

Ensuring the availability of critical raw materials like iron ore, coking coal, limestone, and essential alloying elements such as manganese, nickel, and chromium, he noted, is both an economic necessity and a strategic imperative.

India recently achieved a landmark milestone of 1 billion tonnes of coal production and dispatch in the last financial year — a transformative step toward national energy security.

While efforts to enhance renewable energy are underway, the minister reaffirmed that coal will remain central to India’s energy and industrial landscape in the foreseeable future.

Focusing on coking coal, a critical input in steel manufacturing, Reddy pointed out that it constitutes nearly 42 per cent of steel production costs. India currently imports around 85 per cent of its coking coal needs, rendering the industry vulnerable to international price volatility and supply chain disruptions.

The minister called upon private stakeholders to actively participate in washeries, beneficiation plants, and block auctions. Pulverised Coal Injection (PCI) trials using domestic coal have already shown promise for import substitution, and greater innovation in beneficiation can further improve outcomes.

The minister also emphasised the importance of timely utilisation of greenfield mines, as reiterated by the Prime Minister.

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Foreign investors make notable return to Indian equity markets in April

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New Delhi, April 26: Foreign investors have made a notable return to Indian equity markets this month, emerging as net buyers over the past two weeks, analysts said on Saturday.

In just the last seven trading sessions, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have turned decisively positive on Indian equities. This shift is largely attributed to a weakening US dollar, revisit of tariff agreements and a renewed sense of optimism surrounding India’s economic trajectory.

“Amid a challenging global backdrop, marked by sluggish growth in major economies like the United States and China, India continues to stand out higher for its economic resilience,” said Manoj Purohit, Partner and Leader, FS Tax, Tax and Regulatory Services, BDO India.

India is forecast to grow at a robust rate of over 6 per cent in FY26 and remains the only fastest-growing economy, making it a compelling destination for global investors.

“FPI inflows are expected to remain strong in the near term, providing additional support to the ongoing market rally. As global investors reassess their strategies, India’s economic fundamentals and earnings potential position it as a beacon of stability and growth in a turbulent events happening globally,” Purohit explained.

This month (till April 24), FPIs purchased equities worth Rs 22,716.43 crore while they sold equities worth Rs 17,196.33 crore, with net investment of Rs 5,520.1 crore.

Last month, FPIs ramped up buying in the second half of March 2025, driving a recovery in select sectors. BFSI led the inflows with a turnaround from $380 million selling to $2,055 million buying, netting $1,675 million for the month.

Telecommunications and metals and Mining also saw net inflows of $360 million and $219 million, respectively, according to a recent note by Bajaj Broking. Overall, FPI interest remained focused on BFSI, with most other sectors facing continued selling pressure.

With a strong economic outlook, policy reforms and a resilient market, India remains an attractive destination for global capital. The government’s continued focus on infrastructure, digital growth, and ease of doing business further boosts investor confidence.

The recent move by RBI to keep the existing corporate bond and G-sec limits unchanged for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) is a testimony of the government’s intent to keep gateway open for offshore participants to continue infusing funds in India market.

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