New Delhi, Nov 4: The government was set to launch the third round of the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for Specialty Steel on Tuesday, which is one of the key initiatives under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

The PLI 1.2 launch will be presided over by Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, in the presence of senior officials, and other stakeholders from the sector, according to Ministry of Steel.

The ministry said that the PLI Scheme for Specialty Steel, approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2021 with an overall outlay of Rs 6,322 crore, aims to transform India into a global hub for production of high-value and advanced steel grades.

The PLI scheme has attracted a committed investment of Rs 43,874 crore so far, with Rs 22,973 crore already invested and over 13,000 jobs created under the first two rounds.

The scheme covers 22 product sub-categories including super alloys, CRGO, alloy forgings, stainless steel (long and flat), titanium alloys, and coated steels.

Incentive rates range from 4 per cent to 15 per cent, applicable for five years starting FY 2025–26, with disbursal beginning in FY 2026–27.

The base year for pricing has also been updated to FY 2024–25 to better reflect current trends.

The PLI scheme incentivises incremental production and investment in identified product categories, thereby enhancing value addition within the country and reducing import dependence in critical sectors such as defence, power, aerospace and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the country aims to achieve 300 million tonnes of crude steel production capacity by 2030. Notably, India’s domestic steel demand is growing at an impressive 11-13 per cent, fuelled by large-scale infrastructure projects, while global demand faces a slowdown, according to Steel Ministry.

Steel production surged by a robust 14.1 per cent in September compared to the same month of the previous year on the back of increased demand from big-ticket infrastructure projects being carried out by the government.

Mumbai: Mumbai woke up to bright, clear skies on Tuesday morning after moderate rainfall the previous evening brought much-needed relief from both heat and pollution. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted partly cloudy conditions throughout the day, with possibilities of light to moderate showers or isolated thunderstorms in some areas.

According to IMD’s latest weather update, temperatures are expected to stay pleasant, with a maximum of around 32°C and a minimum near 24°C. The light showers have not only cooled the city but also helped in significantly improving its deteriorating air quality. Over the past few weeks, stagnant air and rising pollution had led to hazy skies and poor visibility across Mumbai.

Data from AQI.in on Tuesday morning showed a remarkable improvement in air quality levels. Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 64, categorised as moderate, which deteriorated slightly from the good quality air recorded over the past few days. Residents across several areas reported fresher air and reduced smog.

Among the city’s various monitoring locations, Chembur registered the highest AQI at 113, placing it in the poor category. However, most other areas reflected the overall improvement. Jogeshwari recorded an AQI of 80, Mankhurd 77, and both Malad West and Wadala Truck Terminal stood at 72, all within the moderate range.

Cleaner air was observed in several localities, including Kurla and Kandivali East (both at 52), Sion (55), Bandra East (57) and Colaba (57), showing a citywide recovery in air quality.

According to AQI.in’s classification system, an index reading between 0 and 50 is considered “Good,” 51–100 “Moderate,” 101–150 “Poor,” 151–200 “Unhealthy,” and values above 200 fall into the “Severe” or “Hazardous” category.

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 3: In a swift action following the viral video of a woman tourist being harassed by local taxi drivers in Munnar, the Kerala Police, on Monday, have suspended two officials and taken two taxi drivers — identified as Vinayakan and Vijayakumar — into custody.

The case has sparked widespread outrage on social media, prompting the state government to promise corrective steps to ensure tourist safety in the hill station.

The video, originally posted by Janvi, a Mumbai-based assistant professor, showed a group of taxi drivers confronting and intimidating her and her friends for booking an online cab instead of a local taxi near the KSRTC bus stand in Munnar on October 30.

The drivers, reportedly opposed to app-based taxi services, allegedly warned the tourists that they would not be allowed to travel unless they hired local taxis.

Janvi alleged that when she approached the police for help, officers failed to act, echoing the stance of the taxi union.

“We were forced to take another vehicle and eventually cut short our trip out of fear,” she said in the video, which has since been deleted but had already gone viral.

Following the public outcry, the Munnar police registered a suo motu case under Sections 126(2), 351(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to wrongful restraint and criminal intimidation.

The FIR did not initially name any accused, but police have since identified three taxi drivers, two of whom are in custody, with the third expected to be taken into custody soon.

State Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas called the incident “unfortunate” and said it “should never have happened,” adding that steps will be taken to strengthen police vigilance and prevent the harassment of tourists in the future.

The incident has reignited debate over the monopoly of local taxi unions in tourist destinations and the challenges faced by app-based cab services in Kerala.