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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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MCX gold may test Rs 1.39 lakh support, silver outlook remains weak amid global uncertainty: Analysts

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Mumbai, July 18: MCX Gold and Silver are expected to remain volatile in the near term as investors assess geopolitical developments in the Middle East, movements in crude oil prices, and the US Federal Reserve’s policy outlook, according to market analysts.

Analysts said MCX Gold ended the week on a negative note but managed to stabilise around the key psychological support level of Rs 1,40,000.

They believe a decisive break below this level could accelerate selling pressure and drag prices towards the Rs 1,39,300-Rs 1,38,700 support zone.

“MCX Gold ended the week on a negative note but managed to find support near Rs 1,40,000 and is attempting to stabilise above this key level. A decisive break below Rs 1,40,000 could extend the decline toward the Rs 1,39,300–Rs 1,38,700 support zone,” as per the market expert.

“On the upside, immediate resistance is placed at Rs 1,40,700–Rs 1,41,000, followed by Rs 1,42,000–Rs 1,42,700. A sustained move above these resistance zones could strengthen recovery momentum,” an analyst stated.

MCX Silver also ended the week with a cautious negative bias, continuing to trade below key resistance levels.

Analysts expect resistance in the Rs 2,17,000-Rs 2,18,000 range, followed by Rs 2,20,000-Rs 2,21,000.

“On the downside, Rs 2,15,000–Rs 2,14,000 remains the immediate support zone, while a break below this area could drag prices toward Rs 2,11,000–Rs 2,10,000,” a market expert mentioned.

“Overall, the broader trend remains weak, with sustained strength above key resistance levels needed to signal a meaningful recovery,” the analyst stated.

Globally, COMEX Gold also finished the week with a negative bias while attempting to hold above the important $4,000 support level.

Analysts said a break below this mark could trigger fresh selling towards the $3,920-$3,900 zone, whereas a recovery above $4,050-$4,070 could lift prices towards $4,120-$4,150.

COMEX Silver remained under pressure as well, with prices trying to sustain above the $55-$54.50 support area.

Analysts noted that a decisive break below this range could lead to further weakness towards $53, while a move above $56.50-$57 could improve sentiment and potentially drive prices towards $59.

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RBI slaps fines on 2 Muthoot Group firms for breach of rules

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Mumbai, July 17: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalties on Muthoot Finance Limited as well as Muthoot Vehicle and Asset Finance Limited for non-compliance with the central bank’s Know Your Customer (KYC) directions.

The RBI has imposed a penalty of Rs 5.80 lakh on Muthoot Finance Limited and Rs 2.70 lakh on Muthoot Vehicle and Asset Finance Limited for the breach of its regulations, according to a statement issued on Friday.

The RBI said that it carried out statutory inspection of Muthoot Finance Limited with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2025.

Based on the supervisory findings of noncompliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the company advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for failure to comply with the said directions.

After considering the company’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI concluded that the company failed to put in place a system of periodic review of risk categorisation of accounts; and it also failed to put in place a robust software for effective identification and reporting of suspicious transactions.

In the case of Muthoot Vehicle and Asset Finance Limited also, the RBI conducted a statutory inspection of the company.

Based on the supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the company advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for failure to comply with the said directions.

After considering the company’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the company failed to put in place a system of periodic review of risk categorisation of accounts, with such periodicity being at least once in six months.

According to the RBI, the action in both cases is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the companies with their customers.

The imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the companies, the RBI said.

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Bomb threat note found on IndiGo Ahmedabad-bound flight; police launch probe

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Bengaluru, July 17: A hoax bomb threat found inside the lavatory of an IndiGo flight bound for Ahmedabad triggered a security scare at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, leading police to register an FIR and launch an investigation into the incident.

The threat was discovered on Thursday evening aboard IndiGo flight 6E-6423, which was scheduled to depart for Ahmedabad at 8 p.m.

According to police, a handwritten note bearing the message, “Don’t go. Bomb Hai! Please,” was found tucked inside the aircraft’s forward lavatory around 25 minutes before take-off.

The discovery prompted airport authorities and security personnel to immediately activate standard safety protocols.

The aircraft was subjected to a thorough security check, but no suspicious object or explosive material was found during the search.

Following the incident, IndiGo lodged a formal complaint with the airport police, stating that the hoax threat had caused operational disruption and raised serious safety concerns for passengers and crew.

Based on the airline’s complaint, police registered a First Information Report (FIR) and initiated an investigation to identify the person responsible for leaving the note and ascertain the motive behind the false bomb threat.

Meanwhile, last month, another IndiGo flight carrying around 180 passengers from Lucknow to Delhi was grounded after a bomb threat was discovered written on a tissue paper inside one of the aircraft’s lavatories, triggering a comprehensive security response at the airport.

The flight, scheduled to depart from Lucknow at 10:45 a.m. on June 12, was preparing for take-off when crew members were alerted to a possible security threat on board.

The aircraft was immediately halted at the apron and prevented from departing as security agencies initiated standard emergency procedures.

The scare began after a tissue paper bearing the word “bomb” was found inside one of the aircraft’s toilets.

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