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Business Standard
24 minutes ago
- Business Standard
India-US talks: Chouhan says govt will adjust duties to ban apple imports
Amid the ongoing India-US trade talks, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the Narendra Modi government will adjust duties to make imported apples more expensive and encourage domestic demand. He was addressing a group of students, farmers, and scientists in Jammu and Kashmir today. Jammu and Kashmir is a hub for apple trade in India, and together with neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, accounts for almost 97 per cent of the approximately 2.4–2.5 million tonnes of apples grown domestically. The United States, in the ongoing bilateral trade talks with India, has been pressing for greater access to the domestic market for its agricultural produce, with apples being one of the items. India currently imposes around 50 per cent duty on apples imported from the US, a rate that was even higher just a few years ago. The US seeks a reduction in duties to facilitate easier access to the Indian market. He further added that instructions have been issued to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to conduct more research aimed at improving the yield of apples grown in India. Chouhan also stated that he would discuss with the Railway Ministry to ensure that apples from Jammu and Kashmir are efficiently transported to all parts of India. Recently, apple growers from Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh had met with the chief ministers of their respective states to jointly approach the central government. Their aim was to ensure that no unreasonable changes are made to the tariff structure for apples imported from the US as part of the trade deal. "Since 2001, India's apple imports have climbed from 200,000 tonnes to 600,000 tonnes, increasing from 1.7 per cent to 22.5 per cent of domestic production. Foreign apples from the US and other countries are out-competing our domestic fruit, putting the livelihoods of more than 800,000 apple-growing households at risk," a statement from the Apple Farmers' Federation of India (AFFI), representing apple growers from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, said a few days ago.
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Business Standard
24 minutes ago
- Business Standard
India launches initiative to identify top 100 deep-tech startups
The Startup Policy Forum has launched #100DesiDeepTechs, a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at identifying and supporting 100 leading deep-tech startups in India. Developed in collaboration with Startup India (DPIIT), MEITY Startup Hub, and IIT Madras, the program seeks to strengthen policy dialogue and advance India's deep-tech ecosystem. Applications are now open for startups across India to join this exclusive cohort. Selected startups will participate in closed-door deep-tech dialogues, engaging with policymakers, investors, industry leaders, sectoral regulators, and academic and research institutions. These discussions will culminate in a comprehensive policy whitepaper outlining sector-specific challenges and regulatory recommendations to strengthen India's deep-tech ecosystem. The initiative is accepting applications from Indian deep-tech startups. Selected participants will join closed-door policy discussions with industry and government stakeholders, leading to a whitepaper with regulatory recommendations. Focus areas include semiconductors, defence, quantum tech, green hydrogen, space, drones, EVs, biotech, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and communications. A Mentor Board consisting of founders, investors, policymakers, and experts will advise the #100DesiDeepTechs cohort, providing strategic guidance and access to networks. 'Our vision is to identify, mentor, and elevate India's most promising deep-tech startups and support them with enabling policy frameworks,' said Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President and CEO of the Startup Policy Forum. 'We are committed to supporting the government's initiatives to strengthen the deep-tech ecosystem, including the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Scheme and the dedicated Deep-Tech Fund of Funds—both designed to scale R&D in critical sectors.' The whitepaper will be released at 'Deeptech Baithak', a forum of founders, investors, and policymakers. The event will also mark the launch of SPF's Centre for Deep-tech Policy Research, which will support ongoing policy efforts. Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, noted that India's deep-tech capabilities are critical to the country's ambition of becoming a global innovation hub. He said, '#100DesiDeepTechs is a timely and targeted initiative that will accelerate efforts by fostering policy clarity, nurturing breakthrough ideas, and building a strong pipeline of world-class startups.' Panneerselvam Madanagopal, CEO of MeitY Startup Hub, added, 'Deep-tech is the next frontier of India's startup journey. Through #100DesiDeepTechs, we aim to identify and support startups at the intersection of science and scalable innovation, co-developing frameworks that serve the nation's strategic interests.' Prof. Thillai Rajan, IIT Madras, commented: "We are excited to collaborate on this national initiative that gives deep-tech startups a direct seat at the policy table. It aligns closely with our vision to advance high-impact research and industry partnerships." SPF has enlisted domain experts and will partner with deep-tech investors to execute the initiative. IIT-Madras will lead startup selection, Ikigai Law will draft the policy whitepaper, and Kaio will manage the initiative. Insights from the program will shape a policy roadmap for deep-tech innovation and market growth.
Business Standard
25 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Mahindra Lifespace Developers launches new tower at Mahindra Citadel in Pune
Mahindra Lifespace Developers (MLDL) has announced the launch of a new tower at Mahindra Citadel, featuring premium 1 BHK homes designed for young professionals, nuclear families, and first time homebuyers. This tower is part of the larger ~9.66-acre residential development in Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune, which has an overall Gross Development Value (GDV) of nearly Rs 2500 crore. This launch follows robust demand for the earlier phases and not only offers high-quality urban living but also offers excellent connectivity, as it is adjacent to the Sant Tukaram Metro by Capital Market - Live News
