Cabinet approves Fair and Remunerative Price of sugarcane payable by Sugar Mills to sugarcane farmers for sugar season 2025-26 Fair and Remunerative Price of Rs. 355/qtl approved for Sugarcane Farmers
Decision will benefit 5 crore sugarcane farmers and their dependents, as well as 5 lakh workers employed in the sugar mills and related ancillary activities
Posted On: 30 APR 2025 4:09PM by PIB Delhi
Keeping in view interest of sugarcane farmers (GannaKisan), the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for sugar season 2025-26 (October – September) at Rs.355/qtl for a basic recovery rate of 10.25%, providing a premium of Rs.3.46/qtl for each 0.1% increase in recovery over and above 10.25%, & reduction in FRP by Rs.3.46/qtl for every 0.1% decrease in recovery.
However, the Government with a view to protect interest of sugarcane farmers has also decided that there shall not be any deduction in case of sugar mills where recovery is below 9.5%. Such farmers will get Rs.329.05/qtl for sugarcane in ensuing sugar season 2025-26.
The cost of production (A2 +FL) of sugarcane for the sugar season 2025-26 is Rs.173/qtl. This FRP of Rs.355/qtl at a recovery rate of 10.25% is higher by 105.2% over production cost. The FRP for sugar season 2025-26 is 4.41% higher than current sugar season 2024-25.
The FRP approved shall be applicable for purchase of sugarcane from the farmers in the sugar season 2025-26 (starting w.e.f. 1st October, 2025) by sugar mills. The sugar sector is an important agro-based sector that impacts the livelihood of about 5 crore sugarcane farmers and their dependents and around 5 lakh workers directly employed in sugar mills, apart from those employed in various ancillary activities including farm labour and transportation.
Background:
The FRP has been determined on the basis of recommendations of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and after consultation with State Governments and other stake-holders.
In the previous sugar season 2023-24, out of cane dues payable of ₹ 1,11,782 crores about Rs.1,11,703 crores cane dues have been paid to farmers, as on 28.04.2025; thus, 99.92% cane dues have been cleared. In the current sugar season 2024-25, out of cane dues payable of Rs.97,270 crore about Rs.85,094 crores cane dues have been paid to farmers, as on 28.04.2025; thus, 87% cane dues have been cleared.
Cabinet approves development of Greenfield High-Speed Corridor of 166.80 km (NH-6) from Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong) in Meghalaya to Panchgram (near Silchar) in Assam on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) Total capital cost of the corridor is Rs.22,864 crore
Posted On: 30 APR 2025 4:05PM by PIB Delhi
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for Development, Maintenance and Management of 4-lane Greenfield Access Controlled 166.80 km of National Highway No. 06 from Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong) in Meghalaya to Panchgram (near Silchar) in Assam on Hybrid Annuity Mode as an access controlled greenfield High-Speed Corridor at a total capital cost of Rs.22,864 Crore. The project length of 166.80 km lies in Meghalaya (144.80 km) and Assam (22.00 km).
The proposed Greenfield high-speed corridor will improve the service level for the traffic moving from Guwahati to Silchar. The development of this corridor will improve the connectivity to Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur and the Barak Valley region of Assam from mainland and Guwahati with substantially reduced travel distance and travel time. This will, in turn, contribute to the enhancement of logistics efficiency of the nation.
The corridor will improve connectivity between Assam and Meghalaya and will spur economic development, including development of industries in Meghalaya, as it passes through cement and coal production areas of Meghalaya. This corridor will cater to the national and international tourists coming from well-connected Guwahati Airport, Shillong Airport, Silchar Airport (via existing NH-06) connecting Guwahati to Silchar. This would connect scenic places of tourist attraction in the North-East and promote tourism.
This critical infrastructure project will improve inter-city connectivity between Guwahati, Shillong & Silchar traverses through Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia hills, East Jaintia hills in Meghalaya and Cachar district in Assam reduce congestion on existing NH-06 and enhance transport infrastructure development in line with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
The project alignment integrates with major transport corridors, including NH-27, NH-106, NH-206, NH-37 providing seamless connectivity to Guwahati, Shillong, Silchar, Diengpasoh, Ummulong, Phramer, Khlieriat, Ratachera, Umkiang, Kalain..
Upon completion, the Shillong – Silchar Corridor will play a pivotal role in regional economic growth, improving connectivity between Guwahati, Shillong, Silchar, Imphal, Aizawl and Agartala. The project aligns with the government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, enhancing infrastructure while generating employment and fostering socio-economic development in Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.
Feature
Details
Project Name
Development, Maintenance and Management of 166.80 km of National Highway No. 06 from Mawlyngkhung (near Shillong) in Meghalaya to Panchgram (near Silchar) in Assam on Hybrid Annuity Mode
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs steps up consumer protection work during Labour Day Golden Week of Mainland Apart from patrolling popular shopping spots, Customs officers will also drive publicity at medicine shops, dried seafood and ginseng shops, jewellery shops and hawker pitches in different tourist shopping areas such as Yau Tsim Mong and Causeway Bay. Retail shops and practitioners in the tourist industry will be reminded to comply with the requirements of the TDO.
Customs officers will also distribute pamphlets at land boundary control points to remind local consumers and visitors that they should patronise shops with a good reputation. They are also reminded to check carefully the unit price and total price of the goods before making a payment, and to retain transaction receipts and related records which can be served as the basis in case a complaint is lodged in the future. They are additionally reminded to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt.
Customs has long been concerned about visitors being misled into making purchases by unfair trade practices, and has established a Quick Response Team to handle urgent complaints lodged by short-term visitors. The complaints will be promptly referred to investigators to handle with priority.
Under the TDO, any trader who adopts unfair trade practices, including making false trade descriptions in relation to goods, misleading omissions, aggressive commercial practices as well as bait and switch practices, or sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report suspected violations of the TDO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 18:40
The pilot study was carried out in two phases using a GSTN frame primarily with an objective to test the suitability of the GSTN database as sampling frame, verify and update selected frame information (in Phase-I) and to test the operational modalities such as, response of the enterprises, adequacy of the instruction, structure of the questionnaire, collectability of information, etc. (in Phase-II).
The pilot study covered those service sector enterprises from the GSTN database which are registered under Companies Act, 1956 or, Companies Act, 2013 or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) Act, 2008.
The pilot provides valuable operational insights and a foundation for launching a robust, full-scale annual survey of incorporated service sector enterprises from January 2026.
Objective of the Pilot Survey on ASSSE
The service sector is a key driver of India’s economy, contributing more than 50% to the country’s GDP and providing millions of jobs. Accurate and comprehensive data on this sector is crucial for informed policymaking, strategic planning, and investment decisions. While the unincorporated part of the service sector is covered in Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) conducted by National Statistics Office, there is a lack of granular data on the economic and operational characteristics, employment, and other related aspects of the incorporated service sector. This gap in data is primarily due to the absence of a regular national-level survey covering the various sub-sectors of the incorporated non-agricultural non-manufacturing sectors.
The main objective was to test operational processes – enterprise response, clarity of survey instructions, efficacy of the questionnaire and the availability of key data from official records such as books of accounts, profit and loss statements, and labour registers.
Requirement of Pilot Study before launching full-fledged ASSSE
To firm up the methodology, survey instruments and other operational aspects of conducting a full-fledged pan-India survey (ASSSE), there was a felt need to undertake a pilot. Accordingly, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has conducted the Pilot Study on ASSSE and releases its findings as a Technical Report in this press note.
This pilot marks a pioneering effort in the Indian official survey ecosystem, utilizing a GSTN-based enterprise frame for the first time comprising of incorporated enterprises across the Construction, Trade, and Other Services categories including transport, accommodation and food services, information and communication, health, education, real estate, etc. Technical Report available in the website of the MoSPI viz.https://www.mospi.gov.in.
Modalities of conducting the Pilot Study
The Pilot Study on ASSSE has been conducted using an ‘enterprise approach’ where the term ‘enterprise’ is referred to as a GSTN unit conducting operations in a particular state. As per GSTN nomenclature, the term enterprise is analogous to ‘principal place of business’ which may have one or more ‘additional place of business’ (establishments) in the state. Combined data of all the additional places of businesses have been collected from the principal place of business in this pilot study.
The two-phase pilot study, conducted through CAPI (Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing) on tablets, aimed to test the suitability of GSTN database as sampling frame, validate and update selected frame information, test operational processes, and assess data availability from business records including balance sheets, books of accounts and labour registers maintained by the enterprises for the financial year 2022–2023.
Phase Iof the pilot was conducted during May 2024–August 2024 covering 10,005 enterprises primarily to verify and update address and activity information along with collecting some quantitative information such as gross sale value, employment, etc.
Phase-IIof the Pilot Study on 5020 enterprises selected from the list of eligible enterprises of Phase-I took place during November 2024 to January 2025. Data for this phase were collected under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 (as amended in 2017), with notices issued in October 2024.
Major takeaway from the pilot study
Majority of the enterprises were found to be existent and operational.
Units with headquarters in other states required significant effort to collect the relevant data. Also, challenges were faced in bifurcating the GSTIN level information pertaining to the selected enterprises from Pan-India centralized records (often CIN based) maintained at headquarter level.
Majority of the responding units were found to be cooperative in furnishing information/data.
Barring a few blocks, the questionnaire was found to be reasonably easy to fill in.
The instructions were found to be mostly clear and unambiguous and easy to understand.
Key finding of the pilot study (based on unweighted i.e without applying any multiplier on sample observations):
Distribution of Enterprises by type of organization
In Figure 1, distribution of enterprises by type of organization is presented. It can be seen that majority of the corporate entities in the pilot study on ASSSE are Private Limited Companies (82.40% at overall level) during FY 2022-23 followed by Public Limited Company and Limited Liability Partnership (each having nearly 8% share). The same trend is noticeable for all the Broad Activity Categories (BAC) i.e., Construction, Trade and Other Services.
Figure 1: Distribution of enterprises by type of organization for each BAC
Percentage share of economic indicators by different size classes of output (FY 2022-23)
Size Class of Output (Rs.)
No. of enterprises surveyed
Indicator*
Fixed Assets
Net Fixed Capital Formation
Gross Fixed Capital Formation
Gross Value Added
Net Value Added
Total persons engaged
Total compensation
all-India
Less than 10 cr.
2720
2.64
2.19
2.44
1.19
1.07
9.28
3.17
10 cr. or more, but less than 100 cr.
927
9.58
6.00
8.32
9.45
9.38
20.03
11.43
100 cr. or more, but less than 500 cr.
326
25.00
29.08
26.96
19.90
19.33
33.73
22.24
500 cr. or more
113
62.77
62.73
62.28
69.47
70.21
36.96
63.17
All
4086
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
The following Table presents the percentage share of different important indicators over different size-classes of output.
* generated based on sample data without using weights
The data reveals that larger enterprises with output Rupees 500 crores and above dominate in terms of asset ownership (62.77%), net fixed capital formation (62.73%), gross value added (69.47%) and total compensation (63.17%). Further, data also reveals that enterprises (having output below Rupees 500 crores) make up almost account for 63.03% of total employment and 36.84% of total compensation.
Fig. 2: Enterprises with additional places of businesses in the state for each Broad Activity Categories.
The above Figure (Figure 2) shows that overall, 28.5% of enterprises reported having additional places of business within the state. This percentage was observed to be the highest in the Trade sector with around 41.8% of enterprises belonging to this sector reported additional places of business in the state. As per GSTN nomenclature, the term enterprise is analogous to ‘principal place of business’ which may have one or more ‘additional place of business’ (establishments) in the state.
Way Forward
The pilot study on ASSSE represents a significant milestone in strengthening India’s statistical infrastructure for the service sector, a key contributor to both GDP and employment.
The findings from the pilot study provide a strong foundation for launching the full-scale annual survey starting in January 2026.
The pilot study confirmed the suitability of the GSTN database as a sampling frame for the survey.
It highlighted the importance of proper verification and validation of survey instruments, the collectability of data from records maintained by selected enterprises and the challenges encountered during data collection.
The pilot study offers valuable insights for planning and finalizing the sampling design, determining the sample size and refining the questionnaire for the full-fledged survey in consultation with major stakeholders.
The major indicators of the survey include percentage share of Fixed Assets, Net fixed Capital Formation, Gross Fixed Capital Formation, GVA, NVA, number of persons engaged and compensation etc. over different size-classes of output.
Important Caveat
The basic purpose of the pilot study was experience gathering on various aspects of the survey (as mentioned in previous paras) rather than generating estimates. Considering the small sample size of only 5020 units and the fact that a number of selected units were found to be non-existing and/or non-responding for various reasons, no design-based estimate (using sampling weights) has been attempted in this pilot study. Hence the estimates of any sector or Broad Activity Category (BAC) obtained by summing the estimates of all enterprises belonging to that sector/BAC tend to be skewed towards the estimates of large units present in that sector/BAC. Thus, the estimates are not indicative of or comparable to the overall actual aggregates of the sector/BAC.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited to Set Up 75 Space Labs in EMR Schools under ISRO’s Technical Guidance 19 states in the country to be benefitted
Under CSR initiative around Rs 12 crores sanctioned
It could bridge educational gaps and open new avenues for tribal youth in the fields of space science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM)
Posted On: 30 APR 2025 4:00PM by PIB Delhi
In a historic step Ministry of tribal affairs and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) announced the setting up of “Space Labs” in 75 Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) across 19 states in the country.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India establishes EMRS to impart quality education to ST children thereby enabling them to avail of opportunities in high and professional educational courses and get gainful employment in various sectors. EMRS in addition to imparting high quality education also takes care of their nutrition and overall health and development. As on date there are 470 functional EMRS across the country.
BPCL has announced that it will support the tribal affairs Ministry under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to set up the Space Labs and has sanctioned around Rs 12 crores towards the same.
Through this initiative, the Ministry seeks to bridge educational gaps and open new avenues for tribal youth in the fields of space science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM). By providing exposure to space sciences at a young age, the ministry aims to lay the foundation for nurturing future scientists, technologists, and innovators from tribal communities. This project marks a significant step towards mainstreaming tribal students into India’s scientific advancement. It reflects the Government’s broader efforts under the NEP 2020 framework to create equitable and inclusive educational opportunities for all sections of society.
The initiative will be technically supported by the Space tutor agencies recognized by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).Each such lab will have the advanced scientific equipment including the following components:
LVM3 Launch Vehicle and EO satellite demo model with all dub system details
Static model launch vehicles (PSLV, HRLV, IRNSS, GSAT)
Table Top demo models of solar System, lunar Eclipse, phases of the moon, day and nights, 4 seasons, globe and time indicator
Star tracker telescope 150/750mm and Cansat working model
Space, Science, and Maths Teaching Learning Material (TLM) kits
ISRO space bookand timelineexhibit
These labs are to be established in EMRS of 19 states in India and includesAndhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal. More than 50,000 tribal students shall benefit through this initiative.
The Social Welfare Department today announced that the New Home Association has been commissioned to provide Social & Care Support Service under the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong starting from tomorrow to offer support to elderly participants and their families.
The Social & Care Support Service is one of the measures announced in the 2024 Policy Address to help elderly participants of the scheme better adapt to life in residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) on the Mainland and receive timely assistance when needed.
The association will provide support services for the elderly participants under the scheme, especially during the initial six-month trial period upon admission into the RCHEs.
Such services will assist them in understanding the Mainland’s medical systems and care services, maintaining connections with their families in Hong Kong, and providing them with suitable advice and assistance in handling situations such as housing, medical care, and financial matters in Hong Kong.
Continuous support will also be rendered in accordance with their needs upon completion of the trial period.
The Social & Care Support Service will also conduct assessments under the Standardised Care Need Assessment Mechanism for Elderly Services and follow up applications for Hong Kong seniors who have settled in Guangdong Province and are interested in joining the scheme at their places of residence.
The Government today welcomed the passage of the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Concessions) Bill 2025 by the Legislative Council.
The bill gives effect to the one-off tax concessions proposed in the 2025-26 Budget. These will reduce salaries tax, tax under personal assessment, and profits tax for the 2024-25 year of assessment by 100%, subject to a ceiling of $1,500 per case.
The Government said the concessions will benefit about 2.14 million taxpayers and about 165,400 taxpaying businesses, with about 16% of taxpayers and 12% of taxpaying businesses not needing to pay tax for 2024-25. Government revenue will be reduced by about $3.1 billion.
The bill as passed will be published in the Government Gazette on May 9.
The tax concessions will be reflected in taxpayers’ final tax payable for the 2024-25 year of assessment.
Singapore, 30 April 2025– Inter-monsoon conditions are expected to continue in the first fortnight of May 2025, with winds mainly light and variable in direction.
2 During the fortnight, thundery showers are expected over parts of the island on some afternoons. The showers may extend into the evening on a few of these days. In addition, Sumatra squalls may bring widespread thundery showers and gusty winds in the morning on some days. The total rainfall for the first fortnight of May 2025 is forecast to be near average over most parts of the island.
3 The daily maximum temperatures are likely to be around 34 degrees Celsius on most days and reach 35 degrees Celsius on some days.
4 For updates of the daily weather forecast, please visit the MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), or download the myENV app.
REVIEW OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS (16 – 29 APRIL 2025)
5 Inter-monsoon conditions prevailed over Singapore and the surrounding region with the winds generally light and variable in direction.
6 In the second fortnight of April 2025, moderate to heavy thundery showers affected parts of the island on most days. On 20 April 2025, regional convergence of winds brought heavy thundery showers over many areas of Singapore in the afternoon. The daily total rainfall of 113.6mm recorded at Bukit Timah that day was the highest rainfall recorded for the second fortnight of April 2025.
7 The second fortnight of April 2025 was warm, with daily maximum temperatures registering above 34 degrees Celsius on 11 days. The highest daily maximum temperature of 36.0 degree Celsius was recorded at Admiralty on 25 April 2025.
8 Most parts of Singapore recorded above average rainfall in the second fortnight of April 2025. The rainfall around Bukit Timah was about 110 per cent above average and the rainfall around Tai Seng about 45 per cent below average.
CLIMATE STATION STATISTICS
Long-term Statistics for May (Climatological reference period: 1991-2020)
Average daily maximum temperature:
32.3
°C
Average daily minimum temperature:
25.7
°C
Average monthly temperature:
28.6
°C
Average rainfall:
164.3
mm
Average number of rain days:
15
Historical Extremes for May (Rainfall since 1869 and temperature since 1929)
Highest monthly mean daily maximum temperature:
33.6
°C (1997)
Lowest monthly mean daily minimum temperature:
23.5
°C (1974)
Highest monthly rainfall ever recorded:
386.6
mm (1892)
Lowest monthly rainfall ever recorded:
41.6
mm (1997)
METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SINGAPORE 30 Apr 2025
~~ End ~~
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On the auspicious occasion of Basava Jayanti, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid homage to the profound wisdom and enduring legacy of Jagadguru Basaveshwara. Remembering the 12th-century philosopher and social reformer, the Prime Minister stated on X in different posts:
On the auspicious occasion of Basava Jayanthi, we remember the profound wisdom of Jagadguru Basaveshwara. His vision for society and his tireless efforts to uplift the marginalised continue to guide us. pic.twitter.com/RFYTke9NuY
NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported abduction, rape, and murder of a minor girl and the death of the arrested accused in a police encounter in Hubballi, Karnataka Issues notices to the Chief Secretary and the DGP calling for a detailed report within four weeks
The report is expected to include the post-mortem examination and the Magisterial Enquiry Reports of both the deceased
Posted On: 30 APR 2025 3:13PM by PIB Delhi
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report about the abduction, rape and murder of a minor girl and the death of the arrested accused in a police encounter in Hubballi, Karnataka. Reportedly, the incident happened on 14th April, 2025.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious violation of the human rights of the victim minor girl, and the arrested suspected perpetrator, killed in an alleged encounter. Therefore, the Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Government of Karnataka, calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks. The report is expected to include the post-mortem examination and the Magisterial Enquiry Reports of both the deceased.
According to the media report, carried on 14th April, 2025, soon after the girl’s body was recovered from the bathroom, the angry residents protested outside Ashok Nagar police station, demanding the arrest of the accused. Reportedly, he was nabbed by the police within hours of the incident and was being taken for questioning when he tried to attack them, resulting in gunshot injuries to him, leading to his death.