Government Reduces Timelines for Warehouse Registration
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has announced amendments to the Warehousing (Development and Regulation) Registration of Warehouses Rules, 2017. These amendments aim to expedite the warehouse registration process. The key changes introduced by these amendments involve a reduction in the stipulated timelines for various stages of the warehouse registration process.
Kerala CPI for Labourers and Workers – March 2025 Released
Kerala’s March 2025 CPI for agricultural and industrial workers shows marginal decline across most districts, as per Dept. of Economics & Statistics
Odisha Issues New Minimum Wages with VDA
Odisha government revises minimum wages for 91 jobs; VDA of ₹10/day added from April 1, 2025, benefiting unskilled to highly skilled workers.
CPI for Agricultural & Rural Labourers Drops in March 2025
All-India CPI for Agricultural and Rural Labourers dropped in March 2025, with inflation easing sharply compared to the same period last year.
Depot Darpan: New Portal & App to Mirror Excellence in India’s Food Storage
The Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) is set to launch the “Depot Darpan” portal and mobile application, a digital initiative aimed at ensuring the highest quality and performance standards across India’s network of food storage depots. This launch will take place on May 20, 2025. The “Depot Darpan” (literally translating to “Depot Mirror”) is envisioned as a tool that will enable depot managers to evaluate their infrastructure, operational, and financial performance on a near real-time basis, fostering transparency and efficiency.
India Bans All Imports from Pakistan Citing National Security
The Indian government has announced an immediate ban on the import of all goods originating from or exported by Pakistan. The notification explicitly prohibits both direct and indirect import, as well as the transit of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, regardless of whether those goods were previously freely importable or otherwise permitted.
India Bans The Fishy Business Of Growth-Promoting Antibiotics In Seafood Exports
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued an order dated May 1, 2025, imposing stricter regulations on the use of antimicrobial substances in the aquaculture industry. The Central Government has explicitly prohibited the use of any antimicrobial medicinal product aimed at promoting growth or increasing yield in fish and fishery products intended for export.
New Sugar (Control) Order 2025 Sweetens Regulations
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has issued a new order, the Sugar (Control) Order, 2025, effective from its publication date of May 1, 2025. This order, released by the Department of Food and Public Distribution, supersedes the long-standing Sugar (Control) Order, 1966, and the more recent Sugar Price (Control) Order, 2018.
India Updates Citrus Import Rules Under New Quarantine Order
India tightens citrus fruit import norms from Brazil with pest-free and cold treatment requirements under the Plant Quarantine Order, 2025.
Government Extends Plant Variety Protection to Mesta and Hibiscus
The Central Government has further expanded the scope of plant variety protection under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001, to include Mesta and Hibiscus/China Rose. This amendment was officially notified through a gazette notification dated April 25, 2025.
