India-New Zealand FTA to ensure zero duty on 100 pc of India’s exports: Piyush Goyal

IANS | December 22, 2025 1:22 PM

New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday that the India and New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA) will ensure zero duty on 100 per cent of India’s exports, benefitting farmers, MSMEs, workers, artisans, women-led enterprises and youth, while providing immense opportunities for labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather and footwear.

'SP’s influence has weakened': UP Dy CM targets Oppn on Codeine cough syrup issue

IANS | December 22, 2025 1:06 PM

New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS) Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP) amid the political storm over the alleged illegal trade of codeine-based cough syrup in Uttar Pradesh, asserting that the opposition party’s influence has significantly diminished and predicting a bleak electoral future for it.

'Not a retreat but renewal of social protection': Agriculture Minister explains VB-G RAM G

IANS | December 22, 2025 1:06 PM

New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS) Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday gave a detailed lowdown on the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G), explaining how the new legislation will embolden India’s rural employment framework and also address the ‘shortcomings’ of the previous scheme, MGNREGA, which it will replace.

India-New Zealand FTA: PM Modi, Luxon aim to double bilateral trade over 5 years

IANS | December 22, 2025 11:55 AM

New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with New Zealand's Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, on Monday as the two leaders jointly announced the successful conclusion of the historic, ambitious and mutually beneficial India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Sonia Gandhi accuses Centre of bulldozing MGNREGA, warns of 'catastrophic fallout'

IANS | December 22, 2025 11:02 AM

New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS) Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Centre, accusing it of systematically bulldozing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and cautioning that its replacement would have "catastrophic consequences" for India's rural population.