Giving remunerative prices to farmers, ensuring fair prices is priority and commitment of Modi government: Shri Chouhan
24 MAR 2025 New Delhi
Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the Modi Government is a farmer-friendly government and giving remunerative prices to farmers, ensuring fair prices is its priority and commitment. Shri Chauhan told today that earlier 40% export duty was levied on onions but when the price of onions started falling and farmers started getting less price, then the government decided to reduce the export duty on onion from 40% to 20%. Today the government has decided that the 20% export duty should also be completely removed. The removal of export duty on onions will enable our farmers’ hard-earned produce to reach global markets duty-free, securing better and more remunerative prices.
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APEDA Facilitates Export of GI-Tagged Dalle Chilly from Sikkim to the Solomon Islands
15,000 kg of Dalle Chilly Exported, Boosting Farmer Incomes in Sikkim
24 MAR 2025, New Delhi
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, has successfully exported the first consignment of GI-Tagged Dalle Chilly from Sikkim to the Solomon Islands. This significant achievement underscores India’s growing prominence in the global organic agricultural market and highlights the increasing international demand for premium products from the North Eastern region.
Dalle Chilly, also known as Fire Ball Chilly or Dalle Khursani, is renowned for its intense pungency, bright red color, and high nutritional value. Rich in vitamins A, C, and E, along with potassium, its Scoville Heat Units (SHU) range from 100,000 to 350,000, making it a sought-after spice for both culinary and medicinal applications.
Through its extensive procurement network, Mevedir sourced approximately 15,000 kg of fresh Dalle Chilly from farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in South Sikkim, including Tinkitam and Tarku regions. This consignment ensured farmers received a premium price of Rs 250-300 per kg, compared to the usual Rs 180-200 per kg, reaffirming the economic benefits of GI tagging and international trade.
The processing of the consignment was undertaken at an APEDA-funded Integrated Pack House, developed by the Department of Horticulture, Sikkim. Of the total quantity, 9,000 kg was dehydrated, while 6,000 kg was preserved for further processing and export. The drying process yielded a 12.5% recovery rate, with 1,600 kg of fresh chillies processed into 200 kg of dried chillies for export.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had earlier emphasized that the North East holds the key to India’s vision for a healthier and more sustainable future. He noted that the Geographical Indication (GI) tag is not just a recognition but a transformative opportunity for farmers and artisans, unlocking new markets and ensuring economic prosperity for the region.
In 2020, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, granted the GI tag to Dalle Chilly, a unique and highly pungent variety grown in Sikkim. The North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC) facilitated the GI registration, strengthening the identity and marketability of this specialty product.
The Government of India has been actively promoting organic farming in the North East under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER) scheme, spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. This initiative has played a crucial role in enhancing the production and quality of organic Dalle Chilly, further boosting its appeal in international markets.
APEDA, in collaboration with the Agriculture Department of Sikkim and its Regional Office in Guwahati, played a pivotal role in facilitating this export, ensuring local farmers and FPOs benefit from global market access.
For this landmark export transaction, Mevedir, a leading agri-export enterprise committed to promoting organic produce from Sikkim, directly supplied the first shipment to the Solomon Islands. This marks a departure from previous indirect export routes and highlights the growing trust in India’s organic supply chain. The buyer from the Solomon Islands was introduced to the product through its international debut in Singapore in 2023 and subsequently sought direct sourcing from Mevedir.
The export of Dalle Chilly to the Solomon Islands is expected to enhance Sikkim’s prominence on the global spice map, opening new avenues for international trade. With its ideal climate and fertile soil, Sikkim has the potential to emerge as a key player in the global spice industry. This successful transaction serves as a testament to the increasing global recognition of India’s organic agricultural products and its commitment to expanding agri-exports worldwide.
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MeitY to host ‘Nano Electronics Roadshow and Conference on Semiconductor Ecosystem in India’ at Bengaluru on March 27, 2025
Grand roadshow to showcase breakthroughs in quantum technology, neuromorphic computing, AI, IT, electronics and indigenous nanoelectronics advancements
The roadshow to bring together key stakeholders, showcase innovation and drive investments for Atmanirbhar Bharat
24 MAR 2025, New Delhi
The Nanotechnology Initiatives Division of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, in partnership with IISc Bengaluru, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Guwahati, will be organizing the Nano Electronics Roadshow and Conference on Semiconductor Ecosystem in India. The event is scheduled for March 27, 2025, starting from 9:00 AM onwards at the National Science Seminar Complex, IISc Bengaluru.
This initiative aims to bring together key stakeholders from government, industry, academia, strategic sectors, startups, and the VC ecosystem to drive innovation and collaboration in the segment.
Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, will grace the event as the Chief Guest in the august presence of our Guests of Honour— Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY; Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, Anusandhan National Research Foundation; Utpal Shah, Senior VP, Strategy and Business Development, Tata Electronics; Anand Ramamoorthy, Managing Director, Micron; V. Narayanan, Chair, ISRO.
Roadshow on tech innovations
The roadshow will encompass a diverse range of topics, including quantum technology, neuromorphic computing, opportunities in AI, IT, and electronics, as well as a showcase of indigenous advancements in nanoelectronics technology.
Speaking about the conference, Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, said, “The Nanotechnology Roadshow is a very critical part of India’s pathway towards semiconductor self-sufficiency in the years to come. MeitY had promoted Nano science centres in 6 IITs and the Indian Institute of Science across the country in order to ensure that we have a dedicated team of scientists, technologists, and professionals in the semiconductor space built up over a period of time. Today we have an occasion to actually have many of the deep tech startups, many technology demonstrations, industries who have benefited from this programme coming together. Almost 50 technology demonstrations are being held, 25 deep-tech startups are participating who are specifically involved in the Nano Electronic space, 25 Venture Capitals will be participating alongside 25 more industries. We expect that this event will be the first of many more which will lead India in its part towards semiconductor self sufficiency and in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of a self-sufficient, self-reliant India under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).”
The roadshow will also serve as a platform for India’s vibrant electronics startup ecosystem to showcase their innovations and pitch to an extensive network of Venture Capital firms, aiming to secure investment and accelerate growth.
With India’s increasing focus on Atmanirbhar Bharat, this initiative underscores the Government’s commitment to achieving self-reliance in electronics innovation and manufacturing. By fostering collaboration between industry and academia, the Ministry aims to cultivate a thriving ecosystem that encourages innovation and sustainable growth in the nanoelectronics sector.
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India to host 3-day FATF Private Sector Collaborative Forum 2025 (PSCF 2025) from 25th -27th March, 2025, in Mumbai
FATF President Ms. Elisa de Anda Madrazo to formally inaugurate PSCF 2025 on 26th March, 2025, with RBI Governor Shri Sanjay Malhotra presiding over the event
The PSCF 2025 agenda reflects global priorities, including payment transparency, financial inclusion, and digital transformation of financial systems
24 MAR 2025, New Delhi
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Private Sector Collaborative Forum (PSCF) 2025 will be held from 25th -27th March, 2025, in Mumbai. The forum is being hosted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, reaffirming India’s responsible leadership in global efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
FATF President Ms. Elisa de Anda Madrazo will formally inaugurate the PSCF 2025 on 26th March, 2025, with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shri Sanjay Malhotra presiding over the event. The Indian delegation to PSCF is a multi-disciplinary team led by Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Additional Secretary (Revenue), Ministry of Finance.
India’s Leadership in AML/CFT Efforts
India’s participation in FATF initiatives has been widely recognised. India is a member of steering group of FATF and also co-chairs a working group on Risks, Trends and Methodologies work group. In November 2024, India hosted the plenary of Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG) in Indore. In June 2024, India’s FATF Mutual Evaluation Report was tabled at the FATF Plenary in Singapore and subsequently released in September 2024. India achieved the best possible outcome by being placed in ‘regular follow-up,’ a status that only a few countries have attained in their Mutual Evaluations.
The report commended India’s exemplary efforts in curbing money laundering and terrorist financing, highlighting the country’s advanced fintech ecosystem, innovations like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Aadhaar-enabled digital identity verification, and proactive inter-agency coordination. India’s approach has set a global benchmark for integrating technology with financial security.
PCSF 2025
The upcoming PCSF event is another milestone in India’s journey in its efforts in curbing money laundering and terrorist financing. The PSCF is an annual event that provides a critical platform for dialogue between FATF member countries, international organisations, and private sector stakeholders. It aims to enhance the implementation of FATF’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CFT) standards by fostering collaboration, exchanging best practices, and addressing emerging global challenges.
This year’s forum will see participation from countries across FATF’s Global Network, along with representatives from financial institutions, designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs), virtual asset service providers (VASPs), international organisations, and academia.
Key Highlights and Agenda Focus Areas
The PSCF 2025 agenda reflects global priorities, including payment transparency, financial inclusion, and digital transformation of financial systems. With financial crimes evolving due to technological advancements — such as cryptocurrency-related laundering — India’s expertise in leveraging technology and fostering a risk-based approach offers valuable insights for the international community. By hosting this significant event, India reinforces its commitment to FATF’s global standards.
Over the next three days, discussions at the forum will revolve around several critical issues shaping the global AML/CFT landscape. Participants will explore how FATF can continue to address evolving threats while promoting financial inclusion through robust, risk-based supervision of regulated entities. The dialogue will also focus on enhancing transparency in beneficial ownership and leveraging digital tools to strengthen AML/CFT compliance mechanisms.
Information-sharing practices within the private sector will be evaluated to identify ways to better address emerging financial crime threats. Furthermore, the forum will engage in deliberations on emerging terrorist financing and proliferation financing risks, emphasising the need for measures that reinforce global resilience against these challenges.
