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New Delhi, March 21 (BNP): The Government of India has clarified that there is no proposal to increase urea prices, stating that the recent reduction in bag size is intended to promote balanced fertilizer use and improve soil health.

According to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the size of urea bags has been reduced from 50 kg to 45 kg, and in some cases to 40 kg, as part of a policy initiative to curb excessive usage and encourage more efficient application by farmers.

Officials said the move is aimed at fostering sustainable agricultural practices without increasing the financial burden on farmers. The Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of a 45 kg bag of neem-coated urea remains ₹242 per bag, while sulphur-coated urea is priced at ₹254 for a 40 kg bag, excluding applicable taxes.

Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel stated that the measure is designed to ensure judicious fertilizer use while maintaining affordability.

The government emphasised that the initiative supports long-term soil health and balanced nutrient application, aligning with broader goals of sustainable agriculture and improved farm productivity.

Agra, March 21 (BNP): Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh visited Agra, Uttar Pradesh, to review the progress and future potential of key sectors including carpets, handicrafts, footwear, and technical textiles.

During the visit, the Minister toured a carpet manufacturing facility and assessed sustainable production practices such as the use of vegetable dyes, organic wool, and eco-friendly processes. He noted that such initiatives align the industry with global sustainability and quality standards.

Interacting with exporters and designers, Singh discussed evolving global trends and emphasised the importance of promoting alternative fibres like banana fibre. He highlighted the need to strengthen the “India Handmade” brand and encouraged the use of indigenous tools such as Vision NXT for trend forecasting and design innovation.

The Minister also visited a footwear manufacturing unit, where he reviewed the integration of technical textiles in improving product quality and export potential. He appreciated the role of young professionals in driving innovation within the sector.

A stakeholder meeting was held with representatives from the footwear and technical textiles industries, where discussions focused on expanding the use of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, enhancing product design, and shifting towards high-value, export-oriented manufacturing.

Singh underlined that technical textiles will play a key role in transforming India’s footwear industry into a globally competitive and design-driven sector. He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting both traditional sectors such as carpets and handicrafts, as well as emerging segments like technical textiles.

The visit also included a handicrafts exhibition showcasing the craftsmanship and cultural heritage of local artisans.

Officials said the visit highlighted the importance of sustainability, innovation, and technology adoption in strengthening India’s textile ecosystem and boosting its global competitiveness

New Delhi, March 20 (BNP): T. N. Natarajan has taken charge as Director (Commercial) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), effective March 19, 2026.

With over 32 years of experience, Natarajan has built a distinguished career within SAIL since joining the organisation as a Management Trainee in 1993. Over the years, he has held key positions across production, logistics, supply chain management, and strategic marketing.

He is credited with driving sustained business growth and expanding market presence by strengthening key customer relationships and scaling regional sales. His contributions include enhancing SAIL’s footprint in high-value sectors such as infrastructure, fabrication, and oil and gas.

Natarajan has also played a pivotal role in transforming the company’s marketing approach from traditional commodity-based selling to a more solution-oriented and customer-centric model, introducing innovative service frameworks to meet evolving market demands.

Known for his leadership in building high-performing teams and strengthening distribution networks, he has contributed to improving market share, profitability, and brand visibility.

Officials said his appointment is expected to further strengthen SAIL’s commercial strategy and support its long-term growth and value creation objectives.

New Delhi, March 20 (BNP): Krishna Kumar Thakur has assumed charge as Director (Personnel) at NMDC Limited, the country’s largest iron ore producer.

A 1998 batch officer of the Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS), Thakur brings over two decades of experience in human resource management and administration across Indian Railways and central public sector enterprises.

During his tenure in Indian Railways, he handled key HR functions in major divisions including Solapur, Bhopal, and Mumbai. As Chairman of the Railway Recruitment Cell, Western Railway, he oversaw large-scale recruitment, facilitating the induction of around 12,000 employees.

He has also worked with RITES Limited, where he was involved in an international train operations project in Saudi Arabia, and served as head of HR at Konkan Railway Corporation Limited, contributing to policy reforms and streamlining HR processes.

Prior to joining NMDC, Thakur served as Director (HR) at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, where he led initiatives in HR, legal, and health, safety, and environment (HSE) domains. His work included restructuring HR functions, introducing uniform incentive schemes, and implementing multi-skilling initiatives to improve workforce efficiency and retention.

An alumnus of Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, Thakur holds a postgraduate degree in Literature and a PGDM in Human Resources from Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

Officials said his extensive experience is expected to strengthen NMDC’s human resource framework and support the organisation’s focus on employee development and operational excellence.

New Delhi, March 20 (BNP): Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar chaired a high-level ministerial meeting with States and Union Territories during the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026, focusing on strengthening energy security and accelerating sectoral reforms.

The meeting, held on the second day of the summit, was co-chaired by Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Naik and attended by senior officials and energy ministers from across the country.

Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister highlighted that India has achieved over 520 GW of installed power capacity and has made significant progress in improving distribution company (DISCOM) performance, expanding smart metering, and reducing power shortages.

He stressed that coordinated efforts between the Centre and States are essential to ensure affordable, efficient, and reliable power supply. Emphasising the importance of energy security amid global uncertainties, he called for increased per capita energy consumption and faster adoption of renewable energy sources.

The Minister also pointed to the potential of nuclear energy as a clean power source and described the SHANTI Act as an important step towards strengthening the energy framework. He assured States of full support from the Centre in implementing necessary legal and administrative reforms.

Speaking at the meeting, Shripad Naik underlined the role of technology and artificial intelligence in transforming the power sector, particularly through initiatives such as smart metering. He noted that nearly half of India’s installed power capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources and highlighted the draft National Electricity Policy aimed at achieving long-term energy goals.

During the meeting, the Ministry of Power released two key reports for FY 2024–25 — the Consumer Service Ratings of DISCOMs (CSRD) and the Distribution Utilities Ranking (DUR).

The CSRD report evaluates DISCOMs on parameters such as billing accuracy, grievance redressal, and tariff transparency. Based on performance, utilities are graded from A+ to D to promote competition and service improvement. Of the 66 DISCOMs assessed, six received the top A+ rating, while 21 were rated A and 27 received B+ grades.

Officials said the improved ratings reflect better service delivery and consumer satisfaction, with fewer utilities falling in lower performance categories, indicating an overall positive trend in the power distribution sector.

The meeting underscored the need for collective action to meet rising energy demand while ensuring sustainability, reliability, and affordability across the country

New Delhi, March 21 (BNP): The Ministry of Heavy Industries has invited global bids for setting up integrated Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnet manufacturing facilities in India, under a flagship scheme aimed at boosting domestic production and reducing import dependence.

The Request for Proposal (RFP) seeks to establish facilities for manufacturing Sintered NdFeB Rare Earth Permanent Magnets with a total capacity of 6,000 Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA). The bidding process will be conducted online through the Central Public Procurement (CPP) Portal using a transparent two-stage Least Cost System (LCS), comprising technical and financial bids.

According to the Ministry, the tender documents have been made available from March 20, 2026, with a pre-bid conference scheduled for April 7. The last date for submission of bids is May 28, while technical bids will be opened on May 29.

The scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2025, has a financial outlay of ₹7,280 crore and aims to position India as a key player in the global rare earth magnet market.

Under the initiative, selected beneficiaries will be eligible for a capital subsidy of ₹750 crore and sales-linked incentives worth ₹6,450 crore. Each participant will be allocated manufacturing capacity ranging from 600 to 1,200 MTPA.

The scheme also provides for limited assured supply of NdPr oxide from IREL (India) Limited to the three lowest bidders, ensuring raw material availability for production.

Rare Earth Permanent Magnets are critical components used in sectors such as electric vehicles, wind energy, electronics, aerospace, and defence. Officials said the development of a complete domestic value chain—from raw materials to finished magnets—will significantly reduce reliance on imports and strengthen India’s strategic and industrial capabilities.

The Ministry said the initiative marks a major step towards building a self-reliant ecosystem in advanced materials and clean energy technologies.