Unrestricted export of wheat and non-basmati rice continues to boost export competitiveness and foreign exchange earnings.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved continuation of unrestricted export of wheat and non-basmati rice, on the basis of adequate domestic availability; the proposal was moved by the Department of Commerce and aims to maintain market access for exporters, enhance export competitiveness of these cereals internationally, and promote foreign exchange earnings.

Export duty on iron ore increased to discourage exports and promote domestic beneficiation and pelletisation.
The Government implemented fiscal measures to encourage domestic beneficiation and pelletisation of iron ore by reducing the Basic Customs Duty on imported plants and equipment for pellet and beneficiation plants to 2.5% and by withdrawing export duty on pellets, while increasing export duty on raw iron ore to discourage exports and conserve resources for the domestic iron and steel industry.

Import and export of finished steel permitted to address supply-demand mismatch; imports showed a marginal increase last year.
Import and export of finished steel is permissible to address mismatches between domestic supply and demand; reported trade data show a marginal increase in finished steel imports, and domestic consumption was lower than production in the latest year, indicating aggregate domestic output exceeded real consumption while trade remained available to meet imbalances.

Foreign investment permission in cold storage allows full FDI under automatic route with a back end infrastructure investment requirement.
Foreign Direct Investment permission for cold storage facilities authorises full foreign investment under the automatic route, subject to a specified minimum investment and an obligation that a majority proportion of total FDI be deployed into back-end infrastructure within three years of the initial tranche; back-end infrastructure includes capital expenditure on all activities other than front-end units.

Food processing sector performance reveals low processing levels, significant post harvest losses and modest export share overall.
The food processing sector exhibits low processing intensity with marked harvest and post harvest losses, a modest global export share, and reported GDP contribution figures for three consecutive years, provided as baseline data under the Vision 2015 strategy.

Grant-in-aid for cold chain projects expands private and cooperative infrastructure, with differential support and multi-agency assistance.
Approval of 62 cold chain projects authorises private and cooperative entities to establish post-harvest cold chain and value addition infrastructure under the Ministry's Scheme for Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure, making such projects eligible for grant-in-aid. The scheme provides tiered financial support for plant and machinery and technical civil works, with higher support in designated difficult areas and a prescribed maximum cap. Complementary assistance may also be available from other government agencies and state schemes.

Price pooling of coal: imported supplies set at domestic GCV parity, with import cost absorbed into domestic coal pricing.
Price pooling would have the domestic supplier import coal and supply it to power stations at GCV parity with domestic coal, with allocation based on plant location for facilities holding long term power purchase agreements, and the additional cost borne through loading the domestic coal price to prevent revenue loss for the supplier.

Coal supply shortfall prompts combined domestic production and import strategy to secure national energy requirements.
A projected shortfall between coal demand and domestic output under the XII Five Year Plan necessitates a dual approach: accelerate domestic production via new public sector projects and captive mining blocks, while supplementing supplies through imports. Import activity and associated expenditure over recent years are reported to contextualise the strategy, showing imports as a complementary mechanism to meet immediate shortfalls alongside planned capacity expansion.

Capital goods industry growth urged to reduce imports through domestic manufacturing, policy support, and R&D emphasis.
Strengthening the capital goods industry is presented as essential to reduce import dependence by developing domestic manufacturing capacity, with supply-side priorities of uninterrupted power and domestic steel production. A holistic policy package is being prepared to promote the sector as a manufacturing and export hub through public-private alignment, export incentives, a shift to cyclical manufacturing models, and focused R&D and innovation to convert industry signals into tangible product and process outcomes.

Export duty on iron ore increased to discourage exports and secure domestic supply, with pellets exempted.
The Government raised the export duty on iron ore effective 30-12-2011 to discourage exports and improve availability of iron ore to the domestic iron and steel industry at affordable prices; the increase applies to all grades of iron ore except pellets. Steel remains a deregulated sector where domestic prices are decided by individual producers based on market conditions, international price trends and input costs.

Export duty on iron ore maintained; exports permitted subject to ad valorem duty while promoting value added shipments.
No ban is proposed on the export of iron ore; exports are permitted subject to an ad valorem export duty. The announcement notes substantial national reserves and limited domestic use of fines, and it directs export policy to balance inventories and national needs while promoting value added mineral exports.

Domestic sourcing requirement mandates local procurement to qualify for elevated foreign investment in retail.
Amendments require companies receiving significant FDI in single brand retail to source a specified share of purchased goods from India-preferably MSMEs and artisans-self certify procurement which is subject to statutory auditor verification, measured as a five year average from the year of first FDI tranche and thereafter annually; for multi brand retail FDI, a mandatory procurement share of manufactured/processed products must be sourced from Indian small industries defined by an installation time investment ceiling, with disqualification if that valuation is later exceeded, and the same averaging and annual compliance schedule applies.

Allocation of coal blocks via competitive bidding establishes floor and reserve pricing and model tender frameworks.
Granting of coal and lignite exploration and mining rights is to be effected primarily through competitive bidding under the MMDR Amendment and 2012 Rules, with exemptions for government entities and tariff based power project awardees; the Rules require notification of a floor price for auctions, reserve prices for other allotments, and formal agreements with allocatees. A consultant was appointed to develop methodology for floor/reserve pricing, a Model Tender Document and a Model Agreement, and draft terms have been circulated to State Governments and central ministries for consultation prior to initiating allocations.

Integrated Textiles Park scheme expanded with additional operational and newly sanctioned projects to boost textile infrastructure.
The Scheme for Integrated Textiles Park (SITP) funds the creation of dedicated textile parks through central grants; forty parks are listed as established or under establishment and twenty-one additional projects have been newly sanctioned. Annexures provide state-wise project inventories with central grant releases by year, project costs, estimated investments and projected employment, and the Ministry reports recent allocations and partial disbursement/utilisation of the sanctioned grants for implementation.

Cotton export licensing: exports allowed under an Open General License with mandatory registration procedure.
There is no ban on cotton exports for the referenced season; cotton exports are permitted under an Open General License subject to a prescribed registration procedure, and established trade routes govern commercial movements.

Export standards for dairy products drive registration, compliance support and linked export incentives for market development.
Notification of export standards for milk products under the Export Inspection Council Act mandates registration of manufacturing units and EIC-led assistance to improve hygiene, manufacturing practices, and infrastructure. Complementary measures include an export incentive for skimmed milk powder via a duty credit scrip and APEDA financial assistance schemes for quality, market, infrastructure, and transport support to registered dairy exporters.

Export regulation of agricultural products ties incentives to domestic stock, food security and market competitiveness.
The Government published detailed item wise quantum and value data for agricultural exports and imports over the last three years and states that export incentives under the Foreign Trade Policy are granted after assessing domestic stock levels, buffer norms, food security, consumer availability, grower returns and international competitiveness. Export and import of agricultural products are regulated under the Foreign Trade Development Regulation Act, and any irregularities or violations are dealt with under that Act.

Trade defense measures protect domestic industry against unfair import practices; quality standards are imposed equally on imports.
Imported goods are subject to the same domestic quality and safety requirements as local products to protect consumers, while domestic producers may invoke Trade Defense Measures-including anti-dumping and safeguard actions-to seek relief against unfair import practices; sectoral examples include electrical goods governed by the Quality Control Order, 2003, and fireworks restricted by import licensing.

Single Point Mooring project approved on Build Operate and Transfer basis to expand port crude import capacity and energy security.
Approval was granted for development of an offshore Single Point Mooring and allied facilities for crude oil import at Kandla Port on a Build Operate and Transfer basis for a 30-year concession, structured as a long-term private-sector led infrastructure concession to provide import berthing and transfer capability through an SPM system and associated works.

Ethanol procurement pricing to be market-determined with mandated blending and import flexibility for supply shortfalls.
Approval implements a pricing framework for bio-ethanol procurement by OMCs that endorses supplier-OMC negotiated procurement prices within an Expert Committee-recommended floor price and ceiling price, mandates nationwide implementation of 5% ethanol blending, and permits importation of ethanol to cover domestic supply shortfalls.