Business
CNG, Domestic PNG Prices Set To Drop By Rs 2-3 From January 1
New Delhi: Consumers across India are set to benefit from reduced prices of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and domestic Piped Natural Gas (PNG) as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) announced a tariff rationalization that will come into effect from January 1, 2026.
In an exclusive interview, AK Tiwari, Member, PNGRB, said that the new unified tariff structure will result in savings of Rs 2-3 per unit for consumers, depending on the state and applicable taxes. The regulator has simplified the tariff structure by reducing the number of zones from three to two. Under the previous system announced in 2023, tariffs were divided into three distance-based zones. Rs 42 for distances up to 200 kilometers, Rs 80 for 300-1,200 kilometers, and Rs 107 for distances beyond 1,200 kilometers.
“We have rationalized the tariff. Instead of three zones, there will be two zones, and the first zone will be applicable for CNG and domestic PNG customers on a pan-India basis,” Tiwari explained. The unified rate for Zone 1 has now been fixed at Rs 54, down from the earlier rates of Rs 80 and Rs 107.
The new tariff structure will benefit consumers across 312 geographical areas covered by 40 City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies operating in India. “This will benefit consumers in the transport sector who use CNG and households that use PNG in their kitchens,” Tiwari said.
The PNGRB has mandated that the benefit of this rationalized tariff must be passed on to consumers, and the regulator will actively monitor compliance. “Our role is to balance the interest of consumers as well as the operators in this business,” Tiwari added.
Discussing the expansion of CNG and PNG infrastructure, Tiwari said that licenses have been granted to cover the entire country, with operators including public sector undertakings (PSUs), private companies, and joint ventures.
The PNGRB is supporting CGD companies by facilitating interactions with state authorities, which has resulted in several states reducing Value Added Tax (VAT) and streamlining permission processes. “We are supporting them not just as a regulator but as a facilitator,” he said.
The government’s push to provide subsidized and rationalized gas for CNG and domestic PNG consumption is expected to drive growth in natural gas usage across the country, with the CGD sector identified as the primary growth driver for natural gas consumption in India. (ANI)
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Asda boss rejects profiteering claims as petrol price tops 150p
Motorists are facing higher fuel prices ahead of Easter break due to the conflict in the Middle East, the RAC says.
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E-cheques coming soon? RBI unveils Payments Vision 2028, plans wider oversight of digital players – The Times of India
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday unveiled its ‘Payments Vision 2028’ document, outlining a roadmap that includes exploring electronic cheques, expanding regulatory oversight to digital platforms, and strengthening safeguards in the fast-growing payments ecosystem, PTI reported.The central bank said it will examine the introduction of e-cheques to combine the advantages of paper instruments with the speed and reliability of digital payments. “To leverage the unique benefits of paper-based instruments and the speed and reliability of electronic payments, and cater to new business use cases, the introduction of electronic cheques in India shall be explored,” the RBI said.Alongside, the RBI is considering widening the regulatory ambit to include entities such as e-commerce marketplaces and centralised platforms that play a growing role in facilitating digital transactions.“In addition, e-commerce marketplaces and centralized platforms have been assuming significant responsibilities that could have implications on the orderly functioning of the payments ecosystem. These aspects shall be examined in detail and, if required, the scope of direct regulations shall be extended to cover such entities,” the document said.The vision document also proposes allowing users to enable or disable transactions across digital payment modes, similar to controls available for card transactions.To address fraud risks, the RBI is exploring a “shared responsibility framework” under which both the issuing bank and the beneficiary bank would share liability in cases of unauthorised digital transactions.The central bank also plans to review cheque design and security features, introduce a Domestic Legal Entity Identifier (DLEI) framework for better transaction traceability, and bring in a Cyber Key Risk Indicators (KRI) framework for non-bank payment system operators.Other initiatives include exploring white-label solutions in the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS), developing interoperability in the Trade Receivables e-Discounting System (TReDS), and introducing a ‘Payments Switching Service’ to ease customer migration across platforms.The RBI said it will also review the cross-border payments ecosystem to improve efficiency and streamline authorisation processes, alongside publishing periodic reports on global and domestic payment trends.Additionally, the central bank aims to enhance access to payment data and reimagine the card payments ecosystem by promoting secure tokenisation, improved transparency in pricing, and greater choice for users and merchants.
Business
Hetero rolls out generic semaglutide exports to over 75 countries – The Times of India
Hyderabad: Pharma player Hetero on Friday said it has rolled out exports of its generic semaglutide injection portfolio as part of a multi-year plan to widen access to treatments for type 2 diabetes and obesity in more than 75 countries.The Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical company said initial rollouts are under way in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, with additional launches planned in other markets subject to regulatory approvals.The injectable therapies will be sold under the brand names Truglyx, Rolmodl and Moto G. Semaglutide belongs to the GLP-1 class of medicines, which are used in diabetes care and weight management.Hetero said the export launch is part of its broader strategy to improve access to advanced cardio-metabolic therapies, particularly in emerging markets.The company said the products will be offered in multi-dose disposable pen devices designed in line with innovator formats and will be available in several strengths, including 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg, allowing dosing flexibility for both diabetes and obesity treatment.Hetero said it is also awaiting approval from India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) after completing clinical trials in type 2 diabetes and obesity and plans an India launch after regulatory clearance.Hetero managing director Dr Vamsi Krishna Bandi said the company aims to provide high-quality, affordable generic semaglutide through a single global product platform backed by its manufacturing and development capabilities.He said Hetero would use its commercial networks across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America to support supply and access. The Hyderabad-headquartered Hetero operates in more than 145 countries and employs over 30,000 people.
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