Business
From Makhana To Shahi Litchi, GST Rejig To Boost Bihar’s Economy, Ramp Up Exports
New Delhi: The recent GST rate rationalisation is set to boost Bihar’s economy, rooted in agriculture, handlooms, handicrafts and food processing — easing the burden on consumers, supporting rural livelihoods, strengthening MSMEs and enhancing competitiveness in exports, an official statement said on Saturday, as reported by IA.
From makhana farmers in Mithila to silk weavers in Bhagalpur, dairy producers linked with Sudha, and engineers at Madhepura’s rail factory, the GST reforms are expected to reach across the state’s traditional and modern sectors alike. The impact will be visible across agriculture, handlooms, handicrafts, dairy, fertilisers, rail manufacturing, bamboo and cane crafts, and emerging areas such as AYUSH and honey.
The reforms will boost agriculture with Makhana, Shahi Litchi and processed foods gaining from GST cuts, benefitting lakhs of farmers and MSMEs. It will also bring relief to Sudha’s 9.6 lakh farmers, supported through GST-free milk and paneer and lower rates on ghee, butter and ice-cream.
Handlooms and crafts like Bhagalpuri silk, Madhubani art, Sujini and Patharkatti stone carving will become more competitive, and farmers will benefit from cheaper fertilisers, micronutrients and machinery with 7-13 per cent expected cost savings.
In an industry push with rail hubs, AYUSH products and honey clusters will see 6-13 per cent relief in costs in the state. Bihar produces 80-90 per cent of India’s makhana, sustaining about 10 lakh families engaged in cultivation and processing. The crop is concentrated in northern Bihar’s Mithilanchal region, grown in pond networks across Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnea, Katihar, Saharsa and adjoining districts.
With GST on makhana-based snacks reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent, processors and exporters are expected to gain from an effective cost reduction of about 6-7 per cent, making the product more competitive in both domestic and overseas markets. Muzaffarpur’s GI-tagged Shahi Litchi, also grown in Vaishali, Champaran, Sitamarhi and Samastipur, sustains thousands of small farmers and seasonal workers.
Bihar accounts for nearly 35 per cent of India’s litchi output. With GST on juices, jams and pickles reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent, there is an expected cost saving of 6-7 per cent, encouraging more local processing and supporting access to niche markets in the Gulf.
Bihar’s MSME clusters in Patna, Hajipur and Bhagalpur handle a wide variety of processed foods, with micro-units and women-led SHGs engaged in snacks, pickles, bakery and sauces. Brands like Sudha cater to Bihar and East India, while makhana-based products are reaching pan-India markets.
Bhagalpur industrial estate alone hosts over 40 food and agro units, with new food park and bottling projects adding jobs. With GST on biscuits cut from 18 per cent to 5 per cent and on namkeens and sauces from 12 per cent to 5 per cent, prices are expected to fall by 6-11 per cent, supporting demand and strengthening MSME margins.
A backbone of Bihar’s rural economy, the dairy sector sustains about 9.6 lakh mostly marginal farmers through COMFED (Sudha), with strong participation of women in collection and SHGs. Processing, chilling, transport and retail provide thousands of jobs across the state, anchored in hubs like Patna and Barauni. With UHT milk and paneer now GST-free, ghee and butter cut from 12 per cent to 5 per cent, and ice-cream from 18 per cent to 5 per cent, products are expected to be 5-13 per cent cheaper.
These cuts will ease working capital pressures on dairies, strengthen cooperative networks, and improve affordability for households across Bihar and East India, according to the official statement.
Business
Trade push: India seeks faster Russian clearances as both sides target $100 bn by 2030; pharma and marine approvals on priority – The Times of India
India has asked Russia to fast-track approvals for Indian exporters –including expedited listing of domestic establishments and quicker registration of marine and pharmaceutical products — as part of a broader push to expand two-way trade, the commerce ministry said on Thursday.Commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal, currently in Moscow, stressed the need for “confidence-building measures to unlock market access” during discussions with Russian officials at the 26th Meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation, reported ET.“The issues included expedited listing of Indian establishments and a systems-based approach with FSVPS in agriculture, especially marine products and a time-bound pathway in pharmaceuticals covering registration, regulatory reliance and predictable timelines,” the official statement said, quoted ET. FSVPS is Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision.Agrawal and Russian deputy minister of economic development Vladimir Ilyichev finalised and signed a forward-looking protocol covering multiple sectors aimed at strengthening economic ties. Bilateral trade currently stands at $25 billion, with both sides committed to raising it to $100 billion by 2030.The working group identified opportunities across engineering goods, chemicals and plastics, electronics, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, leather and textiles. It also mapped areas where Indian strengths –including smartphones, motor vehicles, gems and jewellery, organic chemicals, textiles and leather — can support Russia’s trade diversification and de-risking strategy.In services, India encouraged Russian entities to increase procurement of Indian IT-BPM, healthcare, education and creative services. It also pushed for predictable mobility for Indian professionals amid growing labour shortages in Russia.India highlighted its global capability centre (GCC) ecosystem — over 1,700 centres employing nearly 1.9 million professionals — as a ready platform for Russian firms to enhance business continuity, cybersecurity, design, analytics and shared-services support, bolstering supply-chain resilience.The Indian side acknowledged Russia’s interest in concluding a bilateral investment treaty. Both countries also agreed to “explore payments solutions to meet the needs for businesses, especially medium, small and micro enterprises,” the ministry said.The engagement comes ahead of intensified bilateral activity, with Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled to visit India on December 5 for the Russia-India Forum.
Business
Jaguar Land Rover cyber attack cost company nearly £200m
A cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) cost it nearly £200m, the company has announced.
The UK’s largest car manufacturer said it has “made strong progress” in recovering its operations at pace since the attack.
JLR stopped production across its UK factories for five weeks from 1 September after being targeted by hackers a day earlier.
All of the group’s manufacturing sites – including factories in Solihull, West Midlands, and Halewood, Merseyside – restarted operations last month.
JLR has revealed it swung to an underlying loss of £485m over the second quarter of the year as earnings were knocked following a severe cyber attack.
The British luxury carmaker had made a profit before tax and exceptional items of nearly £400m over the same period in 2024.
It also reported a £134m loss for the six months to the end of September, from a £1.1bn profit the prior year.
JLR’s chief executive Adrian Mardell said the company’s financial performance was “impacted by significant challenges, including a cyber incident that stopped our vehicle production in September and the impact of US tariffs”.
The manufacturer revealed costs of £196m relating to the cyber attack.
The cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover is thought to have been the UK’s most economically damaging hack and is estimated to have cost the country £1.9bn.
Research from the Cyber Monitoring Centre indicates that around 5,000 businesses nationwide have been hit by the fallout.
Its experts analysed the incident’s broad impact across the economy and supply chain to arrive at the figure.
Jaguar Land Rover halted production at its UK factories for five weeks from 1 September after being targeted the previous day.
This disruption led to warnings from suppliers that many faced collapse without rapid trading resumption or financial aid.
Business
Forget Hot Stock Tips: These 2 Money Habits Alone Can Help You Build Wealth Up To Rs 2 Crore
Last Updated:
Many investors focus on equities and the stock market, often overlooking a crucial component that should be part of every investment portfolio
Nitin Kaushik said that instead of chasing returns, people should focus on their behaviour, investment ratios, and discipline. (Representative/Shutterstock)
Social media is flooded with ‘quick riches’ advice and flashy stock tips, yet few ever see real results. Wealth creation, experts say, is far simpler than these trends suggest. Cutting through the noise, a chartered accountant has now shared a clear, practical mantra for building wealth, a formula he says works no matter one’s income is, whether it’s Rs 1 lakh or Rs 10 lakh.
Chartered accountant Nitin Kaushik took to X to explain that wealth stems from good habits, not just high returns.
In his post, he wrote, “Two money habits can make you rich quietly, while others stay busy chasing investments.” He believes real wealth is built through calm, consistent actions—small monthly investments, a clear budget, and periodic rebalancing.
According to Nitin Kaushik, the real problem is that most people lack a system. Whether someone earns Rs 100,000 or Rs 10 lakh, money disappears quickly if it isn’t directed with purpose. “Becoming rich doesn’t start with earnings, but with intentions,” he noted, emphasising that wealth depends more on mindset and discipline than on income.
Habit 1: Compound Interest
The first habit Kaushik highlighted is the power of compound interest, which he called “a force of nature.” Kaushik explained that investing Rs 25,000 a month at a 12% annual return can grow to about Rs 20 lakh in five years, but the same habit maintained for 20 years can build roughly Rs 2.4 crore. He advised that one should start as early as possible to let compounding work in thier favour.
Habit 2: Portfolio Rebalancing
The second habit is portfolio rebalancing. This involves adjusting investments periodically to maintain a balance between equity and debt (stocks and bonds).
He explained, “If you initially hold 70 percent equity and 30 percent debt, but as the market rises, the ratio becomes 85:15, rebalancing helps bring it back to the correct level.” Kaushik added, “It’s like pruning a tree. Pruning is not done to harm it, but to make it stronger.”
Kaushik summed up his thoughts in one line: “Compound interest builds wealth, rebalancing preserves it. One rewards your patience, the other secures your growth.” He added that instead of chasing returns, people should focus on their behaviour, investment ratios, and discipline, as these are the factors truly within their control.
Why Is It Important To Invest In Debt Funds?
Most people invest in equity funds or the stock market, but debt funds are often overlooked, even though they should be an essential part of every investment portfolio. Debt funds are mutual funds that invest in government bonds, corporate bonds, treasury bills, and other fixed-income securities. In simple terms, these funds lend money to companies or the government and earn income through interest.
The benefits of debt funds include:
- Stable returns and lower risk: Debt funds carry less risk and offer steady, predictable returns, making them a safer option for those wary of stock market volatility.
- Diversification: Debt funds balance a portfolio by providing stable returns when equities fall, maintaining overall balance and stability.
- Liquidity: Many debt funds allow for easy and quick withdrawals, unlike fixed deposits with lock-in periods, making them ideal for sudden cash needs.
- Tax benefits: Long-term debt fund investments (over 3 years) offer indexation benefits, reducing tax burdens and making them more tax-efficient than fixed deposits.
- Protection and opportunities from interest rate fluctuations: Debt funds can provide good returns when interest rates fall, as the value of older high-interest bonds increases, offering opportunities for investors.
- Ideal for new investors: Debt funds are a great entry point for those new to mutual funds, helping build investment habits with less risk.
Disclaimer:Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
November 14, 2025, 17:49 IST
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