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From textiles to tech: Russia plans to hire Indian workers in two more sectorsMost Indians in Russia currently work in the construction and textiles sector, but demand is growing.Indian companies are looking to hire Indian workers in the machinery and electronics industry, Vinay Kumar, India's ambassador to Russia, told Russian state news agency TASS. "On a broad level, there is a need for manpower in Russia, and India has skilled manpower. So currently, within the framework of Russian regulations, Russian rules, laws and quotas, companies are hiring Indians," Kumar said.Most Indians in Russia currently work in the construction and textiles sector, but demand is growing. "Most of the people coming to Russia are in the construction and textiles sector, but the number of those interested in hiring Indians in the machinery and electronics sector is growing," he added.This influx has also increased demand for consular services. "When people come and go, they need consular services for passport extension, child birth, lost passport, etc., basically consular services," Kumar said.The ambassador also responded to Washington's criticism of India's purchase of Russian crude oil. He said India's energy purchase policy will continue to be guided by national interest. "Indian companies will continue to buy from wherever they get the best deal. So that is the current situation," he said.Kumar stressed that the priority is energy security of India's 1.4 billion people. "We have clearly stated that our objective is energy security of India's 1.4 billion people and India's cooperation with Russia, like many other countries, has helped bring stability in the oil market and the global oil market," he told TASS.Rejecting US tariffs targeting India's energy ties with Russia, he said, "The government will continue to take measures that will protect the country's national interests."Kumar also pointed out that India's approach is in line with global practice. "Many other countries, including the US and Europe, are also trading with Russia," he said.External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated the same view on Saturday. Responding to the US criticism, he said, "It's ridiculous that people who work for a pro-trade US administration are accusing other people of doing trade. It's really weird. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don't buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. But Europe buys, the US buys, so if you don't like it, don't buy it."read more :- Rupee open Falls 15 Paise to 87.73/USD

Indian rupee opens 15 paise lower at 87.73 on rally in dollar indexIndian rupee opened 15 paise lower at 87.73 per dollar on Tuesday versus Monday's close of 87.58.read more :- Rupee fell 19 paise to close at 87.58

The Indian rupee on monday lower 19 paise to close at 87.58 per dollar, while it opened at 87.39 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was up 329.06 points or 0.40 percent at 81,635.91, and the Nifty was up 97.65 points or 0.39 percent at 24,967.75. About 1830 shares advanced, 2169 shares declined, and 178 shares unchanged.read more :- Pest attack on cotton crops in South India

After North, adverse weather triggers pest attack on cotton crops in South India.NEW DELHI: After North India, cotton crops in South India are now grappling with a severe pest outbreak triggered by abnormal weather, raising fears of reduced yields and further decline in the country’s overall cotton production.Prolonged monsoon spells and high humidity in August have led to a surge in “boll rot” disease across cotton fields in Andhra Pradesh. According to experts, this year’s outbreak is more severe than in recent years, with scientists recommending integrated pest management practices advised by the Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR).A field survey under the government’s Project Bandhan found “boll rot” thriving in moist conditions, damaging standing crops and raising concerns over yield loss, fibre quality deterioration and economic strain for Kharif 2025–26 growers. The survey was conducted by the South Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC), Jodhpur, in collaboration with KVK (Krishi Vigyan Kendra) Banavasi and confirmed widespread incidence in Kurnool and other cotton-growing areas of Rayalaseema.Dr C D Mayee, cotton epidemiologist and president of SABC, said, “For the first time in a decade, the economic threshold level of boll rot has crossed the severe outbreak mark of 20% in Kurnool district.” Mayee added that the disease has long been recognised as one of the most economically damaging for cotton in South-Central India.Dr Dilip Monga, former head of ICAR-Central Institute For Cotton Research, noted that incessant rains have worsened boll rot severity, with leaf spot cases also rising in recent years. Farmers have been advised to adopt combined cultural practices, balanced crop nutrition, prophylactic measures and integrated pest management for sustainable control.Andhra Pradesh contributes about 10% of India’s cotton production, with Kurnool serving as a key hub. The outbreak comes just weeks after farmers in North India reported leafhopper (jassid) infestations in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.Adding to farmer distress, the Centre recently scrapped the 11% import duty on cotton, leading to cheaper imports from the US.read more :- State-wise CCI Cotton Sales Details – 2024-25 Season

State Wise CCI Cotton Sales – 2024-25The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) decreased its prices by a total of ₹1,100 per candy this week. Following the price revision, CCI sold approximately 42,800 bales during the week, bringing the total cotton bales sales for the 2024-25 season to approximately 72,19,200 bales. This represents around 72.19% of the total cotton procured so far this season.A state-wise breakdown of sales indicates strong activity from Maharashtra, Telangana, and Gujarat, which together account for over 83.94% of the total sales to date.This data underscores CCI’s proactive efforts in stabilizing the cotton market and ensuring steady supply across key cotton-producing states.read more :- INR Opens Stronger by 13 Paise at 87.39

 Indian rupee opens 13 paise higher at 87.39 against the dollar.The Indian rupee opened 13 paise up at 87.39 against the US dollar on August 25 as compared to 87.52 against the greenback at previous close.read more :- CCI sold 72% cotton through e-auction, reduced prices

CCI Decrease Cotton Prices, sold 72% of 2024–25 Procurement via E-BiddingThe Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) conducted online bidding for cotton bales throughout the week, with significant trading activity observed across both the Mills and Traders sessions. Over the course of five days, CCI decreased its prices by a total of ₹1,100 per candy.As of now, CCI has sold approximately 72,19,200 cotton bales for the 2024–25 season, representing 72.19% of its total procurement for the season.Date wise weekly Sales Summary :18 August 2025 :Sales amounted to 6,200 bales, all from the 2024–25 season.Mills session: 1,700 balesTraders session: 4,500 bales19 August 2025 :A total of 3,800 bales were sold from the 2024–25 season.Mills session : 1,600 balesTraders session : 2,200 bales20 August 2025 :Sales amounted to 12,300 bales, all from the 2024–25 season.Mills session: 8,100 balesTraders session: 4,200 bales21 August 2025 :The highest daily sales of the week were recorded on this day, with 15,200 bales sold from the 2024–25 season.Mills session : 8,200 balesTraders session : 7,000 bales22 August 2025 :The week concluded with sales of 5,300 bales.Mills session: 1,600 balesTraders session: 3,700 balesWeekly Total:CCI achieved total sales of approximately 42,800 bales for the week, underscoring its strong market engagement and the growing efficiency of its digital transaction platform.read more :- INR Drops 16 Paise, Closes at 87.52 per Dollar

The Indian rupee on friday lower 16 paise to close at 87.52 per dollar, while it opened at 87.36 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was down 693.86 points or 0.85 percent at 81,306.85, and the Nifty was down 213.65 points or 0.85 percent at 24,870.10. About 1693 shares advanced, 2208 shares declined, and 143 shares unchanged.read more :- Tamil Nadu farmers demand subsidy after removal of import duty on cotton

Cotton cultivators in Tamil Nadu seek subsidy post removal of 11% import dutyCiting high input costs and drop in productivity of BT cotton due to Tobacco Streak Virus, cotton farmers have sought requisite subsidy from the government to weather the impact of the removal of 11% import duty on cotton by the Central Government. The move, announced by the Union Government till September, is to accord a thrust to the textile sector.Farmers, for their part, fear that the procurement price in Tamil Nadu will witness a free fall from the existing extent of ₹ 6,500 per quintal.Though the Central Government has fixed the Minimum Support Price at ₹ 7,710, the procurement price in Tamil Nadu has been less due to absence of centralised procurement.Unlike in other States where procurement is carried out by the Cotton Corporation of India, farmers in Tamil Nadu have been put to a disadvantage due to the reluctance of the State Government to foot the bill for transport of cotton from the regulated sales outlets to the milling plants, according to the cultivators.“Farmers are apprehensive that the selling price of cotton in Tamil Nadu could fall by up to ₹2,000 per quintal. The onus is on the Central Government to save the cotton farmers through providing the requisite subsidy to stave off losses,” Founder of Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Padhukappu Sangam, Easan Murugasamy said.While the farmers are not against providing a fillip to the industrial sector, the Central and State governments should, all the same, safeguard interests of farmers, Mr. Murugasamy emphasised.According to TNAU scientists working with cotton farmers, the acreage is already shrinking due to low returns.In West Tamil Nadu, cotton production acreage is the highest in Salem at close to 9000 hectares, followed by Dharmapuri (nearly 4,000 ha), Namakkal (less than 1,900 ha), and Krishnagiri (less than 1,400 ha). The crop is grown on less than 1,000 hectares in Tiruppur district and is raised in a meagre extent of a little over 350 ha in Coimbatore district.The picking cost alone is ₹20 per kg. Cotton crop, in general, in Tamil Nadu, is 70% rainfed, and farmers have chosen to go for alternative crops, a TNAU scientist said, indicating that the scope is very limited for cotton cultivation acreage to improve, given the evolving scenario.read more :- "SKM protests removal of duty on cotton import, demands withdrawal"

SKM slams Centre’s scrapping of duty on cotton imports, urges immediate rollbackHyderabad: The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) condemned the decision of the Finance Ministry to immediately abolish the 11% import duty and Agricultural Infrastructure Development Cess (AIDC) on cotton.The notification, effective from August 19, is valid until September 30, 2025. SKM has condemned the decision, which has been justified by the government as being “in the public interest”, as a “death knell” for cotton growers already grappling with low prices and mounting debt. SKM has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of reneging on his promises to farmers and demanded clarity on where his “top priority” lies. The union argues that the removal of import duty will flood the domestic market with cheaper cotton, driving down prices and pushing lakhs of cotton farming families into deeper financial distress. They point out that cotton-growing regions already record the highest number of farmer suicides in the country, and this move could exacerbate the crisis.Despite repeated demands, the Modi government has never implemented the Minimum Support Price (MSP) formula of C2+50% for cotton farmers. For the 2025 Kharif season, the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) announced an MSP of Rs 7,710 per quintal—Rs 2,365 short of the Rs 10,075 rate under the C2+50% formula. SKM claims this gap reflects a systemic neglect of cotton farmers’ welfare. India, with 120.55 lakh hectares under cotton cultivation, accounts for 36% of the global cotton area. Maharashtra leads in cotton acreage, followed by Gujarat and Telangana. Notably, 67% of India’s cotton farming is rainfed, making it highly vulnerable to market and climate shocks. In response to the notification, SKM has called on cotton farmers nationwide to organize village-level meetings, pass resolutions, and send them to the Prime Minister demanding the immediate withdrawal of the duty abolition and the declaration of MSP at Rs 10,075 per quintal. The union also reminded the government of its unfulfilled promise from the BJP’s 2014 election manifesto to ensure fair MSP for farmers.read more :- Rupee open Falls 10 Paise to 87.36/USD

 Indian rupee open 10 paise down at 87.36/USD ahead of Powell speech at Jackson HoleThe local currency opened at 87.36 against the US dollar, as compared to 87.26 against the greenback at previous close.read more :- Big change in GST: 12% and 28% GST slabs will be abolished