Govt Grants 3-Year Validity for Tobacco Grower Registrations

23 Apr 2025 CW Team

In a major relief to tobacco farmers, the Government of India has announced a three-year validity for the Certificate of Registration as Virginia tobacco growers and for barn operation licences, replacing the existing annual renewal system. This measure, aimed at enhancing ease of doing business, reduces the administrative burden on farmers who previously had to renew their registrations every year.

To implement this change, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has amended sub-rules (5), (6), and (7) of Rule 33, and sub-rules (2) and (3) of Rule 34N of the Tobacco Board Rules, 1976. These amendments have been officially notified in the Gazette of India and will come into effect from the 2025–26 crop season in Andhra Pradesh.

The move is expected to benefit approximately 83,500 farmers and 91,000 barns across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, and Odisha. It will significantly streamline the process for those engaged in the cultivation and curing of Virginia tobacco—an industry governed by the Tobacco Board Act, 1975.

India is currently the second-largest producer and the fourth-largest exporter (by value) of unmanufactured tobacco globally. In the financial year 2024–25 alone, tobacco exports contributed US$1,979 million (Rs 167.28 million) to the Indian exchequer.

This extension in validity period marks a substantial administrative relief, further empowering growers while reinforcing India's position as a global player in the tobacco trade.

Infrastructure Transport

30 May 2026

Chembur Metro to Boost East Mumbai Links

MMRDA is advancing eastern Mumbai’s urban mobility network, with the upcoming Chembur Metro Station set to emerge as a key interchange and the Mumbai Monorail preparing for relaunch.Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, conducted a site visit to Chembur Metro Station along with Kanhuraj Bagate, Managing Director, MMMOCL. He also visited the nearby VN Purav Monorail Station to review system preparedness and ease of interconnectivity.Once operational, the interchange is expected to offer commuters across the eastern suburbs quicker access, smoother transfers and seamless conne..

Herrenknecht TBMs Drive Thane–Borivali Tunnel Progress

Herrenknecht India has supplied two of the four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) required for the 11-km Thane–Borivali Twin Tunnel Project being developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The project is expected to reduce travel time between Thane and Borivali from 60–90 minutes to around 15 minutes while easing congestion across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.The first two Single Shield TBMs, named Nayak and Arjuna, feature 13.34-m cutterhead diameters and are designed for hard-rock excavation. They will be deployed to tunnel through the challenging geological..

KBL Launches Smart Skid Mounted Fire Pump Set

Kirloskar Brothers (KBL) has launched its Smart Skid Mounted Fire Pump Set, an integrated fire protection solution designed to improve operational efficiency, remote monitoring and installation flexibility. The system was inaugurated by Ms Madhuritai Misal, Hon. Minister of State for Urban Development, Government of Maharashtra.The Smart Skid Mounted Fire Pump Set is a factory-tested, pre-packaged solution that combines FM/UL-certified motor and engine pump sets with IoT-enabled remote monitoring. Designed to deliver a flow rate of 170 m³/hr at a head of 100 metres, the system aims to provide..