Investors’ Meet on Fisheries and Aquaculture held in Lakshadweep
Event Overview
First-ever Investors’ Meet on Fisheries and Aquaculture held in Lakshadweep (Bangaram Island).
Organized by the Department of Fisheries, MoFAHD, Government of India, in collaboration with the UT Administration of Lakshadweep.
Aimed at showcasing investment opportunities in fisheries and aquaculture in the islands.
Participation from 22 major investors and over 200 participants in hybrid mode.
Investment interest worth approximately ₹519 crore has been envisaged so far.
High-Level Participation
Attended by senior leadership including:
Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying; Panchayati Raj).
Ministers of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian.
Administrator of Lakshadweep Shri Praful Patel.
Senior officials from GoI, UT Administration, and key institutions such as NFDB, MPEDA, CMFRI, CIFT, FSI, NCDC, Invest India, and fishermen cooperatives.
Introduction of EEZ fishing rules allowing authorized fishing through an Access Pass.
Indian fishing vessels now legally permitted to operate in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and High Seas under new guidelines.
Fish caught in India’s EEZ to be recognized as “Indian Origin”, enhancing export potential.
Ongoing work on:
Lakshadweep’s first fishing policy.
Maritime Lease Policy for sustainable mariculture.
Single-window clearance system to improve ease of doing business.
Investment Opportunities Highlighted
High-value tuna fisheries, especially sashimi-grade tuna.
Sustainable fishing methods (pole-and-line and handline), globally recognized and eco-friendly.
Seaweed farming leveraging lagoon ecosystems.
Ornamental fisheries including hatcheries and broodstock banks.
Fish oil refining, value-added seafood processing, and export-oriented units.
Cage culture and mariculture with leasing frameworks.
Cold chain infrastructure including ice plants, cold storage, and chilled handling centers.
Investor Feedback & Identified Challenges
Logistical challenges in transporting fish to mainland markets.
Gaps in post-harvest infrastructure and cold chain.
Need for skilled manpower and modern processing facilities.
Requirement for improved market linkages and export certification.
Demand for traceability systems ensuring fish origin and sustainability.
Government Support & Schemes
Financial and institutional support through:
Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).
National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) financing.
Interest subvention and entrepreneurship support.
Strengthening of fishermen cooperatives.
Infrastructure push including fleet modernization, fishing harbours, and cold chains.
Coordination with multiple ministries and agencies under a Whole-of-Government approach.
Sustainability & Blue Economy Focus
Emphasis on responsible and sustainable fisheries growth.
Adoption of traceability frameworks aligned with international standards.
Modernization of vessels with sustainability considerations.
Strategic utilization of Lakshadweep’s vast EEZ to drive the Blue Economy.
Focus on balancing economic growth, environmental protection, and livelihoods.
Strategic Vision & Way Forward
Bridging the gap between current fisheries production (~14,000 tonnes) and potential (~1 lakh tonnes).
Positioning Lakshadweep as a global hub for premium, sustainable seafood.
Enhancing export competitiveness through branding, certification, and value chains.
Commitment to continued investor engagement, including a follow-up meet in Delhi.
Collective government–industry–community effort to unlock Lakshadweep’s long-term fisheries potential.
NUDGE campaign
CBDT Enforcement Action
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has taken action against intermediaries involved in filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) with bogus deductions and exemptions.
These intermediaries operated through organized, pan-India networks, filing incorrect returns on a commission basis.
Nature of Bogus Claims
Significant false claims were made for:
Donations to Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) under Section 80GGC.
Donations to charitable institutions under Section 80G.
Such claims were used to artificially reduce tax liability and to fraudulently claim refunds.
Misuse of RUPPs and Trusts
Many RUPPs involved were found to be:
Non-filers of income tax returns.
Non-operational at their registered addresses.
Not engaged in any genuine political activity.
These entities were allegedly used as conduits for:
Routing unaccounted funds.
Hawala transactions.
Cross-border remittances.
Issuance of fake donation receipts.
Follow-up Searches and Evidence
CBDT conducted follow-up search and seizure operations on selected RUPPs and charitable trusts.
Incriminating evidence was gathered relating to:
Bogus donation claims by individuals.
Bogus Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure claims by companies.
Strengthened Data Analytics and Risk Profiling
CBDT has enhanced its data-driven and analytics-based monitoring systems.
A specific high-risk behaviour pattern has been identified for taxpayers claiming deductions under:
Section 80G
Section 80GGC
The system flags cases where:
Donations are made to suspicious entities.
Sufficient information is not available to establish the genuineness of recipient entities.
Taxpayer Response So Far
A large number of taxpayers have:
Revised their ITRs for Assessment Year (AY) 2025–26.
Filed updated returns for earlier assessment years, voluntarily withdrawing incorrect claims.
NUDGE Campaign Initiative
CBDT has launched a targeted NUDGE campaign as a taxpayer-friendly compliance measure.
The campaign aims to provide taxpayers an opportunity to:
Review their claims.
Correct or withdraw incorrect deductions.
Update their ITRs voluntarily before further action is taken.
Communication to Taxpayers
SMS and email advisories are being sent to identified taxpayers.
The communications are being issued from 12 December 2025 on registered mobile numbers and email addresses.
Advisory to Taxpayers
Taxpayers are advised to:
Ensure correctness of mobile numbers and email IDs registered with the Income Tax Department.
Monitor official communications from the Department to avoid missing compliance-related advisories.
Overall Objective
The initiative reflects CBDT’s focus on:
Early detection of tax evasion.
Encouraging voluntary compliance.
Curbing misuse of donation-related tax deductions through data analytics rather than only punitive measures.
“Crafted for the Future”
Event Overview
Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh inaugurated the “Crafted for the Future” exhibition at the National Craft Museum, New Delhi.
The exhibition is an initiative of the Office of the Development Commissioner (DC) Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles.
It focuses on India’s rich craft traditions and their relevance to sustainable and contemporary living.
Exhibition Context and Duration
Crafted for the Future is a 10-day exhibition held as part of National Handicrafts Week.
It will remain open to the public until 21 December 2025.
Free entry is available for all visitors.
Concept and Theme
This is the third edition under the broader “Weave the Future” series.
The exhibition emphasizes:
Everyday material culture
The interconnectedness of communities, environment, and materials
Craft as a medium of ecological balance, regional identity, and material intelligence
It highlights artisans and material innovators from across India whose practices are rooted in sustainability.
Perspective from DC Handicrafts
Ms. Amrit Raj stated that:
Preserving craft is not merely about memory or heritage.
Craft should be recognised as a living and evolving force that shapes the future.
Visitor Experience and Programme Highlights
The exhibition offers an immersive and interactive experience, including:
Installations tracing the journey of everyday materials.
A curated craft marketplace featuring artisans and collectives using local and regenerative materials.
Daily film screenings, live demonstrations, and discussions on craft traditions and material origins.
Hands-on workshops (registration required) across diverse disciplines such as:
Ceramics
Embroidery
Wool
Bamboo
Natural dyes
Food traditions and more
Broader Objectives
The initiative aims to:
Promote public engagement with material origins.
Highlight craft-led ecological knowledge systems.
Encourage sustainable futures through conscious relationships between materials, makers, and communities.
It positions traditional crafts as vital contributors to sustainability, innovation, and cultural continuity.
Commemorative Postage Stamp in Honour of Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II
Event and Occasion
The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, released a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II (Suvaran Maran).
The release took place at the Vice-President’s Enclave, New Delhi.
Honouring Overlooked Historical Figures
The stamp release was described as part of an ongoing national effort to recognise and honour Tamil kings, leaders, and freedom fighters who had not received adequate recognition in the past.
Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II was acknowledged as one such significant yet under-recognised historical figure.
Historical Significance of the Emperor
Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II belonged to the Mutharaiyar dynasty, which ruled central Tamil Nadu between the 7th and 9th centuries CE.
He ruled from Tiruchirappalli for nearly four decades.
His reign was marked by:
Administrative stability
Territorial expansion
Strong military capabilities
Patronage of culture and learning
Contributions and Legacy
Inscriptions across various parts of Tamil Nadu attest to the Emperor’s contributions to:
Temple endowments
Irrigation and water management systems
Tamil literature
His reign holds a distinguished place in South Indian history.
Overall Significance
The commemorative stamp symbolizes the government’s commitment to:
Cultural preservation
Historical justice
Inclusive recognition of regional contributions to India’s civilizational legacy
INAS 335 (Ospreys)
Event and Occasion
The Indian Navy will commission its second MH-60R helicopter squadron, INAS 335 (Ospreys).
Commissioning is scheduled for 17 December 2025 at INS Hansa, Goa.
The event will be attended by Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff.
Significance
The commissioning represents a key step in the Indian Navy’s modernisation and capability enhancement.
Strengthens the Navy’s integral aviation capabilities, providing a significant operational boost.
Aircraft Capabilities
The MH-60R Seahawk helicopter is equipped with:
Advanced weapons systems
State-of-the-art sensors
Modern avionics suites
Capable of handling both conventional and asymmetric threats.
Fully integrated into fleet operations and proven effective in prior operational deployments.
Strategic Impact
The squadron’s induction will enhance the Navy’s operational readiness.
Strengthens maritime security and versatility of the Indian Navy in diverse mission profiles.
