Besides emphasis on electricity distribution reforms and measures for gig workers, the Budget 2025 puts the spotlight on national manufacturing mission to support clean tech, improve value addition in solar PV modules, electric vehicle batteries, high voltage transmission equipment, wind turbines and grid scale batteries. 
With China controlling much of the clean tech supply chain, the mission will combine with the PLI schemes for solar PV modules and batteries, aiding those in the field of backward integration and operations that are scaling up. 
Further scaling up the reach of ‘Make-in-India’ initiative, the Budget 2025 once again has brought into focus the MSME sector. It has been the worst hit by GST with thousands of units in any given industrial areas in cities like Pimpri-Chinchwad going belly up. Considered to provide employment to up to 70 percent in the manufacturing MSMEs have not only been unable to sustain financially, they have not been able to innovate or invest in advanced machinery/equipment and upskilling the way they should have been. 
They also seem to have lost out on their ability to export or sustain the margin pressures that come with supplying goods to suppliers up the ladder. This has led to many Tier 1  or Tier 2 suppliers and OEMs – particularly in the auto sector which contributes most to GST collection and the manufacturing GDP of the country – to look at sourcing from China by installing either permanently or temporarily their sourcing personnel or agents there. 
Perhaps taking such practices into account, the Budget 2025 has focused on MSME sector in terms of their upliftment as it would in-turn help them to drive employment led innovation, energy supplies and exports. 
The custom duty on Lithium-ion batteries has been reduced and tax has been exempted for cobalt powder. 
On the Income Tax front, the Finance Minister announced in her speech that a New Income Tax Bill will be tabled in the Parliament soon. This bill is expected to exempt tax on income till INR 12,00,000. There will be TDS relief offered to senior citizens. 
Until the New Income Tax Bill in tabled in the Parliament and passed, the old Income Tax regime will continue to be valid. 
 

Image for representative purpose only.

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CNH Industrial has conducted the groundbreaking ceremony for a new manufacturing facility at the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) in Uttar Pradesh, near Jewar airport.

The event was attended by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, alongside CNH Chair of the Board of Directors Suzanne Heywood, Chief Executive Officer Gerrit Marx and India Region President Narinder Mittal.

The new facility spread across 100 acres will produce tractors and engines for India and export markets, holding an annual production capacity of 100,000 tractors at full scale. The first phase of operations is scheduled to commence by mid-2028, complementing CNH's existing plants in Greater Noida, which manufactures tractors and engines and Pune, which produces balers, combine harvesters and sugarcane harvesters. The factory will incorporate robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence quality systems alongside renewable energy, water recycling, logistics, and waste recovery infrastructure.

Gerrit Marx, CEO, CNH, said, “India is playing an increasingly strategic role within CNH’s global manufacturing and technology ecosystem. The groundbreaking of our new facility at YEIDA marks an important step in expanding our manufacturing footprint and strengthening our ability to serve customers in India and around the world. This investment reflects our confidence in India’s manufacturing capabilities, engineering talent and long-term growth potential, while further strengthening the country’s role in CNH’s global operations.”

Narinder Mittal, President, CNH India Region, said, “We are committed to bringing world class technology and innovation to Indian farmers, supporting mechanisation and economic growth. Building on the legacy of our first tractor plant in Greater Noida, this new facility will strengthen and expand our existing footprint, leveraging proximity to our current operations and the state’s strong connectivity and industrial ecosystem. We are proud to contribute to the nation’s industrial growth and economic development, while strengthening our commitment to ‘Make in India’ for domestic and global markets.”

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American manufacturer of petroleum and speciality chemical additives Afton Chemical Corporation recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a driveline and industrial additive manufacturing facility in Maharashtra, India.

The plant will be operated by Afton's partner, LSR Speciality Oils and is scheduled to begin commercial production in the first half of 2028.

The facility expands Afton Chemical's production footprint in India, building upon existing manufacturing operations for engine oil and off-road additives, while complementing capacity investments at the company's Singapore site. Once operational, the Maharashtra plant will supply additives to markets across ASEAN, Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America and the Middle East.

Brian Paliotti, President, Afton Chemical, said, "Afton Chemical has been a trusted global supplier in the lubricant and fuel additives industry for more than 100 years. Providing our customers with a secure, reliable supply of high-quality products remains one of our highest priorities. This new facility will strengthen our manufacturing network, enhance supply chain resilience, and improve service for customers around the world."

Chris Dudding, Vice-President of Supply, Afton Chemical, said, "As our industry continues to evolve, Afton remains committed to investing in the assets, capabilities, and partnerships needed to remain a trusted long-term supplier of performance additives. This investment reflects our confidence in the future of the industry and our commitment to helping customers succeed for decades to come."

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Honda Motor Co., has announced a USD 3 billion investment to build an automobile manufacturing plant in Central Ohio, increasing its US automobile production capacity to approximately 1.3 million vehicles per year and creating more than 2,000 jobs. Production at the new facility, located between the existing East Liberty and Marysville plants, is expected to begin in 2029 pending regulatory approvals.

The new facility will feature a planned annual production capacity of 240,000 units, capable of assembling hybrid, petrol and battery-electric vehicles. The project forms part of a series of manufacturing investments across operations in Ohio, Alabama and Georgia designed to expand production of hybrid-electric vehicles and powertrains, expanding Honda's total North American vehicle assembly capacity to 1.9 million units annually.

The expansion supports the Japanese automotive major’s global plan to introduce 15 hybrid models by 2030. Additional network initiatives include retooling the Alabama Auto Plant to produce a V6 hybrid engine, retooling the Anna Engine Plant in Ohio for a four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine and expanding hybrid system assembly at transmission facilities in Ohio and Georgia to increase Ohio hybrid system output by 250 percent. Honda of Canada Mfg. in Alliston, Ontario, will also undergo retooling for hybrid model and engine assembly.

Bob Nelson, Executive Vice-President of American Honda Motor Co., said, "As Honda approaches 50 years of building products close to our customers in America, we are making one of the most significant commitments in our history to position Honda for the next 50 years. These investments strengthen America’s role as a cornerstone of Honda’s global future and reflect our confidence in our more than 30,000 Honda associates and the strength of American manufacturing. By expanding our comprehensive R&D and manufacturing capabilities, we will be better positioned to serve our customers and contribute to the economic vitality of the communities where we operate."

Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio, said, "Honda's leadership could have chosen to build this plant anywhere in the world, but they chose Ohio because there are so many advantages to being here. For almost half a century, Honda and Ohio have grown together, and generations of families have built their careers on Honda's manufacturing lines. Today's announcement isn't just an investment in a new facility - it's an investment in Ohio's people and Ohio's future."

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Hindustan Zinc Limited has signed 11 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) at the ZnAL Confluence 2026 in Jaipur to advance the development of its proposed Zinc Industrial Park at Khankhala in Bhilwara district, Rajasthan.

The MoUs were executed with industrial partners including Gainwell Commosales, Epiroc Mining India, Sai Deepa Rock Drills, Shree Nakoda Infrasteel, Suryakiran Earthmovers, J.G. Chemicals, EPCM Service & Supply, Jasta Alloys, Jammu Pigments and Ampex Energies.

The participating entities intend to set up manufacturing, engineering and service operations connected to zinc and allied value chains. The proposed park, developed in collaboration with the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO), provides developed industrial land, access to a share of Hindustan Zinc's metal output, and research capabilities from the company's Centre of Excellence.

The park infrastructure supports Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with investment entry levels starting from INR 50 million, covering sectors such as galvanising, die-casting, zinc alloys, zinc oxide and wire manufacturing.

Amarendu Prakash, CEO and Whole-time Director, Hindustan Zinc, said, "Zinc Park is a strategic initiative that reflects our long-term vision of building a globally competitive downstream ecosystem for zinc-based industries in India. The growing confidence of industry partners, across manufacturing, engineering and services, shows the strength of the proposition. Through assured ecosystem support, renewable energy integration and strong collaborations, we aim to enable MSME growth, create local employment and strengthen domestic manufacturing."

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