Haryana govt has put tree-felling in a list of activities permitted during the lockdown imposed to slow down the surging Covid-19 wave, which has been extended till 17 May.
While lockdowns and stay-in-place restrictions were expected to curb demand for building materials, North Americans stuck inside decided to spend on renovating their home.
Timber is becoming more cost competitive as steel prices rise, and the use of pre-fabricated wood panels allows for quicker construction with less labor.
For an industry globally classified as hazardous, protections such as health insurance and a provident fund for workers are necessities. In Sivakasi, they remain elusive.
The industry forecasts exports are set to grow 16% in 2025-26, boosted by surplus domestic production and a drive to push into 26 underserved global markets with strong potential.
Indigenisation level will progressively increase up to 60 percent with key sub-assemblies, electronics and mechanical parts being manufactured locally.
It is a brilliant, reasonably priced, and mostly homemade aircraft with a stellar safety record; only two crashes in 24 years since its first flight. But its crash is a moment of introspection.
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