News Broadcasting
MAIT asks for reduction of exicse duty
MUMBAI: The Manufacturers Association of Information Technology (MAIT) has just one expectation from the forthcoming Budget – a reduction in excise duty to eight per cent (or six, if the government adopts the excise duty structure as recommended by the Kelkar committee) from the current 16 per cent, till the government introduces a composite value-added tax.
The government needs to urgently address the challenges of the inverted tariff structure arising out of the implications of the IT Agreement of the World Trade Organisation, says MAIT. The government must ensure a customs duty waiver on all capital goods for infotech, electronics, telecommunications manufacturing and raw materials, including dual usage items, as the finished products hit zero duty.
MAIT executive director Vinnie Mehta says it is important to reduce duty to be globally competitive. The domestic infotech market is back on the growth track, which has bolstered the confidence of the hardware industry. However, there is still a long way to go before we become a globally competitive industry, says Mehta. To ensure that infotech reaches the grassroots level in India, there is a need to bring down the price of its products, adds Mehta.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
