Energy minister pushes for faster green projects
The directive came during a high-level meeting on Thursday at the Secretariat, where progress on Reliance's green energy investments in the state was reviewed. Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar chaired the meeting, which included Special Chief Secretary Energy K. Vijayanand, JMD APTRANSCO Kirthi Chekuri, MD NREDCAP M Kamalakar Babu, and senior RIL officials.
The Minister specifically called for the expedited setup of Reliance CBG plants and announced bi-weekly reviews.
He noted that CBG plants in Vayumadugu and PC Palli are expected to be completed and commissioned by March 2026. Beyond Prakasam district, CBG plants are also being established in select constituencies of Sri Sathya Sai, Nandyal, and Anantapur districts. The next phase will include plants in Kandukur, Atmakur, and Udayagiri areas of Nellore district.
Reliance representatives expressed satisfaction with the state government's full cooperation, noting that the CBG plants would provide crucial support to local farmers and create diverse employment opportunities. Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar instructed the Energy Department and relevant agencies to provide all necessary support, including fast-tracking land allotments, resolving inter-departmental issues promptly, and coordinating closely with Reliance teams at the district level.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
35 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Efforts to attract investments from Singapore will soon pay off, says Andhra Pradesh Industries Minister Bharath
Industries and Commerce Minister T.G. Bharath has said the results of the visit of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu-led delegation to Singapore to attract investors to the State will be visible soon. Speaking to the media persons in Kurnool on Sunday, Mr. Bharath said the previous government's policies had turned away the investors from Singapore. 'Mr. Naidu made a sustained effort to erase the bad image and attract investments through his meetings with the officials, industrialists and business tycoons there. Mr. Naidu succeeded in his mission, and we will soon see the results in the way of investments,' he asserted. Apart from Mr. Naidu, the delegation comprised Ministers N. Lokesh, P. Narayana and Mr. Bharath. He said that Singapore achieved rapid strides in development as there was a stable and strong government. Mr. Bharath asserted that Andhra Pradesh too needed a stable government, which would bring investments to the State. Elaborating on his visit to various plants, ports and other places in Singapore, the Minister said Artificial Intelligence was playing a key role in all those places. On the proposed investments in the State, Mr. Bharath said Reliance would be investing in Orvakal in the district and a Coimbatore-based company had already set up its unit in Orvakal. Mr. Bharath said there was a huge potential for the youth to get jobs as pilots, and urged them to utilise the pilot training courses to be imparted at the Pilot Training Centre coming up at the Orvakal airport. 'Works on bringing water from Muchumarri to Orvakal Industrial Hub have been completed by 90%. We will also complete various irrigation projects, which will lead to industrial development. With sustained efforts of the NDA government, the entire district will witness development,' he said. Mr. Bharath said the government is taking all steps to stop migrations from the district and would support the small industries and bring them back on track. 'By handholding the small and minor industries, we can stop migration,' he said, adding that TIDCO houses would soon be handed over to the eligible poor. He further said the process of setting up the High Court Bench in Kurnool was going on. Mr. Bharath said the previous government had resorted to the liquor scam, causing loss to the exchequer, and action would be taken against those involved.
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- The Hindu
Thousands march in silent rally in Kolhapur, demanding return of elephant Mahadevi by NGO Vantara
Kolhapur witnessed a massive turnout on Sunday (August 3, 2025) as thousands of locals walked in a silent protest, urging authorities to the bring back 36-year-old elephant Mahadevi, also known as Madhuri, from NGO Vantara's wildlife rehabilitation facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Vantara is the brainchild of Anant Ambani, son of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, and is supported by Reliance Industries Limited and Reliance Foundation The march, led by former Swabhimani Kisan Sangathan president and former MP Raju Shetty, began at 5 a.m. from Nandani, and concluded at 5.45 p.m. at the Kolhapur District Collectorate, where a formal appeal was submitted. 'We covered 45 km today. Over 30,000 people had gathered from Kolhpaur, Sangli and Satara. They joined a boycott of Jio (the Reliance Group telecom company), and in just the last four days, more than 1.5 lakh mobile users in Kolhapur, Sangli, and Satara districts ported their numbers to other networks in protest. We plan to carry out similar protests in north Karnataka, especially since it's a border region and several temples there also have elephants. A crucial hearing is scheduled tomorrow in a Bengaluru court,' Mr. Shetty said. 'This is a tactic by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), acting as a slave to (Mr. Anant) Ambani's interests, to seize temple elephants. We will file a formal complaint with PETA's head office in the U.S., and seek cancellation of their license in India,' he said, terming it a conspiracy. Mahadevi was in tears when she was taken away, Mr. Shetty said. 'Even though that facility (Vantara) already has over 200 elephants, they wanted her because she's beautiful,' he said. Over two lakh signatures had been collected from across Kolhapur, demanding Mahadevi's return. HC upholds animal rights The Bombay High Court on July 16, 2025 had dismissed a petition by a Jain math in Kolhapur, Swasthishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sanstha, challenging the transfer of the captive elephant Mahadevi to Vantara. The elephant, owned by the math since 1992, was reportedly kept in solitary confinement and used for religious processions despite medical issues. Multiple expert inspections, including reports by a sub-committee formed by the high-powered committee, found that the elephant was suffering from severe foot rot, ulcerated wounds, overgrown toenails, and exhibited signs of psychological distress. Though the math submitted certificates claiming improvement in Mahadevi's health, the court noted that these were 'cursory one-pagers' inconsistent with photographic and veterinary evidence. Despite the legal backing, Mahadevi's transfer has sparked widespread local resentment. Many believe her presence at the Jain math held spiritual and cultural significance. BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik recently submitted a request to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, seeking her return. In response to public outcry, State Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said Vantara executives had assured full cooperation in finding a resolution. Vantara's statement On August 3, Vantara, in a statement issued to The Hindu, said that there has been considerable misinformation surrounding the transfer of the elephant Mahadevi also known as, Madhuri, from a math in Kolhapur, to Vantara. 'PETA, a respected animal welfare organisation, had been tracking the elephant's condition since 2022. On 31 October 2023, it submitted a detailed complaint to the High Powered Committee (HPC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The complaint annexed photographs, veterinary reports, and records pointing to serious physical injuries and psychological trauma suffered by the elephant, along with evidence of her commercial and illegal use,' the statement read. The statement further added that the elephant had been transported 13 times from Maharashtra to Telangana between 2012 and 2023, often without proper permissions from the Forest Department. On January 8, 2023, the Telangana Forest Department had registered Wildlife Offence POR No. 12-07/2022-23 under Sections 48A and 54 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 against B. Ismail, the elephant's mahout, for using Mahadevi in a public procession unlawfully. The offence was later compounded upon the payment of ₹25,000 — seen as an admission of guilt — and custody was returned to a local handler in Kolhapur. 'Reports and photographs documented that the elephant was being used commercially. She was sent for public processions including Muharram, used for begging, and publicly paraded. Children were made to sit in her trunk, and she was subjected to control with the banned metal ankush. In one of the more shocking practices, the Mutt was reportedly auctioning the opportunity to perform Pooja with the elephant, effectively monetising access to her. In 2017, the elephant had also fatally injured the head priest of the Mutt raising long-standing safety concerns,' Vantara's statement said. It further added that on August 12, 2023, following a letter from the local police, a team of government veterinary doctors inspected the elephant and reported open wounds, lameness, footpad thinning, and signs of mental distress. 'On 20 October 2023, Dr. Rakesh Chittora of Animal Rahat submitted a detailed medical report recommending hospitalisation and rehabilitation, also noting that the mahout lacked basic knowledge of elephant care. Based on these materials, the HPC initiated an inquiry but initially gave the Mutt a 3-month opportunity (from June 2024) to improve the elephant's condition. Follow-up inspections in June and November 2024 showed only superficial changes—serious medical and welfare issues persisted. On 27 December 2024, the HPC passed an order directing that the elephant be relocated to RKTEWT (Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust) in Jamnagar, a facility with natural enclosures, veterinary care, socialisation opportunities, and trained elephant keepers,' the statement added. Vantara played no role in initiating or seeking the transfer. It was named recipient solely by the HPC based on its capability and track record in elephant welfare, the statement read. The mutt challenged the decision before the Bombay High Court, which dismissed the petition July 16 after a detailed hearing. The court found the HPC's decision justified and prioritised the elephant's welfare over religious customs. The Supreme Court of India upheld this ruling on July 28, and directed that the elephant be transferred within two weeks. The matter is now listed for compliance reporting on August 11. 'The transfer has since been carried out by the authorities, and Vantara has merely complied with the court's directions. The promoter family, who support Vantara philanthropically, have no involvement in its daily operations and were not party to the proceedings at any stage,' the statement added. 'It is regrettable that despite full legal closure, a campaign of misinformation is being run to vilify Vantara and its supporters. When the highest courts have heard and decided a matter, continuing to attack a neutral party that has merely followed orders is not only unfair, it undermines public faith in judicial process. In any lawful society, even an ordinary citizen is expected to accept the authority of a final court ruling. That same standard should apply here,' Vantara said in its statement. 'Vantara reiterates its commitment to lawful, ethical animal care and has only acted in accordance with judicial and regulatory directives,' the statement said.
India.com
11 hours ago
- India.com
Meet Mukesh Ambani's 'right-hand man', gifted Rs 1500 crore mansion by Reliance boss; not KV Kamath, Anand Jain, the name is...
Mukesh Ambani and Manoj Modi (File) Mukesh Ambani, the richest man in India and all of Asia, has achieved remarkable business success over the past few decades. However, his success did not come in isolation, and was built on the back of the help and support from his close aides and loyalists, especially during the tumultuous period of his bitter feud with younger brother Anil Ambani, which ultimately resulted in split of Reliance, the company established by Anil and Mukesh's father, Dhirubhai Ambani, into two separate businesses. One of those figures is Manoj Modi, often called the 'right-hand man' of Mukesh Ambani, who stuck beside the Reliance boss through thick and thin. Who is Manoj Modi? The relationship between Manoj Modi and Mukesh Ambani spans nearly half a century as the two have been friends since their college days when they attended school at the Department of Chemical Technology at Mumbai University. According to details, Manoj Modi joined Reliance in the early 1980s, when the company was led by Mukesh Ambani's father, late Dhirubhai Ambani. Since then, Manoj Modi has played a vital role in transforming Mukesh's Reliance Industries into India's most valued company and one of the largest and most successful business houses in the world. Manoj Modi is considered very close to both Nita Ambani and Mukesh Ambani, and the two families also have a tightly-knit relationship, according to reports. What's Manoj Modi's role at Reliance? Contrary to his unassuming personality, Manoj Modi is considered a hardcore negotiator with a sharp business acumen, who reportedly spearheaded Reliance Jio's groundbreaking deal with Facebook in April 2020, when Jio Platforms, under the leadership of Akash Ambani, inked a Rs 43,000 crore deal with the social media giant. Manoj closely works with Mukesh Ambani's children Akash Imbani and Isha Ambani, and helps the young business leaders in charting their own path in the cutthroat business world. Currently, Manoj Modi serves as the Director of Reliance Retail and Reliance Jio Infocomm. Notably, Manoj Modi's daughter, Bhakti Modi, is close friend and aide of Isha Ambani, and the co-founder and CEO of Reliance Retail's beauty platform Tira. Manoj Modi net worth Unlike his famous friend, Manoj Modi prefers to live a private life and keeps a low profile, and as such there is little information about his net worth or salary. However, his wealth can be gauged from the fact that he lives in a 22-storey mansion on Mumbai's Nepean Sea Road, which is reportedly worth over Rs 1500 crore. The lavish house, which is spread over an area of 1.7 lakh square feet, was reportedly gifted to him by Mukesh Ambani in 2022.
