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Time of India
21-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Forest dept begins re-survey to relocate villages from Sariska
Jaipur: The forest administration has launched a re-survey process to relocate six villages located in the core area of Sariska Tiger Reserve. The move aims to address long-pending demands of villagers, particularly those who were minors during the earlier survey (2008–2011) but have since formed separate households. An official said, "The re-survey will update data from the original survey, addressing gaps and including families previously excluded. Focus will be on those who were underage at the time but are now eligible." Of the 29 villages originally within the Core Tiger Habitat (CTH) of Sariska, 11 were initially surveyed for displacement, and five—Rotlaya, Bhavanwada, Kamri, Paniwala, and Dabli—were fully relocated. The remaining six—Kankawadi, Sukola, Dabli, Haripura, Fatka, and Devri—are now being re-evaluated for relocation. In the first phase of the new survey, residents of Sukola and Haripura were shown resettlement sites. "After the survey, eligible families will be allotted land. Residents of Sukola have already consented to relocate," the official added. The relocation of these six villages is expected to free up approximately 400 sq km of core forest land, enhancing wildlife conservation efforts. Rehabilitation will follow the Government of India's 2008 guidelines and Rajasthan's 2002 displacement policy. Eligible families will receive compensation packages like those provided earlier. Those opting for cash will receive Rs15 lakh. Families with up to 2 bighas of land will be allotted 6 bighas, a 60x90 ft residential plot, and Rs 3.75 lakh. Those with more than 2 bighas will be compensated based on the prevailing Basic Land Cost (BLC). A one-year extension has been granted for this relocation. Any family member turning 21 by May 27, 2026, will now be considered an independent unit eligible for benefits under the scheme.
Business Standard
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
2.35 Lakh houses approved under PMAY-Urban 2.0 during 3rd meeting of CSMC
Total number of sanctioned houses under PMAY-U 2.0 stands at 7.10 Lakh The Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) in its third meeting held on 18 June 2025 has approved construction of 2.35 lakh houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban 2.0 (PMAY-U 2.0). the meeting was held under the chairmanship of Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). The total houses approved are 2,34,864 in nine States namely, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. PMAY-U 2.0 is being implemented through four verticals Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC), Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP), Affordable Rental Housing (ARH) and Interest Subsidy Scheme (ISS). The houses approved in the CSMC meeting are under BLC and AHP verticals of the Scheme. So far, the total number of houses sanctioned under PMAY-U 2.0 is 7,09,979. During the meeting, Secretary, MoHUA directed the larger States to prepare affordable housing policy and bring the proposals under AHP vertical of PMAY-U 2.0. States/UTs may study the affordable housing policy of the State of Maharashtra and adapt it according to their local requirements. States/UTs were also advised to identify and attach beneficiaries under the AHP vertical at initial phase of approval to avoid unoccupancy issues at a later stage. Among the houses approved today under PMAY-U 2.0, more than 1.25 lakh houses have been sanctioned for the women alone, including single women and widows, ensuring empowerment of women. The scheme also promotes inclusiveness and social equity among different underprivileged groups with 42,400 houses allotted in name of for SC beneficiaries, 17,574 houses for ST beneficiaries and 1,13,414 for the OBC. Under PMAY-U 2.0, 1 crore families will be provided financial assistance to construct or purchase a pucca house in urban areas. The Scheme focusses on upliftment of poor and middle-class families by giving them secured houses to focus on the betterment of their lives. Individuals/families, who do not own a pucca house anywhere in the country, are eligible to purchase or construct a house under PMAY-U 2.0. Central Assistance of up to Rs 2.50 lakh per housing unit is provided. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban (PMAY-U), launched in June 2015, was revamped and launched as PMAY-U 2.0. Under PMAY-U, more than 93.19 Lakh houses have already been constructed and delivered to beneficiaries. With launch of PMAY-U 2.0, additional 1 crore EWS/LIG/MIG families of urban India will be provided pucca houses.
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Centre approves construction of 2.35 lakh houses under PMAY
The Centre on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) approved construction of 2.35 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Prime Minister's Housing scheme). The approval was given at the third meeting of the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) chaired by Srinivas Katikithala, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), an official statement said. The houses would be constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban 2.0 (PMAY-U 2.0). The total houses approved are 2,34,864 for nine States — Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. PMAY-U 2.0 is being implemented through four verticals — Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC), Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP), Affordable Rental Housing (ARH) and Interest Subsidy Scheme (ISS). The houses approved in the CSMC meeting are under BLC and AHP verticals of the scheme. As of now, the total number of houses sanctioned under PMAY-U 2.0 is 7,09,979. Among the houses approved, more than 1.25 lakh dwellings have been sanctioned for women alone, including single women and widows. A total of 44 houses have also been allotted to transgenders. While 42,400 houses have been allotted in the name of Scheduled Caste beneficiaries, 17,574 would be for Scheduled Tribes and 1,13,414 for Other Backward Classes. Under PMAY-U 2.0, 1 crore families will be provided financial assistance to construct or purchase a pucca (permanent) house in urban areas. The scheme focuses on upliftment of poor and middle-class families by giving them secured houses to focus on the betterment of their lives. For individuals/families, Central assistance of up to ₹2.50 lakh per housing unit is provided. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U), launched in June 2015, was revamped and launched as PMAY-U 2.0. Under PMAY-U, more than 93.19 Lakh houses have already been constructed and delivered to beneficiaries. With the launch of PMAY-U 2.0, additional 1 crore EWS/LIG/MIG families of urban India will be provided pucca (permanent) houses.
The Courier
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Plans lodged with Scottish Government for 100,000-panel solar farm near Forfar
Detailed plans have been submitted to the Scottish Government for a 100,000-panel solar farm west of Forfar. The Cossans scheme would generate enough electricity to power 16,500 homes a year. Its developers also want to include up to 50MW of battery energy storage on the site near Glamis Castle. Proposals for the major development were first revealed last year. Perthshire-based BLC Energy has now lodged a Section 36 consent application with the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit. It is one of two solar and BESS farm applications the company is seeking approval for in Angus and Fife. The other is a similar-sized project at West Springfield, near Cupar. If consented, the Cossans scheme would connect to the grid at Lunanhead, east of Forfar. BLC says it will now continue consultation with local communities following public engagement events earlier this year. It is aiming for a grid connection within the next five years. BLC Energy managing director Neil Lindsay said: 'We've now submitted 200MW of projects into the Scottish planning system, with another 200MW planned before the end of the year. 'Our relationships with landowners, commitment to meaningful community consultation and expertise in the technology mean we have an excellent pipeline of projects. 'For the Cossans project, we are aiming for a pre-2030 connection.' Mr Lindsay said that will be decided through the ongoing UK grid reform process. It involves a shift from a 'first come, first served' approach to a 'first ready, first connected' system for grid connections. The aim is to prioritise projects strategically aligned with the government's clean energy goals. The company also revealed its hopes for how a £25,000-a-year community fund could be used over the 40-year lifetime of the project. Mr Lindsay added: 'We believe the communities around these sites should decide how the money is best spent. 'For some, that might be a trust that provides money towards winter fuel bills or retrofitting energy-saving measures in homes. 'For others, it might be funding apprenticeships or investing in community facilities.' Both projects are owned by TRIO Power Limited. TRIO Power is owned and funded by the Octopus Renewable Infrastructure Trust (ORIT), a fund managed by Octopus Energy Generation (OEGEN) and part of the Octopus Energy Group. The Cossans project website is at
The Hindu
03-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Excise Dept. registers 2.04 lakh cases in three years; ₹102 cr. worth of goods seized
The Excise Department has registered 2.04 lakh cases under various categories over the last three years — 2022 – 23, 2023-24, and 2024-25— and seized goods worth over ₹102 crore. Over 1.92 lakh people have been arrested for several offences and later released on bail. The department primarily registers cases under the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, in three categories — Heinous, Breach of License Conditions (BLC), and Section 15(A) (allowing or consuming liquor in an unlicensed public place). The seizures included duplicate liquor, toddy, and vehicles among others. In 2022-23, a total of 46,778 cases were booked, while in 2023–24, 83,425 cases were booked. In 2024 – 25, the officials registered 73,942 cases. 'We have booked so many cases as enforcement has been strong at the taluk level. Many NGOs also create awareness among people who have been booked under Section 15(A),' said R. Venkatesh Kumar, Commissioner of Excise Department. Outside MRP outlets Around 1.43 lakh cases booked in the last three years have been under Section 15(A). These cases include people who stand outside MRP outlets and drink, which is an issue that has been flagged by many resident welfare associations over the years. However, residents say that they often do not know whom to flag it to when they see people standing on pavements in front of liquor shops and consuming alcohol in the open, where even children move around. 'We have even confronted the seller as to why he permits it, but he says he has no control once they walk out of the shop,' said Bhavana Murthy, a resident of Attur Layout. A senior official from the department claimed that when they register a case under Section 15(A), they book both the seller and consumer holding them equally responsible. Breach of Licence Conditions Further, 45,885 cases have been booked under BLC in three years. While the department officials say that any violation of the license regulations results in these cases, bar owners say they are harassed by excise officials when they are booked under BLC. However, S. Guruswamy, president, Federation of Wine Merchants Association, Karnataka, claimed that they are sometimes booked for 'silly issues' like opening the shop early and saying cleanliness violations randomly, while they blindside bigger offences in villages. 'The enforcement is not strong at all in villages where they even sell illegal liquor. There are dhabas, military hotels, and even petty shops that sell liquor, but the officials turn a blind eye to them. The department officials always trouble the license holders, especially if we question their ways,' he said.
