Latest news with #PSP
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Pralhad Joshi inaugurates BESS in Bengaluru; ₹5,400 cr additional VGF coming soon
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy , Pralhad Joshi , on Friday inaugurated a Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) manufacturing facility in the Bidadi Industrial Area, Bengaluru. With an annual manufacturing capacity of 5 GWh, this facility stands as one of the largest and most advanced BESS plants in the nation. The newly inaugurated facility has a fully automated cell-to-pack assembly line, signaling a move towards precision-driven, high-quality production with minimal human intervention. This advanced manufacturing capability is expected to significantly contribute to grid stability, facilitate renewable energy integration, manage peak demand, and aid in frequency regulation. During the inauguration, Minister Joshi emphasised the critical role of reliable energy storage in achieving India's ambitious target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. "As more renewable energy comes into our grid, having reliable storage is more important than ever," he stated. Further demonstrating the government's commitment to energy storage, Minister Joshi announced plans to roll out an additional ₹5,400 crore as viability gap funding (VGF) to support the establishment of 30 GWh of battery storage systems. This new allocation comes on top of the existing ₹3,700 crore under the current VGF scheme, which has already facilitated the implementation of 13.2 GWh of BESS projects. "As India rolls out the VGF scheme for battery storage and works with stakeholders across sectors to grow the storage market, having world-class manufacturing like this will be very important," the minister remarked. "It will help meet rising demand, reduce imports, and make our power grid more efficient. Our renewable capacity is growing fast: we are adding 25–30 GW every year." Highlighting the immense potential of the sector, Minister Joshi cited the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), which projects the country's energy storage sector to attract a staggering ₹4.79 lakh crore investment by 2032. Furthermore, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) estimates a project requirement of 411.4 GWh of energy storage systems by 2032, comprising 175.18 GWh from Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) and 236.22 GWh from BESS. "I believe that India can become a global manufacturing hub for BESS, from batteries and inverters to software and control systems," Minister Joshi added. "Between 2022 and 2032, India plans to add over 47 GW of battery storage capacity, with a total investment of around ₹3.5 lakh crore."
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
e-Passport in India 2025: Know the launch date, how to apply, eligibility, fees, registration process & benefits
e-Passport in India 2025: At the 13th Passport Seva Divas, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar revealed significant developments in the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) and affirmed the national adoption of e-Passports. In a post on X, Jaishankar praised passport officials both in India and overseas, noting their contribution in what he described as a 'remarkable transformation' in service delivery over the previous decade. The e-passport initiative, part of the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Version 2.0, has started as part of a pilot program in India. Regional Passport Offices in Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, and Ranchi are now equipped to issue e-passports, with plans for further expansion. The Minister announced the nationwide commencement of the Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0, which incorporates advanced and emerging technologies that will enhance system efficiency and transparency. Greetings to all Passport Authorities in India and abroad on the occasion of the 13th Passport Seva Divas. Your commendable efforts, guided by 'Seva, Sushasan and Garib Kalyan', are instrumental to ensuring ease of travel, deepening access to global workplace and empowering the… — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 24, 2025 An Indian ePassport will be a paper and electronic passport which includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Chip and an antenna implanted in the passport's inlay and holds the passport holder's personal and biometric information. It will be immediately recognised as a little supplementary gold colour insignia printed beneath the passport's front cover. The key benefit of the ePassport is the increased ability to safeguard the integrity of the passport holder's data. It will have the data printed on the booklet as well as digitally signed in the electronic chip, which can be securely authenticated by immigration officials, protecting the passport from forgery and potential fraudulent activities such as fake passports, while confirming its authenticity at border controls. The cost of an e-passport is expected to be the same as an ordinary Indian passport. Source: Clear Tax To get an e-passport, one can go to the official Passport Seva platform and follow the steps mentioned below: Step 1: Go to the official Passport Seva website: Step 2: New users have to sign up for an account, and existing users can log in using their credentials. Step 3: Fill in the e-passport application by providing accurate personal and travel information. Step 4: Now choose the nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) as per your convenience. Step 5: Payment of the applicable charges, which is the e-passport fee, has to be made through available payment options. Step 6: Schedule an appointment by selecting a date and time slot for the selected service centre. Step 7: Visit the PSK or POPSK at the scheduled time for biometric capture and document verification. No, all passports issued by the Government of India will stay valid till the expiry date. Citizens who apply at a Passport Office that is technically capable of issuing ePassports will receive their ePassport. The phased rollout of the ePassport to all Passport Offices across India may take a few months.
Ya Libnan
2 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Electoral amendments: Berri is obstructing the draft law of expatriate voting rights in Lebanon
On May 9, 2025, MPs of the Lebanese Forces Party, Change and Opposition blocs, and the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) submitted an urgent draft law to amend the electoral law. The proposal sought to abolish the six seats reserved for expatriates, instead allowing them to vote in their place of registration, meaning each voter would cast a ballot for the seats allocated to their district. On June 23, a month and a half later, the Parliament's bureau convened to prepare the agenda for a legislative session scheduled for June 30. LBCI learned from parliamentary sources that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri refused to include the aforementioned draft law on the session's agenda during the meeting, despite persuasion attempts by MPs Hadi Aboul Hosn and Alain Aoun. Berri insisted on referring it to the sub-committee studying electoral law amendments, justifying his decision by stating, 'Just as I referred the draft law submitted by MP Samy Gemayel, which did not have urgency status, to the sub-committee, I am referring this proposal as well.' Berri's decision sparked outrage among the proponents of the proposal, as they were already aware that the Amal-Hezbollah duo completely rejects the principle of expatriate voting, and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) also opposes abolishing the six seats reserved for expatriates. Given this precise alignment, a crucial question arises: If Speaker Berri maintains his stance and the draft law remains stalled in committees, will MPs from the Lebanese Forces, the Change bloc, the Socialist Party, Armenians, and their allies resort to obstructing Parliament and preventing its sessions from convening by breaking the quorum? For the Lebanese Forces, this option is on the table. However, for others, specifically the PSP MPs, disrupting the Parliament's quorum is not an option, as MP Bilal Abdallah told LBCI. He stated that historically, even in the most challenging circumstances, they have never disrupted the Parliament or any other constitutional institution. Similarly, Armenian MPs who signed the draft law also reject disrupting Parliament. Practically, the 68 MPs who support the draft law to abolish the six seats will not remain 68, or even 65, if the option of disrupting Parliament is tabled. Therefore, if they are faced with a choice between two options —either proceeding with the six seats as MP Gebran Bassil desires or completely abolishing expatriate voting as preferred by the duo —the answer is no answer until this moment. LBC
LBCI
2 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Electoral amendments: The battle for expatriate voting rights in Lebanon
Report by Maroun Nassif, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi On May 9, 2025, MPs of the Lebanese Forces Party, Change and Opposition blocs, and the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) submitted an urgent draft law to amend the electoral law. The proposal sought to abolish the six seats reserved for expatriates, instead allowing them to vote in their place of registration, meaning each voter would cast a ballot for the seats allocated to their district. On June 23, a month and a half later, the Parliament's bureau convened to prepare the agenda for a legislative session scheduled for June 30. LBCI learned from parliamentary sources that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri refused to include the aforementioned draft law on the session's agenda during the meeting, despite persuasion attempts by MPs Hadi Aboul Hosn and Alain Aoun. Berri insisted on referring it to the sub-committee studying electoral law amendments, justifying his decision by stating, "Just as I referred the draft law submitted by MP Samy Gemayel, which did not have urgency status, to the sub-committee, I am referring this proposal as well." Berri's decision sparked outrage among the proponents of the proposal, as they were already aware that the Amal-Hezbollah duo completely rejects the principle of expatriate voting, and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) also opposes abolishing the six seats reserved for expatriates. Given this precise alignment, a crucial question arises: If Speaker Berri maintains his stance and the draft law remains stalled in committees, will MPs from the Lebanese Forces, the Change bloc, the Socialist Party, Armenians, and their allies resort to obstructing Parliament and preventing its sessions from convening by breaking the quorum? For the Lebanese Forces, this option is on the table. However, for others, specifically the PSP MPs, disrupting the Parliament's quorum is not an option, as MP Bilal Abdallah told LBCI. He stated that historically, even in the most challenging circumstances, they have never disrupted the Parliament or any other constitutional institution. Similarly, Armenian MPs who signed the draft law also reject disrupting Parliament. Practically, the 68 MPs who support the draft law to abolish the six seats will not remain 68, or even 65, if the option of disrupting Parliament is tabled. Therefore, if they are faced with a choice between two options —either proceeding with the six seats as MP Gebran Bassil desires or completely abolishing expatriate voting as preferred by the duo —the answer is no answer until this moment.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
S. Jaishankar launches Passport Seva 2.0 in India: Know how to apply for e-Passport online, eligibility, and other information
S. Jaishankar launches Passport Seva 2.0 in India: Know how to apply for e-Passport online, eligibility, and other information Not many people think twice about their passport—until they're applying for one. Whether travelling abroad for a dream vacation, a foreign career, or an unexpected crisis, the process can be either smooth sailing or a nightmare. In the last decade, however, India's passport operations have undergone a quiet revolution in the background. On June 24, 2025, on the occasion of the observance of the 13th Passport Seva Divas, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar recognised this change. His speech wasn't merely formal. It was a straightforward assessment of how technology, governance, and public service have converged to impact actual people daily. In a social media update on X, Dr. Jaishankar expressed gratitude to passport officials, both in India and posted overseas, for what he labelled as a "remarkable transformation" in service delivery. He associated the program with three pillars: Seva (service), Sushasan (good governance), and Garib Kalyan (welfare). For the minister, these concepts are no longer theoretical—they're being implemented through services such as the Passport Seva Programme. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Aparat portabil de sudura cu laser, suporta sudarea sub apa Esto Cumpără acum Undo The Passport Seva Programme: More than just paperwork The passport application process in India was all about delays, red tape, and queuing up for years. The picture has changed dramatically now. The Passport Seva Programme (PSP), initiated by the Ministry of External Affairs, has gradually revolutionised the way individuals apply for, obtain, and renew their passports. Dr. Jaishankar said the PSP is an expression of the government's overall vision of a "Viksit Bharat", a developed India with technology and governance aligned to better serve citizens. To say it in his own words, "Seva, Sushasan and Garib Kalyan are three major pillars of governance that would take us to a Viksit Bharat. They are all expressed with prominence in our Passport Seva Programme." This scheme is not limited to cities alone. It has spread its wings to Tier 3 and Tier 2 towns and districts with Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs), so that first-time applicants, migrant labourers, and students in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities can avail of passport facilities without having to travel long distances. e-Passports rolled out in India: What it means for you Among the largest announcements this year is the country-wide introduction of e-Passports. They're not new passports with a new cover, they're embedded with a microchip bearing critical personal and biometric information. Here's what makes them different: Secure embedded chip : Located in the front cover, the chip holds your name, passport number, date of birth, and biometric details such as your photograph and fingerprints. Contactless reading : Immigration officials have the ability to read the chip swiftly without opening the passport completely or scanning a barcode. It is quicker, safer, and eliminates human error. ICAO compliant : As per the Ministry of External Affairs, these e-passports conform to specifications designed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation so that they can be recognised at international borders. Tamper-proof : Due to their encryption and secure chip technology, e-passports are less likely to be forged or replicated. That provides an additional layer of security for Indian travellers. The technology used is no different from that which is already common in most developed nations, bringing India's passport program to par with the best worldwide. What are the benefits of e-Passports? e-Passports have several practical advantages: Speed at border crossings : Quick scanning at airports results in less waiting time at airports. Enhanced security : The built-in chip prevents misuse or counterfeiting. Digital storage : All the personal and biometric information is stored safely inside the chip. Global use : Since the passports are compliant with ICAO standards, they are recognised globally. As per the latest updates from the Ministry of External Affairs, e-passports are issued phase-wise and in the next few years will become the norm for all new applicants. Faster verification through mPassport Police App One of the more frustrating parts of applying for a passport has always been the police verification process. Depending on the location, this step could delay an application by weeks. In order to mitigate that, the Ministry of External Affairs launched the mPassport Police App, a mobile app now being used by the police in 25 states and Union Territories. As per the official update in the Ministry, the app has managed to decrease verification timelines to a mere 5 to 7 days in most regions. Police officers currently get electronic notifications, can upload proof of information at the scene, and transmit real-time updates to passport offices. This not only enhances speed but also avoids paperwork by hand and follow-up delays. For students, working professionals, and first-time applicants, this alone has made the whole process much more certain and less stressful. How to apply for e-Passport online in India If you want to know how to obtain an e-passport, the procedure is not that different from obtaining a normal one. Here's how you do it: Visit the government's official website at This is the sole authorised website for applying for a passport in India. First-time users can register on the basis of name, date of birth, and contact number. If you've already got an account, simply log on. Choose the e-passport option and enter your personal details, travel history, and identification data. Choose a local Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) for your appointment. The payment gateway has multiple options such as UPI, credit/debit cards, and net banking. Choose a date and time slot. Remember that early morning slots are less crowded. Bring proof along to have it verified, and your biometric information will be captured at the time. Following this, you will be able to follow up on your passport online until it arrives via post. Also read | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is available for just Rs 87,000 on Flipkart; know how to grab the deal AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
