Latest news with #PrahladJoshi
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
India's renewable energy capacity soars 420% in June, solar now cheaper than coal
Mumbai: India's renewable energy sector reported a 420% year-on-year growth in capacity addition in June 2025, rising from 1.4 GW last year to 7.3 GW this year, said Prahlad Joshi, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy. Joshi was speaking at the IVCA Renewable Energy Summit in Mumbai on Tuesday. The minister highlighted that India has witnessed an astonishing 4,000% increase in solar energy capacity , growing from 2.82 GW to 117 GW by 2025. Wind energy capacity also rose from 21 GW to 51.7 GW in the same period, marking a 140% increase. Solar tariffs, however, have declined by 80%-from ₹10.95/unit in 2010-11 to ₹2.15/unit currently. "As a result, even solar with battery storage now costs less than thermal. In 2024, 83% of power sector investments were directed towards renewables. We were the largest recipient of global energy development finance, attracting $2.4 billion for clean energy in a single year." Since 2020, the sector has attracted foreign direct investment exceeding ₹1.6 lakh crore, including ₹42,000 crore in 2023 alone. In the first quarter of 2025, clean energy investment surged 7.7 times year-on-year to $9.8 billion. "Investors who backed this transition have already seen multiple returns. So should you," Joshi said, inviting further capital participation in the sector. Live Events The minister also cited India's largest waste-to-energy plant in Ahmedabad, which converts 1,000 tonnes of solid waste daily into electricity. "These are examples of how India's energy transition is not only sustainable but also inclusive, benefitting cities, farmers, and communities," he added.
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
India will soon ditch GPS timekeeping for indigenous system: Pralhad Joshi
India will soon abandon GPS-based timekeeping in favour of an indigenous system to safeguard critical sectors from potential foreign disruptions, Union consumer affairs minister Prahlad Joshi announced on Wednesday. The move represents a significant step towards technological sovereignty as India prepares to rely on a domestically managed network of five atomic clocks rather than the US-controlled Global Positioning System for maintaining Indian Standard Time. 'Currently we depend on an external time source, which is GPS. GPS is owned by the US. India will source time from an indigenous system of five atomic clocks spread over different parts of the country to accurately keep the time, down to nanoseconds,' said Ashish Agarwal, principal scientist at the state-backed National Physical Laboratory. The decision stems partly from historical concerns about foreign dependency. Agarwal noted that 'during the Kargil War, the US had refused to share GPS coordinates with India for keeping time, which had created obstructions in the military operations.' The new system aims to protect sensitive sectors including navigation, defence and banking from potential foreign interference. Consumer affairs secretary Nidhi Khare explained that relying on foreign time sources creates 'very fine differences and varying time stamps, which can greatly impact sensitive operations, such as banking, equities and defence.' 'Often, different time stamps can lead to legal disputes,' Khare added. The minister said compliance with the indigenous system would be mandatory for commercial entities, banks and all establishments once operational. However, the change will not alter IST itself, which will maintain its offset of +05:30 relative to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The five highly calibrated atomic clocks are located in Guwahati, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Faridabad and Bhubaneswar. Officials said the clocks have been tested and trialled and the system is expected to become operational soon. GPS, owned by the US government and operated by the United States Air Force, currently provides timing accurately to 10 nanoseconds worldwide. The precision becomes critical in sensitive operations such as missile launches, where 'milliseconds or nanoseconds' can prove vital, Agarwal explained. India joins other major powers including Russia and China in developing autonomous timekeeping capabilities, reflecting broader global trends towards reducing dependency on foreign-controlled infrastructure for critical national functions. The indigenous system represents part of India's broader Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative aimed at achieving self-reliance in strategic technologies.
The Hindu
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
KKCCI seeks Pralhad Joshi's intervention in ensuring regional development push
The Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCI) submitted a detailed memorandum to Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy Prahlad Joshi during his visit to Kalaburagi recently pressing for his intervention in getting several long-standing regional demands fulfilled. The memorandum, submitted by KKCCI president Sharanabasappa Pappa and secretary Shivaraj V. Inginshetty, highlighted key concerns and sought the Union government's action on industrial, agricultural and infrastructure development in Kalaburagi and the larger Kalyana Karnataka region which continues to lag in major development indicators. One of the primary appeals is the formal establishment of a Railway Division in Kalaburagi, sanctioned in 2014 but yet to be operationalised. Despite the government acquiring 41 acres of land, the absence of a functioning division has left the region's rail grievances scattered across five zones, causing administrative inefficiencies. Notably, Kalaburagi and Wadi stations generate significant freight revenue for the Solapur Division, the memorandum noted. The KKCCI also called for Kalaburagi to be notified as an aspirational district citing its poor human development indicators and income levels compared to neighbouring districts already under the NITI Aayog scheme. Further, the chamber raised serious concerns over the unrestricted import of tur dal which it said has destabilised prices and adversely affected farmers and local processing units. The memorandum also advocated for a 5% interest subvention on term loans availed of by agro-processing units, including dal and rice mills in Kalaburagi, Yadgir and Raichur that are under pressure due to high interest rates and mounting NPAs. It noted that these units are vital to rural employment and agricultural value addition and will benefit significantly from such support. The chamber also urged the revival of the stalled Mega Textile Park project sanctioned in 2011 with a budget of ₹46.39 crore. Although the first instalment has been released, the project stalled due to procedural issues. With over 10,000 skilled textile workers in the region and extensive cotton cultivation nearby, its revival can significantly boost employment and regional economic activity, the memorandum noted. Another major request has been the re-sanctioning of the MSME Technology Centre originally approved for Shahabad in Kalaburagi during 2013-14. Due to unresolved land litigation, the project was relocated to another State. KKCCI stressed the need to restore this initiative, especially considering the high unemployment levels in the region which also includes two existing aspirational districts, Yadgir and Raichur. Additionally, the chamber has recommended that the Mumbai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor be routed through Kalaburagi. It has proposed the development of an industrial corridor covering 1,000 acres in the area which will help attract investment, spur industrial growth and reduce unemployment in one of the most backward regions of the State. KKCCI office-bearers expressed the confidence that Mr. Joshi, given his senior position and proximity to the Prime Minister will champion the cause and ensure long-overdue attention is paid to Kalyana Karnataka region.
News18
06-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Bengaluru RCB Event Vs Mahakumbh Stampede: When Victims Become Political Props
Last Updated: There is no major difference between the two stampedes except that the RCB event happened in a Congress-ruled state while the Mahakumbh one in a BJP-ruled state Eighteen years is a long time. Even after tasting consecutive defeats at the Indian Premier League (IPL), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fans stood like a rock behind Team Virat Kohli, gifting a phrase 'loyal as RCB fans" to the urban dictionary. So when the team tasted its maiden victory on June 3, emotions were bound to run high. But the stampede that unfolded later during the celebration at the Bengaluru stadium, killing 11 and injuring 47, showed a clear absence of communication and apparent abdication of duty, almost to the extent of criminality, which the club has now been accused of in the First Information Report (FIR). THE RCB BASH A video of a man lying breathless, another man slapping him, while the accompanying women trying cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has gone viral. Visuals of a private security guard carrying a man on his shoulder or five volunteers carrying another person in haste as he was still breathing will haunt the nation. In a video, just before the stampede, loud cheering fans are seen gate crashing the stadium as the contingent of police personnel looks overwhelmed. To be fair, how can one expect police to man two-three lakh dopamine-charged fans crashing into a stadium that has the capacity of 35,000? #WATCH | Bengaluru stampede | 'Such incidents happened in many places; I am not going to defend it by comparing them and saying that it happened here and there… 50-60 people died in Kumbh Mela. I did not criticise. If Congress criticises, then that is a different matter. Did I… — ANI (@ANI) June 4, 2025 clean chit. Then Siddaramaiah added, probably remembering Congress's harsh critique back then, 'If Congress criticises, then that is a different matter. Did I or the Karnataka government criticise?" At one go, eleven lives became a political prop. But should the CM alone share the burden of dragging politics into tragedy? Even before the clock hit 6pm, the Karnataka BJP shared four viral videos claiming the CM and the Deputy CM were 'busy shooting reels & hogging limelight with cricketers" while fans died. A post on the handle said, 'Blood is on the hands of the Congress govt". Union Minister from Karnataka, Prahlad Joshi, was precise in his charge, 'The Government is responsible for this and accountability needs to be fixed." Meanwhile, a day later, the Bengaluru police have registered an FIR against RCB, DNA Networks, Karnataka State Cricket Association and others over the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede. THE MAHAKUMBH STAMPEDE On June 4, one visual stayed with me for a long time after the stampede was over. A small replica of the IPL trophy lay trampled amid hundreds of slippers in mud. A youngster, probably someone who idolises Kohli, came clutching it, sitting on top of his father's shoulder. But had to leave it in time to flee. Similarly, I remember a photo of a broken spectacle of a youngster left behind, trampled in mud on the night of January 30 this year at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. On the Mauni Amavasya, one of the most auspicious days for the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, a massive crowd swell between 1 am and 2.30 am resulted in at least 30 deaths and over 60 injuries. The stampede was triggered by an estimated 80-100 million devotees converging at the Sangam Nose, exacerbated by broken barricades and restricted access routes, leading to chaos and suffocation. Eyewitnesses reported devotees climbing over barricades and pushing, causing people to collapse. Just like the RCB event, the Maha Kumbh stampede too raised concerns about mismanagement, inadequate infrastructure, and prioritisation of VIP movements, with calls for better crowd control measures like pre-registration and staggered timings. Both tragedies are as real as it could get. They also bring out the exact same personal loss to which the political discourse remains largely unaffected. In Prayagraj, Karnataka's Saroja witnessed the death of four members of her family; Babita, a resident of Shivkuti in Prayagraj, barely evaded death by minutes after jumping off the barricades. There is no major difference between the two stampedes except that the first happened in a Congress-ruled state where Rajeev Shukla rushed to safeguard the government and the latter was in a BJP-ruled state where Ravi Shankar Prasad could smell a 'conspiracy", as he said in a Lok Sabha discussion on the issue on February 3. Sanjay Nishad, the Uttar Pradesh Fisheries Minister, had described the stampede as a 'minor incident". #WATCH | BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad says '…Investigation is underway on the incident that took place in Maha Kumbh. We are getting the smell of a conspiracy from the investigation. When the entire investigation is done, the people who were behind the incident will have to bow… — ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2025 However, like Siddaramaiah, the BJP government in UP alone should not bear the burden of the Mahakumbh stampede. In what was seen as a highly irresponsible statement, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge claimed during a parliamentary debate on February 3 that 'thousands" had died in the Mahakumbh stampede. Days after the stampede, Jairam Ramesh accused the Uttar Pradesh government of hiding the true death toll. In India, lives are compensated with an amount the administration deems fit. On February 16, in the national capital, 18 people died in an overcrowded New Delhi Railway Station during a stampede. On July 2, 2024, 121 died at a stampede at a Satsang in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras. On the first day of the year in 2022, in Vaishno Devi, 12 people died due to a heavy influx of devotees that resulted in a stampede. Most of these victims are forgotten and reduced to just statistics. Their significance is limited to the tragedy, but their usage depends upon which political outfit is ruling the state. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : bengaluru Indian Premier League (IPL) Maha Kumbh 2025 news18 specials RCB saffron scoop Siddaramaiah stampede Virat Kohli Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 06, 2025, 13:21 IST News politics Bengaluru RCB Event Vs Mahakumbh Stampede: When Victims Become Political Props
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
E-commerce platforms must comply with guidelines on 'dark patterns': Food Minister Pralhad Joshi
HighlightsUnion Minister of Consumer Affairs Prahlad Joshi emphasized the need for e-commerce platforms to comply with government guidelines on 'dark patterns' to protect consumer interests. The Central Consumer Protection Authority identified 13 deceptive practices categorized as 'dark patterns' that manipulate consumer choices, including False Urgency and Subscription Trap. A joint working group will be established to ensure effective implementation of the dark pattern guidelines, with over 50 major e-commerce players participating in discussions on the matter. Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday asked all major e-commerce platform to follow the government's guidelines on ' dark patterns ', else actions will be taken to protect consumers' interest. The minister said the e-commerce players have also been told to conduct internal audits to examine the presence of 'dark patterns', defined as deceptive user interface designs that mislead or manipulate consumers into making unintended choices. E-commerce players need to submit an audit report to the department of consumer affairs. He said a joint working group will also be set up for effective implementation of the guidelines and curb this unfair trade practice. In November 2023, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, issued Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, to curb 'dark patterns' on digital and offline platforms. On Wednesday, Joshi held discussions with stakeholders to discuss consumer concerns over 'dark patterns' and explore more effective solutions to tackle the issue. "Representatives of More than 50 e-commerce players participated in the meeting which was organised to sensitise all stakeholders. We have asked for full compliance with dark pattern guidelines," Joshi told reporters. He said the government has identified 13 dark patterns. These are False Urgency, Basket Sneaking, Confirm Shaming, Forced action, Subscription trap, Interface interference, Bait and Switch, Drip Pricing, Disguised advertisement, Nagging, Trick question, Saas Billing, and Rogue Malwares. "Consumer interest is paramount," Joshi said, adding that the e-commerce players have promised to abide by these guidelines. The minister stressed on the need that digital marketplaces are governed by fairness, transparency, and accountability. In case they do not follow guidelines, action will be taken as per the law, Joshi said. On 'advance tipping' by cab aggregators, the minister said the notices have been given to ride-hailing operators. Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said the CCPA has issued 11 notices under dark patterns. Overall, she said more than 400 notices have been issued for unfair trade practices . She said the government will also look into dark patterns by quick-commerce platforms. The secretary asserted that the CCPA will take actions against unfair trade practices in any sector after proper investigation. According to the guidelines, dark patterns have been defined as any practice or deceptive design pattern using user interface or user experience interactions on any platform that is designed to mislead or trick users to do something they originally did not intend or want to do, by subverting or impairing the consumer autonomy, decision making or choice. All major e-commerce platforms, working in the food, travel, cosmetics, pharmacy, retail, clothing and electronics sectors participated in the meeting. Some of the key stakeholders present in the meeting were Amazon, Flipkart, Apple, BigBasket, Meesho, Meta, MakeMyTrip, Paytm , Ola, Reliance Retail Limited, Swiggy , Zomato , Yatra, Uber, Tata, EaseMyTrip, Clear Trip, IndiaMart , IndiGo Airlines, ixigo, JUSTDIAL, Medika Bazaar, Netmeds, ONDC, Thomas Cook , and WhatsApp. Key industry organisations, including Voluntary Consumer Organizations (VCOs) and leading National Law Universities (NLUs), also participated in this meeting. PTI
