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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
The case for two time zones for India
A line from Victor Hugo's The Future of Man is often paraphrased as 'Nobody can stop an idea whose time has come.' India has now reached a level of economic, educational, technological, and logistical maturity to embrace the idea of having two time zones. Two recent events provide impetus to this proposition. At the Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, ' ... EAST is not just a direction but a vision — Empower, Act, Strengthen and Transform — which refines the policy framework for the region'. The NITI Aayog, at a meeting to discuss Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat @2047, underscored the need for the states to 'leverage their unique geographic and demographic advantages while focusing on human development, economic growth, sustainability, technology, and governance reforms.' Many jurisdictions underline the benefit of having more than one time zone (AFP) Such visions support two time zones for the country: Early sunrise in the eastern and northeastern states is a resource that these regions can't unfortunately leverage, thanks to the adoption of the Indian Standard Time (IST) as the sole time zone for the country in the early 1950s. India's longitudinal expanse translates to a gap of almost two hours between its eastern-most and western-most tips. Civilian meteorology may be impacted by 1.5 hours. Historically, Calcutta Time was one of the three time zones established in British India in 1884. That year, India got two regional time zones — Calcutta was to use the 90th meridian east and Bombay the 75th meridian east. IST was determined as five hours, 53 minutes and 20 seconds ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Calcutta Time was 23 minutes and 20 seconds ahead of IST and one hour, two minutes and 20 seconds ahead of Bombay Time. The Calcutta and Bombay Times continued till 1948 and 1955, respectively. Later, a single time zone for the country was fixed — 82.5°E, which passed through Mirzapur, near Prayagraj (then Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh. This was later adopted, with some changes, as the IST. Many jurisdictions underline the benefit of having more than one time zone. Indonesia has a difference of 46° between its two longitudinal ends, which translates into a time difference of three hours between the two ends. So, it has three time zones. For perspective, the difference between India's eastern and western tips is 29° (roughly two hours). Several reasons were proffered in favour of abolishing the Calcutta and Bombay time zones, the crux of which was administrative simplicity and avoiding the confusion and challenges of multiple time zones, especially with regards to railway schedules, banking, government office timings, etc. The Railways was the most vocal opponent, being the only provider of long-distance connectivity and given the operational challenge of dealing with schedules through personnel-dependent systems. Another argument — still invoked to justify a single time zone — is low literacy and the likely confusion that could result from having two time zones. However, the Indian literacy level, at 78%, is not too much lower than the global average (86%; the median could be lower). Therefore, that doesn't seem a strong enough reason to continue losing the advantages of having two time zones. Having a single time zone in India results in the waste of daylight hours from meteorological, nautical, and civilian perspectives, leading to productivity loss (or, conversely, missing the productivity opportunity). Besides productivity, a single time zone has biological (circadian-rhythm-related), social, strategic, and defence implications. One of the biggest gains from having two time zones would be a reduction in energy consumption (with related economic, environmental, and health gains). Another area that stands to gain is civil aviation -- studies, including by the ministry of civil aviation, indicate that having two time zones (with a one-hour difference) can push up aircraft utilisation by 20%. Given the shortage of fleet that we confront, this is a significant gain. When it comes to power, the savings can be considerable. A back-of-the-envelope calculation, based on various sources including Prayas, a Pune based non-profit, and Motilal Oswal, shows that the new thermal capacity planned, of 80GW, can be cut by 10%. Based on current rates, this should translate into a saving of ₹ 7,000 crore in capex alone. The recurring energy consumption savings are estimated to be between 7.5% and 10%. With rising literacy, workforce mobility across genders and age groups, and the exponential growth of the services sector, the advantages of an early sunrise need to be restored to the eastern and northeastern states, as one of their most critical resources. The impact on the national GDP will be significant. The agri-economy in these states, which follows the natural rhythm of the sun, will not be impacted -- which means a large chunk of the population will not be inconvenienced, as is feared. On the contrary, they will be able to access government, business, and civic services within their normal diurnal life. Finally, a smaller time difference can help reimagine Kolkata as a competing financial market to, say, Singapore or Hong Kong, which have become prohibitively expensive. Any confusion that this may cause to daily lives and operations, in the beginning, can get sorted out gradually, as has been the case with many large countries where people, goods, and services move across time zones. In fact, many of these countries even manage seasonal time standards for daylight saving. This, though, may not be recommended for India at this stage, given most of the country lies in the tropics and seasonal daylight saving is not that big an issue. With rising literacy, ubiquitous use of technology, and industrial-/service-delivery competition among nations, there is a strong case to consider the idea of two time zones. An inter-ministerial task force, under the PMO, with the Niti Aayog represented, should be set up to examine this proposition. Ashok Barat is former president, Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The views expressed are personal
Mint
02-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Viksit aim: India's progress will depend on Centre-state relations
The 10th Governing Council Meeting of the Niti Aayog, the Indian government's think-tank, took place last week. It was attended by representatives of 24 states and seven Union territories, in addition to several dozen cabinet ministers. For the past three annual meetings, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been exhorting Indian states and regions to develop 'Viksit Rajya' vision statements. Each of these visions is to incorporate a laddered set of vision statements from cities, towns and villages within the state. Also Read: Indian states should adopt AI for inclusive growth and governance The CEO of Niti Aayog said that 17 states had completed such a plan. The framework for this exercise is designed to integrate state plans into one grand one that envisions the whole of India as a developed (or 'viksit') country by the time it completes a century as an independent nation in 2047. In some ways, this is a wonderful project. It brings the Centre and states together for a collective mission whose broad goal is to nurture inclusive prosperity in the country. At the same time, each state is encouraged to think of its own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (a 'Swot' analysis) and build plans that are unique to its endowments. A land-locked state could focus on fields that differ (say, agriculture) from one with a coastline (say, logistics), and a hilly state with natural beauty can elect suitable policies (say, tourism) that may differ from those of an arid state (which could focus on solar energy). Also Read: Plug data gaps: State-level statistical surveys could help Early indications from states that have put elements of their plan in the public domain show exactly this diversity. Gujarat envisions a $3.5 trillion state economy by 2047 focused on urban development, female participation in the workforce and the pursuit of net-zero carbon emissions. Andhra Pradesh plans to attract investments, prioritize skilling, use technology for public-service delivery and governance, and 'eliminate' poverty. Of course, states can and will enact these plans very differently. Some will gather dust, while others will have enabling and monitoring cells that keep track of progress. These plans are part dream, part industrial policy and part roadmap. As of now, they lack detailed implementation plans, and from what is available in the public domain, do not reveal a nuanced sense of the enabling steps required to deliver results. Other countries that have tried these envisioning exercises have succeeded to different degrees. The most spectacular showcase of success is the transformation of Dubai, UAE. The emirate transformed itself from being dependent on oil revenue in the 1960s and 70s into a diversified economy based on tourism, financial services and trade. A similar transformation is underway in Saudi Arabia, with some large projects on track and others like its phantasmagorical Neom City derailed. Bangladesh's Vision 2041 was binned with the departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Also Read: Why Montek Singh Ahluwalia is right: India needs new states and new cities In India, superficial bonhomie hides differences. Last year, Tamil Nadu boycotted the whole Viksit project, and this year, Karnataka has done so; both states are led by political parties that pose opposition to the Centre's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. This lack of trust arises because there is no political forum for discussing issues between the Centre and states. The Interstate Council (ISC) is a non-permanent body that was born as a result of the Sarkaria Commission in 1990, in part to address this. The ISC can be called at any time by order of the President. It has met 12 times since then, but has not met since 2017. While its constituent members broadly resemble those who met during the recent Niti Governing Council meeting, its agenda is not set by only one side. The purpose of the ISC is to 'resolve' difficult political conflicts, not merely to create PowerPoint documents. There are other issues as well. Except for Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Indian state-level development models are heavily state-led. The private sector is mostly uninvolved in the creation of these visions. Moreover, the philosophy of the state being only an enabler of commerce —by setting up infrastructure, for example— and enforcer of fair play is alien to most states, except a few in the South and West. Also Read: Watch those disparities: We must track the state of Indian states Given the Centre's emphasis on the power of the administrative state, it does not actively encourage an organic 'flowering' of the economy. Paradoxically, the Sanskrit word 'viksit' is translated into English only as 'developed,' but its semantic meaning is closer to 'opening' or 'blossoming.' For this flourishing to happen, the role of the government must diminish over time and the country's Vision Plan must be less of a government-manicured garden and more of a natural habitat of freely growing biodiversity led by the private sector. The right balance to strike is one where the Centre and states create enabling infrastructure. States may need roads, ports, airports, multi-modal freight stations, inland waterways, etc. To generate human capital, the government should work to improve the quality of education and employability of college graduates. Beyond this, it should incentivize the private sector to participate in the economy through business-friendly policies. Any large-scope industrial policy at the Centre or state level is akin to central planning and is bound to result in relatively poor returns on allocated funds. It would also risk India missing the goal of creating an inclusively prosperous country. P.S: 'All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way," said Leo Tolstoy in 'Anna Karenina'
The Print
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
PM asks states to remove policy bottlenecks, encourage investment, generate jobs
Prime Minister Modi, he said, also urged the states to focus on agriculture, education and healthcare. Briefing reporters about the 10th Governing Council meeting of Niti Aayog, CEO BVR Subrahmanyam said that everyone present at the meeting unanimously supported Operation Sindoor, undertaken by India to destroy terror infrastructure in Pakistan. New Delhi, May 24 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked the states and Union Territories to remove policy bottlenecks to encourage investment and generate employment as he stressed that if the Union government and states work together like Team India, no goal is impossible. The Prime Minister said that the 10-year journey of Niti Aayog was 'to prepare the nation to achieve the goal of Vikshit Bharat'. The theme of the Governing Council meeting was 'Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047'. The meeting was attended by 31 states and Union Territories of a total of 36, Subrahmanyam said, adding those who could not make it had prior commitments and informed the Council. The states which did not attend the meeting were Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal, Bihar and Puducherry, he said, adding the 10th meeting of the Council saw maximum attendance. 'We have to increase the speed of development. If the Centre and all the States come together and work together like Team India, no goal is impossible,' Niti Aayog said in a post on X, quoting the Prime Minister as saying. 'Viksit Bharat is the goal of every Indian. When every state is Viksit, then Bharat will be Viksit. This is the aspiration of its 140 crore citizens,' Modi said. The council, the apex body of Niti Aayog, includes all state chief ministers, lieutenant governors of Union Territories, and several Union ministers. Prime Minister Modi is the chairman of Niti Aayog. 'We should have the aim of making each state viksit, each city viksit, each Nagar Palika viksit and each village viksit. If we work on these lines, we will not have to wait till 2047 to become Viksit Bharat,' Modi said. The prime minister also suggested that states should develop at least one tourist destination per state at par with global standards and provide all facilities and infrastructure. 'One State: One Global Destination. It would also lead to the development of the neighbouring cities as tourist places,' he said. Noting that India is getting rapidly urbanised, Modi said, 'We should work towards future-ready cities'. Growth, innovation and sustainability should be the engine for the development of India's cities, he added. Modi also emphasised the need to work towards the inclusion of women in the workforce. 'We must make laws and policies so that they can be respectfully integrated into the workforce,' he said. It is the first major meeting of the prime minister with the chief ministers of all states and the lieutenant governors of Union Territories after Operation Sindoor. PTI BKS BKS MR MR This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha questions Govt on Hunger Index, Income inequality amidst economic growth
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Kumar Jha on Sunday questioned India's growth as the world's fourth largest economy would translate to progress and prosperity for every household in the country, which continues to battle persistent issues of hunger and income inequality . The CEO of Niti Aayog BVR Subrahmanyam on Saturday said that India has overtaken Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy. The RJD MP said, "The common citizen understands the economy better when progress and prosperity reaches every home. What will happen to the hunger index ? Where are we on the inclusive growth index? Why is income inequality increasing so much? All these things should happen simultaneously." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Click Here NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer (CEO) BVR Subrahmanyam on May 25 said that India has overtaken Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy, citing data by the International Monetary Fund. Addressing a press conference of the 10th NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting on 'Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat 2047', Subrahmanyam stated that India's economy has reached the USD 4 trillion mark. Live Events According to the IMF's April edition of the World Economic Outlook report, the nominal GDP for fiscal 2026 is expected to reach around USD 4,187.017 billion. This is marginally more than the likely GDP of Japan, which is estimated at USD 4,186.431 billion. India was the fifth largest economy in the world till 2024. Meanwhile, RJD leader Manoj Kumar Jha also termed as "astonishing" Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's comments on Jawaharlal Nehru . Sarma had on Saturday while addressing the 10th Governing Council meeting of the NITI Aayog alleged that despite opportunities, Jawaharlal Nehru failed to include Chittagong into India and Indira Gandhi was unable to negotiate a broader and more secure geographical corridor to the Northeast. "Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's recent statement is quite astonishing. He claims that Nehru failed to merge with India and Indira Gandhi failed to secure a more stable corridor. It's concerning that some scholars seem to lack a deep understanding of our country's history and its complexities. They appear to have a limited grasp of the events that have shaped our nation since 1947. As someone who has held positions in the past, one would expect a certain level of awareness and appreciation for the country's journey. However, the Chief Minister's statement suggests a rather narrow perspective, implying that India's history began in 2014, and that we had no army, government, or freedom fighters before that. This perspective is not only inaccurate but also worrisome," Jha said.
India Gazette
25-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Delhi: NDA CMs, Dy CMs arrive for alliance meeting chaired by PM Modi
New Delhi [India], May 25 (ANI): Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers from BJP-led NDA states arrive for a high-profile meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Ashoka Hotel in the national capital on Sunday. Chief Ministers from across India from the 19 NDA-ruled states arrive at the venue, with Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma, Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, Tripura CM Manik Saha, Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu, Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai, Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, Goa CM Pramod Sawant, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel all reaching the spot earlier today. Meanwhile, Bihar Deputy CMs Vijay Sinha and Samrat Choudhary, Chhattisgarh Deputy CMs Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma, Odisha Deputy CM Pravati Parida, Maharashtra Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, Nagaland Deputy CMs TR Zeliang and Yanthungo Patton, Rajasthan Deputy CMs Prem Chand Bairwa and Diya Kumari, and Uttar Pradesh Deputy CMs Brajesh Pathak and Keshav Prasad Maurya also arrive at the venue. BJP National President and Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also arrived at the venue for the meeting. As per sources, the meeting is being organised to brief the leaders about the Operation Sindoor and India's broader security strategy following the recent developments. The meeting comes days after India's military carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) under 'Operation Sindoor'. 'A meeting has been convened to brief the leaders about India's strike on terror camps in Pakistan, Operation Sindoor and understanding on cessation of hostilities. All the Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers have been invited for the meeting. This will give a strong message in terms of national security,' a source familiar with the matter told ANI. The meeting is being seen as a coordinated attempt to reinforce the NDA government's stance on national security and send a unified message after India's counter-terror operation across the border. The meeting comes a day after the 10th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital on the theme of 'Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat @2047'. (ANI)
