Page 3 - Gujarat

SIT gave clean chit on water resource misuse, carbon credits, says Vantara

The Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) has found that allegations of misuse of water resources and carbon credits against Vantara are entirely baseless, the zoological rescue and rehabilitation centre has said in a statement. An apex court bench comprising Justices Pankaj Mithal and P B Varale on Monday accepted the SIT's report, which found no legal violations in Vantara's operations in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The SIT cleared Vantara, run by Reliance Foundation, of all major allegations, including claims that it was acquiring animals to profit from carbon credits, the statement said. The court also further clarified that there is no recognised domestic or international framework that awards carbon credits for the rescue, housing, or upkeep of wild animals, it added. "The SIT's detailed review of the centre's operations and funding confirmed that the allegations of misusing water resources and carbon credits were entirely baseless, lacking any factual or legal ...

Jairam Ramesh questions speedy closure of Vantara case after SIT clean chit

A day after the Supreme Court closed a case against zoological rescue and rehabilitation centre Vantara following an SIT clean chit, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday said if only all cases were dealt with and settled so expeditiously and categorically. The Congress general secretary and former environment minister said that when it chooses to, the Indian judicial system, which is defined by long delays, moves with the greatest of speed. "On August 25, 2025, the Supreme Court ordered an inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the affairs of Vantara, the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre established by the Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar. The SIT, comprising four distinguished members, was directed to submit its report by September 12, 2025," he said. The SIT submitted its report in a "sealed cover", and on September 15, 2025, the Supreme Court accepted its recommendations and closed the case, which had been triggered by a public interest litigation filed on

Acharya Devvrat takes oath, now to serve as Maharashtra and Gujarat Guv

Acharya Devvrat on Monday took oath as the governor of Maharashtra. President Droupadi Murmu last week appointed Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat to discharge functions of the governor of Maharashtra, in addition to his own duties, after C P Radhakrishnan demitted office due to his election as the country's next Vice-President. Bombay High Court Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar administered the oath of office to Devvrat at the Raj Bhavan here on Monday. Devvrat took the oath in Sanskrit. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, other state ministers, top bureaucrats, and police officers were present at the swearing-in ceremony. Devvrat, 66, has been the governor of Gujarat since 2019. He is a postgraduate in Hindi and History, and holds a doctorate degree in Naturopathy and Yogic Science.

SIT submits sealed report to SC on Vantara wildlife case in Gujarat

SIT had spent three days at Vantara and engaged multiple other investigative agencies, including senior officials from multiple state forest departments, to assist in the inquiry

Gujarat records 307 Asiatic lion deaths in 2 yrs, 41 unnatural: Minister

At least 307 Asiatic lions died in Gujarat in the last two years, and 41 of these fatalities occurred due to unnatural causes, state Forest Minister Mulubhai Bera has told the legislative assembly. Responding to a query raised by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Umesh Makwana during the Question Hour on Wednesday, he said the state government spent Rs 37.35 crore on various measures during these two years to check unnatural deaths of lions. While 141 lions died between August 2023 and July 2024, the deaths of 166 big cats were reported between August 2024 and July 2025, Bera told the House. Of these 307 lions, 41 were killed due to unnatural causes. While 20 felines died after falling into wells, nine others drowned in other water bodies. Other causes include natural calamity (two lions), road accident (two), run over by trains (five) and electric shock (three), he said. The state government has taken various steps to curb the unnatural deaths of big cats, such as setting up centres for t

Gujarat stays top state for bank-backed investments; Maharashtra second

Bank and financial institution support for projects stayed high in FY25, with Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh among the top states driving nearly 60 per cent of total project costs

Six dead as cable ropeway wire snaps at Pavagadh Hill temple in Gujarat

Six persons died after the cable wire of a cargo ropeway snapped at the renowned Pavagadh Hill temple in Gujarat's Panchmahal district on Saturday, a police official said. Superintendent of Police Haresh Dudhat confirmed the six deaths and said police and fire brigade teams were at the spot for rescue and relief operations. The temple is situated at a height of around 800 metres, with pilgrims either choosing to climb some 2000 steps or use cable cars to reach the summit. However, the ropeway for use by the public was shut since morning due to inclement weather, officials said. Pavagadh Hill rises from Champaner in three stages and its plateau lies at an altitude of 1471 feet. The hill top has a heavily patronised temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. It attracts around 2.5 million visitors every year.

Inox Green inks O&M deals for 189 MWp solar projects across three states

Inox Green Energy Services on Wednesday said it has inked pacts with multiple customers to provide operations and maintenance services for 189.1 MWp of operational solar projects. According to a company statement, the pacts include 96.6 MWp with a global PE-backed Independent Power Producer (IPP) for their projects located in Maharashtra and 92.5 MWp with an IPP for their projects located in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. With these additions, Inox Green's solar O&M portfolio has touched 1.8 GW, taking the total renewable O&M portfolio to 5.3 GW, the statement added. "Being one of the leading renewable O&M services providers in the country, we are confident of capturing a significant portion of the upcoming opportunities and rapidly scaling up our portfolio in the coming years," SK Mathu Sudhana, CEO of Inox Green, said. Inox Green Energy Services is engaged in the business of providing long-term O&M services for renewable energy projects. Its customers include some of ...

2 killed, 20 injured as blast triggers fire at textile unit in Gujarat

At least two workers were killed and 20 others were injured after an explosion triggered a fire at a textile processing unit in Surat district of Gujarat on Monday, officials said. The condition of two workers is critical. The incident occurred at Santosh Textile Mill in Jolva village in the afternoon after a chemical drum exploded, said Sub Divisional Magistrate VK Pipaliya. "The explosion led to a blaze, resulting in the death of two workers on the spot and leaving 20 others injured. They are currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Surat," Pipaliya told reporters at the site. He said the cause of the blast cannot be identified immediately. "Of the 20 workers who were admitted to hospital, two are in critical condition," he said, adding that at least 10 fire tenders rushed to the spot to douse the blaze, which is still raging.

Rahul questions EC on ₹4,300 cr donations to 'anonymous parties' in Gujarat

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday cited a media report which claimed that some "anonymous parties" in Gujarat received donations of Rs 4,300 crore between 2019-20 and 2023-24, and asked whether the Election Commission will investigate this or ask for an affidavit. There was no immediate reaction from the Election Commission (EC). Gandhi, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, shared on X the media report which claimed that in Gujarat, 10 anonymously registered political parties received Rs 4,300 crore in donations from 2019-20 to 2023-24. During this period, across three elections -- 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha polls and 2022 assembly polls -- these parties fielded only 43 candidates who together secured 54,069 votes, according to the report. Their election reports showed expenses of just Rs 39.02 lakh, while audit reports recorded Rs 3,500 crore in spending, the report said. In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said, "There are some anonymous parties in Gujarat whose names no

PM Modi to inaugurate ₹307 crore projects in Gujarat on Aug 25-26

A key highlight of the visit is the dedication of the 21-kilometre Viramgam-Khudad-Rampura road in the Ahmedabad district of North Gujarat

SAEL Industries signs 880 MW solar power PPAs in Gujarat, Punjab

SAEL Industries has signed two power purchase agreements for a combined solar power capacity of 880 megawatt in Punjab and Gujarat. Of the total, 400 megawatt (MW) will be set up in Punjab and 480 MW in Gujarat, the company said in a statement. In Gujarat, SAEL, through its subsidiaries SAEL Solar P Sixteen Private Ltd and SAEL Solar P Seventeen Private Ltd, has signed a PPA with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) for a total capacity of 480 MW AC of solar photovoltaic (PV) power projects. This includes 240 MW initially allocated and an additional 240 MW awarded under the greenshoe option. The solar project is expected to achieve scheduled commercial operation within 24 months from the PPA signing. GUVNL will procure the solar power at a tariff of Rs 2.56 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for 25 years. In Punjab, SAEL Solar P15 Private has signed a PPA with the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) for a 400 MW AC solar photovoltaic power project. Under the terms of the agreem

As many as 409 firms operating from IFSC GIFT City: FM informs Parliament

As many as 409 companies are operating in Gujarat International Finance Tec City - International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC) as on July 31, 2025, Parliament was informed on Monday. "Between October 1, 2020 and July 31, 2025, the number of such companies has grown from 82 to 409. Further, banking, asset management and other financial ecosystems have been included and enabled in GIFT IFSC," Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. Over the last 5 years, the government has provided several progressive policy measures for development of GIFT IFSC, such as - setting up of International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) as a unified statutory regulator for development and regulation of International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) in India, she said. To further enhance ease of doing business in GIFT IFSC, the government has also delegated powers of Development Commissioner under the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act, 2005 to ...

L&T Energy, Japan's ITOCHU to develop green ammonia project in Gujarat

Homegrown L&T Energy GreenTech Ltd and Japan-based ITOCHU Corporation have joined hands to develop a green ammonia project of 300 kilo tonne per annum (KTPA) capacity in Gujarat, to target opportunities in the maritime sector. The project will come up over a land parcel acquired by parent Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at Kandla in Gujarat last year, L&T Energy GreenTech Ltd (LTEG) said in a statement on Wednesday. As per the statement, LTEG has entered into a Joint Development Agreement with ITOCHU Corporation of Japan to develop and commercialise a 300 KTPA green ammonia project at Kandla in Gujarat. "The latest collaboration supports LTEG's strategic vision to establish a presence across the green energy value chain and complements ITOCHU's initiatives to introduce low-carbon ammonia as a zero-emission marine fuel," LTEG said. Under the agreement, LTEG and ITOCHU will collaborate on the development of the green ammonia facility, with ITOCHU planning to offtake the product ...

Gujarat remains top exporting state in FY25 with ₹9.83 trn exports: FIEO

Gujarat retained its position as India's top exporting state in 2024-25, with outbound shipments worth Rs 9.83 lakh crore, accounting for 26.6 per cent of the country's total exports, FIEO said on Tuesday. It said despite a marginal dip from the previous year, Gujarat's exports remained significantly ahead of all other states, nearly Rs 4.3 lakh crore more than Maharashtra (Rs 5,57,271 crore), the second-ranked state. Maharashtra is followed by Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, according to the analysis of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO). "In 2024-25, Gujarat reaffirmed its leadership as India's top exporting state, accounting for Rs 9.83 lakh crore, which is 26.6 per cent of the country's total exports," it said. It added that Gujarat's export dominance continues to be driven by a few high-performing districts, with Jamnagar maintaining a commanding lead at Rs 3.63 lakh crore, largely owing to its petroleum and refinery ...

India's marine fish catch dips 2% in 2024, Gujarat leads landings

India's marine fish catch fell slightly in 2024 to 3.47 million tonnes, down two per cent from the previous year, the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) said on Monday. Gujarat landed the most fish for the year at 754,000 tonnes, followed by Tamil Nadu with 679,000 tonnes and Kerala with 610,000 tonnes, CMFRI said in its annual estimates. Indian mackerel topped the catch list at 263,000 tonnes, followed by oil sardine at 241,000 tonnes. Across the country, landings of mackerel, threadfin breams, oil sardine, ribbonfish, non-penaeid shrimps and cephalopods fell from 2023 levels. But catches of lesser sardines, penaeid shrimps, anchovies and tuna increased. While the west coast region suffered an overall decrease in landings, the east coast showed an increasing trend, with exceptions in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, it said. Maharashtra registered the highest growth of 47 per cent compared to the previous year. West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Odisha also saw notable .

IMD issues orange alert for heavy rainfall in 8 districts of Gujarat

Moderate rain and thunder showers are expected to take place in these districts, which can cause waterlogging, leading to traffic congestion

NIA attaches properties of Pak-based Dawood gang's operative in Gujarat

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has attached two immovable properties belonging to an aide of Pakistan-based fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim in connection with 2015 double murder case in Gujarat's Bharuch, officials on Friday said. The properties of the arrested accused, Mohammad Yunus alias Manjro, have been attached under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on the orders of NIA special court, Ahmedabad, in the case, they said. "The attached properties include his residential house in ward no 3, city survey no 3614, Bharuch City (Total area: 143.96 sq. mt.) and ward no 3, city survey no 3615, Bharuch City (Total area: 29.59 sq. mt.)," said a statement issued by the probe agency. Manjro was arrested for his role in the criminal conspiracy and murder of the BJP workers -- Shirish Bengali and Pragnesh Mistry -- in November 2015, it said. "These attachments by the NIA are a very important step towards dismantling the terror ecosystem of D-company gang operating from ...

Western India no longer biggest destination for equity fundraising

South and North gain ground, with their share going up to 20-30% from 13-14% in March 2019

Selection of UCC panel members within state govt's domain: Gujarat HC

The Gujarat High Court has said the setting up of a five-member committee on Uniform Civil Code (UCC) by the state government cannot be said to have caused prejudice to any class of people, and does not warrant its interference. A single bench of Justice Niral R Mehta on Tuesday rejected a plea challenging the constitution of the committee and seeking the court's direction for its reconstitution as there was no representation of minority communities. The selection of the committee members would be "within the absolute domain of the state government," the court said. On February 4 this year, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the formation of the committee to assess the necessity of the UCC and also to draft a bill for it. The panel is chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai. Its members include retired IAS officer C L Meena, advocate R C Kodekar, former Vice Chancellor Dakshesh Thakar and social activist Geetaben Shroff. In the detailed judgment made available o