Page 3 - Pralhad Joshi

Govt launches 'Anna Chakra' platform to optimise PDS supply chain

Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Thursday unveiled 'Anna Chakra', a groundbreaking supply chain optimization tool for the Public Distribution System (PDS). Developed in partnership with the World Food Programme and IIT-Delhi, the system leverages advanced algorithms to optimize foodgrain movement across the country's logistics network, an official statement said. The initiative covers 4.37 lakh Fair Price Shops and 6,700 warehouses, targeting the country's food security programme serving 81 crore beneficiaries. Preliminary assessments across 30 states project annual cost savings of Rs 250 crore with a Rs 58-crore reduction in quantity-kilometer metrics. The tool integrates with the Railways' Freight Operations Information System and the PM Gati Shakti platform, marking a significant technological upgrade. Simultaneously, Joshi launched the SCAN portal, a single-window system for states to submit and process food subsidy claims, promising streamlined workflow ...

Govt has no plan to hike margins for ration shop dealers: Pralhad Joshi

Food Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday said the Centre has no immediate proposal to increase the margins for fair price shops (FPS) dealers under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). Responding to a written query to the Lok Sabha, Joshi said that while the government has set specific margin rates, state governments retain the flexibility to determine actual rates that can exceed the centrally prescribed norms. As per the revised April 2022 norms under the Food Security (Assistance to State Governments) Rules, 2015, Rs 90 per quintal is the dealer margin, with an additional margin of Rs 21 per quintal for general category states. For the special category, the dealers' margin is kept at Rs 180 per quintal, with an additional margin of Rs 26 per quintal. "At present, no proposal for further enhancement of margin is under consideration by the government," Joshi said. The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPTDS) under the National Food Security Act is operated under the

Pralhad Joshi issues public apology for remarks on Justice Michael D'Cunha

The report alleged that the then BJP led government purchased Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits at inflated prices

Govt to set up R&D centre for manufacturing of RE components: Pralhad Joshi

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Power, has decided to set up a centre of excellence (CoE) to carry out research and development for indigenous manufacturing of various components required to generate green energy. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said at a press conference after addressing the 'Chintan Shivir' organised here to develop strategies for achieving India's ambitious target of 500 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity in the next 6 years by 2030. The two-day meeting concluded on Friday. More than 200 parts or components (over 50 per cent of total parts) required to develop electrolysers are being imported from other countries, Joshi said. "So, a centre of excellence (CoE) will be established to carry out joint research and development for indigenous manufacturing of such components," he said. Electrolysers, which use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, are a critical .

Govt mulling task force to push for 500 GW renewable energy capacity target

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has proposed formation of a task force in consultation with the Ministry of Power to push efforts to meet India's ambitious target of having 500 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030. The minister for new and renewable energy has also urged industry players and stakeholders to devise strategies which would help the country meet the target in a time-bound manner. Speaking at an event in Bhubaneswar, the minister proposed the formation of a task force, in consultation with the Ministry of Power, to align the efforts of all stakeholders towards meeting the 500 GW target, the ministry for new and renewable energy (MNRE) said in a statement on Thursday. India has already achieved 212 GW of energy from non-fossil fuel sources and is on track to exceed the 2030 target, he said. The minister stressed the importance of concerted, collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to overcome challenges and expedite progress in the renewable energy sector. Joshi furthe

Pralhad Joshi targets Justice Michael D'Cunha over Covid panel report

The John Michael D'Cunha Commission report has recommended prosecution of the then Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa

Pralhad Joshi stresses on increasing solar projects efficiency, reduce cost

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday stressed increasing the efficiency of solar projects, reducing cost and developing energy storage solutions. Addressing a conference of the International Solar Alliance, Joshi urged stakeholders to focus on integration with smart technologies and noted that the growth of the solar industry would boost economic development. Joshi who is also President of the 120-nation grouping, said, "Let me give you five reasons why platforms like these matter. It is because the best brains of the business assemble to hold discussions for increased efficiency, cost reduction, energy storage solutions, integration with smart technologies and economic growth and job creation." The session was held alongside the 7th General Assembly of the International Solar Alliance and attended by international delegates. The growth of the solar industry boosts economic development by creating jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of solar systems, Joshi said,

Global solar investments set to reach $500 bn this year: Pralhad Joshi

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday asserted that global solar investments will touch USD 500 billion this year from the USD 393 billion level in 2023 and said it is the most affordable energy source in many regions, surpassing coal and gas. These investments are not only adding new capacity but also driving down the cost of energy from solar worldwide, Joshi, the minister of new and renewable energy, said addressing the inaugural session of 7th General Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). Joshi, who is also President of ISA, said, "This rapid growth is fuelled by record-breaking investments. Global solar investments have grown from USD 144 billion in 2018 to USD 393 billion in 2023 and are expected to reach USD 500 billion by the end of 2024." Today, he stated, solar power has become the most affordable source of electricity in many regions, surpassing coal and gas. He also informed that ISA is guided by the 'Towards 1000' strategy which aims to mobilise USD 1,00

Joshi attacks Cong over Shakti scheme, says promises made only for votes

This comes after Congress National President meted out advice to the Congress units headed for polls cautioning them to announce guarantees on the basis of their budget

Centre expands 'Bharat' brand to chana whole and masur dal in Phase II

The Bharat brand provides kitchen staples at subsidised rates. It was launched as a part of the govt's broader aim to make essential goods more affordable for middle-class consumers

Pralhad Joshi's brother, sister booked; Congress demands dismissal

The Bengaluru police have filed an FIR against Union Minister Pralhad Joshi's brother and sister based on a complaint of cheating lodged by a former JD(S) MLA's wife. His brother Gopal Joshi and sister Vijayalakshmi were booked by Basaweshwaranagar police. Gopal's son Ajay Joshi has also been named in the FIR, police sources said on Friday. The complaint was filed by Sunita Chavan, wife of former Nagthana MLA Devavand Phool Singh Chavan, who lost the 2023 Assembly election. She alleged that Gopal promised her to get a ticket to contest the May Lok Sabha elections when she approached him at his Hubballi residence in north Karnataka in March and later delivered Rs 25 lakh at Vijayalakshmi's house at Basaveshwaranagar here on his instruction. When she did not get a ticket, Sunita alleged, she again approached Gopal, who told her that he was about to get a Rs 200 crore project and he would return her amount. He asked her to pay him Rs 1.75 crore, which she did, the complainant ...

Ratan Tata stood as a tall mentor and guide for us all: CII President Puri

Ratan Tata was an institution in himself, not just India's leading and noblest business titan, Hinduja Group Chairman GP Hinduja said on Thursday. In his condolence message at the demise of the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, Hinduja said Tata will always live on in the countless Indians whom he touched with his professional and philanthropic deeds. "Ratan Tata was not just India's leading and noblest business titan; he was an institution in himself. Ratan added many enduring chapters to the Tata Legacy by taking it global," he said. Stating that Tata truly represented India's aspirations, Hinduja said, "He will always live on in the countless Indians whom he touched with his professional and philanthropic deeds. Tata (86) died late on Wednesday evening in a Mumbai hospital following age-related health conditions.

Pralhad Joshi, German Vice-Chancellor discuss cooperation in RE sector

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi and Germany's Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck have discussed opportunities and areas of cooperation in renewable energy, an official statement said on Wednesday. The minister met Habeck, who is also the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, on the sidelines of the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC) in Berlin, Germany, on Tuesday, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said. "Held a bilateral meeting with Dr Robert Habeck on the sidelines of HSC2024. Had a fruitful discussion on strengthening cooperation in renewable energy. Deliberation on opportunities in green hydrogen, offshore wind, biogas, and recycling of solar waste was also held during the meeting. We were happy to note that India and Germany's cooperation on energy transition is progressing well," Joshi said. India will emerge as a trusted source of green hydrogen for Germany in the coming years, he added.

Power generation increases 86% to 360 bn units in 10 yrs: Minister Joshi

The country has registered an 86 per cent increase in power generation through renewable sources to 360 BU in the past 10 years, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said noting India is the only G20 country to have met its climate targets ahead of schedule. The minister for new and renewable energy made the remarks while addressing the ongoing 'Hamburg Sustainability Conference' in Germany, an official statement said. India has witnessed a transformative increase in its renewable energy capacity since 2014, with a 175 per cent rise from 75 GW to over 208 GW today. Total RE increased from 193.5 billion units to 360 BU, marking an 86 per cent rise during this period, Joshi said. "India is the only G20 country to have met its climate targets ahead of schedule, despite having the lowest per capita emissions among G20 nations," he noted. The minister further said that India is also upgrading its port infrastructure to support green shipping fuels and vessels using hybrid models, with the goal

Govt mulling to increase ethanol price, sugar MSP: Food Minister Joshi

The government is considering increasing the ethanol price for 2024-25 season as well as minimum selling price of sugar, Food Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday. Joshi said the proposal on hiking the ethanol price is under consideration of the government. The petroleum ministry is looking into the matter. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event here, the minister also mentioned that the government is "considering a proposal to increase the minimum selling price of sugar", which remains unchanged at Rs 31 per kg, a rate established in February 2019. He also said the sugar production looks good for the 2024-25 season (October-September) on account of good monsoon. Ethanol prices, fixed by the government, have not been hiked since the 2022-23 ethanol supply year (November-October). Currently, ethanol produced from cane juice is priced at Rs 65.61/litre, while rates for ethanol from B-Heavy and C-Heavy molasses stand at Rs 60.73/litre and Rs 56.28/litre, respectively.

Will talk to states to iron out challenges in RE sector: Pralhad Joshi

He said through his outreach, he would also amplify the two flagship schemes of MNRE - PM Suryaghar Yojana and PM-KUSUM - which require support of State governments' machinery

Need Rs 30 trn investment for 500 GW renewables by 2030: Minister Joshi

Union New & Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday said as much as Rs 30 lakh crore is required to meet the target of 500 GW by 2030. He also announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 4th RE-INVEST 2024, a global summit for renewables. The fourth edition of the Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet & Expo(RE-INVEST) 2024 is scheduled from September 16 to 18 at Mahatma Mandir Convention & Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Joshi told reporters in a curtain raiser press conference here. He said that India requires Rs 30 lakh crore investment to meet the ambitious target of having 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030. Earlier three RE-INVEST conferences were organised, including one in virtual mode and two in Delhi, he added. This is the first RE-INVEST to be held in Gujarat. "We thought that Gujarat is the right place to organise the conference to achieve the 500 GW renewable energy target by 2030," he said, citing the example of Vibrant ...

Tenders for boosting grain storage capacity given via online process: Govt

Tenders for enhancing grain storage capacity are awarded through a transparent, online process that many states governed by INDIA bloc parties have also adopted, Union Food and Public Distribution Minister Prahlad Joshi said on Wednesday. The issues of food storage capacity increase and privatisation of Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns were addressed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, with Joshi responding to questions from Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay. Bandyopadhyay raised concerns about the sufficiency of the storage capacity at FCI godowns and the involvement of a private entity in the sector. He pointed out that sophisticated silo godowns were being set up, primarily in Maharashtra and Gujarat, by the private company and questioned if the government planned to hand over FCI's operations to it. Responding to these questions, Joshi clarified that the overall storage capacity was 837.68 lakh metric tons (LMT) with 650-700 LMT foodgrains typically stored. "To

Centre to monitor wholesale and retail prices of 16 more food items daily

Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Thursday announced that the government will collect and monitor daily wholesale and retail prices of 16 more essential food commodities from August 1 to help it make policy interventions to stabilise rates. The Department of Consumer Affairs has already been monitoring the daily prices of 22 essential food commodities from 550 centres across 34 states/Union Territories. "We are now adding 16 more commodities, taking the total number of food items to 38 whose prices will be monitored on a daily basis," Joshi told reporters here. The 16 food items are bajra (whole), jowar (whole), ragi (whole), suji (wheat), maida (wheat), besan, ghee, butter (pasteurised), brinjal, egg, black pepper, coriander, cummin seed, red chillies, turmeric powder and banana. The Price Monitoring Division (PMD) in the department is responsible for tracking prices of selected essential commodities. The minister also launched an updated 'PMS Mobile App .

About 151 GW green capacity under implementation in India: Pralhad Joshi

Renewable energy projects of about 151 GW capacity are under various stages of implementation in the country, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has said. The Minister for New and Renewable Energy further said that around 76.42 GW of renewable energy capacity will be operationalized in next 3-4 years. "The government is taking several initiatives to prioritise renewable energy. Nearly 151 GW of renewable projects are being implemented, and 76.42 GW will be operationalized in 3-4 years," he said addressing a session at 'Mercom India Renewables Summit 2024' in the national capital on Friday. The tendering process for 76.42 GW capacity of projects has already been completed, the minister said. The renewable energy capacity has increased over 2.5 times from 76 GW in 2014 to more than 195 GW as of June 2024, Joshi said. The solar power capacity witnessed a steep jump from just 3 GW in 2014 to more than 85 GW now while wind power capacity increased from 21 GW to more than 46 GW, the minister