Page 3 - Pralhad Joshi

Modi govt's growth track record, reforms grab global attention: Joshi

Union minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's track record of growth and structural reforms over the last 10 years have attracted international attention. The Union Budget, presented on February 1, has been prepared keeping in mind the vision of a developed India by 2047 and it will prove to be the roadmap to achieving this goal, he said. The Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution minister was addressing a press conference on the budget in Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur. We are the fifth largest economy in the world and very soon we will reach the third position. The track record of development and structural reforms of the Modi government in the last 10 years have attracted international attention, he said. Development measures have been taken in various sectors focusing on youth, farmers, the poor and women, he said. Empowerment of the middle class and working class has begun. The middle class provides strength in ...

India aiming for 1,800 GW RE by 2047, 500 GW by 2030: Pralhad Joshi

India is eyeing a long-term target of 1,800 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2047 under 'Viksit Bharat@2047' vision when the nation will celebrate 100 years of independence, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday. Addressing the India Energy Transit Summit here, Joshi, who has the portfolio of 'Ministry of New & Renewable Energy', said, "Overall, things are very fast. Now we are not thinking about 2030 (when 500 GW of renewable energy capacity will be achieved), we are thinking about 2047." He said whatever is planned for 2030 will be done but we are also thinking about 2047 (target of 1,800 GW). "We have a long-term vision and roadmap under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for 2047... We will definitely achieve 500 GW capacity by 2030, that is for sure. We are even working for 1,800 GW installed non-fossil capacity by 2047." The minister said 500 GW by 2030 is a short-term plan and the government is focusing on a long-term goal for 2047. He said, "We have ...

Pralhad Joshi urges DGCA to reduce high airfares to Prayagraj for Kumbh

Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has written to aviation regulator DGCA seeking reduction in "exorbitant" airfares to Prayagraj, which is hosting the Maha Kumbh Mela till February 26. The minister expressed concerns over high airfares, making it difficult for devotees to travel to the religious gathering. "The prices of airfares being exorbitantly high has made it difficult for people to make travel plans to attend Maha Kumbh," Joshi said in a social media post. Earlier this month, travel portal ixigo said bookings as well as airfares for flights to Prayagraj have jumped multi-fold as more people travel for the Maha Kumbh, with the air ticket prices rising up to 21 per cent for the Delhi-Prayagraj flights. The civil aviation ministry on Monday said steps are being taken to rationalise airfares. DGCA officials held a meeting with airline representatives last week, urging them to add more flights and rationalise ticket prices. Currently, 132 flights are operating with about .

Govt to soon take decision on increasing MSP for sugar: Pralhad Joshi

Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday said the government will soon take a decision on increasing the minimum support price (MSP) of sugar. The MSP of sugar remains unchanged at Rs 31 per kg, a rate established in February 2019. However, industry bodies have demanded for an increase due to rising production costs and economic pressures faced by sugar mills. "There is a demand. The department is seized of the matter. We will take a decision whether to increase or not shortly," Joshi told reporters on the sidelines of an event here. Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) and National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories (NFCSF) are pushing for an increase in the MSP to Rs 39.14 per kg or even Rs 42 per kg to better reflect production costs and support the financial health of sugar mills in India.

India ahead of other nations in green hydrogen sector: Union minister Joshi

Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi on Saturday said India is ahead of other countries in the field of green hydrogen. The Union government has floated a tender for the world's largest green ammonia demonstration project, he said during a visit to a floating solar plant in the Omkareshwar Dam in Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa district. Further, the work of offshore wind power projects is underway and tenders have been invited in Gujarat, the minister told reporters. "When we talk about offshore wind power, it means installing windmills in the sea, which requires development and upgradation of ports and transmission infrastructure. Along with this, work on geothermal (power) is also underway, though it is at the primary stage," Joshi said. A revolution is taking place in the field of solar energy, and India is becoming the world leader in renewable energy, he said. "India is ahead in the field of green hydrogen, compared to other countries. We have floated a tender .

Sad that govt stooped to this level: Manickam Tagore over cremation of MMS

A war of words has broken out between BJP and Congress leaders over the cremation of Manmohan Singh at Delhi's Nigambodh Ghat

India's RE capacity addition doubled to 15 GW in Apr-Nov: Pralhad Joshi

India's renewable energy capacity addition almost doubled to 15GW during the April-November period of this fiscal compared a year ago, indicating India's commitment towards the target of 500GW non-fossil capacity by 2030, Union New & Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Tuesday. Addressing at CII International Energy Conference & Exhibition 2024 here, Joshi said, "In fact, over the past decade, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has charted an extraordinary path in the renewable energy sector. Today, India is one of the world's most promising nations in the clean energy space." Between April-November of the current financial year, India added almost 15 GW of renewable energy capacity, nearly double the 7.54 GW added during the same period last year, he said. At present, India's total installed capacity of the non-fossil fuel sector has touched 214 GW, over 14 per cent increase compared to the same month last year. The government is

Cong should understand blaming EVMs won't help, says Pralhad Joshi

The Congress should understand that blaming Electronic Voting Machines will not help as its allies are now speaking about it, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Monday, seizing on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's rejection of doubts on EVMs. In an exclusive interview with PTI, the National Conference leader dismissed the objections to EVMs, saying it cannot be that the Congress celebrates its win in polls held through the machines and then raises questions on their reliability when it loses. Abdullah had said, "When you get hundred-plus members of Parliament using the same EVMs and you celebrate that as sort of a victory for your party, you can't then a few months later turn around and say... we don't like these EVMs because now the election results aren't going the way we would like them to." Asked about Abdullah's remarks, Joshi said, "The Congress should understand when INDI alliance members are saying it... Mamata ji, Sharad Pawar ji, Akhilesh ji are also sayin

Amit Shah, Mallikarjun Kharge remember Pranab Mukherjee on his birth anniv

Amit Shah emphasised Mukherjee's profound impact as the President of India, describing how he transformed the role of the presidency

E-comm firms must ensure transparency, trust: Pralhad Joshi at Amazon event

Minister for Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday asserted that e-commerce companies have a significant role to play in ensuring transparent, trustworthy, and safe shopping environment for all consumers. Speaking at Amazon smbhav Summit, Joshi outlined the government's all-out efforts to ensure that consumer rights are protected through slew of measures such as Consumer Protection Act, establishment of central consumer protection authority, consumer helplines, and specific rules to protect consumers from unfair trade practices in e-commerce sector. The future of e-commerce in India is bright, inclusive and transformative, the minister said emphasising the sheer size, and potential of India market. "While this digital revolution offers incredible opportunities, our government believes it is equally important for our consumers to feel confident and make informed choices, and for the e-commerce platforms to gain the trust and the confidence of the consumer is equally very, very, .

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