Latest news with #Bhooshan
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
‘UP ahead of Maha, Guj in energy demand driven by industrial growth'
Lucknow: UP has surpassed industrial states like Maharashtra and Gujarat in peak energy consumption, touching 31,500 megawatts this year — a sign of rapid industrial growth and rising energy needs. This was stated by additional chief secretary of energy, renewable energy and technical education Narendra Bhooshan during the TOI Dialogues on Thursday. "With a population of 25 crore and energy demand growing by 8-10% annually, UP has now overtaken even the most industrialised states. Energy is no longer just a utility — it is the enabling force behind our economic transformation," he said. Bhooshan said energy is central to India's push to become a 1 trillion dollar economy and linked the state's plans to PM Narendra Modi's COP26 commitments: Net Zero by 2070, 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, and 50% renewables. "Our Chief Minister has aligned UP's energy strategy with these national goals. The state's commitment is strong — not just to meet growing demand but to do so sustainably," he added. A landmark reform underway is the privatization of two large electricity distribution companies (discoms) — the biggest such move in the country. "If we succeed in this, the rest of India will follow. This is a high-stakes reform aimed at improving service delivery, efficiency and competitiveness," Bhooshan said. On renewables, he highlighted the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, launched along with the Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya, which targets 22 GW of rooftop solar. "UP has 5 crore households. Even if 2.5 crore homes install 2 KW rooftop systems, it will create a solar revolution — generating power, reducing bills and creating jobs," he said. Solar manufacturing units worth Rs 8,000 crore have been sanctioned in Noida and Greater Noida, drawing investors such as Adani, Tata and others. Under PM-KUSUM, 4 lakh irrigation connections have been solarised out of 16 lakh. For industry, captive and group solar parks — including projects in Bundelkhand — are supplying power at Rs 2.5–3 per unit versus Rs 8-10 from discoms. To provide round-the-clock power, UP is promoting Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs), recording India's lowest-ever BESS tariff at Rs 3.115 per unit. Two PSPs have been sanctioned in Sonbhadra and Vijayapur. The state is also testing vertical wind turbines on expressways and tapping kinetic energy from rivers and canals, he said. UP leads the country in compressed bio-gas (CBG) capacity with 108 projects approved and aims for at least one plant in each tehsil using paddy straw, sugar waste and cow dung. "CBG offers the best return on investment, with payback in three to four years. It can fuel kitchens, vehicles and industries," he said. Green hydrogen is being encouraged through incentives, including a 30% capital subsidy and full SGST reimbursement; a Rs 2,500 crore subsidy has been approved for an Rs 8,000 crore project. Bhooshan also urged industry to help design courses in cybersecurity, mechatronics and LSI design. An Rs 8,000 crore project with Tata Technologies will upgrade 121 polytechnics. Highlighting UP's logistics edge — 33% of the nation's expressways and the junction of the Eastern and Western Freight Corridors at Greater Noida — he said exports that once took days can now move in hours. "If you have a project — come to Uttar Pradesh. If you're here — expand," he concluded. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Govt engages Tata Tech to upgrade state polytechnics
Lucknow: The UP govt in collaboration with Tata Technology Limited (TTL) would set up Tata Technology Excellence Centres in 121 govt polytechnics across the state to help these technical educational institutes meet industry requirements. In a govt order (GO), additional chief secretary, technical education, Narendra Bhooshan said the decision was taken to bridge the industry-academia gap prevalent in the diploma sector of technical education. "In polytechnics, some topics have become irrelevant or are not in accordance with industry requirements. These centres will upgrade them and bridged the industry-academia gap," Bhooshan said. For this, Rs 57.3 crore will be spent on installation of machines and equipment in each of the 121 polytechnics. Of the total Rs 6935.8 crore, 87%, that is, Rs 6034.2 crore, will be borne by TTL, and the remaining 13% (Rs 1063.9 crore) by the govt. Also, the state govt will spend an additional Rs 858 crore – Rs 709.2 lakh per institution – towards civil infrastructure and other basic facilities. In the first phase, 45 polytechnic institutions will be upgraded. The project is aimed at providing quality technical education to students studying in the diploma sector of the state, thereby enhancing employment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Retirees Can Potentially Minimize RMD Taxes SmartAsset Learn More Undo It will also help students acquire essential skills like soft skills and personality development as per industry requirements. As per the GO, TTL will involve global partner companies and institutions in upgrading the polytechnics. TTL will also prepare the project document related to the execution of the upgradation work and determine short, medium, and long-term strategies in it. In addition, they will prepare a baseline study report related to the status of the polytechnic institutions before the implementation of the project. TTL will also make available two trainers for the first two years and one trainer for the third year in each selected institute from its own sources. Besides, it will ensure the availability of training material, an online platform for training, and experts from industries as per demand in all 121 institutes and organise dialogue programmes at regular intervals.
New Indian Express
25-04-2025
- New Indian Express
One retired, two serving Navy staff held for duping Agniveers on job promise in Bhubaneswar
BHUBANESWAR: Khurda police on Thursday arrested a retired and two serving Indian Navy officers for allegedly cheating Agniveer aspirants on the promise of facilitating their recruitment in the armed forces under the Agnipath scheme. While prime accused Vinay Kumar Ray (Master Chief at Arms-II) is posted in INS Chilka, his associate Satyam Chahar (electrical artificer apprentice-V) is serving on board INS Kesari in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Another accused, identified as Bhooshan, is a former Navy personnel. While Vinay belongs to Bihar, Satyam and Bhooshan are natives of Uttar Pradesh. Training correspondence officer at INS Chilka, Lieutenant Commander Adwitiya Singh had lodged a complaint with Balugaon police in Khurda alleging he noticed suspicious activities before the training programme of the selected Agniveers began in November, 2024. During investigation, police found that Vinay had access to the list of candidates selected for various posts like senior secondary recruit (SSR), matric recruit (MR), coast guard navik (general duty) and yantriks (technicians). Further probe revealed, apart from collecting information from the lists, Vinay along with Satyam and Bhooshan joined various WhatsApp and Telegram groups of Agniveer aspirants. The trio contacted the youths who were already selected and collected `30,000 to `1.20 lakh from them on the promise of ensuring their recruitment into the armed forces. Police suspect at least 15 to 20 unsuspecting youths had given the accused money to cement their chances of getting selected. However, the chats of the three with the aspirants on WhatsApp and Telegram suggest the number of youths duped by them could be much higher, police said. Police sources said at least two other Navy personnel serving on board INS Kesari are involved in the pan-India scam. The cops have written to the commanding officer of INS Kesari informing them about the duo's involvement in the fraud. The investigators are also verifying whether Vinay, Satyam and Bhooshan forged medical certificates and police verification forms to facilitate the selection of certain undeserving candidates. 'The three accused targeted mostly the youths who were already selected as Agniveers and contacted them just before the Navy published the recruitment list,' said Khurda SP, Sagarika Nath adding, further investigation is underway. Four mobile phones have been seized from the accused and they will be sent to the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL) in Bhubaneswar for examination.
