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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Powering UP: Over 1000 rural women entrepreneurs install 4 MW of solar power
Lucknow: Under the Decentralized Renewable Energy for Women's Economic Empowerment (DEWEE) programme, implemented through the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM), women-led self-help groups (SHGs) are adopting solar-powered technologies to run small-scale enterprises. According to officials, over 1,000 women entrepreneurs have already established solar-powered businesses under the programme, with more than 4 MW of decentralized solar energy capacity installed across participating villages. From flour mills and tailoring units to general stores and dairy operations, these initiatives are not only reducing dependency on diesel but also generating alternative income sources. The initiative, supported by a multi-stakeholder consortium, aims to integrate clean energy solutions with rural livelihood programmes, providing both technical assistance and business development support. Partners include the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA), Prerna OJAS, PCI India, the Gates Foundation, HSBC, and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). 'This programme demonstrates the potential of integrating clean energy with grassroots economic development,' said Keshav Prasad Maurya, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. From Pilot to Statewide Scale A significant milestone in the programme has been its implementation in Take Home Ration (THR) manufacturing units across Unnao, Varanasi, and Agra districts. These facilities, equipped with hybrid solar PV systems, recorded production efficiency of up to 82 per cent, with monthly electricity savings estimated at ₹30,000 and a reduction of approximately 21 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Based on these results, the Uttar Pradesh government has approved the scale-up of solar integration to over 200 THR units, with a 90 per cent capital subsidy to encourage wider adoption. Officials note that the move is likely to contribute to more stable employment opportunities for women in SHGs. 'This is not just about energy access — it's about building enterprise viability through sustainable power ,' said Deepa Ranjan, State Mission Director, UPSRLM. National Recognition The DEWEE programme was recently highlighted in the Government of India's Economic Survey 2024–25 as a notable example of linking decentralized renewable energy (DRE) with women's economic empowerment . The recognition is expected to enable greater engagement with national policymakers and encourage replication in other states. The Road Ahead The programme has set an ambitious target of involving 1,00,000 SHG women in the decentralized green energy workforce over the coming years. This will require continued investment in skills training, stronger financial linkages, and improved market access for women-led enterprises. Officials view the initiative as a potential template for scaling clean energy adoption through community-based models, particularly in rural India, where energy access and employment remain key development priorities.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
FDI landscape: Niti Aayog suggests easing regulations for Chinese investment; 24% stake may be allowed without clearance
Niti Aayog has recommended a major policy shift in the country's global investment landscape, proposing that Chinese entities be allowed to acquire up to a 24% stake in Indian companies without the need for additional security clearance. The move could potentially ease the investment process for firms from the neighbouring country, which currently face lengthy delays due to mandatory government approvals. Under existing rules, any investment from Chinese entities requires security clearance from the Indian government. These restrictions were introduced in July 2020, when India barred companies from countries sharing a land border from participating in government procurement contracts, citing national security concerns and the need to avoid hostile takeovers. Such bidders must register with a committee set up by the department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT), and obtain political and security clearances from the ministries of external and home affairs, respectively. 'The report has gone. We need to see what happens,' a government official told ET, indicating that the proposal is now under review. As of now, the report is being examined by key ministries including finance, commerce and industry, and external affairs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Fastest Selling Plots of Mysore from 40L | 40+ Amenities PurpleBrick Learn More Undo The timing of the proposal is notable, coming soon after external affairs minister S Jaishankar's first visit to China in five years. During his meeting with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Beijing, Jaishankar raised concerns over restrictive trade practices and barriers to economic cooperation, particularly in the context of China's restrictions on rare earth magnet exports to India. The EAM also discussed the issue of faster de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, on which, both sides reportedly agreed to take additional and practical steps to ease tensions. The Economic Survey 2024 had also recommended a calibrated easing of restrictions on Chinese foreign direct investment, arguing that it would boost India's integration into global supply chains and help increase exports. The proposal, if implemented, could mark a shift in India's cautious stance, permitting foreign direct investments from China. This could give a boost to India's supply chain participation and encourage exports. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BIT network expansion in fast lane: India in talks with 12+ nations; Saudi Arabia, Russia among priority partners
AI image India is actively negotiating bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with more than a dozen countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Israel, Oman, the European Union, Switzerland, Russia, and Australia, a senior government official said. Talks are also underway with Tajikistan, Cambodia, Uruguay, Maldives, Switzerland, and Kuwait, with some treaties likely to be finalised and announced in the next 3–6 months, PTI reported. These agreements are aimed at protecting and promoting investments in each other's countries. As India moves toward becoming the world's third-largest economy and a global manufacturing hub, the government is working to strengthen its investment regime and attract more foreign investors. In line with this, the government announced in the last Budget that it would revamp its current model BIT to make it more investor-friendly. India signed BITs with two countries in 2024 and implemented BITs with the UAE and Uzbekistan in 2023. Unlike investment facilitation chapters in free trade agreements, BITs offer broader investor protections, including a wide range of obligations enforceable by international arbitration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Искате да научите повече за новото BMW 2 Gran Coupe? BMW Научете повече Undo Notably, India has a provision requiring foreign investors to exhaust local legal remedies before seeking international arbitration — a clause designed to protect public funds and reduce legal costs. Under the India-UAE BIT signed this year, the mandatory waiting period for local remedies was shortened from five years to three, indicating a flexible yet cautious approach. "India remains committed to negotiating agreements that safeguard its economic interests while balancing investor confidence and domestic policy space," another government official said, quoted PTI. The broader goal is to rebuild India's BIT ecosystem to pre-2015 levels but on modernised terms. India is seeking a balance of interests between investors and host state obligations while aligning with global protection standards to offer a stable framework for foreign capital. Deloitte India economist Rumki Majumdar said BITs give India the opportunity to pursue tailored partnerships based on complementary strengths, without the compromise typically required in multilateral deals. 'Bilateral treaties will allow India for case-by-case negotiation, ensuring that the terms reflect the specific economic complementarities between itself and its partner countries,' she said. Majumdar also emphasised that BITs should not be treated as mere legal tools but as 'strategic economic enablers' to unlock greater value from India's competitive and comparative advantages. According to the Economic Survey 2024–25, India must 'pull out all the stops' to improve tax certainty and regulatory stability if it is to boost FDI inflows. Foreign direct investment into India crossed the $1 trillion mark in the April 2000–March 2025 period, reinforcing its image as a safe and attractive global investment destination. In FY25 alone, FDI stood at $81 billion. Mauritius accounted for 25% of the inflows, followed by Singapore (24%), the US (10%), the Netherlands (7%), Japan (6%), the UK (5%), and the UAE (3%). Germany, Cyprus, and the Cayman Islands accounted for 2% each. The sectors drawing the most FDI included services, computer software and hardware, telecom, trading, construction development, automobiles, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Hans India
06-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
On First World Rural Development Day, discover how villages are driving India's growth story
In a symbolic development, the UN General Assembly has declared that from this year onwards, July 6 will be observed as World Rural Development Day, reaffirming its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. In India, the past one and a half decades have witnessed a notable push in this direction, supported by policymakers, rural development enterprises, including NPOs, and change leaders working in partnership with local bodies. These joint efforts are now reflected in the country's economic indicators, as highlighted in the Economic Survey 2024–25, that the urban-rural divide is narrowing at a steady pace, with rural consumption gaining momentum - the gap in Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) has reduced to 70 per cent in 2023–24, down from 84 per cent in 2011–12. Observing World Rural Development Day also offers an opportunity to reflect upon the role of development organisations in India that are already aligned with the UN's objectives. Anirban Ghose, Managing Director, Transform Rural India (TRI) says, 'At Transform Rural India, we see this day as a celebration of the spirit that drives our villages forward. Rural communities are not passive recipients of change, they are its architects. Strengthening their agency and creating enabling systems of change around them is key to building a more equitable, balanced, and future-ready India.' Collective efforts to strengthen resilience, inclusivity, and balance in urban-rural dynamics are essential to a country's economic and social development. Anju Devi, a farmer and community member from Boda village of Ranchi, Jharkhand says, 'When we finally came together as a community and took charge of our own future, the growth we experienced was genuine and lasting. Real change only started to happen when we opened up to each other, shared our struggles, and joined hands to find solutions together. It was in those moments of unity that we truly began to move forward, side by side.' Transform Rural India will host the fifth edition of its flagship event, the India Rural Colloquy, from August 1-8 – a gathering across five states of the thought leaders and changemakers building India's rural renaissance, along with the launch of three major reports on youth, health and CSR impact.
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Govt clears employment linked incentive scheme
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday approved the much-awaited employment-linked incentive (ELI) scheme proposed in the 2024-25 Budget, which will offer fresh recruits in private-sector jobs a month's wages, while firms hiring them will get financial incentives — steps aimed at boosting job opportunities and enhancing skills of working-age people. Govt clears employment linked incentive scheme The sops, aimed at creating 35 million new jobs in two years, will provide direct financial benefits up to ₹ 15,000 in two instalments to 19.2 million first-time employees, Union minister of information and broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said at a briefing. The outlay cleared by the Cabinet for the roll out stands at ₹ 99,446 crore. Firms participating in the scheme will also get a cash incentive of ₹ 3000 for each additional employee hired for two years, while for companies in the manufacturing sector, the sops will be available for an extended period of four years, according to an official statement. The jobs scheme is part of the PM's package to boost employment and skills, aimed at creating opportunities for nearly 41 million job-seekers in the long run, with a total estimated budget outlay of ₹ 2 lakh crore. 'The aim of the scheme is to create more formal employment and sustain it. It will promote formalization of the workforce, while complementing the national manufacturing mission,' the minister said. According to the government's Economic Survey 2024, India needs to create 7.85 million non-farm jobs every year until 2030 to absorb its expanding labour force, way higher than the current rate of employment. While one part of the scheme deals with one-off payments of a month's wages as direct benefit transfer to all first-time employees entering the workforce in formal sectors, up to a salary ceiling of ₹ 1 lakh, the second component is aimed at contributing a share of salaries. The scheme has been designed to calculate a baseline of employee strength and firms with less than 50 employees will need to hire two additional staffers to be eligible for the incentives. Employers with more than 50 workers will need to add five new employees to the payrolls. All employees need to be registered with the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation, the state-backed retirement-income manager, according to the statement. According to the details of the scheme, for new employees with a provident-fund base wage of ₹ 10,000, the incentive for hirers will be ₹ 1000 and for those who fall in the base wage slab of between ₹ 10,000 and ₹ 20,000, the incentive will be ₹ 2000. For salaries of between ₹ 20,000 and ₹ 1 lakh, the benefit will be ₹ 3,000. The scheme therefore will offer incentives tied to EPFO contributions to both employers and first-time employees in the manufacturing sector in the form of funds linked to a specified pay scale for the period during which the plan will be in force. The benefits would be applicable for jobs created between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2027. 'The target is to create jobs across the country for freshers, with a special focus on the manufacturing sector,' Vaishnaw said. In an earlier briefing, labour minister Mansukh Mandaviya had said the government would put in place foolproof systems and AI-driven technologies to monitor hirings and utilisation of funds provided by the government, when asked how authorities would ensure firms don't pass off existing employees as new ones to benefit from the incentives. The corporate affairs ministry had been tasked with drawing the list of firms which will participate in the employment-linked sops, while the labour ministry was involved in finalizing the proposals.
