Latest news with #GurdeepSingh
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Tehri variable speed PSP's first unit of 250 MW begins commercial operations
New Delhi: THDC India Limited (THDCIL) announced the commencement of the commercial operation declaration (COD) process of the first 250 megawatt (MW) unit of the 1,000 MW Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant (PSP) at Tehri in Uttarakhand. According to the company, the Tehri PSP is the largest of its kind developed by any Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) and the first variable speed PSP in the country. The COD process of the unit was virtually addressed by Union Minister of Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal. The event was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power; Akash Tripathi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power; Gurdeep Singh, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), NTPC; and senior officials of THDCIL. 'The successful operation of the first unit of India's first Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant at Tehri is not just a technological achievement by THDCIL, but a bold stride towards India's energy self-reliance. The project will significantly strengthen our grid stability and support the integration of renewable energy. Variable speed technology allows us to manage power flow with precision,' the minister said. Pankaj Agarwal said, 'The Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant at Tehri is a path-breaking development that significantly strengthens our grid flexibility. It plays a pivotal role in our mission to integrate increasing amounts of renewable energy and transition towards a cleaner, more reliable energy ecosystem.' NTPC CMD Gurdeep Singh said, 'This milestone reflects the high-end engineering capabilities of Indian PSUs in the hydropower sector. It sets a powerful precedent for future PSP developments across the nation.' R.K. Vishnoi, CMD, THDCIL, said, 'Once fully operational, this project will elevate the Tehri Hydro Power Complex's capacity to 2,400 MW, making it India's largest Hydropower Complex. This project will be instrumental in converting off-peak surplus energy into peaking power, enhancing grid resilience and supporting round-the-clock power availability.' The 250 MW variable speed unit and its associated power electronics have been supplied by GE Vernova, which is also part of the project consortium alongside Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) and other stakeholders. The project is designed to provide flexible peaking power and critical grid balancing support, enabling management of intermittent renewable energy generation. The commissioning event also saw the participation of L.P. Joshi, Executive Director (Tehri Complex), and other senior officials from THDCIL and GE Vernova
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Agri dept intensifies vigil to stop sale of banned paddy hybrid seeds in markets
With the paddy sowing season underway, the agriculture department in Ludhiana has intensified efforts to ensure that banned hybrid seeds are not sold in the district's seed markets. The crackdown follows last year's controversy when a purported hybrid of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU)'s PR 126 was sold to farmers at inflated prices, leading to significant losses. Though originally priced at around ₹150 per kg, the seeds were allegedly sold for as high as ₹3,600 per kg. The hybrid was later blamed for high breakage percentages in rice grains, drawing concerns from millers and causing delays in crop procurement from mandis. 'This year, we've been proactively monitoring seed sales for over a month,' said district agriculture officer Gurdeep Singh. 'These hybrids were first banned, and we've since been conducting frequent inspections and directing dealers not to stock or sell them. Even the joint director of agriculture visited Jagraon and Samrala to supervise enforcement.' He confirmed that, so far no banned hybrid seeds have been recovered from the inspections. Any violations, he warned, would invite strict action under the Seed Act of 1983.. Meanwhile, as sale of hybrid seeds are curbed, the demand for genuine PAU-certified seeds has seen a boost. Last year, around 20,400 quintals of authentic seeds were sold. This year, sales have already reached 23,700 quintals, with over a week still remaining in the current sales window. Regarding the paddy transplant schedule, Singh said the state has been divided into three zones. 'Transplantation in Ludhiana—part of Zone 3—will begin from June 9, after areas with better groundwater levels begin on June 1 and 5, respectively,' he said.
Hindustan Times
13-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Narco-hawala cartel with Turkey links busted, three operatives held
The commissionerate police, Amritsar, busted a narco-hawala cartel linked to a Turkey-based smuggler Navpreet Singh alias Nav Bhullar with the arrest of his three operatives, Punjab director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said on Monday. 'The arrested individuals include Gurdeep Singh alias Saab, 35, a taxi driver from Amritsar, Pardeep Sharma, 29, a garment shop worker from Bikaner, Rajasthan, and Mani Sharma, 36, a Ludhiana-based garments businessman. The police have seized 1.10kg of heroin and ₹1.06 crore in hawala money, comprising ₹84.02 lakh in cash and ₹22 lakh frozen in bank accounts. In addition, a cash counting machine and a Swift Dzire car, which was found without a number plate, were also impounded during the operation,' the DGP said. According to the DGP, Gurdeep Singh was operating the local network for hawala and drug smuggling under the direct instructions of his handler Nav Bhullar. Bhullar had allegedly provided Gurdeep with a safehouse in Amritsar and logistic support for the cartel's operations. Bhullar, who is based in Turkey, is reportedly wanted by various agencies for his involvement in several drug and hawala cases. Amritsar commissioner of police (CP) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar disclosed that the operation was executed based on specific intelligence inputs. The arrest of Gurdeep Singh was carried out by Amolakdeep Singh, in-charge CIA-1, and his team, who strategically formed multiple units and apprehended Gurdeep from Ram Tirath Road and recovered the drug consignment and drug money from his possession. 'Gurdeep Singh revealed the involvement of Pardeep Sharma and Mani Sharma, who had delivered ₹5 lakh each in drug money. Following this lead, the police tracked down and arrested Pardeep and Mani,' the CP said. An FIR no 76 dated 06-05-2025 has been registered at the police station cantonment in Amritsar under Sections 21-C, 27-A, 25 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Further investigations are underway to identify other members of the cartel.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Time of India
Narco-hawala cartel linked to Bhullar busted
Representative image AMRITSAR: With the seizure of 1.10 kg of heroin and Rs 1.06 crore of suspected hawala proceeds , and arrest of three persons, the Punjab police on Monday claimed to have busted a narco-hawala racket allegedly operated by Turkiye-based drug smuggler Navpreet Singh 'Nav Bhullar'. Amritsar police commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said Gurdeep Singh (35), a taxi driver from Amritsar; Pardeep Sharma (29), a garment shop employee from Bikaner in Rajasthan; and Mani Sharma (36), a garment businessman from Ludhiana had been arrested. The police operation also yielded 1.10 kg of heroin, Rs 1.06 crore of suspected hawala proceeds - including Rs 84.02 lakh in cash and Rs 22 lakh in bank accounts - a cash-counting machine and a vehicle used by the racketeers. Preliminary investigations indicate Gurdeep Singh was managing the drug and hawala network on instructions from Bhullar, who allegedly arranged for a safe house in Amritsar and provided the gang with logistical support. Bhullar is wanted by multiple state and central agencies in major drug and hawala cases.
Hans India
12-05-2025
- Hans India
Punjab: Drug cartel linked to Turkey-based smuggler busted, three held
Dealing a major blow to an international drug smuggling and hawala cartel, Punjab Police have busted a cartel linked to Turkey-based smuggler Navpreet Singh with the arrest of his three operatives, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav here on Monday. Those arrested have been identified as Gurdeep Singh (35), a taxi driver from Amritsar, Pardeep Sharma (29), a garment shop worker from Bikaner in Rajasthan, and Mani Sharma (36), a Ludhiana-based garment businessman. Police teams have recovered 1.10 kg of heroin, Rs 1.06 crore of hawala money (Rs 84.02 lakh in cash and Rs 22 lakh frozen in bank accounts), one cash counting machine, besides impounding their car (without a number plate). DGP Yadav said preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused Gurdeep was operating the local network of hawala and drugs smuggling on the directions of his handler Nav Bhullar, who had provided him a house to use as a hideout in Amritsar and all logistic support to run the cartel. Accused Bhullar is wanted in big hauls of drug and hawala cases by state agencies, he said. The DGP said further investigation is underway to trace backward and forward linkages of the cartel. Sharing operation details, Commissioner of Police (Amritsar) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that acting on a specific intelligence input, a police team strategically formed teams and apprehended Gurdeep Singh from near Lok Heart School in Ram Tirath Road in Amritsar and recovered the drug consignment and drug money from his possession. The operation was conducted under the supervision of DCP (Detective) Ravinderpal Singh, ADCP (Detective) Jagbinder Singh and ACP (Detective) Harminder Singh Sandhu. The Police Commissioner said during interrogation, accused Gurdeep Singh talked about the involvement of accused -- Pardeep Sharma and Mani Sharma -- and also revealed that the latter had delivered Rs 5 lakh each in drug money. Following revelations, police teams tracked both the accused and arrested them, he said, adding that further investigations are on.
