Latest news with #NandGopalGupta
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Leveraging cultural connections, Centre, UP push for ‘Buddha rice' exports to Thailand , Vietnam
New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government, in consultation with the commerce ministry, plans to promote the export of Kalanamak rice—also known as 'Buddha rice'— to countries with majority or large Buddhist populations. The traditional aromatic variety, known for its nutritional richness and growing global demand, will be sold in Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Japan, Singapore and Nepal, among others, said UP's minister of industrial development, export promotion, NRI, and investment promotion, Nand Gopal Gupta 'Nandi' in an interview. Special export quota The plan is to leverage the rice's historical association with these countries. While rice exports from India were restricted last year, the central government has allowed a special quota of up to 1,000 tonnes for Kalanamak rice. Read more: India to revamp rice cultivation technique to save water, cut labour costs, reduce methane emissions Over 500 tonnes of the rice have been exported to Singapore, Nepal and other countries since the April 2024-waiver, the minister said. The rice is sought after in countries with Buddhist populations. India's exports of Basmati and non-Basmati rice stood at $11.14 billion in FY23 but declined to $10.42 billion in FY24 due to export restrictions. However, following the lifting of the ban on all types of rice in October 2024, exports surged to $12.47 billion in FY25, commerce ministry data showed. UP is formulating a new export policy aimed at tripling shipments to over ₹5 trillion in the next five years by tapping into new markets and diversifying its product base. The draft policy for 2025–30 is currently under review and is expected to be approved soon. The new policy will focus on increasing exports from the current level of ₹1.7 trillion recorded in 2023–24 to three times that amount by 2030. To achieve this, the state government is planning a series of measures, including subsidies and other incentives. 'There is strong demand for this unique variety of rice, both in India and abroad. To meet this growing interest, we are working to increase its production and bring more area under cultivation by focusing on research and seed development. As part of this effort, a Kalanamak Rice Research Centre is being set up in Siddharthnagar district of Uttar Pradesh in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)," said Nandi. Kalanamak rice is a traditional, non-basmati aromatic rice grown in eastern Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Siddharthnagar, where it has been designated as an ODOP (one district one product) item. Besides, it is also cultivated in parts of Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Gonda, Balrampur, Bahraich, Sravasti and Kushinagar and has a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, marking out its exclusivity. The ministry of commerce's APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) promotes several GI-tagged agricultural products for exports, including Basmati rice from Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi; Darjeeling tea from West Bengal; and Alphonso mango from Maharashtra. Known for its distinct black husk, fragrance and high iron content, Kalanamak rice was cultivated over 82,000 hectares across 11 districts in 2024. It is estimated that this will increase to 100,000 hectares this year, the minister said. 'Kalanamak rice is a nutritional powerhouse. It is rich in iron and antioxidants, has a low glycemic index, and is naturally gluten-free, making it a healthy dietary choice, especially for diabetics and those seeking a balanced, nutrient-rich alternative to polished white rice," said Dr Monashish Sahu, an endocrinologist based in New Delhi. Read more: India eyes bumper basmati crop as short-duration variety acreage set to rise 10% The global 'fragrant and long grain' rice market is projected to grow from $30 billion in 2023 to $45 billion by 2032, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%, as per DataIntelo, a market research company. A Common Facility Centre (CFC) named Shivansh Siddharthnagar Agriculture Development Producer Company Ltd has been established under the ODOP initiative, with 80% government funding, to promote Kalanamak rice. It provides facilities for grading, packing, and other post-harvest processing to enhance export readiness.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt distributes over 1K tablets to students
Prayagraj : Empowering youths the tech way, the Uttar Pradesh govt on Monday distributed over 1,000 tablets to students as part of its flagship Swami Vivekanand Youth Empowerment Scheme The distribution ceremony was organised at United Group of Institutions (UGI), Naini , under the joint aegis of UGI and Government ITI, Naini. After distributing the tablets to the students of engineering and pharmacy of UGI and Government ITI, Naini, Prayagraj, cabinet minister Nand Gopal Gupta 'Nandi' said that youth is the future of the country and therefore they must be technically sound. He also appealed to the students to use the device in their growth by keeping themselves updated with the latest information. A total of 1,115 tablets were distributed during the function, informed Amrit Lal Gupta, in-charge of tablet/smartphone distribution, Government ITI, Naini. Among those present on the occasion were ADM (civil supply), Prayagraj Vijay Kumar Sharma, principal of Government ITI, Naini, AK Yadav, and others.
Hindustan Times
26-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Is PICUP's merger with Invest UP on cards?
The Uttar Pradesh government is mulling over a proposal to merge PICUP (Pradeshiya Industrial & Investment Corporation) with Invest UP to provide a one -point contact for investors. The move is part of a major overhaul of Invest UP in the wake of corruption allegations against its former chief executive officer. PICUP was established in 1972 as a state government company under the Companies Act 1956 to provide long-term loans to medium and large industries for industrialisation of the state. Now, the need is being felt to merge it with Invest UP, which was set up around five years ago, with the sole objective to propel Uttar Pradesh as the most favoured destination for investors at a time when efforts are on to turn the state economy into a trillion dollar one by 2029. Though the recommendation for the merger has been made in the new draft policy to revamp Invest UP, there are many challenges to overcome before this structural integration can be implemented. The rationale behind this merger is that the government wants to come up with a unified agency for policy disbursement and its promotion, besides reducing the administrative burden and cost, according to senior officials in the state government who are reviewing the new draft policy. 'In the new draft policy of Invest UP, its merger with PICUP has been proposed. We are studying the proposal. There are many challenges to overcome before executing this proposal,' said Uttar Pradesh minister for industrial development Nand Gopal Gupta 'Nandi'. 'We want to make investment in the state absolutely hassle free for investors. For this, the government wants to come up with one -point contact for investors and entrepreneurs where all their issues are addressed,' the minister added. The merger will help monetisation of idle assets to support new investments, according to a senior official of the state government but there are challenges on the road ahead. 'PICUP is a corporation whereas Invest UP is a society,' an official said. PICUP has provided loans and therefore it has accounts receivable (AR), which represents the outstanding invoices that the company expects to collect, like loan, from its customers. 'Apart from this, PICUP has got properties mortgaged to it and has assets while the Invest UP does not have any assets,' says the draft policy. To execute this merger, the draft policy has also recommended hiring of a reputed consultancy firm for which the government will invite bids. This external agency will have important tasks to execute, including debt resolution. It will involve financial modelling, loan recovery and asset monetisation. As for the legal aspect, the external agency will have to streamline amendments and regulatory procedures. Among other tasks, the consultancy firm will have to ensure integration of financial and non-financial functions. Audit of PICUP's liabilities to classify and resolve debt will also be a major task, according to a senior official. The draft policy has listed key tasks for the state government before merger of PICUP and Invest UP could be executed. LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL ALIGNMENT Cabinet and Legislative approval: PICUP is a corporation Structural Integration: Managing financial parameters Employee Transition Plan: Redefining Organisational structure DEBT MANAGEMENT AND LIABILITY HANDLING Financial due diligence: Classifying assets and debts Debt restructuring: Managing account receivables Negotiation with creditors: Asset monetisation RECOVERY OF PICUP LOANS Loan recovery task force: Dedicated legal and financial team OTS Scheme: Option of one time settlement of dues Asset -backed recover: Sale, lease or restructuring of mortgage HISTORY OF PICUP Established in 1972, PICUP has disbursed term loan of ₹1,420 crore to a total of 1100 units. PICUP has recovered ₹1,229 crore from 871 units, that is, 87% recovery of the loan distributed by the corporation to the aided units since the year of its inception has been completed.
