Latest news with #PravinKumar
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
AP govt launches OTS scheme to resolve 1,900 pending mining cases
1 2 Vijayawada: In a bid to unlock the full potential of mining operations in the state, the govt has announced a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme aimed at resolving nearly 1,900 pending cases. These cases, stuck at various stages of litigation, have stalled mining activity across the state. The OTS initiative is expected to generate 100 crore in immediate revenue and enable firms to resume operations—boosting both employment and long-term revenue generation. The govt found that hundreds of mines had shut down due to unpaid penalties imposed by the department of mines and geology. This not only led to a significant loss in penalties and operational income but also triggered widespread unemployment. Taking serious note of the issue, the govt opted for the OTS route to bring as many mines as possible back into operation by settling penalty-related cases. As part of the Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Policy 2025, the govt approved the OTS scheme and directed the director of mines and geology to submit proposals. The move is designed to expedite resolution of pending cases and operationalize leases, positioning the mining sector as a key driver of economic growth and job creation. Subsequently, director of mines & geology (DMG) submitted that more than 1,900 cases involving a cumulative penalty amount of 1,800 crores have been pending at various stages and the proposed One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme is projected to generate a revenue of more than 100 crores. "Beyond the immediate fiscal benefit, the scheme holds significant potential to operationalize the associated leases and mining development licences (MDLs), thereby unlocking stalled assets and facilitating economic activity in the sector," said DMG Pravin Kumar. Kumar also submitted detailed guidelines and modalities to ensure the scheme is implemented in a time-bound and transparent manner. The government has now decided to roll out the OTS scheme for pending revision cases, appeals, demand notices, and show-cause notices. "Resolution of legal and financial bottlenecks along with facilitation of revival of genuine leaseholders and MDL holders. This will also enhance revenue recovery through a structured and time bound mechanism. It will also reduce litigation and administrative burden," mines and geology secretary Pravin Kumar. 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 !
CNA
3 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Nightlife businesses welcome extended liquor trading hours, say benefits could spill over to related sectors
SINGAPORE: Nightlife businesses have welcomed the upcoming extension of liquor trading hours in some areas along the Singapore River on Fridays and Saturdays, adding that the move is also expected to benefit other sectors like transport. In a bid to revitalise Singapore's nightlife scene, businesses can apply to extend their liquor trading hours by an hour to 4am on those two days. Mr Pravin Kumar, owner of Star Bagawan bar in Boat Quay, said he knew he was 'definitely going to do it' when he heard the news. 'I'd prefer if Wednesday was included in the extension as well,' he told CNA on Friday (Aug 8). 'The thing is that in Singapore, we have created a culture where Wednesday is 'Ladies Night'. It is one of the hot nights of the week, right in the middle of the week where people tend to let loose.' Nevertheless, the hour-long extension on Fridays and Saturdays will make 'a very big difference' for his business, as it received a late crowd - locals and tourists - who mostly come in after 10pm. 'I think we will sell slightly more, but I won't expect too much. The thing is, it's more than just the alcohol, it's about the customers having a good time,' he said. Another company that will apply for the extension is the Zouk Group, with its Asia-Pacific senior director of operations David Long noting that it will make the opening hours of its establishments in the area more uniform across the weekend and public holidays. 'Consistency is key. From a guest's perspective, it can be confusing when we're open until 4am on some nights but only until 3am on others,' he said. 'The change allows us to deliver a better guest experience and supports a steadier flow of business. The extended hours will provide a welcome boost not only to our venue but also to the surrounding businesses in the area.' Liquor trading hours at such licensed spots currently end at 3am on weekdays and Saturdays. It ends at 4am on Sundays and public holidays. Mr Bjorn Seegers, managing director of Muddy Murphy Holdings, which operates The Penny Black pub in Boat Quay, said 'we will look into the viability' before deciding whether to apply for the 4am extension. 'We don't see it making a big impact for our model, other than the potential ad-hoc sports event that may garner sufficient revenue to warrant a late opening,' he said, adding that the bar's core business is typically earlier in the evenings. It opens until late for some ad-hoc sports events like the Super Bowl, which typically happens in the wee hours for Singapore viewers. BENEFITS TO OTHER SECTORS Other sectors could also benefit from the hour-long extension, industry players told CNA. 'The Grab drivers and taxi drivers will 100 per cent get more customers, if not, how else will people get back home? Eateries nearby that open late will also get more business as people will be hungry,' said Mr Kumar. Mr Long said that the extension is 'a great initiative that reflects the government's willingness to collaborate with the nightlife and hospitality sectors'. 'Singapore's nightlife scene is constantly evolving and maintaining an open dialogue between business owners and operators and regulatory agencies is essential,' he said, adding that the Singapore Nightlife Business Association (SNBA) has been instrumental in fostering those conversations. Mr Zaran Vachha, co-owner of concert promoter Collective Minds Asia, said the recent announcement was a 'positive step', as there is 'a huge opportunity to host more shows'. Among the new measures announced on Thursday was the possibility of new bars, pubs and nightclubs being set up along the Boat Quay Waterfront, Circular Road, Lorong Telok and Canton Street. 'The extension will encourage the public to go out more and stay out later, which in turn allows venues to create new concepts and music promoters like us to put on more events,' he said. He noted that there is substantial demand for live events here, with a recent concert by English singer Fred Again drawing 10,000 people. 'To fully seize this opportunity, there is a need for more venues that can accommodate medium to large-scale music events and festivals,' said Mr Vachha. Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry Alvin Tan told reporters on Thursday that the latest changes are part of efforts to encourage more tourist attractions in Singapore. 'I've been speaking to SNBA, SRO (Singapore River One) to see how we can better partner them to make use of many of the big events, for example, MICE events (and) F1, to bring global tourists down to Boat Quay and to liven up the place,' he said. The Penny Black's Mr Seegers said, however, that he does not expect the trial to 'immediately' breathe new life into the area. 'If new and varied night club operators open shop over the course of the year, then the variance may help,' he said. 'Whilst it's a good first step, more can be done to holistically encourage people to stay out longer. An example could be later trains, night buses and shuttle services to hub drop-off points. I think if the trial proves to be well-managed and financially viable to all, then it has a fighting chance.' MAINTAINING SECURITY In 2018, a trial to allow alcohol sales until 4am on Saturdays was introduced in Clarke Quay. However, it ended after four months, after the police found that certain crimes involving public order had increased. Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam said on Thursday that the government will monitor the law-and-order situation in the area during the trial, and that business owners will be taking some direct responsibility as part of the measures. 'It's a balance. We open up more, we can expect some more incidents, and we want to make sure that it doesn't get out of hand, and they also have a responsibility to try ... so they will put in some security officers to do some controlling,' he said. Mr Kumar said that in his Star Bagawan bar, there is a system in place to de-escalate any fights or arguments that may occur among drunk customers. 'Whenever people drink, there will certainly be some tensions. Some people might go a bit crazy, and then engage in such behaviour,' he said. He told CNA that his establishment does not hire bouncers. Instead, all his staff are trained to handle such situations, and immediately intervene the moment they notice something going wrong. 'To me it's very simple, you come out to drink, you drink to enjoy, you don't drink to make your night worse,' said Mr Kumar. He added that as his patrons typically include foreign students, they also conduct stringent identity checks, such as looking out for fake identity cards, to make sure they are not underage. The Zouk Group's Mr Long said the company's recent data 'shows no spike in incidents on nights with a 4am licence', and that it is committed to maintaining that record. 'We will continue to maintain sufficient security, coordinate closely with Clarke Quay management and take a proactive approach to preventing issues before they happen,' he said. Ms Michelle Koh, executive director of Singapore River One, said on Thursday that government agencies are 'naturally' worried about security, so her organisation is stepping up measures such as hiring more security guards to conduct roving patrols. Singapore River One was created in 2012 as the place manager of the Singapore River precinct, encompassing Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay. The additional measures will be funded through a combination of collecting some administrative fees from business operators, and also from Singapore River One's placemaking fees, said Ms Koh. Singapore Nightlife Business Association president Danny Loong said on Thursday that lessons from the upcoming trial will eventually be brought to other areas across Singapore. 'We are definitely looking at other precincts. Our members cut across all parts of Singapore, and we do hear their concerns,' he said. Mr Loong added that his association also takes in feedback from other related industries, as the night-time economy goes beyond just bars and restaurants, a perception which he wants to change.
NDTV
24-07-2025
- NDTV
Punjab Cop Caught Smoking Heroin On Camera, Transferred
Chandigarh: A video of a member of the Punjab police taking drugs surfaced today and is being widely circulated online, bringing home how deep the state's drug menace has spread its tentacles. The policeman has been identified and action has been taken against him. The video shows the policeman sitting on a cot and inhaling heroin. A second person present appears to be filming him. Sources said Pravin Kumar is the gunman of a senior political leader based in Hoshiarpur. The Special Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur, told NDTV, "We have immediately transferred him from security duty to police lines. We have also initiated departmental action against him". "We have started further investigation into this matter. Preliminary investigation revealed that he got admitted in a de-addiction centre by his family. The police are working on various angles to get this video investigated," he added. The battle against drugs have been on for nearly two decades in Punjab during which all the key political parties in the state had a turn at the governance but the menace has continued unabated. The parties have been pointing fingers at each other for failing to control the proliferation of drugs. Under the current "Yudh Nashian Virudh" anti-drugs campaign, since March 1, 13,665 FIRs have been registered, 18,424 arrests made, and 900 kg heroin, 332 kg opium, 13 kg charas, 6 kg Crystal Methamphetamine (Ice) and Rs 11.5 crore drug money seized. Over the last years, the police have focused on end users - the victims of addiction -- and have been sending them to de-addiction centres instead of jail. Reports say more than 10,000 users have been persuaded to enter residential rehabilitation programmes or register with OOAT (Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment) clinics.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
TOI River Dialogues 2025: Experts chart roadmap for water sustainability
. The TOI River Dialogues 2025 concluded on Monday in Lucknow, bringing together experts, policymakers, community leaders, and citizens for discussions on river rejuvenation and sustainable water management in Uttar Pradesh, with a special focus on Maha Kumbh 2025. Through dynamic panels, policymaker dialogues, and interactive sessions, the event delves into global river restoration models, CSR contributions, initiatives like Namami Gange, community-led conservation efforts, and the development of sustainable infrastructure . In the opening address, Mr. Pravin Kumar, Resident Editor, Times of India, Lucknow, said, "Rivers have given birth to civilisations, but unfortunately, they now face threats from us. The course correction must come from us, and fortunately, we have arrived in time to acknowledge that the rampant abuse of rivers must stop for our own good." Shri Brajesh Pathak, deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, in his keynote address, said, "Since 2014, initiatives like Namami Gange have worked to restore maa Ganga's purity. During the Maha Kumbh, we ensured she was fit not just for bathing, but also for achman." Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Breaks His Silence: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo The panel discussion titled "Reviving our rivers: The road to sustainability and the legacy of Maha Kumbh 2025" featured key experts. Ajay Tripathi, IAS, additional director of the Urban Development Department, said, "The sustainability of the Ganga is only possible when we become mindful of our responsibilities. It's not enough to leave everything to government departments; only then can we maintain the river's purity." Speaking about the broader challenges impacting the Ganga's health, Raman Kant, president of Bhartiya Nadi Parishad and Riverman of India, emphasised the urgent need to focus on smaller rivers and groundwater levels. He said, "Ganga's tributaries are shrinking because the water table is falling. As a result, smaller rivers are no longer able to feed the Ganga. That's why, along with protecting the Ganga, we must also focus on reviving our smaller rivers." You can watch the full discussion at TOI River Dialogues here . The agenda of discussion for Panel 2 was "Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships For Clean Rivers: Innovation, Investment, and Sustainable Impact." Dr Pritam Ranjan of IIM Indore suggested that a water management programme could help mitigate an impending water crisis. Ranjan said, "IIM Indore is one of the institutes that has something called rural engagement programme. What we do is, we go to different villages around India, particularly Madhya Pradesh... Every year, more than 500 of our students go to these villages. They give them (villagers) training in terms of their livelihood, small businesses and so on." In a fireside chat moderated by Shailvee Sharda, assistant editor, The Times of India, Shri Anurag Srivastava, additional chief secretary, Department of Namami Gange and Rural Water Supply, Government of Uttar Pradesh, outlined key strategies for ensuring river health and resilience. Srivastava stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive and dynamic policy framework to meet the evolving challenges in river rejuvenation. "The increasing dynamism in environmental and urban pressures demands a flexible but firm response," he said, adding that microanalysis and technological innovations are critical. "We are using drones and focusing on total sewerage tapping to cut pollution at the source," he pointed out.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Time of India
Canadian man held for hoax bomb threat in Bengaluru flight
IndiGo VARANASI: Panic gripped Varanasi airport on Saturday night after a Canadian national aboard a Bengaluru-bound IndiGo flight claimed he was carrying a bomb just before take-off. The aircraft was swiftly moved to the airport's apron from the runway and checked for several hours by CISF and bomb disposal squad (BDS) before being allowed to depart on Sunday morning. Yohanathan Nishanth (23), a resident of Toronto, was arrested by Phoolpur police. Inspector Pravin Kumar said the man appeared to be under the influence. Canada high commission has been informed about the incident. DCP (Gomati Zone) Akash Patel said no explosive material was found in the aircraft after intensive checking by BDS and CISF personnel. Preliminary inquiry revealed Nishanth had shifted from his seat while the aircraft was moving to the runway. When cabin crew instructed him to return to his seat, he got agitated and claimed to have an explosive in his baggage, besides shouting religious slogans.
