Latest news with #Rs260
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Global flavours tingle tastebuds as Nagpurians ‘cherry-pick' exotic fruits
1 2 Nagpur: Once a rare indulgence reserved only for the wealthy or the well-travelled, exotic fruits have now taken over not just Nagpur's bustling wholesale markets but also the city's countless roadside fruit stalls. Shoppers walking through Cotton Market, Kalamna Market, or Santra Market can spot crates of imported avocados from Peru, shiny dragon fruit from Vietnam, boxes of blueberries, and bright mandarins from Australia. What's truly striking is how these once-exclusive delights have filtered down to small vendors in local neighbourhoods and even street corners. Where earlier only mangoes, bananas, guavas, or seasonal local fruits filled the baskets of street vendors, today it's common to find gleaming mandarin oranges from the US and Australia, imported plums from Spain and Italy, juicy pears from the USA and South Africa, or crunchy New Zealand and Washington apples proudly displayed at roadside stalls. Adding to this vibrant mix are red grapes from South Africa and Spain, bringing even more international colour to local markets. Even in modest neighbourhoods, shoppers can now easily pick up a Peruvian avocado for Rs150 apiece, a Vietnamese dragon fruit for Rs120, a box of blueberries for Rs120, or imported apples for Rs260–280 per kilo. This is a far cry from just a few years ago when such fruits were seen as inaccessible luxuries. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo "There's a big demand for these exotic fruits now, not just in the major markets but even on the streets," says Ziad, a vendor in Gokulpeth and adds, "Customers want variety, and they ask for these fruits by name." Rupesh Bobate, who sells fruits at Cotton Market, explains that although wholesale hubs like Kalamna bring in these imported goods, many street sellers now buy small batches to meet local demand. Vendors point out that imported varieties often come with better packaging and durability, meaning there's less wastage and better profit margins, even for smaller sellers. For example, while Indian apples sell for Rs100–Rs180 per kilo in season, the imported ones fetch a premium price and attract a growing customer base. "While Nagpur oranges are limited to the season, the mandarin oranges, which are more juicy, are available throughout the year," says a local fruit vendor at Narendra Nagar. Meanwhile, beloved local fruits like mangoes — Kesar from Gujarat, Alphonso from Ratnagiri, Dasheri from Hyderabad — continue to hold their seasonal charm. "Mango season is a celebration for families," says Amol Wankhede, a regular shopper at both Cotton Market and local roadside stalls. "But it's also exciting to see fruits we once only saw on TV or in big stores now right here at the street corner," he adds. Vegetables, on the other hand, remain largely domestic, with even specialty items like purple cabbage, broccoli, or capsicum being sourced from within India, mainly from hubs like Hyderabad and Mumbai. Vendors note that vegetable supply stays steady throughout the year, though the cooler months favour certain varieties. Not all sellers carry exotic fruits — refrigeration, cost and fast turnover remain challenges. But even so, local sellers estimate that about 40% of customers now specifically ask for these global flavours. In addition to physical markets, online shopping websites and delivery apps have joined the trend, offering doorstep delivery of exotic fruits like blueberries, avocados, imported grapes, plums, and pears, further expanding access to these once-rare treats.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Chicken prices inch up in Andhra Pradesh as bird flu, heatwave, and low farmer margins push poultry sector into crisis
VISAKHAPATNAM: After weeks of slump, chicken prices are increasing across the state due to summer conditions. Live broiler chicken is selling for Rs140 per kg, while dressed chicken is priced at Rs260 per kg. Despite the market price of chicken reaching Rs260 per kg, the poultry industry in the state continues to face sustainability challenges because of significant losses experienced in February 2025 due to bird flu, as well as the mounting cost of production and adverse weather conditions. Poultry farmers (broiler chicken growers) in several parts of Andhra Pradesh are expressing reluctance about remaining in the sector. Operation Sindoor 'Pakistan army moving its troops in forward areas': Key takeaways from govt briefing 'Pak used drones, long-range weapons, jets to attack India's military sites' 'Attempted malicious misinformation campaign': Govt calls out Pakistan's propaganda Although the retail price of skinless dressed chicken has reached Rs260 per kg, poultry farmers receive only Rs100-Rs110 per kg for live birds, making the trade less attractive for them. K Srinu, a poultry farmer in Vizag city and representative of the Broiler Chicken Association of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, told TOI that chicken prices have risen by around 20 per cent state-wide in the past week. This increase is attributed to the gap between demand and supply, as hot weather conditions have reduced production output. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Want Lower Bills Without Changing a Thing? elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo 'We incurred losses for the past few months due to bird flu in February 2025 and lower prices during March and April. We anticipate that chicken prices may further rise in the coming days due to the widening gap between demand and supply, and poultry farmers might finally see some profits,' Srinu said. If poultry farmers get at least up to Rs130 per kg for a live bird, they will get some profits. However, the country chicken (Naati Kodi in local parlance) growers are getting good profits as they are selling at Rs700-Rs800 per kg live bird due to low production and high demand, said G Ramu Naidu, a poultry farmer in North Andhra Pradesh. This summer, eggs and broiler chicken will be slightly costlier in the coming days as the hot weather leads to poor production. The reason for the possible price hike is increased production cost and the recent bird flu impacted the poultry industry, where many stopped chicken farming, said Sk Husain, a meat trader. Chicken lovers say that not only fish prices, but also chicken prices are slowly increasing in the summer. Chicken was considered an ordinary person's nutritious food, but it will become costlier in the coming days, said V Ganesh, a chicken lover.
Express Tribune
18-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PSDP spending fails to go beyond 40%
Listen to article The coalition government has so far spent hardly Rs424 billion or less than 40% of the annual downward revised development budget, impacting construction work and cash flows of hundreds of projects, including schemes of the provinces and merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The only exceptions to lower spending were the projects related to parliamentarians, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), showed the official documents. The official data of the Planning Commission showed that from July through the middle of April (nine and half months), the development expenditures amounted to Rs424 billion or 39% of the annual budget. The downward revised Public Sector Development Programme is worth Rs1.1 trillion, which is spread over 1,071 projects. Under the Finance Ministry's release strategy, 60% of the annual budget can be spent during the first nine months of this fiscal year. But the spending remained below this threshold by at least Rs260 billion. This is despite the fact that the Planning Commission had authorized Rs890 billion spending during this period but the actual expenditures were far lower than the budget spending strategy and the authorized spending. When contacted, the Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that compared to the last year, the spending during the nine-month period was still higher by Rs102 billion. He said that the monthly spending in March this year was also higher by Rs27 billion. However, the details showed that despite being higher than last year's spending; the overall situation was not good, which impacted many projects. The official documents showed that the already approved Rs1.1 trillion budget is not adequately spent on the development schemes. According to these documents, the government had allocated Rs276.5 billion for projects in provinces, special areas and merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. But the actual spending till April 15th remained at Rs98.5 billion or 36% of the annual allocation. Within this spending, an amount of Rs56.6 billion was spent on AJK and GB projects, which was equal to 76% of the annual budget and higher than the ceiling. But on the merged districts of KP only Rs15.8 billion or 23% of its Rs70 billion allocation was spent. These merged districts are adversely affected by the terror attacks and are under-developed but yet it could not get the attention of the Prime Minister. For the provincial projects, Rs132 billion have been allocated but the spending remains at just Rs26 billion or 20% of the annual allocation. The Planning Ministry did not respond to a question about the annual allocations for Balochistan projects and the actual spending during the first nine and half months of this fiscal year. But details showed that there were 200 federally-funded projects going on in Balochistan having a total cost of Rs1.4 trillion. These projects need little over Rs1 trillion more for completion and the government has already allocated Rs130 billion for this fiscal year. An official of the Planning Commission said that the finance ministry was not releasing the funds despite authorization due to its International Monetary Fund related commitments. But such constraints did not impact spending on the parliamentarians' small schemes. As against the annual allocation of Rs50 billion, Rs35 billion or 69% of the annual budget has already been spent on the parliamentarians' schemes in this fiscal year. The Water Resource Ministry's annual budget was Rs170 billion and so far Rs71 billion or 42% of the annual allocation is spent. The Water Resources Ministry has already requested additional Rs60 billion cover for spending the foreign loans on its schemes. But the Planning Commission has so far not been able to provide the cover. The National Highway Authority's annual budget is Rs161 billion but spending remains at only Rs54 billion or little over one-third of the annual allocation. The Balochistan's project that will get petroleum levy funding is also under the purview of the NHA. The Power Davison's annual budget is Rs95 billion but the spending is just Rs51 billion or little over half of the annual allocation.
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Action taken over use of expired stents in 2021-22: minister
Provincial Specialised Healthcare Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that departmental action has been taken against all those responsible for the use of expired stents in the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) during 2021-22 as pointed out in a recent report of the auditor general. He said the treatment of each patient at the institute is monitored by the chairman of the board of management, executive director and medical superintendent. They minister stated that the patients area using the treatment facilities with full trust as guaranteed stents are used in the PIC. According to sources, corruption of around Rs260 million was also exposed in the report that stated that the hospital administration had used completed expired and substandard stents during heart surgeries and had avoided submitting a reply about the matter. The sources said corruption in the purchase of surgical instruments and medicines had also been pointed out. A large number of heart patients from across Punjab and other provinces seek treatment in the PIC because of the best available facilities. "According to the auditor general's report, 22 patients were affected by the use of expired stents in 2021 and 2022," an official of the PIC said. He said some officials suspected of being involved in corruption had retired, were some were still serving in the health department. The auditor general had sought a reply about the alleged corruption and mismanagement but it was not submitted. Corruption was allegedly done in the main store of the PIC during the purchase of surgical instruments and medicines, while tampered bills caused loss to the institution. The official said the auditors had thoroughly examined the documents of the patients and the hospital. A health department spokesperson, Sayed Hamad Raza, said it was a follow-up report of the auditor general and the previous government of the PTI was responsible for it.
Express Tribune
23-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Hidden costs of solar energy
Listen to article The expansion of solar energy is reshaping electricity distribution, but it also presents economic imbalances that need to be urgently addressed. While solar power provides a cleaner energy alternative, its increasing adoption is reducing overall grid demand, creating financial challenges for utilities and non-solar customers. The current net metering system allows solar users to sell excess electricity back to the grid at rates that do not account for the full costs of electricity generation, distribution, and infrastructure maintenance. Unlike large-scale renewable energy projects that are directly integrated into the grid, individual net-metered solar users contribute less to grid upkeep, shifting the financial burden onto traditional grid customers and utilities. Net-metered consumers in Pakistan currently avoid paying fixed infrastructure costs. According to a comprehensive study, 'The Distributed Divide', conducted by Arzachelit, approximately Rs200 billion in grid fixed costs were shifted to non-solar users in FY 2023/24, resulting in a Rs2/unit tariff increase. A 5% decline in grid demand due to solar adoption could result in over Rs130 billion in costs being incurred by non-solar consumers, further exacerbating the financial strain on them. If grid demand were to decline by 10%, the cost being passed on to non-solar consumers could exceed Rs260 billion, intensifying the burden on the power sector and leading to higher tariffs for consumers who rely solely on the national grid. Considering the massive import of solar panels, grid demand is expected to decline by 15%, potentially resulting in a 17% increase in the base tariff. This growing disparity threatens the long-term sustainability of the electricity sector, potentially leading to increased circular debt and further tariff hikes. While net metering was initially designed to promote solar adoption, its growing scale has created grid management challenges. The ability of prosumers to export excess electricity leads to reverse power flows, voltage instability, and additional costs for utilities. As solar adoption increases, these issues become more pronounced, necessitating urgent reforms. One potential solution is transitioning from net metering to net billing, where solar customers are compensated at a lower rate for their excess electricity while still paying fair grid fees. Many countries have already implemented this change to address financial challenges posed by distributed solar generation. For instance, in 2022, Poland replaced its net metering system with net billing for photovoltaic (PV) installations up to 50 kW. Under the previous net metering scheme, owners of PV systems could inject a significant portion of their generated power into the grid, receiving credits that often did not reflect the actual market value of electricity. The new net billing system compensates prosumers based on the market value of the electricity they inject, encouraging better alignment with grid needs and ensuring that fixed infrastructure costs are more equitably distributed among all users. Similarly, in the United States, several states have transitioned from net metering to net billing or reduced net metering rates. For example, California's NEM 3.0 policy significantly reduced export compensation rates, and Hawaii moved to a self-supply model, requiring solar customers to consume most of their generated power on-site. These changes aim to prevent cost-shifting to non-solar users and ensure that all consumers contribute fairly to grid maintenance and infrastructure costs. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) notes that net billing schemes are employed in countries like Italy, Mexico, and Portugal. In these systems, prosumers are compensated for the excess electricity they feed into the grid based on the actual market value, which can vary with time and location. This approach incentivises self-consumption and ensures that prosumers are fairly compensated without imposing undue financial burdens on non-solar consumers. By adopting net billing, countries aim to create a more balanced and sustainable energy ecosystem, where the costs of maintaining and upgrading grid infrastructure are shared more equitably among all users, and compensation for excess solar generation reflects its true market value. Additionally, introducing demand charges and minimum monthly bills for net-metering users, as recommended in 'The Distributed Divide', can help recover fixed costs fairly. The report recommends charging residential net-metered users Rs1,000/kW/month in demand charges while charging non-net-metered users Rs500/kW/month for the same. Industrial net-metered users could pay Rs2,500/kW/month compared to Rs1,250/kW/month for their non-solar counterparts. These measures would discourage excessive energy exports while ensuring that grid maintenance costs are equitably shared. A common misconception is that solar adoption benefits all users equally. However, as solar penetration increases, its financial advantages diminish for new adopters. Early solar customers benefit from net metering subsidies, while later adopters experience reduced savings due to rising infrastructure costs. Net metering allows consumers who own renewable energy facilities to use electricity when needed while getting credit for contributing their production to the grid. As more consumers install solar panels, per-unit grid costs increase, disproportionately impacting newer solar adopters who face higher tariffs and lower compensation rates. Non-solar consumers, particularly low-income households, bear the brunt of cost shifts caused by net metering. Since electricity tariffs are largely volumetric, fixed costs for grid maintenance and power procurement are spread over fewer units, increasing rates for customers without solar panels. The National Average Power Purchase Price (NAPPP), used to compensate net-metered consumers, is Rs27/kWh, while grid costs continue to rise. Extrapolating trends, it is assumed that 30% of solar energy generated is exported to the grid, with the rest consumed by prosumers during the daytime. If we conservatively estimate that an additional 5,000 MW of PV solar was installed behind the meter over the past year, it would have displaced approximately 7,200 GWh of grid electricity during the day. This also means that nearly 9,942 GWh of grid demand has been displaced due to both net metering and behind-the-meter (BTM) solar generation. These calculations highlight a significant reduction in grid demand during daytime hours. This dynamic is pushing utilities toward what is described as a "DISCO death spiral," where increasing solar adoption reduces revenue, leading to tariff hikes that further incentivise grid defection. If unchecked, this cycle could result in severe financial instability for electricity providers, ultimately affecting all consumers. To achieve a sustainable and equitable energy transition, a phased approach is essential, balancing immediate actions with long-term strategies. In the short term, transitioning from net metering to net billing with cost-reflective buyback rates, introducing minimum bills and demand charges to ensure fair grid contributions, and promoting battery storage adoption through incentives will help stabilise the system. Implementing time-of-use tariffs will further align electricity consumption with demand patterns, reducing peak load imbalances. Over the long term, investments in smart grids, advanced metering, and distributed energy resource integration will enhance grid efficiency and reliability. Dynamic tariff structures, evolving from time-of-use to real-time pricing, will optimise energy use. At the same time, regulatory reforms and public-private partnerships will provide a stable foundation for renewable growth. By combining these measures, policymakers can create a fair and financially viable system. THE WRITER IS A COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL, WRITES ABOUT TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL ISSUES
