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India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Gujarat: CM Patel approves grant of Rs 107 crore for road repairs to 149 municipalities across state
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 8 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has begun advanced planning to ensure that if urban roads across the state are severely damaged due to heavy rains during this year's monsoon, resurfacing and repair work can begin without delay. For this purpose, the Chief Minister has approved the allocation of a total grant of Rs 107 crore to 149 municipalities across the state from the Mukhyamantri Shaheri Sadak Yojana, under the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhya Mantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana, according to the release. During the monsoon season, heavy rainfall is likely to cause significant damage to roads in urban areas of the state. Thereby adopting a people-centric approach, CM Patel has prioritised prompt resurfacing and repair of these roads to enhance road safety and improve urban infrastructure. Besides, if roads in certain municipalities are in poor condition due to excavations for sewerage, drinking water pipelines, and other works, the state government provides funds for road repairs in those areas before the monsoon, based on requests from the respective municipalities. He has approved the allocation of grants to municipalities based on their category as part of the planning for road repair and resurfacing across the state. Accordingly, a total grant of Rs 37 crore will be allocated to 37 'A' category municipalities, with Rs1 crore allotted to each, Rs 27 crore will be allocated to 34 'B' category municipalities, with Rs80 lakh allotted to each, Rs 36 crore will be allocated to 61 'C' category municipalities with Rs 60 lakh, allotted to each, Rs 6.80 crore will be allocated to 17 'D' category municipalities with Rs 40 lakh allotted to each, said release. Thus, a total grant of Rs 107 crore will be allocated to the respective municipalities from the Mukhyamantri Shaheri Sadak Yojana by the Gujarat Urban Development Mission. Furthermore, if roads in the state's urban areas suffer further damage due to heavy rainfall during the monsoon, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has adopted a people-centric approach to allocate additional funds for road repairs based on the municipalities' needs and demands, over and above the amounts already allocated. (ANI)
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
India's first national paper expo debuts in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: PAPEXPO 2025, India's first national-level exhibition exclusively dedicated to the paper industry, was inaugurated today at HITEX Exhibition Centre, Hyderabad. The three-day event, organised by the Paper Foundation and supported by the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, brings together stakeholders across the paper value chain to promote innovation, sustainability, and industry growth. The event was inaugurated by industry stalwarts including Narendra Paruchuri, Managing Director, Pragathi Offset Printers; Soumyajit Mukherjee, CMO, Emami Paper Mills; Dr Ajay Satia, MD, Satia Industries; Rushabh Shah, MD, Three M Paper Boards; and Abiali Jani, Director, Jaini Sales. Distinguished attendees also included MK Goyal, General Secretary, IPPTA; Nataraj, Deputy Director, Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP); Nirmal Kuhad and Arvind Sharma, Directors of Papyrus Expo LLP; and B.R. Rao, President, Paper Foundation. Over 100 national and international exhibitors are showcasing the latest advancements in paper manufacturing, converting, printing, packaging, and recycling. More than 15,000 visitors are expected, including key decision-makers from across India and abroad. Speaking at the event, Soumyajit Mukherjee highlighted the dynamic potential of the paper industry, which engages nearly 2 million people and is valued at Rs80,000 crore. He noted the steady growth in writing and printing paper due to government education initiatives, and a resurgence in newspaper readership driven by declining digital trust. 'The industry is experiencing innovation across all verticals—from craft paper to recycled packaging boards,' he said. MK Goyal emphasised the importance of self-reliance within the sector, cautioning against over-dependence on imports and stressing the need to counter misinformation about paper usage. 'Despite being a sustainable industry, we've fallen victim to digital narratives that wrongly frame paper as environmentally harmful,' he said. Addressing the audience, Nirmal Kuhad reiterated PAPEXPO's role in debunking the deforestation myth. 'India's paper industry is among the most sustainable globally, with over 80% of production sourced from recycled materials like wastepaper, sugarcane bagasse, and agricultural residue,' he stated. The expo underscores the significance of paper in India's economic and ecological framework. Mr. Arvind Sharma called the sector a 'vital pillar' of India's economy, contributing extensively to employment and national tax revenue. PAPEXPO 2025 also aims to increase awareness about India's low per capita paper consumption—just 15–16 kg compared to the global average of 57 kg—and foster collaboration across industry segments. With the Indian paper market projected to reach $13.2 billion by 2033, and the packaging segment alone hitting $13.72 billion by 2025, the growth trajectory remains promising. Participants hail from major paper-producing states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, alongside international exhibitors. The Paper Foundation also seeks policy support from the Telangana Government to bolster green innovation and sustainability initiatives in the sector.
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Vodafone Idea CEO's AGR remarks triggers debate on Supreme Court's final ruling
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): On May 19, 2025, a two-judge bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan dismissed petitions filed by Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel, and the Tata Group under Article 32, which sought waivers on AGR interest and penalties. The court reaffirmed that the matter had been conclusively settled through its 2019 ruling and subsequent review petitions, stating, 'It will be a very sad day if the highest Court of this Country starts entertaining Article 32 writ petitions on the same subject matter after the curative petitions are dismissed.' Despite this, during a June 2 earnings call, Vodafone Idea CEO Akshaya Moondra stated that the company remains engaged with the Union government to seek a resolution. 'As far as the government relief is concerned, I think we are engaged with the government... What the government will do, I cannot comment on their behalf. But definitely post the judgment, we continue with our engagement with the government to find a solution to the AGR matter,' he said. Legal experts swiftly denounced the statement, arguing that it misrepresented the court's position. Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai recently cautioned against the distortion of judicial remarks, emphasizing that such misinterpretations could negatively influence public perception. Advocate Gaurav Gupta, who has appeared in multiple civil cases, stated that the Supreme Court's May 19 order reaffirmed the finality of AGR dues. He stressed that any future government intervention or executive relief altering the quantum or finality of AGR dues was now precluded by the court's decision. Notably, the court labeled Vodafone Idea's writ petition as 'misconceived,' making the CEO's remarks about government involvement legally unfounded. Advocate Ashish Dixit emphasized that the petition under Article 32 was 'misconceived,' questioning the rationale behind filing it despite the Supreme Court having already adjudicated the issue up to the curative stage. 'Once an issue is decided by the highest court, the options for both the company and government are limited, as the executive cannot override the law established by the Supreme Court,' he said. Advocate Mohit Paul, an Advocate-on-Record at the Supreme Court, highlighted the ongoing dispute surrounding AGR--the yardstick for license fees and spectrum-usage charges. The matter was definitively settled by the Supreme Court in October 2019, ruling that AGR includes all forms of income--telecom or otherwise--and that operators are required to pay approximately Rs1.56 trillion, including interest and penalties. Following years of legal battles--including failed review petitions in 2020 and curative petitions dismissed in September 2024--the telcos made yet another attempt by filing Article 32 writs in May 2025, seeking a waiver worth roughly Rs80,000 crore. However, the Supreme Court firmly rejected these petitions, remarking that reopening the issue would be 'a very sad day,' reiterating its belief that the writ petitions were 'misconceived.' During the hearing, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Vodafone Idea, conceded that all legal avenues--including review and curative petitions--had been exhausted. He urged the court to allow the government to assess the company's representation. The bench responded: 'If the government wants to help you, we are not coming in the way; who is stopping them from having a look at the representation?' However, Rohatgi informed the court that the government had declined to consider the request, citing the binding nature of the AGR ruling. The Solicitor General confirmed that the executive was restricted from intervening due to prior Supreme Court decisions. The bench concluded: 'If you cannot examine it, we also cannot examine it now.' Rohatgi's subsequent plea to withdraw the petition was denied, along with his request to insert a statement allowing petitioners to approach the government. The court remarked, 'Everything has its own limits.' (ANI)
Express Tribune
02-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Chicken prices drop in Peshawar
The price of poultry has dropped significantly, falling from Rs460 per kilogram to Rs380 within a week - a decrease of Rs80 per kilogram. Despite the steep decline in raw chicken prices, the cost of chicken dishes at restaurants and fast-food outlets remains unchanged, drawing criticism from consumers. As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, the poultry market has witnessed a notable dip in prices. However, eateries across the city continue to sell chicken dishes at inflated rates, unchanged since prices peaked earlier this year. Previously, when chicken prices surged to Rs500 per kilogram, restaurant and fast-food operators raised the prices of popular chicken dishes. Now that chicken rates have dropped significantly, the public is questioning why those increased menu prices haven't been revised.
Express Tribune
29-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Eid sacrifice comes at hefty price
An official of the Punjab Livestock Department conducts a spray at a cattle market in Raiwind to protect sacrificial animals against diseases. Medical facilities have been arranged in the temporary markets set up for the Eid season. photo: NNI With Eidul Azha drawing near, trading activity in cattle markets across Lahore is gaining momentum. However, soaring prices of sacrificial animals have left many citizens frustrated, while sellers point to rising costs of animal husbandry and transportation as key contributors to the surge. A visit to Shahpur Kanjran — the city's largest cattle market — and several designated sale points revealed a wide variety of livestock on display. However, buyers said prices had jumped by 80 to 90 per cent compared to last year, blaming market manipulation and inadequate regulatory oversight. Kamran Malik, a buyer at one of the markets, said he had planned to purchase a goat but was taken aback by the prices. "Even a small goat now starts at Rs80,000 to Rs90,000, and some are priced well into the hundreds of thousands depending on breed and appearance," he said. "It's becoming unaffordable for the average family." Prices of larger animalssuch as calves, cows, and bullsare even steeper, starting around Rs200,000 and reaching Rs500,000 or more for healthy specimens. Premium animals with distinctive features or exceptional build are being sold for over a million rupees in some markets. Muhammad Buksh, another shopper, criticised what he described as the commercialisation of a sacred tradition. "Eidul Azha teaches sacrifice, but it has turned into a season of profiteering," he said. "Traders cite inflation, fodder, and fuel costs, but in the end, it's the middle class that's burdened," he said. Other citizens echoed the sentiment and called for government intervention. Zia Qureshi, visiting a market in the Ravi area, urged authorities to regulate livestock prices. "If these trends persist, many people won't be able to perform qurbani this year," he said. Livestock traders defended the rising prices, citing increased operational expenses. Muhammad Boota, a farmer from Rahim Yar Khan, said fuel price hikes had doubled transportation costs. "From loading charges to roadside bribes, the journey from our farms to city markets is expensive," he said. "People assume we're overcharging, but we're just trying to recover the costs of raising animals all year." Shahid, another trader, said that despite the evening rush, overall sales remained slow. "Most people are here to survey prices. Nearly half are not committing to purchases yetpossibly waiting for last-minute deals," he added. In light of the growing activity, Lahore Division Commissioner Zaid bin Maqsood visited the Halloki cattle market on Wednesday to assess preparations and ensure compliance with official regulations. The commissioner inspected service camps set up by the livestock department, Lahore Waste Management Company, Rescue 1122, and other agencies. The Wagah assistant commissioner briefed him on the operational setup and preparedness. The commissioner reviewed the availability of essential facilities, including electricity, tents, potable water, sanitation, and medical support. He also interacted with traders to gather first-hand feedback. Special focus was placed on veterinary services. The commissioner examined the stock and expiry dates of medicines and verified staff attendance. He stressed the need for strict enforcement against unauthorised cattle enclosures and directed officials to take immediate action to dismantle illegal setups, maintaining zero tolerance for violations.
