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Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Post-protest, CM intervenes, announces Rs 5L aid for those who lost homes, relatives
Dehradun: Chief minister on Saturday, announced two key measures for the rehabilitation and relief of those affected by the recent disaster in Uttarkashi's Dharali village. He said Rs 5 lakh would be provided to families whose houses were completely destroyed and an equal amount will also be given to the families of the deceased as financial assistance. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As part of the rehabilitation drive, Dhami also announced the formation of a three-member committee, chaired by the revenue secretary, to draft a long-term recovery and livelihood plan for the affected community. The panel will submit its preliminary report within a week. The CM said relief teams had provided food, clothing, and essential supplies to the disaster-hit families, with damage assessments for houses, farmland, and other property already underway. He added that compensation distribution is expected to begin within two to three days. "The govt's priority is to safely evacuate all people stranded in the valley, which has been nearly completed. Food, groceries, emergency lights, clothing, and other essential items are being continuously supplied through community kitchens. Electricity and network services have been restored in the village, and the road will soon be made operational for travel," he added. Dhami also announced that the state govt will supply the affected families with rations for the next six months. "Despite adverse weather conditions, over 1,000 individuals, including local residents and pilgrims from across the country, have been safely rescued. The injured have been admitted to the district hospital and AIIMS, where arrangements have been made to ensure they receive proper medical care," he said, adding that adequate supplies of medicines, milk, rations, and clothing have been delivered to the Harsil and Dharali areas. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The CM also mentioned that a power house operated by Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) has been activated in the Harsil area to ensure electricity supply, and Uttarakhand Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL) is repairing the power lines. Mobile connectivity has been restored, and two 125 kV generator sets have been dispatched to the disaster area. "Road connectivity in the Harsiil area is being repaired, and the construction of a Bailey bridge in Ganganani is progressing rapidly. Roads affected by landslides will be repaired soon, and the road to Harsil is expected to be fully restored by Tuesday, allowing other tasks to be completed swiftly," he added.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
U'khand cabinet approves geothermal policy, digital forensic laboratory
Dehradun: The state cabinet on Wednesday approved the Uttarakhand Geothermal Policy 2025, aimed at promoting scientific and technical research for exploration and development of geothermal resources that are both economically and environmentally viable. The policy seeks to encourage the identification and utilisation of geothermal energy sites across the state for applications such as power generation, heating and cooling systems, water purification, and community development. Through this policy, the state aims to reduce carbon emissions and strengthen energy security by contributing to long-term environmental and energy goals, an official said. It will be applicable to all geothermal projects in Uttarakhand and will be implemented by the state's energy department in coordination with Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) and Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (UJVNL). It also approved the formation of a project management unit (PMU) to carry out studies on enhancing the load-bearing capacity of bridges under the public works department. In the vigilance department, 20 new posts were sanctioned, raising the total strength from 132 to 152. A decision was taken to list seven companies—already registered with the electronics and information technology ministry—for providing related services and materials in the state. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Further, the cabinet gave its nod to the Uttarakhand State Mineral Exploration Trust Rules, 2025. Recognising the significant role of state govts in mineral exploration, particularly of minor minerals, the rules aim to encourage the establishment of mineral exploration trusts. To support this, grants of up to 10% of the annual collection in the state mineral exploration trust will be provided to state govts for the current and upcoming financial years. This decision follows the sixth meeting of the governing body of the National Mineral Exploration Trust. In line with directives from the mines ministry, the state has now promulgated rules for the formation of its own mineral exploration trust. The cabinet also approved the Uttarakhand District Mineral Foundation Trust Rules, 2025. These replace certain provisions in the 2017 rules (as amended in 2023) and introduce new clauses aimed at improving transparency and governance. In another key decision, the cabinet cleared the proposal for establishing a digital forensic laboratory within the state tax department. The lab is intended to enhance the enforcement of taxation laws through digital evidence collection, retrieval, and analysis. It is also expected to assist other departments, including CGST and income tax. The cabinet also approved the restructuring of the Uttarakhand Finance Service cadre to improve administrative efficiency.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Uttarakhand approves Geo-Thermal Energy Policy 2025 to tap geothermal resources
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand cabinet on Wednesday approved the Uttarakhand Geo-Thermal Energy Policy 2025, aimed at promoting scientific and technological research to explore and develop economically and environmentally viable geothermal resources in the state. The energy department of the state, in collaboration with the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) and Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL), will implement the policy (Representative photo) Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, officials aware of the development said, adding that the policy aims to promote the use of geothermal sites for power generation, heating and cooling, water purification, and community development. The energy department of the state, in collaboration with the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) and Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL), will implement the policy, which applies to all geothermal projects in the state. The government plans to strengthen the state's energy security through geothermal energy by reducing carbon emissions and contributing to long-term environmental and energy goals. According to officials, projects under the policy will be allotted for a maximum period of 30 years from the date of commissioning and sites identified for development can be allocated to central or state enterprises or private entities through competitive bidding or specified processes. Also Read: Uttarakhand to use satellite imageries, drones to assess plantation success If financial assistance (FA) is not available from the central government, the state government may provide financial assistance for the first two projects, subject to approval. 'The state government will provide up to 50% financial assistance, up to ₹3 crore, to developers for preparing detailed geothermal project reports or assessing the feasibility of existing projects,' an official said. Also, permission for the transfer or approval of private land will be granted as per the revenue department's reporting standards. 'For forest land or other reserved areas, leases/pattas will be granted as per the provisions of the state's proposed lease policy, subject to state government approval or forest clearance,' the official added. Hot springs or geothermal sources form in the Himalayan region when water percolating beneath the Earth's surface reaches a geothermal point and exits through a thermal vent. As one goes deeper into the Earth, the temperature increases due to thermal activities such as volcanic activity, rock formation, and tectonic plate movement, which release heat and energy. When a water source passes near these zones, it absorbs the heat and emerges through thermal vents as hot springs. Also Read: Uttarakhand working on policy for small hydropower projects: Official Experts said that geothermal points in the Himalayan region are scattered along the geological fault line of the Main Central Thrust—where the Indian plate has pushed the Eurasian plate along the Himalayas—and hot springs are found along this fault line. At the sixth meeting of the governing body of the National Mineral Exploration Trust on Wednesday, the cabinet also approved the Uttarakhand State Mineral Exploration Trust Rules, 2025, encouraging the formation of State Mineral Exploration Trusts. Additionally, it approved the Uttarakhand District Mineral Foundation Trust Rules, 2025, following amendments to certain provisions of the Uttarakhand District Mineral Foundation Trust Rules, 2017. Also Read: Over 70 hot springs identified in Uttarakhand and HP for power generation The cabinet also gave its consent to the formation of a Project Management Unit (PMU) to study the carrying capacity of bridges under the public works department (PWD), and to establish a digital forensic laboratory in the state tax department to ensure effective compliance with taxation laws through the collection, retrieval, and analysis of information and evidence. It also decided to enlist seven companies listed by the ministry of electronics and information technology for the supply of IT-related services and materials in the state. The cabinet also said that disabled persons will continue to receive disability pension even after their son or grandson attains adulthood (20 years)
