Archives April 2026

New Delhi, Apr 13 (BNP): The Government of India has lifted restrictions on wheat exports after a gap of four years, opening the door for increased international demand as several countries line up to purchase Indian wheat.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

Countries including Egypt, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Bangladesh have shown strong interest in importing wheat from India. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is expected to soon issue export quotas to facilitate shipments.

Officials and trade experts believe geopolitical uncertainties, along with adequate domestic stocks, are supporting export opportunities this year. India had earlier allowed limited exports, including around 2.5 million tonnes of grain and an additional 0.5 million tonnes of processed wheat in February.

Export prices to Bangladesh are estimated at around $275–$280 per tonne, which traders say remains competitive and profitable even after including freight costs.

India’s wheat production has remained strong, supported by record output and sufficient government reserves. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) currently holds about 22 million tonnes of wheat, well above the buffer requirement of 7.46 million tonnes, helping maintain stability in domestic markets where average prices stand at around ₹30.81 per kg.

For the 2025–26 season, wheat production is projected to rise to around 120 million tonnes, according to the Agriculture Ministry, aided by expanded cultivation area. However, officials have noted that unseasonal rains have caused some crop damage, particularly affecting wheat quality in certain regions.

Despite these challenges, India remains the world’s second-largest wheat exporter after China, and the government is targeting procurement of 30 million tonnes this year from key producing states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.

The move is expected to strengthen India’s position in global grain markets while ensuring adequate domestic supply remains stable.

New Delhi, Apr 13 (BNP): The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force on Monday observed Siachen Day, honouring the courage and sacrifice of soldiers who have served in the world’s highest and one of the toughest battlefields.

 Pic Credit: Pexel

The day also marked 42 years since the launch of Operation Meghdoot, which secured India’s position on the strategically important Siachen Glacier.

Both forces paid tribute to the unwavering commitment of personnel deployed in extreme weather conditions, where temperatures often drop far below freezing and survival itself is a challenge.

Officials highlighted the dedication of troops who continue to safeguard the region, calling their service a symbol of extraordinary bravery and resilience.

Siddipet, Telangana  Apr 13: Juno Joule Bio Fuels Private Limited, a leading player in India’s emerging bio-energy sector, today announced the groundbreaking of its flagship Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) project at Narmetta Industrial Area in Siddipet district, Telangana. The project marks a significant step in advancing sustainable waste-to-energy solutions and strengthening India’s clean fuel ecosystem.

The initiative is part of a larger cluster development comprising 10 CBG plants, each with a capacity of 10 Tons Per Day (TPD), aggregating to a total production capacity of 100 TPD, with a total planned investment of INR 700 crore. The first phase, being launched at Narmetta, comprises three CBG units (10 TPD each) with an investment of INR 210 crore, and is envisioned as a key hub for scalable bio-energy production in the state. The project will be implemented in three phases – Phase 1 (3 plants), Phase 2 (3 plants), and Phase 3 (4 plants) – with the entire cluster expected to be completed by 2029–2030, contributing to India’s transition toward circular and low-carbon energy systems.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries including Shri Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister for IT, Electronics & Communications, Industry & Commerce and Legislative Affairs, Government of Telangana, and Shri Bhubaneswar Kalita, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science & Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

The event was also graced by Shri N. K. Premachandran, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha; Shri Santosh Bagrodia, Former Union Minister of Coal; and other distinguished leaders and officials including Shri T. Harish Rao, MLA (Siddipet); Shri Rayapati Sambasiva Rao, Former Member of Parliament; Shri V. Hanumantha Rao, Former Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha; Shri K. Shashanka, IAS, VC & MD – TGIIC; Shri J. Nikhil Chakravarthy, IAS, Director of Industries, Government of Telangana; Shri P. V. Ramesh, IAS (Retd.), Former Chairman & Managing Director, REC Limited; and Shri S. V. Pillai, Former OSD, Prime Minister’s Office.

Senior representatives from GAIL (India) Limited, Bhagyanagar Gas Limited (BGL), industry stakeholders, and government officials were also present, underscoring the strategic importance of the project.

The project is being implemented under the Government of India’s CBG–CGD Synchronisation Scheme, which aims to integrate compressed bio-gas into the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network. By enabling the supply of domestically produced, renewable gas into existing infrastructure, the initiative aligns with national priorities under Atmanirbhar Bharat and programmes such as GOBARdhan, reducing reliance on imports while strengthening long-term energy security.

Juno Joule’s CBG plants will convert agricultural residue such as paddy straw, along with organic waste streams including poultry waste and cattle dung, into clean fuel. This approach not only addresses environmental concerns such as stubble burning and greenhouse gas emissions but also promotes a circular economy by transforming waste into valuable energy resources.

Speaking at the occasion honourable Minister Shri Duddilla Sridhar Babu said “Telangana is committed to building a future-ready, sustainable industrial ecosystem, and initiatives like this Compressed Bio-Gas project reflect the state’s focus on clean energy, innovation, and rural development. By converting agricultural and organic waste into valuable energy, such projects not only address environmental challenges but also create new economic opportunities for our farmers and local communities. We welcome investments that strengthen Telangana’s position as a progressive hub for green and sustainable infrastructure.”

The project has secured structured offtake arrangements with GAIL (India) Limited and Bhagyanagar Gas Limited (BGL), ensuring integration into the CGD network and enabling supply for mobility and industrial applications in the Hyderabad region. These partnerships provide demand assurance and strengthen the commercial viability of the project.

India’s Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) sector is entering a high-growth phase, shifting from voluntary adoption to a mandatory blending framework—1% in CNG/PNG, rising to 5% by 2028–29. Backed by the SATAT initiative, this is driving capacity expansion toward 15,000 TPD, aimed at reducing gas imports, strengthening energy security, and supporting rural incomes. In this context, scalable, integrated models such as cluster-based CBG projects are critical to ensuring reliable supply and seamless integration into the CGD network.

At the event, Shri Bhubaneswar Kalita, shared his thoughts by saying “India’s transition to a low-carbon economy requires scalable and practical solutions that can be implemented at the grassroots level. Compressed Bio-Gas projects such as this play a critical role in reducing emissions, promoting circular economy practices, and enhancing energy security by leveraging domestic resources. It is encouraging to see such integrated initiatives that align with national priorities of clean energy, sustainable development, and reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports.”

Beyond its environmental benefits, the initiative is expected to generate significant socio-economic impact. By creating local employment opportunities and establishing reliable feedstock supply chains, the project will enhance farmer incomes and contribute to rural development in Telangana.

Mr. Nagasharath Rayapati, CEO of Juno Joule Green Energy Private Limited Bio Fuels Private Limited, said, “We are pleased to mark the commencement of this project, which represents an important step toward building India’s next phase of clean, self-reliant energy. As the country moves toward mandatory CBG blending and reduced import dependence, scalable and reliable bio-energy infrastructure becomes critical. Our cluster-based approach is designed to deliver consistency at scale, unlock value from agricultural waste, and contribute meaningfully to India’s energy security and rural economy.”

India’s bio-energy sector is witnessing increasing momentum, driven by policy support and the need for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. However, large-scale implementation requires reliable feedstock supply, infrastructure integration, and viable offtake mechanisms. Juno Joule’s cluster-based approach addresses these challenges by enabling scale, efficiency, and consistent supply, positioning the project as a replicable model for future development.

The Narmetta facility marks the beginning of a broader vision to build integrated bio-energy infrastructure across key regions, aligned with national initiatives such as the GOBARdhan scheme and India’s clean energy transition goals.

This groundbreaking ceremony represents not only the launch of a project but the foundation of a scalable, future-ready model for sustainable energy production, rural economic growth, and reduced carbon emissions.

New Delhi, April 13: The global data centre market is expanding rapidly, with 40–50 GW of current installed capacity worldwide and projections exceeding 100 GW expected by 2030, driven largely by the rapid growth in cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data-intensive technologies.

Amid this transformation, India is emerging as a strategic hub within the Asia-Pacific region. The country’s accelerating digital economy, expanding internet user base, and increasing investments from hyperscale operators are positioning it as a key destination for data infrastructure development. According to Vestian’s latest report, India’s data centre market—valued at approximately USD 10 billion in 2025—is expected to more than double to USD 22 billion by 2030, underscoring the strong growth trajectory and rising investor confidence in the sector.

This rapid growth can be attributed to rising internet and telecommunications subscribers, increasing enterprise cloud adoption, expanding AI and high-performance computing workloads, and shifting consumer preferences towards digital payments and OTT platforms. The rollout of 5G infrastructure has pushed average monthly wireless data consumption beyond 25 GB per user, reflecting a sharp rise in data usage and reinforcing the need for scalable data centre infrastructure.

A Snapshot of India’s Data Centre Market

Shrinivas Rao, FRICS, CEO, Vestian said,

“India’s data centre sector is rapidly transforming on the back of strong policy  support and  rising digital demand. Despite a limited share of global capacity, India has a huge upside potential to lead in Al infrastructure. With single-window clearances, 20-year tax exemptions, GST benefits, and incentives extending to 2047, India is strategically positioned to emerge as a global data centre and Al hub.”

Robust Investment Pipeline Signals Strong Growth Ahead

India’s data centre industry has attracted significant investments from global and domestic investors. Between 2020 and 2024, the sector attracted approximately USD 13–15 Bn in investments, with foreign institutional investors accounting for nearly 80% of the total capital inflows. The investment pipeline remains strong, with announced projects totalling USD 60–70 Bn over the next five years, largely driven by hyperscale platforms and joint venture developments.

India also offers a competitive cost advantage, with data centre construction costs of USD 6–7 Mn/MW, significantly lower than those in mature APAC markets such as Singapore and Japan, thereby enhancing its attractiveness for large-scale investments.

City-wise Analysis

Data centre infrastructure in India remains concentrated in a few key metropolitan markets. Mumbai remains the country’s largest data centre hub, driven by strong global connectivity and infrastructure advantages. At the same time, Chennai serves as a key global data gateway, with multiple submarine cable landings that enable high-capacity, low-latency connectivity. Meanwhile, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Pune are emerging as important secondary hubs owing to robust IT ecosystems, ample land availability, and competitive operating costs.

City-wise Share of Operational Capacity

While Mumbai and Chennai remain the primary hubs, data centre operators are increasingly exploring Tier-II cities to support distributed digital infrastructure. Cities such as Ahmedabad, Kochi, Jaipur, and Visakhapatnam are gaining traction due to competitive land availability, improving digital infrastructure, supportive state government policies, and growing enterprise demand. Operational capacity in Tier-II markets is currently estimated at 60–80 MW and is expected to exceed 100 MW by the end of 2026.

India’s data centre market is expected to witness sustained expansion over the next decade as digital transformation accelerates across industries. Installed capacity is projected to reach 1.7–2.0 GW by the end of 2026, backed by nearly USD 30 Bn in investments. This number is further expected to go up to 4–5 GW by 2030. Rising AI adoption, increasing demand for cloud infrastructure, and the rapid growth of digital platforms are expected to drive the next wave of growth in India’s data centre market.

New Delhi, Apr 13 (BNP): Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma has achieved a major milestone in the Indian Premier League, completing 6000 runs while playing for Mumbai Indians.

The veteran batter reached the landmark during a recent IPL match, further strengthening his status as one of the most consistent performers in the tournament’s history. Known for his elegant stroke play and leadership, Rohit has been a key figure in Mumbai Indians’ success over the years.

The achievement adds another chapter to his impressive IPL career, where he has remained one of the league’s most influential and dependable players.

Fans and cricket experts have widely celebrated the milestone, highlighting his longevity and impact in the tournament.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 13 (BNP): Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida has urged all political parties to extend their support to the Women’s Reservation Bill, stressing that collective action on women’s empowerment can transform the nation’s future.

Speaking on the issue, Parida emphasized that when women come together in solidarity, they have the power to bring meaningful social and political change. She said the proposed reservation for women in legislative bodies is not just a policy measure, but a step toward ensuring stronger representation and a more inclusive democracy.

She called upon parties across the political spectrum to rise above differences and support the legislation in the interest of gender equality and national development.

Highlighting the importance of women’s participation in governance, she noted that greater representation would strengthen decision-making processes and help shape a more balanced and progressive society.

The remarks come amid renewed political discussions around the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which aims to increase women’s representation in Parliament and state assemblies.

New Delhi, Apr 13 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a national-level ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan’ in the capital on Monday, highlighting the importance of greater participation of women in India’s political and developmental journey.

 The event, being held at Vigyan Bhawan, is expected to bring together women from diverse fields, including governance, academia, science, sports, business, media, and social work. It aims to create a platform for dialogue on strengthening women’s representation in decision-making spaces.

In a message shared ahead of the programme, the Prime Minister emphasized that empowering women is central to building a developed India. He noted that the gathering would encourage discussions on increasing women’s presence in Parliament and state legislatures.

The Sammelan is also linked to the broader vision behind the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which seeks to enhance women’s representation in legislative bodies.

Officials said the initiative reflects a continued push to ensure that women play a larger role in shaping the country’s future across sectors.

New Delhi, Apr 13 (BNP): Amid ongoing disruptions linked to the West Asia crisis, India has stepped up efforts to ensure steady fuel access by increasing the supply of smaller LPG cylinders and fast-tracking piped natural gas (PNG) connections.

Authorities have significantly boosted the availability of 5-kg LPG cylinders—commonly used by migrant workers and low-income households—with over 13 lakh units distributed since late March. Daily sales have also surged, reflecting rising demand and improved accessibility.

Pic Credit: Pexel

In parallel, the rollout of PNG connections has gathered pace, with more than 4.2 lakh new households being connected in recent weeks. This push is aimed at providing a more reliable and continuous fuel alternative, especially in urban areas.

The government’s twin strategy—enhancing LPG availability while expanding PNG infrastructure—is designed to cushion consumers from supply uncertainties and price volatility driven by global geopolitical tensions.

Officials say these measures are part of a broader effort to maintain energy stability and ensure that essential fuel reaches vulnerable sections without disruption.

Mumbai, Apr 13 (BNP): India bid an emotional farewell to legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle, whose last rites are set to be held at Shivaji Park in Mumbai with full state honours.

The iconic singer, celebrated for a remarkable career spanning more than seven decades, passed away on Sunday at the age of 92. She had been undergoing treatment at a city hospital and succumbed to age-related complications.

Known for her extraordinary versatility and timeless voice, Asha Bhosle left an indelible mark on Indian music, with countless songs that continue to resonate across generations.

Fans, fellow artists, and public figures have been expressing their grief, remembering her not just as a musical legend but as a cultural icon whose legacy will live on.

New Delhi, Apr 13 (BNP): President Droupadi Murmu on Monday paid tribute to the victims of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, saying their sacrifice will always be remembered with deep gratitude.

In her message, she highlighted the enduring spirit of patriotism shown by those who laid down their lives, expressing hope that their courage will continue to inspire people to serve the nation with dedication and sincerity.

The 1919 tragedy unfolded when hundreds of unarmed civilians gathered peacefully to protest against the Rowlatt Act. British troops opened fire on the crowd, turning it into one of the most painful episodes in India’s freedom struggle.

Remembering the martyrs, the President said their legacy remains a guiding force for the country and a reminder of the sacrifices behind India’s independence.