Green Energy: Govt ups NTPC investment limit
NEW DELHI, July 16:
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved ‘Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana’ with an annual outlay of Rs 24,000 crore for six years to cover 100 districts, benefiting about 1.7 crore farmers.
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The scheme is in pursuance of the Budget announcement for 2025-26 to develop 100 districts to enhance agricultural productivity, increase adoption of crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices.
The ‘Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana’ will be implemented through the convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 departments, other State schemes and local partnerships with the private sector, I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while briefing reporters about the decisions taken by the Cabinet.
He said the scheme will benefit about 1.7 crore farmers.
An official release said that the scheme aims to enhance agricultural productivity, increase adoption of crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices, augment post-harvest storage at the panchayat and block levels, improve irrigation facilities and facilitate availability of long-term and short-term credit.
The 100 districts will be identified based on three key indicators of low productivity, low cropping intensity, and less credit disbursement.
The number of districts in each State/UT will be based on the share of net cropped area and operational holdings. However, a minimum of 1 district will be selected from each State.
The release further said committees will be formed at district, state and national levels for effective planning, implementation and monitoring of the scheme.
A District Agriculture and Allied Activities Plan will be finalised by the District Dhan Dhaanya Samiti, which will also have progressive farmers as members.
The district plans will be aligned to the national goals of crop diversification, conservation of water and soil health, self-sufficiency in agriculture and allied sectors as well as expansion of natural and organic farming. Progress of the Scheme in each Dhan-Dhaanya district will be monitored on 117 key Performance Indicators through a dashboard on a monthly basis.
Meanwhile, a major push towards green energy, the Government on Wednesday enhanced the investment limit of State-owned NTPC to Rs 20,000 crore and also allowed public sector NLCIL to pump in Rs 7,000 crore in renewable energy projects.
The enhanced delegation of power will enable NTPC to achieve 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032. The existing investment limit for the Maharatna company’s renewable energy is Rs 7,500 crore.
NLC India Limited (NLCIL) has been permitted to invest Rs 7,000 crore in its wholly-owned subsidiary, NLC India Renewables Ltd (NIRL), which in turn will invest in various projects directly or through joint ventures, without prior approval.
These decisions were taken at the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Giving details about the CCEA decisions, Vaishnaw said India has achieved a landmark in its energy transition journey by reaching 50 per cent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources – five years ahead of the target set under its Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Agreement.
NTPC will invest in its subsidiary NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL). Further, NGEL will invest in NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NREL) and its other JVs and subsidiaries.
“The enhanced delegation given to NTPC and NGEL will facilitate accelerated development of renewable projects in the country. This move will also play a vital role in strengthening power infrastructure and ensuring investment in providing reliable, round-the-clock electricity access across the nation,” an official release said.
India is aiming to reach 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
The Union Cabinet also passed a resolution to congratulate Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla for the successful completion of his historic 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station and asserted that it heralded a new chapter in India’s space programme.
The Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Modi, adopted the resolution that termed Shukla’s space journey as a moment of pride, glory and joy for the entire nation and one that represented infinite aspirations of India.
“The Cabinet joins the nation in celebrating the return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to Earth, following the successful completion of his historic 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station,” Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said at a cabinet briefing as he read out the resolution.
Shukla, a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force, and three other astronauts of the private Axiom-4 mission returned to earth on Tuesday after spending 20 days in space of which 18 days were spent at the International Space Station (ISS).
“Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission is not just a personal triumph – it is a beacon of inspiration for a new generation of young Indians. It will ignite the scientific temper, fuel curiosity, and inspire countless youth to pursue careers in science and embrace innovation.
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