News / Author / Manoj Ahuja

Manoj Ahuja

Manoj Ahuja is a principal correspondent based in Indore. He writes on business, agriculture and aviation. His focus is on south-western Madhya Pradesh, particularly the tribal belt.

Articles by Manoj Ahuja

Digital payment: Smart prepaid meters for irrigation in Malwa region in 3 years

Farmers in parts of Malwa belt of Madhya Pradesh will have the facility of smart prepaid meters for irrigation in about three-year time.

cities

Updated on Jun 30, 2015 07:00 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Disposal of Union Carbide's toxic waste set for trial runs

After facing numerous hiccups, the process of conducting trial runs for the disposal of toxic waste lying at the defunct Union Carbide plant in Bhopal has entered its final stage.

Inside-view-of-the-defunct-Union-Carbide-factory-in-Bhopal-HT-photo

cities

Updated on Jun 28, 2015 10:18 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Real estate shows signs of revival in Indore after 3 years

The real estate market in Indore is showing signs of revival after three years of stagnation.

On-an-average-real-estate-prices-on--Indore-s-outskirts-have-moved-up-by-10-15-in-the-last-three-months-HT-file-photo

cities

Updated on Jun 26, 2015 05:57 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Indore: GAIL, industry tussle over non-consumption of gas

Availability of cheaper fuel has led to a stand-off between GAIL India Ltd and industry in Madhya Pradesh over non-consumption of natural gas by some units in Pithampur and Dewas.

cities

Updated on Jun 26, 2015 05:20 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Indore: Piped gas no match to subsidised LPG

The piped natural gas (PNG) project is yet to catch people’s fancy in Indore because of switch-over fears and the liquid petroleum gas (LPG) still being a handy subsidised option.

Under-the-PNG-project-that-started-in-December-2011-only-3-100-households-have-recieved-a-connection-so-far-Shankar-Mourya-HT

cities

Updated on Jun 23, 2015 05:53 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Madhya Pradesh govt optimistic despite RBI data showing decline in inflow of FDI

The foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow to Madhya Pradesh has shown a steady decline over the past three years even as foreign investment in the neighbouring Rajasthan and Gujarat has picked up.

Madhya-Pradesh-CM-Shivraj-Singh-Chouhan-addresses-the-audience-at-Global-Investors-Summit-in-Indore-PTI-photo

cities

Updated on Jun 20, 2015 07:33 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

‘Mangoes’ can be as risky as Maggi, say experts in Indore

After Maggi, artificially ripened mangoes can hit the harmful list, as hazardous ripeners are being used to make them look juicier and pulpier, health experts have warned.

Calcium-carbide-ripened-mangoes-are-being-sold-in-Indore-markets-despite-the-fact-that-the-chemical-is-harmful-for-health-Utsav-Jain-HT-file

cities

Updated on Jun 13, 2015 09:35 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

MP: Countrywide Maggi controversy puts other noodle brands in a soup

The controversy over excessive lead content in Nestle’s Maggi noodles has hit the sales of other brands also, traders said. The controversy has also frightened other companies.

Children-demonstrate-with-Maggi-packets-and-vow-not-to-consume-them-anymore-in-Bhopal-on-Friday-HT-photo

cities

Updated on Jun 06, 2015 05:48 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Madhya Pradesh: El Nino may impact soya yield

The India Meteorological Department’s prediction of El Nino effect continuing throughout monsoon season has farmers and soybean experts worried, as distribution pattern rather than quantum of rainfall is more crucial for the soya crop.

cities

Updated on Jun 04, 2015 07:05 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

MP: Monsoon delay may push pulse prices up

Likely delay in arrival of the monsoon to Central India and erratic rain distribution due to El Nino effect could push the prices of pulses further, say experts.

cities

Updated on May 31, 2015 06:27 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Soybean, pulses sowing may be delayed by week in MP

Farmers in Madhya Pradesh may have to wait for one week more for sowing kharif crops including soybean and pulses.

cities

Updated on May 30, 2015 07:09 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Passenger traffic from Indore airport up by 21%

Indore airport added nearly 2.4 lakh flyers in 2014-15 as compared to the previous fiscal, data released by Airports Authority of India (AAI) revealed.

Experts-say-that-number-of-flights-from-Indore-is-expected-to-increase-in-the-coming-years-Arun--Mondhe-HT-photo

cities

Updated on May 29, 2015 05:12 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Good returns: More farmers take to oilseed, soy cultivation in Madhya Pradesh

Sullakhedi, a dusty village near Indore which is home to several soybean farmers, is eagerly awaiting the onset of monsoon to plant the oilseed, which is now trading at Rs3,900 per quintal in the wholesale mandis, almost Rs1,200 per quintal more than the government price.

cities

Updated on May 23, 2015 09:28 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

High diesel prices in MP hurt pump owners, govt

High diesel prices in Madhya Pradesh have not only hit petrol pump owners’ business but have also inflicted severe losses on the government in terms of revenue.

cities

Updated on May 22, 2015 07:01 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Yoga classes to organic food: Pvt firms in Indore go extra mile to de-stress staff

With irregular working hours and tight deadlines taking a toll on the health of private sector employees, Indore-based information technology (IT) companies are now encouraging techies to enroll for yoga classes or try their hand at cricket.

A-massage-chair-on-office-premises-of-an-IT-company-that-helps-techies-relax-in-between-work-HT-photo

cities

Updated on May 20, 2015 04:56 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Realtor Pintu Chhabra may buy out Madhya Pradesh's first mall-cum-multiplex

The ownership of MP’s first mall-cum-multiplex, Treasure Island, might soon change hands, with Indore’s real estate tycoon Pintu Chhabra holding talks with promoters of the shopping mall located on the MG Road.

Treasure-Island-mall-was-closed-for-renovation-four-months-ago-HT-file

cities

Updated on May 09, 2015 04:28 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByHusain Malvi and Manoj Ahuja, Indore

BSNL loses further ground to private operators in MP

The public sector telecom operator Bharatiya Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has recorded a steep fall in its wireless (mobile) subscriber base in Madhya Pradesh, data from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has revealed.

cities

Updated on May 06, 2015 05:56 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

MP government saves crores as 15% LPG consumers yet to link bank accounts

With nearly 15% domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) consumers in the state yet to link their bank accounts under direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme, the Union government has saved crores of rupees in subsidy from Madhya Pradesh alone.

cities

Updated on May 06, 2015 04:09 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Clean, cheap water now a reality in MP

For the past six months, Deven Patel, who runs a grocery shop in Talavli Chanda village near Indore, has been buying two 20-litre cans of drinking water every day for his home and shop for a paltry Rs 18.

The-model-aims-to-make-clean-water-for-the-masses-a-self-sustaining-business-proposition-HT-photo-for-representation

cities

Updated on May 02, 2015 05:34 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja and Ritesh Mishra, Indore

MP government's land choice may not attract small entrepreneurs: Experts

The Madhya Pradesh government’s initiative to reserve 20 per cent land in every district for small scale industries may not yield expected dividends, experts said.

cities

Updated on Apr 28, 2015 06:35 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Impetus’ 25-acre SEZ in Indore to be operational by 2017

Impetus Infotech’s upcoming IT special economic zone (SEZ) campus in Indore will become operational by 2017, a senior company official said on Friday.

cities

Updated on Apr 25, 2015 07:12 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Madhya Pradesh's Sharbati wheat turns dearer as demand goes through roof

The famous Sharbati wheat of Madhya Pradesh may have lost its sheen, literally, due to unseasonal rains but is now commanding an even higher premium.

Traders-say-prices-in-the-wholesale-market-have-climbed-up-by-25-when-compared-to-last-year-due-to-the-crop-damage-HT-file-photo

cities

Updated on Apr 24, 2015 05:11 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Steep hike in power tariff may deter potential investors: industries

Steep hike in power tariff for the industrial sector may hit investor sentiments and adversely impact the MP government's 'Make in Madhya Pradesh' initiative, experts said.

People-burn-an-effigy-of-the-state-government-to-protest-the-power-tariff-hike-in-Bhopal-on-Saturday-Bidesh-Manna-HT-photo

cities

Updated on Apr 19, 2015 03:52 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Smart City to come up at Indore Special Economic Zone

The Madhya Pradesh government plans to develop a smart city on 300-acre non-processing area of Indore special economic zone.

cities

Updated on Apr 14, 2015 04:29 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Indore SEZ feeling the pinch of govt taxes

Indore SEZ is spread over an area of 1,113 hectares in Pithampur, about 25 km from Indore. The concept of SEZs was introduced by the union government in 2000 through a revision in the Export-Import Policy 1997-2002.

cities

Updated on Apr 10, 2015 10:24 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

1.54 lakh LPG consumers in Indore losing out on subsidy

More than 20% domestic liquefied petroleum gas consumers in Indore district, who have failed to link their bank accounts under the Direct Benefit Trasnfer, will have to shell out extra for buying the cylinders.

cities

Updated on Apr 10, 2015 05:41 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Madhya Pradesh scores in urban areas but rural toilet mission an uphill task

Madhya Pradesh may have been ranked second after Gujarat in building household toilets in urban areas in 2014-15, but activists said the state still has a long way to go to meet the target in rural areas.

In-rural-areas-the-state-is-ranked-fifth-in-terms-of-number-of-toilets-built-in-the-last-fiscal-File-photo

cities

Updated on Apr 05, 2015 05:11 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Lack of stations, price rise affect CNG car sales in Indore

It has been more than six years since compressed natural gas (CNG) was introduced in Indore, but the sales of CNG cars continue to remain dismal.

Since-most-auto-rickshaws-were-made-to-run-on-CNG-there-are-long-queues-at-the-filling-station-and-this-dissuades-car-buyers-HT-photo

cities

Updated on Apr 04, 2015 05:14 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Central govt scraps 6 SEZ projects in Madhya Pradesh

The global economic slowdown and a shift in the Centre’s policy have resulted in the cancellation of six special economic zone (SEZ) projects in Madhya Pradesh.

The-special-economic-zones-were-intended-to-create-jobs-and-boost-the-manufacturing-sector-HT-photo

cities

Updated on Mar 22, 2015 05:26 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

40% investors back out from Madhya Pradesh after global summit

More than 40 per cent potential investors have backed out from doing business in Indore region after placing proposals during the Madhya Pradesh government’s ambitious Global Investors Summit in October last year, official data showed.

Foreign-delegates-participate-in-the-Global-Investors-Summit-in-Indore-Arun-Mondhe-HT-file-photo

cities

Updated on Mar 17, 2015 09:10 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

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Manoj Ahuja

Manoj Ahuja is a principal correspondent based in Indore. He writes on business, agriculture and aviation. His focus is on south-western Madhya Pradesh, particularly the tribal belt.

Farmers in parts of Malwa belt of Madhya Pradesh will have the facility of smart prepaid meters for irrigation in about three-year time.

After facing numerous hiccups, the process of conducting trial runs for the disposal of toxic waste lying at the defunct Union Carbide plant in Bhopal has entered its final stage.

The real estate market in Indore is showing signs of revival after three years of stagnation.

Availability of cheaper fuel has led to a stand-off between GAIL India Ltd and industry in Madhya Pradesh over non-consumption of natural gas by some units in Pithampur and Dewas.

The piped natural gas (PNG) project is yet to catch people’s fancy in Indore because of switch-over fears and the liquid petroleum gas (LPG) still being a handy subsidised option.

The foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow to Madhya Pradesh has shown a steady decline over the past three years even as foreign investment in the neighbouring Rajasthan and Gujarat has picked up.

After Maggi, artificially ripened mangoes can hit the harmful list, as hazardous ripeners are being used to make them look juicier and pulpier, health experts have warned.

The controversy over excessive lead content in Nestle’s Maggi noodles has hit the sales of other brands also, traders said. The controversy has also frightened other companies.

The India Meteorological Department’s prediction of El Nino effect continuing throughout monsoon season has farmers and soybean experts worried, as distribution pattern rather than quantum of rainfall is more crucial for the soya crop.

Likely delay in arrival of the monsoon to Central India and erratic rain distribution due to El Nino effect could push the prices of pulses further, say experts.

Farmers in Madhya Pradesh may have to wait for one week more for sowing kharif crops including soybean and pulses.

Indore airport added nearly 2.4 lakh flyers in 2014-15 as compared to the previous fiscal, data released by Airports Authority of India (AAI) revealed.

Sullakhedi, a dusty village near Indore which is home to several soybean farmers, is eagerly awaiting the onset of monsoon to plant the oilseed, which is now trading at Rs3,900 per quintal in the wholesale mandis, almost Rs1,200 per quintal more than the government price.

High diesel prices in Madhya Pradesh have not only hit petrol pump owners’ business but have also inflicted severe losses on the government in terms of revenue.

With irregular working hours and tight deadlines taking a toll on the health of private sector employees, Indore-based information technology (IT) companies are now encouraging techies to enroll for yoga classes or try their hand at cricket.

The ownership of MP’s first mall-cum-multiplex, Treasure Island, might soon change hands, with Indore’s real estate tycoon Pintu Chhabra holding talks with promoters of the shopping mall located on the MG Road.

The public sector telecom operator Bharatiya Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has recorded a steep fall in its wireless (mobile) subscriber base in Madhya Pradesh, data from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has revealed.

With nearly 15% domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) consumers in the state yet to link their bank accounts under direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme, the Union government has saved crores of rupees in subsidy from Madhya Pradesh alone.

For the past six months, Deven Patel, who runs a grocery shop in Talavli Chanda village near Indore, has been buying two 20-litre cans of drinking water every day for his home and shop for a paltry Rs 18.

The Madhya Pradesh government’s initiative to reserve 20 per cent land in every district for small scale industries may not yield expected dividends, experts said.

Impetus Infotech’s upcoming IT special economic zone (SEZ) campus in Indore will become operational by 2017, a senior company official said on Friday.

The famous Sharbati wheat of Madhya Pradesh may have lost its sheen, literally, due to unseasonal rains but is now commanding an even higher premium.

Steep hike in power tariff for the industrial sector may hit investor sentiments and adversely impact the MP government's 'Make in Madhya Pradesh' initiative, experts said.

The Madhya Pradesh government plans to develop a smart city on 300-acre non-processing area of Indore special economic zone.

Indore SEZ is spread over an area of 1,113 hectares in Pithampur, about 25 km from Indore. The concept of SEZs was introduced by the union government in 2000 through a revision in the Export-Import Policy 1997-2002.

More than 20% domestic liquefied petroleum gas consumers in Indore district, who have failed to link their bank accounts under the Direct Benefit Trasnfer, will have to shell out extra for buying the cylinders.

Madhya Pradesh may have been ranked second after Gujarat in building household toilets in urban areas in 2014-15, but activists said the state still has a long way to go to meet the target in rural areas.

It has been more than six years since compressed natural gas (CNG) was introduced in Indore, but the sales of CNG cars continue to remain dismal.

The global economic slowdown and a shift in the Centre’s policy have resulted in the cancellation of six special economic zone (SEZ) projects in Madhya Pradesh.

More than 40 per cent potential investors have backed out from doing business in Indore region after placing proposals during the Madhya Pradesh government’s ambitious Global Investors Summit in October last year, official data showed.

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