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
MP may hike VAT on petrol, diesel after civic polls
Hit by revenue loss because of falling prices of petroleum products, MP government is planning to hike VAT on petrol and diesel. Taxes on petroleum products in MP are already among the highest in India.
Updated on Nov 16, 2014 09:12 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
India's first prepaid card irrigation system in Madhya Pradesh soon
The Madhya Pradesh government will soon introduce the country's first prepaid card-enabled irrigation system for its farmers to keep the water usage transparent.
Updated on Nov 15, 2014 05:43 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Indore: In a first, prepaid water cards for MP farmers
In a novel scheme, the Madhya Pradesh government is all set to introduce the country’s first prepaid card enabled irrigation system for its farmers to keep the water usage transparent.
Updated on Nov 14, 2014 11:49 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Piped gas project in Indore moves at snail's pace
The piped gas project is progressing at a snail's pace because of people's reluctance to surrender their LPG cylinders — a prerequisite for getting piped gas connection — coupled with procedural delays.
Updated on Nov 11, 2014 05:35 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Jackals, rabbits and snakes inhabit Indore airport
Even as a team of Union aviation ministry is expected to carry out inspection of perimeter walls of Indore airport in the coming days, the menace of stray animals will not go away anytime soon, say experts.
Updated on Nov 08, 2014 08:47 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Madhya Pradesh lags behind in mobile Internet user growth
The growth of mobile Internet user base in Madhya Pradesh has failed to keep pace with most states due to low penetration of smartphones and lack of know-how among other reasons, say experts.
Updated on Nov 08, 2014 04:16 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
MP govt will prepare annual biz reports to woo investors
Madhya Pradesh government has taken a decision to come out with a report on 'ease of doing business' every year to show its intent of making the state investor friendly.
Updated on Oct 20, 2014 03:24 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Madhya Pradesh chalks plan to shoot up solar power capacity by 2017
MP has drawn up an ambitious plan to increase its solar power capacity manifold over the next 3 years. With an installed solar power capacity of 355 MW, the state expects to add close to 500 MW in this financial year alone and take the installed capacity to 2,654 MW by 2017.
Updated on Oct 17, 2014 04:26 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
GIS fails to attract immediate foreign investment for MP
Madhya Pradesh failed to attract any major foreign investment during the Global Investors Summit, despite 500 foreign delegates from 32 countries taking part in the mega event.
Updated on Oct 12, 2014 04:58 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Investments worth Rs 6.89 lakh cr pledged at Indore summit: Chouhan
India Inc and public sector enterprises have pledged investments worth Rs 6.89 lakh crore in MP during the Global Investors Summit that concluded in Indore on Friday, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.
Updated on Oct 11, 2014 03:23 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
$100-bn bait: Modi tells states to compete
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday foreign investment worth $100 billion is knocking at India’s doors, as top industrialists promised to pour in big bucks in Madhya Pradesh to help boost India’s fastest growing state. Modi was speaking at the Global Investors’ Summit at Indore.
Updated on Oct 10, 2014 07:26 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Modi by side, industrialists promise the moon for MP
Responding to PM Modi’s call for investments, industry bigwigs Mukesh and Anil Ambani, Gautam Adani and Essar’s Shashi Ruia announced plans that could help create thousands of jobs for the youth in MP.
Updated on Oct 09, 2014 08:49 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
MP chases investments with new ministry, policies
Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the setting up of a ministry for MSME, the latest in a slew of policy initiatives that also include cutting byzantine approval and renewal procedures to promote entrepreneurship.
Updated on Oct 08, 2014 09:14 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
MP eyes big bucks as investors’ summit kicks off in Indore
MP will kick off its fourth edition of Global Investors' Summit on Wednesday, hoping to showcase its scorching economic growth to attract billions of dollars in big-ticket projects.
Updated on Oct 08, 2014 09:54 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Indore: Chef Marut Sikka to serve gourmet lunch for Rs 3,000 per plate
Delhi-based celebrity chef Marut Sikka and his team will prepare a sumptuous meal for the guests at Global Investors' Summit on October 9. Sikka's team of chefs and helpers will fly to Indore from Delhi.
Updated on Oct 06, 2014 08:17 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Infrastructure issues hamper growth of Dewas area
After a bout of rapid industrialisation in the late 70s and early 80s, Dewas has been witnessing a decline since then due to inadequate infrastructure, industrialists say. Another problem that is driving away investors is the scarcity of developed industrial land.
Updated on Oct 03, 2014 03:20 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Madhya Pradesh’s major industrial areas not on rail map
Even after 67 years of Independence, some major industrial areas of Madhya Pradesh still don’t figure on India’s railway map. Industrial areas like Pithampur and Sidhi are yet to see a railway line.
Updated on Oct 02, 2014 03:49 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Aerobridges at Indore airport to become functional before GIS
The two aerobridges at Indore airport are ready to become operational before the Global Investors' Summit. Airport officials say the project got delayed as they were waiting for arrival of some parts from abroad.
Published on Sep 30, 2014 09:43 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Coal block blow fails to shake power-rich Madhya Pradesh
The Supreme Court’s recent decision to cancel coal block allocations is not going to adversely affect the power surplus MP unlike other states. According to officials, MP would lose only 261 MW of power post-SC verdict.
Updated on Sep 25, 2014 10:00 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Madhya Pradesh hopes Modi magic will boost investors summit
MP is hoping the presence of PM Narendra Modi at the Global Investors' Summit beginning next month will boost the credibility of the biennial event and the state’s investment climate, encouraging investors to loosen their purse strings.
Updated on Sep 22, 2014 09:50 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Big-ticket investment plans fail to take off in Madhya Pradesh
Many big-ticket investment projects that were signed during the Global Investors Summit in 2012 in Madhya Pradesh have failed to materialise even as the next investors' summit is on cards.
Updated on Sep 15, 2014 07:44 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Indore: GIS boost for hotel industry
It is generally a slow season for hotel industry but they stand to gain the most from an increase in business travel in the October when the city will host the Global Investors Summit.
Updated on Sep 12, 2014 10:00 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Fate of Mahan coal block in MP hangs in balance
With the Supreme Court reserving its verdict on the cancellation of coal block allocations, the fate of Mahan Coal Ltd, which is a joint venture between Essar Power and Hindalco now hangs in balance.
Updated on Sep 12, 2014 12:07 AM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Govt sets ball rolling for smart city project in Ujjain
The Union government will soon start the process for construction of a ‘smart city’ near Ujjain, which will be developed under Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project.
Updated on Sep 09, 2014 08:24 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Indore: Industrial corridor stuck due to land acquisition woes
Even as the state has been pushing hard to get industrial projects implemented, the Pithampur-Dhar-Mhow investment node of DMI corridor is stuck due to land acquisition woes.
Updated on Sep 08, 2014 07:21 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
After two decades, Diamond Park project near Indore yet to take off
Nearly 20 years after it was conceived, the proposed Gems and Jewellery Park project in Rau near Indore is yet to take off. The proposal is still awaiting state cabinet's nod.
Updated on Sep 06, 2014 06:48 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Indore: MP government may ease labour laws to woo investors
MP government could carry out amendments in archaic labour laws in its bid to attract investments. The move will liberate the corporate sector from the shackles of stringent requirements of the laws.
Updated on Sep 17, 2014 04:51 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Power crisis hits country, but Madhya Pradesh has surplus
While major states are reeling under power shortage, Madhya Pradesh has escaped largely unscathed, thanks to big thermal power projects becoming operational in the past one year or so.
Updated on Sep 05, 2014 04:26 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
We need smart industrial hubs: Indore industry assn prez
While MP government has earmarked 20,000 hectares for industrial allocation ahead of Global Investors' Summit, most of the land bank is in remote areas where SMEs are reluctant to set up units.
Updated on Sep 02, 2014 07:03 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore
Global Investors' Summit: MP government banks on Modi factor
The Madhya Pradesh government is banking on the 'Modi factor' to boost the investment climate during Global Investors' Summit to be held in Indore from October 8-10.
Updated on Sep 01, 2014 08:31 PM IST
Hindustan Times | Manoj Ahuja, Indore