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

Govt policies, slowdown hit development of SEZs in Madhya Pradesh

Government policies, coupled with economic slowdown, seem to have derailed the development of several special economic zones (SEZs) in Madhya Pradesh.

cities

Published on Sep 30, 2015 06:37 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Saying no to sops: Over 1.14 lakh opt out of LPG subsidy in MP

More than 1.14 lakh consumers in Madhya Pradesh have opted out of cooking gas subsidy so far, in response to the ‘Give It Up’ campaign launched by union government and endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

cities

Updated on Sep 25, 2015 07:30 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Super Corridor area in Indore yet to give returns to investors

In 2011-12, the Super Corridor area in Indore was touted as one of the best investment destinations, especially after IT majors TCS and Infosys announced development centres there and property developers rushed to launch a slew of projects.

cities

Published on Sep 22, 2015 06:20 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Super Corridor area in Indore yet to give returns to investors

In 2011-12, the Super Corridor area in Indore was touted as one of the best investment destinations, especially after IT majors TCS and Infosys announced development centres there and property developers rushed to launch a slew of projects.

cities

Updated on Sep 22, 2015 06:01 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

MP: Everything is organic in this Nemwar farm

A small farm on the banks of the Narmada River in Nemwar has become a source of inspiration for farmers and agriculture students who visit the village to learn about farming with an eco-friendly approach.

Deepak Suchde grows more than 135 crops on the half-acre model farm in Dewas district.

cities

Updated on Sep 20, 2015 07:06 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Tribals in MP's Jhabua show the way in organic farming

In the small, nondescript villages of Central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh's Jhabua district, a group of tribals have joined hands to show the way forward to sustainable future by adopting organic farming.

Sur Singh Meena (extreme right), along with other tribals, in village Chhaya Paschim showing the organic vegetable (sponge gourd) they have grown without using any chemical fertilizer or pesticide. (Shankar Mourya/HT Photo)

india news

Updated on Sep 18, 2015 02:27 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Jhabua

Subdued sales worry jewellers in Indore ahead of festive season

Fluctuation in gold prices and tight liquidity in the markets has hit jewellery sales ahead of the festive season in Indore too.

cities

Updated on Sep 13, 2015 10:08 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Refer a friend for piped gas connection and earn Rs 300 in Indore

To speed up the pace of providing piped (cooking) gas connections in Indore, the gas distributor has now started a referral scheme and is giving cash incentive of Rs 300 for every new connection.

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 Sep 13, 2015 05:48 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

MP: Financial restructuring of Maheshwar hydel project gets a push

Efforts to carry out financial restructuring of the much-delayed 400 MW Maheshwar hydel project in MP have received a boost with the promoters showing willingness to infuse fresh funds and main lender Power Finance Corporation (PFC) softening its stand.

Prolonged delay in commissioning of the Maheshwar hydel project has led to steep cost escalation, raising questions over its viability. (HT photo)

cities

Updated on Sep 09, 2015 11:00 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

MP looks to emulate Rajasthan with exclusive industrial zones for Japan, Korea

Madhya Pradesh is looking to emulate Rajasthan’s model of successfully setting up exclusive industrial zones for Japanese and South Korean companies in Neemrana in Alwar district.

cities

Updated on Sep 03, 2015 10:37 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Erratic rains may affect kharif yield in MP

Even though Madhya Pradesh received better monsoon rains as compared to other parts of the country, uneven distribution of rainfall could hit the yield of major kharif crops, especially soybean.

cities

Updated on Sep 03, 2015 10:12 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

MP aims to quintuple solar power generation in next 2 years

With a slew of projects in the pipeline, Madhya Pradesh is on track to enhance the solar power generation capacity to about 3,000 MW in next two years from the current 650 MW installed capacity, a senior government official said.

The MP government will float global tenders for the world's largest 750 MW solar power park, being set up in Rewa district, next month. (HT photo)

cities

Updated on Aug 25, 2015 10:19 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Cash-strapped Maheshwar hydel project in doldrums as impasse continues

Efforts to carry out financial restructuring of Shree Maheshwar Hydel Power Corporation's (SMHPC) much-delayed 400 MW hydel power project on Narmada have received a setback, with the promoters failing to infuse fresh funds and the main lender Power Finance Corporation (PFC) hardening its stance.

cities

Updated on Aug 18, 2015 09:09 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Carbide waste disposal: Tarpura villagers let down, dejected over being kept in the dark

People of Tarpura in Dhar district feel cheated and appear resigned to their fate after years of futile struggle to block a controversial move to dispose of tons of toxic waste in their village from Bhopal’s now-defunct Union Carbide factory.

People of Tarpura in Dhar feel cheated after years of futile struggle to block a controversial move to dispose of toxic Carbide waste in their village. (Shankar Mourya/HT)

cities

Updated on Aug 14, 2015 08:57 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Pithampur

Activists off guard as Bhopal toxic waste incineration begins

Over thirty years after the Bhopal gas tragedy, about 10 tonnes of toxic waste was secretly transported from the Union Carbide factory to a private incineration facility in Dhar district, which began burning it on Thursday.

Bhopal gas tragedy victims stage demonstration outside a court. (Mujeeb Faruqui/HT File Photo)

cities

Updated on Aug 14, 2015 01:27 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

SEBI to notify listing norms for start-ups

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) will notify the final rules for listing of start-ups within one week, SEBI chairman UK Sinha said while speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) in Indore on Saturday.

SEBI-chairman-UK-Sinha-interacts-with-ICAI-president-Manoj-Fadnis-at-the-conference-of-Institute-of-Chartered-Accountants-of-India-in-Indore-Shankar-Mourya-HT

cities

Updated on Aug 08, 2015 10:09 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Govt to go high tech for crowd management at Simhastha 2016

The Madhya Pradesh government will tie up with Reliance Jio, the telecom arm of Reliance Industries Ltd, to ensure online crowd management during Simhastha (Kumbh fair) 2016 in Ujjain.

The-state-government-expects-nearly-5-crore-devotees-to-visit-Ujjain-over-a-one-month-period-to-take-a-dip-in-the-holy-Kshipra-during-the-mega-fair-that-will-be-held-from-April-22-to-May-21-2016-Shankar-Mourya-HT-file-photo

cities

Updated on Aug 07, 2015 07:51 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Billed for 1.5 crore litres of water, MNC in Pithampur cries foul

A multinational company in Pithampur was in for a shock as it received a massive water bill for drawing 1.5 crore litres of ground water in the month of June. This is the first time that some of the industrial units in Pithampur have received bills for drawing ground water.

cities

Updated on Aug 01, 2015 06:21 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

IT dept figures unmask real face of investment in Madhya Pradesh

Belying the Madhya Pradesh government’s claims, only a tiny percentage of MoUs signed by the state government over the years has translated into actual investment, official data from the information and technology department reveal

CM-Shivraj-Singh-Chouhan-with-industrialist-Anil-Ambani-and-Sushma-Swaraj-at-a-Global-Investors-Summit-HT-file-photo

cities

Updated on Jul 31, 2015 09:35 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Madhya Pradesh industry hails bill to amend labour laws

The Madhya Pradesh industry has welcomed the crucial labour laws amendment bill which was passed amidst Vyapam din in the state assembly before it was adjourned sine die on Wednesday.

cities

Updated on Jul 24, 2015 06:50 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Gold jewellers in Indore expect falling prices, good monsoon to bring back buyers

Falling gold prices and a good monsoon have revived demand for the yellow precious metal, which has recorded sluggish sales in the past few months, say jewellers in Indore.

cities

Updated on Jul 22, 2015 07:07 PM IST

None | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

AIPMT on July 25: From ears to specs, CBSE leaves nothing to chance

Students taking part in the all-India pre-medical test (AIPMT) on July 25 in Indore can expect an inspection so thorough, the security at airports pales in comparison.

cities

Updated on Jul 16, 2015 08:13 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

AIPMT exam hall security: CBSE leaving nothing to chance now

Students taking part in the all-India pre-medical test (AIPMT) on July 25 can expect an inspection so thorough, the security at airports pales in comparison.

Gadgets-stitched-within-undergarments-meant-to-provide-various-answer-keys-to-AIPMT-candidates-at-the-examination-centre-being-displayed-by-policemen-in-Rohtak-Manoj-Dhaka-HT-file--Photo

education

Updated on Jul 16, 2015 07:28 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

MP govt to table labour law amendment bill in upcoming session

The Madhya Pradesh government will table a bill in the upcoming session of the Assembly to amend a host of labour laws that will improve ease of doing business, a senior government official has said.

cities

Updated on Jul 14, 2015 05:47 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

No takers for industrial land in MP as new rules stump investors

Three months after the MP government notified new rules for management of industrial land and buildings, not a single allocation has taken place due to lack of clarity on lease rates.

cities

Updated on Jul 10, 2015 09:58 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Indore: DMIC’s early bird projects moves at snail’s pace

All the “early bird projects” under Pithampur investment node of Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project are moving at a snail’s pace due to one reason or other.

The economic corridor between Indore Airport and Pithampur industrial area is facing delay due to the problem in land acquisition, as a section of farmers have moved court.

cities

Updated on Jul 08, 2015 06:10 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Building toilets: MP govt sets ambitious target, still has a long way to go

Madhya Pradesh has set an ambitious target of building 18 lakh toilets under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA, clean India campaign) in 2015-16, even as the progress has crawled in the first three months of the current fiscal.

According-to-an-NGO-even-in-houses-in-rural-areas-where-toilets-have-already-been-built-most-people-avoid-using-it-due-to-behavioural-patterns-HT-photo

cities

Updated on Jul 07, 2015 07:04 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

Dry spell worrying farmers in Madhya Pradesh

A prolonged break in rains has become a cause for concern for farmers in Madhya Pradesh even as 80% sowing of oilseeds and kharif pulses has already been completed.

The-hillock-where-crops-were-sown-during-2014-Kharif-season-HT-file-photo

cities

Updated on Jul 04, 2015 09:04 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

4G may sound the death knell for 3G, say experts in MP

With leading mobile operators gearing up to launch 4G data services in the Madhya Pradesh circle later this year, a section of subscribers may leapfrog from their existing 2G service directly on to the 4G bandwagon, giving 3G a miss, say experts.

cities

Updated on Jul 02, 2015 08:27 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByManoj Ahuja, Indore

10% consumers in Indore 'too busy' to claim LPG subsidy in Indore

A section of LPG consumers in Indore district are “too busy” to complete formalities for linking their bank accounts under the direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme.

Interestingly-only-about-2-500-consumers-in-Indore-district-have-officially-opted-out-of-subsidy-by-filling-out-the-prescribed-form-HT-photo

cities

Updated on Jul 01, 2015 03:58 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.

Government policies, coupled with economic slowdown, seem to have derailed the development of several special economic zones (SEZs) in Madhya Pradesh.

More than 1.14 lakh consumers in Madhya Pradesh have opted out of cooking gas subsidy so far, in response to the ‘Give It Up’ campaign launched by union government and endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In 2011-12, the Super Corridor area in Indore was touted as one of the best investment destinations, especially after IT majors TCS and Infosys announced development centres there and property developers rushed to launch a slew of projects.

In 2011-12, the Super Corridor area in Indore was touted as one of the best investment destinations, especially after IT majors TCS and Infosys announced development centres there and property developers rushed to launch a slew of projects.

A small farm on the banks of the Narmada River in Nemwar has become a source of inspiration for farmers and agriculture students who visit the village to learn about farming with an eco-friendly approach.

In the small, nondescript villages of Central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh's Jhabua district, a group of tribals have joined hands to show the way forward to sustainable future by adopting organic farming.

Fluctuation in gold prices and tight liquidity in the markets has hit jewellery sales ahead of the festive season in Indore too.

To speed up the pace of providing piped (cooking) gas connections in Indore, the gas distributor has now started a referral scheme and is giving cash incentive of Rs 300 for every new connection.

Efforts to carry out financial restructuring of the much-delayed 400 MW Maheshwar hydel project in MP have received a boost with the promoters showing willingness to infuse fresh funds and main lender Power Finance Corporation (PFC) softening its stand.

Madhya Pradesh is looking to emulate Rajasthan’s model of successfully setting up exclusive industrial zones for Japanese and South Korean companies in Neemrana in Alwar district.

Even though Madhya Pradesh received better monsoon rains as compared to other parts of the country, uneven distribution of rainfall could hit the yield of major kharif crops, especially soybean.

With a slew of projects in the pipeline, Madhya Pradesh is on track to enhance the solar power generation capacity to about 3,000 MW in next two years from the current 650 MW installed capacity, a senior government official said.

Efforts to carry out financial restructuring of Shree Maheshwar Hydel Power Corporation's (SMHPC) much-delayed 400 MW hydel power project on Narmada have received a setback, with the promoters failing to infuse fresh funds and the main lender Power Finance Corporation (PFC) hardening its stance.

People of Tarpura in Dhar district feel cheated and appear resigned to their fate after years of futile struggle to block a controversial move to dispose of tons of toxic waste in their village from Bhopal’s now-defunct Union Carbide factory.

Over thirty years after the Bhopal gas tragedy, about 10 tonnes of toxic waste was secretly transported from the Union Carbide factory to a private incineration facility in Dhar district, which began burning it on Thursday.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) will notify the final rules for listing of start-ups within one week, SEBI chairman UK Sinha said while speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) in Indore on Saturday.

The Madhya Pradesh government will tie up with Reliance Jio, the telecom arm of Reliance Industries Ltd, to ensure online crowd management during Simhastha (Kumbh fair) 2016 in Ujjain.

A multinational company in Pithampur was in for a shock as it received a massive water bill for drawing 1.5 crore litres of ground water in the month of June. This is the first time that some of the industrial units in Pithampur have received bills for drawing ground water.

Belying the Madhya Pradesh government’s claims, only a tiny percentage of MoUs signed by the state government over the years has translated into actual investment, official data from the information and technology department reveal

The Madhya Pradesh industry has welcomed the crucial labour laws amendment bill which was passed amidst Vyapam din in the state assembly before it was adjourned sine die on Wednesday.

Falling gold prices and a good monsoon have revived demand for the yellow precious metal, which has recorded sluggish sales in the past few months, say jewellers in Indore.

Students taking part in the all-India pre-medical test (AIPMT) on July 25 in Indore can expect an inspection so thorough, the security at airports pales in comparison.

Students taking part in the all-India pre-medical test (AIPMT) on July 25 can expect an inspection so thorough, the security at airports pales in comparison.

The Madhya Pradesh government will table a bill in the upcoming session of the Assembly to amend a host of labour laws that will improve ease of doing business, a senior government official has said.

Three months after the MP government notified new rules for management of industrial land and buildings, not a single allocation has taken place due to lack of clarity on lease rates.

All the “early bird projects” under Pithampur investment node of Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project are moving at a snail’s pace due to one reason or other.

Madhya Pradesh has set an ambitious target of building 18 lakh toilets under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA, clean India campaign) in 2015-16, even as the progress has crawled in the first three months of the current fiscal.

A prolonged break in rains has become a cause for concern for farmers in Madhya Pradesh even as 80% sowing of oilseeds and kharif pulses has already been completed.

With leading mobile operators gearing up to launch 4G data services in the Madhya Pradesh circle later this year, a section of subscribers may leapfrog from their existing 2G service directly on to the 4G bandwagon, giving 3G a miss, say experts.

A section of LPG consumers in Indore district are “too busy” to complete formalities for linking their bank accounts under the direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme.

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