India Roundup: Terrorism, retail inflation, thermal power project

Retail Inflation

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) in the world's fifth-largest economy recorded a growth of 2.4%, as per data released by the Indian National Statistics Office. However, the latest official data reveals that retail inflation surged to a four-month high in December. The rise was primarily driven by increased prices of food articles, despite a decrease in the costs of cereals and vegetables compared to the previous month, the Hindustan Times reports. Consumer prices climbed to 5.69% in December from a year ago, slightly higher than November's 5.55%. This remained within the Reserve Bank's upper limit of 6% for the fourth consecutive month. The persistence of rising prices, which interrupted a three-month decline in November, poses ongoing challenges for policymakers and households. Food price inflation escalated significantly to 9.53% in December, up from 8.70% in the previous month. The impact of higher food costs tends to disproportionately affect lower-income households, given that they allocate a larger portion of their monthly budget to food items. The National Statistics Office data also showed a modest 2.4% growth in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for November, following a 16-month high in the preceding month. The IIP serves as a crucial indicator of economic activity, with mining output growing by 6.8%, while manufacturing expanded by a subdued 1.2%.

Temple consecration

India has begun an 11-day special ritual, referred to as "Yama Niyama," in preparation for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his participation in an 11-day special ritual, referred to as "Yama Niyama," in preparation for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Ram Temple is currently under construction at the site of Ram Janmabhoomi, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, a deity in Hinduism. The ongoing construction of the Ram Mandir is a significant and long-awaited moment for millions of devotees. In a post on “X” (formerly Twitter), Modi said that “only 11 days are left for the consecration of Ramlala in Ayodhya. I am fortunate that I will also be a witness to this auspicious occasion. The Lord has made me an instrument to represent all the people of India during the consecration. Keeping this in mind, I am starting a special ritual of 11 days from today. I am seeking blessings from all the people. At this moment, it is very difficult to express my feelings in words, but I have tried from my side.” The 11-day spiritual cleansing exercise is in anticipation of the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, the Hindu Times reported. The ‘Yama’ rituals emphasise five ethical principles, including non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, abstinence, and non-accumulation. On the other hand, ‘Niyama’ comprises elements such as cleanliness, contentment, penance, self-study, and surrender to the divine.

Airport construction

Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya Scindia has said that the Navi Mumbai International Airport, officially named the DB Patil International Airport, is set to commence operations by the end of this year. During his visit to Nagpur, where he inaugurated the AAR-Indamer Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the MIHAN SEZ, Scindia also unveiled plans for at least 10 major cities in India to have a minimum of two airports each within the next 10-15 years, the Hindustan Times reports. The DB Patil International Airport, situated in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai, in the Raigad district, is part of an ambitious project to bolster air connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Once completed, it will operate as the second airport alongside the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The groundbreaking ceremony for the airport took place on February 18, 2018, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiling the foundation plaque. The greenfield airport is being developed in three phases, with the initial phase capable of handling 2.5 million passengers per annum. The final phase, scheduled for completion by 2032, is designed to accommodate over 9 million passengers and handle 25 tonnes of cargo annually. This development marks a significant stride in enhancing air travel infrastructure and connectivity in the region.

Suspected terrorists

In a recent development in Jammu and Kashmir, suspected terrorists fired at an army vehicle in the Poonch district on January 12. The security forces promptly responded, launching an operation to secure the area and apprehend the attackers. The incident was confirmed by a defence spokesperson, who mentioned that details are still being gathered to understand the situation better, the Times of India reports. "At around 1800h today, a Security Forces convoy of vehicles was fired upon by suspected terrorists from a jungle near Krishna Ghati, Poonch sector. No casualties to own troops. Joint search operations by the Indian Army and JKP (Jammu and Kashmir Police) are in progress," the White Night Corps of the Army posted on X. In the aftermath of the attack, security forces swiftly initiated a search operation to locate and apprehend the individuals responsible for the firing incident. The situation is being closely monitored as authorities work to ensure the safety and security of the region.

Thermal power project

NLC India Ltd. has successfully concluded a deal with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) for the construction of a 2,400 MW thermal power plant in Jharsuguda District, Odisha. The project, named 'Pit Head Green Field Thermal Power Project,' will have three parts, each producing 800 MW of power, the Times of India reported. BHEL will handle everything from making parts to setting up the plant, as well as installing systems to protect the environment. The project has agreements with states like Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala, and Puducherry to sell the power it generates. The plant will use coal from mines in Jharsuguda and Sambalpur and water from the Hirakud Reservoir. In adherence to the environmental standards outlined by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change and the Ministry of Power's green initiatives, the project incorporates state-of-the-art pollution control technology. Furthermore, provisions for biomass co-firing systems in the boilers underscore the project's commitment to environmental sustainability.