Parliamentary Estimates Committee Reviews PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana at Agrivoltaics Site in Issapur, Delhi

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 11 APR 2025 4:00PM by PIB Delhi

The Parliamentary Committee on Estimates, chaired by Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, Member of Parliament, undertook a field visit to the Sunmaster Agrivoltaics Plant at Issapur, Najafgarh, Delhi. Organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), the visit focused on reviewing the implementation of two key schemes – PM-KUSUM and PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.

The visit offered Members of Parliament and officials an on-ground perspective of agrivoltaics technology, which allows dual use of land for both solar energy generation and agricultural cultivation—maximizing land productivity and supporting farmer income.

The delegation was welcomed by Shri Sudeep Jain, Additional Secretary, MNRE, who provided a comprehensive briefing on the objectives and impact of PM-KUSUM in promoting clean, sustainable energy for agriculture. He emphasized how the scheme empowers farmers by enhancing energy access while ensuring both food and energy security.

The session featured a comparative analysis between ground-mounted solar systems and stilt-based agrivoltaic models, highlighting key advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness and land-use efficiency—critical pillars of the PM-KUSUM vision.

During the visit, the Committee members also engaged in interactions with local farmers, gaining firsthand insight into the transformative role of solar energy in rural livelihoods.

In a symbolic gesture of environmental commitment, Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal and Members of the Committee participated in a tree plantation drive under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative. The Members also took a tractor ride with farmers, reinforcing their grassroots engagement and commitment to understanding the realities of the agricultural sector.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Jaiswal lauded MNRE and stakeholders for their well-coordinated efforts and the potential of agrivoltaics to synergize energy and agriculture. He recommended further studies to explore its scalability and maximize benefits for farmers across rural India.

This visit reflects the Government of India’s strong push for clean energy solutions that also support inclusive rural development under the leadership of MNRE.

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Navin Sreejith

(Release ID: 2120941) Visitor Counter : 73

Hong Kong Science Museum’s new exhibition to introduce current state of local industries and explore future industry prospects (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Science Museum’s new exhibition to introduce current state of local industries and explore future industry prospects  
Addressing the opening ceremony today (April 11), the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan, said Hong Kong, as an international metropolis, not only brings together Eastern and Western cultures but also harmonises innovation with tradition. Following the country’s announcement to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces, Hong Kong is fully co-operating in its efforts and striving to become an international innovation and technology centre. Hong Kong’s industry has gradually transformed from early traditional manufacturing to today’s high-tech industries, embodying the wisdom and efforts of countless scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs.
 
She added that each innovation achievement in this exhibition is evidence of the new era of the Hong Kong industry, telling a “Hong Kong story” that, relying on technological strength, transforms innovative ideas into practical and sustainable solutions, continuously improving people’s quality of life. With advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and robotics, the Hong Kong industry achieves breakthroughs in environmental technologies that convert waste into energy, cutting-edge applications in smart manufacturing and life sciences, and redefines “Made in Hong Kong”.
 
Ms Chan said this exhibition not only showcases technological innovation achievements but also promotes the culture of scientific research and popular science education. She hopes that the public, especially young people, can experience the myriad possibilities of technological development through the exhibits and interactive experiences, developing a passion for exploring science, learning innovative thinking for the future, and seizing the development opportunities brought about by Hong Kong’s technological innovation.

Other officiating guests today included the Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI), Mr Steve Chuang; the Executive Deputy Chairman of the FHKI and Chairman of the FHKI 65th Anniversary Organising Committee, Mr Anthony Lam; and the Museum Director of the HKScM, Mr Lawrence Lee.

The exhibition comprises five sections, namely “Industry Cornerstone”, “Research and Development”, “Smart Manufacturing”, “Industry 4.0” and “2030 Vision”. Through interactive exhibits and model and object displays, the exhibition introduces innovative designs that cover a wide range of areas, including clothing, food, housing, and transportation in people’s daily lives, and highlights how local teams transfer research outcomes from three key industries, namely life and health technology, artificial intelligence and data sciences, and advanced manufacturing and new energy technology, to contribute to the realisation of Hong Kong’s new industrialisation. Highlight exhibits include an interactive device that showcases a passive radiative cooling material that lowers indoor temperatures without relying on electricity, an injection moulding machine that utilises injection moulding technology to mass-produce plastic products, and an automated multiplex diagnostic system that can detect more than 40 respiratory pathogens simultaneously in about 1.5 hours.
 
The exhibition is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the FHKI, organised by the HKScM and the FHKI, and funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission. The exhibition is held at the Special Exhibition Hall, G/F, HKScM (2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon). Guided tours of the exhibition will be held on weekends and public holidays from May 1 to July 1. The guided tours are free of charge with on-site enrolment. In addition, the HKScM will also organise an array of activities, including off-site guided tours, exhibit demonstrations, children’s programmes, experiments, workshops, and science lectures, with free admission. For details of the exhibition and activities, please visit hk.science.museum/en/web/scm/exhibition/industrial2025.htmlIssued at HKT 18:11

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Red flag hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 11) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

Appointments to Council on Human Reproductive Technology

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Appointments to Council on Human Reproductive Technology 
     Established in 2001 under the Human Reproductive Technology Ordinance, the Council on Human Reproductive Technology is tasked to regulate reproductive technology activities, including regulating the provision of reproductive technology procedures and embryo research, in Hong Kong through a licensing system, and formulate the Code of Practice for the relevant sectors.————–
Professor Raymond Liang Hin-suen————————-
Professor Wong Man-sau———–
Mr Philip Chiu Kwok-leung
Ms Eva Choi Doi-kwan
Mr James Mathew Fong
Dr Go Wing-wa
Ms Iris Hsu Mei-kuen
Mr Frederick Hui Cheuk-kit
Dr May Lam Mei-ling
Ms Lau Tsz-on
Dr Leung Kwok-yin
Reverend Leung Yuen-yiu
Mr Jeffrey Lo Cheuk-fei
Mr Ng Chak-hang
Professor Ernest Ng Hung-yu
Reverend Ng Sui-lung
Ms Ng Wing-wing
Dr Charas Ong Yeu-theng
Ms Vanessa Wan Lai-shan
Professor Kelvin Wang Man-ping
Professor Dennis Wong Sing-wing
Ms Yip Lai-wa
Principal Assistant Secretary, Health Bureau
Assistant Director, Department of Health
Assistant Director, Home Affairs Department
Chief Social Work Officer, Social Welfare Department
Issued at HKT 11:16

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Rates and Government rent due April 30

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Employment (Amendment) Bill 2025 gazetted

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Employment (Amendment) Bill 2025 gazetted 
The Bill seeks to revise the working hours threshold of the “continuous contract” requirement under the Employment Ordinance (Chapter 57) (EO), making it easier for employees to meet the revised “continuous contract” requirement and thus be able to enjoy comprehensive employment benefits.
 
A spokesman for the Labour Department said, “The weekly working hours threshold of the ‘continuous contract’ requirement will be lowered from 18 hours to 17 hours. Moreover, a week with less than 17 working hours will still be regarded as a period under the ‘continuous contract’ of employment once the sum of the working hours of that week and those of the three weeks immediately preceding it reaches 68 hours. The Labour Advisory Board has reached a consensus on the proposed amendments.”
 
The spokesman added, “The existing eligibility criteria for employees to enjoy various statutory benefits under the EO will remain unchanged. Subject to a smooth passage of the Bill, the amendment ordinance will come into operation on the first Sunday after six months upon its gazettal. During this period, the Labour Department will widely publicise the salient features of the amendments to employers and employees through various channels, facilitating both parties in getting prepared.”
 
The Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council (LegCo) for first and second readings on April 16. The Government will fully complement the work of the LegCo in scrutinising the Bill, with a view to seeking the LegCo’s support and passage of the Bill.
Issued at HKT 11:00

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MD announcement

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

The Marine Department today (April 11) reminded masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels navigating in Hong Kong waters to proceed at a safe speed and exercise extreme caution because restricted visibility of less than 2 nautical miles has been reported.

Appropriate sound signals shall be made when underway or at anchor. All vessels must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.

Also, when radar is used without the benefit of adequate plotting facilities, the information obtained from the equipment is rather limited and should be construed accordingly.

Visibility reports are broadcast by the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) on VHF channels 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67.

In the event of an accident, a report shall be made immediately to the VTC at Tel: 2233 7801.

#FindingTAIWAN International Short Film Contest

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

#FindingTAIWAN International Short Film Contest
Everyone sees Taiwan a little differently, for some the name will conjure up delicious breakfast foods, for others bustling city streets or fond memories of chatting with friendly locals.
We’re inviting you to capture through the lens what Taiwan means to you in your own way, as part of the #FindingTAIWAN International Short Film Contest !
The prize pool for the contest totals NT$1 million, with a grand prize of NT$200,000
Each month throughout the contest prizes of up to NT$10,000 will be awarded to popular entries
Those who submit entries every month will also be entered into a prize draw
What are you waiting for?
Window for submission: April 9-August 31, 2025 (Before 23:59 Taiwan time)
Who can take part?
Admission is free of charge and open to all ages and nationalities; Entries must not have been awarded prizes as part of other competitions.

InvestHK concludes fruitful Middle East visit to deepen international exchanges and co-operation (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

InvestHK concludes fruitful Middle East visit to deepen international exchanges and co-operation (with photo) 
During the visit, Mr Ng met with business leaders, family office representatives and industry stakeholders across Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, including representatives from Investopia. He also attended a series of high-level business roundtables entitled Hong Kong Growth Dialogues: Building Asia’s Future Super-Corridor, co-organised with Asia House. He also met with local media and elaborated on Hong Kong’s business advantages.
 
Mr Ng said, “Hong Kong, as a global financial centre, an innovation and technology base, and a ‘super connector’ between Mainland China and international markets, offers abundant business opportunities from recent key developments, including the Northern Metropolis, the Airport City Skytopia and West Kowloon Cultural District, etc. We welcome businesses from the Middle East to capitalise on the opportunities our city offers.”
 
He added, “Hong Kong’s strategic position in Asia, coupled with the Middle East’s long-term strategies, such as Saudi Vision 2030 and UAE Centennial 2071, fosters collaboration and shared economic growth. By leveraging Hong Kong’s business advantages, we can strengthen co-operation in various areas, including finance, technology, trade, sustainability and tourism amid a fast-changing global economic landscape.”
 
Hong Kong and the Middle East are deepening financial and economic ties, creating powerful synergies for cross-border investment and shared growth. Recent developments, including cross-listed ETFs (exchange-traded funds) and the recognition of key Middle Eastern stock exchanges as Recognised Stock Exchanges, underscore the growing integration of capital markets between two regions. During the visit, Mr Ng also promoted Hong Kong’s Islamic finance capabilities, citing its successful issuance of three government sukuk and a level playing field for Shariah-compliant products through tax neutrality measures.
 
Participants at the events expressed keen interest in Hong Kong’s business environment and connectivity. Vice President of the Logistics Division at Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo Group Mrs Saffia Abdulla Kanoo said, “I gained valuable insights into Hong Kong and its key sectors through the roundtable discussions. I was particularly impressed by the city’s robust financial infrastructure, strong rule of law, and its role as a hub for innovation and capital flows. The session was highly informative and engaging, inspiring me to further explore the opportunities available in Hong Kong.”
Issued at HKT 15:35

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