Electrification drive

DAMAULI: Rural Alternative Energy Pvt Ltd with help of Pragati Biogas Service Centre (PBSC) has installed 7,200 biogas plants in Tanahun district. The centre also installed 6,700 solar sets, 30 peltric and micro hydro, 10 improved mills and distributed 50 solar cookers, 180 dryers and 5,500 solar lamps, according to Prakash Chandra Subedi, director of PBSC. In the remote region, where it is not possible to electrify through national transmission line, development of micro hydro power plants has played a crucial role, said Naba Raj Bagale, assistant of PBSC. — RSS

Trade deficit soars

NEW DELHI: India’s trade deficit widened nearly $57 billion in the year ended March as a surge in the cost of imports led by oil offset a record year for exports, the government data showed Tuesday. Exports rose to a record $124.6 billion, in line with a target of $125 billion for the year, while imports jumped to $181.4 billion, mostly led by oil.—AFP