Villagers petition collector against Sipcot park
They demandd that ongoing work be immediately halted and Kallangadu be declared a biodiversity heritage site. A group of women villagers also performed 'Kummi' folk dance in protest in front of the collectorate.
In their petition, the villagers, under the banner of 'Kallangadu Suttruvattara Paathukaapirkana 18 Grama Makkal Kootamaippu', stated that the industrial park, spread across 278 acre in Vanjinagaram, would have an adverse impact on villages in the surrounding areas.
"The Sipcot industrial park will destroy agricultural land and affect local availability of water resources for irrigation. Plant and animal life will be impacted, and grazing lands will also be destroyed," added the villagers.
The protesters further said the industrial park will lead to the ruin of temples and heritage sites in Kallangadu. They include a Shiva temple and Azhagunachiyamman temple, where villagers come together to worship and hold festivals. "There are 25 more temples nearby as well, and various symbols, artefacts, and stone carvings from the Pandiya era can be unearthed by an archaeological expedition," they added.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Happy Independence Day wishes
,
messages
, and
quotes
!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
8 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Farmers to lay siege to Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on August 20
Members of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers' Association will lay siege to the Vidhana Soudha on August 20, seeking the implementation of their long-pending demands. At a press conference here on Saturday, H. Bhagyaraj, president of the sugarcane growers' association, said that farmers will also hold a 'satyagraha' at Freedom Park in Bengaluru. Though the country celebrated Independence Day on August 15,there was little for farmers to celebrate as the government had failed to ensure scientific pricing for agricultural produce, he said. Mr. Bhagyaraj said that the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for 2025-26 should be fixed at ₹4,500 per ton, and harvesting and transportation costs must be borne by the sugar factories. The farmers also expressed concern that the weighing scales are not scientifically calibrated, as a result of which they suffer losses. This should be avoided by installing the weighing scales in front of the factories so that the farmers can monitor the process as well, they said. Mr. Bhagyaraj pointed out that the factories owed dues to the tune of ₹950 crores to sugarcane farmers, and added that this should be cleared immediately. Drawing attention to the shortage of fertilizers, the association said that the issue has been politicised by both the State and the Centre, and that it was the responsibility of the governments to ensure the availability of fertilizers and its smooth distribution. The authorities were urged to crack down on traders creating artificial scarcity by hoarding fertilizer stocks or selling them at a price higher than the rates fixed by the government. Mr. Bhagyaraj urged the government to implement the Mekedatu project without further delay, and blamed the Centre and the State for failing to expedite the works. The farmers stated that banks tend to insist on CIBIL scores before releasing agricultural loans, and hence urged the government to change the policy and delink CIBIL scores from farm loans. Any delay in repayment of loan due to crop failure or vagaries of nature has a negative bearing on the CIBIL score and affects the farmers, the association said. Drawing attention to the low penetration of crop insurance among farmers, the association said that the policy and insurance schemes should be tweaked to make a particular land of the farmer concerned as the unit area of insurance. When the unit area for crop insurance is too large, individual farmers suffer because damage to their crops may be overlooked and their claims rejected, if conditions in other parts of the area are considered normal, it added. Other demands included immediate release of ₹1,000 crore by way of incentives which is pending for dairy farmers, establishment of crop and milk procurement centres at the gram panchayat level, rescinding the Land Reforms Act and APMC (Amendment) Act, implementation of the recommendations of M.S. Swaminathan Committee, a law ensuring statutory guarantee of Minimum Support Price for farmers' produce, etc.
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
Plans afoot to develop craft & handloom village in Maheshwar
Indore: The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) is planning to involve local artisans from Kharia village in Maheshwar through choupals, aiming to transform the village into a craft and handloom hub. In Maheshwar, the board intends to develop a textile village, cafeteria, traditionally designed home stays, and restaurants that will be operated by the local community. Kharia village in Maheshwar is home to more than 100 weavers. "A choupal is planned for next week with artisans at Kharia village in Maheshwar to understand their needs and explore how the craft tourism village could help transform their lives. This initiative will give them an economic tool to enhance their income and a platform to showcase Maheshwari textile to all discerning tourists coming to see the beauty of quaint Maheshwar and expanse of grand Narmada," said tourism and culture principal secretary Sheo Shekhar Shukla. The choupal will be attended by villagers, representatives from NGOs, and senior officials from the tourism department. MPTB has submitted a proposal to handlooms development commissioner for developing "textile tourism" in Maheshwar. The villages of Kharia and Keriakhedi in Maheshwar accommodate approximately 146 weavers. The estimated cost of the project is approximately Rs 511 crore. The proposed project will also feature an experience centre, cycling tracks and common areas, alongside scenic ghats, all aimed at enhancing local infrastructure and attracting tourists. The tourism board is also working on establishing another craft village in Dhar to promote the renowned Bagh print. Kukshi and Bagh, notable areas in Dhar district, are famous for their unique Bagh print — a traditional hand-block printing technique using natural colours and vegetable dyes. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Economic Times
22 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Growth to get lift, boost for demand after GST rationalisation, say economists
Synopsis Economists predict that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rationalization will significantly boost domestic demand, providing crucial support to the Indian economy amidst challenges posed by US tariffs. The simplified tax structure, particularly benefiting essentials, is expected to increase disposable income for lower and middle-income consumers. ANI GST reform push has drawn favourable comments from economists. Domestic demand will get a boost after goods and services tax (GST) rationalisation, economists said, providing support to the economy that's seen likely taking a hit from the 50% duty levied on Indian imports by the US.'At a time where consumption demand has been uneven and felt pressure from high inflation and low nominal wage growth over the last couple of quarters, the proposed GST reforms are a positive, especially for essentials, aiding consumption by the lower and middle income class,' said Sakshi Gupta, principal economist at HDFC Bank. QuantEco Research economist Yuvika Singhal said, 'Any kind of reduction in taxes is positive for consumption as it leaves higher disposable income in the hands of consumers.' Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in his Independence Day speech on Friday that GST reforms would provide relief to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), local vendors and GST cuts on items will range from durables such as refrigerators and air conditioners to packaged foods and medical supplies. 'It's a much-needed development, and GST rationalisation is the need of the hour, apart from other reforms,' said Paras Jasrai, associate director at India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra). The Centre has proposed that India move to a simpler, two-slab structure from four currently--retaining the 5% and 18% rates and scrapping the 12% and 28% levies, ET reported earlier. 'With indirect taxes having a wider reach, GST reforms can deliver a stronger boost,' said Gaura Sengupta, chief economist at IDFC First Bank. 'Rural consumption is improving but not broad-based enough to offset weak urban demand, so a fiscal push was needed—and these reforms provide that.'Jasrai said that lower stabs and tax rates will give consumption demand a significant boost, especially amid the uncertainty over trade tariffs that are seen impacting external President Donald Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on India, including a 25% penalty for importing Russian oil. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank have cut global growth forecasts amid the prevailing trade uncertainty. Even so, India's domestic strength will stand out.'Since domestic consumption makes up a larger share of the economy, India will remain resilient despite global headwinds,' said Singhal. An increase in spending activity will also lift gross domestic product (GDP). The boost to nominal GDP growth is estimated at 0.6 percentage point over 12 months using fiscal multipliers, said Bank's Gupta said the reform could boost demand for consumer durables if GST rates on items such as ACs and TVs are reduced. 'A more notable impact could also be seen for demand for two-wheelers and cars if the current GST rate of 28% is reduced to 18%,' she highlighted that fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies will see a positive impact, depending on how and when the changes are implemented.
