
Deploy Markfed to procure tobacco at remunerative price: Jagan to Andhra government
The former CM demanded that the government rope in Markfed as a buyer in the tobacco auctions, and ensure a fair price to the farmers, failing which the YSRCP will lead an agitation for the ryots' cause.
The YSRCP chief visited Podili tobacco auction centre on Wednesday, where he interacted with Tobacco Board Auction Platform authorities and farmers, enquiring about the low prices for tobacco stocks.
Speaking to the media, Jagan said tobacco prices have drastically fallen from the previous year, and with no help coming from the State government, two farmers from the erstwhile combined Prakasam district, one in Parchuru and the other in Kondepi, had committed suicide.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hindustan Times
42 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
BEST credit society fraud probe: EOW begins inquiry into ₹12.41-crore Lonavala property deal; Sena (UBT)-MNS calls it political vendetta
MUMBAI: With less than a week to go before the keenly watched BEST Employees' Credit Society elections, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police has launched a preliminary enquiry against eight senior office-bearers of the society over alleged irregularities in the purchase of a Lonavala property. The inquiry adds to a parallel probe by the state cooperation department, fuelling political tensions between the newly allied Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on one side and the BJP-led Mahayuti on the other. BEST credit society fraud probe: EOW begins inquiry into ₹ 12.41-crore Lonavala property deal; Sena (UBT)-MNS calls it political vendetta The credit society — controlled by the Sena (UBT)'s BEST Kamgar Sena and now in alliance with the MNS for the August 18 polls — is accused of paying ₹18.04 crore for a rest house in Lonavala, well above the ready reckoner rate of ₹5.63 crore, allegedly causing a loss of ₹12.41 crore to members. The complainant, BEST employee and society member Rajendra Gore, alleges the purchase violated cooperative rules, including acquiring property outside the society's jurisdiction without the registrar's permission. The EOW inquiry names chairman Kirtan Kori, secretary Umesh Sarang, directors Bhiwaji Sawant, Raju Sasane, Bhaskar Toraskar, Pramod Rane, former chairman Sanjay Bhagare, and CEO Lalit Parab — all affiliated with the Sena (UBT). Police officials confirmed that those named are being summoned for questioning. This latest action follows a notice dated August 13 from the divisional joint registrar of cooperative societies, appointing an inquiry team to examine the society's 2024-25 records. Separately, the EOW is also investigating a complaint by Vivekanand Ghag alleging ₹24 crore in irregularities. Sena (UBT) and MNS leaders have dismissed the charges as a political ploy. 'Since the Thackeray brothers joined hands for the BEST credit society polls, the whole state is watching. Suddenly, there are allegations. Earlier there were no complaints,' said Kori, who previously headed the Utkarsh Panel. BEST Kamgar Sena president Suhas Samant accused BJP MLC Prasad Lad of instigating the probes to create 'confusion among voters', noting that the society recently earned an 'A' grade in a government audit. Lad, however, defended the inquiries, saying, 'If there are complaints of irregularities, how can we keep quiet?' He insisted that both the cooperation department and the EOW are acting on specific complaints and evidence. The political stakes are unusually high for what is typically a low-profile cooperative poll. The Sena (UBT) will contest 18 of the 21 seats, the MNS two, and the BEST SC/ST Employees Welfare Association one. If victorious, the MNS will also get a nominated director post. The Mahayuti's BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena are contesting as the opposition. The elections mark the first time the Thackeray cousins' parties are contesting together in any poll, seen by both camps as a test run for a broader civic election alliance — and by rivals as a potential threat worth disrupting.


Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Delhi Confidential: Sky Not The Limit
At an event Thursday, celebrating the deepest underwater human dive by two Indian aquanauts, Union Minister Jitendra Singh couldn't resist drawing a parallel with the country's space mission. India's two big dreams — sending humans to space and to the bottom of the ocean — he said, seemed to be moving in sync, 'almost like a cosmic–oceanic jugalbandi'. First, an Indian astronaut, Shubhanshu Shukla, travelled to space on a foreign spacecraft. Not long after, Indian aquanauts Commander (Retd) Jatinder Pal Singh and R Ramesh plunged into the depths of the Atlantic on a foreign submersible. Both missions are opening doors to more international tie-ups. And both are poised to play a big role in the country's Viksit Bharat story. The best part: in 2027, if all goes to plan, homegrown tech will carry an Indian into space and another to the ocean's floor. This back and forth, Singh said, wasn't exactly choreographed, but he wouldn't be surprised if it kept playing out in the years to come. As the last date for nomination of candidates for the vice presidential election nears, the BJP parliamentary board is likely to meet on August 17 (Sunday) to finalise the name of the ruling alliance's candidate. The NDA parties have already authorised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president J P Nadda to select the nominee. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah called on Nadda late Friday evening, triggering speculation about the possible names, but some BJP insiders said the announcement of the chosen candidate would most likely be made close to the final date of nominations on August 21 (Thursday).


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Lokesh vows to transform AP with ‘double engine' governance
1 2 3 4 Guntur: Urging the youth to follow Mahatma Gandhi's advice — "Be the change you wish to see in the world" — IT and HRD minister Nara Lokesh said the state govt, under the leadership and vision of chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, is working with the same spirit and commitment to transform Andhra Pradesh into a developed state. Lokesh hoisted the Tricolour at the police parade grounds to mark the 79th Independence Day celebrations on Friday, and took the guard of honour. Addressing the gathering, he said Andhra Pradesh witnessed "dark days" from 2019 to 2024. "The previous govt accumulated ₹10 lakh crore in debt, pushing the state back by 30 years. Development lost its track during their regime. People created history with a 94% strike rate in 2024, giving 164 seats to the NDA, breaking all records and establishing a people's govt," he said. With chief minister Naidu's vision being a constant guiding force in taking up revolutionary decisions, the double-engine govt has guided the state from darkness to light, Lokesh said. "The Centre has provided funds for the construction of Amaravati as the capital and for Polavaram project. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support, the govt was also able to save Vizag Steel Plant and establish the railway zone in Visakhapatnam. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Find your car's value online in minutes. Spinny Click Here Undo Support has also been extended for Rayalaseema industrial corridor. Our slogan is one-state, one-capital, with decentralised development," he added. He said the 'Super Six' promises made by the chief minister have become a "super hit," as they were implemented within a year of coming to power. "The govt increased pensions to Rs 4,000, Rs 6,000 for the differently-abled, and Rs 15,000 for bedridden beneficiaries. Rs 7,000 was disbursed to farmers in the first phase under Annadata Sukheebhava scheme. Additionally, the govt has provided two crore free gas cylinders to women under the Deepam scheme and launched free travel for women on APSRTC buses under Stree Shakti scheme," Lokesh said. He highlighted the launch of 'Thalli ki Vandanam' scheme, which provides Rs 15,000 to mothers of each schoolgoing child. A total of Rs 10,091 crore has been disbursed to 67.27 lakh children under the scheme, he said. He pointed out that while the previous govt failed to fill even a single teacher post, the NDA govt has filled 16,347 posts through a mega DSC. "We aim to create 20 lakh jobs and have already secured agreements for Rs 9.35 lakh crore in investments, creating 8.5 lakh jobs through companies like ArcelorMittal, NTPC, BPCL, TCS, Cognizant, Sattva, ANSR, LG Electronics, and Renew," Lokesh said. He added that the govt has revamped the curriculum from KG to PG and introduced semester-wise books to reduce the burden on students. 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 Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !