Mercedes-Benz presents two multipurpose vehicles to Parvatipuram-Manyam district in Andhra Pradesh
Parvatipuram-Manyam district received two multi-purpose vehicles, specially designed by Mercedes Benz, thanks to the initiative of Niti Aayog, which accepted the proposal submitted by the District Collector A. Shyam Prasad. Speaking to The Hindu, the Collector said the vehicles would enable the District Administration to meet the various needs of tribal people living in remote areas of Palakonda, Kurupam, Gummalakshmipuram, Makkuva, Saluru, and other mandals.
He said the multipurpose vehicles will be used as mobile Giri Bazaars and to promote government welfare schemes meant for tribals. He thanked both Niti Aayog and Mercedes-Benz for sanctioning two vehicles under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
According to him, the vehicles will have audio-video facilities to highlight the welfare schemes of both the Union and State Governments. The officials and staff can also travel in the vehicles to create awareness among the tribals about the schemes and their benefits. On normal days, they function like Giri Bazaars and enable tribals to buy rice, pulses and other essential commodities at affordable rates.
The district administration observed that many middlemen and traders are fleecing the gullible people with imitative and inferior products, which are also sold at exorbitant rates. Currently, the district administration is using a few vehicles for the Giri Bazaars. The two vehicles provided by Mercedes-Benz would enable the officials to send essential commodities to faraway places as the vehicles can move easily on ghat roads.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
4 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
DK Shivakumar flags 'illegal' CSR donation practice by corporates in Karnataka
The Deputy CM was taking stock of the progress on building 500 model Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) using Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, which is his pet project.
NDTV
8 hours ago
- NDTV
Tata Harrier EV To Hyundai Venue Facelift: 5 Upcoming SUVs In India
The SUVs in the Indian market, along with the global market, are gaining more popularity. Hence, the number of SUVs keeps increasing in the market. To further increase these numbers, the major manufacturers in the country are planning on launching new models with the body type in various segments. These are either new models or upgraded versions of the models already on sale. Here we take a look at some of these new models. Tata Harrier EV The Tata Harrier EV is the electric variant of the SUV that is currently available in the Indian market. Built on Tata's new ' platform, this design is specifically made for electric vehicles, featuring a flat floor and increased interior room. The SUV is expected to come with all-wheel drive and a multi-link rear suspension to enhance both performance and comfort. Although official specifications have yet to be disclosed, the Harrier EV is forecasted to achieve a range of over 500 kilometers on a single charge and to feature a dual-motor all-wheel drive system. It is crafted for use in city settings as well as off-road terrain. With all of the details, the vehicle will launch on June 3. Maruti Suzuki e Vitara When talking about the Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara, it's essential to note that this will be the brand's first electric vehicle in this segment. Moreover, it will act as the flagship model in a growing category that includes rivals like the Hyundai Creta EV, MG ZS EV, and Mahindra BE 6. To establish a strong position in the market, the EV will come with two battery options: 49 kWh and 61 kWh, providing a certified range of as much as 500 km. Hyundai Venue Facelift Hyundai Venue facelift will be the updated version of the compact SUV already on sale in the country. This iteration of the vehicle will come with multiple design changes along with an extended list of features. It is expected to carry forward the powertrain options available on the outgoing version. Once launched, it will compete against models like Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Skoda Kylaq, Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Kia Sonet, and others. It is expected to be launched soon. Mercedes-AMG G63 Collector's Edition Mercedes-Benz India is set to introduce a unique version of the AMG G63 known as the "Collector's Edition" on June 12. This variant of the SUV will be tailored specifically for the Indian market and will honor the country's diverse landscapes. According to the teaser image shared by the German automaker, this edition of the legendary SUV will feature a vibrant exterior color and silver wheels. It is expected to be equipped with the same powertrain as the G63, which includes a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine producing 577 hp and 850 Nm of torque. Mahindra XEV 7e Mahindra XEV 7e, which is also being called XUV700 electric, will have design similarities with the XUV700. To add a distinguishing touch, it will follow the brand's design language used for its new-born electric vehicles. The details of the powertrain have not been revealed. There is still some time left before the electric SUV becomes ready for the market.
Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Indian Express
Punjab Agriculture Policy 2023: Stuck in govt red tape, policy that pushes for farm reforms, offers urgent solutions to agrarian crisis
As he presented Punjab's case in the 10th governing council of the NITI Aayog in Delhi, Chief Minister batted for crop diversification, urging the Centre to grant an incentive of Rs 17,500 per hectare for maize to replace paddy — the crop that over the years has turned into a bane for state and its aquifers. Incidentally, promotion of crop diversification is among several bold reforms recommended as urgent solutions to Punjab's deep-rooted agrarian crisis in Punjab Agriculture Policy-2023, a 200-page document that has got thumbs up from even the farmers unions — Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan), one of the largest farm bodies in state — had even staged a dharna to bring it in the public domain. Now, 20 months after it was crafted by the 11-member Agriculture Formulation Committee, led by Dr Sukhpal Singh, chairperson of the Punjab State Farmers' and Farm Workers' Commission, the policy — Punjab's first — remains on paper with hardly any meaningful steps taken toward its implementation. The policy was submitted to the government on October 13, 2023 and was put in public domain in September 2024 and was almost accepted by all the stakeholders. The policy offers a robust framework to tackle state's long-standing agricultural challenges, and proposes reforms such as a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Prices (MSP), a pension plan for small farmers and farm workers, one-time debt settlements, special debt waivers for marginal farmers, and crop insurance, among other critical measures. Despite the policy's potential to address pressing issues such as economic distress among farmers and the unsustainable farming practices currently plaguing the state, the government's continued inaction leaves many questioning the AAP dispensation's commitment to agricultural reforms. Why is its implementation delayed Senior officials in the Agricultural Department says that major obstacles in the policy's implementation is funding requirements and its 'cooperative nature' while the government's preference is for 'corporative nature'. To effectively address the agricultural crisis, significant investment is needed — something that the fund-starved and debt-burdened state lacks. The stakeholders, however, argue that delaying its implementation will only prolong the crisis, aggravating the suffering of the farmers. 'The policy lays out clear and practical solutions. What we need now is the political will to fund and implement these reforms,' said a member of the Agriculture Formulation Committee requesting anonymity. A senior official in the Agriculture Department, said that the key questions remain. 'How will these recommendations be implemented, especially when past proposals from various committees, including renowned agricultural scientist Dr MS Swaminathan's MSP recommendations and economist Sardara Singh Johl's 'Johl Plan' for diversification and crop rotation, have failed to materialise despite numerous farmer protests? While the policy outlines a roadmap, but how will the necessary funds be sourced?'. The policy records several things — from the farm suicide data (up till 2018) to farm debt, including Rs 73,673 crore in institutional debt. It, however, is silent on suicides from 2018 till 2023 and on the issue of non-institutional debt of farmers. It suggests establishing a State Agricultural Costs and Prices Commission to ensure fair prices for all non-MSP crops, dairy products, and eggs. It further suggests that legal guarantee of procurement at MSP is essential. It suggests that the MSP should be fixed according as per the Swami-nathan Report — at a minimum of C2 + 50 per cent with additional costs outlined in the Ramesh Chand Committee Report. For instance, it state that the MSP for wheat should have been Rs 2,787 per quintal rather than the Rs 1,925 per quintal set by the Government of India and should have reached around Rs 3,200 per quintal as against the current Rs 2,425 per quintal. 'Such suggestions do not suit the governments,' said an Agriculture Department official. The policy proposes a 'one-time debt settlement scheme' through cooperative banks. It also proposes a pension plan for farm workers and small farmers (with up to 5 acres of land), starting at the age of 60. A special debt waiver and debt swapping schemes for small farmers are also outlined, alongside the registration of money lenders to regulate non-institutional credit system. It suggests creating state's own crop insurance scheme and crop insurance fund and leasing one-third of Panchayati land and other common lands to farm workers under cooperative farming. It proposes a similar livestock insurance scheme through Milkfed and the Dairy Development Department. To address water scarcity, it recommends growing crops in their natural growing areas (NGA) to improve quality and reduce production costs. It proposes banning paddy cultivation in 31 dark blocks, where water extraction exceeds the recharge rate by 201 to over 301 per cent, and promoting alternative crops like cotton, maize, sugarcane, and vegetables in a phased manner. The policy also advocates for timely canal water supply in the cotton belt, discouraging paddy cultivation, incentivizing cotton in designated zones. Water-saving technologies, such as alternate wetting and drying, are recommended to improve paddy yield while using 30-40 per cent less water. Additionally, it focuses on micro-irrigation methods for several crops and advocates for the ongoing 'Pani Bachao, Paisa Kamao' (PBPK) scheme. It further advocates immediate payment to sugarcane farmers by the sugar mills, promoting ethanol production, and providing maize dryers to farmers. The policy also calls for intervention in basmati pricing through Markfed's price stabilisation fund and supports organic farming initiatives. The policy proposes establishing 13 Centres of Excellence (CoE) for different crops and and a hub for seed production with region-specific crops like potato seeds in Doaba. It further advocates for strengthening agricultural research and extension services and establishing an Agricultural Marketing Research Institute (AMRII) to balance supply and demand. The policy acknowledges the heavy burden of the free power subsidy (Rs 8,000-9,000 crore annually), noting how the increasing number of tube wells over the past 15 years has driven this cost to over Rs 80,000 crore. It suggests reducing the subsidy through water-efficient farming practices. It also recommends doubling the mandatory workdays under MGNREGA to 200 and providing Rs 10 lakh in compensation to the families of farmers, farm workers, and rural artisans who have died by suicide. Free healthcare should also be extended to these groups. The policy discusses forming Progressive Farmers' Societies (PFS) linked to crop CoEs and establishing an Agricultural Marketing Research and Intelligence Institute (AMRII) to balance demand and supply. An Innovative Agricultural Marketing Society (IAMS) would serve as the apex marketing body for these societies, ensuring advanced planning for high-quality produce, it says. For horticulture, the policy recommends improving nurseries to provide high-quality planting material and upgrading kinnow value addition infrastructure, including cold chains. Lastly, the policy proposes building Punjab into a hub for innovative farm machinery manufacturing and strengthening agricultural research and extension services by filling vacant posts and updating land tenancy laws.
