
Siddaramaiah urges Centre to supply 1.65 lakh tonne of urea to Karnataka
In a letter addressed to Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers J P Nadda, Siddaramaiah pointed out that although the Centre had allocated 11.17 lakh tonne of urea for Karnataka for the ongoing Kharif season, the state has received only 5.16 lakh tonne so far, against a projected requirement of 6.8 lakh tonne by July.
'I request you to direct the concerned officers to expedite the supply of the shortfall of 1,65,541 metric tonnes of urea, as per the state's allocation, in the interest of our farmers," the CM stated in the letter, which he also shared on his official 'X' handle.
Siddaramaiah noted that some fertiliser companies have expressed their inability to supply urea as per the Government of India's allocation. He further highlighted that an early monsoon and increased acreage under cultivation—particularly in command areas of the Tungabhadra, Cauvery, and Krishna basins—have led to a surge in demand.
'The area under maize, a fertiliser-intensive crop, has increased by nearly two lakh hectares, while the area under pulses has declined compared to previous years," he said. Additionally, around 13,000 hectares of pre-Kharif land had to be resown.
The CM said that the urea shortage is creating unrest among the farming community.
view comments
First Published:
July 25, 2025, 20:15 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
25 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Karnataka to host 'Quantum India Bengaluru Summit' from July 31 onwards
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the summit, while Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will release the 'Karnataka Quantum Roadmap' Press Trust of India Bengaluru The Karnataka government is all set to host a two-day 'Quantum India Bengaluru Summit' here starting from July 31, officials said on Wednesday. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the summit, while Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will release the 'Karnataka Quantum Roadmap'. Through this summit, the government aims to showcase quantum technology to the world and strengthen Karnataka's leadership in this transformative field, they said. According to an official statement, state Minister for Science and Technology N S Boseraju has conducted several preparatory meetings, engaging with private technology companies, startups, and representatives from various technical institutions. The landmark event will witness participation from quantum experts representing eight countries and over 1,000 delegates from across India, it said. The summit will also be attended by IT & BT Minister Priyank Kharge, Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Industries Minister M B Patil, and senior department officials. Minister Boseraju stated that the primary objective is to develop quantum technology indigenously, without depending on foreign private companies. "By fostering self-reliance, Karnataka aims to implement projects benefiting public sectors such as services, healthcare, education, and essential infrastructure through both government and private initiatives," he stated.


News18
34 minutes ago
- News18
Nepal set to graduate from LDC to in 2026 as per schedule, says PM Oli
Kathmandu, Jul 30 (PTI) Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday said Nepal's preparations for its graduation from the category of the least developed country (LDC) to a developing country can be attributed mainly due to recently achieved notable growth in per capita income. Nepal is scheduled to graduate from the LDC status in November 2026. Nepal's LDC graduation would certainly boost the country's image globally, Oli said, but also cautioned that the impact of climate change and natural disasters could hinder Nepal's progress, and thus hamper upgradation. 'Our current per capita income is around USD 1,400, which meets the threshold. Based on this and other indicators, the international community has included Nepal in the list of countries set for graduation," Oli told the Upper House. In his replies to the concerns raised during the discussions on a study report 'Nepal's LDC Graduation 2024' by the government, the Prime Minister said Nepal's graduation will contribute to strengthening Nepal's country rating index, creating an atmosphere to attract foreign investment. Nepal was listed as an LDC by the United Nations General Assembly in November 1971 and is now preparing to graduate to a middle-income developing country category after 55 years. Nepal currently chairs the LDC group consisting of 45 countries. 'Indicators of economic improvements have now been noticed. The current 16th Periodic Plan was prepared with the projection of the post-graduation situation," the Prime Minister said. Oli, however, admitted that 'upgrading Nepal as a developing country may result in reduction of some facilities in various sectors it has been receiving as a least developed country." He also cautioned that the impact of climate change and natural disasters could hinder Nepal's progress and graduation from the LDC status and underlined the need to increase production and productivity. Nepal has been working towards upgradation since 2010 through various plans, budget and annual plans and programmes. The UN reports in 2015, 2018 and 2021 showed Nepal's progress in Human Assets Index and Economic and Environment Risk Index. For a smooth passage to developing country status, the government has been implementing six key strategies through a high-level steering committee, Oli added. PTI SBP NPK NPK view comments First Published: July 30, 2025, 20:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
35 minutes ago
- News18
Bengal teacher retirement extension case: SC sets aside 2023 Calcutta HC order
New Delhi, Jul 30 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside a 2023 Calcutta High Court order upholding the West Bengal government's stance that the retirement age of a teacher cannot be extended as he did not fulfill a 10-year continuous teaching condition in a university in the state. The court also said classifying employees based on past teaching experience from universities within or outside West Bengal, particularly on the verge of retirement, after having served for decades 'lacks nexus and discernible object". A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Manoj Misra said the intent of the February 2021 notification extending the retirement age from 60 to 65 years was not to exclude employees with experience from universities outside West Bengal. It said the text, context and objective of the notification revealed that its purpose was solely to distinguish between state-aided and private institutions. 'Classifying employees based on past teaching experience from universities within or outside West Bengal, particularly at the verge of retirement, after having served for decades lacks nexus and discernible object," the bench said. While allowing the appeal filed by the employee challenging the high court's division bench verdict, the bench said the appellant would be entitled to costs quantified at Rs 50,000. The apex court said when such decisions were subjected to strict scrutiny in judicial review, they unfortunately expose themselves as parochial, potentially undermining our resolve of fraternity. The bench said executive decisions like these seem minor or simple errors of perception but have far reaching consequences. 'Constitutional courts must be vigilant and identify such decisions, embedded in the nooks and crannies of public administration and set them aside, for they have the potentiality of triggering similar actions by other states and their instrumentalities," it said. Observing that principle of fraternity never asserts itself, the bench said it was the duty of constitutional court to recognise its erosion, 'even in the bylanes of public administration and to restore the essential 'We' to ensure the unity and integrity of the nation". The bench noted the appellant was initially appointed as a member of the teaching staff at Cachar College, Silchar in Assam in January 1991 and under the Assam College Employees (Provincialisation) Act, 2005, the college was taken over as a government college. It said after serving there for 16 years, he applied in response to an advertisement in June 2007 issued by the Burdwan University for a vacancy in the post of Secretary, Faculty Council for Post-Graduate Studies in Science. The bench said he was selected and after working for some time, was promoted to the post of senior secretary, Faculty Council for Post-Graduate Studies in Science, in January 2012. It noted after he already rendered over 14 years of service, the West Bengal government issued a memorandum in February 2021 increasing the age of retirement from 60 years to 65 years. The bench said the memorandum provided that benefit of increased age of retirement was extended only to those who had acquired a minimum of 10 years of continuous teaching experience in any state-aided university or college. It said after the appellant made a representation to the vice-chancellor of the university claiming benefit of the memorandum, the university informed that he would retire on August 31, 2023 on attaining the age of 60 years as he had no teaching experience in a 'university or college aided by the State of West Bengal'. Aggrieved by this, he approached the high court. A single judge of the high court allowed his plea and held that he was squarely covered by the memorandum and would retire on attaining the age of 65. Later, the state and the university filed separate appeals challenging the single judge's order. The division bench allowed the appeals and set-aside the order of the single judge. In its verdict, the apex court said the appellant was a regular employee, having joined the university in 2007 and continued in service uninterruptedly till 2021. 'The purpose of the notification is not to exclude those who had acquired the 10 years of teaching experience from universities or colleges outside West Bengal," the bench said. It said to insist on past teaching experience of 10 years within the state of West Bengal for extension of service, particularly when the employee had already worked for fourteen years was arbitrary and illegal. top videos View all 'It is a classic case of a suspect classification intended to sub-serve only parochial interests and nothing more. To insist on such a requirement for extension of date of retirement is totally unjustified," it said. The bench said the appellant would be entitled to the benefit of the notification. PTI ABA ZMN (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 30, 2025, 20:45 IST News agency-feeds Bengal teacher retirement extension case: SC sets aside 2023 Calcutta HC order Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.