Kudumbashree to provide all vegetables needed for Onasadya: Minister
He was speaking after performing the State-level inauguration of the Kudumbashree's Onakani project at Kottukal panchayat here on Wednesday.
Onakani is a project to make available safe and pesticide-free vegetables to the people for the Onam festival. 'Onam with Kudumbashree' is the theme.
Onam kits that include vegetables for the sadya, pickle, chips, payasam mix, and spice powders will be readied as part of Onakani. For this, the Kudumbashree has increased the land under cultivation four times. As much as 25,680 acres of land is under cultivation this year as compared to 6,800 acres last year. The Kudumbashree achieved a turnover of ₹7.8 crore through sale of vegetables and flowers last year.
This year, hybrid seeds made available through its Jaivika plant nurseries will be cultivated. Each Kudumbashree community development society (CDS) will be sanctioned up to ₹25,000 as revolving fund.
Training to the women farming groups in technical aspects such as preparing the land, sapling production, crop maintenance, and pest control will be given. A market for the vegetables will be found by the Kudumbashree.
Kottukal CDS chairperson Vimala K. gifted Kudumbashree products to the Minister. Kottukal panchayat president Chandralekha K. spoke. District panchayat president D. Suresh Kumar presided.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
20 hours ago
- First Post
India plans to open uranium sector to private players to boost nuclear expansion
The move aims to attract billions of dollars and support the country's ambitious goal to expand nuclear power capacity 12 fold by 2047 India is planning to open its uranium mining, import, and processing sector to private companies, ending a decades-long state monopoly, according to a Reuters report, citing government sources. This move aims to attract billions of dollars and support the country's ambitious goal to expand nuclear power capacity 12 fold by 2047. In April, Reuters had reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is also planning to relax requirements to allow foreign players to take a minority stake in power plants. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Currently, India's government tightly controls uranium mining and processing due to concerns over nuclear material misuse, radiation safety, and strategic security. It will, however, continue to manage spent uranium reprocessing and plutonium waste handling, in line with international norms. To meet rising demand for nuclear fuel amid this expansion, the government is drafting a regulatory framework that would allow private Indian firms to participate in mining, importing, and processing uranium. The policy is expected to be announced within the current fiscal year, reported Reuters. In addition, private companies may be permitted to supply critical control system equipment for nuclear power plants, sources said. Globally, countries such as Canada, South Africa, and the United States already allow private firms to mine and process uranium. Domestic supply not enough According to government data, India has an estimated 76,000 tonnes of uranium — enough to power 10,000 megawatts of nuclear energy for 30 years. However, sources cautioned that domestic reserves would cover only about 25% of the fuel needed to support the country's planned nuclear expansion. The remaining demand would require imports, along with a significant boost to uranium processing capacity. In its February 1 budget announcement, the government revealed its intention to open up the nuclear sector, though it did not provide specifics. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The move has since prompted several major Indian conglomerates to begin drafting investment plans. Still, experts warn that implementing the policy may face hurdles, as revising existing legislation could prove legally and politically complex. 'It's a major and bold initiative by the Indian Government which is critical for achieving the target,' Reuters quoted Charudatta Palekar, independent power sector consultant, as saying. 'The challenge will be to define quickly the rules of engagement with private sector,' Palekar added. New Delhi will have to change five laws, including the ones regulating mining and electricity sectors and India's foreign direct investment policy to enable private participation in many identified activities, the sources said. With inputs from agencies
Mint
a day ago
- Mint
Will Centre pay 18 months' DA arrears to employees, pensioners frozen during Covid? Finance Ministry gives MAJOR update
The government has responded to a question on whether or not central government employees and pensioners will get their three instalments of Dearness Allowance (DA) and arrears frozen during Covid-19, saying that it was 'not feasible'. Answering a question at the Lok Sabha on August 11 regarding the roll out of three instalments of arrears that were frozen during Covid-19, Member of Parliament Anand Bhaduria cited economic disruption during that time and said that the arrears were frozen due to that reason. The government pays DA and arrears a cost-of-living adjustment to its employees and pensioners to offset the impact of inflation. DA is usually given twice a year to employees, while DR or Dearness Relief is paid to pensioners. The arrears are credited on a pro-rated basis. However, during Covid-19, the government had frozen these arrears for a period of 18 months, which comes down to three instalments. Here is a breakdown of the questions asked at the Lok Sabha and the government's answers on August 11. Answer: The decision to freeze three instalments of Dearness Allowance (DA) / Dearness Relief (DR) to Central Government employees / pensioners due from 01.01.2020, 01.07.2020 & 01.01.2021 was taken in the context of COVID-19, which caused economic disruption, so as to ease pressure on Government finances. if so, whether fiscal condition of the Government is still under pressure and is on the verge of bankruptcy. Answer: The fiscal deficit of the Government of India has narrowed from 9.2 per cent in the Financial Year (FY) 2020-21 to 4.4 per cent in the FY 2025-26 (Budget Estimates). Answer: The adverse financial impact of pandemic in 2020 and the financing of welfare measures taken by the Government had a fiscal spill over beyond FY 2020-21. Therefore, arrears of DA/DR were not considered feasible.
News18
a day ago
- News18
Will Govt Staff Get 18-Month Frozen DA Arrears? Here's What the Finance Ministry Says
Last Updated: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the central government put a hold on three instalments of dearness allowance to reduce financial strain during the economic disruption. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the central government froze three instalments of Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for its employees and pensioners. This decision came as a result of severe economic disruption and the need to reduce pressure on government finances. The move affected payments due from January 1, 2020, July 1, 2020, and January 1, 2021. The freeze prompted questions in Parliament regarding when the pending arrears would be cleared and the government's fiscal health during and after the pandemic. Member of Parliament Anand Bhadauria asked the government about the DA and DR arrears, seeking clarity on the reasons behind the freeze and the current status of payments. In response, the government explained that the freeze was necessary due to the pandemic's financial impact and the additional welfare measures undertaken to support citizens during that period. What is Dearness Allowance? Dearness Allowance (DA) is extra money given to government employees to help them keep up with rising prices. Dearness Relief (DR) is the same kind of support, but for pensioners, so inflation doesn't reduce their spending power. When asked whether the freeze was due to economic disruption and to ease pressure on finances, the government stated: 'The decision to freeze three instalments of Dearness Allowance (DA) / Dearness Relief (DR) to Central Government employees/pensioners due from January 1, 2020, July 1, 2020 & January 1, 2021 was taken in the context of COVID-19, which caused economic disruption, to ease pressure on government finances." On the question of the government's fiscal condition, the government clarified: 'The fiscal deficit of the government of India has narrowed from 9.2 per cent in the Financial Year (FY) 2020-21 to 4.4 per cent in the FY 2025-26 (Budget Estimates)." Regarding when the arrears of 18 months' DA/DR would be paid, the government explained that the economic impact of the pandemic, combined with additional welfare spending, left no room in the budget for these payments: 'The adverse financial impact of pandemic in 2020 and the financing of welfare measures taken by the Government had a fiscal spill over beyond FY 2020-21. Therefore, arrears of DA/DR were not considered feasible." This clarification comes amid growing talk about the 8th Pay Commission, which got approval from the Union Cabinet in January this year but hasn't been officially set up yet. Once the commission is formed, it will meet with stakeholders and prepare a detailed report, usually taking over a year. The report will suggest changes to salaries and allowances for central government employees. Typically, when a new pay commission is implemented, the DA is reset to zero. At present, under the 7th Pay Commission, DA is 55 per cent of basic pay. view comments First Published: 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.
