
State to review pre-kharif preparations on May 21: Ajit Pawar
on Friday said state govt has called a meeting on May 21 to review the pre-kharif season preparations ahead of the onset of monsoon.
Pawar was in his hometown of Baramati, where he addressed a rally and said state govt would ensure the farming community faced no shortage of seeds or fertilisers during the
.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
"The southwest monsoon is expected to arrive in the state in the first week of June. Soon after its onset, the farmers will start sowing for the kharif season. State govt will be holding a meeting on May 21 to review the preparation of the kharif season. Before that meeting, all guardian ministers have been told to hold similar meetings in their respective districts and understand the requirements of farmers," Pawar said.
"It is state govt's responsibility to supply all the things required to the farming community," he said.
Referring to the Mukhyamantri Mazhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, Pawar said, "The opposition was targeting me, CM Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CM Eknath Shinde, saying that schemes like Ladki Bahin or free electricity for farmers were only for elections and they all will be discontinued. We have, however, ensured that the schemes keep running.
We have made a provision of Rs 65,000 crore to ensure these schemes continue. Even the team of Niti Aayog, which visited Mumbai recently, gave a statement that state govt's financial management is correct.
"
'I won my first elections because I was fielded by Pawar Saheb'
Against the backdrop of recent speculations of a possible reunion of both factions of NCP, Pawar, during a rally in Baramati held for the campaign of Shri Chhatrapati Cooperative Sugar Mill elections on Friday, gave credit to his uncle and veteran politician Sharad Pawar for winning the first-ever election he contested.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
He said, "Thanks to my grandfather, father and uncle [Sharad Pawar], my career is settled. The first time I contested the election and became an MP from Baramati, people voted for me not because of my work but only because I was fielded by Pawar Saheb. Only after winning that election did I get the opportunity to work and show my ability. That is the fact, and there is no question of denying it."

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


Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Kerala HC grants bail to four PFI men in 2022 murder case
Kochi: HC, on Tuesday, granted bail to four accused – Muhammed Bilal, Riyasudheen, K P Ansar and K V Saheer – in RSS leader Sreenivasan's murder case. They are members of the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI). Sreenivasan was murdered at Melamuri Junction in Palakkad on April 16, 2022, allegedly by PFI men. A bench comprising Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar passed the order by allowing the petitions filed by the accused challenging the NIA special court, Ernakulam, which had dismissed their bail applications. The bench directed that each accused be released on bail upon executing a bond of Rs 1 lakh with two solvent sureties for the like sum to the satisfaction of the special court. HC also imposed conditions, including that the petitioners shall not leave the revenue district of Ernakulam without prior permission of the special court; they shall surrender their passports before the court immediately; they must provide their full and updated residential address to the investigating officer (IO); they shall use only one mobile number during the bail period and communicate it to the IO and they shall report before the SHO of the police station having jurisdiction over their place of residence once every fortnight. In 2022, Centre had declared PFI and its affiliates/frontal outfits as an 'unlawful association' under the provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. It was revealed that PFI and its members were allegedly responsible for several violent incidents and murders in Kerala, creating a sense of terror in the minds of the people. Further, it was alleged that PFI, its office-bearers and its members were indulging in unlawful activities with the intent to foment disaffection against the Indian State by provoking individuals—particularly innocent members of Muslim community—to defy govt and institutions established by law. Accordingly, Centre directed NIA to investigate the activities of PFI, including Sreenivasan's murder. 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.


Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
A step closer to gig workers' safety, onus on aggregators
Bengaluru: The legislative assembly Tuesday passed the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025, placing obligations on aggregators to provide social security benefits, including occupational health and safety, to gig workers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Proposing to establish the gig welfare fund on the lines of the fund for construction workers, the govt had earlier promulgated an ordinance on April 11, with governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot giving assent on May 27. The Bill now replaces the ordinance and envisages the creation of a Gig Workers Welfare Board to manage the fund and extend welfare measures. Opposition members, including CN Ashwath Narayan, suggested the govt also contribute to the fund along with aggregators. In response, labour minister Santosh Lad, who tabled the bill, said such suggestions would be considered while framing rules for legislation. However, to a proposal from BJP's Suresh Kumar to bring outsourced employees under the bill, Lad said: "They can't be included as they do not fit the definition of gig workers. " Lad explained that the contribution of aggregators to the fund would be determined by the Board. The bill allows aggregators to collect 1% to 5% of a gig workers' welfare fee from customers, which must be deposited into the fund at the end of each quarter. "The legislation ensures social security for gig workers. It is the need of the hour considering the rapid emergence of the gig economy," Lad said. "A NITI Aayog report says by 2029-30, about 23.5 million people will be employed as gig workers, creating many opportunities in this sector. There are about 4 lakh gig workers in Karnataka." Key provisions of the bill include a dispute resolution mechanism, registration of gig workers and aggregators with the Board, and measures to provide reasonable job security and health safety. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Board will comprise four representatives from gig workers' associations, representatives of aggregators, and two from civil society. It will also have powers to enter into agreements between gig workers and aggregators to prevent indiscriminate termination. Gig workers may also file complaints against aggregators before the Board, and in case of injustice, appeal before an Internal Dispute Committee even against the Board itself. Highlighting challenges workers face, Lad said: "Gig workers, especially two-wheeler riders, are constantly exposed to noise and environmental pollution. Some work 18 hours to earn Rs 1,800, taking on 25 to 30 delivery tasks a day. They face severe health hazards which is why this bill has been introduced." Who is a gig worker? The bill defines gig workers as those engaged through online platforms for services such as food and grocery delivery, logistics, e-market operations, health services, travel and hospitality besides others. It states that a gig worker is a person who performs or participates in a work arrangement, is paid a fee as per terms of a contract, and whose work is sourced through a platform in the services specified in the schedule.


Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
Cong guarantee schemes are straining Karnataka finances: CAG
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, deputy CM DK Shivakumar BENGALURU: Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has cautioned that the five guarantee schemes launched by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress govt are exerting considerable strain on Karnataka's finances, wiping out the fiscal recovery achieved after the Covid-19 years and eating into capital spending. In its report on state finances for 2023-24, CAG observed: "Implementation of the five guarantee schemes without rationalising existing subsidies/financial assistance or the benefits would place pressure on the state's resources and have an influence on fiscal deficits and debt levels..." The report reviewed the schemes - Gruha Lakshmi, Gruha Jyothi, Anna Bhagya, Shakthi and Yuva Nidhi - and found they made up nearly 15% of the state's revenue expenditure in 2023-24. During the year, the state's revenue rose by only 1.8%, while expenditure surged by 12.5%, a rise primarily driven by the guarantees. CAG said this imbalance contributed to a revenue deficit of Rs 9,271 crore. Karnataka's fiscal deficit also widened sharply, from Rs 46,623 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 65,522 crore in 2023-24.