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News18
3 days ago
- General
- News18
Around 37,000 farmers adopt natural farming in Himachals Una and Hamirpur
Hamirpur / Una (HP), Aug 6 (PTI) With incentives like subsidies and assured minimum support price given by the state government to promote natural farming, around 37,000 farmers have adopted natural farming in the twin districts of Una and Hamirpur. Over 20,000 farmers in Hamirpur district and 16,853 farmers in Una have adopted natural farming, officials said. Deputy Commissioner of Hamirpur Amarjeet Singh said around 96 quintals of wheat and 9 quintals of turmeric prepared through natural farming have been purchased in the district in the Rabi season, while 53 quintals of maize were purchased in the last Kharif season. Project Director of Aatma Project, Hamirpur, Nitin Sharma said that to promote natural farming, farmers are given a subsidy of Rs 25,000 for the purchase of indigenous cows. Apart from this, a transport subsidy of Rs 5,000 and payment of animal market fee up to Rs 2,000 are also provided under the project. A subsidy of Rs 8,000 is given for paving the floor of the cowshed and setting up systems for collecting cow urine. Additionally, a subsidy of up to Rs 2,250 is available for preparing materials required for natural farming, such as drums and other equipment. Shakuntala Devi and Sushma Devi of Gram Panchayat Amlahad, who have adopted natural farming, have found new hope. Not only has it significantly reduced their farming costs, but their crops are also fetching better prices, and their food is now free from harmful chemicals, Sharma added. The ATMA Project Director Virender Bagga claims 41.66 metric tonnes of natural wheat and 11.15 metric tonnes of natural maize were purchased by farmers in Una district. Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal has urged farmers to adopt this method, citing its environmental, health, and economic benefits. PTI COR BPL DR DR view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 12:00 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.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Like a slap on face: For drivers of BluSmart, a tough afterlife
They were the faces behind the green revolution in India's ride-hailing sector — the drivers who steered BluSmart 's fleet of electric cabs to success in Gurgaon, Delhi and Bengaluru. With their crisp uniforms and courteous demeanour, they helped build a loyal customer base that valued punctuality and reliability. Founded in 2019, this all-EV fleet was soon challenging Uber and Ola. But their world came crashing down this April when BluSmart abruptly stopped operations, leaving nearly 10,000 drivers stranded at the crossroads of uncertainty. So sudden was BluSmart's demise that many drivers were still in the middle of rides when the company stopped taking bookings. For many like Amarjeet Singh, the shutdown was nothing short of devastation. Having recently brought his wife and mother to Delhi and invested in a new motorcycle with a bank loan, the BluSmart driver's dreams of a stable family life were shattered overnight. "It felt like a tight slap on my face, as if someone was mocking me. I was so stressed. I got married earlier this year and thought I would finally be able to live a happy life with my wife. But…," says Singh, who has since found work as a personal driver. Affected by financial turmoil of Gensol, a company it shared founders with and from which it leased EVs, BluSmart recently went into insolvency, dimming hopes that it could bounce back in the near future. BluSmart had positioned itself as a driver-friendly alternative to conventional ride-hailing services . Unlike Ola and Uber, drivers here didn't need to own or rent vehicles. The company provided electric cars, promised weekly payouts, medical insurance up to Rs 1 lakh, and flexible schedules. Most drivers earned between Rs 35,000 and Rs 40,000 a month. The aftermath of the shutdown was brutal for drivers. Mukesh Kumar, who now works as a family driver in Delhi, says, "I made nearly Rs 30,000-35,000 a month, and it was all mine. No EMIs, no CNG costs." He misses the fixed schedules and incentive-based payments of BluSmart. For Kamil Hussain, the transition has been harsh. Now driving a rented car for other ride-hailing services, he has to get used to the cutthroat competition of earning a commission and the trying hours one needs to put in for it. "I pay Rs 1,100 daily as rent for the cab. On my best days, I earn Rs 3,000. But there's rent and fuel. So imagine where my earning has gone. I am not alone. There are so many drivers like me." Deepak Kumar was one of those who had read early signs of trouble at BluSmart. He secured a new job just before the shutdown. "By March, cars had maintenance issues, and roadside assistance had become unreliable. For instance, when we'd go to the BluSmart hub, cars would have punctures or faults, taking hours to fix. Once, my car broke down on the highway. It took four hours to get help from the company," he says. These signs were enough for Kumar to make up his mind. "People were already talking about it. I sensed it was time to move on." In Bengaluru, Mohammad Illyas has been idle since losing his job. "Sometimes, I do odd jobs for private travel, mostly out of station. Otherwise, I don't have a regular job. It's getting difficult to manage expenses in a city like Bengaluru," he says. Drivers recalled being asked to abandon their vehicles in the middle of their shift and make their own way home the day the company stopped taking bookings and a brief communication was sent to them. A six-year relationship was snapped in seconds. "I was in Gurgaon when I got a call saying there would be no more rides from tomorrow. We were told to leave the cab wherever we were and return home. People were in far-off locations. They had to make arrangements to get back on their own," a driver who requested not to be named told TOI. Adding to their woes, many claim their dues remain unpaid, with no company representative available to address their concerns. "The company's registered office in Gurgaon shut down. Phone numbers are no longer in use," says the driver quoted above. Today, BluSmart's website still displays smiling photos of drivers and the tagline, "Drive with BluSmart and be the driver of real change!" But for thousands of drivers like Singh or Illyas, the reality is starkly different. "It distinguished us from the rest. Now, we're back to being like everyone else," says Illyas.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Like a slap on face: For drivers of BluSmart, a tough afterlife
Gurgaon/New Delhi: They were the faces behind the green revolution in India's ride-hailing sector — the drivers who steered BluSmart's fleet of electric cabs to success in Gurgaon, Delhi and Bengaluru. With their crisp uniforms and courteous demeanour, they helped build a loyal customer base that valued punctuality and reliability. Founded in 2019, this all-EV fleet was soon challenging Uber and Ola. But their world came crashing down this April when BluSmart abruptly stopped operations, leaving nearly 10,000 drivers stranded at the crossroads of uncertainty. So sudden was BluSmart's demise that many drivers were still in the middle of rides when the company stopped taking bookings. For many like Amarjeet Singh, the shutdown was nothing short of devastation. Having recently brought his wife and mother to Delhi and invested in a new motorcycle with a bank loan, the BluSmart driver's dreams of a stable family life were shattered overnight. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon "It felt like a tight slap on my face, as if someone was mocking me. I was so stressed. I got married earlier this year and thought I would finally be able to live a happy life with my wife. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo But…," says Singh, who has since found work as a personal driver. Affected by financial turmoil of Gensol, a company it shared founders with and from which it leased EVs, BluSmart recently went into insolvency, dimming hopes that it could bounce back in the near future. BluSmart had positioned itself as a driver-friendly alternative to conventional ride-hailing services. Unlike Ola and Uber, drivers here didn't need to own or rent vehicles. The company provided electric cars, promised weekly payouts, medical insurance up to Rs 1 lakh, and flexible schedules. Most drivers earned between Rs 35,000 and Rs 40,000 a month. The aftermath of the shutdown was brutal for drivers. Mukesh Kumar, who now works as a family driver in Delhi, says, "I made nearly Rs 30,000-35,000 a month, and it was all mine. No EMIs, no CNG costs." He misses the fixed schedules and incentive-based payments of BluSmart. For Kamil Hussain, the transition has been harsh. Now driving a rented car for other ride-hailing services, he has to get used to the cutthroat competition of earning a commission and the trying hours one needs to put in for it. "I pay Rs 1,100 daily as rent for the cab. On my best days, I earn Rs 3,000. But there's rent and fuel. So imagine where my earning has gone. I am not alone. There are so many drivers like me." Deepak Kumar was one of those who had read early signs of trouble at BluSmart. He secured a new job just before the shutdown. "By March, cars had maintenance issues, and roadside assistance had become unreliable. For instance, when we'd go to the BluSmart hub, cars would have punctures or faults, taking hours to fix. Once, my car broke down on the highway. It took four hours to get help from the company," he says. These signs were enough for Kumar to make up his mind. "People were already talking about it. I sensed it was time to move on." In Bengaluru, Mohammad Illyas has been idle since losing his job. "Sometimes, I do odd jobs for private travel, mostly out of station. Otherwise, I don't have a regular job. It's getting difficult to manage expenses in a city like Bengaluru," he says. Drivers recalled being asked to abandon their vehicles in the middle of their shift and make their own way home the day the company stopped taking bookings and a brief communication was sent to them. A six-year relationship was snapped in seconds. "I was in Gurgaon when I got a call saying there would be no more rides from tomorrow. We were told to leave the cab wherever we were and return home. People were in far-off locations. They had to make arrangements to get back on their own," a driver who requested not to be named told TOI. Adding to their woes, many claim their dues remain unpaid, with no company representative available to address their concerns. "The company's registered office in Gurgaon shut down. Phone numbers are no longer in use," says the driver quoted above. Today, BluSmart's website still displays smiling photos of drivers and the tagline, "Drive with BluSmart and be the driver of real change!" But for thousands of drivers like Singh or Illyas, the reality is starkly different. "It distinguished us from the rest. Now, we're back to being like everyone else," says Illyas. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
The Star
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
AGC objects to Ilham Tower's bid for judicial review of property seizure
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has objected to Ilham Tower Sdn Bhd's application for leave to initiate a judicial review against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the seizure of Menara Ilham. Senior Federal Counsel Nurhafizza Azizan informed the High Court of the objection during Wednesday's (July 23) proceedings before Justice Datuk Amarjeet Singh. The court directed both parties to file written submissions by Aug 13, with any replies to be submitted by Aug 20. The hearing is set for Sept 18. Ilham Tower was represented by counsel Datuk Dr Gurdial Singh Nijar. It filed the ex-parte application through Messrs Raj & Sach on June 23. Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid, widow of former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, is listed as one of the company's directors. ALSO READ: Mention of MACC's Ilham Tower forfeiture application set for Aug 6 The other respondents named were MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki; senior officer Mohd Razi Rahhim @ Rahim; deputy public prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib; the Public Prosecutor; Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim; and the government. The company is seeking a declaration that the seizure order or notice issued by the second respondent (Ahmad Akram), on June 4 under Section 51(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, in relation to the seizure of Menara Ilham at Jalan Binjai, is unlawful and therefore null and void. ALSO READ: MACC seizes Ilham Tower again It is also seeking a certiorari order to quash the seizure notice along with all related decisions or actions. In addition, a mandamus order is sought to compel the second respondent, or any officer, employee, agent, or person authorised by him, to cancel the said notice. The applicant further seeks a court order to stay the enforcement of the seizure notice and all related decisions or actions pending disposal of the judicial review leave application, as well as damages and costs. – Bernama
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
AGC opposes Ilham Tower's judicial review bid against MACC
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has objected to Ilham Tower Sdn Bhd's application for leave to initiate a judicial review against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the seizure of Menara Ilham. Senior Federal Counsel Nurhafizza Azizan informed the High Court of the objection during today's proceedings before Judge Datuk Amarjeet Singh. The court directed both parties to file written submissions by Aug 13, with any replies to be submitted by Aug 20. The hearing is set for Sept 18. Ilham Tower was represented by counsel Datuk Dr Gurdial Singh Nijar. It filed the ex-parte application through Messrs Raj & Sach on June 23. Toh Puan Na'imah Abdul Khalid, widow of former finance minister the late Tun Daim Zainuddin, is listed as one of the company's directors. The other respondents named were MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki; senior officer Mohd Razi Rahhim @ Rahim; deputy public prosecutor Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib; the Public Prosecutor; Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim; and the Government of Malaysia. The company is seeking a declaration that the seizure order or notice issued by the second respondent (Ahmad Akram), on June 4, 2025, under Section 51(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, in relation to the seizure of Menara Ilham at Jalan Binjai, is unlawful and therefore null and void. It is also seeking a certiorari order to quash the seizure notice along with all related decisions or actions. In addition, a mandamus order is sought to compel the second respondent, or any officer, employee, agent, or person authorised by him, to cancel the said notice. The applicant further seeks a court order to stay the enforcement of the seizure notice and all related decisions or actions pending disposal of the judicial review leave application, as well as damages and costs. - Bernama
