Latest news with #Cheluvarayaswamy
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Cong to hold massive protest in B'luru on Aug 5 over alleged electoral fraud
Mandya: Minister Cheluvarayaswamy on Saturday announced that the Congress party will stage a massive protest in Bengaluru on Aug 5 against the alleged electoral malpractice during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls in the state. Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi is expected to take part in the protest. The party aims to mobilise 5,000 participants from Mandya district alone. Speaking to reporters in Mandya, the minister said the protest will be held at Freedom Park, as court has prohibited rallies elsewhere in the city following a stampede during the RCB victory celebrations in June. Cheluvarayaswamy said that the demonstration will focus on BJP's alleged influence and manipulation during the elections. "Initially, we had planned a protest rally, but due to restrictions, we have shifted to Freedom Park," he said. "Electoral malpractice is a grave issue. We must address it with utmost seriousness," he added. The minister criticised the Election Commission, saying earlier allegations raised by the Congress were not taken seriously. "There was a belief that such malpractice was impossible through the commission," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Blood cancer is taking our curious baby away from us! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo The minister said even party functionaries found it difficult to verify voters in some constituencies in Bengaluru. "Now it has come to light that the voters list was tampered with," he claimed. Citing Mahadevapura constituency in Bengaluru, he pointed to inconsistencies between the voter lists used during the Lok Sabha and assembly elections. "This clearly signals electoral malpractice," he noted. Cheluvarayaswamy warned that the misuse of the Election Commission for such purposes poses a serious threat to democracy. "For democracy to survive, transparency is essential. While doubts about EVMs continue, tampering with voter lists is a far more serious concern," he said. Reacting to former MP Prajwal Revanna's conviction, Cheluvarayaswamy said no one is above the law and wrongdoers would be punished. "The court's verdict is final and binding. No one has the authority to question it. If necessary, the only recourse is to file an appeal," he stated. On the Dharmasthala incident, he informed that the SIT has begun its probe. "It is natural for differing opinions to surface during the course of an investigation. But all questions will be answered once the SIT completes its inquiry," he added. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Food processing enterprises can create new jobs: Minister
Mandya: District minister N Cheluvarayaswamy emphasised the potential of food processing enterprises in creating self-employment opportunities, especially for young farmers seeking sustainable livelihoods. The event aimed to raise awareness about the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME) scheme and was jointly conducted by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation Ltd (KAPPEC), district administration, zilla panchayat, and the department of agriculture. The minister symbolically extracted oil using a wooden press, reinforcing the importance of indigenous food processing techniques. "Most families in the district own some land. Even with just an acre, integrated farming practices can yield significant results at lower costs," he said, urging farmers to look beyond conventional cultivation. He noted that higher education should not be viewed as a pathway only to white-collar jobs, adding that the PM-FME scheme offers a practical alternative for self-employment. "Education gives us awareness, not necessarily a profession. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo Entrepreneurship, especially in food processing, can be just as rewarding," he said. Cheluvarayaswamy highlighted that 6,000 food processing units are planned under the scheme, with financial support of up to Rs 15 lakh, including Rs 6 lakh from the Centre and Rs 9 lakh from the state as subsidy. He proudly noted that Mandya ranks second in the state in terms of availing loans and subsidies under this initiative. "With the right training and support, farmers can earn between Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh a month through food processing," he said, citing examples of success in integrated farming. Referring to Karnataka's performance, the minister added that Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan lauded the state's agriculture department as being among the most effective in the country. Ramesh Bandisiddegowda, chairman of Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation and Srirangapatna MLA, said food processing was not new to Mandya. "Our ancestors engaged in it actively. Now, by processing and branding local produce, we can reclaim that tradition and boost rural incomes," he said. Zilla Panchayat CEO KR Nandini said that while Mandya is agriculturally rich, farmer incomes remain low. "We need to diversify beyond paddy, sugarcane, and coconut. Crops like avocado (butter fruit) thrive here and have strong export potential," she noted. She encouraged farmers to collaborate with horticulture and animal husbandry departments to adopt integrated farming and increase earnings. "Processed products command three to four times higher prices. If we tap into both domestic and global markets, the returns can be significant." Highlighting the rising demand for ready-to-eat and value-added food, Nandini said this trend could be a game-changer for local farmers. "Value addition is the future. Food processing is not just about profits—it's about creating employment and empowering rural families." .
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Authority to determine to GST is Centre: Minister
Mandya: District N Cheluvarayaswamy on Wednesday emphasised that the authority to determine Goods and Services Tax (GST) rests solely with the Union govt. "Imposing taxes on small traders will create unnecessary hardship. It is the Centre's responsibility to address and correct this," he said. Responding to BJP's criticism regarding the issuance of notices to traders by the Commercial Tax Department, Cheluvarayaswamy dismissed the opposition's comments. "The BJP has neither achievements from the past nor a vision for the future. Their remarks are baseless and lack humanity. The Commercial Tax Department is acting in accordance with Union govt directives," he contended. The minister also addressed accusations of biased MLA fund distribution. "Every MLA was allotted Rs 50 crore. This allocation isn't linked to the upcoming Assembly session. Even BJP MLAs received Rs 25 crore. When the BJP was in power, Congress MLAs were given nothing. At least now, everyone received some support," he stated. On BJP's allegation that the state govt is misleading the public by forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the Dharmasthala case, Cheluvarayaswamy said, "The SIT was formed following demands from various organisations and activists. There's nothing wrong with launching an investigation—it helps prevent speculation. The BJP is needlessly politicising the issue. I will not entertain their accusations. "
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Farmers should shift to green manure as Centre to slash urea supply by 50%: Cheluvarayaswamy
Minister for Agriculture N. Cheluvarayaswamy, who reviewed the agricultural activity in the Mysuru Division on Friday, said that farmers will be weaned away from using urea and chemical fertilizers in a phased manner. Speaking to reporters at Naganahalli, the Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the Centre will slash urea supply by 50% in the days ahead, and hence, the farmers should brace for the change. Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy said this was inevitable to reduce the use of chemicals in fertilizers, and farmers will be encouraged to shift to green fertilizers. In reply to a question, Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy said that he recently visited a farm. and the farmer has stopped using chemicals for the last 10 years. But there has been no decline in crop output, he added. The Minister said that for decades, the farmers were advised to use chemicals and urea-based fertilizers, and they were quite used to the practice. So it may be difficult for them to make the shift suddenly. Farmers will be reoriented to eschew the use of chemical fertilizers, he added. Since scientific studies were proving the deleterious impact of the use of chemical fertilizers, it was essential to rollback their use and shift to green alternatives, Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy said, adding that the government was creating awareness drive among the farmers in this regard. 'The Centre's decision in slashing the urea supply by 50% is a welcome move, and it is essential to preserve soil fertility,' said the Minister. In the review meeting, the Minister cautioned officials against negligence and dereliction of duty during field visits or apathy in the implementation of government schemes. The officials were instructed to guide farmers on alternative crops based on prevailing climatic conditions, to prioritise mechanisation, to implement Krishi Bhagya scheme, and to organic farming etc. The Minister emphasised that research findings should benefit the farmers, and they should be impressed upon the benefits of value addition in agricultural produce.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Statewide sowing campaign launched at Chinchalli village
Mysuru: Agriculture minister N Cheluvarayaswamy launched the statewide sowing campaign on Thursday at Chinchalli village in Hanur taluk in Chamarajanagar district. The event organised by the district administration, zilla panchayat, and agriculture department aims to promote timely sowing and advanced farming practices. The campaign began with the symbolic sowing of ragi on the farmland of progressive farmer Dayanand. Minister for animal husbandry, sericulture, and Chamarajanagar district in-charge Minister K Venkatesh joined the ceremony, which also included a demonstration of drone-assisted pesticide spraying—a step toward precision farming. As part of the initiative, various agricultural implements were distributed to local farmers. Beneficiaries received equipment such as power tillers, rotavators, chaff cutters, power weeders, and oil extractors through the agriculture department. Speaking at the event, Cheluvarayaswamy emphasised the benefits of integrated farming, which he said can significantly boost farmers' income. "With just one acre, a farmer can earn up to Rs 10 lakh annually by combining vegetable cultivation, farm ponds, fishery, and livestock rearing," he said, citing real-life success stories. He urged farmers to gradually reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers due to their long-term health impacts and advocated for organic and natural farming practices. "The govt is committed to promoting sustainable agriculture through increased subsidies for micro-irrigation systems and organic inputs," he added. The minister also highlighted the importance of crop insurance, encouraging farmers to enrol under the scheme to protect themselves from crop losses due to climate variability and other risks. "Paying a small premium today can safeguard your future in times of adversity," he remarked. The Krishi Bhagya scheme, previously limited to select regions, has now been extended to all 224 taluks across the state. Cheluvarayaswamy encouraged farmers to leverage govt subsidies, adopt modern technologies, and follow the guidance of the agriculture department and universities. Venkatesh reiterated that while agriculture is a demanding profession, it can be highly rewarding with consistent effort. He encouraged farmers to take advantage of govt initiatives and modernise their farming methods to reduce labour costs and increase productivity. He also mentioned that the state cabinet recently convened in the district, where several key development schemes were approved, and will be implemented shortly. Hanur MLA MR Manjunath noted that the majority of Hanur's population relies on agriculture. He commended the growth in dairy farming and horticulture in the region, especially the cultivation of bananas, turmeric, and onions. He stressed the importance of ensuring adequate electricity and irrigation support to empower the farming community.
