Latest news with #K.Venkatesh
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Venkatesh urges Centre to support farmers using tax money from sale of tobacco
Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture K. Venkatesh has urged the Centre to spend a portion of the taxes collected from sale of tobacco to support tobacco farmers. Speaking at the 25th Tobacco Institute of India (TII) Tobacco Farmers' Awards in Mysuru on Tuesday, Mr. Venkatesh said the Centre earns more than ₹13,000 crore in tax from the sale of tobacco in Karnataka and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, asking how much of it does the Centre spend on the farmers. Mr. Venkatesh said the tobacco farmers who had contributed so much tax to the government, deserved support from the Centre. He urged the Tobacco Board to come up with programmes for the welfare of the tobacco farmers. Mr. Venkatesh pointed out that Periyapatna accounted for half of the tobacco cultivated in the State, while the remaining half came from other taluks including Hunsur, H.D. Kote, and K.R. Nagar in Mysuru district. He cautioned the tobacco farmers against cultivating the second tobacco crop in the same season. When the farmers realise that the tobacco crop will fall short of the ceiling fixed by the Tobacco Board, many farmers resort to taking up planting again. He warned the farmers against such a practice. Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar emphasised the need to reduce high cost of tobacco production through adoption of modern technology.
Hans India
17-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Chamarajanagar faces acute shortage of veterinary doctors
Chamarajanagar: Despite being the home district of Karnataka's Animal Husbandry Minister K. Venkatesh, Chamarajanagar is reeling under a severe shortage of veterinary doctors. In a startling revelation, more than 900 cattle deaths have been reported in the past one and a half years, raising serious concerns among farmers and locals alike. The district currently has only 10 government-appointed veterinary doctors, a shockingly low number for a border district heavily dependent on livestock. Locals are questioning how such a critical gap exists in the very district represented by the minister himself. 'If this is the state of affairs in the minister's own district, what could be the condition in others?' ask distressed residents. According to farmers, the major cause of the rising cattle deaths is the inability to provide timely vaccinations and medical care. Due to the lack of government vets, many are forced to turn to private clinics, incurring high costs. Private veterinary services are not economically feasible for many rural farmers. On average, treating a single cow through private means — including consultation and vaccinations — can cost up to Rs 5,000 per month. This financial burden is unsustainable, especially for small-scale farmers. Farmers have urged the state government to immediately recruit more veterinary doctors to bridge the gap. However, government action on recruitment has been sluggish. Insiders point to multiple reasons for this: lower salaries compared to the private sector, lack of infrastructure in government-run clinics, and absence of basic amenities, which deter qualified doctors from taking up public service roles.
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
MM Hills declared alcohol-free zone
The State government has declared the M.M. Hills as an alcohol-free zone in view of its importance as a centre for pilgrimage. The decision was taken at the meeting of Shree Malai Mahadeshwara Swamy Kshethra Development Authority (SMMKDA), chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Thursday. A release stated that until now, alcohol sales were banned within the authority's jurisdiction on the hill. Going forward, bringing alcohol from outside will also be prohibited. The officials were instructed to eradicate the illegal sale of liquor on the hills. A decision was also taken to use Nandini ghee for making Laddu prasada at the M.M. Hills temple, similar to Tirupati and also improve the quality. It was also decided to distribute a 100 gm laddu for ₹35 on festival occasions. Minister for Animal Husbandry and Sericulture K. Venkatesh, Minister for Social Welfare H.C. Mahadevappa, Saluru Seer Shantamallikarjuna Swami, Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Nag, and others were present.
