Latest news with #NationalRuralEmploymentGuaranteeScheme
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andhra Pradesh doubles horticulture subsidies to support chilli farmers in Palnadu
GUNTUR: Amid growing concerns over the viability of traditional crops like chilli, which occupy 46,000 out of 48,000 hectares of horticulture land in Palnadu district, the State government has significantly increased subsidies for horticulture crops for the 2025-26 financial year. The move is expected to boost the income of farmers and also horticulture. Speaking to TNIE, Palnadu District Horticulture Officer (DHO) Ramana Reddy said that over 90,000 farmers are engaged in horticulture in the district, out of which over 85% farmers are involved in chilli cultivation. However, the plummeting price of various chilli varieties led to widespread losses. 'To prevent losses and benefit the farmers, the State government has doubled subsidies for horticultural crops in 2025-26. This substantial increase will encourage more farmers to shift to horticulture, which offers better returns than traditional crops,' he said. The revamped support scheme includes not just the distribution of fruit saplings, but a comprehensive three-year subsidy covering maintenance, irrigation, fertilisers, and pesticides. Under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), small and marginal farmers with up to five acres of land are eligible for 100% subsidy-including free saplings and full support for orchard development.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
BRS sought BJP merger before Kavitha's arrest: Minister Bandi
KARIMNAGAR: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar claimed that the BRS had explored a merger with the BJP even before the arrest of BRS MLC K Kavitha in the Delhi liquor scam. But the BJP refused to entertain the proposal, he added. Addressing a gathering at the Karimnagar Municipal Corporation on Saturday, Sanjay accused the Congress of stoking controversies around Kavitha and BRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) to deflect attention from its failure to implement the promised six guarantees. He criticised Congress leaders as ineffective and accused the party of failing to fulfill its commitments. Later, he inaugurated development projects worth Rs 2.63 crore under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in Gangadhara mandal and laid the foundation stone for a Rs 2.33 crore high-level bridge in Venkatraopalle, Rajanna Sircilla district. Sanjay praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for raising the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) but noted that farmers still aren't receiving fair prices. He blamed both the KCR-led and Congress-led governments for betraying the farming community. He also condemned Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's remarks as "seditious," alleging they undermined the confidence of the Army. He said the Congress lacks faith in the armed forces and questioned why Pakistan-occupied Kashmir wasn't reclaimed during Indira Gandhi's tenure if her leadership was truly strong.
Hans India
20-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Finish works of water resources, officials told
Eluru: State Civil Supplies Minister and District In-charge Minister Nadendla Manohar has directed officials to expedite irrigation-related work in the district. During a review meeting at the Collectorate on Monday, Minister Manohar, along with other officials, discussed issues including irrigation, siltation, employment, drinking water supply, and education. He noted the early arrival of the monsoon and emphasised completing de-siltation of canals and ponds by month-end, ensuring irrigation and drinking water for suburban areas. He highlighted that 3.81 lakh job cards have been issued under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, with a goal of 65% of work completed by June 15. He also called for the development of horticultural crops across 14,000 hectares and aimed to increase enrollment of 13,000 students in government schools while addressing dropout rates. Minister Manohar urged the swift construction of summer storage tanks for drinking water and emphasized improving medical services at government hospitals. Following a recent maternal death due to inadequate medical services, he mandated an inquiry and stressed accountability among medical staff. Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy added that immediate construction of a cattle shed is needed, and he clarified that admissions in Sri Venkateswara Junior College, Kamavarapukota, should continue. He also called for prompt completion of projects under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and preventive measures for mango farmers facing virus outbreaks. District Revenue Officer V Visveswara Rao, Nuzvid Sub-Collector Smaran Raj, RDOs Achyut Ambarish, Ramana, and officials from various departments participated.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Second national convention of women farmers: Over 500 women farmers gather in Pune to demand land rights, fair wages
More than 500 women farmers from across 17 Indian states gathered in Pune from May 7 to 9 for the second national convention of women farmers, organised by the Mahila Kisan Adhikaar Manch (MAKAAM), in partnership with the Women and Gender Studies Department of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). The convention focused on the critical issues faced by women in agriculture—land rights, recognition as farmers, fair wages, access to government schemes, and protection from systemic violence. The three-day event provided a platform for women farmers, agricultural workers, forest dwellers, and activists to share their struggles and call for action. Seema Kulkarni, a core member of MAKAAM, said the theme of the gathering was 'Organizing to realise the rights of women farmers.' 'Over the years, women's collectives and movements have worked hard to claim what is rightfully ours—land, access to government support, fair wages, and recognition,' Kulkarni said. 'We have achieved some wins, but large gaps remain in laws and policies that hold us back. Women in agriculture face deep-rooted violence—not just in their homes, but also from the system. Caste, class, and gender discrimination are all interconnected.' 'Many of us are landless and unrecognized, and our work is seen as free labour. We are tired of empty praise. We want action—equal wages, land rights, access to schemes, and protection from violence,' added Kulkarni. She also highlighted the role women play in forest protection and sustainable farming. 'Women have always played a central role in protecting forests and managing common lands. We believe in seed sovereignty, sustainable water use, and cooperation over competition. It's time the government recognizes that farmers are not just landowners, but also the women working the fields with their bare hands.' Dr. Vaishali Patil, also a core member of MAKAAM, said, 'We demand that all women farmers—whether they own land or not—must be included in the government's Farmers' Registry under AgriStack. This should happen through gram sabhas, not from the top,' she said. 'We assert our right to land because it is essential for our livelihood and food security. If land is taken for public use, it must be compensated with land—not money.' Patil also called for awareness campaigns and incentives to register land in women's names. She said proper implementation of existing laws is needed, especially for women agricultural workers. 'Most agricultural workers are women and many are migrants. They need identity cards, safe workplaces, and access to healthcare, education, and social security,' she said. She also demanded an increase in the number of workdays under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) to 200 days per year. The convention ended with a collective demand for policy change and better implementation of rights for women in agriculture.
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
If you argue in Telugu, we won't be able to stop you: AP HC's witty remark to YSRCP leader Ambati Rambabu
VIJAYAWADA: Appearing as a lawyer, YSRCP senior leader Ambati Rambabu sparked amusement in the High Court while making his case during a hearing on Wednesday. While informing the court about the alleged bias of police in registering cases regarding offensive comments against him and his family members in English, the former minister sought the judges' permission to switch to Telugu. In response, Justice Tallapragada Mallikarjuna Rao quipped, 'If we allow you to argue in Telugu, we won't be able to stop you,' asking him to continue in English. Ambati informed the court that police registered only four cases against five complaints. He argued that police are obligated to register cases upon receiving complaints. However, government counsel Jayanthi clarified that cases are registered after preliminary inquiries, noting Ambati was not the victim in the fifth complaint. The court directed police to file a counter and adjourned the hearing to June 18, advising the former minister to present relevant arguments to make his case. HC's no to stay TTD tender The High Court declined to stay a tender notification issued by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Central Drug Store for medical supplies to its hospitals. The HC permitted the TTD to proceed with the tender process, however, clarified that finalisation would depend on its verdict. Furthermore, the HC directed the TTD to submit a detailed counter and adjourned the hearing to June. The case stems from a PIL filed by K Balaramudu, who alleged that the TTD favoured specific pharmaceutical brands, violating constitutional principles. TTD's counsel Prabhakar Sharma defended the process as transparent, while the petitioner's lawyer JUMV Prasad argued that unequal opportunities could inflate medicine prices. MLA's interference decried Expressing astonishment over an MLA interfering in works under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), the High Court questioned Vizianagaram MLA Aditi Vijayalakshmi Gajapathi Raju about her interference in works finalised by Grama Sabhas. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Ch Ravi, questioned the Collector's issuance of administrative approvals based solely on the MLA's directives, bypassing the Grama Sabha resolutions. The HC directed the government to submit detailed reports and adjourned the case to May 7. The issue stems from a PIL filed by Mamidi Appalanaidu, alleging that the MLA unlawfully modified 889 NREGS works, with the Collector granting approvals without legal scrutiny. Plea for bail closed The High Court closed a petition filed by former I&PR Commissioner Vijay Kumar Reddy seeking anticipatory bail on Wednesday. The ACB case pertains to alleged irregularities in government notifications and bill payments. Acknowledging Vijay Kumar Reddy's assurance to cooperate with the investigation, the HC stated that ACB officials are free to take further action if the accused fails to cooperate. His counsel V Maheshwar Reddy informed the HC that his client had responded to ACB notices and pledging continued cooperation. Advocate General Dammalapati Srinivas, representing the ACB, urged the court to allow legal action against the accused if he obstructs the probe, a request the court granted while resolving the petition.
