Latest news with #Secretariat
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Satellite survey to map crop types & boost yield
VIJAYAWADA: In a significant push to modernise agriculture, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has instructed officials to conduct a detailed satellite survey to map crop types across all survey numbers in the State. The directive came during an extensive four-hour review meeting on agriculture and allied sectors held at the Secretariat on Tuesday, where Naidu emphasised integrating field-collected data with satellite findings for accuracy. Citing a successful pilot project at Balabhadrapuram in East Godavari district, he urged aligning crop patterns regionally and providing continuous guidance and support to farmers through Rythu Seva Kendras. Post-land resurvey, he mandated the updating of revenue and agricultural records to reflect these changes, aiming to benefit ryots comprehensively. Naidu also greenlit the use of an AI chatbot to assist farmers with crop planning, value addition, and support, ensuring timely information dissemination. Officials reported that e-KYC for 47.41 lakh beneficiaries under the Annadata Sukhibhava scheme is complete, with Naidu directing the identification of eligible farmers via e-Crop for broader financial assistance. He announced plans for virtual meetings with water user associations to boost sector development and highlighted normal rainfall across most regions, except some southern coastal districts, during the Kharif season. With major projects in Krishna, Godavari, and Vamsadhara basins full and 9.90 lakh hectares under cultivation, he advocated advancing the crop calendar to mitigate storm and heavy rain risks, enabling a second crop cycle.
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Foreign education scheme alumnus pledges to fund overseas studies for four needy students
VIJAYAWADA: In a gesture of gratitude, Satwik Murari, a former beneficiary of the State government's Foreign Education Scheme, has pledged to sponsor the overseas education of four economically disadvantaged students. Satwik met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the Secretariat on Tuesday and shared his journey. He recalled receiving financial assistance under the TDP-led government in 2016, which enabled him to pursue an MS in Business Management in Ireland. After graduation, he stayed on to work and later started his own business. Grateful for the support he received, Satwik announced that he would now help four meritorious students pursue higher education abroad. 'The State government helped me when I needed it the most. Now, I want to do my part by supporting other poor students who dream of studying overseas,' he told the Chief Minister. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu lauded Satwik's gesture, calling it a true success story of government welfare. 'When beneficiaries become contributors, it reflects the real strength of our programmes. Satwik's act is truly commendable,' Naidu said.
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Delhi begins work on 950 Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, 34 to open by July 24
NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has begun a citywide feasibility study to identify and establish Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandirs at 950 locations. Of these, nearly half the sites have already been shortlisted, and close to 100 have received the necessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs), officials said. To take stock of the progress, Delhi Health Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh chaired a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat on Monday. Senior officials from the Health Department and Public Works Department were present. The minister directed departments to expedite approvals and civil works, especially at sites where NOCs have been granted. According to officials, the immediate focus is on the upcoming batch of new centres. The minister said 34 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are set to be inaugurated by July 24, forming the second phase of the rollout. 'Another 75 centres are expected to be ready by the end of August,' Dr Singh said. To house these facilities, the government is tapping into a wide range of urban spaces including community centres, banquet halls, market shops, polyclinic buildings, and vacant residential plots. Officials noted that in densely populated zones, where land is scarce, even small commercial units are being considered to bring services closer to citizens. Meanwhile, Singh expressed his displeasure over delays in hospital infrastructure upgrades. He reprimanded officials from the PWD for the slow pace of hospital upgrades, warning that 'any negligence in health-related projects will not be tolerated under any circumstances.' The minister assured officials that funding would not be an obstacle. 'From Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to medical colleges and government hospitals, the Delhi Government will ensure there is no shortage of resources in delivering world-class healthcare services,' he said.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
VS passes by slowly and silently, emotions outpour in varied ways
1 2 3 T'puram: Daksha, 12, clutched a red shoeflower as she stood beside her father, waiting for the special bus carrying the hearse of CPM veteran and former chief minister V S Achuthanandan to approach Kesavadasapuram in the state capital. She wanted to dedicate the flower to the favourite leader of the state, who is an emotion for many. Daksha was not alone. Several people — women and children, young and old — lined up on pavements clutching flowers all along the route taken by the funeral procession from Thiruvananthapuram to his hometown of Alappuzha. Unlike planned, the procession stopped at junctions where people had assembled, which was more or less at every turn. It was an incredible groundswell of emotions that welcomed the special bus. Many ran alongside the illuminated bus while others showered flower petals and struggled to crane their necks to grab a glimpse of their favourite leader as it drove by. People, including children, waited with drawings, paintings, flowers and wreaths. Each person held their own memories of the stalwart who played a very crucial role in making Kerala what it is now. They included the watch-and-ward of the assembly complex who saw him in action from close quarters, Kudumbashree workers, people who worked in the Secretariat during his days, SFI members from Karyavattom and the regular citizens who were in awe of the man whose life shaped the state's socio-political scene throughout his life. The fact that a crippling stroke took him off public life for more than five years did not dim the people's enthusiasm. They remembered him and missed him — not only for the fiery revolt at Punnapra but also for bulldozing corruption and mafia nexus when he was the CM and opposition leader. There were many poignant scenes en route. The police raised children upwards so that they could see VS lying in the hearse while many others from different walks of life threw roses into the bus. Women who waited for hours at Kazhakkoottam said they wanted to try to see him because "It'll not be possible to see him again. I love him so much. We all do," said a woman who waited for close to three hours by the roadside. The progress of the procession was sluggish because the crowd wanted to pay tribute. It took around one-and-a-half hours to cover the Secretariat- Pattom stretch. Though the number of people was less at Palayam and other parts of the city, it was a sea of people who were seen waiting at Karyavattom and Kazhakkoottam past 7pm when the procession reached there. People swamped the bus carrying red flags, shouting the favourite slogan "Kanne Karale VSae..." at Kazhakkoottam under the flyover while a huge number of people continued to wait at Attingal and Kollam, which is a Leftist fortress. People joined the motorcade in their cars and motorcycles flying red flags. What was striking was that many, irrespective of age groups, raised slogans reminiscing about the Punnapra-Vayalar revolt as if it was yesterday, though Achuthanandan took part in it a year before Independence.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
People throng the streets to bid farewell to V S Achuthanandan
T'puram: Daksha, 12, clutched a red shoeflower as she stood beside her father, waiting for the special bus carrying the hearse of CPM veteran and former chief minister V S Achuthanandan to approach Kesavadasapuram in the state capital. She wanted to dedicate the flower to the favourite leader of the state, who is an emotion for many. Daksha was not alone. Several people — women and children, young and old — lined up on pavements clutching flowers all along the route taken by the funeral procession from Thiruvananthapuram to his hometown of Alappuzha. Unlike planned, the procession stopped at junctions where people had assembled, which was more or less at every turn. It was an incredible groundswell of emotions that welcomed the special bus. Many ran alongside the illuminated bus while others showered flower petals and struggled to crane their necks to grab a glimpse of their favourite leader as it drove by. People, including children, waited with drawings, paintings, flowers and wreaths. Each person held their own memories of the stalwart who played a very crucial role in making Kerala what it is now. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 3BHK Transformation Possible for ₹4.5 Lakh? HomeLane Get Quote Undo They included the watch-and-ward of the assembly complex who saw him in action from close quarters, Kudumbashree workers, people who worked in the Secretariat during his days, SFI members from Karyavattom and the regular citizens who were in awe of the man whose life shaped the state's socio-political scene throughout his life. The fact that a crippling stroke took him off public life for more than five years did not dim the people's enthusiasm. They remembered him and missed him — not only for the fiery revolt at Punnapra but also for bulldozing corruption and mafia nexus when he was the CM and opposition leader. There were many poignant scenes en route. The police raised children upwards so that they could see VS lying in the hearse while many others from different walks of life threw roses into the bus. Women who waited for hours at Kazhakkoottam said they wanted to try to see him because "It'll not be possible to see him again. I love him so much. We all do," said a woman who waited for close to three hours by the roadside. The progress of the procession was sluggish because the crowd wanted to pay tribute. It took around one-and-a-half hours to cover the Secretariat- Pattom stretch. Though the number of people was less at Palayam and other parts of the city, it was a sea of people who were seen waiting at Karyavattom and Kazhakkoottam past 7pm when the procession reached there. People swamped the bus carrying red flags, shouting the favourite slogan "Kanne Karale VSae..." at Kazhakkoottam under the flyover while a huge number of people continued to wait at Attingal and Kollam, which is a Leftist fortress. People joined the motorcade in their cars and motorcycles flying red flags. What was striking was that many, irrespective of age groups, raised slogans reminiscing about the Punnapra-Vayalar revolt as if it was yesterday, though Achuthanandan took part in it a year before Independence.
