Latest news with #UshaRani
Hindustan Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Rail under bridge at Raipur Kalan back on track
After eight years of delay, the long-pending rail under bridge (RUB) project on the Chandigarh-Ambala railway line at Raipur Kalan has taken a significant step forward. The Chandigarh administration has issued a formal notification for the acquisition of 0.74 acre of land in Raipur Kalan, following the Punjab government's approval to acquire land on its side (HT) The UT administration has issued a formal notification for the acquisition of 0.74 acre of land in Raipur Kalan, following the Punjab government's approval to acquire land on its side. The project, originally proposed in 2017, is aimed at providing relief to residents of Harmilap Nagar, Baltana and nearby areas, who face daily traffic snarls and long waits at the frequently closed railway crossing. However, it remained stuck for nearly a decade due to delays in the land acquisition process. Officials confirmed that the UT administration had issued the notification under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. A Social Impact Assessment (SIA) study has already been conducted, which concluded that while no displacement is anticipated, two families from Raipur Kalan village will lose portions of their agricultural land. In a related development, the sub-divisional magistrate (Central) has been appointed as the administrator for rehabilitation and resettlement of the project. The daily ordeal of motorists has been a major concern in the area, as they are forced to wait in long queues at the level crossing, even after the train has passed. The RUB is expected to significantly ease this problem. Usha Rani, municipal councillor from Harmilap Nagar, criticised the prolonged delay, stating, 'The Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared back in 2017. The UT administration had assured that the land acquisition will be completed by January and construction by April this year, but nothing moved on the ground. It's a long-pending demand of the residents, and now, finally, it seems the project will move ahead.'
Hans India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Insufficient supply of urea hits farmers
Devanakonda (Kurnool district): A shortage of urea in Devanakonda mandal has sparked distress among farmers, particularly with recent light rainfall and expanded cotton cultivation prompting increased demand for complex fertilisers. Private fertiliser shops are linking urea sales to bio-pesticides, preventing farmers from purchasing urea independently. As a result, many are flocking to the government-run Rythu Seva Kendra (RSK) in Devanakonda for supplies. On Wednesday, a truck delivering urea bags to the RSK triggered a rush of farmers from surrounding villages. The crisis has been exacerbated by the recent transfer of village-level Agricultural Assistants, disrupting fertiliser distribution to local RSKs. With no stock available in villages, farmers are forced to travel to mandal headquarters, overwhelming the central RSK. Farmers voiced frustration over the restriction of two urea bags per Aadhaar card, arguing it is insufficient for their cultivation needs. The limited supply and distribution challenges have heightened tensions, as farmers rely heavily on urea for their crops during this critical Agricultural Officer Usha Rani addressed the concerns, assuring farmers that urea and DAP supplies to village-level RSKs will resume after July 5. She urged calmness, emphasising that steps are being taken to streamline distribution across the mandal. Authorities are working to address the logistical issues caused by the staff transfers and ensure equitable access to fertilisers. The situation underscores the need for improved supply chain management to support farmers during peak agricultural seasons. For now, farmers are hopeful that the promised resumption of supplies will alleviate the shortage and enable them to meet their cultivation demands effectively.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Govt of being inconsiderate towards anganwadi workers': Protesters in Ludhiana demand better remuneration
Ludhiana: Anganwadi workers staged a four-hour-long protest against the central and state govts in front of Gate No.1 of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), pressing for their demands, including regularisation of jobs. The protesters also carried out a rally on Malhar Road and raised slogans against the govts. There are around 54,000 anganwadi workers in Punjab and about 4,500 workers in Ludhiana district alone. Usha Rani, president of the workers' union, said before the AAP came to power in the state, the party had promised to double the wages of Anganwadi workers and helpers. However, despite these commitments, no such changes have been implemented. "Even in today's time of soaring inflation, anganwadi workers earn only around Rs 10,000 a month, while helpers are paid just Rs 5,350," she said. She added that the workers, most of whom come from economically weaker sections, have been surviving on these meagre wages for years. "It is frustrating that the govt has continued to ignore our long-pending demands. The promises made to us have remained just words, with no action on the ground," she said, accusing the govt of being inconsiderate towards anganwadi workers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo They also expressed concern that the govt's decision to admit children directly to pre-primary classes would significantly reduce their workload, as anganwadi workers are primarily responsible for the care and development of children up to six years of age. They suggested that, following the Karnataka govt's model, nursery and LKG education should be conducted through anganwadi centres, and an Anganwadi Leaving Certificate should be made mandatory for admission to primary school. Additionally, they demanded that, in line with the New Education Policy, anganwadi workers and helpers be given the status of Nursery Teacher Training (NTT) teachers for their role in pre-primary education. They also demanded that on the lines of the govt of Karnataka and Gujarat, Anganwadi workers in Punjab, should also be given gratuity upon retirement. The anganwadi workers said the Centre has been monitoring their performance through the Poshan Tracker app, which tracks data related to children aged 0 to 6, including growth monitoring and pre-school education. Though the Centre allocated funds twice since 2016 for mobile phones to aid this work, the workers said the state govt has not released the money. "Most of us belong to economically weaker sections and cannot afford smartphones, which are essential for completing digital tasks," said Anita, an anganwadi worker. "Those who have smartphones had to buy them on their own. The govt must release the funds so we can purchase the required devices." Union president Usha Rani added that the funds should be used to provide laptops or tablets to simplify data entry. The workers also demanded that the mandatory KYC and facial recognition requirements be scrapped immediately. They further called for better infrastructure and supply of pre-school kits at Anganwadi centres. "Anganwadis should be upgraded and made state-of-the-art to match the services we're expected to deliver," said Amarjit, another worker.
