Latest news with #Amul
Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
GDP alone cannot decide country's growth, Amit Shah
Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Amit Shah on Friday said that India's growth cannot depend merely on GDP numbers but employment generation is also a key factor. 'The steps taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will ensure that the cooperative sector grows equally across the country and it will be a big boost to the economy. Our country cannot grow merely on GDP. With a population of 130-140 crore, the GDP will grow rapidly for sure. But everyone should get employment as well. If the rural women, youth are to get employment, then cooperation is the only tool which connects them to employment opportunities,' said Shah. He was speaking at the national conference organised by Nafed on the occasion of 2025 being the International Year of Cooperatives. Earlier, Shah said that cooperative sector weakened in the northern and eastern parts of the country and maintained to work towards symmetrical development in the coming years. 'We are already taking steps to change uneven growth of the cooperative sector to symmetrical development. The co-operative movement had weakened in the northern and eastern parts of the country and was stable mostly in western India…Cooperative sector provides for growth and development of the economy with less capital and more profit. We will make the cooperation sector progress with landmark growth and strengthen it in the nook and corner of the country,' Shah said. Shah said cooperative movement revolutionalised the rural economy and gave the example of Amul in Gujarat where 36 lakh women associated with it didn't even have Rs 100 in capital but have today handling a turnover of Rs 80,000 crore. He mentioned that dal, maize, oil seeds can be sold to Nafed from farmers and if the market rate is more, farmers can sell the produce directly. 'It is to ensure that farmers get the maximum profit,' he said. Shah said the cooperation ministry has compiled a data of cooperative units in the country so that the government knows where the vacuum is and how to expand it. Two lakh new primary agriculture credit societies (PACS) will also be formed and will be made multi-dimensional, he said.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Fresh row erupts over Amul kiosks at Bengaluru metro stations
A political slugfest has erupted after the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) signed a license agreement with Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMFL), which manages the Amul brand, enabling it to establish kiosks across key metro stations in the city. The opposition — Janata Dal (Secular) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — has accused the government of using the state's Nandini brand to only win the elections. The BMRCL signed a license agreement with Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMFL), which manages the Amul brand, enabling it to establish kiosks across key metro stations in the city, including Indiranagar, Trinity, Majestic, Banashankari, and Jayanagar. Amid criticisms over the decision, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said that the BMRCL had issued a global tender, and Amul was the sole applicant. 'BMRCL had called for a global tender, and Amul was the lone applicant. We have instructed KMF to submit its application to BMRCL. KMF will open Nandini outlets in eight metro stations,' he said. As Amul has already opened two outlets, Shivakumar stated that closing them would be inappropriate. Instead, he directed BMRCL to allow the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), which manages Nandini, to set up stalls at the remaining eight stations. The move has reignited the debate between Amul and the KMF's flagship brand Nandini. 'For us, both Nandini and Amul are equal. Whoever pays the rent will be allowed to operate,' a BMRCL official told PTI . Meanwhile, the Janata Dal (Secular), a former Congress ally, and the BJP seized the opportunity to target the Congress, accusing it of abandoning the Nandini brand after using it for political mileage in the 2023 assembly elections. In a post on social media, JD(S) alleged that Shivakumar had compromised 'Kannadiga pride' for financial gain. 'More than 10 metro stations in Bengaluru have been allowed to sell milk products from outside the state. The Congress used the Nandini brand, the pride of our farmers and all Kannadigas, for its promotion (and) forgot about it after the election,' the party said. BJP MP PC Mohan said: 'Ahead of the 2023 Karnataka assembly election, Congress falsely accused BJP of favouring outsiders. But now, the same Congress government, which oversees BMRCL's operations and maintenance, has enabled Amul kiosks at 10 Metro stations to displace Nandini. A classic case of hypocrisy.' The controversy has revived the broader debate about support for local farmers and dairy producers in Karnataka. A similar controversy erupted in early 2023 when Amul's entry into Karnataka's milk market was projected by the then-opposition Congress as a threat to the state's flagship Nandini brand. Tensions over Amul's presence in Karnataka first escalated in December 2022, following Union home minister Amit Shah's visit to KMF facilities in Mandya. It triggered concerns among farmers and political parties about a possible attempt by the Gujarat-based dairy giant to expand its footprint at the expense of Nandini. During his visit, Shah called for cooperation between Amul and KMF, suggesting joint efforts could lead to primary dairies in every village within three years. He also mentioned the possibility of technical support from Amul to Nandini. With inputs from PTI
Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Amul-Nandini row: No bias in allocation of kiosks at Bengaluru Metro stations, says BMRCL
Bengaluru: Commenting on the row over the allotment of stalls to Amul at Bengaluru Metro stations, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) on Wednesday clarified that no preference was given to any party in the allocation process. The clarification comes amid criticism over the allotment of 10 stalls to Amul, with JD(S) and Kannada activists alleging that the state is promoting Amul at the expense of the local brand Nandini and the state government pointing out that Metro is operated by the Centre and they should question it in this regard. However, following the controversy, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated that he would instruct BMRCL to reallocate 8 out of the 10 stalls given to Amul. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, BMRCL's Chief Public Relations Officer, Yashwanth Chavan, said, 'Shops and stalls within Bengaluru Metro stations are allotted through a tender process. Amul secured 10 stalls through this process.' 'If Nandini participates in future tenders, we will allot stalls to it as well. We do not give preference to anyone. The 10 stalls were allotted to Amul for a period of five years with a monthly rent of Rs 7 lakh. Nandini did not participate in the recent tender invited by BMRCL,' he clarified. 'Retail outlets are allotted strictly through a bidding process. Had Nandini applied through the tender, we would have considered it like any other applicant,' he added. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Wednesday accused the government of not showing any interest in participating in the tender process to open kiosks in Bengaluru Metro stations. Ashoka claimed, 'The Congress party, which used the Nandini brand name during its election campaign, now seems determined to destroy it after coming to power.' "It abruptly transferred KMF Managing Director, M.K. Jagadish, who had shown great enthusiasm and commitment in expanding the Nandini brand's market through several high-demand products like readymade idli and dosa batter, and whey protein," Ashoka stated. "Now, the government has shown no interest even in participating in the tender to set up dairy outlets at Bengaluru's metro stations," he said. Responding to the charges, Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy stated that the Opposition parties, BJP and JD(S) should know that the Metro is operated by the central government and they should question them in this regard. However, the Congress government on Wednesday announced that it has issued directions to the BMRCL to permit the opening of Nandini milk kiosks at selected Metro stations in the state capital that were allotted to Amul. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who is also Bengaluru Development Minister, has stated that the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) which sells Nandini products, has been instructed to apply to the BMRCL to open outlets at Metro stations and that he has also directed Metro officials to permit Nandini outlets at eight out of the 10 proposed locations. Responding to questions from the media near his official residence here on Wednesday, Shivakumar, when asked about Amul opening outlets at Metro stations, said, 'BMRCL had called for tenders, but apart from Amul, no other entity applied. KMF, too, had not submitted an application. We have now directed KMF to apply. Out of the 10 locations for which tenders were invited, Amul has applied in the global tender and opened outlets at two locations.' 'It would not be appropriate to shut down the Amul outlets, which are already open. I have instructed that KMF should be allowed to open outlets at the remaining eight locations,' Shivakumar stated. It can be recalled that, BMRCL had signed a licence agreement with M/s Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Limited, popularly known as Amul, to set up 'Amul Retail Kiosks' at 10 Metro stations in Bengaluru. The Amul kiosks were to come up at Pattandur Agrahara, Indiranagar, Benniganahalli, Biyappanahalli, Trinity Junction, Sir M Visveswaraya, Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda Station Majestic, National College, Jayanagar and Banashankari Metro stations. The announcement in this regard had stated that these kiosks will sell the entire range of Amul's dairy products, chocolate, potato-based snacks, organic products and oil. The JD(S) and the Kannada activists had raised objections to the opening of Amul kiosks at Metro stations when Karnataka has its own brand, Nandini. The Kannada activists demanded that the state government withdraw the permission given to Amul kiosks and prioritise Nandini kiosks instead.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
KMF to open Nandini outlets in 8 metro stations: Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 18 (ANI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar today said that the KMF (Karnataka Milk Federation) has been instructed to apply to Bengaluru Metro to open Nandini outlets in 8 metro stations. The Deputy CM's statement came after there was some criticism by opposition groups after Amul opened outlets at two Bengaluru metro stations. Speaking to reporters at his official residence in Kumarapark, he said, 'BMRCL had called for a global tender and Amul was the lone applicant. We have instructed KMF to submit its application to BMRCL. KMF will open Nandini outlets in 8 metro stations. Amul has already opened its outlets in two metro stations. It is not appropriate to close down the existing outlets. We have informed the BMRCL to allow KMF to open Nandi outlets in the remaining 8 metro stations,' he added. DK Shivakumar said that he had a meeting with the MLAs on the party organisation and Greater Bengaluru Municipal Corporation elections. He mentioned that the party leaders have discussed forming corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority. 'We had a meeting with our MLAs on party organisation and Greater Bengaluru Authority elections. The formation of corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority has been discussed with our leaders; it needs to be discussed with the Opposition leaders. We will take a decision, taking them into confidence,' he said. He added that a helpline has been released for waste disposal under the Swachchaa Bengaluru initiative. Citizens can take photographs of garbage and send them to the helpline. Action will be taken against it in a week. 'Under the Swachchaa Bengaluru initiative, we have released a helpline for waste disposal. The public can take a photo of the garbage pile-up and send it to this number, and action will be taken within a week. As far as pothole filling, we have given funds to the respective MLAs', the Karnataka Deputy CM said. DK Shivakumar explained the 'e-khata' campaign, which was launched on a pilot basis in Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda's constituency. As many as 25,000 katas are ready and will be delivered to doorsteps from July 1. 'We have designed a campaign for the disbursal of e-khatas in Bengaluru. The campaign was kicked off on a pilot basis in Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda's constituency. As many as 25,000 e-khatas are ready and they will be delivered to the doorsteps from July 1. There are about 25 lakh residences, and only about 5 lakh people have uploaded the documents. The campaign will go on for a month,' he informed. Asked about white topping in Bengaluru, he said, 'White topping work is going on in many places in the city. I have inspected the quality of the works personally at many places.' When a reporter pointed out that BBMP hasn't done anything about the falling of dead branches, he said, 'The BBMP officials are not sitting idle on this; they are working on a priority basis.' Replying to a query about whether there had been a discussion on issuing B katas, he said, 'This has been discussed in the Cabinet meeting. We will announce after deliberating on the legal aspects.' (ANI)
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Nandini vs Amul debate reignites as Amul kiosks open at 10 Bengaluru Metro stations; BJP slams Cong
The Karnataka government has come under fire from opposition parties for permitting Gujarat-based dairy giant Amul to establish kiosks at 10 Bengaluru Metro stations. Both the BJP and JDS have accused the ruling Congress party of neglecting the promotion of the state-run Karnataka Milk Federation's (KMF) flagship brand, Nandini. The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) approved Amul's kiosks following a tender process. However, opposition leaders argue that these 10 prime retail spaces should have been reserved for Nandini outlets to support local farmers and the state's dairy industry. The presence of Amul kiosks at Bengaluru Metro stations has reignited the longstanding rivalry between Amul and KMF's Nandini brand. The dispute intensified in December 2022 after Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to KMF facilities in Mandya, which raised concerns among farmers and political groups about Amul's growing footprint potentially undermining Nandini's market share. During his visit, Amit Shah advocated for collaboration between Amul and KMF, suggesting that joint efforts could establish primary dairies in every village within three years. He also hinted at Amul providing technical support to Nandini to strengthen the state's dairy sector. A BMRCL official confirmed to PTI that Amul currently operates kiosks at Benniganahalli and Byappanahalli Metro stations, with plans to open additional outlets at Pattandur Agrahara, Indiranagar, Trinity Circle, Sir M Visvesvaraya, Jayanagara, Majestic, National College, and Banashankari stations. The official noted that Nandini had earlier opened outlets at MG Road, Mahalakshmi, and Vijayanagar stations, but only the Vijayanagar outlet remains operational. 'For us, both Nandini and Amul are equal. Whoever pays the rent will be allowed to operate,' the official added. The Janata Dal (Secular), once an ally of the Congress, launched a scathing attack on the ruling party and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar via a lengthy post on X, using the hashtag #SaveNandini in Kannada. The JDS accused Shivakumar of having 'sold his self-respect for the sake of commission' and criticised Congress for exploiting the Nandini brand during the 2023 Assembly elections only to abandon it afterwards. 'Before the elections, DK used to boast that the self-respect of Kannadigas is not for sale... today he has put a stop to milk products for those from other states for the sake of commission,' the JDS stated. 'More than 10 Metro stations in Bengaluru have been allowed to sell milk products from outside the state. The Congress used the Nandini brand, the pride of our farmers and all Kannadigas, for its promotion, (and) forgot about it after the election,' the party added. BJP MP PC Mohan also criticised the Congress, accusing it of hypocrisy. 'Ahead of the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election, Congress falsely accused BJP of favouring outsiders. But now, the same Congress government, which oversees BMRCL's operations and maintenance, has enabled Amul kiosks at 10 Metro stations to displace Nandini. A classic case of hypocrisy,' he said. In response to the controversy, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar assured that the Karnataka Milk Federation has been directed to initiate the process of opening Nandini outlets at eight Metro stations. 'The KMF has been instructed to submit an application to BMRCL to open Nandini outlets at eight Metro stations,' Shivakumar told reporters. 'BMRCL had issued a global tender and Amul was the sole applicant. We have now directed KMF to apply as well. KMF will open Nandini outlets in eight Metro stations.' He added, 'Amul has already opened outlets at two stations. It is not appropriate to shut down existing ones. We've asked BMRCL to allow Nandini outlets at the remaining stations.'
