Latest news with #Rs.8
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
MSP for Totapuri mango fails to ease crisis in Tirupati, Chittoor
Tirupati: The mango crisis has intensified in Tirupati and Chittoor districts as the procurement deadlock continues despite the state govt fixing a minimum support price (MSP) of 12 per kg for the "Totapuri" mango variety, predominantly cultivated in these two districts for pulp production. Although the govt issued orders on June 6 mandating pulp units to procure Totapuri mangoes at 8 per kg — with an additional 4 per kg as a direct subsidy to farmers — the situation remains grim as farmers struggle to sell their produce and heaps of mangoes lie unsold at local mandis across the two districts. Though the state govt directed the pulp unit owners to procure the mangoes at Rs.8 per kg, several farmers complained that the pulp unit owners were offering them half the price at 4-5 per kg only owing to a slump in the mangoes prices in the neighbouring of Karnataka following a bumper crop. Though the AP govt issued orders banning the import of mangoes from Karnataka, there was still no respite for the local farmers. On Tuesday, the district collectors of Tirupati and Chittoor huddled into on-field inspections and meetings with the representatives of the pulp units across the two districts to get the situation under control before the crisis further deepens. According to Tirupati collector S Venkateshwar, about 1.55 lakh MT of Totapuri variety mangoes were produced this year in an extent of 14,582 hectares in Tirupati district alone. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Modern Racking Systems That Improve Workflow Search7 Learn More Undo While 25,000 MT of mangoes have already been harvested, about 1.3 lakh MT of mangoes are yet to be harvested. There are a total of 8 pulp units in the district, which are collectively procuring 2000 MT of mangoes on an average every day. The scenario is even more bleak in Chittoor district, where 5 lakh MT of Totapuri mangoes were produced by the farmers in an extent of 98,000 acres this year. The 27 mango pulp units have been collectively processing only 7 MT of mangoes on an average every day. According to Chittoor district-incharge collector G Vidyadhari, once in every two years the mango season witnesses a bumper harvest. In 2023, the pulp units were left behind with 40 MT of mango pulp, which she noted was the main reason behind the reluctance within the pulp units to procure the fruits this season, which again has witnessed a bumper yield this year. Agriculture minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu visited Tirupati and Chittoor districts a couple of days ago and tried to reassure the farmers that the govt already set aside 168 cr for subsidies for the mango farmers. However, farmers are struck with fear of suffering huge loss despite a bumper yield this year.
Hans India
7 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Mango farmers ‘reduced to pulp' in Chittoor dist
Tirupati: The current standoff over mango procurement prices in Chittoor district, attributed to a bumper crop and crashing prices in neighbouring states, shows no sign of resolution; causing distress to farmers and resentment among pulp processors. Chittoor, the largest producer of the totapuri variety of mango used primarily for pulp extraction, is witnessing a crisis this season due to a mismatch between government-mandated procurement prices and market dynamics. In a bid to support farmers, the government had fixed the procurement price at Rs.12 per kg this year, including Rs.4 to be paid as subsidy. However, this decision has resulted in strong resistance from pulp factory owners who claim to be already dealing with excess pulp stock and weak demand. The situation has been compounded by lower mango prices in neighbouring Karnataka, where mangoes are being procured for as low as Rs.4 per kg. Processors in Chittoor argue that buying mangoes at Rs.8, when the pulp has to be sold at uniform market rates across regions, is unviable. The procurement initially began smoothly on June 9, with around 40,000 tonnes of mangoes bought across southern Andhra Pradesh. But as daily arrivals surged to 5,000 tonnes in Chittoor and 2,000 tonnes in Tirupati, the system started to buckle under pressure. Cheaper mango arrivals from Krishnagiri and Kolar in Karnataka have worsened the situation. 'Processors there are buying at Rs.4 per kg, while we are asked to pay Rs.8 per kg. How is this sustainable when pulp is sold at the same price everywhere?' questioned a local processor. Currently, only 15 of Chittoor's 39 pulp factories are actively procuring mangoes. Although 25 units initially expressed interest, most have since scaled back due to pricing concerns. With mangoes ripening rapidly in the orchards, desperate farmers are being forced to sell at whatever price they can get. At present, factories are offering Rs.6 per kg, supplemented by a Rs.4 per kg government subsidy, effectively meeting the Rs.10 mark. Farmer associations are bringing pressure on the processors to honour the Rs.12 price, but oversupply and competitive pricing in neighbouring regions are dragging prices down. With the peak mango season expected to continue until August, both sides remain locked in a challenging situation. Officials are trying to mediate for addressing the crisis. Chittoor District Horticulture Officer D Madhusudan Reddy told The Hans India that efforts were underway to ensure smooth procurement without burdening either side. He noted that this year's bumper harvest, yielding 5.4 lakh metric tonnes, has led to steep price drops, with fluctuations expected to continue based on arrivals and market trends. Meanwhile, former Minister and Punganur MLA Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy has warned of protests if pulp units do not procure mangoes at Rs.8 per kg. He criticised the state government's inaction and demanded fair compensation for the 56,000 acres of mango cultivation in the district.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Smart cards yet to reach ‘Shakti' scheme beneficiaries
Aadhaar-linked smart cards Despite repeated directions, Karnataka's Transport Department delays smart card rollout under 'Shakti' scheme, raising concerns over tracking and fund misuseDespite spending over Rs.8,815 crore in 23 months (up to April 2024) under the 'Shakti' scheme, which allows women to travel for free on state-run buses in Karnataka, theTransport Department has yet to implement the distribution of smart cards to beneficiaries. This delay has raised questions about the scheme's accountability, beneficiary tracking, and financial Finance Department has repeatedly directed the Transport Department to issue smart cards to eligible women. However, no concrete steps have been taken, leaving the expenditure estimates unreliable and the identification of genuine beneficiaries 'Shakti' scheme, launched on June 11, 2023, was the first of the Karnataka government's five guarantee schemes to be implemented. On the launch day, the Chief Minister, Deputy CM, and Transport Minister flagged off the initiative by issuing free tickets to women passengers. Since then, the scheme has enabled free bus travel for women across the per data available, approximately 459 crore tickets have been issued to women passengers up to April 2024, incurring a total expenditure of Rs.8,815 crore for the state. Officials believe smart card distribution would offer accurate data on the number of beneficiaries, helping ensure proper allocation of the Transport Department had planned to issueto ensure that only eligible women could avail of the free travel. These cards would help track the routes and distances women travel — from taluk to district to state level — and provide reliable data for reimbursements. The e-Governance Centre was also reportedly working on integrating Aadhaar numbers with the cards. However, this plan has since stalled. As the scheme nears its two-year mark, there has been no renewed effort or discussion to resume smart card multiple allegations have emerged regarding misuse of the scheme. Some women reportedly show Aadhaar cards from other states to avail of free rides, while others obtain tickets for long distances but disembark midway. There are also claims of inflated ticketing to draw extra reimbursements, causing losses to the said that the Finance Department has consistently raised objections about the lack of a smart card mechanism and the resulting ambiguity in expenditure. It has warned the Transport Department that without proper beneficiary verification, future reimbursements may be from the e-Governance Centre confirmed that while there was an initial plan to issue smart cards, no clear directive has been received since then. There is currently no active discussion or preparation underway for card distribution. The Finance Department insists that smart cards are vital for accurate data collection, preventing misuse, and potentially saving crores of rupees for the govt. Although funds continue to be released to avoid inconveniencing women or stalling the scheme, another formal reminder will soon be issued, sources said.
New Indian Express
03-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Bihar court awards death sentence to two accused in Madhubani gangrape case
PATNA: A court in Madhubani district on Tuesday awarded death sentence to two men Sushil Kumar Rai and Om Prakash Jha in a gang rape and murder of an eight-year-old dalit girl. Syed Mohammad Fazlul Bari, judicial magistrate, POCSO court, Madhubani ,delivered the verdict after hearing the case from both the prosecution and the defence. The court also slapped a fine of Rs.1.20 lakh each on the accused. The court, in its order, said that the amount realised from the two convicts as fine would be given to the victim's family. In addition, the court directed the government to pay Rs.8 lakh as compensation to the rape victim's family as compensation. The brutal rape and murder case occurred in a village in Madhubani district in 2023. The court observed that the incident comes under 'rarest of the rare' category and severe punishment awarded to accused will work as a deterrent to incidents of crime against women. The court further said that the capital punishment awarded to the convict is a significant step towards delivering justice to the victim's family. According to the prosecution, the horrifying incident took place when the victim was playing outside her residence in June 2023. They took the girl to a make-shift house in Kosi Colony at Jay Nagar, raped her and later killed her by gaging with a towel. The body was dumped in the make-shift room made of asbestos. On the next day, police arrested Om Prakash Jha and recovered the body of the victim. They also recovered blood-stained clothes of the accused from the spot and sent to the forensic science laboratory for test. The accused were held guilty under sections 366 (A), 376(D), 302/34, 4/5 POCSO Act and 3/5 SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Altogether 18 witnesses were examined by the court.
Hans India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
In support of VSP workers, Sharmila launchers indefinite hunger strike
Visakhapatnam: There is no point in giving up hunger strike until 2,000 contract workers are reinstated, underlined AP Congress Committee (APCC) chief YS Sharmila Reddy. Launching an indefinite hunger strike to extend support to Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) workers strike at the relay hunger strike camp here on Wednesday, Sharmila said that until justice was meted out to the workers, she is not going to step back from the hunger strike. Already, she warned the government to reinstate 2,000 contract workers, who were removed from work recently and issued an ultimatum to the plant management in this regard. However, as there was no response from the management so far, she reached the hunger strike camp located at Kurmannapalem in Visakhapatnam and commenced the hunger strike. She was accompanied by trade union leaders and employees as they welcomed her intervention in the issue. Speaking on the occasion, the APCC chief alleged that the BJP government is gradually killing the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. 'They are laying off jobs, conspiring to block the supply of raw materials and increasing export prices to put a financial burden on the VSP,' she alleged, recalling that during the Congress rule, the idea was to allocate its own captive mines to the VSP. The APCC chief mentioned that it is a lie that the steel plant was supported by the Central government. Sharmila lamented that Rs.8,000 crore were taken back in the garb bank loans after allocating a revival package of Rs.11,000 crore. She also pointed out that there is a condition to release another Rs.3,000 crore, if a total of 5,000 employees will be removed from the plant. Further, APCC chief alleged that the TDP and Jana Sena Party government could not fulfil its promises made during election campaign. She accused the political parties for utilising the VSP issue for political purposes. 'Why are they not stopping the workers from being laid off?' the APCC chief questioned the AP government. Sharmila Reddy warned the Central government that the Congress party would not tolerate if the VSP is privatised. She demanded that the laid-off workers should be reinstated with immediate effect.
