English हिन्दी
Connect with us

Election 2022

Crop damage, cattle deaths due to unseasonal rains: occasion for farmers to rate parties

Published

on

Crop damage, cattle deaths due to unseasonal rains: occasion for farmers to rate parties

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It should have been a reminder to political parties and an opportunity to quickly re-orient their election campaign to address farmers’ issues when unseasonal rains and thundershowers brought in by western disturbances resulted in widespread damage to crops and cattle across several states of north and central India.

Both main contenders at national level, BJP and Congress, which made a host of promises to uplift farmers’ income and resolve farm crisis in their manifestos, however, remained stuck on to polemics on less consequential issues.

Over 50 people were killed in three states as rain and thunder storm caused by western disturbance hit parts of north India on Tuesday causing damage to property and crops, reports said.

For farmers, it’s not over yet. The IMD expects rain in parts of Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal & Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura, Telangana, Rayalaseema, South Interior Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on Thursday, according to a press release.

The unseasonal rain and hailstorms hit Gujarat’s mango growers hard. The unseasonal rains and storm also caused damage to property and crops in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. Several cattle were also killed in rain-related incidents.

Rather than take it up as a policy issue in election campaign, the focus remained on blame game and issuing statements promising relief. Rajasthan Chief minister Ashok Gehlot said, “Farmers have suffered losses due to the rains and storm and it is a matter of concern. I asked the chief secretary yesterday (Tuesday) to get the survey of losses conducted immediately so that compensation could be given on time.”

Also Read: Poll official suspended for checking PM Modi’s chopper, Congress raises questions

Expressing concern over the crop losses, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ordered urgent steps to ascertain the extent of the damage to crops so that due compensation could be awarded to the affected farmers at the earliest.

From Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office, the tweets, “PM @narendramodi has expressed grief at loss of lives due to unseasonal rains and storms in MP, Rajasthan, Manipur & various parts of the country.”

“An ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to unseasonal rain & storms in MP, Rajasthan, Manipur & various parts of the country has been approved from the PM’s National Relief Fund. ₹50,000 each for the injured has also been approved,” the PMO said.

Also Read: Google, Apple ban TikTok video app in India after court’s directive

It is evident that their manifestos and the issues they have promised to address have already been forgotten and disappeared from the consciousness of leaders of both BJP and Congress.

BJP manifesto

Congress manifesto

Expanding PM-KISAN to all approx 14 crore farmers and not just to small and marginal growers Separate Budget for farmers
Short-term crop loans at zero interest rate on timely repayment To waive outstanding farm loans in other states as well doesn’t specify whether it would be a nationwide loan waiver
Pension scheme for small and marginal farmers Will decriminalise farm loan default
Rs 25 lakh crore investment to boost productivity To set up a National Commission on Agricultural Development & Planning to replace the CACP.
Enrollment to Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana made voluntary for loanee farmers also. Presently, it is compulsory Redesign the crop insurance scheme
Enable Creation of 10,000 FPOs To establish a Commission on Marginal Farmers and Agricultural Labourers
‘Matsya Sampada Yojana’ with an allocation of Rs 10,000 crore for small and traditional fisherman Repeal APMC acts and also 150 days’ work under MGNREGA.

(as compiled by Business Standard)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1555586768770{border-top-width: 10px !important;border-right-width: 10px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #c1c1c1 !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”]

Detailed Congress manifesto for farmers

Agriculture and Farmer Welfare

The Indian National Congress will continue to provide an impetus to agricultural growth, productivity and incomes. We will also stay focused on providing all possible support for our farmers, in particular women and small and marginal farmers.

The Indian National Congress has instituted schemes like the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. As a result of these measures, the agriculture GDP growth went up from 2.6% (under the NDA) to 3.1% under UPA-I and further to 4% under UPA-II.

  1. The historic decision by the Congress led UPA government to allow Foreign Direct Investment in multibrand retail will transform the agrarian economy as it will create a beneficial value chain from farm-to-fork, creating rural infrastructure for sorting, grading, packing, cold storage facilities and ware housing. It will ensure that the farmer gets a much higher value for her or his produce.
  2. We will continue to nurture Public Private Partnerships for increasing investments in value-chains, cold storage facilities, grading and standardisation, quality certification and warehouses. This will greatly aid in increasing agriculture productivity and exports.
  3. We will add 1 crore hectares to irrigated area by completing the radical Water Reforms Agenda of the 12th Plan, which is based on Irrigation Management Transfer to Water Users Associations of farmers. This will ensure Gross Irrigated Area crosses 10 crore hectares in India.
  4. The current water use efficiency in irrigation is 40%. The Indian National Congress will actively support more efficient water use technologies including reuse and recycling of water. We will complete the historic aquifer-mapping and the groundwater management programme launched by UPA-II over the next five years, to ensure sustainable utilisation of groundwater to secure the livelihoods of lakhs of our farmers, particularly in regions where groundwater depletion has taken place.
  5. Small and marginal farmers own more than half the country’s total cattle and buffalo. However, only 12% of the total expenditure on agriculture is on livestock development. The Indian National Congress will place a special emphasis on livestock, fisheries, opening of veterinary schools and centres, fodder development through animal husbandry programmes and schemes like MGNREGA. MGNREGA will also be harnessed to support the construction of poultry shelters and water bodies for fisheries.
  6. The Indian National Congress will increase spending to ensure access and quality in agriculture education, including increasing the amount for and number of postmatric scholarships and research fellowships for veterinary students.
  7. The Indian National Congress will increase coverage of crop insurance schemes, particularly among the small and marginal farmers and non-loanee farmers. Settlement of claims on time, better crop yield estimation to determine premiums etc., and involvement of private sector will be other areas of focus.
  8. The Indian National Congress will allocate special funds for agricultural research to develop new technologies for disease management of crops and livestock, high-yielding-varieties of crops, etc.
  9. The Indian National Congress will promote resource conservation technologies and agriculture practices like integrated farming, organic farming and develop wastelands for dry land farming.
  10. We will cover 250 lakh hectares as watersheds, as part of the dramatically reformed Integrated Watershed Management Programme launched by UPA-II.
  11. There are lakhs of families in our coastal belts that depend on fishing for their livelihood. To enhance their welfare, a new Ministry of Fisheries will be established and all steps will be taken to further enhance their livelihood security.
  12. The Indian National Congress, honouring the commitment made in the 2009 Manifesto, enacted the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. The Indian National Congress will ensure fast and fair implementation of the Act such that farmers, landowners and livelihood losers get adequate compensation for their acquired land.
  13. The Indian National Congress has more than doubled the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for farmers for wheat and paddy from 2004-05 to 2013-14. The MSP for other cereals increased three-fold. We will continue our endeavour to provide higher MSP to increase profitability of agriculture for our farmers.
  14. The Indian National Congress will provide concessional loans to groups/collectives of small and marginal farmers and women farmers upto Rs. 5 lakh to enable them to gain better access to inputs and services.
  15. The Indian National Congress will strive to lower interest rates for farmers to ensure they are able to access extension services and agriculture inputs like seeds, water, fertilizers etc.

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Also Read: Vote for BJP as only PM Modi can protect India: Baba Ramdev[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1555587797267{border-top-width: 10px !important;border-right-width: 10px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #d3d3d3 !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”]

Detailed BJP manifesto for farmers:

Doubling  Farmers’ Income

At the very beginning of our current term, Prime Minister Modi embarked on a mission to double farmers’ income. We will make all efforts to achieve this goal by 2022.

Welfare of Farmers

01. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana to all – We have launched Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana to ensure financial support to farmers owning land up to 2 hectares. We will further expand the coverage of the scheme to all the farmers in the country.

02. Pension for small and marginal farmers – We will launch a pension scheme for all small and marginal farmers in the country so as to ensure social security to them on reaching 60 years of age.

03. ₹25 lakh crore investment in Agri-rural sector – We are committed to making an investment of Rs.25 lakh crore to improve the productivity of the farm sector.

04. Interest-free Kisan Credit Card loans – We will provide short-term new agriculture loans up to Rs. 1 lakh at a 0% interest rate for 1-5 years on the condition of prompt repayment of the principal amount.

05. Voluntary enrolment in Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana – Our scheme, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana has ensured risk mitigation and provided insurance cover for all farmers. We will make enrolment of farmers under the scheme voluntary.

06. Empowering Farmers through Policies – We will work towards reducing all agricultural imports and institute a predictable export and import policy with a built-in mechanism for encouraging exports and discouraging imports.

07. Assurance of Quality Seeds – We will ensure timely availability of improved seeds of promising varieties at affordable rates with doorstep testing facilities.

Development of Agri-allied sectors

08. Oilseeds Mission – We will launch a new mission to achieve self-sufficiency in oil seeds and other agri- products.

09. Warehouse Network across the Country – We will build an efficient storage and transport mechanism for agriculture produce

Our Pradhan Mantri Krishi SAMPADA Yojana highlights our focus on warehousing as a means of increasing farmers’ income. To fufiher expand the warehousing infrastructure in the country, we will establish a National Warehousing Grid along National Highways to ensure necessary logistical linkages for warehousing of agricultural produce.

To enable the farmer to store the agri-produce near his village and sell at a remunerative price at an appropriate time, we will roll out a new Village Storage Scheme of agri-produce. We will provide farmers with loans at cheaper rates on the basis of storage receipt of the agri-produce.

10. To ensure greater promotion and increase profitability under organic farming, we will take the following steps :

We will promote chemical-free organic farming in an additional 20 lakh hectare of hilly, tribal and rainfed areas in the next 5 years.

We will launch a dedicated e-commerce portal to enhance the availability of organic produce to the doorsteps of consumers.

Goshalas in the country will be linked to the promotion of organic farming.

Promotion of organic eco-tourism in the vicinity of organic farming will also ensure additional income to the farmers.

11.National Bee-keeping and Honey Mission: We will launch a National Bee-keeping and Honey Mission to ensure additional returns to the farmers. We will double the honey production from the present 11,500 MT by developing infrastructural facilities and providing marketing support.

Expanding Irrigation in Mission Mode

12.We have completed work on the long-pending 31 irrigation projects under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana and work will soon be completed on the remaining 68 projects in phases up to December 2019. Continuing our euofis to developing irrigation, we will fufiher expand Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana to realize 100% irrigation potential of the country within a defined time-frame.

13. We will bring one crore hectares agricultural land under micro-irrigation, this would be supplemented with ‘fertigation’ to promote judicious use off fertilizers.

Cooperatives

14. We recognize the role of cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) can play in ensuring better market linkages and opportunities in the agricultural sector and we are committed to support and strengthen them.

15. We will enable the creation of 10,000 new Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) by 2022 to ensure economies of scale for farmers regarding access to inputs and markets.

16. To cater to the needs of big cities we will set up a mechanism of direct marketing of vegetables, fruits, dairy and fishery products through farmers’ cooperative organizations so as to ensure better price return to the farmers.

Convergence of Agriculture and Technology

17. We will create a mobile app based system for promoting the availability of agri-implements on rental/custom hiring basis.

18. We will extensively use technology to ensure a beLer knowledge of the market prices of various agro- products for the benefit of farmers.

19. We will enable development of young agri-scientists to take advantage of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Blockchain technology, Big Data analytics etc. for more predictive and profitable precision agriculture.

20. We view solar energy as an additional source of income for farmers and will encourage solar farming on a massive scale so as to enable the ‘Annadaata’(food provider) to become ‘Urja-daata’ (energy provider).

21. Digitization of Land Records – On the lines of Aadhaar project, we will complete digitization of land records on a mission mode. We will implement second-generation land reforms to ensure title guarantee for the landholder and reduce land-related litigation. We will create a model law for conclusive titling (in consultation with states) promoting title guarantee and title insurance and work with States to implement this system.

Animal Husbandry

We have given utmost importance to the dairy sector and have established Kamdhenu Aayog for the conservation of indigenous species of cattle. We will establish a network of mobile veterinary dispensaries to provide doorstep service to farmers.

We will roll out a model programme for periodic health checkup of all cattle and other domestic animals at the district level with the help of veterinary experts from the public and private sector.

We will expand the coverage of immunization and eliminate Foot and Mouth Disease and Brucellosis. We will launch a National Feed and Fodder Mission to eliminate the shortage of fodder.

Fisheries – Blue Revolution

We will launch ‘Matsya Sampada Yojana’ with an allocation of Rs. 10,000 crores to ensure availability of storage and marketing tools and infrastructure like ice-boxes, cold storages, ice-plants etc. for small and traditional fishermen.

We will promote aquaculture through easy access to credit.

We will facilitate farming of sea-weed, pearl as well as ornamental fish to ensure a beLer return to the fishermen.

We will bring all fishermen under the ambit of all welfare programmes and social security schemes with expanded coverage for accident insurance.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru, says example of expanding capabilities of India

PM Modi in his address also said that the presence of around 100 nations here is a testament that the trust of the world in India has increased.

Published

on

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Aero India 2023 which is Asia’s largest aero show taking place in Karnataka’s Bengaluru. Prime Minister Narendra Modi while delivering his address at the event said that Aero India is an example of the expanding capabilities in India.

The aero show is the 14 instalment of the event and the objective is to put indigenous equipment and technologies on display in order to get a partnership from companies outside of India.

PM Modi in his address also said that the presence of around 100 nations here is a testament that the trust of the world in India has increased. He further said that the participation of more than 700 exhibitors from India and the world is unprecedented.

The event will be held for 5 days as the visitors will get to witness air shows, aerobatics as well as exhibitions. According to reports, over 809 companies from across 98 countries have participated in the Aero India 2023.

USA’s leading fighter jet , F-16 Falcons will be seen throughout the event as they will be performing aerial demonstrations and sorties. USA’s renowned F/A 18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet will also be seen on display at the event.

Read Also: Entire ecosystem in full swing, can’t treat India as personal fiefdom anymore: Kiren Rijiju’s dig at Congress’s criticism over Justice Nazeer’s appointment as governor

The event is being held in Beneglauru’s Yelahanka Air Force Station and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also gave an address and was in attendance on the opening day of the event..

It is also reported that the event will be military-dominated, however, India’s efforts to accommodate a domestic travel boom and revive its brand in foreign countries. The theme of Aero India 202 is ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities’.

It is reported that the Centre has been urging manufacturers to share technology or make more than parts in the country. The efforts by the Centre was inspired by Make In India policy and has targeted manufacturers including Lockheed Martin Corp, Boeing, and Airbus.

It is reported that 251 agreements with investments up to 75,000 crore are expected to be signed between the Indian government and the foreign defence companies.

Railways cancel over 324 trains, 91 trains partially cancelled, check out full list here

Man sets unique Guinness World Record by blowing 55 candles using heel clicks | WATCH

Continue Reading

Election 2022

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Live Updates: Pushkar Singh Dhami to be Uttarakhand CM

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Live Updates: The probable names that are coming out for Uttarakhand CM are Pushkar Singh Dhami, Cabinet Minister and Haridwar MLA Madan Kaushik, Shrinagar MLA Dhan Singh Rawat, former Union minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt.

Published

on

Pushkar Singh Dhami

The announcement of the name of Chief Minister in Uttarakhand after the BJP came to power yet again in the hill state is set to come out later in the evening today. The probable names that are coming out for Uttarakhand CM are Pushkar Singh Dhami, Cabinet Minister and Haridwar MLA Madan Kaushik, Shrinagar MLA Dhan Singh Rawat, former Union minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt.

However, the road for Pushkar Singh Dhami is not going to be smooth as he lost his seat of Khatima to Congress candidate Bhuwan Chandra Kapri by a margin of 6,579 votes. He got a total of 41,598 votes with a vote share of 44.8 per cent as against Kapri who got 48,177 with a huge vote share of 51.89 per cent.

To catch the latest updates about the developments in Uttarakhand, stay tuned to our live blog.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Live Updates:

Pushkar Singh Dhami to be Uttarakhand CM

The announcement of the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand has finally been made, Pushkar Singh Dhami will be the next CM of Uttarakhand. This announcement was made in the state legislative party meeting that took place today.

Pushkar Singh Dhami frontrunner, say sources

The incumbent Pushkar Singh Dhami is likely to be the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, say sources. However, the road for him is not going to be smooth as he lost his Khatima seat in the election and now he will have to contest in by-polls if his name comes for the Chief Minister post.

Delhi will decide who will be Uttarakhand CM, say reports

According to reports, the Delhi meeting that took place in the past few days will come to an end and today the name of the CM of Uttarakhand will be announced. The Delhi ministerial power will decide who will be the next CM, say reports.

Rajnath Singh and Meenakshi Lekhi welcomed by Uttarakhand BJP chief Madan Kaushik in Dehradun ahead of legislative party meeting

Uttarakhand BJP chief Madan Kaushik welcomes Union Minister Rajnath Singh and Meenakshi Lekhi, they are heading to BJP head office for the legislative party meet. It is expected that the name of the CM will be announced in an hour.

BJP to hold legislature meeting at 5pm to decide next CM in Uttarakhand

The BJP will have a legislature party meeting in the evening to elect the leader who will also be the next chief minister of Uttarakhand.

Continue Reading

Election 2022

BJP to reveal the name of next Chief Minister of Goa today: Pramod Sawant, Vishwajit Rane and Rajendra Arlekar in fray

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hold a meeting today in Panaji, Goa where it will unravel the suspense over the name of the next Chief Minister and the date of the swearing-in ceremony.

Published

on

BJP to reveal the name of next Chief Minister of Goa today

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hold a meeting today in Panaji, Goa where it will unravel the suspense over the name of the next Chief Minister and the date of the swearing-in ceremony. The BJP legislature party meeting will take place at 4 pm at the BJP office.

Eleven days after winning 20 seats in the 40-member House and securing the support of two MGP MLAs and three Independents, the saffron party will ask the governor to stake a claim to form the government.

On Sunday, Goa BJP President Sadanand Tanavade revealed that Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and L. Murugan will attend the meeting as BJP central observers to help the state establish a government.

Pramod Sawant, a BJP leader, and the temporary chief minister is the strong frontrunner for the role of CM, but he faces some opposition. A senior state BJP leader claimed on Monday that BJP MLA and former state health minister Vishwajit Rane, as well as Himachal Pradesh Governor Rajendra Arlekar, a Goa native, is being considered for the CM post.

Read Also: BJP likely to pick Uttarakhand CM today, Goa still in suspense

Earlier on Saturday, Sawant met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to discuss the formation of the government. The BJP will be in power in Goa for the third time in a row.

After choosing the next chief minister, BJP leaders will meet with state governor P S Sreedharan Pillai at 6 p.m. to stake their claim to form the government. In addition to Tomar and Murugan, PM Narendra Modi, Goa election in-charge Devendra Fadnavis, desk in-charge C T Ravi, and Tanavade, would attend the legislature party meeting.

According to the sources, the name of the next Chief Minister of Goa will be revealed by 5 pm and the swearing-in ceremony might take place between 23 to 25.

AAP picks Harbhajan Singh, Raghav Chadha, and others as its Rajya Sabha candidates from Punjab, check full list

Petrol Diesel price today: Increase in diesel price by Rs 25 for THESE customers, check state-wise fuel rates here

Continue Reading

Trending

-->

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com