Author: colorsnews.in

Amaravati, Aug 4 (IANS) The Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday decided to extend subsidised electricity to aqua farmers located in non-aqua zones from this month.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to provide electricity to farmers in non-aqua zones at the same subsidised rate of Rs 1.50 per unit that is currently available in designated aqua zones.

He instructed officials to implement the decision from this month. The move is expected to benefit around 12,500 aqua farmers across the state.

Reviewing challenges in the aqua sector, the Chief Minister directed officials to prepare a special action plan to control shrimp feed prices.

He said the State government is in discussions with the Centre to reduce fish meal exports by 50 per cent and instructed officials to ensure that shrimp feed prices remain stable until the Centre takes a decision.

The Chief Minister reviewed the impact of El Niño, deficient rainfall, crop cultivation and water resources with officials at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

He directed officials and public representatives to reach every farmer in the state with the El Niño Mitigation Action Plan, explaining the government’s initiatives as well as alternative cultivation strategies that farmers should adopt. He instructed officials to launch farmer awareness programmes from August 7.

In view of forecasts indicating below-normal rainfall across the state until October due to El Niño, the Chief Minister stressed the need to encourage farmers to adopt suitable contingency plans.

He directed officials to educate farmers on the opportunities available under the PMDS cultivation system and provide them with clear guidance on managing severe weather conditions such as El Niño.

The Chief Minister also instructed officials to disseminate timely field-level information through the Rythu App. He noted that while rainfall has declined, the cultivated area has increased, and directed departments to align their action plans with these changing ground realities.

He emphasised the effective implementation of the El Niño Effect Mitigation Action Plan and instructed that livestock fodder management should also be integrated with the VBG Ram G programme.

Naidu directed officials to implement a support price of Rs 10 per kilogram for off-style tobacco from Wednesday. He instructed officials to procure 94 million kilograms of off-style tobacco, which is expected to benefit around 44,000 farmers.

He also directed the formation of a five-member committee comprising representatives of the State government, the Tobacco Board and farmers to monitor and review implementation.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that 48.27 million kilograms of FCV tobacco have already been procured. To support tobacco growers further, the Chief Minister instructed officials to launch a scheme providing loans of Rs 50,000 per tobacco curing barn (barrel).

Naidu also directed officials to expedite plans to develop Rayalaseema as a horticulture hub and announced that 201 horticulture clusters would be launched shortly.

–IANS

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Jaipur, Aug 4 (IANS) Rajasthan Minister of State for Forests and Environment (Independent Charge) Sanjay Sharma on Tuesday reviewed preparations for Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah’s proposed visit to Alwar on August 16.

During a meeting held at the Saras Dairy auditorium, Sharma assessed the readiness of the venue and issued directions to officials to ensure the successful conduct of the programme.

The minister also inspected the event site and held detailed discussions with district officials regarding logistical arrangements, security measures, traffic management, and inter-departmental coordination.

Stressing the importance of timely execution, Sharma instructed officials to complete all preparations within the stipulated timeframe.

According to Sharma, Amit Shah is scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for several development projects during his visit to Alwar. One of the key projects includes the foundation stone laying for a new three-lakh-litre capacity plant at Saras Dairy, aimed at strengthening the dairy sector and expanding milk processing infrastructure in the region.

Reviewing the proposed programme, Sharma directed officials to work in close coordination to ensure seamless arrangements for the high-profile visit. He emphasised that all departments should maintain regular communication and complete assigned responsibilities well before the scheduled event.

The minister also instructed officials to make comprehensive security arrangements at the venue in accordance with protocols for the visit of the Union Home Minister.

He directed that adequate parking facilities be created at designated locations to accommodate visitors and officials while ensuring that normal traffic movement in and around the venue remains smooth and uninterrupted.

Special emphasis was laid on crowd management, public convenience, and coordination between the police, district administration, and other concerned departments. Sharma said every aspect of the programme should be planned meticulously so that the event is conducted efficiently and without inconvenience to the public.

Officials from the district administration and other departments were present during the review meeting and inspection. They briefed the minister on the progress of preparations and assured him that all necessary arrangements would be completed on schedule ahead of the proposed visit.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 4 (IANS) The Lakhpati Didi scheme, operating under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) to help women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) is yielding significant results in Madhya Pradesh’s Neemuch, as many are becoming part of the welfare scheme.

Many women, who joined the SHGs have engaged themselves in wide range of ventures, ranging from grocery and general stores to flour mills, poultry farms, RO plants, ‘Didi Cafes’, and fair-price shops.

According to official estimates, about 3,850 women have become latest members of the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative.

Lakhpati Didi initiative is a central scheme, being implemented in the states and Union Territories with the objective to improving the livelihoods of poor rural households.

It focusses on individual SHG women and empowers them by engaging them with SHGs, village Organisations (VOs) and other institutions.

As more and more women in Neemuch take the path to self-reliance, the success stories are unfolding for all to see, as they take to various ventures and turn them into source of livelihood.

Rajendra Kumar Chauhan, Development Block Manager of Neemuch said, “So far, 1,287 Self-Help Groups (SHGs), 118 Village Organisations, and 12 Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) have been formed in the Neemuch development block. Through bank linkages, these groups have been provided loans of Rs 1.50 lakh in the first phase, Rs 3 lakh in the second phase, and up to Rs 6 lakh in the third phase. Additionally, support is being extended to these groups through the Revolving Fund (RF) and Community Investment Fund (CIF) to help them initiate economic activities.”

He also added that when the benefits of government schemes reach women, the impact extends beyond mere financial aid, it becomes a catalyst for transforming the economic landscape of their families and society.

Krishna Keer from Ugran village shared that after joining the ‘Jai Bhawani Self-Help Group’ in 2021, she received financial assistance which enabled her to open a general merchandise shop.

She began stocking the shop with items such as sarees, children’s ready-made clothing, general store goods, and footwear.

In 2023, she was given the opportunity to operate a PDS (Public Distribution System) shop. Today, the income generated from both the shop and the PDS outlet has completely transformed her financial situation.

From being a homemaker, she is earning in thousands every month. She encourages more women to join Self-Help Groups and avail themselves of the benefits offered by these schemes.

Annu Bairwa from Dunglawada village told IANS that she began her journey by joining the Shri Ganesh Self-Help Group.

Under the Cash Credit Limit (CCL) scheme, she received loans of Rs 1.50 lakh, followed by Rs 3 lakh, and subsequently Rs 6 lakh.

With this financial support, she started a grocery store and improved her family’s financial standing.

By saving from her earnings, Annu also helped her husband set up a welding and lathe machine business. Today, the couple works together to increase the family income and provide a better education for their children.

Sharda Bai from Changera village said that she is a member of the Jai Maa Vaishnavi Self-Help Group. She started a small shop using a loan obtained from the group and from being a homemaker, she has now become a job-giver.

–IANS

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Kolkata, Aug 4 (IANS) State Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul on Tuesday said that an app-based parking system will soon be launched in Kolkata to stop the menace of illegal parking and unauthorised cash transactions.

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is taking this initiative to bring transparency to the entire issue, said the minister.

She made it clear that no kind of parking irregularities will be tolerated. Cars should be parked in specific parking spaces identified by the municipal corporation, and parking anywhere else will not be allowed.

“Kolkata Police has identified about 15,000 parking spaces under the municipal corporation area. Out of these, 10,000 have already been listed. The rest will be reviewed and added to the list. Cars or bikes should be parked in the listed parking spaces,” said the minister.

Paul also said that the municipal corporation will introduce an app-based system to maintain transparency and eliminate complications in parking. She informed that Kolkata Police is developing the app.

According to the minister, parking fees will be collected through the app to discourage cash transactions. “There will be a list of parking fees at each identified parking space. The list will also mention how much money will be paid per hour for a given car. There will be specific staff at the parking lot,” she said.

Each staff member must wear specific clothing and have a photo ID. At the same time, cars and bikes cannot be parked on the sidewalk.

Earlier in December 2023, then Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim announced the launch of a new app to solve the problem of illegal parking. He had said that the Transport Department, Kolkata Police and KMC would be simultaneously involved in the new technology.

The Transport Department would be able to know if the app detected car parking anywhere in Kolkata. That information would also go to the KMC and the police. A message mentioning any fine would be sent to the car owner’s mobile phone based on the car number.

At that time, Hakim had said that the owner of the vehicle concerned would have to deposit the illegal parking fine within seven days. If the car owner did not deposit the fine, the fine amount for that vehicle would increase. If the fine was not deposited within a year, it would also create obstacles in getting the vehicle’s clearance certificate at the end of the year. However, the initiative did not start for various reasons.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 4 (IANS) A businessman working as a financier and loan facilitator was arrested in East Delhi’s Laxmi Nagar area for his involvement in a Rs 3 crore property loan fraud against a finance company, an official of Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing said on Tuesday.

Maneesh Kumar, 59, a resident of Laxmi Nagar, was apprehended from his office in connection with the case involving impersonation, fake/forged title deeds and shell companies, said Ravi Kumar Singh, Additional Commissioner of Police, Economic Offences Wing, New Delhi.

He was involved in a fraud with Protium Finance Ltd, the police said.

He was arrested in connection with FIR 78/25 registered under section 419/420/467/468/471/120-B IPC, Police Station EOW, New Delhi, on July 14, the police said.

The complaint against Maneesh Kumar was given by Lovleen Manchanda, authorised representative of Protium Finance, alleging that a housing loan of Rs 3 crore was fraudulently obtained by him for the purchase of a property at D-Block, Anand Vihar, Delhi.

Investigation revealed that the sale deed dated November 9, 2022 was executed based on forged documents by an impersonator, a lady (since deceased), who falsely posed as the genuine owner, another lady.

The impersonator executed two fraudulent sale deeds of the same property within a span of 25 days, enabling the accused persons to secure loans from financial institutions, the police said.

Investigation established that accused Maneesh Kumar, who projected himself as a bona fide purchaser, was an active conspirator in the fraud, the police said.

The accused persons not only used forged title documents and impersonation to obtain the loan but also created shell companies and firms to siphon off the loan proceeds, the police said.

It was revealed that the accused falsely showed another lady (since deceased) as his spouse and co-applicant in the loan documents, whereas his actual wife is a different person. Further investigation is in progress to identify the involvement of other accused and trace the proceeds of crime, said Ravi Kumar Singh, Additional Commissioner of Police.

During technical surveillance, it was found that the accused was frequently changing his residence to evade arrest. After continuous surveillance, he was traced to a rented accommodation at Laxmi Nagar, Delhi, and arrested, the police said.

Investigation revealed that the accused, proprietor of Global Trading Company, had created fictitious firms, including Global Finance and Bankey Bihari Enterprises, to fraudulently obtain a loan of approximately Rs 3 crore from Protium Finance by using forged documents, the police said.

During the search, multiple mobile phones, SIM cards, digital signature certificates, cheque books of various banks, POS machines and other incriminating documents were recovered from his possession, the police said.

Cautioning property owners and finance firms, Ravi Kumar Singh, Additional Commissioner of Police, said the owner of a property should not leave his property unattended, and a regular check/visit should be made to ascertain the status of security of the property and its present status.

He said bank/financial institutions should apply their due diligence while disbursing loans against a property specially those which are vacant for a long time.

–IANS

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Guwahati, Aug 4 (IANS) Meghalaya government has contributed Rs 1 crore to the Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to support relief and rehabilitation measures in the flood-ravaged state, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Tuesday.

The financial assistance has been extended from the Meghalaya Chief Minister’s Relief Fund as Assam continues large-scale rehabilitation efforts following one of the worst flood spells witnessed this year.

Announcing the contribution in a post on X, Sarma thanked his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K. Sangma and the people of the neighbouring state for standing in solidarity with Assam during the humanitarian crisis.

“The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund has received a contribution of Rs 1 crore from the Meghalaya Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. On behalf of the people of Assam, I express my heartfelt gratitude to Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma and the people of Meghalaya for extending their support during this difficult period,” Sarma said.

He described the contribution as a reflection of the close relationship shared by the Northeastern states and said such gestures reinforce the region’s tradition of mutual support during natural disasters.

“This generous assistance reflects the enduring spirit of solidarity that binds the North Eastern sister states together. We have always stood by one another in times of need,” the Chief Minister added.

Assam has been undertaking extensive relief and rehabilitation operations after floods affected large parts of the state over the past several weeks, damaging houses, roads, embankments and agricultural land while displacing thousands of people.

The state government has initiated restoration of public infrastructure, financial assistance for affected families and damage assessment of residential properties in the flood-hit districts.

Officials are also preparing for the next phase of rehabilitation, including reconstruction of damaged houses and restoration of essential civic services.

The contribution from Meghalaya comes amid continued support from neighbouring states, organisations and individuals for Assam’s flood relief efforts, underscoring regional cooperation in responding to natural disasters affecting the Northeast.

–IANS

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Guwahati, Aug 4 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the state government will take up with the Centre concerns over mining activities in neighbouring Nagaland amid allegations that they have contributed to flooding in parts of Assam, while stressing that only a scientific study can establish the actual cause.

Speaking during his visit to flood‑hit Sivasagar and Charaideo districts, Sarma said the Assam government has no legal authority to stop mining operations in Nagaland as they fall outside its jurisdiction.

“I am the Chief Minister of Assam. I cannot stop mining in Nagaland. I will raise the issue with the Centre. There is no illegal mining in Assam. We need a scientific study to determine the actual cause of the problem,” he said, adding that Nagaland itself has witnessed flooding, which indicates the issue requires a comprehensive technical assessment rather than conclusions based on speculation.

Sarma said the government would rely on expert findings before deciding on any long‑term intervention to address recurring floods in the affected areas.

The Chief Minister also reviewed the flood situation in Sivasagar and Charaideo, where he interacted with affected residents and assured them of continued government support during the rehabilitation phase.

He announced that from August 9, officials will begin a detailed assessment of flood‑damaged houses to facilitate early distribution of financial assistance. According to him, nearly one lakh flood‑affected beneficiaries have already been identified by district administrations and the list has been verified by the state government.

Referring to persistent waterlogging in several localities, Sarma said the unusually high water level of the Brahmaputra has slowed the drainage of floodwater.

He added that the state government would ask the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to construct additional cross‑drainage structures at locations where highways have obstructed the natural flow of water.

The Chief Minister also said embankments would be constructed in vulnerable areas wherever land is made available by residents, adding that community participation would be essential for strengthening Assam’s flood mitigation measures.

–IANS

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Agartala, Aug 4 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday said that the state government has undertaken several initiatives to strengthen the school education system and improve the overall learning environment in government and government‑aided schools across the state.

The Chief Minister made the remarks while visiting Baradowali Higher Secondary School on the outskirts of the state capital as part of his initiative to inspect educational institutions and assess their functioning firsthand.

After inspecting the school, situated in his Assembly constituency Baradowali, Saha said his objective is to visit every school in the state to understand the ground realities and identify areas that require improvement.

He noted that government schools often carry a certain perception despite significant expenditure on teachers’ salaries and facilities.

“The salary structure provided to government school teachers is much higher than that in many private schools, and therefore we must ensure that these schools maintain the highest standards of quality and education,” he said.

The Chief Minister stressed the need to transform Baradowali Higher Secondary School into a model institution by improving its infrastructure, maintaining cleanliness, and creating a healthy and inspiring learning environment.

He said that once the school is developed as a model institution, it could serve as an example for other schools across the state to emulate.

“Education and academics will continue to remain our priority, but the beauty, cleanliness, and overall environment of a school are equally important. A clean, attractive, and well‑maintained campus creates a positive atmosphere for both students and teachers,” said Saha, who also holds the Elementary and Secondary Education portfolios.

During the inspection, the school headmaster informed him that students have to stand under the open sky and in the scorching sun during the morning assembly and prayer. The Chief Minister assured that the government would take the necessary steps to address the issue at the earliest.

Saha also underlined the crucial role of teachers in maintaining discipline, ensuring cleanliness, and improving academic standards in schools.

He suggested that schools should organise regular cleanliness drives involving students so that they develop a sense of responsibility, civic awareness, and ownership towards maintaining their surroundings.

“Good practices should be adopted everywhere. Teachers also have a very important role to play in shaping the future of students, and I will discuss these issues with them in detail,” he said.

Officials briefed the Chief Minister about ongoing infrastructure development works in the school, including the construction of a boundary wall and a gallery.

Saha reiterated that his school inspection programme would not remain confined to his own Assembly constituency. He said he would continue visiting educational institutions across Tripura to understand their requirements, assess their challenges, and ensure that appropriate measures are taken for their overall development.

The Chief Minister also highlighted various initiatives undertaken by the state government in other sectors, including the establishment of de‑addiction centres in all eight districts and the expansion of healthcare infrastructure.

He said the government is also considering further strengthening rehabilitation services, including enhancing facilities at the Narsingarh rehabilitation centre.

Saha added that regular field visits to educational and other public institutions enable the government to identify problems at the grassroots level and take timely and effective measures for their development and improvement.

–IANS

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