Telangana govt spent Rs 10,665 cr on fine rice: Uttam
2
Hyderabad: Irrigation and civil supplies minister N
Uttam Kumar Reddy
on Friday said the Congress govt has spent Rs 10,665 crore to provide quality fine rice to 89.90 lakh ration card holders, benefiting 2.81 crore people across the state.
He described the initiative as a historic measure to ensure food security for the poor in Telangana.
"Under the Congress govt, every beneficiary now receives six kg of fine rice free of cost. The state has achieved a record paddy procurement, marking the highest level of procurement in Telangana's 11-year history, even surpassing figures during the period of undivided Andhra Pradesh," the minister said.
"In the last Kharif season, farmers cultivated paddy in 46.7 lakh acres and produced a record 1.03 crore tonnes.
For the Yasangi season, cultivation extended to nearly 60 lakh acres, with an expected yield of 1.30 crore tonnes. The govt will ensure that every eligible family in Telangana receives ration card," he said.
On irrigation projects, Uttam issued a strong directive to officials to expedite all land acquisition and forest clearance processes related to irrigation projects. He assured farmers that he would personally oversee the process to ensure fair compensation for their land.
"For 45 years, no govt undertook desilting or de-sedimentation of SRSP, which has become heavily silted and unable to store water at its full capacity. The Congress govt has now launched a comprehensive desilting and de-sedimentation programme for major irrigation projects, including SRSP and Nagarjuna Sagar, to restore their water-holding capacity and ensure farmers receive the water they need," he added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
17 minutes ago
- Hans India
Projects under 15th Finance Commission should be completed on time: Ajit Pawar
Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday directed officials of various departments to ensure a timely and high-quality completion of all projects initiated under the 15th Finance Commission. At the review meeting, Pawar said, 'The state is receiving full support from the central government for these projects. All plans have been designed considering the requirements of the next century. Departments must coordinate closely and ensure that every rupee from the Finance Commission is utilised before the end of the current financial year, and not a single rupee is returned.' He held an extensive review of major projects including creation of artificial coral reefs using the decommissioned INS Guldar near Sindhudurg, along with world-class scuba diving, submarine tourism, and an underwater museum, construction of Unity Mall near the international airport at Ulwe in Navi Mumbai, development of the Ram-Kal-Path in Nashik, construction of hostels for working women in Thane, Nagpur, Navi Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Kalyan-Dombivli, and Solapur, conservation of cultural heritage, development of Rewas Redi coastal highway, housing schemes for police personal and projects undertaken by Urban Development, Rural Development, Disaster Management, Public Health. Deputy CM Pawar assured the state government's full support in removing any hurdles but emphasised that all projects must be completed within the timeline and meet high-quality standards. Senior officials from the departments of Finance, Planning, Urban Development, Tourism, Public Health, Forest, and Public Works attended the meeting. Earlier on Monday, Ajit Pawar presented supplementary demands worth Rs 57,509.71 crore for the financial year 2025-26 on the first day of the Monsoon Session of the Legislature. This came amid reported constraints over the availability of adequate funds due to the ballooning fiscal and revenue deficits and mounting public debt. Of the Rs 57,509.71 crore, the allocation of Rs 19,183.85 crore has been made for committed expenditure and the balance is to provide funds for various government programmes and also towards the state government's contribution in the implementation of Central government schemes. Deputy CM Pawar, during the budget session held in March this year, had tabled the supplementary demands worth Rs 6,480.20 crore.
Hans India
17 minutes ago
- Hans India
'Congress not concerned about country's pride': Jyotiraditya Scindia on Rahul's 'surrender' jibe
New Delhi: Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, launched a sharp attack on the Congress party on Wednesday in response to Rahul Gandhi's recent 'Narender Surrender' remark. Union Minister Scindia accused the Congress of undermining India's global standing and questioning the credibility of its armed forces. Speaking to IANS, he said, 'What else is left to say about a political party that has already been rejected by the people of the country? The dignity and respect of the nation should be paramount.' He alleged that the Congress has stooped to a level where it seeks to embarrass India on international platforms and cast doubt on the strength and professionalism of the Indian military. The minister's remarks came in the wake of Rahul Gandhi's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy and national security approach. Rahul Gandhi had used the phrase 'Narender Surrender' in reference to the government's handling of border tensions with Pakistan—a phrase that has sparked political controversy in the past. Scindia also defended India's military actions, including the 2016 surgical strikes, the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, and the recent Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror infrastructure across the border. 'When there was a surgical strike or the Balakot operation, they asked for proof. When there is Operation Sindoor, they question how many (fighter) planes crashed,' he said. 'It has become clear that the people of India are not concerned about a party that is not concerned about the pride of India.' Operation Sindoor, a recent cross-border counter-terror operation, has been hailed by the government as a demonstration of India's strategic resolve. However, opposition leaders have raised questions about transparency and outcomes, prompting strong rebuttals from BJP leaders. Scindia also criticised Congress leaders for making statements abroad that, he claimed, tarnish India's image. 'Which patriot goes outside the country and brings it down?' he asked, without naming Gandhi directly. The BJP has intensified its counteroffensive against the Congress ahead of the upcoming state elections, framing national pride and security as central campaign themes.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
22 minutes ago
- First Post
'President's priorities': Trump administration holds back $7 bn school funds meant for learning, training
The administration offered little explanation for the delay, stating that the funds are under review and emphasising a commitment to ensuring taxpayer money is spent in line with the 'president's priorities', according to a report read more The Trump administration has withheld nearly $7 billion in federal education funding that supports after-school and summer programmes, English language learning, teacher training, and other essential services. According to The New York Times report, the funds were expected to be released by Tuesday. However, in an email sent on Monday, the US Department of Education informed states that the money would not be made available as scheduled, added the report. The administration offered minimal explanation, saying only that the funding is under review. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD No timeline was provided for when, or if, the funds would be released. A brief statement said the administration is 'committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the president's priorities,' reported NYT. The frozen funds are not connected to the domestic policy bill that narrowly passed the Senate on Tuesday, which includes separate cuts to various programmes. Move likely to face legal challenges 'It's catastrophic,' NYT quoted Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance, a group that works to expand after-school services for students, as saying. She estimated that the roughly $1.3 billion in federal funding for after-school and summer programmes each year supports around 1.4 million students, primarily from low-income families, accounting for about 20% of all students enrolled in such programmes nationwide. According to the report, the decision is likely to face legal challenges and has already drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and teachers' unions, who argue it is unlawful. They note that the funds were appropriated by Congress and signed into law by President Trump in March as part of a larger funding package. 'This is lawless,' NYT quoted Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, as saying. The Trump administration has aggressively sought to shrink the federal role in education, even proposing to eliminate the Education Department, though only Congress has the power to do so. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the meantime, it has slashed staffing and funding across the board. Permanent cut in funds? Officials have hinted at plans to permanently eliminate the nearly $7 billion in frozen education funds, reported NYT. During a Senate hearing last week, White House budget director Russell Vought said the administration is exploring a process called 'rescission' to formally request Congress revoke the funds. Even without a congressional vote, the request would freeze the money until it eventually expires. 'No decision has been made,' Vought was quoted as saying. The freeze on education funds has left school districts scrambling just weeks before classes resume. The uncertainty threatens after-school programmes, support for English learners, teacher training, and mental health services. According to NYT report, in rural Umatilla, Oregon, Superintendent Heidi Sipe warned parents to make backup plans, noting her federally funded after-school programme runs until 5:30 pm but has no local alternatives. In Omaha, Nicole Everingham of Collective for Youth said reduced funding would force cuts in after-school slots and staffing across 42 public schools. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even a delayed release of funds could disrupt hiring and planning, leaving working families in limbo. 'It completely puts us in flux,' NYT quoted Everingham as saying. Districts like Oxnard, California, also rely on federal dollars to support non-English-speaking families. 'Without this outreach, families… could be cut off from schools,' Superintendent Ana DeGenna told NYT. Many of the affected programmes, like the 21st Century Community Learning Centers and Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants, have enjoyed bipartisan support for decades. Still, most criticism of the freeze has come from Democrats. 'Every day that this funding is held up is a day that school districts are forced to worry about whether they'll have to cut back on after-school programs or lay off teachers instead of worrying about how to make sure our kids can succeed,' Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat who is the vice chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in a statement. With inputs from agencies STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
