Naidu seeks GST exemption for mango pulp, Central aid of ₹130 cr. for procuring Totapuri mangoes
He stated in a representation to Ms. Sitharaman on Friday that the mango processing industries, particularly in Chittoor district, the largest mango-producing region in the country, were facing serious challenges.
With over 80,000 hectares under mango cultivation and an annual output of nearly 7.50 lakh metric tonnes, Chittoor district supports the livelihood of more than 1.20 lakh farmers. The district also hosts around 42 mango pulp processing units with a combined annual capacity of 4 lakh metric tonnes. Approximately 30% of the processed pulp is being exported, primarily to markets in the Middle East and Europe. However, a recent slump in exports coupled with weak domestic demand has led to a crisis, leaving over 1.50 lakh metric tonnes of mango pulp unsold.
In this context, the All India Food Processors' Association and the Chittoor District Fruit Processors' Federation have jointly submitted representations, seeking relief under the GST framework.
Endorsing the appeal, Mr. Naidu called for exemption from the 12% GST levied on mango pulp, which undergoes minimal thermal processing and contains no preservatives or additives, and a reduction of GST on fruit-based juices from 12% to 5% to promote the consumption of healthier, natural beverages.
This step was expected to boost demand for fruit pulp and benefit farmers by improving raw material offtake. Similar issues were being faced by mango farmers and processors in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka, the Chief Minister stated, calling for immediate policy attention for reviving the sector.
In a separate letter to the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Mr. Naidu sought a Central financial assistance of ₹130 crore for procuring Totapuri mangoes in the State. He highlighted the dire situation of mango farmers, particularly in the erstwhile Chittoor district — which now comprises Chittoor, Tirupati, and Annamayya districts, pointing out that the region was expected to produce nearly 6.50 lakh metric tonnes (MTs) of mangoes this season from approximately 80,000 hectares.
As the market prices fell causing much distress to the farmers, the A.P. Government announced a support price of ₹4 per kg with an equal contribution of ₹2 each from the State and Central governments.
In addition, traders and processors were urged to offer ₹8 per kg to enable farmers to receive a total procurement price of ₹12 per kg. To fulfil this commitment, the State government has to bear ₹130 crore, for which it sought a matching contribution from the Central government.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
33 minutes ago
- Indian Express
PM will bow before Trump deadline on trade deal: Rahul; Goyal hits back
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday targeted PM Narendra Modi over the proposed trade deal with the US and claimed that the PM will 'meekly bow' before the tariff deadline set by the Trump administration as Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal asserted that India negotiates from a position of strength and not under deadlines. Goyal also accused the Congress of 'negotiating and signing agreements that were not in the national interest' during that party-led UPA government's tenure. On Saturday, Goyal said, 'India does not negotiate under deadlines. We negotiate keeping national interest in mind, and national interest is paramount in all our engagements across the world.' He added that India negotiates from a position of strength. 'We are self-confident and can compete with anybody in the world,' he said. In a post on X on Saturday, Gandhi said, 'Piyush Goyal can beat his chest all he wants, mark my words, Modi will meekly bow to the Trump tariff deadline.' Trump has set a deadline of July 9 to finalise the trade agreement with India. The Congress had earlier hit out at the PM over his 'silence' on US President Donald Trump's repeated claims that he negotiated a ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan following the military hostilities. India had launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead. However, during the recent G7 Summit in Canada's Kananaskis, PM Modi set the record straight and told US President Donald Trump during a 35-minute phone call that at no point was there any discussion, at any level, on an India-US trade deal, or any proposal for mediation by the US between India and Pakistan. Modi had said that 'India does not and will never accept mediation'. With the deadline only days away, Goyal had said that India would accept the proposed trade deal with the US only when it is fully finalised and in national interest. 'Negotiations are underway, FTA (free trade agreement) is possible only if it's beneficial for both sides… it should be a win-win agreement,' Goyal said.
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Unity for Growth: Leaders Unite for a Developed India Vision
PNN New Delhi [India], July 5: The National Conference on Unity for Growth - A Collective March Towards Viksit Bharat, held on 03rd July 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, proved to be a groundbreaking and thought-provoking forum that united leaders from across the nation. Organized by Brand Vista Consulting, this landmark event brought together prominent policymakers, business leaders, social innovators, and youth change agents who collectively reinforced a shared vision for a developed, inclusive, and self-reliant India by 2047. The event was inaugurated in the esteemed presence of Shri Syed Shahnawaz Hussain Ji, Former Union Minister and Member of Parliament, who shared his passionate vision of holistic development for India. In his keynote address, he emphasized the power of unity, inclusive growth, and collaborative leadership, saying, "A Viksit Bharat cannot be built in isolation--it requires collective ownership of progress by every citizen and sector." The theme of the conference, "Unity for Growth", was powerfully reflected in the message shared by the organizers. Grounded in the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - The World is One Family," the conference emphasized collaboration over competition, encouraging industries, institutions, and individuals to embrace a more humanitarian and cooperative approach to nation-building. Dynamic Panels & National Dialogue The conference featured two high-impact panel discussions that sparked deep and forward-looking conversations: * Panel 1: One Nation, One Vision - Building Unity in Diversity * Panel 2: Building Viksit Bharat @ 2047 - The Transformative Role of Industries in Driving Growth, Inclusivity & Sustainability These sessions brought together voices from governance, business, and civil society to discuss strategies for inclusive development, community engagement, industrial growth, and the sustainability agenda. Voices from the Ground: Perspectives that Moved the Nation A special address was delivered by Mr. Sanjay Goyal, MLA, Shahdara, who reminded delegates that "contributing to society at all levels--be it through social welfare, responsible entrepreneurship, or inclusive governance--is essential to the overall development of the nation." His message resonated strongly with the audience and added a grassroots perspective to the conference narrative. Mr. Vikas Chaudhary, Chairperson, Swadeshi Jagran Manch, also delivered an impactful talk. He stated, "The first step toward Atmanirbhar Bharat begins with embracing and promoting Indian-made products. 'Make in India' should not just be a slogan, but a movement." His call to support local industries echoed the sentiments of many delegates advocating for economic nationalism and self-reliance. The conference brought together people from diverse walks of life--from government officials and corporate leaders to educators, artists, digital influencers, and social entrepreneurs. Their diverse experiences converged into one purpose: building a resilient, empowered, and unified India. Some of the prominent participating and winning personalities included: Mr. Girish Luthra, Chairman, Luthra Group, Mr. Dhruv Luthra, Managing Director, Luthra Group, Mr. Krishnakumar Srinivasan, MD & CEO, Shriram Pistons and Rings, Mr. Nirvaan Birla, Managing Director, Birla Open Minds, Dr. Deepak Shenoy, Founder & Managing Director, Medec Medicare Limited, Mr. Siddhartha Havelia and Mr. Ankit Jain, Co-Founders, Mercurius Advisory Services, Mr. Rahul Saxena, General Manager - Sales, Tata Bluescope Steel, Mr. Srikanth Appana, CTO, Bajaj Auto Credit, Mr. Avneesh Sood, Director, Eros Group, Ms. Akkineni Keerthi, Co-Founder, Innopay Technologies, Mr. Peter and Ms. Mary, Founder, St. Joseph's School, Dr. Shalya Raj, CEO, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Col. Rajeev Mannali, CEO, Sree Uthradom Thirunal Hospital, Mr. Saket Gaurav, Chairman and Managing Director, Elista and Tekno Dome Group, Dr. Sanjay Agarwal, Founder, SA Associates, Dr. Bikash Sharma, President and Founder Trustee - International Academic and Management Association (IAMA), Ms. Rabiaah Bhatia, Celebrity Anchor, Tedx Speaker, Lifestyle Model, Mentor of Change@Niti Aayog & MD - eD WebStudio Channel SpeakIn, Dr. Dharmesh Shah, Founder & CEO, Freyaa, Mr. Binu Pillai, Director, SGJ Group, Mr. Shyam Gupta, CEO, Guidance Forever, Mr. Amit Pandey, Founder, PR Panda Promotions, Mr. Ajay Raipal, CEO, Aspesis Marketing and Mr. Deepak, IBC Pharmaceuticals for Skin Seal, Ms. Vandana Saxena, CEO & Founder and Mr. Amitabh Srivastava, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Voyage Ahead Solutions LLP, CA Abbas Mehdi Rizvi, Managing Partner, AZR Consulting, The BroadSheet News, Dr. Mangesh, Managing Director, CHDNLR, Mr. Harneet Singh, Founder & Chief AI Officer, Rabbitt AI, Mr. Munish Jindal, Founder & CEO, Hoverrobotix and Director General - Lucrate, Mr. Siddharth Sharma, Co-Founder, Money Tree, Mr. Sumit Kanu, Founder and Growth Officer at Railway Academy, Dr. Nikhil Srivastava, Dean & Principal, Subharti Dental college & Hospital, Flexcon Altius, Dr. Nancy Juneja, Founder, REVUP Life Skills, Global Chairperson - MentorX and CEO - Lucrate Ventures, Ms. Chhavi Mehta, Founder, Young Authors Launchpad Academy, Mr. Maheshwar Dangwal, Vice President, Quess Corp Limited, Dr. Amit Arya, Vice Chancellor, Dada Lakhmi Chand University, Ms. Sujata Biswas, Co-Founder, Suta, Ms. Anju Khurana, Founder & Principal, Shree Jee Global School, Mr. Dinesh Baghel, Social Activist, Mr. Vivek Tiwari, Founder & CEO, Digital Script, Mr. Manoj Dhanda, Founder & CTO, Utho, Mr. Prashant Gupta, Founder & CEO, Simpono Gadgets, Mr. Sartaz Ahmed, Influencer and YouTuber, Mr. Yogi Yogendra, Technical Yogi, Influencer and YouTuber, Ms. Richa Maheshwari, Fashion Photographer, Film Maker and Influencer, Ms. Lovely Singh (also known as Jagpreet Kaur), Model ,Choreographer and Content Creator, Mr. Sumit Kanu, Founder and Growth Officer at Railway Academy, Ms. Neelima Thakur, Renowned Writer, Journalist and Content Creator, Ms. Dishi Bhatnagar, Entrepreneur and Influencer, Ms. Bhakti Dubey, Professional Model and Business Woman, Ms. Anshu John, Model and Influencer, Mr. Vikas Chaudhary, Chairperson, Swadesi Jagran Manch, Ms. Janhavi Panwar, The Wonder Girl of India, etc.... and dozens more from diverse sectors making meaningful contributions to India's growth story. Impact Beyond the Event: A Roadmap for Viksit Bharat @ 2047 Beyond discussions, this conference became a platform of action--where policymakers, business leaders, women leaders, innovators, educators, and youth shared real, practical solutions and success stories. Together, they began crafting a collective roadmap for achieving the dream of Viksit Bharat by 2047, focusing on pillars like: - Inclusive industrial development - Sustainability and climate consciousness - Women's leadership and empowerment - Education and digital skilling - Support for startups and local businesses - Cultural unity and national pride This diverse and inclusive gathering reinforced the belief that India's future lies not in silos, but in shared goals and collaborative action. Major Launch: Influence 360 - A Global Business Magazine A significant milestone of the event was the launch of Influence 360--a cutting-edge global business magazine aimed at showcasing the achievements and initiatives of governments, institutions, and industries across the world. Influence 360 will serve as a high-impact media platform to promote leadership narratives, policy transformations, and innovation-driven growth, connecting business and governance communities globally. It stands as a celebration of influence, ideas, and impact. As the curtains came down on the National Conference on Unity for Growth, it became evident that the spirit of unity is India's greatest strength. The platform succeeded not only in bringing together leaders but also in igniting a movement. The energy, ideas, and alliances formed at this forum will continue to shape the path ahead.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Road Safety Alert: Centre Urges Two-Wheeler Riders To Use BIS-Certified Helmets- Details
New Delhi: In a major step towards ushering road safety, the Union government on Saturday appealed to consumers across the country to use only Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)-certified helmets. The Department of Consumer Affairs also called for strict enforcement against the manufacture or sale of helmets without BIS certification. According to data from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, India has over 21 crore two-wheelers on roads. While wearing a helmet is mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, its effectiveness depends on quality. Sub-standard helmets compromise protection and defeat their purpose. To address this, a Quality Control Order has been in force since 2021, mandating ISI-marked helmets certified under BIS standards (IS 4151:2015) for all two-wheeler riders. 'As of June 2025, there are 176 manufacturers across India holding valid BIS licenses for protective helmets,' the Ministry said. "The Department has observed that many helmets sold on roadsides lack the mandatory BIS certification, posing significant risks to consumers and numerous fatalities in road accidents. Therefore, there is an urgent need to tackle this issue head-on," it added. In a bid to enforce quality standards, BIS regularly conducts factory and market surveillance. In the last financial year, it tested over 500 helmet samples, and more than 30 search-and-seizure operations were carried out for misuse of the BIS Standard Mark. "In one Delhi operation, over 2,500 non-compliant helmets were seized from nine manufacturers with expired or cancelled licences. Similar action at 17 retail and roadside locations led to the seizure of around 500 substandard helmets, with legal proceedings underway," the Ministry said. Further, BIS has added a provision on the BIS Care App and BIS portal to check whether a helmet manufacturer is licensed or not and also allows users to lodge a complaint on the BIS Care App. As part of a nationwide consumer awareness initiative, BIS organises the Quality Connect campaign where 'Manak Mitra' volunteers engage directly with consumers to provide information on mandatory certification for helmets and other products.
