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NDTV
20-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Amit Shah, Devendra Fadnavis Back Co-operatives As Key Rural Growth Engines
Mumbai: In a bid to promote India's cooperative system and boost the rural economy, Home Minister Amit Shah addressed two high-profile events in Mumbai. The first event was hosted by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED), marked the celebration of the upcoming International Cooperative Year 2025. The second event commemorated 100 years of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA). It was Amit Shah's second visit to Maharashtra in two consecutive months, which is also seen as an attempt to connect with the local voters, months before the civic body polls kickstart in the state. NAFED Event: Strengthening Rural Economy Through Cooperatives Addressing the gathering, Mr Shah stated that while cooperation is often seen as an economic system elsewhere, in India, it reflects a way of life rooted in shared tradition and collective progress. "To come together, live together, and move towards a common aim - to be together in happiness and sadness - is the soul of our country," the Home Minister said. He underlined how successful cooperative models like AMUL, IFFCO, KRIBHCO, and NAFED have transformed lives. "In Gujarat, 36 lakh rural women are part of Amul. None of them invested more than Rs 100, yet they created a turnover of Rs 80,000 crore," he said, adding that money directly reaches them. Mr Shah announced that NAFED had already started procuring crops such as corn and pulses on Minimum Support Price (MSP), with an app-based system enabling farmers to choose better prices in the open market if available. He said such digital platforms would help farmers efficiently plan all three seasonal crops and shared examples from Uttar Pradesh, where triple-cropping had increased rural engagement. He noted that the ministry, long in demand but delayed due to its categorisation under the State List, has created a national cooperative database, increasing the chances of the cooperatives reaching across the country. This includes information about cooperatives in every village and helps identify regions for expansion. Plans are underway to set up two lakh new Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) with integrated services including dairies, fisheries, petrol pumps, gas agencies, warehouses, and even common service centres that offer everything from ticket booking to certificates. "Corporate and cooperative tax laws have now been aligned," Mr Shah said, mentioning that even long-standing issues like the Rs 15,000 crore sugarcane mill tax dispute in Maharashtra were resolved under the Modi government. He also laid out plans for ethanol blending using corn, incentivised with increased procurement prices, reducing import dependence and increasing farmer income. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking at the same event, stated that no other place was more appropriate to celebrate the cooperative movement than Maharashtra, which boasts over 120 years of cooperative history. Mr Fadnavis said the state had exceeded the central targets and created new rural economic linkages. He urged NAFED to resolve the issue of procurement shortfalls, especially regarding 'poti' (grain bags), and assured continued support for cooperative growth. MACCIA 100 Years: Industry and Cooperative Growth Hand-in-Hand At the centenary event of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA), all three - Amit Shah, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputy Eknath Shinde - underscored the role of cooperative and industrial synergy in Maharashtra's development. Mr Shinde praised the government's proactive style: "Our government takes no-reason, on-the-spot decisions," he said. Referring to the earlier Maha Vikas Aghadi regime, Mr Shinde said, "The Chamber would meet them and ask them to act - I used to tell them, Amit Bhai would suggest something, we'd do it, and it would get done." Amit Shah, speaking at MACCIA, noted that Maharashtra continues to lead industrial investment in the country, housing India's largest ports and boasting the highest number of women income tax payers. He recalled concerns over Mumbai's traffic but said the Centre had allocated Rs 7,000 crore for the Metro project. Without naming him, Mr Shah appeared to criticise former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, asking rhetorically, "What has been done for Mumbai? What's your vision?" Mr Shah traced the shift in governance focus, stating, "When I started in politics, farmer suicides were always being discussed." He highlighted the implementation of the Jalyukt Shivar Yojana in Marathwada and Vidarbha and contrasted earlier central assistance to Maharashtra - Rs 1.91 lakh crore - with the Modi-era figure of Rs 7 lakh crore. He concluded by stating that only when both agriculture and industry function efficiently can development be meaningful. "It's this approach that has helped India become the fourth-largest economy in the world."
Hans India
13-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
K'taka CM urges Union Minister Chouhan to grant urgent help to mango farmers
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged Union Minister for Agriculture, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, for urgent 'Price Deficiency Payment' and 'Market Intervention Scheme' for mango farmers in the state. The CM has written a letter to Union Minister Chouhan in this regard. 'I am writing to draw your immediate and personal attention to the severe distress being faced by mango farmers across Karnataka due to sharp and unsustainable decline in market prices during the current harvest season. "Mango is one of Karnataka's major horticultural crops, cultivated over an area of approximately 1.39 lakh hectares, with estimated production of 8 to 10 lakh metric tonnes this Rabi season, particularly in Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban, Chikkaballapura, Kolar and Bengaluru South districts,' the CM stated. CM Siddaramaiah added, 'During the peak harvest months of May to July, heavy market arrivals have led to substantial price fluctuations. Market prices, which earlier hovered around Rs 12,000 per quintal, have now plummeted to as low as Rs 3,000 per quintal, while the Karnataka State Agriculture Price Commission has recommended the cost of cultivation at Rs 5,466 per quintal. "This sharp mismatch between production costs and market realisations has placed the farming community under acute financial stress.' "Thousands of small and marginal mango growers are unable to recover even their basic input costs, leading to widespread protests and growing agrarian anxiety. Unless prompt and effective intervention is undertaken, this crisis may lead to serious socio-economic consequences in the region," he added. 'In view of the grave situation, I earnestly request that immediate steps be taken to implement a Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for mango, as an urgent policy response. Necessary directions may also be issued to designated central procurement agencies such as the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India Limited (NCCF) to initiate procurement operations immediately at an appropriate intervention price, ensuring that farmers receive at least the minimum cost of cultivation as a safety net," CM Siddaramaiah urged. He stated that such a timely intervention would not only help to stabilise prices but also prevent further deepening of rural distress and will ensure that the interests of the farming community in Karnataka are adequately protected during this difficult period. CM Siddaramaiah further stressed that he looks forward to Union Minister Chouhan's immediate and sympathetic consideration in the larger interest of lakhs of farmers in Karnataka. CM Siddaramaiah on Thursday also wrote a letter to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu requesting him to withdraw the ban on entry of Totapuri mangoes from the state to Chittoor district. He also warned CM Naidu of retaliatory measures. Meanwhile, mango cultivators staged a protest in Srinivasapura, known as the 'mango capital of India', on Wednesday by throwing several quintals of mangoes on the streets following a sudden crash in the fruit's prices and demanded withdrawal of the ban imposed by neighbouring Andhra Pradesh on Karnataka mangoes.
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Court-ordered auction of 21 Husain works fetches ₹68.5 crore
MUMBAI: Two large triptychs measuring 1.6m x 2.2m, a canvas depicting Mahatma Gandhi as an apostle of peace, and another showing a Humphrey Bogart-like figure standing under a street lamp, inspired by the Hollywood classic Casablanca, were among the 21 works of Maqbool Fida Husain that saw a white glove sale on June 12 following a court-ordered auction in Mumbai. The auction, conducted under heavy police presence, fetched a total of ₹68.5 crore, not including Buyer's premium and GST. The highest-selling works included a triptych that sold for ₹9.5 crore, and the Gandhi-figure canvas that fetched ₹8.5 crore, both of which were acquired by the same person, who was present in the room. The auction also saw sales made via online bids and by telephone callers. Police personnel in plain clothes and uniform discreetly paced the premises of auctioneer Pundole's during the sale, and installed barricades outside its South Mumbai office, after a right wing group demanded a 'ban' on the auction and warned of 'strong public protest' if their demands were not met. The protest, however, was called off, and the auction proceeded smoothly on Thursday. Earlier this year, the Bombay high court (HC) ordered the auction and directed the Bombay Sheriff to oversee the sale on the instance of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED). The federation secured these works in 2008 as part of a case involving an unpaid loan of ₹236 crore by industrialist Guru Swarup Srivastava's Swarup Group of Industries. Srivastava had bought these paintings from Husain for an eyebrow-raising sum of ₹25 crore in 2004. The news made a splash at the time, as Srivastava valued each canvas at ₹1 crore, far higher than what any canvas of Husain cost at the time. The collection titled Our Plant Called Earth or OPCE, depicted Husain's documentation of the 20th century through icons, symbolic figures and significant political events. Made using acrylic on long stretches of canvas that Husain later cut to individual works, they offer an important insight into the varied inspirations that shaped his global, cosmopolitan and culturally secular outlook. Husain also announced his plans to make a total of 100 such works, but abandoned the project eventually. The artist soon became the object of ire of right wing groups who protested against his depiction of Hindu gods and goddesses. He eventually left India and died in 2011 in self-exile. Last week, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, which has protested against Husain's works before as well, submitted a memorandum to the office of the Maharashtra CM, Mumbai Police Commissioner and the District Collector, demanding a ban on the auction, and warned of a 'strong public protest' if their demands weren't met. 'The sale exceeded expectations,' said Dadiba Pundole, and added that the works were an important part of India's cultural history. The money will be deposited with the Mumbai Sheriff, who will then entrust the money to the HC, a court-appointed official, said.
Hindustan Times
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
14 years after death, Husain remains on saffron radar
MUMBAI: More than two dozen rare paintings by M F Husain will go under the hammer on June 12, evoking a sense of déjà vu. The Indian modernist has, over the years, drawn the attention of saffron outfits, not so much for his artistic genius but his bold and controversial depiction of Indian gods and goddesses and, on one occasion, Bharat Mata (Mother India). It is this sense of outrage accompanied by protest that has returned 14 years after the artist's passing. The 25 Husains to be auctioned on June 12 have been caught in legal crosshairs. These paintings were secured by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) as part of a case involving an unpaid loan of ₹236 crore by industrialist Guru Swarup Srivastava's Swarup Group of Industries. The artworks are part of Husain's 'Our Planet Called Earth' series and titled under the auction theme 'MF Husain: An Artist's Vision of the XX Century'. The price they fetch at the auction, at the Pundole Art Gallery, will contribute to the recovery of the loan default. Srivastava in 2004 had commissioned Husain to paint 100 works, for ₹1 crore each. The artist, aged 90 then, completed 25 paintings in the series. In 2006, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated a probe into the Swarup Group for alleged misappropriation of ₹150 crore from a ₹236-crore loan from NAFED. In 2008, a tribunal permitted NAFED to secure assets of ₹100 crore, including the Husain paintings. The artworks have been locked up in a bank vault since. Now, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, which has raised its voice against Husain's work before, has called for a ban on the June 12 auction. Claiming that Husain has hurt Hindu and national sentiments, the outfit has warned of 'strong public protest' if the auction goes through. A delegation of the samiti has submitted a memorandum to the office of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mumbai Police Commissioner and the District Collector, demanding a ban on the auction. The samiti and other right-wing outfits were particularly enraged and called for Husain's arrest several years ago, when he exhibited a painting titled 'Bharat Mata'. The artwork depicted the map of India as an unclothed female figure that bore the names of Indian cities on her body. Saffron outfits and activists vandalised Husain's shows in several India cities, and the artist eventually apologised for hurting people's sentiments, although he claimed the name 'Bharat Mata' had not been assigned to the painting by him. Nevertheless, a legal battle ensued and, in September 2008, the Supreme Court dismissed a petition against Husain, stating the painting was a 'work of art'. But repeated conflicts with saffron outfits and hundreds of complaints filed against him forced Husain to leave India in 2005. He died in London in 2011. 'He deliberately painted vulgar and obscene images of goddesses Saraswati, Parvati, Ganga and Yamuna, thereby gravely hurting the sentiments of millions of Hindus in the world. Over 1,250 police complaints were filed across India against these offensive depictions… Holding an auction of Husain's paintings is like indirectly supporting his previous anti-national and anti-social acts. Glorifying such individuals under the guise of 'artistic freedom' is unacceptable,' said the letter submitted by the samiti. Sunil Ghanwat, state coordinator of the Hindu Janajaruti Samiti, said, 'Legal action should be taken against individuals, organisations or galleries involved in displaying or selling such works. The dissemination of artwork that insults national or religious sentiments must be prohibited. Additionally, the insulting painting of Bharat Mata should be officially declared as anti-national and destroyed.' Asked if they had information that some of those controversial paintings were to be auctioned, Ghanwat said they were not protesting any paintings in particular; they were opposing the artist Husain. Dadiba Pundole from Pundole Art Gallery said, 'The court has ordered us to conduct the auction of Husain's paintings. It will be conducted as per schedule. If anyone has any objections, they are free to go to court.'
Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
MF Husain's 25 rare paintings worth ₹25 crore set for auction in Mumbai after HC Bombay ruling
Twenty-five rare paintings by renowned Indian artist MF Husain will reportedly be auctioned on June 12 following permission from the Bombay high court. The artworks are part of MF Husain's 'Our Planet Called Earth' series and are titled under the auction theme 'MF Husain: An Artist's Vision of the XX Century.' according to news agency PTI. The auction will be held at Hamilton House in south Mumbai. These paintings were secured by the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) as part of a case involving an unpaid loan of ₹236 crore by industrialist Guru Swarup Srivastava's Swarup Group of Industries. In 2007, Srivastava had gained attention when he commissioned 100 paintings from Husain, agreeing to pay ₹1 crore for each. The Bombay High Court, in an order dated February 17, allowed the Sheriff of Mumbai to carry out the auction. The Sheriff issued the auction notice in February through Pundole art gallery. Last year, art expert Dadiba Pundole submitted a valuation report to the court, estimating the paintings to be worth ₹25 crore. After the auction, the Sheriff must report back to the High Court by July 3 and await further instructions on what to do with the proceeds. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) began looking into the Swarup Group in 2006 for alleged misuse of ₹150 crore from the total ₹236 crore loan taken from NAFED. A tribunal in 2008 had allowed NAFED to secure assets worth ₹100 crore, including the Husain artworks. (With PTI inputs)
