Latest news with #RuralDevelopmentDepartment
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Tourism Minister releases fingerlings in lake in Salem
Tourism Minister R. Rajendran on Monday released fingerlings in the Nainathal Lake near Muthunaickenpatti in Salem under the River Ranching of Fish Seeds Scheme, to boost production of native fish varieties. On behalf of the Fisheries Department, the Minister released 20,000 fingerlings in the lake in the presence of District Collector R. Brindha Devi. The Minister told reporters that for the year 2025-2026, four lakh fingerlings will be released in 15 water bodies, including Nainathal, M. Chettipatti, Selathampatti, Thalavaipatti, and S. Parapatti lakes, that come under Salem, Omalur, Tharamangalam, Veerapandi, and Ayothiyapattinam panchayat unions. In the 2025-2026 Agriculture Budget, an announcement was made on boosting fish production in the lakes under the control of the Rural Development Department. In 2024-2025, two lakh fingerlings were released in water bodies in the Salem district. Through this stocking project, fish production has been increased in rural areas, he said. Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) P. Sukumar, Fisheries Department Assistant Director Uma Kalaiselvi and officials from concerned departments participated.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Villagers protest seeking road repairs in Inamkulathur panchayat
A protest seeking repair of roads was held by residents of Inamkulathur panchayat and members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI(M) on Sunday. The protest demonstration had a symbolic procession through the village. Protesters constructed mock 'road memorials' to draw attention to the deteriorated condition of local roads. The protest was led by CPI(M) district committee member who criticised the administration's prolonged inaction. Protesters raised demands for urgent restoration of road connectivity, particularly in Keelapatti, Kadapatti, Komangalam, and highlighted the daily hardships faced by schoolchildren, the elderly, and residents commuting for essential services due to the severely damaged and neglected roads. Following the protest, officials from the Rural Development Department held a talk with the protesters. The officials assured that road relaying works in Keelapatti, Kadapatti, and Komangalam will be carried out at an estimated cost of ₹97 lakh, with funding from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). Six other union roads in the region will be surveyed and put up for tender within a month. The officials also assured all remaining panchayat roads would be inspected and restored in a phased manner, with written confirmation of the plans shared with the party representatives.
Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
In poll mode, Bihar Cabinet approves pension hike, wedding halls, subsidised food
In Assembly election-bound Bihar, the government on Tuesday announced a slew of new measures, including community wedding halls in each panchayat, subsidised eateries in each block, and financial assistance to women entrepreneurs from poor families. The decisions were announced following a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Last week, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had announced a hike in social security pension from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100 per month for 1.11 crore beneficiaries, including the elderly, disabled and widows. This proposal also got the Cabinet's approval on Tuesday. As per the announcements, wedding halls under the Mukhya Mantri Kanya Vivah Mandap Yojana will be constructed in all 8,053 gram panchayats of the state at a cost of Rs 50 lakh each. Rs 4,026 crore will be spent on this in different phases over five years. The Cabinet also approved the Rural Development Department's proposal to run Jeevika Didi Ki Rasoi at block-level offices. The Didi Ki Rasoi will provide food at a subsidised rate of Rs 20 per plate at block-cum-circle offices, sub-divisional and district-level offices, as well as government medical colleges and hospitals. Also cleared was the setting up of a committee under the chairmanship of the Development Commissioner to find ways and criteria for the disbursal of Rs 2 lakh to women entrepreneurs from 94 lakh poor families. The Cabinet also approved enhancing bank loans for Jeevika from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 10 lakh at an annual interest rate of 7%. The state government will reimburse any interest beyond this rate. A proposal allowing gram panchayats to take up works up to Rs 10 lakh under MGNREGA, against the earlier limit of Rs 5 lakh, was also cleared. The Cabinet also approved giving Rs 5 lakh ex gratia to the next of kin of members of the three-tier Panchayat Raj system in case of their death during their tenure. Santosh Singh is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express since June 2008. He covers Bihar with main focus on politics, society and governance. Investigative and explanatory stories are also his forte. Singh has 25 years of experience in print journalism covering Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. ... Read More
The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Bihar cabinet approves ₹4,026 crore marriage hall scheme in all gram panchayats
The Bihar cabinet on Tuesday (June 24, 2025) approved the construction of marriage halls under the Mukhya Mantri Kanya Vivah Mandap Yojana across all 8,053 gram panchayats of the State, with an estimated outlay of ₹4,026 crore. 'The marriage hall will be constructed by gram panchayats at a cost of ₹50 lakh each. It will be executed in a phased manner over a period of five years beginning this financial year,' Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena said at a post-cabinet media briefing in Patna. The halls are intended to facilitate social and cultural events in rural areas, thereby supporting community cohesion and financial self-sufficiency at the village level. 'It will be run and maintained by village-level organisations,' Mr. Meena said. In another key decision, the cabinet approved the Rural Development Department's proposal to operationalise Jeevika Didi Ki Rasoi units at block-level offices, as well as at sub-divisional and district headquarters. 'Visitors from remote areas will be able to access affordable meals, and the initiative will provide livelihood opportunities for women associated with the Jeevika scheme,' Mr. Meena added. The Health Department's proposal to launch Didi Ki Rasoi at government medical colleges and hospitals was also approved. The meals will be made available at a subsidised rate of ₹20 per plate, Development Commissioner Pratyaya Amrit said. The scheme will be rolled out in a phased manner starting July 1, at an estimated cost of ₹5 crore. The cabinet further cleared a proposal to form a committee under Mr. Amrit's chairmanship to devise criteria for the disbursement of ₹2 lakh to women entrepreneurs from among the 94 lakh families identified as poor in the caste-based survey. Bihar has a total of 2.76 crore families. The State also announced an increase in social security pensions under schemes for old age, disability, and widow beneficiaries. As per the decision, the monthly pension amount will be raised from ₹400 to ₹1,100, benefitting around 1.11 crore people. 'This would put an additional burden of ₹9,202 crore on the State exchequer,' Mr. Meena said. In another administrative reform, the cabinet doubled the expenditure limit that gram panchayats can approve under MGNREGA from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh. The State Government also approved a 1.5-fold increase in allowances for elected representatives in the three-tier Panchayati Raj system and members of the Gram Kutchery. In a welfare measure, the cabinet sanctioned ₹5 lakh as ex gratia to the next of kin of panchayat and Gram Kutchery members in case of normal death during their tenure. The cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, cleared a total of 46 proposals during the meeting.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
83 lakh saplings to be planted, 20% fruit trees
: In an effort to make Sangam city greener, approximately 83 lakh saplings are set to be planted by various government departments this year. Around 20 percent of these will be fruit-bearing trees, including mango, jamun, and jackfruit. According to reports, the forest department will plant about 22.45 lakh saplings, while other government departments have been assigned a combined target of 50.69 lakh saplings. District forest officer Arvind Yadav said that a significant number of trees were cut during the Mahakumbh festival to make way for development works. To make up for this loss, saplings including fruit-bearing varieties will be planted across the district. The forest department has identified Shankargarh, Meja, and Koraon tehsils as the key areas for increasing green cover. These areas were chosen because they have large patches of vacant land. Efforts will focus on planting trees in dried-up ponds, barren land, and fields where trees have died. Neem, Peepal, and Gulmohar trees will be planted in most of these areas. From July onwards, several departments will begin planting trees according to their assigned targets. These include: Environment Department: 2.27 lakh Rural Development Department: 29.98 lakh Revenue Department: 2.51 lakh Panchayati Raj Department: 3.40 lakh Urban Development Department: 1.37 lakh Agriculture Department: 5.99 lakh Horticulture Department: 3.69 lakh Basic Education Department: 30,000 Secondary Education Department: 18,000 Higher Education Department: 24,000 Health Department: 12,000 Cooperative Department: 13,000 Industry Department: 8,000 Railways: 15,000 Transport Department: 1,800 Defence: 4,000 This large-scale plantation drive is part of the city's ongoing commitment to enhance its green spaces and improve the environment for its residents.
