Latest news with #StateGovernment
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Stepping up Sabah's chicken output
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025 By: Garry Lewis Text Size: Jeffrey (second, left) in a group photo at the event. TAMBUNAN: Broiler chicken farming has been elevated as a key pillar of Sabah's Agricultural Revolution, in line with efforts to ensure food security and boost rural incomes. Deputy Chief Minister cum State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said this initiative represents one of the State Government's primary strategies to make Sabah Malaysia's largest broiler producer. 'The government, through my ministry, is currently implementing the Agricultural Revolution initiative to strengthen the rural economy. One of our main focuses is increasing broiler production,' Jeffrey said after launching the Broiler Farming Course attended by some 200 participants from rural areas. The programme was organised by a private farming company in collaboration with the Sabah Veterinary Services Department here. Jeffrey said the course, conducted with cooperation from the Department of Veterinary Services and private sector partners, aims to provide systematic training to participants to make chicken production more organised and productive, including technical assistance for coop preparation and chick supply. He encouraged youths and agricultural entrepreneurs to participate in this sector to ensure broiler farming can be developed intensively on a commercial scale. 'With continued support from relevant agencies, I am confident that broiler farming can become the main driver of Sabah's food security and contribute to the state's rural economic development,' he said. At the same ceremony, Jeffrey presented RM10,000 in financial assistance to the Tambunan District School Sports Council, which will host the State-level School Sports Council Championship on June 29. The State Government remains committed to strengthening the agricultural sector through various assistance programmes and training initiatives, aiming for Sabah to achieve its target of becoming the nation's primary broiler production hub in the future. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Karnataka government forcibly acquiring forest land, says Chalavadi
BENGALURU: As the State Government initiates action to reclaim encroached forest land, a fierce political row has erupted, with Leader of Opposition in the Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, alleging that authorities are forcibly attempting to reacquire land valued at nearly Rs 7,000 crore — land he claims belongs to Dalit families. Addressing the media at Vidhana Soudha, Narayanaswamy accused the government of betraying Dalits by targeting their homes and livelihoods under the pretext of forest land reclamation. The land in question-around 711 acres in Kadugodi 200 village, Bidarahalli Hobli, Mahadevapura constituency-was reportedly 'sanctioned' to local farmers in the 1950s and subsequently distributed among Dalits and marginalised farmers through cooperative societies. Though it was originally classified as forest land, Narayanaswamy insisted it had later been converted to revenue land. However, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre strongly rebutted these claims. Speaking to TNIE, he said, 'Once a land is notified as forest land, it remains forest forever. It cannot be granted, sold, or used for non-forest activities without approval from the Government of India or the Supreme Court. Any responsible person should understand this simple fact.' Narayanaswamy alleged that the reclassification of the land as forest property was abrupt and strategically timed to facilitate its takeover. 'How can land already allotted to KSSIDC, Metro Rail, Railways, and even temples now suddenly be termed forest land?' he asked. Despite a court order upholding status quo and staying demolition, reports have emerged of homes and structures being razed. Narayanaswamy claimed over 2,000 houses and more than 5,000 residents-mostly Dalits-are affected. He accused the police of using force to evict residents in defiance of legal protection. 'This is nothing short of hooliganism,' he said. Demanding transparency, Narayanaswamy called for a white paper on all land allotments and transactions since 1950 and warned of statewide agitation if the government continues what he termed a 'coercive and unlawful' land grab. 'Investigate the matter and publish the white paper,' he urged.
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Karnataka HC to govt: Tech analysis done for Cauvery Aarti, amusement park at KRS?
BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court on Friday directed the State Government and Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd (CNNL) to inform whether any technical assessment was done on dam safety before approving the proposed Disneyland-type amusement park at a cost of Rs 2,663 crore near Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) in Mandya district. Noting that an affidavit has to be submitted by the State Government, the HC also sought information from the government on the proposed construction of an open theatre to accommodate 20,000-25,000 people and civil works for a parking lot to witness the proposed Cauvery Aarti near KRS on the lines of Ganga Aarti. A division bench of acting Chief Justice V Kameswar Rao and Justice CM Joshi passed the order after hearing two PILs filed by K Boraiah and four other farmers from Srirangapatna taluk and also Sunanda Jayaram, a farmer leader from Gejjalagere of Mandya taluk. They have questioned the May 13 tender inviting proposals from private entities to develop the Disneyland-type project and to maintain it for 30 years. Meanwhile, Sunanda Jayaram challenged the principal approval given by the Water Resources Department on May 3 to CNNL to utilise Rs 92 crore for creating permanent infrastructure for Cauvery Aarti. The petitioners in both petitions contended that the HC had banned all types of mining and quarrying activities within a 20 km radius of the dam till the completion of a study by experts and the decision has to be taken by the Committee on Dam Safety but the safety of the dam has been ignored by the State Government by taking up both projects. Advocate General K Shashikiran Shetty assured the court that the dam's safety has been kept in mind while approving the projects. The court, however, directed the State Government and the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd to file an affidavit on the conduct of the technical assessment of works of the proposed projects. The State Government informed the High Court that the tender for the amusement park project is yet to be completed and the tender for installing the Cauvery statue is completed and the work order has to be issued. Further hearing is on July 23.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Business
- Perth Now
West Aussies sign up for solar battery rebate scheme before plan rolls out on Tuesday
More than 23,000 West Australians have registered their interest to install a solar battery in their homes before a scheme offering a $5000 rebate and interest-free loans has even opened. The State-Federal plan officially opens on Tuesday for up to 100,000 households, with West Aussies who have already registered their expression of interest also receiving an email with further details the same day. Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the strong interest showed many people saw the financial and environmental benefits of solar power. 'We have some of the biggest uptake of household solar of anywhere in the world,' Ms Sanderson said. 'There are times in our grid when it is run by 80 per cent of households' solar. 'We need households to be able to harness that energy and we need the system to be able to access that energy in the battery as well. That's why we have made this commitment to provide rebates to households.' Prior to the March State election, the Cook Government made a $387 million commitment to offer West Aussies the $5000 rebate to purchase and install a home battery, with regional households able to access up to $17,500. It was initially going to be made available to 20,000 homes across the State, along with a no-interest loan of $10,000. But this has now expanded to 100,000 households by hooking up with the Federal Government's Cheaper Home Batteries scheme, which will see successful applicants receive the $5000 rebate, with the State Government contributing $1300 per household. No-interest loans up to $10,000 for households with a combined annual income of less than $210,000 will also be provided, with loan repayments periods of up to 10 years. According to Government estimates, households can save about $1500 annually by installing a battery and solar panels. 'People should go to the WA Residential Rebate Scheme web page,' Ms Sanderson said. 'It contains all the information about how to apply for the rebates and the no-interest loans and how the scheme works. 'And there will be information on accredited battery retailers and installers, and approved products. Customers must choose from those accredited retailers and installers.' The average sized battery system costs around $10,000 to $12,000 to purchase and install.
West Australian
2 hours ago
- Business
- West Australian
West Aussies sign up for solar battery rebate scheme before plan rolls out on Tuesday
More than 23,000 West Australians have registered their interest to install a solar battery in their homes before a scheme offering a $5000 rebate and interest-free loans has even opened. The State-Federal plan officially opens on Tuesday for up to 100,000 households, with West Aussies who have already registered their expression of interest also receiving an email with further details the same day. Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the strong interest showed many people saw the financial and environmental benefits of solar power. 'We have some of the biggest uptake of household solar of anywhere in the world,' Ms Sanderson said. 'There are times in our grid when it is run by 80 per cent of households' solar. 'We need households to be able to harness that energy and we need the system to be able to access that energy in the battery as well. That's why we have made this commitment to provide rebates to households.' Prior to the March State election, the Cook Government made a $387 million commitment to offer West Aussies the $5000 rebate to purchase and install a home battery, with regional households able to access up to $17,500. It was initially going to be made available to 20,000 homes across the State, along with a no-interest loan of $10,000. But this has now expanded to 100,000 households by hooking up with the Federal Government's Cheaper Home Batteries scheme, which will see successful applicants receive the $5000 rebate, with the State Government contributing $1300 per household. No-interest loans up to $10,000 for households with a combined annual income of less than $210,000 will also be provided, with loan repayments periods of up to 10 years. According to Government estimates, households can save about $1500 annually by installing a battery and solar panels. 'People should go to the WA Residential Rebate Scheme web page,' Ms Sanderson said. 'It contains all the information about how to apply for the rebates and the no-interest loans and how the scheme works. 'And there will be information on accredited battery retailers and installers, and approved products. Customers must choose from those accredited retailers and installers.' The average sized battery system costs around $10,000 to $12,000 to purchase and install.
