Rajasthan govt reaching out to beneficiaries of welfare schemes, streamlining processes: CM Sharma
Jaipur (PTI): Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Sunday said 'gram utthan' (village development) camps were being organised across the state to ensure that government's welfare schemes reach farmers, labourers, livestock-rearers, and even those living in the most remote areas.
Addressing a camp at Bahala village in Ramgarh of Alwar district, he said the government was reaching out to eligible beneficiaries and resolving issues at the grassroot level.
Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav was also present at the programme.
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The 'Gram Utthan Shivir' initiative was helping smooth implementation of schemes related to dairy, solar energy and rural development, asserting that Rajasthan was moving steadily on the path of inclusive development, the Union minister said in his address.
Sharma inaugurated development projects, worth over Rs 152 crore, related to education, health, energy, infrastructure and civic amenities for Alwar city.
He said villages form the soul of the country and the state government was working in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of self-reliant and empowered villages.
In a statement, the chief minister said the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act would provide 125 days of employment instead of 100, while ensuring complete transparency.
Wages would be credited directly into workers' accounts and durable assets would be created to strengthen rural infrastructure, he said, claiming that the law would help realise the goal of a developed India.
Sharma said more than 1,800 'gram utthan' camps had been organised so far.
Listing the progress of various schemes, he said over 1.34 lakh soil health cards and more than 65,000 'swamitva' cards have been distributed, while around 37,000 farmer credit card applications have been received. Around 6.5 lakh animals have been treated, and over 36,000 registrations made under the PM Surya Ghar scheme.
He further said the state government was providing Rs 9,000 annually to farmers under the farmer income support scheme.
Over one lakh government jobs have been provided so far, while recruitment is underway for more than 1.54 lakh posts, the chief minister said, adding that no paper leak had occurred during his government's tenure and all examinations were conducted transparently.
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Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
