Karnataka government plans to link RTCs with Aadhaar card, says Revenue Minister
Belagavi: In an effort to provide a permanent identification for small and marginal farmers and prevent land-related fraud, Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda announced the government's plan to link the Records of Rights, Tenancy, and Crops (RTC) with farmers' Aadhaar numbers. The move aims to streamline the disbursal of relief measures and enhance the accuracy of ownership records.
During a debate on drought in the Karnataka Assembly, Gowda highlighted the disparity between Central government data, which indicates 44% of farmers as small and marginal, and the state's estimate of 70%. He urged the Central government to calculate drought compensation based on the state's data on small and marginal farmers.
Explaining the benefits of linking RTC with Aadhaar, Gowda emphasized the importance of preventing land-related fraud and ensuring certainty of ownership. The RTC contains crucial information, including landowner details, land area, soil type, nature of possession, encumbrance, and crops grown.
ALSO READ: Minister's 'Muslim Speaker' comment rocks Karnataka Assembly
Gowda also announced plans for 'end-to-end automation' in the disbursal of compensation to farmers. The new system aims to minimize irregularities by directly disbursing funds to beneficiaries' accounts without manual intervention. The automation will commence in Challakere taluk, starting with the disbursement of the first installment of Rs 2,000 as crop loss compensation.
Expressing criticism of the Central government's response to the drought situation, Gowda stated that Karnataka had not received National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) funds and highlighted the lack of response to letters seeking appointments for discussions on the matter. Despite the challenges, the state government has undertaken efforts, including surveys in vulnerable villages and releasing Rs 900 crore to deputy commissioners of affected districts.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
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.
