Karnataka govt permits poultry feed producers to buy maize from farmers
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has permitted poultry feed manufacturers to buy maize directly from farmers at MSP-linked prices for the 2025-26 Kharif season, aiming to ease procurement bottlenecks and support growers.
The order follows a proposal from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services after consultations with poultry and livestock feed manufacturers. The government said the permission was being granted in view of the aspects detailed in the proposal.
According to the Commissioner's note to the government, the chief minister, at a meeting on December 1, asked manufacturers to directly purchase an estimated five lakh tonnes of maize from farmers, keeping farmers' welfare in mind.
Manufacturers conveyed that they were willing to source maize directly if quality suitable for poultry feed was ensured and advance payment requirements were kept low.
At a follow-up meeting on December 2, members of the Karnataka Poultry Farmers & Breeders Association (KPFBA) informed officials that current Minimum Support Price (MSP) - quality maize contains about 14 per cent moisture.
They stated that they would procure if maize with moisture not exceeding 12 per cent is supplied, and agreed to begin with an initial purchase of 5,000 tonnes along with a 20 per cent advance payment.
Based on these submissions, the state government authorised poultry feed manufacturers, through the Animal Husbandry Department, to buy maize directly from farmers at MSP-quality prices, the note said.
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Bill to regulate deepfakes tabled in Lok Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): A Private Member's Bill seeking a clear legal framework for regulation of deepfakes has been introduced in the Lok Sabha.
The Regulation of Deepfake Bill, introduced by Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde in the House on Friday, aims to protect citizens by mandating prior consent from individuals depicted in deepfake content.
"Misuse of deepfakes for harassment, deception and misinformation has escalated, creating an urgent need for regulatory safeguards," Shinde said.
The Bill also lists penalties for offenders creating or disseminating deepfake content with malicious intent.
"With advancements in artificial intelligence and deep learning, deepfake technology has emerged as a significant tool for media manipulation. While the technology has potential applications in education, entertainment and creative fields, it also poses severe risks when misused, threatening individual privacy, national security and public trust," Shinde said in the statement of objects and reasons in the Bill.
The proposed Bill seeks to establish a clear legal framework to govern the creation, distribution and application of deepfakes in India, said Shinde, a three-term Lok Sabha member from Kalyan.
The Bill also seeks to establish the Deepfake Task Force, a dedicated body to combat national security implications and evaluate the influence of deepfakes on privacy, civic participation, and potential election interference.
The task force will collaborate with academic and private sector institutions to develop technologies that detect manipulated content, thereby promoting credibility in digital media.
The Bill also proposes to establish a fund to support public and private sector initiatives in the detection and deterrence of advanced image manipulation.
A Private Member's Bill is a procedure of Parliament that enables lawmakers, who are not ministers, to draw attention to issues that might not be represented in Government Bills or to highlight the issues and gaps in the existing legal framework that require legislative intervention.
