Cabinet approves scheme on remunerative crop prices
New Delhi, Sep 12 : The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved more pro-farmer initiatives ahead of the 2019 general elections. The government will have a new umbrella scheme that will also allow private players to procure crop produce at remunerative prices.
The new scheme, "Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan" (PM-AASHA), was approved at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing the media here, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said the Cabinet also decided to give an additional government guarantee of Rs 16,550 crore for procurement, taking the total to Rs 45,550 crore.
This will ensure remunerative prices to the farmers for their crops as announced in this year's Union Budget, the Minister said.
In addition, the budgetary provisions for procurement operations have also been increased and Rs 15,053 crore sanctioned for the implementation of the scheme.
The PM-AASHA comprises three sub-schemes -- Price Support Scheme, Price Deficiency Payment Scheme or Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana and Private Procurement and Stockist Scheme.
According to an official statement, the Cabinet decided that the participation of private sector in procurement operations needed to be piloted so that the ambit of private participation could be increased.
The Minister said that other existing schemes vis-a-vis procurement of paddy, wheat and nutri-cereals or coarse grains by the Food Ministry and of cotton and jute by the Textile Ministry would also continue for providing MSP to farmers for these crops.
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Man slits wife's throat over trivial issue in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): A 45-year-old woman was allegedly killed by her husband, who slit her throat with a knife following a quarrel over a trivial issue, police said on Monday.
The deceased, identified as Rangamma, worked in housekeeping, they said.
The incident occurred in Bilekahalli within the limits of MICO Layout police station.
Police said the family originally hails from Davanagere district and had moved to Bengaluru about four years ago.
In the complaint, the deceased's son stated that they have been residing with parents and are working in the catering field. His father works as a security guard.
He alleged that his father, Nagraj, frequently consumed alcohol and often picked up quarrels with the mother.
"On March 15, between 8.30 PM and 9.30 PM, the father allegedly picked up a quarrel with the mother over a trivial issue and murdered her by slitting her throat with a knife, after which he fled from the scene," a senior police officer said.
In this regard, a murder case has been registered at MICO Layout police station, he said.
"Investigation has been taken up, and special teams have been formed to trace and apprehend the accused," he added.
