Kerala Feeds distributes free cattle feed
Alappuzha, Nov 22: Free cattle feed would be distributed to flood-affected dairy farmers in this coastal district by Kerala Feeds, a public sector unit producing and selling good quality compounded cattle feed and supplements at affordable rates.
Two bags each would be given to each of the farmers as part of the first phase of the PSU's cow distribution scheme.
The endeavour is in accordance with the "I am for Alleppey" campaign launched by the district administration, Kerala Feeds managing director Dr B Sreekumar said Thursday.
He was speaking after inaugurating the company's 'Snehasparsham' project that aims at providing relief for the state's dairy farmers affected by the deluge and landslides Kerala faced three months ago.
"I am for Alleppey" is an initiative by Alappuzha district sub-collector Krishna Teja to help dairy farmers who lost their cattle in the floods and landslides.
The scheme, being run by run by milk cooperative societies and the state governments Dairy Development Board, has identified 131 beneficiaries and gifted cows to 40 among them.
Kerala Feeds chairman K S Indusekharan Nair, who inaugurated the district-level 'Snehasparsham' programme, said the Irinjalakuda-headquartered PSU has allocated cattle feed worth Rs 5.17 crore to the flood-affected dairy farmers of the state since the August calamity.
Teja, addressing the gathering, recalled that the district administration had rescued 1,200 cattle-heads during the floods.
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Focus on Vijay's poll promises; TVK assured 8 gm gold for women
Chennai (PTI): As the new-entrant TVK appears likely to emerge as the single largest party and form the government, the focus has now turned into actor-politician Vijay's poll promises, including 8 gm gold for marriage, which is worth about Rs 14,000 per gram (22 carat).
Vijay's assurances in the party manifesto include Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for women below 60 years, 8 gm gold for marriage and six free cooking gas cylinders a year, per family.
By 3 PM, as per EC data, Vijay's party is leading in 105 constituencies and it falls short of a simple majority (118) in the Assembly.
The actor-turned-politician also assured a quality silk saree in addition to gold for indigent brides and interest-free loans up to Rs 5 lakh for women-run SHGs. He assured corruption-free good governance if voted to power in his maiden electoral fight.
The manifesto also laid importance on education. To prevent school dropouts, mothers or guardians of children studying in government and state-aided schools will receive Rs 15,000 annually.
Vijay promised 100 special residential schools named after iconic leader K Kamaraj, credited with revolutionising education in the state, and higher education loans of up to Rs 20 lakh. The TVK founder also assured AI Ministry, AI University and AI City.
The manifesto placed a strong emphasis on agrarian welfare, too.
The party promised a full waiver of agricultural cooperative crop loans for farmers owning less than five acres of land, while those holding more than five acres will receive a 50 per cent waiver. Additionally, the party promised a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 3,500 per quintal for paddy and Rs 4,500 per tonne for sugarcane.
Addressing youth unemployment, Vijay pledged to create five lakh new government jobs and offer as many stipendiary internships. Unemployed graduates will be provided a monthly aid of up to Rs 4,000. For government employees, the party assured consideration of the Old Pension Scheme and the regularisation of contract workers, including nurses.
On the health front, he promised a drug-free Tamil Nadu. Vijay also committed to modernising hospitals, providing free annual health checkups, and introducing a Rs 25 lakh family health insurance scheme.
The manifesto also included a Rs 3,000 monthly pension for the elderly and the differently-abled, 200 units of free power, patta (land deed) regularisation, and 100 per cent piped drinking water supply for all households.
Some of the policy intereventions promised by TVK include a legal guarantee to provide essential government services like community certificates, and land pattas, within a strictly specified timeframe.
Vijay also promised doorstep delivery of governance by implementing a system to deliver services, such as ration supplies, directly to the people. He also assured that ease of doing business will be paramount to his government and promised a strict guarantee that business licences will be issued within 21 days.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu were held on April 23.
