Actively engage in farming, Siddaramaiah tells youth, women
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday urged farmers, youth, and women to actively engage in agriculture.
He also called for the restoration of the UPA-era rural employment scheme, MGNREGA under Mahatma Gandhi's name.
Addressing the three-day International Agriculture Fair, Siddaramaiah congratulated all recipients of the Agricultural Scholar awards, calling them role models for other farmers.
He emphasised that agriculture can be highly profitable if farmers move beyond mere crop production and participate in storage, processing, marketing, packaging, and value addition.
Highlighting government support, Siddaramaiah said Karnataka leads the nation in facilitating insurance claims and providing subsidies worth over Rs 1,000 crore.
According to an official statement, he noted that fair procurement prices for crops like sugarcane and maize have been ensured, with the state purchasing millions of metric tons to benefit farmers directly.
Stressing the importance of women and youth, Siddaramaiah said many women have already received awards, and their participation in agriculture and allied sectors should grow even further.
He called on young people to view agriculture not just as a livelihood but as a pathway to entrepreneurship and empowerment.
Siddaramaiah strongly criticized the central government's recent amendment to MGNREGA, which removed Mahatma Gandhi's name and renamed it the "Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Livelihood Mission (Gramin)."
He urged citizens to demand that the original scheme be restored to ensure 100 days of local employment for rural workers.
The chief minister added that India has achieved self-reliance in food production, and Karnataka continues to support farmers through subsidies, quality seeds, fertilizers, and welfare programs including free transport, financial assistance for women, and rice distribution under the Anna Bhagya program.
The CM called upon farmers, especially youth and women, to embrace modern agriculture, strive for excellence, and serve as inspiration for the next generation.
Agriculture Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy highlighted the government's initiatives to empower farmers and boost agricultural production in Karnataka, calling the fair a platform to introduce new schemes to the public.
Chauvarayaswamy said that while Karnataka produced 70-75 lakh metric tonnes of crops in 1970, current production has dropped to 40-60 per cent of demand, forcing the state to import essential commodities.
The minister emphasised that farmers must be able to earn profitable returns through consistent cultivation, branding, marketing, and access to credit facilities.
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Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
