Bengaluru, Jun 29: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday called upon farmers to make use of the Kisan Rail, which was started by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government to help farmers turn agriculture into a profitable business.

He was speaking after flagging off a Kisan rail train carrying 250 tonnes of mangoes from Chinatamani to New Delhi at the Yelahanka Railway Station in the City.

"The Kisan Rail plays a crucial role in providing good prices for the farm products and thus enhances farmers' income.I take this opportunity to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching this scheme, which has enhanced market potential for farm products," Yediyurappa said.

Stating that the mango growers of Kolar and Chikkaballapura districts have benefited from this scheme, Yediyurappa expressed the hope that other vegetable and fruit growers will also explore the marketing opportunities and utilise this scheme to get more profit for their products.

Terming the Kisan rail a historic step, he said, "The opposition leaders have been commenting on the government but this is for the first time in the history of independent India, an arrangement like Kisan Rail has been made for the benefit of farmers."

Yediyurappa said on June 21, 1,250 tonnes of mangoes from Kolar and Chikkaballapura were transported to Delhi by five Kisan Rail services.This helped farmers get a profit of more than Rs 10 per kg.

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Bengaluru: Amidst mounting anticipation, Janata Dal Secular MP Prajwal Revanna, entangled in the Karnataka sex tapes controversy, might be making his way back to Bengaluru. NDTV has obtained a Munich-Bengaluru ticket for a Lufthansa Airlines flight, scheduled to land at 12:30 am tomorrow, bearing Revanna's name as a business class passenger.

The ticket, reportedly booked concurrently with Revanna's departure to Germany, predates the filing of an FIR against the 33-year-old MP. Reacting to the allegations, Revanna had communicated through social media on May 1 and had said, "As I am not in Bangalore to attend the enquiry, I have communicated to C.I.D Bangalore through my Advocate. Truth will prevail soon."

Nevertheless, several instances of tickets purportedly booked in Revanna's name have surfaced in recent weeks, all turning out to be false alarms. In response, the Karnataka police's Special Investigation Team (SIT), overseeing the high-profile case, has advised airport authorities to remain vigilant. A lookout notice and a Blue Corner notice have been issued to locate Revanna.

The scandal erupted when numerous explicit videos, allegedly featuring Prajwal Revanna, emerged last month, just ahead of the elections. Consequently, an SIT was formed to probe the case, resulting in Revanna's suspension from the JDS party. He faces a slew of charges, including rape, sexual harassment, voyeurism, and criminal intimidation.

His father, JDS legislator HD Revanna, was arrested in connection with one of these cases but is currently out on bail. HD Revanna faces a kidnapping charge, triggered by allegations of his involvement in the abduction of a woman who had been employed as a house help at their residence. Allegations of a leaked video purportedly showing Prajwal Revanna engaging in sexual abuse have further complicated matters.

The sex tapes scandal has escalated into a big political issue, with the JDS claiming conspiracy and the Congress seizing the opportunity to target the BJP, which has formed an alliance with the JDS for the Lok Sabha elections. JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy insinuated that powerful forces were behind the leak, hinting at Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

In response, Shivakumar asserted his non-involvement, stating, "I am neither director nor producer. I am only an exhibitor, theater exhibitor." On Kumaraswamy's allegations that HD Revanna was arrested to defame Deve Gowda, Shivakumar had said, "Not at all. See, I too feel sorry for him (Revanna). I, too, feel that such things should not happen. It's such a big family. Let them think whatever they want but I don't wish anything bad for anyone and I don't need it."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has weighed in, advocating zero tolerance for individuals like Prajwal Revanna and blaming the Congress-led Karnataka government for permitting the JDS MP to leave the country.