The Telangana government has assured farmers of a smooth paddy procurement process despite a record harvest of nearly 150 lakh metric tonnes. Civil Supplies and Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that 30 lakh metric tonnes of godown space has been secured and the government will bear the additional cost of storage in intermediary godowns and custom milling. The government is prepared to incur additional expenses to ensure seamless procurement and has urged millers to cooperate fully, setting a low bank guarantee requirement for CMR paddy. The government is also considering dispatching surplus paddy to neighboring states if procurement exceeds Telangana’s milling capacity. The next 10 to 15 days are crucial for the procurement process, and the government is committed to ensuring farmers do not face any distress.
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Tamil Nadu Government to Establish Small-Scale Handloom Park in Ariyalur
The Tamil Nadu government has announced the establishment of a small-scale handloom park in Sengunthapuram, Ariyalur district, as part of its initiative to boost the handloom sector. The park, to be set up on land owned by the Tamil Nadu Cotton Corporation, will initially house 50 handlooms, with plans to expand to 100 looms in the future. The park aims to provide support to local handloom weavers and is part of the Chief Minister’s announcement to establish 10 such parks across the state in 2023-24. The government has allocated 13,205 sq. ft. of land for the park and plans to refurbish an existing building to accommodate the looms. The project is expected to be completed within two to three months.
E-Pass System for Hill Stations Under Scrutiny: Madras High Court Demands Accurate Data and Improved Implementation
The Madras High Court has expressed serious concerns about the accuracy of the e-pass system implemented in the Nilgiris and Kodaikanal hill stations, questioning the reported low number of vehicles entering during the Deepavali holidays. The court believes the inaccurate data could hinder efforts to determine the carrying capacity of the ghat roads. To address this, the court has directed the district administrations to implement stricter measures, including installing ANPR cameras and touchscreen kiosks at entry points to ensure all vehicles obtain e-passes. The court also suggested incorporating a drop-down menu with licensed accommodations on the e-pass portal to prevent false information and identify illegal establishments. The judges emphasized that the e-pass system is intended for data collection, not to restrict tourist movement. In a separate case, the court urged the State government to set a deadline for eradicating Prosopis juliflora (seemai karuvelam) trees from forest areas, similar to the deadline set for Senna spectabilis trees. The court believes eradicating this invasive species would be a significant environmental achievement.
New Chief Electoral Officer Appointed in Tamil Nadu
The Election Commission of India has appointed IAS officer Archana Patnaik as the new Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu, replacing Satyabrata Sahoo. Ms. Patnaik, currently serving as the Secretary of the MSME Department, will assume her new role immediately. Mr. Sahoo has been transferred to the Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Department as Secretary. This appointment comes ahead of any upcoming elections in the state, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership within the Election Commission.
Tamil Nadu Battles Extreme Weather Surge in 2024
Tamil Nadu has witnessed a dramatic increase in extreme weather events in 2024, with 67 days of extreme weather recorded, nearly double the number from 2023. This surge, highlighted in the Climate India 2024 report, has resulted in rising temperatures, heavy rainfall, and cyclonic storms, causing significant damage to agriculture, infrastructure, and communities. The report, based on IMD data, reveals that India has experienced extreme weather on 255 out of 274 days in the first nine months of 2024, making it the most extreme year in the last three. The impact on agriculture has been particularly severe, with over 1,000 hectares of crops damaged in Tamil Nadu alone, leading to food security concerns and straining farmer livelihoods. While Tamil Nadu is one of the worst-hit states, Kerala and Karnataka have also experienced frequent and intense weather disruptions.
Kerala Sahitya Akademi Honors Poet P.K. Gopi with Lifetime Achievement Award
The Kerala Sahitya Akademi bestowed its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023 upon renowned poet and lyricist P.K. Gopi at his residence in Kozhikode on Friday. The award was presented by Ashokan Charuvil, Vice-President of the Akademi, in a ceremony presided over by M.K. Manoharan, a member of the Akademi’s Working Committee. The event was graced by the presence of Akademi secretary C.P. Aboobakker, former Minister Benoy Vishwam, and other distinguished guests. This recognition underscores the significant contributions of P.K. Gopi to Malayalam literature and his enduring impact on the literary landscape of Kerala.
Kuttikkanam International Film Festival Celebrates Women in Cinema
The seventh edition of the Kuttikkanam International Film Festival (KIFF) will focus on women-centric cinema, showcasing 16 films from various countries that highlight the challenges and struggles women face in society. The festival, themed “SHE” (Stories of Her Empowerment), will be held at Marian College (Autonomous) in Kuttikkanam on November 14 and 15. The event will feature competitions for short films and documentaries, with cash prizes awarded to the winners. Renowned filmmakers, critics, and industry professionals will be attending the festival, engaging with delegates and participating in discussions. The festival is a collaborative effort between the Department of Communication and Media Studies at Marian College, the Medios Talkies Film Society, the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, and the Federation of Film Societies of India (Kerala).
ITI Limited Wins Bid for BharatNet Phase-3 Project
ITI Limited, a leading telecom manufacturing company in India, has emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) for the prestigious BharatNet Phase-3 Project in Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This project, with a total order value of â¹3,022 crore, aims to connect all 6,40,000 villages, blocks, and gram panchayats across India with high-speed broadband internet connectivity. ITI Limited, with its consortium partner, will be responsible for executing the project in these states. The company emphasizes the project’s significance in empowering rural India, bridging the digital divide, and creating job opportunities. ITI Limited, with its extensive experience in executing similar projects, is already working on BharatNet projects in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, further solidifying its commitment to the government’s initiative of connecting India seamlessly.
Andhra Pradesh Takes Flight: Inaugural Seaplane Service to Connect Scenic Destinations
Andhra Pradesh is set to launch its inaugural seaplane service on November 9, 2024, connecting Vijayawada and Srisailam. This initiative, spearheaded by the Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited (APADCL) in partnership with the Union government’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), aims to establish Andhra Pradesh as a leader in water-based aviation. The service will utilize a De Havilland Twin Otter Series 400 seaplane, known for its durability and versatility, and will be operated under the RCS-UDAN initiative, which promotes regional air connectivity. The state government envisions connecting picturesque destinations like Prakasam Barrage, Araku Valley, and Srisailam, attracting tourists and providing efficient travel options. The pilot project will assess the operational costs and determine pricing for future services. The introduction of seaplanes aligns with Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to developing a robust aviation ecosystem, offering cost-effective and quicker development timelines compared to traditional airport infrastructure. This initiative is expected to boost the local economy through tourism, create job opportunities, and improve access to remote destinations.
Andhra Pradesh Embraces Seaplanes for Tourism Boost
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched a seaplane demonstration in Vijayawada, marking the beginning of commercial seaplane services in the state. The initiative, a joint effort between the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the A.P. Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC), will see SpiceJet operate seaplanes on the Vijayawada-Hyderabad and Vijayawada-Nagarjuna Sagar routes by March 2025. The Chief Minister highlighted the potential of seaplanes to revolutionize tourism in the state, citing the accessibility they provide to remote tourist destinations like Srisailam, Konaseema, and Gandikota. He emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting the growth of the tourism sector, including granting industry status to tourism in the upcoming policy. The event also saw the announcement of revised guidelines for seaplane operations by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, aimed at making the sector more viable. With a focus on safety and licensing, the new guidelines are expected to encourage the development of seaplane services across the country.