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For millions of rural Indians, MGNREGA was not just a government scheme, it was dignity, survival and the promise of work close to home. On Saturday, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi said that promise has been &ldquo;bulldozed&rdquo; by the Modi government through the newly passed VB-G RAM G Bill at winter session of Parliament, warning that the move strikes at the very foundation of rural livelihood security.
In a video message, Gandhi recalled how the employment guarantee law, passed two decades ago during Dr Manmohan Singh&rsquo;s tenure, transformed village life by stopping distress migration and empowering gram panchayats. &ldquo;For the poorest of the poor, it meant food on the table and work with dignity,&rdquo; she quoted, invoking Mahatma Gandhi&rsquo;s vision of Gram Swaraj that shaped the original law.
Gandhi accused the Centre of systematically weakening MGNREGA over the past 11 years, despite its critical role during the COVID crisis when millions depended on it for survival. She said the latest law goes a step further by removing Mahatma Gandhi&rsquo;s name and restructuring the scheme without debate or consultation, centralising decisions on employment in Delhi, far removed from village realities.
&ldquo;What was once a legal right decided at the local level will now be controlled by those who have never stood in a ration line or worked under the open sun,&rdquo; Gandhi said, framing the issue through the eyes of the rural worker. Calling the law an attack on farmers, labourers and landless families, she vowed resistance. &ldquo;Twenty years ago, we fought to secure the right to work. Today, we will fight again,&rdquo; she said, asserting that lakhs of Congress workers stand with the rural poor.&nbsp;
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‘From Right to Relief? MGNREGA Under Fire’

Sonia Gandhi says new law guts MGNREGA, shifting power from villages to Delhi

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The Union government on Tuesday said the proposed Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 (VB-G RAM-G) is aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and effective utilisation of public funds, amid criticism from opposition parties and concerns raised by some allies over its funding structure.
Senior government officials maintained that the bill seeks to correct structural inefficiencies observed in existing rural employment schemes, where states allegedly prioritised drawing maximum central funds without adequate focus on asset creation or material expenditure.
Officials pointed out that public spending under the programme is set to rise significantly, from about ₹86,000 crore last year to nearly ₹1.5 lakh crore in the coming budget cycle. With projected expenditure of around ₹7.5 lakh crore over the next five years, the government said tighter oversight mechanisms are essential to ensure funds translate into tangible work on the ground. On average, each village is expected to receive close to ₹2 crore during this period.
Under the proposed framework, gram panchayats and gram sabhas will play a central role in planning and deciding the nature of works to be undertaken. This, the government said, would replace earlier practices where projects were sometimes initiated primarily to claim dues, rather than address local needs. To avoid duplication and misuse, all approved works will be integrated with the Gati Shakti platform for real-time monitoring.
The bill also introduces a need-based allocation model to ensure fair distribution of resources. Panchayats will be graded based on objective parameters such as local requirements, volume of work undertaken and assets created. These criteria will be developed through a formula designed by NITI Aayog, with the aim of ensuring that remote and underserved villages receive appropriate attention.
Sector-specific prioritisation has also been built into the scheme. For instance, water conservation projects will be emphasised in water-stressed states such as Punjab, while convergence with agriculture and other allied schemes will allow states to channel funds towards asset creation and support programmes like self-help groups.
To curb corruption, the government said biometric attendance systems will continue, alongside new technological measures including facial recognition, to ensure payments are made only for verified work. Officials stressed that these safeguards are intended to protect public money and reinforce accountability at every level.
Addressing concerns from states about additional administrative burden, the government said both the Centre and states remain jointly responsible for outcomes, and the bill formalises accountability mechanisms rather than creating new liabilities.
The legislation also proposes a pause in rural employment works during peak agricultural seasons. Officials argued that staggered breaks of around 15 days would help prevent labour shortages during crucial farming periods, particularly benefiting small and marginal farmers, who constitute nearly 86% of the country&rsquo;s agricultural workforce.
The government reiterated that the bill is designed to make rural employment spending more outcome-driven, equitable and transparent, while aligning development works with local priorities and long-term asset creation.
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Govt says new rural jobs bill ensures accountability and effective use of public funds

VB-G RAM-G Bill Aims to Boost Transparency

The Gujarat government has reaffirmed that the Par-Tapi-Narmada Link Project will remain suspended, as per a decision made three years ago.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, State Government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel explained that the project, initially proposed in 1980, was revived in 2011 during the tenure of then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared by the relevant Central ministry and finalised in 2017.
&ldquo;In 2022, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister CR Patil jointly announced the suspension of the project. Since then, no further action has been taken by either the state or the Centre,&rdquo; Patel said.
Responding to queries raised in the Rajya Sabha on February 10 and July 27, he clarified that references to the DPR in those discussions pertained solely to the 2017 version, with no revised report prepared since. He also noted that DPRs are submitted only to the concerned ministry, not tabled in Parliament or state assemblies. On August 10, Patil again publicly confirmed that the project would not move forward.
Patel stressed that the Cabinet&rsquo;s decision to halt the project remains unchanged and urged political opponents not to mislead tribal communities or use the issue for political gain. He reiterated the state&rsquo;s commitment to the development and welfare of its tribal population.
Farm Power Supply in Mehsana Extended from August 14
In a separate decision, the Cabinet approved an increase in daily agricultural power supply in Mehsana district from 8 to 10 hours, starting August 14. The move will benefit approximately 43,000 farming connections.
Patel said this follows a similar decision in Saurashtra, where the extension took effect on August 9. There, daily agricultural power consumption rose from 4.4 crore units to 5.2 crore units, serving nearly 12 lakh agricultural connections.
Providing an update on Kharif sowing, Patel reported that crops have been planted on 74.85 lakh hectares; 87.48% of Gujarat&rsquo;s normal cultivation area of 85.57 lakh hectares.
The crop-wise sowing data includes 26.94 lakh hectares of oilseeds, 20.54 lakh hectares of groundnut, 20.58 lakh hectares of cotton, 12.88 lakh hectares of cereals, 8.44 lakh hectares of paddy, 2.72 lakh hectares of maize, 3.48 lakh hectares of pulses and 8.02 lakh hectares of fodder crops.
Patel described the overall sowing progress this season as excellent across the state.

Gujarat Halts Water Project, Extends Farm Power

Par-Tapi project stays on hold; Mehsana farmers to get 10 hours daily power from Aug 14

Once a country that relied on importing French fries, India is now exporting them, thanks largely to Gujarat, which has taken the lead in producing processed-grade potatoes required for crispy snacks like French fries and wafers.
In the agricultural year 2024&ndash;25, Gujarat produced a massive 48.59 lakh tonnes of potatoes, a significant portion of which was cultivated specifically for processing. Over 25% of the state&rsquo;s potato yield now goes into the making of French fries and chips, supplied to major food processing industries and exported to international markets.
This boom in value added agriculture has been driven by targeted government policies, modern farming techniques, and strong market linkage backed by the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel.
Banaskantha Leads the Charge&nbsp;
Among Gujarat&rsquo;s potato-growing districts, Banaskatha has emerged as the frontrunner, producing 18.70 lakh tonnes in 2024&ndash;25. With over 61,000 hectares under cultivation and an average productivity of 30.65 tonnes per hectare, the district is powering the state&rsquo;s processed potato supply chain.
Following closely are Sabarkantha with 12.97 lakh tonnes and Aravalli with 6.99 lakh tonnes, both showing remarkable yields above 34 tonnes per hectare. These regions have rapidly adopted potato varieties suitable for frying and chipping, including Lady Rosetta, Kufri Chipsona, and Santana, which are high in dry matter and low in sugar.
Advanced Infrastructire and Export Growth&nbsp;
North Gujarat&rsquo;s favorable climate, fertile soil, and mechanized farming have helped transform it into an ideal zone for chip-grade and French fry grade potatoes. What&rsquo;s more, the region has witnessed significant investment in cold storage and agri-processing facilities, ensuring that harvested potatoes retain quality and freshness before being sent to quick-service restaurants, food manufacturers, and export markets, notably in the Middle East.
From Importer to Exporter: A Policy Success&nbsp;
Back in 2004&ndash;05, processed potato farming in India was limited to just 4,000 hectares, with output under 1 lakh tonnes. Today, Gujarat alone produces over 11.50 lakh tonnes of processed potatoes across 37,000 hectares, a tenfold rise in two decades.
This success reflects the impact of India's shift toward value added agriculture, which not only boosts farmer incomes but also enhances the country&rsquo;s global trade footprint. Gujarat&rsquo;s focused efforts on processing-grade cultivation now serve as a model for other states aiming to unlock similar potential in agribusiness.

Gujarat Tops India in French Fry Potato Production

Gujarat emerges as India's hub for processed potatoes used in French fries and global exports

Tripura Agriculture and Farmers&rsquo; Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath informed on Saturday that in the last seven years, the department has exported 73.15 metric tonnes (MT) of tasty pineapple to Dubai, Oman and Qatar.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;The Agriculture Minister said that from 2018 to 2025, a total of 73.15 MT of pineapple was exported to Dubai, Oman, and Qatar, and in addition, 4.40 MT of jackfruit were exported to America, and 30 MT of ginger and 17 MT of betel leaf were exported to Bangladesh.&nbsp;
The Minister said that to boost the income of pineapple cultivators, the department is planning to set up a new fruit processing centre under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in Nalkata, in Dhalai district.&nbsp;
While addressing the Pineapple Festival at Kumarghat in Unakoti District, Nath said that the state government is working to obtain the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for "Sidol Shutki" (fermented fish), Sabari banana and several other products.&nbsp;
&ldquo;After the BJP government came to power in 2018, we declared Queen pineapple as the state fruit. Queen variety pineapple already has a GI tag; nobody can copy it. Our main aim is to expand the production and market of pineapple. We need to produce more, and for that, such events like the Pineapple Festival are being organised. We have also recently organised buyers and sellers meetings on organic products,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
The Minister said that the first-ever Organic Buyer-Seller meet was held earlier this week for various products like pineapple, bird's eye chilli, turmeric and ginger, all of which are organic.&nbsp;
He stated that in the state, a huge area of land is used for fruit cultivation, the majority of which is under pineapple cultivation.&nbsp;
Tripura is renowned for its Queen and Kew varieties of pineapple, both of which flourish in the state's unique hilly and humid climate with minimal chemical intervention. 
These pineapples are golden yellow in appearance and have a distinct, pleasant aroma upon ripening, said Nath.&nbsp;
&ldquo;After our government came to power, the price of a pineapple was around ₹8 to ₹9. Now, it has increased to around ₹40 or more. Our main aim is to help farmers and increase their income. The Union DoNER Ministry is working to make Queen pineapple a global brand. We have held meetings with Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia twice and are planning to undertake a scheme worth ₹132 crore,&rdquo; said the Minister.&nbsp;
He said that the government&rsquo;s main aim is to strengthen the farmers&rsquo; income so that the economy of our state grows.&nbsp;
The Minister, accompanied by officials and others, also visited a pineapple processing centre in Kumarghat.&nbsp;
&mdash;IANS&nbsp;

Fresh Tripura pineapples ready for global export

Tripura exports 73 MT of pineapples globally in the last seven years

Tripura Exports 73 MT Pineapple In 7 Years

The chilli harvest season has come to an end in Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram district, but farmers are still reeling from the impact of unseasonal rainfall earlier this year.
The untimely showers, particularly in December and March, have severely affected the crop, causing yield losses and a sharp decline in both domestic and international exports&mdash;estimated to be between 20 per cent and 50 per cent.
Ramanathapuram is known for cultivating premium varieties of chillies, especially Samba and Mundu, over nearly 15,000 hectares. However, officials from the Agriculture Marketing and Agribusiness Department said that over 11,000 hectares were impacted by the erratic weather, drastically reducing both the quantity and quality of the produce.
"Farmers typically harvest between 300 and 350 kilogrammes of chillies per acre. This season, the average has dropped to just 200 kilogrammes," said a senior official.
"The damage has affected quality, which in turn has pushed market prices down. Last year, chillies fetched up to Rs 250 per kg. This year, prices have ranged between Rs 120 and Rs 200 per kg, depending on quality."
Despite the setbacks, some farmers remain hopeful. R.P. Radhakrishna, an organic chilli farmer and exporter from Kamudhi block, said there is still strong demand abroad for organically cultivated Samba and Mundu chillies.
"Last year, we exported around 80 tonnes to countries like the US and Germany. This year, due to reduced yield, we could send only 50 tonnes," he said.
"But with the harvest completed, we are preparing for the next sowing cycle, which begins in the Tamil month of Aadi (July). If conditions improve, exports should pick up again by the end of the year," Radhakrishna said.
In the wake of the crop losses, farmers have renewed their plea for infrastructure support. Many are urging the government to establish air-conditioned storage facilities, which would help preserve chilli quality and reduce dependency on expensive private warehouses.
"There is a clear international demand for Ramanathapuram chillies. To stay competitive, we need better post-harvest infrastructure and support for climate-resilient and pest-resistant chilli varieties," said another farmer. With the next cropping season around the corner, farmers hope for timely government intervention to mitigate risks and boost future production and exports.
(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit Newseditorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.)

Farmers in Ramanathapuram face 20-50% export losses as erratic weather damages premium crops

Tamil Nadu Chilli Harvest Hit by Unseasonal Rain

<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #001e2f; background: white; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">With the timely release of water from the Mettur dam on its traditional date of June 12, followed by its arrival at the Grand Anicut for delta irrigation, farmers across Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s Cauvery Delta region have welcomed the life-giving flow of the river with joy and reverence.&nbsp;
Known as the &lsquo;Mother Cauvery&rsquo;, the river is not only the lifeline of Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s rice bowl but also holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for the people of the region.&nbsp;
The release has ignited hopes of a prosperous agricultural season, with farmers optimistic about achieving the kuruvai cultivation target for this year.&nbsp;
Officials from the Tamil Nadu Agriculture Department told IANS that a target of 5.28 lakh acres has been set for the 2025 kuruvai crop. This includes 1.95 lakh acres in Thanjavur, 1.75 lakh acres in Tiruvarur, 97,500 acres in Mayiladuthurai, and 61,000 acres in Nagapattinam.
The contrast with the previous year could not be starker. In 2024, delayed water release from Mettur on July 28, due to poor reservoir levels, meant that kuruvai cultivation could only be achieved in 3.45 lakh acres, falling significantly short of the 5.25 lakh acres recorded in 2023.
The return to the customary June 12 release this year has therefore brought renewed optimism and emotional relief to the farming community. &ldquo;This year feels different. Water has been released on time, the groundwater level is healthy in several districts, and the monsoon is predicted to be on time. Everything points to a successful kuruvai season,&rdquo; said Parthasarathy, a farmer from Tiruvaiyaru. &ldquo;We even perform rituals and pujas before the water enters our fields. This is not just about agriculture&mdash;it is a sacred tradition.&rdquo;
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin opened the sluices of the Mettur dam on June 12. The water reached the Upper Anicut in Tiruchy on June 14 and was subsequently released to the Grand Anicut, from where it flows into the irrigation channels of the delta region.
On Sunday (June 15), the Chief Minister once again released water at the Grand Anicut, formally marking the start of the kuruvai season.
The Cauvery river, which originates in Karnataka and flows through Tamil Nadu before joining the Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar&mdash;historically known as Kaveripoompattinam&mdash;passes through some of Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s most fertile and culturally rich districts. These include Thanjavur, often referred to as the Granary of Tamil Nadu, and Tiruvaiyaru, famed for its musical and spiritual heritage.
The river&rsquo;s importance to Tamil Nadu is underscored by the fact that 55.5% of the Cauvery basin area lies in the state, compared to 41.2% in Karnataka and 3.3% in Kerala. Over 90 per cent of the water in the Cauvery basin is utilised for agriculture, making its timely flow vital to the livelihood of lakhs of farmers.
Ayilai Siva Sooriyan, Tiruchy district president of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association, described the arrival of the Cauvery waters as a divine event. &ldquo;The Cauvery does not just irrigate our lands. She is a goddess to us. Most major religious festivals in our region are linked to her presence. On the first day of water release, we perform 'aarti', sprinkle paddy seeds, and offer flowers. It is a day of festivity and reverence,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
In some border villages, it is customary for locals to prostrate before the river as it begins to flow into their fields, marking the start of the agricultural cycle with prayers and rituals. Farmer Murugan echoed this sentiment, recalling past successes: &ldquo;Whenever water is released on the traditional date of June 12, we&rsquo;ve had a bumper harvest. This year, too, everything seems aligned for another prosperous season.&rdquo;
Encouraged by the availability of groundwater and anticipating a timely monsoon, several farmers had already commenced early kuruvai cultivation as early as April. With canal desilting work by the government supplemented by local efforts, water is expected to reach even the tail-end fields this year.
As Tamil Nadu welcomes the Mother Cauvery, the kuruvai season begins not just with seeds sown in the soil, but with hope deeply planted in the hearts of its farmers.
<span style="font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #001e2f; background: white; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">&nbsp;(Apart from the headline, this article has not been edited by Benefit News editorial team and is published from an IANS news feed.)

Farmers hopeful of kuruvai success after timely water release from Mettur

TN Farmers Welcome Cauvery, Kuruvai Target Set

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In a heartbreaking incident from Jammu and Kashmir&rsquo;s Shopian district, thieves stole over 400 high-density apple trees from the orchard of a physically challenged farmer, Sajad Ahmad, in Landoora village&mdash;just 5 km from the district headquarters.
Sajad, who has been confined to a wheelchair following a spinal cord injury in a road accident, had taken a bank loan and invested over ₹1.3 lakh to set up the orchard. &ldquo;I had pinned all my hopes on this orchard. I don&rsquo;t understand how I will provide for my family now. All my hopes are gone,&rdquo; he said, devastated by the theft.
This incident is the latest in a growing trend of high-density apple tree thefts across South Kashmir. These trees, prized for their early fruit yield and easy maintenance, cost between ₹200 to ₹400 per plant and have become highly sought after in the Valley.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation. The local community is outraged, demanding increased security and the arrest of those behind the thefts.
Earlier this year, similar incidents were reported. On May 25, hundreds of apple trees were stolen from an orchard in Nikloora, Pulwama, and on February 14, about 14,000 rootstock plants were stolen from a nursery in Renzipora, Awantipora.
These repeated incidents have triggered fear and frustration among fruit growers, especially those who have made significant financial investments in Kashmir&rsquo;s rapidly expanding high-density apple farming sector. Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.
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Thieves stole over 400 high-density apple trees

Physically challenged farmer loses orchard to theft in Kashmir; locals demand strong action from police

Thieves Steal 400 Apple Trees in J&K's Shopian

The government has procured 29.92 million tonnes (MT) of wheat during the 2025&ndash;26 Rabi marketing season (April&ndash;June), marking a 13 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. This figure is also the highest in the past three years, according to a senior official.
This procurement has been made from a total of 40.42 MT of wheat that arrived in the markets of major wheat-producing states across the country. The remaining quantity has been purchased by millers and private traders, at prices not lower than the Minimum Support Price (MSP) fixed by the government.
A small quantity of wheat continues to arrive at mandis in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The government considers the current procurement adequate for distribution through the Public Distribution System (PDS) and for market intervention schemes aimed at stabilising prices.
As of now, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) holds a wheat stock of 36.65 MT, which exceeds the buffer requirement of 27.58 MT for 1 July, the official added.
The top four states contributing to the procurement include Punjab (11.93 MT), Madhya Pradesh (7.77 MT), Haryana (7.14 MT), and Rajasthan (2.02 MT).
According to the agriculture ministry, wheat production is estimated to reach a record 117.5 MT during the 2024&ndash;25 crop year (July&ndash;June), reflecting a 3.7 per cent increase over the previous year.
On Thursday, the average mandi prices across major producing states were: Punjab (Rs 2,475/quintal), Madhya Pradesh (Rs 2,521/quintal), Rajasthan (Rs 2,465/quintal), and Haryana (Rs 2,425/quintal). The modal retail price of wheat stood at Rs 28/kg.
The Government of India continues to monitor food prices closely and has imposed stock limits on wheat held by wholesale and retail traders to curb hoarding and speculative practices that fuel inflation.
Under an order issued in the last week of May, wholesale traders are now allowed to hold a maximum of 3,000 metric tonnes of wheat. For retail traders, the limit is 10 metric tonnes.
Large retail chains are permitted to hold up to 10 metric tonnes per outlet, subject to an overall cap calculated as 10 metric tonnes multiplied by the number of retail outlets. This total includes all stock held at retail locations and depots.
(Apart from the headline, this article has not been edited by Benefit News editorial team and is published from an IANS news feed.)

Govt procures nearly 30 MT wheat this Rabi season; surplus buffers support price control

India's Wheat Procurement Hits 3-Year High

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the continuation of the interest subvention component under the modified interest subvention scheme (MISS) for loans to farmers during the financial year 2025-26, and approved the required fund arrangements, according to an official statement issued after the meeting.
MISS is a Central sector scheme aimed at ensuring the availability of short-term credit to farmers at an affordable interest rate through Kisan credit cards (KCC).
Under the scheme, farmers receive short-term loans of up to Rs 3 lakh through Kisan credit cards at a subsidised interest rate of 7 per cent with 1.5 per cent interest subvention provided to eligible lending institutions.
Additionally, farmers repaying loans promptly are eligible for an incentive of up to 3 per cent as a prompt repayment incentive, effectively reducing their interest rate on KCC loans to 4 per cent.
For loans taken exclusively for animal husbandry or fisheries, the interest benefit is applicable up to Rs 2 lakh.
No changes have been proposed in the structure or other components of the scheme, according to an official statement.
There are more than 7.75 crore KCC accounts in the country. The continuation of this support is critical to sustaining the flow of institutional credit to agriculture, which is vital for enhancing productivity and ensuring financial inclusion for small and marginal farmers.
Institutional credit disbursement through KCC has increased from Rs 4.26 lakh crore in 2014 to Rs 10.05 lakh crore by December 2024. Overall agricultural credit flow also rose from Rs 7.3 lakh crore in FY 2013-14 to Rs 25.49 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, the statement said.
Digital reforms such as the launch of the Kisan Rin Portal in August 2023 have enhanced transparency and efficiency in claim processing.
Given the current lending cost trends, median MCLR and repo rate movements, retaining the interest subvention rate at 1.5 per cent remains essential to support rural and cooperative banks and ensure continued access to low-cost credit for farmers, the official statement said.
"The Cabinet's decision reinforces the Government's unwavering commitment to doubling farmers' income, strengthening the rural credit ecosystem, and boosting agricultural growth through timely and affordable credit access," the statement added.

Interest subvention scheme for farmers continued for 2025-26 with Rs 3 lakh loan limit

Agriculture