Regional

Chennai, Jan 27 (IANS) Farmers in Tamil Nadu’s Delta districts, the state’s rice bowl, are grappling with skyrocketing costs for harvesting machines and significant crop damage caused by unseasonal rains.

These challenges have dealt a severe blow to the region’s Samba paddy farmers, many of whom are now facing substantial losses.

The harvest, which began in December 2024 and continued into January 2025, has been hampered by private operators charging exorbitant rents for harvesting machines.

The Tamil Nadu Agriculture Department has fixed the hourly rent for standard harvester machines at ₹1,160 and ₹1,880 for the belt variety.

However, farmers have reported that private operators are charging between ₹3,000 and ₹3,200 per hour, with some rates anticipated to climb as high as ₹4,000.

Farmers argue that the state Agriculture Engineering Department lacks an adequate number of harvesters, forcing them to rely on private players who exploit the situation.

During the Kuruvai season, private operators charged ₹2,800 per hour, but rates have now increased significantly, adding to farmers’ financial burdens.

Delta Farmers Association leader M.L. Palanisamy expressed concern, saying, “Many harvester machines are being brought in from other districts and states. It is high time the district administrations intervene to regulate rents and support farmers.”

In addition to the high costs of harvesting, farmers are also reeling from the impact of unseasonal rains, which have severely damaged Samba paddy crops across Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, and Nagapattinam districts.

The northeast monsoon, which usually ends by December 15, 2024, has extended into January 2025. As a result, crops ready for harvest were submerged in water, leading to high moisture content and fungal diseases.

Delta farmers have reported massive crop losses. In Nagapattinam 30,000 acres of Samba and Thalady paddy was damaged while in Mayiladuthurai 25,000 acre crops were destroyed.

In Tiruvarur 30,000 acres of paddy stands damaged and in Thanjavur 25,000 acres were affected.

Palanisamy lamented, “The crop was in good condition, and we were expecting a near-normal harvest. It is heart-rending that unseasonal rains have hit the crops at this stage. In many areas, fungal diseases have further reduced yields by 50 per cent.”

Farmers have spent an estimated ₹35,000 per acre on cultivation and are now demanding immediate relief measures.

They have urged the government to relax the moisture content limit from the traditional 17 per cent to 22 per cent, as the unseasonal rains have made it impossible to adhere to the existing standard.

Additionally, farmers have criticised inadequate desilting work, which prevented water from draining from fields, further worsening crop damage.

Many farmers depend on government-run Direct Procurement Centres (DPCs) to ensure profitable pricing and recover their production costs.

Delta farmers have called for comprehensive support from the government, including proper assessment of losses, regulation of harvester rents, and a revision of moisture limits to prevent financial ruin.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) Uttarakhand is set to create history on Monday as it becomes the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

The UCC will not only be implemented throughout the state but it will also apply to the people of Uttarakhand living outside it.

The landmark legislation will be rolled out at around 12:30 pm and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will unveil the UCC portal, just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state today.

The UCC rules that have been approved by the Uttarakhand government have avoided the controversial proposals for creating a separate process to resolve disputes related to personal laws.

The rules proposed by the Shatrughan Singh Committee for the UCC initially presented to the Chief Minister on October 18, 2024, were subject to some revisions.

The extensive 400-page document has been condensed to under 100 pages, with only provisions concerning registration of marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in being retained, sources said.

As a result, the revised UCC rules approved by the Uttarakhand government no longer include the proposal for a separate process to handle disputes related to personal laws.

The UCC that will be rolled out today ensures equal rights in property for both sons and daughters.

Under the UCC polygamy will be prohibited, and monogamy will be the norm under the landmark legislation.

The UCC requires men who have attained the age of 21 and women who are 18 years of age to enter a union through marriage.

Though the marriages will be solemnised as per religious customs of the couple, the registration of the marriage will be mandatory.

In another far-reaching reform, there will be no distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children now as the law aims to abolish this distinction over property rights. Once the UCC is implemented all children will be recognised as biological offspring.

The law will also ensure that children adopted, born through surrogacy, or conceived via assisted reproductive technology will be treated equally to biological children.

Following a person's death, the law will grant equal property rights to the spouse and children. Additionally, equal rights would be extended to the dead person's parents, thus ensuring that they are taken care of.

--IANS

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Kohima, Jan 26 (IANS) Nagaland Governor La Ganesan launched the ‘Chief Minister’s Mobile Operation Theatre’ during the celebration of the 76th Republic Day here in the presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and other dignitaries.

Officials terming the new step as a pioneering initiative said that the ‘Chief Minister’s Mobile Operation Theatre’ has been established to deliver advanced surgical and healthcare services to rural and remote areas of Nagaland.

Equipped with state-of-the-art keyhole surgery capabilities, this initiative aims to enhance access to specialised medical care, promote health equity, and reduce healthcare disparities in under-served regions, a senior health department official said.

The facility features a fully equipped mobile surgical unit, portable diagnostic tools such as ultrasound, X-Ray, endoscopy and blood testing equipment, along with instruments for minimally invasive surgeries.

According to the official, a dedicated medical team from Kohima Hospital, supported by doctors from both private and government healthcare establishments who are committed to serving underprivileged communities, would ensure the delivery of high-quality healthcare services directly to the doorstep of those in need.

The Mobile Operation Theatre not only provides life-saving interventions but also serves as a model for innovative healthcare delivery, effectively bridging the gap between urban medical facilities and the healthcare needs of remote populations.

The Governor stated that the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) has been growing in strength with 65 hospitals, each from within and outside the state, have been empanelled under the CMHIS, under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, 76 AB PM-JAY hospitals are empanelled within Nagaland and 21,415 individuals have been benefited from the scheme.

He also said that under the Chief Minister’s Universal Life Insurance Scheme (CMLIS), a budget allocation of Rs 15 crore was made and 13 families have availed insurance benefits under this scheme and Ayushman Arogya Shivir - a monthly Health Mela is being conducted regularly.

--IANS

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Guwahati, Jan 26 (IANS) During his three-day visit to Dibrugarh, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reviewed the progress of various Central and State Government schemes in the Naharkatia co-district here on Sunday, officials said.

He received comprehensive updates from senior officials across departments regarding the implementation of various schemes and co-district development efforts.

Notably, the Assam government set up co-districts in the state which is a first-of-this-kind approach in the country. In the first phase, the state government rolled out 39 co-districts in October last year. The important features of these co-districts include smaller administrative units below the district level and timely access to essential government services by citizens.

Chief Minister Sarma claimed that this significant step will improve efficiency bringing governance to the grassroots and it will also streamline citizen-centric services.

In the meeting, Sarma reviewed the ongoing projects of the Public Works Department in Naharkatia, directing the completion of the Sasoni-Belbari Ali and Kikir-Balirghat connecting bridges by February of the next year.

The CM also directed the timely construction of hanging bridges under the supervision of the Forest Department, emphasising the use of locally produced materials and advising that imported materials be used only when absolutely necessary.

With a focus on enhancing sports infrastructure, the CM discussed the development of the Naharkatia Hockey Stadium. The construction of a prison in Naharkatia was also deliberated, along with plans for transforming the Naharkatia Nagaon Rajkhowa playground into a mini stadium.

He also directed officials to prepare proposals for establishing an additional district and sessions court in each subdivision and instructed the timely completion of under-construction school buildings, including Sasoni Higher Secondary School. The Chief Minister further proposed repurposing closed government schools for official use in the future. The developmental works of the Naharkatia Legislative Assembly constituency were also reviewed in Sunday’s meeting.

Sarma directed the Health, Agriculture, Power etc. departments to complete ongoing projects within the set timelines and instructed senior officials to ensure that employees working from locations other than their designated workplaces return to their respective departments.

Highlighting the importance of defining agricultural field boundaries through tree planting, he called on the Agriculture and Forest Departments to initiate a tree-planting movement for a greener Assam. The issue of providing drinking water to tea workers was addressed, with the CM instructing the concerned department to explore the feasibility of installing water pipes in the tea gardens to establish a reliable water supply system.

Sarma also directed relevant authorities to classify the unclassified land of the Naharkatia co-district and ensure their inclusion in the appropriate category. He proposed the installation of solar-powered lighting and fencing systems to prevent human-elephant conflicts.

--IANS

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Aizawl, Jan 26 (IANS) Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police in a joint operation recovered a number of explosive materials in Mizoram’s Aizawl district, an official said on Sunday.

A Defence spokesperson said that acting on specific intelligence information about the movement of explosives in Durtlang Leitan areas of Aizawl district, Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police established a mobile vehicle check post on Durtlang to Kawnpui road on Saturday night.

The alert security team stopped a vehicle and on thorough search recovered 7,000 different coloured electric detonators and apprehended a person identified as Runmawia (34).

The apprehended individual and the recovered items have been handed over to Mizoram Police.

A senior Mizoram Police officer said that even as they have been questioning the arrested individual, they suspect that the electric detonators are likely to be smuggled to either Myanmar or Bangladesh.

On January 18, Assam Rifles and Mizoram Police jointly seized 30 gelatin sticks and 20 detonators from a vehicle near the Aijal Club at Khatla Road in Aizawl.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Hmingthansanga (42), a resident of Hnahthial district, was also arrested.

Also, police seized a large cache of arms and ammunition on January 15 while those were being supplied by an insurgent outfit based in Myanmar to the rebel group in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of southeast Bangladesh.

A Mizoram Home Department official had said that in connection with the arms seizure, five accused have been arrested.

Among those detained is a top leader of the Chin National Front (CNF), an insurgent group based in Myanmar.

The arms and ammunition seized from the Saithah village in bordering Mamit District include six AK-47 rifles, 10,050 cartridges of AK-47 rifles and 13 Magazines.

The official said that the confiscated arms and ammunition were intended for trade between the CNF from Myanmar, a prominent rebel organisation and the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF-P), another insurgent group active in the CHT.

The Assam Rifles have been guarding the 510 km unfenced Mizoram international border with Myanmar while the Border Security Force (BSF) guarding the 318 km unfenced state's frontiers with Bangladesh.

The recent seizures underscore the concerns over the illegal trade of arms and explosives through the porous international Mizoram's borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh despite the border guarding forces stepping up vigilance to curb all kinds of trans-border illicit activities.

--IANS

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Gangtok, Jan 26 (IANS) On the occasion of the 76th Republic Day, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang joined the Governor Om Prakash Mathur, in inaugurating a new computer class for the children and staff of Raj Bhavan on Sunday, officials said.

This initiative, launched under the visionary “Sabai Padhao, Sabai Badhao” campaign, aims to promote education, skill development, and empowerment, the official statement mentioned.

The Chief Minister attended the “At Home” Programme at Raj Bhavan, hosted by the Governor. The event celebrated Sikkim’s rich cultural heritage, creating a memorable evening of unity and patriotism. The program featured captivating cultural performances, paying tribute to the nation’s freedom fighters and brave martyrs. These performances highlighted the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism that continues to inspire the people of the country.

Expressing his gratitude, the Chief Minister commended the Governor for his unwavering dedication to the progress of Sikkim and for his efforts to foster creativity, education, and cultural unity across the state.

Meanwhile, the 76th Republic Day was grandly celebrated here at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok. The event commenced with the arrival of the Governor, Om Prakash Mathur, received by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and other dignitaries.

The celebration continued with the unfurling of the national flag by the Governor, Om Prakash Mathur, followed by the national anthem.

After receiving the national salute, the Governor proceeded towards reviewing the Republic Day parade. The event was exhibited with March Past by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), 2nd Battalion Meghalaya Police, Sikkim Armed Police (SAP), 2nd India Reserve Battalion (IRBn), 3rd India Reserve Battalion (IRBn), Sikkim Police (Male) Sikkim Police (Female), Sikkim Forest, Sikkim Home Guards, NCC and Sikkim Police Band.

In his address, Om Prakash Mathur expressed immense pride and gratitude on celebrating the triumph of democracy, justice, and freedom in our nation.

Furthermore, he underscored the sacrifices made by countless individuals who shaped the nation. He continued that this day reminds him of the spirit of unity, diversity, and progress that binds us together as a nation.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Jan 26 (IANS) Mumbai City FC defeated Mohammedan SC by 3-0 in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday.

The Islanders held 69.3 per cent of the possession and scored from all of the three shots that they took on target. Mumbai City FC have jumped to fifth place as a result of this triumph, holding 27 points from 17 games now.

Bipin Singh was dictating the major chunk of Mumbai City FC’s offensive gameplays in the first half. The Islanders spared no time in their attempt to set the tone of the game. Vikram Partap Singh met Bipin Singh at the centre of the box with a straightforward pass breaching the Mohammedan SC backline in the middle of the 18-yard box. Bipin’s shot was struck way too high of the target though.

He returned again in the Mohammedan SC box merely a minute later, as Lallianzuala Chhangte’s quick footwork down the middle led to the captain serving Bipin a delivery on the inside channel of the left flank. The attacker shot on the bottom left corner but the visiting goalkeeper Padam Chhetri showed quick reflexes to save the effort.

Franca ensured that Andrey Chernyshov’s side didn’t sit back to absorb all the pressure. They hit Mumbai City FC on a fast break, and Vanlalzuidika Chhakchhuak culminated this move by spotting Franca on the outside of the box. The midfielder’s shot was high and wide on the left but certainly alerted the Mumbai City FC backline.

The Islanders were reinforcing their attacks seamlessly upfront, with their entire team coming to the fore in the Mohammedan SC box. Central defender Tiri’s headed pass landed in Thaer Krouma’s path at the edge of the 18-yard box. The defender smashed the ball way too high of target in the 29th minute.

Chhangte ensured that home team kickstarted the second half with the same intensity as the first one. In the 46th minute, the attacker sprinted down the right flank, picking a ball inside the box with an impeccable touch before shooting it in the first attempt. The ball, however, ricocheted off the woodwork but proved that the Islanders were going to double up on their efforts upfront.

They finally found the breakthrough in the 72nd minute, and it came off an own goal by Gaurav Bora. Bipin launched a long ball from the left wing that Bora tried to head sideward. Chhetri charged high up to overcome the situation, but left plenty of space unmarked. Bora’s headed clearance landed on the back of their net, handing Mumbai City FC a slender lead. Bora’s issues further mounted in the 78th minute. Jon Toral had time on the ball as he was surging ahead down the centre, and picked Chhangte in a promising position in the right flank. The skipper didn’t wait too long, immediately pouncing upon the pass. However, it hit straight to Bora, but the ball took a heavy deflection and ended up in the centre of the goal.

Mohammedan SC invariably bolstered numbers inside their box to thwart the waves of attack being carried by the Mumbai City FC offence. Chhangte held the central role in that. His pace overawed the visitors and he was in a 1v1 against Mohammed Jasim. Chhangte didn’t barge inside and instead launched in a powerful cross which wasn’t cleared properly by the opposition’s defence. The ball deflected to Krouma, who backed his instincts to shoot with his first touch from the centre of the box into the middle of the net, tripling the home team’s lead, rounding off a convincing outing for the Islanders.

--IANS

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Mahakumbh Nagar, Jan 26 (IANS) Over 13 crore pilgrims have taken the holy dip so far on the banks of Sangam as the mega festival of Mahakumbh 2025 is being celebrated with great enthusiasm and excitement, drawing believers in Sanatan culture from all walks of life across the country and the world.

Sunday witnessed another sea of pilgrims congregating along the banks of Sangam. A massive crowd estimated at lakhs took the holy dip.

Figures suggested that over 1.74 crore people took the holy dip till 8.30 p.m. on Sunday.

Till January 26, a total of 13.21 crore pilgrims took the holy dip of faith.

As per the data, the number went dramatically high on Sunday compared to Saturday as the number of pilgrims who took the holy dip on January 25 was 11.47 crore.

Besides, till Sunday, over 10 lakh Kalpavasis took the holy bath.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav also took a dip of faith.

Samajwadi Party leaders and workers were also present along with Akhilesh Yadav.

Akhilesh Yadav took a bath in the Sangam and offered 'Arghya' to the Sun.

Later, interacting with the mediapersons, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said: "I have taken a total of 11 dips. Let's take a resolve today that a positive message should come out of the Mahakumbh. Whenever we remember Kumbh, the spirit of harmony, goodwill and tolerance always remain. I had earlier taken a bath in Haridwar, and today I got a chance to take a bath in Sangam."

Meanwhile, a sea of devotees has started converging in Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh ahead of Mauni Amavasya, the biggest snan (bathing day) of the two-month long mela.

With the weekend rush ahead of the auspicious day, the city is witnessing a surge of pilgrims from all corners. Railway stations, bus stops, and highways are brimming with pilgrims, all eager to reach Sangam for taking a holy dip on the day.

In the past two days (Friday and Saturday), over 1.25 crore devotees have taken bath at the Sangam. The crowd is expected to swell significantly, with an estimated 8-10 crore devotees expected to take bath on the day of Mauni Amavasya.

The fair administration and Kumbh police have implemented extensive preparations, to ensure a seamless experience for the devotees.

To maintain order and ensure smooth movement, the entire fair area has been declared a no-vehicle zone. Rapid progress is being made to install barricades along the banks to manage the crowd effectively.

Special arrangements have been made across all sectors and zones to facilitate the movement of devotees. No special protocol will be applicable during the Amrit Snan festival to prioritise public convenience.

The Integrated Control and Command Center (ICCC) has been activated to monitor crowd density and ensure that no excessive gathering takes place.

Quick-response teams have been deployed in high-density areas to handle emergencies, while major routes are being closely monitored. Surveillance is also being conducted to track suspicious individuals and prevent any untoward incidents.

Devotees are being encouraged to download the official chatbot of the fair. This chatbot provides comprehensive information to make their journey more convenient. In addition to the chatbot, Google navigation and on-ground police personnel will assist pilgrims in finding the correct routes.

--IANS

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Patna, Jan 26 (IANS) Anshuman Sinha, son of the legendary folk singer Swar Kokila Late Sharda Sinha, while thanking the Union government for conferring Padma Vibhushan on his mother, termed the award a ‘historic moment’ for his entire family.

“The award is a historic moment for our entire family,” Sinha told IANS.

On the eve of Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu conferred India's second-highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan posthumously upon the legendary folk singer Sharda Sinha for her work in the field of folk music.

“This is a moment of great pride. It is a matter of pride for my family, state, and the entire country. Receiving the highest civilian awards in the field of folk music is history in itself. I, along with all the family members, wholeheartedly thank the Union government for this initiative,” Sinha said.

He added that the Union government has respected folk culture, folk songs, and good traditions which is the biggest achievement.

“If my mother were alive today, this day would have been completely different. You would have been asking her to sing, and she would have happily sung for everyone. We miss her a lot. If my father were here, he would have decorated the entire house in celebration, invited everyone, and shared his joy with them. We miss all of that deeply. But now, with this recognition, the government has acknowledged her legacy, and it is a moment of immense happiness and pride for us,” he said.

Anshuman Sinha also spoke about Sharda Sinha’s previous honours and her remarkable journey.

“My mother received the Padma Shri in 1991. At that time, we were young children, busy with studies, unaware of the significance of the awards she received. In 2018, she was awarded the Padma Bhushan. And now, in 2025, receiving the Padma Vibhushan after such a long journey is not only an acknowledgement of her work but also a tribute to how she brought Bihar's folk culture to the world stage,” he said.

He added that this recognition is a testament to the love of the people and the support of the government.

When asked about the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, Anshuman responded with optimism.

“I will definitely say that she is and will always remain a jewel of India. Bharat Ratna is a process, and it will happen when the time comes. What matters most is that she is already a jewel of India,” he said.

--IANS

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Shillong, Jan 24 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Sunday said that the government has set an aim to make the hill state a $10 billion strong economy in the next three years.

Moreover, the Chief Minister asserted in his Republic Day speech that the law and order situation has been better in Meghalaya in the last one year and the state remained peaceful.

He also spoke about the state government implementing the three new criminal laws -- Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhinyam (BSA) except in autonomous district areas.

Sangma said: "The vision of our government is to make Meghalaya a $10 billion economy by 2028, by doubling our state's GDP. We are poised towards achieving this goal and strategies are being developed across sectors, and investments are being mobilised. The GDP of our State increased from Rs 23,235 crore in Financial Year (FY)15 to Rs 53,057 crore in FY24. Key areas like roads, housing, water supply, power, tourism, and IT are driving growth.

"Over the past five years, the State has built more than 2,500 km of roads under PMGSY. The government is in the process of expanding the Shillong Airport to accommodate larger flights and improve connectivity,” he added.

Sangma also said: "The government of Meghalaya is dedicated to enhancing the State's road infrastructure, to ensure better connectivity, and fostering economic growth. Over the past two years, the government has sanctioned road works covering 568 km, to enhance connectivity in the state.

"Work on the Shillong-Dawki Highway and Tura-Dalu Road is progressing well, and a new alignment for the Pynursla Bypass is approved. Additionally, significant projects like Shillong Western Bypass, and a high-speed corridor from Mawlyngkhung to Panchgram are also advancing."

The CM further stated: "During the last year the overall law and order situation in the State was peaceful. In the year 2023-24, the three new Criminal Laws namely the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhinyam (BSA) were implemented with effect from 1st July 2024. However, the Autonomous District Council Courts will continue to function under the provision of the Sixth Schedule.

"The new laws mark a significant shift in the administration of criminal justice with emphasis on the use of technology and forensics. In line with this, the State government has also upgraded the Forensic Sciences Lab in Shillong to a full-fledged Directorate of Forensic Sciences and also approved the creation of Mobile Forensic Science Units in each district. Further, the Directorate of Prosecution has also been operationalised with the appointment of a Director and Assistant Public Prosecutors."

--IANS

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