मोदी की ऐतिहासिक वृद्धि की घोषणा, एक मीठी गोली ओर ऐतिहासिक धोखा : विपक्ष

नई दिल्ली। प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने बुधवार को फसल वर्ष 2018-19 में अधिसूचित खरीफ फसलों के न्यूनतम समर्थन मूल्य में 50 फीसदी वृद्धि को ऐतिहासिक बताया है। वहीं, किसान संगठन ने इसे किसानों के साथ ऐतिहासिक धोखा करार दिया है।

प्रधानमंत्री ने एक ट्वीट के जरिए कहा, ‘‘मैं प्रसन्न हूं कि सरकार ने किसानों को लागत का डेढ़ गुना एमएसपी प्रदान करने का अपना वादा पूरा किया है। फसलों के एमएसपी में ऐतिहासिक वृद्धि की गई है।’’

उन्होंने कहा कि सरकार कृषि क्षेत्र के विकास के हर जरूरी उपाय करने को प्रतिबद्ध है।

मोदी का यह बयान केंद्रीय मंत्रिमंडल द्वारा अधिसूचित फसलों के लिए किसानों को उत्पादन लागत पर 50 फीसदी लाभ के साथ एमएसपी को मंजूरी प्रदान करने के तुरंत बाद आया।

कांग्रेस ने हालांकि इस निर्णय को चुनावी लॉलीपॉप करार दिया और कहा कि सरकार ने कृषि लागत एवं उत्पादन आयोग (सीएसीपी) की 2018-19 के लिए की गई सिफारिशों के आधार पर एमएसपी घोषित नहीं किया है।

इस बीच, अखिल भारतीय किसान सभा ने खरीफ फसलों के एमएसपी में वृद्धि के केंद्र सरकार के इस फैसले को किसानों के साथ धोखा करार दिया है। संगठन ने कहा, ‘‘धान के एमएसपी में 200 रुपये की बढ़ोतरी किसानों के साथ ऐतिहासिक धोखा है।’’

किसान संगठन ने एक बयान में कहा कि मोदी और भाजपा से किसानों को बड़ी उम्मीद थी, इसलिए उन्होंने 2014 में भाजपा का साथ दिया था, मगर भाजपा सरकार ने उनकी उम्मीदें पूरी नहीं की।

आर्थिक मामलों की मंत्रिमंडलीय समिति (सीसीईए) ने बुधवार को फसल वर्ष 2018-19 (जुलाई-जून) की खरीफ फसलों के न्यूनतम समर्थन मूल्य (एमएसपी) में उत्पादन लागत पर 50 फीसदी लाभ के साथ वृद्धि की घोषणा की।

मंत्रिमंडल की बैठक में लिए गए फैसले की जानकारी मीडिया को देते हुए केंद्रीय गृहमंत्री राजनाथ सिंह ने कहा कि सरकार ने किसानों को उनकी फसलों की लागत का डेढ़ गुना एमएसपी देने का ऐतिहासिक फैसला किया है, जिससे अर्थव्यवस्था को बड़ा प्रोत्साहन मिलेगा।

उन्होंने कहा कि कृषि लागत और मूल्य आयोग (सीएसीपी) ने मॉनसून सीजन की प्रमुख फसल धान की लागत 1,166 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल तय की थी और सरकार ने 50 फीसदी लाभ जोडक़र धान का एमएसपी 1,750 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल तय किया है, जोकि पिछले साल से 200 रुपये अधिक है।

केंद्रीय मंत्रिमंडल द्वारा बुधवार को लिए गए फैसले के अनुसार, फसल वर्ष 2018-19 में सामान्य ग्रेड के धान का एमएसपी 200 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल बढ़ाकर 1750 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल कर दिया गया है और सामान्य ग्रेड-ए धान का एमएसपी 1590 रुपये से बढ़ाकर 1770 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल किया गया है।

वहीं हाइब्रिड धान का एमएसपी 1700 रुपये प्रति कुंटल से बढ़ाकर 2430 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल कर दिया गया है।

गृहमंत्री ने कहा कि एमएसपी ए2 और एफएल के योग के आधार पर होगा, जोकि स्वामीनाथन आयोग की सिफारिश की लागत संकल्पना पर आधारित है। केंद्र सरकार को एमएसपी में बढ़ोतरी से 15,000 करोड़ रुपये का अतिरिक्त खर्च करना होगा।

जबकि, किसान संगठन का कहना है कि उन्हें स्वामीनाथन आयोग की सिफारिश के अनुसार, सी2 स्तर पर 50 फीसदी लाभ के साथ एमएसपी देने का आश्वासन दिया गया था।

गौरतलब है कि ए2 में किसानों द्वारा फसल के उत्पादन में किए गए मौद्रिक खर्च शामिल हैं, जिसमें बीज और खाद या उर्वरक से लेकर मजदूरी जुताई, सिंचाई आदि पर होने वाला खर्च शामिल है। जबकि ए2 और एफएल के योग में किसान परिवार द्वारा किए गए श्रम का पारिश्रमिक शामिल हो जाता है। वहीं, ए2 प्लस एफल और सी2 में जमीन का किराया भी शामिल हो जाता है।

उन्होंने कहा कि उच्च एमएसपी राष्ट्रीय जनतांत्रिक गठबंधन (राजग) सरकार की किसानों की आमदनी 2022 तक दोगुनी करने की योजना का हिस्सा है।

राजनाथ ने कहा कि बाजरा का एमएसपी सीएसीपी द्वारा तय लागत 990 रुपये पर 97 फीसदी प्रतिफल के साथ 1,950 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल होगा।

सरकार ने मूंगफली का एमएसपी 4,450 रुपये से बढ़ाकर 4,890 रुपये प्रति कुंटल कर दिया। इसी प्रकार सोयाबीन का समर्थन मूल्य 3,050 रुपये से बढ़ाकर 3,399 रुपये और मूंग का एएसपी 5,575 रुपये से बढ़ाकर 6,975 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल कर दिया गया है। रागी का एमएसपी 1,900 रुपये से बढ़ाकर 2,897 रुपये और बाजरा का 1,425 रुपये से बढ़ाकर 1950 रुपये कर दिया गया है। ज्वार का एमएसपी 1,725 रुपये से बढ़ाकर 2,450 रुपये और उड़द का 5,400 रुपये से बढ़ाकर 5,600 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल कर दिया गया है।

तुअर का एमएसपी 5,450 रुपये से बढ़ाकर 5,675 रुपये और कपास लांग स्टेपल का 4,320 रुपये से बढ़ाकर 5,450 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल और मीडियम स्टेपल का 4,020 रुपये से बढ़ाकर 5,150 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल कर दिया गया है।

सूरजमुखी का एमएसपी 4,100 रुपये से बढ़ाकर 5,388 रुपये प्रति कुंटल, तिल का एमएसपी 5,300 रुपये से बढ़ाकर 6,249 रुपये प्रति कुंटल और नाइजरसीड का एमएसपी 4,050 रुपये से बढ़ाकर 5,877 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल कर दिया गया है।

मक्के का एमएसपी 1,425 रुपये से बढ़ाकर 1,700 रुपये प्रति क्विंटल  कर दिया गया है।

India – US set for talks on Iran


Sources said India is exploring the possibility of reviving the rupee-rial arrangement for importing oil from Iran in the wake of US sanctions.


Days after US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley said that India should snap trade ties with Iran, the US is likely to reach out to the Indian government in the next one month over the issue of sanctions on Iran and its impact on Delhi’s engagement with Iran, sources said here on Wednesday.

The first set of US sanctions on Iran will start from August 6 and second set will begin from November 4. Sources said the US was prepared to work with countries that are reducing their oil imports on a case-to-case basis. Sources said India is exploring the possibility of reviving the rupee-rial arrangement for importing oil from Iran in the wake of US sanctions.

“In the next few weeks, we expect to have some engagements on the issue with the US. We cannot pre-judge what the US will be doing,” said a source. India is also expected to convey to the US the importance of the Chabahar port project considering the strategic nature of the project — as it provides access to conflict-ridden Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.

Informal indication from Washington DC has been that the Trump administration understands India’s reasoning on the Chabahar port, that may be kept out of the sanctions regime. Shipping to Iran and ports in the country are also coming under the US sanctions.

The US has told India and other countries to cut oil imports from Iran to “zero” by November 4 or face sanctions, making it clear that there would be no waivers to anyone. Sources said there was no doubt that the US was going to put pressure on India and other countries which import oil from Iran, noting, “the question is what do we see as a national interest and how do we explain our case to the US. That is still to be done.”

The rupee-rial arrangement was used to buy oil from Iran before sanctions were lifted against it three years ago.
Under the mechanism, India used to pay in Euros to clear 55 per cent of its dues through Ankara-based Halk bank. The remaining 45 per cent payment was remitted in rupees in accounts Iranian oil companies had with the UCO Bank.

According to sources, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had not given any assurance to her Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif about oil import from Iran when they held talks here in May. They also said the Petroleum Ministry has not decided on cutting oil import from Iran. Iran is India’s third-largest oil supplier after Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Separately, sources also said that the US postponed the ‘2+2 dialogue’ with India as Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo has to travel to North Korea to discuss the country’s denuclearisation plan. The reason for postponing the dialogue, scheduled for July 6 in Washington, was conveyed to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj by Pompeo during a telephonic conversation between them on June 27, sources said. However, it could not be divulged owing to the sensitive nature of Pompeo’s visit.

In the lighter vein with Rajnath Singh


There were a couple of lighter moments in Union minister Rajnath Singh’s press briefing on the Union Cabinet’s “historic” decision on the minimum support price (MSP) increase.


There were a couple of lighter moments in Union minister Rajnath Singh’s press briefing on the Union Cabinet’s “historic” decision on the minimum support price (MSP) increase. Singh, who otherwise has a very good grasp over Hindi, was lost for words when it came to the Hindi word for depreciation cost accounted for in the MSP of kharif crops. Singh stopped when he read out “mulya haraas” and asked loudly what it meant. Then, talking about farming credentials of his Cabinet colleagues alongside, Singh said he himself is a farmer, Radha Mohan Singh is a farmer, Harsimrat Kaur Badal is a farmer. Then he turned to his third colleague, Ravi Shankar Prasad, and asked him, “Aap bhi kya kisaan hain (are you also a farmer)?” As the reporters burst out laughing, a smiling Prasad responded, “main kisaani jaanta hoon (I know farming)”.

In No Hurry
The Congress leadership has begun contacting leaders of opposition parties for a meeting — most likely on July 16 — to discuss the issue of election of the deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha. With more than two weeks left for the Monsoon Session of Parliament to begin, the Congress seems to be in no hurry to begin the talks. Top leaders of the party said it is open to the idea of fielding a non-Congress MP as the joint opposition candidate, provided there is consensus. Sources said the party’s top leaders have started working the phones to prepare the ground for the meeting. The agenda will include floor coordination in the House.

Anguished Judge
Supreme Court Justice D Y Chandrachud on Wednesday expressed “anguish” over contents of a WhatsApp message that he had received regarding what transpired during a hearing on Tuesday. The message apparently was in the context of a plea seeking review of the apex court’s verdict in the National Judicial Appointments Commission case. As the counsel attempted to mention his plea again, Justice Chandrachud and Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra questioned him regarding the message. The counsel fumbled for answers and was finally disallowed by the court from mentioning his plea.

Creativity alone helps organisations succeed: Communication Professional

The Department of Public Relations (DPR), Panjab University and Chandigarh Chapter of Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) organised an interactive session with Mr Pushpinder Singh, the founder and Director of one of India’s leading advertising agencies, Saints and Warriors, Mumbai, here today.

Addressing the public relations and advertising professionals, Pushpinder Singh said that creativity is the key to profitability of any business, though they are no more than 1 percent of such agencies in the country engaged in creative work.

Though digital agencies have mushroomed in the country, hardly anyone is making profits except those engaged in digital media buying.

Responding to the question of future of Indian print media vis-à-vis advent of digital media, Pushpinder said that print media would survive in the country only because of huge niches and pockets of markets available for the print media to reach out, where vernacular media has succeeded.

The digital versions of newspapers have cropped up though none has any robust revenue model in place, which would continue to exist with the printed versions, he added.

CJ Singh, National Executive Vice President of PRCI underlined the need for result-oriented communication approach and strategies to benefit the stakeholders that any organisation intends to reach.

Renuka B. Salwan, Director Public Relations, and Vice Chairperson of Northern Region of PRCI, provided an overview of the PRCI in upgrading the skills of the PR professionals, and presented vote of thanks to the guest speaker.

Public Relations Council of India traction hour with Mr. Pushpinder Singh

Chandigarh

04/07/2018

Public Relations Council of India in association with Department of Public Relations, Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh is organising an interaction with Mr. Pushpinder Singh, Founder Director, Saints and Warriors, one of the India’s Leading Creative & Advertising Agencies at PU Guest House at 5:00pm today.

Government’s “deep disapproval” to WhatsApp and called for “necessary remedial measures” and “immediate action”

Hindu meals Withdrawn from Air Emirates


  • Most big airlines give this option for the sake of clarity for non-vegetarians who do not eat beef or pork.
  • Air India and Singapore Airlines have special meals titled ‘religious’ in their menu.

NEW DELHI: Dubai-based mega carrier Emirates is withdrawing “Hindu meal” — a popular option given by several international airlines for travellers to pre-book meals based on their religious beliefs — from its flights. The airline says its “Hindu customers can order in advance from a wide variety of regionally-inspired vegetarian and special meals catering to specific dietary requirements, in all classes of travel… (including) options of religious meals like Vegetarian Jain Meal, Indian Vegetarian Meal, Kosher meals and Non-Beef non-vegetarian options as well.”

Most big airlines give this option for the sake of clarity for non-vegetarians who do not eat beef or pork. Air India and Singapore Airlines have special meals titled ‘religious’ in their menu.

Emirates says: “Emirates will discontinue the Hindu meal option. We constantly review our offering, taking into consideration customer uptake and feedback… Food and drink form an integral part of any Emirates flight experience….” Among “religious meals”, Emirates ‘website lists Indian veg meal (AVML), Vegetarian Jain meal and Kosher meal.

 

Army arrested Lt. Col Singh in Imphal claims Wife

IMPHAL: The wife of a serving Lt Colonel who had reportedly accused his superiors of extortion and carrying out fake encounters sought help on Tuesday from Manipur police and social organisations for the safety of her husband, alleging that he was arrested by the Army without any warrant two days ago.

In an FIR lodged with the local police, Ranju Singh said an Army team led by a Lt Colonel picked up her husband, Lt. Col Dharamvir Singh of 3 Corps of Intelligence and Surveillance Unit (CISU), from his official quarters here at 6.30 am on Sunday. She said that the officers told Dharamvir that he was being taken into custody as per the direction of the commandant of 3 CISU.

Ranju said since she was not keeping well, she had sent the family’s help to get some medicines, but he was not allowed to move out of the Army complex. She added that she, along with her two children, later left the quarter to stay at a friend’s house. She feared that the Army might plant incriminating documents in her husband’s room.

Later in the evening, Ranju met the media at the Manipur Press Club to narrate the incident in detail. With her minor daughters by her side, she questioned the Army’s motive and said, “I am very worried and helpless.” When contacted, the Army said that it would come out with a clarification soon.

50-year-old woman schoolteacher was allegedly beheaded in Jharkhand’s Seraikela-Kharsawan

AMSHEDPUR: A 50-year-old woman schoolteacher was allegedly beheaded by a youth inside the campus of a government-run school in Jharkhand’s Seraikela-Kharsawan district on Tuesday, afternoon.

The accused then ran through the village streets with the severed head while threatening panicked bystanders, before getting arrested.

The teacher, Sukru Hessa, was overseeing a physical training session of students when the accused Hari Hembram — who is in his twenties — barged into the campus of Khaparsai Middle School while screaming at her. He pushed her on the ground, dragged her to a distance and attacked her with a dagger, witnesses said.

While Hessa died on the spot, Hembram fled with the chopped head and the murder weapon. He then ran around the village with the severed head, wielding the dagger at passersby for almost four hours before being held.

“We are yet to ascertain the motive behind the murder. The accused seemed to be deranged,” said Seraikela-Kharsawan SP Chandan Kumar Sinha. Hessa and Hembram were both residents of Khapsarai village, said cops.

Departments under me have provided employment to one crore youths : Gadkari

 

NEW DELHI: Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday claimed that the departments under him have provided employment to one crore youths since the NDA government came to power in May 2014.

The minister, however, did not provide any data to support his claim. Speaking on the sidelines of an event to mark the 50th foundation day of WAPCOS, a public sector undertaking under the ministry of water resources, he said he was in the process of collecting data and statistics to support his claims.

His remarks came at the time when the opposition parties are attacking the Centre on the issue of employment generation and criticising PM Narendra Modi over his claim that his government had created lakhs of jobs. “What the PM has said is absolutely correct. My departments generate a lot of direct and indirect employment. One crore youths have been given employment,” he said.