Tripura Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Tuesday said that the state government has been adopting various plans based on specific proposals for the development of primary rural markets and agriculturally controlled markets to boost farmers' income.
Minister Nath said this after inaugurating rural markets under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) project in Kanchanbari and Radhanagar of Unakoti district, and opening them to all farmers and traders.
“The State Government's Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare has been adopting various plans based on specific proposals for the development of primary rural markets and agriculturally controlled markets. In the past years, the department has been implementing projects based on the specific proposals received from the three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions, market committees, or any public representative, keeping in mind their importance and necessity while adopting plans for the development of various markets,” said Minister Nath.
The Minister said that any market development proposal must have a detailed description of the proposed land and necessary documents.
“There are currently a total of 554 agricultural markets in the state, including 84 primary wholesale markets, 21 agri-produce markets and 470 primary or rural markets. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare has been adopting various plans for the development of these agricultural markets located in different parts of the state,” he said.
The Minister said that from 2018 till now, a total of 86 market works have been undertaken with the financial assistance of NABARD under the RIDF project.
“Various types of infrastructure development works like shed construction, stall construction, toilet construction, drinking water supply, sewage system, etc., have been undertaken in these markets. The total cost allocated for this is Rs. 167 crore 11 lakh 90 thousand. A total of 40 market development works have already been completed, 38 market development works are in progress, work orders have been given for 3 works and 5 works have been cancelled due to lack of suitable bidders and space availability. It is worth mentioning here that during the 5-year period from 2013 to 2017, a total of 71 market infrastructure development works were undertaken, for which the cost allocated was only Rs. 20 crore 26 lakh 86 thousand 924,” he added.
Sri Lankan Navy arrests 32 Tamil fishermen, five boats seized
The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 32 fishermen from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and fishing in Lankan waters.
Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi hails ISRO's century in rocket launches, urges people to dedicate a day for science
Addressing the 119th episode of his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat', on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Indian Space Research Organisation, saying it has hit the century in space. Last month, the country witnessed the ISRO's 100th rocket launch.
Mizoram student stabbed to death in Kerala, batchmate arrested
A 22-year-old BTech student from Mizoram was stabbed to death near his college in Thiruvananthapuram. The deceased, Valentine, was a student at Rajadhani Institute of Engineering & Technology, Nagaroor.
Italy PM slams Left's double standards, says when Trump, Meloni, Modi talk, they are called threat to democracy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has accused left-wing politicians of being "nervous" over former US President Donald Trump's victory, claiming that conservatives are unfairly labelled as a "threat to democracy" while leftist leaders are celebrated for similar global alliances.
NDRF intensifies rescue operation to save 8 trapped in Telangana tunnel
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams on Sunday intensified rescue efforts to save eight persons trapped in an under-construction tunnel after a portion of its roof collapsed in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district on February 22.
Israel delays Palestinian prisoner release after 'humiliating' hostage handovers
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the release of Palestinian prisoners would be delayed until Hamas ceases its "humiliating ceremonies" during the release of Israeli hostages under the ceasefire deal.
PM Modi on 3-day visit to MP, Bihar, Assam from today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Assam from February 23 to 25 to participate in several developmental projects and inaugurate business summits.
US senators call out China for 'weaponising' UN 1971 resolution, vow support to Taiwan
The United States Senators accused China of subverting United Nations Resolution 2758 in an attempt to isolate Taiwan. The senators proposed a resolution in the Senate reaffirming US support for Taiwan. The resolution opposes China's attempt to prevent Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organisations.