28-October-2022: Gujarat Govt, Fertilizer Subsidy Bill, 13th Convocation of SHUATS, Odisha CM, SAFAL

28 October 2022

• Gujarat Govt Announces A Relief of Rs 630 Crore To Help Rain-Hit Farmers

  The Gujarat government has announced a Rs 630 crore grant to farmers who have suffered crop losses due to excessive rainfall during the Kharif season. During the 2022 Kharif season, more than 8 lakh farmers reported crop losses as a result of the heavy rainfall across the state. The Gujarat government on Friday announced a relief package worth Rs 630 crore for more than 8 lakh farmers who suffered crop losses as a result of excessive rains during the 2022 Kharif season as assembly elections draw nearer.

• Fertilizer Subsidy Bill May Increase By 40,000 Crore Due to Pricier Gas

  Crisil Ratings Ltd has said in a report that the government’s fertilizer subsidy bill is likely to increase further due to the continuous increase in the prices of pooled natural gas which is the main ingredient for manufacturing urea. The report also said that the increase in prices could be as high as Rs 40,000 crore over the original budget allotment of Rs 1.05 trillion and the Rs 1.1 trillion subsidies announced later. The report added that any delay in the allocation and disbursement will likely lead to higher working capital requirements and will moderate the credit metrics of fertilizer makers.

• Over 14,000 Students Receive Degrees, Diplomas at 13th Convocation of SHUATS

  Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Science (SHUATS) formerly known as Allahabad Agricultural Institute (AAI) conducted its 13th Annual Convocation on 27 October 2022. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, Metropolitan of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Malangkara was the guest of honor. More than 14,000 degrees and diplomas were awarded to students during the convocation which was held after 2 years gap due to the pandemic. A total of 6,485 diplomas, 6,890 master's degrees, 388 PhDs, and 355 degrees were given to the graduating students in the academic years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

• Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Launches Common Credit Portal ‘SAFAL’ For Farmers

  Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched SAFAL (Simplified Application for Agricultural Loans), a unified credit website for the benefit of farmers. While launching the portal chief minister said that the facility will enable farmers as well as agri-entrepreneurs to access over 300 term loan products of more than 40 banks. 

   

• Punjab Bans Issuance of New Licences for Sale & Manufacture of Fertiliser, Pesticides

  According to reports, the prohibition has been put in place to prevent the selling of fake fertilizers and pesticides. All Chief Agriculture Officers in the state have received orders not to grant any new license at the district level until the state government has made a decision in this regard. “If it is absolutely necessary to issue a license, the permission for it should be taken from the head office of the Agriculture Department,” read the directives given by the Agriculture Department's Joint Director.