National

Karnataka Appeals to Union Government for Support to Distressed Red Chilli Farmers

Published

11 months ago

March 11, 2025

On Tuesday, Chief Minister S. Siddaramaiah called on the central government to provide immediate financial assistance to Karnataka’s red chilli farmers, who are facing a debt crisis due to a combination of unsold inventory from last year and the current surplus yield, which has led to a significant drop in prices.

The Kalyana Karnataka region, known for its cultivation of chillies, is one of the most economically disadvantaged and drought-prone areas in the country, housing numerous small and marginal farmers. Many of these farmers are already experiencing severe financial strain as the debt crisis deepens.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urged the Centre to offer urgent support similar to that extended to the Guntur chilli farmers in Andhra Pradesh. In letters addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, he requested the inclusion of Karnataka chilli farmers in the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme under the Market Intervention Scheme, arguing for fair treatment in comparison to their counterparts in Andhra Pradesh.

“Continuing neglect of their situation will only exacerbate economic distress and drive countless farmers further into debt. Therefore, it is crucial that the Union Government includes Karnataka in the Price Deficiency Payment scheme, ensuring equality with Andhra Pradesh,” Siddaramaiah stated, advocating for adjustments to the existing scheme to better support the farmers.

A significant decline in chilli prices has plunged many red chilli farmers in the Kalyana Karnataka region into financial hardship. The Chief Minister noted that farmers are compelled to sell their produce at distress prices, incurring financial losses that threaten their livelihoods.

He called for an increase in the Minimum Intervention Price (MIP) to ₹13,500 per quintal, arguing that the current MIP of ₹11,781 per quintal is insufficient given the rising input costs and higher production costs in Karnataka. He emphasized that government assistance should extend to cover at least 75% of total production since limiting coverage to just 25% would leave many farmers vulnerable.

Siddaramaiah insisted that the Union Government should fully absorb the cost of the price deficiency payment, rather than sharing it equally as the current scheme dictates. He highlighted that the market prices of red chillies are heavily influenced by the Union Government’s domestic and export policies, which directly impact market stability and farmers’ earnings.

He appealed for the government to take on the entire price deficiency payment to provide fair compensation for Karnataka’s farmers, ensuring they receive the same level of support as the farmers in Andhra Pradesh. “A fair and timely intervention from the Union Government will offer immediate relief and demonstrate its commitment to the welfare of farmers nationwide, regardless of their state,” the Chief Minister concluded.

National

Three Burned Alive as Car Falls from Bridge in Gujarat’s Rajkot

Published

2 weeks ago

January 31, 2026

Namma Kudla

Gujarat: A tragic accident claimed the lives of three people in Gujarat’s Rajkot district on Monday.A car fell from a bridge and caught fire, killing all occupants on the spot.

The incident occurred on the Gondal–Atkot highway.The car was travelling from Chhota Udepur towards Gondal.

According to reports, the vehicle hit the bridge’s safety barrier.After the collision, the car fell nearly eight feet into a small stream below the bridge.

Soon after the fall, the car caught fire.The occupants were trapped inside the vehicle and were unable to escape.All three were burned alive and died at the scene.

Police and fire personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information.The fire was later brought under control.The bodies were recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.

The exact cause of the accident is under investigation. Further details are awaited.

National

Girl Records Reels Inside Jail, Video Sparks Debate

Published

2 weeks ago

January 30, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bhopal: A young woman has come under public attention after recording reels inside a jail while meeting her boyfriend.

The incident happened at Raipur Central Jail in Chhattisgarh, which is known for high security. Mobile phones are strictly not allowed inside the jail. Despite this rule, the woman carried her phone into the visitor room.

She recorded videos while talking to her boyfriend during the meeting. In the video, she speaks emotionally about visiting him on his birthday. She says she feels sad because she cannot stay with him on his special day.

After the meeting, she uploaded the video on her social media account. The video quickly went viral on different platforms. The inmate seen in the video is identified as Tarakeshwar.

He is currently lodged in Raipur Central Jail. He is an accused in a case under the NDPS Act. The incident has raised serious questions about jail security.

People on social media are criticising jail staff and officials. Many users are asking how a mobile phone was allowed inside the jail.

They are also questioning the checking process at the jail entrance. So far, jail authorities have not given any official reaction.

National

MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

Published

4 months ago

October 6, 2025

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.