KCR announces Rs 10,000 per acre compensation for crop losses

The chief minister told media persons that the unexpected rains and hailstorms damaged crops over 2,28,255 acres across the state. This includes maize crop over 1,29,446 acres, paddy over 72,709 acres and mangoes over 8,865 acres.

Visa applications from Delhi reach 80% of pre-pandemic levels

in the world.

Hyderabad, March 23 (IANS)

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday announced compensation of Rs 10,000 per acre for farmers who lost their crops due to recent unseasonal rains and hailstorms. After a visit to affected areas in a few districts, the chief minister assured the farmers that the government will extend them all the assistance.

He made it clear that the state will not send any report on crop loss to the Centre as the Modi government had provided no help to the state in similar situations earlier.

KCR, who left in a helicopter from Hyderabad, first visited affected areas in Madhira constituency of Khammam district. He spoke to farmers and enquired about the crop losses they suffered. Some of the affected farmers demand a compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre.

KCR said that his government is executing irrigation projects with massive investment. Efforts are being made to expeditiously complete new projects. Stating that the state government is also implementing various schemes for the welfare of farmers, he claimed that such schemes are not being implemented anywhere

The chief minister also stated that as a result of the schemes being implemented by the state government, the agriculture sector has strengthened and farmers are coming out of debt trap. He remarked that some ignorant economists are saying that agriculture is uneconomical.

KCR also pointed out that Telangana's per capita income is higher than that of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and other states. He claimed that Telangana has established itself as an agriculture-based state.

The chief minister said under the policies of the present government at the Centre, affected farmers will get no compensation. "The policies are of no use to the farmers. The country needs a new agriculture policy," said KCR, who is president of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).

TN Assembly clears bill banning online gambling for second time

pass the bill unanimously not just with the mind but also with the hearts.

The bill, the chief minister said, would be again resent to the Governor for his consideration.

New Delhi, March 23 (IANS) Visa applications from the national capital nearly touched the prepandemic levels last year, driven by pent-up demand, opening of international borders and eased Covid-related protocols, a report showed on Thursday.

According to VFS Global, the visa application volume from New Delhi reached close to 80 per cent of the 2019 pre-pandemic levels in 2022 and registered a 93 per cent growth when compared to 2021. This trend of rise in visa application volume from New Delhi is in line with the overall growth registered in India, which was also close to 80 per cent of the pre-pandemic levels in 2022.

"We witnessed unprecedented demand from India in 2022 which led to an extended peak outbound travel season with steady volumes witnessed until December. We are confident that the momentum will further grow and hence it is advisable for applicants to apply for their visas in advance to avoid last-minute surprises," said Prabuddha Sen, Chief Operating Officer-South Asia, VFS Global. Premium optional services such as Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD) that enables travellers to book the entire visa experience at a location of their choice, witnessed around 90 per cent year-on-year rise in 2022.

"Health considerations continue to be a key determining factor in the new normal. As a result, we see an increasing number of travellers opt for such services that provide a seamless visa experience and prioritise safe travel," Sen added.

According to the revised Schengen Visa Code, one can apply for a Schengen visa up to six months before the date of travel.

"Particularly this year with higher demand and limited appointment slots available, we urge applicants to apply for their visa as early as possible," said the company.

Visa applicants are advised to beware of fraudulent entities who charge fees from customers for scheduling appointments or providing any other services using VFS Global's name or independently.

VFS Global operates a global network with more than 3,400 application centres in 145 countries. The company has processed over 256 million applications since its inception in 2001. VFS Global is majorityowned by funds managed by Blackstone, the world's largest alternative asset manager.

Maha Congress protests against jail sentence for Rahul

Chennai, March 23 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Assembly passed the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online games bill" for the second time on Thursday. The bill was passed unanimously in the House.

It was cleared again after Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi had returned it on March 8 asking the state government to furnish additional information with certain changes.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, while reintroducing the bill in the Assembly for the second time, said that several people have lost their lives due to online gambling. He said, "I am standing here with a heavy heart. Fourty one people lost their lives due to online gambling in Tamil Nadu."

Some of the people who had committed suicide had left a note behind asking the government to ban online games, Stalin said. He called upon the legislators to

"We might have differences of opinion in ideologies and politics, but no one with a heart can have a difference of opinion over gambling that kills people," he said, adding that the state government had the right to discipline and protect people residing under its jurisdiction. Some of the DMK legislators also pointed out on the Governor's meeting with the representatives of the E- Gaming Federation (EGF) in December 2022, when the state government was awaiting his assent on the bill against online games.