Centre sold 12.41 lakh tonne of Bharat dals at subsidised prices to ease inflation burden

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) The Centre has sold 12.41 lakh tonne of ‘Bharat’ dals at subsidised prices to consumers to ease the burden of inflation on households, the government told the Parliament on Wednesday.

Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, B.L. Verma said in the Lok Sabha that 12.35 lakh tonnes of Bharat chana dal, 5,663.07 tonnes of Bharat moong dal, and 118 tonnes of Bharat masur dal have been sold at subsidised prices till now.

The government introduced Bharat dal in July 2023 by converting chana stock from the price stabilisation buffer into chana dal for retail sale to consumers at a maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs 60 per kg for 1 kg pack and Rs 55 per kg for 30 kg pack till September 30, 2024.

Bharat chana dal has been extended and expanded by allocating another 3 lakh tonnes of chana stock for retail sale in the form of chana dal and chana whole at MRP of Rs 70 per kg and Rs 58 per kg, respectively, the Minister said in a written reply.

The Bharat brand has also been extended to moong and masur dals.

Moong stock has been converted into moong dal (Dhuli) and moong sabut for retail sale under the Bharat brand at MRP of Rs 107 per kg and Rs 93 per kg, respectively. Bharat masur dal is sold at Rs 89 per kg, he said.

Bharat atta and Bharat rice were also launched on Nov 6, 2023, and February 6, 2024, respectively, to provide atta (wheat flour) and rice to general consumers at subsidised rates.

During Phase 1, Bharat atta and Bharat rice were sold at MRP of Rs 27.50 per kg and Rs 29 per kg, respectively, till June 30, 2024. In Phase 2, these products are now being sold at an MRP of Rs 30 per kg for Bharat atta and Rs 34 per kg for Bharat rice. A total of 15.20 LMT of Bharat atta and 14.58 LMT of Bharat rice were made available to consumers during Phase 1 until June 30, 2024. In current Phase 2, 2,952.25 MT of Bharat atta and 3,413.35 MT of Bharat rice have been sold to general consumers, the Minister also added.

Bharat brand of food items are distributed through own retail outlets and mobile vans of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED), Kendriya Bhandar and National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Limited (NCCF), e-commerce platforms, and big chain retailers, Minister Verma said.

–IANS

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Bhopal AIIMS introduces Panchakarma Ayurvedic therapy for patients

Bhopal, Dec 14 (IANS) All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhopal launched Panchakarma treatments, a cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine on Saturday.

Panchakarma, a holistic detoxification and rejuvenation ayurvedic therapy, offers a holistic approach to well-being by addressing the health of the body, mind, and consciousness.

AIIMS Bhopal will also offer a wide range of Ayurvedic therapy services aimed at promoting health and well-being.

Executive Director of AIIMS Bhopal, Dr. Ajay Singh said Panchakarma treatment, which is rooted in the ancient science of Ayurveda, offers a unique and effective way to detoxify and rejuvenate the body.

He added that with the availability of Panchakarma services at AIIMS Bhopal, it will add best of traditional and modern medicine together for the patients visiting here.

“The introduction of Panchakarma facilities at AIIMS Bhopal marks a significant step forward in our mission to deliver holistic healthcare. We are committed to providing our patients with a holistic approach to health and wellness,” he added.

Dr. Singh said that the Panchakarma program at AIIMS Bhopal would provide five core therapies:

Sudation therapy: This therapy induces sweating through steam treatments, promoting detoxification by opening pores and releasing toxins from the body.

Shirodhara: A deeply relaxing therapy where medicated oil, milk, or buttermilk is poured in a continuous stream on the forehead. Shirodhara fosters profound relaxation, mental clarity, and stress relief.

Hydrotherapy: Utilising the physical properties of water, such as temperature and pressure, hydrotherapy stimulates blood circulation, alleviates symptoms of various ailments, and promotes overall health.

Snehana: This involves the application of herbal and mineral-based oils to the body. These oils penetrate deep into the tissues, delivering medicinal properties to every cell and loosen toxins lodged within the body.

Swedana: Fomentation therapies are applied to induce sweating. These therapies soften the tissues, making them more flexible, and help liquefy and eliminate toxins from the body.

Dr. Singh further added that Panchakarma has many benefits such as complete body detoxification, elimination of toxins, increased metabolic rate, weight loss, strengthening digestion, relaxation of mind and body, tissue regeneration, boosted immunity, stress reduction etc.

–IANS

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World has lost a rhythm it can never replace: Gautam Adani on Zakir Hussain’s demise

New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS) Prominent business leaders on Sunday mourned the demise of 73-year-old tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, saying the “rhythm of India has paused today”.

The Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani posted on X social media platform that “the world has lost a rhythm it can never replace”.

“Ustad Zakir Hussain, our maestro whose tabla beats will forever echo in the soul of India, leaves behind his inimitable form of timeless art. His legacy is an eternal ‘taal’, resonating through generations to come. RIP,” Gautam Adani said.

Hussain was admitted to the ICU of a San Francisco hospital in the US with a heart-related problem. He received five Grammy Awards in his career, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.

“The rhythm of India paused today. In tribute,” posted Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra.

Hussain’s manager, Nirmala Bachani, said in a statement that the maestro was battling blood-pressure-related problems.

RPG Enterprises Chairman Harsh Goenka posted on X social media platform that “the world falls silent as the tabla loses its maestro”.

“Ustad Zakir Hussain, a rhythmic genius who brought the soul of India to global stages, has left us. I was privileged to know him because of his connection with HMV and hear him perform at our home. His beats will echo eternally,” Goenka posted.

The Bombay-born eldest son of legendary tabla player Allah Rakha, Zakir Hussain followed in the footsteps of his father, becoming a marquee name in India and across the world.

The percussionist, one of India’s most celebrated classical musicians, received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.

In a career spanning six decades, the musician worked with several renowned international and Indian artistes.

–IANS

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Political parties in Bihar have contrasting views on ‘One Nation, One Election’

Patna, Dec 15 (IANS) The debate over the contentious proposal of ‘One Nation, One Election’ has sparked contrasting opinions across India’s political spectrum.

While the ruling NDA supports the initiative, opposition parties such as the RJD and Congress have voiced strong dissent.

Meanwhile, Prashant Kishor, leader of the Jan Suraaj Party, has taken a nuanced stance, supporting the concept but raising concerns about its implementation.

Kishor described ‘One Nation, One Election’ as a step that could bring substantial benefits to the country.

He argued that synchronising elections would prevent the government from being in a perpetual “election mode,” thus saving time and public funds.

“About one-fourth of the population votes every year, which disrupts governance and development but such a transformative change cannot occur overnight. I would recommend a phased implementation process spanning four to five years to ensure a smooth transition,” Kishor said.

He also highlighted the importance of preserving democratic integrity, urging that the law must not be used to target or harm any particular class or community.

“Consolidated elections could reduce financial and administrative burdens. Fewer elections might allow governments to focus more on long-term governance and policymaking, however, synchronising the terms of Central and state governments requires constitutional amendments and may disrupt the democratic process,” he said.

Opposition parties argue that it could centralise power and undermine the federal structure of governance.

The opposition leaders in Bihar, particularly from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, are raising strong objections to it. They have expressed scepticism over the intent behind the proposal and highlighted several challenges, including its potential impact on smaller parties and India’s federal structure.

RJD leaders, like spokesperson Chittranjan Gagan, questioned why similar policies are not being implemented for education, healthcare, and public facilities.

“They argued that ‘One Nation, One Education’ or ‘One Nation, One Healthcare’, or other facilities should take precedence over simultaneous elections to address critical inequalities in society,” Gagan said.

“The proposal could be a step toward centralising power and potentially finishing smaller regional parties. It could pave the way for constitutional changes that undermine India’s federal character, where states have the autonomy to govern their affairs,” he added.

Congress MLC Madan Mohan Jha raised practical concerns, citing the scale of India’s population (140 crore) and the logistical hurdles of conducting simultaneous elections.

“The Election Commission struggles with managing elections in four states simultaneously, making nationwide elections a daunting task,” Jha said.

The Congress leader dismissed the idea as a “populist slogan” designed to garner attention without a realistic roadmap for implementation.

The BJP has strongly defended the initiative, emphasising its benefits.

BJP spokesperson Arvind Kumar Singh highlighted that simultaneous elections were the norm in India until 1967, and the shift to staggered elections disrupted governance.

“Synchronised elections will save time and resources, ensuring governments can focus on governance instead of being perpetually in election mode. The proposal will cut election-related expenses and reduce the administrative burden on the government and election machinery,” Singh said.

The sheer scale of conducting elections simultaneously for the Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, and local bodies presents significant logistical and resource challenges.

The ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal has ignited a fierce debate, reflecting divergent views on governance, democracy, and federalism. While the BJP champions it as a path to efficiency and stability, opposition parties like the RJD and Congress perceive it as a threat to India’s democratic and federal framework.

–IANS

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