Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Strict action to be taken if MGNREGA funds misused, norms violated: Shivraj

The government on Tuesday warned of strict action if MNREGA funds were misused or the guidelines for the implementation of the scheme were not followed. The remarks came after Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal alleged in the Lok Sabha that MNREGA funds were being misused in several states, including Punjab. "Rather than being routed through panchayats, the funds are being diverted by the state governments and are being misused," she alleged. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said strict action will be taken in such cases. "Wherever guidelines are not being followed, funds are found to be misused, and rules violated, I assure (you) that we will send teams to investigate, and strict action will be taken," he said. During the Question Hour, Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee engaged in a war of words with the treasury bench members in the Lok Sabha over the "stoppage" of MNREGA funds for West Bengal. Banerjee alleged that the benefits of the MNREGA

Updated On: 11 Mar 2025 | 7:38 PM IST

Govt to include farmers not part of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi yet: Shivraj

The government is ready to provide Rs 6,000 annual cash benefit under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi to all eligible farmers who are not part of it yet, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. He asked all state governments to cooperate with the Centre in identifying such farmers and ensuring their inclusion in the scheme. "If anyone is left behind, please help us include all of them under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. We will ensure that such farmers also get the past instalments," Chouhan said during the Question Hour. All eligible beneficiaries must possess at least one piece of land, get eKYC done and register themselves at the PMKISAN portal, the minister said. He added that the fund is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000. "We will ensure that all of these farmers get their dues without even a single day of delay," he said while asserting that the Narendra Modi government is ..

Updated On: 11 Mar 2025 | 2:07 PM IST

Wheat production likely to rise 2% to all-time high 115.43 mn trn: Govt

Wheat production is estimated to rise by 2 per cent to record 1,154.30 lakh tonnes in the rabi season of 2024-25 crop year mainly on higher acreage, according to the government estimates released on Monday. Wheat output stood at 1,132.92 lakh tonnes in the preceding year. The Agriculture Ministry on Monday released the Second Advance Estimates of production of major crops (Kharif & Rabi) for 2024-25. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the central government is continuously working towards the development of the agricultural sector. He highlighted that the ministry is providing assistance and encouragement to farmers through various schemes, resulting in a record increase in agricultural crop production. The Second Advance Estimates covers Kharif and Rabi Seasons. The summer season will be incorporated in the Third Advance Estimates. The production of kharif rice in 2024-25 is estimated to rise to record 1,206.79 lakh tonnes from 1,132.59 lakh tonnes in kharif .

Updated On: 10 Mar 2025 | 6:28 PM IST

PM to deposit over Rs 22,700 cr into farmers' accounts on Monday: Chouhan

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi is a boon for small farmers, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said

Updated On: 24 Feb 2025 | 3:47 PM IST

Makhananomics spices up Bihar's political battle ahead of Assembly polls

With Chouhan's outreach to makhana farmers on eve of PM's visit and Union Budget boost for the state, BJP-led NDA gears up to return to power in its stronghold

Updated On: 23 Feb 2025 | 11:50 PM IST

Cordial talks held with farmers, next meeting on March 19: Shivraj Chouhan

Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi also attended the meeting on Centre's behalf

Updated On: 22 Feb 2025 | 10:18 PM IST

Cordial talks held with farmers; next meet in Chandigarh on Mar 19: Chouhan

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said the meeting with farmer leaders was held in a cordial atmosphere and the next round of talks will take place in Chandigarh March 19. A fresh round of talks between the protesting farmers and a central team led by Chouhan to discuss the formers' various demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP on crops, was held here on Saturday evening. Union ministers Pralhad Joshi and Piyush Goyal also attended the meeting on Centre's behalf. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Chouhan said the discussions with the farmers took place in a cordial atmosphere. The central team placed the farmers' welfare programme, which is the priority of the Narendra Modi government, before the farmers during the meeting, Chouhan said. "We heard the views of farmer leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher. A very good discussion took place. The discussions would continue and the next meeting will be held in Chandigarh on Mar

Updated On: 22 Feb 2025 | 10:04 PM IST

National committee to promote natural farming to be formed: Chouhan

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said a national-level committee will soon be established to promote natural farming across the country. Through this committee, farmers will be made aware of adopting natural farming practices and be given necessary training, he said. If farmers adopt natural farming correctly, it will not only boost their income but also preserve soil fertility, he said, adding that in addition, citizens will benefit from access to vegetables, grains, and fruits free from chemicals and pesticides. He stated this after observing the natural farming practices under the guidance of Gujarat Governor, Acharya Devvrat, in village Kainthala in Kurukshetra district, said an official statement. Prior to this, Chouhan visited Gurukul Kurukshetra, where he examined the Gaushala for indigenous cows, the Gurukul's hostel, and other facilities. Gujarat Governor Devvrat provided detailed insights into the progress and achievements of the Gurukul. The

Updated On: 22 Feb 2025 | 9:50 PM IST

Govt mulling ways to curb distress sale of farm produce: Shivraj Chouhan

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said the government is working out measures to ensure that farmers do not have to sell their produces, especially fruits and vegetables, at throwaway prices. Speaking after inaugurating the 'Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela' 2025 -- being held in the national capital from February 22-24 -- he emphasised the need to take new seeds varieties and farm technologies from labs to agriculture filed at the earliest. Chouhan said the government is holding discussions with farmers directly as well as through their organisations to understand the problems and then making schemes to address the issues. "Jahan-Jahan takleefein dekh rahe hain, hum yojana bana rahe hain (wherever we are seeing problems, we are making schemes to address those)", the minister said, listing out steps taken by the government in the last few years to protect the interest of farmers. Chouhan said the government has removed exports restrictions on rice and onions while

Updated On: 22 Feb 2025 | 4:41 PM IST

Agri min Shivraj Chouhan may join central team meeting protesting farmers

A fresh round of talks between protesting farmers and the Centre will be held here on Saturday evening centred around the legal guarantee of minimum support price on crops, among other demands. The meeting between the central team and farmer leaders will take place at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Public Administration in Chandigarh at 6 pm. In the last meeting held on February 14, Union minister Pralhad Joshi had said that Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan would lead the central team for the February 22 meeting with the protesting farmers. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Saturday said a delegation of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha will take part in the meeting with a positive mind. Farmers expect from the government to resolve their issues at the earliest, he said. Farmers had earlier asked for the next meeting be held in Delhi but the government scheduled it in Chandigarh. Pandher said, "Today the sixth round of talks with th

Updated On: 22 Feb 2025 | 12:55 PM IST

Shivraj Chouhan gets broken seat on Air India, calls service 'unethical'

'We apologize for the inconvenience caused. Please be rest assured that we are looking into this matter carefully to prevent any such occurrences in the future', the airline said

Updated On: 22 Feb 2025 | 12:47 PM IST

India to harvest bumper wheat crop this year: Agriculture Minister Chouhan

India is likely to harvest bumper wheat crop during the current rabi (winter-sown) season on the back of higher acreage and conducive weather conditions so far, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Friday. India produced a record 1,132.92 lakh tonnes of wheat in 2023-24. "We will have bumper wheat production this year. Crop health is good," Chouhan told reporters here. The area under coverage of wheat stood at 320 lakh hectare in the rabi season of 2024-25 crop year (July-June) as against 315.63 lakh hectare in the preceding year. Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi, too, expected bumper wheat production in 2024-25 on the back of higher sowing areas. He said the crop condition is good so far with normal day-night temperature. On Thursday, the Department of Food and Public Distribution tightened the stock limit on wheat for wholesalers, retailers and processors to keep prices under check and asserted that there is ample stock of food grain in the country.

Updated On: 21 Feb 2025 | 3:48 PM IST

Govt to upgrade e-NAM platform to promote inter-state trade: Chouhan in RS

Chouhan said agricultural marketing is a state subject and agricultural produce market committees (APMCs) are regulated by the respective State Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act

Updated On: 07 Feb 2025 | 11:59 PM IST

Govt won't tolerate irregularities in agriculture sector: Shivraj

The government does not tolerate irregularities and will take action if anyone is found guilty of indulging in corruption, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Tuesday amid allegations of corruption in Maharastra's agriculture department. Chouhan was responding to an allegation levelled by NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule, who quoted a minister and an MLA of Maharashtra of talking about alleged corruption to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore in the state's agriculture department. "This is for the first time I am hearing. I don't know what is the real position. But if there is any irregularity anywhere, we will conduct an inquiry and action will be taken against the guilty," he said in the Lok Sabha. Replying to another question, the minister said that so far 23 states and union territories have implemented the centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) while the rest are yet to accept it. "It is the largest crop insurance scheme in the world. Some states

Updated On: 04 Feb 2025 | 1:06 PM IST

Shivraj hails 'Atmanirbhar Budget', highlights farmer benefit schemes

'On one side, there is provision for Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and on other there are provisions to provide farmers with low cost fertiliser, urea, DAP', Agriculture minister added

Updated On: 03 Feb 2025 | 7:32 AM IST

Govt may consider agri subsidies via direct benefit transfer: Shivraj Singh

The government is trying to bring policy-level changes for simplifying agriculture, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said and indicated that providing subsidies on fertiliser, seed and farming equipment through direct benefit transfer could be considered in the future. In an interaction with farmers, who were invited to witness the Republic Day parade as special guests, at his residence here on Monday, the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister said the government spends up to Rs 2,00,000 crore on fertiliser subsidies. "The fertiliser subsidy that the government gives costs to the tune of Rs 2,00,000 crore. A sack of urea costs Rs 265 to the farmers, but it costs Rs 2,400. The subsidy goes to the company. The fertilizer is also used for other purposes... If there is a reliable system, farmers can be given the subsidy directly in their accounts," Chouhan said. "The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi's cost comes to around Rs 60,000 crore, if the fertilizer subsidy is given throu

Updated On: 27 Jan 2025 | 10:56 PM IST

Delhi polls: BJP steps up campaign as top leaders reach out to voters

With less than a fortnight to go for the polling day in Delhi, the BJP stepped up its campaign on Sunday as it organised 20 public meetings which were addressed by top leaders including Amit Shah, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Hardeep Puri and Smriti Irani. Over 100 organisational meetings and door-to-door campaigns were held by the party across the city, said a Delhi BJP statement. Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a rally in Narela and call on the voters to bring back the BJP to power in Delhi. Party leaders Arjun Ram Meghwal, Anurag Thakur, Manoj Tiwari, and Ravi Kishan also addressed public meetings in different constituencies. BJP candidates conducted door-to-door campaigns in all 70 assembly constituencies, directly interacting with over 70,000 families, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said, who addressed five organisational meetings and women's conference. AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal will "deceive" Delhi women just as he did in Punjab, but the BJP will serve them in D

Updated On: 26 Jan 2025 | 10:52 PM IST

Govt plans direct farm sales to cut middlemen, boost farmer income: Chouhan

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday said the government is working on a model to allow farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers, reducing middlemen's role. Interacting with about 400 farmers after the Republic Day parade at Pusa campus, Chouhan emphasized that the "farm to consumer" model will help farmers get maximum benefits, an official statement said. "Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy and farmers are its soul. Without farmers, India cannot prosper," he said. While agriculture is a state subject, the Centre will support farmers comprehensively, Chouhan stated. "The contribution of the agriculture sector and farmers would play a key role in making India a developed nation. The Centre along with state governments will support you," he said. He highlighted ongoing efforts including procuring crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP), promoting technological solutions, strengthening Krishi Vighyan Kendras, encouraging natural farming and crop

Updated On: 26 Jan 2025 | 8:56 PM IST

Shivraj Singh Chouhan's Delhi move: A promotion or loss of MP clout?

In the delicate dance that will accompany the appointment of a new president of the party, Mr Chouhan could be a participant

Updated On: 17 Jan 2025 | 11:37 PM IST

Centre to review agriculture situation every week: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Review to include crop condition, pest infestation, and weather conditions to give best value to farmers

Updated On: 13 Jan 2025 | 10:25 PM IST