Farmers reject freight subsidy offer in Punjab

The Punjab government on Sunday announced freight subsidy for transportation of potato crop in domestic as well as export markets,but potato growers turned down the offer saying it would not bail them out. Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal directed immediate release of Rs 2 crore from Rural Development Fund to Markfed,an official release said. However,Jalandhar Potato Growers Association president J S Sangha said they would go ahead with their agitation. On Saturday,potato growers had decided to throw potatoes on the roads in Jalandhar on December 15 to protest fall in the crop’s price and the insensitive attitude of state.

Job generation under MNREGA in Bengal poor: Ramesh

NEW DELHI: Criticising the Bengal government for not generating employment under MNREGA “despite availability of sufficient funds”,Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has shot off a letter to CM Mamata Banerjee asking her to empower panchayats which play a key role in ensuring jobs at villages.