PM calls for a second green revolution
Hyderabad: The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, said that he hoped that the new Planning Commission, when it is in place, will look into the option of writing a new chapter in Indian history by ushering in a second Green Revolution that would bring in a new element of dynamism in the country's agriculture. The Prime Minister hoped that the Committee headed by Dr M.S. Swaminathan would look into this aspect.

Apart from bringing forward a new Seed Act to regulate the quality of seeds, the Government was also taking steps to strengthen the system of crop and livestock insurance to insulate farmers from the vagaries of drought. Dr Singh, visited Mahaboobnagar and Kurnool districts on Thursday to personally look in to the crisis faced by farmers in Andhra Pradesh. Sympathising with the families of the distressed farmers, who committed suicide, he announced the release of Rs 60 crore from the Calamity Relief Fund. He also instructed Andhra Bank to coordinate with the State Bank of Hyderabad, State Bank of India, Indian Bank and Syndicate Bank to visit all families, which have lost their breadwinners.

Dr Singh said that these banks would extend support to the families of deceased farmers for economic activities that would ensure steady income. "This will be done within the next 30 days. This will be monitored by the State Government as well as my office."
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Assam ONGC employees go on flash strike
Sibsagar: Work in ONGC offices was paraysed today in Upper Assam's Sibsagar district following a day-long strike called by the officers and employees of the organisation. The ONGC Workers Association had called the strike against the reported move to hand over the Amguri oilfields to a Canadian company, CANARO. An ONGC spokesman said that work had come to a standstill in the offices though drilling was continuing in the oilfields. The ONGC Workers Association said that the employees resorted to the strike as the proposal put forward by the Association was not agreed to by the ONGC authorities.
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