MAM
TAFE’s free of cost tractor rental platform – ‘JFarm Services’ launched in Assam by Shri. Atul Bora, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Assam
MUMBAI: TAFE’s ‘JFarm Services’is a CSR initiative aligned to TAFE’s vision of
cultivating the world to enrich the lives of farmers across India. This initiative was formally launched inAssam in partnership with the State Government, by Shri. Atul Bora, the Honorable Minister of Agriculture, Horticulture and Food Processing, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary and Town & Country Planning, Government of Assam.
TAFE’s JFarm Services aims to increase easy access to farm mechanization solutions through rental of tractors and modern farm equipment to small and marginal farmers, enhancing their productivity and increasing their income significantly.
It facilitates the hiring of tractors and modern farm machinery to farmers, free of cost, through its
Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) rental platform. TAFE’sJFarm Services will collaborate with the agricultural development officers of the Assam Government to ensure wide outreach and successful roll-out of the platform.
Agriculture continues to be the primary occupation in Assam. About 70% of the population in the state is dependent on agriculture as a source of livelihood. With majority of them being small or marginal farmers, there is tremendous potential in the state for growth and increase in productivity through farm mechanization.
Ms. Mallika Srinivasan, Chairman & CEO – TAFE, said: “India is a land of small farms. A majority of farmers in our country, almost 85% of them have no access to farm mechanization to improve their yields and income. JFarm Services is a CSR initiative that allows both – farmers offering their tractors and farm equipment on rent, and smaller farmers seeking this service, to benefit directly from the JFarm Services app. It is our aim to reach out to the farmers of Assam, touch the lives of millions of farmers across the country and achieve our Honorable Prime Minister’s vision of doubling farmers’ income by 2022.”
The JFarm Services App will connect tractor owners and Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) operated by tractors and equipment owners directly to farmers seeking farm mechanization solutions, thereby facilitating a fair and transparent rental process while focusing on quality, dependability and timely delivery. JFarm Services offers the farmers and renters a wide range of prospects for hiring and renting of farm equipment and connects them directly to negotiate and fulfil their respective requirement. With this pioneering platform, TAFE brings the benefits of the technology-enabled sharing economy to boost the income of farmers.
Mr. T R Kesavan, President & COO, Product Strategy & Corporate Relations – TAFE, said: “TAFE, in collaboration with the Government of Assam, has launched JFarm Services to create sustainable agricultural productivity and growth for the state through the shared economy model.Small and marginal farmers hold about 85% of the total land holdings in the state. This initiative will support the state in making farm mechanization available to these farmers. JFarm Services is completely transparent and is free of any hidden charges or commissions.”
Farmers can hire tractors and equipment via the JFarm Services Android App or by contacting the toll-free helpline 1800-4-200-100 / 1800-208-4242. The App can be used on low-cost Android phones, is designed to run on very little data and can be used in English and Hindiapart from the various other regional languages. The
JFarm Services App is a stellar example of the Digital India initiative, tailored to benefit the Indian agricultural landscape. This service by TAFE will foster digital empowerment of Indian farmers while creating a breed of new rural entrepreneurs and significant job opportunities.
JFarm Services, besides Assam,has a presence in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu, and has directly benefitted about 295,000 users resulting in over 820,000 hours in hired farm machinery usage. In a short span of time, JFarm Services has become one of India’s largest farm equipment aggregation operators.
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Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
