POST BYPOLL LOSS, YOGI PUTS FOCUS BACK ON FARMERS
The chief minister Yogi Adityanath-led state cabinet on Friday approved a number of proposals for the benefit of farmers, including wheat procurement policy for 2018-2019, in a bid to bring the focus of governance back on the state’s rural masses.
This was the first cabinet meeting after the BJP’s defeat in the by-elections to Gorakhpur and Phulpur Lok Sabha seats, and the state cabinet’s decisions are being viewed as a damage control exercise.
At its very first meeting, too, (after installation of Yogi Adityanath government), the cabinet had approved a crop loan waiver scheme for the small and marginal farmers.
With more decisions focusing on “doubling farmers’ income” the state government seemingly wants to keep the focus on them and counter the possible SP-BSP coalition ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
The cabinet authorized Yogi to take appropriate decisions to resolve issues that may come in the way of procuring wheat.
A control room will be set up at the office of commissioner, food and civil supplies, to monitor wheat procurement centres. In all 5,500 centres to procure wheat from April 1, 2018 to June 15, 2018 will be set up.
A target to 40 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, through nine agencies, has been set. The Union government has already announced MSP of Rs 1,735 per quintal.
EWARD SCHEME
The cabinet approved a reward scheme at state level for sugarcane growers, sugarcane cooperative societies and sugar mills. Under the scheme, three best sugarcane producing farmers will be given a commendation letter, memento and cash of Rs 51,000, Rs 31,000 and Rs 21,000, respectively.
Three sugarcane societies, too, will be given commendation letters, mementoes and cash. Three sugar mills will also be given commendation letters and mementoes. A reward scheme was being run at district level up till now.
RICE RESEARCH CENTRE
The state cabinet approved a proposal to provide 5 hectares of land of agriculture department for 30 years on a token lease of Rs 1,000 per annum for setting up of International Rice Research Institute’s (IRRI) South Asia Regional Centre in Varanasi. The Union government has sanctioned six million dollars for running the centre for five years. Also, about seven million dollars has been given for development of infrastructure and buying new equipment for the centre by the Union government.
‘GANGA HARITIMA ABHIYAN’
The cabinet approved a proposal for launching of Ganga Haritima Abhiyan on International Day of Forests on March 21 for afforestation, public awareness, water conservation and to check pollution on both sides of Ganga. Saplings will be planted through government departments on both sides of river.
Farmers will be encouraged to plant saplings. Those who plant saplings will be given “Ganga Sevak” badges and certificates.
An official spokesman said one of the objectives of the campaign was to increase the income of farmers by involving them in afforestation that will also cover their land.
INSURANCE SCHEME
The cabinet approved a proposal to transfer operation of “Mukhya Mantri Kisan evam Sarvhit Bima Yojana” to revenue department from the institutional finance department that is facing shortage of staff. An official spokesman said landless labourers and farmers, with income upto Rs 75,000 per annum, have been covered under the scheme. The revenue department also runs “Krashak Durghatna Bima Yojana” providing an insurance of Rs 5 lakh to farmers whose names are registered in revenue records.