Uttarakhand seeks Rs 60.70-cr package from agriculture ministry

Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna on Thursday met Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi and submitted a proposal worth Rs 60.70 crore for conservation of soil and water in disaster affected areas of the hill state. He informed Pawar that due to the recent disaster, agriculture activities in the state had been adversely affected.

Due to the flash floods, vast agriculture land in the hill areas had been washed away, while those in the plains had also been damaged.

"It may be noted that the prime occupation of those living in the disaster-affected areas is agriculture," he said. Stating that Kharif crop production would also be affected due to thhe floods, he called for taking immediate measures to restore the agriculture land.

According to the proposal presented by the state government, 37,000 hectare of agricultural land would have to be immediately treated in order to be saved from further damage.

According to central relief fund norms, this task would cost around Rs 55 crore. The state government has included the cost of other activities such as repair of terraced fields, construction of check walls and dams, as well as retaining walls. He has also suggested planting of trees in order to avoid soil erosion.

This cost will also involve reinforcement of block development offices in disaster affected areas, setting up of government agricultural farms, investment in redeveloping disaster hit Agustmuni (Rudraprayag) and repair of seed storehouses in Doiwala, Raipur, Kalsi, Ukhimath and Bhatwadi on priority.