Farmers in Bundelkhand will get Rs 1,304 crore for drought relief under National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) while mandays under MNREGA was increased to 150 as a review was undertaken by the Prime Minister's Office of the situation in the region in Uttar Pradesh.
It was also decided that the National Rural Livelihood Mission will be intensified and its coverage extended to all the blocks for alternative sources of income and construction of water tanks and building of dug wells and farm ponds would be undertaken on priority under various projects and schemes for Bundelkhand.
At the review meeting, held on the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, it was decided that the Centre and the state government will work together for long-term sustainable solutions to address the problem of vulnerable regions in natural distress.
Modi has directed that a high-level review be undertaken of the drought situation in Bundelkhand as also Vidharbha and Marathwada regions.
At the meeting on Bundelkhand, the UP Chief Secretary and his team made a presentation. Secretaries of the departments concerned of the Union government were also present.
Among the relief measures, it was noted that a High-Level Committee chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has recommended Rs 1,304 crore drought relief for UP under NDRF.
The state government would disburse the relief amount directly into the bank accounts of farmers within a week, an official statement said here today.
It was decided that the UP government will forward a Memorandum for Rabi 2016 soon.
The Home Ministry will examine if an exemption can be given under SDRF (State Disaster Relief Fund) on 25 per cent limit and continuation of distribution of food component beyond 90 days, it said.
About employment and livelihood, provision of extending mandays from 100 to 150 under MGNREGS in Bundelkhand for financial year 2016-17 was approved, the statement said.
The state government will ensure distribution of Rs 700 crore released under the labour component of MGNREGS directly to the eligible beneficiaries via electronic payment system.
It was decided that to provide alternative sources of income, the National Rural Livelihood Mission would be strengthened and intensified and coverage would be extended to all the blocks.
With regard to drinking water, the Chief Secretary said that a comprehensive contingency plan is ready for addressing the situation in the Bundelkhand region, especially in Mahoba, Chitrakoot and Banda districts in Chitrakoot division. He assured that drinking water will be made available.
On the National Food Security Act, the Chief Secretary
said it has been implemented with effect from January 1 this year and, accordingly, foodgrain allocation has been enhanced in Bundelkhand.
The state government was advised to ensure the Aadhaar seeding of MGNREGS beneficiaries and ration cards on high priority.
Implementation of previous Bundelkhand package was high on the agenda of the meeting. It was brought to its notice that Rs 264 crore was released by NITI Aayog on March 31 this year towards the committed liabilities on ongoing projects in UP as a one-time grant.
It was agreed the state government would ensure completion of all ongoing 37 Piped Water Schemes on priority and that the warehousing marketing infrastructure built under the package needs to be better utilised.
For drought proofing, it was decided that water tanks and creation of dug wells and farm ponds would be taken up on priority under various projects and schemes for Bundelkhand.
The CEO, NITI Aayog, in consultation with the state government, will explore the possibility of taking up fresh projects for drought-proofing from the resources available under the package for Bundelkhand region.
With regard to agriculture, it was brought out that Sesame is the most important Kharif crop in Bundelkhand and it was agreed that the MSP for it for 2016-17 should be announced expeditiously.
A bonus of Rs 20 for Bundelkhand region over and above the MSP shall be considered, it said. The state government would finalise a procurement plan for Sesame in consultation with the Secretary, Agriculture, it said.
To focus on boosting agricultural production and productivity in Bundelkhand region, the state government will send a proposal for introduction of a new sub-scheme under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
As far as crop insurance is concerned, it was noted that the coverage of the scheme in UP is between 7 to 10 per cent only, the statement said. However, the coverage in Bundelkhand due to distress situation is around 30 per cent.
More than Rs 250 crore in Rabi 2014-15 and around Rs 180 crore in Kharif 2015 has been distributed as claims were cleared to benefit around 3.34 lakh and 2.16 lakh farmers, respectively.
The state government was asked to ensure maximum coverage of farmers in the recently launched Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and it was agreed that the state government would hold district-wise camps to ensure that both loanee and non-loanee farmers are covered in campaign mode.
It was also agreed that various development proposals, especially under PMGSY, drinking water, village electrification, etc. Should see wider consultation with local public representatives, especially Members of Parliament.
