Stating that his government was "duty-bound" to protect the interests of farmers, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today made a number of crucial announcements in the state Assembly for the welfare of drought-affected farmers and farm labourers.
"Agriculture and farmers are the top priority of the state government. In such difficult times of severe drought in Chhattisgarh, the administration is providing all relief to farmers," Singh told the House.
The Chief Minister also elaborated about the relief measures while talking to reporters outside the Assembly.
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"The short-term loans for Kharif season 2015 will be converted into medium-term loans and interest will be waived for farmers in drought-affected regions of the state," he said adding that the step will benefit around 5 lakh farmers.
Employment up to 200 days will be provided under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the drought-hit villages, instead of 150 days.
"The land-revenue (tax) in 117 tehsils, which was pending, had been waived-off. The irrigation tax for Kharif 2015 will be exempted in the affected regions. Moreover, the funds allocated for the marriage of a farmer's daughter under the 'Chief Minister Kanya Vivaah Yojana' had been increased to Rs 30,000 from Rs 15,000," he said.
Employment-oriented schemes will be launched for workers under the Nagar Panchayat areas, the CM said.
The Chief Minister further expressed hope that these steps will ameliorate the sufferings of the drought-affected farmers.
"The state is duty-bound to protect the interests of farmers. Whenever the need arises the authorities will back the distressed farmers," he said.
The Chief Minister has instructed the top officers to implement the welfare measures as early as possible.
Around Rs 800 crore worth short-term loans are likely to be converted into medium-term loans, which would put an additional burden of Rs 300 crore extra financial burden on the state government.
