The Chhattisgarh government has instructed all district collectors to immediately commence the distribution of relief funds to farmers affected by drought, Chief Minister Raman Singh said today.
"I am also a farmer's son and I completely understand your pain. To bring relief to farmers in this difficult time, state government has instructed all the district collectors to immediately commence the distribution of relief funds to farmers under relevant provisions," Singh said during his radio programme 'Raman Ke Goth'.
"My government is committed to supporting farmers in thisdifficult time of natural calamity," he added.
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This was the fourth time when the Chief Minister addressed people using this platform.
Besides, Singh also focused on World Soil Day, which was on December 5, and agriculture practises during his about 15-min long address.
Emphasising on the importance of 'soil health' for farmers, he said that his government has decided to open eight new laboratories in the state for testing soil samples to subsequently issue soil health cards.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated 'Soil Health Card Scheme' in the country. Undoubtedly, no one has a stronger relation with soil than farmers. Important aspects of human life such as housing, food and energy conservation are all connected to soil," he said.
"In next three years, as many as 8.78 lakh samples of soils will be collected for testing in the state and farmers will be informed about fertility of their soil and the kind of fertiliser they should use in their farms based on the assessment report of these samples", he added.
He further praised over 1,000 farmers of 128 villages in
the Naxal-affected Dantewada district for practising organic farming.
Meanwhile, Singh also announced special 11-point time-bound campaign for socio-economic betterment of 1,94,000 people of seven extremely backward tribes such as Baiga, Kamar, Pahadi Korwa, Birhor, Abujhmadia, Pando and Bhunjia.
Under this 11-point programme, all the homeless families of these tribes will be provided housing facilities, safe-drinking water supply, electricity, regular health check-up and health-cards facility, and skill development of minimum one person per family so as to provide them proper means of livelihood, he said.
During his address, Singh especially talked about a tribal farmer of village Mundapal in the insurgency-hit Narayanpur district Managalsai, who has voluntarily donated his agricultural land for a road construction in village.
"Mangalsai's kindness and compassion is praise-worthy. He is a source of inspiration for all," he added.
