New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is going to present the general budget in the Lok Sabha on 1 February. While finalizing the budget preparations, the focus of the central government is clearly visible on schemes related to agriculture and rural development. In this sequence, on Friday, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan held an important review meeting with the Agriculture Ministers of Gujarat and Punjab. The objective of this meeting was to assess the progress of major agricultural schemes of the Central Government and to clarify the role of the states before the budget.
Brainstorming on major agricultural schemes of the Center
According to the Agriculture Ministry, the implementation of many important central schemes including Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY), Krishonnati Yojana (KY) was reviewed in the meeting. Under these schemes, emphasis is being laid on increasing the income of farmers, promoting modern farming and strengthening agricultural infrastructure. It was also seen in the meeting to what extent the benefits of these schemes have reached the ground in different states.
Strictness on states’ progress and budget utilization
During the meeting, state-wise physical and financial progress, pending proposals and status of budget utilization were discussed in depth. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said in clear words that it is very important to use the funds released from the Center in a timely, transparent and as per the rules. He said that the states which will utilize the fund effectively and timely will be given more and uninterrupted financial assistance in the upcoming budget.
Warning on delay, it is important to follow the rules
Shivraj Singh Chauhan also made it clear that it is mandatory to deposit the fixed amount of interest related to the center share on time. Delay in this not only hinders the implementation of the schemes, but can also have a negative impact on the approval of the next installment. Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Gujarat Minister of State for Agriculture Rameshbhai Katara and Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi were also present in the meeting.
Big focus on ‘Developed India – Ji Ram Ji’ scheme
In this year’s budget, there is a proposal to increase the allocation for schemes related to agriculture and rural development. The government is especially serious about the new scheme ‘Developed India – Ji Ram Ji’ brought in place of MNREGA. It is being told that the budget of this scheme can be increased by about 72 percent.
New model of employment and security
Recently, in the farmers’ conference organized in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Shivraj Singh Chauhan had said that by removing the shortcomings of MNREGA, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started ‘Developed India – Ji Ram Ji Yojana’. This scheme includes provision of guarantee of employment for 100 to 125 days, unemployment allowance and interest on pending wages. While Rs 88 thousand crore were allocated for this in the last budget, this time it is proposed to increase it to about Rs 1.51 lakh crore.
Clear message before the budget
This meeting held before the budget gives a clear message from the Central Government that negligence in agricultural schemes will not be tolerated. The states which will implement the schemes on time and in the right manner will get full support from the Centre. This is being considered as a big step towards providing direct benefits to the farmers.
Comments are closed.