Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh has categorically said, "There is no harm in having a debate on issues like Article 370 and uniform civil code. Why should we shy away from weighing their pros and consIJ"
He was addressing the media after assuming charge as minister in the newly-formed Narendra Modi-led NDA Government. It was his first visit to Dehradun after becoming a part of the Union Cabinet.
Replying to a media query about why no Uttarakhand MP was inducted into Modi's Cabinet, Singh said that only 45 ministers have been sworn in so far. As per the Constitution, "we can have 82 ministers." He expressed the hope that Uttarakhand will not go unrepresented when the Cabinet is expanded next time.
Talking about his portfolio, Singh said that after having discussion with the officials he came to know that during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA regime India topped in dairy production but now the status has gone down. He said he has asked the officials to work out a plan to increase dairy production by raising the productivity of indigenous breed of cows.
He said that 14 crore hectares of agricultural land exist in the country but only 44 per cent land has irrigation facility. The Government would give emphasis on how to irrigate all the agricultural lands. For this he has mooted a Prime Minister Gramin Sinchai Yojna on the lines of the existing Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
He said many farmers are leaving their vocation due to loss of crop in natural calamities. The minister said due to this reason our agricultural sector growth is a mere 3.75 per cent. The ministry would give assurance to the farmers about their crops by introducing Krishi Amdani Bima Yojna (agriculture income insurance scheme). Under the scheme, the farmers will be given an assurance that in case of natural calamity they would get a fixed amount against their damaged crop.
He also expressed deep concern over the condition of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in the state. The university does not have a full-time vice-chancellor for the last few years. He assured that he would try to restore the lost glory of the university and for this he would speak to the State GRs overnment as well.
He said that the Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute in Dehradun will be developed as a deemed university. He also said that the institute was given land on lease of Rs 1 per annum for 30 years by the State Government in 1955 and later the lease was renewed at 10 per cent of prevailing circle rate. Again the State Government asked the institute to pay Rs 33 cr in arrears. For this he would request the State Government to waive off the arrears and resume old lease rent. The state should facilitate the institute to develop as a deemed university in coming days, he added.
He expressed gratitude to the people of Uttarakhand for giving a massive mandate to the BJP, which won all the five lok Sabha seats of the state. Being in-charge of Uttarakhand, he felt highly obliged to visit Deobhoomi first. He could not visit his lok Sabha constituency in Bihar.
