The Chief Minister (CM) of Uttarakhand Trivendra Singh Rawat inaugurated the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme for fertilisers at Kisan Bhawan on Wednesday. The scheme aims to transfer the fertiliser subsidy into the bank accounts of the farmers. For effective implementation of the scheme the Point of Sale (POS) machines were distributed to the fertiliser dealers on the occasion.
Addressing farmers, the CM said that the Uttarakhand is one among the five states that have started the DBT scheme for fertiliser subsidy. This is one more step in the ‘ Digital India’ initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said. Highlighting the fact that majority population of Uttarakhand is still dependent on agriculture, the CM said that the state government is committed to provide maximum facilities to the farmers. He said that from now onwards the fertiliser subsidy would be transferred into the accounts of the farmers but for it Aadhar number is necessary. Rawat said that Soil health card of the farmers would also be linked with Aadhar number. He claimed that if soil health card of every farmer is made and Aadhar linked then it would help a great deal in achieving the being efforts made to double the income of farmers by the year 2022. The state government is providing a loan up to Rs 1 lakh to small and marginal farmers at low interest rate of 2 percent. The CM said that the contribution from every citizen is needed in fulfilling the dream of new India by the year 2022 envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Secretary agriculture, D Senthil Pandian said that soil health cards of 4.80 lakh farmers in the State have been made while 70000 such cards have been linked with Aadhar numbers. He said that the government has taken a target to link all cards with Aadhar by the year 2018. Pandian said that the DBT scheme is an important project to fulfil PM’s commitment.
Raipur MlA Umesh Sharma Kau, Director Agriculture Gauri Shankar and large number of farmers were present on the occasion.