Worried over farmers’ anger reflecting in the recently-concluded bypolls which the BJP lost badly and their ongoing agitation in eight States, the Narendra Modi Government has decided to aid, assist and advise the farmers on how to improve their farming techniques and raise their incomes in 115 ‘aspirational’ districts. The Government has also deputed director-level officers to get feedback for its flagship programmes, including schemes launched for welfare of farmers and rural development.
“As many as 111 officers at director-level have also been made in charge of one district each for overall coordination and field level monitoring,” sources said, adding four more will be deputed gradually.
This is the first time that agriculture and rural development have been added in the aspirational districts. The officials will also assess the implementation of PM Modi’s flagship programmes like Ujjwala, Saubhagya, Ujaala Yojana, Jan Dhan, Pradhan Mantri Jiwan Jyoti, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana and Mission Indradhanush at grass root level.
Sources said the officials will look into distribution of soil health cards to all farmers and 100 per cent coverage of bovine vaccination for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in each village and making of 100 NADAP pits in each village. They will also assess the 100 per cent coverage of sheep and goat for eradication of Peste des Petits ruminants (PPR) and artificial insemination saturation,” sources said.
One of the officers said on condition of anonymity that they have been told to give feedback on distribution of mini kits of pulses and oilseeds to all besides status of seven flagship programmes launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Modi Government is a worried lot after the debacle in the recent bypolls in the country which signaled that farmers are not happy with the Government policies. The ongoing farmer’s strikes in eight States have put the Government on the backfoot. “The loan waiver of the farmer is a big issue across the country which has been neglected at many stages by the current Government. Similarly, non-payment of sugarcane growers have emerged another issue of farmers unrest,” sources added.
In another development, the Government has started the ‘Krishi Kalyan Abhiyaan’ from June 1, which will be undertaken in 25 villages with more than 1,000 population each in aspirational districts identified in consultation with Ministry of Rural Development as per directions of NITI Ayog.
“An action plan comprising specifically identified activities under various departments of the agriculture ministry will be implemented to saturate these 25 villages in each district with these activities. In districts where number of villages (with more than 1,000 population) is less than 25, all villages will be covered,” Agriculture Ministry officials said.