The Centre has announced comprehensive relief packages for the drought-hit Bundelkhand region. A high-level meeting convened by the PMO on Saturday decided to allot Rs1,304-crore drought relief to farmers under the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) and Rs700 crore for wages for increased working days to 150 days under MGNREGA. The packages also include agriculture, irrigation and crop insurance sectors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
has directed similar review meeting for Vidharbha and Marathwada regions.
“High-level Committee chaired by the Union Home Minister has recommended Rs1,304 crore for drought relief to UP under National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF). The State Government would disburse the relief amount directly into the bank accounts of farmers within a week. It was decided that the Government of UP will forward Memorandum for Rabi 2016 soon. The Ministry of Home Affairs will examine if an exemption can be given under SDRF on 25% limit and continuation of distribution of food component beyond 90 days,” said the Government in a statement.
About employment and livelihood, provision of extending man-days from 100 to 150 under MGNREGS in Bundelkhand for financial year 2016-17 was approved, the statement added. The State Government will ensure distribution of Rs700 crore released under the labour component of MGNREGS directly to the eligible beneficiaries via electronic payment system.
At the meeting on Bundelkhand, UP Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan and his team made a presentation. Secretaries of the departments concerned of the Union Government were also present. It was also decided that the National Rural livelihood Mission will be intensified and its coverage extended to all the blocks for alternative sources of income and construction of water tanks and building of dug wells and farm ponds would be undertaken on priority under various projects and schemes for Bundelkhand.
The Chief Secretary said that a comprehensive contingency plan is ready for addressing the situation in the Bundelkhand region, especially in Mahoba, Chitrakoot and Banda districts in Chitrakoot division. He assured that drinking water will be made available.
On the National Food Security Act, the Chief Secretary said it has been implemented with effect from January 1 this year and, accordingly, foodgrain allocation has been enhanced in Bundelkhand. The State Government was advised to ensure the Aadhaar seeding of MGNREGS beneficiaries and ration cards on high priority.
Implementation of previous Bundelkhand package was high on the agenda of the meeting. It was brought to its notice that Rs 264 crore was released by NITI Aayog on March 31 this year towards the committed liabilities on ongoing projects in UP as a one-time grant.
It was agreed the State Government would ensure completion of all ongoing 37 Piped Water Schemes on priority and that the warehousing marketing infrastructure built under the package needs to be better utilised.