Chief Minister Raghubar Das has assured farmers of getting any of their issues resolved within three days once the problem was registered with Chief Minister Farmer Relief Cell which will become operational from Saturday. Das said on Friday that the Cell was started only for farmers to get their issues resolved at the earliest, supported by Chief Minister Farmer Relief Fund to offer them immediate help, if and when required.
Das also released two helpline numbers, 0651-2490542 and +91 7632996429 , today where farmers of the State could call any time to get their issues resolved. The CM said that the Government was there to go any mile for making farmers feel comfortable in any situation.
He said that both the lines would remain operational 24x7 under an assigned Nodal Officer, who would work under direction of Agriculture Secretary. The complaint made on any of the phone lines would also be brought into cognisance of Chief Minister’s office.
“Farmers are bread earners of the State, and government is ready to go any mile in order to help them get rid of their issues at the earliest. I request them not to panic in any situation, as the government was there to help them in all possible ways,” added Das.
Notably, formation of Chief Minister Farmer Relief Cell and Fund is being seen as government’s efforts of taking farmers into confidence after couple of them committed suicide for various reasons within a month. At least four incidents of farmer committing suicide had not only left State machinery in a shock, but also revived opposition parties’ attacks on Government which had not even recovered from the damage caused by after effects of the Governor refusing to nod to ambitious CNT/SPT amendment bill and returning it to the Government for reconsideration last month.
Understanding the seriousness of the issue, Chief Secretary Rajbala Verma had asked banks not to send any recovery notice to any of the farmers in State. The apprehensions from government are not unusual after monsoon rainfall not presenting supportive figures this year so far. As per data released by Ranchi Centre of MET, the State had received 21 percent less rainfall during June 1 and July 21. The worst affected district Garhwa has received 73 percent less rainfall during period under observation with at least six other districts suffering from 40-50 percent rainfall deficiency so far.
“The situation is of course worrisome despite the fact that the rainfall has improved a little in last one week. However, the Government is ready to tackle any situation and I can say that the State is ready with alternative plans,” said Director (Agriculture and Fisheries) Rajeev Kumar on Friday.
He added that only paddy sowing activities were affected in areas receiving less rainfall so far. “But we have time till mid of August to get it compensated for agricultural activities. For fisheries, good comeback of rain even in September would work wonders,” said Kumar.