Jharkhand: Agriculture Minister Deepika Pandey took charge of the Agriculture Ministry, held a meeting and gave instructions to the officials

After taking over the charge of the Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative Department of Jharkhand Government, Hon’ble Minister, Smt. Deepika Pandey Singh gave many important instructions with an active and farsighted approach. After taking over the charge, she held a high level meeting with the departmental officers, in which she was directed to work at a fast pace on the following agriculture related schemes to provide direct benefit to the farmers.

(1) Agriculture Loan Waiver Scheme:
Under the Agriculture Loan Waiver Scheme being run by the government, the amount of Standard KCC Loan up to Rs. 50,000/- till now will be waived up to Rs. 2.00 lakh. The Hon’ble Minister directed that the department should submit a proposal before the Council of Ministers soon for the implementation of this scheme.

(2) Increase in honorarium of Krishak Mitras:
The Hon’ble Minister directed to submit a proposal soon to increase the honorarium of Krishak Mitras from Rs. 1000/- to Rs. 2000/- per month.

(3) Block level program:
The Hon’ble Minister directed to organize a large scale program at the block level to publicize the beneficiary oriented schemes being run by the department at the block level and to directly deliver the benefits of the schemes to the beneficiaries.

(4) Pond renovation scheme:
Under this scheme, it was suggested to increase the number of ponds and to make amendments in the current Percolation Tank (PT), so that the successful implementation of the scheme can be expedited.

(5) Revival of Seed Village:
The Hon’ble Minister, while giving necessary instructions to the Director, Agriculture regarding the revival of Seed Village, said that a necessary action plan should be prepared to re-activate the previously running Seed Village, so that the services of the good working Seed Villages can be taken.

(6) Ban on sale of fertilizers:
The Hon’ble Minister directed the Agriculture Director to ban the sale of fertilizers at a rate higher than the fixed rate. Strict steps should also be taken to stop the sale of fake fertilizers.

(7) Rainfall and Contingency Plan:
Till now, there has been a lack of rainfall in the state. In view of the lack of rainfall, the department should prepare a Robust Contingency Plan and be ready to implement the best mitigation measures in case of drought.

(8) Operation of Custom Hiring Centre:
The Hon’ble Minister directed that the functioning of the currently running CHC centres should be reviewed and the centres should be inspected. It should also be ensured that all CHC centres run smoothly and the non-funded CHCs should be closed and the work of running the CHC should be given to a new and good Farmer Group.

(9) Pending payment under Mukhyamantri Sukhai Rahat Yojana:
The Hon’ble Minister directed that a requisition be sent to the Disaster Management Department for pending payment under this scheme.

(10) Regarding the activities of LAMPS/PACS: –
In order to further strengthen LAMPS/PACS, the Hon’ble Minister directed that new LAMPS/PACS should be developed in place of defunct LAMPS/PACS. Also, maximum number of LAMPS/PACS were directed to be developed as centres for paddy procurement at MSP.

All the Directors were directed to prepare an action plan by developing specific timeline calendar on priority basis for the main schemes from their respective directorates. Also, it was directed that laxity in implementation of the scheme will not be tolerated. Instructions were given to improve the lives of farmers and ensure sustainable agricultural development by providing direct benefits to farmers, making systematic planning and focusing on grassroots level participation.