By Avijit Biswas
Bhagalpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi released 19th instalment of Kissan Samman Nidhi Yojana for more than 9.8 crore farmers of country at Kissan Samman Samaroah held at aerodrome field here today. Total amount of more than 22700 crore rupees was transferred as financial assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer in accounts of farmers including 2.41 female farmers by PM.
The recipients of installment instalment included 75 lakh farmers of Bihar. Addressing a huge gathering of farmers and general people on the occasion PM made it clear welfare of farmers and fulfilling their requirements beside holistic development of agriculture sector is high on agenda of NDA governments at center and state.
In his address on the occasion PM mainly focused on empowerment of farmers and development of agricultural sector beside potentials of Bihar and important role the state is likely to play in achieving goal of “Viksit Bharat”.
He referred to measures taken by his government for betterment of farming community and solution of their problems concerning seed and fertilizer availability, irrigational requirement and ensuring support system for them in case of crop loss due to natural calamity.
Congress and political party that eat up animal fodder without naming RJD, Modi alleged were never sensitive to problems and needs of farmers. He said more than amount that used to be budgetary allocation for agriculture sector during regime of previous congress led government at center has been provided to farmers as financial assistance under Kissan Samman Nidhi Yojana since launch of the yojana.
PM said in the regime of previous government, the farmers had to face tough time in procuring fertilizer. There is neither shortage or black marketing of fertilizer anymore he said adding even during pandemic adequate supply of fertilizer was ensured by government for farmers.
Reiterating NDA government is committed to welfare of farmers and development of farm sector Modi said at highly subsidized rate fertilizers are being made available to farmers. A bag of urea which costs Rs 3000 is being made available to farmers at Rs 300 he informed.
PM added since 2014 claims of 1.75 lakh crore have been settled under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. For improving economic condition of small and marginal farmers promotion of animal husbandry is being emphasized by his government, he said. Informing in last ten years milk production in country has increased to 24 crore tone from previous 14 crore tone Modi said India presently is among top milk producing countries of world.
He referred to various other measures that are being taken by his government for empowerment of farmers and agricultural prosperity. Good works being done by Nitish Kumar led NDA government in Bihar found several mentions in address of PM.
He said budgetary announcement of constituting makhana board would help makhana growers of state in increasing production besides value addition and marketing of their produce. In near future Bihar would become food processing hub of eastern India, Modi added.
Referring to measures being taken for industrial development of Bihar he said coal linkage has been provided by central government for upcoming thermal power plant at Pirpainty in this district. PM added with huge potential Bihar is all set to significantly contribute in achieving goal of “Viksit Bharat”.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar present on the occasion thanked PM in his address for taking care needs of state. He also mentioned about steps that have been taken by state government for bettering condition of farmers and development of agricultural sector in state.
Citing law and order situation of state in past he said gone are the days when people felt scared to go anywhere after sunset. There is peace and communal harmony all around Kumar said adding various development steps have been taken in all spheres by his government.
Kumar said state would give its maximum contribution in implementation of PM’s national developmental agendas. Asking people to give their full support Kumar said in lighter vein that now there is no question of going this side or that side while reiterating his support for PM Modi.
The speakers on the occasion included Shivraj Singh Chouhan, union minister of agriculture and farmers welfare. Other central ministers present on the occasion included Giriraj Singh, Chirag Paswan, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Chirag Paswan beside others. Earlier Mangal Pandey, minister in state government delivered welcome address.
- Writer Avijit Biswas, former principal correspondent of Hindustan Times Bhagalpur bureau, can be contacted at biswasavijit@yahoo.comContact number (mobile): +919431095516
