PM launches multiple schemes for farmers and infra boost

Chitrakoot(UP),February 29(HS) Launching multiple farmers’ welfare and infra projects here on Saturday,Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to do everything possible to improve the lot of Kisans who had suffered the worst neglect in the past.

Modi who came to this religious town after distributing aids to disabled persons at Prayagraj said their income would be doubled through a number of schemes underway in the country.He mentioned some of them in this connection including availability of credit cards and setting up of Farm Producers Organisations.Both were launched today.He also laid foundation for Bundelkhand expressway which will provide an easy link to the Union capital.

The PM himself gave credit cards to ten farmers belonging to different states including Karnataka and Assam on the occasion.

The ultimate aim is to link farmers with global markets.Already,some steps have been taken to achieve this goal.Setting up of Gram Haats and Mandis and linking them with markets in different parts of the country are some of them,he said.

As the area is drought-prone he emphased on the need to make the region Sukha Mukt and Jal Yukt.The PM informed that a 16-point plan has been prepared to provide impetus to farmers.In the speech no political issue was raised.

A chain of cold storages and a special train to carry perishable goods are parts of the plan,he said,beginning his address in a local dialect.

He alleged that there was nothing but loot in the name of Kisans. That is past now. Money is being directly transferred to their accounts and there is no middleman involved.So far about Rs 50,000 crore has been deposited in their accounts.The Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme has been expanded and all small and marginal farmers covered.

Gradually they will not depend on money-lenders and become self-reliant. All governmental efforts are directed towards that. “I will see that every paisa sent from Delhi reaches the beneficiary”, he promised.

Referring to the Farm Producers Organization, he said, the aim is to unite Kisans for better bargaining. This way they will get more prices for their production. The government was simultaneously trying to see that the productivity goes up.

The Expressway which was launched today will be 296 km long.Ninety-five per cent of the land has been already acquired for the purpose. Defence units will be set up on the either side of the road.It will pass through nine districts of the state.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel were among those present on the occasion.