Ranchi, Aug. 17: Jharkhand produces quality vegetables but lacks proper water management. The state hasthe potential to supply vegetables to other states as well as export them.
This is what chief minister Arjun Munda said at an asset distribution ceremony — Vikas Sivir Swarn Jyanti Gramin Swarozgar Yojna — organised by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) today.
Assets distributed among 25,058 farmers included water pump sets and farming equipment.
The chief minister promised employment opportunities and financial benefits to people living below the poverty line.
The venture is part of the projects that the state government undertook to improve the standard of living of people who live below the poverty line. The projects included Kishan Swarozgar Yojna, Chikitsa Anudan Yojna, Prime Minister Rozgar Yojna, Chief Minister inter-caste marriage project, Kanyadan Yojna, Gram Swarozgar Yojna, Atyachar Rahat Anudan and Jawahar Rozgar Yojna.
Union minister of state for food processing Subodh Kant Sahay, Ranchi legislator C.P. Singh and rural development minister Chandra Mohan also attended the programme.
“Jharkhand was announced to be drought-prone in order to reduce pressure on the farmers,” said Munda. Assets worth Rs 135 crore were distributed today, said the chief minister. “We want to supply vegetables to the national capital. But we need the Centre’s help in funding 50 per cent of the total project cost. The remaining 50 per cent will be shared between private companies and the state government,” said Munda.
The chief minister added that the farmers of Jharkhand would be adversely affected if the Centre decides to go ahead with its intended price hike of petroleum products, as most of the pump sets distributed use kerosene as fuel.
Union minister of state for food processing Subodh Kant Sahay said “The central government grant of Rs. 25 crore for drought relief will be useful only if the related problems of farmers are considered as well. The residence commission should provide the government with reports about distribution of various aids granted to the farmers.”
