Central team to arrive to take stock of crop loss

Bhopal: A Central team will compile information about crop losses during its visit to the state from March 13 to 15. Supplementary reports are being sought from all districts regarding crop losses again due to last week’s rains and hailstorm. Chief Secretary Shri Anthony de Sa held discussions with all divisional commissioners and district collectors through video-conferencing today. The Chief Secretary directed to make available reports about crop losses since March 5 within 3 days. The Chief Secretary directed divisional commissioners to accompany central team during its visit. The Central team will hold discussions with state’s senior officers on March 13 and with the Chief Secretary on March 15 after field visits. Principal Secretary Revenue Shri R.K. Chaturvedi informed during the video-conferencing that the Central team will visit the state in 3 groups.

The Chief Secretary directed collectors that process to provide immediate necessary relief to farmers in cases of human and cattle loss should be completed at the earliest. He directed to hold meetings with banks by March 19.

Chief Secretary Shri de Sa said that a memorandum has been given by the state to the Centre after receipt of information from districts. He also directed to ensure distribution of relief to cent percent farmers after assessing losses to Kharif crops. It was informed during video-conferencing that relief has been given against Kharif crop loss in almost all the districts. Directives have been given to provide benefits of various schemes also side by side the relief to farmers against losses to Rabi crops.
In the state, rules under some schemes have also been amended for limited period. Benefit under Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana will be provided to farmers at home instead of mass marriage function till July 30. Over 8 lakh works have been sanctioned at Republic Day Gram Sabhas under “Mera Khet Meri Mati Yojana”. Works can be started in district as per requirement. In view of needy families’ condition, it has been decided to extend benefit of public distribution system to all types of consumers.

Discussions were also held on wheat procurement process set to start in the state from March 25. Additional Chief Secretary Panchayats & Rural Development Smt. Aruna Sharma, Agriculture Production Commissioner Shri M.M. Upadhayay, Additional Chief Secretary Finance Shri Ajay Nath, Principal Secretary Agriculture Shri Rajesh Rajora, Commissioner Land Records Shri Rajiv Ranjan and Principal Secretary General Administration Shri K. Suresh were also present during video-conferencing.