CM meets Union Finance Minister on drought issue

Bhopal. Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan apprised Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley of severity of drought in Madhya Pradesh in New Delhi today. The Chief Minister dwelt in detail on adverse impact of drought on farmers and farming and urged him to send Central team to assess crop loss in the state at the earliest. Shri Chouhan also handed over a detailed memorandum in this regard to the Union Minister.

Earlier, Chief Minister, Finance Minister and Agriculture Minister have already apprised the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister of severity of drought and submitted memorandums.

Shri Chouhan informed Union Minister that NABARD has reduced its share for making available loans to farmers from 50 to 40 percent. Shri Chouhan urged that share of NABARD should be increased in view of severe drought in the state so that proper and timely assistance can be provided to farmers.

Shri Chouhan also discussed issue of Basmati rice with the Finance Minister. He informed that court has declared Madhya Pradesh a Basmati rice producing state on the basis of geographical indicators and historical facts. APEDA is not recognizing this and has also appealed in the Supreme Court against this decision. He urged the Union Minister to intervene in the matter and help declare the rice produced in geographical areas of the state falling in the category of Basmati rice area as Basmati rice and apprise APEDA of actual situation.

Union Minister Shri Jaitley gave a patient hearing to issues raised by the Chief Minister and assured to send Central team soon to study crop loss in Madhya Pradesh. Shri Jaitley also assured to take suitable decisions on issues pertaining to NABARD and Basmati rice.