PM's rehab package implementation initiates

New Delhi, July 18 (UNI) Implementation on the package announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for six debt ridden districts of Vadharbha of Maharashtra began with instructions to the RBI/NABARD, Commercial Banks, RRBs and Co-operative Banks for providing debt relief to the farmers including interest waiver, and fresh flow of funds.

Special teams of NABARD/ Lead Banks are being sent to the affected areas to expedite implementation, an official release said here today.

Soon after the announcement, Ministries have been active in finalising the Work Plan for operationalising the announcements.

Initial meetings have been convened by PMO to jump start the efforts towards implementation.

The lead banks in the area have been asked to convene the State Level Banking Committee (SLBC) to bifurcate the target of the additional credit flow amongst various banks.

Ministry of Agriculture has initiated action for time bound implementation of the Seed Replacement Programme and has since revised the guidelines to provide benefits to farmers owning upto one hectare of land (instead of the existing limit of 0.5 acre).

The Ministry will hold a meeting with NABARD on July 19 for formalising the action plan for implementation of the watershed programmes as announced in the package.

Action would be initiated on construction of 500 check dams every year in each of the six affected districts of Maharashtra, over the next three years; Treatment of 15,000 ha. per district per year under watershed development programme; Rain water harvesting structures covering 1000 farmers in each districts for accelerated growth of irrigation potential to benefit SC/ST beneficiaries including small and marginal farmers.

Steps have been taken to include Buldhana in the list of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) covered districts as also to address the problems pertaining to citrus production/development in Vidarbha region.

Action plan to augment drip sprinkler irrigation system to cover over 50,000 ha. in six affected districts are underway.

All implementation measures will be monitored by State Level Committee, at the State level.

Andhra Pradesh and Kerala have also sent in their proposals which is in the process of finalisation. Similar steps for operationalisation of the package will be adopted in these States too.

UNI/JSS ARB HT2010