Reduction in incidence of farmers' suicides in Vidarbha

Mumbai, May 21 (UNI) The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has expressed satisfaction over the implementation of special financial package to districts in Vidarbha that are prone to suicides by farmers.

The PMO recently reviewed the implementation of the package, an official release issued here today said.

It said due to effective steps taken by the State government, the number of suicides due to agriculture-related problems, that were around 60 a month, has come down to 20.

PMO also noted that Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh was personally monitoring the implementation of the package.

Of the total package fo Rs 3,650 crore, about 40 per cent (Rs 1,526 cr) have been spent in the last nine months. The PMO has said that the implementation of the package in the first year has been satisfactory. The State government has made it clear that it will achieve the target of 75 per cent in the next two years.

The objective of waiver of interest rate on pending loans has exceeded Rs 712 crore to Rs 825 crore. About 10 lakh farmers have been included in the agriculture credit. The loan disbursement has doubled during 2005-06.

An additional 34,000 hectare irrigation capacity has been created during the implementation of the PM's package so far. As many as 11 projects have been sanctioned and Rs 615 crore have been spent.

During the Rabi season of 2005-06, 1.25 lakh quintal seeds were distributed. During the Kharif season of 2007, additional four lakh seeds have been kept ready, the release added.

UNI