Orissa CM calls for region-specific development schemes

New Delhi, May 29 (UNI) Urging the Centre to abandon its policy of framing programmes of 'one size fits all' variety, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said the development schemes should be based on specific requirements of each region.

He said as the Eastern region has more potential for agricultural growth, specific programmes based on requirements of various agro-climatic zones should be designed. Mr Patnaik was speaking at the 53rd meeting of the National Development Council at the special session on food and agriculture.

As irrigation is the key in agricultural growth, he suggested that Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) should have a large outlay and include not only major and medium irrigation projects but also to minor and lift irrigation projects.

Demanding that the historical neglect of the eastern states like Orissa should be corrected in the Eleventh Plan, he said the advanced states have had the benefit of high public interest in irrigation and other related infrastructure in the past and the eastern states have lost out in the race.

He also said as nearly 70 per cent of the cultivable land of Orissa is acidic in nature, transport subsidy should be provided by the Centre for gypsum and other inputs used for soil amendment.

Suggesting that seed production should be decentralised and seed villages encouraged, he said this will ensure that adequate quantities of certified seeds are available to farmers at affordable rates.

He also made a strong plea for a comprehensive crop insurance policy for cotton farmers of the state and demanded Central support for the Watershed Mission that has been set up by his Government to tackle the problems of rainfed agriculture.

UNI