NDA govt’s allocation to Odisha higher than other regimes, says MoS for Agriculture

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jan 21:

Union Minister of State (MoS) for Agriculture Mohanbhai Kundaria today claimed that the NDA government’s allocation of funds and central aid to Odisha has been the highest ever than any other previous regime.

The MoS for Agriculture said so while briefing reporters about various Central government sponsored schemes at the state BJP headquarters here today.

Speaking about the recent drought assistance issue, he claimed that the BJP-led NDA government has sanctioned the highest-ever drought assistance to Odisha as compared to the erstwhile UPA regime.

“Odisha government had submitted a memorandum seeking about Rs 2200 crore for drought assistance.  The Union government has already sanctioned Rs 815 crore. As compared to the previous UPA government that used to sanction only about five percent, the NDA government has sanctioned about 35 percent assistance to the state,” said Kundaria.

He also spoke about Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana that intends to improve farm productivity and ensure better utilization of the resources in the country. Rs 50,000 crore have been allocated for this scheme.

Taking a pot-shot at the state government, he said that even though this scheme includes eight districts of Odisha, the state government is yet to submit a status report on the implementation of the scheme.

Besides, the Minister briefed the media about various other welfare schemes of the Central government that are aimed at benefiting the farmers including Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana that was recently launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“This crop insurance scheme will have a discounted premium and is intended at easing off the burden of premium on farmers. The new insurance scheme will be implemented throughout the country from the next Kharif season. A budgetary allocation of Rs 17,600 crore has been made for this,” he added.