‘New era commences in Abujhmad: Farmers get their rights’

Raipur, Jun 26:
Although the farmers of Abujhmad area in Narayanpur have been practicing agriculture since the beginning, but they did not have any leases, as the village was not surveyed till date. Because of this neither they could sell paddy in the LAMPS nor could they avail the benefit of any government scheme. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, State Government is ensuring survey of the villages in Abujhmad region as priority. In four villages of Orchha block, where the revenue survey has been completed, pattas (leases) have been distributed to the farmers. After recieving the Masahati Patta, such farmers are now availing the benefits of government schemes. This year, Satyanarayan Usendi, a farmer of Kurusnar village of this area, sold paddy on support price for the first time at LAMPS and received an amount of Rs. 16 thousand. Besides, he has also received the amount under the first installment of Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana. However, he has not yet checked his account and has not seen how much amount has been transferred in his account. On Saturday 19th June at the foundation-laying and inaugural programme held in Narayanpur district, Satyanarayan Usendi thanked Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel for allotment of the lease (patta) and told that he has started receiving the benefits of government schemes. He told that he has been engaged in agricultural activities for a long time now but he never had the opportunity to sell paddy in Abujhmad. For the first time, he could sell paddy in LAMPS this year, after receiving the Masahati Patta. Kisan Credit Card has also been issued to him. In the villages which have been surveyed, works such as land leveling and ‘dabri’ construction have been done in the fields of the farmers under government schemes. Entire village has been fenced and borewells have also been installed in the farms. Now along with the distribution of seeds of various crops, Agriculture Department is providing proper guidance to the farmers. He said that under the scheme of Horticulture Department, a drip line has been laid in his field and a poly house has been built, where he cultivates beans. He said that he has benefited a lot from the scheme of state government. In response to Chief Minister Baghel’s question, Satyanarayan Usendi informed that about 40 farmers are doing farming in his village. Farmers have 4 to 8 acres of land. He could sell 10 quintals of paddy for the first time. Chief Minister asked Usendi to take advantage of the government schemes and inform others about the same. State government has launched various schemes especially for the tribals, including the schemes related to horticulture, fisheries, vegetable production, paddy production. More and more people should take advantage of these schemes, said Chief Minister. It is noteworthy that villages of Orchha and Narayanpur development blocks in Narayanpur district are being surveyed. Earlier, nine villages of Narayanpur block and 237 villages of Orchha block could not be surveyed. State Government is ensuring survey of these villages at top-most priority. Initial survey of four villages in Orchha block has been completed. These villages have been linked with Bhuinya Software, and as a result 1041 farmers of these villages will be able to avail government schemes.