Demand for grants of Rs 7785 cr for Choubey’s departments passed by voice vote

Central Chronicle News
Raipur, Mar 05: The demands for grants of Rs 7785 crore 76 lakh in the financial year 2021-22 for the departments of Agriculture, Water Resource, Animal Husbandry, Fishery and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ravindra Choubey were passed by voice vote in Chhattisgarh Assembly today. The demands for grants included Rs 70 crore 49 lakh 30 thousand for State Legislative Council, Rs 4604 crore 53 lakh 98 thousand for agriculture department, Rs 473 crore 82 lakh 39 thousand for Animal Husbandry department, Rs 82 crore 38 lakh 40 thousand for fishery department, Rs 255 crore for expenditures pertaining to agriculture research and education, Rs 1139 crore 47 lakh 58 thousand for water resource department, Rs 453 crore 98 lakh 36 thousand for minor irrigation works, Rs 699 crore 6 lakh for NABARD assisted projects related to water resource department and Rs 7 crore for foreign assisted projects. MLAs Dhanendra Sahu, Satyanarayan Sharma, Prakash Nayak, Shailesh Pandey, Dharmajit Singh, Mamta Chandrakar, Ramkumar Yadav, Uttari Jangde and Ashish Chhabda took part in the discussion on demands for grants.
Minister Choubey said that 95 percent of the population in Chhattisgarh is based on agriculture. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, continuous work is being done in the interest of farmers, he said, adding that in a bid to provide benefits to the farmers, lac farming and fishery have to be given the status of agriculture. He said that a provision has been made in the budget for this.
The agriculture budget has been increased by 13 percent compared to last year. According to him there has been an increase in availability of fertiliser and seeds for farmers, agricultural loan, acreage, area of cultivation and production in the last two years in Chhattisgarh. He said that the COVID challenge was converted into an opportunity with continuous development in the agriculture sector during COVID situation. During the Coronavirus pandemic a total amount of Rs 23 thousand 555 crore has been transferred to the farmers’ accounts.
Minister Choubey said that sheds would be built on all the platforms of primary societies for the convenience of farmers. In addition to this Kisan Kutir farmers cottage will also be built. Water and other facilities for the farmers would be made available in Kisan Kutir. He said that all the Gouthans (cow-shelters) of the state would be developed as multi-utility centers to benefit the farmers, villagers, cattle rearers and women self-help groups.
Choubey said that a provision of Sea Mart Scheme has also been made in the budget to sell various agricultural products of Chhattisgarh under one roof at the state and national level. Choubey said that a mega lift irrigation system will be developed on river banks where water sources are available for expansion in irrigation facilities.