For the identification of eligible beneficiaries who can avail maximum benefits of Punjab government’s welfare schemes, the district administration would be organising a district level camp under Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojana (MGSVY) at Jasmine Palace, Jagraon Road, Sidhwan Bet, on June 20, 2019.
Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal informed that this camp would be attended by various government departments namely Welfare, water supply and sanitation, rural development and panchayats, PSPCL, labour, industries, lead bank, health and family welfare, food and civil supplies, employment generation and training, social security and women and child development, school education, etc. He informed that these departments would identify the eligible beneficiaries and would fill their forms on the spot so that maximum number of people can avail of government’s welfare schemes. Mr Agrawal has appealed to the residents to attend this camp in large numbers.
While providing further details, Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal stated that this scheme is aimed at the inclusive growth of the distressed sections of the society. It will be on the line of Antyodaya principles (Antyodaya’ means rise of the last person) and will be implemented in the state’s rural areas. MGSVY aims to translate the vision of inclusive development of the state into a reality by ensuring equitable access to benefits of all socio-economic development schemes for those who have been deprived such benefits. Although a large number of welfare scheme have been going on for years, there are a large number poor and distressed households to whom the benefits of these schemes have not reached. The goal of MGSVY is to identify such people and ensure that they get due benefits under various government schemes and programmes within 30 days.
He informed that people who can avail benefits under MGSVY include Farmers who have committed suicide because of debt, the family whose family members have died and the household expenses are running, Family member whose family is suffering from AIDS or cancer-related illnesses, Families of martyrs who are going through financial difficulties after being martyred, Whose children do not go to school, Family of freedom fighters, Homeless family, People suffering from intoxication, Families suffering from natural disaster, Unemployed people over 18 years old, orphan, third gender and beggar, Parents giving birth at home, Acid sufferers etc.
To ensure that farmers do not burn paddy straw that pollutes our environment, the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department Punjab has started a scheme where subsidy is given to farmers on farm machinery used for managing paddy straw. While providing information, Dr Baldev Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer, Ludhiana informed that like last year, this year also, subsidy on farm machinery would be given to the farmers of district Ludhiana under in-situ management of crop residue scheme.
He informed that this machinery would be used for management of paddy straw in the farm itself, so that the farmers do not burn it which leads to pollution in environment. He said that under this scheme, farmers would be given 50% subsidy for purchase of happy seeder, paddy straw chopper, multure, hydraulic reversible MB Plant, zero till drill, super SMS rotary slasher/shrub cutter. He said that the applications for subsidy on this machinery can be submitted at block agriculture offices by June 30, 2019 and no applications would be entertained after this date.
Dr Baldev Singh clarified that if the applications received are more than the target, then the farm machinery would be distributed to the farmers through the draw of lots. He informed that subsidy would be given only on that machinery which has been manufactured by companies approved by the agriculture department of Union government. He informed that under this scheme, there is a provision of 80% subsidy for registered farmers groups for opening custom hiring centres so that machinery can be used on rent.
He said that more information about this scheme can be checked at websites www.agripb.gov.in or www.agrimachinery.nic.in or by visiting agriculture offices in blocks.
