Guardian Minister Bhoyar: Drinking and irrigation water, farm roads and power to get priority in drought

Speaking about drought-hit farmers at Selu in Wardha district, Guardian Minister Dr Pankaj Bhoyar said that drinking and irrigation water, farm roads and the availability of electricity would be given priority in the coming period. He said the government had decided to waive loans to give farmers relief and, in view of the drought, had given Rs 5,000 in assistance to every farmer family.

Bhoyar was speaking at a programme organised by the Selu taluka administration, where Diwali was celebrated with families from nomadic and denotified tribes and communities. Organic manure was given to families of farmers who died by suicide, Diwali snack kits were distributed, and houses sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and caste certificates were also handed over. Sub-Divisional Officer Kush Motwani, Selu Nagar Panchayat president Snehal Devtare, former president Rajesh Jaiswal, Praful Khode, Tehsildar Dr Shakuntala Paraje and Nagar Panchayat chief officer Anupkumar Agrawal were present.

The Guardian Minister said that, because of low rainfall, farmers could face a water shortage ahead. The government has made a plan to deal with it, and people too should begin preparing to conserve water now. According to him, roads to reach their fields had been a major problem for farmers. The government has launched a large-scale programme in the state to build farm roads, and 550 farm roads in the district are included. Bhoyar said the state government was working to give justice to deprived and poor people, with the farmer at the centre.

On irrigation, he said work had been taken up to repair canals and distributaries so that farmers could irrigate as much as possible from the district's large projects as well as the Dham and Bor projects. Bhoyar also said camps were being held in Selu taluka to resolve people's everyday problems, at which 253 kinds of certificates were being given to citizens.

Nagar Panchayat president Snehal Devtare said India is an agricultural country and the farmer, who toils continuously in the field, is the backbone of development. According to her, the government stands firmly with farmers in this hour of crisis.

The organic manure was distributed by the Guardian Minister. Selu Nagar Panchayat prepared it scientifically under its solid waste management project. So that the manure finds a market and awareness of it grows, Bhoyar bought it and gave each family 200 kg. He said it would support the families of farmers who died by suicide.

Beneficiaries whose houses were sanctioned or completed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) were given house keys, sanction certificates and caste certificates by the Guardian Minister. Diwali snack kits were also distributed. Bhoyar lit a Diwali lamp and celebrated the festival with the farmers. Tehsildar Dr Shakuntala Paraje made the introductory remarks and circle officer Ramesh Bhole conducted the programme. Villagers and a large number of women were present.