Centre firmly standing with J&K's people: Union Agriculture Minister
Jammu, Oct 7: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan Tuesday released 21st instalment of PM-Kisan worth Rs 171 Cr to farmers of J&K, via video conferencing and reiterated that the central government was standing firmly with the people of the Union Territory in their time of distress. He also announced that Rs 85.62 Cr were sanctioned for reconstruction of over 5000 houses damaged in recent rain, flood and landslide-affected areas of Jammu division.
Chouhan, joined by the Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, stated this, while announcing the relief package for flood-affected farming families in Jammu and Kashmir after attending the meeting of the Agriculture ministry in this connection in the union capital.
Chouhan also announced that the workers in the flood-affected areas would get additional 50 man-days under MGNREGA, increasing their entitlement to 150 from the existing 100 man-days guaranteed under the programme in view of the natural calamity.
Announcing these decisions, Chouhan said, “An amount of Rs 171 Cr is being directly deposited into the bank accounts of 8.5 lakh farmers in Jammu and Kashmir under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme.”
“Besides, more than 5000 houses, damaged during recent rain, flood, and landslide-affected areas of Jammu division, will be reconstructed. For this purpose, the affected people will be provided with immediate relief, financial assistance and technical support for rehabilitation and reconstruction. Each affected household will receive Rs 1.3 lakh as basic aid, with an additional Rs 40,000 per family to be provided by the Ministry of Agriculture. Rs 85.62 Cr have been sanctioned for this purpose,” the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare said.
Referring to additional assistance to be provided by the government in this context, he asserted that special provisions were also being considered under NDRF and SDRF norms to support soil restoration and silt removal in the affected farmlands.
The Agriculture Minister said, “The farmers, whose crops were destroyed will also benefit from the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, with the state government and insurance companies expediting damage assessment surveys.” In his remarks, the Union Agriculture Minister also appreciated Dr Jitendra’s continuous efforts in engaging with the farming community of Jammu and Kashmir at ground level with particular reference to lavender cultivation and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to farmers’ welfare.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Agriculture Ministry ensured prompt implementation of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and crop insurance schemes in even the remotest border areas. Dr Jitendra Singh reiterated the government’s resolve to stand by the people in distress.
He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Agriculture Minister for employment support through MGNREGA, extending workdays from 100 to 150 days in severely affected regions, compensation for animal losses and housing support for families whose homes were destroyed.
Union Minister of State in PMO commended local initiatives such as lavender cultivation and horticultural diversification in Jammu and Kashmir, calling them models of self-reliance and innovation in the Himalayan region.
Dr Jitendra highlighted that with the government’s continued support through initiatives such as technology enabled programmes, drone technology, and soil health card schemes, the farmers were becoming increasingly self-reliant. He noted that agri-startups successfully established themselves in Jammu and Kashmir, creating livelihood and driving innovation in farming practices. The meeting was attended by senior officers and dignitaries from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, and other officials associated with the relief operations.
