Consumer affairs, food and public distribution, Government ministry

By Pragya KaushikaNew Delhi [India] April 2 : Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday said that the central government has initiated several steps, including early payment of PM-KISAN instalment and additional funds to states under MGNREGA, in an effort to provide relief to farmers and rural poor during the COVID-19 lockdown.Speaking to , the minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government was also taking care of harvesting and procurement of rabi crops."This is the time for harvesting. We can't wait for harvesting for long also because of unpredictable weather conditions. On the condition that social distancing norms are followed, the Prime Minister has allowed it to be done. Procurement and sale of produce at the right price is also being taken care of. Farmers can sell their produce in mandis, they have been allowed to do this. State governments are also abiding by these directives," he said.He said the supply of fertilisers, pesticides and seeds to farmers is also being ensured.The minister said an instalment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi will be transferred to the accounts of over eight crore farmers in the first week of April as part of immediate relief.He said farmers who pay off loans till March 31 get subsidy and exemption on interest and this date has been extended till May 31 due to prevailing conditions.The minister said the government has also released additional funds of more than Rs 4,000 crore to states under MGNREGA and wages under the rural employment guarantee scheme have been increased.Tomar said there is proper coordination between the ministry of agriculture and the ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in the procurement process."Farmers would be able to sell their produce at a reasonable rate," he said, adding that state government will facilitate it while laying emphasis on norms of social distancing.The minister also spoke about hardships faced by migrants who wanted to go to villages."Our country has this trend of migration of workers from state to state. When the lockdown was announced, those migrants wanted to return, many did but today the need is that they should be healthy and protected from coronavirus," he said.The minister said the Prime Minister has directed all states to take care of the migrants."We value human life more than anything else. We assure migrants that Prime Minister is aware of your situation and taking steps for your welfare," he said.A nationwide lockdown was announced by the government on March 24 to prevent the spread of coronavirus.( With inputs from ANI )

Consumer Affairs, Food And Public DistributionFOLLOW

Consumer affairs, food and public distribution, Latest News

The news of passing away of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Ram Vilas Paswan is unbelievable, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Thursday. ...

Union Minister and founder of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Ram Vilas Paswan passed away on Thursday following illness. ...

The central government on Sunday said that over Rs 1,000 crore has been paid to 41,084 farmers for procurement of paddy on Minimum Support Price (MSP). ...

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday appealed to the central government for distributing free ration to the people of the state for next six months in view of COVID-19 outbreak. ...

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend the benefits under the Pradhan Mantri ... ...

Procurement of wheat by government agencies surpassed last year's figure of 341.31 lakh tonnes to touch 341.56 lakh tonnes on May 24, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said on Monday. ...

Ram Vilas Paswan, the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, came to the aide of his men on Tuesday by cancelling the ministry's order of taking action against officers who were reluctant to join office amid the Covid-19 th ...

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday said that the central government has initiated several steps, including early payment of PM-KISAN instalment and additional funds to states under MGNREGA, in an effort to pro ...