Madhya Pradesh's interests ignored in Rail Budget: CM

Bhopal, February 25 (Pervez Bari): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has described as disappointing for Madhya Pradesh the Union Railway Budget which presented in the Lok Sabha today by Railway Minister Ms Mamtaa Banerjee.
Reacting to the rail budget, Mr. Chouhan said that justice to Madhya Pradesh has been denied by ignoring its interests. He said that the Madhya Pradesh is a progressive state that requires expansion of transport infrastructure. He said that density of railway lines is low. Districts that are strategically important in terms of faster industrial development remain without railway facilities.
Mr. Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh has been drawing attention of the Union Railways Ministry towards the need of expansion of railway facilities in Madhya Pradesh for last five-six years but interests are being ignored.
The Chief Minister said that there were great expectations from this year's rail budget but have not been fulfilled. He said that Madhya Pradesh is the heart of Incredible India and deserves top priority. What the Union Railway Budget offers is far from satisfaction. He said that paying special attention to a particular state and ignoring other states brings disgrace to the dignity of Centre-State Relations.
Mr. Chouhan said that letters have been repeatedly sent to the Centre for conversion of Gwalior-Sheopur narrow gauge line into broad gauge and extending it to Kota, completing Lalitpur-Singrauli railway line, sanctioning of Indore-Manmad rail line, construction of railway track up to Jain pilgrimage Kundalpur in Damoh and sanctioning of Khandwa-Dahod rail-line.
He said that Madhya Pradesh had demanded extension of Satna rail-line up to Mirzapur, conversion of Jabalpur-Gondia route, construction of Bopal-Ramganj Mandi new rail-line, extending Rajkot Express to Rewa, extending Shaktipunj Express to Bhopal, laying of Bhind-Koch track, stoppage of Shatabdi Express at Bina, Indore-Mumbai and Delhi - Mumbai rail facilities and train for Biohari-Katni-Bina via Singrauli and Bhopal-Singrauli train. These demands have been ignored, he pointed out. (pervezbari@eth.net)

Bhopal gas survivors protest against unethical drug trials on them

Bhopal, February 24 (Pervez Bari): Survivors of the December 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy, world’s worst industrial catastrophe, led by the representatives of five NGOs working for their welfare on Thursday marched to the Bhopal Memorial Hospital & Research Centre, (BMHRC), the hospital meant for free treatment of the gas victims, demanding suspension of senior consultants involved with unethical drug trials on gas victims and compensation for those on whom drug trials have been conducted.
Decrying the preferential treatment of non-gas victims at BMHRC they opposed attempts by the Bharatiya Janata Party, (BJP), ruled Madhya Pradesh Government to take control of the hospital and demanded taking over of the administration of the hospital by the central government.
The NGOs leading the march stated that senior consultants of BMHRC broke the law in 2004 by carrying out Phase III drug trials because such trials were illegal prior to 2005. They condemned the Madhya Pradesh Government for not disclosing the findings of the investigation on these trials and demanded that the Central government must act against the consultants who were interfering with the medical records of the trials.
The five NGOs who led the surviving marchers included: Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh; Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha; Bhopal Gas Peedit Nirashrit Pension Bhogi Sangharsh Morcha; Bhopal Group for Information & Action and Children Against Dow Carbide.
The marchers included Mrs. Laxmi Bai on whose husband Late Mr. Shankarlal, BMHRC consultant Dr. S. K. Trivedi tested a drug named Ticagrelor without his knowledge or consent. The drug manufactured by multinational pharmaceutical company Astra Zeneca is still not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the regulatory agency in USA. Another gas victim Mr. Ramadhar Shrivastav who was given an unnamed medicine by Dr. Trivedi for a year and half as part of a drug trial was also in the march. The marchers included Amir son of Mr. Raees, a gas victim with kidney disease who died in June 2010 because he was denied dialysis facility at BMHRC. Mrs. Phullo Bai from a below poverty line family, whose husband Ram Singh died at age 50 in March 2009 because of the same reason, was also part of the march.
Also marching was Ms Sameena (30) who was diagnosed with chronic renal failure two and half years back. Coming from a family that is below poverty line Sameena cannot afford to pay for Dialysis that she needs on a regular basis to stay alive. Ms Sameena is registered with BMHRC and is entitled to free medical care but despite repeated attempts has still not been able to receive facilities for Dialysis. Mr. Tanveer (45) who is also being denied dialysis facility at BMHRC was also part of the march. According to the organizations leading the march, gas victims are routinely denied dialysis and investigation facilities at BMHRC. As per the records of the hospital last year while 3000 non-gas victims were given dialysis facility only 900 gas victims were able to get it. The organizations pointed out that last year the in-charge of the dialysis Unit Dr. Mahendra Atlani has earned Rs. 3.64 lakh from the non-gas victims.
The organizations expressed concern over current attempts by the Department of Atomic Energy, (DAE), to hand over the administration of BMHRC to an autonomous body created with the primary involvement of the Madhya Pradesh Government. They said that the Madhya Pradesh Government’s failure to run the hospitals meant for gas victims has been well documented in the seven reports of the Monitoring Committee set up by the Supreme Court. The reports of the Monitoring Committee highlighted terrible inadequacies in terms of lack of specialists and doctors, absence of treatment protocols, unavailability of quality medicines, inadequacy of patient recording system and unhygienic and unsanitary conditions. The organizations pointed out that the Supreme Court directed the DAE on 19th July 2010 to take over the running of the BMHRC and its current attempts to pass on the responsibility amounts to contempt of the Court’s order.
It may be mentioned here that BMHRC was established in 1998 after 40 tonnes of poisonous methyl isocyanate gas spewed from the pesticide plant of the Union Carbide factory in the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984. The gas leak killed 3,000 people instantly and more that 25,000 over the years. It also affected 100,000 people that night and estimates are that more than 500,000 continue to suffer till date. (pervezbari@eth.net)

SDPI Expresses Reservations over Godhra Verdict

SDPI Expresses Reservations over Godhra Verdict

Bhopal, February 25 (Pervez Bari): The Social Democratic Party of India, (SDPI), while welcoming the acquittal of 63 accused, including the main accused, Maulvi Umarji, has expressed reservations on the verdict in the Godhra train carnage which convicted 31 others in the case.
E. Aboobacker, the SDPI national president, in a statement said the verdict in the case coming nine years after the incident was a "travesty of justice". The judgment speaks poorly on India's judicial system that most of the 63 acquitted people were in jail for all these years who were denied bail and spent all these years behind the bars. Nine precious years of their lives were lost just on suspicion, he added.
The judgment has established a conspiracy angle on the part of Muslims to burn down the rail coach based on police reports. However, it may be noted that Gujarat police force which is part of a so heavily compromised system that even the Supreme Court deemed it fit to have certain cases transferred out of Gujarat. It is believed that the police and administration in Gujarat, on whose inputs the justice delivery system based its conclusions, was still adversely disposed towards Muslims, he added.
Mr. Aboobacker pointed out that two inquiry commissions viz. Banerjee Commission set up by Indian Railways and Nanavati Commission set up by Gujarat’s Modi Government were established which came out with dramatically contradictory conclusions. The Banerjee Commission ruled out any “conspiracy theory” in burning down the coach of Sabarmati Express. It rejected the “petrol theory” of the police, saying it was not possible to pour 60 litres of petrol or other inflammable substance on the floor of the coach from outside when the train did not stop, and was in motion. It ruled out the burning of coaches as an ''activity of miscreants''. It maintained that since 90 per cent of the passengers were “karsevaks with trishuls'', they would not have allowed themselves to be set on fire “without a murmur”. It was also not possible to enter the S-6 coach as it was locked from inside, the commission had ruled.
While the Nanavati Commission was categorical that the carnage was a “pre-planned conspiracy” and a deliberate attempt was made to burn coach S-6 of the Sabarmati Express and cause harm to karsevaks travelling in that coach. This view was propagated by the Gujarat police after investigation. It supported the police theory that petrol was used in setting fire S-6 on fire. It said the incident was planned by Razzak Kurkur and Salim Panwala and others. It said the blaze was not caused by an accidental fire but was part of a “larger conspiracy to create terror and destabilize the administration”. It gave a clean chit to Chief Minister Narendra Modi and his council of ministers in the Godhra incident.
Mr. Abubacker said looking at the Nanavati Commission findings one can conclude easily that the purpose of setting up the Commission by the Bharatiya Janata Party ruled Gujarat Government was served as it gave clean chit to Chief Minister Modi while blaming Muslims of hatching a conspiracy. The presiding judge also seems to have been influenced by this report. The judge totally ignored the Banerjee Commission findings before pronouncing his judgment.
Another serious omission by the Special Court of not taking notice of CM Narendra Modi’s immediate dash to Godhra and his instruction to the district authorities to transfer the dead bodies to Ahmedabad forthwith, where they were paraded to incite communal passions and to launch the infamous Gujarat pogrom, the statement said.
Mr. Aboobacker asserted that there was a conspiracy but not by the Muslims of Godhra but by the VHP and its associates to put into effect their plan for massive attacks on the Muslims of Gujarat and thus to find an excuse for the Genocide.
The judgment is faulty in a sense that many of those convicted were not physically present in Godhra on the said date of the horrendous incident and Gujarat police has implicated them on false evidence and extracted confessions by way of torture. They should appeal to the High Court against their conviction, the statement added. (pervezbari@eth.net)

‘Spreading message of Islam thru’ different modes should be encouraged in 21st century’

Bhopal, February 21 (Pervez Bari): Maulana Nazar-ul-Hafeez Nadwi Azhari, a very senior member of the teaching staff in the world famous seminary Darul Uloom Nadwat-ul-Ulama, Lucknow, while laying stress on the need of “Da’wah” (preaching and spreading the message of Islam) in the 21st century said there could be different channels to achieve its objective. Whosever is working on this on whichever platform to attain this goal should be encouraged in his endeavour and there should be coordination among all those groups and individuals engaged in this work. Maulana Nazar-ul-Hafeez, who was chief guest, was speaking here at a special programme of “Seerat” (life and works) of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) organized for Ulama (Muslim clerics) and Muslim intellectuals on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi jointly by Salman Academy and Salman Educational & Social Welfare Society, Bhopal. The programme was presided over by a senior Aalim (singular for Ulama) Maulana Ahmad Saeed Nadwi. Three lectures were also delivered by noted Ulama on different topics which were pre-decided. Senior Urdu journalist Maulana Ashfaque Mashhadi Nadwi, who is Rashtriya Sahara’s Madhya Pradesh Correspondent, was felicitated on the occasion. He was recently conferred with Hakeem Qamar-ul-Hasan Award for Urdu journalist by the Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy. While two books penned in Arabic by Maulana Dr. Salimur Rahman Khan Nadwi of Bhopal, Visiting Professor of Arabic , Faculty of Policy Studies, Chuo University & Director Da’wah, Islamic Centre, Japan, were also released on the occasion by Maulana Nazar-ul-Hafeez Nadwi Azhari on the occasion. The books titles are: “Japan Mein Islam Ki Tareekh” (History of Islam in Japan) and “Hindustan Mein Islami Sahafat Ki Tareekh wa Irtaqa” (History of Islamic journalism in India and its development). It may be mentioned here that Dr. Salim after completing his Fazeelat degree from Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama in 1976 he continued his studies and was granted admission in Jamiatul Imam Muhammad Bin Sa’ud Al-Islamia in Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. From here he completed his M. A. in Arabic language under the guidance of renowned Arabic litterateur Dr. Saleh Al-Samurai. In 1982 a branch of Jamiatul Imam Muhammad Bin Sa’ud Al-Islamia was established in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, where Dr. Salim was appointed as an Arabic lecturer and “Daee” by the Saudi Government in November that year. As such Dr. Salim is settled in Japan for nearly last three decades.
It may be noted that Prof. Maulana Barkatullah Bhopali was the first professor of Urdu and Persian in Tokyo University in Japan. Prof. Barkatullah was in the forefront of India’s freedom struggle and went on to become the first Prime Minister of India when provisional Government of India in Exile was formed on December 1, 1875 in Kabul with Raja Mahendra Pratap as its President.
Maulana Nazar-ul-Hafeez said: “Islam Tang Nazar Mazhab Nahin Jis Mein Dawat Ke Kaam Ka Koi Khas Pahlu wa Tariqua Ho”. He quoted the world renowned Muslim cleric late Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Hasani Nadwi, popularly known as ‘Ali Miyan’, who had once said: “Jistarah Bhi Ho Dawat Ka Kaam Karein. Kisi Khas Tanzeem Ya Idaare Ki Zaroorat NahiN. Yeh Zimmedari Allah Ne Qur’an Ke Zariye Har Momin Par Rakkhi Hai”.
The Maulana profusely quoting the example of Bhopal’s Maulana Dr. Salimur Rahman Nadwi, said that he is engaged painstakingly in spreading the message of Islam among the Japanese presenting a true picture of the religion which stands for the salvation of entire mankind. The perseverance of Dr. Salim has borne fruit as a result of which Japanese in large numbers have embraced Islam and continue to do so for its truthfulness without any allurement whatsoever. Thus, the number of Masjids is increasing and a sense of “Halaal” and “Haraam” food is developing among them, he added.
While throwing light on different means and ways to serve people while spreading the true teachings of Islam the Maulana said that through this degradation of moral values in the new generation can be checked. He said it has been observed that teaching Arabic language to educated Kashmiri youths and establishing schools and Madaris for girls in Rae Bareli and other places have created right climate of Islamic teachings in the masses which is free from “Shirk” and “Bida’at” (innovations). The “Shirk” and “Bida’at” have distorted the teachings of Islam which the Prophet Muhammad practiced and propagated in his lifetime, he remarked.
Maulana Nazar-ul-Hafeez revealed that 50,000 Christian prisoners in USA have embraced Islam when an Egyptian went to the USA and worked among them, who were confined in jails, spreading the teachings of Islam through his writings, speeches and other conducive activities . He said that this is possible only when one is sincere and firm in determination to achieve one’s goal and presents Islam in a practical way by adopting the Islamic tenets oneself in letter and spirit. Earlier, Maulana Dr. Salimur Rahman Khan Nadwi, who is known as Mufti-e-Aazam in Japan, spoke on the topic of “Asr-e-Hazir Mein Dawat-e-Islam Ka Kaam Kis Tarique Se Anjaam Diya Jaae”. Shedding light on the topic he said that it is the responsibility of all Muslims to spread the word of Islam wherever they are in the world as distortions in various forms such as “Shirk”, “Kufr”, “Bida’at” etc. have entered Muslims’ homes. This can only be stopped by undertaking the task of “Da’wah” and striving to remove the social ills in society.
Dr. Salim, who is the president of Association of Peace Message for Humanity-Japan, lamented that despite Muslims being in power in India for about 800 years but they ignored the work of “Da’wah” as a result of which they are victims of their own misdeeds and fellow countrymen. On the country Islam reached the shores of Japan about 100 years back only. “ In 1982 when I stepped in on Japanese soil there were only a few Muslims who could be counted on fingers with only two Masjids. However, now 28 years later due to proper work of “Da’wah” there are 100,000 Japanese who have embraced Islam while there are nearly 400,000 foreign Muslims in Japan. There are now 70 Masjids which Muslims have built by buying lands and buildings while there are about 100 “Musallas” in universities and other centres. He said that if Muslims in India become true practicing Muslims following the tenets of Islam in letter and spirit then they could leave a lasting impression on the lives of others around them who could later on become part of the Muslim Ummah. If non-Muslims are informed in a most respectful manner about the Human rights, Kids right (which was only brought in the year 1969) the rights of neighbours and even the rights of animals in Islam together with revealing the simple life of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) then it would certainly stir their hearts and minds and some radical changes may take place in their lives. The Prophet of Islam Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was not just for Muslims but for whole humanity, he added.
To engage oneself in the work of “Da’wah” the modern gadgets and tools or any other resources available should be used in the best possible manner to spread their message far and wide.” The use of any gadget or tool is not forbidden in Islam but it is the use to which it is put makes it “Haraam” or “Halaal”, the Mufti-e-Aazam quipped.
“If each of us is able to impress at least one non-Muslim who embraces Islam then this would be enough for our salvation on the Day of Judgement when “Qayamat” (the Day of Resurrection) will be established, Dr. Salim remarked.
Maulana Hakeem Ahsan Ali Khan Nadwi, senior teacher of Dar-ul-Uloom, Taj-ul-Masajid, Bhopal, delivered a lecture on “Millat-e-Islamia Ki Qayaadat Ke Liye Ulama Aur DanishwaroN Ke Ittehad-wa-Ittefaq Ki Zaroorat” (The need of closing of ranks between clerics and intellectuals to lead Muslim Ummah). He said Ulama and intellectuals should seek guidance from the Holy Qur’an and the “Seerat” of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) to face the challenges of the present era while leading the Muslim Ummah. They should not waste their time and energy on minor issues but remain steadfast on the principles which Islam propagates, he emphasized.
Another lecture was delivered by Maulana Syed Sharafat Ali Nadwi, another senior teacher of Dar-ul-Uloom, Taj-ul-Masajid, Bhopal, on the topic of “Ba’as Nabwi Aalam-e-Insaniyat Ke Liye Sarchashma-e-Rashd-wa-Hidaayat”. While stressing that Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was the role model for entire humanity, he said other religions are found limited in approach and confined to certain regions and races but the followers of Islam are found in every nook and corner of the world with the universal message of love, peace, brotherhood, equality, truthfulness etc. with the Oneness of Almighty Allah (Subhanahu Ta’ala).
The Maulana emphatically stressed the need to make aware the masses about the life and works of Prophet of Islam Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) in right perspective which is free from “Shirk” and “Bida’at” so as to put a true picture of Islam before the world at large.
At the outset Qari Hashim Ansari recited verses from the Holy Qur’an while Qari Mohammad Qasim Nadwi rendered a Na’at. The programme was conducted by Maulana Kaleem-ur-Rahman Nadwi conducted the programme with aplomb while Dr. Nafees-ur-Rahman Khan Nadwi welcomed the guests.
Qari Hashim Ansari also read out a brief report of Madarsa Mahad-ul-Qur’an-ul-Kareem which is engaged in imparting the knowledge of the Holy Qur’an with “Tartee”l, “Tajweed”, “Tahfeez”, “Tafheem” etc. The Madarsa is being run by the Salman Educational & Social Welfare Society, Bhopal under the guidance of Dr. Nafees-ur-Rahman Khan Nadwi, who is the Director of the institute. (pervezbari@eth.net)

25 Seats to be Reserved for Poor Children in Private Schools in MP

25 Seats to be Reserved for Poor Children in Private Schools in MP

Bhopal, February 19 (Pervez Bari): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Antodaya Mela will be organised every year in order to provide benefits of public welfare schemes to the poor people. Half of the budget of State Government will be spent only on poor people.
Chouhan was addressing an Antodaya Mela organised at Indore today. A total of Rs. 60 crore under various schemes was distributed among one lakh 7 thousand beneficiaries. On this occasion, Finance Minister and District In-charge Minister Raghavji, Commerce and Industries Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, Minister of State for Health Mahendra Hardia, Mayor Krishnamurari Moghe, MP Mrs. Sumitra Mahajan, Zila Panchayat President Omprakash Parsavadia were present.
The Chief Minister Chouhan further said that the boys would also be provided bicycles from next year. Around 25 per cent seats will be reserved for the children of poor families in private schools. The State Government will defray their fees. The poor children who secure more than 80 per cent marks will be provided an assistance amount of Rs. 500 per month. The girls from first standard to 12th standard are being provided textbooks and uniforms free of cost by the State Government.
He said that the State Government was also paying attention to generate job opportunities to the youths with education. A skill development mission has already been initiated for the youths. The 90 per cent jobs will be ensured to the local people in the industries being set up in Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor. Skill development centre will be opened at every development block where youths undergo training, he added.
The Chief Minister described Antodaya Mela as 'Mahayagna' of service. One can get blessings of God by lending service to poverty stricken people. Those who are on breadline and backward will be on top priority of State Government. Through Antodaya Mela, people are being benefited in the state. Poor families of urban and rural areas are being provided benefits of schemes like scholarship, medical treatment and other benefits while registering their names. The State Government has allocated Rs. 900 crore to extend financial helps to the frost-affected farmers in the state, he revealed. (pervezbari@eth.net)

Bhopal Muslims complain of irregularities in Census, memo to Patil

Bhopal, February 19 (Pervez Bari): Census enumerators in Bhopal in Muslim dominated localities are indulging in irregularities and behaving irresponsibly while making entries in Census forms in a planned conspiracy. This is being done to harm the interests of the Muslim community and deprive it from availing the benefits of the government schemes that would be formulated on the basis of information provided by the Census 2011.
This has been alleged by Mohammad Riyaz Khan, president Akhil Bharatiya Muslim Sangh, (ABMS), in a memorandum to the President of India Mrs. Pratibha Patil. He has requested her to use her good offices to immediately instruct the Union Government and the Madhya Pradesh Government to order cessation of the census work in the Muslim localities n Bhopal. He charged that enumerators under the instruction from some hidden hands are making entries in the forms with pencils and getting it signed by the people who are being enumerated. This is being done on the pretext that later the final entries will be made with ink pen in good handwriting. Thus, the memorandum said, this act has posed serious doubts in the minds of the Muslims who fear that the final entries would be changed to suit the forces that are inimical to the interests of the Muslim community. The act in itself poses questions on the reliability of the information entered in the forms. In some cases the enumerators have entered mother tongue as Hindi language of Urdu speaking Muslims even without taking the trouble of asking the concerned person who is semi-illiterate or totally illiterate. All this smells of some well planned conspiracy in the counting of heads of Muslims, Mr. Khan said.
The memorandum pointed out that it has been officially mandated under the Census 2011 rules to make the entries in the Census forms with blue ink dot pens. However, the enumerators in Bhopal are violating this directive with impunity.
Mr. Khan has appealed the President Mrs. Patil to get the enumeration work suspended forthwith and order probe to cross-check the entries made so far. Those found indulging in irregularities should be penalized and as such a directive to this effect may be send to the Madhya Pradesh Government, the memorandum said.
A copy of this ABMS memorandum has also been send through fax to the Prime Minister of India , Union Home Minister and Union Minister for Welfare of Minorities for necessary action. It may be mentioned here that prior to sending the memorandum to the dignitaries, Mr. Khan had lodged complaint with the Census officials but no action has been taken in this regard. (pervezbari@eth.net)

M. P. to have Integrated Agriculture Development Scheme

Bhopal, February 15 (Pervez Bari): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has given instructions to chalk out an integrated agriculture development scheme in order to ensure benefits of different to the farmers on time making agriculture a profitable proposition. He asked the officers concerned to ensure that funds available under various agriculture schemes and projects are well spent in the larger interest of farmers.
According to an official spokesman Mr. Chouhan was reviewing schemes of Agriculture Development and Farmers' Welfare Department at Mantralaya, the state secretariat, here on Monday.
Mr. Chouhan directed the concerned authorities to chalk out district-wise agriculture plans considering crop diversity and cattle density saying that a comprehensive State Agriculture Plan would be drawn out on the basis of district plans. He instructed the concerning officers to have a meeting of related departments including finance and planning, resolve inter-departmental issues and finalize state agriculture plan.
Referring to sporadic complaints about sale of substandard seeds and fertilizers, the Chief Minister asked the officers to launch a campaign for preventing the sale of substandard seeds and fertilizers. He said that the sale of poor quality seeds and fertilizers will not be allowed in the state at any cost and strict action would be taken against those involved in the sale of adulterated seeds. The companies will have to face legal action and if needed fresh laws could also be made for rigorous punishment to such companies. It was informed that FIRs have been lodged against some companies and licenses have been cancelled.
Meanwhile, in order to make the national agriculture crop insurance scheme more effective and remove anomalies in implementation, the Chief Minister asked the officers to organize a national level workshop at Bhopal. He said that the subject matter specialists and farm policy analysts would be invited to the workshop and suggest an alternative scheme.
Mr. Chouhan stressed the need on spending budget under various agriculture schemes constructively and timely so that farmers get maximum benefit. He said that by the end of every financial year, hundred per cent expenditure should be ensured. He asked them to focus attention on allied sectors like fisheries, horticulture, food processing and animal husbandry.
The Chief Minister said that regions known for specific crops, congenial climate, availability of resources should be identified and all efforts should be devoted to such areas so that they emerge as distinct identity in terms of agriculture. He stressed on making more effective the systems put in place to deposit subsidy amount direct to the beneficiaries' accounts. He said that the impact of state and centre-sponsored farm schemes on farming community should be assessed so that scheme could be timely amended in case of any lacuna.
The Chief Minister reviewed the performance of various schemes including Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and various sub-schemes. He asked the officers to start preparing agriculture development action plan of the coming year incorporating suggestions from people's representatives.
Those who attended the meeting included: Minister for Agriculture Ram Krishna Kusmaria, Cooperative Minister Gauri Shankar Bisen, Agriculture Production Commissioner Mrs. Abha Asthana, principal secretary finance G. P. Sinhal, principal secretary horticulture Sevaram, principal secretary fisheries Mrs. Ajita Vajpayee Pande, Director Agriculture, Director Animal Husbandry and senior officers. (pervezbari@eth.net)