Puducherry government to begin distribution of free solar pump sets to farmers soon, says Chief Minister
The government will soon start distribution of solar pump sets to eligible farmers free of cost in the Union Territory, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy said on Wednesday.
Launching government's En Veedu En Nilam scheme at the Botanical Garden, the Chief Minister said administrative steps were being taken to begin distribution of solar pump sets to the farmers at the earliest. Around 6,000 farmers will be eligible for receiving the pump sets in the Union Territory. The scheme was envisaged to homestead vegetable cultivation in a cluster-based approach by extending an aid of ₹5,000 input cost per individual.
The Chief Minister distributed 21 items, including seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, green shade nets and pots worth around ₹5,000 to the beneficiaries at the launch. In the first phase, while around 3,000 people would be provided materials required for terrace farming, another 3,000 beneficiaries would be added to the scheme later.
'The scheme was announced in the Budget to promote terrace farming considering the limited space available for cultivation, especially in the town and the outskirts. Though, around ₹1.5 crore was budgeted initially for the scheme, the allocation has been enhanced now to ₹3 crore,' he said.
He urged the people to take up dairy farming. There was a huge potential for milk production as the territory was only producing around 45,000 litres per day.
'During the last four years, the government was able to implement stalled welfare programmes as well as introduce new schemes. The free rice distribution was relaunched successfully without any complaint on the quality of rice supplied. The government will soon start distribution of 2kg wheat free of cost to ration card holders,' he said.
The Puducherry government was implementing all the promises made to the people in a phased manner. It was important for the administration to maintain close relationship with the Centre to avail more funds. 'It is important to have the support of the Centre. Otherwise, we will have to raise additional revenue by increasing taxes for implementing the schemes,' he said.
Minister for Agriculture C. Djeacoumar and Speaker R. Selvam participated.
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