'Govt to support all SKDRDP SHGs'

Meeting to dicuss welfare programmes for farmers within two months

Addressing the gathering after administering the oath, Home Minister V S Acharya assured that the government will extend support to all the Self Help organisations initiated by the Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development project in the State. “The meeting to discuss the implementation of the welfare and farmer friendly programmes will be held within two months in the presence of CM B S Yedyurappa, other related officials and the heads of the Self Help organisations in the Vidhana Sabha Banquet Hall,” he added.

Dr Acharya also said that the State would take steps to convert kushki (gomala) land to agricultural land in 6 district in near future. The same will be extended to other districts in future, he said and added that about 75 per cent of land is gomala land out of the total 123 million hectace agriculture land in the State.  He said 56 per cent of the population of the State is dependent on agriculture but agricultural turn outs contribute only 19 per cent to the entire production of the State.

Plans are being chalked out to bring the farmers out from the pathetic situation by improving their standard of life. Government is planning to involve farmers in the production and service sector by generating the extra employment opportunities. Farmers who wish to continue with agriculture will be offered with additional farming facilities besides giving loans at low interest. Production and service sector contribute 22 per cent and 59 per cent respectively to the total income of the State, he said.

“Union government should hike the labour charges introduced under the Employment Guarantee Scheme. The programme is implemented effectively in the entire State. Gram Panchayat members and Self Help organisations should come forward with the proposals comprising the details of the areas where the necessity of the roads are found and government will take up further measures. Roads will be built by six months,” Acharya assured.

Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Educational Institutions Ujre Vice President D Surendra Kumar, Zilla Panchayath CEO Prasanna Kumar, Industrialist Pramodh Madhvaraj, SKDGP Executive Director Dr L H Manjunath and others were present.