Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan issued a crucial directive to state governments on Saturday, emphasising the urgent need for strategic and timely utilisation of allocated agricultural funds. He cautioned that delays in spending not only cause financial losses for the states but also disrupt the timely flow of subsequent instalments from the central government.
States Must Avoid March Bottlenecks, Says Minister
Addressing a high-level review meeting with state agriculture ministers, Chouhan stressed that funds earmarked for various central schemes must be spent effectively before the end of the financial year in March. He pointed out that administrative bottlenecks and minor procedural issues often lead to unnecessary hold-ups in budget allocations. "If states are unable to spend their budgets on time, it only results in losses for them," the minister stated clearly, urging for a more proactive approach.
Focus on Key Schemes and Farmer Welfare
The meeting conducted a thorough review of the progress and financial utilisation under major central agriculture schemes. These included the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) and the Krishonnati Yojana (KY). Minister Chouhan laid out specific priority areas for the states to address promptly.
He called for the swift verification of eligible beneficiaries under the flagship PM-KISAN income support scheme. Furthermore, he emphasised the need to expand the coverage of the crop insurance scheme and ensure the timely settlement of farmers' claims. The availability and balanced use of critical inputs like seeds and fertilisers were also highlighted as key focus areas for strengthening the farm sector.
Strengthening Centre-State Coordination
The review meeting saw participation from agriculture ministers of several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Mizoram. Senior officials from the Union Agriculture Ministry, led by Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi, were also present.
In his concluding remarks, Chouhan reassured the states of the central government's continued support to bolster the agriculture sector and protect farmers' interests. The directive underscores a push for enhanced fiscal discipline and better coordination between the centre and states to ensure that welfare schemes reach farmers without delay and achieve their intended impact.
