1 lakh farmers to now get pension, thanks to Mamata Banerjee govt

Kolkata: Taking a major step to extend support to farmers, the Mamata Banerjee government has decided to give old age pension to as many as 1 lakh farmers above the age of 60 years. At present, a total of 69,000 aged farmers derive the benefit. But the Chief Minister has now decided to bring in another 31,000 under the project.

At the same time, the amount of pension has also gone up. Earlier, the aged farmers used to get Rs 650 to Rs 750 per month as pension. The "pro-people government" has now decided to increase the amount to Rs 1,000 per month.

Asish Banerjee, the state Agriculture minbister, will be holding a high level meeting on June 26 in Nabanna, to monitor the proper distribution of the same among aged farmers. Pradip Mazumdar, advisor to the Chief Minister on agriculture, Nandini Chakravorty, secretary of the state Agriculture department and other concerned officers will be present in the meeting, where there will be detailed discussion on the issue. Steps that need to be taken so that proper distribution of the benefits can be ensured, will be discussed in the meeting.

When contacted, Banerjee said: "The Chief Minister has made the move to give pension to another 31,000 aged farmers and it will take the total number to 1 lakh. At the same time, the amount of the pension has also been increased to Rs 1,000 per month."

It may be mentioned that the Mamata Banerjee government has given a new lease of life to the state's agriculture sector. Starting from waiving tax on agricultural land to helping farmers with modern tools, her initiatives have ensured an increase in the yield and Bengal has won Krishi Karman award for five consecutive years. The state Agriculture department has also ensured proper and timely distribution of seeds among farmers.

Banerjee has also inaugurated a Farmers' Training Centre at Suri in Birbhum on Friday. Agri-scientists, researchers and experts will be providing round-the-year training to farmers. Eight farmers have also been felicitated in the inaugural programme. Mohan Garai, one of the eight, is the best in the national level in terms of cultivation of pulses. Garai is from Ilambazar in Birbhum. During the programme the state Agriculture minister has stressed upon cultivation of sugarcane and maize in Birbhum. He also urged farmers to go for "integrated farming" as well.