Meet to discuss implementation of agri projects

Kolkata: The state government will hold a high level meeting with senior members from zilla parishads to take a stock of the progress in implementing projects taken up for advancement in the agriculture sector.

The meeting will be held at Nabanna Sabhagriha on November 7 in which sabhadipatis and krishi karmadakhaks from all the districts have been asked to be present.

They will be asked to put forward the way they have implemented the projects so far and the extent they have progressed in doing the same. They will also be getting opportunities to discuss if they are facing any difficulties in implementing the projects taken up for the benefits of farmers and at the same time that helps in bringing a progress in the agriculture sector.

When contacted, Asish Banerjee, the state Agriculture minister, said: "Letters have been sent requesting the sabhadipatis and krishi karmadakhaks to be present in the meeting in which there will be discussions on implementation of the projects taken up for development in the agricultural sector."

Ministers of the allied departments including Horticulture, Fisheries and Agriculture Marketing have also been requested to attend the meeting. Presence of the allied departments in the meeting will ensure an overall development in the sector.

Senior officials of the departments including that of the state Agriculture department would also be present in the meeting that will help in preparing a future roadmap in both taking up new projects for benefits of farmers and at the same time to expedite the process of implementing the ongoing projects, if necessary.

It may be mentioned that the most important step that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had taken for the benefits of farmers and to provide impetus to the agriculture sector in the state was to waive the land tax of farmers, who own up to 12 acre of irrigated farmland or 18 acre of rain-fed land. The step was taken at a cost of Rs 120 to Rs 200 crore to the state's exchequer. The state government has also decided to hold agriculture fairs in every district between November 20 and December 25. Sometime in this one month, the Mati Utsav in Burdwan will also be held and it will be attended by the Chief Minister like all the previous years. There will also be discussions in the November 7 meeting on agriculture fairs.