PM constitutes sub-group of CMs on agriculture

New Delhi: In a significant move that may give a push to development in rural India particularly in the areas of agriculture and rural employment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Niti Aayog has constituted a sub-group of seven Chief Ministers to coordinate policy approaches towards farm sector and rural job programmes.

The sub-group of CMs will be headed by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister as its convener, while the CMs of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim as its members. Besides, all the CMs, Niti Aayog Member Ramesh Chandra has also been included into the sub-group as its member.

According to a senior official, the decision which has been taken in the backdrop of the Prime Minister's vision to double farmers' income by 2022 is seen as a move to bring on board all the stakeholders through multi-dimensional and inclusive approach.

The decision has been taken on the proposal of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who had pitched for the convergence of MNREGA with agriculture at the 4th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog held on Sunday. In addition to it, the Prime Minister has also decided to have a direct dialogue with farmers across the country through the Narendra Modi App on Wednesday.

The sub-group, which would have its first meeting within the next month, would submit its report within three months from its date of constitution. The sub-group would suggest a more extensive choice of state-specific interventions both for pre-sowing and post-harvest to further improve the thrust on incomes, water conservation and waste to wealth.