MMUY and livelihood schemes rolled out, road projects worth Rs 1,800 crore approved, and fresh employment support announced
Guwahati: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa on February 23 rolled out a series of major farm and rural welfare initiatives aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity, boosting livelihoods and accelerating infrastructure growth across Assam, in the presence of Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
The programme marked the launch of assistance under the Mukhya Mantri Utkarsh Yojana (MMUY) and the Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana. Grants, along with agricultural machinery and modern tools, were distributed to Farmer-Producer Companies (FPCs) and Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) to promote collective farming and enhance farmers’ incomes.
The government has disbursed the first instalment of Rs 12 lakh today to each of the 294 Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs). In total, each FPO will receive financial assistance of Rs 15 lakh, aimed at strengthening farmer collectives and supporting agricultural growth.
An amount of Rs 120 crore was also disbursed under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, National Rural Livelihoods Mission, benefiting self-help groups and rural households across the state.
Addressing the media after the ceremony, Chouhan praised the Chief Minister’s leadership and reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to Assam’s development. He announced that proposals for 728 rural roads and 62 bridges have also been approved, worth over Rs 1,800 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
To enhance rural employment, the government has sanctioned 3 crore additional mandays under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), involving an outlay of about Rs 1,100 crore.
Additional funds of around Rs 40 crore have been allocated for power tillers to promote farm mechanisation, while Rs 42 crore has been released for pulse cultivation. Mustard farmers will receive an extra Rs 500 per quintal above MSP, with procurement supported under the Price Support Scheme.
The Chief Minister, while addressing the media, states, “Today, Assam secured approval for 1,500 km of new rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), with nearly Rs 1,800 crore sanctioned by Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Tenders will be invited soon to start construction and boost village connectivity.
Additionally, the Chief Minister states that the Mukhya Mantri Utkarsh Yojana will financially and technologically empower Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) to leverage free trade agreements with the UK, EU and the US and export Assam’s agricultural and horticultural produce to global markets.”
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